HOW TO… Start a Swapping Network

Back when I was a small child (and I am closing in on 45 fast) I would often receive a bag of goodies that included new (to me) clothes and toys. Back then, hand-me-downs were a common thing. Hand-me-downs are still common for me. Eleven years ago when I purchased my first (and current) home, [...]

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HOW TO…Create a Laundry Helper

Before I created this “thing,” my clothes pins were in a small plastic container that I would grab and stick into my laundry basket. Often the pins would fall out of the container and through my laundry basket onto the ground. When I put clothes on the line or took them off, my hands were [...]

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HOW TO… Save Money at the Mechanic

Sometimes when I walk into an auto repair shop I feel like I have a big bullseye painted on my shirt. Yes, I’m a woman, and it is true that I know next to nothing about automobiles. I have decided to be a better auto repair consumer. Example #1: I went to the mechanic to [...]

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HOW TO… Be Prepared for an Emergency

First off, there is no way any one person or any one post can give you all the information you need to be prepared. And, there are many different types of emergencies – and no one size fits all. However, it is better to start than not do anything. A number of years ago I [...]

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HOW TO… Refresh an Old Picnic Table

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have 20 people coming over for a party this Saturday, and if it isn’t raining, I hope that many will enjoy the outdoors. It will make it much easier for the 100-year-old birthday honoree to hear with fewer people talking nearby. So, as I’m trying to find [...]

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Seeing the Good / Acts of Kindness

I know that the economic situation across the country and across the globe is pretty bad right now. Many people are suffering because of loss of job and loss of homes, and in some cases a loss of community. Many are in pure “survival mode” – worrying about where their next meal will come, or [...]

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HOW TO…Fix a Quick Cheap Meal

Do you have a skill that will help folks save money or better cope with the current economy? If so, head over to Margaret’s Ramblings on Friday and sign up – giving your blog link. Those who read my blog regularly know I don’t cook (much). Trust me, this is not a fancy dish, but [...]

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HOW TO… Transplant Tomatoes

Back in January I planted 54 tomato seed: 18 Roma, 18 Big Boy and 18 cherry. In February they had germinated nicely. The 18 on the far left are the pepper plants – they took longer to germinate. Now – look at them! I probably should have transplanted these a while ago. But, today I [...]

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HOW TO… Fix a Toilet

My boarder recently moved out of the spare bedroom and bath in my house and I got a chance to get in these spaces and assess the work that needed to be done. I spent last Saturday fixing the toilet in the bathroom. The “guts” of the toilet needed to be removed and new inners [...]

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Nothing For Today

Today is my usual “How To” post day – and seriously I have not had a chance to get anything together for it. This past two weeks has been jam packed with activities and work. Hopefully I will catch up on my sleep this weekend and get back into the groove next week.

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