April 2, 2012

Finding the Value of Old Reference BooksThis is a page about finding the value of old reference books. The value of old reference books is often hard to determine.

 

Homemade Spring Wreaths This is a page about homemade spring wreaths. A beautiful spring wreath is a lovely addition to either your indoor or exterior decor.

 

Using Luggage As StorageThis is a page about using luggage as storage. Rather than having old or seldom used luggage just take up space, use it for storage.

 

Homemade Luggage TagsThis is a page about homemade luggage tags. Have fun and make your own unique luggage tags.

 

Baking Soda to Clean Sterling Silver JewelryMy mom and I heard of this cleaning tip a long time ago. Take a cereal bowl and line it with tin foil. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda, place jewelry in the the soda (cover it a bit), and add boiling water.

 

Use Lemon Juice For Microwave OdorsI first mix fresh lemon juice and water in a microwave safe cup or bowl and put it into the microwave. Run on high for 2 minutes, then wait 2 more minutes before removing the mixture.

 

Save Children's Sleeves When Discarding Old ClothesSave the sleeves from soft materials from your children's clothes. Then when they need to have an Ace bandage on their arms for any reason, it won't be so scratchy.

 

Vietnamese Sesame Rice CrackerThese rice crackers are a delicious crunchy snack that are great on their own, or in combination with dips or rice noodle dishes. Also known as banh trang or banh da.

 

Save Cell Phone CordsCell phone recharging cords get a lot of use and abuse. To save both ends of recharging cord, wrap some electrical tape around the base of both plugs ends. That way, it will protect the wires from getting weak when being pulled out of phone and plug ends.

 

Turn Ribbon Into TapeTake a roll of ribbon or wrapping paper and turn into tape. Attach double sided tape onto your ribbon and wrap around an old tape roll. You can do this with anything you want to use.

 

"Berry" Simple Storage For Pet ToysI have found a berry basket, the kind that strawberries are often sold in, to be a very convenient way to store pet toys. I keep a basket filled with toys on the floor so that my dogs can take out whatever toy they want.

 

Southwest Salad With GuacamoleGreat bean salad and a nice guacamole recipe to serve with corn chips. Since there is salsa in the salad, you can scoop up the salad with the corn chips and put a dollop of guacamole on the chip. Really good and good for you.

 

Reusing Styrofoam CoolersI get a Styrofoam cooler each month with my medications. I try to find ways to reuse them and keep them out of the land fill. Here are a couple of things I have made:

 

The Boogaboo Bunch (Rhode Island Red Mix)The Boogaboo Bunch are baby Rhode Island Red mix. We were at Tractor Supply today and we decided to add to our family. We have eight baby chicks, guaranteed to be pullets and not roosters.

 

Product Review: Vetericyn First Aid SprayI went to the Tractor Supply today and found a first aid spray that is highly recommended by wildlife rehabbers I know. I bought some. It is non toxic and can even be used in the eyes. I wanted to share this product with you.

 

Inexpensive K-cup HolderI needed a holder for my Keurig K-cups but did not want to spend $25-$50 for it. I went to a local 2nd hand store and found a wooden revolving spice rack for $2.90. The cups fit perfectly in the holes and I can paint it to match my decor if I want.

 

Popcorn (Cat)Everything was disappearing in a hurry. I finally found out why, a stray cat was coming and eating all of it as soon as I put it out, especially popcorn!

 

Recycled Moroccan WindchimeI made this with mostly recycled items. Most of this you can find in your local thrift store. I used an old brass tea pot, old brass plate, and used planter. I then found some old plastic beads that my daughter had in a tin when she was little.

 

Consult With Your Doctor About SupplementsI just wanted to respond to the guide about using vitamens and minerals. Always consult your physician before you start taking supplements. When you talk to him, take a list of the prescription drugs you take.

