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Where's George? The traveling of money

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:38:00 -0700

Ever get curious where your green bills have been and where they come from? I always wonder how far a bill has traveled to get into my hands, purse, or coin pouch. After handing the money over, I always wonder where it will go. Of course, I don't lose sleep over thinking that it might end up in the wrong hands, but still the little thought is there from time to time.

So, this is how I came across this website of travel for money. I was in the process of purchasing a few school-related items and my change was $100. On the front of the bill was "www.wheresgeorge.com".

I was curious.......so I went there and registered my 100 dollar bill. It had a long journey, so to speak, to get to my hands. It was very interesting to see exactly where this $100 had been and how long it had taken to get to me. I felt almost sad letting it go later on in the week, I sort of felt like I knew the $100 now.

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Going Green with Aubrey Organics

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:40:00 -0700

Aubrey Organics isn't just some random organics product gracing the shelves of many health food stores, it's actually a fine product that is green from the ground to your home.

The company is a values-based organization and they believe in conducting business with the ethical and fair play reputation. They are fair-trade, fair-play and fair employee treatment type if company.

Their products not only are great for the planet but also great for the ones behind the products everyday. From the employees to the creators. Their motto is simple: Protect the earth....promote well-being of people.....nourish the spirit.

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Going Green on NaBloPoMo

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:37:00 -0700

I haven't joined a blog roll in a few months so I thought I would pick back up where I left off with NaBloPoMo, which means National Blog Posting Month, for all who didn't quite know.

So the theme of the month of August is "Green".

NaBloPoMo
National Blog Posting Month

A message to all members of NaBloPoMo
Hey, bloggers! The theme for August is GREEN. I hope this will open up some doors for the gardeners, painters, and photographers amongst us, as well as those with other green planetary thoughts to share.

If you'd like to give daily posting a shot this month, you'll want to be on the blog roll with your compatriots! Click here and follow the instructions at the top of the page. Proclaim your green intentions with an August HTML badge on your sidebar, which you can find here. (Badges for those who completed July are here!)

OK, then! Let's get started!

I think this is the perfect time for Thoughts Unveiled to get involved, don't you?

Of course, Thoughts Unveiled has always had a sort of "green" theme to it, but with NaBloPoMo, it makes it seem more fun. Tomorrow I will start with some awesome green topics to help you and your family and friends live a bit more green in your lives.

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Blue Herron having a mid-morning snack

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:21:01 -0700

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Collecting Vintage

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:36:18 -0700

Vintage anymore is something made or created at an earlier date by at least 30 years; anymore though I have seen items and furniture that were made in the 80s labeled as vintage.

Vintage collections as in items or furniture are becoming more and more popular with every year that passes. Earth-friendly ways to go are through vintage items and are not only stylish in many cases but also become a form of conversation piece over time as well.

A local antique dealer or even store can help you capture the collections you want to start in your own home. Some people collect dishes such as milk glass and or pots and pans dated back to the 20s or even earlier.

Below are a few things that I have collected over time through my vintage collection, a Look Book magazine circa 1963, an original print. A glaze-ware ladle, cosmetic bag which dates around 1950s, American flags with 45 stars, and Blue Bird and Oregon burlap potato sack.

My vintage taste comes from my mom and the collections she has throughout my parent's family home. Her collection of furniture is amazing and seems to be growing every year with a new piece from time to time that she picks up at garage sales, estate sales or even from friends giving her pieces that she can add in. My taste is almost all over the place but I manly like to stick to the pieces that are purses, luggage, or even cosmetic cases. I have also been building a great collection of vinyl records as well.

Dip into your local antique store and browse their store collection and see what they have that you might be interested in; you may just start a vintage collection as well.

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Travel more naturally

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:03:20 -0700

1. Solar radiation doubles every 6,500 feet of altitude. Boost your in-flight UV protection by drinking water with Emergen-C it contains vitamin C and antioxidant that studies has shown to protect cells from sun induced DNA damage.

2. After deplaning, eat and sleep on local time to stave off jet lag. Or take one tablet of homeopathic treatment like No Jet-Lag, which contains Arnica Montana, Bellius operennis, and Chamomilla, at takeoff and landing.

