January 11, 2005

Free 2005 CalendarsIf you need 2005 wall calendar go to your local bank, insurance company, or a place where you do your business and ask for them. They will give you (free) all you need. It beats paying $4.99-$12.99 for them at bookstores, and office depot. I just received four on New Year's Eve from my local bank. By Carla

 

PB & J BreakfastFor kids that only want to eat peanut butter and jelly. For breakfast toast 2 waffles then spread with peanut butter and jelly. By Mary

 

A Little Non-Stick Spray Keeps Dressing From SeparatingTired of oil-and-vinegar-type salad dressings separating? This sounds weird, but works great: Just spray a little bit of pan coating spray (like PAM) into the mix. Most of those sprays are made of lecithin, which is a natural emulsifier, and helps to bind the dressing ingredients. By KathyC

 

Use A Toothpick For Car Touch UpsPaint chips and minor scratches can be repainted using a toothpick for a brush. First, use a typewriter eraser to clean away the rust from the damaged spot.

 

Making Cheap Candles Drip FreeSoak them in a tub of water with a generous amount of regular table salt. Use at least a 1/2 cup salt in one of those plastic tubs that are at least 9 x 13. You can gently weigh them down to keep them immersed in the salt water, I never have though, I just periodically turn them. I usually soak mine for at least 2 hours, then let wicks dry and whoa, this has never failed me yet. The inexpensive candles from the Dollar Store for 3 for a Dollar, now not only are dripless but also last a long time cause they tend to burn slower as well. By Kay

 

Make Your Own AwningsInstead of an old fashioned, pulley-operated awning, install a single piece of canvas attached to a wood pole at the top and at the bottom. Secure the top above your window with hooks.

 

Handy Device For Dog Training - A Pop CanAn empty pop can with a few pennies or washers in it. Put a small piece of duct tape over the hole to keep the pennies in. When dog exhibit inappropriate behaviour, just shake the can. It gets their attention in a hurry! By KathyC

 

Follow Garlic With Some ParsleyParsley after garlic - Garnish spicy foods, especially those that contain garlic, with fresh sprigs of parsley, and encourage all your guests to finish with a piece.

 

Sterilizing SoilBefore I repot plants in soil that has been sitting in a bag in the garage or outdoors, I sterilize it and kill any hidden bugs by putting it in the oven at 200 degrees F for about an hour.

 

Mr. Drac - Call WaitingHere's a photo I took of my kitty, Mr. Drac. He's sitting in our window on top of the telephone table, and when I went to take his picture, as I thought it looked so surreal, he posed for me! He's a ham! I named it "Call Waiting". We live in the northeast kingdom of Vermont.

 

Keeping Sandwiches ColdMy daughter has an old-fashioned type lunch box with a thermos. Putting in one of those hard ice substitutes took up too much room, so instead I use frozen bread to make her sandwich. The bread thaws in time for lunch while keeping the lunch meat cold enough to prevent bacteria from forming.

 

Nail Polish Remover for Sink StainsGot stains that won't come out of your sink? Use nail polish remover on a cotton ball and it will come right off, no matter what the stain.

 

Hershey's Chocolate Syrup RecipeThis recipe was on the box of Hershey's cocoa years ago, before l ever saw the syrup for sale.

 

Line Refrigerator Drawers With Paper TowelsLine the drawers of your refrigerator with paper towels to absorb moisture, your fruits and veggies will stay fresher and it makes for easier cleanup of your drawers. By Bobbie Gillette

 

A Scare Tactic For WoodworkersA woodworker from Massachusetts offers this novel safety tip. The most effective thing that I've done to ensure safe practices is to take an hour, go through the phone book, and compile a list of all of the surgeons in the area who specialize in reconstructive hand surgery. I called each office and checked which hospitals are used by which surgeon.

 

Oven Cleaner Recommendations?Can you recommend a good oven cleaner and a cleaner for badly darkened stainless cookware? Thanks, Ron

 

Inexpensive Hawaiian Luau Themed Church Banquet Ideas?I am searching for ideas on what to serve, how to decorate, and how to entertain for a Hawaiian luau. Our church youth do a Valentine banquet each year and this year's theme is a luau. The meal must be inexpensive but elegant and the decorations homemade.

 

How do I move a blind cat to a new house?My 14 year old Siamese cat was just diagnosed with Progressive Retinal Atrophy. He seems to be about 50% blind and we are moving from New York to Florida in 6 months. I imagine by then his blindness will be more acute. My concern is two fold...

 

Making A Crinkle Toy For Cats?How do I make one of those crinkle toys for my cats to jump on? There has to be a way to make something like those crinkle bags you see all of the time. Jenny in KY

 

Making My Laminated Flooring Shiny Again?I have a laminated flooring that was installed about 5 years ago. My problem is that when I clean the floor with the suggested cleaning liquid by the manufacturer, or now the new Clorox or Swifter cleaners that I have also tried, the floor retains a dull film...

 

Tub Stained From Non-skid Strips?When we bought our home the tub had dark stains in it from them having those non-skid strips applied to it. Is there anyone that can tell me how to remove these stains? I have tried soft scrub and ajax, as well as comet and bleach and had no luck. I tried them all separately and didn't mix them with anything but water. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks to everyone! LilHoneyBrat from MN

 

Lady Bugs and Asian Lady Beetles?How can you tell the difference between regular lady bugs and the asian lady beetle?

 

Saving Money on Candles?Tips for saving money on candles.

 

I Need Help Finding And Organizing Coupons?I am trying to save money on groceries by using coupons. I know to save coupons from the Sunday paper, but does anyone have any suggestions for other places to look or of any websites that have some?

 

Ink On Leather Jacket?I need help taking off ink that busted in the pocket and got all over my leather jacket. It's really bad.