Also, our Travel Guide Contest is ending at the end of this month. We will give away a $100 prize for the best travel guide we receive and 5 $20 gas cards to the runners up. Enter at the link below.
Kokoa Girl is a 4 year old American Pit Bull Terrier. Kokoa Girl came to our home, only for a visit, when she was 8 weeks only. She has been with us ever since!
She has a passion for gardening. We have to be very careful in our yard, never know when your gonna fall in one of her holes.
What would I do without my loyal and protective dog? Every day "Kokoa Girl" guards me and the house while my husband is gone by keeping her sharp eye out the front window. Everyday she barks all day to warn off those dangerous elements which could invade our home like joggers (*gasp*), and people on bicycles (*shudder*), and even more dreaded monsters...like garbage trucks and school buses (*oh, the horror!*).
Yes, I am so lucky to have a dog like her. What would I do without Kokoa Girl? At the end of the day her only expectation from us is her kong filled with what else? Peanut butter!
Some of us don't like our kitty to help us sew. Mine has fairly long hair and will immediately lie down on any piece of fabric I lay down. Since I heat with wood, I needed a way for the air to circulate to my sewing room and yet keep Mr. Kiki out. So, I hung a piece of garden lattice on hinges with a simple screen door lock toward the top so I can reach it from both sides, and added a nice silk flower trim!
Just a heads-up I wanted to pass on to other readers. If you use Spray N Wash Dual Power stain remover for your clothes, don't apply it to the stain and then leave it sit for a long period of time! I had several of my son's shirts that I applied it to, then let sit for a day or two, and it "bleached" them. For example, he had an orange shirt that now has lighter orange patches on it. I ruined about three shirts that way, and of course, some were more expensive brand name shirts (which I RARELY buy, go figure!). In all fairness, I have to say it removed the stains pretty well, but unfortunately, the color too! So don't make the same mistake I did.
This decorating tip is to create a mattress topper to revive an old mattress or for use as sofa bed support mattress or even as a floor mat when a house guest visits.
Collect or purchase new low cost bed pillows, standard or queen size; fiber filled ones usually run $2.00 each or use old ones you already have that have gone flat. Collect enough, approximately 9-15 pillows. Stitch together sides and ends in a vertical manner, much like a quilt is prepared. You have now created a topper! Cover with a bed sheet when in use and store in a plastic comforter bag.
Much less expense and just as comfy as a faux feather bed topper!
If you have a pampered pet, this would make an awesome bed for them as well. Just scale it down in size and cover with their favorite blanket. Sweet dreams!!
To clean greasy pots try throwing some corn flour, or any other flour and rub it. The grease will glue to the flour and get dry. After that, just wash it normally.
A tip for the big day! Remember to bring fabric softener sheets along with you to remove animal hair from your clothing, dresses and suits for the wedding party AND to also take static cling out of the formal gowns and suits that will be worn.
No one has to worry about static cling then, not even the mothers of the bride and groom that also want to look their utmost best for their child's special day.
A very interesting article appeared in my city's newspaper about a couple who, after installing a corn furnace in their home, had their heating bills drop from about $600.00 a month for gas heat to about $160.00 a month for burning corn. The type of corn used is shelled corn, the same as what livestock would eat. This type of corn is comparatively inexpensive, and this type of furnace uses the same ductwork as a fossil fuel furnace. Also, leftover corn at the end of the heating season can be fed to the birds and other wildlife, so none goes to waste. Several other benefits of burning corn for fuel are mentioned in this article.
There are some cons of this heating method. The initial expense of installing a corn furnace is several thousand dollars. Also, there is a little bit of maintenance work required to keep this furnace operating all season. In addition, there is the issue of where to store the corn after delivery, which sounds like it is delivered by the ton.
Unfortunately, I live too close to a metropolitan area and have too little land on which to store corn for this type of heating. However, I thought all the Thrifty Fun readers in rural areas (or in the Corn Belt) might be interested in this idea.
Also, the above article mentions a national expert on using corn for
residential heating at The Pennsylvania State University who has a
website devoted to burning corn for heating. His website is:
I have a zip type bag in my freezer that I put in the ends of loaves of bread that go uneaten, stale bread, the crumbs at the bottom of corn flakes or other non sweetened cereals bags, broken crackers, etc. When I have the time, I run them through my food processor, and then return the bag of crumbs to the freezer for the next recipe that calls for them. I haven't bought crumbs in years.
We cook up hamburger in the crockpot with onions and freeze to use at a later date. We do up the hamburger with taco seasoning mix and freeze as well. It's fast and quick when you want dinner in a hurry.
Credit card companies fall over themselves to offer credit to new college students. If you have a child heading off to college, be sure to warn them about this because they can quickly amass high interest credit card debt that could haunt them, and you, for years to come.
Apple and Dell have had to recalled a large number of potentially unsafe laptop batteries. If your laptop was purchased within the last couple of years you may be entitled to a new battery for your laptop.
My 3 year Yorkie had a skin test and was diagnosed with yeast allergy. Her skin and ears are extremely pink (almost red) My vet put her on Sporonax 100mg and Vanectyl P which is Prednisone. I am not happy with her having all these medications in her. She is not food allergic, I was feeding her Natural Balance Duck and Potato and have now switched her to a canned food without grains. This has been going on for a long time without much results and much money spent. She becomes lethargic on the medications. I am at my wits end and very depressed over all of this, in addition to feeling so bad for my little 12 pound dog. Can anyone out there maybe help me in my situation. Would also like to home cook for her so need a good recipe. Also she is itchy especially on her paws.
