Tuesday, September 12, 2017

MINTY FRESH


A day late here as I spent Monday tracking down my Florida family to find out if they were all OK.  Seems they are, though all but two who live on the same street are sitting in the dark. Not pleasant but doable. Amen.

My nephew still isn't sure his house was spared. He had left Bonita Springs for the relative safety of West Palm. He won't know for a while yet. I'm keeping toes, eyes and fingers crossed that his home is undamaged.

My heart goes out for those who weren't so lucky. I do hope you or perhaps family members are safe from that nasty and bloated storm Irma as she heads north.

Hello old friend Red Cross. I'm hoping Walmart will match donations at check out like they did for Harvey.

Now to my scheduled post.

I use essential oils--primarily--peppermint and lavender.  I like lavender in my bath water as a relaxing sleep aid but the peppermint has many uses.

Did you know it repels mice and spiders?  It really is quite effective and I periodically put peppermint pouches under the hood of my car to keep any wire chewing rodents at bay. I discovered this when the little varmints ate through my windshield wiper motor wires a few years ago.  It really works.

I also keep it in the bathroom for myself and guests to use as a poop deodorant since my bathroom opens to the living room. Just one pre-drop in the toilet water and whatever aroma bomb drops into the toilet, stays in the toilet. Minty fresh.

I recently had ordered two bottles to restock. When I went to the mail box the other day, I could smell it from the gate. The whole area reeked of peppermint. The oily package had a pink post it note stuck on it from the mail carrier that said--"it came to us like this."

One of the bottles had broken at the neck and the whole contents were gone--except for the smell.

I saw my mail carrier the next day and asked if they ever got the smell out.  She said it had leaked onto the other packages and they had to keep the doors open all day to air out.  They also had to apologize to all the folks that also got the collaterally damaged, minty fresh packages. OK, now I was feeling badly and it wasn't even my fault.

Trying to see the bright side, I told her that at least the Post Office wouldn't have any mice or spiders for a while and wasn't it lucky I hadn't ordered Coyote urine? I think she saw the humor. She was smiling at least---or was that a grimace? Maybe I'll put a little extra this year in her Christmas gift.

42 comments :

  1. Did you email the company and inform them their packaging wasn't reliable? I haven't used essential oils for anything at all in years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River,
      Yes I did. It was Amazon and they are great. They contacted the seller for me and I had a replacement in two days.

      Delete
  2. Oh my! i had no idea peppermint oil was so practical. I had to laugh at the idea of the whole Post Office being so fragrant. I also think you should let the company know. But still. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Djan,
      Yep, I did and they were quick to apologize and replace. I didn't have the heart to warn the P.O. that another package was coming:)

      Delete
  3. I tried to find some peppermint oil locally for mice but couldn't find it. Thanks for reminding me to order some by mail before the mice come looking for a home in my basement.

    Funny story about the broken bottle, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jean,
      It really does work well for mice and Amazon carries it. Pretty sure after my episode, the seller will be more careful.

      Delete
  4. I have to say you are the blogging poop queen. Do you own a poop cushion? :D

    I would definitely contact the company that sent you the faulty oil.

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    Replies
    1. Joey,
      Ha ha. Actually Murr Brewster is the queen of poop postings. You have to admit, my poop posts aim at being helpful:))
      The seller was brilliant with their response.

      Delete
  5. I use peppermint oil only for making mints. I'm assuming it's more pure than the ones for other uses. Otherwise it would be quite expensive for general use. I do buy Epsom salts with lavender for my bath. Costs a fraction of the commercial bath salts and is just as effective.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carolyn,
      So good to see you here. You have been missed. Yes, the stuff you use is food grade.
      I have done both but now I buy the plain Epsom salts separate and add the lavender oil. Isn't it relaxing??

      Delete
    2. I'd forgotten about making mints. I used to do that, soft mints coated in dark chocolate.

      Delete
  6. I have heard good things about using peppermint as a rodent repellant, this would be good for me to try because we have had them chew wires in the last car we had.

    Prayers for your family in Florida, beres hoping your Nephews home came through unscathed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jimmy,
      Thanks so much for the prayers. His home is OK, trees down but no real damage. That is a win.
      Hope you try the peppermint. It really
      worked for me.

      Delete
  7. I had no idea about peppermint oil, but I intend to use it. Our neighbors are finally having their crazy blackberry bush overgrown yard chopped down (it was up over their roof!), and I was worried about rodents seeking cover in our yard. Ah peppermint oil, I will use as a deterrent. I'm glad the Post Office handled their peppermint overload with good humor. And, hope all is well for your nephew.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. robin,
      Thanks, Doug's home wasn't hurt. Phew. The PO was good natured. I didn't dare tell them though that I was getting a replacement sent. Thankfully it made it Ok. It really works on mice so I am sure it would work on all sorts of rodents.

