OhCripes.com

Take two of these
Everyone is bombarded with ads for some form of new ailment or condition curing drug these days. They usually go something like “My hair was falling out in large clumps and I had a spotted, limp and twitching appendage. That is until I started taking xylephonisiamesol.(-made up, I hope)” Which 9 times out of 10 is followed by a fast talking narrarator or extremely small print stating all the side effects or serious to lethal reactions. On an almost equal level are the number of natural or herbal based supplements available. I personally try to remain skeptical with all of these. There are however two that I have found to work extremely well and exactly as advertised. Apple cider vinegar and garlic. A couple years ago after the usual doctor visit and requisite lab work that followed I was informed-like millions of other americans-that my cholesterol was somewhat high. My doctor of course suggested that I start taking a low dose of lipitor. So after asking the usual questions I did. That same week I started getting night sweats and not feeling all that great in general. So, without consulting my doctor I stopped taking the medication and I was back to normal. Well, I had read on the net at one time that garlic was supposed to help lower cholesterol. I did a little research and found that it does indeed help to lower it. So I started taking 2 1000mg gel tabs a day and when I went back to my doctor for follow up lab tests guess what? My cholesterol had dropped 30 points. After taking the garlic for a few years now my levels are in what is considered a normal range.

At the risk of sounding like another one of those commercials here is my other ailment and remedy.
For well over 5 years now I have been taking Ranitidine for my acid reflux “disease”. Well a few months back I was again doing a little research on the net and came across a few articles that talked about how apple cider vinegar has all sorts of positive effects on ones health. One of those includes controlling acid reflux. Now I am a coffee fanatic. Speaking of which, time for a refill. Be right back……
………………………………………………….
…So the amount of the java juice that I consume in an average day along with my normal diet are enough to make muriatic acid look not all that dangerous. Most of the articles I read stated something about taking a couple tablespoons of cider vinegar a day. I personally just drink a good size sip in the morning and at night. When I tell people that I drink it plain I get the usual looks and comments. Yes, I am odd and you get used to it or you can certainly mix it in with something. Well, needless to say I’m not taking the ranitidine anymore and I feel a lot better to boot. If you are going to try either of these yourself I suggest that you do your own research. The cider vinegar will state right on the label apple cider vinegar. diluted to 5% acidity with water. Do not drink the clear stuff or the kind that says flavored. That’s my bit of advice. As always, if you follow my lead you are responsible for anything that happens to you as a result.

Embers=no vacuum.
So. This year I bought a pellet stove as an alternative to the mile high gas bills I paid last year. Well, I had been cleaning the stove every other day by means of a household vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. All was wonderful, warm and easy on the wallet until last week (I intentionally forget which day) when I was short on time and therefore not taking the usual safety precautions that are NECESSARY when dealing with a solid fuel heat source. I began cleaning in the usual manner by opening the door and vacuuming the inside of the stove after having let it cool for around 45 minutes or so. While doing so I noticed a glowing ember on the inner left side of the fire chamber so, I turned off the vacuum and looked at the vacuum bag compartment to see if there was any smoke. There wasn’t any. My wife at this point was watching me clean the stove and I had made the comment that there was an ember on the left hand side. I proceeded by starting up the vacuum and watched it for a few seconds. No smoke. Well, I figured why not finish cleaning out the firepot where there were no embers, only ash. Great idea! Only seconds later smoke started billowing from the vacuum and quickly filling the room. I immediately shut it off.
Now you would think this is where I would take the darn thing outside right? Wrong. I couldn’t help but open the bag compartment to see how bad it was. (Not good. VERY DUMB.) Flames appeared from the cleaner bag while ash and embers fell on the hardwood floor that my wife and I had refinished only weeks prior.
(Speed Racer Mode)
I unplugged the vacuum, yelled for water to douse the floor with and rushed outside with the vacuum in hand. The good news is that the hardwood floor only suffered a few minor discolored spots from the hot embers. However the plastic vacuum did not fare so well after coming in contact with Mr. Flames. That night I returned home from work to discover 2 new vacuum cleaners. A regular household and a shop vac.
Moral of the story: Showering before work is not worth nearly burning your house down.

The vacuum wasn’t That bad. Just a few small melt marks as you can see below:

Embers=no vacuum.
So. This year I bought a pellet stove as an alternative to the mile high gas bills I paid last year. Well, I had been cleaning the stove every other day by means of a household vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. All was wonderful, warm and easy on the wallet until last week (I intentionally forget which day) when I was short on time and therefore not taking the usual safety precautions that are NECESSARY when dealing with a solid fuel heat source. I began cleaning in the usual manner by opening the door and vacuuming the inside of the stove after having let it cool for around 45 minutes or so. While doing so I noticed a glowing ember on the inner left side of the fire chamber so, I turned off the vacuum and looked at the vacuum bag compartment to see if there was any smoke. There wasn’t any. My wife at this point was watching me clean the stove and I had made the comment that there was an ember on the left hand side. I proceeded by starting up the vacuum and watched it for a few seconds. No smoke. Well, I figured why not finish cleaning out the firepot where there were no embers, only ash. Great idea! Only seconds later smoke started billowing from the vacuum and quickly filling the room. I immediately shut it off.
Now you would think this is where I would take the darn thing outside right? Wrong. I couldn’t help but open the bag compartment to see how bad it was. (Not good. VERY DUMB.) Flames appeared from the cleaner bag while ash and embers fell on the hardwood floor that my wife and I had refinished only weeks prior.
(Speed Racer Mode)
I unplugged the vacuum, yelled for water to douse the floor with and rushed outside with the vacuum in hand. The good news is that the hardwood floor only suffered a few minor discolored spots from the hot embers. However the plastic vacuum did not fare so well after coming in contact with Mr. Flames. That night I returned home from work to discover 2 new vacuum cleaners. A regular household and a shop vac.
Moral of the story: Showering before work is not worth nearly burning your house down.

The vacuum wasn’t That bad. Just a few small melt marks as you can see below: