Friday Night and Chilly

Here is is already 15 October and half of the month just buzzed by without a wink.  It goes from intense heat here in the DC area with humidity that will keep any sane person indoors during the hottest parts of the day to this brisk, dry cold air. 

In the grocery store this evening there was the mixture of various seasons of dress.  Many a person still with the Aloha shirt or shorts and a t-shirt with sandals to the winter jacket and wool cap.

It is going down to the low 40's this evening and I hate to do it to Empress Lui, but the window that I normally leave open for her to get fresh air and check the outside world is closed for the night.

15 October 2010 - Empress Lui keeping her paws warm

I am hoping that tomorrow will be clear and comfortable and that my motivation to get some of the work around the yard, etc. can be accomplished without having some lame excuse. 

You know, like rain, bugs or it being too hot, etc.

Below is a snapshot that I took here at O'Dea-O'Dea this year.  March to be exact. 

I then made use of it as the cover photo for my work team's internal MS Sharepoint site.  A bright reminder as to how the seasons change and each one has a beauty of its own.

“Chasing Leaves and Dust Bunnies™”: The Reality

At the moment, my camera's rechargeable battery is getting recharged.  Otherwise, I would be posting some photographs of the reality or underbelly of some of the ongoing projects.  Namely the monster task of removing the deep freezer chest and refrigerator from the sun porch in the rear of the house yesterday and the now "monster" task of the chaos having to move items that large creates as things have to be moved to other areas. 

Plus, there are years and/or decades of dirt that has accumulated under and behind these units that isn't going to magically disappear when the units move. I think for those that have never undertaken some of these projects themselves that perhaps you don't understand the magnitude of the task associated with each projects; man hours and time lines, etc.

Therefore, it probably isn't fair of me to always just post the positive after photo.  But, at times, I need to let you know approximate number of man hours it took to achieve the project and to let you see some of the disorganization, dirt and mountain of trash that comes as part of the process.  So, in the near future be prepared to see some of the not so pretty images.  ;^)

“Chasing Leaves and Dust Bunnies™”

Lying in bed this AM, I was thinking about my blog and that family, friends and those that happen upon my site and start reading are going to be thinking "This Brighton, she is always chasing the proverbial dust bunnies". 
That would be dirt to you common folks.

I was sharing with a friend, earlier today, that there I was in bed still with blog thoughts coming like ocean waves and breaking on the shore and then retreating.  In and out the thoughts went and I realized that the content of my blog isn't just about me chasing those darn dust bunnies, but often includes my adventures outdoors chasing leaves, weeds, etc.

With that I decided that I have to just go with what came to mind as a catch all category for my blog post that involve cleaning endeavors “Chasing Leaves and Dust Bunnies™”.

CAT-AS-TROPHY

Another "Cat-As-Trophy"

Life is not all grand at O'Dea-O'Dea, as you can see The Boyz had a scuffle today and just like children something got broken.

The Boyz are fine. 
The plant that I had been rooting appears fine, for the moment. 
The jardenier.  Not so good.  The remnants have already made it outdoors into the trash.
The wood floor and carpet got the water mopped up and are still drying.

Extra Large Heating Pad For Muscle Aches

Sometimes, you have to literally stumble upon a new use for an item you already have.  Like I did a couple of weeks ago after I had been out working in the yard.  As by nightfall, I realized I had some tight sore muscles and needed some heat. 


The standard post yard work process involves a hot bath with only a night light on and immersing myself like in a scene from "Altered States".  I try and relax all over by warming up the muscles and eventually stretch them a bit. 


Plus, I like the fact that whatever might have gotten onto my skin will hopefully be washed and rinsed off and not turn into some nasty allergic reaction rash (poison ivy and Virginia creeper thrive here).

Sunbeam Warming Throw

Following the "Altered States" bath, it was off to bed.


Since there was a bit of a chill in the air and I was still feeling the ache of the muscles that I had used earlier, I decided to grab the Sunbeam, fleece, warming throw that I keep in the den.


It just had never dawned on me prior to this time that this throw is essentially an oversized heating pad.  Large enough that I  had my torso down to my knees wrapped up nice and cozy for the evening.  The fleece and the extra heat feels wonderful for all of those aches and pains.


After moving a lot of items yesterday, I went through the ritual of the hot bath along with the newest addition the Sunbeam warming throw.  I wrapped that blanket around myself from my torso down to my thighs in order to get some heat to my hip joints and relaxed into a nice deep slumber.


