I know I'm not alone on this one, but when I'm feeling stressed, anxious, even happily excited I head for the fridge first. Ok ok.. I know that's not the right response to life.. so I also clean. I've noticed that while I clean I can clear my mind and solve all the problems of the world even if my own are still intact. But it does help me to physically release some pent up feelings.
So the reason for this topic... I was cleaning this morning and tried a new product that I added to my arsenal of cleaning aids.. this stuff was so good that I have to share.. I found it for the best price at Bed Bath & Beyond, it's called Hope's Perfect Glass. It was really streak free and I have a house full of glass furniture. Anyway I thought I'd share.
I try hard to get the job done right and on the first try when it comes to house cleaning, so if any of you have other household hints or surprising good products, I for one would enjoy hearing about them. I know this is way off the subject of family dynamics but it is one of my self coping mechanisms.
Next post... mopping :)
Quote from: Laurie on October 28, 2010, 11:27:24 AM
I know I'm not alone on this one, but when I'm feeling stressed, anxious, even happily excited I head for the fridge first. Ok ok.. I know that's not the right response to life.. so I also clean. I've noticed that while I clean I can clear my mind and solve all the problems of the world even if my own are still intact. But it does help me to physically release some pent up feelings.
So the reason for this topic... I was cleaning this morning and tried a new product that I added to my arsenal of cleaning aids.. this stuff was so good that I have to share.. I found it for the best price at Bed Bath & Beyond, it's called Hope's Perfect Glass. It was really streak free and I have a house full of glass furniture. Anyway I thought I'd share.
I try hard to get the job done right and on the first try when it comes to house cleaning, so if any of you have other household hints or surprising good products, I for one would enjoy hearing about them. I know this is way off the subject of family dynamics but it is one of my self coping mechanisms.
Next post... mopping :)
Dear Laurie,
Would you personally come over and shoot me? Cleaning? Mopping? OMG!! KILL ME!! Bed Bath and Beyond is in on the it too?? Woe is me, I have alas lost interest in it!!! Have to have someone come do it for me. It never gets all done, it happens all over again. :'(
QuoteDear Laurie,
Would you personally come over and shoot me? Cleaning? Mopping? OMG!! KILL ME!! Bed Bath and Beyond is in on the it too?? Woe is me, I have alas lost interest in it!!! Have to have someone come do it for me. It never gets all done, it happens all over again.
Not only do I find a certain peace of mind while I'm cleaning, my daughter has developed my habit.. ahhh not my boys so much. On occasion I do hire out for a little help, but I work along side and usually harder then the lady who is here helping me... all the while my mind is freed up to think about anything I choose. I also like yard work and my husband bought me a zero turn mower.. lol.. now I'm in heaven.. You know there could be a logical reason why my DIL doesn't understand me.
Quote from: Laurie on October 28, 2010, 12:13:24 PM
QuoteDear Laurie,
Would you personally come over and shoot me? Cleaning? Mopping? OMG!! KILL ME!! Bed Bath and Beyond is in on the it too?? Woe is me, I have alas lost interest in it!!! Have to have someone come do it for me. It never gets all done, it happens all over again.
Not only do I find a certain peace of mind while I'm cleaning, my daughter has developed my habit.. ahhh not my boys so much. On occasion I do hire out for a little help, but I work along side and usually harder then the lady who is here helping me... all the while my mind is freed up to think about anything I choose. I also like yard work and my husband bought me a zero turn mower.. lol.. now I'm in heaven.. You know there could be a logical reason why my DIL doesn't understand me.
:'( :'( :'( 8)
I love to do dishes by hand. It's so relaxing. That's the only domestic thing I actually enjoy, though. The rest of the house may look like a dump, the cats are sending me hate mail about the state of their litter boxes, I may have no clean clothes left except one sock and an evening gown (this is actually currently true - I hatehatehate doing laundry, and will put it off until the only option is going to work naked; in the past, I've even bought new clothes at Wal Mart rather than do laundry), but my dishes are all sparkling and put away.
Quote from: elsieshaye on October 28, 2010, 02:21:59 PM
I love to do dishes by hand. It's so relaxing. That's the only domestic thing I actually enjoy, though. The rest of the house may look like a dump, the cats are sending me hate mail about the state of their litter boxes, I may have no clean clothes left except one sock and an evening gown (this is actually currently true - I hatehatehate doing laundry, and will put it off until the only option is going to work naked; in the past, I've even bought new clothes at Wal Mart rather than do laundry), but my dishes are all sparkling and put away.
I'm on the floor...HA HA HA!!!!!!! ;D
Oh gosh, I even enjoy doing the laundry.. there really could be something wrong with my world. I just walked through my house honestly looking for what I hate to do.. baseboards and doors. In this house I had simplistic baseboards put in and all my interior doors are full frame opaque glass because I like cleaning glass.
I clean quite a bit with Dr. Bronner's Eucalyptus soap, the fragrance of Eucalyptus has a calming effect on the mind. It's my aroma therapy.
Actually my housekeeping anal tendencies, does create some tension with my ds and dil... my ds said that this is why we've never been invited to her parents home I guess her FOO did not keep a tidy house.. But unless you are living in unsanitary conditions I don't even typically notice, primarily because I'm there for friendship nothing more. Now I have to go finish up and get dinner going.. Cooking oh there is something I can live without.
Quote from: Laurie on October 28, 2010, 03:09:50 PM
Oh gosh, I even enjoy doing the laundry.. there really could be something wrong with my world. I just walked through my house honestly looking for what I hate to do.. baseboards and doors. In this house I had simplistic baseboards put in and all my interior doors are full frame opaque glass because I like cleaning glass.
I clean quite a bit with Dr. Bronner's Eucalyptus soap, the fragrance of Eucalyptus has a calming effect on the mind. It's my aroma therapy.
Actually my housekeeping anal tendencies, does create some tension with my ds and dil... my ds said that this is why we've never been invited to her parents home I guess her FOO did not keep a tidy house.. But unless you are living in unsanitary conditions I don't even typically notice, primarily because I'm there for friendship nothing more. Now I have to go finish up and get dinner going.. Cooking oh there is something I can live without.
You need not come and shoot me, alas, I am dead. Send the Coroner. All this Dr. Eucalyptus and calming and dinner. Are you all eating on the floor? I suppose you would be. OMG!
Quote from: Laurie on October 28, 2010, 03:50:13 PM
I do partake in the 5 second rule
I think it overpowers you and you have to clean it before the 5 seconds is up. Yes, yes I do.
Great thread, Laurie.
We moved to large home last year, and recently friends came up from the city, and she said to my husband, "How do you keep all this up?" And he said, "I keep up the yard, and Kay keeps up the house." And she looked at me and said, "Don't you have to get help with all this space to clean?" And my husband said, "Forget it. We tried that decades ago. After the cleaners left, Kay cleaned it again." I'm also one of those annoying people who do this in hotel rooms. I clean it before we use it (bathroom, etc.) and I neaten it before we leave. Fanatically, when we leave, I collect all towels and place them carefully in the bathtub. I make sure there is no trash outside the waste baskets. Drives husband bananas.
I am definitely a neatnik-clean-o-mania Type A borderline-insane-housekeeper personality. Do I enjoy cleaning? Love-hate. I just like the results. And my dishwasher is my favorite appliance. I do not like to wash dishes by hand (too messy), although my aunt and cousin loved it.
Where did I get it, my clean-o-mania? My mother used to clean the attic (or better yet, get me to do it) before dinner guests came. That came after scrubbing down/sanitizing the entire house, including the fireplace. As a young girl, I noticed that not one dinner guest ever went up to check the attic for dust before or after dinner. So that, for me, is out now. I don't clean the attic or garage when people are coming, a major advance.
Years ago I went green after visiting Lancaster, Pa and the wonderful Amish community there. I learned that Amish women, quite possibly the most meticulous housekeepers ever, only use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning. Chemical cleaners are never allowed in their immaculate homes. I only use these now. I buy vinegar in the huge gallon jugs from the grocery store and it goes everywhere. Floors, washing machine, cleaning the coffee pot. I even keep spray bottles around the house. I spray my sheets with vinegar each morning, let it dry and make the bed. It removes all odors. I use spray vinegar (straight, no water added) as an air cleaner before guests come. You almost don't even need baking soda, except for burnt pots. Vinegar cleans toilets, bathroom sinks, shines fixtures with a dampened rag. Works wonders with a rinse of sweaters or hand washables in the rinse--just a tablespoon or two. Also, it will keep your colors stable. Oh, I could go on and on---safe for sceptics---I should work for the people who make vinegar.
Whole books are written about the cleaning properties of vinegar (not to mention, it's so cheap.) One of my favorites is just to leave a small bowl of it out near the stove after cooking fish. In the morning, all the fish odor is gone.
I confess: I do use Windex. Vinegar is just not all that effective on air polluted windows. Windex is my cop-out from green.
I do love cleaning results. But it's not a stress escape for me. It's not relaxing. That involves building a fire in the woodstove, opening a bottle of cabernet, and contemplating the muse.
