Daily Thrifty Tips - April 3, 2006

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This is a buggy cake on a wooden board covered with baby shower inexpensive paper. The cake used 2 small round pans for wheels and one large round cut and shaped for the main body of buggy. I also used candy molds around and on the cake. Small candies on top and inside the hollow chocolate molds on side of buggy.

I used an antique buggy that I found on internet for .99 cents and gave to my best friend as a decoration for the shower. I used lights shaped like baby blocks to dress up the table and used inexpensive (Dollar Tree) decorations for buggy stuff. I hope you like and enjoy. Use lots of sprinkles and edible glitter to make it dazzle. Can be used for boy or girl! Thanks for looking.

By Melissa Coleman from Madison, MS

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I just HAD to stop and take a picture of this!

By Laurie Bianchetti from Prairieville, LA

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Princess Angel (my daughter named her) is 5 months old and I think she is Japanese Bobtail and Siamese.

My dad has a full blooded Japanese bobtail, he got out of the house and now I have one of her kittens. Out of a litter of 5 only one had a tail.

She plays with my other 2 cats and loves my daughters. Paige (in photo, 4) and Kayli (not pictured) 3. She loves being treated like a real baby.

She is Spoiled Rotten. She is a DIVA kitty!

By Melissa from Madison, MS

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You and children of any age can make these simple flowers with just a coffee filter, construction paper, cotton balls, a small ring from a toilet paper roll and some glue.

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Especially when you have multiple dogs in the family, knowing the pack order is important. To your dogs, you are part of the pack. To have a happy home, you need to be at the TOP of the pack order.

ALPHA DOGS

Alpha dogs are the boss dogs. You may have an alpha dog if she acts like this:

• Your dog usually wins at tug-of-war with the other dogs
• Your dog hoards toys and treats
• Your dog wins staring contests with the other dogs
• Your dog pushes to be the first one out the door
• Your dog humps the other dogs, regardless of gender

There is nothing wrong with showing a little preferential treatment to your alpha dog. You should put the alpha's bowl down first at dinner time, and greet her first when you wake up or get home from work. If you try to be fair and give more preference to the lower dogs in the pack, your alpha can get upset -- to the point of aggression towards the other dogs to reclaim her place as leader.

OMEGA DOGS

Omega dogs are low dogs on the totem pole. Your omega dog may act like this:

• Your dog goes belly up when she meets other dogs
• Your dog piddles when she meets other dogs or people
• Your dog gives up toys and treats to the other dogs
• Your dog gives up first at tug-of-war
• Your dog may not make eye contact, or will be the first to break a stare
• Your dog gives up sleeping spots to the other dogs

Don't feel bad if you have an omega dog; they are perfectly happy in their place in the pack. In fact, they will feel less secure if you try to treat them like the alpha to even things out.

So what's a pack leader to do? Understanding and following the pack order will help keep your dogs coexisting harmoniously. However, keep in mind that you are the ruler over all. Letting your alpha dog boss you around means she won't obey you when you give commands.

One good way to help your dogs adjust to the pack order is to share the feeding duties between all the human members of the family. Your dogs will learn that each member of the family is a food provider, and should be respected for their high pack rank.

By Catherine Forman

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Sometime when you're feeling important
Sometime when you ego's in bloom
Sometime when your take it for granted
You're the best qualified in the room
Sometime when you feel that your going would leave an unfillable hole
Just follow this simple instruction
and see how it humbles your soul

Take a bucket and fill it with water
Put your hand in it, up to your wrist
Pull it out and the hole that's remaining is a measure of how you'll be missed
You may splash all you please when you enter
You can stir up the water galore
But stop and you'll find in a minute that it looks quite the same as before
The moral in this quaint example
Is do the best that you can
Be proud of yourself, but remember
There's no indispensable man.

I don't know who wrote this I got it from my grandfather over 20 years ago

By Jill from Shavertown, PA

Editor's Note: This is named "Feeling Important" by Saxon White Kessinger. It is also the poem that Justice Sandra Day O'Connor read at her retirement.

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A pal, who cleans houses, says not to buy stainless steel appliances, as they're hard to keep clean. She said they're all nice and pretty at first, but become spotty, streaked after a while.

By Terri from NV

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If you use individual dietary supplements (aka vitamins and minerals) to format your own specific supplement requirements, it may be hard to remember how many of each to take every day without looking at the directions each time.

I conquered this problem by using a black sharpie magic marker and writing the numeric on the top of the lid. Now I can count out immediately what I need from each instead of having to hunt for the information in the fine print on the label.

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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When cooking with ground turkey, make sure to drain all the grease off by browning it, then placing in a colander and letting the grease drip out.

As low fat as you may imagine turkey to be, the saucer under the colander will surprise you with the amount of grease it has collected.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Another readers tip reminded me of this, when putting my crocheting down, I enlarge the loop that was on the needle and tie a loose knot with the yarn hanging off the needle. Keeps me from losing stitches when moving the item around.

By Linda from Bloomington, Illinois

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This is a link for making the cake.

http://entertaining.about.com/cs/showers/a/diapercake.htm

There are number links 1 2 3 4 5, Click on 2 for the beginning of the instructions.

By IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

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When planting flowers or bushes, plant a clove of garlic along with it. This will keep bugs away and you can use the garlic when it's ready.

By Betty from Fond du Lac, Wi.

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I LOVE skin care samples - and get them by signing up for sites on the internet - and using freebie sites - and picking them up at stores when they are handed out. I even got a whole bag of skin care samples at a thrift shop for $1 - which was worth much more. Most of the samples have more than one application - even the packets - which can be closed with a paper clip so it doesn't dry up and then re-used. It gives you a chance to use really good brands, like Clarins, which is really generous in its samples.

