Daily Thrifty Tips - April 17, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 76, April 17, 2008 (Read It Online) Do you have a frugal story to tell? Share your story and tips for living a frugal life with the ThriftyFun Community. Submit an essay here... Thanks for reading, Susan Send to a Friend! Share a Tip (You could win $25!) Share a Photo (You could win $25!) Have a Question? Submit a request... Link to ThriftyFun.com View Active Topics! Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Today's Photos: Craft Project: Mother's Day Jar Ricky Ricardo (Chihuahua/Tea Cup Chihuahua) Cover Your Kitchen Cabinets With Corkboard Craft: Paper Bag Baskets Today's Tips: Imaginative and Frugal Toys Many Uses For Dental Floss Containers Reusing Dryer Sheets Skin So Soft for Sticker Removal Tips For Caring For Your Parakeet Link: Downloadable Yoga Videos Organizing Business Cards Parts and Information for Fixing and Decorating Mobile Homes Best Iced Tea Decorating Clothing with Found Fancy Buttons Joke of the Day New Requests: Making A Travel Craft Basket How Do You Freeze Lemons? Underage Club For Birthday Party Grey Stains In Bathtub Transplanting Bamboo Outside Games For Large Group Of People Removing Expanding Foam From Bathtub Instructions For A Bread Maker Planning A Frugal Wedding Quickly When Should I Freeze Leftover Meatballs? Shortening An Evening Dress Removing Music Box From Stuffed Animal Exterminator Can't Get Rid Of Fleas Selling Candles Easy Candle Making Instructions Portable DVD Player That Plays Region 1 And 2 DVDs Ginger Bread Recipe Cat Swallowing Food Kibbles Whole Planting Blueberry Bushes Body Odor Smell On Leather Chair Dye Buildup Inside Washer "Bears On A Blanket" Afghan Pattern Growing Gourds In 5 Gallon Buckets Using A Long Loom Where Can I Get Azulene Oil? Where Can I Plant A Weeping Willow? Planting Lilacs In Sandy Soil "Spice It Up" Themed Mother's Day Program Using OFF To Remove Nail Polish From Fabric Saving Money on Vegetables More Reading: Emergency Tips For Diabetics Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Today's Photos: Craft Project: Mother's Day Jar This fast and inexpensive Mother's Day jar is sure to please any mom or grandma. Approximate Time: About 30 minutes Supplies: 1 quart canning jar or other quart glass jar with lid 1 sheet of decorative paper 1 sheet or coordinating solid color paper favorite photo of mom and child 1 sheet white paper cut into 2 x 1/2 inch strips 1 artificial flower hot glue gun and glue sticks or craft glue Instructions: Cut decorative paper into an 12 inch x 3 inch strip. Wrap paper around jar and glue ends to back of jar. Cut solid coordinating paper into a 4 x 3 inch rectangle. Glue photo at angle on coordinating paper. Attach to front of jar with glue. Write happy thoughts and praises to mom on each strip of paper. Fold each strip in half and drop into jar. Glue flower to top of lid and place on jar. By Mom of 1 from Wilkesboro, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11568015.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Ricky Ricardo (Chihuahua/Tea Cup Chihuahua) Ricky Ricardo is 6 weeks old. He is Chihuahua and Tea Cup Chihuahua. I got him March 15th for my birthday! He likes to play with his daddy. Ricky loves to talk and sing to me! By Marisa from Santa Maria, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51014241.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cover Your Kitchen Cabinets With Corkboard I just got out of a miserable relationship, and moved into a single wide trailer as that is all I can afford right now. I did not like the way the place looked but it is safe for my kids, my number one priority. One of the things I have done so far is corkboard the kitchen cabinets. It's just me and my 14 and 2 year old, so I made it fun. Since I can not do anything permanent, I thought about how I could corkboard the cabinets and be able to remove it later, with no damage. I've heard of cork boarding the cabinets, but never could find actual directions on how to do it. So here is what I did... I found some rolled corkboard at Hobby Lobby; $14.99 a roll that covered 6 cabinets. I took off the cabinet fronts and all the hardware, cleaned the cabinets, laid the cabinet on the corkboard and traced it to cut the correct size. Then I hot glued the bottom corners, some hot glue up the middle and then the top. I then took white duct tape, stuck it on with about half up front and enough to hold it on in the back, it gave the cabinet a finished cork board look. I put all the hardware back in and hung the cabinets. I had a bunch of little foam symbols that I had purchased at the Dollar Tree that I added to push the tacks into because the actual rolled cork board is very thin and I want to be sure not to damage the cabinet (anymore than it was anyway). I like the way it turned out, it looks much better than it did. I have not added pictures yet because I just got my printer today, put I plan to. With a little imagination you can do a lot with this. I hope it helps someone out. My kids love it. My plan when I leave is to remove the tape and pull off the hardened glue, then to use WD-40 to remove the tackiness. I hope it works. Also, I do not know how it will hold up to steam and such while cooking, or even how fire resistant it is, but I NEVER leave my cooking unattended. Here is a list of items you will need for this project: Cork board - I used thin rolled (Hobby Lobby), but Wal-Mart has thick squares (may not be the right size for you) Glue gun and glue sticks Duct Tape (comes in lots of colors) Items to hot glue to your finished board. Anyway let me know if you like it and Good Luck to you. By Laura from Spring Lake Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34996544.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft: Paper Bag Baskets Do you need a quick basket for just about anything? Materials 3 Paper bags, all of the same size* Double stick tape or glue *You can use lunch bags all the way up to large shopping bags. It is surprising how much weight these can carry. Directions Cut 1 bag in half, top half is now your handle, make ONE-inch folds to the inside, from both sides to the center, this is now your handle ring. (Do Not Cut) Either glue or used double stick tape in a few spots to keep handle closed. The other half of the bag is No. 4, fold the top down the outside in about 1 inch increments all the way to the bottom, on your number 1 this same but stop 1 inch from the bottom. On bag #2, stop folding at 2 inch from the bottom. Now place the tallest bag inside of the medium bag. Put handle around these 2 bags, tape handle to the sides of the two bags, glue or tape last bag to the bottom. Now you have a quick and easy basket. You can embellish with stickers, ribbons, let the kids draw on it. By Babbie from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10432899.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Contests: Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! Today's Tips: Imaginative and Frugal Toys When my 4 children were small, we did not have much money and had to use our imaginations a lot. (a good thing :) The one "toy" my daughter remembers more than any other is when we made a house for her barbie out of a cardboard box. We used various recyclables for furniture, covered with fabric, etc. But the best part was going through magazines and cutting out food, and beauty products that we would cover with clear contact paper from the dollar store. What a blast we had. I recently babysat for a 2 year old and we went to the Disney website, where you can print out each of the Disney princesses for free. I then covered them in clear contact paper and now she has little princess dolls! By Carol from Landisville, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43263929.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Many Uses For Dental Floss Containers When your dental floss is gone, don't throw away the square plastic container it came in. It's useful for many things. It makes a great take-along sewing kit, spice shaker, tea bag and toothpick holder, etc. To make a tiny sewing kit simply pop off the insides with a fork prong. There's just enough room for several bobbins of thread, sewing needles and a needle threader. To cut the thread, use fingernail clippers. They also make a perfect holder for those hand and face wipes. For on the go, dental floss containers hold 2 - 3 bags of tea. Next time you go camping, they make great take-long spice shakers. Simply pop off the plastic insides, fill with herbs and spices then pop the insides back on to help with shaking. (don't overfill or they can pop open. When storing spices, wrap with a rubberband) These containers are perfect to store hair clips and pony elastics in. (No more digging to the bottom of your purse!) They make great toothpick carriers too, as well as a place to store your vitamins for taking after meals. My friend uses one to keep his guitar picks in. Can you think of any other ideas for these handy containers? By CDR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76792128.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Reusing Dryer Sheets When I am done with a load of laundry I take the used dryer sheet and throw it back into the dryer in case I need a touch up on an item of clothing. I lightly moisten the sheet and throw it in with the wrinkled item for about 2-3 minutes and it comes out neat and wrinkle free. The dryer sheet omits just enough moisture into the clothing item to release wrinkles and there is no long drying time. The absorbency of the left over sheet is a perfect quick fix. To freshen up of an item that has been hanging in the closet for a while I use a NEW sheet, moisten it, and do the same procedure. The same nice results are achieved and adds a nice fresh laundered smell. After I have reused a dryer sheet once, I lightly wipe down the inside top of the washer tub edges and flush it away! Source: My own discovery. By Denise from Crescent City, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55634323.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Skin So Soft for Sticker Removal Did you just buy the neatest photo frame at the thrift store but they put this big ole sticker on the glass and now you can't get it off? Just run the sticker under some warm water to remove it and then dry it. After you dry it, use some Avon SKIN SO SOFT to remove the excess sticky stuff - works every time! By Lynne from Sharon, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89557549.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tips For Caring For Your Parakeet I have 3 parakeets, and the easiest way to clean their cage is to simply pull the slide out tray to the utility sink and use the sprayer and a putty knife to scrape. First I dump seeds into the trash, then spray with hot hot water, then I feel secure in knowing it is sanitized. Parakeets love music, I discovered this when they tweet like crazy when the Monkees theme song comes on. Also, I play the harmonica for them, they love it, they are in awe as they listen. Lastly is a important tip, chlorine is hard on little birds kidneys, so I fill a plastic jug and let it set uncapped for 24 hours so it goes away. Then I put a few vitamin drops in their water holder and add the water. It is best to do the vitamins freshly, if it were to be added to the jug as it sets it would lose it's potency. By Linda from Bellevue NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40320279.