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Vol. 8, Num. 166, August 25, 2009 (Read It Online) The latest batch of contest winners will be announced tomorrow. Do you have any recipes using fresh tomatoes to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit them here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_recipes.ldml Be sure to give a thumbs up to tips and photos that you like. Your ratings are used to pick the winners. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter.
If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information:
Ruby is a 1 1/2 years old Australian Shepard. We adopted Ruby 2 weeks ago at the Humane Society, along with a Border Collie we named Dash. Ruby loves to play with her frisbee - she is a great jumper. She also likes to bark at airplanes as they fly over, snuggle with her new family and wrestle with her new brother Dash. Ruby is gentle and sweet, and learns something new every day! By Shelli from Onalaska, WI Contest Contender!
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Craft: Chopsticks Diffuser Jar Someone asked a question as a recent TF Craft request about ideas for reusing chop sticks. I came up with an idea and figure I might as well also submit it as a recycle tip. If the chopsticks are porous and non-coated wood ones you can place them in a jar or vase and add diffuser oil to use them the same way as a reed diffuser. A jar or vase with a smaller opening at the top would be better because it would keep the diffuser oil from evaporating as quickly. The picture here is a simple, non-fancified example to show you and I don't have any diffuser oil on hand so used water instead. ;-) By Deeli from Richland, WA Contest Contender!
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Garden: "Hawaiian" Flower Arrangement When my daughter got married we held the outdoor bridal shower at our house. I found the planter (shown here) in the basement. I cut the flowers for this arrangement from my yard and placed the planter just to the side of our door. It fit in nicely with the Hawaiian theme that we used. Source: I took the picture and it was shown in the July/August edition of the National Home Gardening Club Magazine "Gardening How-To" By Jackie from Enumclaw, WA Contest Contender!
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This budget remodel was the first project I have ever taken on and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. Using the tips I've found here, for just under $2,000 I have a marvelous fashionable new kitchen. At first, all I intended to tackle was painting the dark oak kitchen cabinets. But then I got carried away and decided to tear down the the laminate backsplash, which I expected to be a horrible job, but it took me less than two hours to do it. I bought ceramic subway tiles from Menards and did the work myself. Of course, then my pock-marked white laminate cabinets were no longer good enough. I wish I would have taken this before I took down the cabinet doors. They were dark oak, making the kitchen look dreary. I first joined TF when looking for an economical way to replace them. I was scared, but too the plunge, using the painting technique with the Enviro-Tex coating as per instructions from this website. With the painting and some new moulding, a new range to boot (which I wasn't planning on, but it broke), it's been a big project, taking me all summer, but the results make it worth it. For the cabinet paint I used an oil/latex mix (because I hate working with pure oil paint). The color is called Sugared Almond. For the countertops I coated with the same primer I used on the cabinets just because it was already on hand. Then a rolled on a coat of black enamel, followed by Rustoleum Stone Accents spray (granite-look). After completely dry (very important), I sprinkled liberal amounts of silver gold glitter (yep, the same kind the kids use to sprinkle on glue and paper). Then I used the Enviro-Tex. Unfortunately, though, I had to do two coats of the stuff because of a "glitter situation". I had both slivered glitter and square glitter. After apply the Enviro-Text, the square glitter stood on end in places. I had a problem when the glitter stood on end in the Enivro-Tex and left bumps after drying. I had to coat it twice with the Enviro-Tex. Also, be diligent with the Enviro-Tex. Unbeknownst to me, some dripped beneath the plastic I had on the floor and it died there. Now my engineered hardwood floor is ruined in a couple of places. Part of the cost of the redo was the range hood, which was under $200 at Lowes, and a new kitchen sink and faucet. I bought them online and saved bookoo bucks! Same with the glass cabinet knobs. Much cheaper online than in the stores. Subway Tile: I borrowed my brother-in-law's electric tile cutting saw. He also had a non-electric rail cutter and a hand snip, but I couldn't master either one. The electric one was messy, leaving my hair coated in tile dust, but much easier to use in my opinion. My son is standing where the range normally sits. They say tiling is easy, but I thought it was the toughest part. I still marvel that I was able to pull this off with almost no help. My husband installed the sink and put in the new light fixture above it . . . and all the rest was done by lil' ole me with almost no carpenter experience whatsoever. Half the battle in budget home maintenance, I now realize, is not being afraid to try things for myself. By Mrs. V from Ottawa, OH Contest Contender!
