Post It Notes -- Those Nifty Little Gadgets

Don't you just love alternate uses for everyday items? Like using a coffee filter as a popcorn bowl. We did that all the time at the office, before mini-microwave popcorn was invented.


Well, how about Post-It®'s? Whatever would we do without them? WISH I HAD INVENTED THEM! Who DID invent them?  
Previously only available in light yellow 3 inch by 3 inch pads, they now come in just about every size, shape and color imaginable. So, let's repurpose them a little bit. Put your thinking caps on!

Post-Its 
Photo: twobee freedigitalphotos.net

How about these?

1. Bookmarks: stickies are so easy to just pop in wherever you left off! Use them in magazines, too. Label the ends to help you find that favorite recipe or best article.
2. Cable Tags: before removing the cables from your computer or other electronics, label where they go! Makes life so much easier when you put things back together again. Just write where it came from and then wrap it around the cord.
3. Clean Your Computer Keyboard: use the sticky side of the post-it to swipe through the rows of keys, grabbing lint and crumbs along the way.
4. Computer Desktop: this can mean one of two things. Either literally stick a note to the computer screen or download software that allows you to put stickies on the desktop electronically. I love mine! Software: TK8 Sticky Notes* (Not an endorsement of a specific product, just an example.) 
5. Flags a Stack of Papers: use sticky notes as index tabs. If I don't have the micro-minis on hand, I just cut the next size up in half! Waste not, want not.
6. Labels: label food in the refrigerator to identify contents, when it was first made and who can eat it (or not).
7. Storyboarding: use stickies on a white board at a planning meeting. (Sure, you could use dry erase markers or a smart board but this is about STICKIES!) 
8. Unique Reminders: Post-It® notes are great for reminders. Put them on your mirror for first thing in the morning or on the dashboard of your car. You'll never pull out leaving your lunch behind again.

What uses for Post-It® notes can you think of? 

 Re-purposing Masterpiece

• 869 New Uses for Old Things (From Real Simple)

Stickies With Personality:

• 480 Office-Themed Sticky Notes
• Post-It Notes Shapes
• Kids Parties Post-It Notes

Previous Posts
15 Great Uses for Baking Soda
Tote Bags for Busy Moms
Weight Watchers Points Plus 2012
Party Dips - Simple Additions to Your Party Menu And So Easy To Make

We're reaching for 500 Fans in 30 days...will you be one?                         Please LIKE our Fanpage!

Yellow Lab
 freedigitalphotos.net

"Subscribe to Ducks 'n a Row Here--Woof!"

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Personalized M&M's 10% Off

Personalized M&M's in pink, red, purple and white are just the neatest gift for Valentine's Day! Give them in a beautiful jar or giftbox or bake them in a scrumptious snack. Whatever you do, they will have special meaning with your loving message written on them.

Photo credit: Love from the Oven

More than once I have thought about how cool it would be to give them to my family and friends but it was too late to do anything about it!  This year I found an ad in the Sunday coupons that tipped me off in time.  The advertising slogan says "TURN YOUR Sweet Nothings INTO Sweet Somethings WITH MY M&M’s®"

How to Get Them: Visit their website and select the gift you want to send. You can add your own message to the candies... or even a photo! There are all sorts of sweet possibilities for you this Valentine's Day. 

Click here for the My M&M’s® website  


PROMO: Get 10% OFF orders of $25.00 or more* Promo Code: CRUSH10 or get FREE SHIPPING on orders of $75.00 or More* Promo Code: CRUSHSHIP . *Check their site for promo details.

M&M’s® have an amazing history!  

History of M&M's: M&M® Candies

Recent Posts:

• Gift Wrap
• Printables-Adorn Your Packages Beautifully for Free (Valentine Tag included)
• Chocolate Cheesecake Recipes
• Party Dips -- So Easy To Make
• Weight Watchers Meetings

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop is here! Add your family-friendly links below and let's hop some blogs. Leave a nice message and tell them that you found them on Ducks n a Row!

LIKE us on FACEBOOK

Subscribe to Ducks 'n a Row HERE

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Sweet and Sour Pork

Homemade sweet and sour pork is a favorite in our family. The recipe that I use is nothing like you get in Chinese restaurants, though. In fact, it may be a little more Polynesian than Chinese. 


Whatever the case, I was introduced to it by a childhood friend. Soon as I took that first bite I LOVED it and asked for the recipe. Gee, that was in the '70's so I certainly have made it 300 or more times since then.  
Told you it's good!

