Mostly Laundry

Good afternoon/morning/evening to whoever you are.  

1) I love slow cookers, cooking and baking.  I bake my own bread; I'm working my way through The Cake Book by Tish Boyle and have actually managed to make my own notes.  Amazing because I never write my notes for any recipe I try out, relying instead on my completely reliable long term memory.  This is fine when I've made the recipe a million times, but not so fine when it's my completely unreliable short term memory. 

2) I do A LOT of laundry and I have a sister who is occasionally more knowledgable about certain things than I am.  Usually, I am but in this case my sister actually found something that I'd never even considered for some reason, especially because this particular thing is right up my alley.  

My ideas on #1 can fill several posts on their own so I won't address that here except to say that I just made slow cooker lasagna.  It was just the same as making oven lasagna down to layering and the order things are layered.  The only difference was how to cook it.  I used the slow cooker because I have shit to do and I don't have time to get it all ready to go and then stand there and have to deal with the oven. I have to make recipes that require more than 40 min total (prep and cook time) bkc (before kid craziness) or akb (after kids bedtime).  I will, if it works out, prep things ahead of time, etc.  But the thing that works for me, that I will remember to do, is to make double for the meal and freeze half for another day.  Everyone knows that lasagna and many sauces taste better a day or two later anyway.  

My thoughts about #2  are that this idea is SUPER AWESOME.  First of all, it's not my idea.  It's floating around on the internet and if you search for "make a year's worth of laundry detergent" you will find two different but essentially the same methods for making your own 1 year worth of laundry detergent.  You will find instructions for to make 1 year of liquid laundry detergent and 1 year of powder detergent.  The one I looked at was the powder because it's better for the drum of your washer to use powder.  You can use either recipe for HE washers.  

 1 Year Worth of Powder Detergent

1 Year Worth of Liquid Detergent that I haven't attempted yet and will be in a separate blog post.  

Notes about the powder instructions: 
  It only says that it's for a family of four and the post is about a year old.  I figured the instructions are for a single load for about 10 loads per week (about average for a family of 4 that have 1 or none small children) using current prices.  Prices might vary depending on where and when you will get the items to make it and how diligent you are at bargain hunting.  I'm pretty lazy but I don't mind a little leg work.  
Using vinegar instead of "normal" fabric softeners is easy for me because I already have a ton of it in the house because I use it for almost everything.  With washers, it's good for cleaning the washer and the hoses.  It's also better because it actually removes the odors from clothing, including odors from smoking.  The other fabric softeners along with regular detergents just cover all that up with their own fragrance.  

Ok, so I spent a little time doing the pricing.  This price list is for the average family of 4 that includes linens and sports laundry.  We are a family of 5, 3 of whom are kids 4 and under so we have many extra loads due to anything you can think of.   These calculations also assume that every load is 1 regular load using the exact amount recommended per the instructions for each item for the current method of laundry that I use.  The instructions for the DIY laundry detergent is what is made ignoring the manufacturer's load recommendations per item.  


These prices are using current  January 2013 pricing from Amazon, Costco, dollar stores, and Safeway: 

This is what I would normally buy for 520 loads.  I try not to think about the fact that I do more than an average of 520 loads per year because the price for 520 loads per year already stresses me out a little.  

My way: 

ALL fragrance/dye free detergent 96 loads  15.50 = 83.9 
Tide Boost fragrance/dye free 20 pack  11$ = 286 
Oxiclean chlorine free/fragrance free 220 loads  27.33= 64.6 
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                        576$ per year for 520 loads 

Ok, I don't like that amount in the slightest. If we used the regular old fragranced dyed stuff, it would be less expensive, but not by much.   Just imagine if you add in dry cleaning costs if you regularly take things to the dry cleaner and brand name dryer sheets if you use them... etc.  

