Stay safe during a remodeling project

My sister is an emergency room nurse, and she’s always telling me horror stories of children who have been seriously injured and/or killed. The stories are enough to make your blood chill. Last summer, an 18-month-old about my daughter’s age at the time fell into a pool during a big family gathering and drowned. Everyone thought someone else was watching the baby, but the baby had other ideas and was toddling around after the big cousins, found the pool and fell in. The baby died.

I couldn’t stand for something like that to happen to my darling daughter.

So I try to always be careful.

Now, I know I can’t be so careful that she’s never able to do anything or learn anything. I like to think I am walking that balance between safety and smothering. I’m sure she’ll tell me someday when I erred on either side.

For now, my focus has been on keeping her safe through our major remodeling project.

Luckily we’re not living at the house while we’re tearing it apart. I don’t know how I’d manage that although I know that other people have lived through such chaos before and somehow survived. For me, keeping a toddler’s hands away from the power tools and leftover carpet tacks isn’t something I want to do 24/7. So we live in an apartment and are weekend and evening warriors.

I have to confess I do my best to leave our little girl at home. Well, not exactly at home, but a babysitter’s home. Lucky for me, my best friend lives just down the street from our apartment. She’s been seeing a lot of my daughter and just a little bit of me for the past few months. (When will this project end?!)

There are a million dangers at the project house.

We’ve torn up all the flooring and left the carpet tacks where we plan to reinstall carpet. Where we tore up the linoleum, we were left with millions (I swear!) of tiny staples that took an extreme effort to pull out. We tore out a wall in the living room and had a few holes in the floor while we decided what to do about various vents. Then there are the loosely stuffed toilet vents that we poked old carpet padding into while we redo the bathroom floors. The constant sheetrock dust that gets into your nose and chest. The trim we pulled off with the nails sticking out. The pieces of sharp tin from the heating vents. The fireplace sitting in the middle of the room that a climber could easily pull down. The uncovered sump pump hole.

Like I said. A million dangers.

I’ve done my best to remove things to the dumpster out back as quick as I can, but it seems like as soon as I haul something out another two items replace it. It’s endless.

So when our little girl comes to the job site, I keep a close eye on her. She wears shoes (which she always wants to rip off), she’s dressed in her own “work clothes” (overalls and old sweater), and she has to stick close to mom. I don’t get much done when she’s there except that I unplug a lot of power tools.

I have 2 important rules:

1) Our two-year-old isn’t allowed in the house when momma’s painting. I don’t want her to inhale those nasty fumes. Even though I’m using the low VOC paints, I want to expose her to as little as possible.

2) She’s not allowed around when we’re sanding sheetrock. That dust settled in my chest and gave me problems for weeks.

For a long time, we kept just a slice of carpet in the living room area for her. I’d sit her down there with snacks and toys. Now that the carpet is gone, I plop her in a chair; she likes big people chairs, so that keeps her in one place for awhile. Oh, and she LOVES climbing into the old center island we’ve got hanging around and playing hide and seek. I like that game and that location. It is completely safe as long as she stays inside the cabinet. I’m about to lose that now this weekend when we install the new wood floor. But when we install the Bellawood, that floor will finally be safe. Oh, there is an end in sight!

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We plan to move into the house after the remodeling is done, but then embark on an addition. I’m not entirely sure how I plan to handle safety when we are living in a work zone, but I’m pretty sure it will involve doors, locks and stern “Do not go theres.”

Here’s a few other tips from Consumer Reports.

Wine: a guide to starting out

I haven’t always loved wine, but I have always loved the idea of wine.

I don’t think that wine needs to be intimidating, but it usually is at the start anyway. The problem is that most of us don’t know what we like at first — and there are so many options.

I started my love affair with wine by visiting local wineries. Oh, I love wineries. The great thing about them is that you can sample before you buy. Many offer free samples, and I’d shimmy up to the bar to try every kind. If you give me free samples, you can be sure I’m buying at least half a case! Some wineries are silly enough to charge $5 a glass and then I usually only buy a bottle or two. I’m not going to buy what I haven’t had a chance to taste. The other great thing about wineries is that you can ask questions, take tours and learn about the wine process.

