I'm going back to my roots, here. How I started this blog and how I should have kept going - except I have interests and passions that led me away from simplicity.
Today, in this post, there are no politics, no unpleasantness, no controversy, unless you have a different opinion about how and when and where to use cleaning products.
This morning I'm cleaning. I happened to be in the kitchen, wiping down my countertops, when the inspiration for this little blurb hit.
Hubby and I have granite tile countertops. We couldn't go the full monty when we remodeled the kitchen, so settled for 12x12 tile instead of getting slabs - we have a lot of counter space. They need cleaning, so I clean them.
Once in a while I use a spot of dishsoap and water and they end up looking great - but it's a lot of work and water because I want to be sure to get up all the soap residue. That's the once-in-a-while cleaning. Everyday, though, I use Windex - a spray cleaner with ammonia and coloring.
I was once told by an acquaintance who had just gotten brand new countertops of granite, "I was told by my contractor to never use Windex."
Being curious - because we are, after all, going on about polished rock - I asked, "Why not?"
She wasn't as curious as I. She hadn't asked so didn't know. She told me so. She said, "I don't know, I didn't ask."
Okay. Dead-end. So I went where we all go these days - to the inter-web. All over the place there are sites that say "DON'T". Not a single one answers "WHY NOT??" (Hey -they shout, so I'm shouting.)
They don't say why not. They just say do not. Some, a few, say it's okay but most don't. Some of those say to use another product, another acid - vinegar.
Well that leaves me with a theory, which I'll get to.
Some say "never put anything acidic on your granite". Okay - so don't spill your wine, splash your salad dressing, or squirt lemon or lime juice on a work surface in your kitchen. Got it. Well, newsflash folks - the only way I will not spill, splash or squirt in my kitchen is if I never go into my kitchen. Which isn't an option.
Others say a mixture of vinegar (an acid) and water works wonders, if applied by a soft cloth. The soft cloth I get.
Paper towels are, after all, made of wood fiber and tend to be coarse so they can scratch. If you don't trust me, get a magnifying glass and look at the fibers - they're coarse. Do the same with that well used, well loved dish towel you've had forever - not coarse. Even Kleenex will scratch glass which is why you're not supposed to use paper towels or Kleenex to wipe your eyeglasses.
But we're not talking about glass. We're talking about glorified rock which masons call "stone". Which is still, when you get down to it, a variant of rock.
So trying to figure out 'why this and not that' is like asking a parent or grandparent who did things the same way every time, "Why do you do it like that?"
Answer: "because it's the way my mother / father did it" or the variant, "That's the way I always do it."
"Why?"
"Well... because." Annoyed glance because you've asked an answer to the immutable. In my experience, the glance was almost invariably accompanied by "why don't you go out and play?" Freeway being the obvious location for said playing in that moment.
This morning I asked the Oracle of the InterWeb - "Why not?" and I got no answer. Just the same old sites with the same old conflicting information.
To me, this is not like taking a parent's advice about not jumping off roofs or bridges or diving head-first into murky water. There's sense in those things - as you'll know if you've ever done something stupid like that and gotten hurt doing it.
This is like A Mystery of the Universe which leads to my theory: They want to sell product.
The sites that say "don't" are trying hard to keep people from using an inexpensive method for cleaning because they want to sell you a more expensive product - like 100x more expensive - that includes the same basic ingredient: ammonia. Or maybe it's vinegar, which would be even less expensive.
Where does this leave me? Why, with my trusty bottle of blue colored ammonia and water, of course. And that raises another wonder-point: why is it blue? Why not clear - as in clean, or...?
Hmm. Another Question for the Ages. But I'll think about that while I go back to my countertops.
Have a lovely day.
Best~
Philippa
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilippaStories
Showing posts with label Cleaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cleaning. Show all posts
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Monday, November 9, 2015
A Last Word & Then Off to Other Things
I really do love my writer's groups. They are so supportive and encouraging. I said I was 'feeling guilty' for having bailed on NaNo as quickly as I did, and almost immediately got scolded, told it isn't necessary.
I know it's not. And that's why I said I'm not wearing it. I will not wrap myself in the Guilt flag and parade anywhere. Starting and finishing were both personal choices based on where I was at the time.