Below is the amount using the instructions and items minus the Purex because I don't use fabric softener and when I do I use white vinegar: 

76 oz borax  9loads    6.10$ 
5.5 oz laundry bar 1.5 loads 7.56$ 
55oz washing soda  13 loads 9.97$ 
13.5lb bag baking soda 27 loads 16.79$
22 oz  oxygen cleaner from dollar store 4$ 
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$186 (with the vinegar) dollars for 520 loads of laundry vs. about $576 (using vinegar)per year for 520 loads 

A   $390 difference! 

about $49 (with the purex) dollars for 520 loads of laundry vs. about $722 (with purex) to per year for 520 loads 

A GINORMOUS difference! 

So, it's more expensive to use the vinegar vs. the purex to make the powder detergent and then use the vinegar every load. In my experience, purex doesn't work very well.  Like all the other brands of laundry detergents and branded fabric softeners, it just makes your clothes odiferous.  Also most people still use dryer sheets as static removers and fabric softener.  I have found using softeners (including dryer sheets) just seem to break the clothing down more so they wear out faster, and in some cases, adds more lint instead of less.  Obviously, adjust the price per load more or less depending on dryer sheet vs. fabric softener in the wash.  

My sister would like to add:  Wear a dust mask and some gloves.  Microwave the soap (chop it up and zap it for 3 min) and rub it in your hands to turn it to powder.  The dust mask is because the whole process of handling and mixing all that powder creates a lot of dust.  She also says, "I have found, so far, that there is no scent.  I'm sure if you use more of the Pyrex crystals you would get more scent or possibly if you don't microwave the soap.  The comments in the blog talk about it 'smelling so good' but those are people who used a food processor or grater." 

I don't know, I think if you have a sensitive nose or have migraines or both that you would notice because I know I would.  

As to how well the actual DIY powder detergent is going to work? I'll have to get back to you on that one.  


Peace, Love and Chicken Grease.

I, Leah or Am I a Broken Cylon?

I'm curled up in a corner of the couch typing this and my dog won't let me out of my spot.  He has laid down on my feet and sprawled across the only direct way out.  He's usually pretty content to lay next to me but he doesn't make it so I can't move unless he knows I'm feeling a bit off and short circuited which I am.    

November is more than NaBloPoMo or NaNoWriMo or even Thanksgiving; although, I am thankful.  Apparently, this month is also Epilepsy Awareness month.  I didn't know such a thing existed;  my very good friend told me about it because she's awesome and loves me.

 

1 in 3 people know someone with epilepsy. 

You can educate yourself about epilepsy from these links.  

Myths vs. Facts and What is Epilepsy?

I, Leah.  

I have left-side TLE epilepsy with complex partial and myoclonic seizures I've pinpointed to beginning when I was 16.  TLE means is that I have seizures that originate in the left side of my temporal lobe also affecting the hippocampus.  For me, the seizures affect my short term memory, spatial navigation, ability to speak, sometimes my ability to process auditory information from my right ear, and the sight in my right eye.  The myoclonic seizures are just quick jerks that feel like muscle spasms, usually thought of as clumsiness.  Just about everyone has experienced myoclonic jerks in the form of hiccups or the jerk you get when you fall asleep. Both seizures are small and can last from a few seconds to 2 minutes.  Mine only last for about 20 to 30 seconds.  I never lose consciousness while I'm having a seizure.   Apparently, I cry, can't respond during it and I don't always remember that I've had one.  I can be confused afterward, I'm always extremely tired and have trouble getting my words out or finding the right words.  If it happens in the evening, I just go to bed.  When I have trouble speaking, I just mime stuff to my hubby or he finishes the sentence for me.  Even my friends have finished sentences for me.

 The seizures rarely happen now that I'm on medication to control the epilepsy.  The original dose controlled about 75% the seizures.  One of many upsides is now I recognize how it feels before I have a seizure (aura); and, I know my triggers now.  In particular, big allergic reactions, alcohol, too little sleep, and too much caffeine, especially those last three combined, and rapidly flashing lights.  It's actually really great that three of those are easy to avoid.  Although, quitting all alcohol and most caffeine almost made me cry.  I grieved them for a couple of weeks.  But, I've been through much worse things than this while dealing with unknown uncontrolled epilepsy, and honestly, I've quit worse things than caffeine and alcohol. An idea that has really put this entire last year into perspective.

