The "This Might Be A Stupid Question, But...." Thread

[ScubaGirl]

Is there a washable pad that can be used in the kitchen?  I have a renter that drinks coffee.  In an effort to be very thoughtful he places a paper towel under his coffee mugs that he keeps next to his coffee maker to catch spills so they won't stain my 1970 white with gold flecks laminate countertop.  I'm looking for something that would replace the paper towels he uses to eliminate the waste of paper, that's dishwasher safe and that's half the size of a cutting board.  Anybody know of any such thing?

How about a cute trivet?  We picked up one that is like a piece of tile and is colorfully painted.

[mechtilde]

A table mat? Wipeable but not washable. I don't know what they are called in the US, but they are effectively coasters for plates.

[Shoo]

Is there a washable pad that can be used in the kitchen?  I have a renter that drinks coffee.  In an effort to be very thoughtful he places a paper towel under his coffee mugs that he keeps next to his coffee maker to catch spills so they won't stain my 1970 white with gold flecks laminate countertop.  I'm looking for something that would replace the paper towels he uses to eliminate the waste of paper, that's dishwasher safe and that's half the size of a cutting board.  Anybody know of any such thing?

How about a saucer?  That's what they are for!

[jpcher]

What about something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Gripper-Pads-4-Pack/dp/B002LHVNTM/ref=pd_sbs_hg_5

[Dazi]

A table mat? Wipeable but not washable. I don't know what they are called in the US, but they are effectively coasters for plates.

a rubberized place mat?

[KitKat]

Try a glass cutting board.  There are many pretty ones to be found.  It would be like using a large trivet.

[mmswm]

Go to Home Depot, Lowes or a tile store.  Look through their odds and ends in the tile section. Often times you can get single pieces of even large, high quality tiles for a dollar or two.  Find one that's 24 inches or so and place under the coffee pot.  My mother uses mismatched tiles instead of trivets all the time.  It works really well.

[mechtilde]

Go to Home Depot, Lowes or a tile store.  Look through their odds and ends in the tile section. Often times you can get single pieces of even large, high quality tiles for a dollar or two.  Find one that's 24 inches or so and place under the coffee pot.  My mother uses mismatched tiles instead of trivets all the time.  It works really well.

You can also glue felt on the back if you are likely to put them onto a delicate surface.

[GreenHall]

I'm going to try to sound like I know what I'm taking about as I ask this...
Bought a new Tv.  Old one had composite (? Red/yellow/white) cables to go to the DVD player.  New one has conmponent(red/green/blue).  Can the old style cables be used? 

DVD player does have r/g/b cable hookups as well as r/y/w.  found component cables for <$5 on amazon, but a couple days for shipping before there'd would be anything other than basic broadcast channels ( all three! That I get there...)

[turtleIScream]

I'm going to try to sound like I know what I'm taking about as I ask this...
Bought a new Tv.  Old one had composite (? Red/yellow/white) cables to go to the DVD player.  New one has conmponent(red/green/blue).  Can the old style cables be used? 

DVD player does have r/g/b cable hookups as well as r/y/w.  found component cables for <$5 on amazon, but a couple days for shipping before there'd would be anything other than basic broadcast channels ( all three! That I get there...)

The RCA cables (r/w/y) are combined audio/video. Red = right channel audio, white = left channel audio, yellow = video. Component cables replace the yellow cable, providing a richer picture. You can use the RCA cables in place of the component cables, but will not get the full benefit of higher video quality (as long as you match the colors on both pieces of equipment). You will also need another set of cables for the audio.

[demarco]

I'm going to try to sound like I know what I'm taking about as I ask this...
Bought a new Tv.  Old one had composite (? Red/yellow/white) cables to go to the DVD player.  New one has conmponent(red/green/blue).  Can the old style cables be used? 

DVD player does have r/g/b cable hookups as well as r/y/w.  found component cables for <$5 on amazon, but a couple days for shipping before there'd would be anything other than basic broadcast channels ( all three! That I get there...)

The RCA cables (r/w/y) are combined audio/video. Red = right channel audio, white = left channel audio, yellow = video. Component cables replace the yellow cable, providing a richer picture. You can use the RCA cables in place of the component cables, but will not get the full benefit of higher video quality (as long as you match the colors on both pieces of equipment). You will also need another set of cables for the audio.

(I am glad GreenHall asked the question because I have the same problem.)

Does this mean you use the red/green/blue cable and the red and white cable (and just let the yellow piece hang)? 

[Betelnut]

New question:

My daughter got a goldfish tank for Christmas.  It came with an electric filter.  The instructions do not say if it is supposed to run 24/7 or just for daylight hours or what.

Do I run the filter 24/7?

[sevenday]

Goldfish are dirty, dirty fishies.  24/7 I think is the intended use.

[Betelnut]

Goldfish are dirty, dirty fishies.  24/7 I think is the intended use.

That's what I thought but I wanted to check.  We actually didn't even put in the filter for the first 10 days and, whew!, did the tank stink after only that short amount of time.  Note to self:  clean the tank at least once a week.  And keep that filter on!

[dawnfire]

Goldfish are dirty, dirty fishies.  24/7 I think is the intended use.

That's what I thought but I wanted to check.  We actually didn't even put in the filter for the first 10 days and, whew!, did the tank stink after only that short amount of time.  Note to self:  clean the tank at least once a week.  And keep that filter on!

keep that filter on 24/7. clean tank weekly. replace 1/2 a tank of water weekly (use the removed water on the garden or your pot pants after diluting . It makes a great fertiser)