I am due up for my first mammogram and I am dreading it. Anyone have any tips for overcoming the fear and pain involved? Can you take pain medicine before hand? Do they keep you in the vise grip for long? How long does the procedure last? Any tips will be much appreciated.
Is there a way to know if some dishes that I bought are food safe? They have stickers that say "QC Q32" and "QC Q35." Those are the only identifying marks, other that that they are made in China. I purchased some of them at Marshall's and some at Ross.
I bought and planted two Hydrangeas of the same type side by side 3 or 4 years ago. One has beautiful blooms every year and the other has never made a flower. I do not understand as they get the same sun, shade, rain, etc. Any idea what is happening here?
I would like to thank you for your kind reply regarding my dog's yeast allergies. You mentioned to get CleaRX DVM for her ears. Where can I buy this as I have been calling around and nobody seems to know about this product.
If you can be so kind as to tell me where I can obtain this and how to use it I would be most indebted to you. She is now on antibiotics and do you think I should use this even with the medication. Thank you for you kind reply.
I recently was trying to wave a permanent marker to get it to work, and it splattered all over my skin and computer screen. I know it can only take time to remove it from my skin, but how do I remove it from my computer screen?
I have some wallpaper borders to remove from walls and when i try to just peel it off it leaves alot of paper residue. Anyone know how to remove this without taking the paint off the wall?
I left my stainless steel saucepan sitting on the stove after the water had boiled out. It now has black marks on the bottom of the pan. They look similar to tarnish stains on silver. Does anyone know how to get rid of these?
I have moved in to a town home with new carpet and I have a little dog and 2 kids. I am wondering how often is it safe to clean my carpets? I own my own machine.
How do I keep squirrels from climbing my patio door screen to reach bird feeders? I know we could move the feeders, but then we wouldn't be able to watch the birds. These maddening little rodents are urinating on my glass door!
I'm having difficulty coming up with centerpieces for a baby shower. We want something that at the end of the shower 1 guest per table can take home. Most sites suggest things like diaper cakes and balloons and such... we don't feel that's a good take home gift. Please help.
Three days ago I found an approximately 10 week old tabby mix kitten in my garage. She is doing great except for the litter box part. I have set her in the box and helped her scratch around a little to get her used to it, but we still take her outside and she will go. This morning she pooped in the floor. We don't mind taking her outside but my family and I are rarely home during the day and sometimes evening. We do have a 4 year old tabby but the two cats are doing good together, they already have separate eating spaces and they each have their own litter box. We just want the kitten to learn how to use the litter box so we don't have to come home to "accidents" all over the house. If you can help that would be greatly appreciated.
Does anyone have anyone have any canning recipes or site(s) that have canning recipes on them? When I do a search it's just too much to look through. I am specifically looking for stew and soup recipes.
I recently froze some fresh corn. It is cut off the cob. I followed the recipe, but it is too sweet when cooked. My request is, can someone tell me what to do to make it less sweet tasting?
OK - I'm letting out a secret family recipe that kids and adults love, Hershey Bar Cupcakes
Make yellow cupcakes from a mix (or make your own), divide up one package of Hershey Bars (the multi pack - I think there are 6 full size bars in a pack.) between the amount of cupcakes you made.
When the cupcakes come out of the oven, IMMEDIATELY top with Hershey bars and put back in the oven to melt (turn the oven off first). Now, they can be eaten gooey, as is, or put in fridge for a crunchy top. WE love these!
Purchasing a new vehicle can be quite a tedious task requiring much research in order to profit. From researching makes of vehicles to loan rates, the information can be overwhelming. How then can one best decide if leasing or buying is the right decision? Take this questionnaire to find out.
Can I handle the idea that I will pay on a car continuously without ever owning anything?
Most people find the answer to this to be the decision maker. Can you live with the idea that you are paying on something that isn't yours? If your answer is no, then leasing is not for you regardless of any other promising factors it offers. Leasing is renting. Although there are options to buy the car, most leases end without anything left to show for the years of payment.
Do I like trade in my new cars as soon as the loans are paid in full, therefore, constantly making payments and always driving new cars?
Anyone answering yes should seriously consider leasing a vehicle. By purchasing a new vehicle and then using the trade-in to finance another new vehicle as soon as the loan is paid, you are doing something similar to leasing. However, with a lease you may be able to drive the new vehicles more often, turning over leases quicker than paying off car loans.
Do I pack on the miles?
If driving is something you do in abundance, then reconsider leasing. Most leases carry hefty penalties for going over a set mileage. Anyone with a long work commute or frequent long trips should approach the lease with caution.
Do I have money to put down on the new car?
If a trade-in or down payment isn't available, purchasing a new car can be near impossible. Leasing allows a person to drive away in a new vehicle with a lesser down payment. Along the same lines, if the monthly payments on a new car are too steep, then leasing offers payments that are almost half the amount of the loan payments. How? Because the lessee is only paying the depreciation of the car's value over the course of the lease. In other words, you only pay for the value lost on the car in that period of years. Along those lines, ask yourself this:
Do I put "excessive wear" on my car?
Stained carpets, dents, paint chips, these are all considered "excessive wear." Have this term clearly defined in your lease papers because it all lessens the value of your car at the end of the lease. Less value means higher penalties at the close of the lease. If you purchase the car, you have the same problems trading it in on a newer vehicle down the road.
Do I buy a car to build equity?
Most car loans are too high to build significant equity quickly. Interest is paid first, so if the vehicle is traded in before the loan is paid, there often isn't enough equity accumulated to justify the value of the car. For instance, a $24,000 truck can be traded in for its value of $12,000 four years into the loan. The value of the trade then pays off the balance of the loan leaving the car owner to break even. After four years of hefty payments, the former owner is left where he started.
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