10th September 2020, 08:16 PM
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I came to check in because I was worried about you Oregonians.
Holy crap Smartie, it really is too close to you for comfort. One of my postmaster's place burned on Monday, all her outbuildings and her vehicles, but the house remains and is perfectly fine. Our power went out Monday morning at 8am and didn't come back until around 7 last night. Generator kept the big freezer going but the fridge stuff was a loss. Not such a big deal when others are losing everything. Smartie, you're right about the mulch. I've learned to fear cool, wet, lengthy spring weather in the last few years. It's just growing more fuel for August/September. 
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11th September 2020, 03:05 AM
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11th September 2020, 04:49 AM
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I was just thinking the same thing... whatever happened to loshan and her garlic? So glad to hear it's going well.
There was someone here a looong time ago (cannot recall their username, but I think it had the word purple in it? Or maybe she liked purple?) who baked cookies as a small business. I sometimes wonder what happened to her as well. And (I can't remember if this was here or SD) there was a young woman who lived in a bell tower in NJ (of all places) for a while. Random Friday thoughts.... Wally the Tree Guy is most likely not coming today due to mist. He promises Monday, though. My swing stand arrived in a very large box and TH said he'd put it together on Sunday unless he goes to MI. If he doesn't, I'll have to pay someone to do it. I am capable of understanding how to do it, but with my epicondylitis, I can't lift much. So annoying.
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11th September 2020, 05:58 AM
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Hoping all folks in Oregon and California remain safe.
I haven't heard from my Aunt in Oregon who was set to evacuate. They are still fighting some fires NE of me, but have managed to quash a few as well. They've arrested two guys now for intentionally setting fires. And, today and over the weekend, a huge smoke plume is blowing in from the coast. We had a big easterly windstorm the early part of the week which blew a bunch of smoke over the ocean, but not it and the smoke from California and Oregon is set to blow in today and hang around all weekend. Actually it started blowing in overnight. Still, I am lucky and I know it. The fires all around me had me a bit concerned, but barring any stupidity, I think we're good. loshan! So nice to see you! I was wondering about you and how the fires over in your part of the state had affected you. I am glad you're safe and that all your garlic sold! rigs, I know exactly who you're talking about, but she changed her screen name because of some drama (the cookie baker). That was a long time ago now. I'm friends with her in FB, but I haven't seen her post there in ages. She sold off her stuff (again a long time ago), became a teacher, and is married. I think I know who you're talking about for the bell tower liver. She was a hoot! I don't really go to the SD all that much. I lurk in the MPP occasionally and post there even less. I am friends with some of the oldest MMP denizens on FB so I can keep up with them there, and of course, some migrated here. Hard to believe I've been "talking" to some of these folks for 20 years! The time just flies! I really, really want to get out and do some walking/running. I don't think I'll be able to do my usual miles, but I'll see how bad the smoke is. It's definitely looking smoky high up in the sky, but if it settles, I'll have to cut back.
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11th September 2020, 06:13 AM
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just since I've been awake (2:45) and farting around on facebook the smoke got really bad here. and I know Smartie and others have been living with that for longer. the forecast is it will last until mid Monday.
 @taters if there is smoke, you aren't doing yourself any favor exercising in it. ETA no dentist until Monday
Last edited by JackieLikesVariety; 11th September 2020 at 06:31 AM.
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11th September 2020, 06:35 AM
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If it's too thick, I'll definitely come back in. I know that shit bad for the lungs.
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11th September 2020, 06:38 AM
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I just found out I can't see the dentist until Monday. so I googled "what to do when your crown comes off" and apparently I should just be glad I didn't swallow it!
 so, eating and cleaning my teeth will both be problematic all weekend.  and, I am informed both using the temporary glue available in drugstores to re-attach it can damage it or my gums or the surrounding teeth if done wrong AND "avoid further trauma to the exposed tooth, which is very prone to damage and bacteria. The possibility of infection is high, as well" great. Last edited by JackieLikesVariety; 11th September 2020 at 06:46 AM.
