Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 39, February 8, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
If you visited the website this morning you may have noticed it was either super slow or completely down. We had various issues this morning that were really bogging down the server. It seems to be running better now. My apologies to anyone that had difficulty.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Stop Action Image
- Meet Cookie! (Jack Russell Terrier)
Today's Tips:
- Treating Stains When You Travel
- Remedy For a Stubborn Zipper
- Keeping Packed Sandwiches Fresh
- Rust or Mineral Stains on Laundry
- Make a Jersey Quilt
- For Parents With Kids In Sports!
- Saving on Flavored Coffee
- Keeping Vegetable Water
- Cleaning Water Spots
- Counter Garbage Can
- Lipstick Stains
- Sharing Our Sam's Club Membership
- Save Used Dryer Sheets For Dusting
- Whitening Your Dentures
- Eyeglasses, Glass Windshield, Wiper Blades
- Taking Laundry Detergent and Bleach to the Laundromat
- Harvest Soup
- Molasses Sugar Cookies
- Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Dirt Cake
- Oatmeal Cookies II
- Yummy Buns
- Oat Bran Apple Muffins
- Easy and Cheap Chicken and Gravy
New Requests:
- 30th Birthday party
- Black Grease Stain on Polyester Down Coat
- Perfume on Pink Suede Purse
- Body Odor on Laundry
- Cats Using Garden Beds As A Litter Box
- Centerpiece Ideas for a Cheerleading Banquet
- Refilling Scented Oil Warmers
- Sites Or Companies Willing To Donate To Troops
- Cleaning a "Liquid" Silver Necklaces
- Cheap Art Deco Party Decoration Ideas
- Tips For a New Dog Owner
- Pen Ink On Suede Couch
- Coffee Stains On Suede Boots
- Lady Bug Issues
- Refreshing Gel Pens
- Cat Odors in Attic and Sheetrock
- Making Animals Out Of Towels
- Keeping Cats from Scratching My Sculpture
More Reading:
- Here Comes Valentine's Day
- Choosing the Perfect Style for Your Wedding Music
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Stop Action Image
When trying to capture a 'stop-action' photo, take multiple shots as fast as you can to raise the possibility of getting a good shot.
By Aginghippie
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Meet Cookie! (Jack Russell Terrier)
Cookie is a Jack Russell Terrier, approx 10 mos.old and 11 pounds of fun. She is very calm, loveable she does get wild but that is only outside. She does chase our spoiled cat Scottie around and Scottie is not sure about that but loves Cookie. They wrestle, fight to be first in daddy's lap and then nap cuddled up. Cookie loves to nap, and to go on car drives with us. She sits tucked in between front and folded down back of Jeep which is her kennel, water, food and toy zone. She loves going on trips.
She was left in a home for 2 weeks before someone found her and then I saw her and hubby said "No Dog". He saw her and said, "Whatch gonna name her?" She is his baby girl. she is housetrained, sleeps in bed and not one "oops". She does not get into anything and sleeps with us and kennels up for a day nap or to hide from Scottie.
I cannot believe someone left her, she is the joy in our home, along with Mr. spoiled cat, Scottie. She is always good.
By Annie Rios Hill
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Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a prize. You can enter the photo contest here:
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Today's Tips
Treating Stains When You Travel
Take along a stain pretreatment stick whenever you travel -- using it on stains before they set will ensure that they will wash out when you get home.
By Brenda Cole
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Remedy For a Stubborn Zipper
Do you have zippers that don't operate smoothly? To make a zipper slide better, rub a bar of soap over the teeth.
By Brenda Cole
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Keeping Packed Sandwiches Fresh
Put tomatoes and lettuce in a separate container and place in your sandwich later to avoid mushy bread. Also, keep your mustard, etc. in the lounge kitchen (also to avoid mushy bread).
By Crystal Podvin
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Rust or Mineral Stains on Laundry
Tips for removing rust and mineral deposits from your laundry. Post your ideas.
Did your washing machine leave rust or mineral stains on your laundry? For cotton, add 1 cup of bottled lemon juice in the wash to remove discoloration from laundry.
By Brenda Cole
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Make a Jersey Quilt - For Parents With Kids In Sports!
Take the jerseys you have accumulated and make them into quilt squares. This is a neat keepsake. My son is in hockey and has a lot of jerseys and I am saving them and making squares out of them as he goes on. Each year could be a square (including practice, game and camp jerseys). It is such a neat idea.
By Crystal Podvin
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Saving on Flavored Coffee
Flavored coffee is expensive, so I buy extracts: vanilla, rum, coconut, orange, etc. I add a half a teaspoon to my coffee and it's flavored. I also use cremora with my coffee, you need to add something sweet or else it's a little bitter. Save money doing this.
