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Wrapping paper

September 28, 2008 – 2:42 pm

The holidays are rapidly approaching and ever so slowly, the Christmas decorations are becoming more and more visible. People are hitting the malls a bit early in order to avoid the mad holiday rush and remain organized. My aunt already has all of her gifts bought for people and already had the wrapping paper out to disguise them as well. Though she doesn’t put her tree up until December, she has them all sitting in her guest room waiting for their grand debut.

If you’re anything like me, you might stock up after the holidays on things for the next season. I have gotten cards, decorations and wrapping paper for almost free by purchasing after Christmas is over. Sure, I have to store them all year, but if my costs are cut in more than half, it is definitely worthwhile. That’s more money that I can spend on buying gifts for others, or myself. Though decorations are sometimes hard to find after the holidays, wrapping paper usually remains in abundance. That’s what I always love to stock up on.

My favorite thing to do is buy plain green or red wrapping paper. Then, I’ll buy wrapping paper that has big snowmen or characters on it. I’ll spend some time cutting out the snowmen, snowflakes, Santas or anything else, and set them aside. After wrapping a gift in the plain colored paper, the cut-outs make excellent name tags. The recipients usually love them and it adds a creative touch to gift-giving. I’ve also kept Christmas cards that I’ve received and cut them apart as well to use as name tags. You can do this for any occasion - cut up birthday cards and use plain wrapping paper for birthday presents. If you venture to some Dollar Stores or discount stores, you can get wrapping paper for any occasion. Decorating packages or using name tags isn’t just limited to Christmas. You can do it for anything - baby gifts, showers, weddings, you name it.

Since my daughter is getting older and now enjoys coloring, she loves to help me make wrapping paper. For my husband’s Father’s Day gift, I got a roll of plain white wrapping paper and let her color all over it. We used it to wrap his gift and he absolutely loved it. She was completely thrilled that it looked so wonderful and that he’d made such a big deal out of it. I’m not sure who was happier about it. Let your kids help you make wrapping paper. Not only will they be thrilled but they might just be entertained for a while and the recipients will most likely be thrilled about getting a gift with homemade wrapping paper covering it.

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Table Centerpieces

September 26, 2008 – 2:29 pm

When you think of table centerpieces, you quite often think of flower arrangements. There are so many other things you can do, and you dont have to use flowers if you dont want to. When it comes to finding or making something to spice up your table setting, you dont have to limit yourself to the traditional. What you do is up to you, your tastes and whatever the occasion may be. Dont be afraid to experiment with a few different ideas before you decide on what you like.

Dont be afraid to use flower arrangements for your table centerpieces if that is what you want to do. You can go with a simple arrangement you buy at your florist, or you can choose one type of cut flower in a color that matches your placemats and napkins. If you would like, you can go to a craft store to buy dried flower arrangements for you table centerpieces, and these you can keep to use time and time again, or to put in another part of your home once your occasion or holiday is over.

Another popular choice for table centerpieces is to use candles. You can use one large pillar candle set on an attractive tray if you like, or you can use an assortment of colors, sizes and shapes to make it more interesting. You can use candles with almost anything when making table centerpieces, and you may find these to be the most versatile. You dont even have to light the candles for it to be attractive, and you can pair the candles with fresh or dried flowers if you like. Just remember to keep it safe. You dont want your flowers to catch fire from the candles.

Dont forget to think about different items when you are working on table centerpieces. A simple bowl of fruit can be a stunning piece. If you get a dozen oranges, limes, or lemons and put them into a bowl, you may be surprised to see how nice it looks on your table. Other items for table centerpieces might be things that you use everyday that are related to your event. If you have a special dessert planned, that might be great for the center of the table. If you are hosting a special occasion and you still have no idea what you want, you can stroll through a furniture store to see what they use for their display. You may think this is a silly idea, but you may find some of your best ideas in displays.

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Screened In Porches

September 23, 2008 – 4:13 pm

One of the most pleasant activities I enjoy in the summer is sitting out on my porch or in my backyard as the sun sets. By this time, the temperature has cooled down, but the air is still warm. This is the perfect time to enjoy being outside without feeling like I am burning up. The downfall of this, however, is the amount of mosquitoes and bugs that hang out in my yard. For some reason, they seem to be more numerous than ever, and it makes sitting outside at dusk an unpleasant experience. One remedy for this is screened in porches. Many of my neighbors have them, and I hope to have one soon myself.

