"GUIDELINES FOR 40+SANITY CHANOPS - compliments of Tin^Man"

Dear Members of #40+Sanity,

Most of you already know that the majority of the regulars who come to the channel are opped. If you’re not opped, it’s simply a matter of time until you are. This brings with it some problems due to interpretation of channel policies etc. for kicks and bans etc.
This is an attempt to define some guidelines.
It’s certainly not all encompassing, so use common sense. It’s always best to refer any problems to a SOP or the Channel Founder, but if none are available, please follow these guidelines.

#1. The premise of the channel is clean, safe chat. It’s also friendly. If someone comes in and is in a sex channel or in an unsavory channel, politely ask them in notice or pvt. Msg to leave there. Give them a few minutes to do so. If after several attempts to make contact with them, it’s ok to kick. Usually people will leave those channels when asked. Remember the adage “You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar”

#2. Offensive nicks are a matter of interpretation. Who is it offensive to? Again, we are a family, if it’s offensive to some of us and this is our home, it’s ok to politely ask for some concessions on the part of the new comer. Politely notice or msg them to modify their nick. After several attempts to do so, kick them.

#3. I have zero patience or tolerance for anyone coming in and sending sexually offensive private messages or DCC’s to ANYONE in the channel. Tell them to stop one time. After that, if it continues, get em outta here.

#4. Channel chatter can sometimes get a little “blue”. I am as guilty as anyone. It’s nearly always meant in fun and flirtation. If it offends you, or crosses the line of decency, politely ask the offending party in notice or msg to tone it down. If it’s a continuing problem for you, contact a SOP or the Founder and lodge a complaint.

#5. AOPS and SOPS DO NOT kick/ban other AOPS and SOPS. Not now, not ever. If an AOP/SOP is a continuing problem, he/she will lose ops status after a review and a vote by the SOPS. Nothing kills a channel faster than discord and open warfare in the channel. Take it private, and contact a SOP for mediation if you need it.

#6. Most of you know of some problems this channel has had in the past with another channel. We’ve got an unofficial policy about discussing that situation in the open channel. PLEASE, PLEASE keep discussions about that channel and it’s occupants out of the channel. It serves no purpose and only continues the problem. We all come here for fun. We don’t need to have conflict in the channel. If you see this happening, politely ask in notice or private for the offending parties to take it private. Persistent violations should be reported to a SOP.

#7. Offensive “tag lines” seen on a “whois” aren’t welcome. Also taunting or making comments about other channels or persons in the tag lines isn’t welcome here. Lets take the high road here folks. Let the “so-called” war end with us. We seek to be left to IRC in peace. We’ll not be the ones who can’t let it go. Keep it peaceful.

#8. You all know and tolerate Ozzinator. For those who didn’t know it, Ozzinator is an eggdrop Bot. Most of you know that Ozzie has some games and scripts that spice up the channel from time to time. However, it’s not a good idea to mess with Ozzie. It’s not cool to try to DCC him or msg him. He’ll ignore you most likely. If you see someone messing with him or flooding him or any thing else that might harm him. Tell that person to stop immediately. After that, it’s ok to kick/ban. Ozzie has a great memory. If someone tries to hurt him, he will log that in his memory and will most likely kick/ban you himself.
I realize this is somewhat rambling, and has likely missed some important points.
If you have suggestions or corrections, or if you disagree with anything written here, please contact me privately in the channel to discuss.
We want this to be an open honest, friendly channel.

Together we can make and keep it that way.

Sincerely,
Tin^Man

"A MESSAGE FROM OZZINATOR TO THE MEMBERS OF 40+SANITY"

Hi Folks, I am Ozzinator, the #40+Sanity Smart-A$$ed Bot.

Since you’re all so nice and tolerate my smart aleky remarks and stuff, I thought I’d like to give the channel a little something back.
Aside from rude comments, I know a little something about IRC and mIRC in particular. If there’s a question you’d like to see answered, or a problem you’re having with mIRC or scripts or anything else in your puters, write to me c/o the channel newsletter. I’ll answer them and put the most interesting ones in the newsletter.
So, in the future, you’ll see a “Dear Ozzie” column in the newsletter.

