MAKE A NOTE!! -- May 18th, 1997

CIRCULATION 43

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REQUESTS RESPONDED TO...

MOPS (Mothers Of PreschoolerS)

Someone had asked about how to contact this group & I thought that others might also be interested in this info. They can be reached at (800)929-1287 or (303)733-5353. You can find out about the group closest to you, or find out how to start your own group. POST IT...in your phone book under "M".

MORE GOOD STUFF!! :-)

ALARM SYSTEM DECALS

Recently a burglary/fencing ring was broken up in our county. They were breaking into about 5-6 homes/day, but said they usually avoided homes with alarm systems. Even if you can't afford an alarm system you can purchase alarm decals at most home/builder supply stores like Home Depot, Home Quarters, and Lowe's. They are very inexpensive and while you're at it, buy a yard sign too. Just those signs will probably do a lot to deter criminals. You could also do things like post BEWARE OF DOG signs on your fence, and maybe leave a LARGE plastic bone in a very visible place. By the way, you can also buy alarm decals separately for your car also. POST IT...on your shopping list.

PESTS

Unfortunately the warmer months also bring out the multiple legged pests also. So here are some recommendations for the more persistent critters that have either worked well for me, or someone that I know.

ROACHES...If you make up 50% baking soda and 50% sugar, it is safe for pets & children if they get hold of it, but will wipe out the roach population. This was tested when neighbors moved out next door to us in military housing and all the critters decided to move next door to our food supply. You can put this mixture in jar lids behind appliances, or just sprinkle some on a paper towel & leave it on the counter. Of course, if you have ants you will have to be careful where you put these things. But this worked very well for us, after 3 days of putting it out, we never saw another roach. Also, don't know if this is true or not, but have heard that the glue in CONTACT shelf paper actually attracts the roaches. I usually use the Rubbermaid.

ANTS...I have had GREAT success with Combat Ant Granules. You sprinkle a cap-ful near, not on, ant hills and they carry them inside and within a few short days, the hill is dead. Once the granules get wet they don't work anymore, so check the weather report before you put them out. If you get ants, then spray with any ant spray to keep them out until the granules can

work.

FLEAS...Mix up equal parts of Borax(in laundry section of stores), salt, and baking soda. Sprinkle on your carpet and furniture (if you like), work into carpet with carpet rake if you have one, leave on for 2 days, then vacuum. Everytime you vacuum it will bring more of the powder to the surface. This is a homemade version of the commercial powder that is very popular and very expensive, but they guarantee you won't have fleas for at least a year. I have had friends that used this homemade version and said it worked just as well as the commercial treatment.

POST THESE SOLUTIONS....wherever you store bug spray.

MEMORY BOOKS

Looking for a special gift for someone you care about? Here is an idea that I read about and did with my mom and it was a huge hit. Two of my cousins, and also a friend have used the idea with similar results. Send out a form letter, or better yet, a fancier flyer, to all the friends and

family of the person. Don't forget the staff of businesses that they may frequent. Tell them it is a SURPRISE, but ask each of them to write a letter to the person (for whatever occasion it may be) telling them the things that they like about them and also recalling specific events if possible. BUT tell them to send the letter to YOU, and that you will put all the letters is a nice photo album/scrap book and will present it to the person on the special day. Ask them to pass on the flyer to anyone else who might be interested. I would suggest sending out your request about 6 months before the event and give them a deadline of about a month away from the event so that you have time to put them in the album. You might also want to make the presentation at a big party & invite all the people you sent the flyers to. I guarantee you that it will bring tears to their eyes. It will also be a wonderful treasure to pass down to future

generations. Let the people know that it doesn't have to be fancy or long, that it can be a card, & they can also send old photos if they like. We sent out about 200 flyers and ended up with about 200 letters. Have younger children draw pictures or dictate letters. POST IT...wherever you keep greeting cards, or in your calendar 7 months before the event.

SHOES

During those warm summer months when your feet get hot & sweaty more often, and even in the winter to dry out wet shoes, place your shoes opening down over A/C or heating vents (if they are on your floor). This helps keep them dry, less smelly, makes them last longer, and also cuts down on any fungus that might be considering taking up residence. This is especially great for kids' shoes. Laundry or bathroom vents are ideal. POST IT...wherever you usually remove your shoes.

INSTALLMENT LETTERS

Too busy during those crazy summer months to write letters to family & friends, or is this a year round problem? Write installment letters. Keep your stationery near the telephone and whenever you are on hold, or have a few minutes here and there, just write a paragraph about what is going on. If you just write a paragraph a day, then you will have a letter in less than a week. POST IT...by your phone.

WAITING ROOMS

And speaking of being on hold....if you have a doctor's appt or some other appt where you will be in a waiting room, here are some things to keep you busy. You could read a book, write a letter to a friend, do needlework, or take a lap top if you have one. You might even want to keep a little paperback and/or stationery in your purse or briefcase just in case. Or better yet, use the time to clean out your purse or briefcase. POST IT...by your calendar where you write appts down.

MARKER RECHARGE

Have kids that go through markers faster than you can buy them? Left a cap off your highlighter & don't want to go back to the store? Here's an easy fix. For water based (non-permanent markers) hold the tip in a cup of plain tap water for 10 seconds. If you don't need it right away, then put the cap back on it and let it sit for an hour. If you need it right away, then wipe it with a paper towel and it should be working again. It does seem to work a lot better if you let it sit the hour though. We have recharged the kids' markers over & over again, it is amazing how well this works. I've wondered if it will also work for alcohol based (permanent) markers if you were to dip them in alcohol, but have never tried it. I have tried it with stamp pads too and it worked well. POST IT...wherever you keep the markers.

SCRATCH PAPER

Always running out of scratch paper by the phone? Tear junk mail envelopes in half & make a stack near your phone, you will never run out. Use the backs of letters or computer print-outs for scratch paper for your kids to color on. POST IT...by the phone and by your printer.

FEEDBACK- FEEDBACK-FEEDBACK-FEEDBACK

People seemed to enjoy the Meringue Cookie recipe, one person said they had been searching for it for a while. Others said that they were able to get some long distance credits for their phone bills.

REQUESTS

Let me know if there are any subjects that you would like me to cover in the newsletters, I'll be happy to help if I can. Please feel free to forward the newsletter to anyone you think might be interested. If you would like to be ADDED or REMOVED from the mailing list, just email me.

COMING ATTRACTIONS IN FUTURE ISSUES

Easy, but great looking desserts for Independence Day; protecting children from strangers; sending flowers; radio shows; big top babies.

QUOTE

Thanks to Norm Hils who sent me a watershed of quotes. "When I have been asked during these last weeks who caused the riots and the killing in L.A., my answer has been direct and simple: Who is to blame for the riots? The rioters are to blame. Who is to blame for the killings? The killers are to blame."

-Former Vice President Dan Quayle on the complex social issues behind the L.A. riots.

Keep in touch! ^i^

Sharon

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