Plumbing?

I'm certain plumbers may not be adequately compensated for the work they do. This I know after spending the morning trying to unstop my clogged sink/garbage disposal/dishwasher. Ugh.

Here's how all the fun and games started: I thought the disposal was actually for disposing of things. Turns out, it's not really a good idea. At least not edamame (that's soy beans in case you are wondering).  Geesh. I think the disposal is an evil appliance and perhaps the only thing I should put in it is water. So first the disposal clogs up then the sink drain starts to back up then the dishwasher gets in on the action and fills up with all the overflowing water.

Closing my eyes and wishing really, really hard for it to magically drain didn't work and, I was left with only two options: call a someone to fix it for me or do it myself.  Grrr. Most every one I know is working (go figure) except for the actual plumbers who want to be paid to fix these problems.  So, in light of my current frugalness,  I went and put on my big girl panties and asked Google for assistance. 

After typing "How do I unclog my disposal?" into the search field I was quickly rewarded with 80,800 result in .28 seconds. Well, alrighty then.  First I need a plunger and then I need some Liquid Plumber (much cheaper than the human  plumber I'm guessing). Thankfully I not only have both of those I actually find them rather quickly!

Step 1: try running the disposal a few extra times to see if that would unclog it. Nope. But the fountain that shot up outta the sink was pretty cool. Grrr. Moving on the step 2: plunging. Oh, that was a barrel of fun. Plunge one side and water shoots out the other side. I'm now soaking wet, the floor is soaking  wet, but the sink is draining ever so slooooooooowly. Step 3: pour in Liquid Plumber and wait. So, now I wait. And contemplate the usefulness of a piece of equipment that can't even chew up a few soy beans. Really?? Maybe I'll go take a shower and hope that drain doesn't clog up too! 

Happiness is NOT...

Chiggers. Evil little...what the heck are chiggers anyway? Per the internet which never lies (or it least this website...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002309/) "Chiggers are tiny, six-legged wingless organisms (larvae) that grow up to become a type of mite. Chiggers are found in tall grass and weeds. Their bite causes severe itching." Severe itching? Duh.  There's a lot I don't know about chiggers but here's what I do know: avoid them. At all costs, avoid them!! Here's a little tale about how I learned that lesson.

Ground Zero.  (literally)

You see, I like to take pictures and while I'm not yet a professional, I really like to get into my work, find the right angle, the perfect shot, you know what I mean? So, when I saw the beautiful blue flower growing in the midst of a dry creek bed I couldn't resist climbing in and seeing what I could do with it. I shot it from all angles, practically laying down to get just the perfect shot. Unbeknownst to me I was not alone in this dry creek bed. There were billions and billions of little invisible creatures crawling around in there with me. They found there way onto my clothes and onto my skin. I knew it probably wasn't going to be good when I heard, "hey, there's a little bug on ya". Ugh. I brushed it off but I suspected he wasn't alone. I was right. He had about a million friends and they traveled in packs.  Within just a few hours I was already starting to itch.

Day 1

Argh!!! The itching is not fun and I must find something soon. I look like I have measles or chicken pox! I think maybe alcohol will kill them. Nope. I ask my legions of FaceBook friends for help and recommendations start pouring in. The more I itch, the more I whine and the more recommendations I get. My wonderful BIL had the best one…"scratch them till they bleed and pour alcohol over them. Won't fix anything but you sure won't forget your bug spray next time!" He's a boy scout. I don't like boy scouts right now.

Day 2

This is probably the worst day. I have been to Walmart a dozen times to buy supplies from the onslaught of recommendations. So far Chiggerx is offering the best (albeit, limited) relief. Crap, this is getting expensive! Of course I am continuing to get more smart ass recommendations about bug spray. Really, people? Really? And then it happens...the best, most glorious recommendation of all: mix together lavender oil and tea tree oil and apply. Off to the store I went (again). Lavender oil was a bit harder to find and quit an investment so I was sure hoping it would work. And it did!! Relief...well, sort of, mostly. Better than anything else so far and that was awesome!

 Days 3-7

So, I have now settled into my chigger relief routine: hot shower, scrub with Aveeno Skin Relief soap, 2nd wash with foaming poison ivy wash (yeah, I know but it has awesome menthol stuff that seems to help),cold water rinse, oil combo rub down, special applications of clear nail polish as needed for the really stubborn spots, wander around naked while everything dries and then, maybe, perhaps, get dressed and get something done!

Day 8

The itching has been reduced to minor irritation now, not the full scale torture worthy of getting even the most tight-lipped prisoner to spill everything. And yes, I have added bug spray to my weekend adventure supply pack!