Cleanliness Counts

I recently took a trip out west from San Francisco to Seattle with my man.  We are big wine lovers and so we blazed the Pinot Trail, taking planes, trains, automobiles and even boats to our destinations.  Being Airbnb hosts of multiple properties of course we stayed at Airbnbs along the trail.  We stayed at three different places in Mill Valley, California, Medford, Oregon and Salem, Oregon. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to Dean and Amy for The Hideaway at Hidden Lake Ranch, in Salem, OR.

As the title of this article indicates it's about cleanliness.  Five stars and kudos to Dean and Amy for The Hideaway at Hidden Lake Ranch, in Salem, OR.  https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/32271579  They set the standard for cleanliness and hospitality.   We can't compliment them enough.   

The others well, we found, it does not matter how cute they are if it is moldy and dirty.   We were both very surprised that these other two had five star reviews.  

--One shower was so bad that they had signs out, to leave the shower open because of the mold. --

Mold in the cracks,
bottom photo is from their
listing.

The #1 offense is mold or mildew in the bath or shower.  I fired one of my man's housekeepers because I found mold in the shower.  One place we stayed, the mold was so bad that they had signs out, to leave the shower open because of it.  This of course sent me rushing to the grocery story for my favorite bathroom cleaner with bleach and athletes foot cream.  It had that sweet sickly smell of when your star athlete kid takes his shoes off and you realize he's got it.

Upon close inspection of the listing photos the mold is visible.  Mold or mildew anywhere is inexcusable when it is so easily fixed by simply spraying it down with a little bleach, and you don't even have to scrub.  I keep telling my man just buy stock in Clorox.  😄

--Did you know that athletes foot can survive both a hot water wash and a regular dry cycle. --

So this got me thinking....if they are not bleaching the bathroom, what about the sheets.    Did you know that athletes foot can survive both a hot water wash and a regular dry cycle? And they did not have white sheets, so I highly doubt that they bleached the sheets either.   Have you ever had a bad case of the heebie-jeebies?  Yep that was me.  You really do need to either bleach or dry with a sanitize cycle on the dryer to kill all the germs and fungus.  There is a reason that hotels have white sheets and towels, it is because they can be sanitized with BLEACH. 

Mold in the refrigerator

--I was afraid that a spider would drop on me while I was sleeping. --

The #2 offense is cobwebs in the corners.   The ceiling and fan in the picture below was covered with cobwebs.  The bed was right under the fan.  I was little Miss Muffet and terrified that a spider would drop down beside me while I was sleeping.  I ended up sleeping on the futon/couch because of the fear. 

I know it's easy to forget to look up, but this ceiling was covered with cobwebs.  Just grab a dust mop and do your corners. 

The #3 offense is the untruthful guest.  The guest who feels so sorry for the host that they won't give them a truthful public review, is lying to the rest of us.  At first I wondered who are these people that are giving five star reviews for moldy showers?  I found that my man is one of them.  Despite giving us athletes foot and an allergic reaction from all the mold in the shower he still gave them good ratings for cleanliness.   Bad him.

Cobwebs on the ceilings

This couple of moldy spider infested places I noted here are a minority.  The vast majority of Airbnb's like Amy and Dean's are spotless.   Unfortunately the bad apples are the ones that give Airbnb a bad name and go on to give all Airbnb places bad press. My man gave me the opportunity to review these places before we booked.  So shame on me for not looking closer at the pictures.

--The units we host always get ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for cleanliness. --

Just to note, for our Airbnbs' that we host, we have a check list with some 50 plus items to do and/or check between guests.  We may have an edge in that my man is a hospitality major from Cornell and we like our housekeepers have to have hospitality experience.  But we practice continuous improve and double check each other all the time.  We wash with bleach the inside of the refrigerator, the entire bathroom, and the bath floor too.  Our linens are white and get bleached or dried on the sanitize cycle.  We even put the pillows through a sanitize cycle in the dryer. Proud to note that we have always had 5 stars on the cleanliness.  

Cobwebs on the ceiling and fan.

I want to know, what you think.   

1.  Do you give truthful reviews?
2.  What should I do with my man, untruthful reviewer?   

___________________________________________

About Trish:  https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/187805284

Trish's Airbnb listing in Armada, MI:  https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24843312

Better screening for police

Wednesday July 6, 2016, Philando Castile a law abiding citizen that had even cleared a background check was shot by a police man.  Philando was an authorized to carry the gun.  He told the officer that he was getting his ID.  Did Philando fail to follow the officers instructions thus making the officer fear for his life?  Was the officer too cocky?  

Innocent Alton Sterling was executed by Baton Rouge police. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlYgRNRh9H4. These executions in Louisiana and Minnesota follow a long string of deaths of black people at the hands of the police — in Staten Island; Cleveland; Baltimore; Ferguson, Mo.; and North Charleston, S.C.,Saratoga Springs, Utah ,  Beavercreek, Ohio, among others dating back to 2014 and beyond — that have stoked outrage around the country. These executions, many of them at least partly caught on video, have led to discussion about race relations and law enforcement.

Then we have multiple examples of police use of excessive violence and extreme aggressiveness.  Recall Jamal Jones and Hammond Illinois police, that dragged him from his car for a seat belt violation.  http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/family-sues-hammond-police-over-traffic-stop-violence Note the attitude of the police in this video.  http://www.mintpressnews.com/video-belligerent-cop-loses-it-on-man-for-exercising-his-rights/196836/  I believe this man would have been dead had he been black.

In recounting my own recollections of surburban police. I find them to be not having the appropriate temperament or empathy to be police.

