Sunday, July 6, 2008

Call me about the the tag sale on lime/soil

Free calls Anyone?

If you would like to make calls all over the U.S. and cannot afford it- www.bored.com is offering a free service that lets you make free calls- limited to 3 a day



Lime for Acidic Soil
Fall is a good time to add lime to your soil if it tends to be acidic. You can buy an inexpensive pH test kit from your local garden supply store. Most plants prefer a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. If your soil is on the low end of this range, it is considered acidic.

It takes 30 - 100 pounds of lime to raise the pH of a 1000 square foot area from 5.5 to 6.5. Sandy soil will need the lesser amount, and heavy clay soil will need the greater amount.


Tag Sale Savvy
If you usually shop garage sales for clothing, and you find one particular home that has the perfect sizes you need, leave your name and number with the seller and ask them to call you next time they have clothes to sell. This will do both of you a favor. It will save him/her the work of a garage sale, and will provide you with an outlet for the perfect clothing.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Changing A Tire-The Beginning...

Now, I understand why some people dread doing this task. Changing a tire is sometimes not as easy as it sounds. This is especially true if a person has never changed a tire. It requires some muscle, a willingness to get a little dirty, and some fundamental knowledge about what you need to do before starting.

Speaking from personal experience, the first time I ever had to change a tire was on the side of busy freeway when it was cold, snowing windy. While I managed to change the tire and be on my way after some initial struggles, I wished I had some practice doing this task before I had to do it in that situation.

Don't Forget the Jack

Before you even drive your vehicle for the first time, you should make sure you have all the proper equipment you need for changing a tire. These tools generally are located in the trunk of cars and in wells of sports utility vehicles.

Probably the most important piece of equipment you will need is the jack. Without one, you will not be able to change your tire. Make sure it is in your car and that it is working properly. If you need a new jack, you can buy either the tripod of scissors type, or if you do much under-the-car work, you may want to invest in a hydraulic jack. It is faster and safer than other jacks and doesn't cost too much more money.

If you unsure about how to use the jack, consult your vehicle's owner's manual. If for some reason you don't have an owner's manual, you can take the jack to the local mechanic and he can show you how to use it

Sunday, June 15, 2008

** 100th Entry** Frugal=Free

Oh my I cannot believe this is the 100th entry I am posting for this blog. I cannot remember all the stuff I have put on here, but I hope it has made a difference in someone's life. Since this is a special and final entry ( I will be taking some time off from blogging the next 2 weeks for I am getting married next weekend on my 30th birthday) :) Anyways,I have found 10 cool tips on freebies that save you time and money. Here is what and where you can access them. And yes they are all FREE!!!

1. Learn a new language through 12 week courses (online)
bbc.co.uk/languages

2.Online business classes that teach you how to finance your ventures and write business plans etc..
sba.gov

3. Used household items by swapping with others
freecycle.org

4. Expert computer help
protonic.com

5. Online savings and checking accounts that earn interest
ingdirect.com

6. credit reports by the top three credit bureaus
annualcreditreport.com

7. Directory assistance
dial 1-800-free-411

8.Get this download to filter spam more effectively
spamato.net

9. Create your own radio "station" with this service
pandora.com

10. Organize all the photos on your computer with this software download
picasa.google.com

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Harvesting Sweet Potatoes

You can begin harvesting your sweet potatoes as soon as the leaves start to yellow, but keep in mind that the longer they are left in the ground, the more vitamins they will have. After a frost the vines will turn dark. At this point, the tubers should be harvested as soon as possible to prevent rot.

On a sunny day when the soil is dry, use a spading fork to dig sweet potatoes. Take care not to nick the tubers because this will encourage spoilage. The tubers can grow out as much as foot from the plants.

Dry your harvest in the sun for a few hours, then bring them indoors and continue drying in a warm, humid place for a couple of weeks. An open area in the kitchen is a perfect spot for drying them. As the tubers cure, the starches are converted to sugars.

Properly cured sweet potatoes will last for several months. For long storage, wrap individual tubers in newspaper and store them in a 55F to 60F basement.

Baked Sweet Potatoes
4 good-sized sweet potatoes, washed and cleaned
3/4 cup low-fat sour cream
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 tablespoon powdered ginger
1/2 tablespoon nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
butter
1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Slice each potato carefully in perfect halves and bake them for about 40 to 50 minutes until they are tender. Remove them from the oven and lower it to 350°.

2. With a spoon carefully scoop out the pulp or insides of the potatoes and put the pulp into a large bowl. Make sure the skins of the sweet potatoes remain intact. Mash the pulp with the help of a masher; add the sour cream, maple syrup, ginger, nutmeg, and salt and pepper, and mix this well.

3. Fill the sweet potato shells evenly with the pulp mixture. Put the potatoes in a buttered flat baking dish, and dot each half with a bit of butter. Place them in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. (The potatoes are done when they turn brown on the top.)