Where this feeling comes from, and I do think 'guilt' is the wrong word for it, is from having said I would do something and not doing it. I don't like it when someone commits to do something and doesn't follow through, and I especially don't like it when I've made a commitment and don't follow through. That's the failure. Nothing more, nothing less. I committed - promised if you will - and didn't do it. That's the hair shirt that's rubbing me the wrong way.
As for NaNo, I have zero regrets. I tried something new. They kept shoving 'rah-rah' pom poms up my nose along the lines of persistent messages of 'You can do it! We have faith!' I hate 'rah-rah' crap. It's impractical and annoying, so that bugged me because every time I logged into the site there were another couple of messages. Honestly, it makes me want to rip their pom poms out of their hands, pluck the stupid things bald and shove 'em back.
Encouragement is all well and good, if it's purposeful. A broadcast message of 'we're cheering for you' really isn't much of anything except a waste of time, energy and attention on both sides. Don't need it, don't like it, so there.
So. Enough about that.
We're having another Water Falling From The Sky event here. We got a little yesterday and more today and it's lovely. Not lovely enough that I want to go out and wander down the street in it as I did a few weeks ago, but it's nice to sit here and look out and see the street is wet.
Naturally there have been accidents. People just do not understand that when it's raining the roads are slick. One woman died because she was speeding and lost control, swerving into the other lane and being hit. Another was, according to the CHP, trying to 'drift' and lost control. And those were just local in Sonoma County.
It's been long enough since I've driven in the rain that even though I know better, I got a little carried away on my way in this morning. Going around one curve I felt the back end of the car slipping around. I wasn't even going particularly fast, but I felt it start to slide. Accelerated a little (front-wheel drive) and then, once it was back under control, I slowed down even more. Made it safely and in one piece, but it was a warning.
Yesterday hubby and I got to the next-to-the-last of the house clearing out. We got the attic done and MAN, am I too old for this! Most of it was hands and knees stuff because the ridgeline is not where the stuff was stacked. It was along the edges, between the rafters so I spent hours stooped over or crawling. Lifting, shifting and moving heavy boxes in that position is torture.
I have a greater appreciation and respect for miners after that. The only good news is that yesterday was cool and rainy. I still spent a couple of hours feeling like I was stuck in a sauna on high, but I hate to think how much worse it would have been if it had been a mild day, or worse - warm. And it was nice, really nice, to be able to hear the tapping of rain on the shingles while I worked. Like Chopin's 'Raindrop Prelude' without the piano.
Still I was really warm and only the fear of fiberglass fibers kept my shirt on (imagine Bridget Bardot in her prime - it's far more attractive than reality). But, while I was crawling and stooping and shifting and grunting (yes, some of those boxes were REALLY heavy), I was wondering why it is that home builders don't insulate the spaces between the rafters immediately under the roof.
That extra layer of insulation would probably help keep the house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter and the exercise of installing it wouldn't be that hard. A net membrane or breathable fabric stretched between the rafters to hold the insulation strips in place would do it. But, that's just how my mind works while my body is doing something else entirely.
What's astonishing is how much crap we had jammed in there. No wonder finding things or getting them out was well nigh impossible! Old chrome framed modular furniture that had been broken down into its constituent parts. Our daughter's old crib and mattress (why we kept the mattress for twenty some years is beyond me). Box after box after box of toys and stuffed animals. A whole lot of stuff (read: junk) but most of it is now down in the garage slated to be pitched or donated.
What halfway surprises me is that the roof didn't come crashing down from all that weight. Particularly during the earthquake we had a few months back. It didn't though, so that's good.
Now I need to call my daughter. We found a box of Legos and a little chair that doubles as a stool and some other things we think her new baby might be able to use. In the case it's more a matter of first refusal than anything. They're planning on moving out of state because they can't find anyplace affordable to live around here and job opportunities are much more prevalent up in Washington. They may not want this stuff, but we'll offer it up and see.
After yesterday, I am stiff and sore this morning. I managed not to whack my head on anything but did catch my shoulder, my arm, my hip, my thigh and various other body parts. I have a couple of bruises and sore muscles - stooping over for two hours is not my usual posture and I'm feeling the effects of it today. Despite the super-duper ibuprofen I took last night and the valium to help keep my muscles from tightening up I am still not entirely comfortable today.
One thing about being in an auto accident from which you walk away, the medics give you lots of good stuff that sometimes comes in handy. These are leftovers from last year when I got rear-ended and was diagnosed with 'severe whiplash'. I only took a couple in the days immediately after the accident, and since I don't pop pills at every excuse, I have these in my dresser drawer for when I really, really need them. Last night was one such time and I am very grateful to have them. I slept well, which is what I needed most.
Now, with life more or less back to normal, I'm going to wrap this up and starting thinking about the changes I want to make to 'Shady' to get it finished. That goal is still two months off - I've set the time, with plenty of time between now and then so there won't be loads of pressure. Let's see if I can make that commitment stick!
In any case, I hope you have a lovely day!
Best~
Philippa
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilippaStories
I know it's not. And that's why I said I'm not wearing it. I will not wrap myself in the Guilt flag and parade anywhere. Starting and finishing were both personal choices based on where I was at the time.
Where this feeling comes from, and I do think 'guilt' is the wrong word for it, is from having said I would do something and not doing it. I don't like it when someone commits to do something and doesn't follow through, and I especially don't like it when I've made a commitment and don't follow through. That's the failure. Nothing more, nothing less. I committed - promised if you will - and didn't do it. That's the hair shirt that's rubbing me the wrong way.
As for NaNo, I have zero regrets. I tried something new. They kept shoving 'rah-rah' pom poms up my nose along the lines of persistent messages of 'You can do it! We have faith!' I hate 'rah-rah' crap. It's impractical and annoying, so that bugged me because every time I logged into the site there were another couple of messages. Honestly, it makes me want to rip their pom poms out of their hands, pluck the stupid things bald and shove 'em back.
Encouragement is all well and good, if it's purposeful. A broadcast message of 'we're cheering for you' really isn't much of anything except a waste of time, energy and attention on both sides. Don't need it, don't like it, so there.
So. Enough about that.
We're having another Water Falling From The Sky event here. We got a little yesterday and more today and it's lovely. Not lovely enough that I want to go out and wander down the street in it as I did a few weeks ago, but it's nice to sit here and look out and see the street is wet.
Naturally there have been accidents. People just do not understand that when it's raining the roads are slick. One woman died because she was speeding and lost control, swerving into the other lane and being hit. Another was, according to the CHP, trying to 'drift' and lost control. And those were just local in Sonoma County.
It's been long enough since I've driven in the rain that even though I know better, I got a little carried away on my way in this morning. Going around one curve I felt the back end of the car slipping around. I wasn't even going particularly fast, but I felt it start to slide. Accelerated a little (front-wheel drive) and then, once it was back under control, I slowed down even more. Made it safely and in one piece, but it was a warning.
Yesterday hubby and I got to the next-to-the-last of the house clearing out. We got the attic done and MAN, am I too old for this! Most of it was hands and knees stuff because the ridgeline is not where the stuff was stacked. It was along the edges, between the rafters so I spent hours stooped over or crawling. Lifting, shifting and moving heavy boxes in that position is torture.
I have a greater appreciation and respect for miners after that. The only good news is that yesterday was cool and rainy. I still spent a couple of hours feeling like I was stuck in a sauna on high, but I hate to think how much worse it would have been if it had been a mild day, or worse - warm. And it was nice, really nice, to be able to hear the tapping of rain on the shingles while I worked. Like Chopin's 'Raindrop Prelude' without the piano.
Still I was really warm and only the fear of fiberglass fibers kept my shirt on (imagine Bridget Bardot in her prime - it's far more attractive than reality). But, while I was crawling and stooping and shifting and grunting (yes, some of those boxes were REALLY heavy), I was wondering why it is that home builders don't insulate the spaces between the rafters immediately under the roof.
That extra layer of insulation would probably help keep the house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter and the exercise of installing it wouldn't be that hard. A net membrane or breathable fabric stretched between the rafters to hold the insulation strips in place would do it. But, that's just how my mind works while my body is doing something else entirely.
What's astonishing is how much crap we had jammed in there. No wonder finding things or getting them out was well nigh impossible! Old chrome framed modular furniture that had been broken down into its constituent parts. Our daughter's old crib and mattress (why we kept the mattress for twenty some years is beyond me). Box after box after box of toys and stuffed animals. A whole lot of stuff (read: junk) but most of it is now down in the garage slated to be pitched or donated.
What halfway surprises me is that the roof didn't come crashing down from all that weight. Particularly during the earthquake we had a few months back. It didn't though, so that's good.
Now I need to call my daughter. We found a box of Legos and a little chair that doubles as a stool and some other things we think her new baby might be able to use. In the case it's more a matter of first refusal than anything. They're planning on moving out of state because they can't find anyplace affordable to live around here and job opportunities are much more prevalent up in Washington. They may not want this stuff, but we'll offer it up and see.
After yesterday, I am stiff and sore this morning. I managed not to whack my head on anything but did catch my shoulder, my arm, my hip, my thigh and various other body parts. I have a couple of bruises and sore muscles - stooping over for two hours is not my usual posture and I'm feeling the effects of it today. Despite the super-duper ibuprofen I took last night and the valium to help keep my muscles from tightening up I am still not entirely comfortable today.
One thing about being in an auto accident from which you walk away, the medics give you lots of good stuff that sometimes comes in handy. These are leftovers from last year when I got rear-ended and was diagnosed with 'severe whiplash'. I only took a couple in the days immediately after the accident, and since I don't pop pills at every excuse, I have these in my dresser drawer for when I really, really need them. Last night was one such time and I am very grateful to have them. I slept well, which is what I needed most.
Now, with life more or less back to normal, I'm going to wrap this up and starting thinking about the changes I want to make to 'Shady' to get it finished. That goal is still two months off - I've set the time, with plenty of time between now and then so there won't be loads of pressure. Let's see if I can make that commitment stick!
In any case, I hope you have a lovely day!
Best~
Philippa
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilippaStories
Sunday, October 11, 2015
True Confessions.
After heaving a heavy sigh and deciding to just toss this out there, knowing I am not alone in this, I'm going to admit something personal. I have skin tags and warts.
Yeah, yeah, I know I'm not alone. Many people (most people?) have the same things, so it's not like I'm weird or anything. Not in this department, anyway. The problem is what to do about them.
I Googled and read and Googled and read and thought and Googled and... For about a week. I wanted to find a holistic solution. Thought about it, and finally decided to give it a try. Now I just have to see what happens because this is Day One of the Great Experiment.
What I found by Googling is that there are a number of different options. I'm going the apple cider vinegar route. Mostly because I have a gallon jug of ACV in the pantry - which means I only had to buy the cotton balls and first aid tape. And I think it smells better than the banana peel solution (yes, Virginia, there is a banana peel solution to skin tags).
I've just applied the first dressings on two places. I have more, but if this is going to cause irritation / swelling / soreness, I'd really like to limit the damage, so I'll start small and work up. No pain, yet, although one internet site I read mentioned that the ACV can sting. Maybe in a couple of days, after the tissue starts to break down? We'll see.
In the meantime, I have hope, because this is sure as shootin' less expensive than, and so far, anyway, less painful than the dermatology cryo process. I've done that, too, and that stings. Or it burns, if they use heat to get rid of them.
There's my big confession. Isn't that exciting? Yeah, I know. Bo-rrrring.
Okay, here's another one: I'm supposed to dust the house today, but I'm not going to. I'm going to write, instead.
See, hubby has reached the point of wanting to de-junk the house, and that's great. But if we're going to de-junk, why should I spend time moving the thousands of pieces of junk we have around so I can dust if in a few weeks or so the junk will be gone and I won't have to move it to dust? Logical, right? Thanks. I think so.
And, yes, that's an exaggeration. We don't have 'thousands' of junk pieces. It just seems like it. I've started a box, and I'm putting things into it as I go.
Like the African carved masks - the tourist junk that my in-laws brought home from a vacation. Somehow they ended up in my bathroom, which used to be MIL's bathroom before she had her stroke and had to be moved downstairs.
Two of the ugliest things I've ever seen, but there they were. Until I took them down and put them in the box. Then I put up a picture I took of Moraine Lake up in Alberta.
Much nicer.
