Wednesday, September 30, 2009

I JUST FINISHED WRITING TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

I am so very upset that I could spit nails, copper pennies or whatever!
I spent 45 minutes on the telephone with Charter Communications. I spoke with 7 employees, 5 of which didn't speak English well. Oh yes, I push #1 when it ask if I wanted it in English but I thought that meant that I'd get an American person.
I disconnected my service with Charter September 4. I was told then that I had a rebate coming because I had already sent in my monthly payment for September. On September 11, 2009 I turned in all of Charter equipment, and knowing that something would probably go wrong, I kept my receipts. Today I received a bill for October, 2009. The 3rd person that took my call, told me to call back mid-October. I don't think so!
I hope that my problem is resolved now that I got ugly on the phone and caused my own blood pressure to rise. But please, if you own an American company, in America, please ask your employees to get it right the first time!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Raw Family | Recipes

Please take the time to check out the Raw Family and their recipes.   www.rawfamily.com

 

Raw Family | Recipes

Trying On Qigong

Can it help me? I believe it can. For most of you who don't know me or who don't know, I have been diagnosed with Lupus. Yes, had it all my life but until about 16 years ago I didn't know it.

I try to live my life without thinking about it. Not thinking that is until I'm sick. Then I know as well as not that the first thing I think is "is it the Lupus rearing it's ugly head again.

Since steriods is about the only thing that gets me well, no matter what the condition I'm as big as a barrel. Plus, I like to cook, and my husband likes to eat. Well, eating for him isn't as fatening because he has Crohns so he can eat and well, you know what happens to it 20 minutes later.

I do suffer from high blood pressure. And lately, the last 2 years or so, haven't been able to control myself. Everything seems to upset me. Thus the belly fat increases too. So yesterday a lady in California told me she was just starting into Qigong. Oh, what's that? I was pretty sure it was that hand waving stuff but didn't know much about it. Oriental of some description I was sure, but didn't know exactly.

Last night I did my usual, computer researching. Qigong! Ah, ha. More than what I thought and better than I ever thought. While watching a video I began engaging in the movements. Immediately I figured that I was doing it right because I could feel myself relax. Motion after motion, movement after movement. Oh gosh, it felt so good. What was it? Huh, what was it? Something I hadn't known in a very long time. Relaxation. I was becoming stressfree. It felt so good, so very good.

Sat in the bathtub and relaxed. Sat in the bed and relaxed. And slept. When I'd wake up, which was a couple times, I'd close my eyes and imagine myself in the Qigong movements. Oh, so restful, so nice, so comfortable. Today has been a day that I haven't felt in a long time. I have felt so good. No aches, and pains from old age. No stress. And my BP has been extremely good. I feel so relaxed. So now, I'm excited to continue my learning. My plans are to continue Qigong.

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

INSTEAD OF FABRIC SHEETS OR LIQUID FABRIC SOFTENER

Have you ever thought that you are spending way too much money on fabric sheets for the fresh Downey smell that you love but don't want to do without?
Try placing a capful of Downey or your favorite liquid into a spray bottle, add water to dilute, filling the bottle.
Before adding your laundry to the dryer, spritz 5-6 sprays of the diluted mixture into the drum of the dryer.
Or, if that doesn't rock your boat, add up to 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse water of your washing machine. The vinegar removed the soap scum left from the wash water and softens your clothing. Thus, no need to even add a fabric sheet of any description.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Monday, September 21, 2009

I WANT TO HAVE A SERIOUS TALK WITH YOU TODAY!

