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Hello,
I hope everyone had an nice weekend.
Since we didn't publish on Saturday or Sunday we have a lot of new requests today. Be sure to browse through the titles and see if you might have any advice to offer.
This week's TF News will be about Cooking Vegetables. If you have any tips to offer, please share them.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
These are our 2 grandkitties that we keep at our house when their owner is away on vacation. The one in the back is a long hair mixed Heinz male cat name is J who is 4 yrs. old. He is cuddling his sister, Pippy who is a year old and is a short hair tabby kitty. They love to stay at our house and we enjoy playing with them.
By granylou93
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This is Haze our 8 month old Great Dane. He is a big baby and so much fun! He loves to snuggle close! He acts just like Scooby Doo!
By Angie
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Lovely Yellow Primula (Preventing Slugs and Sow Bugs)
Here's a sunny bunch of yellow primulas to brighten your day! They are just so nice right now, while the mauve ones are getting done. It is nice when different colors come at other times, so we always have something pretty to see!
Unfortunately, the sow bugs really love them too, but I foung that some Ant Kill powder gets rid of them pretty good! For the slugs, I put crushed eggshells around. You can also spray the slugs with a mixture of half & half Sudsy Ammonia & water. It won't hurt the flowers or plants, but sure gets all the baby slugs hiding in the flowers where mommy put them!! I have slugs crawl out of a salting, but they won't from this spray!!
Photo by Betty Reese
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Today's Tips
Ideas for using a potato masher, other than mashing potatoes. Post your ideas.
Try using a potato masher to make egg salad, tuna salad, or mix the ingredients for meat loaf.
By Linda
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Advertising Magnets In Your Sewing Box
Keep a free advertising magnet in your sewing box to gather up any spilled pins.
By Linda
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"Always There" Pincushion On Your Sewing Machine
Use a piece of sticky-back velcro to attach a piece of kitchen sponge to the top of your sewing machine. Makes a great, always-there pincushion to use while you are sewing.
By Linda
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Tips for cooking cabbage. Post your ideas.
Use glass, enameled or stainless steel cookware when cooking cabbage, because aluminum & cast iron cookware will absorb the odor.
When cooking cabbage, but not wanting to smell up your house, add a slice of bread or a whole walnut meat to your cooking water & this will help to soak up the odors.
By T.H.
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Dollar stores and thrift stores are great places to pick up some cheap greeting cards. Don't underestimate the power of a greeting card. Taking the time to express the right sentiments can easily make someone's day.
By T.H.
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When shopping for that perfect gift, the more time you allow yourself to shop around, the better price you'll find. Last minute shopping trips when gift giving, usually costs you more. Think ahead.
By Terri H.
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Remembering to Take Clothes Out of the Dryer
Set your oven timer when you put a load of clothes in the washer. If left crumpled up in the washing machine, they'll develop more wrinkles, and colors will bleed more. Set the timer for the expected finish time, and you'll remember to take them out immediately.
By zballoongirl
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My daughter-in-law has a new 4 week old baby and a 6 year old not yet in school. Fortunately they live within a few miles from me and I work a 5-11 pm shift. I began to sense that she was feeling depressed that she wasn't able to get time to do necessary things . A little afraid of hurting her feelings I decided to take the bull by the horns and offered 2-3 hours of my day to come out and spend time with the kids so she could do something she needed to do, whether it be showering, running an errand or just getting some extra naptime. She knows now she'll get some time for those things and I get bonding time with the kids. If the baby's sleeping I play with the oldest. I know this won't last forever but cleaning house isn't near as much fun or rewarding. MamawKC
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My girls love fancy dress-up skirts and dresses made from tulle but by the time they outgrow them the tulle is usually too "raggy" to hand down. I glean the good pieces of the tulle as well as any sparkly accents to use on gifts. Simply wrap your gift in plain white tissue and dress it up with a tulle bow, a sparkly band, etc. I have used this idea for weddings, baby showers, and birthdays. Many people have commented on my "deluxe" gift wrap and, a little accent goes a long way.
