Sherrif/Outlaw clue: Each child draws a shred of paper. One paper has an X (sherrif), one other paper has an O (Outlaw). The child with the X has to leave the room, while the outlaw identifies himself to all the other children. The sherrif returns and asks the other children 5 total questions about the outlaw. (Like is the outlaw wearing a red shirt?. Can not ask is the outlaw's name..... ) After the 5 questions, the sherrif has to guess who the outlaw is. If he guesses correctly, the oulaw goes to "jail". If the sherriff is luck enough to ask the outlaw a question about himself before the five total questions are complete, the outlaw has to raise his hands and say "You got me, sherriff", and go to "jail". Jail is a cardboard box decorated on the outside like a jail. Game starts over with new draws of paper until only two children are left.
Outlaw/Outlaw/Sherriff - variation of duck/duck/goose Children sit in a circle. One goes around outside of circle tapping each child on the head saying "Outlaw". He taps one at random and says "Sherriff". A chase ensues by the sherriff of the outlaw. He must catch the outlaw before he can sit down in the circle again. If so, original outlaw is out (sit in middle of circle or go to jail), and sherriff becomes "it". If not, no one is out and sherriff is "it". ... View related article.
Go to the auto supply store and look for leather cleaner/restorer for leather auto interiors. It comes in several forms. There are foams, liquids, or pre-moistened wipes. Just be sure it says specifically for leather. These are usually only a few dollars a bottle, and enough for several applications. Amor All was one brand mentioned above.
Another trick is mink oil. It comes in cans and can be found with the shoe polish. It has to be applied with a soft cloth and then buffed off, just like shoe polish, but softens and restores all leather product beautifully. It can also cause some spottiness, similar to saddle soap so test in a hidden area first. ... View related article.
Look for estate sales. Many decades ago, no self respecting woman would be caught without a sewing machine, or 2, or 3 , or a half dozen. And she would rather die than part with her sewing machines.
Every estate sale I have been to has had at least one, usually many. These days most estate sales are just garage sales run directly from the home of the deceased. Most are "make an offer", or priced at garage sale prices. I routinely see expensive machines in excellent condition for 20 to 50 dollars. ... View related article.
We use the gallon milk jugs in the back yard for bird feeders. We cut out one side, leaving the handle, and then hang them from the tree by the handle on a string or wire. Fill the bottom with bird seed. It allows the birds to fly directly into the jug and feed, but since it is hanging and swinging, keeps the squirrels out. (Although the squirrels have been known to chew thru the string and make the entire jug fall so they could get to it in the past. The wire works better.) ... View related article.
Goodwill also usually has office and school supplies. Especially 3 ring binders and "Trapper Keepers" . These can be relaminated cheaply with shelf liner or in your childs favorite design if they don't like the pattern on the cover. My children love the plain black or white 3 ring binders from Goodwill, and just cover them in stickers.
Yard sales are also great. We hit them all summer long. Most parents are "cleaning out" their child's unneeded or partially used school supplies after school is out.
For office supplies, watch the paper for "Going out of business" sales. Doesn't matter what kind of business. They usually have large over stocks of office supplies they haven't even thought about disposing of yet. Just be bold and ask. I got a car load of office supplies from a furniture store last year that was going out of business for $40, including a file cabinet and some older electronics like calculators and adding machines. ... View related article.
Yes, skunk is horrible. And lingers indefinately. Our dogs get sprayed routinely. I normally use tomato juice to bathe them. It definately works. Virtually anything tomato works. I've also used tomato sauce, V8, bloody mary mix, canned or jarred spaghetti sauce, and even tomoato paste. The paste is probably not a good idea for clothing, but does work great on animals (and probably human hair/skin too). It's actually better than juice, because it clings and you can let it sit for a while before rinsing. ... View related article.
My coupon clipping got way out of hand many years ago. It was to the point that I had an entire kitchen drawer devoted to mostly expired coupons. So I developed a new strategy. If I am going to buy that item the same week anyway, I clip it and put it in an envelope in my car. After shopping that week, anything not used goes in the trash.
Coupons with no expiration still go in the kitchen drawer. That way I can use them whenever I need them. I have just discovered old phone books to be especially helpful for coupons in the back with no expiration date. For example, I dug out my 2003 phone book tonight, and found a no expiration coupon for a large meat lover' s pizza for $6. (Guess that must be the year they introduced it and were trying to get it to catch on). Also found $20 off in my 2004 phone book this week for a handyman service I use regularly. ... View related article.
