Daily Thrifty Tips - April 6, 2006

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

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This Bunny Easter Basket is made from an empty baby formula can. I made this bunny for a cheap and quick Easter basket this year for my Pioneer Club (kid's bible study) class.

All you need is:

• an empty can (I used a similac formula can - the powdered kind - it's a little bigger than a soup can)
• white spray paint
• white paper (bunny ears)
• pink construction paper (inside ears and nose)
• black sharpie marker
• cotton ball (tail)
• hot glue and glue gun
• easter grass

Put hot glue all around the top of the can where the lid was so its not sharp. Spray paint your can. Let it dry. Use your sharpie to make the ears and nose on the pink and white paper then cut them out. Glue on the ears and nose with hot glue. Glue the tail on the back of your can. Then draw on a mouth and eyes on your bunny. Put in your easter grass and add a few pieces of candy and some little trinkets. I found a really good deal at the dollar store -- 15 Easter whistles for a dollar! I also found some little tablets shaped like crosses at Wal-Mart.

You can also use this as an Easter decoration.

By luv2craft from Normalville, Pennsylvania

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Minnie Pearl is 4 1/2 years old and is a Chihuahua/Pomeranian. A friend gave her to my dad, as a baby, and he gave her to me.

She loves stuffed toys, her favorite is "Mikey" from Monster's Inc. She carry's him outside when she goes, and back in, she is very possessive of him.

Minnie Pearl loves to dress up, and pose for the camera. She's a ham.

To see all of Glinda's "Brats" go to:

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By Glinda from Glendale, KY.

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How do you stop a rooster from crowing on Monday?

Eat him on Sunday.

By IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

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It will soon be time for graduation parties, family reunions, etc., and it can be difficult to know how much food to fix for a large crowd. Here are several serving guides I have come to rely on:

• Cold cuts: generally 2 to 3 ounces of deli meat per serving (25 servings of deli meat would be 3 to 5 pounds of meat). This is based on what is called a "sandwich slice" rather than shaved. Sandwich slices will go further than shaved as people often overload on shaved.
• Cheese: allow 1 to 1.5 ounces of cheese slices per serving. (25 servings would be 1.5 to 2.5 pounds of cheese). Sliced cheese is more economical than cubes as people will generally only take one slice of cheese, but several cubes of cheese.
• Vegetables: Plan on 4 to 6 pieces of raw vegetables per person in a relish tray. (How much dip to have is anyone's guess!)
• Salad: One gallon of potato or pasta salad or chicken or tuna salad will feed approximately 25 people. Don't bother counting the kids in this because most of them won't eat this type of food.
• Fruit: Plan on allowing 1/2 cup per serving of fruit per person. Generally, 1 pint of strawberries, blueberries or raspberries equals about 2 cups; 1 pound of green grapes equals 2 cups.

By Ronsan from Southwest Missouri

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So you know that airlines will PAY to have your luggage repaired if it is damaged in-flight? You just have to go to customer service - have the damage noted and go to the repair place they refer you to. (A tip from my well-traveled sister.)

By Pam from L.A., CA

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Spray disinfectant can be used to rejuvenate/sanitize foam pillows, carpeting and other objects that are hard to clean. Spray with the disinfectant and put in the sun to dry. You may have to do this several times to get rid of deep-seeded mold.

By Pam from L.A., CA

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Call up your local shelter and ask them how many dogs they have. Ask them how many cats they have. Ask them how many pets come through the doors each month, or each year. If it is a kill shelter, ask them how many pets have been euthanized because there are too many homeless pets and not enough space.

When you adopt a pet from a shelter, most will require that you spay or neuter your new pet. Many will point you to a vet that offers discounts on the procedure, or even give you a coupon so the surgery will be free.

You may think that spaying or neutering your pet is cruel... but unless you are planning to become a breeder, spaying or neutering is essential.

