meganborg's Profile

Most of these have already been mentioned, but I'll echo them:
- Hammer
- Battery powered screwdriver/drill
- Levels (a small one for hanging art and a larger one for small renovation projects)
- A decent sewing machine with lots of white, off-white and black thread
- Drywall plaster for patching holes, a small can of primer and small cans of paint to match your walls (I keep small containers of each of my wall paint colors so they are easy to access for touch-ups) - and keep a couple of clean, good quality paint brushes on hand as well.
- Good quality scissors (I keep a pair for crafting, a pair for fabric and a pair for gardening)
- A glue gun and crazy glue
- A tape measure (I also keep a little one in my purse)
- A rotary cutter and mat (especially for sewing projects)

I don't care much if the house isn't spotless, but I can't stand it when the house smells. I run the dishwasher daily, take out the garbage every couple of days and light a candle for about 30 minutes every evening.

In your small home, I would probably go with just the shower (especially if that is your preference). I am a bath person all the way and would never purchase a home without one, but that is only my personal preference. Also, with your small space it doesn't make much sense to have a bathtub unless it is something you really want and will use (I agree that most folks looking at smaller homes aren't expecting a bathtub).

I can't imagine my toilet getting so gross that I have to use Coke to clean it. Cleaning my toilet once a week with regular toilet cleaner keeps it clean. If we're talking about calcium build-up from hard water, then I can see the need to use Coke.

For slightly clogged drains, I use baking soda, vinegar and boiling water. Sprinkle in the baking soda, pour down some vinegar and let that sit in there for a few minutes - then carefully pour an entire kettle of boiling water in.

As for the jeans - I do exactly what someone else already posted: turn inside out, wash in cold water, hang to dry and then stick in the dryer for a few minutes to remove the wrinkles once they're dry (you can also throw in a damp wash cloth and a sachet full of lavender - gives them a lovely scent!).

I believe that it is a personal preference - no different than paper towels or disposible diapers. The choice is really up to the individual and if a friend or neighbor wants to use these instead of a regular hand towel, I'm not going to make a stink about it because like the choice is mine, the choice is theirs.

Personally for me, I wouldn't buy or use these. I try not to use paper towels anymore and instead cut up old bath towels for cleaning up messes - mostly because it saves me money and I'm producing less garbage, as well as reusing something that I would have otherwise gotten rid of.

This will be the first real summer stay-cation that I've taken since I was on summer break in high school (10 years!). I have booked off two whole weeks.

My plan is to have the house cleaned before my vacation starts, but I'll still tackle some deeper cleaning projects - you know, the ones you only get around to a couple of times a year (organizing closets and drawers, washing baseboards, washing windows, etc). I have a stack of books I'd like to read (preferably outside in the chaise lounge), some small gardening projects (which I enjoy), and I'd really love to try some new recipes that I've been meaning to for a long time, but just didn't have the time.

I think if I can strike a good balance between small projects and relaxation - it will be a really good time spent at home.

Different things work for different cats.

I have found that spray bottles, soft claws (the ones you glue on) and trimming claws don't really work that well - and can be cruel (especially the soft claws).

Tin foil works great - all of my cats run for cover when they hear the sound of foil.

I would also recommend buying small pieces of carpet and attaching them to your walls and floors with catnip in them. I bought a whole bunch of samples from flor.com and they work like a charm! One of my cats also loves to scratch cardboard, so I've attached a huge cardboard scratching post onto the wall and it really keeps him from ruining furniture and screens.