You might leave out your steam iron for a day or two and find ants are using it as a watering hole….

The insect Carnage post rade on my iron...



The little guys "taking a swim"

 True story: Last week, in the process of tidying my living room, I reached down to pick up my iron that had been reposed in the corner for maybe a week (or two or three….) and I recoiled in disgusted yet fascinated amazement at the sight before me. A tiny yet determined little army of ants was crawling in and out of the water intake funnel. Apparently my iron was a water oasis in the midst of the desert that is my apartment. Upon further investigation I could see clearly through the water level window there were tons of the wee invaders in there!

      Now I am a peace loving {mostly} vegetarian {just started eating some seafood after fifteen years of being flesh free} but this was plain gross and I needed my iron! In case ants should ever take to hanging out in your iron, because apparently this can happen to you, here’s how to go ballistic on their little asses and got rid of the enemy forces:

1. Turn on the iron and place the steam setting to, “HIGH”

I know this may sound cruel, but allowing the temperature of the air and water within the iron reach death inducing heights seemed the most expedient way to handle the insurgence.

2. Stand with thumbs poised to squish any six-legged warrior who managed to escape boiling death trap.

Again, sounds cruel, but very necessary, as I could not allow any to flee and return with reinforcements.

3. Set homemade Borax and sugar traps for the scouts will invariably come investigate the fate of their comrades.

Total annihilation needs to be the goal here. Borax, though toxic, is far less damaging to the environment at large than many ant traps. For recipes and suggestions check out this page. Since it is reasonable to suppose most ant home invasions will not be focused on your iron, this is actually your most needed resource for a counter attack on your insurgents.

              *Marcie

How to Remove an Ink Stain

There are always millions of tons of dust in the air, just as there are millions of cubes of air in the earth…And sometimes there is a ballpoint pen in your washing machine, which explodes and does this to your bathrobe:

The culprit

Eight of us went for a very muddy hike at Lake Nockamixon, so afterwards we did a load of laundry. A couple of loads later when I pulled the exploded ballpoint pen out of the machine, I knew immediately it was Ben's. He had already claimed a handful of loose change and a set of keys from a previous wash that day. He must have been distracted when he put his pants in the wash...

Anyway, men are like this right? Always forgetting to empty their pockets.

But why did it have to be the load of whites? Some quick googling turned up an effective solution: rubbing alcohol. When it comes to stain removal always remember the chemists' adage, like dissolves like. Soap and water will work on water based stains. This is also why your nail polish dissolves in nail polish remover (acetone), but not in water.

We did everything we could to save Papa Smurf, but the bleeding was unstoppable.

First I  panicked and started to liberally douse the bathrobe in rubbing alcohol.This produced two results. One, the ink stain immediately dissolved in the rubbing alcohol like magic (yay!). Two, the excess ink began to spread out all over the fabric (crap!). To remedy the situation I had to get organized. I folded paper towels into blotters and laid the fabric down on top - this part was tricky because the robe had two layers, and so I had to tackle each layer separately while being careful not to let stained portions of fabric touch unstained portions of fabric.

Then I used more paper towels to section off the stain from above. Now when I poured alcohol on the robe, the excess ink was trapped on the paper towel blotter.  

 Paper towel blotters and rubbing alcohol.

After the excess ink was blotted away there were still some faint blue marks. Using toothbrushes, hydrogen peroxide, and some soap, Marcie and I got to work removing as much of the remaining ink from the fibers of the fabric. 

Then we used a bleach pen to treat whatever discoloration was left. Finally we sent the robe through the wash cycle on cold, twice. 

Using a bleach pen to get the last of the ink out. Success!

The final result was great. You could barely tell the robes had been stained at all. There were points along the way where we thought we were going to have to buy replacements. Fortunately, instead of shelling out hard-earned cash, we were able to salvage them with chemistry and a little elbow grease!

Tips From the Working Gal Who Forgot to Wear Pants!

