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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 04 Aug 03 - 08:58 AM Thanks, Allison! Last night, it was the bugs bugging me. I have spiders, moths, & now mosquitoes inside my house. Sigh. Any thoughts on getting rid of mosquitoes inside in a way that doesn't hurt humans? bbc |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: GUEST,MMario Date: 04 Aug 03 - 09:24 AM bbc - re: churches - just to remind you (though I'm sure you know) give them a second shot AFTER the start of the school year...you may find one is a better fit - often the entire tone of the church is different during the summer then during the school year. Good Luck! (from he who is often chided for missing church from the middle of june until after Christmas - but hey! I WORK most of those weekends!!!!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: kendall Date: 04 Aug 03 - 10:01 AM Hey Doug, good on you man! You remind me of the old man(85) who got married for the first time, and a friend said, "Why did you wait so long"? Old guy says, "Well, if you get a good one, she's worth waiting for. If you get a bad one, you don't have long to live with her." Spaw, now I AM depressed! (Now that I've stopped laughing)! |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Jeri Date: 04 Aug 03 - 10:44 AM Re mosquitos - first thing you want to do is find out if they're breeding inside the house. They like standing water - check the basement. Unused toilet tanks and drain traps in an unlived-in-for-a-while house quailfy as standing water, but as long as you're running water in them now, there shouldn't be anything new hatching. If they're coming in from outside, check your screens both for holes and to make sure they're firmly seated in the windows. As for the mosquitos already in the house, how many? Only a few, but too many: squish Ravening hordes: -Many biting mosquitos are attracted to light -ALL are attracted to carbon dioxide. You can't stop exhaling, but it's a handy-to-know fact. The mosquitos will go where the highest concentration of CO2 is. Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide.
Paper bags, nets and fans are easy. The hardest part is finding dry ice. Medical laboratories will either have it or know where to get it. If the mosquitos aren't sounding as annoying as all this, go back to squishing. You'll eventually wipe out the current crop and hopefully prevent re-infestation. In any case, I sympathize with you. When I moved in here, I found I'd have to put up with various plagues. Moths: The dry food is in plastic zip-lock bags, sealable plasticware or the fridge/freezer. Squirrels: Fix the hole in the roof. Catch the one that got in through the unused wood stove chimney and plug that up. Ants: Ant cups Spiders: If I can't see them, I don't care. If I can catch them, they go outside. If I can't, they get squished. Flies: Just wait for fall when the cluster flies start looking for a winter home. Fly stips. Gross, but effective. Chipmunks in the basement: Yell at them and chase them around. They're smarter than squirrels. (If mine have been back, they've been quiet.) Mice: Don't leave anything they can eat lying around. Reducing clutter helps (I've got a snowball's chance in you-know-where to do THAT one). Mouse traps. Cat. I know I'm forgetting something... Sorry for the length, but good luck. |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: kendall Date: 04 Aug 03 - 01:58 PM Moth balls are a good way to drive squirrels out. Collecting them is another matter LOL |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: catspaw49 Date: 04 Aug 03 - 03:07 PM Kendall, I've never tried it myself, but I hear that a microscope and itsy-bitsy tweezers work best. Some moths might object to this so proper anesthesia is important. Of course some can't survive the anesthesia so it's better if you just get them to agree and sign a consent form. A brief word of warning......As it takes 197,743,681 moth balls to treat one coat, start early in the morning with your surgery. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 04 Aug 03 - 03:43 PM Hey, Kendall, They're putting in the new septic tank right now. You should be able to visit soon! :) |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: kendall Date: 04 Aug 03 - 04:25 PM being that romantic, you wont be single long. LOL |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 04 Aug 03 - 05:45 PM I dunno, Kendall; is that good news or bad news? Wondering in Copake |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 04 Aug 03 - 05:55 PM Jeri, Thanks for taking the time to give me all the vermin info. I couldn't resist printing it out for future use. Good thoughts about the screens being firmly seated & about unused toilets. Both are possibilities. I've had bites for the past couple of days, but assumed I was getting them outside. Then, last night, when I was reading in bed before going to sleep, I killed 2 & missed 1. Not a good way to start a night's rest! I had a brand-new huge bite this am. We'll work on it. Boy, putting in a new septic tank is a big job! I've had 5 men in the backyard for hours now! bbc |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Jeri Date: 04 Aug 03 - 06:21 PM I can't remember the last time I had 5 men in MY backyard. (Shut up Spaw.) Barb, if it had been me, I wouldn't