Grrrr, mouse~part 4

Yep, I am back already.  So Ray got up at 5:50am and came out and told me that one of the mouse traps under the bathroom cabinet went off.  No mouse though.

He is going to get more traps and we are going to put them allllllllll over the house!  He was not too happy to hear about the lil' bugger being in the kitchen this morning.

Hey lil' fella, listen to me and listen good.  We are coming for you and we ARE going to get you! 

Hey ya never know.  Maybe the fat lil' so-and-so gets on the computer.  What the heck, he seems to be everywhere else in the house.

Mouse in the house~part 3

Okay, so I took my med's at 9:40pm last night and laid down for a nice cozy sleep.  I was tired after another long day of the usual, a little laundry, a little cleaning and lots of playing & chasing with Rylie Jo Lee.

I was just in the early stages of sleep.  You know when you are starting to fall asleep, but you can still sort of hear things going on around you, but not really.  That's when I woke up.  I looked at the clock, it was about 10 minutes after ten. 

I laid there wondering what had woken me and then I heard something.  I lay there very quietly and listened.  There!  I heard it again.  It was coming from the other side of the room.  I sat up and listened. 

It sounded like it was either coming from the linen closet or the bathroom.  It sounded kind of like a quiet knocking, no.  Like a rustling, no.  Like someone was moving things, but trying to be quiet.

I got up and very quietly (yeah, like a mouse) walked over to the other side of the room.  The closet to the bedroom and linen closet are right next to each other.  There, I heard it again.  Very quietly I open the bathroom door, just a wee bit, and I listen for a moment.  Quick!  I shut the door and stuff a towel under the bottom.

I open the door and tell Ray hurry, hurry and grab the broom.  He is up..."did you find him, is he back?"  "Yes, hurry.  Go in the bathroom and get him!"

He comes into the bedroom and says "okay this is what I want you to do..."  "Uh, yeah, okay, but this is what I am going to do.  You go in there, find him and kill him, and I am going to stay out here and close the door."  LOL, and I did.

Rylie in the meantime was having a fit.  All she knew was that they were sitting there comfy, cozy watcing tv and now they weren't.  The mommy person came out hollerin' something and the big daddy guy left her sitting there alone.  Nope, she wasn't happy with the adults at all.

I went and tried to placate her.  Yeah, well once she has something in her mind, and at this time it was "I want daddy", she won't let it go.  She wanted in that bathroom, and now!

I went back over to the door and held her.  I asked the ol' man "are you okay?  He isn't getting you is he?"  I hear "No... guess where I am?"  Oh my gosh...don't tell me.  "Where?"  He say's "on top of the sink!"  LMAO!

"Come in here".  I open the door a bit and look.  Yep, my big, strong 42 yr old man, my defender, the previous bar fighter, is up on top of the bathroom counter with my old blue broom.  The bottom drawer is pulled out and the cabinet doors are open.  All the various bathroom paraphenillia is scattered across the floor.

Now that I am standing there in the room it must be safe because he jumps down.  Gosh he is cute, even if he got his hair cut too short and is afraid of this silly mouse, lol. 

So we finish up looking around under the cabinet.  No mouse, but he had been there.  There is a panel that goes to the water pipes under the garden tub, which is right next to the bathroom counter.  Apparently the panel isn't secured and the mouse was able to use that to make his escape.  So there is another project that must be done: fix the panel. 

So my big, strong protector took the baby back into the living room to finish watching their television show.  I was left to clean up the mess left in the bathroom.  Apparently the fat little fella likes my homemade tanning lotion.  I had the bottle of lotion in a plastic shopping bag under the sink.  He dang near ate most of the bag, the little freak!

So I finish cleaning up and putting everything away.  We now move the, obviously still empty, mouse traps under the sink.  I close the bathroom door and shove a towel under it.  I don't want the little sucker visiting me while I am asleep.

Well, this is where the story ended.  This is the point I had planned to write to and end the story.  Unfortunately, that is not my luck.  Oh no.

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I woke up at about 4:42am, yeah dang insomnia...still.  No problem, that gives me some quiet time.  I go into the kitchen to make a cup of cappuccino (cheap stuff I get at Aldi's for $1.99 a can, not bad stuff). 

As I am moving about on the cold vinyl tiles, my foot hits something.  I look down and see something.  I pick it up...pizza crust?  How long has this been sitting here and why didn't I see it before?  Oh the joy's of having a toddler in the house.  You never know what your going to find, or where.

