Daily Thrifty Tips - March 14, 2006

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Indy is a Pomeranian and was 9 months old on the 8th of March. We bought Indy from a local breeder when he was 5 1/2 weeks old and weighed only 1 1/4 lbs.

Indy enjoys running outside. We have potty trained Indy by putting bells on our bedroom door. When he needs to go outside to do his business he rings the bell. Sometimes though he just wants to go out and run first and do his business later.

Indy is a very loving and sociable dog he thrives on being with people. He will only chew his chew toys in the room where we are. He has to have his food in a bowl beside of the table when we eat our dinner so he can eat with us. Spoiled? Who Indy? No Way! LOL

By Connie A. from Tennessee

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I just wanted to comment on painting kitchen cupboard laminate doors. We'd bought a 2nd hand kitchen a few years ago and the doors were a horrible and a bland pale blue colour, but the carcasses were in excellent condition and much better than some budget units that we could have bought new.

Anyway, finally we decided to give it a facelift until we could afford to replace the doors. I removed the doors, took off all hinges and handles. Then I lightly sanded them and applied a coat of Laminate Primer, then added 2 coats of Laminate Paint which I had tinted to the colours I wanted. The kitchen looks totally different, I wish I'd taken a 'before' photo.

I also bought cheap cream tiles and sheets of mosaic tiling (15 across x 15 down) for under $5 a sheet! We cut these into strips 2 high and used them as a border in the splashback. The whole project, including tile adhesive, cost approximately $250 (Aus). Much cheaper than replacing the doors and I'll be more than happy with this look for a while :)

I just have to patch up a few spots on the walls where we'd redone the tiling! I'd definitely give the laminate paint a thumbs up, just be careful when cleaning it and don't use anything abrasive. I just try to make sure I clean up splashes straight away.

By jojo from Aus

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Hang a bell by the door so new puppy (as young as 6 weeks old) can be trained to let you know when he needs to go out. Touch his nose to the bell every time you put him out. Dog should learn in two weeks



By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark,Ca.

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I have used PURPOSE skin cream by Johnson & Johnson and really like that it is light; will not clog your pores, and is SPF 30. It also reduces redness and improves skins texture. You can get a free sample by going to: http://walmart.triaddigital.com/Brands/jj_purpose.asp and clicking on "Free Sample" in the More From PURPOSE box on this page.

By Marnita from Cumming, GA

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Hope for the best,

expect the worst,

and enjoy the in-between.



By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark,Ca.

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As I was going through treatment for breast cancer 5 yrs. ago, I often would do craft or art projects to keep my mind off what was happening to me. If you have a friend or family member that has recently been diagnosed with cancer, they can get a free watercolor kit by going to:

http://www.creating-hope.org/hope.html

Creating Hope provides creative materials at no charge to cancer patients during their journey through treatment and healing. Materials are provided in convenient, portable Hope Kits.

The Hope Kit contains all of the materials to give a patient the opportunity to start the creative process, including easy to use self-teaching guides.. Please remember, this is for cancer patients only.

By Marnita from Cumming GA

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If postage stamps become stuck together, put them in the freezer for an hour or two. When you remove them, they should come apart easily.

By ThriftyFun

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Grandma was walking her grandchildren down the street, when a lady said to her,"My, what charming children. How old are they?"



"The doctor is six," the proud grandmother said, and the lawyer is four."



By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark,Ca.

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For those of you who just acquired a puppy or are planning to get one soon, please be sure to research the breed that you are interested in. You may not realize it but not every breed is suitable for every person, family and lifestyle. Say you fell in love with a beautiful red Viszla puppy but you live in an apartment downtown and work ten to fifteen hours a day.



Consider that this breed of dog needs a great deal of exercise and it would be detrimental to the dog to keep it locked in your apartment all day only to be walked for a potty break once in the late evening. Unless you can walk this dog for at least 45 minutes in the morning, come home at lunch and walk it again then in the evening go for a run for an hour, perhaps this dog isn't for you. You might consider getting an aquarium and fill it with exotic fish.