Send those problems in, I’ll do my best to get answers.

Hugs, kisses and lollipops,

Ozzinator

"LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD - compliments Jlady"

LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD

Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember the other you call “Mother”
Two different lives shaped to make yours one.
One became your guiding star the other became your sun.
The first gave you life and the other taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love and the second was there to give it to you.
One gave you a nationality and the other gave you a name
One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you aim
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears
One gave you up it was all she could do
The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you
And now if you ask me through your tears
The age-old question through the years
Heredity or environment which are you the product of?
Neither my daughter, neither
Just two different kinds of love

"THE LIVE OAK TREE - compliments of Magic^Lady & Gntl"

Photo compliments of Gntl

I have learned in Texas, that an ideal parking space has nothing to do with how close you are to your destination, but whether or not you are parked in the shade.

Our new home(San Antonio, Texas), has four scrawny trees growing in the back yard. They dapple patterns of light and shadow creating a lovely mosaic on the grass. They look like big bushes to me, but I am told they are trees. The relator said that these were oak trees. I grew up in Pennsylvania, I know oak trees. Oak trees are tall and straight, and the fruit of the tree, an acorn, sits in a little cup until it's brown and ripe and then it falls to the ground. These are not oak trees.
What I found out was that they are called live oak trees. These trees grow all over southern Texas and the deep south states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Georgia (where it is the state tree). They are often seen laced with spanish moss or mistletoe.
The most unique thing about these trees is the way they grow. The picture shows the fascinating way they mutate. It reminds me a lot of our lives, and how different we all are. Each limb takes a different path, and it twists and turns among many forks along the way. Some are large and others are small. Some have knots and scars and others are smooth and straight. Each branch is fragile on its own, but as a whole tree, it is strong and can withstand many a Southern hurricane or tornado. We are all like that. We need our friends and people who love us to hold us up in times of turmoil. With God and friends, we can withstand whatever the world throws at us.

Magic^Lady

"A LITTLE BIT OF INNOCENT FUN....

"MASTERS & JOHNSONS’S SEX TRIVIA" - compliments of Swedekid"

1. True or False: Girls are born with enough eggs for a lifetime

2. The brown area surrounding the nipple is called:

A. G-spot B. Areola C. brown spot D. Pigmenta

3. True or False: The world record for "Youngest Mother" was a five-year-old girl in South America.

4. According to Masters and Johnson, how many phases in the sexual response cycle?

A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

5. True or False: In some states fellatio and cunnilingus are illegal between married couples.

6. True or False: Orgasm is possible without any physical contact.

7. According to Masters and Johnson, the average age for female sexual maturation:

A. 11.2 B. 12.5 C. 13.2 D. 14.9

8. According to Masters and Johnson, the average age for male sexual maturation:

A. 11. 2 B. 12.5 C. 13.2 D. 14.9

9. True or False: Men stop producing sperm in their late 60's on average.

10. "Satyriasis" is defined as:

A. Male nymphomania B. the "doggy position" C. nipple sucking D. inorgasmia

See below for the answers.....

"GO BACK IN TIME - compliments of sunriseF"

Close your eyes.....And go back........

Before the Internet or the MAC,
Before semi automatics and crack
Before chronic and indo
Before SEGA or Super Nintendo

Way back........

I'm talkin' bout hide and go seek at dusk.
Sittin' on the porch,
Hot bread and butter.
Eatin' a 'super dooper sandwich'(Dagwood),
Red light, Green light.
Chocolate milk, Lunch tickets,
Penny candy in a brown paper bag.
Hopscotch, butterscotch, doubledutch
Jacks, kickball, dodgeball, y'all!
Mother, May I?
Hula Hoops and Sunflower Seeds,
Jaw breakers, blowpops, Mary Janes,
Running through the sprinkler (I can't get wet! All right, well don't wet my hair....)
The smell of the sun and lickin' salty lips....
Wait......