I feel like I'd come out of a 20 year fog I didn't realize I was in. I could never remember things I'd said and schedules I'd made.  I have lost friends because of how I am post seizure without realizing that's what it was.  I always assumed I was a crappy friend and didn't know how to fix that.  I always thought my trouble speaking was what happened after I had a migraine.  The littlest things turned out to be the biggest thing for me.  I quit having random vertigo and light isn't randomly dimming (for instance, the sun on a cloudless day). Things you don't want to tell anyone about because they might think you're crazy.  I am not nearly as clumsy-- I don't run into everything when I am tired at all, no doors, door frames, corners and furniture.  I quit hitting my head on EVERYTHING-- no more braining myself on the cabinets, the refrigerator door, the kids' play structure, the car getting in and out. I am not dropping anything anymore; there are a lot less messes and broken things to clean up.  I might even be able to keep my iPhone and laptop in decent shape (maybe).  And HOLY CRAP, I can remember things!  It's such an extreme difference even my friends have noticed-- it's really that big a deal.  My migraines subsided by about 85%, also very exciting. And interestingly, my dog seems to know that I'm going to have a seizure before I do.  He already bothers me all the time, but about 5 to 6 hours before I have a seizure or feel like I might have one, he won't get the hell out of my face, literally.  I used to be extremely annoyed, but now I'm extremely thankful.

However, because the medication was only controlling about 75% of the seizures, my doctor doubled the dosage about 3 weeks ago.  It's a slow increase taken over the course of 6 weeks until I am on the intended dosage.   It makes me extremely tired (which will go away) which I'm all too familiar with anyway.  Then two weeks ago a virus hit everyone in the house, taking us down one by one during which I had a couple of seizures making things just that much harder.  The better part of last week was spent catching up on everything that had been put on hold.

The Fresh Beat Band as broken robots.

Last night, I took my oldest daughter to a Fresh Beat Band concert.  It was early in the evening and blissfully short with a break in the middle.  However, it was dark and about 1/3 of the crowd had these rapidly flashing lights that were being sold at a stand with all the usual concert merch.  I had to remain focused on the stage and tell my daughter to keep it on the just the glow setting that changed color and not the flashing setting.  I was able to avoid a seizure as long as I didn't look into the crowd and didn't have it near my face.

The end result is my 4 year old and I had to talk about how mommy has epilepsy and seizures.  Then we talked about what that means.  We'll work on what to do in all kinds of emergencies including the event if mommy has an allergic reaction or seizure that is a big one or one that goes on too long.  I have been pressed by family and friends to get a medic alert bracelet because of the epilepsy, the rice allergy and penicillin allergies.  I already have ICE numbers in my wallet and on my phone.  I really don't know why I was resisting so hard about getting a medic alert bracelet.  I always thought of the bracelets as these big ugly clunky things or like those buttons that geriatrics in assisted living wear.  You know the commercial, "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!"  But those are honestly really stupid reasons not to get one.  I looked them up, there are some very fashionable bracelets, wallet cards and necklaces these days.  People even get medic alert tattoos now.  I did a survey of EMTs and what kind of medic alert items they look for (they do actually look).  Unsurprisingly, it's the obvious ones, the big clunky bracelets.  They don't have time to look in your wallet; and, the more the item looks like regular jewelry, the less they think to look at it.   In light of the survey, I settled for one of the unfashionable sort of clunky kind.

I am incredibly thankful for my family, friends, church family and the incredible doctors that helped figure all of this out.  All of whom provided support and continue to do so in nothing but positive ways.  

If you read all the way to the end of this post, good for you! That's kind of persistence I like to see.  I hope my story hasn't been too horribly boring and even if it was, I don't want to know about it.


Peace Out.