have been able to sleep unless I got the last one! Having them bite me while I'm asleep is almost a phobia with me. What might help is to leave the light off in the bedroom and the door open and hope they vacate before bedtime. |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Bill D Date: 04 Aug 03 - 07:14 PM Rita has a mosquito repellent stuff (the Bert's Bee's)that is based on lemon rather than DEET...it 'seems' to help.. (personally, I don't mind the DEET stuff)...but folks differ. Maybe some of those Citronella candles near the looser screens till you can get them patched/fit better?...even wide masking tape can help temporarily. |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: kendall Date: 04 Aug 03 - 07:22 PM Jeri, I'll bet that if you wanted 5 men in your back yard, they would be there. |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 04 Aug 03 - 08:21 PM I flushed the toilet in the basement & made sure the screen in my bedroom was on tight. That may have been the culprit. Otherwise, it may have just been bad luck. The screen door on the front door doesn't close unless you pull it shut & I had had the landscaper visiting that day. Plus the fact, this *is* a lake community (Read that--big mosquitoes!). Yes, Jeri, I did feel paranoid, but it was after 1 am & I figured I'd better try to get some sleep. I put Skin So Soft suncreen on my face & neck & pulled the sheet up, hot as the weather was! Wish me luck tonight! Today's funny story is that the septic guys worked until about 7 pm & then left without saying anything. They left all their equipment, but the ground was filled in. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to flush or use water, so I called the boss at home. He was very nice & said I could do whatever I wanted, that they just had some raking to do in the am. For now, I have a lot less grass to mow! Barbara PS--Never did do anything w/ those 5 men. They were pretty young, anyway! |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Bill D Date: 04 Aug 03 - 08:55 PM so, there was a guy sleeping in a hammock (could have been up near NYC)and these 2 mosquitos were hovering over him, discussing supper: "Well," says the first one, "shall we bite him here, or pick him up and carry him down in that swampy grass by the lake?" "Better stay here," says 2nd mosquito, "if we take him down there, those big fellows will take him away from us!" |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Jeri Date: 04 Aug 03 - 08:56 PM From my own experience, get some good quality topsoil and buy your own grass seed. Dirt and grass seed is cheap and easy. Getting rid of crabgrass and other crappy-soil loving weeds isn't. The guy who did my leach field used poor quality stuff. (Can't get too mad - he did the whole job for 1/3 to 1/4 of what some folks charge.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 04 Aug 03 - 11:32 PM Good advice, as usual, Jeri. Boy, do I have a lot to learn (but I should have a good-working septic system for a long time!)! Hey, Bill, I heard that joke at a concert, I think. Scott Alarik, perhaps? It's been a good day; thanks, all! BTW, I got a call from the new dentist I'm seeing tomorrow. He himself called at 5:15 pm to confirm my appointment. I don't think I'm in Westchester any more! Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: catspaw49 Date: 05 Aug 03 - 12:16 AM Beebs, I'm beginning to think this move may have been ill advised as the content of yoour postings is getting strange: Good thoughts about the screens being firmly seated & about unused toilets. You have screened in toilets? Doesn't really allow for much privacy......No wonder they're unused. Opt for walls and a door. I flushed the toilet in the basement & made sure the screen in my bedroom was on tight. Why? Does the toilet flush in through the screen or what? The screen may filter out the larger masses but it still sounds disgusting. The screen door on the front door doesn't close unless you pull it shut & I had had the landscaper visiting that day. I don't get the relationship....Was he using one of those screened in toilets or what? BTW, I got a call from the new dentist I'm seeing tomorrow. Lemmee guess.....He's dropping by to use one of your screened in toilets, right? Are these some new way of attracting men??? Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 05 Aug 03 - 09:09 AM OK, Spaw, you dirty dog! It all makes perfect sense, at least to me. The previous owners started to finish the basement--put in sheetrock & a ceiling, put in a bathroom, & stopped. So, the bathroom in the basement is not, generally, used. I was following Jeri's advice about standing water. Although the window screens are in good repair, some of them were not pushed all the way into the frames, so I checked on that. The landscaper & the dentist--well, I won't get into that. All I know, for now, is that they both live nearby & seem friendly. I assume they're both married; seems like most people are. I don't plan to go looking for a relationship, this time. If one falls in my path, we'll see. No new mosquitos last night (& I found my dictionary, so I know how to spell the plural form now!), but the bites I have sure itch! Lake mosquitos are large & viscious! The guys are back, finishing up the septic system & I'm having coffee. all's right w/ the world, for now. Had a call-back on a new