By Elizabeth Scott
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Owning a home with no furnace, and using a wood stove for primary heat, I've encountered uncontrollable dust. The only way to help was sweeping 3 times a day and washing the floors 3 times a week. I have found a solution. I bought an air purifier and bought a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
By Hale
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Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
I have an ALL NATURAL solution for getting rid of mice. No poison, traps, or sprays to harm your pets or children and it smells awesome. I have had great success with this. Buy a bottle of 100% pure Peppermint Essential Oil (you can buy an inexpensive brand as long as it says 100% pure on the label). Place 1 or 2 drops of the oil on a cotton ball and place the cotton balls around the house where the mice are visiting. They will just leave the premises.
Please e-mail me at speavoy (at) rogers (dot) com to let me know if it did or did not work for you.
Thanks,
Susan
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I have found it easy to fill cupcakes with a scoop 1/2 cup measuring cup. It is so easy and leaves no mess.
By Jane Squires
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I use muffin tins for sand for sand art coloring on pictures. My class has enjoyed doing sand pictures instead of using crayons.
By Jane Squires
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Removing Homemade Silly Putty From Hair
My daughter the other night got in a homemade (Elmer's glue) silly putty fight with my sister-and my daughter. She ended up with it in her hair. Nothing would untangle it or remove it short of cutting her beautiful hair. So, I pulled out the rubbing alcohol and it SLID the goop right out. I have used alcohol on gum, goo from tape, etc. It works GREAT and we all have that on hand! Try it.
By angels4ever
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Do You Ever Run Out of Baby Wipes?
And you can't get out for more? My son is 13 but has Cerebral palsy so wears "adult pull-ups." I go through A LOT of pull-ups during a winter storm where I couldn't get out. I took the empty box from the wipes and took out my BOUNTY paper towels (they REALLY are strong), folded a bunch and cut in half and stuck in a stack and put them in the baby wipes container.
By angels4ever
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Always use blue painter's tape, not regular masking tape to mask areas when you are painting. Blue tape peels off easily, masking tape often doesn't.
By Linda
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Choose Red over Green Cabbage For Vitamin C
When trying to add more nutrients in your diet food-wise, choose red cabbage over green cabbage. Red cabbage has more Vitamin C.
By Terri H.
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Tips for grilling meat. Post your ideas.
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Credit Card Use And Your Future
When using credit cards, it's better to not use them so much so you can pay off the monthly balance each month. If you don't have the cash to make your purchase(s) with, either wait till you do, or reconsider the purchase to begin with.
A maxed out credit card that you only pay the monthly balance, rather than paying the monthly balance and some extra, will leave you with a card that never gets payed off. This will hurt your credit rating. So the next time you need a new car or new house, this debt will go against you. What you're doing now with credit cards, might harm what your future holds in store for you.
By T.H.
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When looking for something frugal to do or somewhere go, take into consideration that there are people that could use some company. Don't overlook the elderly or handicapped. A small gift of your time could brighten someone's day.
By Terri H.
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Save money at the grocery store by taking along a small package of cut up veggies or fruit to curb your appetite when doing errands or shopping rather than going thru the drive thru or stopping at the local food court.
By Terri H.
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"Swear By" Bridal Shower Theme
My niece is a lawyer and I gave her a "swear by" shower. On the card we told the guests to bring things they "swear by" so that we could save the bride a lot of time and energy. It could be appliances, gadgets, cleaning products, etc.
We also played The Price Is Right where the guests guess how much the price of 10 items were and there were two winners. Oh, all of the items I selected were specially selected to be used for other purposes, like white vinegar, baking soda, denture cleaner, club soda, etc. Anyway, the guest that guessed the closest to the individual prices without going over was one winner and the other won if they guessed the total price of all the items without going over.
Then after doing the price is right game, I told them the other purposes of each item (usually about 3 things). For each item I would ask them if they knew of other uses for them. If they did and shared them with the guests, they would get a Hershey's kiss or hug tossed to them. After that game was over all the items for the Price is Right game went into a large laundry basket and went to the bride to be as an added gift.
