Social Security Survivor Benefits?
It depends on his age. Heres what Social Security has to say: Your unmarried children who are under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when you die. And your child can...
Weaning a Breastfed Baby
?
Wait until your baby is at least a year old before introducing cows milk. As you get closer to that time, *if you can*, drink more milk yourself; what you eat flavors your own babys milk. Pay careful attention to your babys health and behavior, and be ready...
Turn Boxes Inside Out for Shipping
This is generally a good idea, but I wanted to add one thing. The USPS restrictions arent about political correctness. Things like bleach and paint can be dangerous in a vibrating, unpressurized airplane cargo hold. Reusing a clean box from a product that couldnt...
Using Basil?
I also really love basil, so Ill weigh in here, too. There are different varieties of basil, but my suggestion works with any of them. My favorite summer meal is this: 1. Put water on to boil for your favorite pasta. 2. Cut up any seasonal veggies on hand to...
Making Vegetarian Gravy?
My daughters a vegetarian and Im allergic to milk, so I had to learn to make gravy we could both eat! Fortunately, its easy. Saute finely-chopped onions and minced garlic in a little olive oil, and use this instead of the meat fat in any gravy youd like to...
Hunters: Remember the Food Pantries
Thank you! Not every food pantry can store and distribute fresh meat, but Im sure its in short supply at those that can do it. If someones local pantry cant handle fresh meat, the people there would probably be happy to help match you to a family who could...
Vintage 1940s and 50s Style Iron-On Transfers?
Just to add another thought: Weve had good luck with the iron-on transfer paper you can buy at any craft store or (at least here) even at Sams Club. You can print any image from your ordinary computer printer on the paper and then iron it onto any appropriate...
Getting Help With Vet Bills?
This is a long shot, so please try the other excellent suggestions first--but I thought Id mention it, because from your post you already have an established relationship with your veterinarian. With the recession, many small businesses are operating on a shoestring...
Do Iron Supplements Discourage Mosquitoes?
Be careful with this. Taking supplements, especially those that arent water-soluble, can be a risky way to ward off mosquitoes--and can cost much more than a bit of citronella oil! Your body has no way to rid itself of excess iron, except for menstruation--which...
Churning Butter?
Janette and the others are right--just whip whipping cream until its butter, adding salt if you want it. Years ago, I was helping with an after-school program where the kids used an ordinary manual eggbeater (not electric) to whip cream to top treats theyd...
Getting Rid of a Kerosene Drum?
I just wanted to echo the guest post recommending freecycle. Ive often been amazed at the things I was about to throw away, only to discover that someone in my area really wants the item! If no one from freecycle requests your drum, youre on to the other advice...
Brooke (Jackobosador)
What fun! Our dog, who is half husky and half something black (Labrador?), once looked a lot like your pup--her colorings similar. (Shes now more than 10 years old, though.) For years, now, weve told people who asked that our pet is a purebred Icehound ... shell...
Harvesting Cattail As Food
I also grew up eating lots of wild foods, and will vouch for cattail being a wonderful choice, offering free sustenance in any season. But, I do want to share a word of caution, too. As with most plants that grow in water, whatevers in the water is in the plant...
Rottweiler's Mysterious Death?
Im so sorry this happened to your dog and your family! Im not a vet, but this sounds like poison to me. Antifreeze poisoning is usually faster, but does cause the drunken staggering ... anything that could lead to kidney failure could also cause your pet to...
No Dairy Creamy Hot Garlic Sauce
Thank you, Lisa! I have a severe dairy allergy, and this looks like a very easy, tasty cheese substitute. Im excited that you said it works well in lasagna, too; many substitutions just dont manage to suffice for lasagna. Im going to try it this weekend! Note...
Alternative to Commercial TV Viewing
Re: Actually, might still be harm reduction strategy for my remaining teenager, given that anything fun goes! Just a thought ... with teens, Id either (simple) videotape them dancing with friends to their favorite parent-friendly music to make their own music...