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11th September 2020, 01:36 PM
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I've done that re a crown and it's a PITA. Best to stick to soft/liquid food for the weekend (that includes ICE CREAM) and get seen soonest.
taters: Draelin! That was the belltower woman's screen name. Too bad about the cookie maker. The world needs more cookie makers, IMO. No Wally. Crazy day driving to one of my hospital sites to try to get some stuff done. Misty and muggy here. Feels like Scotland. Deposited the check from the house closing. Freaked out a new teller. You'd think that large checks would be part of their training (I'm sure it is); maybe it was just her. Other than her startle response (trust me; the check wasn't that big), she did just fine. My dehumidifier is peeing. By that I mean the hose I connected to have it drain constantly down the er, drain must have been loose because it leaked all over the floor (found this morning). So, I detached the hose and had it collect in the er, collection tray. Not nearly as efficient. Do hope I bought a quality bit of equipment and not some crap thing. The owner's manual says that the pictures may not match my product; they are merely for illustrative purposes... and nowhere in the manual does it say how to reset the humidity level etc. Simply pressing the up or down buttons does NOT do it. I will have to peruse it all more carefully, but mostly I just want the blessed thing to work without effort on my part.... Maybe the cat can fiddle with it. The pics out of Oregon and California are terrifying. Please stay safe everyone.
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11th September 2020, 02:52 PM
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 meanwhile, he advises againt buying any drugstore temporary and the only advice re: care is "don't chew on that side". I am self medicating with wine, not because it hurts but because today I am anxious. following advice from doctor google, I plan to follow the wine with a salt water rinse to re-establish a healthy Ph in my mouth. or something. frankly, I can't find the link I was looking at when I decided that was a good plan. 
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11th September 2020, 06:02 PM
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Oof, I am officially tired out but I'm DONE for the nonce aside from a few minor projects--this was the big push and I am SO glad to have it behind me. I am headachey (have been for days with all this damned smoke) and dehydrated and just wiped out. I indulged in fast food for dinner, cheezburger and fries from Carl's Jr (Kosh went with me and was very happy to get a fry or two for his very own) and in a few minutes I'll feed the beasts then I'm gonna collapse and sleep in tomorrow.
The crew ladies brought their ridiculously cute puppy with them--they usually take him to stay with his grandparents when they're working but that's in Oregon City in the evacuation zone so he's been staying alone in their house and has been all sad and lonely so I said he could come with. He's this ridiculously curly little mini-doodle doggo who looks like a chikin nugget and he was very good and chill. He played with my guys a bit but they outweigh him by a factor of 2-4 each and are hooligans so it was better he stayed in with the hyoomons.
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12th September 2020, 05:17 AM
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It's still dark, but I can already tell the smoke is worse than yesterday. All my windows are shut, which sucks, because I love me some air coming from the outside.
I did go out and walk yesterday, but I didn't do any running, and I didn't walk at as fast a pace as I normally do. It was somewhat brisk, but by the end, I had really slowed down. Most of this was due to the fact that the socks I was wearing had rolled or bunched between my metatarsal and toes and it was actually painful and bothered me way more than the blisters I have. At any rate, I didn't get my normal 10 or miles in, I just couldn't do it between the feet bothering me and the smoke. I am not going to walk or run in that mess today. We are celebrating my husband's birthday today. It's isn't until the 16th, but we're creeping up on my daughter's due date and he is already uncomfortable about her coming down and being far away from her hospital. She's already experienced contractions a few times, but they never keep going. Well, need to finish the coffee, dust, and vacuum.
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12th September 2020, 10:24 AM
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Happy Birthday, Mr Taters!
 The air and smoke sound god-awful.  I am frustrated. I've called 4 retailers: NONE of them have household ammonia for sale. I do appreciate the honesty of the last 2: both said they order it every week from the warehouse, but the order is never filled. I am serious: if any of you have household ammonia available to you for purchase, I am happy to cover the cost of it + the shipping. I looked on Amazon. All they have is some weird stuff (Austin something) that is not well reviewed and costs $25! Yes, I get that I'd pay that via this route, but I'd be getting actual NH3, not some diluted cleaning product something something. PM me, if ya got the goods and we'll arrange the drop, capiche?  ETA: Bleach, I got. White vinegar, I got. I have less than 1/4 cup of ammonia left and that means I am not happy... who'd have thunk we'd all be hoarding cleaning supplies in the year of our Lord, 2020?
