I have been contemplating such slips for a 50's set dining chairs. I have already desecrated the chairs with an outlandish paint job ala 'MacKenzie Childs' which I'm growing tired of. I think a b...

Native plants tend to be most appropriate for any given climate. I don't water unless I have an area of newly planted perennials, the babies get water the first year as needed but after that... th...

TO: Weeds between pavers Boiling water is a great non-toxic weed control. Fire of the tea kettle then gently pour boiling water directly on your weeds - instantly cooked weeds do not survive.

Marble floors are higher maintenance than other materials but oh so beautiful. I have 20 year old marble in my foyer 12x12 tiles with very narrow grout lines. Water and a towel with perhaps a ver...

I cleaned some filthy windows recently - my dogs put their dirty feet up when they want in or out. I filled a bucket with hot tap water and a cup or so of vinegar. Fired up the combo scrubbie/squ...

Garage sales... my best strategy has been to tell my teen age daughter she gets 1/2 of the take for organizing and helping staff the sale. Works like a charm to motivate a kid who wants $$ for som...

Pets on the furniture? Hell Yea! I needed to replace a horrible flame stitch covered sofa a couple years ago... Kept telling myself 2K was my limit on a dog bed. Thought again about the dog bed ...

Lets get real... Kitties need to have claws trimmed AND a product called soft paws applied to the offending feet. I clipped my last cat's claws for 15 years... this minimized damage. Soft paws ar...

I lived in a 150 year old home for a number of years. I always associated that old house musty odor with our Michigan basement. An unpaved area beneath the house, even a crawl space could provide...

My secret weapon for cleaning up sticky pots is water set to boil on the stove top for a few minutes. The boiling water will loosen, dissolve and in other ways make your clean up jolly. A wooden ...

I'm thinking these are going to be VERY COLD windows without the sealing action of complete brick work/window sills. If you own, just get them repaired. If you rent, the bean bag idea may help to...

I worry about the iron, one of those high powered steam generating mega irons, which lives behind a closed door. A light over the ironing board that gets turned on and off with the iron. I can se...

The quilting was too far apart for the batting to hold up when cleaned. If you love the fabric and don't mind picking it apart the suggestion to make a duvet cover would work. Otherwise, take it ...

Oh, I definitely think about my boys, 2 Havanese when I purchase furnishings. I seriously considered a new sofa, wanted luscious leather, lusted after the leather but decided why spend that kind o...

I have been a member of the cat fancy world, we show our cats. FYI Cats are much more fragile that dogs and more susceptible to diseases when congregated with other cats. I would never take my c...

Custom washable linen slip covers. I considered leather but asked myself, "why would I want to buy leather for a dog bed?" So linen it is... I sit in a club chair and NEVER wear work clothes once...

Take kitty to the Vet to be checked for a urinary track infection. If a cat's behaviors change suddenly it is often a sign of illness.

I use Vinegar to kill the grass/weeds growing the the cracks on my drive. I wouldn't spray it on my lawn. Cayenne will work if your animal NEVER goes into the treated area. I would n...

Related to this... how many of you have prepared emergency files such as recommended after Katrina should an evacuation be required? Basically birth certs, insurance policies, passports and a plan...

I try to pack lightly, reusing garments in various configurations. My answer to security search and my tendency to mix contents once I arrive. I use zipper lingerie bags for various categories o...