 

Displaying Photo From Old EncyclopediasMost of the time old sets of encyclopedias are worth nothing. If the sets are very old there might be some artistic quality in the old pictures that are in them. For instance pictures of cities in the 1800's or even more recently.

 

Tell People When and Where You Are TravelingI just returned from visiting my mom in Arizona, the same day the story hit the news about the 76 year old diabetic man who survived 10 days in Nevada when he and his friend got stuck. His friend wasn't so lucky when he tried to walk for help.

 

Little Bits of Exercise Add UpExercise each time you use the microwave. If it is going for 3 minutes, do leaning push ups against the counters. For 2 minutes, do squats. For 5 minutes, you won't believe how long 5 minutes can seem, try alternating lunges or tree pose from yoga.

 

Using Empty Popcorn TinsUse them on the porch or deck in summer as an ashtray for people who smoke. Fill with sand or cat litter. Use a litter scooper or an old strainer for cleaning it. Save the lid to cover when wind comes up or rain, or when not in use.

 

Cheerful DandelionMy daughter and I saw this beautiful dandelion on a walk the other day. It was so bright, and so cheery.

 

Use Bleach to Remove Ink in DryerMake a solution of bleach and water. Completely immerse some white towels in the solution and using rubber gloves wring out most of the water from the towels. They should be just damp and not dripping.

 

Watch for School SalesIf you live near a university or college with a music program, keep an eye out for their piano sales. Many programs will have an annual piano sale, and often school districts have them, too.

 

Recycle Elastic From UnderwearBefore you toss that saggy underwear, cut off the elastic and you have it to re-use. This is also true for bras and other lingerie which has elastic.

 

Use Coconut Oil for Dry or Damaged HairI love to use coconut oil on my long color treated blonde hair. I do not know how this treatment would work for other colors of color treated hair, but it did not fade my blonde color at all. It is also safe for non color treated hair.

 

Selling Old EncyclopediasFor over a year I have tried selling an encyclopedia set that is in pristine condition on Craigslist. I have even seen ads where people are giving away their encyclopedias for FREE. Due to the internet there is nothing that you can't find that isn't in the encyclopedia except the photos.

 

Magnet Screen From Dollar GeneralI bought the screen that snaps shut with magnets for around ten dollars at the Dollar General to see how it worked. It was not even two days before the dogs and cats had it down, torn.

 

Protecting the Printing on Pill OrganizersWhen you buy a new pill organizer from the store I suggest you coat the printing with clear nail polish. Over time the tips of your fingers will erase the printing.

 

Playa Del Carmen Scrapbook ThemeFor our 10th year Wedding Anniversary, my husband and I took a romantic vacation to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I like to pick a theme for each event's scrapbook or section. For this one, I used a map of Mexico that I had saved out of a National Geographic insert.

 

Use Magic Eraser to Remove Ink on Computer ScreenIf you child writes on your computer screen with an ink pen, have no fear. A magic eraser will get it off your screen. First, wipe your screen with a very soft cloth or silk, then erase where the ink is, then use screen cleaner (or a baby wipe if you got it) to clean off the eraser.

 

Getting Rid of Centipedes Inside Naturally?I need a home remedy to get rid of centipedes. I found one in my house and I have a cat and don't want to put anything chemical out that might hurt the cat. Any suggestions as to what I can use to get rid of centipedes?

 

Starter Spice Rack Suggestions?A friend's daughter is getting married next month and is setting up her pantry spice rack. I have so many spices in my collection (lots should be thrown out, I'm sure). Could you list some of the basics she should purchase? Thank you.

 

Saving Money on Produce?I was tired of being sluggish and overweight, so I gave up my pop and cheese and unhealthy meals for a diet of mainly vegetables and fruits. I love it! It hasn't been even a week yet and I have already lost 4 pounds (I know some is water weight, but hey, it's weight lost!)