Yes, you! I want to talk with you.
Yesterday my 85 year old Mother fell again. This time down the stairs and on the way down, trying to grab the rail to catch herself she caught her hand and tore the pad on the bottom of the hand along with 2 fingers.
Needless to say, at 85 she wants to be independent and not complain so like times before she didn't bother telling me. Not telling me that is until today when I found her at my door step saying that she needed to come in and talk to me about something.
Instead of having her remove her bandages I took her to the Urgent Care in our neighborhood. The doctor on call didn't even touch it but decided to have the wound center treat it.
It had been more than 24 hrs. so they didn't stitch it. And she had used Neosporim on it. Oh gosh, I probably spelled that wrong but you get the picture. So they used a foam medicated pad and taped her up.
She doesn't always eat correctly so I made sure that we took her out to lunch and asked her to order a good meal, which she did. But afterward came the part that I want to tell you about.
I insisted that we go to the LifeLine center. Once there they talked to her about how wonderful the LifeLine is. Water proof piece that fits around your neck while showering, and the fact that you wear it to bed. I didn't realize that it reaches up to 1000 ft. inside and outside your home. And the monthly rate is so reasonable, $35.00 makes it so that anyone can afford the service.
We weren't leaving there until I knew that she was signed up for it. So tomorrow in installation day. I can't wait. Once installed I'll feel better about her living by herself knowing that she is safe from an intruder, falls or even a fire.
I hope that if you've taken the time to read this that you will help someone you know and love get the system set up for them.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Here's Some Interesting Tips To Check Out

I recently decided to check out by Googling vinegar uses. I was shocked at what you can use vinegar for.
Realizing that I then Googled baking soda uses. Amazing how many different ways to use both of these products.
I wanted to cut costs on my laundry and also stop using laundry soaps with the scents.
I found this recipe for laundry soap
Purchase:
1 Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 20 Mule Team Borax
1 package Ivory Bar Soap

Using a hand shredder on a bar of soap, put that into a bowl.
Add 1/2 cup of each of the Washing Soda and the Borax
Mix well and put it in an air tight container.

When doing your laundry, add 1 Tablespoon per load instead of your normal laundry soap. For dirtier loads, add another 1 or 2 Tablespoons.
It's worth the effort.

Liquid Fabric Softener can be changed by adding 1 Tablespoon to 32 oz. of water in a spray bottle. While dryer is empty, spray 4 or 5 times in the dryer, add your clothing and dry.

Another tip is 1/2 cup vinegar in the rinse cycle of your washing. Then you will not need to spray your dryer with the softener.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

IT'S WORKING - GOING GREEN

I never thought it would work but, ha! I fooled myself!
We have gone green and still turning green! It's working for us and can work for you. Oh yes, it's work alright. We have eliminated our "trash can" as we once knew it. Deleted, gone, but not forgotten!

Our garbage goes into a compost area outside. Takes time to walk outside and empty the container (if we have any). Most of it goes to our dogs, cattle but the amount that doesn't goes to the compost area. Why not?

I no longer purchase zip loc baggies in pint or quart sizes. Instead I have purchased the right sizes for our refrigerator and freezer. Why not? Sure the work involved is hand washing and air drying. But such a small price to pay one time. Reusable and a little more time consuming, but doesn't fill up the landfill.

Plastic trash bags are no longer on my purchasing list. Don't need them any more because we don't have paper trash. Paper products are now used to help heat our home in our fireplace, or taken to the recycle center, labeled as "paper" but those trips are few and far between.

Thin aluminum from snack packages mainly, is placed in a small bag that hangs in our storage area. Snack packs are easy for us to grab when we go to work in the garden. Ah, ha, next summer we'll eliminate those by making my own snacks.

Aluminum cans stored in a container in the storage area also. And one thing that I keep separate are lids from the canning jars. Those lids will be taken to the recycle center and handed over the the specialists who will know what area they belong. The only aluminum we have is mainly from the diet cokes that my husband drinks. I haven't convenienced him yet to give up that one luxury yet. Those are recycled and we take mass amounts of those to the recycling station in Asheville, making about $120.00 with each trip. Of course, that is a whole pick up truck full. You are now wondering if my husband drinks that much. Nope, now all our drinking but instead, it's in our every thought when we go out on the town. We bend over and pick up what other people have discarded. You've seen it, maybe even done it, throw down a Coke can and stomp it. Well, we're the ones who come behind you and pick up that stomped Coke can. Why not? Money in our pockets. It could have been money if your pocket if you wouldn't have thrown it down on the ground!

