Lynda Kamaka

Because we're trashing our carpeted rooms and "going laminate", we actually had to spend more money than we originally thought.

Was it because someone made a mistake measuring or something was damaged? No. Everything is great and actually came in "under bid". The extra cost was finding tools and tricks to take care of the fur from our dog and cat that will show more pronounced than the old worn out carpet did. 'Used to be that we could vacuum once a week and knew (or so I thought) that everything was clean, picked up, de-haired or furred...

But having concrete floors for a week while preparing for the new surface, we discoverd that either our dog and cat only started shedding tremendously a week ago, or that the weekly vacuuming of previous was tremendously ineffective and hair and fur was lurking despite our efforts.

We have been scooping up mounds of the stuff daily with a broom and dustpan for a solid week off the bare concrete. Because of that, I went to the local big box Pet store and bought the "Furminater". Great tool. With the cat, after using the tool, we reduced her in size from roly poly to skinny minny... With the dog, not so bad but still tons of dead hair and fur "wenta packin". Okay so what expense am I talking about? Well the "furminater" set us back about $30 bucks. But it is sure worth it.

So later, I get to go purchase a dust mop (which I have never owned) and some sort of "swiffer" style mopping thing and all the non-recylable pads. So if you have pets, plan to pull up carpet and put in a hard surface floor, plan on another $100. for the daily regimen tools that you will now need. Will I miss my carpet? Absolutely not! The dog and the cat might as I chase them around with the new "furminater"!

I love easy. Buy a log at the store, wrapped in yellow paper with black and red letters. Take it home and set it on the fire grate. Bend the paper edge up just a little and light the edge where the arrow indicates. Wait a couple of minutes and you'be got a great glow in the fireplace, a little bit of warmth and tada...so easy.

Or, go out in the back yard, look for the gloves you left, somewhere, and reach under the potting table for a heavy, dirty, spidery log. Haul it off the pile and drop it on the cement, end up, to shake out any "beings" that you don't want to bring into the house. After repeating this process with at least 3 to 5 of those misshapen hunks of wood, pick them up with your right hand and balance them in the crook of your left arm. Leave the 2 that are too heavy to carry, out on the patio and go to the sliding door and balance and heft the door open. Rush over to the fireplace, and drop the logs onto the hearth. Beware of the "beings" that may now be awake and rushing for cover.

Run back to the slider which is still open and heft it shut. Go back over and stack the 3 logs, boy scout style, onto the grate. Get the red firestarter stick and lean way over to the right while you click the lighter on and lean left and fiddle with the gas lighter on the wall and turn it on. Get ready for the Whoosh of gas and ignition...protect your hair, hands and dog from this event.

Well, now enjoy. It's a rainy Valentines night and either way you light a fire, fake logs or real, enjoy the glow.

What ever happened to knowing your neighbors?

Well recently, a homegrown, old fashioned thing happened to me...a neighbor came over to borrow some eggs for baking. She really was not making homemade cookies but blueberry muffins from a box. But when you think about it this is the kind of neighborliness that used to happen a lot more in the "olden days".

I remember in the neighborhood where we grew up "out in the valley" that it was common for us neighbors to borrow an item to finish a recipe. Perhaps an egg, cup of sugar or some vanilla were the most common items that we thought we still had in our pantry but forgot to stock up on afterall.

And everyone we knew was quick to share. You never knew if you might be the one in need and you always felt willing to give whatever you could to help them.

This was one way you got to know your neighbors too. Casual conversation would occur at this sharing time and you got better and better acquainted because of it. This led to trust and loyalty amongst each other and we depended on one another for helping with our children, passing on a favorite stew recipe or calling to make sure everyone was alright when you knew their family just had the chicken pox.

Now in this modern society, no one needs an egg. You just buy a container of cookies from Costco and you are set.

No eggs are needed. The sugar and vanilla are already in it and the neighbors, the secret ingredient are no longer in the mix. What a shame...

But you know what? I have a "hankering" to make some homemade cookies tonight and I think I am short about 1/2 cup of sugar. Instead of going to the store, I might just ask a neighbor if I can borrow it and when those cookies are still fresh and warm, I'll trudge back next door and drop off a plateful. It was their sugar anyway.