This is a favored selection of time and money saving tips. Most of them are geared to country life and home.

• A sealed envelope – Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.
• Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.
• For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won’t refreeze.
• To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out.
• Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).
• Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
• Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more econom! ical. No w a box of S.OS pads last me indefinitely! I have also noticed that the scissors get ’sharpened” this way!
• Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time!
• Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don’t wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.
• Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.
• Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least three hours prior to burning.
• To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
• To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.
• Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won’t be any stains.
• Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks. Also, place a paper towel in a zip lock baggie with the mushrooms, onions, lettuce, etc. The towel will absorb the moisture.
• When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn’s natural sweetness–or, you can cook it in a microwave–3 min. each ear.
• Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
• To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.
• Ants, ants, ants everywhere … Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.
• Use air-freshener to clean mirrors.! It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
• When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer……..

• Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes,! brush a nd flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China.

• Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
• Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
• Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).
• Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.

If your area is prone to floods, you’ll want to prepare ahead so you and your family are as safe as possible should it happen to you.

With the extreme weather conditions that we are seeing today, everybody in our nations (USA as well as Canada) should be prepared for a state of emergency at all times. Strong tropical storms and hurricanes crossing our land often cause flooding, and that is what I’d like to talk about today. Flooding can happen even in areas that are not prone to it.

Top ten things to do to safeguard your home for flash floods:

1. Prevent water from entering your home – If you are expecting heavy rains or storms to hit your locality, particularly if you live in a flood-prone area, you should cover your doors and windows with metal sheets, sandbags, or plywood. You can also use silicone sealant to ensure that water will not enter your home.
2. Shut off your utilities – Turn off all your utilities; gas, electricity and water, at the mains. Also remember to unplug all your electrical appliances and store them high up, on the second floor even.
3. Be mindful of your appliances and furniture – Ensure that your furniture and appliances are kept in high areas or move what you can upstairs. If you do not have an upper floor, just raise such items off the floor on blocks or bricks. Remove carpets, curtains and even internal doors if possible. Store them all in high places to protect them.
4. Don’t forget your important papers, pictures and other personal items. If you can’t get them to an upper floor of your home, put them in sealed bags protected from water.
5. Stabilize all objects outside your house. Rakes, shovels and more should be put away since they can float away and pose danger to others.

More information for you about floods and your safety:

• Information is crucial during situations like these. Keep listening to the radio for announcements and updates.
• Cooperate fully with local authorities and emergency services. If they require you to evacuate, follow them without delay.
• Since electricity will almost certainly be unavailable, ensure you are fully prepared before night fall. It is much more difficult and unsafe to perform tasks or chores in the dark.
• Share any updated information you have with your neighbors, particularly the elderly. If you have room, offer to take them in or help them secure their own homes.
• Stay inside your house. Floodwater can kill, especially if it is raging. Do not attempt to go out. Rapid flowing water that is six inches high could knock you over. Two feet of water could make your car float away.
• Ensure your pets and cars are in a safe and secured location. Once you hear of a flood warning, get to and stay on the second floor of your home.
• There may be objects floating in the water, so do not attempt to swim through raging flood to rescue or retrieve them. You could be swept away, hurt, or knocked over by objects that are in the water.
• Floodwater may also be dirty and contaminated with sewage. I don’t need to tell you what swimming in sewage could do to you, do I?
• River bridges and riverbanks are dangerous places to be near or on during floods. Be sure to steer away from them if possible. There have been many cases where floodwater has destroyed or collapsed a bridge.

Hundreds of people die every year because of fire-related incidents, especially during the winter and/or Christmas season. It is very important for us to be prepared for such emergencies. Each member of our family should know what to do in case of fire. More importantly, all of us need to know what to do to prevent the fire in the first place.

Planning Ahead for A Fire

One of the most important things that parents forget to teach their children is to prepare for an emergency such as fire. Even at a young age, children should already be taught how to prevent fire and what to do in case there is fire.

Fire drills have often been conducted in buildings and schools to help prepare building occupants and students in case of fire, so why can’t you have a fire drill in your home or at the least discuss strategies for escape, prevention, and warning other family members?

The first point of discussion is to check your house for possible fire exits. See if the windows and doors in your house are big and tall enough to be used as possible fire exits. Make a floor plan for each room, ensuring that there are at least two ways to get out of any room to escape fire. In making the floor plan, you need to include crucial details, such as stairs, windows and hallways.

After devising a floor plan, you should meet your children and discuss your fire escape plan. You should also make sure that your family has devised a way of warning other members of fire, such as bells, door tapping, etc. It would be best if each bedroom of your house has a flash light and a bell. Lastly, select a safe place outside the house where everyone will go after escaping the fire.

