Keeping Furniture From Sliding on Hardwood

We recently had hardwood flooring installed in our house. The first problem that I encountered afterward was that our couch needs to sit away from the wall, but on the hardwood, it always slid backwards. I wanted a solution to keep the couch exactly where I wanted it but also one that wouldn't show too much. Ultimately we decided to use pieces of the leftover hardwood cut to the length I needed. Here's what we did:

1. Measured the distance that I wanted to keep the couch out from the wall, then cut two length of flooring to the right length.
2. I purchased a sheet of sticky-backed felt (like the felt feet) at the hardware store and cut 4 strips, the length and height of the board ends, to protect the wall and the couch legs. I stuck those to the board ends.
3. Then I took some non-slip shelf liner and cut to strips just smaller than the board so they wouldn't show.
4. I put the boards behind the couch, with the liner underneath, and pushed the couch back against them. The couch has stayed in place, just how I want it and the boards just blend in with the flooring!

Keep Pets Safe and Happy on July Fourth

Keep your pets inside on the night of July 4th. Anytime the fireworks are going off, keep them in and give them a Kong filled with peanut butter. It is like a puzzle with food in it, the pet has to figure it out.

There are calming aids that can be given to dogs and cats.

Doc Roy's Docile Dog - This is a natural product. This calms anxious dogs down. Comfort Zone with DAP for dogs is also a good product.

Feliway for cats is a good calming product for cats.

I would start a few days before July 4, and go on a few days afterward. Start earlier if there are more fireworks earlier than this.

The reason you want to calm them and give them toys that are hard to figure out, such as Kongs, is that they could easily become anxious over any loud noise and this would make them nervous. July 4 is very traumatic for a dog or cat who is afraid. Most of them are. Talking and scolding do not do any good and can cause harm.

For more info, go to:

• http://www.revivalanimal.com/
http://www.drsfostersmith.com

Foot Care

To soften my feet I use white distilled vinegar. I fill a bucket with just enough hot water to cover my feet and one cup of vinegar microwaved for one minute. I soak them until the mixture has cooled. Then I use a pumice stone to exfoliate the rough spots and pat feet dry. Then I slather with lotion and cover with some type of petroleum jelly (even Neosporin). I then put on socks. I either do this at bedtime or before I go to work, so that they are being moisturized all day. It feels weird at first, but they stay soft. Vinegar is good for killing fungus and other yucky foot things too. I also use vinegar to clean my face to eliminate acne (do not get near eyes). Vinegar is great for a lot of things!

Easy Marbled Nail Art

Here's an easy and fun way to do really beautiful nail art at home. I get compliments on them every time!

Supplies:

• small glass or plastic bowl
• water, room temp.
• Scotch tape
• clear base/top coat polish
• nail polish, different colors
• toothpicks
• Q-tips
• nail polish remover

Directions:

1. Choose a couple colors of nail polish you'd like to marble.
2. Apply a base coat to your nails. Let dry.
3. Fill a plastic bowl with room temperature water.
4. Put scotch tape around your nails to make it easier to remove extra polish.
5. Choose a polish, take out the brush. Hold it over the bowl of water and allow one droplet to fall in (hold close to water's surface). The color will spread.
6. Do the same with another polish, and drop the polish in the center of the first polish. Keep alternating colors until desired levels are achieved.
7. Taking a toothpick and swirl around the surface to make marbled designs.
8. Quickly dip your nail, face down, into the design and pick up. Let dry a few seconds, then remove the scotch tape from around your nail.
9. Remove excess polish from around your nail with a q-tip dipped in nail polish remover.
10. When polish is dry, apply a clear top coat.

Prevent and Treating Swimmers Ear

Anyone who has ever had swimmers ear knows how painful it is. Put equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol into a small bottle with a dropper lid. Close, and shake gently. Put 8 to 10 drops in your ear, tilt your head sideways for a few minutes so the drops don't come out. Then allow to drain. Repeat with the other ear. If you already have swimmers ear use vinegar only.

