Skipping out: How do you explain you don’t want to attend a close relative’s funeral?
Here is my dilemma: social convention has it that you should attend a close one’s funeral, but what if you don’t want to?
How do you engage in offbeat self-care?
I’ve been investigating the concept of “self-care.” But sometimes the tips I find don’t really work for me, even though they work for other people. For example, some people find buying a new nail polish and then taking the time to paint their nails is relaxing and boosts their mood. So I thought that the Offbeat Homies would be a great way to come up with some novel ideas for self-care.
Unexpected party favors: What should I do with the things guests forget at my house?
I’ve found myself with a growing collection of castaway sunglasses, casserole dishes, makeup, gifts from friends that were meant for other friends. What is the etiquette for storing/returning forgotten items? If a guest claims an item, but takes forever to come pick it up, how long should I keep it? If they live far away, am I obligated to ship it to them?
Books, timers, and mallets: Home security measures to keep you safe in your temporary space
We have a whole tag full of safety tips that you might want to peruse. But perhaps the best advice on this subject came from a comment left on this post by Offbeat Homie Stilleto. She had a fabulous breakdown on temporary home security measures…
Get your “Oh shit, I’m sick” kit ready before it’s too late
Being sick freaking sucks. But if there’s one thing that sucks even more, it’s having to go to the store when you’re sick to stock up on all the illness accoutrements. During undergrad I worked at a pharmacy on campus, and was regularly exposed to all manner of germs and products with which to treat those germs. I started stocking up on supplies at the beginning of the year, so that when the inevitable welcome-back bug infected me, I’d be ready.
How do I reclaim my balcony from the pigeons?
Homies, I need your help: pigeons won’t leave my 12th-floor balcony alone. After putting up with two rounds of pigeon babies being born and raised because I had a heart or something, enough is enough. My cat chirps at them, and if they see her, they fly away — but then they come right back. I bought a plastic owl with a rotating head, but unless I move it around the balcony every day, they get wise to it and ignore it. Am I doomed to this owl-repositioning fate forever? Or are there other options?
Help! There’s so much poop!
This app may help me get over my fear of buying perishables
There is an app that now exists that helps you keeps track of your perishable food. It’s called The Fridge, and I think it’s going to help me get over my fear of buying perishable food. Since I’m so unfamiliar with “real food” that I don’t really know how long I have to use anything, I just end up saying “nope, nope, nope” to foods with a time limit.
Help me find a bathtub that is cheap, septic tank-friendly, and preferably DIY
I would love to have a bathtub, but we have a septic tank that is small like the rest of our house.
Do you know of anyway that we make/buy a bathtub that deals with grey water a la the amazing inventions of Burning Man?