 

Removing Rust from Cast Iron Pot?I need advise what to use for my potjie (cast iron, three legged kettle). It was standing outside in the rain for nearly two years. I want to know what to use to get the heavy rust off my potjie.

 

Octagon Soap?What is octagon soap?

 

Name Ideas for Cleaning Business?I would like for your feedback with name ideas for a cleaning business.

 

Giving Pills to a Dog?We have a Yorkie that's 1 yr 7 months old. The vet found that Bella has a abnormal liver problem and now she has to take Denamarin everyday. She has been put on a vegetarian diet and cannot have any protein.

 

Removing Transmission Oil from Clothes?How do I remove transmission oil from clothes?

 

Saying Yes to a Prom Invitation?So my boyfriend asked me to prom the other day and I want to say yes in a cute way, even though he knows I'im going to say yes. I was thinking about playing a joke on him and somehow saying no first and then saying yes, but idk.

 

Singer Treadle Sewing Machine Stopped Working?I have a Singer treadle sewing machine that worked a straight stitch pretty well when I got it. Now it won't sew at all and the thread keeps bunching under the fabric. It's acting like it's doing a zig zag stitch instead of sewing a straight stitch.

 

What Are Hypertufa Planters?What is a hypertufa planter?

 

Growing Begonias?I was told to wet pine straw to line a hanging basket. Will this be safe for all kinds of begonias?

 

Removing Rust Stains from Wedding Gown?I did my bridal pictures at a park and I sat on the swings and the chains left some rust on the side of my gown. How can I clean them off?

 

Removing Pink Marks from Soles of Shoes?I have a pair of coach shoes and the white soles have pink faded onto them. How do I remove the pink from them?

 

Kenmore Ice Maker Not Making Ice?I have a Kenmore refrigerator with bottom freezer. I bought it in 2009. I turned off the ice maker for the winter and when I turned it back on it is not making ice. I did check to make sure there is water to the unit and that checked out.

 

Removing Label from Microwave?I have a label right on the front of my new microwave door. I cannot get it off with out scratching the plastic door.

 

Discouraging Dogs from Marking Territory on Plants?How do you keep dogs from marking their territory with urine? They constantly go on my shrubs and flowering plants. Isn't there something that you could hang on the plant to deter them from the get go?

 

Activities of Very Elderly Nursing Home Patient?I am a CNA at a nursing home in Des Moines, Iowa. I take care of a 96 year old lady who is 90% blind and deaf. She is very restless, always calling out for help, and continually wants to return to the bathroom, but usually doesn't void. I think it's because she has nothing to do.

 

Introducing a New Kitten to the Resident Cat?I have a 9 month old kitten which looks like a full grown cat! Now I have a 6 week old kitten. I have only had the new one for 2 days. There is no hissing or growling, but the older kitten tries to bite and attack the little kitten.

 

Sharpening Garden Hand Clippers?I would like to know how to sharpen hand garden clippers.

 

Making PVC Cast Jar?I want the compound for PVC to enable me cast a jar if possible. I did try melting the component I composed to no avail. Please bail me out its for my project.

 

Real Estate Business Name Ideas?I will be targeting out of country clients to buy property in Texas, but will also service locals. What would be a good name for my real estate company?

 

Free Crochet Pattern for Lady's Cardigan?Does anyone know where I can find a free crochet pattern for a simple lady's cardigan? I've tried looking online, but they all seem complicated or with fussy frills or lace. I plan to make it for an 80 year old lady with arthritis who just needs to keep warm. Thank you so much in advance.

 

Cat Peeing on Laundry and Dog Kennels?How do I keep my 17 year old calico cat named Samantha from peeing in the dog kennels and on my dirty clothes? I have 7 animals in my 864 square foot home, 3 large Labs and 4 cats. All of the animals are over 10 years old, except one dog and one cat.

 

Feeding Dogs Garlic?I thought dogs weren't allowed to have garlic? Is this true? I read that they also should not eat onion or avocado, that surprised me.