Fire Evacuation Plan

If your house caught fire, would you and your children know how to react? Fire safety is a huge topic in our home - my dad and husband are both former firefighters. A fire evacuation plan is extremely important to have for every family. It is also just as important to practice this evacuation plan!

Most residential fires occur between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Deaths from residential fires occur in greater numbers between midnight and 4 a.m. when most people are asleep. An average of 800 fires strike residential buildings each day in the United States. More than 6,500 persons die each year from fire - more than half of them children and senior citizens. The majority of these deaths are in home fires.

Regardless of the cause of the fire, a home may be filled with smoke. This is a very dangerous situation. Family members may be unable to see very well. The smoke and toxic gases may cause dizziness and disorientation. In the confusion, one can easily become lost or trapped in the home. Family members must understand that their safety depends upon quickly leaving the home. It has been proven that exit drills reduce chances of panic and injury in fires and that trained and informed people have a much better chance to survive fires in their home.

A good way to practice the effectiveness of a home fire escape plan is to position each family member in his or her bed, turn all the lights off, and activate the smoke detector by depressing the test switch. Each family member should help "awaken" the others by yelling the alert. Family members should exit their rooms according to the plan, crawl low under smoke, practice feeling doors for heat, and meet in the designated location outside the home.

Follow the following tips to create a fire escape plan for your family:

1. Each member of the family should know how to get safely outside by at least two routes.
   
2. A special meeting place should be established a safe distance from the house. It could be a mailbox, the neighbor's driveway or a large tree in the yard. Whatever it is, it must be something that is stationary and won't be moved (such as a car). This is where everyone meets in the event of a fire.
3. Special provisions may be required for infants, young children, disabled or the elderly who may need additional help when escaping. These provisions should be included in the home fire escape plan and discussed with family members.
4. When afraid, children commonly seek sheltered places such as a closet or under the bed. Encourage them to exit outside. Do not allow them to hide. Make sure children can operate the windows, descend a ladder, or lower themselves to the ground through a window. (Slide out on the stomach, feet first. Hang on with both hands. Bend the knees when landing.) Lower children to the ground before you exit from the window. They may panic and not follow if an adult goes first.
5. Have children practice saying the fire department number, the family name, and street address into the phone.
6. Make a floor diagram of the house. Mark the regular and emergency escape routes, as well as windows, doors, stairs, halls. Keep these exits clear - including no desks, dressers, or security bars blocking windows!
   
7. If in an apartment, hotel, or multi-family home, look for these important features in the building - enclosed exit stairways, clearly-marked exits, clean hallways and lobbies, automatic sprinklers, fire alarm systems and smoke detectors.
8. Remember, the first step toward escaping a fire is to plan ahead. Practice a home fire escape plan throughout the year and be sure that if anything should change around the home, it is included in the home fire escape plan.

(thanks to City of Phoenix for help with this post)

Embossed Greeting Card

Today's To Do Thursday guest post is from Sherri Torrez. Sherri writes at The Berry Irresistible Twitter and Blog. She's a self proclaimed Tulsa craft junkie and I couldn't be happier to have her guest posting here at Homemaker Hero! I love to showcase local bloggers when I get the chance! Be sure to check out her blog and let her know how much you enjoyed her guest post.

Embossed Greeting Card
By Sherri Torrez

Don’t you just love it when you receive a greeting card that was hand-made especially for you? I know I do, but I think I love giving them even more!

One of my favorite types of cards to make is a hand embossed card. Being an avid crafter, of course I have a light board, a stylus or two and an assortment of stencils and embossing plates. But for this particular project, I was determined to see if it was possible to make an elegant hand-embossed card with common objects that I have around the house. Yes, it is possible!

I made this lovely greeting card with one piece of 8 ½” x 11” white card stock and the everyday objects listed below that you probably have in your home as well. Are you ready? Let’s get to embossing!

