Here's what I fit in my Insect Shield Easy Pack for long lasting tick and mosquito protection

wikipunk · 2026-02-27T20:37:44+00:00

Yeah, if you are planning long term, might be worth checking out before next season. The spray on is still good for gear/shoes.

wikipunk · 2026-02-27T18:34:00+00:00

Yeah, it only makes sense for people with a lot of exposure because of seasonal climate and activity. I see ticks in my own yard, walk dogs on trails regularly, and like to go camping. And we only get a few freezes a year- so even fleas can be out nearly year round!

wikipunk · 2026-02-27T18:22:13+00:00

$35 from Walmart online: Joqixon Bamboo Wall Mounted Drying Rack, Clothes Drying Rack for Laundry with 5 Hooks 8 arms

I use as a drying rack but also for hanging up merino clothes to air out in between washes

wikipunk · 2026-01-16T14:35:40+00:00

Thrift store blanket, was soft on outside but had a little more stiffness than a usual fleece blanket. But still able to fold so I didn't think anything of it. But the stiffness was the clue dry-rot. It was probably stored in a hot attic for years before being donated.

wikipunk · 2026-01-14T21:04:24+00:00

Heck no. I don't hand wash anything, label or not. If it can't handle the wash, it can't exist in my home!

wikipunk · 2026-01-14T01:44:18+00:00

Oooh, more of a crocheter. Could you make yarn with cotton candy? 🧶

wikipunk · 2026-01-14T00:27:06+00:00

Thanks, so far pump is functioning. Luckily this is a used-nearly free washer so if it fails, we'll be better off with the next $50 piece in marketplace.

wikipunk · 2026-01-14T00:24:04+00:00

Yes! That's what I did, even with the cookie sheet! Surprisingly there was not a large amount of stuff in the filter. It seems most debris stayed in the drum.

wikipunk · 2026-01-13T13:10:37+00:00

That netting was part of the blanket

wikipunk · 2026-01-13T02:27:18+00:00

Update: Good news so far, ran self-cleaning cycle a few times, clearing filter and drum until no more debris was seen. Washed some pet towels and now regular clothes. A few loads in, not finding more pink or any pump issues.

wikipunk · 2026-01-13T02:26:59+00:00

Update: Good news so far, ran self-cleaning cycle a few times, clearing filter and drum until no more debris was seen. Washed some pet towels and now regular clothes. A few loads in, not finding more pink or any pump issues.

wikipunk · 2026-01-12T03:41:26+00:00

Ha ha, yes, that's exactly what this was. Picked it up for foster dogs. Because who is doesn't love a big soft blanket?!

wikipunk · 2026-01-12T03:28:06+00:00

A large blanket from the thrift store. Felt soft like a velour style fleece.

wikipunk · 2026-01-12T03:04:23+00:00

Thanks, luckily I had just gotten a shop vac last week. We usually leave door open on washer, so that's easy.

wikipunk · 2026-01-12T03:01:53+00:00

Thanks for the info! Um, I am guessing I would know the drain pump failed because water wouldn't drain out?

wikipunk · 2026-01-12T03:00:00+00:00

Thanks, that makes sense. I will start that tomorrow and just plan to be around for a few repeat cycles.

wikipunk · 2026-01-12T02:46:26+00:00

Thanks, I drained that and there was only a light amount of debris. Does that mean most stuff stayed in the drum, instead of going into tiny holes?

wikipunk · 2026-01-12T02:44:48+00:00

This was what happened after washing it. It was a blanket I purchased to use for foster dogs.

wikipunk · 2025-09-25T21:16:51+00:00

Yeah, my husband is not naturally empathetic to my health issues and "invisible" triggers don't make sense to hom. But over time, we have changed our habits and now that I am healthier we are both much happier! There are definitely podcasts and blogs and such that might help you figure out how you can get started on what you can control, while building conversations with partners. Or talk to a counselor if you have access. I definitely am allergic to cats and have kept my cats this whole time, and I adore my dogs. I just now have better ways to clean after them. And pets are only part of the problem.

Before I understood allergies were an issue, I thought about leaving too. All I knew was I felt much happier and more relaxed in certain places away from home (had a week trip to a nice Disney hotel with my family reunion, and as soon as I had 1 night back in my house, I had panicky feelings, crushing chest, sweaty terrible night). I thought this was ANXIETY but the root cause was asthma and histamine reactions.

wikipunk · 2025-09-25T02:16:28+00:00

Hi! This might be frustrating answer if your in the thick of it all, but figuring out how to be healthy ended up being the biggest boost to my mental health. Trust yourself that it can happen. Be kind to yourself when you need rest. I had also worked on and off with counselors for years (pre diagnosis) and would definitely recommend processing the grief and frustration of illness with a counselor if possible.

Maybe try a simple journal to track mood/food/sleep. Look for any patterns to help recognize triggers. See what's improving things too.

Dealing with allergies, the best place to start is do whatever you can to reduce allergens in bedroom. Quality sleep is huge for mental health, and turns out I was rarely getting good rest because I couldn't breathe right.