When she would open her gifts each person would share how their gift was a "swear by" item to them. Everyone had a great time at the shower because it was so non-typical and a fun time of sharing. They all asked for my tips and websites at where I got my info from. It gave the women that were strangers a lot of bonding and connection time to make friends and have some comeraderie.
Some ideas were from ThriftyFun.com
It was great. Enjoy.
Peggygv
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Blend all together in blender and put in refrigerator.
By Robin
Salsa II
Ingredients:
Directions:
Chop and blend all ingredients. Add sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Add tomato sauce and mix well. Bring to boil and cook 20 minutes. Place mixture into pint jars. Put lids on tightly and process in boiling water bath for 20 minutes.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Place ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Equals 1 can of the boughten variety.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together. Chill, or serve at room temperature. Serve with corn chips.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Put all ingredients into a crock pot. When it is hot it is ready to eat. If too thick, when cheese is melted, add tomato juice or more milk. The longer it heats; the hotter (spicier) it gets. Serve with tortilla chips.
By Robin
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Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix and bake in glass baking dish for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with club crackers.
By Robin
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New Requests:
Detergent Powder and Floor Cleaning Liquid
I would be more grateful if you send me the ingredients and preparation for making detergent powder and floor cleaning liquid at home for my home consumption. Thanking you,
j.Santha from Chennai, India
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Free Printable Cards or E-cards
Does anyone know of sites that allow free printing of cards or E-cards? I know there must be some. I'm new at this. Also are there sites that have just friendly chat among cleancut adults NOT LOOKING for anything but good conversation? Get that EMPTY NEST SYNDROME sometimes and it's hard to make civil conversation with the family dog.
MammawKC
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Cowboy/Outlaw Themed Birthday Party
My son is turning 10 and he would like to have a cowboy/outlaw birthday party. I am on a very tight budget and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for games, food ect.
Thanks for the help!
bradandjennifer
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Ideas For Outfits For Our "Travelling Around The World Themed" School Turn Around Dance
I am completely drawing a blank. Our theme is traveling around the world. Which is a very broad theme but I don't have a lot of time or money. If you could help, that would be awesome!
Kristen
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Pet Urine Stains On Hardwood Floors
Does anyone know how to remove set in pet stains (urine) from oak hardwood floors? The stains are dark, almost black. They are in a rental property and may be up to a year old. Thank you.
Thriftyone
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I have a bathroom with a new linoleum floor (less than one year). Our tenants put throw rugs by the toilet and shower. The rugs reacted with the linoleum and left a dark yellow stain exactly the outline of the rugs. I have tried everything to remove the stain. Can anyone please help?
Thriftyone
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Removing Pen Marks from Wallpaper
Could someone advise me on how to remove pen marks out of WALL PAPER... In have tried all sorts and nothing works. Its not painted wall - which would make life easier, it happens to be wall paper which proves a little difficult.
- Shakela - England
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Looking For Bill Me Later, Same as Cash and Payment Plan Sites
I have tried Fingerhut a couple of months ago, I tried a couple of other sites like that but I can't find any more, does anyone know any sites that I can use? I have bad credit so if they do a credit check they won't send me items. Any sites that have 3 months deferred payment or something like that would be good,
Thank you for the help,
Tenny
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I have a light brown carpet in my living room and I recently had a my nieces and nephews over for the weekend and they spilt drinks and even dropped some food on the floor. I tried some carpet cleaners but they don't work. what is the best carpet cleaner I can use without renting a carpet shampooer?
Mindy
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Looking For Lemon Sponge With Soap
Has anybody seen these in their local stores? It's a soap sponge (yellow) in the shape of a lemon, one side is spongy the other is a scrubber and inside it has a soap bar. Typically it's used for washing dishes but it can be used for most anything. It's made by O-Cedar. I've checked their website and can't find it. If you see it in your local store please let me know. I think they took it off the market but I'm not sure.
Thanks!
peggyv
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Rust Stained Ceramic Toilet Bowl
For 20 years I have put up with a rust stained ceramic toilet bowl. I have tried cleaning it by removing all of the water and soaking it in vinegar and baking soda, all commercial cleaners available here in New Zealand, and every method known to Womankind to get it clean. And still it remains very stained and unpleasant looking, so I have resorted to using a blue coloured toilet cleaner which at least you cannot see the stains through.
