tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43912432170291472472024-03-13T04:59:11.831-07:00Cowboy Cleanerscowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-39552571064400617092022-03-09T08:41:00.000-08:002022-03-09T08:41:20.559-08:00<p> Ukraine</p><p>Many of us are watching the war between Russia and Ukraine. If you are like me , you are horrified by what you are seeing on tv. And if you are also like me you feel helpless to do anything for the Ukrainian people who have lost everything. I pray for those people nightly but I still wonder what can this chubby, grey haired old gal do to help. I am inspired by the courage of the Ukrainian people ( regular everyday people) fighting for their freedom. The beer company that started making molotov cocktails, ordinary shopkeepers and citizens picking up AK- 47 rifles to fight and fathers dropping their families off in Poland and turning back around to fight for their country, They fight for their freedom against seemingly insurmountable odds. And by the grace of God they are holding on and they are showing all of us that freedom is worth fighting for,</p><p>As a graduate of Ursuline Academy in San Antonio - I learned the Ursuline sisters are working in Ukraine and Poland to help those still in Ukraine and those who are now refugees in Poland. I also know that money I have donated will go to those in need and not be wasted or used for anything else other than helping to feed, cloth and give medical services to these people who have lost everything. </p><p>If you would like to help - go the Ursuline Sisters Central Province and donate. They would appreciate the financial help and I know the sisters would also appreciate your prayers. Donate at www.osucentral.org.</p>cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-37878706576176791522017-06-14T12:41:00.000-07:002017-06-14T12:41:00.727-07:00Operation InterdependenceIt is that time of year again, Operation Interdependence. This is when we collect items for the troops. You can help. We have a box in each stores and our route drivers will bring in items. We send these goodie bags to our men and women of the military to remind them that the folks back home appreciate their service. It also gives these brave men and women a little bit of home wherever they are in the world.<br />
Many of you wonder what to put in the box. Well I can give you a few ideas .<br />
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Beef Jerky or Slim Jim<br />
Chapstick/ Carmex ( one thing I can't live without)<br />
Crackers - cheese , peanut butter filled YUM !!!<br />
Fast Food Condiments ( you know how you get loads of these and couldn't possibly use them all -well the troops would love that ketchup , salsa , mayo and mustard) Please put these in baggies .<br />
Deck of cards<br />
Gum<br />
Nuts / Seeds<br />
Pens / Small Notebook - no pencils<br />
Powder drink mix packages<br />
Cookies /Chips<br />
Tea bags<br />
Tuna pouches<br />
Hot chocolate Mix<br />
Travel Size toothpaste , shampoo and conditioner, any travel size personal products<br />
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But nothing that has alcohol in its ingredients ( so check that mouth wash )<br />
Also no hemp, hemp seeds, or hemp oil ( Kashi and Kind bars contain this - so check the labels on your granola bars.)<br />
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I always try to find things that I would miss if I were somewhere else in the world. What would I want if I were in a desert or somewhere that didn't have stuff that we all just take for granted. And because I am a girl - I always try to remember they need some girlie stuff like flavored lip gloss. But nothing that smells too strong. ( no need for the enemy to smell our folks coming) Everything needs to be individually wrapped with either plastic or foil from the factory ( paper could be tampered with). And sadly, though many of us may want to bake for the troops - no homemade goods.<br />
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And for sure - include a note. Just a few word of thanks and encouragement . You will never know just how much that means to these folks away from home, family and friends.<br />
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So stop on by any of our stores and put some items ( and your notes) in the box. I already put some stuff in the box - and will be working on my notes tonight. We have done this for years and because of you - Cowboy Cleaners has been one of the biggest and best donors. We fill 6 boxes every year. So let's you and I try to make it 7 this year. cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-13431679459208075812016-12-22T08:23:00.000-08:002016-12-22T08:23:55.005-08:00Christmas, New year and other random thoughtsDoes anyone else wonder where exactly 2016 went? I find it hard to believe it is already Christmas. It seems as though I just got used to using 2016 and now I will spend another six months trying to remember to write 17 on everything.<br />
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So I have finally purchased and made my last Christmas gift. Spent the night wrapping those gifts and came to two conclusions - sitting on the floor wrapping hurts my knees ( and not just while I'm wrapping but for days) and don't look at what you thought was the perfect gift and wonder what you were thinking.<br />
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I hope each and everyone one of you have a wonderful Christmas. Did you know the first night of Hanukkah is Christmas Eve this year. After this year when we have seen much anger and violence in this world - I believe this is God's way of letting us know - we are all his children. His way of saying 'hang in there things will better for all you." I believe God loves us all and if you look for simple thing in your life - your husband's hug , your child's smile or just a "have a nice day' from the stranger behind the counter at a fast food place or local dry cleaners " then we will all have a better year.<br />
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So from all of us at Cowboy Cleaners - MERRY CHRISTMAS and may 2017 ( no matter how long it takes us to finally get used to using it on our checks) be a wonderful year full of love and kindness. May God bless each of you .cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-78148174422962015282016-03-16T13:17:00.000-07:002016-03-16T13:17:18.781-07:00Election timeWell ..... it's that time again. Election time. Like most of you I have been watching the debates. I have to admit until this year I never considered the size of hands as an important election issue - but sadly aren't we all now slyly looking at hands - yeah even the salesman who walks in your office???? And so if hands have a guy thing equivalent - what is the gal thing???? <br />
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I don't know about you - but maybe we ought to have a lottery for President. Throw every one's name who meets the Constitutional requirements for President in hat and then draw a name. So hey - your name gets drawn - tag you're it!!! Can that actually be any worse ???<br />
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But while the rest of the country was listening to all these debates - I was watching. Do you want a President with a wrinkled shirt??? Or badly pressed lapels??? Think not !!!! How about a stain on the tie??? And maybe it's just me - but I like the fact the Carley Fiorina wears skirts that skim nicely on her derriere and legs and doesn't wear a snug Kardashian skirt that one could not possibly sit down in or eat a bite of food.( we can fix that in our alterations department) Hillary wears a nice pant suit - did you notice the crease in the pants ???Well I did and it was nice and sharp. As was every crease in the guys pants. So do you think if you saw any of those guys up there with a big old stain on their coat or tie that you would not notice ?? OF COURSE YOU WOULD!!!! Maybe it would be subtle - you might think to yourself "HMMM there's just something wrong with that guy or gal" but more than likely you would notice and say to yourself" Geez- if he or she can't even get their clothes to cleaners how can they run a country?" Who wants a President who looks like the last prune in the box??? NO ONE!!!!<br />
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So there ya have it - my election notes. And just a reminder to you - make sure you look presidential (maybe my lottery idea will come pass and you will need too.)While we say we judge people by their hearts and minds - let's be honest - we do judge on other less noble things. So make sure your pants are creased, your lapels are rolled, shirts not wrinkled, no clothes too tight and no stains waving a big hello to folks. And if you look presidential - then heck the only thing you will have to worry about is your hands ( or feet or as Donald Trump said your whatever coming out your wherever ).Oh come on - no one really believes that stuff anyway - RIGHT??Just in case keep your hands in your pockets ( and if you need those repaired - yep I can do that too!)cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-8522756045005965462015-12-02T13:21:00.000-08:002015-12-02T13:21:58.794-08:00I'm Dreaming of a ........<br />
Yes, it is Christmas time again. Living in South Texas "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" is serious dreaming. I've been doing it for ( a woman never tells her age) so let's just say quite some time. But it's time for all the Hallmark movies ( watching 'em every night much to my Hubie and sons dismay), songs, candy canes and pumpkin everything ( pies, cookies, coffee and whatever else someone thinks can handle a dash of pumpkin). So while you are humming along with Nat King Cole rushing through the store and totally freaking out what to give that dang near impossible person on your list - take one moment to remember it Christmas and really all you need is family and friends .The best memories you have ( really we all have them) are not of the perfect Hallmark Christmas or a Norman Rockwell Christmas. Or for my Jewish friends a perfect Hanukkah /Chanukah ( and why is that spelled differently for the same holiday - feel free to let me know ). The best memories are of the imperfect Christmas - yes you know what I mean the year all the pies turned into charcoal or your sister decided to dye her hair blond and it was Bozo orange or the dog knocked over the Christmas tree and after the initial screaming and tears - everyone ended up laughing - well those are the best memories. So all I'm saying is yep we all want the perfect Christmas but the best ones and the ones we really remember are the Christmas' that went awry.<br />
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So here's some things to keep in mind while shopping this year for gifts and for the perfect outfit for all those Christmas parties ( you know the ones where the ugly Rudolph sweater just won't work). First when buying clothes - READ THE CARE LABEL!!!!!!!( and yes I did mean to YELL. Don't but anything thing that says Do not wash Do not Dry Clean Spot Clean Only - what does that mean??? It means throw it away after wearing because you can't spot clean only. If you want to see Grandma ( after she got runned over by the reindeer) wearing your gift for more than one year - buy one that she can actually clean .So READ THE CARE LABEL !!!!!!<br />
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COWS DON"T COME IN PURPLE !!!! ( or blue, red , black, white or any color other than skin color - yucky but true). So as you look at leather - remember all leather is dyed and after cleaning will need to be re-dyed because ........cows don't come in purple. Also all leather is not cow . What???? yep, some leathers are pig skin ( yeah yeah just like the footballs). So how do you know cow or pig and should you care? You can tell pig skin because you can see the pores on the skin . Should you care ? Well yes and no . Pig skin is a tougher skin , doesn't dye as well and tends to have more imperfections. After cleaning , a pig skin tends to show those imperfections even more . Sometimes the manufacturer will fill in the scars and after cleaning you will see those scars.I know we all think well heck if a cow can stand in the rain and run through fences it must be tough and can take a licking and keep on ticking - NO !!! Skin dries out ( ask any lady why she puts cream all over her face) and needs to be re-oiled to avoid cracking. Skin is not the same thickness all over your body and guess what - yep neither is a cows . So if a garment is made from the same animal or maybe even from numerous animals the skin will be different thickness. Plus let's face it how many times did you scrape your knees when you were a kid??? Well you can darn bet ya - the cow did too! So the skin will have scars - just like yours. And if you are thinking you want fur - some things go for fur. Animals will have scars and you need to re-oil the skin to keep from splitting the skin. Great stuff leather - but must be properly cared for to keep for years. So even though the cow or rabbit was out in the rain - they were wearing live skin and not tanned skin. Now you are thinking - maybe I will just buy faux. Ok by me . But when buying faux leather or fur - what should you do ? Did you say - READ THE CARE LABEL ? If you did - a candy cane for you !!! If the faux leather says do not wash do not dry clean wipe with a damp cloth - you are wearing a tire !!! Come on that is plastic junk - get something you can actually clean .( and I don't mean hanging it off your fence and spraying it down with your garden hose ).<br />