Boyfriend's pants: good for work, obviously great for going out afterward  ;)  

Now, I am fully aware in neither of these pictures am I looking my best. Actually, quite the opposite! But I’m trying to make a point here, another public service announcement if you will: Looking your professional best at work whilst maintaining a carefree and fun-loving persona during your free time is tough. If you’re a “live life to the fullest” working gal or guy employed in a “professional” environment you may have some mishaps. You may perhaps forget to wear pants….

    Well, it’s not so much that I forgot to wear pants, as pack pants. Earlier this week I was excited to see my friend Malorie upon her return from Uganda, where she was employed by Invisible Children (a fantastic organization working to end the use of child soldiers in armed conflict and ultimately to help end civilian targeted warfare). My sister, boyfriend, and I met up with Malorie and our college friends Tory and Jeremy at the Victory Brew Pub. Now, this pub (with a great beer selection but sadly very wanting in its Gluten Free selection) is located about an hour from Philly, and this girl has to be up at six for work the next morning. This being the case, I packed a bag so I could stay downtown, and get more sleep.

      After a great time with Mal I dropped my sister off and retreated to Ben’s. I opened my backpack so as to hang my clothes for work the next day, and guess what I saw! Or to my absolute horror, guess what I didn’t see! Look at the photo above! It was PANTS! I neglected to bring pants.  A shirt I had, even tights were there. But pants? Nope. At one o’clock Tuesday morning I was faced with the grim visualization of me at work attired in nothing more than a maroon cowl-neck, black tights, and sensible shoes.This was not an option. My mind raced and I looked over at my slim and trim boyfriend. Idea time! Borrow Ben’s pants!

A nice little back shot. You too could look this good, but if this isn't your style read on for help!

I think given the circumstances I looked pretty darn OK. However, this situation is obviously not ideal. In order to help others avoid the fate of wearing men’s chino’s pulled up past their belly button, I have compiled a list of preventative measures for the young professional who just might forget to wear pants to work….

1.   (Suggested my mother, Patti) Leave a work appropriate outfit at work! Specifically, keep tights, a basic skirt that that works with most tops, a basic shirt, and a pair of pants! Do leave your favorite stuff at work because you’ll miss those if they’re out of rotation. Just leave something that fits and matches allot in your wardrobe! While you’re at it, leave a tooth brush and paste, too! This really is the ultimate solution, but I’d like to offer some additional backup options.

2.   Make friends with reliable and generous people at work who are of your same relative size. Even better, make friends with others who are your size and share your sense of style. Get their phone number. When sans pants, make use of this number.

3.   Find a significant other who is your same general size/build. Obviously same sex couples have the clothing sharing advantage here, but heteros can make it work, too. Just understand that the clothes probably won’t fit perfectly, but employ belts and a good sense of humor. Be thankful you’re not wearing tights. 

Warning! This Wardrobe Malfunction could happen to YOU! Yes You!

     Last week I went to visit my brother, sister  in-law, and three fabulous nieces, and I had a spectacular time! But this post isn't about that (those posts will fallow :) This post an urgent Public Service Announcement: 


When wearing lace-up boots tie laces through all "eyelets"! I repeat, tie laces around all eyelets (or hooks)! 


    Heading to Ben's from the airport I failed to do so; I wanted to be all casual and cool. Big mistake! As I merrily stepped along in my MOMA boots (usually big bucks but purchased at Platos Closet for $35 dollars ;) and pulling my suitcase behind me, I reached Ben's charming little street and quickened my pace. And then, whoooooosh! Suddenly I was flying through the air. As I was hurling through space in a state of horror my mind cried out, "why?" as my mouth cried out, "AHHHHHHH!" Moments later my face and hands were crashing into the pavement and my Sigg bottle, suitcase, and glasses were strewn every which way. As I lay there dazed and confused and still wondering "why?" I happened to glance at my feet and received my answer: a shoelace loop from the carelessly tied laces on my left boot had become snagged in the empty shoelace eyelet of the carelessly tied right shoe. 
     Let my battered and bloodied chin and hands be a lesson to you all. Looking "cool" with carelessly tied boots is DANGEROUS! Those eyelet hoots at the top are there for a reason. Learn from my folly and use them!