EMBOSSED GREETING CARD

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 1 sheet of 8 ½” x 11” card stock
• A light cardboard box (a cereal box works great, but I just made brownies!)
• A ruler
• A pair of scissors
• A solid blunt object (I used the handle of a butter knife)
• An Exacto knife
• A pencil
• (optional items:) A standard hole puncher, Sharpie, highlighter, marker, crayon, etc. to create your message

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. Make a light pencil mark on each long side of the card stock at the middle point (5 ½”)
2. Lay the card stock over the ruler, lining the edge of the ruler up with the two marks and press your blunt object along the edge of the ruler, making a score line in the card. This will make the card easy to fold without wrinkles.
3. Fold the card now. (It doesn’t matter right now if your edges don’t match up. Mine never do! We’ll fix that later.)
4. Cut a 5 ½” x 7 ½ “rectangle of card board from your food box.
5. Using the pencil, draw a simple image on the blank side of the cardboard. (I do not draw well, so I used the edge of a measuring cup and a little scrap wooden circle to trace along the edges for my flower. See Reference Photo 1) You can also print a simple image from your computer and trace it onto the cardboard, if you like. Make sure the individual components of your picture are not too close together, for ease of cutting out.
6. Important: Protect your tabletop with a cutting board or other sturdy surface.
7. Use the Exacto knife to cut out the components of your picture. You can use a hole puncher to create a pattern of your choice along the top and bottom edge of the cardboard. At this point, it’s worth it to spend a few extra minutes trimming any rough edges in your cutout with the Exacto knife. You now have a stencil that you can use over and over! (See Reference Photo 2)
8. Hold your folded card stock with the folded edge on your right and slip your new stencil inside.
9. Holding these flat on the table, feel through the card stock with your finger for the center of the image.
10. Starting in the center, use your blunt object to trace along the edges of each component of your image. (It’s okay to lift the card and peek as you go, as long as you hold your stencil firmly in place.) Be sure not to press too hard: you don’t want to tear completely through the card stock.
11. Once you have all the images traced, fold the card back the opposite way and your raised image is now on the front of the card. Use your scissors to trim along the top, bottom and open side of the card so that all the edges match up. If you prefer, you could use shaped edging scissors to shape the edges of the card. (I like rounded corners.)
12. Now you are ready to write a message of your choice on the front and on the inside and proceed to make a certain someone feel extra special!

<--- Reference Photo 1 Reference Photo 2 --->

The Fun Of Being Thoughtful (1950)

I love this video.
I can think of some people I share the road with,
people in congress,
people who share the public restroom,
and even other bloggers
who could benefit from this lesson on thoughtfulness.

Ten Trivia Facts You Probably Used to Know

If you want to be smarter than a 5th grader, this is a book you should own. I will give this book a good review next week, but I wanted to share this list sent to me by the author of this book. Enjoy. -Homemaker Hero

Ten Trivia Facts You Probably Used to Know
By Caroline Taggart, Author of I Used to Know That: Stuff You Forgot From School

You know how it is -- the kids come home from school full of enthusiasm for a new subject, ask you to explain something, and you think, "Oh, yes, I used to know that." When I started to write a book on things you'd forgotten from your schooldays, I realized that I half-knew lots of stuff. I'd heard of phrases and clauses, but did I know the difference between them? I had a vague idea about photosynthesis -- it's to do with how plants grow, isn't it? But doesn't being green come into it somewhere? And then there was the War of 1812 -- what was that all about?

So there are three Top Trivia Questions to start with; I'll answer them and then I'll give you seven more. That way, even if you can't answer the kids' questions, you can quickly change the subject and throw in some knowledge of your own.

1. Language: What's the difference between a clause and a phrase? These are the building blocks of a sentence. The difference is that a clause contains a subject and a verb. It often stands alone as a simple sentence (He loves dogs), but may also be part of a longer sentence (He loves dogs, but he doesn't own one). A phrase is a group of words in a sentence that does not contain a subject and a verb (In the afternoon, he took his mother's dog for a walk).

2. Biology: What is photosynthesis? It is -- as we suspected -- to do with how plants grow. It's the process by which they convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates, using the energy they absorb from light by means of a green pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is stored mainly in the leaves and is the reason most plants are green. Photosynthesis releases oxygen into the atmosphere, enabling the rest of us to breathe.

3. History: The war of 1812, between the U.S. and Britain, actually lasted nearly three years, from 1812 to 1815. Britain was already at war with France (under Napoleon) and the U.S. sided with the French. American ships, trying to break a blockade that would prevent supplies from reaching France, were being seized by the British, who then coerced American seamen into the Royal Navy. On top of that, the U.S. was disputing British control of territories in Canada; New England's support for Britain complicated the issue further. This war -- the last time the U.S. and Britain fought on opposing sides -- ended in stalemate when the British defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and subsequently lifted their blockade.

4. Literature: Where does the expression 'It just growed' come from? It's a misquotation from Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-96), a fiercely anti-slavery novel published in 1852, when this was the political hot potato in America. The most famous character is the slave girl Topsy, who didn't know where she came from (i.e. didn't realise that God had made her) and said, 'I s'pect I growed.'