Kathleen
:'(
Yah yah BT, I know you hate it, don't ever try to keep up with me re. cleaning you will hate me even more,
Kathleen
Quote from: kathleen on October 28, 2010, 05:56:42 PM
Yah yah BT, I know you hate it, don't ever try to keep up with me re. cleaning you will hate me even more,
Kathleen
I won't try to keep up. Really, I won't and I don't hate you. I hope you don't hate me either because I'm beautiful. I can't help it. 8)
OMG Kathleen.. I recently passed my book of a million things to do with vinegar to my daughter. I know what you mean this stuff is the best.. I keep spray bottles full of undiluted around the house lol I even take vinegar tablets. I started using vinegar as a substitute for fabric softener in my new HD washing machine.. love the results. Vinegar, baking soda, boraxo for a lot of my outdoor cleaning, dr bronner's, and now this glass cleaner that I just picked up is about all I use. I wash my windows rather frequently and found that on the outside if you spray straight or slightly diluted vinegar and squeegee instead of wipe they really sparkle. But I did break down and bought a product called zero ordor to keep in my bathrooms even vinegar was challenged by my guys.
My husband climbed into the shower the other day and hollered.. Laurie it smells like a darn salad in here.
I too pick up my hotel rooms.. I thought everyone did.
Laurie, I, too, have new HD washing machine! Green clean-o-mania at it's very best! I'll try the straight vinegar on the windows, tho I'm not hopeful.
My husband too thinks he may have died and become a piece of lettuce in one of my vinegar salads.
Cheers for all the clean spaces in the world,
Kathleen
Quote from: kathleen on October 28, 2010, 06:59:21 PM
Laurie, I, too, have new HD washing machine! Green clean-o-mania at it's very best! I'll try the straight vinegar on the windows, tho I'm not hopeful.
My husband too thinks he may have died and become a piece of lettuce in one of my vinegar salads.
Cheers for all the clean spaces in the world,
Kathleen
OMG. You make me want to change and start cleaning myself instead of getting others to do it. I feel like I'm lying, though. I hope you two are happy in your vinegar things.
Laurie or anyone, this is off topic, but does anyone know if vinegar does any damage to a sceptic system? I haven't been able to find that out, and there is so much conflicting info out there,
Thanks, Kathleen
I live with trolls, so cleaning involves shovels, back-hoes and assorted other implements. I do not feel relaxed doing it! In fact, I hate it! Give me a book, a soda, the tv remote, my needlepoint/crochet/knitting/x-stitch/embroidery project, computer time, ......just anything BUT keeping up with the troll litter/messes.
I too find cleaning very relaxing....I can watch my DH do it all day!
Quote from: Pooh on October 29, 2010, 10:46:50 AM
I too find cleaning very relaxing....I can watch my DH do it all day!
Funny
I stripped the beds down today and sprayed the mattress with vinegar, I then made sure I used vinegar as a softener in the laundry and just remade the bed... It smells wonderfully clean. I also sprayed the inside of my luggage before storing it which I had never thought to do before. I had to take my vacuum apart and replace the bag, so I sprayed it and wiped it down as well.. got all that musty smell taken care of.... I wish I had the rainbow system.. If I wasn't broke right now after building this house I would be the first woman to actually ask for a vacuum for Christmas.
Laurie,
Of course, be sure you let things dry out after spraying with vinegar, before you close up the suitcase or put the sheets on, etc. But yes, it's wonderful on bare mattresses or on sheets before making the bed. I spray mine when I get up and air the sheets before putting the blankets back on.
A little bowl of vinegar under the mattress also will absorb odors. It won't hurt the carpet if it gets spilled, but it would hurt a wood floor.
I have also found it to be a very effective air cleaner, without all those chemicals (I hate synthetic smells.) I just spray it in any room after
cooking, bathroom, etc. Works like a charm and so cheap.
Happy cleaning,
Kathleen
Love the vinegar and baking soda! But I'm an official Sidetracked Home Executive - I can get very focused on cleaning the fridge with q-tips (I'm exaggerating here) while letting the dishes pile up on the counter. You organized types are what I aim to be when I grow up!
And I have yet to figure out why it is that DH & I both work outside the home but the cleanliness of the house is my responsibility. We've come a moderate way, baby?
Kathleen,
Thanks for the tip. I'm a neat/clean freak myself but never knew about the vinegar and baking soda. Will have to give it a try.
Barbie, here is a link you might want to look at http://www.vinegartips.com
Quote from: Laurie on November 01, 2010, 07:19:38 PM
Barbie, here is a link you might want to look at http://www.vinegartips.com
Oh Lord help me. A vinegar website. :-[
I don't know if this is on their list.. but I clean my fish bowl and colorful rocks with vinegar as well. Honest BT, it will save you a mint in cleaning supplies and work better then most.. Leave a bottle out for your cleaning lady :)
Quote from: Laurie on November 01, 2010, 07:23:41 PM
I don't know if this is on their list.. but I clean my fish bowl and colorful rocks with vinegar as well. Honest BT, it will save you a mint in cleaning supplies and work better then most.. Leave a bottle out for your cleaning lady :)
Oh I believe you. I'm just afraid she'll think it's for her internal cleansing and get all confused.
that pushed it to 101 purposes
Quote from: Laurie on November 01, 2010, 07:28:56 PM
that pushed it to 101 purposes
well, that's interesting.
Quote from: barelythere on November 01, 2010, 07:26:31 PM
Quote from: Laurie on November 01, 2010, 07:23:41 PM
I don't know if this is on their list.. but I clean my fish bowl and colorful rocks with vinegar as well. Honest BT, it will save you a mint in cleaning supplies and work better then most.. Leave a bottle out for your cleaning lady :)
Oh I believe you. I'm just afraid she'll think it's for her internal cleansing and get all confused.
Oh oh oh....ha ha ha ha ha ha. That brought back a memory from my childhood! I remember that HUGE bag hanging from the shower curtain and the bottle of vinegar by the tub!!! Ha ha ha....oh my sides are hurting!
Yay, Pen - I'm a SHE, too, and a Flybaby. What I currently use is a card system/control journal hybrid. It keeps me from drowning, but I'm going to have to kick it up a notch as I'm creeping back into CHAOS.
I have a front end loader washing machine....after 1 1/2 years, I started noticing this awful oder ( I'm a clean freak and notice odars right away)....sour smell and musty oder coming from the machine and in my clothes...I did a lot of research and found out, liquid detergents build up around the seal and liquid fabric softener is a no no, so I bought arm and hammer powder, and put some vinegar in the wash along with it, and wow, it cleans....so now I use fabric softener sheets in the dryer and walla, no more Oder
It works
some say to rinse out machine with clorox or amonia, that did not help...others said, there is an item you can purchase at Home Depot specifically for cleaning around the seal...I wanted something that was more efficent and wouldn't build up...so, this worked for me....
Creme,
I've read that leaving the door open after washing a load can help prevent the odor. I didn't buy a front end loader for that reason as cannot
afford to have the door opening onto the space I have. I bought an HE top loader and so far no problems.
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen
thanks but...
nope, that didn't help either....I went online and there were countless complaints so, I tried the powder as a last resort and not using the liquid fabric softner....it worked...
apparently liquid fabric softner has petrolium in it or something like that which clogs and sticks to everything....so....?
But yes, I still do leave the door open, and believe you me, they do save water....
there for a while I was ready to junk the thing...
More vinegar----
I forgot to mention that some vinegar in the rinse water for lettuce, veggies, and fruits is supposed to remove pesticides and protect lettuce against e-coli. (Also I rinse my lettuce quickly in hot water, a tip from Julia Child.) Laurie, have you read this?
Kathleen
I know about the vinegar water rinse for veggies.. I do that if I plan on leaving the skins intact.. but never heard about rinsing lettuce in hot water.. what benefits would there be?
Creme... I too had the odor coming from my front load washer.. I was sick about it.. as I bought one of the high quality units thinking I was buying less problems. Like you I found on the net that the liquid soap was one of the probable causes.. I switched to powdered and I place it directly into the machine, not the dispenser. I also fill both the fabric softener and bleach dispensers with vinegar.. so one is released in the wash cycle, the other in the rinse.. with that I have no need to use dryer sheets which they warn against use in the new machines.. messes up the sensors. You can wipe the seal around the door with diluted vinegar as well to keep it fresh... I do not leave my door open but do try to get my wet clothes out asap.
One day my house was taken over with the smell of sewer gas.. found out that my drain hose from the washer was pushed to deeply into the drain and was not allowing the water seal in the p-trap, so the gases were filling the room.. talk about gross.
Quote from: Laurie on November 02, 2010, 07:23:34 PM
I know about the vinegar water rinse for veggies.. I do that if I plan on leaving the skins intact.. but never heard about rinsing lettuce in hot water.. what benefits would there be?
