Great Advice

Baz Luhrmann Sunscreen Song

On June 1, 1997, a young journalist, Mary Schmich, wrote a column in the Chicago Tribune titled “Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young”. She introduced the column as the commencement address she would give if she were asked to give one.

Her essay became famous world-wide when Baz Luhrmann – director of “Romeo & Juliet”) turned it into a #1 music single as “Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen”. You may even have heard the song and laughed at its litany of humorous but practical advice.

I LOVED this!

Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young

Mary Schmich

June 1, 1997
Inside every adult lurks a graduation speaker dying to get out, some world-weary pundit eager to pontificate on life to young people who’d rather be Rollerblading. Most of us, alas, will never be invited to sow our words of wisdom among an audience of caps and gowns, but there’s no reason we can’t entertain ourselves by composing a Guide to Life for Graduates.I encourage anyone over 26 to try this and thank you for indulging my attempt.

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’97:

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they’ve faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else’s.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They’re your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you’ll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you’ll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair or by the time you’re 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Whatzit?

I know you think you know what this is!

Why that is just my Holiday Inn Priority Club Card.

Well that's what it is b.u.t....

It's also used as a "south Georgia ice scraper"!

See, more than one morning this week

my truck windows have looked like this.

But really, any credit card of gift card or hotel card will do the trick!

I'm not even sure you could find an ice scraper any where around these parts.

Falsies

Fortunately, I've never had to wear falsies.

But having a $2.00 off coupon I bought this new mascara!

L.O.V.E. it!!!!

Really makes my eyelashes look thicker!

Oh and by the way,

L.O.V.E. this too!

It really is working :)

Cracked Dry Feet

T wrote this post yesterday about a new product that she had tried.

You can only buy it from Walgreen's or on line from Carmex.

I bought some yesterday and used it last night.

It was very cooling and non-greasy and smelled good too.

I hope it works.

I also bought this yesterday.

You know how the little sales clerk talks you

into it as you try and pay out.

I'll give it a try and let ya know what I think.

Try and have a great weekend.

Be safe.

Weeds and Newspaper

Do you think my garden pictures seem a little strange?

Last year I attended a little gardening class and the Home Extension Agent told us to use newspaper to cut down on weeds in the garden.

I used newspaper on one row.

That was the only row that didn't get overcome by weeds!!

I learned my lesson from last year,

the weeds over took my garden and Me!!

It was a nightmare!

I had dreams of weeds growing out my ears and into my shoes.

So this year I wised up and did every row with news paper.

If you want to know more about gardening with newspaper

all you have to do is google it.

There are all kinds of ideas out there on this subject.

But as for me and my house,

"WE ARE BELIEVERS!!!"

We Were Robbed

Two days before Thanksgiving between 8:30 AM and 12:00 noon we were robbed. We were not home at the time. Who ever it was came through the bedroom window of the room we had been remodeling. I don't think they were in the house very long but long enough to take things they could lift easily and carry out quickly. Camera, lenses, iPod, laptop, Prescriptions, money and so forth. It could have been so much worse, they could have gotten a lot more than they did. But it really knocked me for a loop and really un~nerved me. It has taken me nearly two months to get over this and to shake the scary feelings I've been left with. I've been afraid that they would come back once they thought we had replaced the things they had stolen and do it all over again. We've made a lot of changes around our home and the way we have always done things. We've lived here 32 years and never had anything stolen from inside our home. Only a few things from the garage and yard.

That being said, I got this email from the parents and I wanted to share it with y'all and hope you will read it and take heed.

Twenty One Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You:


1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy...

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system.
If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)

14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing.. It's human nature.

17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

21. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , Kentucky , security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.

Protection for you and your home:

If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck some one's evil plans for you.

Wasp Spray

When asked by a concerned person about using pepper spray, the local police department recommended that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote.

On the heels of a break in and beating in Toledo, self-defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

A teacher in the art of self-defense has told his students for decades to keep a can of wasp and hornet spray near their door or bed.. "This is better than anything I can teach them." It is inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, "spray the culprit in the eyes".

"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out." Maybe even save your life.

Happy New Years 2010

Here in the South we celebrate the New Year by eating black-eyed peas and greens, either just after midnight or on New Year's Day.

According to Southern folklore, this is to be eaten on New Year's Day for luck and prosperity throughout the year ahead.

The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. At first planted as food for livestock, and later a food staple for slaves in the South, the fields of black-eyed peas were ignored as Sherman's troops destroyed or stole other crops, thereby giving the humble, but nourishing, black-eyed pea an important role as a major food source for surviving Confederates.

Served with greens (collards, mustard or turnip greens, which varies regionally), the peas represent coins and the greens represent paper money. In some areas cabbage is used in place of the greens. (I will be eating cabbage, because I HATE GREENs!!) The Sweethearts mother loves him more than I do apparently because she makes him turnip greens and I just refuse to do so :}

Cornbread, often served with black-eyed peas and greens, represents gold.