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Link: Downloadable Yoga Videos Found a FREE download of a beginning yoga class here: FREE Yoga Video/DVDS Visit the http://yoga.org.nz/ for heaps of cool yoga stuff including free downloadable Videos and DVDs. There are several qualities of downloads, inlcluding one good enuf to burn a DVD from - It's free, but if you like, you can make a small donation via PayPal (I did). By Pamphyila from L.A., CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54844820.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Organizing Business Cards I like taking calling cards, especially from stores like beauty salons, doctors office, even restaurants. I did not know where to store them. I bought a wallet size photo album from a dollar store ($1) and started putting all the cards I have taken in there. At the back of the calling cards, I note down comments like the hours and days for my favorite hairstylist or for restaurants favorite menus and what not to order (good for take outs). By Rosario from Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43212864.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Parts and Information for Fixing and Decorating Mobile Homes This great site has everything for the mobile home owner, from history, to parts and great articles to a forum for questions and answers about mobile home problems. It's called MobileHomeRepair.com. They sell a wonderful manual for repairing mobile homes for $29.95 and a manual for additions and roofed porches too. Plus, they offer information on hard-to-get parts for MHs. They even sell parts to fix Underbellies. There's also an abundance of info about going Solar. I'm especially fond of the "Decorating Forum" http://www.mobilehomerepair.com/index.htm Source: MobileHomeRepair.com FORUM: http://www.mobilehomerepair.com/phpbb/ By Cyinda from Seattle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99806000.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Best Iced Tea The best way to make tea for me is to microwave a family size tea bag (I really like Tetley, Lipton seems to fall apart and tea leaves go everywhere) in a cup of water for a couple of minutes until it is boiling. After the water has boiled, first put your sugar/sweetener in the tea pitcher then take a spoon (usually use a wooden one) and poor the tea water in the pitcher. Now just keep refilling water in the cup with the tea bag, your sugar will melt and you have got the best tea ever! It saves you time, and I save on using only one tea bag. I always get compliments on my tea! Source: My mother showed me this trick. By Karen from Union, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57509030.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Decorating Clothing with Found Fancy Buttons I search thrift shops for clothing with fancy buttons (buttons are expensive). I buy an article of clothing for 1.00 or 2.00, take it home, remove buttons and sew on a plain blouse or the pockets of jeans. Buttons can be placed anywhere you like. It spices up an outfit for pennies! The added benefit: you get lots of compliments! Source: This came about for my desire to add sparkle and bling to my clothing. I have been doing this for years designing my own clothes for pennies! By Maureen from Williamsport, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61031412.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dear Webby's Joke of the Day Three small boys were bragging about their fathers. The first boasted that his dad owned a farm. The second said his dad owned a factory. The third boy, a pastors son, replied: "That's nothin'. My dad owns hell." "No way," another boy scoffed. "How can a man own hell?" "Sure he can," the preacher's son said. "My mom told my grandma that them elders of our church gave it to him last night." Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Making A Travel Craft Basket I am going away this weekend. I want to take some stuff to keep me busy, while the man is out fishing! Anyone know what I should pack to make a craft kit? You know materials, or ideas I can work on? Please let me know! Amanda from Pickens, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26585540.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How Do You Freeze Lemons? How do you freeze lemons? I have too many and don't want to lose them. Jason from Chandler, AZ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60051759.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Underage Club For Birthday Party I am turning 16 in August. My parents suggested doing it at an underage club. I can't exactly find one. I know they are here, I just don't know where. I have no idea what to do, or what theme to have. Any ideas? Kaitlyn from Seattle, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73082419.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Grey Stains In Bathtub We have hard water where I live. My bathtub is white, but for some reason, it is getting grey stains on it. I have tried every product that I can think of, none of them has helped remove the stain. I filled the bathtub and put a full bottle of bleach (4 litres) in the water hoping this would help, and left it overnight. It did nothing. Is there anyone who could please help me. Thanking you in advance. Ann from Lumby, BC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20564275.