Daily Thrifty Tips - March 8, 2006

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Odin is 7 wks and 3 days old and is a Shetland Sheep Dog.

I found Odin on line from a breeder close to my town. We waited 2 weeks for him to be ready and this is our 3rd day together. (Submitted Feb. 24)

Odin likes to play with his toys and his favorite is a large plush blue dog with squeakers in the feet. I think it make's him feel like the other puppies are with him. At night, I put it in the dryer for a few minutes to warm up and he loves it.

By Donita from Loveland, CO

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Fluffy and Fancy Pants are 1-1/2 years old and are part Maine Coon.

Their mom was giving birth to them and her last litter of kittens was foaming at the mouth and getting upset (she got pregnant right after giving birth) so her owner dropped them off at our neighbor's house across the street immediately after they were born. I was home during the day and my husband was off of work on an injury so he and I (along with our teenage boys) helped care for them. We couldn't resist taking the two of them home. (We would have taken all 8 if we could!)

Fluffy likes to chase bottle cap rings and fancy likes to chase anything. We always say that she's "Miss Proper" and he is just a "Special Kitty"

Fancy gets in these moods where he acts like a big baby and has to knead in my hair. He even takes out the pony tail holders just to get at my hair. Fluffy doesn't talk or cry just opens her mouth so Fancy does all of the talking for her. Also, each one of them picked a child to call their own. When our 17 year-old comes home, Fancy stops what he is doing to be with him. When the 16 year old comes home, Fluffy runs right to him and hangs out with him most of the time.

By Renee from Slatedale, PA

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Here are some lovely pictures of Great Granny Vi's Garden Path.

By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, Ca.

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To skim off fat from Chicken Soup:

1. Refrigerate without lid overnight.
2. Once fat is settled to top, take a large piece of saran wrap and lay on top of fat.
3. Pat down saran wrap to adhere fat.
4. Gently remove saran wrap and fat will stick. Repeat if necessary.

By Dara from East Brunswick, NJ

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I run items such as small plastic storage baskets or bins, refrigerator door bins, cutlery trays and ceramic crocks used to hold cooking utensils through the dishwasher. The key to running most plastic items and ceramic crocks through the dishwasher (thus not having to wash them by hand) is to time how long you have them in the wash cycle, then get them out to rinse and dry. The damage occurs when they are in contact with the detergent too long or allowed to run through the heated dry cycle.

Most of these items are not encrusted with food bits so they require less cleaning time. What I do is load the dishwasher with these types of items allowing them to go through the first pre-wash or short wash cycle and then approximately 5 to 6 minutes of the longer wash cycle. (Set a timer or you might inadvertently forget them.) When that time is up, I take these items out of the dishwasher, rinse well and put into a drainer while I load the remainder of the dishes that have had foodstuffs on them (pre-rinse if you want) and let the full dishwasher cycles finish. I then dry the items in the drainer and they are replaced long before the dishwasher is finished with the remainder of the dishes.

By ronsan from southwest Missouri

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I buy the blue fiber glass air conditioner vent filters they usual come 4 in a pack for about $2.00. However, in order to save time and money every four months, instead of changing them and throwing them away I vacuum them, reuse them and they are as good as new. Also, I spray a little lysol on them to keep mold and mildew to a minimum. It works great.

By 1bigmama from south carolina

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Ever get the urge to make homemade noodles? Instead of cutting them with a knife, which can take a long time and can be frustrating, get out your pizza cutter. No sticking and the pizza cutter zips right through. It saves me so much time.

By Amanda from Lamar, MO

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To chop hard boiled eggs for egg salad or tuna salad, use a pie crust blender that is used to cut shortening into flour for pie crust. Faster and less messy than an egg slicer.

By Harlean from Arkansas from Hot Springs, Arkansas

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I do a lot of baking and make all my own bread. For greasing pans, I keep a container half full with shortening and I keep a small plastic baggy inside. When I am ready to grease my bread pan, I slip my hand into the bag , grease my pan, I then slip my hand back out of the bag and leave it there for the next time. One little baggy lasts quit a while. No more greasy hands and it is much easier to grease the entire pan, including corners.

By June from Toronto,Canada

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I cut a hole out of the top of a plastic milk jug, leaving the handle intact. A ball of yarn or crochet thread easily rolls around the clean inside of the jug while you knit or crochet. No more chasing balls across the floor or having the yarn/thread getting dirty as you use it! There is also enough room in the jug for your pattern and hook or needles when you have to set aside your project.

By Becky from Watertown, WI

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I know that there are professional trainers on here, but I was wondering, could you train a family dog (6 years old in June and a great nose) to smell out an oncoming seizure? My one year old son has been on medication for seizures for six months, and had his first cluster a few nights ago.

The problem is our dog usually sleeps in our room, not the Boys' room. He is a husky/hound/shephard, very devoted to our one and four year olds. What organization would I need to contact to get more information? Thank you! I'll post pics later of Charlie the Dog, with his boys!

camo_angels from Willamina, OR

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Does anyone have any suggestions for a picky eater? My husband and I are wanting to start a family soon and I want us to start eating better but he refuses to eat any veggies and very few fruits. The veggies he will eat are: broccoli, lettuce, fried squash, and corn on the cob (if it's not on the cob forget it!).