By Pam from L.A., CA

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There are so many uses for long lace panels. I have put them across the bottom of windows to create privacy, while letting in the light above. I have also used one hooked across my open door to my apartment, to let in air (there's an updraft in my hall) while maintaining privacy. And a lace panel hooked up behind vertical blinds allows me to keep them pulled back, while letting in air and shielding me from outside eyes. Besides, the lace with the ruffle on top really does soften the look of those vertical blinds!

By Pam from L.A., CA

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Does anyone have instructions on making curtains with big grommets? Specifically the proper way to put in the grommets.

Nicky from Canada

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My hair has been over processed. I got a perm and it didn't take. About three weeks later, I got another one. Now my hair is over processed and it's like cotton candy. What can I do (other than getting it all cut off) to bring some life back into it? Any and all suggestions are GREATLY appreciated.

Renee from St. Louis, MO

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Theresa Christian from Jamaica, NY sent in a wonderful recipe a few days ago called Orange Dreamsicle Cake which I can't wait to try; but I do have a question first: so I really don't need to add eggs or oil to the cake mix?

Lynn from Chico, CA

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Does anyone have any suggestions of how I can get the grass to grow back or to not be brown where my dog pees in the yard? I hate to have a nice green yard and then have spots here and there that are dead from the dog urinating there!

Mandi from Erie

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Can I use "oven cooking bags" in my crockpot?

Sharon from Southern Illinois

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I am looking for a recipe for a jello mixture that tastes like a creamsicle. I have looked high and low with no results and the lady won't give out her family recipe. The dessert has mandarin oranges, Cool Whip and what else in it?

Thanks,
Angie from WI

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We just cut down cedar trees to build our garage and I want to use the trees to make hand rails but I am not sure how to go about the drying process. What do I do about the tree sap? I have seen these type of railings in log homes that we toured when we built ours. But, I am lost!

shopping_addiction_woman from Nashville, IN

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Does anyone know how to make those window gel decorations that they sell in stores? I would love to make my own, using my cookie cutters. I know someone must know how to do this.

Thanks in advance!
JgS from New Jersey

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I have bought a couple of cans of sardines and would like to know what I can make with them. I usually use salmon and tuna but the calcium in sardines is high as well. I have high cholesterol and am looking at ways of lowering it. I only buy water pack fish.

Thanks,
Susan from Hamilton, Ontario

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My daughter has problems with one of her children with head lice. She hates using the chemical cure once a month for this. Would normal cooking oil work and smother them?

Sandie from Cape Coral, FL

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I was wondering if anyone had a guide to making hemp sandals? I found some on ebay but they are kinda expensive, and I want to make my own.

CosmicCranberry from Houston, TX

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My 2 year old mini-schnauzer has urinated multiple times on new carpeting. She has 24 hr. access outside via a doggy door. She never has done this since trained as a puppy. I am sick and at my wits end. She get reprimanded each and every time. She just did it when I was even home. I need some advice on what to do. I have her sister as well who does NOT do this.

H J Schneider from Aurora, CO

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Does anyone have any tips for cleaning stuffed toys? I have some toys that I would like to give to friends that have children but would like to spiff them up before I do.

Thanks,
Debbie from Little Rock, AK

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I just picked this plant up at the flea market, but have no idea what it is. Does anyone know what it is and do you have any tips for caring for it, watering, light etc.?

Hardiness Zone: 9b

Thanks a million.
Tracy from Cocoa, FL

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We are 2 women who are starting a real estate business from home and will be using our own names on our business cards but we need an "umbrella" business name to cover real estate and rentals - something dynamic but not gimmicky. I would love your feedback.

Cecilia from Australia

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I need to purchase two Prairie Spy Apple Trees for my little orchard, and I'm having a most difficult time finding a nursery that has any to sell and/or ships. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Elymunile from Ely, NV

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What herbs can be mixed to grow together in a pot? I have a small area so I need to maximize space.

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Susan from Memphis, TN

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Can you tell me what you think of this dress?

July Bride 07 from Ireland

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Does anyone know about a promotion that Alltel has for a free phone, no deposit regardless of bad credit? I have a teenager that I need to keep up with.

Pamwil88 from Albany, GA

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My cedar fence receives no sun and is covered in green moss or something, I want to wash it so that I can stain it this year. What can I use that will kill the green stuff and not hurt my plants? And is there any way to prevent the recurrence of the green stuff?

Marigold from Chicago

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Reunion.com Find Old High School Friends at Reunion.com

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"I'll get to it--when I get a chance."

You know what that means, don't you? You'll never get to it! Here are 8 simple ways to kick the procrastination habit and start getting things done.

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Description: Hamsters are small, prolific rodents that are similar biologically to mice. They are easy to distinguish from Gerbils by their lack of tails. Although many species exist, only a few different species are commonly sold as pets. The Dwarf Hamster is the most social and the Syrian and Chinese hamsters are the easiest to train.

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Breed Description: The Brittany is an energetic, medium-sized dog with a keen ability to point and retrieve with remarkable speed and agility. This breed is small and elegant, yet agile and rugged. Excellent as hunting dogs, the Brittany's smaller size allows them to go where larger dogs cannot and his friendly disposition makes him an excellent companion.

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Is debt consolidation really the answer to your debt problems?

More than one lender, of course, means more than one payment from your account or more than one bill through your door every month. And more than one cheque to remember to post and more than one phone call to make to argue about the ridiculously high late payment penalty.

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Breed Description: The American Cocker Spaniel is an active, friendly dog with a refined, rounded head, long, lobular ears and a sturdy compact body. Although mostly sought after for companionship, the Cocker Spaniel still retains the keen hunting instincts typically found in all spaniels.

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