HOUSEHOLD TIPS NOT FOUND IN WOMAN'S WEEKLY

[Stanley]

I've already asked Pluggy. His advice was bin the lot! I agree with him but of course Tripps is right, you always think they may become useful at some time in the future.

[Tizer]

I've just shared my large collection of empty yoghurt pots with my cousin who does a lot of painting. I can't bare to throw away the pots, they're just so useful. The trouble is I use one and then wash it out and use it again, so the stack of pots (remember them on Mystery Objects?) gets forever larger.

[PanBiker]

We keep them as well, perfect for freezing individual portions when we batch cook. They stack in the drawer but we now have three stacks, whats this about chucking stuff away!

[Stanley]

Elaine at Okidoki welcomes clean used plastic carrier bags so she got a bag full yesterday!

[Stanley]

As part of the Council cuts the free dog poo bags have been discontinued. I save all the small plastic bags that are used for packaging and use them for Jack's deliveries. Only a small thing but it's good recycling!

[Stanley]

Following my own advice I had the roof inspected and the gutters cleaned yesterday. Good day for it, no point expecting roofers to do a good job in bad weather! As usual it was my mates FM builders, father and son and totally reliable..... always a good job and a reasonable price. (tel. 812707)

[Stanley]

I had an El Cheapo desk lamp in the front room. Low voltage and very temperamental. It failed yet again two days ago so I binned it! Don't put up with inferior items! I have replaced it this morning with an Ikea desk lamp that Mick gave me when my eyes were bad, I had it in the shed but find I am not using it now. It's had a good clean up and is now in the front room. Big improvement!

[Stanley]

If you come up against a problem that mystifies you, pursue it for as long as the return is worth the investment. If it isn't worth it, ditch the problem and get on with life!

[Stanley]

Another one for David. My mate Daniel once asked me why it was when I met a stranger I either took to them immediately and opened up or I shut them out. I told him that I had always believed that poor people had to trade with each other but if you met someone and your crap detector started whining remember Hawkeye in MASH. Winchester asked him one day why people seemed to dislike and ignore him. Hawkeye said "Look at it this way, it saves so much time!"

[Stanley]

Thinking back about yesterday's post. I remember getting quite worried at one time because I had dealings with one man who roused anger in me every time I met him. I convinced myself it was my fault. Years later, talking to the chief of the Record Office at Preston the man's name came up and I confessed my flaw. He said "Don't worry about that Stanley! He affected all of us the same way!". Isn't it funny how there are people like this in the world.....

[Stanley]

Nothing beats clean bedding that has been dried outside in a breeze. Not always possible in Barlick but I managed it yesterday and slept like a log!

[Stanley]

Never get complacent. You don't know what is coming down the line!

[Tizer]

Well, the glass fell out of the window in our shed - I wonder if that was linked to the thunderstorms yesterday?

[Stanley]

No. Quite obvious that you don't know the difference between Stork and Putty!

[Tizer]

Haha! It's certainly reminded us that we really need a new shed, the old one is suffering from 20 years of weathering and is getting beyond repair. We've moved the contents into the garage and will look for a new one soon (applying the `principle of `do it now, not later').

[Stanley]

Today's tip, based on recent events, is that being a dinosaur in tech matters is permissible but there comes a time when you have to embrace modern technology and take advantage of it. If anyone had told me I would have a phone that talks to my computer I wouldn't have believed it. Even more amazing, the way Pluggy has set me up it's free..... So, get in there! Signed, Converted.......

[Stanley]

It died on me.... Today's tip is do not despair when the technology fights back, attack it logically and you will prevail!

[Stanley]

When you're in trouble, the first call after the family is your friends.... They will not let you down because they are a reflection of yourself....

[Stanley]

Don't mess with settings on your phone if you don't fully understand it!

[Stanley]

If you like good coffee and avoid instant, every now and then try a different one. I'm on Machu Picchu at the moment.... Very nice!

[Stanley]

If you have a shed, save the non-ferocious lathe and miller chips for mates who do castings. It's surprising how they mount up! You get a good price for scrap as well.....

[Stanley]

I'm sure you all know this one but just in case.... If you are only using one slice off a pineapple, sit the cut end in a drop of water on a flat plate. It will be OK until you have finished it.

[chinatyke]

I'm sure you all know this one but just in case.... If you are only using one slice off a pineapple, sit the cut end in a drop of water on a flat plate. It will be OK until you have finished it.

And a related tip. Eat a fresh pineapple with salt (not sugar) to take away the acid taste. My Malaysian wife taught me that one and it really does work.

[Stanley]

I have a slice left, I'll try that one China!

[Stanley]

I tried the salt..... China's good lady is right so that's today's tested tip.