I wouldn't dare think of not having this on New Years day.

It's just the only way to start off the new year on the right foot.

It's tradition.

Do you have any particular traditions for New Years Day?

Just being helpful

What kind of friend would I be if I didn't share this little piece of advice with all of you, my best bloggin buddies!

If this is what you have left over from Saturday night.

Take it and hide it from your kiddo's.

Or if you don't have any kiddo's.

Hit the stores today and snatch up some of that candy that's on sale.

Because you are going to need it.

Christmas is coming and there are stockings to stuff!

And then there is Super Bowl Sunday with all the great food.

Throw a bowl of that candy right in the middle of the table.

And the last little bit of candy you have make Valentine bags for all your friends.

Way to RECYCLE!

45 Lessons

Sista Jill sent this to me yesterday and I wanted to share.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio"
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Issues

After last weeks post on Toothpaste

Yall aren't going to believe the

issues I have with SOAP!

But first let me give you the

frugal tip I learned from my mama.

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!~

(today's her birthday)

When you bring your soap home

from the store the first thing

you need to do is take it out

of the packages.

This way it will dry out and get really hard. Next time you open a new bar of soap, stick your finger nail in it and you will see how soft a new bar is. Then when you use it, it just starts melting. And if by chance one of the little ones drops it in the water and you can't find it for awhile it really gets soft. If you will let your soap dry out for several weeks, even months, it will last twice as long.

Don't believe me, just try it then. A bar of soap that has dried out will be hard to stick your finger nail into. Saves you money on soap.

That's my Frugal Tuesday tip!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now last week when I wrote about the Toothpaste, these are the comments that my parents left for me.

%%%%%%%

Mama said:

You get that from your Daddy - - and maybe a little from me and your grandpa Padgett. But in all this I'm thinking SOAP, instead of toothpaste (which I have gone as far as sucking it out of the tube.).

Starting with Grandpa, When we owned the oceanfront motor court at Jax Beach, we never threw the soap away that was left in the cottages and rooms. It was brought back to the laundry room and when enough had accumulated Grandpa would boil it down for the family years supply. The boiling took care of germs if there were any on that caustic lye stuff.

Now from that education -- I would never throw a sliver of soap away and I put it back for hard times. Your daddy goes a step further than me and one less than Grandpa -- He makes sure it - the sliver is real moist and soggy and bonds it to the new bar - waits for it to dry out & adhere real tight and keeps on bathing with it!I might add - that we have our own bars of soap - me three/four different brands in use at a time and Daddy two. Plus the liquid hand soap at the bathroom & kitchen sinks.You could say that is the far side of c r a z y, I think.

But you dear daughter are frugal and smart and beautiful inside and out. You know who you are and you like it!!!XXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOO, mama

Daddy said:

President Kimble said to.. "Fix it up, paint up, use it up."

Yes, I use up that thin sliver of soap, soften it up, attach it to the new bar and it's used completely up. It made be mad to see what the Dial company did to the bath soap, cut it down in size and shape and still charge the same.

I also recycle cans, paper, card board, plastic bottles, jugs, what ever they take. Helps in the preservation of this good earth we live in.

Call me crazy or frugal, but that's what I am.

Love you,

Daddy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't you think that just a little rubbed off on me :)

Frugal Or Crazy?

The sweetheart would say,

"that, I ain't right".

Well that's debatable and that's okay.

When he ask for a new tube

of toothpaste, I usually tell him

there is plenty left in that tube.

I give him one anyway.

But that sets a challenge for me.

Now I can get a lot more

toothpaste out of that tube.

I can flatten that tube like

you wouldn't believe.

Since no one else is using this tube

I've been known to suck even more

toothpaste out of the tube. Now,

it's not like I don't have the money

to buy another tube. And at all

times I have no less than 12 tubes

of toothpaste in this household

of two people.

(in my years supply.)

But there is just something about

the challenge to see how much

longer I can use this tube of

toothpaste. And when I have

sucked out all I can,

I then cut the end off and there

is still toothpaste left in the tube.

Now you can call me crazy.

It's okay, the sweetheart does.

it doesn't bother me because I'm

still using that tube and it's

been a month now.

But I can see an end coming this

week. Then I'll feel really good

about getting another tube.

Would you call that frugal?

Or just plain crazy?

It's Time To Get Prepared

If you have any concerns about the Swine Flu Pandemic, The Crazy Lady on Road 80 had a nice little helpful post! CLICK HERE and check it out!

Thank you, Jan!

Spa Treatment

Mo had an appointment

for his Spa Treatment yesterday.

I had to make arrangements

with Travis to take the fat boy

in for me. Weighing in at 25 lbs,

I just can't pick him up.

