tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post5886747050942240805..comments2024-03-29T19:22:11.409+10:00Comments on down to earth: Changes and ongoing maintenanceUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9077903627525030662013-12-04T13:05:01.422+10:002013-12-04T13:05:01.422+10:00Hi Rhonda, thanks for the great cleaning tip for t...Hi Rhonda, thanks for the great cleaning tip for the oven. My Mom used to use ammonia, she would put a bowl filled with ammonia in the oven over night and in the morning take it out of the oven and it would just wipe down clean. That is my memory of it anyways, I can't handle the smell of ammonia so I never tried it. I have been baking up a storm lately so I really need to clean the oven before I start in on the cookies! Happy Holiday cooking to all of us!ThiftedBlisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13783570455281374166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19909687193241846502013-12-04T03:58:21.334+10:002013-12-04T03:58:21.334+10:00HI DC, I'm pleased to know your DB recovered. ...HI DC, I'm pleased to know your DB recovered. Happy gardening with your raised beds.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89132387548107944542013-12-04T01:41:31.273+10:002013-12-04T01:41:31.273+10:00Thank you for the reminder, just started my oven o...Thank you for the reminder, just started my oven on cleaning mode. Also, just wanted you to know I really enjoy your weekend reading links and find so many interesting things there. Also, I have found some really nice blogs from your site as well. You are fantastic Rhonda, have a great day. Kristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127297562400348638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55825832000718328492013-12-03T19:04:19.258+10:002013-12-03T19:04:19.258+10:00We too have been looking at changes as we age. My ...We too have been looking at changes as we age. My DB collapsed in the kitchen the over day, just like a tree being felled. BP fell too low out of the blue, cut his head open, ambulance required etc. He's better now but it spurred us both on again. We used to have vegetable beds like you but re-used the wood, plus some new, to build 3 1/2 raised beds, (1m x 1m x 3/4m) that I can stand at to work on. Can't grow so much, but still love growing.Dchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490191919855219024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60407200727706346992013-12-03T15:49:02.917+10:002013-12-03T15:49:02.917+10:00Thanks for the reminder about the oven Rhonda. I w...Thanks for the reminder about the oven Rhonda. I want to make my first Christmas cake this weekend so I think that monumentous occasion deserves a sparkling clean oven. Will be interested to see how you go about doing it tomorrow :) Cheers, TanyaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14839024984118135715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43371278134530634832013-12-03T14:10:22.576+10:002013-12-03T14:10:22.576+10:00It depends on how dirty the oven is, Jan. If it...It depends on how dirty the oven is, Jan. If it's just a normal kitchen oven that's been cleaned every few months, it should do a very good job.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-48622832690694960232013-12-03T14:09:09.048+10:002013-12-03T14:09:09.048+10:00Patty, lucky you! My son Kerry has just started a...Patty, lucky you! My son Kerry has just started a new job in a state of the art kitchen. All the ovens are self cleaning using steam. He LOVES them. I hope you love yours too. I'd love to know how you go with it when it needs a clean.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91359729428623831872013-12-03T13:43:59.414+10:002013-12-03T13:43:59.414+10:00When I cleaned houses for a living I cleaned at le...When I cleaned houses for a living I cleaned at least one oven every month! This year we came round to replacing our old kitchen stove and I saved up enough to buy one with a self-cleaning oven - no chemicals - I have huge allergies - just steam - I'll let you know how it works:-)Patty@inStitcheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18008067462064666901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61347769162185402282013-12-03T12:55:58.534+10:002013-12-03T12:55:58.534+10:00No Rhonda...not the oven!! :D last time my mum sta...No Rhonda...not the oven!! :D last time my mum stayed looking after our daughter she cleaned it after my hinting. Ok, I'm in but I'm dubious it will clean it like the horrible chemical ones.<br />Thanks for the motivation<br />JanJan (a gluttonous wife)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04980538485559579650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20946592305086715832013-12-03T12:04:00.641+10:002013-12-03T12:04:00.641+10:00Hi Gail, this is on my mind more and more lately b...Hi Gail, this is on my mind more and more lately but I guess my mind is just trying to keep up with my body. It's certainly something we have to keep on top of as we age. Decluttering, as you're doing now, is also a must do. I bet you feel better giving it away. :- )rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72651995674741335182013-12-03T11:35:23.591+10:002013-12-03T11:35:23.591+10:00Hello Rhonda, We are doing just what you are doing...Hello Rhonda, We are doing just what you are doing. We've been thinking about how to keep our home running smoothly as we start to wind down a little. You have a couple of years on us and a great amount of wisdom under your belts so it's good to read what your strategies are for the next few years. I'm making a determined effort to stay home more and am not feeling guilty when asked to participate in something that is not really needful at this point in time. I just say thank you but that doesn't suit me at the moment. I'm enjoying my slowing down years and really look forward to putting my feet up after lunch for awhile. Life is good and I want to enjoy every minute and not feel pressured by too many tasks. One other thing I am doing at present is letting go of the unnecessary. I think of my decluttering as blessing others as well as myself. We have no children to help us so we now will employ someone for the tasks that we can't manage ourselves. Thanks for a really good post.<br />Blessings Gailgailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474172270399240621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9490901728685140132013-12-03T10:47:03.501+10:002013-12-03T10:47:03.501+10:00Welcome Eileen. It doesn't matter if it's ...Welcome Eileen. It doesn't matter if it's a day or two behind as long as it gets done.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14059657448705744382013-12-03T09:47:29.646+10:002013-12-03T09:47:29.646+10:00I'm in for the oven cleaning. I may be a day o...I'm in for the oven cleaning. I may be a day or two behind you but this is a chore that needs to get done in this home...thanks for the motivation.