Creme... I too had the odor coming from my front load washer.. I was sick about it.. as I bought one of the high quality units thinking I was buying less problems. Like you I found on the net that the liquid soap was one of the probable causes.. I switched to powdered and I place it directly into the machine, not the dispenser. I also fill both the fabric softener and bleach dispensers with vinegar.. so one is released in the wash cycle, the other in the rinse.. with that I have no need to use dryer sheets which they warn against use in the new machines.. messes up the sensors. You can wipe the seal around the door with diluted vinegar as well to keep it fresh... I do not leave my door open but do try to get my wet clothes out asap.
One day my house was taken over with the smell of sewer gas.. found out that my drain hose from the washer was pushed to deeply into the drain and was not allowing the water seal in the p-trap, so the gases were filling the room.. talk about gross.
I cannot tell you how overwhelmed I am with this information.
You do, do your own laundry don't you BT :P
Quote from: Laurie on November 02, 2010, 08:14:04 PM
You do, do your own laundry don't you BT :P
I think about doing it. It's so tedious but yes, I do it when pushed to the edge. I don't love it. I hate it. There is no joy in it, all the spinning and waiting and folding. And there's more and more, it never stops, coming day after day after day. I think it's trying to destroy me.
Since the kids have moved away, the laundry is almost to easy to keep up with. I did realize something that I do hate to do... change the sheets on the beds, that is such a chore to me.. I love clean great smelling sheets but putting on that darn fitted sheet is such the pain.
Quote from: Laurie on November 02, 2010, 08:41:05 PM
Since the kids have moved away, the laundry is almost to easy to keep up with. I did realize something that I do hate to do... change the sheets on the beds, that is such a chore to me.. I love clean great smelling sheets but putting on that darn fitted sheet is such the pain.
Isn't it though? Tugging and pulling and bending...oh, the humanity. I feel like I'm wasting time doing this. I truthfully would love to sleep on sheets hung in the sun to dry. I likely never will. Such a wonderful smell.
Mopping
As I promised BT, I would discuss mopping techniques. I'm willing to bet that Kathleen already mops her floors in the most efficient manner but I came across this mop that I had never seen. It's a flat head mop here is an example: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E7L26K/ref=oss_product (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E7L26K/ref=oss_product) I also purchased 12 of the terry cloth covers. You can make up one bucket of cleaning solution (hot water,vinegar, and a touch of Dr Bronner's is my suggestion) The beauty is you toss the covers into the bucket, as one cover becomes soiled you simply remove it and grab a clean one... your wash water stays clean, thus saving you money and chemicals and very little water is left on the floor... when done all covers go into the washer, so never a wet mop to deal with... these covers when clean and dry can also wipe down walls, and wood floors. I use the mop and covers in my shower which is like a human car wash, to wipe the tiles. Of course I've sprayed vinegar onto all my polished chrome fixtures.. a quick rinse at the end and presto.. Whatcha think of that BT?
Quote from: Laurie on November 02, 2010, 08:58:25 PM
Mopping
As I promised BT, I would discuss mopping techniques. I'm willing to bet that Kathleen already mops her floors in the most efficient manner but I came across this mop that I had never seen. It's a flat head mop here is an example: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E7L26K/ref=oss_product (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E7L26K/ref=oss_product) I also purchased 12 of the terry cloth covers. You can make up one bucket of cleaning solution (hot water,vinegar, and a touch of Dr Bronner's is my suggestion) The beauty is you toss the covers into the bucket, as one cover becomes soiled you simply remove it and grab a clean one... your wash water stays clean, thus saving you money and chemicals and very little water is left on the floor... when done all covers go into the washer, so never a wet mop to deal with... these covers when clean and dry can also wipe down walls, and wood floors. I use the mop and covers in my shower which is like a human car wash, to wipe the tiles. Of course I've sprayed vinegar onto all my polished chrome fixtures.. a quick rinse at the end and presto.. Whatcha think of that BT?
Oh, I'm sorry, I nodded off. What were you saying?
Yes I do think a cup of tea sounds delightful
Quote from: Laurie on November 02, 2010, 09:02:59 PM
Yes I do think a cup of tea sounds delightful
Oh look! it's a Mother duck and her ducklings...
I am meeting my daughter's boyfriends mother this weekend for the first time. The kids are pretty serious about each other (ok, he's not really a kid but the same age as one of my son's so he's earned the endearing kid term) He told me that his mom just loves my daughter, she said that my dd is one of the few girls he's ever dated who actually knows how to cook and clean. I told her that her anal cleaning fetish would pay off one day.
Quote from: Laurie on November 02, 2010, 09:02:59 PM
Yes I do think a cup of tea sounds delightful
Good one, Laurie!
Um, I guess one wouldn't want to turn one's back on your DD (or bend over near her) if she has such a fetish? LOL
LOL to funny Pen.. I never quite looked at it that way... guess it's where you put the emphasis.
Laurie,
Glad to know the vinegar works for skin-on veggies/fruits, but I put a capful or so in the water I use to rinse my lettuce. The hot water is a better bet against e-coli than vinegar and cold water only. I soak my lettuce/vinegar first inside the spinner, remove it, quickly run hot water over it, then cold. Why? Because one day on TV I saw a woman talking about how her child got e-coli from bad salad greens. She now washes everything for 45 minutes. This is excessive, especially when a dash of really hot water, then cold, probably works even better. But you have to be sure to rinse the greens through the colander, not just soak them, to remove the bad stuff.
I join BT's attitudes on floor cleaning. I gave up serious floor scrubbing. (Wearing only slippers in the house helps, something I've been able to train my husband to do, incredibly. He hates floor washing too.) I still scrub my bathroom on hand/knees because otherwise it just doesn't get clean. But I found one of those floor steamers cheap at something called Ocean Big Lots, a place that sells discontinued stuff. For $30 I thought I'd try it and it works like a charm. I vacuum up all the stuff while it's heating. I then steam the floor in ten minutes (and I have a big kitchen.) No vinegar, just hot water. I was amazed at how well it works and how much time, back, knees it saves! (Also saves an absolute ton of water, doing your whole floor for about a cup of hot steam.) Then I bought another little floor sweeper that goes cordless for everyday pickups (not one of those obnoxious little dust busters that don't work on floors, but a full-size sweeper). Another great way to save on time and joints.
Kathleen
Quote from: Laurie on November 02, 2010, 07:23:34 PM
I know about the vinegar water rinse for veggies.. I do that if I plan on leaving the skins intact.. but never heard about rinsing lettuce in hot water.. what benefits would there be?
Creme... I too had the odor coming from my front load washer.. I was sick about it.. as I bought one of the high quality units thinking I was buying less problems. Like you I found on the net that the liquid soap was one of the probable causes.. I switched to powdered and I place it directly into the machine, not the dispenser. I also fill both the fabric softener and bleach dispensers with vinegar.. so one is released in the wash cycle, the other in the rinse.. with that I have no need to use dryer sheets which they warn against use in the new machines.. messes up the sensors. You can wipe the seal around the door with diluted vinegar as well to keep it fresh... I do not leave my door open but do try to get my wet clothes out asap.
One day my house was taken over with the smell of sewer gas.. found out that my drain hose from the washer was pushed to deeply into the drain and was not allowing the water seal in the p-trap, so the gases were filling the room.. talk about gross.
Is yours a Bosch? I tell you, I thought they were the best...but a friend of mine bought a Bosch dishwasher and she is so upset about it, she had it repaired twice....first year after I bought mine, the seal around the glass had to be replaced, fortunately it was still under warrenty....and it does save water, big time...however, the smell was bad
Since I've changed soap detergents and fabric softner, there is no more oder, but like you, I was a mess, trying to solve this smell, and was ready to call a repairman...and like you, I will not use the despensers anymore....right into the machine....
I was told you can go to home depot or lowes and purchase something that you must run through a hot water cycle, and it is not effective long term...so, glad I researched it, and still put vinigar in from time to time.
speaking of vinegar, I've also soak chicken in it overnight....mix it with water to cover chicken and a teaspoon of baking power, soak it over night...it's supposed to take all the impurities out of it....? I don't know if it did or not, but I tried it....?
Quote from: kathleen on November 03, 2010, 03:51:49 AM
Laurie,
Glad to know the vinegar works for skin-on veggies/fruits, but I put a capful or so in the water I use to rinse my lettuce. The hot water is a better bet against e-coli than vinegar and cold water only. I soak my lettuce/vinegar first inside the spinner, remove it, quickly run hot water over it, then cold. Why? Because one day on TV I saw a woman talking about how her child got e-coli from bad salad greens. She now washes everything for 45 minutes. This is excessive, especially when a dash of really hot water, then cold, probably works even better. But you have to be sure to rinse the greens through the colander, not just soak them, to remove the bad stuff.
I join BT's attitudes on floor cleaning. I gave up serious floor scrubbing. (Wearing only slippers in the house helps, something I've been able to train my husband to do, incredibly. He hates floor washing too.) I still scrub my bathroom on hand/knees because otherwise it just doesn't get clean. But I found one of those floor steamers cheap at something called Ocean Big Lots, a place that sells discontinued stuff. For $30 I thought I'd try it and it works like a charm. I vacuum up all the stuff while it's heating. I then steam the floor in ten minutes (and I have a big kitchen.) No vinegar, just hot water. I was amazed at how well it works and how much time, back, knees it saves! (Also saves an absolute ton of water, doing your whole floor for about a cup of hot steam.) Then I bought another little floor sweeper that goes cordless for everyday pickups (not one of those obnoxious little dust busters that don't work on floors, but a full-size sweeper). Another great way to save on time and joints.
