Friday, January 25, 2008

Weird Things to Do with Food

PEPPER

Everyone knows Clorox's catchy ditty about keeping clothes bright, but all you need is pepper. Add a teaspoon of pepper to the wash before you add in your clothes and it will keep the colors from fading.


WHITE VINEGAR

Deodorant stains can ruin a perfectly good shirt. Save your whites by spraying white vinegar (no need to mix with water) onto the underarm areas. Then you can wash per usual.

SUGAR

At your next BBQ don't spend money on anti-pest candles that never work. Simmer 2 cups of milk, a 1/4 pound of sugar and 2 oz. of ground black pepper for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour the mixture into bowls and put them where the flies will be attracted to them and then drown. You can also place around the house. No more buzzzzzing at the windows.

SODA

Next time your drain is clogged and you don't have time to run to the store for some Drain-O just look in your fridge! A 2-liter bottle of soda will do the trick. Just pour it down to clobber the clog.

SHORTENING

For a natural solution to diaper rash, try coating the area with a thin layer of shortening. It will act as a moisturizer.

SALT

Grease stains can be a huge pain when it comes to doing laundry. Before you wash, work a generous amount of table salt into the stain and then launder as usual.

POTATOES

Too much to drink last night and now you have puffy eyes? Apply a thin slice of cold potato to your eyes and leave on for five minutes. Then splash with cool water, put on your makeup (or just some moisturizer -- this means you, too, guys!) and head to work!

ORANGES

Don't you hate it when you have to start a fire and little bits of newspaper are flying everywhere? Next time, air-dry orange peels, which contain flammable oils that burn longer, and use those instead of the paper. The delicious smell is a bonus.

OLIVE OIL

Does it seem like nothing is working for your bad skin? Use 4 tablespoons of salt and 3 tablespoons of olive oil to create a paste. Leave it on your face for 2 minutes and rinse with warm water. Then wash your face as normal. Use every day for a week and then cut back to 3 days a week and you should notice an improvement.

MUSTARD

It may make you smell like a hot dog, but rubbing a thin layer of mustard over your chest and covering with a hot towel can relieve a stuffy head and chest.

MILK

Oh no! You forgot to put the cap on your pen and now there is ink seeping into your shirt. No worries -- just grab some milk and soak the area. Depending on the type of ink, this process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours. Patience is a virtue.

MAYONNAISE

It's one thing when your child draws on the wall with crayons, it's quite another when it comes to your wood furniture. Rub some mayonnaise on the crayon mark and let it soak for ten minutes. Then take a damp cloth and wipeaway the mayo AND the crayon!

LEMONS

Dandruff can be an embarrassing health problem, but the special shampoo often smells yucky. Try massaging 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and rinsing with warm water. Follow with a leave-in rinse of 1 teaspoon lemonjuice in 1 cup of warm water. Use this daily until your scalp is healed.

FLOUR

You have an ant problem but are worried about the poisonous ant traps around your pets. Just sprinkle flour wherever you see ants entering the house and along the pantry shelves, since they are most likely after your food.

EGGS

No time to hit the salon before your big event? Get your hair super shiny and conditioned with eggs! Take two beaten egg yolks and massage into hair. Start at the scalp and work in small sections. Then gather all of the hair in a shower cap, wrap in a warm towel and wait 30 minutes (you could cook the kids' dinner). Rinse with cool water and shampoo as usual.

CORN STARCH

Your child just learned how to tie their shoes and the knots are impossible to undo. Stay calm and sprinkle a little cornstarch on the laces to help you work out the knot.

CLUB SODA

There's no more worrying about drinking red wine on white carpet. Soak up as much wine as possible and then pour club soda over the area, making sure to blot and not rub. Repeat the process until the wine is no longer visible. You can also do the same for urine stains.

CASTOR OIL

While most of us associate castor oil with constipation or childbirth, did you know it can also help get rid of pesky moles in your yard? Just mix a 1/2 cup of castor oil with two gallons of water and pour the mixture down the mole(s) hole(s). Don't worry, the solution is animal friendly and they will likely relocate.

BUTTER

A jewelry box can help you organize, but sometimes those thin-chained necklaces just want to get tangled and you can't stop them! Rub some butter into the knot and lay on a flat surface. Then take a sewing needle to untangle. When finished just run under hot water to rinse off the butter.

BREAD

Next time you drop a wine glass or break a plate, grab a slice of bread to help you clean up. After you pick up the larger pieces, press the bread over the area and it will pick up all the itty bitty pieces you can't see. Bread can also help clean fingerprints off walls and wallpaper. Just rub and voila!