Pets and Emergencies

Many of us live in areas where there are earthquakes, floods and tornadoes. I live in an earthquake/flood/lahar zone. Sometime we may be forced to evacuate to a safer place. If you have a cat like I do, and need to grab them quickly to take them to a safe place or shelter, they usually have a mind of their own. Most times they won't come when called (especially if they are afraid). Recently I was on a website that has ideas for dealing with pets in an emergency. Here are 3 that I found especially useful for dogs and cats:

1. Every time you feed your pet make a special noise or whistle. This way he will remember that "special noise" and know he's going to receive food. If you need to grab your pet in a hurry to remove them from danger, you simply make that same noise and he will come running and you can take him to a safe place, away from danger! (Also: Remember, the electric can opener will not work if there's no electricity, so if your pets come running when they hear it, use another sound!)
All of us should have a pet carrier. Many pets think they are going to the vet when they see us get out the pet carrier, this can really scare them! To re-condition their minds to think "happy thoughts" when they see the pet carrier, do this: When you feed them, make the "special noise" (from above), then put their bowl of food in the pet carrier and walk away (so they won't think you are going to shut the door on them). If you feed your pet in the pet carrier daily, they will begin to feel good about the carrier and it will make it easy to get your pet into their carrier in an emergency with minimal trouble!
Every pet should have his or her own pet carrier. If you have cats that usually get along well with each other, you might be able to get by with buying only one medium-large size carrier, but remember, we never know what they will do in an emergency. It's best to have a carrier for each animal we have in our family. They always say to get a carrier that's just big enough for the animal to "turn around in". But after reading up a bit on pets in emergencies, I found that it's important for cat's have a carrier that is big enough to also fit a cat-box in it.

We saw what happened to pets during "Katrina", so don't wait until it happens! Read up now so you'll know what to do before it happens! The top URL is the best. It has information not only about what to do afterward, but also, what pets do to warn us before an earthquake.

If you leave for a shelter and can't find your pet, be sure to leave lots of water for it and post an emergency phone number on your front door, in case someone finds your pet and check back at home daily if possible.

Remember, in a fire, just GET OUT, and get your family out. Leave a door open for your pets to escape. They will know what to do. Be sure to post a sicker on your door or window so the fire department will know you have pets and how many. These are available at most fire departments.

Here are several Great URL's for dealing with animals in emergencies:

• www.cyberpet.com
• www.millennium-ark.net
  If you have any stories or tips that could help us animal lovers know what to do in emergency situations, please post them here!

Tie Dyed Nails

If you are looking for a fun thing to try on your nails, pick your favorite colors and tie dye them!

Approximate Time: 45 minutes

Supplies:

• white nail polish
• colored nail polish (2 or more colors)
• top coat
• Scotch tape
• toothpicks
• small glass bowl
• water
• nail polish remover
• orange stick or Q-tips

Instructions:

1. For best results, if polishing natural nails, wipe your nails with nail polish remover to remove the natural oils on your nails. This will help your nail polish to stay on longer.
2. Cover your workspace with paper to protect it.
3. Paint your nails with white nail polish (or another base coat of your choice). Allow to dry completely.
4. Fill your bowl with water and unscrew the lids of your polishes so that they are easier to use once your fingers are taped.
5. Using Scotch tape, tape around your nail to limit the amount of excess polish that gets onto your skin. *We found it easier if you had a friend to help with the taping. :)
6. Put a drop or two of any color polish into the center of the water. Follow, with each other color that you have selected on top of the previous color. (We chose purple, teal, and clear with glitter.)
7. Take a toothpick and carefully swirl the colors together.
8. Now, carefully dip your finger just to the side of the color, bring it up under the colors, and out of the water. You can also try to put your finger into the color, nail side down, and then lift your nail up. See which technique gives you the best results.
9. Allow your fingernails to dry and then carefully remove the tape.
10. Dip your orange stick or Q-tips into the nail polish remover and remove any excess polish from around your nails.
11. Apply a layer of clear coat, allow to dry. You may want to your a quick dry coat too, as the tie dye polish can be a little thick and slow drying.