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So let's say this is the year - you decided to be ambitious and make your Christmas gifts . If you are making clothes or stockings or a tree skirt - ask about the materials . At the end of each bolt of fabric are.......wait for it ...THE CARE LABELS. So do not mix a dry clean only fabric with a washable or do not dry clean fabric. Make sure whatever you make will last for years. FELT is not your friend .... don't spend the time making a beautiful tree skirt or stocking and using felt - it pills and falls apart and cannot be cleaned. If you are going to put a lot of work and love ( and in my case blood from all times I stick my fingers with the needle) make sure it will last forever and can be cleaned.<br />
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SO GO..... hit the mall armed with knowledge, You can hum Nat King Cole and feel good that as a saavy care label reader -you will buy a gift that will last forever.<br />
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Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you are with family and friends - well the burnt pies, Bozo hair and dog trashed tree just do not really matter. As for me , I will be thankful for the people I love and will remember the ones who I have lost. It is hard not to be some what sad to know it is another Christmas without my Dad. I use to make oatmeal- raisin cookies for him each year and I still make them but it's not the same. My dad use to love to put candy canes on the Christmas tree - so as I hang them each year I think of him. ( someday maybe I'll tell ya the dad and candy cane story - this one is goes in the burnt pie and dog trashed tree category). But I wish you all a wonderful holiday - enjoy - eat ,drink and be merry. May God bless you and may God keep you and your family. <br />
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<br />cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-81147032718382418362015-09-30T12:13:00.000-07:002015-09-30T12:13:33.495-07:00The Little ThingsToday I had a great lesson in the little things that really matter. And as you guessed at some point I will make this cleaning related - just not yet.<br />
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I received two emails that I need to share with you - but due to security for these folks ( gosh this sounds a lot like Hillary's emails) I won't share the names of the writers .But since many of you helped us make Operation Interdependence such a success - you should know this ( and give yourselves a huge pat on the back or grab the person next to you and tell them I said to hug you) If you don't know or don't remember this was when we collected small food items and toiletries for the troops. I know this is probably the one of my favorite things to do. Of course the biggest problem we have is finding great stuff that will fit in baggie. I always try to find things for the ladies in the military. The way I see it - the government always puts things out to bid and the lowest bidder wins. Can you imagine the shampoo or soap that won that bid???? Does bad hair day everyday come to mind? So I try and find some nice travel size shampoos and conditioners. Then I guess maybe since my daughter is studying Public Health and I have heard more disease horror stories - anti bacterial hand gel is always top on my list . Goodness knows where these folks are located and what icky bacteria or viruses are there. But this year I found mini ( cause you know how big they are - since they are always at the gas station register) Slim Jim's - does that say home or what??? But I know many of you -had just as much fun as I did picking things for the troops. I saw cookies, toothpaste, soap and Twinkies (which we all know will last for centuries LOL). And this year we included and asked you to include notes to the troops So here is what you need to know<br />
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"My team received your care packages, They are a real morale booster. My guys loved going through them and trading items. They were just like kids. We put the notes up on our wall ."<br />
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and then the second email came<br />
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"The 4ESC received a few boxes of goodie bags today and I have to say , it was quite a treat! Things like that are exactly what reminds us of home,our families and our supporters:) ....I would just like to to say thank you for the treats and most importantly, your support.<br />
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So will you ever look at a Twinkies quite the same? I would like to thank all of you for helping us make this collection such a success, And next year we will partner once again with KTSA radio and collect items for the troops. But this time I think we all will look at those items we donate and realize that sometimes the little things we do really mean a lot.<br />
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Alright - this is the cleaners blogs after all so I am sure you are asking - what could she possibly find to relate to little things. Just this - many of you have items of clothing or household items that have special meaning. It might be a quilt your grandmother made by hand, a wedding dress , your child's first teddy bear. Many times we just put them away and don't give them much thought. But , make sure before you put them away they are clean - bugs love to eat old stains. Put them in a box to keep out the air. And I know they are disgusting ( but there is a reason they have been around so long) moth balls will keep out the pesky bugs. Also to avoid fading make sure it is fully covered so no light can fade it. ( and this means all light not just sunlight) There is nothing as awful as finding your grandmothers quilt is now full of holes and faded. And yes, I am aware that it is just stuff - but I am a sentimental slob and that "stuff" means more to me than fancy new store bought items. My daughter has all of my dad's sweaters and every winter when she pulls them out to wear - you can damn betcha she thinks of her Grandpa .I have the flag that was draped over his coffin ( He was Air Force - Strategic Command and very proud of it), I put that flag in an air tight frame with special glass to avoid fading. So remember these are the little things that really matter - take care of them and make sure that the next generation of your family can have them too. I promise you that your family will love them much more than a Picasso hidden in the attic ( not that I have one - so I may be off on that ) But they will appreciate the love those items have connected to them and treasure them, So just make sure those things are in the best condition and they will be there to pass on .<br />
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<br />cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-45810799783186583592014-12-04T13:01:00.000-08:002014-12-04T13:01:08.446-08:00Thoughts for the end of 2014Well, another year is coming to an end. Like most of you I wonder where the time has gone. Plus here we are wondering again what to give the guy or gal on our list that every year is challenge. ( a Cowboy Cleaners gift certificate is not a bad idea - I'm just saying) But we also look back at the year that was and what we can hope for or expect next year.<br />
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So ... some thoughts. This year we had no meat dresses or any other such nonsense. WHOO HOO!!! Does that mean we are all going to be thrilled with the 2015 "looks". Oh I think not. So for those of you wondering what does 2015 look like fashion wise well... here goes<br />
1. Street wear - brightly colored, form fitting (UGH),sporty outfits featuring mix and match patterns, loud prints, big logos and provocative sayings.<br />
2. Swinging 60's - miniskirts. thigh-high boots and shift dresses emphasizing op-art and retro-futuristic accents such as mohair and vinyl. Think Nancy Sinatra and "These Boots Are Made for Walking".<br />
3.Knits - Head to toe Knits. Yep loose knit garments that drape all the way to the floor..<br />
4. Fur - real and faux !! This year over sized and multi-colored patchworks of alpaca,shearling fox and astrkhan. Plus bright faux furs.<br />
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So when you go out looking for new clothes - that is what you expect to see a lot of this year. And the official 2015 Pantone color of the year is .........Marsala!!!! Leatrice Eisman, executive Director of Pantone Color Institute says" This earthy red has wine and a very warm brown underneath, which gives the feeling of groundedness,strength and confidence,It has a richness that lends sophistication. When you wear it it is a self-fulfilling prophecy - you'll find you get positive reactions from others and it builds up your confidence" All that from a color - heck Chicken Marsala is pretty good to eat so who knows maybe you can get that all from a color. But expect to see Marsala everywhere - clothes, shoes , lipstick and paint colors.I may go for the clothes,shoes and lipstick but I'm going to stop at repainting the living room<br />
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Maybe as we get older and start to contemplate our mortality we start to wonder where we are on the old life expectancy chart. I kinda avoid those charts mainly because I figure they don't include the random hit by a bus or rolling off a cliff - both of which I am trying to avoid.My theory is when it's my time then it's my time - I just don't want to be on a plane with someone else whose time it is and go with them like collateral damage. So let's get off our own mortality and discuss the mortality of your household stuff. Don't you love it when I transition back to clothes and such? But for those who are wondering what to get folks for Christmas - this might actually help. Did you know your bedspread and comforters have a life expectancy of 6 years? So maybe if someones bedspread is over 6 years old - get them a new Marsala bedspread !!! Blankets have about 5 years except wool that can last up to 10 years. Curtains and drapery sheers have 3 years. Draperies about 5 years - if you are lucky you can switch out the drapes and bedspread for Marsala this year and 2019 get new ones in the Pantone color for that year. Sheets and pillowcases only will last about 2 years.But towels will last about 3 years. So look around the house boys - this may be the year to get the your gal some lovely new bedding etc. OK not as good idea as a nice Marsala gemstone ( diamond ,ruby or garnet) but surely much more useful.<br />
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So those are some thoughts from 2014.Here is a few for 2015 - maybe this year will be less tumultuous. Maybe , and not to sound all Pollyanna , we could stop calling each other names and actually listen to one another. I hope we all realize that being polite is just way easier for everyone. A simple please and thank you could change some one's day. Thank God ( or whatever deity or lack thereof you believe in) for your family and friends because without them life would be dull, boring and just plain sad. Take a moment each day just to be grateful for your life, the people around you and (even though at time you may wonder if it isn't going to hell in a handbag) this country. If we all could just for a moment realize how greatly we have been blessed - then maybe 2015 will be a great year. Here is wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous and blessed 2015.<br />
<br />cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-39436065648086588502014-10-13T12:49:00.000-07:002014-10-13T12:49:01.458-07:00Ebola ,germs and other things that scare the c~*p out of me<div style="text-align: left;">
