Q:I just moved into a house and need to add insulation to my unfinished atticPresently, there is approximately four inches of loose-fill fiberglass insulation, but I would like to increase the R-value to 49I'd rather use cellulose insulation versus fiberglass, because I heard mice and rats use fiberglass as nesting material, whereas cellulose contains chemicals (boric acid, for example) that repels such creatures.

I agree that there's no problem blowing cellulose on top of fiberglasI don't agree that Lowe's and Home Depot have crappy productsGo to the retailer and discuss what you're trying to achieveThey can help you decide how deep you want the insulationTheir machines are just fine except they must be used close to the application point because they're not as powerful as the truck mounted machines the pros useThat can be messy Now, let's address the rodent access issueMice can get in any opening the size of a dime! If your attic has proper ventilation (soffit and ridge or turbine vents, etc., or gable vents on both ends) you should be okYou need airflow through the attic because it eliminates moisture in the winter and heat in the summerSo, look around your home for gaps between facia boards and brick, gaps between trim and roofing, etc., and fill them with steel woolDon't block any intended ventsThis will not only keep mice out, but squirrels and other little critters as well.

Q:so fiber is supposed to help with weight lossWell, i just bought this high fiber cereal, but it has 200 calories per cupwill this help with weight loss or do the opposite?

You can put the cords in PVC pipes and she won't be able to chew on themAlso pet stores sell motion sensor sprayersThey spray air or water (depending on the product) at the pet to scare it and keep it awayYou can try these two productsAlso cats don't like the feel of sticky thingsLike tape sticky side up may keep your cat off the countersOr crunched up aluminum foil, they don't like that feeling eitherBut, I think the motion sensors would work bestGood luck.

Q:Why is my alpaca blanket itchy?

take tin foil and The Works toilet bowl cleaner and mix them in an air tight bottle and wait for the explosion.

Q:I come from a creative background, but mostly in two dimensionalPhotography and graphic designMore and more I am becoming interested in textiles and working with materials much more tactileFashion has always been my go-to for inspirationRecently I have begun dyeing my own fabrics with natural materials (coffee, plants, etc.) and have already learned a great deal in that respect, but I want to begin experimenting furtherAs with any new hobby, the options are limitlessAside from dyeing, I just can't really choose where to start: weaving, croquet, knitting, etcI live in Los Angeles so I pretty much have access to anything, but I was curious from people who are already well versed in the textile and fiber arts where is a good place to startThanks in advance.

Fiber arts is so much fun to get into What skill you should learn depends on what you want to do Knitting is not hard to learn there are a ton of books (check your library) and Youtube videosThe same is true of crochetYou can do more sculptural things with crochet, but it also takes more yarnFelting is fun and you can work 2-dimentionaly or 3-dimentionalyThere is an artist in Santa Barbara named Julia Ford who some times does workshops in felt and other fiber arts I with weaving there are so many things you can do: tapestries, wearable fabrics, decorative worksThe draw back is that there is a lot of equipment (looms, warping boards, etc.) but if you find a studio that teaches weaving you can use their stuff before investingThere are also smaller more portable types of weaving like inkle weaving, card and blackstrap weavingWhen I lived in LA I used to go to a place called the Weavers Cottage off Sierra Hwy Canyon CountryThey sell all kinds of supplies and have classes I posted some fun links belowEnjoy

Q:I'm trying to improve my dietwhat are some foods high in fiber or just good for digestion?Also I forget to drink water sometimes so what are some foods that have a lot of moisture in them, like melon or something?

Fruits and veggies will help you in both of those categoriesYour best bet is to eat real foodBy real I mean unprocessed foodsWhen you do your grocery shopping you should be buying foods from the perimeter of the store(I.efresh produce, lean meats and fresh low fat dairy products)You can venture into the center of the store for certain things like whole grainsStay away from the junk and avoid the tempting diet frozen dinnersThey are marketed so people think they are healthy, but they are loaded with chemicals and are very high in sodiumPlus, you could most likely make the same foods from scratch and they would be healthier and a lot cheaperOh, and avoid the artificial sweetenersall they are is chemicalsYour best bet is to eat things in moderationEat 'real, and its okay to treat yourself to dessertLike I said, just make sure its in moderation.

Q:Hair Rollers; what kind of curls do Self Hold, Ceramic Thermal, Ball, Foam and Bendy Rollers give?

Take whole garlic onions and put them in the oven.

Q:i have stomach bloating for over 12 years now what can be the reason for this is this because of gas or some other reason .

What is normal amps? What is amp or watt rating of pump? Do you know HP rating? Look/test for obviousTurn off power to pump and remove fuses/breakerCheck resistance from one lead (red) to the other (black)Now check from one lead to ground and the other lead to groundShould have same resistance from ground to each lead.

Q:I live in Florida and I have thick curly hairI hate what happens to it when it is humid and the frizz is unbearableI am going tomorrow to get my hair permanently straightened with the Chi Thermal Hair StraightenerI was just wondering if I will be able to get out of the shower and wear it down without spending time drying and ironing it? I am also wondering if I am still going to have to pull it back because I can not manage it?

If you try to get rid of stains with anything aggressive-acidic, you'll have to clean that tray very well afterwards because aluminum reacts heavily and will be covered in dark gray powdery messSoap or baking powder are betterIf you can, live with the stainsIt's only dirt if it comes off.

Q:In soil mechanics class, I learned that clay particles in soil naturally bond with water along its long edges; I also know, from a ceramics class I took a while ago, that firing clay removes all the water from the clay, creating ceramicTherefore, when clay is fired into ceramic, what happens chemically to the clay particles? Do they bond together, or do they merge together to form a giant ceramic particle?

do your own homework! use a calculator if you really must.