Note: This is a delightful and appetizing accompaniment to meat, fish, or egg dishes, especially during the fall or winter.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Goin' To The Desert

As people who live in these areas know, driving in desert and mountain regions is not like driving in other places. The conditions in these areas put added stress on your vehicle due to either extreme temperatures or altitude, which can lead to problems that may cause your vehicle to break down.

So when travelling through a desert or mountain, drivers need to be aware of the conditions surrounding them and prepare accordingly. This is even more important if you are travelling by yourself.

Remember, desert and mountain regions are often remote and don't have places to service your vehicle like you would find in other parts of the country.

Preparing Yourself

The first thing you should do (and this is something you should do whenever you travel) is to let someone know when you are leaving and when you plan to return. Call this person when you arrive at your destination. And if you have a cellular phone, give that person the number in case of emergency. You don't want to get stuck 50 miles from the nearest town without anyway to reach the outside world.

There are several items that you may want to take with you when you travel in the desert or mountains. Some of the items you might want to pack in your survival kit include: bottled water, extra brake fluid, collapsible shovel, concentrated food, emergency blankets, engine coolant, utility knife, matches, extra motor oil, oil filter, spray bottle, wire brush and baking soda (both for the vehicle's battery).

Bring a map of your destination as well as maps that show the best way to get there. Many auto insurance agents offer free maps, or your can purchase them at gas stations or convenience stores. You can get maps that show route and driving directions through a travel club or on the Internet.

Preparing Your Car

Besides taking care of yourself, you also need to make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey. It's a good idea to get full-service tune-up at least a week or two before you leave. Don't wait until the day before because if there is a major problem with your car or truck, the repair shop may need a few days to fix it.

While the car is at the shop, have your mechanic check for "play" in the water pump. Also have the radiator "pressure checked" for leaks that are not as obvious on a visual inspection.

Either do it yourself or have your mechanic check the coolant strength in the radiator overflow reservoir with a hydrometer. The antifreeze should be clean and up to the proper level. Check all belts and hoses associated with your coolant system carefully. Make sure there are no cracks. Replace any ones that you are not sure of and carry extra belts and hoses.

Check all your vehicle's fluids. This includes oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering and automatic transmission fluid, hydraulic clutch fluid and windshield wiper fluid. If you are unsure how to check these fluids, have your mechanic do it. Change the oil and filter - they should be changed every 3,000 miles.

Make sure your battery is ready for the strenuous task ahead. Triple-digit temperatures of the desert and high altitude of the mountains can wear down a battery easily. Have your battery "load tested" if it's more than four years old. Replace it if it's more than five years old. Check the battery terminals yourself for corrosion. Terminals can be cleaned with a wire brush dipped in baking soda and water. Make sure it is properly secured so it can't tip over and lose electrolyte.

Extreme heat and higher speeds are tough on old worn tires and brand-new ones. Inspect your tire-tread wear and maintain proper tire air pressure according to your owner's manual. Check that your spare tie, jack and tire tools are in good condition. Put air in the spare tire. It is also good tire to carry an extra spare tire. Sharp rocks could render more than one of your tires useless.

When driving get into the habit of watching gauges and warning lights. If the temperature gauge gets too high, turn off the air conditioning. Be sure your headlights, taillights, brake lights and turning signals work, and replace any burnt-out bulbs.

Road Conditions

The conditions of desert and mountain dirt roads are foreign to most people. They can be snow covered, full of potholes and they can change from season to season. A road that might be fine in the summer may be unreachable in the winter.

Low-riding cars with little clearance will have a hard time navigating a rugged road. Pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles will do better on a back road because they have higher clearance.

Regardless of the vehicle, make sure you check its bottom for vulnerable spots. Knowing where important components like your muffler, catalytic converter, air conditioner, oil pan and exhaust pipes are will help you carefully steer you way around a dicey spot. A punctured oil pan is not something you want to deal with while you are driving in the middle of nowhere.

Getting Stuck

If you get stuck in the middle of the wilderness, think before you act. You don't want to try anything that will endanger yourself. A road that is mud in the morning may turn into dirt in the afternoon. If you are not sure of the way out, don't leave your vehicle unless you have no other alternative.

If you have a cellular phone, you may want to try it. However, lonely stretches of back road are often out of the range of cellular phones, so don't count on it working all the time. If you told someone where you are going and when you are supposed to be back, you could sit in your vehicle and wait for help to arrive.

If you didn't tell anyone where you are going, you may have to walk out. A reasonably fit person can walk about three miles an hour. You should consider weather conditions and availability of food and water before you start walking. Leave a note with car describing your walk routing and take a map with you showing your vehicle's location.

