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Family Party
 
 
A great family gift for a BIG PARTY..
A retirement or shower also..
Local Bedding stores.. ( I find the ones I use at our Target here in town.. Around $70.00 for the single quilted HEAVY BEDSPREAD.. You will know what I mean.. NO FLUFFLY STUFF!! EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO WRITE ON THIS PIECE OF FABIRC!! FLAT!!!)
I ALWAYS PICK THE CREAM COLORED ONES..
BUY PERMANENT SMALL TIPPED MARKERS IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT COLOR'S.. Have extra DARK COLORS...
EVERYONE WHO COMES TO THE PARTY..
SIGNS AND ADDS A SPECIAL WORD OR TWO!!! ( Remind everyone.. THE PEN'S ARE PERMANENT...
We made one for Flora for her 90th birthday..
WHAT A WONDERFUL GIFT. She has this with her at the Home now..
I had one made for my parents. Together as a 40th Wedding quilt, and separate birthdate. What GIFTS THESE ARE!!! I have all these and often hug them, everyone..
My cousins have done this for their parents also.. We have done this for showers..  The type of FABRIC IS COMPLETELY UP TO YOU.. You can make it large enough for a PICTURE FRAME using SHEETS!! Or, as a quilt you will finish off later.. WHAT FUN!! A REAL QUILTING BEE..
 
 
 
6/19/2004
Gift Ideas
 
 
 An idea for gift giving.
For Bridal shower's:
  I buy a cake pan with a cover. Then, go to the spice isle and buy the small containers of spices.. (You know..)Those  really small round ones..Fill cake pan with desired spices. Wrap with heavy duty tin foil.
Don't care for the spice idea?
Go to the kitchen isle, Pick out spoons, measuring cups.. You know..
Or, if they are really into Health stuff.. The vitamin isle.
Health food stuff...
Or, the paper isle. Everyone can ALWAYS use wrapping paper, tape, bows...
Personal isle.. If this is a personal shower..
Baby shower? Go to the baby isle and fill up a small waste basket, or small laundry basket..
Your choices are endless. The container's can be small or large...

 
Instead of BRINGING FOOD to a family after a death..
Think about bringing a supply of paper plates, silverware, cups, glasses, dishes, napkins; pre-packed coffees, hot chocolates, teas for guests and family to use..
Or, sets of CHEAP containers.. FOR LEFTOVERS!!

For a Baby or Bridal shower, Gift for retiring/ relocating worker..
   Start a recipe box for Co-workers .
Since everyone should already know of the pending birth, wedding or retirement or move..
 Place this BOX in the lunch room or some place everyone will be able to add to it.TELL THE BOSSES TOO!!!
Have a nice supply of recipe cards.. All different colors or just plain ole  white ones.. A couple of good pens around for those who might think of something and don't have a pen is nice also..
   Allowing the choices to be the givers'.. Ask for  SPECIAL MESSAGES, HINTS, TIPS, RECIPES, A PICTURE OF THE GIVER (SIGNED AND DATED, PLEASE..). Make sure everyone knows they are allowed to add as MANY CARDS AS THEY WISH..
  Keep the BOX available for everyone for a month or so.. Call those on vacation or leave. Tell them your plans and allow them to send their choices..
   When the special date arrives.. Give to the person intended..
A WONDERFUL BOX OF MEMORIES...
 
 
 
6/19/2004
Gifts and Help for the Elderly
 
 
For the Elderly.
If they know how to use a PHONE CARD, or have someone who will help them use this..
BUY A PHONE CARD FOR LONG DISTANCE CALLS..
A BOOK OF STAMP'S.
SOME ENVELOPES AND PAPER.
DON'T FORGET THE PENS!!!!
BAGS WITH PRETTY CREPE PAPER FOR GIFT GIVING..
BOXES OF ASSORTED CARDS..
Some of the things Flora got for her birthday this year..
 HER FAVORITE MAKE-UP, HAND LOTION, A NEW LIPSTICK, NEW KNEE-HIGH NYOLNS, NEW PANTS SOCKS, NEW GLOVES. Oh yeah, I found a bunch of those nylon scarf thingies she thinks keep that South Dakota howling wind out of her ears.. (WELL.. MAYBE NOT!!) She was so happy to get new scarves!!! She uses them around her neck area and wears to bed to protect her hair.. I also sent her favorite deoderant, face cleansers, and face creams. And, a small spray perfume.
She also got boxes of candy. Be sure to check with the Director if the sweets are okay..
EVERYONE  LOVES  PICTURES..  BE SURE TO WRITE ON THE PICTURE WHO IT IS AND WHEN IT WAS TAKEN, AND THE RELATIONSHIP TO THE RESIDENT.. The Nurses will be able to tell the resident who it is if they do not remember.. Visitors will also..
If Living in a Nursing Home. Talk with the Director. See if you can add to or set up a fund for the resident.. They can use this for Perms, small treats.. Whatever.. They are only allowed so much money, so a mental note to yourself to call and ask if they might need a little more money every month or so is best. Write this on a calendar every month as a to-do thingy..
The money is MUCH SAfER in the hands of the Director than in the resident's drawers.. Not because the person might forget where it is, but, THEY MIGHT BE STOLEN..
If living on their own..
The gift box with SMALL SPICE SELECTIONS IS A GREAT IDEA.. EVERYDAY USEFUL STUFF!!!
If you know what they use for personal items.. Well, everyone can use these..
Call the cable or power. They are not allowed to give out personal information, yet.. THEY DO NOT CARE WHO PAYS THE BILL!!! OFFER TO PAY SO MUCH ON SO AND SO'S BILLING..
Hire a HOUSEKEEPER FOR A DAY!! COME OVER AND DIRECT THIS PERSON.. A REALLY GOOD HOUSE CLEANING!!!
Carpets and everything cleaned also..
KEEP IN MIND... YOU NEED TO BE THERE ALSO!!
If you see a plumbing problem.. CALL AND PAY FOR THE PLUMBER.. Often times the elderly do not see the water running or hear the toilets running.
 