Well this may be a first .... I always want business. We work hard to keep our customers happy and try and reach out to get new customers. But ....if there is any chance you may have come in contact with some one who has ebola... DO NOT BRING ME YOUR CLOTHES. In fact , do not take those clothes to any cleaners. Granted drycleaning solvent will kill a whole host of viruses and germs but not ebola. With ebola the advice is BURN BABY BURN. Yep, burn those clothes - even if it is your favorite shirt or dress - light up the grill and torch 'em. Living in Texas ,I guess I may be a wee bit paranoid about ebola. But maybe you are too. I mean damn - does anyone understand what the CDC is doing? The guy next to you on the plane could have loaded up on Tylenol and flown over from Liberia. Does that make any sense? SO of course they won't have a fever. You know back in the old days - when someone came to this country from another country with a virulent disease they were placed in quaranteen. Your dang dog is placed in quaranteen when returning to this country. Your dog and cat get stuck for weeks waiting to get released into society - but hell an infected person just strolls on out of the airport into your neighborhood. Does that make any sense? So you are being told to wash your hands. RIGHT !!! Washing hands and hand sanitizer works great for a lot of germs and viruses BUT NOT EBOLA. Ebola needs bleach ....use 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. So if you are flying - get those bleach wipes and wipe away - the arm rest, the seat , the guy next to you and even your hands. Yep BLEACH BABY BLEACH. And spray your bleach solution on surfaces in your house etc. Now I must confess ... I am terrified of needles. So needless to say , I have never gone for a flu shot. But this year I think I will suck it up and hyperventilate my way to get a flu shot. I heard a doctor on the radio suggesting we get the flu shot this year, His reason was if we all get a flu shot then we will not have the flu which in the intitial stages resembles the symptoms of ebola. So if you have a flu shot and start having flu-like symtoms you have ebola. Or if everyone has a flu shot then the guy at the airport who is feverish etc - does not have the flu but has ebola. SO GET A FLU SHOT!!! I have also read that UV light disenfection will kill the ebola virus.Not sure how useful that advise is ...unless you want to put a few up in your house. But there are small portable UV light disenfection devices - so maybe get one and wave it over everything you come in contact with? Heck I'd be ok if you wave one on me. So yep, I'm a paranoid. And apparently I am a complete redneck who distrusts the government at least whenever the CDC get on tv and starts telling me how hard it is to get ebola. Especially after a nurse totally covered in protective gear got ebola. I'm not quite ready to hole-up with my survival gear but I am just paranoid to stay away from sneezing, wheezing and sweaty people. Dang - this is Texas and most of us are sweaty people - not good. But lastly, please PRAY FOR NINA PHAM. This young lady is the nurse from Dallas who now has ebola. She is 26 years old and recent graduate from TCU. Please pray for her -this young lady did what you and I could not - she worked with a person she knew had ebola and did it anyway. What a courageous young lady!!! So I ask that all of you keep her in your prayers. </div>
cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-7588628592578597852014-03-07T12:22:00.000-08:002014-03-07T12:22:55.402-08:00Boudica and Drycleaning
So you ask "what is a Boudica and what does it have to do with drycleaning?" Ok let's start with a confession from me - I do not watch the regular t.v. - yep no ABC,NBC, or CBS. I guess for the young folks it will come as a surprise but when I was a kid that was it for choice in t.v. So now with History, HGTV, and Food Network, I have all these choices so why watch a sitcom when I can learn to make a souffle, tile my kitchen or learn about history? Thus Bouddica.( pronouced Boo- Di -Kah)
This is going to be a roundabout way to get to the drycleaning part but if you will indulge me ...first let's talk Bouddica, Boudica the Warrior Queen. If you watch the History Channel or the Military History Channel then you may know of Boudica- truth to tell that is how I learned of her. In 60 A.D. Boudica was the queen of the Celtic tribe the Icene ( eye-see-knee). Boudica's husband was a nominal ally of Romans after they invaded Britain. So all was well in Wales until Boudica's husband died.See as long was the king was alive and paid taxes to Rome - No problems. When her husband died he thought he was protecting his clan by leaving a will. In the will he left his kingdom jointly to his daughters and the Roman emperior. Sounded like a good idea but Rome decided to annex the kingdom ( leave a kingdom to women? not in Rome). So Boudica complained and the Romans came to Icene. They flogged Boudica 40 times while tying her to a post. Her daughters were raped. The Icene were were completely under Roman control and they were no longer able to feed their own clan because the Romans took their crops for themselves. But Boudica would not allow this injustice to stand. So she ( the Romans did not take her seriously after all she was just a woman) united all the Celtic clans. They then burned down to the ground the nearest Roman city killing all within its walls. She then led her army towards London destroying Roman legions on the way. Alas,an army with sticks and rocks was at a terrible disadvantage agaist one with shields and swords. But Boudica made the Emperor Nero ( of fiddle fame) consider completely pulling out of Britain. She did lose the final battle but did accomplish 2 things she united the Celtic tribes for the first time and she scared the beejeebers out of Rome. So while the Romans did not withdraw from Britain they knew from that time onward their position was always going to be precarious.
Ok History lesson over, So what does Boudica have to do with drycleaning? I am going to go all Boudica at ABC. All drycleaners the same? Obviously, not. Why would one charge over $5.00 to clean a pair of pant and another only $!? Reason tells you that they cannot be doing the same thing to your clothes. So ABC found some guy named Jeeves who said some drycleaners use dirty solvent. Gross!!!! Does that happen ? I honestly do not know - not here. But it's easy enough to find out - take a look. I can show you my equipment and solvent. I would happy to do it. But bear in my - I have a thing for history - so it include a little history lesson too. But here is where I go completely Boudicca - this Jeeves fellow said some cleaners do not even clean difficult customers clothes - they just charge them. Who thinks like that? Who would do such a thing? I think perhaps Mr. Jeeves! How unbelievable that just because someone is picky or rude that would not do the job they are paying you to do. Picky people are great - they challenge you to do your absolute best. Rude people well ... sometime they are just a challenge... but what kind of person would consider doing anything less than their job . Hey life is tough, people have bad days , whatever but that doesn't mean I do not do my job. I have never ever heard of such a thing and frankly how in the great big universe does this Jeeves fellow know this stuff. I presume he is not invited guest to other cleaners stores - so where does this information come from .... perhaps personal experience? Look if you want to come here,look around , ask questions, I would love to talk to you!!! I cannot tell you what other drycleaners do ... why? I am too busy making sure we do things right! I try and buy the best products - the same way a chef buys the best ingredients. You cannot make a souffle with old eggs and you cannot clean clothes with old solvents, products etc. But like my dad use to say " people never accuse you Vicky of doing something attrocious if they haven't done it themselves - why else would they even think of it - did you ?" I guess that's why I will never be able to be congressman or senator , or president - I just cannot do that kind of thing. But here is the my final Boudica yell - A good cleaners . a respectable cleaners will gladly let you see whatever it is you are concerned about. We have had a group of homeschoolers come through and learn all about drycleaning and tour every inch of our store.
But like Boudica I hate injustice - not all drycleaners are alike ... geez not all drycleaners even think like Mr. Jeeves. This warrior queen hates the idea that ABC gets some guy to impune all drycleaners. We are not all like that ... we are small businesses without some K street lobby who do the best we can every day. We are part of the community .. we live where we work. We care ... I do ... I have my reputation to uphold. My dad once said " all you really have is your good name - do not drag the Maisel name down". So as you watch the show ... drycleaners are not all the same and this Boudica warrior princess will fight to make sure you can trust us ... call me come by ... whatever . I hope I don't end up like poor Boudica - she either killed herself to avoid capture or was injured and feel ill and died. But Like Boudica I will fight to make sure that drycleaners are not lumped into this group of dishonest and smarmy slimes but decent people who do their best everyday to run a small business.Sure expose the bad apples - heck I'll help .... but do not act like it's the majority of us drycleaners. cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-74465042538181662302013-10-30T11:16:00.000-07:002013-10-30T11:16:07.786-07:00Halloween Frights<br />
So it's that time of the year again....October 31st .....Halloween. Ghosts, Goblins, and FREE CANDY!!!What a holiday.You can dress up like anything you want and no one says a word other than "good costume." Is it just me ... or have you noticed all the sexy nurse, sexy witch, sexy nun, sexy pumpkin costumes? I realize this is the one time of the year you can dress up and everyone else is too but ....Do we really need to show all our ass(ets)? What happened to just being spooky? Frankly, creepy has taken on a new meaning with all these sexy costumes. I mean who the heck think dressing a pre-teen like a woman of ill -repute ( yes there a few unsavory words you can insert here - but this is a blog after all and I should maintain some decorum) is a ok? Why not drop the sexy nurse or witch costume and just call yourself a pornstar - it's way more honest. Ok that's my rant for the month. <br />
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Next frightening item... retailers skimping to boost profits.CNBC reports that there is lower quality in today's clothes. Did you just say "DUH"!! According to associate professor Vincent Quan from the Fashion Institute of Technology, retailers are not relying on consumers to spend more money, but are squeezing whatever costs they can on the production side. Quan said "he is seeing shirts with lower thread counts, less expensive synthetic fibers and no extra buttons." by sacrificing the fabric, retailers can keep price points stable and continue to offer up the deep discounts consumers have become accustomer to getting. So no more extra buttons ( do you remember those) and cheaper material and dyes. OH JOY!!! But here's the real fright ....According to Brian Sozzi, Belus Capital Advisors CEO and chief equity strategist " The large majority of consumers are not going to reward the retailer for quality investment via a full price purchase.Value continues to reign supreme; So from a risk-reward standpoint, it make no sense. Retailers have trained consumers like dogs to pay prices of yesteryear for merchandise that is of lower quality." So fellow pooches out there - the clothes they are making and selling is CRAP and just get use to it. How delightfully frightening to know the dress that fits like a glove will last for a few wearings and then toss it in the rag bag.<br />
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Here's a spooky and creepy thought.... My daughter is allergic to corn. Yeah corn ... so no corn cobs, no candy corn ( its made from corn syrup), no sodas ( unless diet or made from sugar) no mmmm good soup ( it has corn starch) ... well you get how being allergic corn is a pain in the tush ( or thigh if she has to use her epi-pen). So guess what happens? Well let's just say washing clothes has become a new adventure in allergies. Apparently Tide Pods have corn. Yeah, she discovered that after a day of benedryll and itching. She could not figure out why she had welts and was itching all over. So she finally figured out it was happening when she was wearing her newly cleaned clothes ( she doesn't live here - so mom can't bring it to work for her). Then she goes online to look for a list of ingredientes and low and behold ,,,, CORN . Not just in the outside of the pod but the new super cleaning chemical is corn based. So back into the washer,all her stuff has to go with a heaping helping of baking soda. So if you have allergies or kids with allergies ... you may want to check out your detergent. Oh and your face wash, body wash, and shampoo. Been there Done that with allergy girl.<br />
