delphblu's Profile

Consider a grass cloth or a nice textured paper in the granite room, no real pattern. I'd go for a nice color similar something you'd paint. A suede paint could also be a contrast to the stone.
Good luck and enjoy the process.

I am a mosquitoe magnet without serious intervention. I garden later in the day to avoid full sun exposure, however the air tends to be quieter which encourages the mosquitoes to come out and eat me up. I broke down and got Deep Woods Off with 25% deet, I spray down my hat, hair, clothing and the little bits of exposed skin. This works for me because I am minimalizing my exposure to the chemical and able to participate in an activity I enjoy.

A hairdryer will work to soften caulk in the bathroom - tub or shower - to make removal easier. I always remove the old caulk when I feel the need to freshen the area.

I prefer a cotton or linen sleeveless floor length nightgown that is very full. I tuck it around me, thus the fullness. Can't stand PJ bottoms because they get all twisted. I guess this is odd because I can't buy them anywhere.

I actually gave someone a pair of wing back chairs because they had posted a wanted ad. It can work both ways getting and giving away.

Sounds like I'm about to buy a lifetime supply of the bulbs I prefer. Most of the CFLs make my eyes hurt and give headaches. I'm not switching until they fix the color and flutter.

I've traveled with cats in the past... show cats who participated in kitty beauty pageants. It was important to be well prepared. Our travel bag included photos, original immunization records, food and water. Travel is stressful for cats so maintaining familiarity in as many was as possible is important. I specifically trained my cat to enjoy going into his carrier - he got a turkey "cookie" each morning before we left for work. He'd come running and wait in the crate to receive his treat each day. I had an extra large cat carrier which could hold a small littler box as well as kitty bed. This confined the cat and was safer for all of us.

Native plants tend to be most appropriate for any given climate. I don't water unless I have an area of newly planted perennials, the babies get water the first year as needed but after that... they go free of the hose and other fussy care. My lawn tends to brown out each August with hot dry weather but recovers by mid Sept. when the rains return. The make up of extensive perennial beds has changed over the years as some varieties die out and others self sow or spread on runners. I try to keep a nice aesthetic balance by relocating volunteer plants to more appropriate locations. Mulch keeps weeds away and maintains a more even moisture content.

Marble floors are higher maintenance than other materials but oh so beautiful. I have 20 year old marble in my foyer 12x12 tiles with very narrow grout lines. Water and a towel with perhaps a very mild cleaner works fine. NEVER use vinegar or other acidic cleaner on marble the cat knocked over a vinegar mixture on the hearth -- there is a rough surface area where the mixture ate away part of the stone.
Another option for cleaning is a hefty steam cleaner with a towel to wipe up after. Steam kills mildew and the towel wipes it off - the key is regular maintenance.

Garage sales... my best strategy has been to tell my teen age daughter she gets 1/2 of the take for organizing and helping staff the sale. Works like a charm to motivate a kid who wants $$ for some special acquisition - a lap top the last time we held a sale. We often price things for $1 because the goal is to get rid of them not haul items back into the house. Furniture, of course is often more than $1 but it all works in the flush. :)