Music to Soothe Your Pets

Listening to soothing music is an excellent stress reducer for humans. The same is true with animals. If your dog has anxiety issues when left alone, leaving classical music playing during your absence can reduce your dog's anxiety. Dogs and cats that tend to have hyperactive personalities or noise related fears can often be calmed with soothing music. Birds, hamsters, and numerous other caged animals also respond to classical music or to specific instruments. Flutes and harps are possibly the most soothing sounds for pets. Music can also be a vital part of the healing process for a sick or injured pet.

On a personal note, I have a CD of meditation music that features the traditional Japanese flute. All of my pets are lulled into a state of relaxation or sleep within a few minutes of listening to this music. They relax with various selections of classical music and CDs designed for pet relaxation, but the reaction time to this CD is much quicker and longer lasting. When you find the music or sounds that your pet responds to, play it often for them, especially whenever you detect anxiety, fear, or stress in your pet. You may discover this music will also relieve your stress and allow you to relax.

Make Your Own Peanut Butter

It's easy to save money on peanut butter. Buy bulk, unsalted peanuts and grind in a blender. Add salt as needed.

We get our peanuts for $1.25 lb. I like $2.50 for a big jar of peanut butter, rather than $7 a jar, don't you?

 

Use Mascara As Liquid Eyeliner

Another thing I do is to use left over mascara as liner. If the mascara is too clumpy, running low or just not the right amount that looks good. Take the wand and use it as liquid eye liner. You can do this even if you are still using the mascara, just works double duty. I use a Q-tip and smudge it or lighten it to my liking, being careful not to use old mascara. After awhile, the germs makes it safer to toss. The money saved using it in anyway wouldn't be worth too much if you get an eye infection.

Use Baby Wipes For Cleaning Rubber Stamps

I keep a few baby wipes handy (in a zip bag) to use when stamping to clean the surfaces before going on to a new color. The sooner you clean the stamp surface the better.

Make Body Shimmer Lotion

I learned a new really neat idea. If you use bronzer powder or make up, the same thing happens; left over hard to get in corners. Or it is the wrong shade. We all have seen way too dark bronzer at one time or another. Once you use it, it can't be returned. Bronzer can also be a dark face powder.

Take the powder, making it into a fine dust by crushing with a spoon onto something that allows you to add it to your favorite body lotion. You add it to a regular lotion and it then becomes a body shimmer.

If you buy body glows, shimmers or bronzer, it cost twice as much as just regular body lotion. Some of it smells bad, is oily or leaves a streaky color on your skin. This way add it to what ever body lotion you like (or have left over), even ones with a SPF. I love this tip. I always use lotion and need a SPF so now I will have a shimmer to my skin.

Great tip! I don't know why I never thought of it before. As always, you may not want to use a dark powder that is at the Dollar Store but making a body shimmer, gives everyone a natural glow.

Cleaning With Lemons

Don't throw away those lemons after you've used them. They are great for scrubbing the kitchen sink. Simply take half a squeezed or unsqueezed lemon, dip it in some baking soda and scrub away. The baking soda will act as an abrasive while the lemon will help remove stains. You can also squeeze some lemon juice down the drain to help freshen it. For stronger odor elimination, just use some of the peel and turn on your disposer. Lemony fresh results every time.

Use Ammonia For Stove Drip Pans

This works great. I bought several sets of drip pans before I discovered this EASY way to do it.

Put your dirty drip pans in individual zip lock bags (1 drip pan in each bag) Put 3 tablespoons regular household ammonia and seal bag leave overnight. In the morning, simply wipe the dirty drip pans clean.

This also works with electric burners. It's so easy and it's worked every time for me.

Cleaning Old Linoleum Flooring

When I moved into an older home a year ago, I noticed the old kitchen and entry way floors were dirty. What I didn't know is that dirt was ground into the flooring and no amount of mopping would clean it. I've tried everything and been frustrated and almost given up. Until . . .

I was shampooing my carpets a few weeks ago. I thought maybe the scrubbers on my carpet machine would clean the kitchen floor. It cleaned well enough but I thought it could be better so I grabbed the old standby, baking soda. I sprinkled the soda on the floor and then cleaned it with my Bissell. OMG, finally clean floors! YAY!

I've also found to maintain the cleanliness of the linoleum floors, I use a drop of Dawn dish soap and a half a cup of baking soda in hot mop water and it's clean and beautiful.

 

Keeping Vacuum Cleaner Rollers Cleared

Use a seam ripper to clean vacuum cleaner rollers when they are built up with long hair and strings/threads. Don't forget to get the edges of the roller. This makes it so much easier than tugging and pulling out the hair or strings/threads that get tangled on the roller.

Carefully cut away at the hair and strings/threads from the roller with the seam ripper and gently pull out with your fingers. You will be surprised with the amount you remove. Keeping the rollers clear on a regular basis will prolong their life.

You can find a seam ripper, usually for under $2.00, at most stores in the sewing/craft department. Wipe it off after use and keep it handy when checking the vacuum cleaner.

It is important to clean/check your vacuum cleaner as a maintenance routine. Wiping the exterior, top and bottom of the vacuum and checking the rollers and belt for wear and tear will extend its' life. Also, it is a good idea to keep a vacuum cleaner belt handy in case the old one is worn or slipping and needs to be replaced.

Liquid Soap On The Outside Of Camping Pots.

Cover your pot sides and bottom with liquid soap before use. This makes the soot wipe off easly. As you fix the meal, put a pot of water on the fire/camp stove to heat. Then when you are finished, you have the warm/hot water neded for clean up. I mix the hot water in dish pans with cold water to the temp needed, one for wash and rines. Sometimes I even use the water pan as the rinse water holder. This has worked for years. Pots and pans aren't left all black and ugly.

Source: Mom and Dad did this when we went camping.

Cleaning a White Artificial Christmas Tree

A while back I wrote in asking if anyone knew how to turn a yellowed artificial Christmas tree white again. It looked fine at night all lighted, but during the day it was just yellow.

Because it was fiber optic and didn't have any open sockets, I placed it in the bathtub and sprayed it with a mixture of bleach and water two times letting it set 30 minutes each time. I gave it a good final rinse and then took it outside and dried it with my leaf blower. Total transformation.

Store Toothbrush In Hydrogen Peroxide

I now keep a small jar in my bathroom on the sink filled with hydrogen peroxide. When I finish brushing my teeth, I place my toothbrush into the jar. I know my brush is clean and safe the next time I brush my teeth.

 

Seven Mood Lifting Activities

1. Keep an uplifting photo of your child, grandchild, pet, or favorite vacation spot on your desk, near your work area, or in your purse or wallet. When you begin feeling overwhelmed, grumpy, or mentally tired take a few moments to focus on the picture and you will begin to feel better.
Pop a piece of peppermint in your mouth when you start to feel the familiar afternoon slump. It's refreshing flavor will quickly perk you up.
If you're in a place where it's possible to do so, sing. Singing songs that lift your spirit is a great way to improve your mood on a down day.
Taking a walk can put you in a better mood.
Petting a cat, dog, or some other type of furry pet can improve your mood.
Keep an inspirational quote in a visible location so that you can read it for encouragement whenever you need to.
Sometimes just a brief distraction from whatever is causing your mood to take a downward turn is all you need to turn a bad mood into a good mood. Doodle some silly characters on paper. Gaze out the window and get lost in a daydream like you did as a child. Do something simple that will give your mood time to readjust.

Finding Ways To Relax At Home

You know we all have a hard time dealing with life as it is. But sometimes it seems as if we have to deal with extra challenges. Well, my husband helps me get through life's challenges by joking with me all day and creating spots of relaxation, no matter where we are or what we're doing.

For example, he put several chairs in different spots in our yard, put some music on, and put up a tent on the side of the house. So, even though we can't afford to take a vacation to relax from stress, we bring the vacation to us. I can't deal with stress well but my husband has taught me how to slow down and relax.

My Frugal Life: Frugal Homemade Gifts

I try very hard to be creative when giving gifts to friends and family, giving thought to their likes and dislikes, or what may be age appropriate. Having a limited retirement income means I need to be mindful of my pennies, so I do as many people do. I take advantage of knock down prices in the sales, selecting small gifts throughout the year that strike a note as being appropriate for a special person. I have a place to keep them together so I can always be sure that I have a gift ready, especially at those times when money may be short or when a birthday or event creeps up on me. This has worked well over the years but I now have more time and so prefer to make my own gifts.

For Christmas 2011, the majority of the presents I gave were homemade, all costing just a few pounds. They were mainly knitted, and very much appreciated by the recipients.

My daughter-in-law sources many of her presents from charity shops. This year, I received a beautiful silk scarf and a fleecy sweater perfect for keeping out the cold winter winds. I was delighted with them and know she would have looked long and hard throughout the year to find such treasures that she could not have afforded at the full "as-new" price.

I decided to take this frugal and homemade present giving theme further. We are lucky to live in a country neighborhood where we get together two or three times a year for drinks and nibbles at holiday times. We all like to take a small inexpensive token of our appreciation for neighborliness throughout the year. I thought how much nicer it would be if I could make gifts to take. So I put my thinking cap on and so far I have gifted the following: a hand knitted dishcloth with a heart motif, some home potted bulbs, a bunch of heather from the garden tied with a beautiful ribbon, a gardening book (charity shop find) a jar of cider, a bottle of wine, a jar of chutney, and a jar of jam, all homemade. I look forward to gifting more foodie gifts this year. I have preserved lemons and sauces on my mind.