Catchin' lightening bugs in a jar,
Playin sling shot and Red Rover.
When around the corner seemed far away,
And going downtown seemed like going somewhere.
Bedtime, Climbing trees,
A million mosquito bites and sticky fingers,
Cops and Robbers,
Cowboys and Indians,
Sittin on the curb,
Jumpin down the steps,
Jumpin on the bed.
Pillow fights
Being tickled to death
Runnin till you were out of breath
Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt
Being tired from playin'.... Remember that?
I ain't finished just yet...

What about the girl that had the big bubbly hand writing??
Licking the beaters when your mother made a cake.
Didn't that feel good.. just to go back and say,
Yeah, I remember that!
Remember when...

When there were two types of sneakers for girls and boys (Keds & PF Flyers),
and the only time you wore them at school, was for "gym."
When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there.
When nobody owned a purebred dog.
When a quarter was a decent allowance, and another quarter a huge bonus.
When you'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny.
When girls neither dated nor kissed until late high school, if then.
When your mom wore nylons that came in two pieces.
When all of your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done, everyday.
When you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, for free, every time. And, you didn't pay for air. And, you got trading stamps to boot!
When laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box.
When any parent could discipline any kid, or feed him or use him to carry groceries, and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.
When it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents.
When they threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed ...and did!
When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited a misbehaving student at home.
Basically, we were in fear for our lives but it wasn't because of drive by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc.
Disapproval of our parents and grandparents was a much bigger threat!

Where I live...SW Florida - compliments of "fltfshr"

"A FRIEND IN NEED......TO THE NEW PEOPLE IN SANITY - MAY YOU FIND A HOME HERE, LIKE I DID - anonymous"

A Friend in Need ...

My friend, through all this time of trouble and tumbling emotions, be assured of at least one thing.....
you have us, your friends with the funny little names and the feelings that we wear on our fingers......
when you feel you can no longer bear the pain and stress and hurt come to us...
let us share your unbearable with you.....
we truly may not have all the answers to the unanswerable...
but we are always here to help hold up the burdens of your pain......
so do not hesitate.. you can always find us..
with a click of a button a twist of a mouse..
or the simple typing of a name.. we are here...
come to us.....
let us share....

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"LETTER TO MY FRIENDS IN 40+SANITY - from Pied^Piper"

Hello to all of my dearest friends in Sanity, I just needed to take this moment to sincerely thank all of you from the bottom (and top) of my heart for all the support I received from you daily during my scary experience! I needed support and a shoulder to cry on and got so many that I nearly ran out of tears. I never realized how caring people can be. I have not met one of you in person as yet but feel that I have known all of you for centuries. Dick (hubby) is doing extremely well and is up and moving about so well, and came home from hospital a day early and he is in such good humor and feeling out of pain. He is making a remarkable recovery from the door of Mr. Death and I feel it is all of you out there that have been helping him. With tears in my eyes and a huge smile on my face I want to say one more time how wonderful you all have been.

May God Bless and keep you all in His arms.

Love Irene (Pied )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "TO MY CHILDREN - compliments of jlady"

To My Children...

When I spill some food on my nice clean dress
Or maybe forget to tie my show
Please be patient and perhaps reminisce
About the hours I spent with you
When I taught you how to eat with care
Plus tying shoe laces and your numbers too
Dressing yourself and combing your hair
Those were precious hours spent with you
So when I forget what I was about to say
Just give me a minute - or maybe two
It probably wasn't important anyway
And I would much rather listen to you
If I tell a story one more time
And you know the ending through and through
Please remember your first nursery rhyme
When I rehearsed it a hundred times with you
When my legs are tired and it's hard to stand
Or walk the steady pace I would like to do
Please take me carefully by my hand
And guide me now as I did for you

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"A.S.A.P. - compliments of Pied^Piper"