I would appreciate any tips my fellow readers might have. Many thanks
Ang
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How Long Should Dishwashing Gloves Last?
I use rubber household gloves when I wash dishes. How long should I wait before I buy a new pair? Any help would be appreciated. Jay
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Instructions for Making Things from Cans
I'm looking for instructions on how to make a "tin man" and "wind spinners" and "air planes" from pop cans. And any other items.
I love making things such as these.
I'm also looking for instructions to make whirly gigs, I'm having a family reunion, and want to make gifts for my guests to take home. Any more fun "things" or ideas would be appreciated. It's a "Scottish" theme.
Thank you,
Peggy
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Removing Bubble Gum from a DVD
My 3 year old put gum on a dvd. Need help to get it off and not scratch it. N.P. from Kansas
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How to Rid the Yard of Parvo, Can You Get It More Than Once?
I have had three dogs get sick at the same time. My husband and I took them to the vet to find out that they had parvo. He gave us medication to give them . We were giving Oober, Bones, and Benny medication around the clock. Only one made it and that was Benny. can he later on down the road get the disease again? And how do you get it out our yard? - Mindy
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Hi,
I'm in charge of decorations for my daughter's 6th grade graduation dinner. It will be held in the school cafeteria. Does anyone have ideas on inexpensive but nice decorating ideas (table decorations, something for the entrance)?
Thanks,
Karen
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How do you make the best root beer freeze? I need a recipe for a great one. Stan Kitzmann
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I like to do word searches but don't like to spend the money to buy the books that contain them. Where can I find a site on-line where I can print them out? Betty
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How do I get the guy I like to like me?
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I enjoy doing mazes but don't like to spend the money to buy the books that they come in. Where can I find them on-line to print out? Betty
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I Want My Room to Be More Exciting
I am 15 and my room has light blue walls with no border on it, but I am now a fan of pink but I don't just want my walls to be pink and boring I want some enlightment in it. But instead of pink I was also thinking about putting my walls as clouds and the border as moons, suns and stars.
I hate my walls being plans so I put posters of famous people and pictures of my friends on my walls. Also on my wall I have an erase board.
I have a single bed and I get tired of the same boring sheets. My blinds are just purple. PLEASE HELP ME! I want my room to be more exciting and I want my friends to come in my room and say "WOW your room is cute!" I go to my friends houses and their rooms are so cute and colorful and decorated with lots of cute things. Please help me make my boring room into a exciting and fun one! I NEED HELP! - Kelly
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Looking for Parts for a 95 Isuzu
I'm looking for any parts that can go to a 95 Isuzu. If anyone can help would me great.
Thanks Kayti
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Softening a New Baseball Glove
My son just started baseball he has played for a few years. This year he had to get a new glove. Can anyone give us an idea on how to break it in. He has a game and we need to get his glove broke in before the game.
Thank you
Kate
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Can anyone help me. We recently bought a new home with a nice size yard that has a pool. But the pool sits pretty far back in the yard. There is a lot of bald spots in the grass which makes a lot of mud. I put down grass seed the problem is there isn't a lot of sun where the bald spots are. Can anyone give me suggestions on how to grow this grass back.
thank you
kate
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Need Birthday Activities for Second Birthday
Turning 2 and need birthday activities to do! Jean from North Carolina
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I just moved into an apt that had a rubber bathmat in the tub. Now there's about 30 large, round circles of buildup in the tub. How do I remove them economically, or at all. I can't find anything that helps. Jigger
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I am looking for precise directions on how to make albums using ziplock bags. I do a lot of printable pictures and would like to make an album for my little granddaughter. I have read about the albums on craft and scrapbooking web sites, but not directions on how to make them. Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks! Las Vegas Angel
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I would like to know if you can freeze sour cream? - Doreen - Indiana
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Why do I have to flush the toilet twice?
We just moved into a very nice home built in 1990. However, we are having a few problems in the bathroom. First, the toilet does not flush everything down the first time it is flushed. It always needs to be flushed twice, which is not only wasteful of water, but is also inconvenient, as it takes time to fill up before it can be flushed again.