      Delete
  8. I had the same thought, the Post Office would not have any spiders or mice. Stuff also works on ants.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joeh,
      Didn't know that about ants. Great, now I have another use for that weapon. Thanks.

      Delete
  9. My wife is terrified of spiders so I'll pass along your secret.

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    Replies
    1. Stephen,
      I get spiders in the spring and this seems to keep them at bay. Hope it works for your wife.

      Delete
  10. Glad to hear your family made it through reasonably unscathed. Thinking positive thoughts for your nephew.

    Peppermint as poopurri....I had no idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eileen,
      Thank you. A little power outage is not fun but doable.
      It really is a great poo purri and the smell is normal for a bathroom.

      Delete
  11. Funny that you mentioned coyote urine. If the stuff we just applied as a raccoon deterrent doesn't work, That is what I'll order next. Sure hope it stays intact in shipping. Minty would be much better.
    Glad your family members are safe.

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    Replies
    1. Linda,
      Thanks, it was a big relief that all were OK. I hear the coyote urine is effective but does smell. Let us know how it works.

      Delete
  12. I can't even imagine that peppermint smell everywhere. Whew! Probably cleared everyone's sinuses, too! Glad your family is OK.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Patti,
      Good to see you here again. Yep, a little peppermint is a treat, a lot is really eye stinging.
      Thank you for the wishes for my family.

      Delete
  13. Well, I learn something new every day! Who knew that peppermint oil had such a use! I'm not crazy about the smells of many different perfumes, oils etc, but love peppermint. Thanks for the tip Patti!

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    Replies
    1. Carole,
      I am like you. Peppermint is such a clean scent but I guess spiders and mice don't agree. Enjoy.

      Delete
  14. What a lovely surprise to find you were still posting on your blog. It has been long long time since I have been on internet other than my phone..
    Have missed my friends on here very much.
    I do hope I can start blogging again if only visiting everyone now and then.
    So happy your family in Florida are safe. We just went through Harvey here and it has been devastating to say the least.
    Clean up will be an on going thing for a very long time.
    So glad you posted this about essential oils because for a while now I have been curious about them. I will now have to try both of these.
    Lovely to be here visiting with you today.
    Love
    Maggie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maggie,
      Wow. What a delight seeing you in the comment section. You have been missed my friend. I do hope you are coming out of blog retirement. I thought about you with the Harvey nightmare but didn't know where you were in Texas. Hope you and your family are all OK. Get out your keyboard girl and bring us up to date. You have been gone too long.

      Delete
    2. Hi Patty,
      So happy you replied to my comment. I have missed you and your writings.
      I am halfway between Austin and Houston. So about 75 miles North of Houston. We got about 37 inches of rain and nightmare winds but we were lucky. This old house sits on a hill so there were moments I thought I was going to wake up in Kansas..lol
      Honey I would love to pick up keyboard and write again but not sure I would be very entertaining.
      Lets see how this internet works out here.
      As always I love your stories.
      Love
      Maggie

      Delete
    3. Maggie,
      Dip your toe in. I think you will find the water delightful and it is a lot like bike riding.

      Delete
  15. I'm trying to imagine all the people who got their mail that day. I think it's hilarious and nobody got hurt, unless you are allergic to peppermint! I think I'll go out to get some peppermint oil.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snickelfritz,
      Ooh, I didn't think about someone being allergic:( Sure hope no one was.
      Stock up, it is handy stuff.

      Delete
  16. I'm laughing.
    Yes, so far everyone is dry if without power. Getting to know the neighbors is the best part of the experience of life without AC.

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    Replies
    1. Mage,
      So glad your family are all right. No A/c does open your world.

      Delete
  17. I had heard that about peppermint and mice but not the poop. I have meant to get some but forget about it until I read about it or hear about it again...maybe I can remember to get some with my next order now that you have reminded me. I do hope your nephew's home is okay sweet Patti and glad your family is all okay. Hugs and give the fur babes tummy rubs and nose kisses for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maggie,
      Hope your order arrives intact. It really is handy stuff to have around and thanks for the good wishes for my family.

      Delete
  18. Thanks for dropping by. I'm still in Hannover. Odd as I was originally to be in Florida with Buddy.
    Peppermint deters ants to and fruit flies.
    Glad your family is okay so far.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've been thinking about trying essential oils for my allergies. I'm moving to a new apartment and even though the two books I ordered from the library came in, I decided to return them until after the move.s Then I'll try again.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've been away from blogging for such a long time that I didn't get to say anything about all the hurricanes that have been slamming the south coast. I'm so glad your family is OK. We worry about hurricanes in Hawaii all the time.

    Peppermint keeps spiders away? Wow! Didn't know that.

    ReplyDelete

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