Kathleen
kathleen,
one day I was in a rush, so I stopped and grabbed an Italian hoagie for lunch...this was on a Sat. About an hour after I ate, I got well, sick....and it never stopped for 7 days....I had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, twice due to dehydration....couldn't even walk my dog, neighbor had to watch him...and walk him....my cousin called and told me about the dangers of lettuce and tomatoes and how they are shipped from other countries...and how a lot of sub shops do not even as much as rinse them off....but I can tell you, I've never had anything like that before, thought I was dying...
Kathleen, I was so sick it was disgusting....and was actually scared, not knowing what was wrong with me...it lasted 7 days...horrible....
Creme,
Bring on the vinegar and hot water wash.
I avoid sandwich shops these days. My aunt worked in a deli for a while and after listening to her stories, I can't stomach it, no pun intended. Even in regular restaurants, if in any doubt---such as noticing a dirty rest room---I order hot, cooked food, and send it back to the micro if it's not hot. A lot of quick eateries today are run by teens whose thoughts aren't flying in the direction of sanitary.
Sorry that happened to you. I got sick like that from bad fish in a college cafeteria. You never forget it, and it makes you super cautious about food. You may have been lucky you survived.
I inherited a Kitchen Aid dishwasher in the house we bought last year. I always had cheaper brands. This is by far the best, never fails, ten years old.
Kathleen
My washer and dryer are from the LG True Steam series...absolutely gorgeous machines... we at first noticed the odor in our towels.. everything smelled ok, not great but ok at first, but as soon as you used the towel and got it damp, boy did the musty smell come out. It was one hot... very hot summer day when my wonderful loving husband looked at me and said you know Laurie.. you kinda stink. It was the tee shirt I was wearing, once I started to perspire the musty smells began. That was when I started doing the internet searches as well.
The cleaners that are sold at Lowe's and Home Depot are not necessary as we've discovered. But do watch the fabric sheets in your dryer... a little vinegar in the rinse cycle dispenser will not clog your system and will eliminate the need for the fabric sheets.
Since we had this house built, it was so much fun putting in the colors, tiles, appliances, etc. that we wanted... I went with the Kitchen Aid appliance package and I haven't been sorry... Looking back I wish I had gone with 2 full ovens, instead I went with the one full oven and the microwave/convection smaller oven. Not that I will ever need more but thinking resale I should have. My kitchen aid dishwasher, is great my repair guy had to come out and look at my downdraft for me and he said that in his opinion kitchen aid is the best way to go...
I had the very identical problem...
I'll keep kitchen aid in mind....
my sister, believe it or not, bought an Electrolux range, it's beautiful, all the bells and whistles....however, she bakes a lot..and is very maticulous....me, I kinda bake, lol, love cooking more.
Thanks for the heads up....
Quote from: kathleen on November 03, 2010, 07:09:38 AM
Creme,
Bring on the vinegar and hot water wash.
I avoid sandwich shops these days. My aunt worked in a deli for a while and after listening to her stories, I can't stomach it, no pun intended. Even in regular restaurants, if in any doubt---such as noticing a dirty rest room---I order hot, cooked food, and send it back to the micro if it's not hot. A lot of quick eateries today are run by teens whose thoughts aren't flying in the direction of sanitary.
Sorry that happened to you. I got sick like that from bad fish in a college cafeteria. You never forget it, and it makes you super cautious about food. You may have been lucky you survived.
I inherited a Kitchen Aid dishwasher in the house we bought last year. I always had cheaper brands. This is by far the best, never fails, ten years old.
Kathleen
so what do you do? I simply soak my produce in water then wash and towel dry....do you put white vinegar in the water?
I have found something wonderful cleaning glass...as in windows. Her name is Mary. ;)
Quote from: luise.volta on November 03, 2010, 10:30:45 AM
I have found something wonderful cleaning glass...as in windows. Her name is Mary. ;)
you have a lady named Mary who cleans your window?
send her over....polize
;D ;D ;D I call her Mary, The Good Fairy! ;D ;D ;D
;D Hee Hee
M,TGF has: Walked my dog, washed my windows, sat with my husband, brought us hot meals when I was wheelchair bound last winter and emptied my commode, shampooed my carpets, cleaned the inside of my car, weeded my flower beds, gone grocery shopping for me and picked up prescriptions, answered my phone and taken messages, cleaned out my garage, put up my Christmas decorations (wheelchair-related), made phone calls for me, put together things I ordered on the Internet that came with "easy" directions, held me when I had to put Val in nursing and was weeping, prayed for me and introduced me to her entire family. (For starters...)
Our dialogue goes like this: Me, "Could you..." Mary, interrupting, "Yes, sure...no problem!"
She was once a hard-drug addict and went to prison for a year for that...and she is one of the finest people I have ever known. She is tall and looks like an amazon and has tattoos everywhere. She's also a grandmother. :)
Never judge a book by it's cover. She sounds wonderful!
My whole family loves her! They have even been know to email her for the straight scoop on what's going on with mom. :-X
I tried to be a good fairy for an elderly man that I knew. For over 10 years I helped him and even brought him into our personal lives when he became incredibly lonely. I was there, I did it all..and we were good to each other. We tried to be there when his distant relatives were not, and now my dd says that she only wishes that she had taken more from him as he offered such wonderful stories about life. He passed away at 92 and has been missed terribly, for a while I looked around not knowing what to do without him in my life, he was so much a part of it. After his death I was later informed that I was actually mentioned in his will, I cried....while he did not always find it easy to say thank you, I knew he was very thankful for our family, and he showed it the only way he knew how.
I'm glad you have someone Luise that you can trust and confide in. I love being able to say yes to someone before I even fully hear the request.. that is friendship
Quote from: Laurie on November 03, 2010, 01:15:06 PM
I tried to be a good fairy for an elderly man that I knew. For over 10 years I helped him and even brought him into our personal lives when he became incredibly lonely. I was there, I did it all..and we were good to each other. We tried to be there when his distant relatives were not, and now my dd says that she only wishes that she had taken more from him as he offered such wonderful stories about life. He passed away at 92 and has been missed terribly, for a while I looked around not knowing what to do without him in my life, he was so much a part of it. After his death I was later informed that I was actually mentioned in his will, I cried....while he did not always find it easy to say thank you, I knew he was very thankful for our family, and he showed it the only way he knew how.
I'm glad you have someone Luise that you can trust and confide in. I love being able to say yes to someone before I even fully hear the request.. that is friendship
so sweet!! :'(
Oh, I love that! At our nursing home there are people who never get visitors and we have other residents here who go to see them to fill in. My guy is 99, as you know, and often when I take his dog over to see him (daily) someone from the community is with him. He doesn't remember them any longer but they don't care. It's beautiful! You made all the difference in that man's life! :)
Honestly Luise, he made a difference in ours as well.
Creme,
Yes, put a couple of tablespoons (don't bother measuring) into the water when you soak your veggies. Then rinse them thoroughly.
Tonight I was telling my husband about this and he said, "What does the vinegar do?" And I told him it is supposed to remove pesticides and impurities like e-coli. And then he said, "But does it hurt you to swallow the vinegar?" said he, munching on his green salad with balsamic dressing.
Laurie, I love your story about the elderly man. Now if you were Nancy Drew, your friend would have had unscrupulous relatives trying to
cheat everyone else out of their inheritance when he died. You would have had to break into a bungalow to get an old clock to find the original will inside the clock works. Heaven only knows how many laws you would have had to break, including hiding the stolen clock from the police. I'm glad you didn't have to do that, as that old bungalow was filthy and possibly had rats in the cellar (by the way, has anyone ever dealt with those? I cannot stand them. I have the old-fashioned immature-female-screaming-standing-on-a-stool terror of rodents, leftover from a bad childhood encounter. So far I have successfully waged war against them in my new house. I don't want to hear about anything "green" to save mice. I would use napalm if I had to, sorry if that offends anyone.)
Luise, I once hired a recovering alcoholic who had been so down on her luck she was in a public treatment facility. She was fabulous, a meticulous housekeeper, and my boys loved her. She picked them up faithfully every day after school and as far as I knew she never drank again. People shouldn't be judged on their past, and giving someone a break is a wonderful thing to do all the way around.
Kathleen
Rats... my son has 3 pet rats.. I had to babysit while he was in Cambodia (only had two at that time) the black rat chased my chihuahua down and bit her on the back leg.. after that it was a hate/hate relationship between the two.
Traps are about the only thing you can do for the mice that I know of.. peanut butter, not cheese will attract them better.