This is his before picture.

He was just shaved the week

before Christmas. See how fast

his hair grows.

Travis wasn't around to pick

him up afterwards and so he

asked Jordan to get him for me.

She called laughing and to say

that he was growling at the lady

in the office and wondered if I have

ever heard him growl before?

Yea, the last time he went in to be

shaved he growled just like a

dog at the ladies in the office.

Jordan also thinks that the lady

was still in shock as to his size.

She said that was the biggest

cat she had ever seen. They weighed

him before they cut him and he

now weighs 26 pounds.

This poor animal has been on

diet food since he was a year old.

He's just big boned!

A big breed, a Maine Coon.

As Jordan was driving in my drive

she called from the cell phone

and asked if I could come out with

my new Magna Cart personal Dollie

and help get him in the house.

I 've never been so happy as to help.

Perfect timing!

Awe, hey "Mo"

looking good buddy!

Thanks to Trav and Jordan

for all your help with

the Sweethearts best freind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tastey Tuesday

Fried Grit Patties
My Daddy's recipe
Generally Grits that's left over from breakfast

Follow cooking directions from the Grits package
Best to make the patties when grits are cold.

2 eggs
salt & pepper
one half chopped onion
a little garlic if you like.
2 tablespoons of flour

( helps to hold mixture together.)
Cooking oil
Directions:Mash up grits so no lumps are left.Break 2 eggs into mix. Add salt & pepper. Add chopped onion and garlic if you like. Add flour. Stir mixture very well till all is even, no lumps. Add cooking oil to fry pan, about 1/3 inch, enough to cover about half a pattie. Brown on both sides. Place browned patties on paper towels to drain, add a pat of butter on each one while they drain, try not to taste them till they cool a little.
Yummm !!!

Number Of Servings: Makes about 20 patties

Bad Back

For our Friday night date we went to Sears.

Woo hoo, Fun good times!

We decided to help stimulate the economy.

We needed a new weed eater.

Why are they called that?

They don't really eat weeds?

We needed a new chain saw.

We've watched enough Ax Men

and American Loggers that every man in my

family thinks they can take down any un~wanted

tree in the neighborhood.

Although I've never seen the movie

Texas Chainsaw Massacre and with the

pre~menopausal attitude in our home,

I fear that we may need to keep

this new piece

of equipment under lock and key.

Actually I'm a really good boy scout

and I like being prepared for all things.

Living in a hurricane infected area,

I feel the need for a chainsaw.

Both of these items were

bought lightweight enough

that I could use them with out much

effort if I had to.

Hoping that I never have to on my

own but just knowing I'm prepared

I feel better. On to why I'm really

writing this post...

As we were at the counter paying out,

we spotted this little handy item!

It's a Magna Cart

My own personal dollie!

I've been having a lot of back problems lately.

Can not even carry in the groceries.

(BTW, I do not drink Mt. Dew.

I hate it, But my company does.)

But this personal Dollie is perfect!

Light weight and so portable.

Folds flat for easy storage.

So easy to use.

I got to thinking that really

everyone needs one of these!

Save your backs

buy this handy household gadget!

It was less than $30.00.

Less than a Chiropractic visit!

Every one should have one.

Run on down to your local Sears.

Mother's Day and Father's Day

are coming up soon. Many weddings

and Graduations are just

around the corner.

It make a great gift.

Guess what daddy?

You're getting one for Father's Day!

You will love it!!!

Just like I love you!

Staying Young

I heart Lucy and Ethel so much!!

1. Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam) she said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it both times!

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches;)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.

Reggie Girl posted this list on Wednesday and I loved it and borrowed it from her. Check her out sometimes.

Last Nights Dinner?

Sixty Uses For Baking Soda

Bicarbonate of soda or baking soda has many different uses in the household. Although much more expensive products have been developed over the years to do the same jobs, baking soda can work for you just as well, if not better. Use it in the following ways:

1. Be sure to keep an extra box of baking soda by your stove in case of grease or electrical fire. Scatter the powder by the handful to safely put it out.




