These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Sunday, September 02, 2012

Rambling again

I have to say one more thing about housework, OK? I'm just amazed at something. For some time now, I guess 4-5 months, I've been using almost entirely homemade, natural products to clean. I was skeptical in the beginning, but I'm really loving using them. I use vinegar to clean almost all surfaces. Baking soda and borax makes a terrific scouring powder.  Vinegar is my rinse agent in the dishwasher and the baking soda/borax mix is the detergent. Baking soda and vinegar clean the toilet, and yesterday I used that mixture to remove rust stains from my shower (they were here before I moved in; I installed a filtration and water softening system, but have never been able to remove the stains with "store-bought" products.). Hydrogen peroxide is a good sanitizer. I even made liquid hand soap!

This all started because many products mess up the balance of the septic system, so I began looking for substitutes that would not cost me an arm and leg in maintenance of the tank. I don't use bleach any more. Oh maybe a table spoon here and there for certain things, but very little, and I try to empty that water on the weeds or more often, the scrub oak. Yep, bleach makes a good weed killer!

Anyway, that's all. I just had to express my delighted surprise that good old-fashioned, mostly non-toxic items are doing a fabulous job and saving my septic at the same time. BTW, the house smells really good after a cleaning with those things, especially the vinegar.

I haven't gotten as much housework done today as I hoped. A friend called me last night just as I was going to bed, and we talked a long time. I enjoyed our chat a great deal and I'm happy she called, but .... I couldn't go to sleep after we hung up! I read and tossed and turned. Then I watched TV and tossed and turned. I read some more and tossed and turned. Obviously, breaking my routine is not good for me. Eventually, I did sleep and got about 5.5 hours. Not nearly enough. I've been dragging around here all day long! I'm gradually getting it done, but .... whew!! Oh well, I won't worry. I'm sure it will still be around when I get to it!

I had an eye check last week, and everything remains good. I'm still aggravated with the floater blurring my vision, but the retina is still intact. She actually told me there are two floaters now, which explains why it seems to me my vision is worse, although it checks out just fine. And she assured me that the floaters are settling, so hopefully before too long, I'll see well again. I meant to ask why they can't break up the floater with laser treatment, but I forgot. I figure wh'e suggest it if it were an alternative.

And I thought I'd update you of the blood pressure. It is good, also. After just a few days, it settled back into a normal pattern, with just occasional readings slightly above the normal range. Whew. I've changed my eating slightly, including more fresh vegetables and fruits, especially salad. I have a friend who has a hydroponic hot house, and her veggies are worth eating. They taste SO good. My weight has dropped slightly, so I think the cholesterol will be dropping, too. It's not very high, and my HDL is very high, a good thing, but it does need to come down a few more points.  It won't be retested for about 6 months, and I feel pretty comfortable that it will be fine.

Well, I guess I'd better get back to my work. Or a nap. Nope, too late for a nap, so work it is!


10 comments:

  1. I just recently found a great home/laundry cleaner too. It works on shower scum on the glass shower doors and also on oily or greasy stains on clothing. You heat 1 cup of white vinegar then mix in 1 cup of Blue Dawn dish detergent. Mix together and spray. It worked on red ink that the husband got on a light blue shirt too when hairspray didn't!

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    1. Oh, that sounds interesting, Deb. I hadn't found a good laundry spray. Thanks!

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  2. Don't work too hard, this is a holiday weekend!

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    1. It's OK, Nan. I'm playing tomorrow! Thanks!

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  3. I love to put a few fun things in my salads. A couple of dates chopped up or an apple and walnuts. Olives are good too.

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    1. I agree, Merikay. Raisins, blueberries, sunflower seeds, piƱons, pecans, cashews .... lots of things to jazz up a salad. I often try new things and I haven't found many I don't like.

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  4. Funny I just bought a gallon of vinegar the other day, I use it quite a bit too. You should try the homemade laundry soap Lyn. It works excellently and it will last you for months if not a year. Cost $12.00 to make, very easy too. I will never go back to store bought again.
    I know what you mean about the sleep thing. If I don't get at least 7 hours, I'm a zombie all day!!
    We went fruit and vegetable shopping Saturday and we were really disappointed not only with the prices but the quality. I don't think many people can afford the fresh and it's just in poor condition. We did find a few deals. Kate and I eat lots of salad. As a matter of fact, I haven't washed the lettuce yet and that's all I heard about yesterday! But we are having an ant problem in the kitchen since we had all that rain! Oh dear, here I am rambling on and on in this comment!! I'm sorry. Love Di ♥

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    1. Di, Give us your recipe for the homemade laundry soap. I'd be interested in trying it. It's great finding how well these simple inexpensive concoctions work.

      LOL! You and I are just "ramblers" recently, aren't we??

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  5. Yes we are Lyn!! I could ramble on and on today too. I spent my day trying to get rid of all of the ants that have invaded my kitchen because of the rain! Not a fun job. My feet are killing me! I will look up the recipe for the laundry soap and get it to you this week. It's amazing to me that 1 teaspoon is all you use per load, big or small. My clothes and such are actually cleaner than they were with the store bought. Love Di ♥

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!