Preparing your Family for A House Fire

It is wise to act out your evacuation plan with the whole family. Teach your children how to stay close to the ground while escaping and is possible, let them memorize the way. Sometimes, the smoke caused by fire would make it very difficult to see the way, so it would really be wise if you and children know the way by heart.

You and your children should also know that during fire, you should feel the door first before opening it. You should not open the door if it is hot. Instead, find another way you could escape your room or house.

If the clothes of your children or any family member catch fire, tell them to fall to the ground and roll. This will help extinguish the fire.

Making Your House Safe from Fire

Make sure that emergency numbers are placed near telephones. Such numbers should always be accessible and visible so that you can call authorities immediately when a fire breaks out.

You should also ensure that smoke detectors are installed in key places in your house. Once smoke detectors are installed, you should check their batteries once in a while. Usually, the batteries of smoke detectors should be changed yearly.

Place fire extinguishers in key locations. If your house has several floors, ensure that there is at least one fire extinguisher per floor.

It would really be best if smoking is prohibited inside the house because many incidences of fire are caused by improperly discarded cigarettes. However, if smoking cannot be helped, make sure that nobody smokes in the bed. Furthermore, let everyone know how to properly discard cigarette butts.

No matter how many times you have taught your children that matches and lighters are dangerous, some will still play with them. Thus, it is advisable to keep all lighters and matches in places that your children cannot access. If possible, put them in locked drawers or cabinets.

California isn’t the only place whose residents fret over earthquakes (rightly so). People in Mexico, Baguio (Philippines), Indonesia, Japan and other countries have also been victimized by strong earthquakes over the years.

Tragically most people are caught unaware and unprepared. This makes the disaster more disastrous.

Many people living in earthquake-prone areas of the world prefer to live each day as though it may be their last. That doesn’t mean however that the smart ones aren’t prepared for this emergency, just in case, with an escape plan, safety kit and training on emergency preparedness. All parents have a responsibility to teach how to deal with a crisis in every situation to their children.

Have on hand several gallons of water.

Create earthquake packs and emergency kits that contain first aid medicines and supplies as well as emergency ready made food packs.

Flashlights and batteries as well as candles.

If you’ve had any warning or premonition, take everything heavy on the wall of your home, off. It may fall and hurt someone in your family.

During an earthquake – seek refuge from tables that can protect a person from heavy objects that are falling. Some say you should go outside, to an open area that is without danger of falling trees, high rises and power cables.

If you are driving when an earthquake strikes, stay inside your car.

If inside a mall, make sure that yourself and everyone else is away from heavy shelves, plate windows and any other dangerous objects.

If inside a crowded theater or a sports stadium, never run for safety with the crowds. Hundreds of people have died being trampled by the crowds. Just duck under the seat and wait until the stampede clears up.

As stated above, a lot of people get hurt or die because of panic and failure to prepare. It is always helpful to have an emergency earthquake kit, a plan of action, and an escape route at all times.

Survival will always depend on how prepared a person is for emergencies. People who have not prepared for the worse case scenario are the ones who have the tendency to panic. Sad but true, in most cases, those who panic and lose mental clarity and focus become the first victims of any emergency.

I will try to reply to you personally within 2 business days. Thank you!

In colder climates, a woman’s quilting circle is still an opportunity for us to come together, to work on projects together, to talk over the major matters of the day and times, and to provide invaluable support for each other within a community.

This week, GoodByeCityLife is researching and reporting on the history of quilt making worldwide. Our first installment begins with the start of this craft – in the United Kingdom.

Before the age of the machine, the tradition of make do reined for centuries as all fabric was valuable and not to be wasted. We look back to a time long before any mechanical fabric production, when every piece of cloth was made entirely by hand or with the use of a simple weaving frame.

Long before the first settlers arrived in North America, British women and men were involved in patchwork and quilting. Not just for home use but for commercial income.

As far back as the fourteenth century, quilted fabrics were used for both bedcovers and clothing. We first observe the art of patchwork and quilting in the records of padded clothing made for soldiers – worn underneath armor to protect them from the metal but also to provide warmth.

There are examples of eighteenth century pieces of clothing in UK museums from royal families. One fine example is an underskirt for a Scottish wedding – now part of the Heritage Collection of the Quilters Guild, circa 1764.

Although in the households run by nobles and royals, there were fine examples of luxurious and exquisite quilts, these were the minority. The very wealthy would import cloth from lands far away and use it to display their wealth and social status.

This is why you’ll find silks, satins, velvets, and print fabrics used in complex antique quilting patterns. These pieces would be made by professional craftsmen. Back then, women would not have been employed commercially until much later in the history of quilting.

