Re: Barb, you are bitting the bullet and doing what.....

November 24, 2006

Steve, I tested apartment with mold plates first. I know people may

find this to be imperfect but it is better than trying to judge with

my eyes only, as I have not found 'source' of mold in my own home

yet. I looked a apartments for about 2 months and only tested ones

that looked and smelled clean to me but could only find this one that

I caught no mold in. It finally is growing something but looks to me

to be either bacteria or yeast.

As for central heat and air. I found those to be as moldy as window

a/c units finally. I think it is all about the air conditioner. If

you have an air conditioner of any kind AND carpeting, mold plates

always had plenty of mold in them regardless of how clean apartment

looked. Catch 22 is the most likely place to find hardwood floors and

no carpet are old buildings, so this is why it took me so long as old

buildings, which also have air conditioning are freq moldy just

because they are moldy. However generally I think they are built

better than newer buildings. If you can find an older building that

tests clean, you have a gem since it has stood the test of time *I

figure*. I discovered I PREFER window a/c units since I have found

all a/c units to be contaminated, at least you can take the window a/c

unit OUT OF THE APARTMENT for winter AND heated air from furnance is

NOT going through the air conditioner area as with central it does.

So I found small apartment in duplex with all hardwood floors and heat

is from boiler/steam heat through pipes...very clean way to heat...air

does not go through anything. Water is just heated in a boiler in

basement and sent through pipes to rooms.

Only thing is that it isn't close to my home so I have to drive back

and forth to take care of home, and pet. Apt takes pets so I will try

him there but I doubt he will like apartment since he is outdoors

almost 24/7 except to sleep at home, but I will try him there. I'm

not looking forward to it. I will have to park outside in snow...at

home I drive right into attached garage with garage door opener, etc.,

etc. I am just buying an air mattress and a folding table and chairs

from Walmart, my computer which is new anyway as old one died a few

months ago, probably due without tv as I hardly ever watch it anyway,

get a cellphone since I am leaving phone service on in my house (don't

want to loss my phone number yet). Landlord has agreed to rent month

to month since I took him I needed something temporary and he thinks

it will be good for him since not many people want to move apartments

in the middle of holidays and winter.

I am only in apartment long enough to take old insulation out of

attic, have attic inspected for mold and clean, chimney checked for

air leaks back into house, attic floor sealed so can't get down into

house, and new insulation blown back in, all carpets removed and also

all upholstered furniture and drapery removed, house cleaned including

hardwood furniture that will stay and then I move back in MAYBE, or

house will be put up for sale. Only mold appears to be coming from

attic and perhaps chimney or coming through chimney. I figure I must

get rid of carpeting because it must be loaded with spores, as

probably is upholstered furniture. While I am out, will look at other

places to live in case I decide to sell house rather than move back

in. I am hoping to get everything done in six months, my apt $500 so

$3k plus phone and electricity there. That is how things are looking

but six months is tight schedule since I work too, parttime right now.

and freezing temperatures may slow some work down.

--- In , " shybasset " <shybasset@...>

wrote:

>

> I should be doing. It must be a PANIC to be paying a morgage and NOW

> added rent $$$$$$ I estimate if I did that my monthly $$$$would be

>

November 24, 2006

Group and Barb,

What I'd like to point out about Barb's procedures is whether or not

you agree with them, whether or not you need the same or different

actions, she has a plan using information and experience that she

understands and trusts. Then she acts on that information. THEN she

evaluates the results to she if she attained her goal. If not, she

modifies her plan.

While I don't agree with all of her believes, procedures and

interpretations - as I've occasionally stated here and privately - I

DO agree with her PROCESS.

The PROCESS is what I want to emphasize for each of us.

It takes time, effort, persistence, creativity and a number of other

characteristics - many of which are compormised because we are sick -

but is there anything better?

We all agree we cannot rely upon or blindly follow the " experts " to

protect and take care of us, for reasons ranging from exploitation to

they cannot know our individualized needs. So we must become our own

expert. And my " belief " is that the general process outlined above

and illustrated by Barb is the best type of response I've found for

myself and my clients over the last 20 years.