Consider the needs of the breed and your lifestyle. Consider the breed if you have small children or elderly parents that live with you or if YOU are elderly. Some breeds are natural pullers such as Siberian Huskies and Malamutes. These dogs can pull a child or elderly person right to the ground and possibly drag them down the pavement. These dogs are very strong and were bred to pull sleds. They do make great companions but remember, the pulling instinct is very strong and extra attention must be paid to this.



The two most important and vital issues that I cannot mention enough are: Training and exercise. The number one reason for death in dogs is bad behavior. Dogs that don't get the obedience training they desperately need wind up with behavioral problems and the owner gets frustrated with the dog and the dog ends up in a shelter or rescue and invariably, put to death.



Dogs behave like dogs, not like humans. Jumping, barking, digging and chewing are natural activities in dogs. When humans don't know how to train the dog NOT to do these things, the dog loses its home. Also, dogs need exercise and some breeds need lots of it. A tired dog is a happy dog and more likely to learn. If you don't have the time or patience to train and exercise a dog, please consider getting a different type of animal such as a cat. Remember, training is a lifelong process for a dog. They don't just learn it in seven weeks and that's it. They must be reminded constantly for your sanity and the life of the dog.



By Sandra Johnson from Orlando, Fl

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Fun Uses for Buttons: Buttons make great wall decorations or plates in doll houses. You can string them together to make a button bracelet. Substitute them for lost game pieces or use them as poker chips.

Read more creative uses for buttons below and feel free to post your own ideas.

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When storing guacamole, keep it from turning brown by placing plastic wrap directly on top of the guacamole. Smooth the plastic wrap so there are no air bubbles.

By ThriftyFun

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I have inherited a quilting frame from my mother and I don't know how to assemble it. It was apparently made by G-H Specialty Co. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can find out to assemble it.

Wiggins05 from G-burg, WI

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How do you remove grape juice stains that have dried into tablecloth?

J.Wilson from Denver, CO

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My mother died about a month ago and my dad has been talking about jelly mom made during the depression that had no fruit, tomatoes or figs but just a clear red strawberry flavored jelly. Can anyone help me with a recipe you might have? I'd love to make it for him. I'll appreciate any advice or help.

Thank you,
Tisket from Texas

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My male cat sprays and it smells bad in my house. Can anyone help me take the smell out of my house?

Thank You,
Joanne from Kingston, PA

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I would like to use discarded wood pallets to make a raised bed garden. Has anyone done this with success?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Debbie in the Draft from Stuarts Draft, VA

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Is there any solution to keeping cooking spices from becoming damp? Is it just this time of the year - with all the humidity - or does this mean that the spice is "old" and needs to be thrown out?

Toni from USA

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I have bulbs to plant. Tulips, crocus, amaryllis, daffodils, etc. They are from my garden at my old house. I live in Southern California. I have them stored in the garage. My question is, Can I plant them in the ground now (March)? Will they come up this spring? What do you suggest?

Hardiness Zone: 10a

beachers from West Covina, CA

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We bought a 30 year old house 5 years ago that was last lived in by a guy who thought he was handy. Besides replacing and grounding all the wall outlets, we have been redoing a lot of his projects. Your site provides a lot of insight.

The immediate problem is raccoons. They are living in the chimney. We hear scratching and what sounds like construction in the living room wall. I went on the roof yesterday and lowered a trouble light down. The fireplace is a single brick, 3 sided structure with what looks like cellotex on the wall side of the house. I have a feeling it does not meet the current codes. It has 3 clay flues, only one of which is being used as a flue for the furnace and water heater. It is capped. The other 2 are not capped, and there is a lot of empty space.

We do not have a fireplace. The mortar is in good shape inside. I will be reconstructing the top 4 rows of brick and the cap this summer, as the cement has spalled badly. We have a CO meter in the basement, and have had no alarms, so there does not seem to be any blockage in the furnace flue.

