How to Disguise a Septic Tank Opening

If you have a septic tank opening that is obvious to the world, there is an easy way to fix that while still leaving ample space for pumping and maintenance.

• Planter, fiberglass, terracotta or plastic

• Circular, flat item to serve as a table top - a variety of materials will suffice such as glass, metal, plastic, mosaic etc., provided it is outside weatherproof and durable

1. Look for a suitable planter pot in a garden center or hardware store.

You will need a large planter pot, made from a sturdy material such as plastic, fiberglass or terracotta. In the case of plastic and terracotta, be sure to select thick versions that have strong wall sides to the pot.

2. Turn the planter pot upside down over the opening space of the septic tank cover.

It should be evenly placed around the opening so that it is not slanting or sitting on the opening in any way. You may need to build up one side with earth to make certain that it is steady.

3. Place the circular piece on top of the planter pot.

Use a circular piece of ceramic, mosaic, glass or metal to lay flat on the upended planter pot. Make sure that it is balanced evenly and does not wobble. It must be strong enough to stay in place during a wind and it must not be liable to tip. This will become a "table" surface.

4. Add a decorative element to the table top.

Now that you have a neat little table sitting over the septic tank cover, add an ornament or a pot plant to the table top. All of this will be very easy to remove and put to one side when you wish to pump or maintain the septic tank.

Tips & Warnings

• Another option might be to place a birdbath over the septic tank, provided that the base of the birdbath is wide enough to cover the septic tank opening. Alternatively, add a bird bath bowl to your table top, making sure it is sitting tight and is stable.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands from dirt, septic tank residues and cuts from any of the items you are handling.

I have also posted this on eHow.

How to Change Your Life Today

Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay. ~~ Simone de Beauvoir

If you are stuck in a rut and this is the page that returned for your search engine request, the odds are that you need to change ''right now''.

1. Pull out the Yellow Pages right now and book your psychology test. Know your personality type. Knowing your personality type enables you to choose the right career, pastimes and partners. If you are going against the grain and doing things in life that don't match your personal traits and strengths, chances are that you are unhappy because you're a square peg trying to fit a round hole. There are online tests you can take or better still, see a career counselor or psychologist for the best results.

2. Go outside as soon as you finish this article. Get out there. Right now you are sitting at the computer. After you have read this article, turn it off and... go outside if it's daytime or get a good night's sleep if it's nighttime and put your new plan of action into place first thing upon waking. Do not give in to the temptation to keep surfing for answers. That will turn up at least 50 different opinions on what ails you and most are likely inaccurate but in the process, will sap your time and make you feel more confused. And staying online leads from one thing to another to another; hardly conducive to getting your head around rebooting your life.

3. Pull out your CV right now. It's time to change jobs. If you're in a dead-end job, stop making excuses. It may be the world's best job for Andy or Jill but your enhanced skills and drooping interest-level are making it the least desirable job for you and chances are, your level of disconnect is reflected in work quality drops and lack of enthusiasm for even turning up each day. Start a plan of attack. Tonight, after work, draw up a "get me out of here" action plan. Write down what the job means to you in positives and negatives and write down what you want to be doing. Write down where you can begin looking. Pull out the CV and write on it all the refreshing updates that will reflect the new you who is moving on. Tomorrow, type up those changes and start mailing.

4. Eat an apple as you read this. Toss the junk food and packaged meals. Convenient they may be; full of fat, sugar and sub-optimal nutrition they are also. Your health is the most important asset you have in life; guard it with your life, literally. Visit the local fruit and veg store and start eating fresh food. Get more grains, vegetables and whole foods into your diet as of now. It doesn't take a nutrition degree to listen to your body honestly and feed it well; you already know deep down what those donuts are doing to you. And if that doesn't motivate you, consider this: your brain is the most energy hungry part of your body. If you want to think like a genius, eat like one too.

5. Stop reading for a second and go and say "I love you". Choose someone who is near you and tell them you love them. If it's a colleague, express appreciation for their presence, their good work and their support. Then come back here.

6. Grab the real estate pages right now. Circle some places that are different from the one you're in now and that excite you. If you're in a large house, downsize and declutter. If you're in the middle of the city, move to the beach. If you're in the hills and that commute is driving you crazy, move closer to the city. If the school you send your kids to is really worrying you, look for a suburb with better schools. It's time for a change. Leave cities and the country if you really want to up the ante.