BANANAS

Before you throw your banana peel in the compost pile, remove any stringy pulp and use the peel as a buffer. This works with silverware as well as leather shoes and leather furniture. Just rub the peel over the object and buff with a soft cloth. Be sure to test a small section of your furniture first!

APPLES

Sick of waiting for your green tomatoes to ripen on the windowsill? Stick up to five tomatoes in a brown paper bag with a ripe apple and seal for a few days. This will speed up the ripening process.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Please watch this short, beautiful film to have a donation made to
Autism Speaks. The band, Five for Fighting, is generously donating
$0.49 to Autism Speaks for *each time* the video is viewed. The
funding goes toward research studies to help find a cure. When you
have a moment, please visit the link below to watch the video and
pass it along to your friends and family. They are aiming for 10,000
hits, but hopefully we can help them to surpass this goal.

Click & Watch Please

Sunday, January 13, 2008

How Would You Handle This?

I am making a gift for a friend's birthday - using items on hand - 3 beads, and a length of wire. Would you could this as one item (the ring) or 4 items (beads & wire) when counting the items leaving the home?

Goals Suprassed

In December, Hubby thought that 208 items would be a more realistic goal. We met that and changed our goal to 1008. Well, Ladies and Gents, we've now surpassed that goal as well. Looks like the original challenge amount of 2008 may just be something we can accomplish. At the VERY least, I will continue with my goal of 7 things per week for the year.

Here is this week's list (week ends on Saturday):

1 book - The Note Mom
1 Mensa Puzzle Book Gwen
1 Hello Kitty Kit Freecycle - Tepeza
1 Star light Freecycle - Tepeza
1 thread type yarn Freecycle - Tepeza
1 bug Freecycle - Tepeza
1 stuffed cat Freecycle - Tepeza
1 faeire crystal Freecycle - Tepeza
1 poodle grows Freecycle - Tepeza
1 orange candle Freecycle - Tepeza
1 Angel Book Freecycle - Tepeza
3 cinderella stamp markers Freecycle - Tepeza
4 boy toys Freecycle - Tepeza
5 magazines Freecycle - Tepeza
1 Candle Freecycle - Tepeza
1 Candle holders Freecycle - Tepeza
1 oil candle holder Freecycle - Tepeza
1 shadow box Trudy
1 basket Freecycle - Tepeza
25 plastic hangers Gwen
1 basket Gwen
3 snow globe dragons Freecycle - Cheryl
2 shampoo Freecycle - Cheryl
1 toothpaste Freecycle - Cheryl
1 hair inhibiter Freecycle - Cheryl
9 razors Freecycle - Cheryl
1 cologne Freecycle - Cheryl
2 hair glitter gel Freecycle - Cheryl
1 hair wax Freecycle - Cheryl
1 travel bottle Freecycle - Cheryl
3 bathsalts Freecycle - Cheryl
2 sample shampoo Freecycle - Cheryl
1 plastic box Freecycle - Cheryl
1 tooth mirror Freecycle - Cheryl
3 bath fizzies Freecycle - Cheryl
2 plastic drawer things Mom
1 IGIA Hair Straightner Freecycle - Cheryl
4 massage tools Freecycle - Cheryl
2 pks of watercolor pencils Freecycle - Cheryl
1 Book on BiPolar Disorder Freecycle - Cheryl
1 Sword Freecycle - Cheryl
2 sets of curtains Freecycle - Jean
8 pillow cases Freecycle - Jean
2 sets of sheets Freecycle - Jean
15 books Freecycle - James
4 Makeup Items Mom
31 Makeup Items Freecycle - Jackie
1 Cat Door
1 Swiffer Mop Gwen
1 Large Dry Erase Board Freecycle - Audrey
2 Downy Fabric Softener balls Mom
1 Tide Detergent sample Mom
1 Reclining Chair Dad
4 drawer organizers Mom
1 wooden chess/checker game Freecycle - Yolanda
68 Music CDs Freecycle - Yolanda
71 Blank CD cases Freecycle - Yolanda
5 Music CDs Mom
2 Music CDs Kes
1 Discovery Toys Mosaic Mysteries Freecycle - Donna
1 audio cassette Freecycle - Yolanda
1 Stick Vac Hoover Kayla
4 Books Courtney
6 Books Freecycle
17 Coke Caps Freecycle - Donna
1 Gap Sweater Kayla
2 Swiffer Wet Pads Gwen

This weekly total is 350 (two additional items added to last weeks items). This brings our grand total to 1133. WoooHooo!!!