5. Math: who was that Pythagoras guy anyway? He was a Greek mathematician and philosopher who lived in the 6^th century BC. His theorem (the word comes from the same root as "theory" but means something that can be proved) states that in a right-angled triangle "the square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides." The hypotenuse is the longest side of the triangle, opposite the right angle. This theorem really really matters to mathematicians, because it is fundamental to calculations used in architecture, engineering, astronomy, navigation and the like.

6. Geography: which were the original 13 states of the Union? In alphabetical order: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia. Delaware was the first to ratify the new constitution and is nicknamed "The First State" to this day.

7. Chemistry: what's the Periodic Table of Elements? It's a way of setting out the names of all the known chemical elements so that the vertical columns contain groups or families with similar properties. It was devised in the 19^th century by a Russian chemist called Mendeleev and has been in use ever since. An element, by the way, is a substance that cannot be decomposed into a simpler substance by a chemical process. Groups of elements come together to form compounds. So, for example, a combination of the element hydrogen (H) and the element oxygen (O) can form the compound water (H₂O).

8. Physics: what are conduction, convection and radiation? These are the ways in which heat is transferred from one "body" (that is, "thing") to another. Put simply, conduction means that a cool thing -- whether solid, liquid, or gas -- is warmed up by coming into contact with a hot thing. Convection occurs in liquids and gases and is the basis of the principle that hot air rises. A hot liquid or gas is generally less dense than a cool one; as the hot particles rise, cooler ones rush in underneath to take their place. The hot particles, having risen, cool and come down again, and so on. Radiation involves the energy that all objects emit. It is the only one of the three methods that works in a vacuum and is how the sun's rays manage to warm the Earth from so far away.

9. Art: who was Jackson Pollock? He was what is called an Abstract Expressionist and he believed that the act of painting was more important than the finished product. His paintings are therefore highly colorful, often huge, and (like his life) chaotic to the point of frenzy. He died in a motor accident in 1956, aged only 44.

10. Music: why should I care about Johann Sebastian Bach? He was incredibly important in the development of classical music: without him, some say, there might have been no Haydn, no Mozart, and no Beethoven. He wrote mostly organ music, church music, and orchestral music; his most famous works include the Brandenburg Concertos, the St. Matthew Passion, The Well-Tempered Clavier, and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. He had many children, including the composers Carl Philip Emmanuel and Johann Christian.

©2009 Caroline Taggart, author of I Used to Know That: Stuff You Forgot From School

Oreo Pie

Over the next few weeks, Homemaker Hero will feature a few guest posts from other fantastic bloggers here in Oklahoma. This particular guest post comes from a local Okie, Lynn Walls of Lynn's Kitchen Adventures. Be sure to visit her blog (where she posts about her love for cooking and trying new recipes) and let her know how much you enjoyed her guest post! I am so happy to have her on Homemaker Hero for the day!

Oreo Pie
By Lynn Walls

It's summertime right now, which means it is hot. At least it is where I live, which is in Oklahoma. During the summer months, I try to use my oven as little as possible. Why heat up the house if I don't have to?

This means I have to come up with meals and desserts that do not use my oven. So, I am always watching for recipes that are quick, easy, and no bake. This recipe is one of those.

I found this recipe in a newspaper several years ago. I knew right away it was one I wanted to try. I knew my kids would love it and it would be a great summertime dessert. This also makes a great dessert to take to a picnic or church function. I have made it several times for those occasions and it is always a popular dessert.

We prefer this as an ice cream type pie, so I usually freeze it. But if you like it more pudding style, you can just refrigerate it. You can also make your own crust, but I usually buy mine to save time.

OREO PIE

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 1/2 cup hot fudge dessert topping (or a little more, I usually don't measure it)
  
• 1 graham cracker crust or Oreo cookie crust (we prefer Oreo)
  
• 1 8oz Cool Whip, thawed
  
• 1 1/4 cup milk
  
• 2 pkgs Jello Oreo flavored instant pudding and pie filling (4 serving size)

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. Spread hot fudge topping onto the crust (if the hot fudge is very thick, microwave it for about 25 seconds).
   