K - I loved the Nancy Drew thing. What a great story-teller you are! And I loved the balsamic dressing aside! ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: kathleen on November 03, 2010, 03:00:24 PM
Tonight I was telling my husband about this and he said, "What does the vinegar do?" And I told him it is supposed to remove pesticides and impurities like e-coli. And then he said, "But does it hurt you to swallow the vinegar?" said he, munching on his green salad with balsamic dressing.
Gotta love them.
I once hired a painter who was a little down on his luck, he did a really lousy job, made international phone calls on my phone, and then asked me to give him a ride into Houston... I did.. a one way ride
Wow! That's Public Service! ;D
kathleen,
Get a box or two of D-CON rat and mice poison...works wonders. Put an open box behind the fridge or stove or under the furnace. They eat it, crawl away to die, and then dry up leaving no smell behind. Traps can start smelling very quickly.
I don't mind pet rodents...but I do have a problem with their wild cousins that move in to visit. And no Laurie...vinegar won't do anything for getting rid of rats...LOL.
LOL... good one
Ha ha ha ;D
Quote from: Orly on November 03, 2010, 05:59:02 PM
kathleen,
Get a box or two of D-CON rat and mice poison...works wonders. Put an open box behind the fridge or stove or under the furnace. They eat it, crawl away to die, and then dry up leaving no smell behind. Traps can start smelling very quickly.
I don't mind pet rodents...but I do have a problem with their wild cousins that move in to visit. And no Laurie...vinegar won't do anything for getting rid of rats...LOL.
Hey Orly
someone I know does the same thing, then they also throw around moth balls....
but it's really tough getting those little things off the moths....LOL
OMG! Now I am rolling! ;D
Ima telling you, even talking about cleaning is a great form of release.
I'm not a fan of moths either. Can we use mouse balls to get rid of them? ;D
Pen, where is your mind, you're the one who came up with a new twist to my daughter anal cleaning behavior ;D
Creme came up with the moth balls joke & I just went with it :D
Pen,
Mouse balls..no.....cotton balls work best with moths...those are much easier to get since J&J has already chased down all the little cottons and plucked theirs.
Buhahahaha!
ROFL!!!!!
I will never be able to look at another cotton ball with a straight face. (And yes, Pen, I know they don't have faces!) ;D ;D ;D 8) :o :-X
Quote from: luise.volta on November 04, 2010, 10:42:42 AM
I will never be able to look at another cotton ball with a straight face. (And yes, Pen, I know they don't have faces!) ;D ;D ;D 8) :o :-X
COTTON BALLS DON'T HAVE FACES?????? :'(
Quote from: Pen on November 04, 2010, 08:04:27 AM
I'm not a fan of moths either. Can we use mouse balls to get rid of them? ;D
don't know if it will get rid of em, but it will scare the livin daylights out of them. ;D ;D
Orly,
Thanks for the tips on Decon. I do know about it, in fact, I am the Queen of Decon. I often buy it when I don't need it just to support the company. I think it's the greatest invention of the 20th century, or maybe the last 2,000 years. The great thing about it is you can always tell if a mouse has been in residence by whether or not the little blue chips are missing from the little yellow box. If they are, you can put out more, or get out the napalm. I'm glad you mentioned it so as to spread the word.
Laurie, black rats are too much for me to even imagine. At this point I move out until he comes home and collects his "pets." WHOOOEHHHEEE are you Mother of the Year or what? When do I see you accepting your award on Oprah (and your free month long trip to Provence? The one she gives to under-appreciated moms?)
Isn't it great that we "still have all our marbles"---they haven't yet turned to moth balls---waiting for your comment on that one, Luise---
Kathleen
Another great way instead of house cleaning which is everyday thing is walking. Ladies, when I am really sad and stressed I go out for a L*O*N*G walk. It clears my head and heart, its an evergy booster, great exercise :D and the refrigerator is out of
sight...LOL
I walked today then came home and cleaned :) Now I'm taking my afternoon popcorn, coffee, and wwu break
You Go, L! 8)
(http://www.christmasbuzz.com/glitter/christmas_glitter_graphics_31.gif)
I'm doing my final party shopping tomorrow.. I need to make a fruit tray.. does anyone know of any dips that I can use with it. I had to rule out chocolate because I don't have one of those fountain thingies or a small enough crockpot.
If house cleaning really is a release of pressure and stress for me, then I should be limp with joy. My house is clean all I have left to do for the party is to set up some tablecloths, oh and iron them... I'll do that tonight. I have my contribution cake in the oven (everyone is bringing a desert or other yummys) and I have to cook and peel 4 dozen eggs for deviled eggs then I'm done. Have a hair appt tomorrow at one and by time guest arrive I will have consumed some wine and be quite relaxed for the event.... You all are invited
laurie, did you get your dip? for your fruit? i was going to sugest yogurt dips, or carmel
Quote from: erma on December 03, 2010, 02:42:45 PM
laurie, did you get your dip? for your fruit? i was going to sugest yogurt dips, or carmel
No I haven't yet.. I saw a recipe for jarred marshmallow cream and cream cheese.. but yogurt does sound healthier.
oh dear, healthy?? this time of year? go for the cream cheese!!! yum! ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Laurie on October 28, 2010, 06:45:47 PM
My husband climbed into the shower the other day and hollered.. Laurie it smells like a darn salad in here.
I too pick up my hotel rooms.. I thought everyone did.
[/color]
Salad dressing ha ha. Well i will never live this down.......my husband went to pay for our accomadation and I packed the car....then went into the room next door and started wiping the table thinking "I didn't think we made that much mess" then a fellow walked out of the bathroom. Oh god how embarrasing. Why do they make all motel rooms identical??? Yes it comes up occasionally.
Oh and he only had a little towel around him.
Thank goodness he wasn't totally naked, well unless it was Brad Pitt.. who here has the Pitt fetish? About a month ago I was at Walmart and had a lot of my mind (looking for an excuse) I accidentally walked into the men's restroom just as a guy was coming out of a stall. I stopped and shortly said "one of us is in the wrong place and since there are urinals, I'll bet it's me" I turned and walked out like I still have some dignity.. then left the store.. I couldn't shop after that.
Quote from: Laurie on December 03, 2010, 03:22:59 PM
About a month ago I was at Walmart and had a lot of my mind (looking for an excuse) I accidentally walked into the men's restroom just as a guy was coming out of a stall. I stopped and shortly said "one of us is in the wrong place and since there are urinals, I'll bet it's me" I turned and walked out like I still have some dignity.. then left the store.. I couldn't shop after that.
One of these days you are going to find it's me in the men's room. I am legion for commandeering the men's room when the line is too long for the ladies room. Just can't wait (and dance around) that long!
Quote from: seasage on December 03, 2010, 03:27:26 PM
One of these days you are going to find it's me in the men's room. I am legion for commandeering the men's room when the line is too long for the ladies room. Just can't wait (and dance around) that long!
There was a lady arrested here for doing exactly that, not sure what the outcome was.. bet they let her pee first
Arrested? Are you kidding me? For using a bathroom? What in the world is wrong here?
Saturday night we were at our condo in Canada when a man knocked at the door. My husband opened it and the man came in with a coat rack. He set it down, looked around, then realized he was on the wrong floor.
Happily, we were invited to the same party as he was in the unit directly above us. It's a tiny studio and she had very little furniture so everyone brought a drink and a piece of furniture as they could, for us, a chair; for the man, a coat rack.
All the halls look alike. When my son came with his key, without us, he went to the unit directly below us and tried to get in. Fortunately, the French Canadians are not as police-happy as Americans and all was taken in good stride, no pun intended.
Kathleen
That sounds like it was fun! :)
We (different husband) lived in an apartment once where you went up the stairs and there was a door on each side. The lady across the hall had moved out and I just wasn't into locking my door. (Still don't.)
In the middle of the night, I heard our door open and someone enter. I didn't wake up my guy, I just got up to see what was up. There was a strange man in my living room who was pretty loaded and who was saying..."Carol?" I gently told him this wasn't Carol's apartment and she had moved,as turned him around and guided him back out.
When I got back into bed, hubby woke up and asked why I had been up...since that's not my pattern. I Said "Oh, there was a strange man in our place and I had to take care of it." He nearly had a stroke!!! ;D ;D ;D
Hey there Kathleen, I was wondering what you've been doing since you haven't been around here. Keeping those neighbors in line?
The arrest I spoke about took place because a female entered the men's restroom.. she was arrested just like a man would be for entering the women's side. I guess when we think about it in those terms it makes sense. The designers of stadiums and other public buildings should have considerably more stalls for women then men, since we take forever in the bathroom.
Is there any chance that you might see your grand daughter over the holidays?
Hi Laurie & all,
I've been up in Canada where we have a home.
Neighbor update: since that day of the policeman, we have heard nary a peep. We sent an email to the policeman asking him for specific laws on how to document via photographs, video tape, whatever. Despite leaving us two of his business cards and saying to contact him any time, the policeman never responded. I wonder why, any opinions, Laurie? Do they not want to give out legal advice? He seemed genuinely interested in helping. I've never had much to do with police so I don't know why he wouldn't get back to us.