3. Too much caffeine can lead to dehydration, so skip the coffee and tea on your flight. For an added measure of safety, pack plenty of your own bottled water, such as volcano-derived Volvic or Fiji water, which comes from the island of Fiji. The Environmental Protection Agency recently found that tap water on 15 percent of aircrafts contained harmful bacteria. But, be sure and buy your water after passing through the security checkpoint. Otherwise you will have to place the water in a sealed zip-lock baggie and it will take longer to get through the checkpoint, it is easier just to buy it after the security x-ray point.

4. Ward off plane-spread colds and flu with Budda Nose immune Booster Spray and Salve an aromatherapy prophylactic that contains lemon, clove, cinnamon and raven Sara essential oil to fight airborne viruses and germs.

5. Whether youre suffering from motion sickness or too much road-trip fare, sweetened ginger slices, like Reeds Crystallized ginger can alleviate queasiness. Also, a study in Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine found that taking slow, deep breaths reduces the symptoms of motion sickness.

6. Recycled air can leave you with a dull and haggard complexion. To moisturize and refresh your skin go for a spray. Spiriting your face and hands with rose water (10 drops of rose essential oil in 1.8 ounces of water) throughout the flight can help drastically.

7. Crowds and close quarters can bring on a tension headache. To keep you body relaxed, rotate your shoulders and roll your head in each direction. When snoozing, cradle your neck in a supportive pillow. Try the buckwheat-filled Bucky U-shaped travel pillow.

8. Long flights and car rides can lead to blood clots in your legs, also known as deep vein thrombosis. To keep your blood flowing, wear below-the-knee elastic stockings on long journeys. That way youll be six times less likely to suffer DVT.

9. Dont forget to pack you aromatherapy needs with Soothing Sols Traveler Tote. Its loaded with five essential oil blends that fight germs, calm your skin, keep you energized, relieves tension headaches, and settle a queasy stomach. All are contained in a space-saving zippered pouch.

10. And keep all your holistic travel needs in a zippered, clear, see-through plastic bag. It makes it easier to go through the security-checkpoint at the airport as well.

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The day and the life of a woman and her "Dooce"

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:49:13 -0700

Heather B. Armstrong is one of my all-time favorite bloggers and what she captures on her blog from day to day is one of the many highlights of my busy morning.

For the last few weeks I have been sleeping like a baby....actually, that is a lie, its been quite the opposite to be honest with you. I am not sure if it's the fact that I have been thinking about 50 different things at 50 different times, but I think that's how my brain works all the time....airhead you say, pssshhh. Not sure what the issue is, but sleep is not coming and when it does come it only has a moment with me then leaves once more.

But I digress, on these said nights of tossing and turning I tend to turn to my trusty friend green tea....or wait, I mean the internet; yes the internet is where I find the most comfort. I surf the World Wide Web, being nosey about what my friends are up to on Facebook and also checking out some daily blog reads from time to time. An old high school friend always keeps my mind occupied with music and the latest trends in music over at Flux-Rad, I simply love her mixtapes. And then to cure my obsession with photography and lately New York, I find myself venturing over to Dooce.

Heather has always had some of the greatest blog posts. They are, not only inspiring, but always have a bit of comical humor to them as well. The latest blogs I have been reading on her site are the ones about her recent trip to New York City. I have been longing to visit New York for the longest time now and reading her post make that longing even more.

New York is a beacon on the water for writers. There is inspiration everywhere it seems in the city and I have now begun planning a trip to NYC. I would like to take that trip around the first of the year so that I can really grasp the way "Bringing in the New Year" was meant to be grasped.

So with my New York obsession out in the open, check out what's going on with Heather B. Armstrong and her blog Dooce. While you're at it, ventrue over to Flux-Rad and give Paige a nice hello, as well.

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June 20th means ties....right?

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:57:58 -0700

When you think of a father, what's the first thing that you think of? Love? Hard-working? Strict? Or how about neckties, perhaps? That's right, I said it, neckties.

These are lots of men that really look forward to the thought of getting a new necktie for Father's Day or even for the holidays in general. But, I am sure a lot of father or even men don't think about getting a necktie cake for these special occasions.

Over at Tiepedia, Matt is obsessed with neckties. And for Father's Day he has done the research and found some of the most splendid looking necktie cakes to satisfy a sweet tooth and a father who loves neckties.

Matt's site, Tiepedia, talks about ways to tie a necktie, where to buy some of the best looking ties for any occasion as well as how to keep a tie looking its best.

