Works For Me: No Iron Needed!

Do you hate to iron? I do!! This past Monday we had plans to go out to dinner for my son's 5th birthday. I had forgotten to get my clothes out of the closet to let the wrinkles work themselves out a bit. They've been hanging in the closet for 7 months (yep, I've been out of work for 7 months). I don't get "dressed up" everyday so they had some might hanger wrinkle marks.

I really don't like iron. To make life easier, I count on my dryer to get the wrinkles out for me. I took the pants off the hanger sprayed both legs, front and back, where the hanger marks were with Magic Sizing and stuck them in the dryer for a few minutes (while I did my hair). When I pulled them out, they were perfectly straight. I was quite surprised...it looked better than my ironing job probably would have.

So, what works for me is - spraying your hanger marked pants with a little Magic Sizing Fabric Finish (or the like) and then stick them in the dryer for a few minutes. The wrinkles will be gone - no iron needed!

To see what works for others, visit We Are THAT Family's Works for Me Wednesday.

Works For Me: Manual HD Switcher

I decided that I would post a Works for Me Wednesday since I found something that actually works for me. It's a Manual HD Switcher. We didn't get it for the HD part even though we did hook it up and got a better picture. It works for me because it's got 4 inputs for DVD players, VCRs, game consoles, satellite receiver, and more. There are only two inputs on the back of the family room tv. It's a regular 32" projection tv. It was getting to be a real pain having to pull the tv out to unplug and plug in the different items. Now we are able to have all of them plugged into one location all the time. The kids just have to hit the button as to which item they want on - DVD, VCR, satellite box or the Wii. The best part - they can do it on their own!!

Visit We Are THAT Family for more Works For Me Wednesday posts.

Works For Me: Amazing Monkey Hooks

I've been meaning to post this for a couple weeks now. After I updated the family room and touched up a few of the other rooms in the house, I wanted to hang a couple pictures and other wall decor. The last thing I want is to have to fill in a bunch of big holes (the people before us used screws to hang things), if we decide to redecorate again (hopefully we will move before that happens).

When I decorated my older son's room years ago, I had the same issue - holes galore. So, I found The Amazing Monkey Hooks. They have a thin gauge that's inserted into the wall (no stud or tools needed) and makes a single small hole. Gone with the big holes!! They hold up to 50 pounds as well. The other thing I like about them is you can't see them over the top of the picture frame. They are reasonably priced and you can find them at stores like Lowe's and WalMart.

This is what works for me. To see what works for others, visit Rocks In My Dryer’s Works for Me Wednesday. You might find something that will work for you too!

Works for Me: Toy Catalogs

One of the things that Works for Me, during the holidays, is toy catalogs. It allows my kids to cut out pictures of what they want or interest them and paste them on pieces of paper. If they know what they want and it’s not in the catalog, we will search toy store websites or google the item (if they know the name or know what the items is). A lot of times I get the “you know mom, that one thing we saw at the store…” How is that supposed to help me? I see a lot of things at many stores.

I don’t like to take my kids shopping as it is…too many “I want’s” for me. My 4 year old has been known to throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the store too. We try to avoid that as much as possible. I also don’t like to take my kids out in crowded stores during the holidays. This makes Christmas shopping a lot easier!

Now we limit them to 15 items. It may seem like a lot of items but with one birthday 2 days after Christmas and the other’s birthday being less than 3 months after Christmas it helps with birthday shopping too. I can pick up items when they are on sale for Christmas or clearance priced after Christmas.

We usually work on these lists in mid-November when all the toy catalogues hit the mailbox.

As far as their shopping, I make that easy too. I take them to the Tike Shop. They have “elves” that help the kids with their shopping and they even help them gift wrap them!

To see what works for others, visit Rocks In My Dryer's Works for Me Wednesday.

Works for Me Wednesday - Christmas Receipts

My Works for Me Wednesday post this week is very simple. However, I was quite surprised that there are several people (maybe even more than I know) that don't keep track of their Christmas gifts. I do get gift receipts for the items that I can but there are some cases that I will forget or places don't have them. When I get home or even sometimes while I'm in the store's parking lot or before I leave the store, I will write the recipients name on the receipt next to the item (as well as the gift receipt, if I have one). This helps me in many ways - to keep track of whom I have gifts, what was purchased and how much was spent. (I track all purchases in a spreadsheet as well but not while I am shopping.) Another way this helps is if we need to actually return an item and purchase a replacement gift at another store. In a case like that, the original receipt is needed. It's easier to find the correct receipt (especially when I have 5 Target receipts or 8 Wal-mart receipts and those are the stores I need).