7. Volunteer. Give some of your time to those who don't have the luxury of thinking about the philosophical underpinnings of their lives. Give your time, effort and money to make the world a better place for all, so that everyone has a chance to spend moments reflecting on their life's direction.

Tips

• Never stay in a situation just because it seems like a good idea or because you are competing with Rachel, Harry and Bob to see who can last out in a career the longest. Who cares? If Rachel, Harry and Bob want to fry their brains and never question the greater meaning of life, then let them - '''even if you are the type of person whose empathy usually means you can't let go!''' You need to shift gears, even if that means some downward mobility and leaving others behind. You might be surprised - your example could trigger others to follow suit.

Freshen Indoor Air Naturally

Commercial air freshener sprays are not healthy; they contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Moreover, the versions that require electricity to power them are also a wasteful source of energy usage that is simply unnecessary. Here are some ways to freshen your inside air without resorting to the chemicals.

1. Open the windows. Whenever it is possible, keep windows open to allow stale air out and fresh new air to circulate through your home.
2. Use vinegar to soak up unpleasant odours. Place dishes of vinegar in the kitchen to remove cooking odours. Place vinegar in areas where people have been smoking.
   
3. Scent the air using boiling fragrances. A mixture of spices or coffee can be used to imbue the air with pleasant scents. Try a mixture of cinnamon and cloves or just plain coffee. Baking bread also sends an excellent odour through a home if you have the time and inclination.
   
4. Remove the stink of a garbage can with a sprinkling of 1/2 cup borax at the base. This will prevent bad odours caused by bacterial and mould growth.
5. Place potpourri around the house. Make your own or purchase good quality potpourri. Place in bowls in cupboards, on mantelpieces, in windowsills and on coffee tables.
   

Clean Dirty Windows with Methylated Spirits

Dirty windows need a little extra oomph to remove the ground-on dirt. Before heading off to buy a commercially produced product, check the cupboard for a little methylated spirits. Add some water and elbow grease and your windows will be as good as new in no time! Here's how.

1. Make up a solution of methylated spirits with a little warm water.
2. Apply the solution using a chamois. Using the chamois, rub strongly across the dirty areas of the window.
3. Rinse off with scrunched up newspaper dipped in warm water. The newspaper will remove smears.
4. Discard any of the solution leftover and the newspaper pieces. Wash your hands well.

Items needed

• Methylated spirits
• Warm water
• Bucket to combine mixture in
• Chamois cloth
• Newspaper
• Soap for cleaning your hands afterwards
  

Make Your Own Lavender Toilet Water

Lavender toilet water has a multitude of uses in the home. It is easy to make your own and save a little money at the same time.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups lavender flowers
• 700ml (24 fl oz) boiling water
• 2 tablespoons gin or vodka

1. Pour the boiling water over the lavender flowers in a large ceramic bowl. Set aside for 24 hours at room temperature. This will permit the fragrance to infuse through the water.
2. Place the infusing mixture into the refrigerator to continue infusing for another 2 days.
3. Remove after 2 days. Strain the water through a sieve to remove the lavender flowers.
4. Add the alcohol and mix through.
5. Pour into a glass bottle and add an airtight lid. Homemade toilet water should be kept in the refrigerator.

Items needed

• Kettle or saucepan for boiling water
• Large ceramic bowl
• Refrigerator
• Sieve or colander for straining
• Sterilised, clean glass bottle
  

Rose Petal Jam

Rose petal jam is synonymous with dainty afternoon tea parties and is a delightful for jam for breakfast too. If you are lucky enough to have access to rose petals from the garden, this jam is a very special way to make use of them. Make sure to use petals that haven't been sprayed with anything toxic before using them.


Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
• 250g rose petals, organic (unsprayed) and clean
  
• 2 lemons, juiced

1. Check that the petals are clean. Wash and dry any petals that are not.
2. Put the petals into a bowl. Add 1.5 cups of the sugar and stir. As you stir, crush the sugar into the rose petals.
3. Leave the crushed petal mixture to stand overnight. The rose essence will imbue the sugar, leaving a dainty rose flavour. Cover with a clean teatowel or similar cover to prevent dust etc. from settling on the petal mixture.
   
