Making Life Easier

Once again, I have a list of solutions for everyday problems (or opportunities if you prefer to stay positive). Most of them have worked for me in the past, but there are no guarantees they'll work for you. At least try them, and if you discover something better, please let me know.

Easy solutions:

• If you have a nick on dark-stained wood furniture and don't have any stain on hand to cover it, try a dab of dark brown shoe polish. 
• Keep a blanket in your trunk in case you ever get stuck in the mud. It gives you the traction you'll need to get unstuck.
• If you have bugs in your pantry, place a few sticks of spearmint gum on the shelves. Most critters don't care for the strong smell.
• When washing a new pair of jeans for the first time, toss a handful of salt into the washer. It will help lock in the dye, and it will soften the fabric to make them even more comfortable.
• Do you like your laundry soft, but you're out of fabric softener? Try tossing a couple of tennis balls into the dryer, and you might never purchase fabric softener again.
• For scrambled eggs-to-go, whip them up as you normally would, pour them into muffin tins that have been sprayed with cooking spray, and bake in a 350-degree oven until they are firm. You may add cheese and veggies if you prefer. After they cool, you can store them in a zip-lock bag in your freezer for those mornings when you're too rushed to cook.