Daily Thrifty Tips - February 6, 2006

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Cookie is a 2 year old Jack Russell and Oso is a 1 year old Yorkie

They like to sleep, eat, play, eat, play, sleep, go for car rides, sit on daddy's recliner with or without daddy in it, eat ice cubes, run and play in backyard, sleep, and eat.

Cookie is a rescue and is very sweet and loving and smart. Oso was a little gift and is very smart but he loves to tease and give kisses.

This photo was to be of Cookie and Oso slid in and tried to hog the shot. Bless him he can't help being mischevious and adorable. They are our babies.

By Annie Hill from Hallsville, MO

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Here's another picture of Littleman (Bulldog) laughing.

By Rettasue from Cleveland, Tn

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Here is a Solo cup doll lamp or night light.This lamp is made with clear solo drinking cups, a craft doll, and clear christmas tree lights.

We wrote Madeline to ask her to post instructions for her Solo Cup Doll. She kindly sent in more pictures and instructions.

Supplies

• 25 clear solo plastic drinking cups 9 oz size. short ones with the wide mouth (I believe they are punch cups) not the Milky looking ones but the clear ones.
• A 15 inch craft doll (not Barbie, she won't work)
• Pipe cleaners or plastic coated twist ties.
• Hot glue
• Material-fabric 1 yard will do, lace, ribbons, etc. You will need to decorate your doll.
• A string of clear Christmas tree lights, 100 lights per string.
• A paper punch, a knife and scissors.
• You should be able to cut three or four pieces out of one pipe cleaner.

Instructions

First Row

The first row takes 12 cups. Poke a hole in bottom of cup, then cut a criss cross where you poked your hole. This is where you will insert your lights later on. Do this to all 12 cups.

Punch a hole in the side of the cups, at the top rim. Join your first cup to the second cup at the rim with a piece of pipe cleaner. Twist very tight then bend back into the cup. Punch a hole on the other side of second cup directly opposite of the other hole. (note) Do this around for the remaining cups . Hot glue the cups at the bottom rim as you go to help stabilize them. Set this row aside.

Second Row

Second row takes 9 cups do them the same as the first row, this row will sort of bend in, it ok that is what you want it to do.

Set second row on top of first row of cups, where the cups meet punch a hole and secure with pipe cleaner. Then hot glue where the first row comes in contact with second row.

Third Row

Third row you will need 4 cups (note.) Now this is different. You need to secure each cup one at a time,until all cups are secured very tightly where it meets. This will draw each cup tight so it fits into the second row. Flip your ball over and hot glue each cup, at the top row.

Take sting of lights, and start threading 4 lights per cup, starting at the top of the ball. If your string of lights has a connecter plug, you can plug in a small air fresher. Poke four lights per cup all around until you reach the bottom of the cups.

Take the legs off the doll and hot glue the body piece at the hips in between the four top cups. Now dress the doll as you wish, starting with the top part of the doll.

Measurements of the skirt is 50 inches around. The measurement from the top part of the skirt too the bottom is 12 inches. Now decorate your lamp as you want.

THIS IS WHAT THE BASE OF THE INSIDE OF THE DOLL LOOKS LINE

This is my second doll that I have made.

By Madeline from Alabama

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When I was in college (1987-1991) we played a fun game called Assassin. Our dorm was divided into floors (3 floors) and each floor was divided into wings: east or west wing. So I was on the third floor, east wing; people said I was from 3 East.

Purpose

The purpose of assassin is to shoot your named target (another person) with a toy gun. When you "killed" them you then picked up their target, and so on, until you were the last person standing.

How it works

First, everyone meets and goes over the rules. Which areas can the game take place, which area is a safe zone, which "guns" are acceptable, can they be homemade, etc.

Everyone playing has their name on a piece of paper and put into a hat. People draw one name out of a hat. If it is your own name, keep it and choose another one, then put your name back in the hat. This name is your first target, the person you will shoot. When you shoot your target they will tell you who their target was, which is now your new target. The last person alive is the winner.

Valid guns are any toy guns, not BB guns. We had dart guns, nerf guns, and guns that shot yellow BBs (which were NOT the Airsoft guns). Basically you can use any missle launcher found in the toy department. The worst guns were the dart guns, followed by the yellow BB guns. The best was a gun I got, which powered hollow soft plastic bullets by compressed air. Blow guns might work if they shoot balls and not needles or arrows. Have all players agree on the rules beforehand.

Some valid guns

Dart guns: These missles have the worst aerodynamics. Though they are cheap, avoid at all costs.

