gquaker's Profile

I keep my magazines in the white cardboard magazine holders from the Container Store. They're easier to move around than when I just stacked them on the bookshelf or coffee table. The magazine rack seems like a big investment to me.

Eating beans creates 'wind' because they contains small chains of carbohydrates (called oligosaccharides), which some people cannot digest efficiently until the 'end' (where bacteria residing at the end of the gut takes over). Thus, tooting.

Beans soaked overnight in water and then cooked and drained contain less of these carbs. The precooking, quick-soak, method, consisting of a one-minute boil followed by a soak for an hour, is even more effective, but it can compromise the texture of your beans. If you're eating canned beans, definitely strain and rinse.

Start with small servings until you know how each dish affects you. Good luck!

gallupgirrl: the screen saver (or one v similar) is featured at the bottom of this unplggd post:

http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/roundup/roundup-ten-best-looking-free-screen-savers-060458

Hi Sleggo: I'm really happy in the Cleveland Circle/Brighton area, but it will be a long commute out to Woburn. I wouldn't recommend it unless you were definitely working in the area or in Boston (or if your partner did not have 9-5 hours).

Davis Square in Somerville would be a good compromise, because you can take the Red Line into the city easily (its also hooked up with buses). There isn't a lot of green space in walking distance, which is probably why you see everyone walking their dogs on Tufts campus. Medford (near Medford Square) or Arlington are definitely more suburban, but you'd still be able to use public transportation (bus) and pay less in rent.

Malden is an option, too. You get more 'apartment' for your money, but its a trade off with Davis Square's walkability.

Hope this helps!

I use Magic Eraser for weekly cleans, too!

lovelyrita: I think I remember reading in MS's housekeeping book that bon amie can scratch some tub and tile surfaces over time, depending on the material and age. I noticed a change when I switched from bon amie to Magic Eraser: less 'grit.' But I have an old tub and tend to over do it with the bon amie.

My building supervisor and his wife are fierce. They're Croatian and unafraid of laying the smack down when necessary.

I don't know who actually cashes the rent cheques.

I sympathize. I have plastic blinds, and black-out drapes on top, and there is still too much light coming in from the sides. (I can still read large print items with the lights off at night).

Taping foil to the glass with painters tape will be my next step.

This is helpful (although you probably can't slip cover your sofa with foil):

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/cat_behavior_tip_sheets/destructive_scratching/

Sometimes cats become fixated on one piece of furniture. Removing or slip-covering, in combination with getting more toys, can change the behavior.

A few nice toiletries- shampoo, liquid soap, a spare comb - that can be shared. I'm not expecting the Four Seasons, but an ancient bottle of Pert Plus and few scraps of Ivory soap do not encourage visitors to linger.

I use a shoe hanging thing I bought at Ikea (it hangs over the curtain rail and each one holds 8 pairs). It works great, because I see everything. Boots are stored separately.

Another big tip is it use the right hangers for the right jobs. I was always picking up clothes that had fallen to the floor. Now I use heavy duty wood ones for winter coats, padded hangers for delicates, etc.