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So that about does it for the Halloween frights from me. Go have a good time, dress like you would want your mom to see you and eat lots of candy ( for my daughter that is mostly limited to Seet Tarts). Scare lots of folk and carve lots of pumpkins. But mostly, have fun.cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-88466891961451189972013-06-18T12:07:00.001-07:002013-06-18T12:07:17.666-07:00After You Said Yes to the Dress I have to admit that I am addicted to "Say Yes to the Dress." It is this show on TLC that has gals looking for their wedding dress. Occasionally, I am shocked at the dress the bride to be finally chooses. I really cannot tell you why I love this show. I have been married to Mike for 26 years - and we sure are not doing a vow renewal.( not willing to spend the money and I figure I got it right the first time). But when Mike wanders past as I am watching it , because no man would be caught dead much less admit to watching it, I say I'm doing research. Flimsy excuse - yes but I do get to see the latest trend and thus I am a better cleaner. I see the different fabrics that are popular and the "bling". So what does this have to do with cleaning? OK - it is June. What happens in June? WEDDINGS!!!!So here's my point - wether she wants to look sexy,tradtional or like a princess - this will be the most important and usually expensive dress any girl will ever own. ( and do not give the - "You only wear it for one day why waste the money ?" ) ( ok I can't let that pass - one day hello? the most important, till death do you part, day - yeah get the damn dress you really want)<br />
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So- by now you believe, and rightly so, that this month is aimed for the ladies. Yes, but just a little nugget for the guys. Grooms, groomsman and fathers of the bride it is still important that you look good. First, you will be in pictures forever. Second, you do not want to be the guy who looks like he slept in his tux every night the week before ( it wil be in that picture that lasts forever). And lastly, groom - your bride will be looking so beautiful that tears will come to your eyes - do the gal a favor and look the same way for her. <br />
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So you have the dress, you had the wedding and now you have a dress that cost thousands ( at least on Say Yes to the Dress they do) - now what? Well , now is the time to preserve your dress. For what you say? For perhaps your daughter someday. Ok so sometimes that does not work out - my mom was apparently super skinny - thus I could not wear hers. My daughter is super tall and if she wore mine it would look like a mini skirt. But occasionally, like Goldilocks - sometimes the fit is just right - and it would be nice if the dress was wearable.<br />
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First, if you had a fun wedding - the dress will be stained maybe lost some of the beads etc. Not a problem. A cleaners should be able to help you -we can replace lost beads. sequins and rhinestones. The hem of your dress will be stained - all that dancing- so particular attention will be paid to hem. But here is the tricky part - some stains dry clear. Meaning those stains will be invisible - some foods, drinks and body oils. So if it is invisible - how do we know they are there. Honestly, we don't. But what I recommend is DO NOT BOX YOUR DRESS UNTIL 3 MONTHS AFTER THE WEDDING. Why? Because those invisble stains do not remain that way. They will begin to show up - at first as a ring or slightly darker area, then they turn yellow and finally brown. You do not want your dress put away until you have had the oppurtunity to double check to make sure to make sure all those stains are gone. That is why I suggest you clean the dress and then watch and wait before you box. If you do not want to do this yourself, I will do it for you. I believe that once you entrust your dress to me - then I am responsible to clean it as many times as takes to make sure if your daughter wants to wear it - she can. <br />
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So how do you store the dress - mine is in a box . Not just any box. Mine is in a box specifically designed for wedding dresses. Theses boxes make sure light and air do not get into your dress. Both of those can cause color changes.My box is in a closet next to my attic. The attic is not the best place to store as it gets pretty darn hot and sometime critters get in attics and no need for your beautiful dress to become squirrel chow. Some folks say not to put veils, shoes etc in the box. But I did. I wrapped them carefully in white acid free tissue and put them under my dress. Just do not put the bouquet in the box - that's what shadow boxes are for. Can you hang your dress for storage - yes you can . But you need a muslin bag that covers the dress.Why muslin - well it a natural fabric that breathes, it is not opaque and it will be a nuetral color ( beige or white) and will not fade unto your dress. <br />
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So your wedding was oh so many years ago and the dress has been hanging ( or folded) and was never cleaned and yes, you did everything wrong - so far. Is it toast? Not necessarily. Some of the stains may not be able to come out - but gowns can be restored. Lace can be replaced. Beads can be replaced. Tears can be mended.So all is not lost - it is never too late to try and save that dress.<br />
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So Friday night, when you are watching "Say Yes to the Dress" - you can do what I do - claim it is for research - you will have to find your own angle for that one. But now you will know how to keep that dress for future generations. And if your really lucky some kid or grandkid will be just your size and poof you will have the perfect dress.One day - yes, but one perfect day -one day that you will always remember.So buy the dress you want, look beautiful and have your special day. ( I'll take care of the dress after) cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-74935901994472275942013-03-18T12:29:00.000-07:002013-03-18T12:29:00.155-07:00"Warshing Clothes Recipe" or Aren't You Glad You Have Me?Every now and then I find something that just makes me glad that I live in this day and age. I know we all worried about Obama care (how much is it going to cost, what happens to my insurance and dang I'm not a spring chicken so.... death panels?), taxes ( they keep going higher and I keep going lower), the debt ( how can a country keep spending trillions it doesn't have - it's not like I can ), and why does everything cost so much more? So yep, these are the times that try men's souls. But here is something that will bring a smile and a "Oh my - glad I live now"( unless of course we have total economic collapse and then I guess this will useful).<br />
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This is a recipe given to a new bride by her grandmother.It was found in a scrapbook. The recipe is as exactly as written, spelling errors and all.<br />
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Warshing Clothes<br />
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build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water.<br />
Set tubs so smoke won't blow in eyes if wind is pert.<br />
Shave on hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.<br />
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Sort things,make 3 piles - 1 pile white, 1 pile colored, 1 pile work britches and rags.<br />
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To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then down with boiling water.<br />
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Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.<br />
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Take thing out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.<br />
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Hang old rags on fence.<br />
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Spread tea towels on grass.<br />
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Pour wrench water in flower bed.<br />
Scrub porch with hot soapy water.<br />
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Turn tubs upside down.<br />
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Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs.<br />
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Brew a cup of tea, sit, rock a spell, and count yore blessings.<br />
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So aren't you glad you have me ? As the gal who does your dry cleaning and warshing - all you have to is put on the clean dress ( or shirt or britches) , smooth your hair and count yore blessings. So despite all the problems - and Lord knows we have quite a few - at least you can rest assured that I am here. So you will have no need for those kettles and fires. Just drop off the dirty clothes ( get a cup of tea or whatever) and come back later and all is done. No warshing or ironing!!!! Yep, the 21st century ain't bad!!!cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-14425957010898771502013-02-08T12:00:00.001-08:002013-02-08T12:00:07.522-08:00No more Iron - Is that a CATastrophe or just IRONic?<br />
"No one likes irons or ironing. We were overjoyed to learn there would soon be one less iron in millions of homes around the world, even if it a miniature replica game piece," said Mary Scalco ,CEO of the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute.<br />
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"Replacing the iron is exactly what dry cleaning and laundry professionals do" said Scalco. "Way to go, Hasbro."<br />
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So what the heck am I talking about? The demise of the Monopoly Iron. Yes, last year the fine folks at Hasbro decided to update those tokens we use while playing Monopoly. So they had a "Save your Token" contest. The fate of the car, thimble,boot,Scottie dog,battleship,wheelbarrow and iron were in the hands (literally) of thousands of online voters. One click at a time saved the other tokens. Only 8% of voters liked the iron. <br />
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"Fans from over 120 countries,including Djibouti,Kyrgyzstan, Guam and Liechtenstein, voted in the contest" said Jonathon Berkowitz, Vice President for marketing for Hasbro Gaming. Once businesses got word of the tokens wars, they took up the cause for in support of their favorite tokens. Companies like Zappos created campaigns for the shoe. Ames True Temper made videos supporting the wheelbarrow.But nary a dry cleaners or laundry supported the iron. <br />
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So goodbye irons!!!! Hello cat. Yep, the iron, the cause of many a clothing CATastrophe has been replaced by a kitty cat. Ok I will say I have seen the occasional kitty cat clothing disaster - pulling the threads of sweaters and the odd using a garment as a litter box. But the iron - oh my!!!! I cannot tell you how many times someone has brought in a garment with that ubiquitous triangle mark permanently stamped on their pants and shirts. The iron that decided to spit out rusty water on the silk dress or favorite shirt. The shine that your iron makes on your clothes that puts your teeth and hair to shame ( in the right light you could be used as reflector)The worst ever- the triangular shape of totally missing fabric - usually in a spot that would make you look like an Exotic or Chippendale dancer if you wore those clothes. SO GOODBYE IRON!!!!!<br />
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While the sad and pathetic iron got less than 8% of the vote to save it- the kitty cat got 31% of the vote to win. The cat beat out a robot,guitar, helicopter and diamond ring. ( a cat beat a diamond ring - I guess Marilyn Monroe was wrong - diamonds are not a girls best friend) <br />
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The cat will join the wheelbarrow,shoe,race car, top hat,thimble,Scottie dog, and battleship in the Monopoly game beginning in late summer when the the latest edition hits the shelves. ( so if you want an iron - and why would you?) get it now. A limited -edition "Golden Token Monopoly will hit Target stores this month with gold ( just the color not the metal) tokens of all the current lineup ( yes it will be the last appearance of the iron) and the 5 proposed tokens - including the winner - the cat. <br />
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So no more irons!!!!! Yippee!!!!!!No iron - no CATasrophe - no CATaclysm - no CATerwauling..I can CATagorically state the loss of the iron will not be the CATalyst for the world's demise. The voters were apparently CATatonic when voting for the iron. So no requiesCAT for the iron. AH the IRONy!!!!<br />
