DIY MOSQUITO BITE ITCH SOOTHER.

Bulbine Frutescens

The , pictured above is an absolute winner for DIY treatment of mosquito, gnat and midge bites. It will even sooth sunburn.

Just  break the leaf, and rub the affected area. It works almost instantly.

Do not scratch just rub.  

 This is a yellow flower variety but you also get one with an orange flower.  This indigenous to South Africa succulent, is drought resistant and grows easily.

Save money. Plant it once and use it again and again. Nurseries stock them, or borrow a clump from your neighbour and plant it. They grow quickly and soon you will need to cut it back.

Enjoy an itch free summer.

PLASTERING A PAINTED SURFACE.

Beer Paunch

My neighbour a true Townie ( a term of endurement we call city folk who now live in the country) popped in looking to borrow a pick. A pick ? Ye a pick. I want to plaster the wall in the basement but it is covered in paint and the plaster will not stick. I need to chip holes with the pick to ensure it sticks.

Townie, with that beer paunch you will not get far. Forget the pick. Lets pop down to the hardware store for some bonding liquid. Bring your wallet.

Bonding plaster to a smooth surface requires a brush down with a wire brush, an application of bonding liquid.Wait till dry and plaster.

No more chipping. Your local hardware store will show you the correct product.

HAVE FUN.

PUTTY HARDENING TIP.

I found this out by accident. While busy kneading my putty to replace a broken window (the neighbours son hit a cricket ball through the glass. For our American Friends, it is about the size of a baseball.) I accidentally dropped the putty into a bucket of dry cement.

I kept kneading and used it. To my surprise the putty hardened very quickly. It is still OK. No cracks.

I tried it again, this time I dipped it into the dry cement and again I had the same result.

SAVE MONEY HAVE A CONTRACT

Ripped off by the maintenance man ? He did not deliver what he promised! It cost more than he said.

The problem LIES IN THESE VERY WORDS "more than he said".

Protect yourself and get a written quote.
Not just how much it will cost, but what work exactly will be done. What he said just will not do.

If your communication has been done by E-mail print a copy and get him to sign it.

If he does not like it FIND SOMEONE ELSE.