No Lost Stitches When Crocheting

Another readers tip reminded me of this, when putting my crocheting down, I enlarge the loop that was on the needle and tie a loose knot with the yarn hanging off the needle. Keeps me from losing stitches when moving the item around.

 

Good Backgrounds Make Good Photos

When you take a photo, don't just make sure the person is smiling and looks good. Make sure you have a nice background. A simple background works best, be it a plain white wall or a dark green couch, or even your full length curtains. Outside, you can use a tall green bush or a flowering hydrangea, or even the side of your house. If you think about not only your subject matter, but also your background, you'll get the very best pictures! If you don't have digital software, you can ruin a perfectly good photo by just having something as simple as an electric outlet in the picture!

 

Helpful Tools While Sewing

I have two new toys in my sewing stuff. Each one costs less than 5 dollars.

One is called "That Purple Thang". It comes from a company called Little Foot, Ltd in New Mexico and is made by Lynn Graves. It is for pushing the corners of pillows and collars after you sew them. They turn so nicely with one of these. I had been using the handle of a wooden spoon. This is much nicer.

The other item is called a Bobbin Buddy. It comes with 4 on a little plastic piece. You separate them by twisting the plastic. Just spread it apart with your fingers and put it on a full bobbin. No more thread ends driving you nuts. My bobbin box is so neat now. I tossed the packaging on it, but they can be ordered from J Hittle in Kentucky. You can Google "bobbin buddies" or J Hittle. They are a wholesaler of sewing and quilting supplies.

I haven't looked, but they might be available at your local fabric store.

Shower Maintenance

Wipe down your shower each time with a chamois cloth and you will have a sparkling shower every time. Only a gentle cleaning is then necessary once a week if you do this.

Drink Through A Straw To Help An Upset Stomach

When suffering from an upset stomach and you have to have something to drink, sip through a straw. Doing this will cut down on the air that gets to the stomach. I have noticed less vomiting when sipping instead of drinking.

Attach dog toy to doorway.

My dog loves a light stuffed toy hanging from a doorway on a length of elastic at a length that requires her to leap at to snatch at and grab. Then the toy is snapped away by the elastic when she lets go! She loves it, and so do I. It gives her exercise and we never get bored.

Reuse Stuffed Animals As Dog Toys

My poodle "Fluffy" (now passed on) taught me that she loved "babies". She found a dirty little teddy bear and would not part with it. I got it away from her when she went to sleep and washed and dried it and put it back in bed with her.

After seeing she wouldn't get far away from that "baby", I started watching for new "babies" with no moving parts that could come loose or hurt her. I got them for 25 cents apiece at the end of the day at garage sales. After a couple of trips coming home with one on a Saturday, she knew which friend went with me. If we went out together, she'd wait for me and her new "baby".

In the last few years of her life, she never hurt one of her babies. She would hide them here and there, but if a thunderstorm or other bad weather came, everyone of those babies was in her bed under her!

Also if I brought her a new "baby" from the store, she'd ignore it! It had to have been pre-loved. Her favourite was a pink and purple elephant the same small size as her teddies. That day, the only thing I saw the right size was that elephant and I knew she'd be waiting.

So that's my tip, look for toys that are sold at the end of the day, just a small one for a small dog. Probably not a good tip for big dogs. I now have a Shitzu cross and she takes her babies all over with her too!

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Use Rubber Glove Finger To Protect Bandages

I cut my finger at work the other day and when we finally got it bandaged I wanted it protected from germs. I am in Nursing so we come in contact with lots of germs every day and I wash my hands multiple times.

I got a rubber glove, cut off one finger of it and fit it over my bandaged finger. I then put tape all the way around the bottom of it to keep water and germs from getting in it.

This works great for me but I do not recommend you keep it on more than 8 hours at a time. I changed mine when I got home and just left the band-aid on it. You don't want it to get infected and the best thing for a cut is air.

So if you find yourself in a germ infested environment and need to protect a cut or wound that a glove finger will cover I highly recommend using my method. Years ago they had "finger cots" that served the same purpose. They are hard to find today.

 

Simple Soap Making Idea

To make wonderful smelling and silky liquid soap, grate a small bar of soap (or leftover slivers) into a medium saucepan. Add 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to boil, cooking 1 minute. Cool, add 1 vitamin E capsule liquid (squeeze it out), plus 1 teaspoon glycerin, and some "smelly" stuff. You can use essential oil, almond flavoring, etc. El-cheapo way to make great soap; just cool and pour into a mold!

Vinegar For Scars And Age Spots

I had a really bad dark, ugly scar after a C-section. Over the counter remedies didn't work. Then an old past beauty queen told me about vinegar.

Take a piece of cotton and put vinegar on it. Rub the cotton on the age spots and scars. For a really dark spot, tape the cotton over the spot with a medical tape and keep it on overnight. I didn't think this would work, but it did. The scar faded and so did the age spots. A bottle of vinegar is usually in your cabinet, and it's a cheap way of fading scars and spot.

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Amazing Kitchen and Baking tips

Run cold water over bacon before placing in the pan to fry and the bacon won't shrink as much.

Substitute club soda for the water or milk called for in your complete pancake mix. Your pancakes will come out light and fluffy!

When serving your guests chocolate chip cookies, heat in the microwave for a few seconds. The chips will be "melty" and your cookies will taste freshly baked.

To prevent salt from "caking" in your shaker, add a little dry rice to your salt shaker.

Add a teaspoon of vinegar to your cake mix. It will improve the texture and moistness and you won't taste the vinegar in the cake.

When you finish a jar of pickles, don't pour out that leftover pickle juice! Thinly slice onions, cucumbers and colorful bell peppers and allow them to soak in the juice for a few days. This works with both sweet or dill pickle juice and makes a wonderful treat on your grilled burgers.

When soaking your beans for cooking, add a couple of teaspoons of baking soda. This will greatly reduce the flatulance caused by beans.

Toothpaste removes the "onion smell" from your hands.

For a refreshing twist to your ice tea, serve with frozen ice cubes made from cranberry juice or lemonade.

For a fun twist on your birthday cake, use fruit flavored lifesaver candies as "candle holders" on your birthday cake.

Did you accidentally pour grease down your sink? Mix dishwashing liquid with a pan of boiling water to clear your drain.

Before frying potatoes, allow them to soak in cold water for about an hour, then pat dry with a paper towel. Your potatoes will fry up crispier.

Did you know that 1 large marshmallow is equivelant to 10 miniature marshmallows?

To soften butter for spreading, heat a glass or pottery bowl in the microwave before company comes and turn the bowl upside down over the butter.

If your cake or quick bread recipe calls for greasing and flouring the pan, try keeping a box of white or vanilla cake mix on hand and use that in place of the flour. Your cakes and quick breads won't have a "floury" taste.

If you use glass baking dishes, turn the oven temperature down by 25 degrees. This will save you from overbaking or burning.

If your cake recipe calls for drained, canned pineapple in its own juice, then reserve the drained juice and use it in place of the water that's called for in the recipe.

Always "fluff" your flour with a whisk before measuring for cookies and cakes. This will make measuring more accurate and your baked goods will come out just right!

For "homemade Pam cooking spray," fill a spray bottle with vegetable oil.

To keep brown sugar soft, place in a Zip Lock freezer bag immediately after opening the box. "Squeeze" all the air out of the bag and then seal. It will remain soft for months and months!

When making Rice Krispy bars or other "sticky" treats, run your hands under cold water first. The marshmallow won't stick to your hands. You can also spray your hands with Pam.

Before baking your cookies, cover and refrigerate the dough for about an hour or two. Your cookies will come out evenly golden brown. If making "monster cookies," scoop the refrigerated dough with an ice cream scoop and flatten a little with the palm of your hand.

For quick and easy donuts, buy a can of biscuits then separate. Use a floured bottle cap to "cut" the centers out. Fry in hot oil (About 350°) and drain on paper towels. While still warm, toss biscuits into cinnamon-sugar mixture.

When cooling your quick breads after baking, place the loaves on a wire rack. "Soggy bottoms" are created when the quick bread is left to cool in the pan.

Do you have trouble with weebles in your kitchen? Store your flour in the freezer.

Want a quick and easy way to slice mushrooms or strawberries? Use an egg slicer!

For a wonderful flakey pie crust, always use ice water. Replace 1 teaspoon of the ice water with 1 teaspoon of vinegar.

For a yummy twist on your banana bread, add a small can of drained pineapple to your banana bread recipe. This will make the bread very moist!

For moist baked chicken, soak in buttermilk first.

When making fudge, line your pans with aluminum foil, leaving some hanging over the edge of the pan. You can remove the fudge by simply picking up both ends of the foil. Cut your fudge into squares. No messy pan! I love the new Reynolds Release foil!

To prevent boiled eggs from "cracking," always make sure the eggs are at room temperature before placing them in the pot. Use regular tap water with a little salt and slowly simmer. Never boil!

When slicing boiled eggs, dip your knife into cold water first. This will prevent the yolk from sticking to the knife.

To easily peel garlic, place it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. The skin will easily slip off.

When boiling corn, add sugar in place of salt. Your corn will taste delicious and won't toughen the corn like salt will.
To remove all those "strings" after husking the corn, wet a paper towel and rub downwards on the ear of corn.