2. In a bowl, mix together milk and pudding mixes.
3. Whisk together for 2 minutes or until well blended. Mixture will be thick.
4. Fold in Cool Whip.
5. Spoon over fudge layer in crust. If you have Oreos, crush up a few and sprinkle on top (optional).
6. For ice cream type pie, freeze for 4 hours or overnight. Remove from freezer 15 minutes before serving.
7. For pudding type pie, refrigerate for 4 hours overnight.

Coupon Caution

Last week I shared the very basics of how to use coupons effectively. Even if you're not participating in the All You Grocery Challenge, I hope you are learning valuable tips to save on your groceries. This week I'm sharing with you a few things to be cautious of when using coupons.

1. Realize sometimes the value of a coupon doesn't beat the store brand price. If you're cool with eating store brand, don't be afraid to buy those just because you have a stack of coupons to redeem. It's about saving money on things you love - not saving money because you have a coupon in hand for something else. If it's not cheaper with a coupon, don't buy it.
2. Beware of the big sales. While you've been dreaming of that side-by-side washer and dryer in pink, just because it's on sale doesn't mean you should buy it (even with a coupon). Always check your budget and if the funds aren't there, don't pretend they are. I admit we once opted to eat grilled cheese for a whole week to afford something we didn't really need during a big sale. Please, don't do that.
3. Beware of "free with purchase" coupons. You're spending out of pocket for something you may already have at home or could deep down just live without. Were you in need of buying that clearance item to get the other free item, or are you buying it because you have a coupon? Is the extra weight you gain from eating all of that free food you have coupons for really worth getting out for when you could just stay home and eat healthier with things you already have on hand? You may want the free food because you're "too lazy" to make it yourself. I have news for you - fast food doesn't energize you either. I realize it is a great deal to get something for free and spend a lot less paying for one item than if you had to pay for both. While those "free with purchase" coupons look really good, you have to stop and ask yourself if you really need it.
4. Have your coupon and know what you want. Consider that 30% off coupon for Borders for example. Have a book in mind when you walk in. Get it and get out! Don't know what you want? Hand your credit cards to your spouse and browse online for your book of choice. Most places that put out high discount coupons like that do so when there are other sales going on in the store. If you avoid walking around the store, you'll be less tempted to buy other items and spend more money that you were not planning to spend.

Stay tuned next Sunday for more tips on how to lower your grocery bill.

Free Stuff 07/25/09

A happy mailbox is a mailbox filled with free stuff. Enjoy the following offers for free stuff. Come back every Saturday for more!

HOUSEHOLD:
Omaha Steaks Cookbook HERE
Gain With Febreeze Detergent Sample HERE
Office Supply Samples HERE

FOOD:
Total Blueberry Pomegranate Cereal Sample HERE
Free Cinnabon and Coffee Tasting @ Schlotzsky's 07/25 Only HERE
Free Mocha Mondays @ McDonalds 7am-7pm Through 08/03 HERE

HEALTH/BEAUTY:
Airborne Seasonal Sample HERE
Guide For Diabetics HERE
Playtex Sport Tampon Sample HERE
Calcia Trial Kit HERE
Always Infinity Sample HERE

CHILDREN:
Baby Calendar HERE
Book-It 2009-10 Materials (homeschoolers only) HERE
"Teen Sweat 101" Book HERE

PETS:
Pet Info Cards For Drivers HERE
Breath-A-Licious Dog Bone HERE
Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food HERE

ENTERTAINMENT:
Creative Crafting All Year Round Holiday eBook HERE
Garden Craft eBook HERE
"Ancient Wisdom For Today" Book HERE
Free Book From The Golden Age Of Pulp Fiction And A Free Set Of Pulp Fiction Collectors Bookmarks HERE

MISC:
Fashion Tees HERE
Coupon Secrets Revealed (newsletter) HERE

Failures Are Not Fatal

Failures Are Not Fatal
By Max Lucado
“We must pay more careful attention…to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” Hebrews 2:1 NIV

If you lose your faith, you will probably do so gradually. You will let a few days slip by without consulting your compass. Your sails will go untrimmed. Your rigging will go unprepared. And worst of all, you will forget to anchor your boat. And, before you know it, you’ll be bouncing from wave to wave in stormy seas.

And unless you anchor deep, you could go down. How do you anchor deep? Look at the verse again: “We must pay careful attention…to what we have heard…”

The most reliable anchor points are not recent discoveries, but are time-tested truths that have held their ground against the winds of change. Truths like:

My life is not futile.

My failures are not fatal.

My death is not final.

Attach your soul to these boulders and no wave is big enough to wash you under.

