HOUSEHOLD TIPS NOT FOUND IN WOMAN'S WEEKLY

[Marilyn]

Our previous microwave went through hell when our kids were younger. My stepson refused to use a plate for his food and always left a mess for others to clean up. He cooked everything too high and for too long, so everything burst and exploded and was a pain to clean. ( he has never changed...he is just mucking up other people's microwaves/ovens/cooktops nowadays!)

[Big Kev]

Our microwave is primarily used to cook porridge at breakfast time. The lamb shanks were an attempt to make things easier while I'm hopping about on crutches, it didn't go as planned

[chinatyke]

...it didn't go as planned

Like the time my youngest daughter decided to warm up a boiled egg in its shell.
BANG!!
"What was that?"
"Whoops!"

[Stanley]

Today's microwave tip. If you are heating baked beans always cover the dish, a sheet of kitchen towel will do. Some beans explode when they are being heated. (Once fragmented the fragments set like concrete!)

[Stanley]

Thinking about the aftermath of exploding beans in the microwave reminded me of the popular finish for the interiors of porcelain enamelled ovens and grills. It seems to have been almost an industry standard. It's a black enamel spattered lightly with spots of white. My father told me that in the enamelling trade this was always known as 'Bird Lime'. I thought you ought to know that........

[Stanley]

Keep in touch with your friends! It can be so rewarding.....

[Stanley]

"Patience is a virtue, catch it if you can....."
I don't agree with the end of that old saying and so shall omit it. The older I get the more I see the truth in cultivating patience, it always works in the end!

[Stanley]

If you should ever get an irrational urge to destroy a litter bin, desist! It is neither clever or constructive.

[chinatyke]

If you should ever get an irrational urge to destroy a litter bin, desist! It is neither clever or constructive.

\

Tell us more...

[Stanley]

China, that was triggered by the fact some moron has kicked a litter bin off its concrete foundation in my morning walking grounds in Valley Gardens in Barlick....
This morning's tip is closely related... If you think that the reason for high infant mortality in Pendle is down to in-breeding in the Asian community look up 'Hitler' and 'Final Solution' on Google.
See my post this morning in Flatley Dryer...... We live in a strange and ignorant world.

[Stanley]

Don't get too upset if you have a bad day in terms of health and don't feel quite on top of your form. It will pass if you look after yourself. The bad news is that these days become more frequent as you get older. Get used to it!

[Stanley]

If you have one of the new composite doors or a high gloss painted one, give it a wash with warm soapy water and then polish with a thin coat of WD40. I did both mine yesterday and they look better than new....

[Stanley]

Seek out the parts of your health that are doing well and concentrate on them. The rest may be important but you will stand the best chance of surmounting other problems if you have a positive outlook.

[Marilyn]

True. Sometimes the little problems that annoy you are not important, but just show how much you are in tune with your body that you notice them at all.

[Stanley]

Exactly Maz. Trouble is the little aches and pains can be so bloody annoying! Why should I have to pay for a day just for climbing up to take my net curtains down? Bugger old age!

[Stanley]

When you are feeling good and having a beautiful early morning walk don't forget to count your blessings!

[Stanley]

One of the best ways to provoke a coughing fit is to allow some of your drink to 'go down the wrong way'. I hate it! And while you are pondering on that, look up the Heimlich manoeuvre (LINK). It could save a life!

[Tripps]

A chap on Radio 4 has just done a feature on what he said used to be called in a more innocent age 'Household Hints'- but were now known as 'Life Hacks'.

I thought immediately of this thread. None of the hacks they tried was better than the original hint. Cutting celery with a pizza cutter was no improvement on a sharp knife, and they didn't try the garlic peeling hack having seen many pictures of bleeding fingers.

I'll take hints over hacks.

[Stanley]

I agree David, some are a bit contrived and even dangerous!
If you want to puzzle a child who likes bananas try this one. Just before giving them the banana use a needle to puncture the skin at regular intervals and slice the flesh by moving it back and forwards. Then tell the child it's a new variety of banana that grows already sliced.

[Tizer]

When I was a child I used to carefully unwrap a sweet or snack bar, eat the contents, reconstruct the packaging carefully and then leave it for someone else to find!

[Stanley]

Always remember to be careful on the last few steps at the bottom of the stairs, the most dangerous place in the house!

[Stanley]

If you only have one drink of coffee a day don't economise, get the best ground coffee you can find and bugger the expense! We are allowed one luxury a day.....

[Stanley]

Always look on the bright side! Living with cancer is a new life skill for me and I take heart from the good news we hear on the site. I think I have cracked my negative thoughts.....

[Marilyn]

You must start believing that you HAD cancer, but very likely do not have it any longer...and also start believing it is gone for good.

[Stanley]

Exactly Maz. problem is of course the medical team can't tell you that because life is a lottery. I think of all the people who have cancer but don't suspect it and have no worries. I am far happier with my position!
As I say, look on the bright side!