To find out what works for others, visit Rocks in My Dryer's Works for Me Wednesday.

Works for Me: Super Sliders

Last week, I made a few updates to our family room. I wanted to get it done while my fiancé was out of town. It wasn’t until I went to tape off the room that I realized I probably couldn’t do it on my own. Who was going to move the furniture? Then I remembered our Super Sliders.

We had purchased these a year and a half ago so I could rearrange the furniture every couple months without having to have my fiancé or another adult around. I grabbed them, stuck them under the corners and was able to move my desk, the entertainment center (with the television and all the boxes on it), the curio cabinet and my treadmill with ease! I would not have been able to do it without them. My treadmill is still sitting on them so I can move it out to the center of the family room when I want to use it.

This is what works for me. To see what works for others, visit Rocks In My Dryer’s Works for Me Wednesday. You might find something that will work for you too!

Works for Me - Our Favorite Toys

Today’s Works for Me Wednesday is themed - Toys Worth Buying. For those that don't know me, I’m not a fan of toys mainly because it seems like they are everywhere. My house used to look like Toys R Us's twin brother. Now that the kids are getting older, it’s really not as bad. There aren't as many toys with pieces and parts. There are a few toys that I don’t mind having around and that have been around our house for a while. Here are three of them…

One of our favorites is the Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Barn. It’s made of durable wood. Ours has been kicked around and dropped…it’s still in really good shape. It’s easy to transport – not too heavy and not too big. It’s big enough to enjoy though. It comes with animals too. The animals store easily in the barn. My youngest son spends hours playing with it. We’ve taken to soccer games to keep all the little ones occupied. They’ve all loved it.

Another one of our favorites is the John Deere Gator HPX Riding Toy. This is one of our rather expensive toys but with the use this has gotten and the length of time we’ve had it (and probably will have it). It was worth the money. It has 2 speeds and reverse. It even has a lockout feature to keep your child from going too fast. My son was driving this like a pro at 2 ½ years old. The dump bed lifts to empty the load. In most cases, it’s usually full of toys, rocks or dirt. He’s helped me with mulch the past couple years by loading a bag at a time in it and helping me by dumping it around the flower beds. There’s enough room in the front for 2 kids to be fastened in…yep, with seat belts. Every now and then I will find my son driving around 2 kids – one in the front with him and one in the back. There’s no seat belt in the back and it’s not recommended but that’s how durable it is. It’s been drove around like a race car and like the Fold & Go Barn – it’s still in really good shape and has lots of life left. It does have a 12 volt battery that needs to be charged in order for it to work.

Then for the older kids, the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) has been great.I think this is the best portable gaming system we’ve had. We had the Nintendo Gameboy and DS. With both of them, we had them in for repairs or replacements than we had liked. That’s how we ended up buying the Sony PSP for my older son. It’s a gaming system, video/movie player and music player all-in-one. It has other features too like photo viewing, accessing the internet and connecting to other PSPs. It’s got a crystal clear screen that makes playing or viewing easier and more enjoyable. Better put – the graphics are awesome! It’s so compact that it fits comfortable in the palm of your hand and pocket/purse.

Those are some of the toys that we feel are worth buying. To see what others are recommending, visit Rocks In My Dryer’s Works for Me Wednesday.

Works for Me Wednesday - Dryer Lint Brush

Do you have a dryer lint brush? I didn’t until recently. At first, I didn’t know what it was. I asked, “What am I supposed to do with this thing?” I can honestly say that until I got this dryer lint brush the only thing I would do is clean out the lent trap. What ended up on the trap became trash and everything else stayed in there. Not only do I use it to clean out the dryer lint trap, I use it to clean out the dryer vent (inside and out) then under the washer, dryer, stove and refrigerator. Really, it can be used to clean under anything that has a small bit of room under it. We’ve used it to get things out from under dressers and the couch. It works for me! It sure beats my kids bring a tree branch into my house to reach under something to get their toy out or me having to move a heavy appliance to clean the dust out. Plus, it reduces our risk of a dryer fire!

To see what works for others, visit Rocks In My Dryer’s Works for Me Wednesday.

