WFMW: Checks and Deposit Slips- What to Do?

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For a long time, we would get a pile of cancelled checks with our monthly bank statement. Those I kept in the envelope they came in. Then, the banks started storing the images of the cancelled checks on microfilm and there was much less paper in my life.

More and more, stores are going with the electronic funds transfer method wherein the amount is automatically debited from your account and your check is cancelled on the spot and handed back to you. So now, we have a pile of cancelled checks in our checkbooks.

Add that to any debit card slips and receipts that you may accumulate and you've got a whole forest in your purse!

Every week, I try to clean out my purse and car on Friday. All of those cancelled checks and the deposit slips from that week are cleared out of my checkbook or purse and I store them in the box that my checks come in. This is a great way to keep track of what is where, I can easily reference them if I meed to and when they are past their prime, they can be shredded or burned one box at a time.

This tip works for me! See more at Rocks in My Dryer!

Snack Cup for the Car

This is my snack cup for the car. I often need just a little something to munch on in the car on the way home from work. I bought some Kashi Fire Roasted Vegetable crackers (FABULOUS alone or with a cheeseball, BTW. and no Kashi didn't compensate me for this. I just happen to love them.).

I needed something to keep some in while they were in my car. I put them in one of the kids' cups with the lid from a container of sprinkles we had used up. The lid fit the cup just right and the whole thing sits in my cup holder to keep my snacks handy and air-tight! This would also be great for kids snacks!

Get more tips at Rocks in my Dryer!

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WFMW: Recycled Notes

If you have school-aged kids, you have paper. They bring papers home from school, sports practices and church. Announcements, reminders and information that is all yours do deal with. About 97% of this paper is stuff that will end up in the recycle bin at some point.

I keep these papers in an 'inbox' type of tray and let the kids draw on the back of it before it actually hits the fire place or the trash/recycle bin. I like to cut the colored papers up into sheets (cut the paper in quarters and cut those in half) for me and hubby to use. Some of them are kept by the pens in the kitchen and some are kept in the computer desk with a couple of pencils. We can jot down a number, message, website or post idea easily and the colors make them stand out in the sea of other papers.

For more great tips visit Rocks In My Dryer!

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WFMW: Finding Tiny Things

I've been MIA for the last couple of WFMW's, but I'm back today!

My tip for this week is something I have to do about once a week in our house. Its inevitable in our crazy days that we lose something tiny. You know, things like earrings, Legos and those teeny screws that hold the battery covers on every toy ever made. You drop one of these tiny items and it almost always disappears underneath the furniture or up against a baseboard and how do you find it?!?!

My little trick is to get out your trusty vacuum cleaner and a pair of pantyhose or a knee-high (does anyone even wear knee-highs anymore?). Cover the hose attachment of your vacuum with one of the pantyhose legs leaving about 3 inches of the toe loose so the vacuum can suck it in a bit. Vacuum the area where you dropped the tiny item and the hose will catch it for you!

For more great tips like this one, visit Rocks in My Dryer!

WFMW: Dry Skin Tips

Be sure to come back and visit me tomorrow right here at Its All For The Best because I have an exciting giveaway planned that no parent or grandparent will want to miss!!!

Between the drier air, heat from furnaces and fire places and the layers of clothing, winter is the time we all get dry skin. I'm not just talking put a little lotion on it and it'll be fine. I'm talking digging at it in your sleep- if you even can sleep- DRY! Never fear, I am here to rescue you with some of the best dry-skin helps you can find!

1. Hydrate from within. Drinking more water than usual in the winter will not only help to rehydrate your skin, it helps with those tickles in your throat and it is like a shower for your insides helping your body process all of those comfort foods and flushing them out.

2. Hydrate the air. Run a humidifier or put some water on to simmer. If you have a wood-burning stove, placing a pot of water on top of it will help replace some of the moisture in the air. A bonus to this is that moist air is healthier air. Allergens have a harder time circulating in moist air and are less likely to irritate your sinuses and skin.

3. My Favorite Tip! Before you get out of the shower, rinse a little bit of cheap conditioner over your body. Do not rinse it all off. When you dry off, pat yourself dry to avoid over-drying and put on a good lotion or body cream right away. Your skin will start losing moisture within 3 minutes of getting out of the shower.

4. Speaking of the shower... shorten your shower and turn the heat down. Hot water only enhances the drying effects of water on the skin and after about 15 minutes, any temperature water will be removing too much of the natural oils your skin needs to hold in moisture.

5. My favorite products for dry skin include good old petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, Avon Intensive Moisture Therapy and Suave lotion for extremely dry skin. Lotions with glycerin are particularly effective.

A BIG Happy Birthday to my nephew Jarrett!!! You can stop growing taller now so you don't tower over me. Okay? Thanks! :o)

For more tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer!

WFMW: Quick Draft Stopper

Want to keep the cold air from creeping under your doors this winter with a draft dodger like mine? Just roll up a blanket and you're in business! I've been too lazy to make my own yet- maybe that would be a good craft for me to post at Make It From Scratch one week- but I wanted to do something. This made a quick fix to a potentially costly problem.