I observed 2 roundish holes in the wallboard. One is about 4 feet up from the bottom, and is where we hear the critters in the living room wall. The cats watch it intently. The other hole is where the attic floor is. There is no real access to the attic, only a small trapdoor in a closet in the middle of the house. The cats pay no attention to the ceiling, so I don't think they spend much time up there.

We are on pretty fixed incomes, so a pro is out of the question. The state Fish and Wildlife can't help. The ASPCA said to lower a radio set to a rap station LOUD and this might encourage them to leave. I'm not sure. I coated the extension cord with a vaseline and red pepper mix so they don't chew it, zapping them might be a good idea, but they stink to high heaven when decomposing.

Any ideas? I cant observe the chimney 24/7, so how do I know when they are gone or out 'cooning around? I will cap the two flues when they are gone, and put coon-be-gone around to keep them from coming back.

Something that makes this even more problematic is the "handyman" (remember him?) built a garage on the side of the house where the chimney is. We have no idea what the construction inside that wall is like. Just in case they chew thru the plaster side into the living room, I keep my 12 gage by the couch.

Any and all advice will be welcomed.

Looking for good raccoon recipes in Ohio,

Debi from Youngstown, OH

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I have a white textured fridge that is supposed to hide the dirt. Instead it shows every grease spot and hand print. Any suggestions of how to clean? I have tried so many things that don't really work.

HairyJoe from Port Clinton, OH

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We were looking into buying microfiber furniture, is it recommended to get the furniture protectant which is an additional $100? Or does microfiber clean well without the protectant?

Suzana from MI

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I would like the recepe for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Thank you,
Momma Sweeta from Pensacola, FL

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I have very rocky soil making any digging with a shovel very difficult. Any suggestions? I've been here a year and already have two large piles of roundish river rock of various sizes. I don't know if I should try to use them to build a short stone wall for a raised bed garden because I have no experience doing anything like that. My other idea is to use a concrete or morter mix in a box or other container, add in the stones and make my own "blocks" for raising a bed. Any suggestions?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Debbie in the Draft from Stuarts Draft, VA

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Does anyone out there have the ingredients to "START" the Amish Friendship Sweet Bread? Or you may know it as "Herman the Cake". I remember it from the early 1980's. It was a fun thing to have and share. I would also like the directions also, but will be happy for just the starting point.

Thanks ,
Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA

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I have very tiny bugs - the size of the top of a straight pin in my kitchen around the windows and on my white floor. When you step on them or use your finger to smash them, they leave a reddish, brown streak. I tried spraying and caulked the baseboard area. It is a new home, less than 2 years old. How do I get rid of them?

newyork062 from Raleigh, NC

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I've got an ornament which I don't know much about. I've been told it's a green crinoline lady reading a book. All I have is this code off it from underneath: Rd833076-nar38. Could you tell me anything about it?

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Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week at my son's school. I would like to hear from some teachers about some gifts they have received that they really appreciated; or if anyone has any ideas on what I can purchase or make, please let me know.

Thanks!
Marnita from Cumming, GA

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I am planning to throw my mother a surprise graduation party. She will be graduating from Wake Forest University. We would like to use the school's colors black and gold to decorate. We have rented a recreation center. Does anyone have any decorating tips using those colors?

Tammy from Durham, NC

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I need to get a major grape juice stain out of a 100% cotton shirt. I have not done anything to it yet. I just got the stain today. I'm at a loss as to what to use.

Thanks in advance.
Reddlb from Brewton, AL

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Is it true that I am not supposed to sweep my Pergo floor with a broom? How do I clean up the daily crumbs from the kids?

Timmel from Colorado Srpings

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I need to find how to care for an old raw wood spinning wheel. I belonged to my grandmother. It is almost 100 years old. The wood seems so dry or thirsty. I don't want to seal it but wondered about an oil for the wood.

carolb4 from Fairview

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