How-To: Garbage Disposal

 Just about everybody has one; very few know how to use it correctly. The Dispose-All, Garberator, Insinkerator, Garbage Disposal.
Fun fact: Insinkerator owns a better than 85 percent market share, which means that's most likely what you have. Canadians call it a "garberator."
My plumber looked at me sideways when I requested one to be installed. It's not considered good form to have one with a septic system.  I didn't want to have to fish garbage out of the sink drain and cart it over to the trash can, which happens to be. Way. Over. There.
I promised not to abuse it and I got it.
Rule #1: Never put your fingers in there.
Rule #2: Never put anything in there that would require you to review Rule #1.
Big offenders: corn husks, celery, coffee grounds. Just clog up the works. My plumber has seen plastic bags as somebody equated the garbage part with trash. Egg shells and chicken bones are no-nos. The list is long.
If the trash goes out with the trash and the vegetable matter goes to the compost heap, the garberator will stay pretty happy.
To run it, run cold water and turn it on and let it run. Do NOT run without water. If there is grease build-up, throw some ice cubes in while it runs. If it smells funky, a slice of lemon helps.
If it binds up, STOP. Turn it off, unplug it. Dislodge whatever is stuck. Use the tool it comes with to reset it. Plug and play.
If it's still not playing, STOP and call a plumber. A friend of mine had a spoon shoot into hers from the dishwasher and required a total disassembly. Do NOT try THAT at home!

Good Habit #3--Valuables

I won't go into the difficult details as to why I deem this one important, but the simple truth is that we were robbed and a LOT of stuff is now gone and irretrievable.
No, there was no insurance. And that is an issue for another day.
Yes, we filed a report. With supplemental information.
No, there really isn't a damn thing the Police can do.
Really.
That said....
Find the one thing in the whole wide world, materially speaking, that you deem MOST IMPORTANT. It may be a digital contraption, the key to a hobby--a snowboard, a pistol, golf clubs--or something like jewelry.
Find that thing.
Take a photograph of it. Take several, especially if there are serial numbers or other identifying marks. If you took those photos with your phone, download them and REMOVE them from your phone (to eliminate them from "the cloud"). Do not even THINK about posting it on Facebook or whatever.
Create a file on your computer. Put those images in that file along with a written description of whatever it is: size, color, manufacturer, where it was purchased or how you got it, how much you paid for it and what it is worth to replace it.
Now, copy that file off to a CD or hard drive and put it in a fire-proof or safe deposit box. Do not leave that information on your computer.
While you're at it, take photos of your computer and serial numbers thereof. Put this information with the other.
If you have time, pick something else.
When you buy a big ticket item, follow these steps again.
Leave the splashy photographs of big diamond rings and fancy cars for celebrities, unless you think you can well afford something like that gone missing.

Well! What are you doing sitting here?
GO!

Good Habit #2--Hydrate

I can't say it enough:
Drink up!
There may be conflicting reports on the 64-ounces of water per day "requirement," namely that other beverages can count toward the total. I'll also say that sometimes "only" two-quarts is woefully inadequate. Here in the desert, with very little exertion, a gallon may not do it in any given day. Don't make me have to explain myself as, well, let's just say I was stupid. And lucky to be alive.
Yup, that pretty much sums it up!

Good Habit #1--Floss!

Here's a simple truth--one of the easiest ways to take care of yourself starts with good dental health! We come from a long line of family members with teeth issues. It's hard to know whether it's genetics or environment that is the prime offender, but either way, oral hygiene will go a long way to supporting good general health.
Floss, at least once a day. Brush your teeth after flossing.
Yup, simple.

Another Blog?

Like the world needs a new blog?
This one has been incubating for a very long time. Very.
I decided to put this one into action because my daughter is moving, literally, into a new phase of her life. Her own apartment. And she's terrified.
(I think her brother can't wait as he'll get her old room. Can you say, "spacious?" I know you can).
As my mother did before me, it's always been easier to "just do it" myself. So, I may not have quite prepared her for living on her own. This will be more than that--part instruction, part rule book, part manifesto with a big smathering of love. I hope. And I'm still working on a cookbook, which perhaps will materialize as I gather family recipes so she can make her favorites.
This is, mostly, "how" I "do" stuff and in small measure, "why."