You can find people to build screened in porches, or you can just screen a porch you already have. This can be tricky though, because it does take some skill to get it right. You should contact a contractor to ask how much such an endeavor might cost, and how long it would take them to complete it. Remember that they might be busy, so you may not get your porch finished for weeks. Screened in porches might be something you should look into in the early spring so it is done by the time the sun gets hot, and the bugs come out to play.

There are kits you can use to build your own screened in porches, but I’m not sure how durable or how reliable they are. You may not know until you get it up. You will know it’s good if you can sit on your porch and enjoy the weather without getting bit. You can usually use common sense when looking at something to see if it will work on your particular porch, or if perhaps you need something that is custom built. Some people prefer custom built because they can match their screened in porch to their own personalities.

Many companies specialize in screened in porches, and you can order a DVD from them to see what they have to offer. These DVDs will show you examples of screened in porches, and show you what they have done in the past. They may also show you what colors and sizes they can do, and what to expect as far as price. Remember to ask about a final price if you decide to order. Each porch is different, and the final price will depend on how much work has to be done.

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Plastic Storage Cabinets

September 20, 2008 – 11:30 am

Picking out the right plastic storage cabinets can be no easy matter. After all, there are a huge variety of storage cabinet plastic out there. Many people do not even like using a plastic storage cabinet, and indeed there are a lot of other alternatives for storing your good s and valuables. A lot of people like metal storage shelves, because they are so much more rugged, and can hold about as much weight as you might want to put on them. I can see the point of this argument, but I still think that a plastic storage cabinet is the right choice for me for a lot of reasons. First of all, a plastic storage cabinet has rounded edges, and second of all, it is soft. It is possible to hurt yourself on a metal storage locker, but with a plastic storage cabinet you are safe even if you do run into it some time. I also think that the fact that they are a good bit cheaper, and that they do not rust gives plastic storage lockers a decisive lead over other kinds of storage. But, of course, just because I prefer a plastic storage cabinet does not mean that you will for sure. You should think about what kind of storage fits your needs.

The problem is that there are so many things that I have to fit into each plastic storage cabinet that I own, and that is no lie. I have a plastic storage cabinet that I use for tools, but that includes anything from mini screwdrivers to hammers and saws and lug nuts. I have another plastic storage cabinet that I use for fishing tackle, sports equipment, and the like, which is a whole lot of different gear to fit in one standard size storage locker. The thing is that as soon as I start to fit one thing in just nice and neatly, there is something else that does not fit in my plastic storage cabinet the way that I want it to. It will either take up way to much space, hogging several drawers in the plastic storage cabinet which I had meant for other things, or else it will take up so little space that it will seem like a waste to give it its own drawer. I guess that, if you are as meticulous as I am, finding a way to arrange your plastic storage cabinet is never going to be an easy matter.

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Pepper Grinders

September 19, 2008 – 5:27 pm

If you are looking for a special gift for someone who may have just about everything you can think of, you might want to take a look at pepper grinders. These are often items that most people dont think to buy, but ending up loving once they get one. You can find them almost anywhere, and you may be surprised at the difference in your pepper once you start using one.

Dont laugh when I say that, it is very true. When you use pepper grinders, you are getting fresh ground pepper. The pepper balls are ground much like a coffee grinder grinds down the coffee bean. The resulting pepper is fresher than what you get out of the store, and it gives your food a brighter taste. There is something great about using pepper grinders to sprinkle fresh pepper over a delicious garden salad. You will also find that when you use fresh ground pepper, you will use less in your recipes. It has a better, fuller flavor, and you dont need as much to get a great taste.

A great advantage of pepper grinders is that you can experiment with different types of pepper. There are many kinds, though you may not realize that, and you can try different blends to see what you like best. You can get pepper from around the world and decide which kind you like the most. Some people wont know the difference, but if you know a foodie, they will love to go on that journey. They are also more likely to notice the fresh taste you get when you use pepper grinders. They may even like them so much that they then in turn start buying them for all of their friends to have in their kitchens.

So if you know someone who is really hard to shop for, consider buying him or her pepper grinders for Christmas, birthday, or other holiday. Many people buy every kitchen gadget they can find, but they often overlook the pepper grinders. They may look at you strange when they open it, but it may end up being something they brag about later. Not only will they enjoy the fresh taste, it will be a little extra touch they can use to impress their dinner guests. I once gave one to friends who were getting married. They indeed looked at me like I was loopy, but later told me they liked theirs so much that they got some for their parents and each of their siblings that year for the holidays.