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Going...Going...Gone!

This week has been crazy! I gathered and got rid of SO many things. I know my list looks crazy and I'm sure it will slow down drastically soon. By October, I'm sure I'll be getting tired of this!

Here is this week's list:

2 Kiddie Swimming pools Freecycle - Susan H
1 Pooh backpack Freecycle - Shawn
2 shirt Freecycle - Shawn
2 robe Freecycle - Shawn
1 "Dreams" Jar Freecycle - Shawn
1 man's watch Freecycle - Shawn
1 bedside lamp Freecycle - Shawn
1 nokia phone Freecycle - Shawn
1 shower head Freecycle - Shawn
3 bathroom hooks Freecycle - Shawn
1 makeup brush holder Freecycle - Shawn
1 Samsung Charger Freecycle - Shawn
1 knitted shawl Freecycle - Shawn
1 scarf Freecycle - Shawn
1 hankie Freecycle - Shawn
1 shrek Freecycle - Shawn
1 shower curtain clips Freecycle - Shawn
2 bathroom facuet Freecycle - Shawn
1 stuffed bunny hang on Freecycle - Shawn
3 small bag Freecycle - Shawn
1 Set of Jerry Garcia pics Freecycle - Shawn
2 Sets of handles Freecycle - Shawn
2 Set of shower rings Freecycle - Shawn
1 Glade plug in Freecycle - Shawn
1 package of snore clips Freecycle - Susan H
1 bathroom bag Freecycle - Susan H
1 cat mit Freecycle - Susan H
1 blue basket Freecycle - Susan H
5 shirt Freecycle - Susan H
1 cell phone case Freecycle - Susan H
1 space bag Freecycle - Susan H
2 Skin So Soft Freecycle - Susan H
1 mouthwash Freecycle - Susan H
1 shaving cream Freecycle - Susan H
1 Robe Freecycle - Susan H
2 Candle holders Freecycle - Susan H
1 Sunglass Clips Freecycle - Susan H
1 men's watch Freecycle - Susan H
1 jewelry finding Freecycle - Susan H
1 lotion Freecycle - Susan H
2 Tshirts Freecycle - Susan H
1 thermometer Freecycle - Susan H
1 qtip container Freecycle - Susan H
6 lotion Freecycle - Susan H
1 cologne Freecycle - Susan H
2 stridex pads Freecycle - Susan H
15 scrunchie Freecycle - Susan H
8 perfume Freecycle - Susan H
1 doll Freecycle - Susan H
3 small bags Freecycle - Susan H
1 flosser Freecycle - Susan H
3 hair clips Freecycle - Susan H
1 face toner Freecycle - Susan H
1 hair gel Freecycle - Susan H
1 candle Freecycle - Susan H
1 nail file Freecycle - Susan H
1 pen Freecycle - Susan H
1 shampoo Freecycle - Susan H
1 face scrubber Freecycle - Susan H
1 bar of soap Freecycle - Susan H
1 deo ball Freecycle - Susan H
3 clippies Freecycle - Susan H
5 makeup brushes Freecycle - Susan H
1 lanicane Freecycle - Susan H
1 baby lotion Freecycle - Susan H
1 batch of samples Freecycle - Susan H
1 set of combs Freecycle - Susan H
1 lipgloss Freecycle - Susan H
6 ties Freecycle
1 coat Kayla
33 Shirts Kit, Russ, & Freecycle
1 jacket Kit
1 3 Hole Punch electric Freecycle - Teacher
2 porcelain doll stands Freecycle - Libby
1 pk of gift tags Beth
2 magazine Beth
1 homeschool book Beth
2 organizers\ Beth
1 drink bottle holder Beth
1 pumpkin carving kit Beth
1 paintable statue Beth
1 pair of boxers Beth
3 paintable signs Beth
1 picture frame Freecycle - Doti
1 box of crayons Beth
1 coupon book (McDs) Freecycle - Doti
2 lanyard straps Beth
1 lipstick holder Freecycle - Doti
3 Hello Kitty Stamps Beth
1 Mary Engelbreit teapot Freecycle - Doti
1 mini notepad Beth
2 decorative boxes Beth
12 Greeting cards Beth
1 bag of balloons Freecycle - Doti
2 organza bag Freecycle - Doti
47 pages of stickers Beth
1 pk of picture frames Freecycle - Doti
1 pk of die cuts Freecycle - Doti
1 pk of cut stamps Freecycle - Doti
1 Set of Stress Tapes Freecycle - Shawn
1 GW Cassette Recorder Freecycle - Shawn
1 paint brush Freecycle - Doti
1 wooden ball Freecycle - Doti
1 set of plastic drawers Freecycle - Doti
1 note paper caddy Freecycle - Doti
4 felt bags Beth
1 pk felt bats Beth
1 dirty words game Beth
3 pk of sticky felt Freecycle - Doti
1 pk of little wooded spools Freecycle - Doti
2 mini notepads (matchbooks) Freecycle - Doti
1 stapler Freecycle - Doti
1 staple puller Freecycle - Doti
1 barette Freecycle - Doti
1 swatch watch Freecycle - Doti
1 pill holder Freecycle - Doti
1 post it sticker Freecycle - Doti
1 box of fae note paper Freecycle - Doti
1 small fishbowl Freecycle - Doti
1 stack of consturction paper Freecycle - Doti
2 coloring books Freecycle - Doti
1 box of crayons Freecycle - Doti
1 stamp pad Freecycle - Doti
