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Today's Photos
Here are some of the flowers from my yard.
By Great Granny Vi
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Here is Sable Chihuahua/Rat Terrier in her Baseball Uniform. She will be 4 this month. She loves to dress up. I bought this outfit as a newborn outfit clearanced out at Pamida. It came with shorts too and I cut a hole in the shorts so her happy curled up tale could show. And yes....she will have her birthday hat on in a few weeks - I will make her 4 hot dogs (her fave) with candles in them. She doesn't know how good she has it - or does she?....lol
By Carol Ann
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Credit Card "Piggy Bank"
By Rela Ann
The other way we can use those sample credit cards is to make a "piggy bank" to teach your kid that an alternative to credit cards is to save up before spending. Be it for Christmas Fund or Birthday Fund or Summer Vacation Fund, saving will be fun while learning a financial lesson at the same time. Start them young!
Ingredients
Method/Instructions
1. If you do not have a box yet, construct the box using cardboard, scissors, pencil, stapler and glue. Consider using the sample credit card dimensions so that they can cover entire sides.
2. Select a side of the box where to place the hole where coins can enter. Select a location on that side to mark a 1" straight line. Make sure it is located/positioned where you do not need to cut through a sample credit card. Cut through the cardboard on the 1" mark.
3. Cover the box with the bond paper (or the nice paper you want to use). Cut through the paper on 1" hole location on the board to allow coins to enter.
4. Glue the sample credit cards to all sides. (You can opt not to glue one at the bottom if you do not have enough sample credit cards.)
5. Mark or decorate the "piggy bank" according to what the money being saved for is - Toys, Christmas, Birthday, Summer Vacation, Mother/Fathers' Day, Grandparents' Day, etc.
In what I've done, I used old Christmas card boxes which had a nicely written "Christmas" white text on silver background.
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This is Sindel, our 7 year old Calico. She may look sweet and innocent, but don't let her fool you! She's small but fiesty. I couldn't understand why she was the last of the litter when I went to pick her up as a tiny kitten. After all, she was an adorable little fluff ball, how could anyone resist?
After we brought her home and adopted our now departed second cat Desmond, her personality shone through! Even though Desmond was literally twice her size (13 pounds to her 6 1/2), she'd bully him! Apparently he didn't mind too much though; they had two litters of kittens together before we got them fixed! After we had to put Desmond to sleep, you could tell she missed him. For her, I don't think any new cat could ever replace him!
By Lisa
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Today's Tips
When doing laundry, use white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener. This deodorizes laundry and softens it too. Then when you put items in the dryer, pour a little fabric softener on a pair of knee high nylons or panty hose (ones that are no longer fit to wear) and throw them in with the laundry. This helps not only to soften the laundry, but also helps remove lint and pills. It saves money on the fabric softener and dramatically cuts down on lint.
By Shelly E
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Breaking Down Tasks Into Smaller Pieces
When I'm just not up to doing a particular multi-part task, I can usually get it done by breaking it down. I can pull the laundry out of the dryer and set the basket in the laundry room and grab a handful, just a handful, every time I pass that way. Everyone can fold 1 handful of laundry. I can empty 1 rack of dishes waiting for the toast to pop or while on hold.
By Linda
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Plastic or Resin Patio Chair Cover Pattern
I thought some of you may like a link to making a pattern to cover your resin patio chairs. These are the plastic chairs that you use outside. I have been in a real pickle as what to do for seating for my son's 16th birthday party. I already had 5 resin chairs but I had not even thought of using them and was trying to find a way to purchase 12 chairs in a reasonable amount of time and expense as his birthday was coming up fast. Then I got the idea that I would use the 5 resin chairs I had plus go buy 7 more for a few bucks a piece.
I figured I could find a pattern online to cover them and I spent 5 days looking for one, lol, but I finally found one and it's quite simple and I am tickled to pieces over it, so I thought I would share the wealth.
It's from HGTV (Home and Garden Television). When you open the page, the general directions are on that main page but if you look to the left, it has pdf files you can open that shows how you measure your pattern. I am literally the worst sewer in the world but I did these. I am so serious when I say I bite at sewing, I use no sew tape for everything, lol. But sewing these was a breeze. I hope this helps anyone looking for a pattern to dress up those chairs.
P.S. Now I have chairs to use for a larger Thanksgiving turn out, Christmas, anniversaries, etc. And resin chairs take up very little space when stacked and can go to the shed out of the way when not in use. All you have to store is the covers, if you are really good at sewing you could even make reversible covers for easy switch out for different occasions. Good luck and have a thriftyfun day.
P.P.S. I suggest printing a copy of the directions and pattern, you know how links are, there one day, gone the next, so I would print it so you know you have it, should the link expire.