Sweet & Sour Pork
Photo from Company's Coming*
Note: their recipe calls for carrots. I use tomatoes, instead.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Serves 2 in my family...4 in anyone elses!

Ingredients

• 6 boneless pork chops
• 2 T cooking oil
• 1 green pepper
• 1 ripe tomato
• 1 can pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (or more) cider vinegar
• 1-2 T soy sauce
• 1 T corn starch
• dash ground ginger

Directions 

• Heat skillet on medium-high with the oil. 
• Core the green pepper, discarding the seeds and stem, and cut it into 1 inch squares. 
• Add to the skillet and "stir fry" for about 2 minutes. 
• Cut pork into squares about 1 inch in diameter, add them to the skillet and cook, turning them over frequently.  
• When they are nearly cooked through, add brown sugar and ginger and "stir fry" a bit more.  
• Drain the pineapple, reserving the juice. 
• Add pineapple to the skillet and heat through.
• Put the corn starch in a small cup and add pineapple juice and blend until you have a thin paste.  Add to skillet.  The sauce should thicken.  If it is still too thin, make another little cornstarch mix and add some more to the skillet.
• Right before serving, cut up the tomato into bite-size pieces and add to the skillet. Gently mix through and allow to heat for 2-3 minutes. 

Serve on rice.  Put the bottle of soy sauce on the table for those who want to sprinkle some on top.


Bloggers - stop by every Wednesday for our Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!

Related Posts

• Kid Recipes - Easy Recipes That Kids Love
• Little Cheddar Loaves
• Best Coffee - How To Make It At Home
• Weight Watchers Food
• Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
• Party Dips - So Easy To Make'

"LIKE" us on FACEBOOK

SUBSCRIBE to DUCKS 'n a ROW HERE

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Organizing Tax Documents

Taxes! Don't you hate 'em? All that paperwork and for what? 
If I have money coming back, I start thinking about getting my paperwork together on January 1st and eagerly watch for the W-2 to show up so I can get my taxes done. If I anticipate that I may owe...well, it's lots harder to get going. 

• February? 
• March? 
• April 14 @ 11:00pm?  

Whenever it gets done, though, the pain will be lessened if everything is already in order. Here's advice from Lisa Mason on just how to do it: 

Photo credit: Robert Cochran - freedigitalphotos.net 

Whether you are scrambling to get your documents together for last year's taxes or just planning to do things better for this year, the key to a less stressful tax return is organization. Being organized doesn't have to mean complicated filing systems but it does mean you have to give up the "file pile" mentality. 

There are some simple steps you can take to simply the tax preparation process while keeping your sanity.

Most people can use a 3-folder system. Income, deductions and investments are the three major categories you will need. This is a great way to stay organized so that you can always find what you need when you need it. 

If you have others, make folders for them as you deem appropriate. Let's look at what goes into each folder.

Income

Create one file for all sources of income. This file should hold pay stubs, tips, dividends, distributions, rental income. If you have numerous sources, you may want to have several folders and group them logically. Each folder should have a tally sheet where you record each item as you file it. It makes it easier to total everything at year's end then to wade through the stacks of paper. If you've been diligent, all the documents are in one place for reference and the details are entered on the tally sheet for easy processing.

Deductions

Store anything that can be deducted such as mortgage interest, child care expenses, medical expenses, non-refundable work-related expenses. As with income, it may be easier to manage with multiple folders. Tally sheets for each category of expense can reduce compilation time come April. While you may not feel like taking the time, it will pay off once you see how much time you save later.

Investments

IRAs, Roth contribution records and distribution records if you've started collecting from various plans are all important documents. Grouping them by how they are taxed: tax-deferred, non-taxable and taxable invests, can simplify the process.

When it is time to do the prep work, review each folder, total the numbers for each category and fill in the blanks on your itemized return. Match W2s and 1099s with your records, checking for any discrepancies. A little preparation all year long can save headaches at filing time.

Taxes do not have to bring you stress and worry. When you take some time throughout the year to prepare, it makes it all easier when tax time comes around.

About the Author: Lisa Mason is a freelance writer with a specialty in Internet content and SEO articles and the author of How to Earn a Living Writing for the Internet.  Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_A_Mason

More:

Notebooks -The Organizing Tool I Won't Do Without!

Organize - Become An Organizing Genius in 5 Easy Steps

Get Your Papers Under Control

Family Photos - What To Do With Them
Weight Watchers PointsPlus 2012

Please LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE

Subscribe to Ducks 'n a Row HERE

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner