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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 5:41 am
LOL Wargod ... I feel for you. My entryway has stacked boxes in it right now. Some need to go into the garage, some need to be donated. Either way they don't belong in the entryway. lol!!
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 6:00 am
Okay, Wargod. It's all your fault. We ended up putting the rattan loveseat in the entryway yesterday to make room to open the sofa bed for our grandson to sleep over. Then I got a free breadbox from freecycle that came in from the car and got set next to the love seat, then dh brought in an umbrella and two lawn chairs from the car last night after the fireworks and there they sit! I had already put a scratching post by the edge of the carpet, because Jujubratcat was using the carpet to sharpen her nails right there. And all of this happened since yesterday!
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 6:06 am
Vee, laughed real hard at this one ...you insist that, even though it's often kept inside the cabinets, the color of the air freshener container in the bathroom matches the rest of the bathroom decor!!! and was wondering where you buy matching air freshener? LOL I did not however, laugh at the refolded towels since I've done that.

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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 6:16 am
And I thought I was going to find good hints about the entryway. LOL!
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 3:49 pm
I am trying to find some drapes/curtains and having a heck of a time. I have googled until my hand hurts and been unsuccessful. What I want is a tab top panel, that has different fabrics. The ones I have in my new condo have a quilted sort of fabric after the tab and for about a foot, then a plain fabric to the floor. They are an oatmeal color, it takes three panels for the sliding glass door. The former owner said she got them from sure-fit, but they don't seem to do windows anymore. Anyone have any good drapery/curtain/panel websites I can puruse? Thanks!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 5:15 pm
That sounds like a tough one, Dipo. Sometimes it's more of a challenge when what we want is already set in cement. I like *Country Curtains.* They have three pages of tabs, but none that match your description. I used to love getting their catalog and now I enjoy looking online. Good luck!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Friday, July 06, 2007 - 2:34 am
*Friday's Mission* An excellent tip hidden in today's mission. TGIF! That's all I have to say. My sis will be home this weekend and the house needs her tender ministrations. I am so close to useless lately...discouraging. I did, however, make my bed this morning. Small gains, very. Dipo needs our help...hope someone has some good suggestions for her today. Happy flying, fluttering or flopping as the case may be!
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Skootz
Member
07-23-2003
| Friday, July 06, 2007 - 4:30 am
I haven't done any missions in a long time now. We went camping last weekend from Thursday to Tuesday. Before that was work work work and getting ready to go. Then when we got home, was unpacking and never ending laundry. I have it folded but need to put it away yet. I got up at 5am this morning and did some much needed paperwork and paid some bills and did 4 loads of laundry which is now hanging on the clothes line. Have to go to a mass this morning for my fil who passed away a year ago tomorrow. By the time we do that, go to mil's place and then cemetery, we will not be home until noon, This after, may do cleaning here in the house or cut the grass outside. Depends if I feel up to cleaning or not. May just have to have a nap instead lol. Have a great day all and yes TGIF
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Friday, July 06, 2007 - 8:24 am
Vee, I am sure I will find something nice. I don't have to have any that are similar to the LR ones, but I really liked how different they are with the different fabric. I will check out your link! Another thing I thought of today, don't they make retangle bathroom sinks that will sit in a cabinet so you can have a drawer instead of that stupid tippy-out drawer, LOL? Can you tell I don't like my bathroom, I shall research the sinks. Maybe I will like my bathroom better once I get a mdeicine cabinet. I can't believe how much I miss it, even though there is a cabinet over the toliet, it is not the same. Man, Skootz, you have already been really busy!
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Friday, July 06, 2007 - 10:12 am
I wanna nap. I actually overslept this morning and came flying out of bed at 8:30 when I heard Caleb open the door for my little "adopted" sis and nephew. First time I've done that, I'm usually up at least an hour before he gets here, enough time to start my housework and get dressed! Dakota is being a sweetheart today and earning some money by watching my nephew for me. I've managed to get the kitchen cleaned (floor to ceiling) and have decided while I'm working on the entryway today, I'm going to totally clean out the closet right there and donate the old jackets and coats the kids have grown out of and go through the shoes to see what fits who and then toss it out.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 6:23 am
Just in case anyone hasn't seen this repeat or would like to record it, Oprah will be featuring Peter Walsh on a show about decluttering tomorrow. *More Information Here*
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 5:09 pm
Hey ya'll I need help. My aunt has COPD and uses oxygen, so I have to be very careful with the types of cleaners I use around her house (nothing that is overly strong) and I tend to water down others like lysol floor cleaner or bleach on the very rare occassions I use it at her house. With summer here she's using the swamp cooler more and the wet pads tend to smell kind of musty. At my house, I'd just febreeze stuff or use air freshner but I can't at her house. I also can't use candles (no open flames) and don't want to use the warming plate things because I'm worried she wouldn't remember to turn them off. Do ya'll know of anything not overly strong that I might be able to use? Oh, and we do keep windows and doors open but unfortunately all that does is blow the musty smell into rooms it wouldn't reach without them open, lol! I'm kinda wondering if I could get away with using febreeze while I'm there and she's outside and just leaving the windows and doors open but I'm not sure if that'd still be too strong for her.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 5:22 pm
Baking Soda is sodium bicarbonate. It has a number of useful properties. It can neutralize acid, scrub shiny materials without scratching, deodorize, and extinguish grease fires. It can be used as a deodorizer in the refrigerator, on smelly carpets, on upholstery and on vinyl. It can help deodorize drains. It can clean and polish aluminum, chrome, jewelry, plastic, porcelain, silver, stainless steel, and tin. It also softens fabrics and removes certain stains. Baking soda can soften hard water and makes a relaxing bath time soak; it can be used as an underarm deodorant and as a toothpaste, too. Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, soluble in water. It can deodorize, inhibit the growth of mildew and mold, boost the cleaning power of soap or detergent, remove stains, and can be used with attractants such as sugar to kill cockroaches. Cornstarch, derived from corn, can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs, and starch clothes. Isopropyl Alcohol is an excellent disinfectant. Lemon Juice, which contains citric acid, is a deodorant and can be used to clean glass and remove stains from aluminum, clothes, and porcelain. It is a mild lightener or bleach if used with sunlight. Mineral Oil, derived from seeds, is an ingredient in several furniture polish and floor wax recipes. Soap (NOT detergent) is made in several ways. Castle soap can be used as a shampoo or as a body soap. Olive-oil based soap is gentlest to the skin. An all-purpose liquid soap can be made by simple dissolving the old ends of bar soap (or grated slivers of bar soap) in warm water. Steel Wool is an abrasive strong enough to remove rust and stubborn food residues and to scour barbeque grills. TSP is trisodium phosphate, a mixture of soda ash and phosphoric acid. TSP is toxic if swallowed, but it can be used on many jobs, such as cleaning drains or removing old paint, that would normally require much more caustic and poisonous chemicals, and it does not create any fumes. Vinegar is made from soured applied juice, grain, or wine. It contains about 5 percent acetic acid, which makes it a mild acid. Vinegar can dissolve mineral deposits, grease, remove traces of soap, remove mildew or wax buildup, polish some metals, and deodorize. Vinegar can clean brick or stone, and is an ingredient in some natural carpet cleaning recipes. Use vinegar to clean out the metallic taste in coffeepots and to shine windows without streaking. Vinegar is normally used in a solution with water, but it can be used straight. Washing Soda or SAL Soda is a sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. It can cut stubborn grease on grills, broiler pans, and ovens. It can be used with soda instead of laundry detergent, and it softens hard water. These items are available from drug and chemical-supply stores. *Source* You'll have to scroll way down the page to find this information and more. Not sure that I'd use the Febreeze or any of the usual products. It's not making it easy, but perhaps you'll become our resident "green" expert, Wargod. Good luck!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 5:31 pm
Just tossing in this article for extra measure:*Around the Clock with COPD* (My grandmother is on a liquid oxygen system. I think that some of these tips would help her and that made me think that perhaps there's something here that might help your aunt.)
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 5:38 pm
war, DRYER SHEETS! tape them in front of the swamp cooler to blow in the breeze. also put them on her screens!
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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 5:43 pm
Those are really good cleaning tips for everyone. The less chemicals the better. 
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 6:11 pm
Since I've never had a swamp cooler, could you tell me how they work? I mean is it like an air conditioner or do you add water to it?