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cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-14748537907891816082013-01-07T13:39:00.000-08:002013-01-07T13:39:16.590-08:00Well.... the Mayans were ?So it is now 2013. For those of us with triskaidekaphobia ( fear of the number 13) this will just be a banner year. But we should take note we will deal with one less Friday the 13th this year. We only have two - so we only have to worry about September and December. <br />
And we are not alone - our poor grandparents had to make it through 1913. Not all was bad that year. The first crossword puzzle appeared in the "New York World" in 1913. Of course, for those with triskaidekaphobia - that was also the year of the 16th admendment to the U.S. Constitution. No need to run to your pocket Constitution or your search engine - the 16th amendment was the income tax. So I guess my point is.... what your wallets !!! <br />
The Mayans were .....? Neither right nor wrong ... they just ran out of calendar space. Since there was apparently no Mayan equivelant to a Hallmark store - they just had to wait to make a new calendar. Bad luck - they did not make it 2012 to start all over. So the Mayans were just not here to make a new calendar.<br />
So what should we expect in 2013? Well , I guess more taxes is obvious. ( guess they could come up with another amendment sticking it to us all but I cannot imagine 2/3 of the states would agree to that). Things will cost more - nothing new there. <br />
But fashion wise... apparently man made fibers will be out. ( only because the manufacturers of man made fibers are closing down).So expect to see more 100% cotton ,wool, rayon, and silk on those care labels. More clothes will be made overseas - China, Indonesnia, and Vietnam. That folks is damn shame for lots of reasons. First it takes American jobs overseas. Second, the stuff made there is just not the same quality.Dyes are not as good. The sewing is not as precise. All in all we the consumer are just not getting the quality we should. I do not know who to blame for this ....us for wanting cheaper prices, the unions for demanding expensive benefits, the government for making taxes and regulations onerous, or the clothing companies for the outrageous mark up on the clothes. Probably all are to blame. But that just leaves us with expensive clothes that aren't made well at all. <br />
So I guess 2013 will look a like 2012. Maybe the Mayans were right ... there just wasn't a lot of point in making a new calendar when the old one would pretty much suffice. Same old Same old!!!cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-30756052012935075142012-11-12T14:05:00.003-08:002012-11-12T14:05:29.576-08:00This Is One Louse-y BlogOK . Some of you may have been thinking that for awhile!!! BUT..... I mean this blog is about the louse or if you have more than one lice. So even if you think this blog is lousy - it will also be louse-y . Why would I suddenly decide to discuss lice? No I do not have lice. But kids are back in school and bless their little heads - they share everything including head lice.<br />
But before I tell you how to rid your home and head of lice .. I thought I'd share some fun historical and louse-y facts. <br />
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When your child comes home with dreaded head lice letter from school, the humans in the house are the only mammals in the home that need worry. So your dog, cat, rabbit ,or other furry friends will not be affected by those pesky lice.Yeah!!! It's hard enough treating your kids hair, your hair and all the clothes and bedding - so now you know you don't have to wrangle and bathe the cat!!! (if you have never bathed a cat ... well just think of yourself as scratching post as the little darling gets near the tub)<br />
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Lice were here first. Yep, long before the modern human the louse existed. ( I know I could insert a good Adam and Eve comment here about the louse coming first but Let's just move onward)<br />
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In the 17th century, the aristocrats of Europe leaned proper etiquette. So along with the dancing and appropriate dinner conversation topics - one learned the proper etiquette for disposing or one's lice. Icky!!<br />
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Lice for the most part cause few health problems.The main danger with lice ( body lice and not head lice) is epidemic typhus. Let me repeat this ... body lice not head lice - so do not freak out when your child comes home with the letter. The louse ,itself, is not immune to the infection. An infected louse turns red and dies within a few weeks of infection, but not before it bites and infects its human host. Now her is the really gross part , before dying the louse can poop out millions of typhus bacteria which hang on clothing and infecting other people who never had a body louse near them.<br />
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Typhus decimated the Grand Armee of Napoleon in 1812 from 500,000 to 35,000. This kept Napoleon from conquering Russia.<br />
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During the Peloponnesian Wars, Pericles , Athen's leader decide to enclose the city in 431 BCE to withstand a Spartan siege.The dwelling of Athens were packed with not only it's citizens but those from the countryside. A plague exploded throughout Athens, Pericles died as did much of his army. Thus ended the golden age age of Greek culture<br />
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In 1526, The French army had to end it's siege of Naples because typhus had killed 28,000 of its army. The failure to take Naples left Italy and the papacy in Spain's power. The pope at the time,Clement VII< to avoid angering Charles V of Spain, declined to grant Henry VIII's divorce request from Catherine of Aragon and thanks to a louse the Protestant Reformation was born.<br />
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In the Middle Ages in Hurdenburg, Sweden, candidates rested their bearded chins on table and a louse placed on the table chose the mayor for the next year. ( who needs elections ?)<br />
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Young Siberian woman threw lice at attractive men as offer of marriage. ( how guys went from having a louse tossed at them to buying honking big diamond rings - well that's evolution for ya!!!)<br />
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So now - You have received the dreaded "Lice Letter". Does that mean you're a louse-y parent? Nope!! Kids love to share - clothes, hats, brushes ,etc and alas head lice. Away from people ,lice will usually die within three to ten days. So want do you do ?<br />
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1. Wash all bed linens and washable clothing in HOT (140 degree) water for 20 minutes.<br />
2. Heat dry clothing or other fabric items in clothes dryer.<br />
3.Items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned should be stored for 30 days in sealed plastic bags. ( make sure they are tightly sealed - not lice in and no lice out)<br />
4. Use only insecticides approved for use against lice. Read and follow the instructions.<br />
5. If you bring in garments to be professionally cleaned or washed - please remember that lice jump from clothing and seal those garments in a plastic bag and let us know.<br />
6. DO NOT be embarrassed. Lice does not equal bad hygiene. Lice is just one of those passages of childhood and heck lice are just part of the human experience.<br />
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So now you know all about lice and what to do if your kids come home with head lice. And one last thought to ponder, A person's DNA in a louse's belly can be identified. So think of the implications for forensic investigations? <br />
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And that my friends concludes this month's Louse-y blog!!! Should we all say "Ick" together?<br />
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And for those of you who wonder - how does she know so much about lice ? ( all kinds of louse-y life jokes can be inserted here) . I read a great article in " Scientific American" by Emily Willingham with a title I wanted to steal "Of Lice and Men : An Itchy History." Also, you can go to the DLI link on our website and get more information on dealing with your clothing, bed linens and pillows infested with lice or other disgusting pests. Information on typhus ( remember most of us are vacinated for typhoid as children) go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<br />
cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-79038520437772376002012-09-07T11:49:00.001-07:002012-09-07T11:49:24.448-07:00Make Your Clothes Last LongerI guess I should start with the obvious - watch your weight. Yep, sadly some of us have put on a few pounds and so the old pants don't zip. But since we all know eat more veggies and exercise ( walking to the frig during commercials isn't exercise), let's move on to more dare I say practical ideas.<br />
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The Drycleaning and Laundry Institute has a few simple things that you can do to extend the life of your clothes. <br />
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1. Do not hang wet or moist clothes in your closet. Most closets do not have air circulation. So wet or damp clothes just hang there mildewing and possibly spreading that mold to adjacent clothes. Wet clothes can have the dye fade from them unto neighboring articles or vice versa. So hang those wet or damp clothes somewhere with good air circulation until they are dry.<br />
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2. Mend all rips or tears immediately.Why? Well, unless you were bending over in room full of people when that seat seam did a blow out - you will probably forget. So the button you put away to sew on later is where? Oops forgot - but hey it is somewhere safe. Or you wash or clean the garment and forgot that small hole or rip and then what was a minor repair is now major reconstructive surgery. Can't sew - neither can I ( well I a "D" in it in 8th grade). But put the button on safety pin on your garments tags, put a safety pin and note on those small rips. That way when you bring it in - it's there for all to see what needs to be done.<br />
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3.Do not store dirty clothing from one season to the next. On natural fibers ,i.e cotton, wool, rayon - the stains are invitation to bugs. Most garments ruined by moths etc were attracted first by a leftover. Plus there are some stains ( sugar) that as they oxidize get darker and eventually become dang near if not truly impossible to get out.<br />
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4. Treat and remove all stains as soon as possible after spillage. I say this with a word of warning - if it is an oil based stain - leave it alone and get your drycleaner to do it. And for heaven sakes - please don't experiment with the stain like hairspray on ink before you bring to the cleaners. But if it is a washable garment - get out what can with water first. Never Never Never - rub silk to get out a stain . Always Always test your fabric and dye with whatever you use. It is so much easier to bring me a stain than ask me fix a stain removal experiment gone awry.<br />
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5. Follow care instructions and DO NOT REMOVE CARE LABELS. You need to know exactly how the manufacturer wants that garment cleaned. You will not remember if that dress or shirt is the one that is supposed to dry cleaned or hand washed. I wasn't with you when you bought it - so trust me I don't know. Some designers make the same items but one is washable and one is not - so you really need to read and keep those care labels. If you follow the label and there is a problem - then you can and should return it where you bought it. But if you decide to wash a dry clean only garment and something goes wrong - sorry but you will be stuck with it. Buy the clothes you can afford to maintain properly.<br />
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6. Do not allow perfumes. hair spray, or lotions to come in contact with any wearing apparel. The alcohol in these items can cause color loss. So you ask - how I do I put this stuff on - well folks that is what a robe or your birthday suit is for. And make sure if you use those self-tanning lotions - it is completely dry before putting anything on. They are dyes for your skin and thus they are dyes for your clothes.<br />
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7.Do not store or allow garments to be in prolonged or direct contact with artificial or direct light. Light fades clothes. You have all seen the the faded awnings etc from the sun. The same thing holds true with the lights in your house. If your closet has a window - get some heavy duty drapes or blinds. Closets should be dark - and you just turn on the light to find what you need and then off it goes and out you go. Think of clothes as vampires and you need to keep them away from the light so they don't turn to dust ( OK they won't turn to dust but they will fade) <br />