Ever wondered about the abbreviation A.S.A.P? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way. "There's work to do, deadlines to meet; You've got no time to spare, But as you hurry and scurry ASAP-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER. In the midst of family chaos, 'Quality time' is rare. Do your best; let God do the rest ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER. It may seem like your worries Are more than you can bear. Slow down and take a breather- ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER. God knows how stressful life is; He wants to ease our cares, And He'll respond. A S A P.- ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"PORTRAIT OF A FRIEND"

I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts, or fears.
But I can listen to you, and together we will search for answer.
I can't change your past with all its heartache and pain, or the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care
I can't keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.
Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine.
Yet, I can share in your laughter
Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge.
I can only support you, encourage you, and help you when you ask
I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship, from your values, from me.
I can only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you
I can't give you boundaries, which I have determined for you.
But I can give you the room to change,
room to grow, room to be yourself
I can't keep your heart from breaking or hurting.
But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces and put them back in place.
I can't tell you who you are.
I can only love you and be your friend.
~by Caramel Kitty~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"THE DEPTH OF A SMILE"

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives."

He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes.

We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him!

Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

"Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse.

~Author Unknown~

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"FRIENDS - compliments of Yondar"

FRIENDS......

"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you."
- Winnie the Pooh

"True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost."
- Charles Caleb Colton

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend."
- Albert Camus.

"Strangers are just friends waiting to happen."

"Friends are the Bacon Bits in the Salad Bowl of Life."

"Friendship is one mind in two bodies."
- Mencius

"Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

"If you should die before me, ask if you could bring a friend."
-Stone Temple Pilots

"I'll lean on you and you lean on me and we'll be okay."
-DaveMatthews Band

"If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them, I'd be at the bottom to catch them."

"Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say."

"We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere."
- Tim McGraw

"My father always used to say that when you die, if you've got five real friends, then you've had a great life."
-Lee Iacocca

"Hold a true friend with both your hands."
-Nigerian Proverb

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
-unknown

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"THE LITTLEST FIREMAN..."

The 26-year-old mother stared down at her son who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true.

She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"
"Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up."
Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat--not a toy one--with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van and even the fire chief's car. He was also video taped for the local news program.

Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called the fire chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.

The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of it's finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room? Thanks."

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital, extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window and 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him.

With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?" "Billy, you are," the chief said.

With those words, Billy smiled and closed his eyes one last time.

~Author Unknown~
Possibly from Jack Canfield and Mark V. Hansen's
"Chicken Soup From The Soul" Books

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Click here to see jlady's pictures of the Canadian Rocky Mountains on her recent trip

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I AM BLESSED INDEED..."

Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl, I envied her: She seemed so happy. And I wish I were as fair. And then, suddenly,she rose to leave, and I saw her hobble down the aisle,
She had one leg and wore a crutch,
But as she passed, a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two legs,
I am blessed indeed. The world is mine!

Later, walking down the street,
I saw a man with eyes of blue.
But he just stood and watched the others play.
So, I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, sir?"
But he looked ahead without a word.
And then I knew he could not hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears,
I am blessed indeed. The world is mine!

And later, I stopped to buy some sweets,
The lad who sold them had such charm,
I talked with him. If I were late, it would do no harm.
But as I turned to go, he said to me,
"I thank you sir. You've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you."
"You see," he said, "I am blind." Oh God forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes,
I am blessed indeed.

The world is mine!

With legs to take me where I want to go,
With ears to hear the things I need to know,
With eyes to watch that radiant sunset glow.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine,
I am blessed indeed!

The world is mine!

~by Og Mandino~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"RECIPES from an anonymous sanity regular"

CHOCOLATE NUT PIE

There's just no other way to describe this pie than "sinfully rich." But oh, it's so good--you may find that instead of serving 8 people, this pie serves only 4 (or maybe 2). That's why this recipe makes two pies. Each pie serves 8 (usually).

