adrienne's Profile

I should preface my comments with the fact that I'm pretty cavalier about cleaning resale furnishings. I would rather lose an item in cleaning than house an item that is suspect.

First, thoroughly vacuum it. When you vacuum under the seat cushion, use your knees and body weight to open any crevices as much as possible.

Second, if the cushion has a zipper- by all means- pull of the cover and see if the foam is the culprit. Sometimes decaying plastics smell atrocious. If the cushion is degrading, bag it in a trash bag and look for a local upholstery shop or (even better) mattress maker who can cut a new insert from the old one's dimensions. (~$25 here).

Use an upright carpet cleaner with a hand attachment (like a Hoover SteamVacc). Instead of the carpet cleaning solution- use white vinegar and very hot water.

Work in small areas: wash, scrub, dry. The goal is to pull the liquid back out before it can work its way into the foam. Using only light to moderate liquid dampen the fabric (damp NOT dripping). The goal is to clean without getting much liquid into the foam.

Scrub as needed. Then vacuum until dry (or very close to it). Dry entirely in sunlight or in a room with a dehumidifier. Repeat washing process if necessary.

Can anyone identify that hanging light? I didn't see it on their site.

For faster, sturdier blocks- use two boxes per block. They don't require tape, folding, stuffing, or even very attentive cutting.

My quick blog post on how-to (with pictures.

Foam board is HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. Please never light any candles near it. It burns hot, fast, and puts out toxic smoke. Once lit, it would be difficult to put out.

We ask for intangibles (memberships, league fees, lessons). With a modest single income, such gifts helps our kids participate in things we would have difficulty affording on our own.

Hi Jeannie,

First let me say, you totally rock. Your resourcefulness and positive attitude are a great gift to your family that they will always carry with them.

Get carpet remnants for the floor. That way they can be cut to allow for things for odd things like the table. ABSOLUTELY tell the sales people that you have lost your home to the wild fire. So many people are touched by disaster at some point (my neighborhood was hit by a tornado), and most of those folks will bend over backwards to help (as others helped them). It's a teeny space, so it's not a large amount of carpet. With the right dealer, they may even help you cut and fit it.

The tables in RVs are usually built to convert to bunks or be easily lifted out. If the table converts to a 4th bunk, there is usually some kid-friendly hidey-hole/storage underneath. You could also get a something like a 3 or 4-sided table skirt (think bed skirt- only smaller and much longer that would make an under-table fort. With a chalkboard oilcloth top, you'd have two chunks of awesome for the space of one). If you add a door flap & window to the skirt- automatic playhouse. (http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/2009/02/card-table-playhouse-tutorialette.html)

If there's a built-in closet(?) like in the photo, repaint it and put chalkboard or magnetic paint in the inset panels. With careful painting and the right color scheme, this will be considered an upgrade when you sell.

If you can update us with photos and dimensions, I suspect this community can kick back plans as well as general ideas.

Best wishes to you all (or y'all, as we (also) say here in the middle Midwest).

Jesser:

The Sharpie post was on Parent Hacks:

http://www.parenthacks.com/2006/08/sharpie_your_ce.html

We often do this.

If you have an imminent arrival and want to wait for an IKEA crib, a Moses basket or bassinet might fit the bill for an inexpensive stopgap.

This would be handy for shading an infant in a car carrier on a stroller, but I wouldn't use it in a moving vehicle.

mollywtx totally beat me to the punch.

If you're not listening to Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child, you are missing out on great kid-friendly (though not all kid-intended music).

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Go now and download podcasts.

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They Might Be Giants
Caspar Babypants
Jonathan Coulton
Elizabeth Mitchell
Lunch Money
Recess Monkey
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Pete Seeger

Buy it now- Haiti, your kids, and your ears will thank you.