The extent of your response is determined by the impact on your life.

Nuisance hay fever type complaints don't need the extreme

investigation and clean-up many of you need. On the other hand, life

threatening asthma attacks or deadly infections require an extreme

response. Along with all the shades of gray between the extremes. You

have to find your own level.

Become a " detective, " gather information from sources such as this

group, experiment, modify and give yourself plenty of mercy as you

slowly heal. Especially if you feel like the only person in the world

with this specific set of needs and in opposition to what well

intentioned family and friends otherwise conclude.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

> Steve, I tested apartment with mold plates first. I know people may

> find this to be imperfect but it is better than trying to judge with

> my eyes only, as I have not found 'source' of mold in my own home

> yet. I looked a apartments for about 2 months and only tested ones

> that looked and smelled clean to me but could only find this one that

> I caught no mold in. It finally is growing something but looks to me

> to be either bacteria or yeast.

> As for central heat and air. I found those to be as moldy as window

> a/c units finally. I think it is all about the air conditioner. If

> you have an air conditioner of any kind AND carpeting, mold plates

> always had plenty of mold in them regardless of how clean apartment

> looked. Catch 22 is the most likely place to find hardwood floors and

> no carpet are old buildings, so this is why it took me so long as old

> buildings, which also have air conditioning are freq moldy just

> because they are moldy. However generally I think they are built

> better than newer buildings. If you can find an older building that

> tests clean, you have a gem since it has stood the test of time *I

> figure*. I discovered I PREFER window a/c units since I have found

> all a/c units to be contaminated, at least you can take the window a/c

> unit OUT OF THE APARTMENT for winter AND heated air from furnance is

> NOT going through the air conditioner area as with central it does.

> So I found small apartment in duplex with all hardwood floors and heat

> is from boiler/steam heat through pipes...very clean way to heat...air

> does not go through anything. Water is just heated in a boiler in

> basement and sent through pipes to rooms.

> Only thing is that it isn't close to my home so I have to drive back

> and forth to take care of home, and pet. Apt takes pets so I will try

> him there but I doubt he will like apartment since he is outdoors

> almost 24/7 except to sleep at home, but I will try him there. I'm

> not looking forward to it. I will have to park outside in snow...at

> home I drive right into attached garage with garage door opener, etc.,

> etc. I am just buying an air mattress and a folding table and chairs

> from Walmart, my computer which is new anyway as old one died a few

> months ago, probably due without tv as I hardly ever watch it anyway,

> get a cellphone since I am leaving phone service on in my house (don't

> want to loss my phone number yet). Landlord has agreed to rent month

> to month since I took him I needed something temporary and he thinks

> it will be good for him since not many people want to move apartments

> in the middle of holidays and winter.

> I am only in apartment long enough to take old insulation out of

> attic, have attic inspected for mold and clean, chimney checked for

> air leaks back into house, attic floor sealed so can't get down into

> house, and new insulation blown back in, all carpets removed and also

> all upholstered furniture and drapery removed, house cleaned including

> hardwood furniture that will stay and then I move back in MAYBE, or

> house will be put up for sale. Only mold appears to be coming from

> attic and perhaps chimney or coming through chimney. I figure I must

> get rid of carpeting because it must be loaded with spores, as

> probably is upholstered furniture. While I am out, will look at other

> places to live in case I decide to sell house rather than move back

> in. I am hoping to get everything done in six months, my apt $500 so

> $3k plus phone and electricity there. That is how things are looking

> but six months is tight schedule since I work too, parttime right now.

> and freezing temperatures may slow some work down.

>

> >

> > I should be doing. It must be a PANIC to be paying a morgage and NOW

> > added rent $$$$$$ I estimate if I did that my monthly $$$$would be

> >

>

> FAIR USE NOTICE:

>

November 25, 2006

Carl--I read everything on here but don't post much because most of my questions

are already answered by old posts. I am closing in on a house but it has had a

leak in one of the roof gables which was corrected in 2001. I don't know

enough about the leak yet to make an informed decison. Thank all of you for

your tremendous help. Jane Ann

" Carl E. Grimes " <grimes@...> wrote: Group and Barb,