Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Middle East Geography - where are all these places?


Where ARE all these places, in the Middle East, that we keep hearing about in the news? We have troops in countries that didn't even exist when I went to school.

Here is an easy and fun way to learn "Where in the World are these places?"

I suggest playing this game until you can easily find each country. THEN go back and read the news. Bet it will make more sense.

Click here to play.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Yard Sale Treasure Mapper


When I first started going to yard sales (many moons ago), I would get the listings on Friday night and meticulously go through them, circling the ones that looked interesting. Then, I would get out my map and figure out where each sale was. Next, I would have to figure out the best route to hit all the yard sales - using the least gas, the least time, AND hitting the ones that sounded the best first. This was a rather time consuming activity (although it is a MARVELOUS way to learn the roads in your community.)

I have just found a FABULOUS tool for those of us who love to yard sale in an organized fashion. Yard Sale Treasurer Map

This mapper is still in Beta, but it looks like the real deal. You input your starting location and how many miles radius you want. Then the program searches all the garage sale listings on Craigslist and maps them out. You can add extra stops with just a click and drag. Then you can print out directions! Whoopee!!

This means you can easily go to yard sales in strange towns when you happen to be traveling on a yard sale day. Oh, the glory!

If you try this out early in the week (Monday or Tuesday), it might not give you any listings. Most yard sales don't get listed until the day before or day of the sale. So, try it out on a Friday or Saturday for best results.

This may just be the very best find ever!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Recipe for Laundry

Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave a new bride the recipe below.

This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook - with spelling errors and all. Paste this over your washer and dryer.

Next time when you think things are bleak, read it again, kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give thanks. First thing each morning you should run and hug your washer and dryer, also your toilet!

WASHING CLOTHES:

Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert. Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.

Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.

To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.

Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.

Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.

Hang old rags on fence. Spread tea towels on grass.

Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water. Turn tubs upside down.

Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.

Thanks to Diane for a great example of why I am always thankful for indoor plumbing!

(For you non-southerners - wrench means rinse. ;)

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Produce Codes - What Do They Mean?

Produce is marked with a number code that reveals what kind of produce you are buying.
If there is a 5 number code starting in 9 it is organic.
If there is a 5 number code starting in 8 it is genetically modified.
If there is a 4 number code starting in 4 it is conventional.
If there is a 4 number code starting in 3 it is irradiated.
Don't just go by the names on the signs... check the numbers on the tags. That is what tells you the real story.

Thanks to Nancy for this tip.