Angela From Virginia Post Feedback: Click Here
Tips to help you save time and money when moving. Post your ideas. Moving Tips
My tip is to help people save money who are in the unfortunate but common place of having to move themselves either by choice or when their company relocates a spouse and won't pay for moving expenses. While these expenses are tax deductible, which is a plus, they are also time consuming, labor intensive and expensive.
"Use what you have" as packing material rather than buying expensive bubble wrap and shipping paper. ie: use your clothing (which you're going to have to pack anyway) to wrap fragile items before placing in a box.
Get your moving boxes for free from liquor stores and grocery stores. Just talk to the manager first and they'll start saving them for you, you can also check out the dumpsters at these stores or at the local recycling center.'
Never wrap china in newspaper because the news print could come off on the china and you'd have to wash each piece by hand, individually before you could put them away in your new residence. I found a free way to overcome this. I wrap each piece of china and chrystal in a plastic grocery bag which I've saved from year-long trips to the supermarket (or ask your neighbors to save them for you for a few weeks or months. you'd be surprised how fast these things add up); and then i wrap them in old newspaper; again something I'm receiving on a daily basis and can save or ask neighbors to do so. This tip has a two-fold effect of saving money and recyling items at least one more time before they hit the landfill.
Once you reach your new community check out the local recycling centers to dispose of the bags and newspapers, and check with the local animal shelter too. They often need newspaper.
By Debbie
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Reversible Panels on Your Dishwasher?
When moving into a new home and the dishwasher is not the color of your other appliances, unscrew the front panel to see what is on the other side. Most newer dishwashers have reversible panels in black and white. Post Feedback: Click Here
Personalized Christmas Ornaments
I often buy white Christmas balls that have a pearly appreance after Christmas when they reduce the price. I keep paint pens and hand decorate them. I put holly leaves and berries on them and different captions like: Merry Christmas, NOEL, Let it Snow, etc. Post Feedback: Click Here
Tips to use when you go grocery shopping. Post your ideas. Post Feedback: Click Here
Tips to help keep socks together. Prevent losing odd socks in the laundry and help in sorting them: With five kids, it was easy to lose socks, I finally bought small safety pins. I would pin the pairs of socks at the toes before washing, that way no sorting afterwards. Can roll up socks with pin still in. When worn, pin can be put inside near the top so it is not seen. Hopefully, the kids (and husbands) will learn to pin them together when they take them off, to save you the trouble of doing this.
By Linda
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Bringing Up Young Boys To Become Responsible Husbands And Fathers
I once heard it said that you will never really know how effective you were as a parent until your child grows up and has a family of their own. Teaching a young boy responsibility and good values make life not only easier for the parent, but for his wife and family later in life. Post Feedback: Click Here
Tips for making iced tea. Post your ideas. Easy Iced Tea
For iced tea, I take a half gallon container, put it 6 decaf tea bags and fill container with hot water from the faucet, as hot as it will come out. Put on lid and let set an hour and put in frig. I cannot do 'sun' tea so this is about as close as you can get.
By Linda
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Contest ends August 31, 2005
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New Requests
I live in Illinois and this Summer we hardly had any rain and it's been extemely hot. I have lived in my house for 14 years and this is the very first time that I have ground hogs or ground moles making tunnels in my front yard. They have eaten up my entire Hosta plant. What is the best way to get rid of this pest so it doesn't come back next year? Post Feedback: Click Here
I have a fiberglass tub that is pitted and hard to keep clean. The tub was like this when I moved in. I don't know how old it is. I've tried everything short of filling tub with water and adding bleach. Will it be beneficial to refinish it? Post Feedback: Click Here
Ideas for a Girl's 16th Birthday
I am having a 16th birthday party for my oldest daughter at the end of September. She is wanting to invite around 30 guests. I am looking for some very creative ideas but at a reasonable expense. I would welcome any ideas or places to research for this information. Post Feedback: Click Here
Homemade Natural Shampoo and Conditioner for Color Treated Hair
Does anyone have a great recipe for homemade, all natural shampoo and conditioner that is kind to for color-treated or highlighted hair? I want to make my own shampoo and conditioner but most recipes do not mention chemically treated hair. I realize the contradiction/irony, but I haven't done so well trying to use natural homemade color treatments so I still go to the salon. Post Feedback: Click Here
I need help to removing a red stain on a gray cotton t-shirt. The stain came from a red wash cloth, like the ones your find in workshops. I dried the shirt before I found the stain. I have tried Shout and many similar products including rubbing alcohol, carpet cleaner, Nels Naptha, and just about anything else. Please help! This is my favorite shirt! Thanks! Post Feedback: Click Here