By annette
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Keeping Vegetable Water
Whenever I cook vegetables such as broccoli, carrots etc. I always pour the water into a plastic tub (peanut butter jar) and keep it in the freezer. I add to it each time I cook vegetables. This way I always have stock on hand for soups etc.
By Margaret
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Cleaning Water Spots
To clean water spots from ceramic tile or glass doors of showers, dip a soft cloth into lemon furniture oil and wipe easily and quickly. They all disappear.
By Lucy A
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Counter Garbage Can
Do you save those used zip lock bags? I often have several and rinse them out and let them dry.
Then take an 2-3 pound coffee can and line it with your used ziplock bag. Use the coffee can lid to keep odors in and fill it until the bag is full, then just pull it out and zip it up and toss. No mess, no fuss and certainly no smell.
By barbnov55
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Lipstick Stains
To remove lipstick stains from laundry, rub with petroleum jelly.
By Brenda Cole
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Sharing Our Sam's Club Membership
I have a family of six, have two parents and my brother and his wife are another pair. We love to save wherever we can and found a thrifty way to use our Sam's Club membership. We have found that we can save a lot by buying in bulk, however, perishables do not always get eaten fast enough. We try to coordinate our grocery lists so we can buy produce, bakery, and freezer foods in bulk and divide them according to who needs more or less. We have an upright freezer to store extras. This saves everyone money and gives us more reasons to visit family; to pick up our groceries.
By Michelle M
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Save Used Dryer Sheets For Dusting
They work wonderfully on baseboards, ceiling fans, doing a quick wipe of the bathroom or laundry floor, dryer, counter tops, or any surface that needs a quick dust. The dirt adheres to the sheet instead of getting flung around the air as when using a feather duster and are much cheaper than Pledge Grab-it or Swiffer dusters.
By Teresa Beaulieu
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Whitening Your Dentures
I work at a dental office and the Dr. suggests this:
1 part bleach to 2 parts water.
Let soak 10-20 minutes then rinse really really well. Do this as often as needed to keep them white. I've tried it and it does work. You won't taste the bleach
By imaqt1962
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Eyeglasses, Glass Windshield, Wiper Blades
Clean Eyeglasses, Car Windshields & Wipers by using paper coffee filters. These filters cut grease & give you great results. When your wipers are not performing well try cleaning the Wipers first before replacing them.
Carefully lift up the wiper blade & hold the blade & rubber insert with one hand & with the other hand place a paper filter between your thumb & fingers. Then press the paper filter against the rubber insert while sliding on the rubber insert to remove the grease/residue.
Repeat this a couple of times until the paper filter removes this residue. Always use a clean piece of this filter until all of the black residue is removed. Great for inside of the front & rear windshield glass. Especially if someone smokes & leaves tobacco smoke film on glass. Very good as a cleaning rag on other surfaces as well. Use the White Circular Round Pleated Filters -NOT the Brown - Recycled ones. Gerry K
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Taking Laundry Detergent and Bleach to the Laundromat
Lighten your Load. When using Laundry additives try screw on bottles (Snapple, Soda, Water, etc.) Measure additive, Use and repeat for future loads or dispose at Laundromat. It is much easier than taking The Large Container with you. Time permitting do this for multiple uses in advance. Use The Contents of these bottles before you Re-Use them (LOL).
Gerry K
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Harvest Soup
This is a great soup recipe and feel free to add or delete any veggies that you may or may not have. It's called HARVEST SOUP but I also call it CLEAN OUT THE REFRIGERATOR SOUP.
Ingredients:
- 9 cups of water
- 2 vegetable bouillon cubes
- 4 peeled carrots & sliced into pennies
- 3 large stalks of celery (include the leaves)
- 1 big onion
- 2 peppers (any color will do)
- 2 packages of instant onion soup mix
- 1/2 pkg of sugar snap peas
- zucchini (1 or 2 sliced)
- 1 can of red kidney beans (drained & rinsed well)
- 1 small head green cabbage (sliced into thin strips)
- 2 potatoes
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. savory
- 1 tsp. thyme
- 1 tsp. basil
- 1 tsp. rosemary
- 1 large can of tomatoes which I puree in my blender
- Salt & pepper to taste (I use sea salt & fresh ground pepper)
Directions:
Boil the water and add all of the ingredients and return to a 2nd boil. Cook on low for about 30 to 45 minutes. Taste to see if you like the seasonings and adjust if accordingly, if desired.