Yellow BB guns: I think the Airsoft gun ammunitions are a different diameter than for these guns, and I don't know if these are even sold anymore. But a spring-loaded mechanism throws a ball out the barrel. These have short range and low power.

Nerf guns: Some guns are air powered and shoot foamy missles. The aerodynamics look good and so does the power.

Pea shooters: Basically a home made gun: straw that shoots dried peas. Good range, good aero. Person may not feel it and claim you missed.

Homemade marble gun: blow marbles out of 3/4 or 1" PVC tubes. Marbles have great distance and great aero.

Disc shooter: These have multi-shot clips so shooting is fast. But discs are not accurate. They tend to fly off to the side of rotation. But they do have great distance and aero qualities. Plastic disc kind has 3/4" discs. Others have foam discs about 1.5" in diameter.

Ping pong ball shooter: These basically shoot white balls that look like ping pong balls. Poor distance, fair accuracy. Most can shoot fast.

Invalid guns are: sling shots (too powerful), BB guns, any gun that shoots sharp or metal objects.

Valid locations to shoot people are: in the halls, between classes, outside.

Invalid locations to shoot people: cafeteria, in class or a lab, in the bathroom or shower. Other places can be made "safe zones", like study rooms, pools, sports fields, marching band, etc.

When it comes down to the last few people it's a good idea to have some referees to say who hit whom first. There could be a prize at the end of the game, you decide.

It's a lot of fun as on your way home from class you could have anyone pop out of the bushes and start shooting you. Then you see your attacker is really the target of someone else, and someone starts shooting THEM! I can tell you to not assume the girls are easy targets or poor shots, some of them will surprise you. Some of them I played with were very sneaky.

Any questions, email me at chuckr 44 at gawab dott com.

By Chuck R. from Kentwood, MI

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If you're setting up an aquarium be sure and get an aqua clean filter set up.
It does such a good job on keeping your aquarium clean.


By Barbara Montag from St Cloud MN

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I always put a teaspoon of salt in my water when I am making hard-boiled eggs. The shells just roll off like butter when you go to peel the eggs!

By Michele from Dallas, Tx

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I am most pleased about the hair catcher I put in my bathtub drain. It is a wire basket that fits right into the drain. It can be purchased for $2-3 in a hardware store. It saves me from having to use a drain opening product every few months.

By Donna Hunt from Mpls., MN

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Make a mask with a paper plate. Have your child paint a face on the plate (bear, tiger, worm) then glue on ears, cut out eyes, and attach string on the sides. Make more masks and put on a play!

By Susan Eppling from Boston, Ma

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I'm not into brand name shampoo. I just want my hair clean. I go to my local discount beauty supply store, and buy the one gallon bottle of no-name shampoo. It's the same shampoo many hairdressers use. It costs the same as a small bottle, but holds about 5 times as much!

By Hana from Israel

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When we decided to go for gold and set up our own business we knew we had to do it frugally. We sold our second car and then did online searches for everything we needed: sourcing a manufacturer for the product, registering a business name, getting UPC codes, finding a lawyer, putting our site together etc. We have saved thousands by taking a little extra time to DIY (do it yourself) and it paid off beautifully.

By princessgrace from Austin, TX

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Using Elmer's Glue

To remove a splinter, simply apply some Elmer's glue over the splinter. After the glue dries, peel it off and the splinter will often come out also. This is especially helpful on children who are frightened by tweezers and needles. Our family relies on this method of splinter removal as it is painless.

By Barbara Hauser

Using Scotch Tape

When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

By Paper from Powell River, BC

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When making a pot of coffee, add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the coffee in the filter basket. Brew as usual. It will taste like the best gourmet flavored coffee.

By Holly from NJ

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I use vegetable oil in my bread machine recipes instead of margarine. The taste and texture is much better. I use 1/4 cup oil for a 1-1/2 lb loaf.

By Marilyn from Destin, Fl

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I need a workable suggestion on how to prevent large items (sheets, duvets) placed in the dryer, from rolling themselves into balls which causes them to not dry properly.

Point from Olympic Pennisula

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I am interested in taking a pineapple and cutting off the top to plant. Can anyone give me some good suggestions on how to do this?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Linda

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Does anyone know how I can fix this? I put a hot fry pan in my kitchen sink Instead of letting it cool off, I put it in there hot, and it burnt the porcelin sink in 2 spots about the size of a half dollar. It is a brand new sink and I am devastated. I did not think this would of happened. Any help would be appreciated.