Citrus fruit tip: The heavier the fruit, the juicier and sweeter it will be. Always "weigh" citrus fruits in your hand before buying

Home cleaners

I ripped up all my carpet in my house, and you should've seen what was underneath (oh SO nasty!), so we're now down to hardwood floors. To clean, all I used was vinegar, baking soda, and tea. Vinegar works well on all surfaces - it's a buffer acid, so its chemical action is a little different than the stronger alkaline bases you buy. For windows, vinegar with newspaper (there's something in the news ink that leaves a wonderful streak-free clean). For all scrubbing, baking soda. It does take some elbow grease, but it works. Vinegar is also good for odors, once it dries, there's no smell. Remember, a clean house has no smell. Odors come from the source, there is no such thing as "eliminating odor-causing bacteria in the air". There is no odor-causing bacteria in the air, the odor-causing bacteria in on a surface. Find the surface and clean it, and there will be no odor-causing bacteria. Cheap brewed tea is fabulous for hardwood floors, the tannic acid deepens the stain on the wood without messing up the finish, lovely shine. Diluted vinegar does the same. Dishwasher detergent, 1 tsp borax and 1 tbsp baking soda - warning, it is abrasive and will scratch your glassware (but I have 4 small kids, scratches are piddly compared to being thrown against the wall!). Laundry - there are several recipes available for homemade laundry detergent, I can post if you like. 1 cup vinegar in your rinse is a mild bleach, disinfectant, as well as fabric softener. For leather and wood furniture - either olive oil or a mix of vinegar with oil. Vinegar strips and cleans, oil moisturizes the surface. Warning, most leather furniture is treated with wax from the factory, and vinegar will strip it (unless your kids have done that already!!). Another warning, animal fats like mink oil will break down the stitching of your leather furniture, so it's not recommended for reconditioning. Same with saddle soap. Bathroom/household soap-save your little bar soap slivers melt them down in a pot on the stove with water to the consistent you like, and place in the squirt dispensers. You can also cut the leg of an old pair of hose, stuff them in there, and use as bar soap, just keep adding slivers in. Hair conditioner is baby lotion diluted with water.

Comfort Your Pet When Another Pet Dies

I am not an expert in animal emotions. All I know is what I have observed with my pets. Hopefully, the suggestions I have will be helpful to anyone who finds themselves dealing with a pet that is saddened by the death of another pet.

It's important to watch for signs of depression in your pet. They may stop eating, become reclusive and have no interest in playing or interacting with you or other pets.
It's important that you spend extra time with the pet that is mourning. If you have multiple pets, be sure you spend one on one time with the one who is depressed.

Keep the household routine such as feeding schedules, grooming schedule and play time as normal as possible.

Give your dog some new activities to look forward to such as a ride in the car, a walk around the block or a trip to a dog park. If it's your cat that has lost its playmate, introduce some new interactive toys into her world. Make things around the house fun and exciting. Cats often like hide and seek adventures. Provide some new entertainment for the cat in the form of a window seat where she can watch outdoor activity.

You might want to temporarily give the dog or cat a blanket or toy that belonged to the deceased pet. They might feel comforted by having that nearby. I have seen this idea be successful and I have seen the objects be totally ignored by the mourning pet. I suppose it's a “try it and see what happens” idea.

Don't expect your pet to eagerly accept another pet that you might bring in to fill the void. Introduce a new pet slowly and don't expect the bonding process to be quick. Your cat or dog may never have the same relationship with a new pet as it did the previous pet. They may share your home in a friendly manner without a deep bond or they may form a deep bond as time goes by. Just be sure that you give each pet an equal share of your undivided attention.

Alternatives to Easter Baskets for Teenagers

When Easter comes around, everyone gets excited about Easter baskets. At about 12, most kids decide that they are too old for Easter Baskets, but as parents we still want to celebrate this tradition of spring. Here is a list of some alternatives for Easter Baskets for those hard-to-please teenagers.

• Backpack: Fill with eggs and maybe a T shirt and some books.
Nice Purse or Pocketbook: Fill with eggs and makeup or nice accessories like scarf and hat
Trapper keeper: Fill with candy and art supplies
Tin: Fill with candy and a puzzle
Square Wicker Basket: Fill with candy and games can be used on a desk after Easter.
Plastic Shoe Box: Fill with Easter grass and nail polish and supplies for doing nails and toe nails.
Tool Box: Fill with candy and some basic tools
Tackle Box: Fill with candy and Easter grass and fishing supplies
Plastic Box: Fill with the materials to make a kite and a book about kite making or directions from the internet.
Old Lunch Box: Filled with candy, Easter grass and origami papers, and a book about origami or directions from the internet. There are lots of origami sites on the internet with directions that could be printed off and put into an old notebook to fit in the lunch box.
Decorated Cigar Box: Fill with Easter grass, some candy some trading cards
Decorated Carboard Box: Fill with Easter grass and a chocolate bunny and a cookbook.

Hope this gives you some great ideas for your teenagers. This does not have to be expensive, look around your house and the things you were going to sell at your next yard sale; you will be able to come up with a lot of great ideas. One last suggestion for that kid that has just discovered coffee, an old basket with a coffee mug and a bag of gourmet coffee.

Happy Easter!

Keeping your search history private

I get a little nervous sometimes about how the search engines I use can track a lot of what I do when I'm on my computer. Is there any way I can keep this information private? I'm not saying that I search for anything out of the ordinary, but it's nice to know I can have a little privacy when I want it.

A:
I agree with you on this one. I don't think we realize how much a search engine can pick up just from us using them. As a matter of fact, I'm really glad you asked this question. I've been trying to think of a way to fit this topic into the newsletter for awhile and now, I have the perfect opportunity. Plus, I'm sure the person who asked this question isn't the only one who has been wondering about it. So, let's clear some things up, shall we?!

First of all, let's go over a little background. Every time you use a search engine (Google, Yahoo!, etc.), that site is then able to collect and store the records of all your searches. They can track the terms you search for, the Web sites you visit after you find what you're looking for, the times at which you search and they can even pick up your IP address. From all of that, the search engine site is then able to figure out who you are, what you do while you're online and even what some of your likes and dislikes are. That's pretty crazy (and a little scary), isn't it?

So, since I care about all of you so much, I'm going to fill you in on a couple secrets as to how you can keep some of this information private from those nosy search engines. I have six tips for you today and if you follow them all, you'll be way ahead in keeping your search history private from any intruders, etc. Okay, here we go!

1.) Do not log into the search engine or any of their extra tools. If you go to your favorite search engine and log in right away, it makes it very easy for it to create a profile about you. Once you log in, they know your identity right away and after that, there's no turning back in what they can figure out next.

Now, you may think that you don't log into your search engine, but you actually may without even knowing it. For example, if you use Google as your main search engine (which a lot of us do), you are probably signed up for some of Google's other tools, such as Gmail, Google Talk, Google Groups, etc. If you're logged into any of those extra programs while you're performing a search, Google will be able to track down all of your information. So, just be sure that you log out of any other programs before you start searching. It may be hard to remember at first, but for your own safety, make sure you do it. Write yourself a note if you need to, because it's really easy to forget to log out of some of the programs you probably use on a very regular basis. You'll get the hang of it though! Again, make sure you do this for any search engine that you use that may have extra programs included.

2.) This next one has to do completely with keeping yourself safe from Google. As I said above, many of us use Google as our primary search engine, but in all actuality, Google can be one of the most risky to deal with. Google does things a little differently. It uses cookies to track your history from your search sessions. You may think that if you just delete your cookies, you'll be all set, but that's not really the best way to handle it. Cookies can be very helpful sometimes and if you deleted them, your Web surfing experience wouldn't always be as easy. So, the best thing to do is block only Google's cookies. Here's how.

In Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options and click on the Privacy tab. Next, click on the Sites button and in the "Address of Web site" box, type in Google's address (www.google. com). When you're finished, click on the Block button. In Firefox, go to Tools, Options and click on the Privacy tab as well. Choose Exceptions and type in Google's Web address. Click Block when you're done. If you do this, Google will no longer be able to place cookies on your hard disk, which will keep them from gathering up all of your information.

3.) Change your IP address on a regular basis. Search engines actually get the most information about you from your IP address, so it's best to change it every once in awhile. This will keep the search engines from learning so much about you so easily. If you use a cable or DSL modem, the easiest way to get a new IP address is to turn your modem off and leave it off for a few minutes. Then, turn it back on. This method will clear out your old IP address and you'll automatically be assigned a new one. If you use another type of Internet connection (dial-up, etc.), you may want to contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and ask them about getting a new address. Either way, it's an easy way to keep your information safe.

4.) Don't ever include any personal information in your searches. You may have searched for your own name before, which can be kind of fun, but it's really not all that safe. Every time you put any of your personal data into the search (your name, address, social security number, etc.), you're putting yourself in danger. Doing that makes it very easy for search engines to collect your information and then keep it forever. It could also sometimes lead to identity theft, depending on what you search for. Your information could land in the wrong hands and it could be very bad news.

5.) Always try to perform extra sensitive searches on a public computer. If you ever absolutely need to search for your personal information or any other extremely private data, don't do it on your home or office computer. That may not make much sense, but if you use your personal computer, it's more likely that you'll be logged into another program that could compromise your information. If you go to a computer that you've never used before, you won't have the tendency to log in and your information will be safer. Also, when you do this, make sure you don't log in on the computer you're using. If you accidentally do that, your information will be at risk all over again.

6.) The last one for today is to try and avoid using the search engine that your ISP provides. Your ISP already knows your IP address (and they'll know any new one that you get), so that means they can obtain your information even easier. Then, once you use their search engine, they will be able to collect even more information about you and it will just be bad. Most ISPs do have their own search engine (for example, search.comcast. net), so just steer clear of those. It's nice to think that we can trust our ISPs (and I mean, most the time, we can), but you really have to worry about protecting yourself first.

There you have it. Six tips you can follow to keep all of your search information as private as possible. Now, I know that some of you may not think it's necessary to do all this, but I wanted to give you options just in case you thought

Washing Your Hair With Vinegar

When I was a little girl, my mother brushed our hair very vigorously with a brush to bring up the blood from the scalp to nourish the hair follicles. Then she made us wash our hair with shampoo two times followed by a vinegar rinse using 1/4 vinegar to 1 quart of water. This not only brought down the oils from the scalp, but conditioned our hair. Vinegar is a natural hair grower and anti-fungal that will make hair grow and heal as it works.

Protect Your Laptop From Spills

I use my laptop quite a bit in my kitchen for looking up recipes or just surfing the net while cooking. I always put the laptop on top of a cookie cooling rack (a small one fits perfectly) on my kitchen counter, so if there are any spills of any kind, your laptop is raised a bit and you save quite a few hundred dollars in a replacement.

I also use this when I am working at a desk or my table, if you are drinking coffee, tea, etc. and an accidental spill happens, the mess (if it spreads) would go underneath. Also since your laptop is raised a bit it is still a comfortable height to type on.

Homemade Wrinkle Release Spray

Mix 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup fabric softener and 1/3 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle with fine mist nozzle. Spray onto clothing then tug and pull the item to smooth it. Hang or lay flat to dry. This really works good.

Cold Key On Spine To Stop A Nosebleed

My two sons have always suffered from nosebleeds. Someone told me to keep keys in the freezer so I decided to try it. Put the key onto the back of the neck until warm, also run it down the spine. This constricts blood vessels and stops the bleeding. A spoon or coin would work as well. It works every time.

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Link: Beadwork Instruction Site

 

This is link for a site called Beadage which offers free instructions and online tutorials for making jewelery. In addition, it gives you ideas for ways to sell your own designs online and the chance to upload pictures and instructions to show others how to make your projects. I have been using the site for month and have received no spam at all as a result, which is always a good thing!

http://www.beadage.net/index.html

Craft Uses for Nail Polish

When making crafty things such as cards, instead of glitter I always use clear nail polish with glitter in it. You can get it at any dollar store and it makes no mess. You just paint it on where you want the glitter and you'll have a pretty craft with no mess! :)

Turn Leftover Bread Into Croutons

Throwing out the crusts of bread is a waste, but when they are the last to get eaten, sometimes they end up with mold and out they go.

Instead of waiting for them to get eaten, I've been taking the crusts of bread and laying them on a cookie sheet. I then spread either butter or olive oil on them, then sprinkle with garlic powder, cut them into squares, and spread them out on the cookie sheet. I put them in the oven for about thirty minutes, turning them over once or twice, and then when they are cooled, I put them in baggies. Homemade croutons for salads and soups! No waste, just taste!

Reduce Overflowing in Fruit Pies

When I bake fruit filled pies such as Blueberry, after adding the top crust as well as cutting slits in the top crust, I take a piece of tube type pasta and insert it in the center of my pie crust. This will let the steam out and keep the filling in the pie.

Keeping Natural Peanut Butter Spreadable

After stirring in the oil that collects at the top our jar of natural peanut butter, we store natural peanut butter in the refrigerator. The problem is, it promptly gets very hard and difficult to spread. We soften it by heating the jar in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. When we refrigerate it again, the peanut butter left in the jar does not harden for several days and spreads evenly, even when cold.

Blend White Sugar to Make Icing Sugar

Make your own icing sugar. There is a huge difference in the cost of regular white sugar and icing sugar, yet icing sugar is only white sugar ground finer. I have a little "magic bullet" food processor and its a snap to throw a cup of sugar in there and grind it up. It's a little bit grainier but pretty close, and once you have used it in a recipe, you sure can't tell the difference.

Insulate Windows With Bubble-wrap Year Round

I read this tip in my favorite magazine, Mother Earth News, a few years ago, and finally got around to trying it this year. It works!

Instead of expensive window insulation kits that are hard to install and can be used only one year, try this: buy bubble wrap. Cut it to fit each window. Dampen the window and apply the bubble wrap, flat side to the window. It's that simple. It lets the light through, looks a bit like glass block windows, and does keep the room warmer. If I touch the bubble wrap then touch the window, the wrap is definitely warmer. My bedroom is about 4 degrees warmer this year!

If the wrap comes off or you lift it up for any reason, just re-dampen the window, and it's good as new. At the end of the cold weather, I will remove the wrap, and roll it up separately for each window with a note in the middle to tell me which window it goes on, then I'll store it until next year. I bought my bubble-wrap at Walmart, about $4.50 for 100 feet. A roll and a half did all of my windows (except the one by the computer, since I watch the birds at my feeder through that one). The kits in the store cost a LOT more, and next year, this is free!

Help for a Tight Bra

Sometimes bras need adjustment, especially if you have an in-between size (for example, a bigger overall measurement with a smaller cup size, or perhaps you have some pricey bras that used to fit, but are a bit tight now). In any case, they used to sell bra extenders, but to make your own, cut off the hook end on one side and the eye end off the other from an old bra. Then hook the one side and the other, so you have extra room. Sew or pin the excess material between the secured ends. Voila! A bra that fits and won't cut off your circulation!

In addition, it might make a bra loose enough to slip over your head, if you have issues with your shoulders).

P.S. Also save the elastic from old bras to use again on small projects. Lace might be recycled, too

Removing Stuck Food From a Pan

Have you ever been washing dishes and come across that pot with the caked on food? Rather than burying it in the dishwater, try this.

If you are having trouble removing food from a pot, place about half a cup of water in the pot and place it on the stove. Turn the fire on and allow the water to boil, which is only about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your appliance.

After the water has reach a rumbling boil, turn the fire off, and pour the water out. Anything that was stuck on the pot is now gone. Now you can wash your pot and keep your dishwater clean. Hope this helps.

Mix Pie Ingredients In Ziptop Bag

When mixing apple pie ingredients (apple slices, cinnamon, cloves, and flour), put them into a baggie and shake. This makes sure that the ingredients are well mixed so that when you put them into a crust, there are not spices on the bottom or flour on the top.

Melon Ball Scoop for Perfect Cookies

To get the perfect size cookies, use a melon ball" scooper". Works every time.

Tea as Meat Tenderizer

Tenderize meat by adding equal parts strong brewed tea and double strength beef stock to a tough pot roast or stew. The tannin in tea is a natural meat tenderizer.

Vinegar as a dishwasher rinse agent

Dishwasher rinse agents help to get your dishes cleaner and dryer—but they sure are pricey. Fortunately, there's a cheap alternative: vinegar.

Here's How to Make the Switch to Vinegar:

1. Finish using up any commerical rinse agent that remains in your dishwasher.
2. Then, unscrew the cap from your dishwasher's rinse agent dispenser, and fill the well with white vinegar.
3. Replace the cap, and run your dishwasher as usual.
4. Refill the dispenser as needed.

Benefits of Using Vinegar as a Rinse Agent:

No water spots on cups and glasses
Dryer dishes
Cleaner dishes
No harsh chemicals
A cleaner dishwasher

BONUS TIP:

Dishwasher looking a bit dirty? Fill the detergent dispenser with vinegar (no detergent at all), and run it through a cycle

Removing Mold from Non-bleachable Surfaces

Of course, we all know that bleach does a great job of getting rid of mold from any surface, but if you don't want that surface discolored (like carpeting, decking etc.), use vinegar. This will take the mold out without any discoloration!

Toilet Ring cleaning technique

I finally figured it out! It's all about the technique. The 3 things you need are 1) a toilet bowl brush, 2) a decent cleaner in a spray bottle (the Works, Kaboom, CLR, or any similar), and 3) a bucket (most important!). Here goes:

First, pour just enough water from the bucket into bowl to get it to flush (I use an empty 33.9 oz. plastic Folgers container, poured as quickly as possible). The water level in the bowl will now stay in the bottom of the bowl, and this eliminates the need to turn off water supply (which can be a hassle). Spray all around ring with cleaner.

Now go clean the tub, sweep floor, empty trash, get coffee, or whatever. Come back to the toilet ring in 30 minutes or so, and scrub ring with brush. Part of ring will probably be gone...maybe all. A stubborn ring will be lighter. Flush. Repeat as many times as needed. I had a stubborn ring that I'd tried everything on. It took 4 times to get ring completely gone.

Now I keep cleaner, brush, bucket nearby. Once in awhile before bed I'll pour bucket, spray ring, and go to bed. Rings don't stand a chance!

Make Your Own Bird Seed

Make your own bird seed by saving the pulp and seeds from squash and other vegetables and spread it thinly on a plate or tray. Then leave the tray in a gas oven overnight. The pilot light generates enough heat to dry the pulp and make it easy to pick out the seeds. If you have a pilotless gas oven or an electric one, you can dry the seeds by setting the oven at its lowest temperature and heating them for several hours.

Throwing a party - Make it a team effort

Make it a team effort: Team up with a friend or family member to host the party. Tag-team hosting can cut your expenses in half, reduce your workload and double your potential guest list -- just make sure you choose the right co-host and not a slacker.

Borrow stuff: Rather than buying disposable glasses, utensils and plates, borrow from family and friends. Put the word out you need help with decorations and festiveCDs for the event.