The first winery I visited was Winehaven Winery in Chisago City (http://winehaven.com) and they remain one of my favorites. I had looked all over for honey wine, and then found someone making it in my own backyard. There is only one word for honey wine (aka mead): yum. You simply have to try it. They also make a delicious raspberry, strawberry, rhubarb (contrary to popular thought, it’s not too tart), strawberry-rhubarb, and cranberry. Oh, I love their fruit wines. They make others, but I REALLY LOVE THEIR FRUIT WINES.

The tasting room at Alexis Bailey in Hastings, Minn.

Many wineries are now making a production about their wine tastings — something I’m all for. Just this last weekend I visited Salem Glen Winery in Rochester, sat in their cedar-lined room, gazed out at a scenic country scene, sampled wines and listened to live jazz. It. Was. Awesome. The girls I was with aren’t wine lovers really, but everyone found something they liked. At Alexis Bailey Winery in Hastings you can bring the kids (or the lover), spread out a blanket, have a picnic with your bottle of wine, run around the grounds, listen to music, and enjoy the sculpture. I had one of the best evenings of my life at Munson Bridge Winery in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin, sipping wine as I watched the sun set and the moon rise over a little pond.

For a few years, a group of us took a Wine Tour each fall and hit up wineries in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Oh, it was fun. If you’re interested in that, I recommend checking out the Great River Wine Trail and picking 4-5 wineries to visit over a weekend. www.greatriverroadwinetrail.org. Or, head into Wisconsin; learn more at http://www.wiswine.com/wineries.

I’m also a member of a wine club — doesn’t that sound pretentious? What it means is that I attend as many of the wine tastings held by the Cambridge Liquor Store as I can. They hold three a years (two in the fall and one in the spring) and charge only $20. Get on the mailing list by calling 763-689-2468 or email bobbi.mix@ci.cambridge.mn.us. These events are fantastic! The liquor store brings in 20-30 distributors who set up tables and pour you samples of wine. That’s where I figured out the wines I like and what I don’t. I tend to prefer wines from Australia and South America versus those from Napa Valley and France. I don’t like dry wines at all, but prefer sweet ones instead. Most liquor stores do a smaller version of wine tastings one night a weekend and set up a table or two in their stores. Take advantage of wine tastings!

There’s a great event coming up you might want to attend: The Twin Cities Food and Wine Experience (www.foodwineshow.com). It’s not cheap, but the wine is awesome and the food delicious! You’ll get lots of experience with wines there.

START WITH WHITES

Alice White Lexia is a great pick for a sweet white wine.

Start your wine journey with sweet whites like Moscato (can come bubbly!) and Riesling.

Good Choices:

- Any moscato. (They’re always sweet and delicious. The Moscato d’asti are bubbly, not as much as champange but enough to be fun.)

- Spatlese from St. Gabriel

- Alice White Lexia (Australian wine made from muscat grapes. They also have a great Red Lexia.)

- Country White from Alexis Bailey in Hastings, Minn.

- White Merlot from Gallo, Ernest & Julio in California (White merlot is completely different than the regular red merlot.)

- Riesling from Funf

- Riesling from Starling Castle (Buy it for the bottle. There’s a beautiful castle inside. Plus although the wine comes from Germany, it’s distributed by a local company in Princeton.)

- Riesling from Relax (Yes, I love riesling. What gave it away?)

GRADUATE TO REDS

The mead at Wine Haven is one of my favorite wines of all time. You can beat honey wine!

Red wine tends to be more of an acquired taste. Give yourself time to figure out what sorts of reds you like, and then stick with that variety for awhile. You’ll find lots of variation there; experiment with various wineries and parts of the world. Personally, I love wines from South American and Australia over wines from Napa Valley or France. But that’s just me, and I certainly don’t expect you to follow my path. I also tend to hate the usual varieties you find at restaurants in Minnesota, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Give me a hearty Syrah instead.

Good Choices:

- Claret from Rashi. (If you’ve never tried a red wine before, try this one. It only has 10% alcohol and is almost like grape juice; don’t leave it in your car in the winter or it’ll freeze! I have a friend who hates wine, and she loves this Claret.)