 
 
6/19/2004
Giving a Shower?
 
 
If you do not have space to put on a shower in your home..
Many churches or rec centers have areas to rent for a small fee.
Many people use the Rec center spaces for Graduation parties.. Or, the park shelters.
Either bring your own food or cater in..
Our church has a group of ladies who help for these events.. (I'm one of them..) WE LOVE HELPING for stuff like this.. We will serve your food, Clean up the mess.
Besides.. WE REALLY DO ENJOY GETTING TOGETHER FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN A FUNERAL...

 
An easy shower idea.
  Book a party of the person's choice.. Tupperware, Stanley, Pampered Chef..
Get a good idea of Number of invites you will need. Send the CATOLOGUES along with a short invite. Everyone BUYS SOMETHING for the shower and gives to guest of honor..
Have a detailed list of requests from honored person for eeryone to think about.
We did this for a friend and she just loved it.. It was a Stanley party.. She did get alot of NEAT STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Plus she got the HOSTESS GIFTS AND BONUS GIFTS..
We had almost no work involved..
We also did one as a Watkin's party. NO WORK AT ALL FOR THIS ONE.. She made all the food for samplings..
 
 
 
6/19/2004
Household Deodorizers
 
 
NO NEED TO BUY EXPENSIVE GARBAGE FRIDGE CARPET OR DISPOSAL FRESHENER'S:
For the GARBAGE..
A simple box of baking soda mixed with GROUND CLOVES will do..
Sprinkle a bit on the bottom of containter.. IN BAG IF YOU WISH..
(I have a box of this mixed in a  GLASS container for everything.. ALL THE TIME!! TWO boxes of baking soda with a small container of ground cloves.. Is  PLENTY!! for your need's...)

For your DISPOSAl:
Every time you have fresh citrus fruit.. Such as orange, lemon, lime, .. ORANGE IS BEST..Cut the peeling's small and use in disposal..SAVE IN FRIDGE FOR THE NEXT DAY IF YOU NEED TO!! LEMON IS NICE ALSO!!!

HOWEVER..IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUY THAT BOX OF GARBAGE FRESHENER.
You can use it to freshen a closet.. No need to sprinkle.. Just place in a safe small bowl .. In the CLOSET..  Same in a bedroom, living room or room of your choice..
Add some to a well-secured cheesecloth as a drawer fresher.

If you wash you floor or anything else with BLEACH..
Pour it down the kitchen or bathroom sink.. (Unless you might clog it) This will BLEACH THE AREA.

Wipe your no-wax cleaner stuff mixed with water or whatever around your sinks and tubs.  It will help keep them clean..

 
 
 
6/19/2004
Roasted Peppers
 
 
Roasted Fresh Peppers:
 
 
Place fresh peppers on aluminum foil, then broil for about 10 minutes on each side or until blackened.  Gather the foil around each pepper until cooled.  The loosened skins will then peel off easily.
 
From Gary Heete of Jamestown, NC, via Taste of Home Magazine, Feb/Mar 2001 http://www.tasteofhome.com

Reply from dianne11323:
 
RESEALABLE FOIL!!!
GREAT STUFF!!
This idea works great for kakobs and broiled veggies also..
 