At this point, you are probably wondering how in the world we cook and eat. Mostly for us, it is fresh produce during the summer months and then our own canning which we preserved ourselves. Yes, we have canned and frozen squash, green beans, tomatoes, grape juice, and corn. We purchase just enough meat for a few meals a week. We purchase large family packs and once home, change it over to serving sizes and placed in containers to freeze.

Fortunately we have enough land to raise a few chickens. For the most part, when they are laying we gather enough eggs to eat and sell. The selling part just pays for the feed for the chickens. It doesn't put a dime in our own pocket. Eggs store easily and keep for a few months so it's easy to fill up a box or one of the vegetable keepers in the refrigerator.

I need to purchase flours. I hate that thought but our little town doesn't have a flour mill. We do purchase bread because I don't have my husband sold 100% on homemade breads for the toaster. We do make a lot of biscuits, corn bread and some homemade breads for meals. Breads aren't difficult to make. Time is important and good quality yeast. I also look for a sunny day. It seems that a rainy or snowy day make a difference in my baking.

Making my own cheeses and yogurt is a pleasure. The tailgate farmers market is a great place for me to go to get goat cheese. Truthfully, I'd rather have my own goats for my own milk and cheese but our own age and physical conditions no longer permit that issue.

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening and also going green. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

MY NEW PUPPY PADS ARE WORKING!

Hurrah!!!! I can't believe it, it works!
In an attempt to cut the use of $$$ and help the environment I decided that using 2 bags of puppy pads a week is a wee bit much. So, it's time to try something different.
You know that newspaper companies have what is called "end rolls", right? When I had my day care I would trekk to the office of the newspaper company and pick up an end roll. I'd bring it to the day care and let the children craft on it. It was a wonderful idea then because it didn't cost anything.
So today, using my thought to cut costs and puppy pads I began the change over. Taking a piece of washable plastic cut the right size that I can use time and time again I laid it on the floor. Then I put down 2 layers of the newspaper on top of the plastic. It took the baby puppy a few hours to get the idea but thanks to her Momma and Daddy, she soon decided to use the newspaper instead of the bare floor.
It works! It really works!! Each time I throw away the newspaper pieces, I'll spray bleach over the plastic and lay down some more newspaper.
Each bag of purchased puppy pads cost over $8.00 times 2 a week, equals a savings of $64.00 plus tax. Maybe that doesn't sound like much to you. But my idea is to save the landfill the extra plastic backed puppy pad.
Now onto my next challenge I'm giving myself. I'm not buying any more quart or gallon size bags or plastic trash can bags. Everything I put into my refrigerator or freezer will now be in regular containers that can be re-washed and re-used over and over. Working on that will be easy.
The hard part will be to no longer be lazy when it comes to trash can bags. I have added new large containers to my storage area to house my plastic bottles,a second one for items like soup cans and such.
The food left on the plates will be put into a compost or fed to our cattle, chickens, and dogs. Composting will also use some of the paper and cardboard too!
Otherwise, the extra paper products will go green and the cardboard will now be green too! You know if you think of it, everything you use in your kitchen and bathroom can go green! Here's a suggestion: Try using hand towels and make cloth napkins instead of paper towels.
Yes, you too can cut costs and give your Grandchildren something more to live for! Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

RECYCLING WAS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE!

Our Senior Leadership Class went to the Haywood County recycling site today. Amazing!!!! We now can recycle batteries from cameras and such, kitchen oil, tvs, electrical, and more. Cardboard, paper, plastic and all. All of what you put in the tall plastic bags in your kitchen can be recycled. All that you put in the bathroom trash can can be recycled.
Do you or someone you know have a baby? What about the disposable diapers? Want to save $$$, I mean, big $$$$'s? Buy cloth diapers, and save at least $300.00 a month. When dirty, instead of throwing away, soak in vinegar and baking soda, laundry the regular way and re use.....baby after baby after baby!!
Don't know where to take old windows that you've replaced? Wood you can't use? Call your recycle center and ask. They take it where it will be reused.
Think of it as a savings account for the future!