4. Combine the remaining sugar, water and lemon juice with the petal mixture the following day. Stir together until the new ingredients are dissolved.
5. In a heavy-based saucepan, bring the mixture to a boil gradually. This must be a very slow process, in order to release the aroma of the rose and soften the petals.
6. Simmer until setting point is reached.
7. Store in a clean, sterilised glass container and keep in the fridge. Use within one month of making.
   

Items Needed

• Bowl
• Mixing implement
• Teatowel, clean for cover
• Heavy-based saucepan
  

Stop Itching from Insect Bites Naturally

Have you been bitten by itchy insects - fleas, gnats or no see'ums? A quick and effective method that is totally natural is lavender oil. Rub it on the bites/bite area for instant relief and a relaxing scent as well to calm the nerves and help you to stop feeling irritable.

Improve Squeaking Furniture

Does your furniture squeak when you sit on it? Here's an easy fix.

1. Melt some paraffin wax.
2. Pour a few drops of paraffin wax into the squeaky joints of the furniture.
3. Smooth out any pieces of wax outside of the joints (remove with vinegar oil if set).
4. Allow to set.
5. Test by sitting. Top up if needed.

Items Needed

• Saucepan to melt paraffin wax
• Paraffin wax
• Cloth to wipe
  

Delightful Apricot Fruit Logs

Apricots make wonderful additions to sweets; their delicious flavour and enjoyable texture can tempt many a person to take extra nibbles. This recipe is an ideal hiking food, snack food and school lunchbox addition.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup dried apricots, chopped (prefer the sulphur-free version if you have allergies)
• 12 dates, chopped
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup sultanas
• 2/3 cup dessicated coconut
• 1 cup skim milk or soy milk powder
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 2 teaspoons sesame seed
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon or orange rind (choose organic)
• Additional dessicated (shredded) coconut for covering the logs
  

1. Place the water into a heavy-based saucepan and add the apricots and dates. Cook over low heat with a lid on the saucepan until the dried fruit has become soft. Keep an eye on the fruit to ensure it does not burn as the water evaporates. This step will take around 5 - 10 minutes only.
   
2. Add the remaining ingredients to the boiled dried fruit.
3. Mix the ingredients together well.
   
4. Shape the logs. Divide the mixture evenly into two lots. Roll each lot into a log shape of around 4cm width.
   
5. Roll both logs in the additional coconut.
6. Wrap the rolls in food wrap or greaseproof paper (more eco-friendly).
7. Place in the refrigerator for 12 hours.
8. Remove from the fridge and cut both logs evenly into slices. Serve. If you wish to store these logs (if there are any left!), place them in an airtight glass storage jar, packed one on top of the other.
   

Tips

• This recipe is best made first thing in the morning to allow it stand all day; or make it the night before in readiness for the next morning.
  

Items Needed

• Heavy based saucepan with lid
  
• Clean bench space for rolling logs and coating in coconut
• Food wrap or greaseproof paper
• Refrigeration or cold storage facilities
• Knife
  
• Glass jars for storage
  

Be a Sustainable Tea Consumer

Even when consuming your favourite cup of tea you can be sustainable in your choice. Here's how.

1. Look for fair trade tea and prefer it over other teas where possible. Fair trade teas are teas produced by workers working under good conditions and getting a fair wage for their work. By buying such tea, you are helping to sustain their livelihood.
   
2. Only heat the amount of water needed to make your cup of tea. Filling the kettle up when it is only to make one cup is a waste of energy and also takes longer before your tea is ready!
3. Cover it! If you are obliged to heat your water in a saucepan (perhaps when moving house, camping or just for lack of a kettle), make sure to add a lid to the water. This will help it to heat up more quickly, so that you can turn the stove off sooner.
4. If you're using teabags, throw the empty teabag in the compost so that it has a second use and doesn't add to landfill. If the teabag has any string or packaging label, remove these and place in the recycling bin.
5. Avoid consuming tea in disposable cups. Take your own portable and reusable mug or thermos cup with you and ask for it to be filled in cafes or at work.
   
6. Use the eco-cycle on the dishwasher. When the tea break is over, remember to press the eco-wash setting before starting the dishwasher. Also make sure that the dishwasher is full before using it to wash dishes; that way you save both water and energy and get the most out of using your dishwasher.