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Painted Flower Pots

September 17, 2008 – 8:47 pm

If you want to add a whimsical look to your home or to your garden, you may want to get painted flower pots. This is a great way to add a special touch to your interior design, or a way to make your garden a little bit more a reflection of who you are. You can buy already designed flower pots in a variety of colors or patterns, or you can do them yourself. This can be a great afternoon craft project for you, or something you can do with your children. You may even want to start a home business if you find you have a flair for designing them.

If you want already painted flower pots, you can find them easily enough. You should spend some time shopping around to find the perfect pot. There will be painted flower pots that are a single color, or ones that come in patterns. You may also find some that have a theme like frogs, cats, or horses. The possibilities are limitless, and you only have to search online to find out how many different kinds you can find. They come in all sizes and are made from all sorts of different materials.

If you want to do your own painted flower pots, decide where you want to use them first. If you want something for inside your home, you only have to make sure you are using materials that are non-toxic to your plants. Other than that, anything goes. If you want something for outside, you have to make sure the painted flower pots are made to withstand the weather, and that the paints will not wash off or fade in the rain and sun. You might even want to use a lacquer to cover the finished product to protect it, but you need something that is non-toxic and durable.

You can search for already painted flower pots online, or you can find the plain pots and the painting supplies if you want to make your own. You can also shop in craft or home stores for these supplies, and the salesperson can help you decide what will work best for your specific purposes. They may also be able to help you decide which pots work the best for indoor and outdoor purposes, and craft stores may have templates you can use if you want to do it yourself but you dont feel like you can totally design the painted flower pots on your own.

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Online Movie Rentals

September 16, 2008 – 4:10 pm

How many films would you guess you view in a week’s time? Would three be an accurate guess? Or maybe you’re addicted like me and the answer is more like 6 or 7. Regardless of your movie habit, I know where you can acquire them with minimal fuss and hassle. No, it’s not the mom and pop store down the street. They’re typically out of every new rental because they only carry one of each. That’s lame! And it’s not the huge video chain that guarantees certain titles to be in stock. Trust me; I know this process and how it works. The videos are not ALWAYS in stock. They just say that so you’ll hit up their place first. However, if they’re not in stock, you typically get a voucher for it free the next time it’s in. Personally I would much rather go with he online movie rental business. This has the words “Convenience” and “Hassle Free” written all over it. Are you ready for the simple way of attaining DVDs?

I used to work at a video store. It was “mom and pop” joint. I actually stayed there for three years. Then it was off to another video store. This one was known as Blockbuster’s greatest competitor. I’m sure you know the one I’m referring to. I stayed there for three years as well. Anyway, I can’t say how stoked I was when they began the online movie rental concept. This was Netflix.com first, if I remember correctly. I honestly couldn’t believe that I would never have to enter another video store. This was a great thing in my book. After all, I had seen the crowds, experienced the chaos, and dealt with the anger on a regular basis for 6 years. You grow tired of it after a while. I definitely did! But, that didn’t matter now. I had my laptop handy and a cool new concept at my fingertips. I was ready to try the online movie rental business. In no time, I realized how much better it was. The DVDs I order arrive quickly and it’s a synch to mail them back. The postage is paid and there are no hassles with late fees or crowds. This is the way I like it!

What do you prefer? Are you ready to battle the video store lines and crowds for yet another Friday night? Or, are you anxious to jump on the online movie rental bandwagon? One thing I can tell you is that it will save you gas, time and a whole lot of patience.

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Navy Poster

September 15, 2008 – 3:52 pm

The Navy has a long tradition and needs to keep replenishing itself. Along with the other armed forces, it needs to have recruitment campaigns. The Navy poster, that anyone can buy prints of, shows how different wording and images have been used to persuade people to join the ranks. There are also posters that cater for the nostalgia market, showing ships and Navy airplanes from the past. Some of the prints are taken from the original tin signs. Artists have also painted the Navy fleet from a purely artistic viewpoint.

There is an old black and white picture of a Trainer Biplane and more recent photographs of patrol bombers. Another monochrome picture shows four airships in formation. Paintings in color show a Grunman Navy Fighter plane and an XPBS-1 taking off from the sea. There is also one of a Tomcat Fighter.

Ships are of course, what people mostly associate with the Navy and there is a Navy poster to represent battleships, aircraft carriers and submarines from the past and present. One print shows a montage of different battleships that have operated over the years.