Alternative to Commercial TV Viewing
Thank you all for voting this up ... I had no idea Id win the tip contest!
Uses for Faux Fur Coats?
Just a thought ... if you itemize your taxes, or just want to do something truly wonderful with the coats, consider donating them to your local Dress for Success, domestic violence service center, Goodwill, or other charity. Take pictures of them, with the...
How Do I Stop my Dog Ripping Up Paper?
Hello! I think Id make a simple cloth bag. Id make one opening to fit your mail slot, and a second, on the other side, for you to reach in to retrieve the mail without taking the bag down. Id make a flap, zip, tie, or some other cover to close the opening through...
Volunteer Poem Given with Votive Candle?
Heres one that was given me in recognition of something I had done on a volunteer basis. I loved it so much that I carried it with me for years. The organization that gave it to me changed he to she, etc., throughout the poem, but whats pasted here is the original...
Volunteer Poem Given with Votive Candle?
And, here are a couple more sites with poems for volunteers in case neither the above suggestion nor Andreas quite fits your situation: http://www.volunteertoday.com/ARCHIVES2002/volpoems.html http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=41524
Freecycle, Petcycle, Tag Sale and Barter Groups
Hello! Not only do I agree, but I just saw your location--hello from one of your fellow local freecyclers! Something Ive noticed recently is the increased use of shipping with freecycling. For years, freecycling always meant, in my experience, arranging a pickup...
Cheese-free Recipes For Canned Pink Crab Meat?
Thank you for this response! Ive saved your recipe and ideas, and will try it very soon. Who else has some? Thank you so very much! Ms. C.
Soup Kitchen Needs Help Utilizing Excess Food Commodities?
Just a couple quick ideas: Id try substituting the matzo for about half of the masa harina in recipes familiar to your clients, and see if theyre willing to eat it. If it works well, try substituting even more to use it up. If it doesnt work well, try a little...
Hairspray for Lice Prevention
If youre really worried, theres an even more effective approach. When my kids were little, we lived in a neighborhood where several of their friends seemed to have lice all the time. They were playing outside together, being kids, with lots of exposure. I hated...
Update and Print Personal Medical History
Just FYI--if you have a serious medical condition of any kind, consider MedicAlert (www.medicalert.org). You can keep all your health information and history on file with them for a fairly low fee, adding information by calling them or online, and you get a...
Update and Print Personal Medical History
Just FYI--if you have a serious medical condition of any kind, consider MedicAlert (www.medicalert.org). You can keep all your health information and history on file with them for a fairly low fee, adding information by calling them or online, and you get a...
Tip for Purchasing Store Gift Cards
Theres an interesting article with ideas for what to do with unwanted gift cards at http://www.giftcardnexus.com/content/view/5007/2/ . But still--wheres the gift in an exchange of cards? At my sons 16th birthday party, every single friend gave him a greeting...
Styling Strawberry Blonde Hair?
Caution with the Kool-Aid! My daughter is also entering high school, and loves the hair-spray dyes that wash out. We did Kool-Aid once, though, and it was more or less PERMANENT. The tint could be distinguished until the hair finally grew out! If you want to...
Why Are Apples Cracking While Growing?
I took a minute to look this info up for you. It sounds like the most likely cause is the tree getting too much water too fast, at a time when the fruit can absorb the extra water and basically burst. Heres what I found ... I found this on http://www.ext.vt...
Removing Sun Damage From Fabric?
Id suggest hiding the area by reworking something on top of it. Depending on your design, a floral design with conveniently twisting leaves and stems might work well. I love to cross-stitch, and its hard enough to match thread tones if you just need more of...
How To Care For Shasta Daisies?
We got a few Shasta daisies a few years ago because my daughter loves them. We basically stuck the mail-order roots in the ground (turned-over garden soil) and ignored them. They stay green through the winter (in the mountains at 41 degrees latitude--not warm...