Comparison shop for food: A week or two before your event, start clipping coupons and comparing prices at area grocery stores, dollar stores and warehouse clubs.

Plan quantities carefully: Avoid under- and over-buying food, only to end up with a refrigerator full of fattening treats. For example: Plan 6-ounces of meat, three ounce of cheese and 1-2 rolls per person.

Go with a potluck: Most people, at least those with any manners, will ask what they can bring. Don't hesitate to spread the expense around a bit by encouraging a pot-luck atmosphere. Those who shy away from cooking can always bring chips and dip or drinks.

Cleaning Teflon Pots

How can I clean my scummy Teflon pots and pans? Actually, this is an answer to that question from my mother.

Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and half a cup liquid bleach to 1 cup of water.
Pour mixture into Teflon pot or pan.
Bring mixture to a simmer (not boiling) for 10 minutes, but no more.
Pour out mixture into sink. Repeat if needed.

Finding Small Items on the Floor

If you have a visual impairment and drop anything small and colorless on the floor, place a stocking over the end of your vacuum hose and run it over the area you suspect it may have fallen. It will easily be picked up allowing you to retrieve it from the stocking.

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Natural Stain Removal

For stains on clothing the easiest way to remove is by buying vinegar, a tooth brush, and baking soda. Rub it into the stain by making a paste and voila the stain is gone.

Mascara Tips

To create the effect of rounder eyes, first apply one coat as you normally would. Then just coat the upper, outer lashes of your eyes.

To create a more natural effect, wiggle the wand at the base of your lashes so that the product is concentrated there. Then just swipe upward.

When applying mascara to the bottom lashes, don't hold the wand horizontally like you would when you coat your upper lashes. Instead, hold it vertically and swipe the tip of the wand across your bottom lashes.

Bringing a New Puppy (Dog) Into Your Home

When you bring a new puppy into your home there are several precautions you need to take and various things you can do to make your home environment safe for the puppy.

Before you bring the new puppy home, make sure you have reduced the possibility for accidents.

• Hide cords that the puppy will be inclined to chew.
• Make sure doors can be secured.
• Have all harmful foods such as raisins and chocolates put away so that the puppy can not eat them.
• Arrange a small safe area for the puppy to call "home" when you can't be there to supervise it. Investing in a safety gate is one option. A crate can provide a safe haven for the puppy as well as be an ideal accessory when you're housebreaking the puppy.
• Carefully supervise all introductions to other pets. Never leave the puppy alone with your other pets until a bond of friendship has formed between them.

Introducing a dog into your home:

A mature dog or possibly a senior dog you may have adopted from a shelter will most likely be beyond the chewing and destructive behavior stage. However, it's always better to err on the side of caution.
Give them a designated space that they can call their own. It may be a bed in the corner of the living room or bedroom, or even a crate if that is what they are comfortable with.
Again, it is essential that they be introduced to other pets in the same manner as you would introduce a puppy to your current furry family members.
Anytime you bring a new pet into your home, be sure to give it an adjustment period and some observation time. There's always a tendency to hover over the animal or constantly want to play with it. However, they need some time just to watch the household activity and size up their new home from their designated or chosen point of safety.

Ice Proof Car Windows

There is an easy and cheap way to make sure you don't end up with iced over windows every morning on your car. Vinegar! Just fill a spray bottle 3/4 of the way with vinegar and the rest with room temp water. Spray on glass at night and in the morning you can sleep in an extra minutes :). I keep a small spray bottle in my glove box and spray the windows when I get home in the evenings to ensure I don't forget.

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Epsom Salts For Fabric Softener

If you are out of fabric softener, add 1 Tbsp. of Epsom salts to your rinse cycle to make your towels fluffy.

Candle Safety

To avoid forgetting to blow out candles, I tape a note on my purse or keys. If I decide to leave the house, the candles are blown out and I avoid that panicked feeling that comes after you leave your house and then remember.

Cleaning In Tight Spaces

I found that an easy solution to cleaning corners or tight spots is to purchase a cheap set of artist paintbrushes from the craft area at Walmart, etc. Use the big brushes for larger dirty areas, small brushes for tiny areas.

Just wet the bristles with water, spray the dirty spot with cleaning solution (or just use water), swipe the dirty area a few times, rinse the bristles and swipe again.

For instance: When our plumber installed our kitchen and bathroom sinks, he left a very tight spot between the back wall and the back of the sinks. The bristles on the paintbrushes fit in there perfectly to keep it clean.

Another helpful tip: If you have men/boys in your house, urine seems to find it's way down the outside of the toilet to the floor. To keep urine odors at bay, spray the edge with your cleaning solution, then use a larger sized brush to scrub along and UNDER the rim at the bottom of the toilet where it meets the floor.

Keep Toothbrush Germ Free

Are you sick and tired of those awful toothbrush holders that need to be cleaned out constantly? Don't they gross you out? Have you been hearing on TV how filled with germs your bathroom is? This little tip takes care of both problems.

Take a CLEAN face cloth folded into the common square, place your toothbrush inside of it, period, done. About once a week, change the face cloth to a fresh one. No drippy mess, no chance for airborne germs to fall on your favorite toothbrush. Sanitary, neat, clean, practical, easy, cheap.

Use Rings As A Scarf Slide

Whenever I have rings that are too small for me or that I don't wear any longer, I use them on a scarf. I simply put the scarf on and slide both sides of the scarf through the ring then tie a knot. It looks very pretty, especially if the ring has stones in it. It adds a litle sparkle and is a conversation piece.

Use WD-40 To Keep Appliances Fingerprintless

I got this idea when I took my sewing machine in to have a little tool up. The repairman told me he wiped it down with WD-40. I'd just brought a new stainless steel stove and couldn't get the fingerprints off of the doors after it was taken out of the box. So, why not?

I tried WD-40 and, boy o boy was I ever pleased. It took off all the fingerprints and water stains from washing it down.

Homemade Antibacterial Wipes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 roll BOUNTY paper towels (the others turn to mush)
• 2 and 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup antibacterial type cleaner (Mr. Clean, etc.)

Directions:

Cut paper towels in half with serrated or electric knife. Place cut side down in airtight container. Boil water, add cleaner, pour over paper towels. Remove wet cardboard tube. To use, pull out wipes from center.

I use a Folger's plastic coffee can for my container. It's the perfect size! To use: fill with cold water and 1/4 cup white vinegar and let sit overnight, this removes the coffee smell

Homemade Hairspray

This homemade hairspray really works and doesn't polute the atmosphere or put toxic chemicals on your hair. Just chop 1 lemon (or orange for dry hair) and place in a pot with 2 cups water. Boil down by half. Cool, strain, and place liquid in a spray bottle. Add 1/8 cup (1 oz.) rubbing alcohol. Store up to a month un-refrigerated, or put in refrigerator for longer. You can omit the rubbing alcohol if stored in the fridge. Lasts about 2 weeks. Shake a little before using.

Sanitize Your Toothbrush With Listerine

I keep a small spray bottle of Listerine (the gold-colored) in the bathroom. After I have finished rinsing my toothbrush, I give it a few sprays with the Listerine to kill any germs remaining on the toothbrush.

Watercress for bloating

Eat Watercress, and drink a lot of water. Watercress is a natural food and has a lot of potassium in it.

Hide spare house key under vinyl siding

My uncle taught me a good way to hide a key, under the vinyl on the house. He had a spot on his vinyl siding that he put a extra key in case they were locked out, or if someone had to get in for emergency purposes. He told very few of us in the family where it was. There is a little lip on the vinyl siding that held the key in place.

Use Soap When Sewing Canvas

Sewing heavy material like canvas can be as hard on the needle as it is on your hands. If, however, you rub the fabric well with soap before you stitch, the job will be a lot more comfortable and the needle will slip through the cloth without nearly so much danger of breaking.

Sale Items That Have Run Out

One day I was at the grocery store with my daughter and noticed that the coffee that they had on special (at an especially great price) was all sold out. I commented to my daughter that it was good that I had bought some a few days earlier.

My daughter, the frugal expert in the family, then went to the service desk and came back with several rainchecks for the coffee. I will get the same great price on coffee well into the next year!

Now I make an effort to notice when specials on any items I use are out of stock and take the few minutes to go to the service desk and get some rainchecks for them. That way I can save even more than just buying during the sale.

Keeping Blinds clean

Like most renters, I have vertical blinds everywhere in my home. Where I live (near a beach), putting up curtains would mean way too much dirt and dust.

I clean my blinds bi-weekly with microfiber cloths. This area with a nearby airport is extremely dusty. A dust that depending on the weather can look like a car engine's dirt. I assumed using my vinegar and water with microfiber was the best way to keep as much out as possible. Keeping them clean is much easier than dealing with build up.

As you can imagine, this can be time consuming work. I have discovered a way to cut the time in half - using water only one time a week and taking a fraction of the time. All without spending a penny on the new, latest, or better product. I discovered that, like with the television which also get an extreme amount of dust on it, used dyer sheets work like magic. Instead of throwing away your used dryer sheets, save them and use for dusting the blinds. If it works on my blinds with the special sea and airport dirt, it will work on yours.

I have found dryer sheets to be so helpful other places also, leaving no lint behind. New ones are used when I don't have any from the laundry. They seem to do such a good job that when I do use water and vinegar on my major cleaning day it's easier. Try using dryer sheets on computer screens, the television, even my tables. All are shining and dust free.