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So these simple things will help your clothes last longer. And if you do this - then do the diet and exercise think just how many things you can wear in your closet. Those jeans from high school? Naw, as I recall that was the bell bottom era . But, it might make a good Halloween costume . Hmmm.cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-19107764702908937732012-07-26T12:16:00.000-07:002012-07-26T12:16:16.763-07:00Mr. President - He Built ThisOver fifty years ago, my Dad, Don Maisel, built this cleaners. He and my Mom took all their savings and started Cowboy Cleaners. Yes, President Obama, HE BUILT THAT!!!!<br />
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When they first decided to join the dry cleaning industry, Mom and Dad were young with three young children. I was in kindergarten. I spent many an afternoon doing my homework in the cleaners. Dad would be at work until 3am getting customers clothes cleaned so he could go back at 6:30 to start the day pressing them. My grandfather, Tom Maisel, was an accountant and once told Dad many years after the cleaners was established that those first years my Dad was too stupid to realize he was bankrupt. My Dad told him "no- I just figured I could do it". HE DID IT BY HIMSELF!!! Thank you very much Mr. President.<br />
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We never went on vacation. Dad could not leave the business. I am not complaining. Whenever my Dad had free time - he spent it with us. Heck, we spent so much time with him at work all of us knew the business by the time we were 12. Dad thought we needed to learn the value of a dollar - so all us kids worked here after school and summers. No cushy jobs for us - I was the shirt presser.<br />
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I know the happiest day was the day he hired his first employee, Richard Basaldua. Richard stayed working with Dad until he died. Does that not tell you what kind of man my dad was - his first employee worked for him for over 35 years? HE HELPED OTHERS!!!Thank you very much Mr. President.<br />
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When my mom wanted to go back to school, it was Dad who encouraged her.Mom and Dad were married when Mom was 19. She finished her college degree, a masters and legal degree. All before I graduated from 8th grade. All the while Dad worked this cleaners and Mom after school would come and work the counter with the customers and bag the clothes Dad and Richard cleaned and pressed. My Dad would tell us, his daughters, to believe in ourselves and if WE worked hard enough there was nothing we could not achieve. He would point to my mother and say "see she did it". My Dad ( and this was the sixties) taught me how to play football. I mean really play - I could kick,pass and punt as good as any boy my age. Dad never believed a girl could not do anything she wanted. WHO HELPED WHO Mr. President?<br />
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Fifty years later, Cowboy Cleaners is still here. Dad is not. He died in June. I take tremendous offense to the remarks the President made. My Dad worked late nights, weekends, holidays and gave up golf (unlike you Mr.President) for many decades.Dad wanted his family to be better off than he. He never complained. He was happy. He loved what he did. He loved his life and his family. HE BUILT THIS. He did it without any help- Thank you very much Mr.President. He believed you treat your employees fairly. He was a father figure to many of those employees over the years. Many of them sought his advice and he gladly took the time to help them.He gave generously to charity and organizations. HE HELPED OTHERS!! Thank you very much Mr.President.The government did not help him - but did he ever help the government. He paid social security taxes ( businesses match the part an employee pays), sales tax, income tax ( for both himself and the company), the state's margin tax, the dry cleaner remediation tax, medicaid and medicare tax,and unemployment tax for every employee. The company pays gas taxes (which pay for roads),water bills, and energy bills. We have bought hundreds of thousands in equipment which have in turn helped other small companies pay all those taxes ,too. So DO NOT TELL ME -HE DID NOT THIS ON HIS OWN!!! He did - and I have the honor and privilege to carry on his legacy. I have the honor to be his daughter - and I will be damned if I will let some man ( President or not) degrade all that he achieved. I will not sit here and let some man ( President or not) say "HE DID NOT DO THAT ON HIS OWN". Yes, he did. YES, MR PRESIDENT - HE BUILT THIS !!!cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-30584730079670580092012-06-29T13:06:00.000-07:002012-06-29T13:06:25.917-07:00June 1 2012I guess you may have been wondering - "what happened to Vicky?" It's a a long story. It isn't like I don't have a stack of things on my desk to write about - because I do. But I just could not face writing this until now.<br />
On March 25th ,my Dad went into the hospital. On June 1st, Dad died. It has been hard to come here and not see him. Shannon and I have days that if you came by - all you would see is two crying women. But Dad was such a wonderful man. He ws always happy and he loved his life. his family and this cleaners. It was his baby. And now it is up to Shanoon and I to take care of his baby and maybe help it grow.<br />
Last night, we received the honor of a lifetime. Cowboy Cleaners is the 2012 Volunteer of the Year - small business from the United Way. We have recieved many honors over the years. Some you have seen on the front page of this web site. But this is so amazing. Even though I accepted it- this is truly the culmination of my Dad's work and life.It was Dad who taught me to give to others.It was Dad who taught us patience and thoughtfulness. So thanks to Dad , Shannon and I learned it truly is better to give than to receive. We have learned the joy of helping others. we have learned the joy of trying to lend a helping hand. We have learned the joy of taking what we do best and find a way to give back to our community. As I accepted the award last night, I was smiling and crying at the same time. Because all could think was Dad would be so proud.<br />
So thank you for waiting for me to get back to the computer and write this. Thank you to everyone who has called and hugged me. Thank you for the kind words.There have been so may lives and hearts that were touched by Dad. I will miss him everyday. I will love him until I breath my last breath. I will try to honor him in everthing I do, everyday. Don Maisel was my Dad. I was bleesed to have been born his daughter. I will continue to try to share that blessing with everyone I meet. My only hope, is when I die - that I will have made such a difference and left so many loving me as Dad did. If I can be half the person he was - then I will have accomplished much. <br />
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Don Maisel March 26,1953 - June1,2012<br />
<br />cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-43186784166248777502012-01-11T11:53:00.000-08:002012-01-11T12:40:18.020-08:00The Great Garbage PatchI think everyone has heard of the giant swirling patch of plastic garbage in the ocean. I had and was under the impression the "Great Pacific Trash Vortex" was the size of Texas. Wrong! Truth is no one really knows. Why?Most of the debris consists of small plastic particles suspended at or just below the surface, making it impossible to detect by aircraft or satellite. Although media and advocacy reports suggest its twice the size of the U.S. continent - its not. The National Science Foundation suggested the area may be twice the size of Hawaii, but the most recent study concluded it might be smaller. But don't think the Atlantic is spared. There is a similar patch floating in the Atlantic. What it isn't is a swirling mass of used water bottles - it's small bits of plastic naked to the eye.<br /><br />We were told those nasty cruise ships and boaters were responsible for the "the Garbage Patch". Once again , not true - it is us land lovers. 80% of the garbage comes from land-based sources. So why is this a dry cleaning topic? Well ... the American Chemical Society's (ACS)Environmental Science and Technology published a report saying the major source of "microplastic" ( the naked to eye stuff ) comes from household washing machines.<br /><br />Mark Browne from the ACS said that the accumulation of microplastic debris in marine environments has raised health and safety concerns. The bits of plastic contain potentially harmful ingredients which go into the bodies of animals and could be transferred to people who consume fish.<br /><br />So why was your washer the culprit? More microplastics were found in densely populated areas.The source was identified as waste water from household washing machines. (commercial laundries are required to have lint filters and strainers to not discharge this stuff into our waste water). More than 1900 fibers can rinse off a single garment during a wash cycle.<br /><br />So what can be done? Well ....have your clothes washed by a commercial laundry or laundromat. Buy clothing made from natural fibers -e.g. cotton ,wool, silk, linen and avoid plastics e.g. nylon,polyester and spandex. Consider grey water - instead of having your washer's waste water going down the drain - use it to water your lawn ( if your city or municipality allows it ). And designers of clothing and washing machines should consider the need to reduce the release of fibers into waste water.<br /><br />Even though researchers are working on methods to remove microplastic from sewage, they cannot do it yet. So next time you wash your clothes - remember you may be eating those plastic fibers later.cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-23356120682645870152011-12-06T12:17:00.000-08:002011-12-06T14:21:42.601-08:00Christmas Myths, Legends and QuizHave you heard your favorite Christmas song yet? Mine is Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song". Thanks to cable t.v. - we get to watch all the Christmas movies our husbands can take. I admit to never missing "It's a Wonderful Life", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" , "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas ( the original Boris Karloff version). Yeah Christmas !!!!!<br />Well, I guess since I am writing for Cowboy Cleaners I need to mention something to do with clothing ( because the rest of this is just interesting stuff about Christmas) so as you know Santa wears red and white velvet suit. But the elves ( being the good workers that they are) make sure the dyes are set and the red doesn't bleed unto to the white. That is why Santa can wear his suit in any weather and the suit still looks good. If however, you should decide to purchase a suit similar to Santa's - be sure to check the dye to make sure it doesn't bleed and run - last thing you want is a red body for Christmas. Also, don't forget to bring the tablecloths in after use.We need to get the stains out as soon as we can. And while everyone makes fun of them - WEAR YOUR CHRISTMAS SWEATER!!!!! I don't care if Stacey and Clinton on "What Not To Wear" say they are awful and unfashionable - CHRISTMAS SWEATERS ARE FUN. But be sure to clean them after you wear them because a stained Christmas sweater is not fun. You only wear them a few times a year - so make sure to clean them and properly put them away. OK clothing talk is over.<br /><br />So here's the Christmas Myths and Legends :<br /><br />The German Christmas Pickle - you hide a pickle shaped ornament on the Christmas Tree. The person who finds it get an extra present. Today there are lots a glass pickles sold throughout the country. Only problem - The people in Germany have never heard of the Christmas pickle . They don't hang pickles on their trees. So is this just an ornament conspiracy between the glass factories and Vlasic? Well here's the pickle story - A soldier in the Civil war named John Lower was born Hans Lauer in Bavaria in 1842. He was captured during the war and sent as a prisoner to Andersonville,Georgia. In poor health and near death , he begged a guard for one last pickle before he died ( OK me I'd go for banana cream pie - but he wanted a pickle).The guard took pity on him and gave him a pickle. John said that the pickle- by the grace of God- gave him the mental and physical strength to live on. Once he was reunited with his family John began a tradition of hiding a pickle on the Christmas tree. The first person who found the pickle on Christmas morning would be blessed with a year of good fortune. Nice story ! But there is also this one - glass ornaments were produced in Germany as early as 1597. The Lausche company was know for is glass blowing making drinking glasses and glass containers. In 1847 they started making glass ornaments in the shape of fruits and nuts. Soon they were exporting these ornaments through out Europe and the United States. And today, they export the glass pickle - with the pickle tradition story along with it. So hang a pickle if you want - but there is no German pickle tradition .