- Merlot, Two Rivers Chateau from Grand Junction, Colo. (You know how I just said I don’t usually like Merlots? This one is fantastic!)

- Sweet Red from Blaufrankisch in Hungary. (It’s a beginner’s red. When a wine lables itself just “red” that means it’s some kind of blend, and they tend to be sweeter than others.)

- GoGo Red, Cannon River Winery in Canon Falls, Minn.

- Pinot Noir from Rosemount Estates in south eastern Australia

- The Wine-ing Farmer from Fieldstone Vineyards in Morgan, Minn.

Ever wondered if there's an alternative to tampons?

There is! Consider a menstrual cup like The DivaCup. Now if you’re like me, you just went “gross” at the thought of inserting a silicone cup in your vagina and starting wondering how nasty it would get to remove it. But stay with me.

The DivaCup: Latex-free, BPA-free, pla

stic-free; No dyes, colors or additives; Comfortable, reliable; Clean, convenient, easy-to-use; and worn for up to 12 hours at a time."

Consider what life would be like without having to always worry about your tampon leaking or the string showing when you’re swimming...

Consider how you won’t have to make those middle of the night runs to Target to buy new pads and tampons because you ran out...

Consider how much better your might feel if you weren’t shoving a product made with bleach, plastic and God-knows-what-else into your body...

Are you getting over the gross factor?

EcoStiletto's Rachel Breaks Down the Reusable Cup from EcoStiletto on Vimeo.

I have to confess that when a friend told me about the DivaCup five years ago, I thought about it, said that I really should buy one and then didn’t. It sounded disgusting, I wasn’t sure how it would work, and who wants to talk about “girly” issues like that? Let’s talk about the book you just read, or the cute things your kids are doing these days instead. And then I got pregnant and breastfed so I didn’t need to worry about the whole once-a-month hassle. Gosh, that was nice. I started thinking about it again about a year ago ... But I couldn’t bring myself to buy one. And then a months ago, another friend shoved a DivaCup package at me and told me to just try it. My period was expected the next week, and so I took it. Figured it was perfect timing.

That’s not to say I didn’t have ALOT of questions about this oddly shaped silicone cup I was going to shove UP THERE. I read the instructions once, twice and three times. I popped it in and then panicked. I was sure it was stuck. I was going to have to suffer the embarrassment of going to the hospital to get something I’d shoved UP THERE stuck. Oh dear. I wouldn’t be able to look anyone in the face ever again. It was the end of the world.

But it wasn’t. I read the instructions again, specifically the part where it says NOT TO PANIC, and I pushed down as though I was delivering my baby again. The cup popped out. Thank goodness.

The first day was awful, I have to admit. It felt uncomfortable, and I wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong as the instructions promised it shouldn't hurt at all. I was mildly grossed out when I removed it to empty it and clean it out, but hey! I’ve been changing disgusting diapers for a few years now and this is only blood. My blood. The next day was better, and by day three I felt like I might actually stick with it. I have always hated grabbing that dumb string and wondering what had gotten on it; and then I always worry about the odor. Apparently blood only starts to smell when it’s been exposed to air, which is why pads are so nasty. There isn’t that type of problem with the DivaCup.

What I like is that you only have to remove and rinse it twice a day. Not like tampons where I had to check every two to three hours to be sure I wasn’t leaking. Morning and night. That’s it.

I’ve heard that for some woman, their flows lighten with the use of the DivaCup. I don’t think that’s been documented, but it would be a nice perk. Because of all the crap in tampons I can see how it would mess things up in the vaginal canal and lead to more bleeding.

TAMPONS AREN’T THAT HEALTHY FOR US — AND THEY’RE EXPENSIVE

Did you know that you could be experiencing health issues because of your tampons? Yep. As divacup.com points out: “Most tampons and pads contain surfactants, adhesives and additives. In addition, most pads contain polyethylene plastic whose production is a pollutant. Also, dioxin, a known carcinogen, is a by-product of the bleaching process of tampons containing rayon. In landfills, many of these substances can leach into the environment (groundwater, streams and lakes) causing serious pollution and health concerns.”