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Heirloom Tomato Seeds

Bought some heirloom tomatoes today. Yes, just for tasting and the seeds. Three different kinds. I want to try growing in the house this winter but will save some of the seeds for next Spring.
Decided we'd try black plastic in the South and the West windows this winter. I read and watched a video about raising your heat 15 degrees in 10 minutes by using black plastic to window area in the winter. That sounds like a $$ savings and hopefully it will work. Black plastic here we come. Anything to save $$
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Friday, September 11, 2009

10 DAYS WITHOUT COMPUTER MAKES ME OUT OF CONTROL

I have been 10 whole days without this computer. Do you realize how many times I have wanted to look informational thingy up or write someone a note or whatever? Gosh, oh gosh, let AT&T realize how much they are goofing up! When I get the billing mess they've sent me straightened out I'll write more and tell you all about my trials and tribulations. Like for instance, when they called and asked what the man's name was who installed my Direct TV! Can you believe it? Like sending me the wrong, totally wrong modem. And to think, they give those people a paycheck. I say, between one thing and another no wonder this country is going broke. My Mother use to say, "it's going to hell in a handcart" and I believe it now!
So, I do want to tell you about going green at the trash sites. But first, turn on Planet Green on your tv and watch some of it. You'll be amazed!
If Haywood County is going to "go green", why are they getting the cart before the horse? Can't imagine that they can eliminate milk bottles and such and still approve plastic garbage bags, disposal diapers and disposal puppy pads. Think about it, plastic on the outside of them.
Disposal diapers, puppy pads are yucky but there is something that can be done about them. Suggest to the baby's parents that they reduce they spending about $300.00 a month on diapers x 12 months and only buy the cloth diapers once time and reuse them with the future babies. Diapers soaked in vinegar and baking soda are easier to wash clean. And for puppy pads, suggest they lay down a piece of plastic (use it over and over but simply spraying it with bleach water. Then on that piece of plastic, add several sheets of newspaper or paper towel. Now that paper and paper towel will rot and disappear but the plastic pads won't.
Well, here at this house, we are working at dumping the garbage to the cattle or into a compost pile. Reducing the paper towel by using hand towels. And as always we are still saving David's Diet Coke cans and recycling them. And you can trust me on that one. For years, we have saved Diet Coke cans. We bundle them smaller after I purchased him a can crusher from ACE Hardware. Then we take them ourselves to the salvage place in Asheville, NC. We've made many $$$ off our empties over the years.
You know, recycling isn't hard, it's a little more time and removes some laziness from you, but it works!
Do you buy frozen foods already cooked? Well, change that. Cook a double amount of food and freeze the left overs in a container in the refrigerator/freezer. Saves time, money and landfill!
Tomorrow I want to tell you about filling my yard up with fruits and veggies and starting my winter garden inside the house.
Have a terrific day and think of going green.Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

REMINDER TO YOU TO ATTEND!!!

For those of you in the Haywood-Buncome area, please support and attend the Canton Senior breakfast Saturday, 8-10 am. Senior center located between the Canton pool, and the football field. Then following that is the Canton Heritage Day Celebration.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Ingles Markets - Grocery Stores, Supermarkets, Pharmacies

I didn't know that some of what I purchase can go to a college education for someone. Did you know that?
Ingles Markets - Grocery Stores, Supermarkets, Pharmacies

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Southeast Wise Women: Southeast Women's Herbal Conference, Classes with Corinna Wood

Southeast Wise Women: Southeast Women's Herbal Conference, Classes with Corinna Wood