I toss the crust into the trash can and walk back over to the stove.  The water is almost ready.  Suddenly something moves FROM THE SAME SPOT I JUST PICKEDUP THE CRUST!!!  The MOUSE!!!  It runs right by me!  Within inches of my BARE feet!

I want to scream "AIIIEEEEE!  Help!  The Mouse, the mouse!  Ray, come and kill this little #@$&@^*!"  But it is only a quarter till 5 in the morning, I remain quiet.  Calm down Jill, it's only a mouse.  He's probably more scared of you than you are of him. 

Bull$h!t, if he was so dang scared he'd get the heck out of dodge!  I certainly wouldn't stay around where creatures that much bigger than me were chasing me with a big blue stick with bristles on the end.

So I finish making my cappuccino, keeping my eye on the spot where he ran to, and quickly exit the kitchen.  And here I sit, with my toes carefully curled up.  The kitchen and I are only seperated by a wall and this little fella seems to have magical powers.

I keep wishing I wasn't so deathly allergic to cats.  But not only do I sneeze, get thesniffles and my eyes water, but my throat starts to get real tight and swollen and eventually my eyes get almost swollen shut.  Besides that, cats are just so smelly and nasty. 

That's not exactly politically correct and I apologize to cat lovers.  I'm sorry, but it is a bit hard to be kind to animals that are, dang near, able to kill me (okay, okay, not kill.  But it sure does feel like it.) with a mere shake of their deadly dander.

Besides, even if I were to take the allergy medication and be able to handle having a cat in the house for a few days, it still probably wouldn't be a very good idea.  One day Rylie and I would get up for our usual morning of Disney shows, and walk into the living room to find mouse inards strewn all over.  Yech! 

No, a cat just wouldn't be a good idea.  We'll get the little guy...eventually.  Hopefully before I have another early morning encounter.

Well, it's only 5:57am and it looks like it is going to some kind of day.  Ya'll have a great one.  I may be back later.

Gift Idea~to give to grandparents

This idea came from something I did when David, now almost 20, was about 5 years old.  I think this would make a great project for children from the age of about 3 on up.

I went and bought a big sheet of poster board and a frame to hold it.  Then I gave David some crayons and asked him to color me a picture.  He made a picture of our house, daddys car in the driveway, him and his sister in the baby pool in the back yard and me in the garden.

I loved it!  As a matter of fact, I hung it up in the entranceway so everyone could see it when they came into the house.

I think as a gift for the grandparents though that an 8x10 picture and frame, or around there, would be a good size to use.  (Duh! What was I thinking, I meant 10x12)  Ask your child to leave a corner at the bottom un-colored (is that a word?). 

Then while they are coloring the picture for the grandparents take a picture of them.  Before framing the artwork, glue stick the picture on that bare corner.  On the back of the picture frame, you know that boring old cardboard, use a paint marked to write the childs name and the date they did the project. 

I think this is a gift that most grandparents would love to get.  Better than any old Picasso or Monet. 

Have a great Sunday!

Homemade gift~Cafe Au Lait

Cafe Au Lait Mix

Combine 6 oz, instant non-dairy creamer (1 1/2 cups), 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup instant coffee crystals, and dash of salt.  Store in airtight container.  Makes 2 cups mix.

Directions to pack with mix:  For one serving, mix 1/4 cup mix with 2/3 cup boiling water.

Now I usually give these in a canning jar, or save some small jelly jars, add the directions and your ready to give!

This is one of the gifts that I make to give to family and friends that really goes over well.  I don't drink coffee, "yech", so I can't really tell you how good it is.  I can say that people really seem to appreciate when I make this and give it as a gift, or at least that's what they tell me, lol.

I am on dial up today, so this I am going to keep this short and sweet.  Take care, keep warm and love the one your with, lol.

Boogers

No names have been used in the following story to protect the innocent.  Actually this borders on the things I am not to discuss in my journal, however this is just my experience in this matter.  As a matter of fact, there is no "proof" as to the identity of the booger perpetrator.

 
http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Free Glitter Graphics

S-i-g-h...{{{slowly shaking my head back and forth}}}   Turn and look back towards the bathroom with a look of complete bewilderment on my face.  Deep breath.   Why?  Can someone please tell me why?  I just don't understand it.  Am I the only one who deals with these things?  Why?  Why?  Why?!!  