Karen from Sacramento, California

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I am looking for a recipe similar to the homemade coleslaw served at Ham's Restaurants (Southeast franchise). It is not made from shredded cabbage as are most cole slaws and the dressing has a mild tangy flavor. Thank you!

Virginia from Mechanicsville, VA

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I am sending weekly mortgage payments to my lender and sent a request in writing instructing them how much to apply to principal, interest and escrow. They accept my payment but hold it in a suspense account until I call when the next payment is due and tell them to apply it. Every time I call they tell me they do not accept partial payments, yet they hold my money without applying it. I do this to make it easier to budget weekly, and was hoping to apply money to the principal to get the amount down weekly. Is it legal for them to hold my money in a suspense account even thought I have instructed them how to apply it? Can they refuse these payments legally? My mortgage payment is always on time and up to date. Can you help?

Cindy

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My husband placed an electronic keyboard, which had been in the truck of his car for few days, on my good table cloth. When he went to pick it up it was stuck to the tablecloth. The rubber tabs at the bottom of the keyboard were melted and stained my table cloth pretty bad. I tried all kind of solvents, nothing helped. I appreciate any advice on how to get rid of this melted rubber stain.

Laurice from Texas

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I have a black suede hat that is kind of stiff. The same goes for my leather bag. They have seen better times but are in good condition, otherwise. Is there anything I can use to soften these items up.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Anjeena from New York

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My son is about to be 7 and has wet the bed on average of about 3 times a week all of his life. We have tried EVERYTHING. The only thing we haven't yet tried is prescription meds. That would be my last resort. I don't know anything about them and was wondering if any parents here have any experience with them?

Jo Smith from Jackson, TN

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How can I keep Polar Bears out of a landfill without digging, without any spending money, and without harming or killing the polar bears? Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Ron from Canada

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Does anyone know a site that list old fashion methods for living? Like how to butcher hogs, make lye soap, can sausage, etc.? If there is no such place, I wish someone would start one.

JENJEN from BEREA, KY

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I have a hummingbird vine that produced long pods last year. Can I start another vine from these? And if so, how? There are still some brown, dried out pods on it from last year.

Hardiness Zone: 6

Betty from Hudson Valley area NY

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What are some ways to earn extra money at home? I have a good but stressful job, so I would rather not do any extra overtime days because I don't want to get burnt out. I have to stay at my job forever since I am paying off a big debt. However, I only get paid every two weeks and I would like extra cash for things like gifts, clothing, happy meals for my grand kids, yard sales, etc. I need the work to be flexible because i want to be able to spend time with my grand kids and family when they need me. So any thoughts? Also how much does one charge for doing laundry and how much per piece of clothing for ironing?

Thank you!

Grandma From Richmond, KY

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I have two sons, both born in the month of may (May 11th and 24th). I want to have a birthday party for both of them. They are 1 and 2 years old. Any party ideas?

mother-of-two from Caribbean

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What kind of chocolate do you use in the giant kisses made with a funnel?

Carol from Fairview, TN

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I really just wanted an opinion of other users on here: What do you do to keep from feeling lonely on Valentine's day (or as I like to call it, Single Awareness Day)? It's one of those days where I don't want to go out or anything so I don't have to see everyone else getting things from their sweethearts. I'm still single and I try to keep my chin up but it's hard, especially on days like this. Any opinions you'd like to share? Thanks much!

Stacey from Orem, UT

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I have a favorite dress that I would like to replicate in another fabric. How do I create a pattern for this?

Amanda from Albuquerque

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I thought it would be fun to request web addresses of great sites for us "Frugalers". If you have some favorite sites please share their web address with us. Sometimes I find myself going to the same sites over and over; new ones would be nice.

Here are some of my favorites:

www.savingadvice.com/freebies.php
www.allrecipes.com
www.angelwinks.net
www.organized-mom.com
www.recipelink.com
www.frugalhomemaker.com
www.half.ebay.com
www.recipegoldmine.com (this site has skin care recipes too)
www.homemadesimple.com
www.christianbook.com

Marnita from Cumming GA

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I am looking for a "Now I lay me down to sleep" children's prayer cross stitch kit that my mother made me when I was born. It was either bought at Leewards or Mary Maxim. It is pink with farm animals. It must be the stamped kind, as I cannot complete the counted kind. It is about 8x10. Please help.

Thanks!
Julie from Orlando, FL

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I need to know how to remove heavy oily smoke from wooden blinds.

Barbara from TX

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I would like cleaning tips for Rubber dolls from the 1950's era. Please, If you have any tips, I could use them.

Thanks,
Cheryl from Richmond, VA

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