 
 
6/19/2004
Vacation Remembrances
 
 
 For a great family rememberance of a camping trip ot vacation.
Bring some GOOD HEAVY cardboard. Cut into frame sizes. The cardboard will be the FRAME OF THE PICTURE YOU ORDER. Cut the inside of the cardboard to just cover the outer edges of your picture.. Enough so you can glue the picture on. If you wish, have another piece of cardboard for backing. Do not cut inside of back piece. Glue back to front after you have glued the picture in the front. 
Collect TREASURES.. Seashells, tiny rocks, seeds, WHATEVER!! Anything that will remind you of the vacation or special outing!!!
(You should see some of our PICTURE FRAMES !!!!!!!)
With glue gun or Elmer's glue. (We use ELMER'S!!! Much safer for tiny fingers..)
Fasten the TREASURES around the picture frame.. One tip, do not make large groupings or alot of heavy TREASURES for one frame. TINY LITTLE GROUPINGS.. Mixing light weights with heavier weights..
Allow to completely dry!!!
ENJOY!!!
We have done this for 30 years.. WE HAVE SOME GREAT ONES!!! Hmm, DO THEY EVEN MAKE ANY DIFFERENT KIND OF PICTURE FRAMES???
Great idea for a grandparent or loved one who could not attend the outing.. 
 
 
 
6/19/2004
Uses for Corn Starch
 
 
SOME IDEA'S FOR CORN STRATCH
-------------------------------
Kill cockroaches.
Mix equal parts Corn Starch and plaster of Paris. Sprinkle the mixture in cracks and crevices. Cockroaches will eat the mixture and "petrify."

I DO THIS ALL THE TIME, AND IT WORK'S!!!!!!!!

-----------------------------

Clean a carpet.
Sprinkle Corn Starch on the carpet, wait thirty minutes, then vacuum clean.
------------------------------

Clean blood stains.
Immediately cover the spot with a paste of Corn Starch and cold water. Rub gently, place the object in the sun until dry to draw the blood into the corn starch, then brush off. Repeat if necessary.
-----------------------------------------------

Make spray starch for clothing.
Mix one tablespoon Corn Starch and one pint cold water. Stir to dissolve the corn starch completely. Fill a spray bottle and use as you would any starch. Be sure to shake vigorously before each use.
---------------------------------------------

I do this when packing away old books.. This seems to really help..

Prevent or kill mildew in damp books.
Sprinkle Corn Starch throughout the book to absorb the moisture from damp pages, wait several hours, then brush clean. If the pages are mildewed, brush the corn starch off outdoors to keep mildew spores out of the house.
---------------------------------------

Detangle knots.
Sprinkle a stubborn knot with a little Corn Starch.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT.. THIS REALLY DOES WORK!!!!!

-----------------------------------------

Absorb excess polish from furniture.
After polishing furniture, sprinkle on a little Corn Starch and rub wood with a soft cloth.

--------------------------------

Clean silver.
Make a paste with Corn Starch and water. Apply with a damp cloth, let dry, then rub off with cheesecloth

-------------------------------

Remove grease or oil stains from smooth fabric.
Apply Corn Starch to the spot, wait twelve hours, brush off, then launder as usual.
 
 
 
6/22/2004
Uses for Dental Floss
 
 
Some idea's for Waxed or non Waxed DENTAL FLOSS..
-----------------------------------------

Repair the mesh screeningon playpens.
Sew up the rip with Waxed Floss.
--------------------------------

Repair a tent or backpack.
When hiking or camping, Waxed Floss makes a durable, strong thread for tough repairs.
-------------------------------------

Sew buttons on heavy coats.
Use Waxed Floss as a durable thread.

I used this on my kids shirts way back when they were little. Kids seem to lose there buttons on there shirts so I tried this it really works on winter coats too works well.

-------------------------------

Hang pictures, sun catchers, or wind chimes.
Waxed Floss is stronger and more durable than ordinary string.
 
 
 
6/22/2004
Uses for Lemon Juice and Lemons
 
 
SOME IDEA'S YOU CAN USE LEMON JUICE OR LEMON'S FOR..
-----------------------------------
Remove ink spots from clothing.
While ink is wet, apply Lemon liberally to the spot, then wash the garment in normal cycle with regular detergent in cold water.

I will say, this works best if you can line dry your garment in the sun.
I use Real Lemon juice FROM THE STORE!!! The stuff in the green bottle..
--------------------------------------------

Remove rust and mineral discolorations on cotton t-shirts and briefs.
Use one cup Lemon juice in the washer.
Again, best if you can SUN DRY THE GARMENT'S...

----------------------------

THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE, AND I DO THIS ALL THE TIME!!!!!
-----------------------------
Clean a microwave oven.
Add four tablespoons Lemon juice to one cup water in a microwave-safe, four-cup bowl. Boil for five minutes in the microwave, allowing the steam to condense on the inside walls of the oven. Then wipe clean.
 
 
 
6/22/2004