You can add about 2 tablespoons of dehydrated potato flakes to make it a bit thicker. This makes a huge amount. I freeze some of it. Served with home made bread it is a nice comfort meal. The house will smell just wonderful. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings, if you like. Hope you like & enjoy this.
By joesgirl
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Molasses Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ginger
- 1/2 tsp. cloves
Directions:
Cream shortening and sugar. Add molasses and egg, beating well. Sift flour, soda, spices, and salt. Add to first mixture. Mix well. Chill, then form 1 inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar and place on greased cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
By Robin
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Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Cream together the shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar. Add the eggs and the flavoring and beat well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; add to the above. Lastly, stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoon on greased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees. This is a generous recipe and should produce 60 cookies.
By Robin
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Dirt Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 large pkg. Oreo cookies (crushed)
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- 1/2 cup butter
- 12 oz. cool Whip
- 2 pkgs. instant vanilla pudding
- 3 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Directions:
Cream together the cream cheese, butter, and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy. Mix with mixer the pudding, milk, and Cool Whip. Layer in flower pot, large clear bowl or cake pan if you prefer. Use the crushed cookies and pudding mix alternately or on bottom and on top, and you can put artificial flower on top and/or gummy worms coming up out of the dirt if you wish.
By Robin
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Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 c. shortening or margarine
- 1 c. brown sugar
- 1 c. white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 t. vanilla
Mix these ingredients and beat until smooth and fluffy.
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 c. flour
- 1 t. baking soda
- 1 t. salt
- 2 c. quick oatmeal
Mix thoroughly and add to beaten ingredients. Shape the dough in to a long roll. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate. When well chilled, cut into thin slices. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Place dough in refrigerator during baking, while waiting.
By Robin
Oatmeal Cookies II
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup margarine
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 cup sifted flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 3 cups oatmeal (uncooked)
Directions:
Beat margarine, sugar, eggs, water, and vanilla. Sift together dry ingredients (all but oats.). Mix with sugar mixture. Mix well. Blend in oatmeal and drop by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Add chopped nuts, raisins, chocolate chips or coconut if desired to your dough.
By Robin
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Yummy Buns
Ingredients:
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- 3 pkgs. dry yeast
- 1 stick margarine
- 1 Tbsp. salt
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 6 1/2 cup flour
Directions:
Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water. Add salt and sugar, melted shortening and 2 cup flour. Beat real good with electric beater. Add the eggs and beat again. Then with a spoon add rest of flour gradually. Let rest 30 minutes of dough doubled in size. Shape into rolls. Let rise until doubled. Bake in 350 degree oven until brown.
By Robin
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Oat Bran Apple Muffins
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup skim milk
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. baking powder
- 1 3/4 cup oat bran hot cereal mix
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1 apple (grated)
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
Directions:
Mix eggs, milk, vegetable oil and honey. Mix in rest of the ingredients. Fill muffin pan with liners in the pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 19 muffins
By Robin
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Easy and Cheap Chicken and Gravy
This is a simple, inexpensive, and delicious chicken dish that you can make, it's one of my favorites. You can make this meal complete by adding mashed potatoes and vegetables, such as carrots, peas, or green beans.
Ingredients:
- 2 or 3 chicken breasts
- 1-2 cans cream of chicken
- 1 medium package of egg noodles, optional
- desired amount of water
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Cook chicken in a pan until slightly browned. Mix in cream of chicken soup, then add your desired amount of water (a little water for a thick "gravy", or a lot for a thin gravy - or you don't have to add water at all). Cover pan and allow to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. While you let the chicken cook, in a separate pan, cook the egg noodles according to package directions. Serve chicken breasts and gravy over a bed of egg noodles after everything is done. Bon appetite!
By Misha
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New Requests:
30th Birthday party
My husbands 30th Birthday is coming up and I have no ideas what to do for him. He is military. He usually doesn't want a big deal made of his Birthday except for this one. He wants a big deal made of his 30th Birthday I need ideas and help. Anyone with any suggestions please help me. Rebecca
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Black Grease Stain on Polyester Down Coat
I just got a new polyester down coat and I got a couple black grease spots on the sleeve. I've tried alcohol, dawn dish liquid, hairspray, and nail polish remover. Is there any way I can get it out? If anyone can help it would be greatly apprieciated. Thanks! Julie from VA
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Perfume on Pink Suede Purse
A bottle of victorias secret body spray - garden scent leaked on my brand new pink suede coach purse. It covers 1/4 of it. What should I do? HELP. Allissa from Idaho
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Body Odor on Laundry
See I'm having trouble getting body odor (sweat) smells out of my husbands shirts. I have tried every thing i can think of and nothing seems to work.