We also learned our neighbor spoke to the noise makers and explained I work from home and need quiet and also that "they (meaning us) are very serious about this, so please stop the noise." The guy said his hobby is pretty much over for the winter anyway, but that's not true as some of the worst noise came last winter when the trees disappeared. So he lied, but I don't really care if he jumps off the backs of pigs in his yard if he just keeps his stuff on his property and doesn't send anything over to mine.
His hobby---I may have written this before, but I can still hardly believe it, so I'm trying to convince myself grown men actually do this---is to get together with his buddies and fix up old trucks and run them into the swamps until the trucks die from the water. They then load them on the back of a flatbed, bring them across the street, and fix them again. Wonder what this does to aquatic life, as if I didn't know. If they start this up again I'm calling the Environmental Protection Agency to see if there isn't some law against this on wetlands. If not, there should be.
To me, it rates right up there with outlawing bake sales in schools for sheer, unbelievable stupidity. I mean, haven't these people got anything better to do with their time than dream up idiotic schemes? You think of all the real problems in the world that could be solved----helping aquatic life instead of destroying it, working for the hundreds, maybe thousands, of rural poor kids in my state who can't get dental care. Many schools here are in trouble and cutting back on all kinds of stuff for lack of money. When we lived further north we gave to a food bank that actually had to give some moms gas money to get to a store or come and pick up food for their kids. Pathetic!
Well, I shouldn't sound off, but I did. My thoughts on the bake sales have nothing to do with my political beliefs, I just wish there were a better sense of priorities.
Thanks Laurie for asking and for your help in the past on the neighbor issue. I'll keep you posted on any new developments. How did it go with your son?
No, I won't see my granddaughter this Christmas. But I do have other news and I'll post it separately.
It's amazing to get to this point: I really feel very little about not seeing my GD, even at Christmas. I mean, I don't even know her. I probably wouldn't recognize her on the street. It's sad but it gets less so. And it's so much more peaceful without the throngs of my DIL's massive extended family because of course we could never see her, my son or GD without all of them---cousins, aunts, uncles, on and on, a huge crowd. We have learned how to be a family without them.
Lots of holly and mistletoe,
Kathleen
Hey Kathleen
Well I've looked around and I don't see any new special news that's been posted by you.... don't keep us in suspense :)
My son got his letter from the Congressman, I thank you again for your help and guidance.
Other then that, nothing much new here... I have a busy busy month coming up.. my middle child, second son is insisting that we be there to watch him walk in his grad ceremony. The last time we went to his undergrad ceremony it lasted over 4 hours and they divided the graduating class in half. He did not really care to attend this ceremony but his Japanese gf had never gotten to partake in an event like this, so we are going for her as well.
I played it really lazy the last two days, so tomorrow I need to get the house cleaned up again.. I did get most of the Christmas gifts wrapped and under the tree.. I only have two more things to purchase that I can think of, and then I'm officially DONE.. quite broke but done... So let us in on your good news.. looking forward to hearing from you.
Fun thinking about graduations past, K. The last one in our family that I attended was four years ago when my youngest GRANDCHILD graduated from the University of Washington School of Law. (He just made full partner in a prestigious law firm! :D )
Finished assembling my Christmas presents and they are all wrapped. I got out a picture of me at age three with my head throw back and my mouth wide open, laughing uproariously...and put it in a little double frame with a picture of me this last year with my head thrown back and my mouth wide open, laughing uproariously. I sent away to a place online that makes plaques and have a little title on each one that say "80 Years Later." 8)
The digital world was able to extricate me in the recent picture from a group and restore the one taken in 1930. It was such a fun project.
You need to scan and most post (I really need to proof my typing before submitting) the pictures here Luise
I don't know how. :'(
You'd have to have a scanner in order to do that... if you come up with a way, we'd love to see those pictures.
Luise,
What an adorable idea, placing a picture of yourself in a frame. It will remind all that you were a child, too---amazing! (But will they really believe it? Don't they think we were full-born grannies leaping out of rocking chairs?)
Congratulations on your grandson's terrific success. That should significantly brighten your holidays!
I have always wished I had a lawyer in my family. It must be a safe feeling.
Lots of holly and mistletoe,
Kathleen
I sent the "80 Years Later" duo to Kirk. He has a scanner! :-)) How do you get it in this Post box...(like you did your horse?)
I gave one to my best friend here today when she came by to invite me out for a Christmas treat. The first thing people do when they open it is burst out laughing! ;D ;D ;D
You would need to upload the file to an online file/photo storage and management. Flickr was the one suggested and it works well and is easy enough to use.
After uploading your photo, right click on the picture you want to use, a window will pop up at the very bottom is 'View Photo Info', click on view photo info
At that point another smaller window opens titled 'Page Info'.
Go to the location and copy the location, this is the address that you will used here on this site. See photo below (note I have the information concerning the location highlighted). Right click once again and a box pops up that will have the copy command.
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5247480827_118725f0a3_b.jpg)
The first photo that I inserted shows the background which is my home flickR page. The page info window has been opened, and the location highlighted and ready to copy
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5248505930_357d5d2fa5_b.jpg)
Now at WWU site in a reply or new topic window, click on 'insert image' command/mona lisa button, first arrow, and insert the address between the [command] [end command]. Second arrow showing the command, Third arrow shows what the command with the address inserted.
I'm sure that Kirk can put this into terms that anyone can follow as well. Give it a try with any photo you have in your computer to practice.. Setting up the flickr account is not a big deal.. www.flickr.com
My directions will most likely throw you a little.. there is a reason I gave up trying to teach my kids how to tie their shoes and turned to velcro :P
I had the fountain photograph.. Jomama had the horse.... details details.. I would have let that go but that horse is so beautiful I thought I'd look like a rustler if I did not make the correction.
Ladies, Regarding all of this house cleaning with Vinegar~~does your home then smell like Vinegar???? ::) :-\ For I do not care at all for the "aroma" of vinegar....
absolutely not... now my shower did for about 15 minutes but I'm using lots and letting it sit.. Vinegar has a neutralizing quality... I often get compliments on how my house smells clean... Sometimes I add some Dr. Bronner's soaps to the vinegar water solution and that will add a wonderful aroma.
(http://picasaweb.google.com/luise.volta/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCMCmyKiZv_fwyQE&pli=1#5549076197184310178)
(http://[img]http://picasaweb.google.com/luise.volta/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCMCmyKiZv_fwyQE&pli=1#5549076197184310178)[/img]
Oh, well...both of those were supposed to be pictures! >:(
Faith,
If you decide to spray your sheets with vinegar in the morning (I sometimes do this, esp. in hot weather,) you can get a vinegar smell if you don't allow them to thoroughly dry before making the bed. Otherwise you can get a contained smell, but even that dissipates next time you open the sheets.
A bowl under the bed helps other odors and will not make the room smell.
Vinegar rocks.
Kathleen
Don't give up on that Luise I am not to good at that either!!! LOL :-[ ;D
Kathleen, do you use just straight vinegar and then spray away????? I cannot do under the bed bowl thing~~~I have 2 cats~~that will not work they like to go under the bed... ::) Do you dilute with water etc.......????? Faith :-[
Re: Vinegar: I just sent for the book. I am a neat-nik but not a compulsive cleaner. I'm a 'Put-it-away-er" and sit back and let someone else clean it type. :-[
Luise, what book are we talking about now on vinegar???? Please advise I must have it...hugs, Faith
Hi Elsieshay, In regards to your kitty litter box~~~in all do respect, that is one of my constant cleaning jobs....really... For cats are sooooo suseptable to urinary tract infections, kindey stones ETC...from uncleaned litter boxes.....I would rather clean it and have them healthy and happy---who needs a vet bill. Just a little bit of Healthy cleaning info.....
Hugs and Meows, Faith :)
OK Wise Women~~~ All my floors are hardwood...what would everyone suggest to clean them with and I want them to shine as well.... :D Any suggestions.....
Hugs, Faith
FLU - Heinz Vinegar: Over 100 Helpful Household Hints - Christine Halvorson - Amazon
I am thinking of renaming out site: www.lifeisjustabowlofvinegar.com or www.WiseVinegaretts.com OK, Laurie...hit me. What's your recommendation? ;D
Quote from: Faithlooksup on December 10, 2010, 09:14:48 AM
OK Wise Women~~~ All my floors are hardwood...what would everyone suggest to clean them with and I want them to shine as well.... :D Any suggestions.....
Hugs, Faith
Bona X is what I use on my hardwood floors, works great and you can get for a good price at Bed Bath and Beyond, especially if you have one of their 20% off coupons. Here is their website to look over http://www.mybonahome.com/home.html
Quote from: luise.volta on December 10, 2010, 10:38:24 AM
I am thinking of renaming out site: www.lifeisjustabowlofvinegar.com or www.WiseVinegaretts.com OK, Laurie...hit me. What's your recommendation? ;D
I like the wise vinegaretts myself, I think that would be quite fitting
Quote from: luise.volta on December 10, 2010, 07:31:55 AM
(http://[img]http://picasaweb.google.com/luise.volta/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCMCmyKiZv_fwyQE&pli=1#5549076197184310178)[/img]
Luise... have you taken the photo from your computer and uploaded it to a online site I think you mentioned Picasa Wed Album the address is http://picasa.google.com/features.html#utm_medium=embed&utm_source=pwalogin (ftp://picasa.google.com/features.html#utm_medium=embed&utm_source=pwalogin) You can not to my knowledge use a photo that is only on your computer. That is step one.
