Blue No More

I wrote the other day (here) about how yellow stains in clothing were making me blue. I described what I was doing to get the stains out and invited helpful tips from you my readers, in getting out the stains.

Since my post on this, I stumbled on an alternative to Oxy-Clean powder. I was browsing in a discount shop for a few small items when I came across a new to me product called, L.A.'s Totally Awesome Oxygen Base Cleaner. I purchased a small tub of it for $2.99 (Canadian).  I think this product is very much like the powdered Oxy-Clean.  When I used Oxy-Clean a few days ago I was using the liquid spray not the powdered form which probably works better.  If you can't find the Oxygen Base at the dollar store you can find it on line at Amazon.  One of the ingredients in the product is peroxide. Using peroxide on the stains is a tip that was left by Dimple on my previous post.

When I got home I mixed a bit of the new-to-me powder with water to make a paste.  Then I rubbed the paste into the sleeves of my blouses and left them to soak in hot water. After that I washed the clothing in a long cycle in hot water.  Voila, the look was much improved but still not good enough for me so I washed the blouses again with hot water only.  Again, the sleeves looked better but still not good enough.

I soaked and washed the stains in the solution again and this time I put them out in the sun to bleach. Presto, the stains are GONE or almost gone!  I've put these back out in the sun on the patio for another hour or two to "bleach" them even further. You can see in photos #2 and #3 that there is still a bit of discolouration but if the items are worn, the discolouration is not so noticeable. If you enlarge the photos you can get a better view of the sleeves.  I'm sure that with continued attention to the sleeves, the stains will be completely gone soon.

I would have put the blouses out in the sun earlier but I needed to have a long period of sunshine at the right time. As things happen, yesterday was not so sunny and warm until late in the day and I had no time then to leave the clothing outside.

I am pleased with the results and next time this happens I will be quick to sun bleach the stains.Thank you to every one of my readers who left helpful tips.  With a  lot of time and patience, I've now saved myself from having to buy new blouses for next summer. I think I could save time next time by placing the clothing in the sun much quicker and I hope I remember that should I need to in future.

Travels

I've seen these kind of maps on blogs of friends.

I thought it would be fun to make one for myself so here it is.

Create your own travel map - TravBuddy

I've done an awful lot of travelling in my lifetime but the map says I've only covered 7% of the countries of the world. I've been back to many places 2 and 3 times, especially to Australia & Kenya. I hope to cover more countries before I'm done.  Clearly I have a lot more travelling to do.

Yesterday was a very very busy day for me, catching up on washing and folding laundry, vacuuming (hoovering), emptying the vacuum canister, changing bed linens, unloading and loading the dishwasher, making salad, emptying garbage cans and a whole lot of errands to get some things for mom and some things for me as well.

I also did a lot of research on line looking for deals on duvet covers. I've narrowed it down to two possibilities, both of which are on a very good sale. I've been looking for these for a very long time but hate to pay the prices that they usually are on offer for.  I want to buy one solid coloured duvet cover for myself and one for my brother's birthday which is coming up in the Fall. Yesterday's flyers also showed a sale on two other things I need (a new tower fan and an office chair.  I've needed the chair for some time but that might have to be put off again.  Maybe I can get one for free. I always keep my eyes open for free things if they fit my need and they aren't too shabby).  I need to carefully think about each expenditure and figure out what I really need and can buy this month. Thinking two and three times before buying anything, buying on sale, or getting things for free is all part of my frugal living approach to living and to managing my finances.

The fan could potentially wait but the problem is that in my country, the fans will not be in stock again until the summer of 2014.  I can't take that chance since the fan I use in the living room sounds like it ready to quit.  Though I try not to add credit card debt, at times like this I often justify the use of  a credit card if those charges will be paid in the near future.  This is always a gamble as you never know what other expenditures come up in the meantime that are equally important.

Sometimes I dip into savings for such needs.  But again you must be careful.  If you get into this habit you will find it hard to save.  I know this because I often dip into it for needs other than travel which is what my savings are supposed to be dedicated towards.  I'm hoping to get to the point where I don't have to do that.  It would help too if I could get some donors to help the Kenyan man named Elvis. You can read about him by clicking the badge to the right of my blog. He still needs a lot of help to finish the year.

Sunday I was played out so I just relaxed. I didn't do much other than reading a very few blogs, continuing to try and get yellow stains out of my summer tops, logging my daily blood glucose, making soup and salad, and watching movies. Tomorrow I have to try and get to several accumulated "to dos" including getting to the post office.

I wish you all a great week.

Yellowing Makes Me Blue

These are the yellow stains after about the 4th wash. I've just sprayed them with Ocy-Clean.