He has tried different deodorants but with the job he does he's on a dead run all day and he soaks the armpit area. Most of his shirts are like new and i hate to throw them out plus we don't have the money to be buying him new shirt's all the time.
Does anyone have any soultions for me? And it is only his shirts for work that smell like this. The rest of his clothes are fine. They smell clean everywhere but by his armpit area on his work shirts. And sometimes it seems like the odor is gone but after having it on for a bit he can start to smell this odor. He doesn't want people to think he is nasty or stinky. So please if there is anything i can use to element this odor please let me know.
Desperate In Indiana,
Chas
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Cats Using Garden Beds As A Litter Box
I need help, my beautiful cats keep using my garden beds as a litter box. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thank you.
KCRC
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Centerpiece Ideas for a Cheerleading Banquet
I need some ideas for centerpieces for a cheerleading banquet. I would like to have the centerpieces depict cheerleading.
Beverly Stanton
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Refilling Scented Oil Warmers
We inherited several of the plug-in scented oil warmers (ours are Airwick) when we bought our house. I would like to use them, but the refills are so expensive and they only come in a few scents. Does anybody have any ideas on how to refill the little bottles, or even if you can?
Camilla
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Sites Or Companies Willing To Donate To Troops
I am looking for web sites or companies that might be willing to donate items to send to my son and his platoon in Afghanistan
By imaqt1962
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Cleaning a "Liquid" Silver Necklaces
Does anyone know how to remove tarnish from Liquid Silver necklaces? Once removed, is there a way to keep them from tarnishing again?
Jane from Ohio
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Cheap Art Deco Party Decoration Ideas
I am planning a 1930's Nightclub theme party in the nursing home where I am doing my student placement. I am looking for ideas for decorations in the Art Deco style REALLY CHEAP as the facility that I am in cannot give me any funds for decorations. I am hoping to make these myself. Any ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Helen from Toronto
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Tips For a New Dog Owner
I have a miniature poodle and would like to know how to take care of him. Any tips for a new pet owner would be appreciated.
Rover from Brooklyn N.Y.
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Pen Ink On Suede Couch
I got pen ink on my suede couch, I am afraid to use hairspray on suede.
sara210
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Coffee Stains On Suede Boots
How can I remove coffee stains on suede boots? Please reply. Thank You
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Lady Bug Issues
I just went in to wake up my 14 month old from her nap. I opened her blinds and was shocked to see 16 ladybugs all over her window. I live in the mid-atlantic region where it has been cold, but we are having a few days of warm weather. Does anybody have ideas how to rid of these nasty bugs that will not harm my children? My 4 year old wants to keep them as pets! Thanks!
Karen
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Refreshing Gel Pens
Does anyone know how to resuscitate dry gel pens? They appear to have a lot of color left in them but won't write.
Peggy
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Cat Odors in Attic and Sheetrock
I am building a new house in the country with several stray cats on the premises. There is one particular tom cat that is DETERMINED to live in my house!
He has snuck in on 3 or 4 occasions and 'hid' out in the AC ducts, attic etc. Once for almost a week before he was found. Now I am told my new house reeks of cat. ~sigh~
The reason I have to be told this is that I have genetic anosmia (no sense of smell) which is OK for me, but I want to have company visit and even stay! And I don't want to be known as the crazy relative with the stinky house! I am already catching heck from a relative for my stinky house.
I am in near tears about this. I do know where a few 'spray' marks are, but my biggest concern is about areas like the insulation etc that may be marked. Any ideas or advice?
Or do I just burn my house down and start over?
Thanks
Esther
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Making Animals Out Of Towels
I am trying to find out some information on how to make different animals out of dish towels. Example, someone had made a bunny out of two or three dish towels and I have seen a dog or a pig made out of dish towels on a cruise commerical. Does anyone know where I can get the directions? Thanks!
Ruth from Taylorsville
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Keeping Cats from Scratching My Sculpture
I have a lovely wooden sculpture on my front porch. My cat has started using it to sharpen her claws. Does anyone know of anything that I can do to prevent her from ruining my sculpture ?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Tuey
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More Reading:
Here Comes Valentine's Day
By Angela Billings
Here are some easy ways to celebrate the day of love all week long.
View Article: Click Here
Choosing the Perfect Style for Your Wedding Music
By Kevin Kinyon
One of the most important, and beautiful, elements of any wedding is the music. The wedding music you select will set the tone for the various segments of your ceremony and will help to instill memories you won't soon forget. Each wedding song included, whether performed by a wedding singer or played by an inspirational harpist or violinist, will create feelings and moods that reach beyond you personally and straight through to the congregation and wedding party. Your choices of wedding music should also reflect the personal tastes of you and your groom.
View Article: Click Here
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