Oh, oh. I wonder how I got my own photo on here...it is only on my computer? What's step two again? (Please don't jump off a bridge, if I'm driving you nuts! It's OK to give up.)
Quote from: luise.volta on December 10, 2010, 10:56:58 AM
Oh, oh. I wonder how I got my own photo on here...it is only on my computer? What's step two again? (Please don't jump off a bridge, if I'm driving you nuts! It's OK to give up.)
The way this site is set up it will allow you to insert a small picture or gif file at your profile settings.. but you are trying to insert a photo into forum itself.. that takes a few more steps. That is the reason for having to upload the photo to the web based online photo storage.
Hey Luise.. I was just looking at online photo albums/storage... Most force you to be associated with google or yahoo accounts, but I found photobucket at http://photobucket.com/ (http://photobucket.com/) This site looks really easy to sign up on and get started. When you have time sign up and then we'll get some of your photos loaded on their site
I will do that. Thanks! I thought having them in My Pictures, My Documents and Picasa was enough!
I think what I really need is a coach. There is one that comes to our retirement center and works with people one-on one. I don't know half of what Word can do or even the Keyboard for that matter. Being self-taught is full of holes! Maybe that's what I can take on in 2011...I can become more PC literate. I feel inspired. :-)) (I didn't even start until I was in my 70s.) In this community, I am much admired as a computer wizard because have won two prestigious awards for my Web-work. That's because most of them don' t know how to turn one on! ;D ;D ;D
QuoteIn this community, I am much admired as a computer wizard because have won two prestigious awards for my Web-work. That's because most of them don' t know how to turn one on! ;D ;D ;D
That was funny. Hey I'm happy to see you out there and doing it... I am self taught as well, so my terminology is often lacking. I'm ok with most programs but excel kicks my butt. My dad honestly thought that the entire www(world wide web) was ebay. He called me one day and asked if I would help him buy a typewriter so he could keep track of his ebay purchases.. he had no clue that this was a typewriter lol
Thanks! I have my set up my account and have gotten as far as "Upload Pictures and Videos"! Now, I need to go see Val. (Wonderful excuse to not venture further until I get my courage up! ;)
Funny! I told my my dearest friend by snail mail that I was going to look for shoes on the Web and he wrote back ..."Oh, do they have the names and addresses of stores on there?" ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Uploading is the easy part.. you'll get it figured out.. have a great visit... I'm on my way to pick up my dogs from my dd's... my little chihuahuas are ready to come home
That's what we have! :D A 15 year-old, light tan, short hair male...named "Me, Too." I had a picture of us with him on WWU instead of my photo for a while...but with three in the shot, it's too small.
Kisses to your babies!
Thanks Laurie about the Bona X for hard wood floors I will have to pick up some next time I go to BB&B.....Faith~~~
Also ladies on the www.vinegartips.com website--they have the book VINEGAR 400 uses and I bought mine from Ebay... :) :) :) :)
Faith,
Ignore any claims that cider or other vinegar will cure stomach ulcers. It won't.
Kathleen
Quote from: luise.volta on December 10, 2010, 12:32:24 PM
That's what we have! :D A 15 year-old, light tan, short hair male...named "Me, Too." I had a picture of us with him on WWU instead of my photo for a while...but with three in the shot, it's too small.
Kisses to your babies!
My dh calls the little brown one, Me Too as well. Her name is Jenni but she does demand her fair share of attention and food. The other one is Chibi, she is black and white. The 'girls' have not seen the Christmas decorations.. Jenni ran from the non moving silver tree, and Chibi bit my singing dancing 4' santa ... they're home!!
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/5250714748_39cefbf12a_m.jpg)
Hey Luise... I've been playing a online game for a while, but as I'm sitting here playing it now I though that this was one that you might be interested in... it's call bookworm and you can play as a guest at no cost.. to me it's a relaxing fun word game
http://www.games.com/game/bookworm/ (http://www.games.com/game/bookworm/)
Thanks! I will take a look. :D I play three kinds of Solitaire and Hearts. Good way to focus elsewhere at times.
Oh, puppies! What a sweet little face! :D :D :D
And to the left is Val with "Me, Too!" :)
Is that Val with Me-Too?
You are faster with the fingers then I
And here's one of the three of us. (You need a magnifying glass!)
when you upload that picture to the photobucket and post it here it will be larger, well unless that is all the larger the picture really is
I haven't uploaded anything there yet. Need to get my nerve up when I try something new. :-[
(//) Well, I got them uploaded but I can't figure out how to transfer on to our posting box.
(http://[IMG]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/luisevolta/MeToosleepinginsocksfromdryer-1.jpg)
(http://[IMG]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/luisevolta/MeToosleepinginsocksfromdryer-1.jpg)[/img]
Sorry, I keep trying...Laurie. :(
(http://[IMG]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/luisevolta/MeToosleepinginsocksfromdryer-1.jpg)[/img]
Luise.. Photobucket seems to have some built in aids to make things easier. Look below at the picture of the flag purse that I uploaded on photobucket.
Photo #1 - This shows the uploaded picture under the "my home" tab at the photobucket account. When I clicked on the photo it brings up a view that looks like photo #2
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/photobucket01.jpg)
Photo #2 - look to the right of my purse and you'll see a box that says "Share This Photo" under it look for 'IMG Code', I have an arrow pointing to it
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/photobucket02.jpg)
Photo #3 - When you place your cursor over the img code and "left" click the code will automatically be copied, you now go to the WWU and paste that code into the text box. There isn't a need to click the Mona Lisa/Insert Image button as the command is attached.
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/photobucket03.jpg)
Hit preview to see if your image is showing the way you'd like.
Let me know if you have any questions or if I need to reword any of my directions.. I have tons of patience if you do :)
I got that far and it flashed "copied" in yellow and I then went to WWU but I don't know how to "paste." (I think we're getting close bless your heart!!)
Quote from: luise.volta on December 12, 2010, 03:23:37 AM
I got that far and it flashed "copied" in yellow and I then went to WWU but I don't know how to "paste." (I think we're getting close bless your heart!!)
Yes, I can feel it.. we are getting closer.. now after you copy (and you will need to do this right before you go over to WWU, so you may have to do it again) go to the reply/topic/text box, set your cursor where you want the photo to be inserted into the text (this can be anywhere, before you have any text at the end of your text or in the middle of a sentence) and right click on your mouse, a box will pop up and look for paste, and left click on the word paste. What you should see in your text box will look similar to the photo below. Note that the [command] [/command] are at the beginning and end of your location, the command for an image is img and /img
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/insertingintothetextbox01.jpg)
_____________________________________________________________________
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/insertingintothetextbox02.jpg)
Let me know when you've given it a try.. or I'll see a photo 8)
You are so patient. Thank you! I will try in the morning. I have a cute picture picked out! :D
[i(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/luisevolta/MeToosleepinginsocksfromdryer-1-1.jpg)mg][/img]
OMG! I DID it! Thank you Laurie! :D That is a picture of my Chihuahua, Me, Too, sleeping in a pile of warm socks just out of the dryer!
Yay Luise!!!!!!
And what a cute picture!
Quote from: luise.volta on December 14, 2010, 07:43:34 AM
OMG! I DID it! Thank you Laurie! :D That is a picture of my Chihuahua, Me, Too, sleeping in a pile of warm socks just out of the dryer!
Isn't he the man. I wanted to get a male but my vet said that the male chihuahua's are little humping machines.. my vet just kills me. He is precious and you said 15yo... I told my husband that and he once again stated that he thought we were getting a breed with a shorter expiration date.
There are a few steps to inserting a photo, but once you do it a couple of times you'll have it down pact. I did see some commands showing at the bottom of your photo.. go back and look to see that you only have one set of command [img] at the beginning and [/img.] at the end (no perior after the img, I did that so the command will show up here)
My chihuahuas love to jump onto the warm sheets and towel coming out of the dryer.. they both sleep on hot pads both day and night.. spoiled little beast
:D He has two little houses. His night kennel (in the bathroom) is a kitty litter box turned upside down and the one in the living room is made of denim and foam with his name over the door! 8) Both have heating pads in them year round. 8)
I need to picture-practice, I know. Will go after those commands. Thanks so much, again! :D
They are such sensitive little critters.
Glad that you were able to follow my directions.. I know they can be confusing .. but you did good.. now we expect to see many more. You can also post pictures at photobucket and put thumbnails here for people to click on and it is linked to the photobucket site and will take them directly to photobucket.