church lead last night. It's a small independent cangregation about 15 minutes from here. Time will tell. Good day to all, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: GUEST,MMario Date: 05 Aug 03 - 09:18 AM gee, maybe you should just treat the young men as if they were drug dosages - take two; together they'll add up to one older man... |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Bill D Date: 05 Aug 03 - 09:34 AM ...and rest of that joke goes..."me not wired for 220" |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: katlaughing Date: 05 Aug 03 - 11:02 AM A dab of witch hazel should help with the itching bites, bbc. Also, a mild antihistamine (without a decongestant!) Between you and Brett in his new house in GUam, I'm having a blast reading these threads! Thanks for sharing and you are doing a great job, lady! kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Alice Date: 05 Aug 03 - 11:53 AM Hi, Barbara, This is great, reading about your new adventure! You can get Benadryl gel to rub on insect bites. That will help stop the itching. Eucalyptus will repel the mosquitos. You can buy the oil at a pharmacy (sometimes have to ask for it at the counter) or use those paper sheets that soften clothes in the dryer - they have eucalyptus oil in them. Once you get settled in, I'm sure you will be very happy there. Love, Alice |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 05 Aug 03 - 06:09 PM Hi, all, Boy, each day holds its own surprises. I went to the dentist today for a check-up. The hygienist attends the church I plan to visit on Sunday. The dentist is a singer-songwriter! Has anyone heard of Joel Goldstein? He has a website at www.singingdentist.com. Pretty funny! Well, if I can locate the baking powder, I'm off to make biscuits for dinner. later, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Deckman Date: 05 Aug 03 - 06:28 PM I went through a very similiar change some years ago when I divorced my wife of 26 years. I left her the house and everything and I moved out to a tiny one bedroom apartment. The change was intense and utterly exhausting. The one piece of practical advice I have is this: be a VERY good friend to yourself. Don't overdo anything. Set clear but small goals each and every day. You must sit down and read, if only for a little, each day. It will get a lot better. CHEERS and good luck. Bob |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: kendall Date: 05 Aug 03 - 08:10 PM As Omar the tent maker said to the King of Persia, "This too shall pass." |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 05 Aug 03 - 08:55 PM Hi, Bob, It's funny for you to say that I should read. A day doesn't go by that I don't. I read before bed; I read during meals, if I'm alone. I had a paranoid fear that I was going to run out of reading material before I could get my books unpacked. Luckily, that didn't happen. I have a large collection of books & many of them reread nicely. Good for me, since there's no Barnes & Noble areound here & the local libraries are tiny! I am trying to content myself w/ what's getting done. If I wrote it down, I'd probably be impressed. Unfortunately, I've always been one to see all that needs doing, rather than what has been accomplished. Tomorrow, the plumber's coming back. I either get a new sink & dishwasher out of this or a new water heater! The sink, etc. would be more fun, but I should probably go w/ the water heater, before it rusts out. bbc |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: kendall Date: 06 Aug 03 - 08:40 AM To all readers I highly recommend ISHMAEL, and BEYOND CIVILIZATION, both by Daniel Quinn. Real eye openers. What's wrong with mankind? he nails it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: JennyO Date: 06 Aug 03 - 12:31 PM Hi Barbara, glad to see you are gradually getting it together. I can't help wishing I was already at your stage, though. You said you found it hard to do without the internet for a couple of weeks. I never thought I would say anything like that. I didn't even own a computer until last November. But now I'm the same as you. It is going to be hard. So I will try to log on when and where I can, and of course I will be heading straight for Mudcat. What a family! Love, Jenny |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 06 Aug 03 - 03:30 PM Jenny, What distinguishes our Mudcat friends from the others is that they don't need to be local. We can reach them from wherever & whenever we are. When everything else in your life is changing, that can be a constant--if you have access! Today, I got my new hot water tank; one less thing to worry about! And found out where we can get our hair cut--a house 1 minute from home! Still plugging away on various things, but life is feeling fairly ok for now. Take a deep breath, Jenny. Your life will get more stable, too. love, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: katlaughing Date: 06 Aug 03 - 03:44 PM Take the time to make the lists, bbc. It will feel good when you can cross off each thing that gets done. Gives one a real sense of progress, esp. when there are still piles of moving boxes, etc. to take care of...you would be surprised to see a list of all that you've already done. You've sort fo done that in this thread, but I'd do one in your own handwriting, too, and put it up where you will see it often.:-) That