I'm still picking away at the clutter, so I feel a bit righteous. Because I feel righteous (a tiny bit), I've decided that instead of dusting, I'm going to write and get onto NaNoWriMo. Which is confusing to me, but I'll get there in a minute - and connect with my writing buddy who's off with friends for the weekend.
I signed up for NaNoWriMo last week. Then I logged off and went about life. Then I logged on but can't do anything. Apparently because I haven't got anything posted. Which is weird. I'm supposed to upload an extract from a book I haven't started yet, which isn't supposed to get started until next month, but... It's confusing.
So, I'll start the story today and upload the first thousand words or so. And I'll upload the cover I've designed.
Except, it's now almost six hours since I wrote that last sentence. Hubby came and pulled me away, to start clearing out the clutter and de-junking the house.
I'm exhausted, and elated. Among everything I found a picture - the last picture I have of my mom and dad together, taken only about three months before he passed. I remembered it. I knew I had it. I just didn't know where, until today.
I miss them so much, and to have found this picture is... heaven because it's how I remember them, together.
So there is happiness to be found in clearing out clutter. I just spent six hours at it, and this is my reward. Along with a slightly less cluttered house. Although, truth to tell, since so much came from drawers and closets and cabinets, it's hard to see a real difference. Next pass, though, since the cabinets and closets and drawers are done.
Now, though, I'm bushed. And I am not going to get started on cooking my chile verde tonight. it's five o'clock, my feet hurt from standing and walking and standing and walking for six hours.
I hope you have a lovely day, and that some special image comes to mind.
Best~
Philippa
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilippaStories
Yeah, yeah, I know I'm not alone. Many people (most people?) have the same things, so it's not like I'm weird or anything. Not in this department, anyway. The problem is what to do about them.
I Googled and read and Googled and read and thought and Googled and... For about a week. I wanted to find a holistic solution. Thought about it, and finally decided to give it a try. Now I just have to see what happens because this is Day One of the Great Experiment.
What I found by Googling is that there are a number of different options. I'm going the apple cider vinegar route. Mostly because I have a gallon jug of ACV in the pantry - which means I only had to buy the cotton balls and first aid tape. And I think it smells better than the banana peel solution (yes, Virginia, there is a banana peel solution to skin tags).
I've just applied the first dressings on two places. I have more, but if this is going to cause irritation / swelling / soreness, I'd really like to limit the damage, so I'll start small and work up. No pain, yet, although one internet site I read mentioned that the ACV can sting. Maybe in a couple of days, after the tissue starts to break down? We'll see.
In the meantime, I have hope, because this is sure as shootin' less expensive than, and so far, anyway, less painful than the dermatology cryo process. I've done that, too, and that stings. Or it burns, if they use heat to get rid of them.
There's my big confession. Isn't that exciting? Yeah, I know. Bo-rrrring.
Okay, here's another one: I'm supposed to dust the house today, but I'm not going to. I'm going to write, instead.
See, hubby has reached the point of wanting to de-junk the house, and that's great. But if we're going to de-junk, why should I spend time moving the thousands of pieces of junk we have around so I can dust if in a few weeks or so the junk will be gone and I won't have to move it to dust? Logical, right? Thanks. I think so.
And, yes, that's an exaggeration. We don't have 'thousands' of junk pieces. It just seems like it. I've started a box, and I'm putting things into it as I go.
Like the African carved masks - the tourist junk that my in-laws brought home from a vacation. Somehow they ended up in my bathroom, which used to be MIL's bathroom before she had her stroke and had to be moved downstairs.
Two of the ugliest things I've ever seen, but there they were. Until I took them down and put them in the box. Then I put up a picture I took of Moraine Lake up in Alberta.
Much nicer.
I'm still picking away at the clutter, so I feel a bit righteous. Because I feel righteous (a tiny bit), I've decided that instead of dusting, I'm going to write and get onto NaNoWriMo. Which is confusing to me, but I'll get there in a minute - and connect with my writing buddy who's off with friends for the weekend.
I signed up for NaNoWriMo last week. Then I logged off and went about life. Then I logged on but can't do anything. Apparently because I haven't got anything posted. Which is weird. I'm supposed to upload an extract from a book I haven't started yet, which isn't supposed to get started until next month, but... It's confusing.
So, I'll start the story today and upload the first thousand words or so. And I'll upload the cover I've designed.