Tampons are also contributing to our landfill issue, and the applicators are showing up on beaches. An estimated 12 billion sanitary pads and 7 billion tampons are dumped into the North American environment each year (1998). More than 170,000 tampon applicators were collected along U.S. coastal areas between 1998 and 1999. That’s both gross and disturbing.

Most women spend between $150 to $200 on tampons and pads, and we consider that a necessary expense. The DivaCup costs about $40. I know for sure that the Seward Co-op in south Minneapolis carries it. Go to the web site to check other locations. www.divacup.com

ABOUT THE DIVA CUP

The DivaCup is available in two models, one for women under 30 years old who have never delivered vaginally or by caesarean section or another for women over 30 years old and/or for women who have delivered vaginally or by caesarean section.

The menstrual cup was first developed in the 1930s. Early versions were made from rubber latex, which many are allergic to. The DivaCup is made of a soft, top-quality silicone. This silicone is not the same type of material used in breast implants. No chlorine, dyes, colorings or additives of any kind are used.

The DivaCup company is owned by a mother-daughter team, Francine and Carinne Chambers. According to Carinne Chambers, “Not every woman can afford a hybrid car nor easily convert their home to solar power. Yet, by choosing to use a menstrual cup instead of disposable tampons and pads, any woman is able to make an environmentally responsible choice each month. This is no small matter. In the U.S. alone, billions of tampons and pads are dumped into landfills and the environment each year.”

“With all the state-of-the-art conveniences Western society has developed, it baffles us why outdated feminine products are still being used. We believe that reusable menstrual cups are the next generation of feminine hygiene because they are the most environmentally responsible choice. They are also the most convenient and reliable option available and are not linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome,” said Francine Chambers.

Tell it like it is, Francine! I’m always wondering why we’re using such annoying and old-fashion practices. Like The Pill. Don’t get me started on The Pill. (I’ll save that for another post.)

Got questions? I’m sure you do, so here are a few answers from DivaCup.com.

Is The DivaCup messy?

Almost every woman's initial reaction to The DivaCup is, "Ewww! That's gross!” When tampons were first introduced it took quite a while before the concept caught on. Once you take the time to learn about The DivaCup, and actually try it for yourself, you will be pleasantly surprised about how clean and NOT messy it really is.

The cup sits low in the vaginal canal and you can avoid reaching inside the vagina by pushing the cup out slightly. Simply bear down on the muscles for removal. Most women find that once they start using The DivaCup that every other method is messy and gross!

Just imagine a product that actually lives up to its expectations: no leaking, no odor, convenient, comfortable, clean AND helps to save the planet! It's hard to believe that all this could be a reality, but try it for yourself and you will see that it is true.

Is there odor with The DivaCup?

No, there is no odor when using The DivaCup. Menstrual flow only begins to develop an odor when it begins to oxidize and break down from being exposed to air. Menstrual fluid on pads is exposed to air, so it does create an after odor. Tampons are not as bad since they are worn internally, but they can still create odor.

Can The DivaCup be used for light and heavy flows?

The DivaCup works very well for women with light or heavy flows. The DivaCup holds one full ounce and the average women only flows about three to four ounces in her entire cycle. For most women, the cup is not even half full after 12 hours.

We always recommend you empty the cup, wash, rinse it, and reinsert it at least every 12 hours (2 times a day) even if your flow is light.

Women with heavy flows will simply need to empty the cup more often. The convenient ounces and milliliters measurement feature allows women to actually keep track of flow and accurately report flow details to their health professional.

Can I sleep while wearing The DivaCup?

Yes! You can wear The DivaCup for 12 hours at a time, so you have the convenience of not having to think about your period all night long!

What do I do in a public restroom?

Most women find that they do not have to remove The DivaCup more often than every 12 hours, and that taking it out in a public restroom does not occur very often. However, for women with heavier flows, or on the occasion you need to empty it in a public restroom, simply remove the cup, empty the contents and use a dry or damp tissue to clean the cup and reinsert. Make sure your hands are clean before going into the stall. Wash your DivaCup well with warm, soapy water at the next convenient time.