dentist sounds like fun! |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 06 Aug 03 - 04:38 PM Hey, kat, As it happens, today I sat down w/ 3 folders of stuff from before the move--the engineer's report & the info on closing out utilities, etc. & establishing them in the new location. I took my to-do lists & *have* been crossing things off. In addition, I made a list of things still to be done & a list of the contacts I have made, so far, to do them. It all feels good & gives me more of a sense of control over my life. Yes, I *am* getting a lot done! Today, I finally contacted the most local pastor of my church denomination. Sure enough, they'd been away on vacation. I still need to clean Jay's bathroom, but I am determined to do it before the day ends! thanks, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: katlaughing Date: 06 Aug 03 - 11:15 PM Yea!! Good for you, bbc!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 07 Aug 03 - 02:57 PM Yay! I got DSL today! Now, I can be on the Internet & not tie up my phone line. Definite progress! bbc (smiling) |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: JennyO Date: 08 Aug 03 - 12:24 PM Ah yes, to do lists. I have been making a lot of those. It does give a feeling of being more in control, and the sense of achievement as you cross them off is great! Positive thoughts to you Barbara. It's all going to come together, i know it! Jenny |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 09 Aug 03 - 12:06 AM Thanks, Jenny; the same to you. You are doing great! Today, my older son invited us to Albany to shop w/ him. Wow, did we get a lot accomplished! It's funny--after only 3 weeks, I find I'm looking at stores differently. I don't take them for granted, now that they are less accessable, & I try to plan my trips to maximize the benefit. We managed to get the things Jay needs for school that we couldn't find around here. And get some things to make life more comfortable. It was all good! And Albany is just 1 hour away. bbc |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: lady penelope Date: 09 Aug 03 - 12:02 PM I can't add anything anymore useful than what everyone else has already put down here, but I just thought I'd throw in my congratulations for the 'trojan' effort you've put in. I'm glad your world is once again becoming comfortable and I wish you good luck for the future. " May the light of a thousand stars guide the path to your dreams " TTFN Lady P. |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 09 Aug 03 - 01:16 PM Thank you, Lady P, for your kind words. I went to hear my singing dentist from 11-noon at Hillsdale Days, 10 minutes from here (Town where Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is held). He's fun! I may get the hang of this, after all. :) bbc |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Naemanson Date: 10 Aug 03 - 07:04 AM Barb, it sounds like you are doing much better. Keep up the good work. As for mosquitos, I wouldn't worry about those little things you have there. Last fall Dad was hunting up in The County (northern Maine) when he saw a moose with a mosquito on it. Dad considered shooting but decided to leave the moose to its fate. He was bird hunting and the shotgun was only loaded with birdshot. And those Maine mosquitos charge when wounded.... I know you have enjoyed reading through this thread, Barb. I have laughed out loud at some of the comments made above. We do have a special family here on the 'Cat. |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 10 Aug 03 - 10:18 AM Hi, all (& hug to you, Brett!), After 3 weeks, I am seeing that all the urgent work on the house is pretty much done. Now, I'm trying to find places for the stuff I probably shouldn't have moved! There are some small, annoying things that need to be done & I'm smacked in the face w/ the knowledge that I really know almost nothing about plumbing, electric, or even putting things up on the walls! I've made connections w/ doctors & tradespeople. I have working septic, hot water tank, clothes washer & dryer, etc. On the less than good side, I wake up each morning w/ a dull kind of feeling that this isn't really my home. I'm sure the prevailing weather pattern of high heat & humidity & the fact that I have no schedule in the summer probably doesn't help. It will probably also help when I locate a church to attend. A crash time is likely to be between August 30th, when I pack my son off to college & September 2nd, when I start back to work. Gee, 1 weekend. I suppose I am up to that! Yesterday, I had contact w/ 2 local folks who are really sold on this area--my new hairdresser & my new dentist. It was really nice. I keep finding connections w/ people, too. Some are from my old hometown. My dentist sings, writes music (sort of country/bluegrass) & goes to Old Songs. My hairdresser's son is just starting at the same college my older son attends. Everything will work out; it just takes time. best for today, bbc |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Alice Date: 10 Aug 03 - 11:28 AM Hi, Barbara, I have a suggestion for getting the place to feel more like home. Even though things are not quite "perfect" as far as the details, I think you should have a PARTY. Keep it simple. Don't cook dinner for everyone, just have snacks and drinks and invite everyone you have met so far in the new place