Have you entered my Perfect Recipe Basket Giveaway yet? You have until December 2nd! Three lucky commenters will win!!!

Get more great tips at Rocks In My Dryer!

WFMW: Paint Can Tip

While trying to get my outside door frames repainted before the colder weather, I learned that if you cover your can of paint with a piece of aluminum foil and open the center, it will keep the rim of your paint can clean. Remove the foil before replacing the lid.

I only wish I had known that when I was repainting my porch posts last month. That would have saved me from the mess each time I had to open or close the can. :o)

For more tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer.

Don't forget to enter my SAVORY GIVEAWAY by Thursday night!!!

WFMW: Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Whether brought in by peaches, oranges, bananas or some other fruit, fruit flies are a nuisance in just about every home at one time or another. Too tiny to swat and too fast to catch, most of us just live with them for a few days and hope they'll go away. Well, thanks to my hubby's Aunt, I recently found out a way to get rid of them and I'm passing it on to you.

Simply put some cider vinegar, water and a drop of dish soap in a small dish and leave it sit on the counter overnight. The fruit flies will be attracted by the cider vinegar scent and the drop of soap you mixed in will pull them in once they land. You can see one of my pesky little flies in the upper right-hand part of the dish pictured. He landed there within 10 minutes of putting the dish out!

Find many more tips at Rocks In My Dryer!

WFMW: Greener Watering

More and more, people are becoming aware of how wasteful we can be. We are all trying to be more green and be more efficient with our resources and we can make a big difference with just a few small steps.

One of the small steps I take is using leftover water to water my plants. Here are some places to "find" water for your plants:

• Water or ice cubes left in glasses after supper.
• Water from boiling eggs or noodles (cool it first).
• Water left in a water bottle after school, practice or a workout.
• Old ice cubes in the freezer.
• Melted ice from a cooler.

I'm sure you'll think of many more, too!

Get more Works for Me Wednesday tips at Rocks in My Dryer!

WFMW: Lost Child Helper

When you are out and about at a fair, festival, amusement park or sporting event, write your cell phone number on your child's arm, lower leg or stomach (someplace easily accessible under their clothing) with a permanent marker. If they get lost, they may be too scared to remember it. Remove it later with rubbing alcohol.

More tips at Rocks in My Dryer.

WFMW: Free Up Closet Space!

A great way to free up some space in your linen or bedroom closet is to store your sheets under your mattresses. A quick peek under the mattresses in our house will reveal a spare set of sheets for each bed. When you take sheets off to wash, just replace them with the spare set and put the freshly washed and dried sheets under the mattress when they are done.



This freed up an entire shelf in our linen closet!



Get more great tips at Rocks in my Dryer!

WFMW: Lunch Tip

Back to school means back to packing lunches. If not everyday, we at least have to pack a lunch or two for field trips and special outings.

When we pack lunches for field trips, the school asks that everything in the lunch be disposable so the kids can toss the bag and don't have to worry about bringing anything back with them. I think its a great idea.

I prepare for this throughout the year by keeping any of the plastic forks and spoons that we get with takeout food. They make perfect throw-aways for lunches and some even come with napkins wrapped with them. I figure they are figured into the price of the meal we buy anyways, and if we eat at home, we can just use our silverware and keep this stuff for when it is really needed.

Works for me Wednesday

Night Toilet Training Tips Anyone?

Steven is six and he is still in Pull-Ups at night. His Pull-Up is wet almost every morning.

HELP!

We've tried waking him up and making him go before we go to bed. Most nights, though, he has just fallen asleep right before we go to bed. We've tried limiting drinks after dinner. We've tried everything we can possibly think of and nothing works.

Once the kid falls asleep, he's out for the count. He fights going to sleep so hard that by the time he actually closes his eyes, he could sleep through a nuclear blast! I think this is why he wets. He just doesn't wake up.

Since today is the Backwards Edition of WFMW, I thought it was the perfect time to turn to the wisest Moms in the blogosphere for aid. I know you won't let me down!

Gimmie the good stuff! :o)

WFMW: Comfortable Summer Sleeping

Though it has been cool for August here, we've had a few summer-like days here and there. You know the kind that are just sticky and hot and uncomfortable?

One trick I use to make sleeping more comfortable on those humid nights is to sprinkle a little baby powder on the sheets. It makes them feel so cool and soft when you slip between them. Just be sure to only sprinkle it on the lower half of the bed and definitely not on the pillows. Otherwise, you could end up sneezing all night.

For more ideas, visit Rocks in My Dryer!

Great Back To School Website

I found this website through a magazine we got at Steven's orientation last night and thought I'd pass it on to you. Its SchoolFamily.com and they have all kinds of articles and helpful tips for back to school.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Stepping Stones

Making stepping stones is becoming an annual tradition here. They're simple to make and can make Moms and Grandmas alike melt at first sight.

To make your own stepping stones, you'll need:
Pie tins

Quickcrete or similar product

Water

Decorations- shells, beads, buttons, etc.

