Keep your cool and Save Money too....

• Keeping cool and saving money too may seem like a bit of stretch, definately  if you live below The Mason Dixon line. I think this is the hottest June we have ever seen on record, but here are some little tidbits to help you do just that. Change the filter in your heating and cooling system.The harder the system works against itself, the more money you are gonna fork out. Keep curtains and drapes closed in the heat of the day, especially those that are facing the brightest sunlight. Dial back your thermostat 2 or 3 degrees, and crank up that ceiling fan! This can make a 1-3% difference on your utility bill, but remember, if you are not gonna be in a room, turn the light and the fan off. Fans cool people, not rooms. Turn the thermostat down so it won't kick on when you are not at home. What's the use of cooling a house when no one is there? If you have a pet in the house however, you need to make it a few degrees cooler than necessary, and make sure they have plenty of fresh, cool water. Also, turn down the thermostat at night, and open some windows up and put in a fan to draw the cool,night breeze in. Seal up any cracks you can find where your cool air could be escaping from, such as around windows and doors. Lastly, stay hydrayed with plenty of water and those wonderful cool treats the South is so famous for. Any excuse for ice cream, right ladies?!

Saving that Precious fuel...

Even though the gas prices have crept ever so slowly downward, gas is still high. I have a few tips for ya  today to help you save that 'liquid gold' once you have  acquired  it.First, air up your tires and keep them at the recommended air pressure. Second, limit hard breaking, so slow down!{that one liked to have killed me myself!I have a heavy foot!}and if you know you are gonna be in that long drive through line at the bank,turn the car off and don't sit iydling while the air runs. It actually takes less gas for you to start the car back up than to sit,wasting, for minutes at a time. Third,if you can take the heat,use the vent and not the AC.{You are a far braver,better soul than I if you do this one!} Fourth, lighten your load. The things  you have stuffed in the back seat, and trunk{yes, I swear, you CAN live without some of it! Guilty as charged!}get it out. The lighter the car is, the less fuel you will use. Lastly, if you think your car is not getting the proper gas mileage, try a fuel injecter cleaner added to your fuel as your injecters might be stopped up. Have fun ,stay cool, and stay safe out there y'all!

Put out the burn on sunburn....

Summertime is here again. Everyone knows what that means. Outdoor barbeques, picnics, family outings. Here in the heart of The Deep South, it is already hotter than blue blazes. I happened to stay out too long in the sun the other day,and boy, did the back of one of my arms get cooked! After a cool shower that night, my arm was as red any lobster you have ever saw. Being a soapmaker, I had an inkling of what to do about it. I headed into the kitchen, with my soap supplies. I put pure vitamin E in all my handmade soaps. I popped two 400IU capsules with a knife, and rubbed the contents of the vitamin E into the sunburn. After that, I rubbed a lotion that had aloe vera in it  onto the sunburnt skin. Before you try this, do be aware you need to do this 'BEFORE' you go to bed so that the soothing agents have time to soak into your skin over night. I would also advise wearing something old, and maybe even sleeping on a towel cause after all,it is still an oil, and any oil will stain. However, it did wash out of the dark tee shirt I was wearing. The next day, I would say it looked 50% better, and almost all the heat and sting was gone. I only had to repeat this once more. I did not peel, nor did I lose my tan. So, remember where you put those vitamin E's before you head out in the  sun; you just may need them when nightfall appears.

Some Good Advice I read from an Older one...

I recently read something out of an email I got that really made me stop and think. It was an older woman talking about things she was going to do differently, and the more I think about it, the more sense it makes. She was talking about how she was gonna start wearing her  'good perfume' to run errands, just to the store and such.That wonderful china she had been saving for 'just those right occasions', she was gonna start pulling out to use. The point she was making folks, is what if that "right time" never comes? You should enjoy life NOW, as it comes, rain or shine, cause you never know what tommorrow will bring, or if it will even come at all. It is sad that it takes many of us many years, or some tragedy to realize this fact. I will however leave you on this lighter note: if life hands you lemons, make lemonade, or if you prefer, stuff them in your bra, whichever you may need at the time!:)

Stop a Soldier...

As today is Memorial Day, please remember this week, or anytime really, if you see a soldier out and about, to stop and shake his hand, and tell him how much you really care about the sacrifice he is making for your country. It means so much to boost moral in this day and age. Not only will it do your heart good, but probably  theirs as well:) Also on this day, remember to fly your U.S. flag high with pride for those who have fallen, and given their lives for this precious  thing we call FREEDOM.

Before You Hit the Hay...

Dear Ladies, please remember this little tip before you hit the hay: researchers have found that leaving your makeup on BEFORE going to bed ages your face by three minutes everytime you do this. Three minutes may not seem like a lot now, but what about twenty years down the road? Possibly some of that aging could have been undone twenty years before simply by swiping your face before you went to bed. Why chance it? What is that Momma used to say? Better safe than oh so sorry?!

Before You Head out of the Doctor's Office...

If you have one of those dreaded Doc's visits rapid approaching you, head into the office with this little tid bit of advise. It is a little  known fact, that if you don't have insurance, and you are paying with cash, don't be afraid to ask for a discount. Some doctors do this so they can get part of their money right then, and you never know until you ask. Also,if your doctor has given you prescriptions, ask if they have samples on hand of the medicine they have just prescribed. Alot of drug reps. leave these with the doctor so they will hand out the sample, and people can try their drug without worrying if they can take the whole prescription or not. Also, if they have given you a scrip, check the drug company's website before you get that puppy filled. Alot of drug companies will give you your 1st precription free to keep you coming back for that drug, or they might offer a coupon deal to where you can get so much off that drug every month. If they do this, just remember to take that coupon to the drug store each and every month. Two drug companies  that I know of that gives the 1st month free is Cymbalta, and Advair. These are WELL worth checking into. An Advair can cost you over $ 200.00. Cymbalta has the price range of $ 80.00 and up. That isn't chump change folks, that's alotta dough, especially at this time. So before you head out that doc's door, take a moment and have another chat with him. It could very well be worth your time and your hard earned money.