I have a hand steamer I use on all my screens. Yes, my screens with the steamer! You do not have to remover the screen. I live in Southern California, so my windows are open daily. If you live where it's winter now, remember the furnace also brings so much dust into your home. For now, try the dryer sheets. When the weather warms up if you have a steamer it cuts the dusting down without too much hassle.

I am a clean nut, so helpful tips that make it easier are a blessing. Try this one it works!

If it works on computers. I was amazed at how it works on blinds as well.

Organizer for Kids Socks

I have recently discovered that there actually is a solution for mismatched baby and kid socks! No more lonely socks hanging out at the back of enormous dresser drawers. Now I take an empty cereal box (the largest size works best!) and cut it into three pieces.

I close the top back up and seal with tape. The bottom is of course already sealed. Then with my scissors I make new flaps for the middle piece and crease then tape them down like the top and bottom. Voila! - three perfectly sized drawer organizers for those teeny little adorable socks!

It works well for toddler and bigger kid socks too. Just cut the box pieces to the size you need. Recycling, thriftiness and one less headache when it is time to dress the kids!

Free Exercise Equipment

Some folks think that you have to have a bunch of expensive exercise equipment to get a good workout. Walking is completely free, just start doing so. A comfortable pair of shoes does help out tremendously. A couple of 1 gallon milk or water plastic jugs filled with water or sand, closed off with a tightened lid can work as weights to lift. Pushups are free to do, same with crunches. It's all in the mind, self motivate and get started or better yet, find a friend to help you get on the right track and stay on it. Good luck!

Removing odors from shoes

If you have someone who has sweaty feet all the time, here is a solution to get rid of the smell in their shoes. Throw shoes in the washer. Once dry, double bag them and put in the freezer overnight. This will kill the bacteria that causes the odour. Once thawed and dry, spray with vinegar, rubbing alcohol or Pinesol. Cover entire inside of shoe. Once dry, dust with powder. Works well.

Fleece door draft stopper

If you have doors or windows in your home that let in the cold winter air, here is a very simple draft stopper idea that I use. I purchased 1 yard of fleece fabric from the "bargain" table. This 36 inch length should work at any exterior door.

Leaving the fabric folded, roll it up and secure it in the middle and at each end, using ribbon, yarn, etc. Place it on the floor in front of your door. That's it! You can use complimentary colors to match your decor, too.

Homemade Vaporub

You can use metal tins, or moisturizer container will work as well. Size of your container will determine how much you make so ingredients are listed in parts.

Ingredients

• 2 parts coconut oil
• 1 part beeswax
• eucalyptus essential oil (10 drops per oz.)
• white camphor oil 5 (drops per oz.)

Directions

Melt oil and beeswax in pan, add essential oils. Pour into your container. The salve will harden in 10 to15 minutes. If too soft, re-melt and add more beeswax. If too hard, re-melt and add more oil.

Use Markers For Kids Paint By Numbers Kits

Sometimes a paint by number looks fun and easy until you open up the box and see the picture. One of the best way to get kids started with paint by number crafts is to buy them a set of markers and let them go to town. Sometimes you have to go over it twice with a marker, depending how dark it is.

Quickly De-icing your windshield

Instead of using expensive de-icer on your car windscreen in the cold weather, or trying to scrape ice off with a rubber scraper thingie, pour warm water (not boiling!) over all your car windows and switch on the windscreen wipers to stop it freezing over again. This way you won't have to spend ages standing outside in the cold to de-ice your car.

Magic Eraser For Removing Marker

My son recently drew his Nan a lovely picture in permanent marker on her lovely new wooden dressing table. I went to the nearest Coles and bought a Chux Magic Eraser. It was all off in about five minute, good as new. Thanks Chux, they really are magic!

Knifty Knitter For Net Scrubbies

I  have made nylon net scrubbies using my blue round Knifty Knitter. I cast on like I'm making a hat and knit about 16 rows. Then when I am ready to bind off, I bind off like a hat. The left over "yarn" is then sewn through each side about 2 times.

I have made several of these and they are very sturdy. The family loves them! I also found the netting at JoAnn's, they have some that is very coarse. These scrubbies are great for cleaning tough burnt on grease because they don't mar the surfaces. You can use the smaller Knifty Knitter (the one for making flowers), but it comes out very small.

 

Bamboo Skewer For Round Knitting Looms

I have a set of round looms and am now knitting a project on them. I have long since misplaced the "stick" that comes with the kit and I have used several substitutes such as a piece of metal stick or a knitting needle. The other night we had kabobs and it occurred to me that the bamboo skewers might work as a knitting stick. So I washed them off and tried them. They "do" work, and they are flexible and fairly strong. The points may break off, but they are usable even then. Next time I see a set at the Dollar Store, I will stock up.

No Need for Shaving Gel

I recently discovered that when I'm in the shower and have my hair all lathered up, that I can just use the lather from my hair to soap up my legs for shaving. Works like a charm!

Use Bag Balm For Dry Scaly Skin

Winter is here. Being in the nursing field, I wash my hands probably more than a 100 times a day. Using the alcohol based sanitizers irritate my skin. Bag Balm is a wonderful substitute for lotion. Use it at night and see what a difference it makes.

If you have dry scaly legs, try it on them and see what a wonderful job it does after a few applications. If used regularly, it will keep your skin soft and supple and will prevent breakdowns. It is well worth the cost since you use so little. I also look at it for Hospice uses it so if they keep skin from breaking down. I have learned a lesson from them that it is an excellent source of moisturizer. Give it a try, betcha like it!

Plastic Cup to Unclog Sink

To open a stopped up drain in your kitchen when you don't have a plunger available, get a 6-8 oz. plastic glass (one of those opaque ones you get free drinks in) and put it upside down over your drain hole. Push down quickly flattening it and it will open the drain. I did this and then just for extra measures, I did it once more. It really works and is easier on my hands and arms than a hard rubber plunger which for me never works anyhow.

Vinegar to Fix Sagging Cane Chairs

Cane chair seats that have sagged may be rejuvenated by sponging them with a hot solution of half vinegar / half water and then placing the chairs in the summer sun to dry.

Top Ten Secrets of a Handyman

There are many repairs that can be made by you the homeowner that people regularly pay to have repaired. So, I convinced my husband who runs his own home repair and maintenance business to give me his "top ten" repairs that homeowners can do themselves and his secrets for making them easy. Plumbing problems does not always require a plumber. Here are a couple of tricks and tips that can help you to fix that plugged up sink:

• A lot of kitchen sink plugs are as simple as grease that has clogged the sink. Heat a pan of water and get it boiling and pour in the sink. Keep doing this until the grease has melted. When the sink is clear, put a couple good squirts of dish liquid down the drain, followed by hot water from the tap. The soap will clean out the rest of the grease and the hot water flushes the system.
• Another trick that works is to increase the pressure of your plunger by covering the overflow valve opening with a dishcloth. This improves the suction.
• A wet and dry vac can also be used to suck out the clog.
• Leo gets asked to change shower heads for people all the time as they say that they are not getting as powerful spray as when it was new. Leo always tells them that they don't need him to replace it, they just need to boil their shower heads in a mild solution of vinegar and water to clean it. Works every time!
• To find out if your toilet valve is leaking, add some food coloring to the tank and leave it alone for a hour or so. If the water in the bowl changes color you need to replace the valve.
• For a quick fix for a leaky faucet, you sometimes can turn the washer over and reuse them. This is only a temporary fix, but can help you not to waste water until you can get to the hardware store.

Here are some other tips for other things that you can repair yourself:

• Rattling windows can be fixed by gluing corn pads for feet on to the frames of the windows.
• Nail holes in walls can be easily fixed by using a little bit of white glue mixed with baking soda. This takes paint a lot better than toothpaste.
• Need to turn off the electricity to a certain room and you're not sure which breaker to flip? Turn on a radio and turn the volume up loud so you can hear it from where the breaker box is and start flipping breakers. If the radio goes off, you got the right one.
• Do you need to know if the paint on your walls is latex or oil based. Try a product called Goo Off (can be bought at hardware and automotive stores). If the paint gets gummy, the paint is latex; if it just looks cleaner, it is oil based paint. You can put latex paint over oil based paint, but oil based paint will not stick.

Keeping Fabric Table Linens Clean

I decided a few months ago that I was tired of the clear plastic cover over my dining room tablecloth. While it was certainly practical, I thought it looked tacky. Even though we frequently eat at our dining room table and our very young grandchildren join us for meals often, I decided to go ahead and just use the cloth and fabric placemats without the plastic cover.

Of course, it wasn't long before there were spots on the tablecloth and fabric placemats. I found that if I used my small plastic bottle of dish soap mixed with water (a tip I learned from TF for washing a small amount of dishes by hand), on the spot right after the meal with minimal "scrubbing" the spots disappeared!

I still have to wash my tablecloth in the washing machine periodically but not after every meal as I thought I would have to do! This simple cleaning tip has saved me much time, effort, water, laundry soap, and wear-and-tear on my tablecloth and placemats.

Scuffs on Linoleum Floors

Clean rubber heel marks from kitchen linoleum with a moist cloth dabbed in floor wax. The marks come up and don't leave a dull spot.

Sharpen Knife on Mug Bottom

If your knife is dull and you don't have a sharpener, use the bottom (rough) edge of a ceramic coffee cup. Just run the blade over it a few times and you have a sharp knife again.

Cleaning Canvas Shoes

Clean canvas shoes with rug shampoo. Use a toothbrush to get into tight places and around trim.