If your father is into neckties as much as Matt is, his site is truly the place to visit to see all the ways you too can love a necktie. Neckties can pretty much dress up any outfit for any occasion and some women even dress up there look with a necktie or two. There are companies that use organic cotton, hemp, bamboo or other organic and natural materials to make their neckties as well. Over at Rawganique you can get other organic and natural neckties and other men's apparel as well. Pair that natural, organic necktie with a necktie cake and make dad's day special.

When Father's Day rolls around consider a necktie cake for you dear father and show him just how much you care. Tiepedia has lots of ideas about cakes that are not only dad friendly but also necktie awesome! And plus you get a taste of the sweetness as well.

Happy Father's Day!

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Save $3,000 a year

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:08:31 -0700

Its easy money! Simple strategies will boost your bank account and help the planet.

It doesnt matter if you need to, want to, or just think you should: Saving $3,000 a year-and doing it in a way that has a trickle-down effect on the earth is not as hard as you think. There are a number of things you can do that are environmental, as well as economical.

One way is to make big changes that yield big results; switching from a gas-guzzling SUV to a hybrid car can get you a $2,000 tax deduction through years end (and a tax break of 1,700 to 3, 400 next year and save you more than $1,000 annually in gas). Or you can make little changes that add up over the course of the year; just figure out how much you could save by bringing your lunch to work every day.

The average American household spends more than $40,000 a year on everything from essentials (such as housing and groceries) to leisure activities (such as going to the movies and eating out). To save $3,000 a year, you need to sock away just $250 a month, or $57.69 a week-which means only $8.24 a day! See? Its not so hard. With a few smart steps you can save a bundle. Take your pick from the following ideas.

1. Use your car less: Most of us shell out approximately $8,000 a year getting from here to there; thats second only to what we spend on housing. Carpooling is a great way to save money and lower emissions that taint our water and air. Instead of driving to work every day, join a carpool group. Cant carpool? Buy a hybrid and you can double your gas mileage. Replacing an SUV with a hybrid car will not only save you on gas, it will keep 9,300 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas that causes global warming, from the atmosphere. To find out what a hybrid can mean for your wallet, go to 40mpg and use the sites calculator.
(Savings of $1,000 or more)

2. Choose durable over disposable: Suddenly every product comes in a throwaway version, from mops and dusters to sunscreen wipes and even toilet bowl cleaners. These items may be convenient, but they costs quickly pile up-as do the heaps in the landfills. Do the math and youll discover that you pay 25 to 90 cents per wipe, cloth, or sponge you use. Disposable mops can cost $115 per year, compared with $50 for a traditional sponge mop with replacement heads and cleanser. Choosing disposable diapers means you are throwing away $1,000 annually. Each year in the United Stated, we toss out two billion plastic razors, a million and a half tons of paper towels, and 12 billion disposable diapers-which require about 100,000 tons of plastic and 250,000 tress to manufacture, and decades to decompose.
The bottom line: Use durable, products as frequently as possible, including a sturdy mop, cotton napkins, rags instead of paper towels, and refillable ink cartridges for your printer. As for diapers, try using cloth when youre at home during the day and disposables (Seventh Generation has an environmentally friendly line) at nighttime and when youre on the go.
(Savings of $200, if you use a regular mop, a rechargeable razor, and a reusable toilet brush instead of throwaway.)

3. Learn how to share: Youve exchanged best-sellers with your best friend and eggs and butter with your next-door neighbor. And, when you found out you were pregnant, you happily accepted maternity clothes from your sister. Why not try that same whats-mine-is-yours system for big ticket items you use only occasionally, such as the lawn mower, which sells from $200 to $2,000; a snow blower, which can run from $500 to $1,000; and a pressure washer, which can run from $200 to $1,000? Sharing high-prices equipment can cut your expense in half. And theres an even greater payoff: It can foster a sense of community.
(Savings of $100 to $1,000)

4. Reframe what new means to you: There are so many ways to acquire other peoples stuff these days-Craigslist, Freecycling, eBay, and thrift shops. And secondhand no longer is synonymous with second-class. In fact, its often better quality. On the flip side, you can also unload things you no longer need and receive either cash or good karma in return. Post your items on the Web, hold a yard sale, swap with friends, or take things to a resale shop. The more often you purge the old, the more often you have extra cash. Even if you give your things away, you can get something in return. Make and itemized list of donations, get a receipt from the charity, and you can often get a break on your income tax.
Savings of $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on how much you resell or donate.)