Some time ago I noticed I had a few white blouses that were yellowing in my closet but I never got around to trying to deal with them because these are items that I seldom wear.  I've read that if you don't wash white clothing (or linens) on a regular basis, they start to get yellowed from dust and other particles in the air. Often the sleeves of tops hanging in the closet are affected because these parts are usually exposed more to the air while hanging in the closet.

I wanted to wear some of these light, white tops due to the very high temperatures we've been experiencing this summer.  I did some research on line about how I could get rid of the stains. Oxy-Clean is a ready made stain remover that I read could be sprayed on clothing and left for 10-60 minutes before laundering.  I also read that if I scrub the stains with laundry bar soap and let them sit or soak the clothing over night in a solution of vinegar and water, that my stains would be removed.  I decided to try all three approaches.

Altogether, I treated the stains about 7-8 times.  The stains are far less noticeable but they are still there and the items of clothing are still not wearable. I think part of the problem is I may have washed these items before and inadvertently set the stains by washing them in warm or hot water. That apparently is a "no-no". I've used cold water in my recent attempts. I will give these items a rest for a few days and try to scrub them out again. I think another 3-4 times might accomplish the job.

Have any of you had to deal with stubborn stains like this? If so, were you able to get rid of them?  Would you like to share your approach.

A New Dish

Would you take a moment to click on the badge to the upper right of this blog &  read the story of Elvis, the young Kenyan who is trying to finish his last year of university?

We would greatly appreciate it.

We seek donations and ambassadors to raise awareness of this young man's need. Would you consider it? You will find all the buttons and information you need by clicking on the bad. Thanks so much!

I apologize for the poor lighting in this photo.

As I adjust to a more rigorous way of eating  I have to try and find a menu of foods that will satisfy a number of criteria.  Foods that can be put together without too much fuss.  Foods that will keep my blood sugar levels balanced.  And foods that are interesting enough to eat over the long term. Part of my new diet includes eating enough pulses and grains daily to keep me full and keep my blood sugar more evenly balanced.  This first week or so has seen my blood sugars going wildly up and down since I'm also experimenting with different foods and noting the effects on blood sugar levels.  It's been a bit hard on me for one doesn't feel good whether the sugar is high or low but but I have begun to see things level out to more acceptable blood sugar levels so that is the good news.  The other good news is that the new way of eating while not easy is made a bit easier because I've already had a lot of practice soaking and cooking various pulses and grains, and practise eating a variety of fruits and vegetables.  I also have canned beans on hand for those occasions when I don't have time to soak and cook dried beans.  My challenge is in having enough of all the right foods in the larder. My room mate has not joined me in dietary changes so having every food we need on hand is an even bigger challenge.

Last week I prepared beans and put them in green salads.  This week I wanted something different so decided to make a cous cous dish.  After looking at a few recipes on line, I put this dish together with a few adaptations.

Ingredients:

• 3-4  cups cooked (in broth) cous cous
• 1 cup of cooked kidney beans (you can substitute another bean)
• 1/2 chopping red pepper
• 1/2 chopped red onion
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (or to your taste0
• 1/2 cup chopped or whole black olives (pit removed)
• 1 small bunch of cilantro
• 1 small bunch of parsley
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• feta cheese

Directions:

1. Saute onion, pepper and garlic in the olive oil. Cook until the red pepper is soft enough to your liking.
2. When the onion is transparent and red pepper is cooked, add the beans and olives.
3. Add parsley and cilantro and stir together well.
4. Add cooked (warm/hot) cous cous into the mixture.

Serve hot or cold and garnished with sprinkles of parsley/cilantro and crumbled feta cheese.
Serves 5-6

Let me know if you try it and if you like it!

Update on Life

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,

He only doeth wondrous things,

He only doeth wondrous things,

And blessed be, 

His glorious name forever.

(An old hymn I sang as a child. I couldn't find a version of it on youtube to share with you).

This is a song that has been in my mouth the last few days. The last time I sang it was many years ago in Kenya when I shared it with one of the Kenyan congregations. I only know the words I've posted above. If you are reading this and you know the song or where to find it on line, please send me a link.

This morning started with a power outage. I could hear the burglar alarm going in an apartment next door. For some reason my computer didn't shut off. Sometimes that happens if I am on the computer before the power goes off. (Well the outage didn't last long. Within a minute or two, I could hear the alarm next door turn off and the power is back on indoors.  It must have been some kind of power surge).  Sometimes I find life is like that. We sometimes lose power but if we stay connected and grounded to our source of spiritual supply we can reconnect again. I have felt a disconnection of late with my power supply.

