Awkward Items

Moving - Packing Tips for Large, Small and Awkward Items

Most movers are so happy to finally arrive in their new home that they are able to overlook chipped dinner plates or a scratch on the dining room table. But there's no reason your household goods should become casualties of the move. With a little care and planning your household goods will both arrive in mint condition.

Following are packing tips to consider when packing large items, packing small items and packing awkward items.

Packing Large Items:

• Tie bed frames together with tape or rope then label the pieces so they are easy to reassemble.

• Fill drawers with clothes or fragile, well-wrapped items. Cover them with a blanket or with furniture pads and rope securely.

• Remove table legs, pad and tie together. Put nuts and bolts in a bag and tape them underneath the tabletop.

• Empty, defrost and drain the refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher. Clean the interiors and put accessories in bags. Stuff towels between washer sides to prevent rotating and tape down any moveable parts. Cover with blankets and tie.

• Use the original packaging for computers, televisions and electronics, or buy electronic-specific boxes.

Packing Small Items:

• Put your microwave, VCR and other small appliances into boxes and cushion with wadded paper.

• Pack books flat in small cartons, alternating bindings. Try to keep each box under 30 lbs.

• Pack hanging items, such as clothing and drapes, in wardrobe boxes. Leave small items in drawers.

• Wrap fragile collectibles in bubble wrap and tape them securely.

• Pack CD’s upright and cushion with them newspaper.

• Stack pots and pans and cushion with them paper.

• Place any kitchen items you will need immediately in a separate box and label appropriately so you know which one to unpack first.

• Wrap dishes individually in bubble wrap and never stack them flat. Pack plates on saucers on edges and place cups and bowls around them.

Packing Awkward Items:

• Wrap chair arms and legs with bubble wrap. Place slipcovers on chairs or buy chair bags for protection.

• Loosen the handlebars from bicycles and turn them sideways. Cover chains and pedals to keep grease off other items.

• Wrap small items, such as mirrors and artwork, in newsprint and pack in mirror boxes. Cover larger pieces with cardboard, tape them securely and stand them along the sides of the truck or inside wardrobe boxes.

• Disassemble heavy lawn furniture. Put nuts and bolts in a bag and tie together.

• Roll up rugs and secure with rope or tape.

• Place plants in plastic bags with air holes then in boxes. Water them before you leave.

• Wrap sharp edges of tools and use plenty of cushioning to prevent injury. Tape long-handled tools together and place smaller ones in boxes.

• Empty gasoline from all tanks of lawnmowers and edgers and check for oil leaks.

• Use medium-sized boxes for garage and attic items, such as spray paints, brushes and car waxes. Throw away oily rags or anything combustible.

• Keep pets in a pet carrier up front with you. Ask your vet for suggestions on how to make their move less traumatic.

Use these packing tips for packing large items, packing small items and packing awkward items.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com Find moving and relocation tips and resources at http://www.myguidesusa.com/movingandrelocation Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hilary_Basile

Breakfast Ideas

Healthy, Quick Breakfast Ideas

Most of us already know breakfast is the most important meal of the day… This is especially true when it comes to kids. We need to ensure their little bodies receive nourishing foods to help them grow and thrive.

Here are some healthy, quick breakfast ideas the whole family will enjoy.

Smoothies - Smoothies are certainly a great way to get a good dose of fruit. Chop up some fresh fruit, throw it in the blender and you have a healthy and delicious breakfast. For a heartier breakfast smoothie add some yogurt or a little high-fiber cereal.

Breakfast Muffins - For breakfast try a savory or fruit muffin. For a healthier muffin use whole wheat flour and instead of sugar mash a ripe banana or a little honey into the mixture. Unless you’re an early riser you probably won’t have enough time to make muffins in the morning. Simply make them ahead and either freeze or keep in an air-tight container for a few days.

Wholesome Eggs - Eggs are very versatile and most kids enjoy them. Try a ham omelet with a little cheese or scrambled eggs with chopped tomatoes. Try a prepare-ahead breakfast casserole for a hearty family breakfast.

Don't Forget the Oatmeal - Making your own oatmeal is much healthier than the flavored instant packets. Cook up according to packet instructions and add a little fruit for extra flavor.

Healthy Breakfast Bar - Make up a batch of healthy breakfast bars the day before and use them for a quick, on-the-go breakfast. Use a low-sugar recipe and include lots of healthy dried fruits.

Fantastic Fruit Salad - Serve a chopped fruit salad with a yogurt dip. Mini muffins are delicious dipped in yogurt too.