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This is Kizzy...short for Kismet. She is 9 years young. She is known an a domestic shorthaired tuxedo. A friend's daughter moved to Texas and left her mom to do everything from moving her things, the kids and all of it, including find a home for the cat. She was about to "take her out to the country" and I said "No, you are not". She has been my gal ever since. P>She isn't all that active, but daily she loves a massage. I start on her neck, work my way down and when she is ready, she rolls over. By the time she is almost done, she has her front paws up around her ears and I am literally scratching her outstretched arms as if to say "Hallelujah" for her wonderful life! Kizzy has a "Nanny" voice. You remember the show. I love the actress, but Kizzy's cry is more like a rusty door hinge! When I have been on the computer long enough she will jump up and sit right in front of the screen as if to say..."Ahem. Me thinks you have not paid sufficient homage to my needs". I have submitted her image on the LOL Cats website and so far, as hoping he will be come famous. She has been featured in the local paper the Statesman Journal here in Salem, OR. She was so relaxed one day that she fell asleep on her "perch" and her head hung over like she had melted! I am submitting the one today where I must have caught her just right looking for me in the window because the reflection is like she is an alien! Enjoy my girl, I know I sure have. By Poor But Proud from Salem OR Contest Contender!
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
Troubleshooting Your Garbage Disposal Don't flip out the next time your garbage disposal quits working. Press the little reset button most models have and it will usually start again. If that fails, and you can hear the thing humming when you turn it on, make sure the disposal is off, fish around inside it to see if anything is caught under the blades and try again. If it still won't work, get an Allen wrench (one of those L- or S-shaped thing-a-ma-bobs) find one that fits tightly in the hole on bottom of your disposal, and turn it back and forth until it moves freely. Test it again and it usually works. By TxTiket2Ride2 from Fort Worth, TX Contest Contender!
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Cruise Control, Not in the Rain Did you know you should never use your cruise control when driving in the rain or snow? This can be very dangerous because if your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car can hydroplane and may speed up and you will literally fly through the air. It happened to a family member, and he was badly hurt. Hope this will save someone from this dilemma. Source: from family by word of mouth By nana_katie from Sault Ste Marie Ontario Canada Editor's Note: Here is a link to Snopes that verifies that there is danger to driving on wet roads with cruise control: Contest Contender!
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Dog Waste Bags for Female Personal Hygiene Products I discovered that those small poop/waste bags for dogs make perfect bags to dispose of used sanitary pads or plastic tampons. Definitely handy while traveling. By gingerlilymay from Irvngton, NY Contest Contender!
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Start School Schedule Before School Starts My mother always started having us go to bed at "school night" times about 2 weeks before it started and getting up at "school morning" times. Then she'd have us write a short paper (usually only one page) to get our minds on track. The rest of the day would be regular summer things, but bed time, wake up time, and the short paper got us started in the school thoughts. By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC Contest Contender!
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Keep Hair Style Nice While Sleeping If you styled your hair, and you want to keep it nice overnight, in order to help it not get messed up during the night, put a slip over your pillow. I once read in a beauty magazine that a silk pillow will do the trick, but are not so cheap. I thought about it and came up with this tip. By Estypesty from Baltimore Contest Contender!
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Cut Mr. Clean Magic Erasers In Half I love using Magic Erasers to clean items in our home from walls to shoes to the glass shower doors but dislike the price of them. That's when I decided to cut the Magic Erasers to the size that was necessary to do the job. For example, only a half of the eraser is needed for the shower door. So I only use a half. We only use 1/4 piece to clean our shoes. Doing this really helps a four pack of sponges last a while. By linex_4 from San Antonio, TX Contest Contender!
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Keeping Cool During Hot Weather Years ago when I worked in a nursing home, the halls were air conditioned, but not the individual rooms. We would take a hand towel, soak it in cold water, ring it out and wrap around our necks, repeating as necessary. I have done this frequently at home, too. By knitter926 from Bloomington, IL Contest Contender!