Health challenges that seem never ending or a loved ones dire health challenges can do that to us. It can be very hard to find time in these circumstances to stay connected to the source. Sometimes we don't even have energy to look after our own selves. Sometimes we don't even have the energy to pray for ourselves. Do you ever feel like that? That is one reason why I really try and take the time to pray for others. When someone asks for prayer or is in need of prayer because of what they've shared with you or I, you can be the one that stands in the gap for that dear one and holds them up when they can't hold themselves up.

Sometimes we get so weary of the drudgery of day to day existence. I know I am not saying anything shocking here. If people really stop and think about it they would realize that that is one of the reasons North Americans are excessive consumers, in high states of debt, and too busy, tired or distracted to consider the needs of someone else outside of their own circle of family and friends.

I don't want to be in this category.  I want my life to mean something and to matter to someone else outside of my family and friends.  At the same time though, I recognize that there are seasons in life where we can do more and other seasons where we can do less. Sometimes there are times to step forward and other times to step back. I'm trying to hear the voice of God in all these seasons and it takes patience. Also, there are times and seasons when family needs impact on things you can do for others. I also now have to take care of myself due to ongoing health challenges. I've been going through a long season of that though I never let it stop me from doing what I can to help on the mission field.

One needs to take care of themselves otherwise they have nothing to give to another person or cause. I tend to give so much of myself to others and find it hard to give to myself. That isn't a good thing but I was trained well by my mother and I've struggled to find a happy balance. I've come to accept that sometimes there is no way to really balance things.  There is still a need to try to take care of oneself.  Right now, I'm trying to take care of managing Type 2 diabetes much better than I have since I was first diagnosed. It took me a long time to get to this stage but  really must do this now if I don't want to have more troubles down the line. Some of you know I've been blogging about my renewed efforts to get the blood glucose under control over the past week or so and what I've been experiencing as a result of my efforts.  The good news is that the efforts I've made over the last few years to try and cook from scratch are helping me now when I have to eat a certain way. Yeah!

I didn't think I would write again so soon about my dietary changes after Sunday's post. But on Monday again I had an alarmingly low blood glucose reading (3.0 mmol/L).  I quickly downed a Coca - Cola and got it back up to 5.0. I also had a healthy snack that carried me through to dinner time without any more intervention.

My doctor is away for the month so I can't call her up or go and visit with my concerns about the emerging pattern of sudden blood glucose dips after lunch. I think it means, my dietary changes are working and I  need to reduce my medications already.  I experimented with cutting back on medication after dinner.  It seemed my blood glucose level was too high.  So I added back some of the medication I eliminated and then the blood glucose level was too low again. I had to snack all night long.  Tomorrow I will cut back once again.

Mom called Monday night to say she had sharp pain. She is worried it is part of the bladder infection. She asked staff to test her and so we will see how that goes. In the meantime, I prayed with her on the phone and then I called a national prayer line for prayer too.  It was nice when after praying for healing for mom, the prayer counsellor also prayed for me to have peace in the surrender of mom's health to God.  At scary times like these, prayer is so comforting and uplifting.

While all these things go on in the background, normal life more or less continues.

On Sunday when I wasn't feeling well I reverted to one of my favourite hobbies: reading. I managed to finish one book, My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult.  I enjoyed this book very much despite the heavy duty subject matter of medical ethics and parental and sibling anguish when you have a very sick child in the family. I won't say more in case you'd like to read it. I'd highly recommend it.

After finishing this novel, I started reading, Soho Blues, by Neil Blackmore.  I've only just started this book about a Soho (London) cafe owner named Henry Hudson whose life is forever changed when he hires Betty as one of his wait staff.

On Saturday, I started reading Paris, by Edward Rutherford. If you haven't read any of Rutherford's books, he has written several historical fiction novels (London, New York, and others). I read New York earlier this year and it whet my appetite for reading more work by this author.

In Bible readings this week, I've been reading so many of the stories of childhood that I haven't read for a long time.  I read about the miracle of the widow who had so little food but when she gave of what she had to the prophet Elijah, her meal and her oil never ran out. I read about how the prophet Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a whirlwind. What a mighty story that is!  I read about the Princess Jezebel and how she was eaten by dogs because of her wicked ways. I also read about Elisha, successor to Elijah,  and the many wonders (miracles) he performed by God's power. There are so many interesting stories and narratives in the Bible. I don't think I've read or heard of all the stories in the Bible and some I've forgotten along the way. It is interesting to read and see what is new to me.  There is always something new!

Please click on the badge to the upper right of this blog to read the story of Elvis, the young Kenyan man who is trying to finish his last year of university.  We would appreciate you taking a moment to consider a donation.  If you can't do that would you consider sharing Elvis' story on Facebook, Twitter or your blog?