Works for Me Wednesday - Paint

If there’s one thing I don’t like about metal, it’s got to be the way it rusts. I used to throw things out once they were rusted, even after many attempts with CLR. I found, with CLR, that I would have to let it sit and didn’t want to chance the kids or cats getting into it. Plus, it would eat away the metal on some objects. Well, that’s all changed now. Now I use Rust-oleum Appliance Epoxy to cover the rust. I put it to the test on my son’s Pittsburgh Steelers trash can. It was starting to rust on the bottom and inside. With new carpet in the house, I had to do something. So, I went to Lowe’s to look for spray paint…and found Appliance Epoxy. It worked! I coated the bottom as well as the inside with it. It’s got a nice thick (but not too thick) coat on it now. Since I had quite a bit left, I went a search for more rust…the my son's bike - rusted from being left outside. I painted the bars that were rusty and it looks great.

Before you throw out your next rusted item, try Appliance Epoxy. It works for me and might work for you too!

To see what works for other's, visit Rocks In My Dryer's Works for Me Wednesday.

Works For Me Wednesday - CD/DVD/Computer Game Holders

Do you have a lot of these sitting around your house - either with DVDs, CDs or computer games in them?With trying to minimize the clutter around the house, I figured it was time to get rid of these boxes (and the cardboard ones). They were taking up a lot of space in the entertainment center and computer drawer. I found that a CD Holder works perfectly. You can even pull the cover/instructions out and slide it over your disk. I don't have to worry about the kids breaking the cases or tearing the boxes anymore!
That's what works for me! To see what works for others, visit Rocks In My Dryer's Works for Me Wednesday!

Works for Me Wednesday - Cabinet Lists

This week for it's the Kitchen Organization Edition of Works for Me Wednesday. My first thought was I have no kitchen organization. We have a small kitchen - limited storage and limited counter space. But then I remembered my tackle to the can good cabinet. I did some organizing in there placing the canned veggies together, the canned fruit, the dressings, soups…you get the point. Not only that but I made a list of everything that was in the cabinet and the quantity. I made a list in Excel with the name of the product and the quantity. I left a few extra lines for handwritten items and enough room to change the quantity. It hangs on the inside of the cabinet door (took the picture after the tackle before the list was posted). I have to tell you this has made meal planning and grocery shopping easier. I know what I have on hand. I saved the list to my computer and updated every week or so that way things do get to messy.

Check out Rocks In My Dryer for other helpful Kitchen Organization posts.

Works for Me Wednesday - Juice Concentrate

My son drinks a LOT of juice...mostly apple. He likes some other flavors but prefers apple. I can't get him to drink it if I dilute it like I did when he was younger. I have found a way to be able to dilute it without him really noticing. I make the apple juice myself with juice concentrate. I've also found it to be cheaper than buy a bunch of 64 oz bottles. I mix 2 juice concentrates with 7-9 cans of water (should be 6 cans of water). Well, fill the pitcher almost all the way up, shake and serve. We use the juice concentrate straight from the freezer so we don't have to worry about chilling it. No wait time! To find out what works for others, visit Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks In My Dryer.

Works for Me Wednesday: Organization on a Budget

Over the past month, I have really been trying to declutter and organize things around the house. I wanted to save as much as possible while doing it. Two things that seem to be getting out of control were the CDs and the magazines.

For the CDs, I bought two plastic spa caddies from the Dollar Tree and slid the CDs into them. They fit perfectly and it was inexpensive. They also slide nicely into the entertainment center.

For the magazine, I don’t normally keep them. However, if there are several good articles in them, I will keep them. I turn an empty cereal box into a magazine holder. I cut the box diagonally on both sides and cover it with wrapping paper. The wrapping paper keeps it from standing out like a sore thumb.

While were on the topic of organizing on a budget, do you reuse juice concentrate cans or soup cans? I do. I use them as pencil holders. Just clean them out and cover them with wallpaper, border, wrapping paper, contact paper, fabric...whatever you can find.

To find out what works for others, visit Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks In My Dryer.

Works for Me Wednesday - Organizing Puzzles

I have two boys that seem to be pretty rough on this…especially boxes. As I have started to organized, trash or move out stuff for our yard sale, I have gotten rid of puzzle boxes. It seems that we had lost a couple piece to a few of the puzzles due to broken boxes. To avoid that in the future, we have switched to appropriate size plastic baggies. These have worked out perfectly! I cut the picture of the puzzle off the box and put it facing out in the bag with the puzzle pieces (see picture below). The picture lets you know which puzzle is in the bag and how many pieces there should be. We’ve even done this with a few of the smaller games like Memory, Yahtzee, Boogle. We store them in plastic tubs labeled puzzles or games. It makes like a lot easier and less stressful when looking for them!

This is what Works for Me. To find out what works for others, visit Rocks In My Dryer.