2 decorative napkins Freecycle - Doti
2 roll of film Freecycle - Doti
1 pk of dowel rods Freecycle - Doti
1 keychain Freecycle - Doti
1 letter opener Freecycle - Doti
2 tatoos Kit
2 big stickers Kit
1 hand made box Kit
1 small wood box Kit
1 black ribbon Beth
1 fabric bit Beth
3 new boxes of crayons Freecycle - Teacher
1 spool of elastic thread Beth
2 magazine Freecycle - Doti
12 pens Freecycle - Doti
1 spool of ribbon Beth
1 set of nail stickers Beth
2 small paint brushes Beth
1 black stamp pad Beth
1 Ann Rule book Freecycle - Doti
1 bottle clenaer Beth
1 scrunchie Freecycle - Doti
2 anticeptic wipes Freecycle - Doti
1 pk of misc beads Beth
1 herb recipes Beth
1 hair gel Freecycle - Doti
1 magnet Freecycle - Doti
1 razor holder Freecycle - Doti
1 barette Freecycle - Doti
1 large metal basket Freecycle - Doti
1 pedometer (slimfast) Freecycle - Michelle
2 boxes of jello Freecycle - Lani
1 box of pudding Freecycle - Lani
2 bags of chicken Freecycle - Lani
1 box of steakums Freecycle - Lani
1 pk of sausages Freecycle - Lani
1 can of peas Freecycle - Lani
1 box of oats Freecycle - Lani
6 pks of koolade Freecycle - Lani
1 pk cheeseburger mac Freecycle - Lani
3 pk frozen cookes Freecycle - Lani
2 bags of veggies Freecycle - Lani
4 Jenny Craig Bars Freecycle - Lani
2 pks of linguini Freecycle - Lani
1 cornbread mix Freecycle - Lani
1 box of cookie mix Freecycle - Lani
1 set of cookie cutters Freecycle - Lani
2 page size tattoos Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
2 3 ring binder Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 gift bag Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 2' section of ribbon Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
3 bags of scrapbook die cuts Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 necklace Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 card Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
2 rainbow note pads Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 halloween bag Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 pr of scrapbook scissors Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 boning Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 fuseable webbing Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 2002 pooh calendar Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 small origami kit Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 stencil Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 pk of hello kitty gift bags Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 bunch of eucaliptus Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
2 large spools of curling ribbon Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 black note book Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 white pad of paper Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 set of rings for circles Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 small frame Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 large pile of clipart Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 paint brush Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 folder Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
4 3 ring binder Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 magazine Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 vice Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
1 paint kit for sencils Freecycle - Laura (toomanycats)
9 Shirts Mom
1 Skirt Mom
1 Pair of Pants Mom
1 sweater Mom
3 vintage books Freecycle
3 educational books Freecycle - Michelle
11 mystery/horror books Freecycle
6 learning books Freecycle
12 Romance/Other Books Freecycle
15 Chicken Soup Books Mom


SO...if you have gotten this far, you see that I've managed to rid my house of 469 things THIS week! This brings our current total to 783!

783/1008
425 items left for my 1008 in 2008 goal

Thursday, January 03, 2008

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words...

I took some pictures of the items leaving our house for this Project. I'm not good at getting pictures for each and every item but I'm trying. Anyway, December 2007's total was 314 items.

Here is a picture of a few of the items before they left our home for the last time!