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Hello,
I hope everyone had a nice weekend. I apologize for not sending an issue over the weekend. We had to move our servers and didn't have time to send one out.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Photos
Krystal the Klepto Kitty (Siamese)
Krystal is about a year old female Siamese. She loves to steal bottle caps. We lifted our sofa to vacuum one day and there were over 70 caps she had hidden!
By Irish
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I put this mural in my kitchen and it absolutely changed the entire look! My mural is Tatouage which is a rub on type transfer which when completed, looks and feels just like a painted mural. This for only $60!
By Allison from Georgetown, IN
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Find an old console tv, remove the tube and make it a 3-d decoration. I use mine as an aquarium, too! Please notice the cool design transfers on the wall!
By Martha Mason from Dothan, AL
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I wanted to share a picture of our beautiful German Shepherd dog, Jake. He is only 10 months old and already so intelligent and extremely gentle. What a special friend!
By Ellie from Loveland, CO
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Today's Tips
Save Energy with Swimming Pool Covers
You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by using a pool cover. Swimming pools lose energy in a variety of ways, but evaporation is by far the largest source of energy loss. Evaporating water requires tremendous amounts of energy. It only takes 1 Btu (British thermal unit) to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree, but each pound of 80 degree F water that evaporates takes a whopping 1,048 Btu of heat out of the pool. (Source: US Department of Energy)
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Cleaning Harvested Carrots for Blanching and Freezing
When preparing a lot of carrots for blanching and freezing, brush off as much dirt as possible, fill an old pillow case with carrots, tie it with string and use the rinse cycle in your washer to clean them. You will be amazed at how much dirt the rinse cycle will take off the carrots.
By Ragteller from Alberta, Canada
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If you are working with glitter or other small material for crafts, be sure to put down a piece of newspaper before you start working. Then when you are done, you can form the newspaper into a funnel and pour the extra back into the glitter container.
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How To Tell When Pasta Is Done
Is the Spaghetti Done?
To check to see when pasta is cooked. Just use fork and
grab a few strings of spaghetti and TOSS or flick onto
cupboards. If it sicks it is done!...
I have used this method for years and have learned to see when
it is at this stage. Over cooked pasta is not tasty. Good luck.
By Annie Hill from Ozark, MO
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Gift Jar Mixes
By ThriftyFun
Make gift mixes in a jar as an inexpensive Christmas Gift. Use a nice canning jar and fill it with the dry ingredients for a baking recipe. Decorate the jar and attach the recipe so that the recipient can complete the recipe by adding the necessary wet ingredients. To get recipe ideas just type "Gift Jar Mixes" into the Google Search Box on the top of ThriftyFun. There are lots of gift jar ideas and recipes
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My way of not going too far into debt has always been the same: I don't spend more money than I have. I do use credit cards but never charge more than I have in my savings account (in case for some reason I can't pay off the charge from my regular monthly income).
Houses are not included in this plan of course. Mortgages are allowed. But not cars. Always buy used and pay cash if possible. Or at least not a huge debt.
This all comes from being old enough to remember when we didn't have credit cards. When I first went to work everything had to be paid for in cash. So I put some money in a savings account every week. Small purchases came out of the rest of my pay. When I wanted to make a larger purchase I had to wait until I had enough in my savings account.
By Pam from Plymouth,NH
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Tips On Storing And Handling Ice Cream
The International Ice Cream Association offers these suggestions on the proper handling and storage of ice cream and frozen desserts to help consumers enjoy America's favorite treat to the fullest.
Ice cream is a perishable product and should be treated carefully. When frozen desserts are exposed to temperatures above 10°F, they become subject to adverse changes in body, texture and flavor characteristics. Although individual manufacturers' recipes yield ice cream of varying consistency and flavor, all ice cream will be negatively affected if improperly handled or stored.
Here are some tips on how to keep ice cream in its most delectable form:
In the store:
At Home:
By following these simple suggestions, you can help ensure that your ice cream and other frozen dessert treats will stay the way they left the manufacturer attractive and delicious!
By The International Dairy Foods Association
http://www.idfa.org/
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Removing Paint Stains from Clothing
With any stain, you want to treat it as quickly as possible. If paint is allowed to dry on your clothing it will be more difficult to remove all traces of the stain.
Read the Paint Container
Nearly every paint container is going to have instructions for removing and thinning that particular kind of paint.
Tempera Paint Stains
Carefully scrape off excess paint, being careful not to make the stain much bigger. Pre-treat the stain with cold water and a detergent. I usually use a little Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent and blot it into the stain, being careful not to spread the paint. Then let the garment soak for a while, apply detergent again if the stain persists. Once the stain is removed, wash the garment in warm water (assuming this is washable fabric).
Latex Paint Stains
Latex paint can be really tough to remove once it dries, so try to get to it early. It is water soluble, so if you get to it before it dries you can have some success with just detergent and water.