Is The DivaCup sanitary?

Yes, when used as directed, The DivaCup is more sanitary than tampons or pads.

The DivaCup is made from top quality, healthcare grade silicone, which is 100% latex-free, plastic-free, BPA-free and odorless. It is non-absorbent and does not disrupt one’s natural vaginal environment.

The vagina is self-cleansing and continually producing fluid that “flushes” the vagina. Tampons (rayon and cotton) absorb this protective fluid and can disrupt the normal acidic vaginal environment.

Remember to wash and rinse your hands before inserting and removing your DivaCup. Wash your DivaCup well with The DivaWash or a low or balanced pH, unscented soap and warm water at least twice a day. The best cleaning agent to use is The DivaWash. We have formulated it to be pH balanced at 5.5, which is best for the cup and you, as it does not leave residue. Also, it should be boiled for five to ten (5 -10) minutes at the end of each cycle. Please review the Cleaning and Caring category in the FAQs for boiling instructions.

Can you wear The DivaCup during intercourse?

No, The DivaCup is bell-shaped and worn low near the vaginal opening. It should be removed before intercourse. The DivaCup is not a birth control device and should not be used for this purpose. The DivaCup is regulated by the FDA and Health Canada solely for use only as feminine hygiene protection.

Can The DivaCup become stuck? If it happens, what do I do?

It is highly unlikely that The DivaCup will become “stuck”, because the vagina is only approximately 4 or 5 inches long! If The DivaCup moves up and becomes harder to reach, simply push down (or bear down) with your stomach muscles (similar to having a bowel movement). Reach inside the vagina and pull on the stem until you can reach the base of the cup. Squeeze the base.

Make sure that you are relaxed while doing this so that your vaginal muscles do not become tense. Once you have squeezed the base to release the air, pull the cup out at a sideways angle. This allows more air to enter the vagina, and it will then be able to be removed easily. If you still cannot reach The DivaCup, squat on the floor. This will automatically lower the cup because this position shortens the vagina.

The important thing to remember is not to panic as this will make the vaginal muscles very tense and can cause the cup to be harder to remove. If the stem feels “slippery”, wait a bit, relax, and try again by bearing down on the muscles. This will push the cup down to the lower part of the vagina, then you will be able to pinch the base and remove.

Why shouldn't I store The DivaCup in a plastic Ziploc bag or other plastic container?

The DivaCup should not be stored in a plastic “Ziploc type” bag or other plastic container. It’s impossible for moisture to evaporate when using plastic storage. It’s best that The DivaCup be stored completely dry in a cotton bag to allow air flow. Bacteria thrives in moisture.

Try out Coborns Delivers for groceries

Getting groceries delivered is a luxury — one that Coborns makes easy to obtain.

Formerly SimonDelivers, Coborns now services the Twin Cities area and St. Cloud. I have to confess that I’ve never stepped foot in an actual Coborn’s store, but I’ve sure been enjoying the groceries that have been delivered to my place the last few weeks!

I had a few concerns when I started.

• I’m pretty picky about my produce; would the stuff I get delivered be fresh?

Not only was it fresh, but we received the yummiest blueberries I’ve ever had! They weren’t mushy; they weren’t flavorless. Instead they were popping with flavor. My daughter and I ate the whole cartoon in one sitting. Delicious! I was quite impressed.

• Would it be a pain to have to wait around for the delivery?

I do have to plan a delivery for when I know I’ll be home because of the neighborhood I live in. In some ways that’s a little stressful because right now I’m coming and going a lot. Coborns assigns you a four to five-hour window when your groceries will come (you pick the day and whether it’s morning or afternoon). The day of the delivery, you can log onto your account to find out a specific time, with a half-hour cushion. The really nice thing is you can sign up for notifications via either email or text to let you know if something has changed. Last week when it snowed, my time ended up changing four or five times; I completely understood and was glad it wasn’t me out in that weather trying to drive and then haul the groceries into the house. I hate parking across the street, climbing over the snowbanks, digging for my keys when my hands are full, and then climbing the flight of stairs into my upper duplex. That’s why I love grocery delivery so much. If you live in a good neighborhood, you can have the groceries delivered when you’re not home. The insulated totes everything comes keep food good for several hours. Then you can either store the totes until your next delivery, or call to have them picked up.

