What is something I could put in the oven to make the house smell really good for when this woman comes by?
I know this is going to sound stupid but a church friend of my mother's wants to come to the house to give her a pie. She hasn't been to church for a month because of foot surgery and is doing well. She has been going there for almost 2 yrs and this is the first time anyone has wanted to come by. My problem is we have a total of 8 little dogs in the house, 2 are my mother's. I already have a friend over today to help me with cleaning. This woman just called up this AM and wanted to come over. I hate drop bys. I can't keep the house spotless all the time for people to just drop by anytime they want. Between mother and the dogs all I do is clean, it's like chasing my tail, lol. Its' a small town church and I know this is probably a "spy" mission. I am all frazzled about this. I try to keep things as clean as I can, I am 53 and back surgery a few months ago. Keeping mother clean is my main priority so I don't care if there are some dishes in the sink, at least mom is clean. I just don't want to be judged. Would appreciate any advice about making house smell fresh and not just like bleach which I use a lot.
I still have mosquitoes that love me although I have alkalized a good bit over the years. I use AVON Skin so Soft bath oil and the bugs all leave me alone. Smells like a French w_ore house, but if you can put up with the perfume, it will keep the bugs away.
It's a great year for black locust trees which are multiplying exponentially, all in my garden. It's as if they're mutant trees in some horror movie.
The intense winter we had, which lasted into spring, might have upset some ecological balances that allowed mosquitoes to breed more.
So it could be the environment, especially as you've described it, but it wouldn't hurt to get some blood work done to find out if anything else is going on.
Lots of woods, heavy vegetation and decomposing leaves can create a mosquito friendly environment. If you have any dry leaves from last year's tree leaf drop, you could mix them with the decomposing leaves for the beginning a compost pile for your garden. I've also dug under my compost to give plant roots the moisture they need, rather than use the ingredients as mulch.
It could be that caregiving has caused some metabolic changes that make you more susceptible to mosquitoes. That would be an interesting topic for someone to research.
I am thinking one reason we have so many mosquitos is because we do live in a fairly dense area with lots of woods and hence pretty heavy vegetation on the floor of those...I'm guessing the leaves decaying makes an excellent attraction for them..I have been trying to clear away as much of the underbrush as I can, but as it will be falling again soon, it is a never ending cycle...They used to never bite me, I was one of the few folks who could be out there in them and never have a bite...now it is the opposite...sometimes I think there is something different in my physiological "chemistry" that is making them so bad...I try to do all the normal things , light clothing, cover my arms and legs, no perfumes, etc...have even put alcohol and peroxide as you mentioned on me to hopefully deter them...I love working int he yards and my garden so it is infuriating as this really ruins my outdoor activity...so anything I can try I would love it..
Tex, you are so funny....it does sound like those folks were on a spy mission and that is how I feel occasionally with some of our visitors...one pair in particular whom, thank God, I did not hear the day they stopped by, and they went on their merry way....I was extremely glad to have missed them....my brother was telling me they had come to visit and while they knew I was home I did not come to the door...that time I did not hear them....truly...but in all honesty...had I seen them there, I probably would not have seen them either...heheheh
It really offends me that people are so snoopy; and I do think you're right - they wondered why the cash flow had stopped.
Then how does he feel?
etc.
CG, that takes me back! We used to do rounds of all those lovely old music hall jokes over a curry - those, and the "my wife's gone to the West Indies" - "Jamaica?" - "No she went of her own accord!" ones…
Boom boom! Oh happy times.
Tex, how did the visit go in the end? Was the Church lady satisfied?!
After all, how bad can your home smell? We have two dogs and we can't smell them at all.
"My dog has no nose."
"Your dog has no nose?"
"That's right. My dog has no nose."
"If your dog has no nose, how does he smell?"
"TERRIBLE!"
:)
There are certain plants that are toxic to both humans and pets, and I generally don't grow those because of the multiple feral cats that prowl my garden, apparently searching for tasty bird and mice treats.
Don't get anything made in China - the lotions aren't pure.
I haven't tried mint as a mosquito prevention; my recollection is that lemon might have that property. Citronella as I recall is a mosquito repellent. Generally the best repellent I've found is a good swat on the offending mosquito.
I haven't had as many problems with mosquitoes since a massive clearing of my garden last year, which inadvertently took out all the raspberry bushes. Raspberries for some reason attract mosquitoes.
I don't use any chemical mosquito products because they're so toxic.
If you're interested, I do have an excellent supplier of herbal and organic products. Let me know and I'll PM you; posting publicly might be considered advertising, even though I do often suggest this woman's products privately.
Look around your yard and see what you have growing that might harbor mosquitoes, and observe when you go out where they seem to be the most prevalent. Are you in a rural area? Are there any bodies of water nearby?
Sometimes a lot of vegetation will harbor them, especially if moisture is held in thick foliage and can create a breeding ground.
I've read that Avon's Skin So Soft is an excellent mosquito repellent but have never tried it. I've thought of putting rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on my skin so they'd get a bad taste if they attempt to dine, but I really don't like to use chemicals unless there's no other choice.
If you want to read up on herbal solutions, Herb Quarterly is an excellent magazine; Herb Companion runs a second behind but the art work isn't as beautiful.
I do grow my own apple mint but have to harvest it before the bugs get to it, which is surprising since herbs can repel bugs.
Mints are notoriously invasive, but they can't compete against the weeds, so I never have enough mint.
And don't forget the pleasure of mint tea.
Tex....I find that in general, the store brands always seem much better than the much higher priced items...ain't it the truth...I bet a lot of caregivers could be paid testers for all these products...
I think you're far too harsh on the original poster, and too quick to judge someone who has that many animals.
It's been proven that animals provide therapy to humans. And humans in turn affect animals' health - petting is helpful to animals.
My sister had several cats and took excellent care of them, all while holding down a demanding job in psychiatric nursing and doing volunteer work. Her house was immaculate.
I would ask if you feel that some people have far too many children, which constitute much more of a resource drain on renewable resources? Would you also think that Octomom with her 8 children should give some of them away for adoption because she has too many?
There most certainly are cases in which a person can have too many animals, but I would ask what evidence you have to make the conclusion that the original poster "can't take care of what's really important"?
She's doing her best to balance care for her mother and their collective animals, as well as extend courtesy to people who have just invited themselves over.
Tell the owner of them you've become allergic. ..first of all this is not healthy..2nd of all you have much more that come first ...
If you must make nice and pretty, I use bleach on everything that it's safe on and run a load of white clothes in the machine then dryer. That helps along with cinnamon. I buy gallons of pet deodorizer bc we have 3 cats that all vie for top cat position by spraying the furniture. Listerine does a good job too. Either mint or the old fashioned stuff kills the germs that cause odors.