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Transplanting Bamboo Outside I have bamboo curly stalks growing in a vase of water with glass stones. Can it be transplanted outdoors in the Ohio area? Thank you. ridgewayyvonne Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64577857.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Games For Large Group Of People What are some good games to play with lots of people? (Around 25-50 people) Misty from Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18597382.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Expanding Foam From Bathtub My bathroom fitter got that expanding foam on my new acrylic bath. I didn't notice it straight away, and now, one year later I still haven't found a way of removing it completely, without scratching the bath. Linda from Glasgow Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93187279.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Instructions For A Bread Maker I got a bread maker from my aunt and she didn't give me the book to go with it. I have no idea how to find out anything about this bread machine. I called the 1-800 number but no answer. So I need your help. The Model number is K6725. Please help me. Jennifer Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10096788.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Planning A Frugal Wedding Quickly My fiance and I are trying to get married this August. As far as we know we have no financial support coming from our families and we are stuck going at it alone. I'm in college so I do not make much money and he is the only one working full time but we still don't have a lot of extra cash to spare. We have talked about eloping to Niagara Falls but our families want us to marry here so they can attend. Is there anything I can do so a wedding could even be pulled off? Erin from Syracuse, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70085437.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print When Should I Freeze Leftover Meatballs? How many days before I need to freeze cooked left over meatballs that were kept in the refrigerator? Sara from Stratford, CT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39548581.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Shortening An Evening Dress I have a long chiffon evening dress that I need to shorten. Can anyone tell me the proper hem length. Is it to the top of my shoe? Rose from Malvern, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37403323.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Music Box From Stuffed Animal How do I remove the mini music box from a stuffed animal? (I can't get the wind-up key disconnected from the actual box) rkay82 from Indiana Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71883104.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Exterminator Can't Get Rid Of Fleas I kept a dog for 32 days who had Advantage on and after he left within 3 days our house was infested with fleas. We bombed and we paid $275.00 to have it sprayed professionally (with one come back appointment). Well they had to come back and spray again, we still had fleas. We bombed again, all of this was done in one week. We still have fleas. I'm finding fleas in the kids hair. It will be 2 weeks this Saturday. I know the dog had Advantage on because we put it on. I'm desperate. What can I do? Jan from Arcadia, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48927488.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Selling Candles Does anyone know of a reputable candle company that a person could contact to sell candles? And that doesn't cost a lot of money to start in? Jamish from Leoti Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47474615.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Easy Candle Making Instructions I am looking for an easy way to make candles. I cannot use soy, my husband is allergic to soy. I would appreciate any help, thanks. Jamish from Leoti, Kansas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15893462.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Portable DVD Player That Plays Region 1 And 2 DVDs Does anyone know if you can purchase a portable DVD player that is able to play region 1 and 2 DVD's? Donna from Millbury Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65380425.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Ginger Bread Recipe I am looking for a Ginger Bread recipe. JP from South Beach, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22582203.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cat Swallowing Food Kibbles Whole My 2 year old cat (with good teeth) used to chew his tiny pieces of dried food (kibble) normally, (we'd hear "crunch-crunch" when he ate). But these days he just swallows the kibble whole. Do your cats also swallow their dried food whole or is something wrong? Here's a picture of Smokey stalking his prey. He's quite the hunter, last week he caught a baby bunny in our back yard. Thankfully the bunny was okay (after we got him out of Smokey's mouth!) Cyinda from near Seattle Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77438914.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Planting Blueberry Bushes We are getting ready to plant blueberry bushes. I have read online that we need to cut off the top 3rd of the plants when we plant them and then not let them produce for the 1st 2 years. Does anyone out there have experience with blueberries? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks and God bless! Becki from Seymour, Missouri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51211345.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Body Odor Smell On Leather Chair We have a leather chair for my hubby to sit in when he comes in from work all stinky and sweaty. The leather has body odor smell. How do I get the odor out of the leather chair? Deankie Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22284809.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dye Buildup Inside Washer I noticed I have dark blue dye building up in the tub of my dryer. It doesn't rub off on my clothes but maybe it will within time. I tried using nail polish remover and about fumigated myself. I felt ill and weird for several days. Does anyone have an idea? Donna from Millbury Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59568077.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print "Bears On A Blanket" Afghan Pattern I am looking for a crocheted afghan pattern. I believe the name of it is Bears on a Blanket. My daughter is having a baby and loves bears. Does anyone have this pattern or know where to look for it? Sandy from Calais, ME Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50492388.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Growing Gourds In 5 Gallon Buckets Can I grow gourds in 5 gallon buckets? I'd like to grow some of those little gourds that look like hens eggs. I have the seeds, and am ready to plant. But we don't have enough space for sprawling vines in the yard. Could I plant these seeds in a 5 gallon plastic bucket? Perhaps if I drilled holes for drainage, put some gravel in the bottom and used very good potting soil in the bucket? Then when they started growing, I could place a trellis for the vines to grow on? Any ideas would be great! Hardiness Zone: 6b Barbara from East Tennessee Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21774425.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using A Long Loom How do you make stitches on a long loom solid? How many different stitches can you do on a long loom? Judy from Traverse Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37663625.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Where Can I Get Azulene Oil? Does anyone know what azulene oil is? Where can I buy some? smoochie from Houston Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16801266.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Where Can I Plant A Weeping Willow? I decided I wanted a weeping willow and so we planted one in the front yard about 20 ft from the house and 15 feet from the street but now I am worried about the septic system and foundation. I keep reading that they should not be planted near any septic or water lines(our septic is in the backyard). I want to know what a safe distance is to plant a willow from septic or water lines? Could anyone help me with this? Natalie from Sigurd, UT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60151686.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Planting Lilacs In Sandy Soil I live in Wyoming and have very sandy soil. I would like to plant lilacs and need to know the best time to plant and how to care for them. Hardiness Zone: 5a Phyllis from Ft. Laramie, WY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51304355.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print "Spice It Up" Themed Mother's Day Program I am decorating the tables for our annual Mother's Day program. The theme is "Spice It Up". Spicing up your life, getting a makeover, etc. Any ideas on what to do for the centerpieces? Stephanie from Munroe Falls, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90575338.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using OFF To Remove Nail Polish From Fabric When people recommend Off for nail polish removal, are they recommending Off the oven cleaner, or Off the bug spray? Thanks! This is for polish on a brand new cotton dress (fabric is on the thin side). A.B. from San Rafael, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51650140.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Saving Money on Vegetables Tips and ideas for saving money on vegetables. Post your ideas below. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86001583.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml More Reading: Emergency Tips For Diabetics Survival Arsenal Kit for Low Blood Sugar Are you or anyone in your home a diabetic? HIGH blood sugar and LOW blood sugar can be dangerous and life threatening and you could risk dying from a diabetic coma. Have you ever had low blood glucose, so low that it went way below 100? Say maybe 70, 65, 54, 48 (very scary and very life threatening) This not only happens during the daytime BUT it also happens at night. You could die of a diabetic coma if not careful with too, too high blood glucose or too, too low blood glucose. This information/tip is geared toward LOW blood sugar which also happens to people at night. May sure you test your blood sugar several times a day but also test it before going to bed and if you wake up during the night take it again or if you feel to weak have someone who lives with you to take it at night for you. But whether you live with someone or if you live alone, the following is something that you should do at night BEFORE going to bed. Place the following or similar items next to your bed side table or night stand and if you don't have a night stand or bedside