If you already have one of these throws, give the alternative use a try. If you do not have one and would like to purchase one they are available in larger drug stores seasonally, such as CVS and Target.  Mail order from sites from Amazon.com year round.  Cost generally ranges from $25 - 30.


On the bright side of Sunbeam, (Sorry, I can not help the pun) they do have a 5 year warranty on their product.  Last year, I sent in the throw and they replaced the electrical cord and control unit free of charge, after it failed and required replacement.

Monkeysee.com "Clay Shooting For Women"

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/18165-clay-shooting-for-women

Good site for instructional video at Monkeysee.com.  The link above was put together by L.L.Bean with a series of instruction for clay shooting.

South Africa "Midnight" Orange

Intense citrus flavor, rich orange pulp and memorably delicious, is what I have to say about the South Africa, Midnight, large navel oranges I purchased at Safeway yesterday evening.  Currently, on sale for 99 cents each and I am telling you that purchasing only two was not enough.  I will be going back for more.

P.S. 

Sunday night purchased more and consumed two on Monday.  Each one just as consistently delicious as the previous orange.

Tech Support Cartoon & Cat Lady Story

A friend shared these two links with me yesterday, as he felt that they somehow resemble me....

Computer tech support cartoon:

http://xkcd.com/806/?ref=nf

"Cat people are people too", article from the NY Times:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/cat-people-are-people-too/?src=me&ref=homepage

Enjoy ;^))

Almost Got Out ALIVE!



Something about these chairs screams SANTA Claus



One of my sayings in regards to shopping is whether or not  "I got out alive".

This evening...I didn't get out alive.  As a set of these chairs caught my eye after I already cashed out of a local consignment shop that was in the midst of closing.

I didn't mean to go in there.  It was just on the route of errands and I had this item that I had purchased at the grocery store, next door, that needed to be returned for a refund.

I was being the diligent consumer telling the super market that I will not settle for substandard quality when it comes to the freshness of the fish I purchase from them.

Yeah, so much for being a consumer hero for long.

I didn't purchase anything in that particular grocery store.  Not that I didn't want the roasted whole chicken.  It was just that as I was back tracking and eyeing this one chicken left on the display another person saw me coming and I think in spite of it not being perfecto he took it just because someone else wanted it.

I got out of Bloom alive!

Binge and purge, it is a sick, sick cycle of life for some of us.  For me it is "stuff", as Mr. O'Dea would call the worldly belongings we accumulate and cling to filling our homes from street to peak.  Such is the case with me.  No less than a couple of years ago, this same consignment and donation store received three truck loads of furniture, household goods and clothing when the tree fell on my house.  For me, I had the urge to purge before having my belongings moved out and potentially being placed in storage for house renovation to proceed.

A church around the corner also was a recipient of at least one truck load of my worldly possessions, as they truly give the goods and clothing away.  Therefore, they are not looking for that near new perfection that a consignment shop requires.

No, I did not make it out alive.  As I stood there at the register checking out with just a few things in my hands such as greeting cards.  I was waiting and waiting for the others in front of me to cash out and alas the store was closing. 

But...I spied the set of chairs about five steps away and walked over to glance at them.

I then contemplated coming back on Saturday AM, when the store re-opened and proceeded through the line with my minimal purchases.

"Wait!"  The chairs yelled at me.

"WE are only $69, if you leave us, we might not be here tomorrow."

Back in line I went, after already cashing out and now there are others in front of me and the poor volunteers want to just get off their tired feet and go home.

I mentioned to one of the nice volunteers that I was going to get the two chairs and would she be willing to open the front door back up, if I were to go get my SUV and park it out front to haul my finds home?

They are always glad to sell larger merchandise, so she obliged my request and here I sit with one chair still in the back of the SUV on this chilly night and the other against the hallway closet door.

Interesting pieces, after I got them into the back of the SUV, I noticed that they had a very dirt encrusted metal tag nailed to the bottom of a cross rail.  Curious, I took a disposable wipe and some hand santizer and wiped away some of the grime and was able to determine it was a manufacturer's tag "Shaw Furniture, Cambridge, MA".

Via the wealth of information on the Internet, I learned that:

Blog truncated due to length - will have to recreate the rest of the story...LATER

Kitchen Compost Container

Ever since I moved from apartment space to a single family home, I have been composting religiously.  The garbage disposer is only used for food debris that gets into the sink and is run once or twice a week to make certain the system is flushed clean.

In the kitchen I have been placing vegetable, fruit, coffee, tea and egg shell waste in the compost pail.   The one that I am currently  using and providing the links for is from http://www.gardeners.com/ .  FYI:  I have also noticed the same style ceramic compost pail with handle for sale at HomeGoods or their sister stores TJMaxx and Marshalls for half the price.