2. To make your own baking powder, stir and sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and one part cornstarch.
3. Keep a container of baking soda in your garage as well as in your car to put out a fire. It won't damage anything it touches.
4. Baking soda will also put out fires in clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery and rugs.
5. Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda. Sprinkle in water, soak and rise the produce.
6. Wash garbage cans with baking soda.
7. Soak and wash diapers with baking soda.
8. Oil and grease - stained clothing washes out better with soda added to the washing water.
9. Clean your fridge and freezer with dry soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. rinse with clear water.
10. Deodorize your fridge and freezer by putting in an open container of baking soda to absorb odors. Stir and turn over the soda from time to time. Replace every 2 months.
11. Soda absorbs kitty litter odors. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part soda; then add a layer of 3 parts kitty litter on top.
12. Always add 1/2 cup soda to your washing machine load.
13. Clean combs and brushes in a soda solution.
14. Wash food and drink containers with soda and water.
15. Wash marble-topped furniture with a solution of 3 tablespoons of soda in 1 quart of warm water. Let stand awhile, then rinse.
16. Clean formica counter tops with baking soda on a damp sponge.
17. Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with soda and water to get rid of stale smells.
18. To remove stubborn stains from marble, formica or plastic surfaces, scour with a paste of soda and water.
19. Wash glass or stainless steel coffee pots (but not aluminum) in a soda solution ( 3 tbsp. soda to 1 quart water).
20. Run you coffee maker through its cycle with a soda solution. Rinse.
21. Give baby bottles a good cleaning with soda and hot water.
22. Sprinkle soda on barbecue grills, let soak, then rinse off.
23. Sprinkle soda on greasy garage floor. Let stand, scrub and rinse.
24. Polish silverware with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rub, rinse and dry.
25. For silver pieces without raised patterns or cemented-on handles: place the silver on aluminum foil in an enamel pot. Add boiling water and 4 tbsp. baking soda. Let stand, rinse and dry.
26. Reduce odor build-up in your dishwasher by sprinkling some soda on the bottom.
27. Run your dishwasher through its cycle with soda in it instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.
28. To remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.
29. For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on food: pour a thick layer of soda directly onto the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to moisten the soda. Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean next day.
30. Rub stainless steel and chrome with a moist cloth and dry baking soda to shine it up. Rinse and dry. On stainless steel, scrub in the direction of the grain.
31. Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rinse and dry.
32. Remove that bad smell from ashtrays with soda and water.
33. Sprinkle a bit of dry soda in your ashtrays to prevent smoldering and reduce odor.
34. Clean your bathroom with dry soda on a moist sponge - sink, tub, tiles, shower stall, etc.
35. Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda down with hot water.
36. Soak your shower curtains in water and soda to clean them.
37. To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your hands and rub them hard with soda, then rinse.
38. Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth and dentures with it.
39. Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odor.
40. Add 1/2 cups or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.
41. Putting 2 tbsp. of baking soda in your baby's bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.
42. Apply soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.
43. Take a soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox.
44. Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.
45. Gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.
46. Used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker sore pain.
47. To relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda and water.
48. Bug bites: use a poultice of baking soda and vinegar.
49. Bee sting: use a poultice of baking soda and water.
50. Windburns: moisten some baking soda and apply directly.
51. Making Play Clay with baking soda: combine 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch.
52. Use soda as an underarm deodorant.
53. If your baby spits up on his shirt after feeding, moisten a cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled shirt. The odor will go away.
54. When scalding a chicken, add 1 tsp. of soda to the boiling water. The feathers will come off easier and flesh will be clean and white.
55. Repel rain from windshield. Put gobs of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.
56. Add to water to soak dried beans to make them more digestible.
57. Add to water to remove the "gamey" taste from wild game.
58. Use to sweeten sour dishcloths.
59. Use dry with a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.
60. Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster. Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with baking soda.

Help

Does anyone out there own a 'Serger' and do you like it? What brand name is it or model #. I've just started looking for one and I'd like some help and advice. Where better to turn than to you friends. So HELP!

Please :)

Zip It

If your tub and sink

are slow to drain.

And you have spent at

least $20.00 dollars in the

last month on Liquid plumber.

And you don't want to hire a

a real plumber.

Mosey on over to the local

Home Depot store and wander

around looking clueless until

a man wearing an orange apron ask

you if you need any help.

Tell him your situation in the

pitifullest sounding, sweet voice

and maybe just maybe he will

introduce you to this wonderful

little thing he called a...

ZIP~IT

Fall in love with it at first

sight and run! don't walk to the

nearest cashier and plop down

your $1.98 and skip on out to

the car/truck before they

go up on the price. Take your

new found friend right on

home to meet the family.

Pull out your personal little

pink tool box and grab your

Phillips head screw driver and

take the drain cover off.

Or if your tub is like mine you

might need a Flat head.

What ever it takes just get

that little sucker off of there.

Now put your pointy finger in

the hole at the top of your new

best friend and stick that thing

right down the drain and turn it

all about and do the hokey pokey

and pull that thing back out!

And Try not to throw up!

Get a wet rag and wipe it off

and repeat until nothing comes

back up. With your little plastic

gloves on, rinse it clean and go find

another drain that needs some

Zip~It lovin and get her done!

Besides the fact that this is so

cheap and fast! What a wonderful

'Green' planet protecting product!

Now if your house is brand new

and not 29 years old, like mine

is, spend your $1.98 on an

ice cream and sit out side in

the sun and enjoy every bite!

But remember this helpful little tip next

time your drains are draining rather slowly.

I'm done, Good Day!