Regardless if you are on a dirt road in the middle of the desert or snow-covered path in the mountains, remember to use caution. Being prepared will save you from potential problems that may arise.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Birdhouses & Cages

Grow your own birdhouses

Bottle gourds (Lagenaria siceraria) are easy to grow on fences or trellises, and once dried they make an ideal home for purple martins, swallows, chickadees and wrens. Besides bringing beauty and interest to your home, these birds will eat thousands of insects each day.

Although gourds can be grown in hills as you would grow squash and pumpkin, gourds that are left lying on the ground will flatten on one side and may be susceptible to rot. If you prefer to grow them in hills, try providing several inches of hay as a mulch to keep the gourds off the ground. Bottle gourds will tolerate a light frost; so allow them to dry on the vine as long as possible. Once harvested, they will need a cool, dry place to complete the drying process. They are completely dry when you can hear the seeds rattle inside when you shake them. This may take several months.

To fashion your birdhouse, drill a hole 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Smaller holes will accommodate small birds such as wrens, while a larger hole will allow larger birds such as martins to take up residence. You should also drill a few tiny holes in the bottom of the gourd for drainage. Drill two holes in the top, and thread a cord through them. Now your birdhouse is ready to hang. It will last up to two years untreated, or you can varnish the gourd for a longer lasting birdhouse.

For the birds
Stack six or seven pages of an old catalog in the birdcage and remove each one as they get soiled.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Tip Mix Clips

Larger blooms

For larger blooms on your fall-blooming chrysanthemums, dahlias and camellias, pinch off the small side buds surrounding the large main buds. The plant will concentrate it's energies into making one large flower instead of several smaller ones.


Coupon savvy

Make notes on your shopping list marking which items have coupons. It will save you time and money in the long run!



Talking photo cube

For my boyfriend's birthday I got him a talking photo cube. I put 5 pictures of us together in the frame. Then for the speaking part I said, "Happy Birthday Honey! Thanks for all the wonderful memories." This is a great gift idea for any special day.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Berry Pickin' Good!

Whether you pick strawberries from your own garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Be careful that your feet and knees don't damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of a row.

Remember that heaping strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the berries.
Only pick the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries.
Remove berries that show rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and destroy them.

Pick berries for immediate use any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day bruise easily and will not keep well.
Keep picked berries in the shade and cool them as soon as possible after picking. Berries that have been handled carefully will keep up to three days in the refrigerator.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Parking Lot Protection

If you leave work, feeling nervous because the parking garage is dark and empty. Here are some tips on what you can do to protect yourself....

Change from your work shoes into sneakers before leaving the office. You’ll be happy to be wearing the sneakers, in case there’s a need for a sudden sprint.

At night, don't go into a parking structure or lot alone. Ask a co-worker, a building security guard, a janitor or even the police to escort you to your car.

Carry your car ignition key pointed out between your index and middle fingers. In case of trouble in close quarters, it can double as a jabbing weapon.

Watch the parking structure or lot, especially the area right around your vehicle, for any suspicious activity. If anything feels funny, stay away until it goes away or call the cops.

Scan the interior of your vehicle, especially the back seat, before getting in.
Keep your doors and windows locked at all times.

Yummy Showers

I love this tip and a guy or a girl can do it. If you have a sweetheart like mine who
In the morning,wakes up and heads straight for the shower. Try this to sweeten their day. At night while your sweetie is asleep, tie a few Hershey's Kisses with curling ribbon, and hang them from your ceiling in the shower. Along with it attach a note that reads, "Shower yourself with my kisses!" they will absolutely love it.
You can also leave a little coupon next to the towel they use to dry off, that says "1 shower with (your name)" That they can cash in anytime :)

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Getting Ready for the Heat!

I’ve removed the snow tires, changed the oil, and had the salt underneath my car washed off. Do I need to do anything else to get my car ready for the warm weather?

Quite a bit, actually. Let’s start with your wipers. They slogged back and forth more dependably than snowplows, clearing the grime and brightening your vision. They sacrificed their little lives for your safety, so give them a decent burial in the proper refuse can, and install some new vision vigilantes.

Then, clean up. Lift up the wiper arms to purge all the twigs, dead leaves, weathered parking lot stubs and other debris. Clean off the air and radiator intakes.

Next, pop the hood and have your cooling system checked. If the mechanic says you need new antifreeze, but the color is still bright green or blue, you need a new mechanic. But if it's dull or obviously dirty, change it. In the interest of keeping cool (for both you and your car), have the thermostat checked. They’re cheap; so don’t be shy about replacing it. While the hood is up, check the belts and hoses.

Are your brakes grinding, squealing, screeching or chattering? Give yourself and everybody else on the road a break by going, non-stop if possible, to the best local brake specialist.

Finally, don't get the cold shoulder from too-busy air conditioning shops during their busiest season. Have your AC checked ASAP!
Motorola RAZR V3 Pink for Cingular Wireless
Powered By Blogger