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Holiday Travel Tips Ebook
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Today's Tips
Today's Family Tradition...
Candy Cane Shakes and Christmas Lights
When our family goes sight seeing to see Christmas lights we always go to McHughs first and get candy cane shakes to drink as we drive around. The shakes could easily be made at home ahead of time if you don't have a McHughs near by or buy some candy cane ice cream and serve in glasses to go. This has become a family tradition at our house :)
By Melanie
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When you have old underwear or bras don't toss them out. Wash them and put them in your suitcase, they will be there when you pack. When traveling, wear them and throw them away. That way you got one more wear out of them and won't be packing dirty clothes home. This makes more room for souvenirs
By Julee
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The $1.00 Stores have carried the oversized large "rip proof woven polypropylene" bags with handles.
I just saw in a novelty magazine where they had one with a zipper
that they were selling for $12.99 plus shipping, and called it a
wreath storage bag.
You could add your own zipper or use velcro hook and loop tape a
lot cheaper. Bags for $1.00 is a great buy.
By Syd
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One Dollar Christmas Tree Skirt
For a Christmas tree skirt, I use a fabric tablecloth that I found at a $1 store.
By Faye Lewis
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Saving Money on Your Internet Connection
Tips for saving money on your internet service. Post your ideas.
Cheaper Internet Service
Check with the various internet providers and see if they have a better price if you prepay for a year at a time instead of monthly.
I mentioned this to my daughter, who is AOL, and to her surprise, it saved her about $50.00 a year.
If you don't ask you don't get! Keep the dollars in your pocket not your ISP's pockets.
By Syd
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Homemade Security Wrist Guards
Use the ribbed ankle part of a cotton sock for "security wrist guards".
Cut the ankle part off, fold in half and stitch around, leaving enough of an opening to turn wrong-side-out, leave an opening, but secure with a stitch so it does not pull apart.
Slip your "treasures" in the wrist guard for safe keeping. This could also be used as "ankle security guards".
By Syd
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Use the ribbed part of socks as replacement cuffs on jackets, rather than purchasing new ones from the fabric store.
By Syd
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Did Your Dish Come Out Too Spicy?
Tone it down by adding 1 tbsp of peanut butter. If you can't eat peanut butter, use sugar instead. Works every time and it tastes great!
By Lucy Arredondo
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Shorten Drying Time With an Extra Spin
I've found that putting heavy items, like jeans, through an extra spin cycle shortens the drying time.
By June S.
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Give a little extra life to children's water based markers that seem to be used up by dipping the tip in a drop of water.
By June S.
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Repairing Small Holes in Window Screen
Repair a small hole in a window screen with a dab of clear nail polish.
By June S.
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Don't you hate it when you know someone but can't remember their name? Here are some tips to help. Post your ideas.
Remembering Names Tip
Another memory tip. When you meet someone for the first time, say their name back to them and it will help you to remember it. "Hello, John Doe, pleased to meet you."
By fletcher
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Small pretzel sticks make great skewers for bite-sized appetizers - nothing to throw away.
By June S.
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Tips for reusing old sweatshirts that aren't fit to wear anymore. Post your ideas.
Use for Old Sweatshirt Hoods
Recycle an old hooded sweatshirt by cutting the hood off with the strings still attached. Tie it over a mop or broom and use it to dust ceiliings and walls. The hood can be washed and used over and over.
By June S.
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Tips for saving money on bubble bath. Post your ideas!
Body Wash for Bubble Bath
Instead of using bubble bath, we use the sample size body washes that you often get for free. They smell better and are more mild than the kids bubble bath.
By Jill
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Make Washcloths Out of Old Towels
Instead of tossing the occasional ripped towel, we make them into washcloths. This can be done very easily by sewing a zig zag stitch around the edge. If you don't have a machine, hand sew a small hem.
By Jill
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Buy Baking Supplies After the Holidays
Just after Christmas I stock up on baking supplies especially things that are costly like real vanilla - the super stores always deeply discount these items and I load up!
By Mary
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To keep your potatoes from budding, just put an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
By Robin
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Tips for making great pancakes. Post your ideas.
Making Good Pancakes
Use a meat baster to "squirt" pancake batter onto the griddle. Saves mess!
By Robin
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A Bowl of Fruit for Healthy Snacks
Keep a bowl of fruit on your table within easy reach for the children. Fruit is so much better for them to snack on that sugary candies, cakes, and cookies.
By Robin
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Keeping Hands from Sticking to Rice Krispie Treats
When making Rice Krispie treats, make sure and rub your hands with a little butter or margarine to make them lay flat in the pan and not stick to your skin.
By Robin
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When the new year gets here, take a few minutes and go through your whole calendar writing in the Birthdays of people you will send cards/presents too.. You can keep rolling this forward by using last years calendar to remember.
By Melanie
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For a party take blown up balloons and using a sponge or foam stamp (circles, triangles, spirals, hearts) dipped in glitter paint, dot the outside of the balloon to give it a more detailed look. You could also get the same affect by dipping the stamp in white school glue and then dipping the stamped balloon into glitter. Make sure to keep flat to dry though. (would obviously take longer)
By Melanie
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Recycle Downy Softener and Detergent Bottles
These bottles make a nice CHEAP flower vase for hospital or nursing home patients. Cut the bottle at the shoulders making a suitable opening. Easy to carry!
Add a big bow to the arrangement.
By Syd
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In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 Gift Card at one of the following stores: Home Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you get to choose which gift card! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on December 15th.