5. Buy in bulk: You have probably already gotten into the habit of purchasing large quantities of staples, such as toilet paper and canned goods, at discount prices. That same habit can apply to things you may not have thought of too. Ask about package deals or frequent buyers cards where you get a freebie after a certain number of visits-for any service you use regularly, from cosmetic treatments (such as facial peels or laser hair removal by your dermatologist) to oil changes at your garage.
(Savings of $75 or more)

6. Plan ahead: In the United States there is $590 a years in spoiled or uneaten meats, fruits, vegetables and grains tossed out. You can prevent most waste with a few easy steps. Make a quick inventory of the contents or your refrigerator and pantry every week so you dont end up buying something you already have. Store food properly (find out how at Food Safety and plan your meals before making a grocery list. Most important, stick to that list. Most people leave the grocery story with a dozen more items than they planned on, forking over about $2,000 a year on impulse buys.
(Savings of $590 to $2,000)

7. Bring the sale to you: Go to the Web sites of your favorite stores and brand to take advantage of promotions. For example, the Body Shops site has a Lunch Lounge that features lunchtime-only bargains. At Seventh Generations site you can print out coupons. Sign up for stores e-mail lists to find out about sales or additional discounts. Track down other coupons and discounts to use online by going to Deal Hunting, Quick to Click and Discount Codes, or Gas Buddy to find the cheapest gas in your area.
(Savings of: $260 or more)

8. Repair instead of replace: The wiring in your bedside lamp gone bad? If youre like most people, you reluctantly toss it out and buy a new one. Same goes for your cordless phone, your washing machine, and your vacuum. were a throw away society. But nearly everything can be repaired-and usually at a fraction of the coast of buying a brand-new one. Repairs for a vacuum are anywhere from 25 to 50 bucks. To buy a new one, it can be up to $300. The rule of thumb is to fix something whenever the cost of repairing it is less than 50 percent of the replacement price. Call the manufacturer to find an authorized repair shop in your area.
(Savings of $25 or more)

9. Just ask: You would be surprised how much leeway there is in price at all sorts of places, from framers markets to your doctors office. 17 percent of medical patients ask for a discount, and half of them get it. Next time youre trying to work up the nerve to negotiate with the billing office over costs your insurance wont cover, just ask yourself, what the worst that can happen? The trick is the make the request nicely. Youve got nothing to lose and whole lot to gain.
(Savings of $100)

10. Take good care: When you properly maintain your possessions, they either run better or last longer or both. That goes for everything from your clothes to your air conditioner to your car. For instance, with proper true inflation, Americans could collectively save 746 million gallons of gasoline a year. Yet half of us are driving on tires that are under inflated by an average of four pounds per square inch. Thats not only wasteful, its dangerous. By checking your tires monthly, you can save three percent of your total gas bill over the course of one year-which may add up to about $35-and double the lifespan of your tires, which could tack on another $100 of savings. Driving with spark plugs and air filters that are clogged or dirty wastes as much as two miles per gallon of gas. Getting regular oil changes and an annual tune-up, and replacing the spark plugs and air filters as needed, can save you as much as $75 a year.
(Savings of $210 or more)

11. Screw in a new light bulb: Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that are Energy Star-approved use two-thirds less electricity than the traditional kind and last six to 10 times longer-so youll save on the bulbs as well as your electricity bills. When you replace the five lights you use most in your home (typically in the kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and on the porch) with fluorescent bulbs you can save $60 a year in energy costs. If every household in the United Stated did this, wed keep more than one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases out of our air, and amount equivalent to the annual output of more than 21 power plants. To figure out what lighting output you need, go to Energy Star and click on Lighting. Most 60-watt incandescent lights provide around 800 lumens, so if you normally use a 6-watt bulb, look for a CFL that provides 800 lumens or more.
(Savings of $60 or more)

12. Watch your water: Unless youre careful, what you pay on your monthly water bill may be money going down the drain. For instance, your daily shower accounts for one fifth of all indoor water use in your home. A conventional showerhead pours out five to seven gallons of water every minute. Trade it out for a low-flow showerhead (which you can get for around $20), and you will cut your bathroom water use by 30 to 50 percent-and save about $200 or more a year for the water and the energy used to heat it. Look for an aerating model which adds air to the water stream and maintains good pressure. Be sure to check for leaky toilets, because they can double your monthly bill and waste 200 gallons of water a day. To test a toilet, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank, dont flush for at least one hour. If the color reaches the bowl, you will know that you have leak-so call a plumber.
(Savings of $200 or more)