<br />Poinsettia plants are poisonous. Nope!!No deaths have been reported as death by poinsettia. A 50 pond child would have to eat 1.25 lbs of poinsettia bracts ( about 500-600 leaves). Apparently, poinsettia leaves are extremely bitter - so it is unlikely any animal or kiddo will eat more than one bite. So do not fear the poinsettia - your kids and pets won't be munching on them and you can decorate with them to your hearts content. ( OK I fell for this for a while and spent a few year poinsettia free and franky drably decorated - but no more!!)<br />Did you know our friends to the North (Canada) has a zip code for Santa - yes they do. All letters to Santa can be sent to the North Pole or Santa's workshop or no address at all - as long as the letter has the zip code - it will get to Santa. The zip code is HoH oHo!! Santa has had his zip code since 1982 in Canada. Each year Canada Post receives over 1 million letters to Santa at his personal zip code. Each letter gets to Santa and is answered ( in language it was written) . Letters to Santa come from all over the world to Santa at the HoH oHo zip code. So parents now you know - and we wonder why our postal service is losing money.<br />Haven't we all sen the movie "A Christmas Story". All Ralphie wants is an official Red Ryder BB gun. But everyone tells him no because he'll shoot his eye out. So will a BB gun shoot your eye out. No!! In order for a shooter have a BB reach his or her face the BB would have to ricochet off something. And I can try to explain this scientifically ( but frankly i can't) but there would not be enough force or speed on a ricocheted bullet to literally pop some one's eyeball out. Depending on where it landed it could injure an eye - but chances are you would have closed your eyes by then and maybe a bruise. Now if for whatever reason you put the butt of the BB on your eyes before your shoot - aside from being incredibly stupid - you would have one heck of a shiner but the eye would still be there .Most folks who have been shot in the face ( through freak accident)<br />ends up with a few stitches and temporary loss of sight. But the eyeball is intact. So properly supervise any child using a BB gun or airgun to prevent any accidents but rest assured they will not shoot an eye out.<br /><br />So now your Christmas quiz:(answers at the end)<br /><br />1. Modern descriptions of Santa as a jolly fat elf wearing a red and white suit.with a twinkle in his eye and rosy cheeks was inspired by:<br />a) Coca Cola advertising of the 1930s<br />b) the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas"<br />c) drawings of the 19th century artist Thomas Nast<br />d) all of the above<br /><br />2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was originally created as holiday promotion for Montgomery Ward<br />a) true<br />b) false<br /><br />3. The word "mistletoe" derived from the Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning<br />a) dung on a twig<br />b) yule tidings<br />c) kissing weed<br />d) winter harbinger<br />e) bitter weed<br /><br />4. According to legend the first person in history to decorate a fir tree with Christmas lights ( at that time candles) was<br />a) St. Nicholas<br />b) Martin Luther<br />c) king Henry VIII<br />d) St Augustine<br /><br />5. The Christmas carole "The Twelve Days of Christmas " was composed as a secret catechism for British Catholics during the Protestant reign of Queen Elizabeth I<br />a) true<br />b) false<br /><br />6. Know today as Santa Clause, the 3rd century monk St. Nicholas came to associated with Christmas because<br />a) he was venerated for his piety and kindness<br />b) he died in December<br />c) he was known as a protector of children<br />d) he gave to the sick and needy<br />e) all of the above<br /><br />7.The day after Thanksgiving known as "Black Friday" is literally the biggest shopping day of the year in the U.S.<br />a) true<br />b) false<br /><br />8. The tradition of "decking the halls" with boughs of holly originated from<br />a) propaganda from the horticulture industry<br />b) the need in the olden days to preserve plant life from the harsh winter weather by keeping it indoors<br />c)) the superstition that bringing greenery into the house during winter would ensure the greeneries return in the spring<br />d) to add a little color to the dull medieval decor<br /><br />9. The shape and color of candy canes were originally intended to symbolize the purity of Jesus and the blood he shed on the cross<br />a) true<br />b) false<br /><br />10. The tradition of hanging stockings by the chimney was inspired by<br />a) the belief that stockings symbolize Santa's bag of toys<br />b) The legend of St. Nicholas, who is said to have provided dowries for 3 poverty stricken sisters by dropping gold coins down the chimney and into their stockings<br />c) the story of the Baby Jesus , who had no stockings<br /><br />11. Poinsettias are poisonous if eaten<br />a) true<br />b) false<br /><br />12. The earliest known commercial Christmas card was sold in the year<br />a) 1501<br />b)1706<br />c)1843<br />d) 1941<br /><br />The answers are 1.-d 2. -t 3.-a 4. -b 5.-f 6. -e 7.-f 8.-c 9.-f 10.-b 11.-b 12.-c.<br /><br />For those who are wondering - did she make this stuff up - nope! so thanks goes out to Snopes.com. ,Moviefone, and David Emery.<br /><br />MERRY CHRISTMAS from all of us at Cowboy Cleaners. Have a safe and happy holiday. Happy New Year and may it be a prosperous year for us all. May God bless you . your family and the Untied States of America.cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-23262023482690834732011-11-21T11:51:00.000-08:002011-11-21T13:29:24.023-08:00Cranberry - Yum and Ugh!!It's cranberry time. Yes, what is Thanksgiving without the cranberry ? A lonely turkey ( whose white meat is usually dry and needs that cranberry desperately). So everything you ever wanted to know about the cranberry and more.<br />Cranberries are a group of evergreen dwarf shrubs or trailing vines. They are found in acidic( surprised? nope!) bogs throughout the cooler regions of the United States and Canada. The flowers are dark pink . They are pollinated by bees ( so no spraying those honey bees). The fruit is a berry that is larger than the leaves of the plant. It is initially white, but turns a deep red when fully ripe. They are edible but have an acidic taste ( hence no surprise about the acidic soil)<br />About 95% of cranberries are processed into products like juice drinks, sauce and my favorite craisins( dried cranberries).Only 5% are sold fresh to consumers. OK if your cranberry sauce is in the shape of a can - we need to talk. You can make fresh cranberry sauce. Trust me -it is easy. And if you are addicted to the can shape jelly - well with a little more time and effort - you can do that too. Why you would want to - I don't know - because fresh whole cranberry sauce is amazing. ( at the bottom I'll give the recipe)<br />The name cranberry comes from "craneberry". Apparently our forefathers thought the flowers, petals and stems reminded them of the head of a crane. In the early 17th century New England cranberries were sometimes called "bearberries" because bears were often seen feeding on them. Native Americans were the first to use cranberries as food. They also used cranberries for wound medicine and dye. The Indians called the berries " sassamanah" and introduced the berries to the starving English settlers in Massachusetts. And thus the tradition of cranberries at Thanksgiving was born.<br />Cranberries are harvested in the fall when the fruit takes on its distinctive red color. This is in September through November. "So what about that white cranberry juice?" you say. Well , white cranberry juice is made from regular cranberries that have been harvested after the fruits are mature, but before they have turned dark red. So all cranberries are alike.<br />In 1816, American Revolutionary War veteran, Henry Hall started the first cranberry farm in Cape Cod town of Dennis , Massachusetts. Until 1930 most of the crop was sold fresh to consumers. In 1930 a cooperative of farmers was formed called "Ocean Spray" Today Ocean spray has about 65% of the cranberry market.<br />So what has this to do with cleaning? Cranberries can be used as a natural dye. So, needless to say, the stain is difficult (not impossible) to remove. Ugh! But that's why I'm here - to remove those tough stains. So if you or your tablecloth get cranberried - leave it alone and bring it in - we'll take care of it. But if you want to use your cranberries for dye - here's how :<br /><br />Cranberry Dye<br /><br /><br />2 cups fresh cranberries<br />1 quart water<br />! cup salt<br /><br />You will need :<br />Large enamel or stainless steel ( no aluminum ) pot<br />wood or plastic spoon ( remember the wood will turn red)<br />cheesecloth<br />Large bowl<br />Natural fiber material ( silk, cotton, linen etc)<br />gloves - unless you like red hands<br /><br />The fabric must be submerged in the dye - so the larger the fabric the more dye you will need - be prepared to make a few batches.<br /><br />1. Put cranberries and water in (non-aluminum pot) and place on stove over medium heat. Simmer 15 minutes.<br />2. Crush berries with spoon and simmer another 15 minutes.<br />3. strain mixture through cheesecloth into bowl and discard berries. Allow to cool.<br />4. Add salt to strained mixture ( because all of you faithful readers know that this will .....set the dye.<br />5. Store the dye in a non -reactive container or add the material to be dyed ( if its is a large piece of material I recommend a storage tub)<br />6. Let the material soak in the dye, remove and allow to dry for about 10 minutes. If you want a more intense color - repeat the soaking and drying process until you get the color you want.<br />7. Now completely dry ( and if you are going to wear it - wash it)<br /><br />Vicky's Cranberry Sauce (easy)<br /><br />1 bag cranberries<br />1 cup sugar<br />1 cup water<br />pinch of salt<br /><br />Put sugar and water in to large sauce pan and stir to combine. Over medium heat get the water and sugar heated ( should be clear). Add cranberries. Cook about 15- 20 minutes . The water will will turn red and thicken like jelly. Cranberries will split and you will hear them pop. If you want whole cranberries - don't stir often. I prefer to stir every 3-4 minutes and keep pushing the cranberries into the water with back of my spoon the rest of the time. So you have the best of both worlds - some whole berries and some of that can -shaped jelly (without the can shape).<br />But for you can shaped jelly folks - strain the cooled cranberry mixture through cheesecloth and pour into a can. Cool in the refrigerator and wallah can shaped jelly! But for me too much work and the whole berries are sweet and tasty - so just pour your cooled mixture into a bowl or glass jar and refrigerate. It will last about 2 weeks. Any leftovers( surely not) can be made into bread or muffins - Yum!!!<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving!cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-108997704254513342011-10-12T11:45:00.000-07:002011-10-12T12:43:42.592-07:0099% Pure ManureNormally, I don't comment on politics - but what is normal about this occupy wall street crap? You have every freak and loser stinking up lower Manhattan. They are joined by rich kids whose parents apparently abdicated the ability to teach their kids common sense. Let me just say - right here -right now - if I was paying 100k for my kid to attend a university they had better have their butts in the desk and be studying- not hanging around loonies. But 1. I don't have 100k to send my kids to those <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">bastions</span> of liberal lunacy and 2. my kids have enough sense and fear of mom to never do anything that stupid 3. my kids know they would not be going back to the 100k school and would learn what it actually takes to make a buck.<br />Then in swoops the "I know your pain" liberals. I call Bulls*#^!!!! Do you own a $1000 pair of jeans? Did you even know $1000 jeans existed? Well, apparently <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Balmain</span> jeans are $1000. What the hell make a jean worth $1000? Denim is denim is denim...... I'll tell you what makes a jean worth $1000 - Kayne West is stupid enough to be pay it.Yep , that fine example of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">intelligence</span> went to occupy wall street wearing those $1000 jeans, a $355 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Givenchy</span> plaid shirt ( looks a lot like the Lamar Alexander $25 one), $500 shoes and enough gold to choke a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">leprechaun</span>. And that fool acts like he is part of the 99%. Once again , I call Bulls*#@!!!!!!!