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

LATINO COMMUNITY, MAGGIE VALLEY COMMUNITY, AND AFRO-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES WERE ON THE STOP TODAY

We boarded the bus this morning, Haywood Transit that is. Nine a.m.,now that's a little early for some of us but we all make it in time.
Todays Senior Leadership Class started by traveling to Canton, North Carolina. Once into Canton we went to the Latin Church and heard from the pastor at the church. He said that there is a real need for assistance in his area. A lot of hard workers but lack of work because of the economy, lack of food, vehicles and such make it hard on that group of Haywood residents.
Second speaker was an Afro-American lady, Anne. She told us that she grew up in Canton. Her sons were also educated in Canton. She was a warm and loving person interested in her heritage and community.
Next stop, Canton Senior Citizens. A very nice welcome from Juanita Dixon. She told us of the history of Canton. I wondered if Canton was named from Canton, Ohio but sure didn't know that Canton had had 2 previous names. Did you know that?
Have you ever seen the water mark that the floods left behind? The brick wall showing the spot is really amazing. To think that the water was that high in that old building and the building still stands today. Pretty amazing after viewing that to understand that Canton is still on the map!
Next we boarded the bus and headed to Maggie Valley. Ernestine Upchurch, a dear, dear friend, was the main speaker. Oh she did delegate some of the speaking to the mayor but you know he didn't talk long:). Ernestine told of the first ones there, her family roots and all the Town events (water/sewer, lights, and such). The best part was her telling about the women of Maggie that were in a group they labeled as Maggie Walkers, or something like that. I can't name names!
Back on the bus and a stop at Subway. Boy, I'll bet they were so surprised to see so many of us get off the bus and come in for a sandwich to go!
Back at the main place, Haywood Community Connections, we had lunch, discussed what we had heard and learnt and then, until next week, put away our notebooks and left with lots of new thoughts about the people who share our Towns.
I was excited to receive a phone call tonight from a Lake Logan gentleman who is interested in the same thoughts that I have as to feeding Haywood. A native of Haywood, he's had several businesses of his own and given of himself to help his community. Although his "plate is full" on a daily basis making a living for himself and serving on committees his interests is ag and politics. I truly enjoyed talking with him and am looking forward to seeing his name in the future as one who want to Feed Haywood!!!
Don't forget Saturday morning at the Canton Senior Center breakfast. 8-10 am and then the Canton Heritage Day following.
Also, the Latino community will host a meal September 19. I think it will be a dinner with music and lots of love and laughter. More on that as time draws closer.
I think that it's time to draw on all the resources in our area and pull up our chairs in a circle and put on our thinking hats and decide where we go from here to Feed Haywood. Please, please, your thoughts and ideas are needed. Please contact me here, facebook or twitter and let me know you are willing to help.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Something of interest to Western North Carolina

www.asapconnections.org
Check out this one whether you live in WNC or where ever. You might want to investigate fresh food for your table. Check the phone book or call your extension service for places to shop for fresh vegetables and fruits.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

LETTUCE-A HAYWOOD POSSIBILITY!

Cold, drizzzly rain didn't stop the data being collected at the Waynesville Test Farm. The team was there and working when we arrived. Dunned my rubber boots and out we headed into the beautiful rows of lettuce.

What's the idea of testing? See how well it grows, where, and when during the months from Spring through Fall.

Why? Know whether or not it can be grown by farmers locally so that lettuce doesn't need to be trucked into WNC from California. Eliminating days of travel and expense.

So this is how it's done.
First, 10 head are cut from each of the rows tested. Each row was marked and numbered at the time of planting.
Second, those 10 heads are weighed together.
Third, each head is mesured from bottom leaves on the outside to the tip end.
Fourth, each head is then cut down lengthwise and the inside core is measured.

Once that is finished, all the data is analysed and used for future grows in local farms, front yards and community gardens.





It sure was an eye opening experience for me.
For the heirloom tomato evaluation go to http://www.ncalternativecropsandorganics.blogspot.com
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!