Breakfast Burrito - Scramble some eggs and place them in a tortilla with chopped tomatoes, a little grated cheese, ham or other favorite toppings… roll up and enjoy a yummy breakfast burrito.

Spruce up your Toast - Try whole wheat bread and serve with peanut butter and sliced bananas, cream cheese and raisins (sprinkle a little cinnamon on top), or cream cheese and a fruit jam (pure, no-sugar added jam is best).

Pizza for Breakfast - Why not? split a couple of English muffins in half, top with a little pizza sauce, grated cheese and some chopped ham or even eggs. Place under the grill for a few minutes and you have a nutritious breakfast pizza. You can make bagel pizzas too.

Those are just a few healthy breakfast ideas to help keep things interesting. And don't forget parents need breakfast too… we're usually so busy looking after the kids, we end up skipping breakfast ourselves. Here’s a trick we use quite often in our house.

Take a selection of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc.) and mix together in a bowl. Then place a handful or two of the mix into individual plastic bags.

So even on the busiest of mornings you just grab a bag on the way out. This makes a great on-the-go healthy breakfast idea.

For tons of easy, family-friendly recipes, kid cooking recipes, nutrition articles and cooking tips visit http://www.easy-kid-recipes.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mila_Sidman

Bachelorette Party Games

Bachelorette Party Games: Start the Fun at Home

Your best friend is getting married and you are the maid (matron) of honor. What an honor that is! The only problem is that you are not sure how to plan the bachelorette party. Listed are a few games that are guaranteed fun! Please start the bachelorette party at home so your guests feel more comfortable and can get acquainted. If you decide totake the party out on the town later, you can reflect back on the fun activities from earlier in the evening!

Guess The Nuts

1 sturdy wooden hanger,

1 small salami or pepperoni,

1 pair men's cotton y-front underwear,

large safety pins,

whole walnuts,

needle and thread

Sew the leg holes and y-front of the underwear closed. Pin them on the wooden hanger using the safety pins. Fill the underwear with the walnuts making sure to count how many you put in. Place a small salami or pepperoni down the front of the underwear. When the guests arrive have them guess how many nuts are in the underwear. Encourage the players to feel the nuts! Leave the nut filled underwear hanging up for the remainder of the party, as it makes a great party decoration! The closest guess below the actual number, wins! The sausage and walnuts can be eaten at a later date!

Tape the Shape on Her Man

1 posterboard,

multi colored construction paper, scissors, clear tape, markers,
1 blindfold,

1 enlarged picture of the grooms head

On the posterboard, draw a picture of a sexy man's body from the thigh area up to and including his neck, but leave out his male member. Tape the picture of the grooms head onto the neck. Try to make this proportional, but if it's not, sometimes it's even more funny! Tape the poster to the wall at waist level.

Hand each player a piece of construction paper and have her cut out a shape of a male member. Make sure she writes her name on the back. Blindfold the first player. Fold down the square end of her playing piece and attach a loop of tape to it.Put the other end in her mouth. Spin her around 3 times and have her get on her knees to crawl over to the poster. Have her press her mouth up against the poster until her playing piece sticks. She must not use her hands to feel the poster. The player who is closest to being anatomically correct, wins! This is the big girl version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey! Wear the game pieces as name tags later in the evening.

Cucumber Race

1 cucumber per player,

1 maraschino cherry per player,

2 cans whipped cream

Divide the players into 2 equal teams. Choose one person from each team to be a captain. Seat the two captains across the room with one cherry per player and a can of the whipped cream. Have the rest of the team line up on the other end of the room and give one cucumber to each player. To begin, the first players in each line place their cucumbers between their thighs so the cucumber is horizontal to the floor. Have the players race down to their captain. The captain places some whipped cream on the end of the cucumber and places the cherry in the whipped cream. The player races back to the starting line, balancing the cherry on the cucumber. Then it is the next players turn. Continue until each player has a turn. The first team finished, wins! If a player drops her cucumber or her cherry falls off, she must start over. This game promotes team spirit!

These games are so much fun and are a great way to get the party started in the right direction!

http://bachelorettepartyshop.com We have free games and ideas on the web site along with all types of products to purchase, to make her bachelorette party the most fun! We have veils and t-shirts, food and drink items, prepackaged games, decorations, gag gifts and more! We included some bachelor items also. Some of our items can be used for birthday parties, sorority parties and girls weekend away parties! Author of "How To Host a Hilariously Fun Bachelorette Party!", Online ecommerce business for the past 7 years, 20 years experience Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gwen_Liveris