mbvoelker

ljspotlight, posting in lj_spotlight @ 09:38 am: 12/21/09 Homepage Spotlight
i_hope_that
For many of us, the holidays can be kind of rough. If you're searching for a network of understanding friends, this ultra-nurturing community encourages you to express your heartfelt wishes and offer other members encouragement and acceptance. Not for the terminally snarky or emotionally-challenged, this is a good-spirited place to lend comfort and support.

Tags: i_hope_that, support, wishes

ljspotlight, posting in lj_spotlight @ 09:37 am: 12/21/09 Homepage Spotlight
diygifts
Feeling crafty? If you've got a few last folks on your holiday gift list, this is a great place to seed your creativity and generosity. You'll also discover wonderful DIY tips to decorate your home and entertain guests. Offering a no-frills-no-skills attitude that welcomes the cash-challenged and arts-phobic, you're sure to get ideas and make friends in the process.

Tags: crafts, diygifts, do it yourself

ljspotlight, posting in lj_spotlight @ 09:36 am: 12/21/09 Homepage Spotlight
cooking_club
A fun and friendly community dedicated to those who love to cook, whether you're a meat-and-potatoes type, an aspiring gourmand, and/or a vegan. In search of a brilliant dish to use up those weekly leftovers? Post your ingredients and you'll be whipping up a feast by dinner. You can also share favorite recipes. For Type A chefs, you can spice up your culinary repertoire with exciting cooking challenges.

Tags: cooking_club

intensity10, posting in do_it_yourself @ 03:18 pm: Not so squeaky door...
My bedroom door was squeaking everytime I opened and closed it. There was a bunch of black gunk on the hinges so i cleaned that up and then sprayed them with WD-40. Well, it doesn't squeak anymore but now I have only two options, the door either has to be completely closed or wide open. At night I need to have the door ajar to keep in the heat my bedroom but also so the cat can get in and out. Right now I stick something behind it but it's not ideal. Anyone have any ideas of how to fix this problem?

Thanks

ljspotlight, posting in lj_spotlight @ 05:33 pm: 12/14/09 Homepage Spotlight
stepstomarrow
When granddaughter, Jada, was born with leukemia, a donor-match was located and Jada made a miraculous recovery. In honor of her grandaughter's health, Jeanna has decided to walk across the country (in the dead of winter) to raise awareness and build support for the bone marrow registry (all that's required is a cheek swab). Follow Jeanna's remarkable journey as she travels the United States by foot.

thruthekeyhole, posting in do_it_yourself @ 07:16 am: In the shower, what is the thing called that is between the taps that you pull to start the shower?

leswamp, posting in do_it_yourself @ 03:07 pm: Report a company to NYC state licensing board?
If you saw my last two posts to this community none of this will shock you. Lol. The plumbing company refuses to make it right so we have no choice but to report them to the BBB. That part is easy and I know how to do it. What's harder is figuring out how to report them to the NY state licensing board. If anyone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

ljspotlight, posting in lj_spotlight @ 10:14 am: 12/14/09 Homepage Spotlight
taste_buds
Holidays provide a built-in excuse for indulgent entertaining. This all-purpose foodie community covers everything from homemade hangover cures to dinner party menus. Need quick advice? Get five-minute snack suggestions, low-fat ingredient substitutes, and even measurement conversions. Delicious recipes garnished with humorous advice. Yum.

Tags: taste_buds

ljspotlight, posting in lj_spotlight @ 10:09 am: 12/14/09 Homepage Spotlight
naturesbeauty
Always on the lookout for compelling images, we were delighted to discover this flourishing community of artists who share a love of nature. Honoring the subject with photographs, paintings, sketches, prose, poetry, and other creative works, you'll be simultaneously riveted to your monitor and inspired to run helter skelter towards the nearest wooded dale.

Tags: naturesbeauty

leswamp, posting in do_it_yourself @ 04:05 pm: Silicone sealant. The saga continues.
OK, we hope to get a real plumber, (this guy was supposed to be a real plumber and we're working with his bosses, if that's possible. If they're dicks we have a more reliable option) to address the problem but in the meantime, what's the best way for me to remove the mess this idiot monkey made?

http://community.livejournal.com/do_it_yourself/161798.html

I just want this messy nasty gunk the hell off my bathtub.

Thanks.

*Edit. Wow. My husband got rid of every trace of it with a moist paper towel and his fingernail. What a stellar job this "plumber" did. I guess we go to the licensing board and the better business folks and all that. (We'll give the company a chance to make it right but we're not holding our breath.)

Now to hire a plumber with hardcore references.

baron_waste, posting in do_it_yourself @ 10:47 am: Is this a serious problem?

A question to those better experienced than I:

My house is at least thirty years old. The tub in the upstairs bathroom was built into it: It's a one-piece tub/stall of fiberglas. Never given me any problems... until now.

Recently - this past week - I stepped into the tub and it went TUNK! Nothing followed, but when I stepped out it went tunk again. I've knelt down with a flashlight to examine it: Unknownst to me, the surface is pitted everywhere with wear pocks, tiny flea-egg-sized openings in the veneer. There are hairline craze-cracks everywhere.

If I step in the right place, even now the tub surface goes crik-k-k...

Now, I've got happy with the silicone sealer, beaded every last pock and coated every visible crack. Nonetheless... Am I about to crash through the tub floor? Is that tub supported on joists? Is it safe to stand in?

Obviously, the tub needs replaced. Is it desperate? So far, I've got away with stepping in, standing absolutely still, and stepping out. So far. Am I rolling a 'saving throw' every time I take a shower?

leswamp, posting in do_it_yourself @ 04:33 am: Silicone sealant.
I know this does not fall into do-it-yourself but it might if I have to fix the problem.

Our plumber used a silicone sealant on our overflow drains since the upstairs one seemed to be the root of a seepage/leaking problem with our upstairs bath tub to the kitchen below.

He said it'd be dry in about 15 minutes.

I had a hard time buying that so I waited 14 hours.

When I did use the tub there was a lot of gross shedding of silicone goo.

I can't tell if this was just excess shedding off or if this guy was/is simply the worst plumber on the planet.

Your thoughts?

ljspotlight, posting in lj_spotlight @ 12:18 pm: 12/14/09 Homepage Spotlight
backpacking
Want to embrace your wanderlust on the cheap? If you're tall on adventurous spirit, but short on funds, this community can help you plan a trip to anywhere. Offering plentiful tips on how to travel light, you can post about bargain hotels and hostels if you're into urban exploration or discuss camping gear and mosquito netting for the great outdoors. Hitch your backpack, pitch your tent, and carpe diem!

Tags: backpacking