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17031688737964746427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60067642432943175922013-12-03T08:18:27.768+10:002013-12-03T08:18:27.768+10:00Deb, you're budgeting for that help like Nanet...Deb, you're budgeting for that help like Nanette does. We haven't added that expense to our budget yet, we have three sons, two close by, and they've helped us in the past. We can't reply on them for the routine things like lawn mowing though so next year, this will be added to our budget.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76456825075091828142013-12-03T08:15:44.913+10:002013-12-03T08:15:44.913+10:00Throw in some raspberry muffins and a cuppa and yo...Throw in some raspberry muffins and a cuppa and you've got a deal, Rose. :- )rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62702521729498561052013-12-03T08:06:44.275+10:002013-12-03T08:06:44.275+10:00I like the way you calmly work through the challen...I like the way you calmly work through the challenges of everyday life and find practical solutions. You are my role model! We are on an acreage, so as we age we have found we need some help with the more manual tasks, such as fencing. We have budgeted for a local man to help us out 3 days a month. We don't always use that much but over the year it averages out. Having it in the budget means that my hubby doesn't need to feel awkward when he can't manage something, he just picks up the phone and calls in our helper. It's good for him too, as he was very unwell a year or two ago and no longer has a full time job, but wants to be active and earn some extra now and again. <br />Yesterday we finally worked through our bush fire plan and today I'm committing it to paper. There are a few jobs in there that we will get our helper to work on, cleaning the gutters, doing a minor repair on the roof etc. it's quite confronting thinking about bush fires, but I'm glad we have a plan and can be prepared.<br />Oven cleaning... Yes, count me in. It needs to be done before Christmas festivities start, as the oven will be given quite a workout.Debsquirrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00576544555316347476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49648576552785022652013-12-03T08:03:48.081+10:002013-12-03T08:03:48.081+10:00Yay! Count me in on the oven cleaning! I think I&#...Yay! Count me in on the oven cleaning! I think I'm going to buy mu husband one of those hose winders for Christmas,Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449280936484382253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22489216620414372572013-12-03T08:00:28.527+10:002013-12-03T08:00:28.527+10:00Good thoughts there, preventative is better than t...Good thoughts there, preventative is better than trying to fix things. When you're done with your oven you couldn't pop down and do mine could you Rhonda? :)Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14751315680374413649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-87446930274736115402013-12-03T07:55:17.061+10:002013-12-03T07:55:17.061+10:00We're headed in that direction too Nanette. We...We're headed in that direction too Nanette. We'll hire local folk to do our lawn mowing and some repairs in the future. It gives a good feeling to give work to someone, doesn't it.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13960967115146814592013-12-03T07:37:45.401+10:002013-12-03T07:37:45.401+10:00I am loving the hose winder. I wonder if such a t...I am loving the hose winder. I wonder if such a thing is available in the USA. I need to join in on the oven cleaning as an apple pie overflowed all over my oven the day before our Thanksgiving and has now burned into a black mess.momma-lanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02975411711120382015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13900228654670007452013-12-03T07:34:51.428+10:002013-12-03T07:34:51.428+10:00I've let my son know that I'd like one of ...I've let my son know that I'd like one of those retractable hoses for Christmas, so fingers crossed :) Look forward to seeing the new hen house after renovations. And yes, I do try to keep up with the maintenance on my house on a regular basis, although sometimes I have to hire someone in to do some things, which I budget for, but always make sure it's someone local, and then I feel that I've done my bit to keep someone in work.Nanettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473143331781472223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-33342388105842957692013-12-03T07:20:26.188+10:002013-12-03T07:20:26.188+10:00I love your way of taking up with things as they c...I love your way of taking up with things as they come.. so tranquil, with no stress!alehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03496802254012576405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21824052894827489312013-12-03T07:01:42.067+10:002013-12-03T07:01:42.067+10:00You are lucky to have such a handyman for a husban...You are lucky to have such a handyman for a husband! I just want to add my two cents about the goodness of having a working hose on the side of the house ready for emergency. Twice in my life I have been involved in saving a building from burning down while the owners were not home. As neigbors, we were able to put the fire out and stop big damage because there was a good long hose available to use near the buildings even when nobody was home. I am sure in Australia you worry about forest fires but this is why I make sure we have a hose on the back and the front of the house at all times.Stellamarinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10551588961821325742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35422908950797558172013-12-03T04:58:34.592+10:002013-12-03T04:58:34.592+10:00I'm looking forward to reading about your oven...I'm looking forward to reading about your oven cleaning adventure. Last time I just cleaned our oven with bi-carb, vinegar and hot water. It work pretty well, but with lots of bi-carb residue. I've been looking for an environmentally friendly alternative to hydrogen peroxide, because I can't seem to find it in big bottles in Australia, but that's the recommended cleaning product by so many American sites. The Life of Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664575290861091769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-24259772928828852002013-12-03T04:56:45.853+10:002013-12-03T04:56:45.853+10:00worst job ever - cleaning the oven - I'll take...worst job ever - cleaning the oven - I'll take up the challenge.<br />Love LeanneLeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00420783423172718178noreply@blogger.com