Works For Me Wednesday Backwards Edition: Baby Wipe Containers

It’s the backwards edition of Works for Me Wednesday. I’ve been waiting for the backwards edition. Here’s my dilemma that I need your help with…

I’ve been collecting my wipe containers. Everyone’s been telling me they will come in handy. Handy for who? I’ve used one out of the seven that I decided to keep. It has grocery bags in it since I can’t seem to keep those things under control. What can I do with the other seven (besides throw them away)?

Once you leave me a wipe container suggestion, head over to Rocks In My Dryer to find other’s that are looking for help.

Works For Me Wednesday - Chicken Salad

Lately, chicken salad has been working for me. It's cheap and it's VERY easy to make (right up my alley).
1 can of chicken
Hidden Valley Light Ranch Dressing
salt and pepper (optional)

Open and drain the can of chicken. Put in bowl add two big squirts of Ranch dressing. Stir until well mixed. Add salt and pepper to taste. You can enjoy on crackers, bread or alone.

This is what works for me...simple and quick lunch/snack!! Go over to Rocks In My Dryer to find out what works for others!

WFMW: 5 Ingredients or Less Weight Watcher Recipes

Are you looking for some low calorie or Weight Watcher desserts for your 4th of July cookout? You came to the right place. Here are two crowd pleasers! Adults and kids will enjoy these so be sure to make plenty. Note: They do not have "diet" or fat free taste to them...promise!

Frozen Peanut Butter Cups

Yields: 12 servings 2 points per serving

Ingredients:
1 8oz tub of Cool Whip Free Whipped Topping
1/3 cup Reduced Fat Peanut Butter **
Hershey's Lite Chocolate Syrup

Directions:
Whisk 1 cup of the cool whip with the peanut butter and mix thoroughly. Fold in the remaining cool whip. Line a muffin tin with 12 paper/foil liners. Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoon of the mixture into each of the 12 muffin liners. Top each with 1 teaspoon of the chocolate syrup - cover the cool whip/peanut butter mixture. Freeze! Once frozen, ENJOY!!

**If you can find Better 'n Peanut Butter, you can substitute for lower WW point value. I purchase mine at Trader Joe's.

Chips Ahoy Dessert
Yields: 9 servings 2 points per serving

1/2 cup fat free milk
18 reduced fat Chips Ahoy Cookies
2 cups fat free milk
1 8 oz. fat free Cool Whip
1 small box chocolate fat free, sugar free pudding mix (vanilla works too)

Pour 1/2 cup of the milk in a shallow bowl. Dip cookies in the milk very briefly and line 8 X 8 dish with them. Take 1/2 the Cool Whip and spread over cookies. Mix the chocolate pudding with 2 cups milk. Layer over top of Cool Whip. Dip next 9 cookies in the milk and lay on top of pudding. Top with remaining Cool Whip. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Chips Ahoy Dessert from Lorie at Honey, I Shrank Myself

For more 5 (or less) ingredient recipes, visit Rocks in My Dryer!

Works for Me Wednesday - Bent Toilet Paper Rolls

We opened our pool this weekend which means many visitors to our house. I shop CVS (who doesn’t, right?) so I don’t pay a lot for toilet paper but I hate to go through more than one roll in a day. Over the weekend, I tried something new. I bent the toilet paper roll. Instead of the roll spinning until you tear off your share of toilet paper, the toilet paper roll stops. Needless to say, the same roll of toilet paper was still in there hanging around when I cleaned the bathroom at 9:00pm on Sunday night!! If you are looking of other great ideas and tips, check out Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks In My Dryer.

Works for Me Wednesday - Nail Polish

I wanted to take a minute to share with you what is working for me. I’ve always had a problem with my nails. They chip and peel. They are weak and brittle. They don’t grow past the end of my finger. If they do, it seems like I get them caught on something and they break because they are so weak.

Recently, I started painting my nails with a light color nail polish. I’m currently using Revlon’s Sweet Nothings in Barely Blush. I wouldn’t normally paint my nails. I don’t draw attention to my nails (or the little bit of nail that I have). Since painting my nails, my nails have become stronger and have grown to the edge of my finger and have yet to break! They haven’t been peeling either. With using a light color, I can’t tell when the nail polish is chipping so I don’t sit and peel that off either (causing damage to my nails). I add polish every couple of days and every other week I take off all the polish and start over.

If you have the same problems with your nails, give it try – it just might work for you too.

If you are looking of other great ideas and tips, check out Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks In My Dryer.