What You (Might Not) Want To Know about Mice & Rats: An infographic

Well now that winter is fading (not that it was much of one), it is time to think about turning the water back on and heading to the schoolhouse.

However that also means we will have to clean up from our furry squatters. This infographic I discovered shares a little bit of why I take such care in cleaning up after the mice. Blech.

http://visual.ly/track.php?q=http://visual.ly/what-you-might-not-want-know-about-mice-rats&slug=what-you-might-not-want-know-about-mice-rats

From Visually.

What You (Might Not) Want To Know about Mice & Rats
– See more at: http://visual.ly/what-you-might-not-want-know-about-mice-rats#sthash.VATv8X6w.dpuf

A tale of two toilets

i have always wanted two bathrooms here at the schoolhouse but this isn’t quite what I had in mind.

  

Our kind friend has provided us with a new toilet (well new to us) and installed it. As soon as the water is up and running we will be able to be a little less rustic than we have been the past few months. And for now this old beaut will remind us of what a cold winter it truly was.

Time to spring winter

Is it safe to come out yet? Is winter finally over and spring on its way?

Winter is leaving. At least I hope it is.

I generally don’t like to complain about the weather. Partially because Canadians shouldn’t complain about the cold but also working from home means I can avoid most of it. This winter though, has been nothing but a cold, crappy disaster from start to finish when it comes to the schoolhouse. Mice infestations, frozen toilets, no heat and a near propane explosion have tested the limits of patience in our household.

So here’s to spring and with it some vacation time to do some serious clean up.

Shovelling tips: An infographic

Well it looks like we are finally getting some serious snow!

Here is a bit of info to watch for when you shovel your walks and driveways this winter! The stats are from the US but you get the idea. Stay safe!

Bump in the night

After being away for just a couple of weeks it seems that the mice decided to make their way back into the house. Standard practice around here.

Another day of cleaning out the drawers and wishing the vacuum with the pokey thing was here instead of at the condo.

Sigh. Ah well. It look like they are also taking the bait so here is hoping that is our last visit for now.

Time to clean the f**K out of your closet: An infographic

When was the last time you were honest with your closet?
I did this a while back and a good purge is always a good way to start the year off strong. To paraphrase Philip Seymour Hoffman in Almost Famous, you wanna be a friend to your closet? Be honest and  unmerciful.

Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

Power is out and so is the food in our fridge…

So it was a great ol’ week for Toronto wasn’t it?

Torrential rains caused flooding both from rising waters and leaky roofs. That also meant a major power outage for many people in the city and surrounding areas including us for just under 48 hours.

Heavy Rains Flood Toronto

After living at the schoolhouse for so long a couple of days with no TV aren’t the end of the world. But it generally means it is time to clean out the fridge and freezer if it has been off for too long.

By not opening the fridge or freezer we managed to save a lot but when I started looking at expiry dates and old branding on labels I thought it might be time to do a purge anyway. How long has it been since Dave was the President at Loblaws exactly?

Toronto Public Health provides some solid common sense on its website. If it looks or smells weird get rid of it.

Food Safety at Home – Floods and Power Outages

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also mentions on its website that if an impending outage is coming, set your fridge at 4 degrees Celsius and your freezer to     -18 degrees Celsius to help keep things on ice until the lights come on.

Food Safety in an Emergency

This was the first time we’ve had a long outage with a fridge that has its own ice maker. Guess what happens? The ice melts and the cats get their own wading pool in the kitchen.

So what do you do if you aren’t at home for a few days and the power has been out. Is the food ok? I don’t know how scientific this is but it makes sense to me: fill a water bottle half-full (or half-empty depending on your outlook on life) and freeze it. When the water is completely frozen, turn it upside down and leave it. If you come home and the ice or water is now at the opposite end of the bottle then your freezer was warm enough to thaw out and drop and its likely the food needs to go and feed the bears at the dump. (Thanks to Heather for that trick. You know who you are!)

You know what is harder than blogging about yard work?

Actually doing yard work.

After all of these months dreaming about getting outside and digging into some real work I forgot how tough it can actually be.

Oh spring. I always think it is best to wait until spring to rake until I actually get there. I am generally wrong. And I broke two rakes.

I started out ok, donning my new and very cool wellies, gloves and spring jacket. But by the end I was boots up on the couch, too tired to even crack a bevy.

Oh and I only got about 1/4 done at best. Needless to say I’ll be back soon to get another tiny corner complete. I guess I’ve got more work to do.

A tidy infographic

I’ve been putting off spring cleaning and its definitely starting to show.

Our condo is a total disaster and I can only imagine what awaits me in terms of cobwebs and other goodies at the schoolhouse. I’m sure I should be dusting and compiling my tax info instead of blogging but I am feeling particularly lazy about housework today. I’d rather just sit and watch the tumbleweeds of cat fur roll on by.

I did however, find this handy infographic that might help me tidy my house and finances. While it is US-based information, the general ideas still apply. Now where is my T4 and my duster?

Courtesy of: CreditDonkey