13. Lighten your energy load: Most utility companies offer a home audit that you can do online. Theyll then explain how to make changes that will save energy and cash. You can also conduct a virtual inspection here. A few easy moves to try now: Put your computer and monitor in sleep mode when you are not using them and turn off the printer. This could save you more than $80 a year and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1,250 pounds. Unplug chargers for your cell phone and laptop when not in use these use over 58 billion kilowatts of electricity a year-releasing 40 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere and cost you $20 to $50 annually.
(Savings of $100 or more)

14. Be entertained for almost nothing: You can save by singing up for e-mail list at all the entertainment spots you frequent. (If youre worried about getting to much junk mail, set up a separate e-mail address just for this purpose.) Before visiting a museum or other cultural hot spot, go to the institutions Web sit to print out coupons and to find out if there are any days with discounted-or free- admission. For example, at the Web site for the Salvador Dali Museum in Saint Petersburg, Florida, you can print out a coupon for $2 off admission, and every Friday evening at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan, the usual $20 admission is waved.
(Savings of $50, if you use free tickets with a $10 value five times during the year.)

15. Pull out your library card: You could pay $20 for a new DVD or rent it for about $4.50. But why do either when you can watch the same movie for free? Many libraries have extensive film collections, and all you have to do is flash your card to claim everything from classics to new releases. If you switch to renting to borrowing three moves a month, thats a savings of more than $150 a year. If you change from an online service like Netflix to the library, you can save more than $200 annually.
(Savings of $150 or more)

16. Go back to the source: at M.A.C. Cosmetics, if you return six of its empty cases-from used lipstick, eye shadow, foundation, you name it the company will recycle the plastic and youll get a free lipstick, a value of $14 to $19.50. So at all the places where you shop, inquire about recycling promotions.
(Savings of $14 to $19.50)

17. Travel smarter: Planning a trip? Instead of staying in a hotel where the average daily rate of a luxury room is typically more than $200, consider swapping your home with other homeowner through a service like HomeLink International. You pay an annual membership fee of $80 and then get a Web directory of available houses around the world where can stay for free while another member stays at your house. You can make as many trades as you like no additional charge.
(Savings of $1,000 for a five-night stay)

18. Ditch your diet: Americans spend $33 billion a year on weight loss products and services, yet the vast majority of people who go on diets eventually gain back the pounds (the failure rate is high as 75 to 95 percent). Rather than sinking your money into the latest weight-loss supplement or shake, invest in healthy daily exercise and well-balances, nutritious meals of minimally processed, fresh foods. If you make only one change such as having two fewer soft drinks a week, you can save more than $200 and 14,500 calories a year.
(Savings of $200 or more)

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Never cook without them....

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:25:49 -0700

...What are they?

Kitchen shears.

Because this supersharp gadget makes quick work of cutting up poultry and fish, trimming piecrust, and snipping fresh herbs. And theres no better way to slice kids food into bite-size pieces-right on the plate. Stronger than regular scissors, kitchen shears are made with knife-quality blades, and many models even come apart for easy cleaning. Pick up a pair at your local cooking-supply store.

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Don't fall into the money traps

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 18 May 2010 08:57:14 -0700

Managing our money is hard enough, so when it comes to overall stupid purchases, why make them?

Rip-offs imply choice. If there's truly no substitute for a particular good or service, then you'll put up with sticker shock. (Think movie theater snacks and certain life-saving medications.)

Read More Here

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How to recycle almost everything in your closet

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 18 May 2010 08:45:00 -0700

Deciding to get rid of stuff in your closet can be a lot easier than figuring out what to do with the piles of clothes, shoes and accessories that result from a top-to-bottom reorganization. Fortunately, there are charities around the country that have come up with ways to repurpose the things you no longer need. Keep in mind that anything you donated, including athletic shoes, should be washed or dry cleaned and be in good condition. Agencies have to pay to cart away un-wear-ables and youll not only be making a needy persons life a little easier, youll also be doing your part for the plant by easing the burden on landfills.
About nine million tons of textile waste ends up in landfills each year, per The Environmental Protection Agency.

Here are more than 30 ways to feel good about cleaning out your closet. Each one of these organizations can put your clothes to good use.

 Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation

Helping the Lakota Families:

Boots for Rangers:

 Passages Northwest:

 Goodwill Industries International

 The Salvation Army

 Career Closet

 Career Gear

 Dress for Success

 Jobs for Youth/ Chicago

 Fairy Godmothers Inc.

 The Glass Slipper Project

 The Princess Project

 City Team Ministries

 I Do Foundation

 The New York Cares Coat Drives

 One Warm Coat

 Lions Club International

 New Eyes for the Needy

 Unite for Sight

 The Humane Society of the United States

 Hats Off to Chemo

 Suitcases for Kids

 Project Shoe Assist

 Soccer for Life

Some Extra Tips:
If clothing is too worn to donate, use it as rags or put it in the trash. Unfortunately, most textile recyclers only accept goods in bulk from textile manufacturers.
For a $3 fee, Excess Access will e-mail charities in your area to help you locate one that needs what you want to donate (athletic gear, for example).
Call local shelters, grade schools, and churches, many of which hold school-supple drives for low-income or underprivileged children.
Call local shelters, domestic violence programs, and churches and ask about being able to donate what you have to their cause.
Call churches, shelters, and domestic Violence programs to see if they are in need of coats or jackets as well if any of the other programs arent working for you as far as donations.

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Happy Earth Day!

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:51:16 -0700

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Bright and colorful cocktails To brighten anyone's day (Or Evening)

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:07:07 -0700

Kerasi (cherry in Greek)
2 oz. peach vodka
1 oz. cherry puree (just blend fresh pitted cherries)
1/2 oz. peach liqueur
1/2 oz. cherry brandy
1/2 oz. lemon juice
Sparkling wine, like Cava
Shake all ingredients but the Cava over ice and strain into a flute. Top off with Cava. Garnish with a cherry.
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Orange Splash:
2 oz. Absolut Citron vodka
1 oz. Cointrau or triple sec
Splash of fresh lime juice
Splash of orange juice
Pour all ingredients over ice in a shaker or large glass and shake vigorously. Rim a glass with sugar and serve on the rocks. Garnish with an orange slice.
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Watermelon Martini:
3 oz. Katel One Citroen
1 oz. Watermelon Pucker
1/2 oz. Cointreau or triple sec
Splash of lemonade
Splash of 7-Up
Mix all ingredients together over ice, shake, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of watermelon.
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Strawberry Punch:
3 fresh strawberries
3 slices canned pineapple
1/2 oz. pineapple syrup from the can
1/4 oz. lime juice
1/4 oz. simple syrup (dissolve one part sugar in one part boiling water; let cool)
2 oz. white rum
Muddle fruit. Pour over ices with other ingredients; shake. Garnish with fruit.
___________________________________________
Periodista (journalist)
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 tsp. sugar
Splash of apricot brandy
1/2 cup apricot puree (blend fresh apricots)
Splash of triple sec
1 1/2 oz. Bacardi light run
Twist of lime
Shake all ingredients over ice, then strain into a glass. Garnish with skewered dried apricots and a slice of lime.

If you are having a party or get-together and plan on serving drinks like the ones here, try this easy, crowd pleaser recipe.

Easy Vodka Cream Sauce:
3 cans (28-oz.)crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cups water
1 pkg. (3.1oz) Ball® Simple Crations Italian Style Marinara Sauce Mix
2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion (about 1 small)
1 tbs. minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1. Combine tomatoes, water and content of package in a medium saucepan.
2. Heat to a boil. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Reserve 2 cups. Set aside.
3. Cool remaining sauce, about 30 minutes. Ladle sauce into clean freezer jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Apply lids. Refrigerate up to three weeks or freeze up to one year.
4. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft, about 3 minutes. Add vodka. Cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
5. Add marinara sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Add cream. Simmer additional 2 minutes. Serve warm over pasta.
Yield: about 3 cups.

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The BIG 10 of going green

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:29:20 -0700

1. Design to maximize natural daylight & passive ventilation.

2. Choose deconstruction and construction site recycling instead of demolition.

3. Weatherize to save energy.

4. Buy energy-efficient appliances.

5. Choose water-efficient fixtures, (i.e shower heads, and low-flow toilets).

6. Use low-or no-VOC paints.

7. Choose formaldehyde-free products.

8. Buy used, recycled or certified or registered wood products.

9. Harvest your rainwater for irrigation & toilet flushing.

10. Landscape using native plants and permeable materials.

(Small things count just as much as the big things!)

Get more green tips at The Eath and Me Go Green!

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