In homes of the less well off, quilting and patchwork had a much more utilitarian approach. Some of those earlier quilts display their own beauty and craftsmanship, but the main concern during creation was to provide ultimate warmth without too much expense.

The cottage industry was very much part of the northern England and Welsh tradition, and as such, there would be quilters undertaking work on commission – either selling directly to wealthier households or through an agent. Furthermore, in Wales and other parts of England there is reference to traveling workers. These craftsmen would trade board and lodging for new quilts and bedding.

In Victorian times, fashion would dictate the use of lots of bright colors with contrasting black design and fabrics. During this time, fabrics became more inexpensive, more available, and increased disposable income became available to the middle class. Drapery and bed coverings that had previously been seen only in the houses of the nobility were now emulated by the masses.

Most girls of middle class homes would be brought up to be competent with a needle and thread. The crafts of embroidery, patchwork, quilting, and appliqué became more popular and commonplace.

By the twentieth century and our outbreaks of war, lifestyles would change. Women had to work to assist the war effort. This meant little time for hobbies and more effort for necessity. Rationing became commonplace again, everyone concentrated on obtaining enough food to feed the family and thought less of finery.

By the end of the 1940’s the country was more reliant on manufactured clothes and bedding. The industrial age was upon us, factories sprung up across the UK, imports became less expensive, and handicrafts became a luxury of idle time once again.

However a resurgence of quilting (from the United States) helped Britain resurrect its own quilt making traditions – thanks in part to the Quilters Guild in the UK. British quilting, however, has never managed to equal the art of the American quilters, who take credit and are responsible for spreading the word and work of quilting worldwide.

The tragedy wasn’t so much about the loss of ’stuff’ but the effect of uproar on our family. Material possessions, after all, can be replaced, but the effect of watching your home, your safety zone, go up in smoke at 2:30 am will never leave a person.

Our small country community jumped right into action. People came with clothes, money, hugs and prayers. Offers of a place to stay, for as long as we needed and until we decided what to do next rolled in.

After living in many towns and cities around the world, I’ve never felt so safe and so loved, within a small community of people. My dreams of one day leaving northern Ontario vanished almost as quickly as the old house and I realized that ‘home’ just isn’t your four walls, it is really all about the place you build memories – and memories are built of people and not just places.

Back on track here…a few of the gifts from women in our community were home made quilts. Patchwork and log cabin and tied and crazy quilts. Quilts that had been created with care, with love, with time, sewn into every stitch.

How nice it is to curl up under a blanket on a wintery evening. Nicer still to wrap a hand made quilt around yourself that was crafted by women who have their own stories of love, sadness, loss, and joys to tell.

I’d never thought much on quilts before, so I decided to do a little research into the subject, learn a few techniques from the local quilting club and women, and start my own quilt making project. I’ll be posting articles about quilting next so be sure to visit again soon or use the search box at right to find all my info on this wonderful country craft.

On the night of February 14th – both Valentine’s Day and our 5th Wedding Anniversay – our basement caught fire at around 2:30 am.

We all made it out – and this is not without it’s own very long story – except for my awesome orange tabby boy. He’d come to me as a kitten in a way that made me think he was a gift from God himself, that he was destined to grow old with me, so I’ve had a very hard time ’settling’ the matter in my mind – that he is gone. Forever. I miss him more than I miss my childhood photos, more than I miss the jewelry handed down to me from my grandmother. More than anything.

But let’s get back on track…

In our corner of the country side we don’t have a fire department. When a house fire starts you either put it out yourself or you stand there and watch it burn. By the time we knew of the fire it was too late. We had about 6 minutes to get whatever we could out – and after the first 3 minutes you’re not thinking clearly anyway.

The smoke that gets in you doesn’t just fill your lungs, it screws with your head. In retrospect I never would have run back in for “just one more thing” after my daughter and dogs were out. With that said of course – where was my orange friend?

Popular online right now is a video about a fireman reviving a house cat after a fire. I can’t even bear to watch it, my own pain too great to be joyous for another’s triumph over a fire.

Our house burned for 4 days. Mostly because of the oil tank. There’s nothing like having a full tank of oil in your basement (especially at these prices) just to have it burn so slowly and waste.

Today we’re at ‘The Lake House‘ – a friend’s rental home just 40 miles from our own house. We’re trying to regroup as a family. Trying to discover our next plan of action. Trying to heal over our loss.

I’ll write more another day, but for now I just wanted you to know where I’ve been and why I haven’t written in so long.

Laura Childs

It began with freelancing, then consultation only for a select group of clients (most of them a spillover from my freelancing assignments), then business registration and creating my own mini-empire on the farm.