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Years ago when my kids started school every year I took a picture of each of them the first day of school. I taped the picture to a large manila folder. I wrote on the outside the teachers name, school and who were the friends at that time. I also made a note of the answer when asked "What do I want to be when I grow up". All year long I collected mementos from the school year - even kept the autographed picture of McGyver, and a sketch my son did wanting to skip school and go fishing that he got in trouble for doing in class. I kept each of these manila folders in a box together. I plowed through them last year and created a school scrap book for each. What an amazing time travel I had and both of them got teary eyed when I gave them their books for Christmas. Source: Something I did years ago without thinking about how important it would come in the future. By Notwrong Contest Contender!
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Nail Polish Stains on Clothing Have you ever had a bad nail polish stain? Well, I got a very bad one on my brand new shirt. I was very mad! So I called my aunt and she didn't know what to do, but suggested that I spray hairspray on it and rub it with my nail. So that's what I did, and it came out. It was 100% cotton and it didn't ruin the fabric. So I would just spray on some hairspray to get it out. If your looking for a brand, it was Aussie. Source: My Aunt By packrat from Kirksville, MO Contest Contender!
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I just found a site that is perfect for anyone with a dog or a cat. Whether you walk your dog or take him on car trips or whatever. Using a lighted collar and leash would greatly improve the pet's safety! And the prices are very reasonable too! I plan on getting one for each of my dogs. Source: By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC Contest Contender!
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I am trying to help some stray kittens. One has pus in its eyes, runny eyes. One is blind. They are wild kittens. I have tried a lot of different medications. Is there something I can make at home to use? Meds are very costly when wild cats just keep coming. We do not have a no kill shelter in Fontana or one that will take them. I am caring for 50+ cats, none of whom are house cats. The cost for food has wiped me out. If anyone knows of someone to help with food it would be of great help. Thank you for your help. By Double D Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89664803.tip.html
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Rate It: George Foreman Replacement Parts Where can I find replacement parts for my George Foreman grill, specifically leg covers and drip tray for Model GR 36? By Donalyn Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97316382.tip.html
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Rate It: Metal Knife Handle to Remove Onion Odor How does a metal knife help remove onion odor? By Maxene from Quezon City, Philippines Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14965048.tip.html
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Rate It: Finding Leaks in an Air Mattress How do I find a slow leak in an air mattress? By denny 1 from Grand Junction, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf423950.tip.html
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Rate It: Perspiration Stains on White T-shirts What will get sweat stains off of white shirts and t-shirts. My partner's clothes always stain under the arms. We have tried using different deodorants, but they still appear. I have tried things like Vanish, etc. what works the best so far is Shout spray and Ace bleach, but they are still visible. Any help will be appreciated. By nikkib763 from UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96897047.tip.html
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Rate It: Replacement Plates for Foreman Grill I am looking for a replacement lid for George Foreman Fusion Grill GR70. I need information for where I can buy one. By Caroly 101 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24051596.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I remove paint from my microfiber sofas? By 1cheapdiva from San Antonio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56704511.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Facial Hair Naturally I would like to know whether there is any natural or herbal remedy to remove hair on the upper lip apart from turmeric? By ssuganthy from Tamilnadu Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58718189.tip.html
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Rate It: Pet Urine Stains on Subflooring I need to know how to get rid of urine smell from wood floors after pulling carpet up. By Karen57 from Prattville, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34757668.tip.html
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Rate It: The outside bottoms of my pans have burnt on grease. By dbeach7908 from TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf188229.tip.html
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Rate It: Color Advice for Exterior Light Fixtures How do I choose what color exterior wall light should be used for an all white house? Do I use brass, white, pewter, silver, etc. The door is also white. Should the door locks match the light? By LAQUINTAK from Nassau, Bahamas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30237043.tip.html
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Rate It: Cleaning Microfiber to Get Rid of Head Lice I found head lice on my granddaughter when she came to visit. How do I clean my microfiber couch and loveseat to make sure they are not on them? By idahome2001 from Meridian, ID Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46400774.tip.html
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Rate It: I have 2 electric fire detectors in my mobile home living room. They are an eye sore to me. Any ideas on how to disguise them, so they aren't such an eyesore? By Jazalay from Frisco,TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50097413.tip.html