Different slogans carry the recruitment message. One picture of an aircraft carrier has the tag, welcome aboard. Another World War II Navy poster shows an officer saying, I want you. There is a line drawing of an aircraft carrier in the Art Deco style, which states, join modern mobile mighty Navy. Another old print shows a group of men doing shore drill. For people interested in the organization and ranking of the service, there is a poster that shows all the different Navy insignia.

Away from recruitment and categorizing the Navy, there are the pictures from the distant past and the ones that depict a certain period in time. There is a painting of sail powered ships in harbor called America’s Fledgling Navy 1800. Three types of Navy poster show ships sitting peacefully in their yards. There is the Navy Docks at Key West, Florida, the battleship in the Navy Yard at Brooklyn, New York City and the submarine at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Washington.

None of these posters have a smoking gun or show any sea battles or dog fights in the air with Navy planes. However, there is one unusual poster that seems peculiar if it’s meant to recruit anyone. Obviously inspired by that famous scene from the movie, Dr. Strangelove, a sailor sits astride a torpedo and the poster proclaims, join the Navy.

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Fresh Flowers

September 5, 2008 – 8:22 am

When springtime comes, one of the first things I want to do is to go out and get some fresh flowers for my home. I don’t mind winter so much, and I always loved the snow when I was a kid, but there comes a time when you have had enough and you long for warmer weather. I love the first snowfall of the year, but I love even more the first signs of flowers popping up in the yards in my neighborhood. Sometimes you can even find them popping up out of the snow.

Fresh flowers seem to remind you that everything is coming back to life after what seems like a long and dead winter. Though some people seem to hate winter, I see it as something that makes life what it is. Without the winter, I don’t think I would appreciate the summer and the fresh flowers as much as I do. Winter reminds me to enjoy what the warmer weather has to offer, and I try not to take one single nice day for granted because I know they will not last forever.

You can find your own fresh flowers, but you have to make sure they aren’t in someone’s yard. My daughter has a hard time understanding this, but that is understandable as she is only four years old. She wants to pick all of the fresh flowers she sees on our spring walks, and I can rarely let her pick them because they are usually in someone’s yard. Instead, I go to the florist and pick out what we have seen on our walk to bring home and put in a vase. The fresh scent of these flowers always has a pick me up effect on the entire household.

This is also the reason why so many people give fresh flowers to people on dates, or when they come to visit someone for any reason. You will be hard pressed to find anyone who does not appreciate the color and scent of fresh flowers. This is why they are always appropriate. They are also popular for funerals, though I’m not entirely sure why that is. I suspect that it is a reminder that even though one life has come to an end, the world continues. Though that thought may not be welcome when you are first mourning the loss of a loved one, it certainly is a comfort in the weeks to come.

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Artificial Christmas Tree

August 30, 2008 – 9:12 am

We live in Minnesota. There are many tree farms in the central portion of the state due to the sandy soil. It is a tradition with many people to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon searching for the perfect Christmas tree and cutting it down. The tree farms add to the economy of the state. Christmas trees are one of the leading exports from our state. Because we want to support our local tree farmers and because trees are very reasonably priced, we have always had a live tree for the holidays. In the last few years we have been discussing how much simpler it would be to have an artificial Christmas tree. It would mean no longer having the messy clean up that needs to be done when the tree is brought in and taken out of the house. It would also mean that every year the tree would fit the space that we have for it.

The manufacturers have vastly improved on the way the artificial Christmas tree looks. My sister purchased one last year and I had to feel the branches before I knew that it was not a real tree. She did have to pay a great deal for the artificial Christmas tree, but she bought it during the prime season. If you look for specials after the holidays you can usually find them discounted. You can also purchase the artificial Christmas tree that is pre-lit, this would really cut down on the work, however I would be concerned about having the bulbs burn out. There are replacement bulbs available, however you never know when they are going to take these bulbs off the market and then you are stuck with a tree that does not have its full lights on.

After taking out our Christmas tree last year and cleaning up the needles from the carpet, we decided that we would invest in an artificial Christmas tree for this year. We checked several post season sales, but did not find a tree that we liked. We decided that we would try to get one at a pre-season sale; this would also save us from having to store the tree over the summer.

This year the tree farms started airing commercials about how beneficial the tree farms are to the environment and also the states economy. After hearing this commercial several times we decided that we would continue to support the local tree farmers and purchase a real tree. We will wait and get an artificial Christmas tree when we can no longer manage a real tree.

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