The Movie

We saw Expelled: No intelligence allowed last week. Wow! I was excited to see some one standing up to the academic world for thier abuses. Bring it on!!! These abuses happen, I have seen it personally in high school. I have been afraid to voice my opinion due the animosity toward anything other than Darwinism. However the past year or two my boldness has increased with personal experementation and the acumulation of facts. I encourage any one to do their own research on the topic. Don't rely on current academic thinking, they have an agenda to sell. All I ask for from them is honesty...go ahead and say, 'you really don't know how every thing began.' But, to make up lies and destroy any one in thier path for the sake of pride is wrong.

RATS!!!

Scritch, scratch, scramble awakened me in the night. NOT AGAIN! Mice, squirrels, birds and this time rats love our attic. There is poison up there, but when will they find it?

It probably began after we got the chickens. Rats often like chicken food. We put the feed in a large trash can with lid to deter these pests. Two of our three chickens have been laying eggs for a while, but the third didn't seem to be productive. I became suspicious when she was very talkative near our raised porch. Ah ha! Having sealed off her entry I thought, "maybe the rats are eating the eggs." They would have no need of the poison.



My Basil! Sweet, innocent, tender seedling got it's top chewed off! They were practically my babies. Do you know how much time and care it takes to grow something? "This means war!" I declared slamming my fist on the work bench. We have rats, so I got cats.

I have now happily and proudly buried 3 rats in the past two days! No food source and a predator. I win!

All the Crazy Things My Sister and I do to Save Money

It comes as no surprise that our husbands would laugh at this new blogging venture. We are well known for the many crazy things we have attempted over the years in effort to save or make money.

gardening, composting, growing wheat, plant nursery, seeds, baby sitting, pyramid schemes (we never went past the part where we had to "invest" money), making things from scratch like various crafts and home made "napkins" from unused towels, clothesline, making our own yeast, chickens, IPT (Infant Potty Training)

You name, it we may have tried it or would be willing to. These things may not be crazy in and of themselves, but in how we go about doing them...in our urban houses.

I'm still trying to convince my husband that a goat would be a good thing...

Strange Mushrooms

One of the things I enjoy as a Home Maker is mushroom hunting. In many places of the world people still rely on mushrooms as a source of food. It is sad to me that this art has been lost to us. My grandfather knew what mushrooms were good to eat, but did not teach his kids because of the danger of picking the wrong mushroom. I am glad for his wisdom. Mushrooms are very dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.

Here is a mushroom that is definitely NOT edible. We found it in my small kitchen garden when there was mysterious USS (unidentified stinky stench). I believe the spores came from the cypress chips I laid down for mulch. Does any one know what it is? It stinks!!! It smells like...some thing dead or dung. I would like to know the real name given to it to tell the kids. We already have a few names ourselves. I can not find it in my mushroom books. Please help.

How to get rid of lice in one day

LICE...we have had an invasion!!! I knew lice was going around and have been checking my daughters' long hair. I never suspected my son!

My parents opened our home to foster kids when I was a teenager. We did not have a clue about lice then. After the third recurrence we got serious. We did not realize what a monster it was. To be sure you have rid your home you must be serious about "sanitizing" your house. I have found the following protocol to be very successful in ridding your house of lice in one day.

1. Don't worry, they are going to die. Have purchased and ready:
"Lice killing shampoo"
"Lice killing spray" for your furniture (don't forget the vehicle).
conditioner
cheep hair spray

2.Pull your own hair back and hair spray it well. If you have lice this will keep them contained. Wear a button down shirt. When you are finished with your work this will prevent having to pull your shirt over your head.

3.Begin at the furthest point from your washing machine.

4.Get all clothing and bedding to the washer and start washing. It is helpful if you can put one person in charge of washing (after their hair is "sanitized" and they have "clean" clothing on). If you need to call a friend for help have them do step 2. I have helped other moms get rid of lice and did not get it myself.

5.Collect all hair accessories. I've thrown out a lot of hair ties. Brushes and combs can be put in a bleach bath. I fill the sink with water and some bleach.

6.Pillows can be put in the dryer for 30 min. The dryer bakes the little boogers.

7.ALL, how can I emphasize this, ALL stuffed and cloth dolls, animals or toys. Seal them up in a plastic bag for about a week or two. This suffocates the lice. Be sure you have them sealed in. If your child has a special toy they can not wait for, I am sure you could stick it in dryer with the pillows. Cloth hats can also be put in the dryer.

OK, now your house is clean and your laundry room is a mess. Again don't worry, you are closer to being done.

This is the time, if you are going to, for hair cuts. Cut hair before treatment.

8.Shampoo. Read all the instructions before you begin. Follow the instructions. Use a small bit of conditioner after your finished washing. This helps the combing process go smoother.

9.Have clean clothing ready for each person. I have them sit in their towel until combing is complete.

10.As you finish each person with long hair it is important that it is pulled back in some way. I prefer a french braid. Spray persons with long hair with lots of hair spray. Lice don't like places that are stiff and full of chemical. Spraying helps prevent re-infestation. I would do their hair like this until you have completed the second application of shampoo (7-10 days later).

You are almost finished.

11.Time to spray your furniture, beds, hats and vehicle. Follow instructions.

Your hair and clothing are "sanitized". Finish the laundry. Have a designated "sanitized" spot for the clean laundry.

12.Vacuum.

Your house is now "sanitized" in one day. You only have to put every thing back where it belongs as it comes out of the dryer. This may take a day or two depending on where your laundry room is.

Happy sanitizing!

Remember, "It is not a shame to have lice, only to keep it."