If you prefer a compost pail that can sit on your countertop, next to the sink and you want to empty it at a minimum every other day.  This might be the solution for you.

Personally, I preferred the restaurant sized, 2 quart, plastic tub with cover that once held sour cream served at a company open house function.  It was a restaurant supply sized container that has since been disposed of as I was thinking that this nice ceramic container was a bag of chips and a whole lot more.

It was not pretty and was kept under the sink.  But, it better served the purpose, as I never had issues with mold growing on the contents; fruit flies; worries about chipping or breaking the container or having to really reach in to dig in and clean the interior ridge like the one in the countertop ceramic container.

Back when I received the newspaper delivery on Sunday, I would re-use the plastic bag that protected the paper as a disposable liner for the modest plastic tub or a produce plastic bag could easily be pulled over the sides and the plastic top would still seal tightly and come off easily.

Sometime in the near future, I am going to end up buying that big tub of whatever is for sale at the grocery store just to have the plastic container to use for composting.  Either that or inquire at a local restaurant as to if they have an empty plastic tub that they would part with.

One of those instances where function takes precedence over beauty and style.

Crafting With Neckties

For the last six years, I have periodically purchased new or used neckties for a few dollars or less, as I like the unique patterns and color schemes that the manufacturers use for the silk.  My thoughts have been that eventually I will figure out a creative use for them and dive into a craft project or projects.

Though, whenever I have pulled them out and looked at them, I think what a shame to cut them up.  I actually have them neatly rolled-up in a bag within dry space.

Last night, a woman gave me a bag of her collection of old ties that she had been saving to make a decorative mosaic quilt.  She said she had been collecting for fifteen years.  Though, unless she was only picking up older ties than I am guessing that it might be more like a collection she began twenty five or more years ago.

Unlike me, she had actually taken most of the ties and removed the stitching, as well as washed and pressed the silk.

Sweet, as it takes the pain and hesitation away from me having to cut the beautiful creatures apart.  I say that, as they are like butterflies and unless there is a known metamorphosis that they are destined for, I can not see dissecting them before their time.

Now, I have some thoughts as to how I think the ties could be used in craft projects and am very curious as to what others have for ideas.  Also, I would like to know if anyone has actually undertaken a craft project using the silk from neckties or seen a finished project.  Are there any tips or tricks that you have learned?

Some of my ideas for craft projects:
·         Soft glasses case	·         Pen and pencil case (car, pocket, purse, etc.)
·         Headband cover	·         Keepsake gift box cover
·         Colorful belt	·         Miniature pill pockets (small enough for pants pocket)
·         Book marks	·         Small picture frame cover
·         Unique identifying luggage handle wraps	·         Desk set accents for pen cup, desk blotter, etc.
·         Flip-flop strap covers	·         Organizer pockets, i.e. desk organizer w/pockets for scissors, tape, staple remover, etc.
·         Hair band covers / scrunchies	·         Pet collars and leash accents
·         Cosmetic brush organizer	·         Cosmetic case
·         Set of theme ornaments to decorate a wreath or small holiday tree	·         Napkin rings

Please let me know your ideas by leaving comments and/or share photographs.

Thank you!

Home Power Use – AM Showers

Not everyone thinks the same way; which is a good thing in many circumstances.  One thing that I think differently about is heating and cooling of “space”.  There are those times during the day that it does not make sense to heat or cool your entire house.

My examples are when you get up in the AM and take a shower prior to getting on with your day and leaving the house.

You are maybe in the bathroom a maximum of 10 minutes and yet you probably have adjusted the heat for the entire house in order to warm it up enough to take your shower without cringing and shivering.

What I did was bought a portable heater at Target some 5 years ago and I turn that on facing the shower when I wake up in the AM and then partially close the door until I go back in and am ready to shower, etc.  (Cat box placement prohibits me from completely closing the door.)

Depending on how warm the bathroom becomes you can either leave the heater on while you shower and continue to get ready or power it off once the room is sufficiently heated.

My suggestion and tip is to physically unplug the unit once you turn it off.  That way there is no chance that it will accidently be left on.

In the warmer months, set-up a small fan to turn on in the area you dry off and get dressed in.  Once you are finished, unplug for safety purposes.

Home Electricity Use

Does anyone else question as to what is normal for a home your size within your geographic area for normal electricity usage per month?

Other than being able to see on my statement the fluctuation of kilowatt hours (kWh) used per month, I have no idea as to whether my utilization is normal, low or dramatically high.