I am talking about boogers...no Tilly, not like that (I think booger means something a wee bit different in the UK).  I am talking about boogers from the human body...ewwwww...thickened nostril mucus.  Ugh!  I can't believe I am talking about this.    

But I have to face it every single morning.  Oh, not my own mind you.  No, mine go into a tissue and then into the trash can.  These particular boogers that I am talking about are the ones that are staring me straight in the face every morning.  

My favorite part of the day is when Rylie is still sleeping and I get into a hot steamy shower.  Yes, I love to step into the shower, let the hot water hit my body.  It hits me in the face, softening up the dry sleep in my eyes.   

I grab the soap and start to scrub my face.  I rinse, letting the hot water just run down my face.  I open my eyes, starting to feel refreshed already.  As I look at the wall of the shower I see it, or rather, "them".  They are small, about 1/4 of an inch big or so.  But...ewwww, just ewwwww!   

Right in front of my face.  Just stuck to the wall of the shower.  It is a small shower too.  So one wrong move, and I could be brushing up against the little nasties!     

Now, I have asked about this particular situation before.  I've been told that the steam helps to ummm, loosen the ol' boys up a bit.  Apparently, they just (insert sarcastic voice here) come  sliding out of there and end up on the walls of the shower.  Right at my eye level.     

Excuse me a moment, please.   {{{turning around, covering mouth}}}  Muffled>>>ARRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!  {{{touch of the hair, straighten shirt, turn back around and SMILE}}}     

Okay, so I understand that in the winter months there may be some accumulation of, ummm, mucus.  However, I wait until I get out of the shower and one of the first things I do, after wrapping up in my towel, is grab a tissue and blow. 

It's really not that time consuming, only takes a second or two.  Okay maybe 5-10 seconds, depending on the amount of, uhhhh, accumulation.  Then I throw the tissue in the trash.    

Is this just my pet peeve, or what?  Perhaps I am expecting too much.  However, I am the one that has to clean up this nasty stuff, or be left to stare at it.  Just let me say again, "EWWWWWW!"    

Of course, maybe this is just a guy thing.  I remember one time with the ex husband, and this was years ago, but it has stuck in my memory.  I was in the kitchen and looked into the family room and saw him picking his nose.  Do you know what he did with his "discovery"?  He flicked it onto the carpet!!!!  Again..."EWWWWW!"  Especially since we had small children who played on the floor!  Gross and inconsiderate!    

Oh well, back to the shower.  I cleaned up the four in the shower yesterday...with "someones" washcloth.  Not really, but I should have.  Now I wonder if I am going to be "sharing" the shower again today.       

Please share some of the things ya'll have to deal with so I don't feel so alone on this, lol.  Come on, give me some stories of the nasty things you have to live with.   

By the way, Tilly, I am having a lot of fun writing.  It is fun to try to make the stories fun and descriptive.  Thanks for the inspiration!  Housewives really do have adventurous, and sometimes, "dangerous" lol, lives!

Tips to help lower your energy cost's

Okay, these first tips are some that I found at PG.com (procter and gamble). 

1.  Reduce Air Leaks
You can save at least 10 percent on your energy bill by simply reducing air leaks in your home. Air can seep through door and window frames, electrical outlets, and water and furnace flues. The question is, how can you find these invisible leaks? The U.S. Department of Energy recommends this trick: Light a stick of incense next to common sources of air leaks. (Make sure it's a windy day.) If the smoke travels horizontally, you have a leak. You can seal the leak with caulking or weather stripping. Another inexpensive option that will trap air and save energy is a clear film window kit.

2.  Save Heating Costs in Unused Rooms
Shut out winter by simply closing the unused doors in your house and shutting the vents in unusedrooms, so that you limit the amount of space that requires heating.

3.  Put a Lid on Energy Loss
Your attic is to your house as your head is to your body — a significant amount of heat escapes through it. Having the proper amount of insulation in your attic is crucial in cold-weather months. If there is less than 6 to 7 inches of insulation, then you probably need more, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

4.  Enjoy the Sun Indoors
Even during winter months, the sun is still shining. Take advantage of the natural warmth of the sun's rays by leaving the curtains open or shades up during the day. Trap some of that heat and enjoy the natural sunlight indoors.

