Dear Home-Ec 101, I managed to get that reddish Tennessee clay all over the cuffs of my favorite pair of white pants. Can you help me get the stains out? Signed, Mr. Lavender Ivy says: What in the world were you doing wearing white before Memorial Day!?!?! Just kidding, if I didn’t have 3 Pigpen-like …
Dear Home Ec 101, I wanted to know whether you could offer any advice in preparation for moving. I will be moving across the country in the end of July! Signed, OnTheMove Ivy says: Moving across the country is a pain. Since you have plenty of time in advance, it won’t be nearly so bad. …
Dear Home Ec 101, I recently bought a linen type shirt. I think it is linen. Anyway, it has this scent that smells like fish. The shirt is dry clean only. My mother has bought clothes that have had this scent, and I’ve always been turned off by it. I really like this shirt, but …
Ivy says: My mom always told me it’s more important to give than receive. I dunno, when I was a kid receiving seemed a lot better than giving, but as I get older, I realize just what an excellent thing giving really is. If you go to church, it’s easy to tithe and trust that …
Ivy says: Last night Mr. Ivy was in a car accident. Don’t worry, dear readers, he wasn’t hurt and our car wasn’t hurt very badly either. He was stopped at a stoplight and a gentleman driving a trailer with big lawnmowers on it turned left right behind him and clipped the back end of Mr. …
Ivy says: Here’s something I struggle with that I bet our fabulous readers have ideas about! I get invited to go out a lot with my various local friends. The problem? I can’t really afford to go out as much as I’m invited out. I know I’m lucky to have that many friends that want …
It’s Retro Saturday where we post a blast from the Home Ec 101 past. Dear Home Ec 101, I have cave crickets in my house. These things are nasty. Luckily, the cats make sure they are quickly turned into cave cricket carcasses. I’m wondering, though, if this indicates a problem of some kind with the …
Ivy says: With gas prices going sky high, everyone wants to know how to save money on gas. There’s one simple solution, of course: drive less. I’ve seen that advice on myriad message boards, blogs, LJ communities, newspaper websites, etc, etc, etc. Ah, if it were only that simple. Most of us are already driving …
Dear Home Ec 101, I started my dishwasher the other night and went on with my evening. Later I smelled smoke and discovered that my darling daughter’s sippy cup lid was melted to the heating element in the dishwasher. It smelled so bad, you know that burnt plastic smell? Yuck! I pulled the lid off …
Ivy says: It’s been a recurring theme in my life lately- making changes in your life bit by bit instead of making a major change that may not stick. It really does work. I think we all have areas in our lives that we would like to change. Instead of a big sweeping change, work …