To me, practicing thrift is a way to free money for giving and to experience the things we truly value in life. My husband Dennis and I are "Second Adulthood" Bible college students preparing for a semi-retirement spent in Christian service.
Frankly, Dennis often teases me about my thriftiness, but he knows I can always find a way to get, make or repair what we truly need. However, the other day he told me that he discovered several products that were much less expensive but still work effectively -- guess I'm rubbing off on him!
Thrift demonstrates appreciation for, and stewardship over, the many gifts God provides every day. Some people imagine living thriftily as living stingily; the opposite is true. Through the practice of wise use, we can enjoy more of God's abundant provision without the distracting consequences of debt or want.
A fun game would be Two Truths and a Lie, themed around the bridal couple's courtship, where guests detect the lie for points. This could be done as a game show, or a questionnaire. For example...
Mary and Steve enjoyed stolen kisses: A) in the back row of the Bijou Theater. B) when they conquered Mount Whitney. C) at the jeweler's, buying their rings. ... View related article.
Windshield repair businesses in our area just added "Headlight lense restoration" to their ads. Since some lenses now cost hundreds, this could be worth the investment. ... View related article.
When I was a kid, we made sandals at VBS. Soles were of thick gauge brown craft felt. Trace the children's feet, then double the felt to cut out 2 soles. Cut the soles out a little larger than the tracing. Punch 4 to 6 holes at the side of the toe-to-instep area for laces. A belt-hole puncher will do the trick. Lace them on by crossing over the feet with long pieces of brown rug yarn. Start at the toes, and crisscross up to the ankles, where they are tied off. ... View related article.
First, yours is cute and gives your face character. Mine is the same, but on the right side. Drove my mom crazy! : P My stylist said that movie stars often have distinctive hairstyles because of cowlicks & unusual hairlines. Learn to love it, and make it your beauty trademark.
When I wear bangs, I have them cut extra deep on my crown to lend enough weight to tame the cowlick. I style the bangs first after shampooing. When blowdrying the cowlick area, concentrate the airflow in the direction you want the hair to lay while directing the hair in the right direction while making little zig-zag motions over the roots. (Like putting on thick mascara) This sounds complicated, but doing so redirects the hair follicles to blend the cowlick into your hairline. After the area is dry, spray hairspray lightly on your hairbrush, then comb it through your entire bangs area to set the style. This technique also works to tame a cowlick that has not been cut into bangs.
When your cowlick is under control, complete styling the rest of your hair to blend it in even more -- or tease it up to accent it! Attitude, not perfection, is the difference between stylin' and crying. ... View related article.
It helps to identify the region where the snake was found. The photo was too low resolution to make a positive i.d., but I think one of these may be your snake --- good news, if so, because they are both non-poisonous. My bet is on the "rat snake" Your snake clearly lacks rattles, so is not a rattler.
You have a sharp-looking dog! My first impression was Malamute crossed with Doberman Pinscher or German Shepherd. But, her strong tri-color could even come from a Beagle, rather than an arctic circle breed, because her coat is so sleek. : D Regardless, I'm sure she is a delightful companion. ... View related article.
Back again. I didn't know they had published this suggestion! : D Thanks for the kind words. I didn't make it clear that mine was a modern, bagless vacuum with a hard plastic dust bin. These are showing up at thrift shops more and more.
As for the first comments about germs, the poster is right that more precautions would need to be taken with a thrift-shop vacuum. We are immune to our own germs, but vulnerable to those of outsiders. Still, I would attempt this task with the purchase of NEW hepa and dust filters, not attempting to recycle someone else's filters, which would have entrapped many potentially disease-bearing items that you would not want to inhale.
Before cleaning a used vacuum, I would expose the opened machine to direct sunlight for several hours. The sun's rays have potent disinfecting powers. Thereafter, I would recommend wearing a hospital mask and rubber gloves for cleaning the machine's inner workings, similar to the above procedure. Of course, wash your hands & clothing thoroughly after the project is done & keep your hands away from your face during the entire project. ... View related article.
I installed inexpensive triangular molding on three sides of the wall above the vanity light fixture. It was nailed 12" from the ceiling to hold an open shelf, about 20" deep. The bottom of a scrap piece of plywood, cut to size, was painted to match the ceiling and press-fitted above the molding. A true perfectionist could also trim the facing edge with molding, but I painted mine. Large amounts of t.p., paper towels and lightweight cleaning supplies hid attractively on this shelf behind silk flowers & a potpourri jar for fragrance. This area could also be covered with a curtain or even a framed mirror for reflected light. ... View related article.