5.  Turn Down the Heat
If the heat is on but nobody's home, it's a waste of energy. Reducing the temperaturefrom 72 to 56 degrees for eight hours a day, while you're at work or even while you sleep, can help you save up to 10 percent on your heating bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You can even invest in a programmable thermostat that automatically lowers and raises the temperature for you during programmed hours. These can be found at local home improvement stores with prices ranging from approximately $35 to $100.

6.  Warm Thyself
If you're not one to turn the thermostat up past 65 degrees in winter — or maybe your spouse isn't — there are certainly plenty of ways to keep warm besides traditional heat:

Indulge in flannel pajamas and sheets. They'll trap heat better than summer cotton.
Warm your blanket before sleeping by wrapping it around a hot water bottle.
Place a hot water bottle beneath your pillow. By the time you go to bed, the pillow will be warmed for you.
 Exercise is not only great for shedding that winter weight, but it also increases blood flow and releases your natural body heat.

I remember my mom used to hang a sheet between in the doorway, between the small room where the front door was located and the living room.  That helped keep the drafts, from the opening of the front door, from making there way into the house. 

That is why I now have a silly looking sheet hanging across the back hallway, where the back door is.  Rylie thinks it was put up there expressly for her games of peek and boo, lol.

The following tips are from an article in the Wallstreet Journal.

Lighting

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. On average, they use 66% less energy.  (I've heard this before.  Although the initial cost of the bulbs is more than your regular light bulb, they last much longer and use so much less energy.  Very cost effective from everything I've heard.  Even if you just replace your six most used lights, you will save money)
• Keep bulbs clean. Dust can cut light output by as much as 25%.

Appliances

• Don't let a preheated oven sit empty for longer than necessary. And don't open the door to check on food. You lose 25% of the heat each time you do so.
• Use a microwave oven instead of a regular oven. You'll burn about 40% less energy.
• Keep the inside of your microwave clean. It will cook your food more efficiently.
• Use the smallest pans possible. It takes energy to heat them.
• Use lids, which help food cook faster by keeping steam inside.
• Use glass or ceramic pans in ovens. They heat faster than metal pans.

Washing Machine and Dryer

• Wash and dry full loads. And don't over-dry clothes.
• Keep the dryer's lint filter clean.
• Wash laundry in cold water, unless you have very dirty loads.
• Don't add wet items when a drying cycle already has been started.

Dishwasher

• Wash only full loads. It costs exactly the same to wash one dish as a whole load.
• Use the air-dry feature.
• If washing dishes by hand, rinse them in groups rather than one at a time. Don't leave water running.

Refrigerator

• Check temperatures by putting one thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the fridge and another between packages in the freezer. You're losing money if temperatures are below 37-40 degrees Fahrenheit for the main compartment and 0-5 degrees in the freezer.
• Cover and wrap food. Uncovered food and liquids release moisture and drive up electricity costs.
• Let hot food cool before putting it in the fridge. This way the fridge will use less energy to cool it down.
• A full freezer runs more efficiently than an empty one. If necessary, fill up the space with plastic containers filled with water.
• Unplug a second fridge that's not being used. That move can save about $130 a year.

Water Heater

• Lower your temperature to 120 degrees and you'll cut your water-heating costs by 10% to 15%. But if you have an older-model dishwasher that doesn't have a booster heater (a device that heats up the water to the temperature the dishwasher needs to clean the dishes), you need to leave the water heater set to 140 degrees to make sure bacteria on dishes are removed.
• Insulate your storage water-heater tank. You'll save 4% to 9% on water-heating costs.
• Drain the sediment from the bottom of the water-heater tank every one to three years.
• Install low-flow shower heads and faucets, which use one-third to half less water. That can cut your water use and water-heating costs by an average 15% to 30%.
• Take showers. They use less hot water than baths.

I hope you find these tips helpful.  Have a fantastic Friday! 

Thursday Home Health Remedy

Okay, going to try to do this on the computer in my bedroom.  It is probably over 10 years old and on modem connection.  "Someone" (not me) crashed the good computer with the speedy cable connection.  So short entry today.

These are home health remedies that have been emailed to me or that I found on the internet.  I have not tried them all and do NOT guarantee the effectiveness of them.  If you try one and it works, or if you have one that works for you, please email me.  Thanks.

Broken Blisters

• To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine®... a powerful antiseptic. 

Hmm, and your foot or finger will smell minty fresh too! lol