Shining Stainless Steel

I saw a post asking about a cleaner for stainless steel. I would love to have all stainless in my house because it is the easiest to clean. I got spoiled working in restaurants where all the counters are stainless and the walk-ins etc. All you really need to do to clean them is use a linen towel and get it wet with hot water (as hot as you can stand it), wring it out then fill a spray bottle with hot hot water and add a little bleach. Spray and wipe, then use a dry linen cloth to pick up any left over moisture. This is how you will get that shine.

Store Old Photos Behind New in Frame

I  always get school pictures of my grandchildren and was running out places to put them, so I ask for 5x7 photos, use the same frame, and put the new photo in the front and the older ones are behind. The photos are always together and it's fun to compare with the new one.

Paper Towel Tube to Prevent Creases from Hanger

To prevent creases in garments hung on hangers, take an empty paper towel tube and make a cut lengthwise. Slip it over the bottom of the hanger. The round edge prevents a crease.

Put Timer on Water Heater

Why heat your water for 24 hours? Just install a Hot water heater timer purchased from Lowes. Set the timer for 1 hour before rising in the morning, preferably during non peak hours as designated by Utility and for 1 hour in the evening prior to taking showers and baths, (after Utility peak hours). On Saturday, or laundry day, place the manual setting "on" for laundry day. As the timer cycles it will automatically go back to the timed settings. You can maintain the temperature at 120 degrees while saving money.

Soft Scrub Recipe

For homemade soft scrub cleaner, mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup dish soap, and 1/8 - 1/4 cup vinegar. Adjust amounts of baking soda or vinegar until it's the consistency you prefer.

Dryer Sheet Alternative

In a pail mix 1 gallon water and 1 cup concentrated fabric softener. dip a sponge or dry washcloth in the liquid, squeeze out the excess and toss in the dryer with your laundry. Seal the pail when not in use. Re-soak the wash cloth when needed. It should be good a few times. Flannel pieces can also be used more than once before soaking again.

Whiten Nails with Baking Soda

If dark nail polish has left your nails yellowed or if you want to just brighten up your natural nails, scrub your nails gently with nailbrush topped with your favorite hand soap sprinkled moderately with baking soda. Make sure you scrub over the sink, you will work up quite a lather!

Using Leftover Soap Pieces

When bars of hand soap are almost finished, getting the small remnants to stick together properly (so that they can be completely used up) can be a pain, and they certainly do not look quite right for use in the guest bathroom. If you simply stick soap bits together randomly, the ugly mass tends to hold dirty soap in the crevasses, and they tend to fall apart, anyway.

The suggested method is probably easiest with bath soap, where one uses a facecloth or sponge (or the net equivalent), although it works with smaller bars, just as well. By rubbing the sponge consistently on one side of the soap bar only, that side wears down quicker than the other, becoming concave, making it easier to ensure that the thin, remaining sliver of soap (from the almost used-up bar) fits snugly against either convex surface of a new bar.

Pressing them firmly together when both are wet results in what becomes a single, homogeneous convenient-to-use bar. If the two bars are the same color, they soon become indistinguishable as being joined components and the soap is used to the utmost benefit. What is more, your guest bathroom will not be disgraced.

And there is absolutely no waste, whatsoever.

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Link: Sites that Build Recipes Based on What You Have

These sites let you type in/check off ingredients you have on hand and work a recipe around them. Great for days when you have a couple things on hand, but not everything you need to cook what you wanted to make.

http://www.recipepuppy.com
http://allrecipes.com/Search/Ingredients.aspx
http://www.recipematcher.com
http://www.firehousechef.com/Fridge/FridgeFind.asp

Salt to Remove Odors from Cutting Board

To help cut odors off your wooden cutting board, simply pour a generous amount of salt directly on the board. Rub lightly with a damp cloth. Wash in warm, sudsy water.

Releasing Bread or Cake from Pan

If a cake or quick bread sticks to the bottom of the pan, turn it over onto dish. Saturate a dishtowel with hot water,wring it out to just barely not dripping, and place on bottom of pan. Within a few minutes, the cake or quick bread will loosen and drop to dish. Works every time!

Taking Out the Christmas Tree

For easy removal of your Christmas tree, with a sheet on the rug to catch the needles, clip off the branches at their base with a sharp garden tool and put them in a garbage bag. Then taking out the tree becomes as easy as carrying a broomstick. Use the needles for filling sachet pillows when they fall.

Use Placemats in Refrigerator

My mum taught me the advantages of lining the glass shelves in a refrigerator. Most refrigerators could benefit from this. You just place a large plastic or cloth place mat on each shelf. Of course the cloth are a bit harder to keep clean.

I have my refrigerator shelves line with sturdy plastic mats. I can quickly wipe up spills and only need to take the mats totally out of fridge to clean about twice a year (nothing is perfect and once in a while, liquids will seep under mats). An extra bonus is that, if you can pick place mats that match your personality or kitchen decor, then all the better

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Use Leftover Soap To Make Homemade Laundry Soap

Using dish soap for laundry soap is cheaper, but making your own from Ivory soap bars, washing soda (not baking soda), and borax, is extremely cheap and very easy to make. Melt the soap in the water, add the washing soda and borax, then dilute it with more water and you're done. Look for the recipe on the internet. You may not find all the ingredients at your store, but they are available online

Run Iron Over Waxed Paper

Before you begin to iron, run the iron over a sheet of waxed paper. It will help the iron glide more easily. Also, always keep the plate of the iron clean.

Reuse Old Suitcases for Storage

The chances are very good that you or a family member have an old suitcases in the attic, basement, or closet. The old hard-shell case has become the dinosaur of travel. Newer ones may be a little shabby (i.e., broken wheel or malfunctioning handle), thus not usable for flight trips. Most of the of the donation places are no longer accepting the old hard cases and do not want malfunctioning newer styles. Here's some ideas for reusing them.

The hard shell cases make a great keepsake box for your child. I used mine and put all the keepsake mementos of our son in it, I decorated the exterior with his name and collaged a few photos and scrapbook items on it!.Its a great way to store the baby items, photos, and easy to keep them dust free, water proof and convenient to pass down. The newer nylon suitcases can be used in a similar way, but also make great Christmas ornament and light storage. You can also use for seasonal clothing totes and blankets.

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Removing Wallpaper

I tried everything to remove my hard to get off wallpaper, before I discovered this trick - heated vinegar. The wall paper will still have to be pulled off, but the sticky glue paper comes off easily, as the vinegar will loosen the glue. Spray and scrap off with a metal paint scraper.

Tips for Gift Shopping Online

So with the Holidays fast approaching I have some great ways to save a little extra.

If you do any online shopping now or through out the year, Ebates is awesome. Just click on this link:

• http://www.ebates.com

Sign up with an email address, then visit the store you want to shop at through there page. You will get up to 30% cash back for your purchase. How awesome is that? Some of the stores that participate are Gap, Walmart, Target, Ebay, and a lot more :) Oh and you get a free 5$ for signing up.

This a great way to find discounted gift cards at many stores.

• http://www.giftcardgranny.com

Oh and don't forget to google discount codes and see what you can find. Usually you can at least get free shipping or save $5 this way

Insulate Windows with Quilted Bedspreads

Make insulated window shades from quilted bedspreads to insulate your rooms and stay warmer in the winter. First, measure the windows. You want the shades to have the same measurements as the windows in height and width. Cut the bedspread to the right size. Add 1 inch on both vertical sides for hems, and add about 4-5 inches to the length for the tension rod casing and the bottom hem. The easy thing is that since it's so bulky and quilted you can fold under the edge only once and it won't unravel. Do this on all four sides, making sure your top casing is open so the tension rod will fit. Hang your new shades and stay warm! You can tie each side of the shades up with a cord or heavy ribbon if you'd like more light.

Saving Money on Shampoo

For the cleanest, softest, fluffiest hair imaginable for literally pennies, save your old shampoo bottle. When you buy more, pour half of it into the old bottle and fill each bottle the rest of the way with a half and half solution of vinegar and water. The lather will be the richest ever, and your hair will squeak. It lifts the oils off your scalp so your hair stays clean looking longer and it rinses clean.There is no need to use creme rinse or conditioner, either. I use plain old Suave shampoo, about a dollar a bottle, and it makes my hair look and feel better than any expensive shampoo I have ever tried. The vinegar smell does not linger - try it!

Kindling Keeper

Good-looking garden planters don't have to hibernate all winter. Arranged along a hearth, the containers take their turn as eye-catching elements indoors. In glazed terra cotta or another heat-resistant material, the pots provide a perfect place to stow spilt logs, kindling, and aromatic enhancements, such as dried lavender and pinecones.

Kindling Keeper How-To
1. Look for pots in coordinating textures and tones, but consider pieces in different shapes and sizes to add a pleasing visual rhythm to your fireside.

2. Before bringing pots indoors, clean them with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. If pots have caked-on dirt, soak them until it loosens and then wipe it off. Rinse them again in the spring before using them for plants

Use Coffee Pot for Mulled Cider

I knew I had a couple extra coffee makers on the very top shelf of one of the kitchen cabinets and thought I'd put them to good use for keeping my hot mulled cider hot for Christmas. It is much easier to serve than using a crock pot, since you already have your 'pitcher' and won't have to risk spilling the hot sticky liquid as much as you do when ladling from your crock pot to your mug.

Frost Brownies with Chocolate Covered Mints

To fancy up your brownies, as soon as you take them out of the oven, place chocolate covered mints on top, close enough to melt together. You will have a great tasting brownie!