<br />And lets talk about the top 1% and the 99%. Is there anyone out there who <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">doesn't</span> want to be part of the top 1%? Anyone not want to be a billionaire? Well ? If you are honest ( and not part of the 1%) - yes!!! I don't want to work those long hours - I like my husband and kids. So yeah I'm happy being a 99%er. I am not however a bottom 50% er who pays no taxes at all. You. I suspect are not either - or you'd be occupying something asking for - oh wait we don't know what they want. You are like me - regular tax-paying folks. I like billionaires - Steve Jobs made "Cars and Toy Story" and my apple computer. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">OK</span> George <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soros</span> isn't on my list of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">likable</span> billionaires but that's because he is funding this crap ( literal if you watch the news).<br />And comparing these losers, anti-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Semites</span>, druggies and nuts to the Tea Party? That is just more - well I call Bulls*#@!!!! Tea party was polite, cleaned after themselves, and had clear issues - quit spending and follow the Constitution. These crazy stinky lazy asses - they have no goals -oh DUH!!!!! Why would useless people have a goal in protesting when they don't have a goal in life?<br />So I am not a 1%er or 99%er - I am a 49%er!!! Yep, I care about my country. I go to work everyday and pay way too much in taxes. I think the government spends too much. I own guns, read the Constitution and even own a Bible. I am tired of being told I cannot pray in public - too damn bad - sometimes you just need God. I won't shoot you for no reason - but come near my husband, kids or pets ( in Texas they are considered property) - then Castle Law it is!!! I expect to be treated fairly and treat others the same. I haven't created anything that changed the world - but I do make clothes look good. So should I be paid the same as Steve Jobs - hell no !!!<br />And get this -- the anti-capitalism wall street stinkers - have over 1200 items listed on E-bay . Yep, can't take a bath but complain about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">capitalism</span> while loading items on E-bay from their laptops and I-phones.$ 30 t-shirts and $3.50 buttons - what a rip -off ? oh wait isn't that what they are protesting? being ripped off !!! So I call bulls*@^!!!!!!!!.cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-40129152895737718462011-09-08T11:00:00.000-07:002011-09-08T11:34:57.612-07:00Don't ForgetI remember listening to the radio when I heard a plane hit the World Trade Center. That was all that was said. The announcer didn't know what kind of plane or exactly what happened. I thought "oh my". Then minutes later, the same announcer said the second tower was hit by another plane. It was then that "oh my" turned into "oh God, what is happening?". We had no t.v in my office - so we ran out to get one. We knew when the second plane hit - this was a nightmare, an act of war, and a day that will forever be etched into our minds.<br />I will not forget watching those brave firefighters and policeman running into a building while others were running out. I will not forget the faces of family members looking and praying for their loved ones. I will not forget the towers collapsing. I will not forget those brave and patriotic Americans on Flight 93 and their sacrifice. Ordinary folks who chose to down the plane rather than allow the terrorists to kill others. I will not forget the Pentagon, the headquarters of our military, hit by yet another plane.<br />And then the silence. No planes flying - just silence. The background noise we have all become so used to , we no longer notice it. But when it was gone the silence was deafening. I remember looking up to the sky - waiting just waiting to hear that sound again. When the planes began to fly again - I stood in the street - just to watch them and silently pray.<br />Ten years have passed since that day. Ten years. Much has changed. We know the enemy has not given up. But neither have we. We stood together. We showed those cowards - those radical Islamic terrorists - we do not give in, we do not act them , we help one another and we stand together and we will not be victims. WE ARE AMERICANS!!! We are the greatest nation on the earth, we are the greatest people on the earth , and WE WILL NOT ALLOW CRAZY COWARDLY TERRORISTS TO DEFEAT US! And yes, WE ARE BETTER THAN THEM - IN EVERY WAY IMAGINABLE.<br />So this Sunday, September 11th, I will pray for those who lost their lives ( I will not do that for the terrorists - they can ask their own vindictive god to do that for them). I will thank God ( the kind, just and merciful one we believe in) for those firefighters and policeman who thought of others before themselves. I will thank God for the heroes of Flight 93. I will thank God ( despite that idiot Mayor Bloomberg's objection) for this country and for our people. WE ARE AMERICANS. I WILL NOT FORGET. YOU WILL NOT FORGET. We will make sure our children, grandchildren, and every future generation remembers. GOD BLESS AMERICA.cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-33268573103421897002011-08-17T11:58:00.001-07:002011-08-17T12:41:58.051-07:00The FTC Wants YouIt's the 100th day of over 100 degrees in San Antonio. ( well maybe not 100 days but darn close). So as I wither here, I was wondering what I could possible write about. My brain is fried and I could be an ad for any antiperspirant - even though I haven't worked out. So what does my whining have to do with the Federal Trade Commission? Not a darn thing. But I just figured it's my blog and I can whine if I want to ( or it's my party and I can cry if I want to). But onto the actual topic of this blog.
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<br />The FTC wants you ( well sorta)! Every now and then the Federal Trade Commission decides to review some of their laws. This year they are reviewing the care label law. This could be a cause for celebration but it's government - so I'm going to go out on a limb here - this will probably be a total screw -up. But this is your chance to tell them what you think about the care labels. I did!!!!!
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<br />They are actually pondering if care labels are necessary. Yep, you read that right . The Federal Trade Commission wants to know if you want to know how to safely clean your clothes. ( did you just mutter "that's government for you".) And that my dear readers is just one of the thirty or so questions they have listed. You can go to htttp://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/carelabelinganpr/ to read the whole questionnaire and voice your opinion. Please do .....
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<br />Since I have spent the last year whining about care labels - those that are wrong, stupid and just plain outlandish -WE NEED TO COMPLAIN!!!!! Aren't you tired of the " Do Not Dry Clean Do Not Wash Spot Clean Only" label? Tell the FTC. Wouldn't you like to know all the methods that are safe to clean your clothes? Right now the manufacturer only has to give you one method.But most of the time the garment can be either wet cleaned or dry cleaned. But you the consumer, the owner of the garment will never know. FAIR? HARDLY!!!!!
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<br />This is your chance to tell the FTC what you want - do you want the care labels in English? Is that a big DUH!!!! Do you prefer written instructions to the fun and funky symbols? It's your clothes - it's your chance - don't let it pass you by - write the FTC.
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<br />So once again - here's the link:
<br /><a href="http://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/carelalinganpr/">http://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/carelalinganpr/</a>
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<br />cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391243217029147247.post-40491468845458661892011-07-20T13:01:00.000-07:002011-07-20T13:53:19.394-07:00Frankly,my dear I give a damnYes, I know I have changed the iconic line from "Gone With The Wind". But I do give a damn about the dresses worn by Vivien Leigh in the Oscar- winning movie. Now, you Rhett Butler's out there will care less - unless one of us Scarlett's show up wearing the drapes. But we gals, we remember all those beautiful gowns and if asked we all have a favorite. So southern belles - this column is for you.<br /><br />Restoration has started to preserve and restore the dresses from "Gone With The Wind." The bad news is - some of the gowns cannot be made to look like they did on screen. The holes, and dropped stitches can be repaired. Feathers added to the Burgundy ball gown removed. But, the dresses are old, badly faded in spots and one is too fragile to handle.<br /><br />In 2014 an exhibit will mark the 75th anniversary of the film. The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas acquired five of the dresses from the collection of David O. Selznick in the 1980's. The center will spend $30,000 to preserve the five dresses. The five dresses are Scarlett O'Hara's green curtain dress, her velvet gown, a burgundy ball gown, a blue velvet night gown and Scarlett's wedding dress.<br /><br />Cara Varnell, an art conservator who specializes in Hollywood film costumes is doing the restoration work. Varnell has studied the dresses. The waistline of the green curtain dress has been altered several times and extra feathers were sewn on the ball gown. The dresses are in rough shape. The reason was David O. Selznick realized the value of the dresses and put them on tour. They went through decades of traveling displays and were even loaned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City ( fell free to utter the Pace Picante sauce line from the their commercial here) Plus, costumes were never made for everyday use- they were made to wear for the filming of movie and then be discarded.<br /><br />But thankfully, since 1980 the Ransom Center has has kept them in a properly temperature and light controlled storage environment. Sadly, the the curtain dress has long faded streaks that have turned the fabric an ugly brown mustard color. Ms. Varnell does not believe this was caused by light fading because the fabric is not dried out or fragile in those areas that would be typical of light fading. Records show the dress was likely sprayed with Sudol, a disinfectant similar to Lysol, which may have affected the rate and nature of the discoloration. ( note to selves - never spray disinfectant on your clothes)<br /><br />So the curtain dress will not be restored to it's original shade of green. Ms Varnell said her job is to keep the dresses sturdy enough to endure in as close to original form as possible, not to recreate their precise look in the movie. ( so disappointing but hey - it's going to be 75 years old - none of us look as good as we use to)<br /><br />Varnell believes the dresses travels and faded spots are " part of it's history".( kinda like my wrinkles, grey hair and a few extra pounds) She believes she should "honor the history and honor the piece."( ha- take that husbands - honor the history - honor the wrinkles) The Burgundy ball gown, however, is still it's same vibrant color. Scarlett's silk wedding dress veil cannot be restored. It was brittle and lined with permanent creases when it was acquired and is now so fragile that it will likely disintegrate if handled. But Ms. Varnell said " we are all organic material ans when a costume has come to the end of its life, it is no different than we are.<br /><br />So in 2014 - head to Austin to see Scarlett's dresses. But use what happened to them to as a reminder to be careful with your clothes. Proper care and storage would have kept Scarlett's dresses in better condition. Proper care and storage will do the same for yours. But no matter the condition, aren't you thrilled to know the dresses are still here? Can't you still picture Clark Gable looking up the staircase - when Scarlett asks who is that man ? Don't you still wonder why she preferred Ashley Wilkes over Rhett Butler? And don't ya just feel like saying "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn?"cowboycleanershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10756651793254332571noreply@blogger.com0