Sand (optional)

Skewer or stick

Mix your concrete according to package directions. You'll need about 2.5 to 3 cups of dry mix per stone depending on the size of your pie tins.

To make upside-down stones like the one pictured at right, you'll want to pour 1/8 inch of sand in the bottom of the pie tin. Place your shells, beads and other decorative items in the sand. Keep in mind that whatever side you place down in the sand will actually be on the top of your stone when you invert it. Carefully pour mixed concrete into the pie tin. Gently lift the filled tin and tap the bottom on a flat surface to remove any air bubbles. If doing more than one, write names in the concrete to tell them apart. Let dry for at least 24 hours before inverting and wiping the sand off.

To make hand print stones like the one at the top, pour concrete mix into the pie tin. Gently lift filled tin and tap the bottom on a flat surface to remove any air bubbles. Let sit about 15 minutes (longer if concrete mix is wetter). Place child's hand on concrete and help them press down. You may have to press their hand into it to get a good impression. Write names and dates in the concrete as desired. You can also press shells and other items in the top to make impressions. Let dry for at least 24 hours before removing from tin.

Quick Wardrobe and Packing Tips

I've been reading all of the posts talking about BlogHer and another blogging con that happened last weekend and it got me to thinking about some of my favorite wardrobe and packing tips. These are helpful for home and travel alike.

1. Buy black and white base pieces. Your basic black dress and shoes, a white blouse, black pants or jeans, a black and white print dress or top, a black jacket or blazer etc. These are the foundation of your wardrobe that will last longer and often cost more- black and white is more versatile. Also, if your base pieces are black and white, you can mix and match easier with less pieces. One black pair of pants can be worn two days in a row with two different tops. Two outfits, three pieces!

2. Buy accessories and accent pieces in colors. Concentrate on colors and prints for earrings, scarves, hair accessories, some shoes, bags and tops. These colors can be layered with your black and white pieces to make for more interesting ensembles and it really makes them pop! This is where you can follow the trends and be more daring.

3. To pack your clothes, rolling them tightly takes up less room in a bag or suitcase than folding. I promise! Give it a try sometime.

4. When you arrive at your hotel, hang clothes up immediately. If you'd like, hang them in the bathroom and run a hot shower to let the steam relax them from being packed.

So now you can make the most of your wardrobe dollar and your suitcase space!
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WFMW: Perfect Parking

When we first got Mike's truck, it was much bigger than his old one and we had to hang a ball from the ceiling in our garage that would hit the windshield to let the driver know when to stop. It was a pain and the kids kept wanting to hit the ball.

Eventually, we changed sides in the garage- which took a lot of getting used to. The ball on the string came down, but you still had to make sure that you were in far enough for the door to close without hitting the bicycle at the back of the garage.

I bought this handy little gadget for Mike and it works wonders! While the vehicle is in the spot you want it, you peel the backing off of the target and stick it to the (cleaned) floor. The next time you pull in, you'll gently bump the target when its time to stop!

Don't forget to join me tomorrow for Nifty Thrifty Thursday: Christmas in July Part 2! If you want tips on how to save money this holiday season, here's a link to NTT: Christmas in July Part 1.

Works For Me Wednesday

WFMW: Tub & Shower Cleaner

I used to love Clorox with Teflon for cleaning my tub surround. I used it on my sinks as well. We even used it to clean off our boat motor. But then they quit making it- who knows why- and I have been searching for a new cleaner that works as well ever since.

Well, now I've found one. I do like a daily shower spray, but when you have hard water, once in a while, you need something a little stronger. I finally gave good old Lime Away a try and it worked! I didn't even have to wait 15 minutes like I did with the other products I've tried! Just spray and wipe with a damp sponge. I did have to break out the rubber gloves, but that's a small price to pay for a super clean shower!

Don't forget to come back here tomorrow for the Christmas In July edition of Nifty Thrifty Thursday!!! :o)

More WFMW posts can be found at Rocks In My Dryer!

WFMW: Computer Mouse Fix

When your computer mouse quits rolling smoothly or starts to cause the cursor to 'jump' around the screen, you don't need to replace it, its just time to clean it out! I have to do this about once a month.

I can only give instructions for the type of mouse that has a roller ball in the bottom because that is the only kind of mouse I have.

Start by removing the bezel that holds the ball in. This can be done by pressing two fingers on the piece and turning counter-clockwise. take the bezel off and remove the ball. You will now see three places where the ball touches points inside the mouse. You will recognize them by the black, fuzzy ring of dust that is wrapped around them. This fuzz is what is causing the problems with your mouse and it's what you want to remove.

Removing the fuzz can be done with tweezers, but I prefer to use my fingernail. It is best if you can scrape the fuzz ring off gently so the strip of fuzz remains intact. When it is all scraped off, you can remove it in one strip. It's okay if the strip breaks or if you have to remove it piece-by-piece. Just make sure you blow into the mouse (or use canned air for electronics cleaning) before replacing the ball and bezel.

That's it! Your mouse should now roll with ease!

Works For Me Wednesday