Except, it's now almost six hours since I wrote that last sentence. Hubby came and pulled me away, to start clearing out the clutter and de-junking the house.
I'm exhausted, and elated. Among everything I found a picture - the last picture I have of my mom and dad together, taken only about three months before he passed. I remembered it. I knew I had it. I just didn't know where, until today.
I miss them so much, and to have found this picture is... heaven because it's how I remember them, together.
So there is happiness to be found in clearing out clutter. I just spent six hours at it, and this is my reward. Along with a slightly less cluttered house. Although, truth to tell, since so much came from drawers and closets and cabinets, it's hard to see a real difference. Next pass, though, since the cabinets and closets and drawers are done.
Now, though, I'm bushed. And I am not going to get started on cooking my chile verde tonight. it's five o'clock, my feet hurt from standing and walking and standing and walking for six hours.
I hope you have a lovely day, and that some special image comes to mind.
Best~
Philippa
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilippaStories
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Yeahhhh... It's Saturday.
One o'clock in the afternoon, the must-dos are done, and I have a few hours ahead of me to just chill out and relax.
I've been playing Farm Heroes as time allows. Usually when I'm standing at the sink, watering Sam, who increasingly refuses to bend down to drink. I'm increasingly convinced it's because he has arthritis in his neck and shoulders. When not standing at the sink I was running errands and at the bank and picking up MIL's prescription of the week. Every week I'm at the pharmacy because every week one of her many scrips needs refilling. Not a routine I'll miss, when the time comes that it's over, but not one I mind, either. Except this morning because of a woman in line ahead of me.
It smelled as if she had trouble with the perfume bottle this morning. I think she spilled it all over herself because the scent was not just strong, it was overwhelming to the point where I took two steps back, turned my head and struggled to breathe. And I don't have allergies or asthma, so I know it was overpowering.
I'm one of those who never wear scent. I don't even like scented deodorant. I mean, the whole point with deodorant is not to smell, right? So why coat your pits with perfume? I don't get it.
Anyway. Enough of that because I don't want to think about my pits, so I'll tell you about my plans for tomorrow.
I'll get up early and make up a big pot of chile verde and another pot of Spanish rice. Warming comfort food for fall. Of course, it's still hot enough here that it doesn't feel much like fall, but that's okay. It's supposed to be in the 80's early this week, even though it's heading toward mid-October, but that's normal. We might get some rain Sunday after next. If Yahoo is right. Then it might really start feeling like fall.
Still, I'm looking forward to the chile. Hubby bought some peppers - Fresno and serrano - for taco meat and didn't use all of them, so I'll use 'em up. Along with celery, tomatillos, cilantro and an onion. I'm going to see if I can't reduce the liquid this time. I don't like thin, runny stews. I like them thick enough I can stand a spoon up in it, and I've had trouble figuring out how to make this chile thick. Perhaps one can of chicken broth instead of water and chicken broth? I don't know. I'll see. Which is where the rice comes in. If it's too thin, I'll dump the rice in and use that to soak up the excess liquid. Otherwise, if the chile is thick, I'll keep the rice separate and serve it with the chile over the top.
Fascinating stuff, huh?
Then, after the cooking is done, hubby and I are going to start going through the house, clearing things out. I think it's the aftermath of the clean-up of the backyard. He likes the new, clean look, so he's started to think about the house - which is REFRESHING!!! He's even talking about replacing the fence next year!!! It's like a miracle. Of course, I'm not holding my breath. We'll see what happens after tomorrow, but if we get some stuff cleared out, I'll be happy.
There's all sorts of stuff to go through. I started today with simple things that have been cluttering up my half of the closet. Little things that I picked up somewhere along the way and set down on the shelf but never used. Gone. Easy stuff will be just that - easy. Then we'll get to the next level where things will be harder.
Still, I have to keep my eye on the prize. If I don't really need it or really want it, it's going to go. Either to the garage sale pile (and trust me, I ABHOR the idea of holding a garage sale), the donate pile or the garbage pile. I may suggest E-bay for some of this stuff because then we wouldn't have to spend a weekend with a garage sale - setting up, breaking down, setting up, breaking down and getting rid of whatever is left.