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New Requests:
A Good Person in Need Looking for a Hand up, not a hand-out
I have been a heroin addict on and off since I was a teenager. I am currently 55, a divorcé of 9 years and have two grown boys. Max is 21 is studying "pre-architecture" in Monterey and has never done drugs. His older brother NIcholas, 26, is living day to day in Hawaii (Kauai) and made it through high school. He had a rough childhood with bladder cancer (now has one kidney) but he beat it and we are very proud of him--not for that, but for following his own path and leading his own life. It is almost as if Max got the left brain and Nick got the right side! [if you subscribe to the theory]. His girlfriend (fiancée is a senior at SF State and when she graduates in June they will probably be reunited in June). His mom lives in SF.
I live in Carmel Valley, CA and am currently on sublingual Suboxone®; I do not use alcohol, tobacco, pot, coffee, or any other drugs for that mattter (sorry, I DO drink tea), etc. I am physically fit (runner) and a freelance graphic designer by trade (20 years). I detoxed from methadone about 17 months ago and switched over to Suboxone® 8/2 strength. It is made by a British company and one's MD prescribes it much as a diabetic's MD would. It is designed so that it cannot be abused.
Since I cannot rely on a steady income & have no health insurance, I am beginning to worry about how to pay for my Suboxone. It has totally turned my life around for the better and I cannot imagine lack of funds (esp. in the US) as being the only reason I would have to live in the gutter or a shelter (which is a certainty without my meds.) I have a local doctor who is a good advocate. I must do more research to find out how to get my meds at an affordable price. They cost me $552.90 per month at the cheapest pharmacy in town (And they will beat any other store's price!). Can anyone help me?
NB: Please don't misunderstand me: I am not asking for a handout. I am trying to get leads in researching how an entity might be able to help in the form of an "indigent patient's" supplemental program. Perhaps I'll call the company that manufactures them and see what happens. To me it seems almost criminal that the US government allows the pharmacies to charge so much for a substance that can turn a person's life around. And I realise that there are many drugs that fall into this category.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Lorenze
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I kept smelling this faint urine odor and could not find where it was. When I was moving furniture to bring my Christmas tree in, I found a big dried spot of dog urine. I immediately got the carpet cleaner out and went to town with baking soda and carpet cleaning detergent. Now the smell of urine overpowers my front room! How do I remove the odor, there is really no stain after I shampooed the area but PEEE EWE!!! Tina
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I have super glue in my dreadlocks, help. Will the acetone destroy my hair? It's so annoying being able to feel it in there. Phelim
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Mildew on Christmas Decorations Store in Bomb Shelter
We have a bomb shelter under our house in California. Really unusual I know. Any way, last year my husband wanted to clean out the garage, so we packed up all holiday stuff in tubs (not air proof.) And put them in shelter. We just got Christmas stuff out and to my disapointment, As I told my husband everything smells like mildew really bad. The items do not actually have mold on them they just smell really bad. I have done many searches on how to get mildew smells out of non washable items. I am so sad I do not want to have to throw away all my accumulated stuff, memories, kids crafts, wrapping paper, cards, stockings etc. I also have a 23 month little boy that has asthma and I dont want to risk his health. If I must throw all of it away I will but I dont want to. Any advice or ideas would be appreciated. And as it figures I bought a ton of stuff last year.
Kitten from Cali
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My daughter has a project coming up where she has to build a Valentines Day float. The catch, she needs to use all natural materials...nothing can be man made by a factory. We thought of a cloud 9 theme with people dancing in the clouds, but I am not sure how to make them dance, any ideas...? I need to know something as soon as possible. Homemom
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More Reading:
Make a Golden Christmas Tree
By Candee Stark
Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the holiday arrangements at the department store I was in.
I was dazzled by the sight, golden branches wrapped in twinkling white lights. The idea was so simple but yet absolutely beautiful.
Within a moment I decided I would re-create it at home. Once home, I took a walk in the woods to gather the necessary branches and the other materials were easily found at my local craft store.
I created three trees that year and placed them on my front porch; two smaller ones on the left side of the door and a larger one to the right. The effect was just what I had hoped for~ a golden glow that welcomed family and friends into my home for the holidays.
Materials Needed for One Tree:
1. Find a large tree branch that when held on its end, looks like a small tree.
2. Fill a garbage bag with soil, enough to support the weight of the branch when inserted. Insert the branch and pack the soil around it so it stands upright. Tie the bag securely around bottom of branch. Shape the bag of soil so it looks like the root ball when you buy a new tree from the nursery. *Note-it will be heavy so work fairly close to where you want your final project so you dont have too far to move it.
3. Spray entire tree with gold spray paint and let it dry.
4. Wrap root ball in gold fabric and secure with gold cording.
5. String with white lights.
Since creating my golden Christmas trees I have seen a similar project where the tree was spray painted white and the root ball was covered with colorful holiday fabric. Either way, it makes a festive holiday display. Enjoy the holidays!
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Reduce Waste This Christmas
By Dave And Lillian Brummet
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Do You Want To Become A Stay-at-Home Parent?
By Terry Rigg
I prepare taxes for about 40 or 50 friends and relatives each year. One of the couples I prepared taxes for this year lost a lot money by having the wife work part time. She worked at Walmart as a cashier a few hours a week. She gets paid $5.65 an hour and worked about 380 hours in 2000 and earned $2147.
View Article: Click Here
Surviving Winter Break
By Amy Allen Clark
Winter break is much shorter than the summer break, but for many parents it feels like the longer of the two breaks. Being cooped up in the house can make parents and children crazy after a few days let alone weeks on end. Here are ten ideas for you and your children to help you survive the long winter days without blowing your budget or losing your sanity.
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Organizing Your Craft and Sewing Supplies
By Rachel Paxton
If you're a weekend crafter like me, you probably have a lot of crafting odds and ends laying around that get all jumbled together depending on what project you're working on at the moment.
View Article: Click Here
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