It seems that some folks are blessed each year with always being the visitor for Thanksgiving dinner and not the cook. It usually works out that those same people disappear when it comes time to clean up and do the dishes. At least that's how it worked as far back as I can remember. Nonetheless I think I can help make this years Thanksgiving dinner a little lighter on the wallet or purse ... read more »

Sometimes all we need in life is a little direction or information to make everyday life a little more enjoyable or less stressful. I once shared with a very busy mother of three that making a little more food on her Sunday night dinner could make Monday school lunches easier to manage. She could fix the lunches Sunday night while she cleaned up from dinner. Easy enough I know, but not if you nev... read more »

Here in south central Indiana, as well as in many different parts of the country, most of us heat our homes with natural gas. And that was fine with me - at least until I got my first, winter utility bill, last year. My average bill runs around two hundred dollars per month. But in January of 2008, the total bill was $520. I was sure that the utility company had made a mistake. Not! After... read more »

This is the season for pumpkins. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all synonymous with pumpkins, whether you're carving them for decorations or using them for your pies and desserts. Pound for pound, pumpkins are affordable, delicious and nutritious. But do you know how to pick a pumpkin? With so many from which to choose at the grocery store, how can you tell which pumpkin is the... read more »

Growing up we had a garden every year. When I moved out on my own I couldn't wait to start my very own garden. I ran into one problem, I had very little space. My apartment only had a small backyard patio and I saw no way that I would be enjoying garden fresh vegetables through the summer. Then I found the answer that I needed, container gardening. Instead of planting in the ground, plants a... read more »

There might be billions of germs and bateria in your bathroom or kitchen. A recent test I saw on a television show, I don't recall which one, let a couple know that they had germs in their bathroom that could cause many different diseases and there were even traces of fecal matter in the kitchen sink. As a rule kitchens are more contaminated than most bathrooms (about 500,000 germs psi). ... read more »

Often we need to get hold of a company and their toll free number is no where to be found. Not only can't you find a toll free number but it's hard to find any number. You call directory assistance and the company has so many different offices in so many different states, you really don't know which one to pick. You turn to the Internet and search the Yellow Pages, the company'... read more »

In the movie Mo' Money, Damon and Shawn Wayans tried everything to get the finer things in life. They soon found out, as Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross sang, "The Best Things In Life Are Free". There are many ways to get free and discounted products from companies and the Internet is a wonderful place to find the free offers. I use a website called Absurdly Cool Freebies. (http:... read more »

Wood furniture is expensive and replacing it is usually not an option but most stains are visible and hard to hide. Treated quickly these remedies are very effective in cleaning up damage to most wood surfaces. For everyday cleaning a mild detergent or store bought spray will work. Try the removal treatments below for more stubborn stains. Candle Wax Use a piece of ice to harden the wax. Then... read more »

My friends have pets, so they can not have a motion sensor security system. They still got the little gadgets and installed them as if they were really connected. The prospective burgler might overlook that the lights are not on on the sensors. It can help to have an alarm warning sticker well placed. They do not have pet doors for the dogs, because they are too big, so they tought to teach bo... read more »