In Armada, a working mother of three, at a local business. She was friendly with and well known to the local police. The courts made a mistake and failed to remove a bench warrant for a late traffic ticket. A local police man, one she knew by name and had waited on regularly, came to her house and arrested her in front of children, traumatized the children. She even produced the paperwork proving the bench warrant was a mistake. He knew her, he could have given her 24 hours to get it straightened out with the courts before dragging her to jail. But to no avail. It cost her $500 for bail and her job before the courts admitted their mistake, but she and children paid the price for this “yahoo” cop's very poor judgement.

I have first hand knowledge of more local “yahoo” cops, breaking down doors to go after a non-violent parolee for missing drug/alcohol testing, instead of calling the landlord to get a key. They broke down the door ($300 of damage) only to find the parolee passed out on the couch. But the landlord was stuck with the bill for the door repair.

I have more examples of inappropriate behavior by police. Police that were sued for their behavior and more...

All of this brings to light several actions that need to be taken.  These actions need to be taken at the state level. These police officers do not have the appropriate temperament or empathy to be police.

1. I think we need to screen potential police officers with higher screening standards. It is not an easy job. They are faced with numerous situations that is becoming obvious, that many just do not have the temperament for. Those with racist attitudes, sexist attitudes, insecurity and/or aggression issues need to be screened out.
2. Train police officers again that they are there to serve and protect, not harass and kill the very citizens they are suppose to be protecting.
3. Train police on the differences between civility, politeness and rudeness as well as more cultural and sensitivity awareness.
4. Train the kids in drivers training to understand, what is expected of them if they are pulled over by the police. Both for their safety as well as the safety of the officers.

H.R. Rustica --- Another big hit for Armada, MI

Armada Area in Michigan has been producing some winners in recent years.  We all know about the Armada Fair.  But Armada is also the home for Achatz Pies,  Slaughted At Sundown and recently Blake's Hard Cider.   Now there is H.R. Rustica a home grown, alternative, funk, rock band. 


My son took me to see H.R. Rustica on Friday night and I was pleasantly surprised.  So many bands get into performing and end up becoming wedding bands.  But I don't see that path for this band.   over 50% of what they play is ORIGINAL.   Friday night they were the headliners.  In another year or they will be headlining for the Armada Fair. 

They are a hot new original music alternative rock band with major talent and creativity.   I was very impressed with the following: 

• The voice.... Michelle is awesome!
• The sound.... Truly cohesive integrated "alternative rock" band.
• The look.... Cece is the hot rock-n-roll babe of the band.
• The driving creative force..... Don is the leader and song writer for this band.

They play mostly their own stuff.   If you get the opportunity do go see them.    If this band keeps going they will be big and I get to say I knew them when.... 

H.R. Rustica on Facebook

Check 'em out on Reverbnation

Real Relationships have Trust

If you don't have trust, you don't have a relationship.  You have an acquaintance.  I have found 3 things that you must have for a real relationship.

1. You have to have trust.  Trust that keeps us together.  I trust him, he trusts me. 
2. Respect for each other.  He has a life, he is busy with work, his friends and his theater.  I have my work,my friends and my stuff going on too.  So, if we don't have time to talk for a couple days, we are cool with it, because we understand that the other is busy.  
3. Understand what pushes their buttons.... With my Mark... he can't take drama.  That is cool with me, because I'm not a drama kind of gal.  If we want that we turn on Judge Judy or Dr. Phil.  

Partridge in a Pear Tree

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

This week, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

(illustration from: http://dart.fine-art.com/artlistinginfo.asp?i=56639)

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.'

The author is unknown, but thanks to my Aunt Honey for forwarding this to me.

TSA - Is it actually run by a 3rd World Country?

I recently took a trip to Memphis. I flew... and had to go through the TSA security. I went to the their website and read about what I could and could not take through security.

I even read their FAQs: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/editorial_1029.shtm#5

They made it very clear that they were a govermental agency; paid for by government money (i.e.... my taxes).

So I am standing in the TSA line at the airport and I noticed there are two TSA lines.... one for 1st class and one for the rest of us. And to my amazement I see that our TSA screens the 1st class passengers first.

In most airports, the airline, not the TSA controls sets preferences for the TSA as to who gets screened first. So even though it's our tax dollars that pays the TSA bills. They are being dictated to by the airline's preferences for their customers.... (first class, preferred, elite, etc get screen first?......)

This rubs me the wrong way. It just does not seem right that government employees are being controlled by the airlines. It's bad enough that we have to deal with the loss of privacy as it is.

The more I think about it the more this stinks like something you would see in a 3rd world country. Where bribes are the normal part of business. It's un-American. Is our TSA being run (or bribed) by a 3rd world government (the airlines) in order to screen their 1st class or elite customers first? Are the 1st class customers bribing the TSA via the airlines to get screened first?

So, I have sent an email off to the TSA and found out that the access, i.e... the line to go through TSA is actually owned by the airline.  

What do you think?  Is our TSA being run by the airlines like bribes in a 3rd world country?

Great Truths of Life - Cute

I am often emailed some great things and this one I just have to share. I have no idea who the author is, but these are very cute. Enjoy!


GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandma's lap.

GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:

1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
3) Families are like fudge .... mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.







GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD:

1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.



THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:

1) You believe in Santa Claus.
2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus.
4) You look like Santa Claus.





SUCCESS:

At age 4 success is . . . . Not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . . Having friends.
At age 17 success is . . . Having a driver's license.
At age 35 success is . . . Having money.
At age 50 success is . . . Having money..
At age 70 success is . . . Having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . . . Having friends.
At age 80 success is . . . Not piddling in your pants.