The heating venting and air conditioning system is powered by electricity and the heat, hot water and stove are generated by gas.

The table below shows my utility kWh utilization billing quantities from April – October of this year.  I believe it translates to usage from March – September.

Month	KWh
April	101
May	245
June	628
July	1212
August	1342
September	1223
October	739

What an economist and green geek I am.  I would actually like to know how this usage compares to others and what I can do to ratchet down the utilization if it is beyond the norm of my neighbors.

Wonder if they would put me on the do not answer the door list or acknowledge, if we see her working in the yard list?

How does this utilization compare to yours?

FYI:  I signed up for Dominion Power Smart Cooling Rewards Program and their device was recently attached to my air compressor.  The program is annual in terms of signing up having the device activated and being eligible for the $40 annual reward/rebate for participation.  But, the actual control by the power company of air compressors is only between the months of June and August and enables them to remotely cycle off a customer’s air compressor for up to 4 hours during weekdays.

While the compressor is being remotely controlled to off, your house fan will not be impacted and may continue to operate.

I will not be able to share how this program works out for me until sometime late in June of next year.  In the mean time, if you have any tips and tricks let me know.

I have a digital thermostat that I need to get installed that will allow me to pre-set HVAC temperature settings according to day of the week and time of the day.  I have used them before and it certainly helps adjusting the heating and cooling throughout the day and you can keep cooling and heating to a minimum during those periods when you are asleep or away from your home.

Good Vanilla Ice Cream - Turkey Hill, Philadelphia Style

Oh no....  The kid in me wants a root beer float.

There are mugs in the freezer and root beer in the refrigerator.  Even flexible straws in a drawer.  But, alas, there is no Turkey Hill, Philadelphia Style,  Vanilla Bean ice cream in the freezer.

The ice cream is one of those products that Mr. O'Dea introduced me to and I will have to agree that it is one of the best commercially available ice creams that you can purchase at the local grocery store. 

Once in the freezer section, make certain you go for the black box and the "Philadelphia Style".

Super simple ingredients:  Cream, milk, sugar, vanilla and vanilla bean. 

He introduced me to the ice cream served up usually a la mode with pie and I was the soda jerk that would make up the root beer floats to either go with our BLT at lunch.

Either served plain, a la mode or in a root beer float, the texture and flavor will make you as happy as if you were a kid on a hot summers day, sitting on a swivel stool with a longed for ice cream placed in front of you.

Hot Granny, Tomato Crab Soup™

Post written on 10/01

Today the area feels as if it has been cleansed and the ground fed.  The air is fresh, cool and surprisingly dry this Friday evening, after over a day of torrential rains.  It is just the right temperature to induce a subconscious desire for a hot and spicy soup.

How many times do you go into the store for a specific item or two and reach the cash register with a half a dozen or more items in your hand basket? 

This PM, at Bloom, I stalled too long at the seafood section* and picked up a half pound of pre-cooked snow crab clusters that pulled me in and bit me for a total amount of $2.45. (Fair price.)

The majority of the crab was picked and eaten for dinner this evening.  But, I did not get overly zealous in the picking the smaller strands of meat out, as I wanted to experiment by making a tomato crab soup.

You know how you can never quite replicate your grandmother’s dishes because she never wrote the recipe down and always cooked by feel and taste?  Well, not so bad here for what I am calling HOT Granny, Tomato Crab Soup™, as I have some general measurements for use of commercially sold items.

In a large pot add:

·         ½ lb pre-cooked snow crab cluster shells with some strands of meat remaining

·         Use just enough water to cover the crab

Boil for approx. 20 minutes

Remove from heat and use tongs to remove shells from crab broth

Add to pot of hot crab broth:

·         2 – 10 ¾ oz cans of concentrated tomato soup

·         1 – 14 ½ oz can deiced tomatoes and juice

·         1 – 16 oz container of fresh salsa (contains - tomato, cucumber, green pepper, red pepper, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, tomato juice, garlic, poblano pepper, Serrano pepper and salt)

·         ½ teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning (use more or less to taste)

Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Check for taste and a slightly thickened consistency to determine if soup has simmered long enough.

Serve up this hot & spicy soup with a dollop of sour cream, ice cold beverage and enjoy!

*I am rather surprised, that some of the local grocery stores, over the last couple of years offer fish in one variety or another on special Friday’s, as not many Catholics and other Christian faiths are strict about not eating meat on Friday.  Mainly, the local Asian supermarkets have Friday seafood offers, but now I am seeing other mainstream grocers also placing seafood specials on Friday, as well.