eaevansmd's Profile

I'd like to recommend JotNot. It is an iPhone app (I no longer have Android, so can't speak to it), but it is free. I use it a lot for the endless papers I come across as a family history researcher and as a teacher; I just take the photo, save it to my camera roll, and email it to myself from there. If I've done a large number of papers, I can pull the images to my computer when I connect my computer to my phone.
I would just use my phone, but have found the app does a lot to clean up the image for record keeping.

I know it isn't frugal, but I wanted to chime in - get your chimney inspected and cleaned!

In the Mid-Atlantic in particular, a couple chimney inspectors have noticed a lot of cracked chimneys - possibly due to last year's earthquake - that need to be remedied before use.

To address (V) (;,,;) (V)'s point...
In cleaning out my childhood room and the attics of a couple family members, I realized that some small knick-knacks and things really do have meaning. I was lucky enough to realize this before I set up my own home. So I never buy myself knick knacks, but have space for and can enjoy what I've been gifted (or will be gifted) over the years. It's a pretty proactive approach, and takes planning and restraint, but I'm so glad I did it!

Just a heads up, and you may have more leeway as a design teacher - but the biggest obstacle I've run into is district policy. No curtains, household lamps, unapproved rugs, scents, etc. Sometimes you can get away with it, but think before you plunk down your own money.

@urbancricket - thank you! I was thinking the homeowner should really just lock the door and stop inviting over the in-laws, rather than sliding all of the furniture behind the door.

I'd actually amend the lock recommendation: bring it for the hotel. I can travel for a month, including a musical instrument and grad school text books, with a carryon and a bookbag, but not if the hotel staff is going to swipe my wrinkle-free, stuff-anywhere, wear-anywhere wrap dress.

If your veggie or pasta water is still really hot, you can even pour it on weeds to kill them. We got rid of English ivy this way.

If you have access to the water output from your washing machine, we usually get a rain barrel's worth each run - plenty enough to go over our garden and lawn (although we've got a tiny lawn).

Have you thought about Freecycle? You might need to arrange pick up, but I've been pleasantly surprised at the quality of things that people are giving away.

Is anyone else worried about the curtain being in the way of a fire exit? I'd like to do this in our house, but worry about being blocked.

A second vote for Freecycle!