Removing Red Candle Stain from Microwave
Is there anything that will take the stain from a red candle off my white microwave appliance. I have the wax removed but it left the stain. Thanks for any help you can give me. Post Feedback: Click Here
Candy Recipe Using Soda Crackers
I once tried these incredible cookies. They were made with soda crackers, the soda crackers were place on cookie sheet as one layer, then they took something and poured it over the crackers. I think it went in oven, then once out of oven they put a bag of chocolate chips on it and spread. They were so good. Does any one have the recipe? I would really love to try to it. Post Feedback: Click Here
Low Odor Dry Erase Pen on White Board
I have used a low odor dry erase pen on a white board. Now this ink appears to be permanent on this white board. I have scrubbed with dry cloths to no avail, so I have tried water and even water and vinegar. Does anybody know how to get this ink off? Post Feedback: Click Here
Well, I'm thinking of getting a mohawk. I'm not worried about my parents and/or guys. How do Mohawks look on people with full faces? I've had a mohawk before, but I never shaved my head. Also, I have a pale complection, and I'm about ready to bleach my hair again soon, what color do you think would go best with a hawk that isnt shaved... yet? Post Feedback: Click Here
I need help desperately. I have a terribly aggressive poodle, full-blooded. I don't know where else to turn. Does anyone have any tips? My poodle is almost 3 years old. Post Feedback: Click Here
What could cause my Tiger Lily to not bloom? I have read about shocking it with a spade plunged into the soil about 1 ft away from it, but that didn't help. It is not so large that it needs to be divided. Post Feedback: Click Here
I am looking for some help. I bought what I thought was a good bedroom set but to my dismay the dressers drawers are falling apart. The tracks are breaking off. I need to know how I can repair them. Unfortunately the tracks are plastic and they are glued in. I bought the set from Haynes Furniture out of Virginia. I even went looking for another dresser but it does not exist. Can these be repaired? Post Feedback: Click Here
Paint To Go With Log Cabin Furniture
I am about to open a mini store front / space that I will be selling log cabin furniture out of. The walls are already textured, so all I need to do is paint them. I am trying to pick a color that will go best with my log cabin, southwest furniture. Any suggestions would be helpful! :) Post Feedback: Click Here
My pear tree is full this year and I'm wondering what to do with all of them. Last year we gave so many away that not everyone could eat all of them and some went to waste. Can I can them and how do I do this? Post Feedback: Click Here
My ex-boyfriend and good friend is graduating from high school soon and I want to get him a basket and fill it with all sorts of things. The problem is I don't really know what to get him and I'm running out of money. I've already made him some mix tapes and gotten some stuff from his favorite TV shows and put that stuff in, I just want to put a lot more in and make it really special. Post Feedback: Click Here
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By Patricia
I always do some with the receipent's name and family member names on them. They make great Christmas gifts. When I use them as bridal gifts I make one with the bride and groom's name and the date of their wedding on one side and "Our First Christmas and the year" on the other. They can be gifted in the same box they are packaged in, and most brides don't have many ornaments for their first tree.
By Martha
By Sharon Shearer
Excusing bad behavior by explaining,"OH, HE'S JUST A BOY!" doesn't really cut it in the real world - outside of the home. Unfortunately the world doesn't love us the way a Mom does.
A boy's respect for women begins at home. Allowing a boy to hit or mistreat a female sibling gives out the message that females are unworthy of their respect. Unless it's taught at home, some poor woman will fall victim to his wrath.
Teaching a son that no one else is responsible for his upkeep makes life easier on both a Mother and a future Daughter-in-law. You know the old "House Rule", if you make the mess, clean it up! It begins early with Toys, clothes and snacks. Good habits formed early will follow them through their adult life.
Teach a young boy that chores are not just for women. Something as simple as carrying out the trash helps a child learn that he has a contribution to making life easier for his parent, and eventually his wife.
In small subtle ways teach a boy that it's not a "Woman Thing" to be thoughtful. Encourage him by suggesting, "It's so-and-so's birthday. Let's make them a card - or buy them a small present." Plant the seed and watch it grow.
Last of all, when your son comes of age to have children, let him know that there is NOTHING wrong with being a good responsible Dad. Diaper changes and bottle feedings haven't killed a man yet. But an overworked, stressed out wife and mother, sure can make for a miserable marriage.
Years ago, things were different, and I'm glad to say many men have changed their way of thinking and it seems the younger generation of men are more thoughtful than some were in the past. While your young sons are in their formative years, do your part, Moms. Your Daughter-in-law will thank you later!
By Sharon,Ky
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Carol
Amie from MI
Lisa from Littleton, Colorado
Thanks,
Newbie
gamma3
Thank you in advance,
nmcl
Thanks!
Priscilla
-Raven
Vera in Southwest Georgia
Thanks,
Marcella in Canada
Lynn
Jill
-Sandy
Kat From Ohio
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