We're also on a strict budget, allowing $25 to $50 a week on groceries and that includes any cleaning supplies, toiletries, dog food, etc. Please help with recipes, tips, anything to get us to be able to start eating healthier!

Jeggie from Elberton, GA

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Does anyone know what's the best way to start my dried elephant ear and canna bulbs? Should I start them in water inside until they re-hydrate? Or do I put them straight in the ground? I've herd that people will soak them in warm water with miracle grow, has anyone tried this? I pulled them out of the closet today and a few of them already have fresh starts on them.

Thanks,
Hardiness Zone: 6b

Delbert from WV

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I have never done a rainbow tea party and I was chosen to be a team leader. I'm needing help with the whole project. My colors are gold and we would also like to put a skit together. I could use help with my biblical theme and my table decorations but I especially need any ideas you have for the color gold.

Torri from Houston, TX

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I would like to know if there is a homemade way to clear drains instead of having to buy Draino or another name-brand clog remover? I have some trouble with my bathroom sink not draining properly at times.

Joylie from Seattle, WA

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My church asked me to help put something different and special together for Easter. I could really use some ideas.

Thanks,
Torri from Houston, TX

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My sticky strips in the bathtub are coming up. Now I have sticky residue where the strips were. Any ideas on how to remove these?

Stormy_R from PA

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I have been coloring my hair since I started getting gray. For about a week or two after coloring, my hair seems to have no body, is way too soft, and won't hold a style or even hold a rubber band for a pony tail. I don't like this flippy-floppy texture when my hair is thick with a nice wave without hair coloring.

My hair is not really damaged, very few split ends. It's that way after coloring whether I use a conditioner or not, whether I color it myself or have it professionally done. Styling products like gels and sprays have little effect during this newly-colored time. Any ideas?

Mary from Denver, CO

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I made the mistake of cleaning our steel gas rings with bleach, does anyone have a suggestion on how to fix this? I've thought about sanding them back? Thanks for any help you can give.

Aussiefran from Sydney Australia

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When I discovered this white powder (don't know what it is?) on the inside wall of my brick fireplace I took a closer look and there seemed to be condensation. The fireplace is on an exterior wall.We have been experience a bit of rain lately. Could this be the cause of the white powder? It is an all brick fireplace that is at least as old as the house - 50 years. I bet they don't build brick fireplaces anymore. Who to call? Brick busters?

Chris from USA

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How do I remove Nail Polish from a bath tub? My daughter dropped it and left it to dry?

Mahdeeyo from San Diego

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I just wondered what people's opinions were on giving cats baths. My cat, Destiny, is an inside short-hair and when I first got her, I gave her some baths, which she hated, of course. As she got older, I had such a hard time giving her baths because I couldn't hold her in the tub and she'd claw me to death, and ultimately, I decided not to give her any more.

She never goes outside, so she doesn't get dirty and I know they keep themselves clean. Anyway, my mom has been having some problems lately and kind of decided it's the cat giving her trouble. I definitely don't want to give up my kitty, I love her too much, but my mom thought perhaps giving her a bath every 1-2 weeks might help with her problems somewhat.

I gave her a bath tonight and had a little more control holding her in the tub and we did get it done (as much as possible), but she really hates her bath - does anyone have any advice or opinions about this? Or an easy fast way of doing it?

Thank you so much!
Stacey from Orem, UT

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I am looking for a sausage and gravy recipe.

Happyinpa from Kingston, PA

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One of you wonderful ThriftyFuners, I think someone who cleans houses for a living, sent in a tip a few weeks ago which I printed and promptly lost! So could someone respond with it again, please? It was about some kind of cleaner (with orange oil, I think) that works great on tile showers and tubs. Also, does it work on fiberglass tubs and sinks too?

Thanks!
Lynn from Calif. from Chico, CA

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I know someone here can tell me, how can I get super glue off a stainless steel sink without scratching it, and out of a dishcloth? Is there any hope for these? Thank you in advance for your advice!

jmz2005 from illinois

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I was wondering if anyone had advice on growing herbs indoors. I was thinking of growing them in the lower half 1/2 of a 2-liter bottle. I would also like to grow aloe. I would also like info on where is the cheapest and best place to get seeds or any other way to start growing these herbs. Which herbs grow best indoors? Thanks for the help. Hardiness Zone: 8a Jeggie from Elberton, GA

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I was hoping to find ideas for flowers for my wedding party. I need to find some that will not wilt in the Florida heat for a September or October wedding. Any ideas?

Thanks so much!

Claire from Jacksonville, FL

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I have a white floor-length flared skirt (lots of cotton and linen material) that I desperately want to dye. I'm going for a dusky, vintage, brown look, like something out of a thrift store. I thought about tea staining - can you control that much material on a stovetop? I've never dyed before, so I am a complete novice. I need all the help I can get!

moondog from Tulsa, OK

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I have some relatively ugly laminate countertops from the 70s. I was wondering if I could put tile down on top of them? If so, what do I need to use to prep the counters before putting the tile down?

Lewis from Port Orchard, WA

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My house has some green and black mildew on the brick and siding. The house does not need painting. I am thinking of having it power washed to remove the mildew. What time of year should it be done? I live in the Southeast.

Iris from Columbia SC

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