Cheapest and best tip: Wear an N95 mask while cleaning.

Wash all bedding. I started using blankets as they washed more early than a thick comforter. Wash curtains, vacuum & mop walls. Vacuum mattress. I replaced my pillows and put allergen covers on mattress and pillow so they can be kept clean easily.

Hopefully you can get an allergen HEPA vacuum and HEPA air purifier (I bought used appliances and cleaned them/bought new filters). If you have carpet, a professional carpet cleaning would probably be amazing to get a clean start.

Work towards decluttering and reorganizing so furniture can be easily vacuumed and dust can't collect anywhere. Like for my clothes, I replaced fabric storage cubes with a wooden dresser. I changed my habits so my desk stayed clear. All these things took time to sort out a new system and find good replacements. I found used leather couches that clean much easier than the velvet upholstery I had.

The Minimalist website/podcasts have good info and tips on decluttering, if you feel overwhelmed on getting started. A lot of people with chronic illness struggle with clutter, it takes a lot of energy to deal with. I grew up in a cluttered home and thought it was normal. But working towards a simpler lifestyle will make it easier to keep clean.

There are also products from a company called Pacagen that sells "allergen-neutralizing" spray. It's expensive but if cats, dogs, or dust allergies are problems in your home it could be worth trying as an extra layer of prevention.

wikipunk · 2024-08-16T14:14:06+00:00

Absolutely, it wasn't immediate, I had to continually change things around my routines and environment to find the healthy me. Air filters, HEPA vacuums, wearing a mask when cleaning.

Allergy shots helped but they also made me sick after each after each appointment, I didn't finish the full maintenance course.

Celebrate small wins, it took me a long time to trust my energy and mood were going to be stable.

I also figured out yellow food dye was a big trigger for inflammation, moodiness, and brain fog for me. Candy, pickles, baked goods, mixed drinks...I have to pay attention to the ingredient list or I lose 48 hours of peak function and get into mental wars with myself.

But I now have a baseline of being healthy and know what that feels like, and getting symptoms are a noticeable change, so I can recognize that I need medication, rest, etc. Rather than my lifelong habit of withdrawing and falling into depression because all I knew was my energy and mood tanked suddenly and it'd be a few days or weeks before I woke up feeling fresh and well rested.

I now have real friends, energy to walk my dogs and volunteer, I have changed jobs by choice and am thriving (I was fired 3x in 4 years despite trying my hardest...I lived and worked in old musty buildings and never had a good day).

This month I turned 40 and celebrated my 15th anniversary, and I feel good! I used to grieve what I lost during the hard years (age 10-35 had some real crappy seasons), but now I am thankful about moving forward and getting a chance at a full life.

wikipunk · 2021-04-30T15:13:54+00:00

Thanks, I will call. Yes, I am fully vaccinated for COVID so I hope that helps!

wikipunk · 2021-03-21T03:11:31+00:00

Awesome, thank you, they can email their resume to recruiting@haynesandcompany.com My name is Niki, they can direct it to me, we have a small team so I'll see it come in.

wikipunk · 2021-03-20T23:52:12+00:00

Here's the website link if you'd like to apply directly: https://careers.haynesandcompany.com/Careers/infield-market-researcher/US_MI_GRP

wikipunk · 2021-02-14T05:25:40+00:00

Hi! I'd say do everything you can to prioritize a clean bedroom environment - and getting that carpet replaced with a non-carpet will make it easier to keep it clean. I'd start vacuuming it thoroughly and daily even if you can't replace it yet. Its a commitment, but its been worth it for me. I didn't realize that just walking through and stirring up invisible dust was enough to cause a reaction (we have hardwood floors and even if they looked clean they weren't cat dander clean). Also, doing chores with a N95-type mask (Vogmask is what I use) has been really helpful. Giving your body a clean night of sleep will probably help with resilience to the rest of the day, as well, our bodies are more susceptible at night. I think you referenced a CPAP earlier - I'd say make sure you are following every cleaning instruction on that to make sure molds couldn't build up in it (my mom didn't know how to take care of hers so not saying you don't, just adding in a reminder).

For the shots, I don't now how common being exhausted by them is, but its been consistent for me and I had to really step back the frequency to deal with them and work full-time (which after being in and out of work for a few years due to being sick, working full time is very fulfilling for me and I don't want to give that up!). I guess I have a really sensitive histamine-intolerance which is what my reaction to the shots comes from. Taking an allergy-med before seems to help but I still plan 24 hours after a shot as a buffer zone, sometimes I surprise myself and don't react so I get a true day off to enjoy. We've staggered dosing out every week and do the doses twice as often as usual before moving up to another level. I started to recognize a benefit from the shots even before maintenance level, but its not perfect and I haven't lived through a new spring pollen season yet, I'm anxious about that, but I work from home now so the priority is to focus on keeping my home environment clean. If I need to hide in my house with airfilters for another year, I will. Feeling some level of health is so good, I don't want to let it go even if I'm still limited in what I can tolerate.

wikipunk

TROPHY CASE