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Rate It: Buying Mini LED Lights On-Line Where can I buy online 20-25 bulb mini LED lamp strings to fit into wine bottles? By MISHICH from NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16869030.tip.html
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Rate It: For some reason I have been feeling dizzy or light headed for about a year. It happens when I stand up, or I am sitting down, or when I am doing anything. It happens everyday. Does anybody know what you would call this? Is it really bad? By Cecilia_E. from Houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25225540.tip.html
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Rate It: Dog Bakery Business Name Ideas I need a great name for a dog bakery. Any suggestions? By busdrivr Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40609466.tip.html
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Rate It: How harmful is it to cook/use rice products that are infected. Must I throw all boxed items away? Can I open first and only dispose of those where little black bugs are visible? Will cooking destroy any harmful effects. By Joact from MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47272567.tip.html
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Rate It: Refrigerator Over Temperature Control Keeps Sounding We have a Kitchen Aid Superba Side-by-side refrigerator. Everything is working fine, but our "Over temperature reset" button on the top control panel keeps coming on (many, many times a day) and gives off a high-pitched ringing noise. We have to keep pushing the button to turn it off, but we don't know why it is going off. The temperature is fine, the food in the freezer and fridge are fine. Except for the food in the refrigerator compartments below, which are freezing the vegetables. Can you tell us what's going on? And how to turn the thing off? Model # KSRA25KKSS01 Serial # SP1255145 Thanks. Kathy By Kathy01 from Toronto, ON Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98022402.tip.html
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Rate It: Interior Refiner Business Name Ideas I just became certified as an Interior Refiner and am struggling with a name for my home based business. Does anyone have suggestions? Interior Refining is basically using items that you already have in your home and then appropriately placing them to create a healthy, spacious environment. I would like something short and catchy if at all possible. Thanks for any help you may offer. By Woody09 from Leadville, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51543716.tip.html
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Rate It: I am considering breeding my min pin to a chihuahua and was wondering if I should crop the litter's tails and ears or just leave them alone? By njferdinando from Chester, NH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70331976.tip.html
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Rate It: Soothing Effects of Peppermint Oil How does peppermint oil soothe our body? By maxene Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87464862.tip.html
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Rate It: Decorating Drawing Room and Lobby I have an east facing house. I want to know about decorating the interior of the house. My drawing room and lobby are attached. In the drawing room, I have a sofa and centre table. I want to how can I can decorate the north corner (both sides) of the room. In the lobby at the south corner I have sufficient space to decorate. Please help me with ideas for this area, too. By kuljeet from India Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78186825.tip.html
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Rate It: Gluing Photos Onto a Glass Vase How do I glue pictures onto a ceramic vase? By vivianlujan Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66622425.tip.html
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Rate It: Printing From an External Hard Drive How do I print from an external hard drive? By Tristan2 from TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16186964.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Homemade Tear-Off Notepads I've read about making note pads from recycled paper, what is the name of the "red, sticky goo" used to make the note pads hold together? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf326410.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know what to do to fix a sweating toilet tank, other than getting an insulated one? By niteagle77 from East Hampton, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf227853.tip.html
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Rate It: Can tree sap eat through car paint? We have a tree that I cannot identify, a deciduous tree with pods. It is not a pine tree. It has dripped some kind of sap on the car and nothing, not Goo Gone, nor Bug and Tar remover will get the spots off of the car. By gutenbergw from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf930880.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I get a burn mark off a Corian countertop? By molly1149 from Hiram, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84004479.tip.html
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Rate It: Ash Blonde Hair Color Turns Out Red I am using a hair colour rinse, ash blonde, but it turns out red or pink. What can I do? By corriganassumpta from Galway, Ireland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74423828.tip.html
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Rate It: I bought a Jumperoo (baby jumper) from a yard sale for really cheap and the seat (which is bright red) has some mold or mildew spots on it. Does anyone know a good way to get these out or should I just replace the seat? By sparklecola from IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37401277.tip.html
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If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information:
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