1. Spaying and neutering helps your pet live a longer, healthier life.

2. Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine and/or ovarian cancer and reduces the risk of breast cancer in female animals.

3. Neutering eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer and lowers the chances of prostate disease in male animals.

4. Pets that are spayed or neutered are often more affectionate, and have less temperament problems.

5. Neutered cats are less likely to spray to mark territory.

6. Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to roam the neighborhood or get into fights.

7. A dog or cat in heat is a target for the other animals in the neighborhood. When my parents' dog was in heat, we had a hard time keeping other dogs away from the yard. There was a LOT of howling.

8. A pregnant dog or cat is an extra financial burden -- vet visits and special food and then how many more new mouths to feed?

9. Animal shelters are full of animal mothers who got pregnant and got abandoned by their people.

10. Communities spend millions of dollars to help control unwanted and/or stray animals.

So... for a happier, healthier pet, please spay or neuter!

By Catherine Forman

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Do you find it difficult to get your cat or dog to swallow a pill, when they need to take medication? Put a small amount of butter or margarine on the pill. After putting it in your pets mouth, rub his throat and blow air into his nose, this helps the pill go down much easier.

By Arle12 from Petersburg, IN

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I get around in a motorized wheel chair and have my purse on the footrest between my feet when I go out. If my cell phone would ring, the call would be gone by the time I got it out of my purse usually. At my sister's suggestion, I crocheted a case to fit around the phone. My granddaughter crocheted a chain for it. I attached her chain and wear it around my neck whenever I am not at home. I have had many compliments on such a good idea.

By Linda from Bloomington, Illinois

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For soap scum removal I've never found anything that works better than Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. A little bit on a wet rag is all it takes. For shower doors, follow with a rinse and a quick swipe of a squeegee (you can find one at the dollar store). For everything else just rinse and wipe dry.

By Celinda from Pittsburgh, PA

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I take two leashes, put one around the dogs collar (so he thinks he's going for a walk) hook it up tightly to a fence. Take 2nd leash and wrap it around the underside of his hind legs tightly. The 2nd leash will prevent him from sitting down so you can wash easier. Works like a charm and dog can't get away.

By Diana from St. Louis, MO

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My 3 year old, housetrained male dog finds it necessary to cock his leg and pee on everything! I will let him out, and he'll stay outside for hours. Then as soon as he walks in the house he looks for a place to pee! It is driving me crazy! I have tried repellants, watching him like a hawk, keeping him on a leash in the house, almost everything conceivable to keep him from doing this. He won't stop! What can I do? He is neutered and has been for a couple years.

Thanks,
Raea from Concord, NC

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Can anyone tell me what to do with the new baby foods square plastic boxes? I have used them for jewelry, storing small items, storing matches, sewing kits, safety pin and straight pins, small staples, buttons, cut up fruit... I am out of ideas!

justmyimagination2002 from savannah, TN

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I am looking for a Santa Coverlet quilt pattern. It is in the shape of a doll Santa but it is a flat quilt. The pattern was made in 1976 along with the critter coverlet pattern series. I have found the Owl, Semi-truck, dog, cat, and elepahant. I am now looking for Santa.

Thanks,
knitty46 from Las Cruces, NM

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Our house is 33 years old. Our dark oak kitchen cabinets were painted white many years ago. I'm tired of the dirty white color. Is is possible to strip the cabinets down bare and then restain them? What products would you recommend to do this?

Ace from Nashville, TN

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My niece and her fiancé met at a car dealer and we would like to incorporate that in the decorations. Does anyone have any ideas? They're getting married June 2006.

Wedplanner from Temple Hills, MD

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

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Breed Description: Papillions are small, fine-boned dogs with a long flowing coat, lively, dainty gait and large, butterfly-like ears. This breed was a popular companion to aristocrats and has an elegant, dignified appearance. It is a meticulously clean, highly affectionate and makes an excellent house pet and traveling companion.

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