I also like it that I can recycle the insulated bags my fruit come in, as well as the various plastic bags the rest of the groceries are in. I just need to send them back next time I get an order.

• Would my choices be limited?

I have discovered that I can’t find everything I usually buy at Coborns. But then, I’ve been shopping at a co-op and regular grocery store for years, so I’m used to going a few places for my groceries. They do have a “Organic & Natural” page that I go to. I haven’t been able to find the specific Greek-style yogurt I eat, the Babybel cheese my two-year-old is addicted to, or bread on par with what the Seward Co-op sells (olive - yum!). But for the most part, I’m just switching brands and I’ve been fine.

There is also a page for “Local Favorites” which features items from local restaurants, bakeries, businesses and farms. Among these are Ruhland’s Studel, MinneSalsa, Angie’s Kettle Corn, Thousand Hills Cattle Company, Izzy’s Ice Cream, D’Amico & Sons, Great Harvest Bread Company and Peace Coffee. I’m a little disappointed they’ve discontinued carrying the Alexis Bailey Ratafia; maybe they’ll bring it back.

• Would I like shopping online for groceries or would I forget stuff because I wasn’t being reminded by the sight of things?

I’ve become a huge fan of online shopping this year because it’s so much easier than dragging my kid out in the cold and then through the store. She doesn’t have a whole lot of patience and would rather be running around at a park. Thus far, grocery shopping has been a matter of clicking and buying. I did forget something this week, and there’s a helpful box that comes up right before you finish your purchase asking if you forgot something — and it provides you with a list of some of the items you bought last time. How nice is that?

Also, every time you shop after the first one you can go to your Master List and view items purchased from the last eight orders. This makes ordering much faster. I don’t know about you, but I tend to buy the same stuff each week. We always need oranges, bananas, Soy milk, avocados and lettuce.

I like that I can order the afternoon or evening before (by 11 p.m.) and get my groceries delivered the next day. Apparently you can get same-day delivery for an additional fee. And so far the delivery guys have been super friendly and nice. If I’ve got questions, they’ve got answers. I’ve also called in a few times to ask questions and to get help making sure my coupons work. I get a real person without having to press too many buttons, and they’ve also been friendly and helpful. You don’t find that everywhere.

• Do the groceries cost more? How much is delivery?

I have to confess that so far I’m so enamoured with grocery delivery that I haven’t compared pennies to pennies what I’m spending. Delivery is usually just $5 (a deal, I think!), and right now I have free delivery for three months as a new customer. I also got $20 off my first order because a friend refered me, and now through a couple promotions I’ll save $50 on three orders. I like that there is a special tab for “Specials,” and I can shop off that if I want. And there’s a button for “Penny Pincher Coupons.” You can use manufacturer coupons, as well; just input the amount saved at checkout and then hand your delivery guy the envelope of coupons with your order number on it. You can access the Weekly Specials ad, which conveniently also comes with your order so you can scan it before ordering the next week.

There’s a club for almost everyone, too: The Baby Club, the Wine Club, and the Pet Club. You earn rewards after purchasing a certain amount. For example, if you’re part of the Baby Club, you get a $10 voucher for groceries after you spend $150 in infant purchases.

I’m thrilled that I can order beer, wine and spirits and have them delivered by the nice Coborn’s man. (I just have to be home to sign for it.) Again, I hate trying to hold my daughter and carry all that stuff out of a store. I don’t have that many hands.

I recommend using Coborns Delivers. It’s been great for us! And I only feel slightly lazy.

FEATURES:

• Next-day delivery, 7 days a week.

Available in most neighborhoods. Order by 11 p.m.

• No need to be home for delivery.

Insulated totes keep groceries fresh or frozen for hours.

FIND OUT MORE:

Call 763-971-4900

Browse www.cobornsdelivers.com