Jamie Hamblin: October 2009

I saw these on a website and I've been searching for hours to find the site and I can't, so yeah I'm sorry. But here are some great tips that I thought would be helpful to some of my gals out there.

A sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.(hmmmmmm...)============================================

Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

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For icy door steps in freezing temperatures:get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. (wish I had known this for the last 40 years!)============================================

To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down The wax will fall out.=========================================

Crayon marks on walls?This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).

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Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receiptBLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.========================================

Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the s cissors get 'sharpened'' this way!=========================================

Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time! (Now, where to put the body?) LOL==================================

Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry t oo quickly an d will probably streak.============================================

Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.============================================

Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.=============================================

Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the free zerfor at least 3hours prior to burning.=============================================

To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!=============================================

To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.==============================================

Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spraybefore pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.=============================================

Wrap celery in aluminum foilwhen putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.=============================================

When boiling corn on the cob,add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.=============================================

Cure for headaches:Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on yourforehead. The throbbing will go away.=============================================

To get rid of itch from mosquito bites,try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.=============================================

Ants, ants, ants everywhere ...Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.============================================

Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.============================================

When you get a splinter,reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.=====================================

Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer.......Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China ..============================================

Clean a vase.To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.==================

Polish jewelry.Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse thejewelry for two minutes.=============================================

Clean a thermos bottle.Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak or an hour (or longer, if necessary). ================================== ===========

Unclog a drain.Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down thedrain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.=============================================

So people ask me how I get Beckham to smile, it's simple... Practice, Practice, Practice! Whenever we go and take pictures we usually are backwards from everyone else and let the kids play around for a few minutes to get them loose! As you can see with this picture Beck was just being him and having fun! A lot of my favorite pictures are candid ones!

After a few minutes of playing we start asking him to look at us! Then when that dies down we start telling him to smile. This is what has worked for us so hopefully you can find something that works for you. Just remember to try and always make taking pictures fun! Because if it's not fun, you're in for a long frustrating experience.

What a cute shot huh? Just my boys being how they always are... cute!

This spot we went to is a gem! I seriously loved it!

Special thanks to Aunt Jenny, our photographer when we want pictures of us, she's amazing. Justin and I might have to hire her!