Yes, there was a spell in there (and secretly it always drove me a little nuts) when I’d work one-on-one with friends helping them to create hobby websites that they had no motivation to turn into a little income generator for themselves.

It’s sad really to see the knowledge inside of them that could have been put online to benefit others or to give them a second income – only to be lost to lack of motivation and discipline. Available time has nothing to do with it either since I know full well how many hours they spent in front of the idiot box every night or fretting about being late for their scrapbook meetings while their husbands slaved in the bush all day!

The relationships I didn’t mind developing website for were the ones built for friends who ‘got it’. They understood what an online presence could do for their offline business, that it was practically free advertising, that, if done correctly, could bring multiple repeat buyers into their stores every week.

I love those who have drive and determination to make a success out of themselves. It’s not that I loathe the non-driven person – in fact it is more that I grieve for them. They hate (or at best, tolerate) their jobs, their personal and meaningless ruts (like the ranting mother-in-law fretting over missing the most important appointment of her week – the scrapbook meeting!).

They hate or loathe the commute, leaving their children with baby sitters, and so on – but they can’t see that there’s a better way. Their way works for their friends, worked for their parents, works for their neighbors – but does it really? Does it really work if every one is simply tolerating or loathing their 40 hour a week existance?

Having my own online business for the past 9 years I’m well aware of the opportunities and growth potential, and the freedom that an online, semi-automated, business represents. I’m also well aware of the sacrifices in getting it going, keeping it going and sticking with it.

But lately, I’ve had an itch for a new type of business. One that’s not so secluded, one that involves a team where the entire lot doesn’t all fall on my shoulders anymore. Perhaps I’m getting tired but I think I’m just learning to work smarter as the years pass.

Oh, this business will still be internet related. And it will still focus on helping the business-minded (they’re my passion) and the ones who may not have the experience but definately have the drive. I’ve just got to find the time to get it off the ground.

I’ll also have to consider, before I begin, a smart exit plan that still supports the team even though I won’t physically be here – since one of my goals is to move 3 provinces away in the next year.

• Not because they don’t have the skills.
• Not because they don’t have the contacts.
• Not because they don’t know enough about home business.

None of those reasons actually.

The reasons most often cited by people who simply can’t work at home are highly personal issues. Here are a few I’m used to hearing from friends who say they’d love to work at home, except for…

• the seclusion
• the distractions
• their lack of motivation
• and, for work at home women, the ‘classification’ of being thought of as a ‘housewife’

It’s my opinion that if you want something bad enough, any of these excuses can be challenged and overcome.

Apparently they are being overcome by thousands of women every year! Running a home based business is now one of the fastest growing employment trends in the US and Canada. People just like you and I start out by freelancing and over time turn those freelance assignments into a home-based business with all the benefits (tax deductions, freedom to work from anywhere in the world, etc.)

The biggest obstacle for most to overcome is deciding what field to freelance in. Not all existing careers can be re-purposed into freelance assignments, but most can. Of course you may feel burnt out from your existing career, so this might not even be a consideration…

Any sales positions, administrative positions, or consulting careers all transfer to the freelance field easily. Careers with a leg in creativity also far well (think interior design, graphic design and writing).

Work at Home Moms and Money

Although most of us consider the money we’ll make (and save) by freelancing, there are added costs to working from home that aren’t always factored in from the start.

New mothers often get caught here. They start a home based business to save on childcare, but find that they still need to hire babysitters to perform some of their business activities anyway. Health insurance (for those living in the US) is another major consideration. Where once this was covered or partially covered by an employer, it now has to come out of your pocket and factored in as a necessary expense.

Working at home with children is not always as easy as it seems and it doesn’t matter if you have one child or more, although it does help if your children get along well or if one is older and responsible enough to understand and help look after their younger siblings.

If you do have a young child that isn’t in school yet, it may be difficult to work when they are awake. This can mean lots of busy naptimes and late nights to get your projects done when they are sleeping. This was my personal experience anyway. As a single mom of a bright and energetic baby I had to stay up and work nights to keep the money coming in. In the first five years of her life I think I shaved 10 off my own – but it was what I had to do and the benefits today speak for themselves.

If you have a supportive family (I didn’t) they might be willing to help out from time to time by day trips, sleepovers, or by simply running your errands for you. As your child grows and learns to amuse themselves for longer periods of time the trouble of time diminishes – just be sure to never prop them up in front of the television all day or you’ll end up feeling guilty and a child who can’t ever amuse themselves without outside stimulus.

Conclusion of Home Based Business for Women

Is a home based business (beginning with freelance assignments) right for you? I can’t say and perhaps neither can you until you try it. It was hard, and exhausting, and there were days when I thought I couldn’t go on one more day this way – but in the end it was all worth it, every single aspect.