1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
1 cup flour
1/4 cup bourbon
4 eggs
2 c black walnuts or pecans, chopped
2 cup chocolate chips
2 unbaked pie shells

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Add flour; mix well.
Add bourbon, then eggs; beat until fluffy. Fold in walnuts and chocolate chips.
Pour into pie shells. Bake 25 minutes; do not overcook.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

8 Tbs unsalted butter or margarine
1 1/4 c sugar
3 eggs
1 c sour cream
1 TSP vanilla extract
2 c sifted all-purpose flour
1 TSP baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 c light brown sugar
1 TSP ground cinnamon
1 c chopped nuts

Beat together the butter and 1 cup (250 ml) of the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla, and beat until well blended. Add the flour,baking powder, and baking soda and mix until thoroughly combined. Make the topping by combining the remaining sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and optional nuts.
Pour half the batter into a greased 10-inch (25 cm) tube or Bundt pan.
Sprinkle 2/3 of the topping over the batter, and add the remaining batter.
Top with remaining topping mixture and bake in a preheated 325 (160C) oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Serves 8 to 10.

Enjoy!

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"HOUSEHOLD HINTS - compliments of ..anonymous"

Cheap Water Savings. Did you know faucet aerators save water? They actually reduce the amount of water that flows out of the faucet by almost half.

Homemade Fabric Softener. If you like soft clothes, but hate spending money on fabric softener, just add about a quarter cup of white vinegar in the final rinse cycle of a regular load of wash.

Clothes Dryer Filters. Clean out the lint filter of your clothes dryer regularly and also check the exhaust vent hose that goes to the exterior of the house for clogs of lint. Excessive lint creates a fire hazard and reduces drying efficiency.
Unscrew the hose clamp that holds it to the flange. and clean the inside of the hose.

Freshen a Garbage Disposer. Throw in cut up pieces of used orange, lime or lemons, and the citrus smell will purify the disposer which sometimes holds the odor of what's been inside it.

Make Your Own Dryer Sheets. I use an old WHITE wash cloth (dip in ''ultra'' fabric softener and then ring it out) as homemade dryer sheets. I have used the same one I don't know how many times, and it's still working as good as new. I don't even ''re-dip'' it or get it wet. I just throw it in dry. It may be advisable to use a separate one for your whites, because after many uses with different colored clothes it becomes discolored. Talk about a money saver!

Marked Walls and Upholstery. Baby Wipes remove marks from walls without removing the paint and gently remove stains from upholstery.

Marker Remover. Have your children ever marked up your walls with magic marker? Solution: Spray hairspray on your wall - let it sit for a minute and wash off. It really works!

Microwave Easy-Clean. The best way to clean your microwave is to put a small bowl of water in it. Set it for about 6 minutes. Let it stand in the microwave for about 5 minutes after it stops. The condensation in the oven softens all that messy residue. Just wipe out the oven with a damp sponge.

Miracle Cleaner. At some hardware stores (Builders Square) pick up some Goo Gone SPRAY. YES spray. It has been around in an oil type form, but now also has a citrus-spray like a 409 or Windex. But this is the cleaner of all cleaners!!! Great for just about everything! I love it on my appliances to cut the grease right off as it builds over time with cooking in the kitchen.
I use it everywhere though. On laundry stains (it can get just about ANYTHING out) and as a carpet cleaner. You will love it!
(Editor's note - yep - I'll vouch for this one!!!)

Stop Soap Scum. To clean soap scum from bathtubs use vinegar and then use baking soda as you would a scouring powder. Shines a bathtub like new.

Hair Spray for Ink Stains. Have an ink stain on your clothing? Do not rinse with cold water. Spray the stained area with hair spray, then let it dry, and brush it off. Works great!

Keep Drains Running. Two cups of household bleach in your sinks and tubs will keep them running good. Pour in and let set for about 45 minutes. Then fill sink with hot water and drain. It works well done about every 3 weeks.

Coffee Filters Do Windows. Instead of newspapers for mirrors and windows use coffee filters. They do not scratch nor do they leave messy newsprint on hands or wallpaper!

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