And It All Comes Crashing Down!

You are stilling in a meeting and your cell rings.  The caller is someone would not typically try to contact you at work, so you know it must be important.

I got one of those calls last week.  It is mid-morning and I look down at my phone.  Tim is calling me.  He knows I am in meetings all day and can be reached by email.  So I excuse myself and take the call. 

The conversation starts normally, so I cut to the chase - "Is this an emergency?"

"Well..."  So in the second or two that he takes to respond, I have rapid fire gone through the scenarios of what could be wrong.  He is hurt.  Something happened to the cats.  My car was stolen... and so on.

"We had some storms last night and apparently..." I jump to car damaged, house is damage, shed is damaged...

"And a tree fell" on my car... house... neighbors house...

Finally, I find out that my neighbor's tree (from 2 houses up) had fallen through the next door neighbors yard, neighbors behind me yard, and my yard.  Honestly, I can't picture how a tree could fall and hit so many peoples yards and not a house.

The tree, whose root ball was over 7 feet wide, fell diagonally and 'touched' 5 yards. 

Lucky for me - it only took out about 5 feet of my fence.

Luckier for me - my Dad came up with his chainsaws and some tools to help me fix it.  In less than 2 hours, we cleaned up the tree, hauled off the debris, and re-built the fence.

Now, don't let the pictures fool you, I got my hands dirty on this one too - I couldn't let my Dad and Tim have all the fun. 

And, I learned a few things.  First, I know now how to put up a wood fence (I knew how to do the ones on the farm with the barbed wire). Next, if an "act of God" damages your house/property - regardless of where the damaging element comes from, it comes out of your homeowners insurance (if you chose to claim it). 

Lastly, I have amazing neighbors (well, I already knew that).  I lived in an apartment for many years before I bought this house.  I never knew who lived next door to me even though I would see them several times a week. But now, I know my neighbors and would call them a friend. 

We were all outside working together- it isn't something that I thought I would get living in a big city, knowing my neighbors and hanging out with them- but I have it here.  I am really thankful and grateful to have it.

(And really grateful the tree didn't actually hit my house!)

Spring Cleaning - DIY Style

I recently was having lunch with a Vegan.  I personally am a red meat kinda girl - I enjoy eggs in the morning and steak at night with plenty of other animal products along the way.  I respect anyone that is Vegan/Veggie - I know that I could not be that dedicated - heck, I can't even turn down a doughnut. 

But I digress - so we are at lunch and somehow get on the topic of chemicals.  Now, this person is a green cleaner - with no harsh chemicals.  It is a green thing for them.

Me?  I actually am not longer using any store chemicals for cleaning either - but not necessary for the "green cause".  While it has the benefit of saving the world, I find that DIY cleaners are MUCH cheaper and work just as well if not better.  I don't think I would be willing to convert if they didn't - for example - I do not use DIY dishwasher detergent - my dishwasher just doesn't clean as well with it. 

What does work for me?  DIY Clog Clearers (think Drano), DIY soap scum scrub, and DIY universal cleaner.  What are you going to need for all of these?  Baking Soda, White Vinegar, and Water - easy right?  Start buying in bulk!

DIY Clog Clearer - I LOVE this - even Drano doesn't work for me all the time - this has always worked for me.  Feed about 1/2 a cup of baking soda down the drain.  Then pour 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain and immediately put a cup/bowl over the drain (it will foam like a science experiment and the cup forces it down the drain to work on the clog).  While your science experiment is working its magic, go boil some water (a big pot - around a gallon).  After it is boiling (think about 15 minutes) - remove the cup/bowl and pour the water down the drain.  Watch it flow right down - clog cleared!  All of this for under a $1 (compared to over $4 for a bottle that *may* work)!

DIY Soap Scum Scrub - I have used this a few times in my tub - I just sprinkle baking soda directly on the surface (or on my rag) and then spray on my Universal Cleaner and wipe away.  For really bad situations - I let it set for a few minutes and then wipe away.  Again - pennies to use!

DIY Universal Cleaner - My favorite and every day cleaner.  One part vinegar, one part water.  Mix in a spray bottle (Dollar Tree has great industrial ones with different handle colors for a $1 - this is nice to help distinguish what is in what bottle if you use them for many things like I do).  Just spray and wipe this stuff.  I use it on my tubs, toilets, sinks, kitchen counters, windows, mirrors, for spot clean up on my hardwoods, I spay on my tiled floors and wipe off too - it really is universal.  Again - pennies to use!

What is the catch?  Okay - these don't smell like roses - we are using vinegar here!  So what is the resolution?  First, the smell dissipates quickly - like in a minute or two - and I personally, don't find it offensive as some of the harsh cleaner's smells.  OR - you can do what I now do - follow up immediately with my DIY Frebeze (so like in the bathroom I will spray on my rugs or towels).  Then you have a clean room with a fresh scent! 

Suzy Homemaker DIY Cleaners - saving your wallet and the world - one project at a time!