Check at your local hardware or home store for a light bulb made to withstand this kind of vibration. I can't recall the exact name but I used to get them for the outdoor light at my apartment. They are made from a bit heavier glass (or coated) to help them withstand bumps and they don't seem to vibrate loose in the socket. They were a little bit more expensive but I didn't have to change them nearly as often, nor did I constantly need to tighten them in the socket. ... View related article.
I'd advise getting one of the pens you use to check the acidity of paper before putting it in any scrapbook you want to keep longterm. You just put a mark on the back of the paper and if it turns a certain color, don't use the paper. It's available most places like Michael's and JoAnn's and scrapbooking stores. ... View related article.
Pergammano, you need to actually READ the Snopes.com page about Swiffer: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer.asp. It does NOT contain the same ingredient as anti-freeze. It does contain the same ingredients as many other cleaners, so if Swiffer was causing health problems in pets, you'd hear about other brands doing the same.
I prefer to use the microfiber cloths with vinegar and water solution and wash, airdry and reuse them. I can poke these cloths into the holes on the bottom of my mop just the same. ... View related article.
Pergammano, you need to actually READ the Snopes.com page about Swiffer: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer.asp. It does NOT contain the same ingredient as anti-freeze. It does contain the same ingredients as many other cleaners, so if Swiffer was causing health problems in pets, you'd hear about other brands doing the same.
I prefer to use the microfiber cloths with vinegar and water solution and wash, airdry and reuse them. I can poke these cloths into the holes on the bottom of my mop just the same. ... View related article.
This is a great idea, Donna! Putting lights on "correctly" means handling the branches a lot. I haven't done a real tree for years now but I remember how much dirt (bits of bark and grass n stuff) and needles it would shed on the living room carpet. Leaving it in the garage overnight also gives any living critters a chance to vacate before you bring it indoors. ... View related article.
If it's vintage and in really good shape I think I'd be tempted just to clean it well and then clearcoat it. I'm into the shabby chic style, tho, and something that looks shiny and new just doesn't really appeal to me. If you do decide to paint it, go with several thin sprayed on coats.
I buy add-ons at the salad bar in my grocery store....spinach, grape tomatoes, red onion, cubed turkey or crab and other salads. This way I don't buy an entire package of something that gets thrown out later, and I can vary the contents of my salads. Also helps when I'm having company and they eat raw veggies that I don't normally keep on hand.
Another great way to teach kids about giving is to participate in the Samaritan's Purse "Operation Christmas Child". Anyone can do it but note that this is a Christian organization and religious materials are sent to the children and their families also. Website is http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/
"Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of Gods love. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of ChristmasJesus Christ.
National Collection Week is November 17-24.
Filling a SHOE BOX
NEED LABELS? Click to download from website.
Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.
2. BOY OR GIRL?
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the childs age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label shown above. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
3. FILL WITH GIFTS
Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.
4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION
Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our EZGIVE option, or you can write a check to Samaritans Purse (note OCC on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.
5. DROP OFF
Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the Collection Center nearest you during our collection week November 17 - 24.
For locations and hours of collection visit our Drop-Off Locations page where you can find the nearest place to take your shoe box by entering your ZIP Code or you can call 1-800-353-5949."
I've used this with foster kids and have continued to do it since then. It has become a holiday tradition. Even in lean times, or when my work schedule is so crazy in Nov/Dec (working retail) that I don't take time to put up a tree, it is easy to find enough little items to quickly and easily fill a shoe box. Besides, like all my Christmas shopping, I start early in the year getting many of my things at Dollar Tree, and also new items I find at thrifts and Gabriel Brothers throughout the year. OCC gives a list of items to not include, such as toy guns, liquids, etc., so be aware of that. Your child can choose to do a child their same age and sex so it's easy for them to relate and choose gifts. It's a fun family project, too, and you can include notes for the recipient inside the box.
Also check in your local stores and offices for "angel trees". These are children who are usually pre-screened and known to be needy. I worked with a "Santa's helper" group a few times many years ago and I can tell you it was a such a heartwarming, joyful experience. Our group worked with local schools to find the kids who likely wouldn't get much or anything at Christmas, as well as some of the local children's homes and foster groups. I created computer databases of children (assigned numbers to keep confidentiality), age, sex, sizes, requests, so we could sort by family, etc. Tags were put on angel trees at local shops, banks and medical offices and even (shocker) the post office! Donations were requested and received from several businesses and groups like The Moose and Eagles. (The lady in charge kept a very low profile and would accept no recognition for her efforts but had been doing it for several years and had built a good reputation with businesses, so getting donations was not usually difficult.) The week after pickup, we used the donated money to purchase gifts for those who had not been chosen. (That was my job usually and I LOVED doing the shopping. What a challenge!! One year I had $700 to spread among 47 kids!) We partnered with a group of UPS drivers who dressed in Santa suits and made the deliveries, donating their time.
