Andrea

Got in six days of exercise plus quite a bit of yard work & gardening. Our new elliptical is starting to get easier, thank goodness. That thing is quite the workout!

Wow, that's interesting! I've read that you can also use coke or pepsi to clean your toilet! And imagine, we put this poison into our bodies.

I was out of town visiting my parents so I didn't get in my usual exercise, although I did break a serious sweat getting part of my Dad's garden in. I wish I could have done more, but due to jury duty, I only had a few days with them. Then of course, I had jury duty so I didn't exercise too much although I had to park a good 1/2 mile away, so that counts for something! The other 4 days of the week I did get in my 30 min minimum on the exercise bike. DH also put together the cheap elliptical I ordered while we were gone. It works great, EXCEPT it has developed this really annoying high pitched whine, so I'm not sure if we'll be keeping it or not. In any event, count me in! I'm not counting miles but minutes.

Okay, I grew kale for the first time this year. I wasn't even thinking about saving the seeds, and I planted three different varieties (all heirlooms) right next to one another. Now they are going to seed and I'm guessing that they've cross pollinated and will be worthless for planting in the fall? Does anyone know for sure? All is not lost because I can use the seeds for sprouts but should I save some for seed as well? Any info would be greatly appreciated. There isn't much info online and I'm currently 400 miles away from my gardening books.

It's hovering right around $4.00 here in Central California for the reg unleaded. I've actually started buying myself gift certificates at Safeway so I can get up to 70cents off per gallon! Hey, I'm always in and out of Home Depot anyway!

Darlene, I'm on a tight budget with dd going off to college. So while I can't afford a rt plane ticket to the gathering this year, I can probably swing purchasing some of that gorgeous soap! Do you have a link to your etsy shop?

I put in a minimum of 30 minutes 5 days this week. One day I actually walked for an hour. But my priority has been paint prep on the house and trying to get the yard in shape. Ugh. I think my yard is in worse shape than I am! But we did buy an elliptical, so I'm looking forward to adding that to the exercise routine. I need low/no impact on my knee and hip. Besides, dd wanted a gym membership but the membership for the 4.5 months she'll be home before she goes to college was more than the machine! This way we all benefit. I just need to sweet talk dh into putting it together . . .

Yep, the sheets are AWFUL. I have a set for our roll away bed. I need to pick up a set of cotton sheets instead.

(((Jeepers))) Some days are just like this. You run faster and faster on that treadmill and you don't get anywhere! BTDT

As for a frappe machine, do you have a high quality blender? Make your own! We've invented all sorts of blender concoctions, including frozen mocha frappe thingies during the summer months. Mmmmmm, might need to go make one now!

P.S. Newman's Own doesn't require refrigeration! We love the stuff and during college, I actually kept a bottle in my dorm room and took it to the cafeteria with me. I didn't have a fridge and I never got sick! I believe it also says, or used to say, that it doesn't require refrigeration.

Hope your Saturday is more productive!

I want a makeover too! Darlene, can I keep my screen name but just subtract 30lbs?!? I know you must have a magic button somewhere . . .

Welcome, WE2'S!

Okay, I'll have to give this a try. I've used just vinegar and it doesn't work. But adding the salt and dish soap might help it along. Thanks for the tip! I'm going to try it tomorrow!

GROSS!

Can you imagine training a little boy on that thing? How many i-pads do you think you'd go through?

Just make sure you keep the of your jug covered or it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Along the same line, I ordered a bunch of these:

Only mine were orange and super cheap from a catalog. They are WORTHLESS. The tips plug up too easily and then you're left with a droopy plant and things growing in your water bottle. They make them in terra cotta which would work much better. There are no holes to plug up and the water just enters the soil through the clay. Of course, they are pretty expensive and breakable which is why I haven't made the investment. The Path to Freedom folks use ollas and sell them through their site.

Yep, as soon as Fukushima occurred, I stocked the freezer full of salmon and the cupboard full of tuna. We're starting to run low and when it runs out, it's out. I'm not going to buy anymore.

Happy Day!!!!!

Did my minimum of 30 mins/day 7 days this week.

(((goatherder))) Welcome home!

Happy Birthdays!!!

How did I miss this?!? A Belated Very Happy Day to you!

So glad you're here! I used to be overly consumed with PO, especially when "Life After the Oil Crash" Forum was up and running. I went through a few withdrawals when Matt flipped the switch, but in the end, it was a good thing for me! Life isn't about doom, it's about living and things like cheese making and bee keeping are far more life affirming and sustainable then an underground bunker! Again, so glad you're here - I look forward to hearing of your adventures!

It happened in Arlington, Washington. Here's an excellent article with lots and lots of photos:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2588991/Incredible-shots-sheer-devastation-caused-Washington-landslide-wiped-entire-community-left-14-dead.html

I'm still moving around keeping the blood pressure under control and the weight sort of not under control. I eat pretty healthy but all I have to do is think about chocolate and I pack on 10 lbs! I am not enjoying my middle-aged metabolism! Anyway, I exercise a minimum of 30 mins a day a minimum of 6 days a week. Most is on my exercise bike and depending on how I'm feeling, I average 4-6 miles a day. Now that I'm over this virus, I'm trying to bump up my exercise to 60 minutes a day - so today I went 8 miles on the exercise bike and walked 2.5 miles to the store and back. I've got to get in shape for a couple of short backpacking trips this summer!