Click on the photo of the purse
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/th_libertyshellmiche.jpg) (http://s1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/?action=view¤t=libertyshellmiche.jpg)
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/th_libertyshellmiche.jpg) (http://s1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/?action=view¤t=libertyshellmiche.jpg)
Trying to see what comes up? Two?
Oh, I see...smaller picture, (duh!)
Oh dang it! Bless his heart. Many thoughts and hopes that the medication takes care of it and he doesn't get grounded! Give him our best.
Louise, anytime you want to practice putting up pictures of Me Too, please just go right ahead! :D (Adorable little fuzz!)
Laurie, sending good thoughts to your son.
Prayers going out fast and furious for a quick, complete and non-career-threatening recovery!!! YES!
I just thought that with all the shots and stuff that they give those guys before they go over seas that this could have been prevented. I'm sure he'll be fine, I reminded him to be thankful that he was born in this day and age. Then he needed a little reality check.. I told him to take that medicine then swallow and expel a watermelon and he might began to understand pregnancy.
Ha ha. That's what I always tell men. When you can take a 10 lb. watermelon, put it down your pants and pull it out your zipper....we'll talk.
And it after you have expelled it , it takes it 20 YEARS to mature and bear fruit...if ever! ;D ;D
lol.. pull it out your zipper.
And you're right Luise..it is a 20 year work in progress, MINIMUM
When I take my little Chihuahua-guy out for a walk, he starts out Mexican and comes home French...because I am calling him Pierre by that time.
WHEW!
Good news..what a relief!
DOUBLE WHEW! (not to be outdone by Luise) :-*
Darn it! Lol
Yeah you've been out-whewed
;D ;D
I just about finished cleaning my exterior windows when my neighbor's yard crew showed up and they are using one of those huge mowers that kicks up more dirt then anything. Sometimes you can't win :)
ohhh ohhh.. guess what I cleaned my windows with
Oh my goodness....I would not even try to guess....... ;D ;D ;D
Mega Mystery! 8)
The new picture is my house on Thanksgiving. :D
(http://[IMG]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/luisevolta/Blizzardof2006033.jpg)[/img]
(http://[IMG]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/luisevolta/Blizzardof2006033.jpg)[/img]
(http://[IMG]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/luisevolta/Blizzardof2006033.jpg)[/img]
(http://[IMG]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/luisevolta/Blizzardof2006033.jpg)[/img]
Oh, well. I transferred it to Photobucket and I think I am copying and pasting but I'm doing something wrong. :(
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/luisevolta/Blizzardof2006033.jpg)
Well, maybe pigs don't fly but i am sure pig-headed! ;D ;D ;D
By George, I think she's got it :D
Look at how little the house is.. how old are those trees Luise
Geez Luise, that looks like a winter wonderland
Oh, thanks. I didn't need to send all those blanks! I see it now! Duh...
Those trees are over 100 years old and over 100 feet tall. They are all over the place here. :D
Are they pines?
Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock.
Gorgeous! I love snowy places like that. Hope you have a sauna there. And if you decide to invite me, I'll bring my own snow shovel. I am the designated shoveler in our household - just did the driveway for the first snow of the season.
To think I was out skimming the pool and sweating while cleaning the windows... You are in Washington I know, what part of washington would have trees like that
That's great..."Have snow shovel, will travel!" :D
There are trees like that all over Western WA. The Eastern side...on the other side of the Cascade Mountains is high desert. Hotter in the summer, colder in the winter...lots of rolling hills and wide open spaces. Huge, seemingly never-ending wheat fields. Evergreens, too. We're the Evergreen State for good reason. ;D
I'd like to see that part of the country one day.. we have reservations to stay at Yellowstone next August.. really looking forward to it
I love Yellowstone! ;D
I've been to Yellowstone in summer and in winter. I liked it in winter a lot better. We took the snowmobile adventure into the park and tangoed with some humongous bison. The best thing we did in the Yellowstone area in August was rafting with a nature guide. But Laurie, since you are acclimatized to Texas heat, you will probably find the place wonderful in August.
I like river rafting and also using dories. I did Hell's Canyon for a week in the 70s ...shooting 23 rapids... last one in the water. (On purpose.) 8)
Laurie et all,
This is pretty much back to the basic topic in a way. Does anyone have quartz countertops? What do you think of them? Would you recommend them?
I'm not renovating my entire kitchen, just putting in new countertops, especially those that can be cleaned with VINEGAR.
Kathleen
Hey there Kathleen... I used Silestone throughout my house, kitchen, bath, utility, game room, and near the fireplace. I absolutely love it. We had used Silestone in my last house so I was very familiar with the product, you can't go wrong with quartz. The color I chose for my main areas was Bianco River. I was very impressed with the Caesarstone line as well, but it was more then my budget could handle. And you guessed it.. I clean it with vinegar on a regular basis. There is another product that is highly recommended to polish the surface with and it's called Protect-All Shine Plus. I use Protect All just about everywhere I don't use vinegar.... it does a great job on my car's dashboard and exterior paint... makes Silestone sparkle, and I dust my furniture with it as well. http://www.protectall.com/household.aspx (http://www.protectall.com/household.aspx)
In my opinion, quartz counters are much more carefree then granite, unless you get the sealed granite. I liked the color choices and I also like the fact that I do not need to worry about placing a hot item in an area that you had had something sitting that was cold... Corian counters will crack if you hit the extremes. Quartz is also stain and scratch resistant, but I always use a cutting board and wipe up spills promptly.
Hope this helps... Laurie
I'd love a new kitchen and have been dreaming of new countertops at the very least. We've been looking at quartz or the recycled glass stuff. Even concrete, perhaps. Thanks for the info on quartz, Laurie, and as always your cleaning hints.
I've got the cutest 1967 Formica! Eat your hearts out! ;D ;D ;D
Hey Pen, we talked about the concrete counter tops but once again they need to be sealed and while it might not be a big deal, we were on a reduced maintenance crusade when we started building this house. In my last house I got a pretty good deal through Home Depot, when Silestone was running a special... Lowe's carries a different brand, but each are connected with installers and both really do seem to stand behind the installers work. I never looked into the recycled glass counters, but I've seen it used on HGTV (my televisions default channel) and it is certainly a pretty product... just be sure to ask about hot, cold, scratches, and stains.
If you didn't... be sure to follow the link I posted for the Protect-All products.. I buy it online but they do sell the cream base in the rv department at walmart (also works fantastically on vehicle exteriors and dashboards).. I like the can of protect all shine.
Had to laugh the yesterday.. DD called to ask.. "So what are you suppose to do when vinegar alone isn't enough"
Quote from: luise.volta on January 03, 2011, 08:14:06 PM
I've got the cutest 1967 Formica! Eat your hearts out! ;D ;D ;D
Formica will always have it's place as an American icon... I loved when they use to use the shiny metal strip along the edge
Laurie Luise et all,
I have formica now and it's good and durable except it is so ugly---dark brown with grey and black! Hideous! And as you said it has a big raised hump where someone set something hot on it.
I really would like marble but that is so hard to keep stain-free that even a web site on stone countertops doesn't recommend it. I had granite once and never again---nonstop cleaning and never felt it was really clean, either. Plus both marble and granite have to be re-finished with chemicals every so often. Heck, I want a countertop, not a new baby----Laurie, do you worry about the chemicals in Protect All near food? Can you set hot things directly on the quartz, like granite?
Formica is a good choice. I've always loved it. The only reason I might chose stone now is that our kitchen runs into our dining/living room. Some natural surface would really be a much nicer design feature.
Thanks so much,
Kathleen
Good Morning Kathleen..... I always keep hotpads in my drawers to prevent having to set an extremely hot pot or pan on my counter tops... I don't know what the manufactures warnings would be concerning direct heat. I have on the other hand set ice cold and frozen items down but while sitting here thinking about it.. I tend to set frozen meat on a plate first then on the counter.
The Silestone that I chose, Bianco River, was originally viewed as a marble look.. I don't really agree but I have had people ask if it was marble in the house. There is not true veining but more like splotches. I used the straight cut front edge instead of going with decorative edging, saving quite a bit of money but quartz manufactures often have specials for free upgraded edges.
To answer your question about Protect-All... to be honest I've never really thought about using it on the counters then preparing food. I guess I'm a little anal (no kidding huh) and always use cutting boards... there are a couple of things that I do place directly on the counter and while one of my children was born with 2 heads I can't say that I've noticed any harmful affects.
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/biancoriver01.jpg)
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/biancoriver02.jpg)
Wow Laurie, it's gorgeous! Thank you-----
And its so cleeeeeeeean! How many gallons of vinegar per day do you use to keep it so shining?
Would you say it has more white or more grey tone? I will need a grey tone.
Thanks a bunch,
Kathleen
This has a white tone to it.. I'm sure between the big name manufacture of quartz that you'll find the perfect color, but we've been extremely pleased with the product. Hope all that helps.. have a great day
Quote from: Laurie on January 04, 2011, 09:17:42 AM
..... I always keep hotpads in my drawers...
Well that opens up a whole new discussion, missy.
Oh, Pen!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D