Wooden Spoon to Get Under Turkey Skin

To get under the skin of turkey when you want a spice rub under the skin, use the handle of a wooden spoon. This works well with chicken too and is easier than trying to use your fingers.

Beat Egg Whites at Room Temperature

If you plan to beat egg whites, separate the whites from the yolks about a half hour before you beat them. Bringing the whites to room temperature will help them whip up to greater volume.

Shaping Crescent Cookies

Instead of individually shaping each crescent cookie when baking, roll into a long log and cut whatever size is needed. Then bend each one into the crescent shape. You can do this right on the cookie sheet.

To prevent the cookie sheet from moving while rolling out the dough, place a moistened dish cloth or a flat silicone pot holder under the cookie sheet. This makes is so much easier and faster than forming each one.

Lighter Egg Nog

We love Eggnog for the Christmas holidays, but it is so expensive and so high in calories that I have found a way to reduce both the cost and the calories. I buy a half gallon jug of Eggnog (Yikes! $4.12), and pour it into a gallon container. Add a package of sugar-free French Vanilla instant pudding mix, and a quart of Low fat 1% milk and stir until the the pudding mix is well blended, then stir in another quart of Low fat milk. I divide the gallon into smaller containers to store in the fridge. To serve, pour into cups and sprinkle a dusting of ground nutmeg on the top. YUM!

Keeping Cookies Soft

After you have cooked your cookies or brownies and they have cooled, when putting them in the storage area, like a bag or plastic container, put 1-2 pieces of "white" bread in with them. The moisture of the "white" bread will help keep the cookies or brownies soft. Make sure to replace the bread when the bread gets hard.

Make Your Own Flavored Cream Cheese

Make your own flavored cream cheese. Just take the desired amount of regular "brick" cream cheese and soften to room temperature. Stir in desired ingredients (chopped chives, sun-dried tomatoes, dill, nuts olives, etc.) and mix well. Place in refrigerator container with a tight fitting lid and store.

Baking Breads in A Can

Use a soup or vegetable can to bake breads, such as date nut bread. Just wash can, take paper off, spray with cooking spray, and bake. Open the other end with can opener, and the bread will slide out. Makes great little individual loaves for gift giving.

Make Your Own Embossing Ink

For embossing ink, use any color of Rit Dye, 1/4 tsp. alcohol, and 5 Tbsp. glycerin. Carefully blend dye and alcohol till it is the consistency of thin cream; starting with 1/2 tsp. of powdered dye and continue adding 1/8 tsp. at a time until it is like thin cream. Add glycerin. Blend well. Pour homemade ink over a stamp pad or a fine grain foam rubber pad. Spread the ink evenly with a brush, Popsicle stick, or the back of a spoon.

Note: To use small sponges as ink pads, cut compressed sponges into thin strips while dry, and add ink. It will create a thin smooth ink pad.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

Sidewalk chalk is sometimes expensive and not always easy to find. Mix 1 cup Plaster of Paris with 3\4 cup water and powder tempera paint of your color choice. Pour into an egg carton container, and let harden for 24 hours. Pop the molds out and enjoy. The shape of the sidewalk chalk is easy for smaller hands to use.

You can only purchase the 3 primary colors of tempera paint (red, yellow, and blue) and mix the powders together with the plaster and water to create so many beautiful colors. It makes a great science experiment too for the young ones!

Use Petroleum Jelly on Spray Pump to Keep from Jamming

Dab a tiny drop of petroleum jelly over the pinhole opening of a hairspray pump. It prevents residue from gumming up and rendering it useless. This also works for spray starch.

Use Car Window Cleaner for House Windows

I use gallon jugs of car window washer cleaner for cleaning my house windows. I just reuse an empty spray bottle or buy a cheap one and refill as needed. It works great on cleaning them. In the spring, I use the bug cleaner one and the rest of the time I use Rainex that sheets the rain off the window. It's the cheapest way to clean the windows and works great.

Deodroize toilet with vinegar

Deodorize your toilet bowl by allowing 3 cups white distilled vinegar to sit in it about 30 minutes before flushing.

To make the toilet bowl sparkle, pour in a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar and allow it to sit for several hours or overnight. Scrub well with a toilet brush and flush.

 

Dishwasher Detergent and Bleach to Brighten Whites

Everyone's white clothes eventually get dingy and gray. Here is a way to get them bright and white again and looking like they did when new. I found this tip many years ago from Heloise. It is to be used only on whites. In a plastic, enamel or stainless steel container, add 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent and 1/4 cup chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of hot water and mix well. Add whites such as socks and t-shirts and soak for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once in a while. Rinse well and wash as usual. This has worked well for me over the years.

Tip for a Moist Cake Every Time

Adding 1 tablespoon of honey to any cake batter keeps your cake moist. The honey draws moisture to the cake and it stays moist from first slice to last. You do not need to change any ingredients and it can be added to a box cake mix or a homemade cake.

Air-Freshener with coffee filter

  The other day I was thinking about air -fresheners and how expensive they can be.  When I go to the store, I get those little bottles of oil in the section where you get the candles.  They have over 50 scents and they last.  So I had alot of coffee filter flowers from before. I took one of the coffee filter flowers and dip the end of the q-tip that was sticking out of the flower and brush slightly the flower part to disperse the scent.  The decanter is also a dab or two of the scent in the bottom of the decanter.

Removing Temporary Tattoos

Scrubbing a temporary tattoo can take a long time if you scrub it with soap and water. A quick and easy way to remove one is to use rubbing alcohol applied with a cotton ball. Just wet the tattoo with alcohol and rub it with the cotton ball. After about three applications, the tattoo will be gone. It takes about 30 seconds to remove.

 

Reuse Glass Water Bottles, Not Plastic

The economy has affected many of us in the last couple of years. Trying to shop for a family of five and stay within budget isn't easy sometimes, especially when you are trying to buy healthy items that everyone will like.

Sometimes it is tempting to buy soft drinks as a treat because they're on sale, but I try to avoid them. I decided to try the bottled teas instead. They are more expensive, but because they are glass, I wash them with a bottle brush and refill them with filtered water.

I keep them in the fridge so the kids can grab them anytime, and as a result, they're drinking more water. I tell them to put them in the sink to be rewashed and used, so we aren't littering landfills with plastic water bottles.

It might just be me, but the water tastes so much better out of glass bottles!

Removing Build Up from Tea Kettle

Get rid of lime deposits in a tea kettle by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water and letting it sit overnight.

If more drastic action is needed, boil full-strength white vinegar in the kettle a few minutes, let cool, and re-use the tea kettle with plain water. Don't pour the tea kettle vinegar down the drain.

You can freshen the drain if you first pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then pour the hot vinegar down the drain. Or, you could use the vinegar to kill weeds. Make it do double duty!

Extinguishing Kitchen Fires

Every year thousands of people have kitchen fires. These fires can become very dangerous and can get out of control quickly. A fire extinguisher is very helpful in situations such as this, but a simple remedy can save your home.

Keep a large box of baking soda near your stove. Should a fire occur, you just throw baking soda on it and keep it contained until you can get more help. Usually the baking soda will put out the fire immediately and doesn't cost much for such a simple solution.

So the next time you go to the store, buy a box of baking soda and keep it within reach should you need it

Convert Human Bandanna to Fit Dog

Instead of spending a fortune on doggie scarves, buy bandannas for humans and cut them diagonally. Either cut the diagonal with pinking shears or cut with regular scissors and hem.

Each bandanna gives you 2 scarves, one for your dog and one for a gift for a friends' special pet. Individual bandannas can be found in numerous prints and range from $1.00 to $1.50 each.

It is really fun to dress up your dog with a special scarf for each holiday. You can even wear the second one yourself for a matching set with your dog

Use Comet To Clean Ceramic Cooktops

We have all done it, taken our eye off the milk, the sugar, the boiling veggies, etc. and ended up with horrible, hard to remove burns on the ceramic cook top. The commercial cleaners are expensive.

The cheapest AND easiest way to remove the burns is to sprinkle the entire top with Comet, cover with two damp cloths, go to bed, and have restful sleep with no sore arms! In the morning while coffee is brewing, just pick up cloths and wipe up the excess Comet. Voila! Bright sparkly cook top with no burn marks and no sore muscles from scrubbing:)

Removing Burned on Food from Pans

If you have burned on gunk in a pan, soak the pan or burner ring in dishwasher detergent. Just put some in the pan, add hot water, and let sit for a few hours or overnight. Stuff will come right off. This works better than dish soap, baking soda, dryer sheets etc.

Sock Tops for Arm Warmers

 

Easily extend your wardrobe by adding hand/arm warmers!

You will need:

• a pair of socks (either crew or knee)
• embroidery floss (or other cording or thread) and needle
• sharp scissors

Directions:

Cut both socks off where you want them above the heel. It's much easier to cut one then cut the second one by laying the first one on top of the 2nd one so they are both the exact same length. If you want to use the foot part of the sock for footies just whip stitch the top and add a pompom or something if you want to help keep it from slipping down into your shoe.

Decide where you want your thumb to come through and snip. Be careful, socks are stretchy, so even a small snip can be too much sometimes. You can always enlarge the thumb hole.

After cutting the first one, do the same thing with one sock on top of the other to cut a second thumb hole. Machine or handstitch to finish edges.

Add embellishments if you like : buttons, lace, ribbons, or sequins for example. Have fun!

I haven't finished the top edge of my hand warmers yet; I have the tops turned under.