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12th September 2020, 10:32 AM
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Ammonia shortage? That's weird. I've gotten used to the alcohol shortage (although I did score a gallon jug of ethanol cut with peroxide at Home Despot and that will do the job and last me quite some time) and the bleach shortage (scored a bunch of that at Bi-Mart of all places, it's such a weird little chain I think it gets overlooked by the ravening hordes of hoarders) but ammonia too? I'll keep my eye out once I feel safe to walk outside--today in addition to the cloud cover and the intense smoke we also have a very dense fog so basically walking outdoors means you bring a little melon baller to carve out chunks of air to shove up each nostril. SO GROSS.
I slept like dead people wish they could manage, slept in nice and late and am being slothful AF right now. I have one little project to do but not until mid afternoon then I'm thinking of ordering up some sleazy Chinesey from my favorite spot for takeout. I am exhausted, headachey, my nose is alternately feeling super dry and running like a marathoner on meth and I want comfort food and a distinct lack of all effort, thanks. I finally had to go stand in the hottest shower I could manage to get a goodly head of steam that took the particulates out of the air a bit and helped wash my nose out of the irritants that have taken up residence in there. Dang, this is a big ol' slice of hell up in hyar.
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12th September 2020, 11:17 AM
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The sky is pretty gray over here too but the stank has lightened up a little. You can see fog at 100 yards, visibility is about 1 to 2 miles. I went for a bike ride two evenings ago but probably shouldn't have. The sat pix show a solid river of smoke funneling through from dozens of fires to the north, east, and south. The east wind will keep up through the weekend. But the infrared view shows that most of the fires are putting out a lot less smoke. And some rain on Mon/Tues will bring an ocean breeze. A couple more days and the air will be air again.
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12th September 2020, 11:50 AM
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12th September 2020, 12:58 PM
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12th September 2020, 01:01 PM
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I suspect most places are going to be cranky about Joe Shmo shipping it. One odd place to check is dollar stores and/or similar. During other shortages they've been a surprising source of things that were depleted at the big box stores. Also consider big box home improvement stores. *I can sing their jingle - "Austin's / good clean done!"
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12th September 2020, 01:46 PM
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I continue to grind off the old paint on the side porch skirting. One more session and I can prime it. I need to make a few more small boards for the edging, some of the existing ones are pretty chewed up.
I took the paint from last time I worked on this over to the store where I got it and they reshook it for me. It seems to be fine, so this saves me about $60. I'd like to second Solfy's suggestion of the dollar stores. They've had stuff like disinfecting wipes when nobody else did.
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12th September 2020, 03:37 PM
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another weird store that has cleaning supplies is office depot, and probably other office supply places.
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12th September 2020, 05:28 PM
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Got all my stuff did and ASIL accompanied me to pick up dinner and we ate a lot of sleazy Chineseoid foods then I introduced him to Top Gear because I'm evil. He took his leftovers and incipient food coma home after partaking of some really fine shatter so I'm hugging the couch and snuggling under my bankie. I could be asleep in minutes, no problem.
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12th September 2020, 05:32 PM
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12th September 2020, 05:38 PM
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I didn't try WalMart, but I did try Meijers, Jewel (grocery), Walts (local grocery), HomeDepot, and Ace Hardware.
I will try WalMart and Office Whatever (I can never remember which one is near me) tomorrow before I see about the mailing of it. I think Solfy is probably right about mailing it, more's the pity... Thank you for the offers! Rained on and off all day here. We need it, but it's really humid now. Also, I think I've found the source of sickly sweet smell in the basement. Below the pantry shelves near the floor, I found mildew growing. GROSS. I scrubbed the walls with a Dawn/bleach/hot water combo and the smell is better (but not quite gone). I may have to move all kinds of stuff away from the other walls and scrub them as well. Ugh. I've got 3 fans going downstairs and again tonight I'll put on the dehumidifier. I'm hoping that with regular use of the dehumidifier, the situation will improve.
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12th September 2020, 08:22 PM
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We got Smartie and Jackie's smoke up here in the Northeastern corner of Washington today. I can't see the mountain that is part of my backyard. Eyes and nose are burning just from opening the front door.
I have 5 HEPA/UV air filters going inside (purchased during the last breakout of fire and smoke) and it still smells like a campfire is sneaking through the cracks.
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12th September 2020, 09:44 PM
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The sky was pretty much dark orange or orange-tinged here all day. What was even more weird was the fact that all the birds were quiet. No crows cawing, no scolding jays, no starlings, no chickadees and robins, nothing.
We had a great time with the kids and Zoe. My son brought his VR set-up and we all had a blast. My son bought a VR set-up for my husband's birthday present. It won't get here until October because it's not out yet. We will have a lot of fun and get good exercise as well.
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12th September 2020, 09:55 PM
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13th September 2020, 05:04 AM
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13th September 2020, 06:14 AM
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13th September 2020, 09:34 AM
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Ugh, it continues unabated--our AQI is somewhere north of 400, there's almost 100% cloud cover and a dense fog going on and the smell is quite unpleasant. Our birds are also holed up, aside from a hummingbird Jackie spotted--guess those little powerhouses don't have the option of just staying home for the day, poor things.
The dogs are peeved I'm keeping them indoors but that's tough, guys, ain't fit for man nor beast out there and they'll get their chance later when I have to go into the crapshack to work--the younguns at least. Bear can just snooze indoors, he's the most at risk at his age. I'm trying to power through the headache but my sinuses have gotten involved as well so my balance is off. This is so horrible, I'm glad the clouds and humidity are here because they help keep the fires from spreading (and it looks like the margins are about where they've been for the past few days, which is good) but it sure makes things uncomfortable for the humans. At least it's not 90+ degrees the way it was during the Eagle Creek fire, that was similarly awful. Basically, everything sucks right now! 
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13th September 2020, 10:22 AM
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I saw a hummer outside yesterday basically just hovering and I got worried for the little thing. I know they can't sit still because they have to EAT but for gods sake get on with it and then perch, you shouldn't be hovering!
am reading on amazon about air purifiers - geez the basic replacement filter is like $25. I suppose the more often you need to change the filter the more you actually needed an air purifier?
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13th September 2020, 10:42 AM
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13th September 2020, 11:40 AM
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mostly they rave about how good they are at cleaning out pet dander and mold spores and if they mention smoke, it's cigarette smoke. Last edited by JackieLikesVariety; 13th September 2020 at 11:47 AM.
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13th September 2020, 12:13 PM
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Electrostatic air filters are washable. Instead of relying on just being porous, they use their charge to attract and capture particulates/contaminants. Then you can wash them away. I don't know about portable units that have them; my folks had an electrostatic filter unit on their furnace at their last house. Weekend update: I spent 20hrs in a weekend class on sustainability. It wasn't bad. The nice thing about online classes is I participated in the afternoon sessions from the porch yesterday (it's cool and rainy today) and had time to cook my family brunch during my lunch break today, and was home to cook dinner after class yesterday and today. The bad thing is I had to spend my lunch break cooking and cleaning up after brunch and now I need to pick up MD from her retreat and cook dinner and buy the week's groceries. The less said about what the rest of my household's been up to while I've been chained to my laptop, the better. Also nice thing about online classes: I got sooooo much knitting done.
Last edited by Solfy; 13th September 2020 at 12:17 PM.
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13th September 2020, 02:00 PM
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I opened the primer and it very clearly had never been shaken. I guess he took it into the back area, hung around for a bit and then brought it back out. I really hope he shook the green paint.
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13th September 2020, 05:49 PM
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NEWS FLASH*** ALERT*** STOP THE PRESSES***
I have found ammonia; repeat: I have found ammonia! For a whopping $1.16 per half gallon or some such at Home Depot. I bought the last 3 half gallons. I now have enough NH3 to last me several years. 5 gallons of Clorox, check. 3 half gallons Ammonia (lemon scented!), check. 2 spare 6 packs of paper towels, check. 2 spare 12 packs of toilet paper, check. 1 large (quart? Maybe pint) container of isopropyl alcohol, check. 2 tubs of Clorox wipes, check (also cannot find at present) 4 bottles of hand gel, check. 3 packages of chocolate chips, kept in the freezer, check. I feel much better about my personal stock for the second wave (if we ever leave the first wave...) bring it on! Ha!
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13th September 2020, 05:53 PM
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I watched a reading of The Princess Bride by the original cast (all that are still alive, Rob Reiner said) which was online as a fund raiser for the Wisdems (Wisconsin Dems) - it was fun to listen to that but even better is the cast and director answering questions afterwards.
just wonderful!
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13th September 2020, 06:05 PM
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13th September 2020, 08:16 PM
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I bought what will probably be my last watermelon of the season. Got about half of it diced up, in "usedta hold butter" containers. Filled four ice cube trays for future infusion drinks (or whatever else I fancy). Ate a slice with dinner and one slice left for the fridge.