If there is excess paint, carefully scrape it off with a dull knife. Then blot the stain with a mild detergent (like Dawn) and luke warm water. Then rinse with clean water and repeat the first step if necessary.
Oil Based Paint Stains
Carefully scrape of any excess paint. Blot the stain with a sponge with a small amount Turpentine or whatever solvent the paint can recommends. Then mix one teaspoon of a mild detergent (like Dawn) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot the stain with this solution. Lastly, sponge with clean water.
Commercial Product
I have had some success using Goof Off for removing paint stains from clothing. Follow the instructions on the container.
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=brandPageProcessor&brandpage=goof
Tip: Remove paint splatters from your hair by rubbing the splatters with baby oil.
Do you have any tips for removing paint from clothing? Please share them below...
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Photo Contest!
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Contest ends November 15, 2005
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
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New Requests
We are getting ready to move and have to conserve our money for home improvements while trying to sell our house. One of the things we would really like to spend less money on is meals. If you have any recipes that our Cheap to make, Easy, fast and tasty, please let me know of some of them! The more the better.
Gloria Wilson from Paso Robles, CA
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What ideas can I use to have an Aladdin theme party for my 21 year old daughter. I have already chosen the color red as my main color. I would like to have candles and pillows. Her guest will be a mixture of young people from 21-40. what are good favors to give out also? If we roast her, how can we add this in her party? What should she wear also? It is not really a surprise party, although she does not know everything about it yet.
Partylady1 from PA
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Make Your Own Lean Cuisine Meals
Anyone know how to make Lean Cuisine meals?
Chochies from San Marcos California
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I have a pair of suede boots that smell like mildew. Does anyone know a way to get rid of this smell. Thank you for your help.
Lisa from TN
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I have a fox terrier. He has been taking predisone. However, he is still itchy around the eye, behind the ears and the bottom of the paws. Apparently he is allergic to grass. He has lost the hair aroung the eyes and behind the ears and is always chewing his paws. I am looking for something to put on these areas that would help relieve the itch. Can you recommend anything?
Jenny from Charters Towers, Australia
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Cub Scouts in Christmas Parade
I need ideas for our Cub Scouts walking in the Christmas Parade with the theme "Patriotic Christmas" any and all input welcome! They will be in full uniform.
Thank you,
Karen from Summerville, SC
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Cleaning Tomato Sauce Stains from Plastic Containers
Clean tomato sauce stains from your plastic containers using hot water filled to the top and plopping a couple denture tablets in.
By Rhonda
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Kitchen Craft Waterless Cookware Feedback
We attended a cooking demo at the Texas State Fair by Kitchen Craft Waterless Cookware. I subsequently purchased a waterless pot and made the fresh veggies exactly as the demonstrator, but DH says it's still missing something ("a certain flavor," is what he said). I am thinking that MSG might have been sprinkled on the food before the demo.
Any thoughts on this subject?
Thanks,
Holly from Dallas, TX
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I need some ideas on how to get ink from an ink pen off of a porcelain sink and the counter top.
Thanks,
Debbie from Berwick, Maine
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I have a Rayon sleeveless dress that shrunk. Can it be stretched back to size?
Nicplus3 from South Dakota
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Does anyone have a free computer defrag program they'd like to recommend?
Thanks,
Holly from Dallas, TX
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The knob to my shower keeps slipping around the fixture. Therefore I cannot turn the upper shower unless i have a wrench. What can I do?
Iliana from Springfield, VA
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I would like recipes for salads for Diabetics.
June Revell from Moultrie, GA
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Carnival Themed Birthday Party
I am planning a carnival party for my daughter's 6th Birthday. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I plan on having games and fake tattoos (face painting is too expensive to hire and I cannot do it). I love new ideas and I have several months to plan this.
Michele from Houston, TX
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Dessert Recipes Using Splenda for Diabetics
I would like recipes for desserts for Diabetics, using Splenda.
June Revell from Moultrie, GA
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Keeping Bees Out of Bird Houses
Is there something that I can put in my bird houses that will stop the Bees from building in them but will not stop the birds from making their homes in it? just love watching the birds, but am terrified of bees. Thanks in advance.
Helen from Ontario Canada
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Preventing Lumps in Brown Sugar
What do you put in a container of brown sugar to keep it without lumps?
Rudy from Southwick, MA
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Writing a Maid of Honor Speach
I need help writing my maid of honor speech for my best friends wedding. Can someone please give me some guidelines? An example would be nice.
Josette from Chicago, IL
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Today's Sponsors
Get "The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer" Free
When you subscribe to my newsletter "The Budget Stretcher" you will receive this easy guide to effectively organizing and managing your money absolutely free. Get all of the Budget Forms and Worksheets you need to make it work for you. Click the below link to learn more:
http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/confirmsubs.html
More Reading:
Pantry Storage
By Nikki Willhite
There is nothing like the security of a well-stocked pantry. There is a feeling of comfort in knowing that you can get along without going to the store for several months if necessary because of illness, money or other reasons.
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