table then use an plastic egg crate that can serve as a table. You can purchase a plastic egg crate from places such as Garden Ridge Pottery, Wal-mart or Target stores and use it for a table. Before Going to Bed Place one banana on the bed side table. Place one or both on the bed side table (one small can of 100 % grape juice, one 12 ounce can of "regular soda" of your choice of flavors (no diet soda) on the bed side table. Place 6 crackers wrapped in a piece of Saran Wrap or wrapped in a piece of foil on the bed side table. Or place one to two packs of the Lance peanut butter crackers or any brand that you like on the bed side table. Place one bottle of drinking water on the bedside table. Place your Blood Glucose Meter, and lancets (with the lancet holder already loaded with a fresh lancet) and your required test strips. Some meters don't require you to load the test strips as they already come pre-loaded on a disc such as "Bayer's Ascensia Breeze 2" machine. Now if your blood sugar drops to LOW at night (example it drops to 50) and you find you are too weak to make it to the refrigerator and risk falling on the floor, you can instead reach for your survival, arsenal kit right from your bed side table and SAVE YOUR OWN LIFE or the life of a spouse or child who has diabetes. Also, if someone else in your home has diabetes and if YOU wake up at night to go the bathroom or the refrigerator to get yourself a snack always go check on your other diabetic family member and touch their skin to see if their skin is sweaty, cold and clammy feeling. If they are, wake them up and immediately take their blood sugar to see if it is too LOW, give them the JUICE, and the CANNED REGULAR SODA FIRST to drink. You will have to help them drink it as they may be too weak to drink it. If they refuse to drink it keep trying to get them to drink it anyway, because remember when your blood sugar is LOW you can become confused...so be patient and try to help save your love one's life. After you have gotten them to drink the juice, and regular soda try to get them to eat some of the peanut butter crackers followed with small sips of water. Try to get them to eat at least half of a banana, (eating the whole banana would be even better) Next wait 30 minutes and take their blood glucose reading, then take it again in 30 minutes. If their blood sugar is still LOW give them one - two glucose tablets, you can break the tablets up in smaller pieces if you like before giving it to your loved one and get them to chew the tablets up. (you can purchase the glucose tablets at any pharmacy store as they are over the counter medication.) Also before this disaster happens in the first place ask your doctor or your spouse's or child's doctor to prescribe you a GLUCAGEN HYPOKIT Syringe kit for when a persons blood glucose goes to LOW. But if you don't already have the GLUCAGEN HYPOKIT Syringe kit handy then follow the other steps listed above. Once you get the persons glucose to at least 110-120 mg prepare them a quick SMALL meal to eat and make sure they eat it and about 30 minutes to 45 minutes to one hour take their glucose reading and if it has risen a bit higher than 120 mg (say for instance it rose to 151-180 you would give them 2 units of insulin.) If they are ONLY taking a brand of diabetic pill give them the prescribed amount of that. If they are taking BOTH insulin and a diabetic pill give them the proper amount of units of insulin and right amount of diabetic pill. Be sure to give them the right amount of units of insulin. Example: Count the carbohydrate that meal "portions" contains and that would tell you how much insulin they are supposed to take if their glucose has gone to high. Example: Your are put on a 1,500 calorie diet per day. Then you would be allowed 1 UNIT of insulin for every 10 carbohydrates eaten. And if their blood sugar has gone higher AFTER you have SAVED their life with the survival arsenal kit then you would have to take into consideration the higher glucose level PLUS take into consideration the amount of carbohydrates they will be eating. Example their blood sugar went up to 210 they would take 3 units of insulin and if they will be eating a small meal that has a total of 45 grams of carbohydrates then they would have to take an "additional" 3 units of insulin which would be a total of 6 units of insulin. Say for instance you are put on a 1,500 calorie daily diet then you would be allowed 45 grams of carbohydrates PER MEAL. One serving of carbohydrates has 15 grams. A lot of the carbohydrates we eat quickly turn into blood sugar. 15 grams of carbohydrates can raise blood glucose about 30-50 points. You can do your calculations but the key thing here is if their blood sugar dropped to LOW at night you will have to do what you can to get their blood sugar back up to a life saving reading again. Talk to your nutritionist that your Endocrinologists sends you to. If you are not seeing a nutritionist have your Endocrinologists doctor to send you to one. Some diabetic centers already has a nutritionist on duty in the same building/office that the Endocrinologists doctor's office is in. The above is ONLY life saving information, but talk to your doctor and nutritionist regarding how many calories per day and how many grams of carbohydrates you should eat PER MEAL and how much diabetic medication you should take. Best Regards; By Gloria in Houston, Texas Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57723289.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! 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