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 7:11 pm
Scented dryer sheets might bother her. They did my mom. She couldn't handle even watered down bleach, any kind of perfume, candles. I found a pet deoderizer/air freshener at Target. Not sure of the name, but it is environmentally safe AND has hardly any oder AND takes away the smell of the cat litter box. I'm sure if I had found it when my mom was alive we could have used it near her. I have to go downstairs to get the towels out of the dryer so I'll check and see what it is actually called. The problem with fabreeze is that even if you use it when she is outside the smell does linger. If your aunt is like Mom was she'd notice as soon as she walked in the door.
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 7:19 pm
Hartz Clean Earth Stain & Oder Remover but I also use it as an air freshener around the litter box and in the family room downstairs.
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 7:23 pm
Swamp Cooler Looked it up cuz I had never heard of one except here at TVCH.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 8:06 pm
After reading that explanation ( box-like frame containing a big fan and walled in by water-wetted pads, usually made of cedar shavings or cellulose. The fan whooshes the hot outside air through the dripping pads (which are continually soaked by a water pump), cooling the air ) I think the swamp cooler needs to be refreshed with new cedar shavings or cellulose pads, or needs an interior cleaning. If that doesn't seem to be a good solution, I would be tempted to add baking soda to or a filter on the water entering the cooler. I looked for a good maintenance solution to remove the stale air from the cooler, and here's what I found: There is an inexpensive product called the Sunflower Zinc Anode that can last up to 3 years depending on the salinity of your water. It not only prohibits most of the rust and corrosion in the pan and parts but takes care of much of the bacteria that cause the "fishy smell" and possible health problems. Adding bleach to your water only "enhances" rust problems and lasts about as long as you can come down off the roof. Your swamp cooler is not a washing machine. You could possibly be inhaling chemicals. and.... The swamp cooler, an evaporative cooler, received its name of 'swamp' because of odor issues. They reportedly tend to smell like a swamp. If unclean, there are odor issues. Evaporative coolers should be cleaned prior to use and require ongoing cleaning. The cooling pads tend to be the source of odor. On new units the odor from the new pads tends to dissipate. Bleach, chlorine, bromine and ozone are typically not recommended because they are strong oxidants that can irritate skin, damage eyes, cause respiratory problems, and damage cooler components. Some recommend the use of biocides. If a biocide is used, it should be one approved by the EPA for evaporative units. Read and follow instructions. It is best to follow manufacturer's recommendations for routine cleaning and maintenance in order to control contaminants, mineral build up, and bacteria that can be harmful to health. A regular cleaning and maintenance program can alleviate fears about microbes and disease and prevent odor problems and protect unit components. one more... Install a flush system if you don't already have one.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 9:39 pm
Sorry, I was back at her house finishing up. Swamp coolers just work better out here where it's so hot and a dry heat. She's got brand new pads and they always smell worse when they're new believe it or not. I think I'll try some baking soda first. I shoulda asked ya'll about this weeks ago, it's been so frustrating trying to clean and not using the products I'm used to. Thank you all! I'm off to read the articles and links you posted. Dryer sheets are too strongly scented. Found that out when I showed up one day with a box for laundry, lol.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Monday, July 09, 2007 - 2:21 am
*July 9–13* *Monday's Mission* Don't forget to use the microfiber cloths for today's mission. It will make short work of this chore. Let us know how the baking soda works, Wargod. Happy Monday, all!
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Y2krazy
Member
09-17-2002
| Monday, July 09, 2007 - 3:37 am
Wargod, if you just want to add a pleasant smell to the home, after using some of Vee's wonderful, natural suggestions (which I use and recommend) I'd put a few drops of vanilla (yes the stuff you bake with) on a cotton ball and place it in the room...not to close to aunt. Peppermint oil, lavender oil.. just a few drops, won't be too overpowering to your aunt, but will add a pleasant fragrance to the home. Good luck and God bless, you always sound like you have such a full plate to contend with.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Monday, July 09, 2007 - 6:33 am
War, it's understandable to me about having odors affect your day. After getting older myself I developed a few more 'allergies' to strong odors, so I know it can be a problem. I sneezed for days after using Febreeze! Now I try to stay away from anything that has much of a scent, but still can use Lysol Air Freshener with a linen scent and Oust - if used sparingly. Hope my research gave you some usable information. I like Y2's ideas, too. Good luck with the swamp cooler. On today's mission, ever since I got my flat glass stove top I haven't missed cleaning the drip pans even a teensy little bit! It has become a shining trophy, rubbed clean and polished every day in a snap!
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