Tuesday, September 15, 2009

True Story Tuesday - Salt & Pepper Spray

In November of last year (pre-blog... I know... it shocked me too), the Polka Dot Palace was broken into and multiple items were stolen. Thankfully, sweet Sadie May was unharmed, but it was a terrifying, frightening and traumatic experience, nonetheless.

Immediately after the incident, Little and Daddy armed me with pepper spray, which was both nerve-wracking and empowering. For a few weeks I kept it unopened in my purse. My theory being that if a "bad guy" were to approach and threaten me I could say, "Halt, do not come any closer and force me to open this package of pepper spray and proceed to spray it at you."

As I was explaining this one night to a family who I regularly babysit for, the husband (who also happens to be a partner at my dad's company) insisted that he open it for me. I relented, and was secretly thankful he was doing so. After he had it free from its plastic prison, he handed the spray to me and read the instructions aloud. As he read, my hand automatically followed his words, unleashing a torrent of pepper spray upon him and his wife.

As the kitchen filled with the acrid substance, we were all crying, hacking, wheezing. I tried to apologize. Profusely. As my lungs bled. The husband tried to assure me it was okay. As his eyes were disintegrating. His wife did not look amused. Even aside from the massive stink eye she was sporting. Needless to say, it was quite a while before I heard from the family again.

Silver lining: We now know exactly how pepper spray works. And trust me when I say... it's nasty business.

12 comments:

DSS said...

So here is my question....if you sprayed it in self defense, would you then be able to run? Or, is it so potent it would knock you out as well?

I only ask b/c I had a similar experience, and all I could think of was that I couldn't see, couldn't breathe, and there was no way I was going to escape an attacker in that shape!

THE Stephanie said...

LOL... how do these things always happen to you?? But you're right. At least you know it works.

Anonymous said...

i had a thing on my key chain... until the boys soccer team got a hold of it lol

sarah said...

OMG. This KILLS me!

Headbands and Hand Bags said...

I cannot imagine two more dramatic events!

katie lake said...

Did you throw up? I was in a bar one night and these two guys got in a fight. A rookie cop freaked and sprayed them. It circulated through the tiny dive bar I was in and we all got stick and started throwing up.

Southern Champagne Wishes said...

Oh no! That is so terrible! But he is the one who wanted to open it for you and tell you how to use it, so I think he must deserve a little of the blame!

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

Ouch. Sorry you had to live this one, but what a great story!

holly-lynn said...

lol at least you know how to use it! i slept with pepper spray under my pillow in college and never knew had to use it!!

Unknown said...

oh my. I remember your tears after the horrific break in but I've never heard your pepper spray story! Ridiculous! Only you, my dear...only you.

Anonymous said...

I've been begging my fiance for pepper spray!!! This reminds me to beg again! :)

Just found your blog! SO cute!

sarah @ life {sweet} life said...

lol...this cracks me up!! :)