by Debbie Walker

Tonight, I am going to pass on some ‘different answers’ of questions you may not even know to ask yet. Use of coconut oil is all new to me. It had never been in my house, say nothing about my kitchen. But… I found a few situations that it is useful. I am including a few things I read about Coconut oil and a few other things:

Coconut oil uses: Ladies – Run out of shaving gel? Use coconut oil.

Use it to lift crayon marks the little ones are bound to leave.

Use it to remove a price tag. It works.

Use it to soak some cotton balls and throw them on a few sparks for a quicker way to get a campfire growing.

Use it to calm a sunburn. Take a shower, apply coconut oil, it will soothe the burn. It will also moisturize the dehydrated skin.

Use to soothe insect bites. Rub the oil over the bites. It will reduce swelling and ease discomfort.

Mineral oil uses: I don’t ever remember seeing this in my parents or my home. and I never had any. I am not even sure what its original purpose was.

Use it to recondition leather footwear. A few drops of mineral oil on a soft cloth and rub in.

Use it to remove a bandage. A few drops, a minute and bandages peel off.

Use it to preserve your wooden cutting board.

Whitening toothpaste (not gel): This will clean the nasty grout while you sleep! In the morning wipe the area with a damp towel.

Distilled white vinegar: Use it to clean your bathroom. A half cup of white vinegar in your toilet bowl overnight will do the trick.

Use white vinegar in your bathroom sink. Put the stopper in and fill it with hot water and a half cup of vinegar, let it sit overnight. Drain and wipe clean.

Sponge and vinegar: Use them to clean your microwave. I have done this, works like a charm. Soak your sponge in equal parts of water and white vinegar. Microwave for 30 seconds. Don’t open your nuker till the next morning and then just wipe clean.

Baking soda and water: Erase oven grime with baking soda, In a bowl mix a half cup of baking soda and enough water to make paste. Apply to interior walls, let sit overnight. In the A.M., just wipe clean.

Borax laundry soap: Use to deodorize your carpet (plus a surprise.). Mix a half cup and half baking soda, sprinkle on rugs and upholstery, let sit all night. Vac in the morning. Okay, that is good, BUT if you have pets who might have fleas that Borax is a miracle worker! Sprinkle Borax on your carpets, anywhere you might find fleas. Leave overnight. Vac in morning. In two days do this again and your fleas should be gone. (The second sprinkle kills fleas that were in eggs). It was amazing when I needed it.

After completing this column, I will be packing, going on an adventure for a few days. These are the points I found for packing:

Lay down or roll pants and tops. Place heavy items at base of suitcase. Shoes, books, heavy things. End with what you will wear first. Don’t under pack is part of the description I found but I am over packed! And I put my night gown on top because I will get in just in time for bed.

I’m just curious what other tidbits you could share in “different answers”. I’ll be waiting! Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com.

by Debbie Walker

I remember years ago something being said about “When the jackets come off in the spring the bellies start showing,” the pregnant bellies. Since it is about that time of year, it seems appropriate to share some smiles with you.

The information came from my most recent Farmer’s Almanac Newsletter. The article is written by Judy Kneiszel. I have used some of her words and some of my own. I’ll bet you have stories of your own.

Carrying High or Low: Carrying high with a big rounded belly supposedly going to have a girl. Carrying low with a smaller belly is said to be a boy.

Wedding Ring Swing: Tie the mother’s wedding ring to a string, hold it over her belly. The ring swaying back and forth would mean a boy, steady circular motion would be a girl. You can also use a needle and thread.

Baking Soda Test: You use the first pee of the morning. Use a paper cup, add one spoonful of baking soda then add some of the urine. If it fizzes it is said to be a boy. If it stays flat, it’s probably a girl. Bright yellow urine is another sign of a boy. Dull yellow should be a girl.

Heartbeat: No, not the dad’s heartbeat! Above 140 beats a minute is a girl, below that is a boy.

Mother’s Age: Add the mother’s age at conception to the year of conception. If the total is an even number the baby is a girl. Odd number and it is a boy.

Cravings: If mother is craving sweets or citrus, that would be a girl. Salty foods and the woman is having a boy. That would mean if mother is craving pickles and ice cream, I guess that would be twins!

Morning Sickness: If the mom has morning sickness in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, she’s having a girl (Well that explains my daughter). No morning sickness it’s a boy!

Beauty Steelers: If the mom is getting compliments on her beauty while pregnant, it’s a boy. Otherwise, it is said the girl baby is stealing the mother’s beauty. At any rate while she is pregnant tread lightly, hormonal reflexes might be a bit off!

Cold Feet: If mom has cold feet it might mean the baby is a boy. If the mom’s feet don’t feel any different it’s probably a girl.

Weight Gain: This one is for the dad. If dad gains weight the baby may be a girl. If the father gains weight at same rate as mom, the baby is said to be a boy. (Or dad is sympathetic.)

Now if you know some different tests I would love to know what they are. Please share. Don’t forget Mothers Day is May 12 and she deserves some spoiling. It is easy to make mom feel special. Spend some special time with her. Don’t forget an aunt, remember your grandmother, too. You can’t go wrong, spend some special time with them. If you are doing a gift put some thought into what they would really like.

I’m just curious if you found your tests were correct. Let me know and I will pass it on in a future column. Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com. Thanks for reading!