and tell them they are welcome to bring guests. You will make connections with these people and they will help you feel like you are the hostess in your own HOME. You may even get suggestions on how to take care of the details that are still undone. They will be able to bring more understanding of the community to you instead of you having to search it out. I recall that when friends of mine moved away about ten years ago, I was lamenting that I wouldn't have a place to go on 4th of July because I always went to their potluck. Duh.. it hit me that I could have a potluck of my own on the 4th of July! So, whenever I can, I have a 4th of July potluck and then another potluck party in October, before we are all home bound by winter, and it really helps to keep me connected with my friends. Throw a party! Love, Alice |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 10 Aug 03 - 05:24 PM Alice, that's an idea I would never have thought of, since I'm not much of a party person. It's a good one, though. I'll see if I can get my head around it. love, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: GUEST,MMario Date: 11 Aug 03 - 04:26 PM so don't call it a party - invite people over for a "musicale" - or a jam - or a song-circle, or "meet my friends" (play them a selection of MudCat Cd's!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Alice Date: 11 Aug 03 - 08:04 PM Barbara, you should definitely invite your singing dentist over, his hygienist, his secretary, and anyone else you met in his office. Invite your hairdress, the plumber, and be sure to tell everyone to bring spouses and guests. If the dentist is typical of us folkies, he'll take any chance to perform a few songs, and there you have your entertainment! Stock up on easy snacks and liquid refreshment, and presto chango, you have a party in your living room. Alice |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: Amos Date: 11 Aug 03 - 10:45 PM You could call it a house warming as soon as you like -- it's quite usual and a good way to break the ice and form new friendships. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 12 Aug 03 - 09:16 AM Aw, shucks, now I feel shy about posting, 'cause I don't know if I'm up to a party yet. I don't think I've entertained in years (been busy single-parenting) & when I did, it was usually the small # of folks to dinner--not what you'd call a party. Maybe it *is* time for a change; I just feel insecure about it. Yesterday, I got my new kitchen sink & faucet & got my plumbing leaks fixed. Also, talked to the landscaper & tree guy about what needs doing in the yard. More thousands of dollars of work--sigh! I got all of my books & files unpacked. That felt good! Today, more cleaning & making phone calls about stuff. Lately, it's been raining every day, but it's still hot & humid. I don't know when I'm going to be able to finally mow the lawn! best, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: GUEST,MMario Date: 12 Aug 03 - 09:23 AM yup - that's been the weather lately - hot and humid - except when it's humid and hot - makes for a change at least. Don't stop posting, please! it's natural to feel insecure about throwing a party - no matter what you call it - but can't we hold yourhand and jolly you out of those insecurities? compared to what you have already done, what is one little party? nada, zilch! |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: katlaughing Date: 12 Aug 03 - 11:40 AM bbc, we've been in our new home for over a year and I still haven't had any kind of party and don't feel prepared for one, yet either, so don't feel badly. You've done more to meet people and *connect* in the few weeks you've been there, than I think most people do in a few months. You've done really well, imo! Everything in its own time and you'll know when that is.:-) kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: bbc Date: 21 Aug 03 - 08:39 AM Hi, folks, I find that I'm starting to lose track of how long I've been here; that's a good sign (or a sign of age!). In the past week, I've spent my 1st nights alone at the house, while the kids were in Oregon visiting their dad; it went fine! I've also had my 1st guests--dear friends from Wisconsin. That prompted me to make decisions on the boxes that were still sitting around undealt w/. Most are in the basement, but some got unpacked. Regardless, they are no longer in my living space. Boy, the house looks bigger! I baked for the 1st time--brownies--& successfully located all my ingredients & supplies. They even tasted good. I've decided that, even though I will continue to look for a local church, I don't need to cut off ties w/ my former church &, in fact, it's probably a good idea to visit there, now & then. I still have some things to face. Today, I had better mow the lawn (have to put oil & gas in, 1st!). Between rain almost every day & unpacking, if I leave it much longer, I'm gonna need a baler! We've seen a couple of doctors & they're nice. Basically, folks, it's all good. Now I need to pull myself together to do some preparation for school (starts Sept. 2nd) & kick Jay's rear end to get him ready to move into college on August 30th! We'll see what I think about empty nest. best to all, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: BS: bbc has moved From: kendall Date: 21 Aug 03 - 10:20 AM You will be just fine, deah! |