I have an old recipe for making achar, I might try using the rind for it. There's also a recipe out there that uses the inner rind to make watermelon/chicken soup.
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14th September 2020, 06:01 AM
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love your new hat, Zeener. and for anyone else who didn't know
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14th September 2020, 08:23 AM
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[QUOTE=JackieLikesVariety;1641824]
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Busy weekend, the Friday and Saturday portions were devoted to sibling dynamics (my brother, sister and me) as it pertains to our mother, just things we should have been dealing with all along, no crises, it's just that Mom wants us to discuss familial property issues and come to a mutual understanding before she is unable to mediate such proceedings...she's doing great, but she's 85, and it's her wish we deal now, and not later. It doesn't help that she and Dad raised three intelligent, Type-A personalities (i.e., loudmouth jerks) who are emotionally invested in the process, and emotions cloud logic and reason at times such as these. Rest of Saturday was lawn clean-up in anticipation of the fall, hoses drained and put away, frost-free valves closed and drained, started pulling the dying stuff from the veggie garden, most of the tomatoes are done, some of the peppers, and all of the zucchini. Watermelons are still chugging and the pumpkins are kind of coming into their own this time of year, not many, but they're looking good for Mrs. White to display on the porch in a few weeks.
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14th September 2020, 03:09 PM
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The electrician came in today and did the wiring in the loft. He showed up within the time window he game me, got the work done quickly and neatly and zoomed off to the next job.
I'm hanging on to his phone number!
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15th September 2020, 04:14 AM
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Wow. I wish he commuted to Chicago!
Wally the Tree Guy came and went yesterday. It looks better (if very bare), but he mowed down my baby privet bushes from OH and ground some of my bulbs from OH, and smooshed badly some iris and hosta from OH. New Mrs Neighbor is shocked by the change and not too happy. Mr Neighbor is okay with it, having lived there long enough to watch the crappy scrub trees grow in the first place. (Mrs N is his second wife). So, I'm pricing mophead hydrangeas, Korean lilacs, privet and need to look at coniferous shrubbery this week. But I have more sun in my backyard and can actually look out my dining room window and seem more than a tree trunk, Progress. What do any of you know about termites?
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15th September 2020, 05:35 AM
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We had evidence of past infestations but nothing active when we bought our place. I saw a few out in one of the beds when I was weeding last weekend. I keep an eye for them in/around the house and beyond that don't sweat them much. I have a friend who is anti-anything-with-six-legs; he'd have been out there with the insecticide tout suite. My folks had their last house treated. I don't know what tipped them off. Terminix or the like put poison traps in the ground around the foundation and cleared them right up.
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15th September 2020, 09:59 AM
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Did any of those people mention a smell that came with their termites? I do not know if I had them (there are traps around the perimeter of the house, but how old they are is anyone's guess). There are traces that they were there in an upstairs bedroom, but again, I've never seen any. They are NOT common in my area, either, so...
But I have this smell in the basement, and possibly in the master bedroom. I thought the basement smell was mildew, and did find some on the walls earlier this month. So, I washed the walls with dish soap and bleach (not having any ammonia then) and bought a dehumidifier. I still need to wash the remaining walls, but the dehumidifier is doing a good job. The actual basement smells better. The wooden stairs/plaster walls going down to the basement do not. It's still there. It's a sweet odor, NOT a dying mouse, more like vaguely rotting fruit. Right now all the windows in the house are open and so the smell is tolerable, but that's going to end soon. I smell a slightly different smell in my master bedroom, which was much stronger when I moved in and I thought I had cured it with washing the floors with hot water and white vinegar (I painted the walls and ceiling as well), but in the past 2 days, I've noticed just a slight reemergence of this weird chemically/formaldehyde-y smell up there. Again, all the windows are open, but... The master is one of the rooms that has the termite damage in the floorboards. I know the master is NOT mildew. I'm still iffy re mildew in the basement (I did wash down the stairs and stairwell which helped the smell for one day, but it's back). So, 3 things: 1. Could be I need to get the rest of the mildew. I bought Killz to paint the underside of the basement stairs. 2. Could be termites, so will need exterminator (but won't he say I've got them so I pay him even if I don't have them? How cynical I've become in 4 years) 3. Could have both! Yay? Thoughts? As always, I much appreciate the input of this particular hive. TIA.
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