Does anyone know what could be causing this problem and how it can be fixed? The amount of water in the bowl looks like the amount in any regular toilet--it's not extremely low, as in those special toilets that are meant to use less water.
Another problem is the drain on the jacuzzi tub-- it does not completely seal so water slowly drains out. Is this fixable? (I know, I know, I am worried about wasting water by flushing the toilet twice but I'm not worried about wasting water filling up a big tub. It doesn't make sense to me either...) Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
Allison
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Latex Paint on Wool Uniform Pants
Just got some latex paint on wool uniform pants and was wondering if there is anything out there to get it off? Mike
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Need Donations for School in Ghana, Africa
Hello my name is Minerva Carrion, and a friend of mine named Dinah Tuffou has asked me to find out who can donate Bibles, puzzles, constuction paper, notebook paper, composition notbooks, coloring books, and crayons for a school that will be opening soon in Ghana, Africa they are still putting the electrical in it but it is already built and almost ready to go.
The name of it is Christ Foundation Academy it is a non-profit organization and they need donations of anything but they really want Bibles for the classrooms.
There are two places to send the items:
Minerva Carrion, Christ Foundation Academy, 722 William St. Trenton, NJ 08610
or
Minerva Carrion, 3510 N. Nebraska Ave. Tampa, FL 33603.
Thank you for your help we really appreciate all the help.
In Christ,
Minerva Minerva
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I am planning on storing my daughter's winter clothing and I was wondering if anyone has any tips for storing clothing in the garage and keeping it from getting mildew or bad smells. Any suggestions?
- Emily
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Sending Package to Afghanistan
We have a close friend who is stationed in Afghanistan and he doesn't have much family. Our family has kind of adopted him into ours. We are wanting to sending him a package of comforters to let him know that we consider him family and we care. Does anyone have suggestions for what to send, what not to send, what is not allowed to be sent to troops? Also, does anyone have tips for sending food items, such as boxes of Little Debbie cakes? We've asked anyone who wants to add something to the box to let me know, but we're a little lost on ideas. - gsbc24
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I have Red Bone Coon Hound that my husband and I rescued from the animal shelter. She was starving and was in very bad shape when the shelter got her. The vet had her on Clavamox for her skin. When we brought her home she did not scratch, had a great coat.
I have had her to the vet since then, she is back to the scratching. They gave me med's to help with the scratching and some shampoo to bath her every 10 days. That was great for about month, now she back to the scratching.
I have been to the pet store, and buy eveything to get her to stop. I even changed her food to IAMS as I was told that this is a better dog food. I am at the end of my rope. The vet is not help as they told me she has mites. I have another dog and she is not like this.
Does anyone have an suggestions for me.
- Chrissy
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What to Do When the Toilet Doesn't Fill Back Up
What would cause no water to come into the toilet tank, when you have water coming from the tub and the sink. We have to fill it by hand, then flush it. Please help. Thank you.
Cheryl
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make 11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures of the crafts visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/columnists/harlean.html
More Reading:
How To Paint Your Own Artwork - And Save Money.
By Catherine Calder
Everyone wants to save money. Don't you? Well, painting your own, color matched art can be a lot easier than you might think!
Usually the picture that you want for your room will have an outrageous price. Or maybe you just can't find anything that matches your new color scheme?
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Trouble Box
By Steve Goodier
They call it a "trouble box." It is a brightly colored, egg-sized box found among natives of Guatemala. Inside are placed six tiny dolls. Families often keep one inside their homes. When trou-ble be-falls a family member, the disturbed person takes out one of the tiny dolls and talks the problem over with it. Then the doll is set aside and the prob-lem forgot-ten.
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Saving On Software
By Tamara Wilhite
Maybe your kids want new computer games for their computers. Perhaps you need educational software to wean them off the computer games. You may need to brush up on new computer skills, such as computer aided drafting or typing, but don't want to pay the prices at the local electronics mall. Can you get the software you need at a price you'd like - without legal worries?
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