It's a personal thing, but I just don't like garage sales. It's like I'm offering my junk for someone else to take home. Which is fine, if the buyer is willing, but why do they want my castoffs? I don't get it. But that's me and I understand there's a pleasure some people get from garage sales. I see it when the neighbors have them. The early birds who show up at seven-thirty or eight o'clock or whenever the start is advertised. The laggards who come to pick through whatever is left. We'll see.
First, I have to get there. In fact, I think I'm going to go get a jump on tomorrow. Grab and toss the low-hanging fruit, and start thinking about the other things.
Have a lovely Saturday!
Best~
Philippa
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilippaStories
I've been playing Farm Heroes as time allows. Usually when I'm standing at the sink, watering Sam, who increasingly refuses to bend down to drink. I'm increasingly convinced it's because he has arthritis in his neck and shoulders. When not standing at the sink I was running errands and at the bank and picking up MIL's prescription of the week. Every week I'm at the pharmacy because every week one of her many scrips needs refilling. Not a routine I'll miss, when the time comes that it's over, but not one I mind, either. Except this morning because of a woman in line ahead of me.
It smelled as if she had trouble with the perfume bottle this morning. I think she spilled it all over herself because the scent was not just strong, it was overwhelming to the point where I took two steps back, turned my head and struggled to breathe. And I don't have allergies or asthma, so I know it was overpowering.
I'm one of those who never wear scent. I don't even like scented deodorant. I mean, the whole point with deodorant is not to smell, right? So why coat your pits with perfume? I don't get it.
Anyway. Enough of that because I don't want to think about my pits, so I'll tell you about my plans for tomorrow.
I'll get up early and make up a big pot of chile verde and another pot of Spanish rice. Warming comfort food for fall. Of course, it's still hot enough here that it doesn't feel much like fall, but that's okay. It's supposed to be in the 80's early this week, even though it's heading toward mid-October, but that's normal. We might get some rain Sunday after next. If Yahoo is right. Then it might really start feeling like fall.
Still, I'm looking forward to the chile. Hubby bought some peppers - Fresno and serrano - for taco meat and didn't use all of them, so I'll use 'em up. Along with celery, tomatillos, cilantro and an onion. I'm going to see if I can't reduce the liquid this time. I don't like thin, runny stews. I like them thick enough I can stand a spoon up in it, and I've had trouble figuring out how to make this chile thick. Perhaps one can of chicken broth instead of water and chicken broth? I don't know. I'll see. Which is where the rice comes in. If it's too thin, I'll dump the rice in and use that to soak up the excess liquid. Otherwise, if the chile is thick, I'll keep the rice separate and serve it with the chile over the top.
Fascinating stuff, huh?
Then, after the cooking is done, hubby and I are going to start going through the house, clearing things out. I think it's the aftermath of the clean-up of the backyard. He likes the new, clean look, so he's started to think about the house - which is REFRESHING!!! He's even talking about replacing the fence next year!!! It's like a miracle. Of course, I'm not holding my breath. We'll see what happens after tomorrow, but if we get some stuff cleared out, I'll be happy.
There's all sorts of stuff to go through. I started today with simple things that have been cluttering up my half of the closet. Little things that I picked up somewhere along the way and set down on the shelf but never used. Gone. Easy stuff will be just that - easy. Then we'll get to the next level where things will be harder.
Still, I have to keep my eye on the prize. If I don't really need it or really want it, it's going to go. Either to the garage sale pile (and trust me, I ABHOR the idea of holding a garage sale), the donate pile or the garbage pile. I may suggest E-bay for some of this stuff because then we wouldn't have to spend a weekend with a garage sale - setting up, breaking down, setting up, breaking down and getting rid of whatever is left.
It's a personal thing, but I just don't like garage sales. It's like I'm offering my junk for someone else to take home. Which is fine, if the buyer is willing, but why do they want my castoffs? I don't get it. But that's me and I understand there's a pleasure some people get from garage sales. I see it when the neighbors have them. The early birds who show up at seven-thirty or eight o'clock or whenever the start is advertised. The laggards who come to pick through whatever is left. We'll see.
First, I have to get there. In fact, I think I'm going to go get a jump on tomorrow. Grab and toss the low-hanging fruit, and start thinking about the other things.
Have a lovely Saturday!
Best~
Philippa
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