Jars of Clay - "Flood"

Emergency Phone Kit

Last week, I talked about the importance of having a secret family code word. Over the next few weeks, I'll be covering many important safety tips for your family. This week, I want to teach you how to make an emergency phone kit. Different from an emergency kit for things like bumps, bruises, cuts, and headaches - this kit is for getting the right people informed of what is going on when a true emergency happens. This is extremely helpful when your family is separated during an emergency. You will need to make a kit for each member of your family and one for each contact on your emergency phone list.

First, buy a small coin purse or zipper bag to hold your kit. It should be large enough to hold a phone card some some folded paperwork, but small enough to pack away in your purse or backpack. For men, a wallet would be okay too if big enough to hold the folded paperwork. You will need to make a kit for every single person on your emergency contact list. Feel free to label your kit to make it easier for emergency personnel to find your contact information if you are unable to get to it yourself.

Second, you will need to visit Ready.gov and print both pages of their family emergency plan (pdf file) for the paper part of your kit. Once these pages are filled out, you will have contact numbers for emergencies as well as your evacuation plan information. While you will need to keep this kit with you at all times to be completely effective (since you never know when an emergency will strike), please keep it in a very safe place since it contains a lot of personal information such as social security numbers. For a child, only fill out information important to them. They will probably not need your social security numbers listed. Instead, you can fill out the blank with contact information of people outside the home to contact for additional emergency information if you are unavailable.

Third, buy a phone card for each emergency phone kit you prepare. You want to make sure your child, family member, or friend will have a way to call you - especially if calling long distance. You may also want to include money for a taxi if you feel transportation may be an issue.

Giving an emergency phone kit to each contact number on your list is key to communicating your emergency plan (which we will talk more about in the upcoming weeks). If you have an outside contact across town or even out of state during an emergency, it is important they know who to contact when you contact them and why they are being contacted. Make sure you include a phone card in their kit as well to guarantee them a way to contact the rest of your loved ones. You may even want to give their phone card more minutes than yours since they will be the home base contact during an emergency and will be making the most calls.

Free Pottery Barn Class

You're Invited!

The Pottery Barn
Decorating With Color & Pattern
Sunday July 26th

Get expert advice on choosing a palette and mixing colors and patterns with confidence.
You’ll also receive 10% off merchandise featured in the class!
Call us today for class times and to reserve your space.

Tulsa, Oklahoma:
1864 Utica Square
918-743-1512

Garden Markers

I love craft blogs! There are so many "Martha Stewart" type of people out there. I am so thankful when they share their talents through a blog/website. This one comes from Make and Takes. It's a good craft for the kids that will surely turn your ordinary garden into a whole lot of cute!

GARDEN MARKERS

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• craft foam sheets
• craft Popsicle sticks
• hot glue (for an adult)
• scissors (kid friendly)
• permanent markers
  

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. On the craft foam sheets, have your child draw the shape of the vegetable, try to use the same color of foam as the real veggie.
   
2. Have them cut it out around the drawn veggie, or you can cut it out for them.
   
3. Write the name of the veggie onto the front of the cut out shape. It’s good to write the words, giving them more exposure to reading.
   
4. For the adult, hot glue the foam veggie onto a craft Popsicle stick and let them dry.
   

What Makes A Good Party? (1950)

Tonight, I'm hosting a local Mom's Night Out party.
I thought this video would be perfect to watch
so that we'll all know exactly how to make our party a good party.

Tomato Vegetable Stroganoff

While we no longer have the nickel and dime stores of the past, one place we can rely on for low prices are dollar stores. Dollar General not only has great prices on their products, but are also accepting manufacturer coupons! I love it there because it is easy to get in and get out and save a ton of money. My Aunt Patty emailed me the other day wondering if I've checked out the Dollar General website lately. Not only can you score great deals on food at Dollar General, but now they're offering recipes to make with the food they sell. Be sure to check it out the next time you're looking for a fabulous meal at a low price!

TOMATO VEGETABLE STROGANOFF

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 1 lb. lean (at least 80%) ground beef
• 1 box Hamburger Helper® stroganoff
• 1 can (15 oz) Clover Valley® cut green beans, drained
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 can (10.5 oz) Clover Valley® tomato soup

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain.
2. Stir in contents of sauce mix pouch (from Hamburger Helper box), the beans, hot water, milk and soup.
   
3. Heat to boiling; stir in contents of uncooked pasta pouch (from Hamburger Helper box).
4. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

KITCHEN TIP: Replace the green beans with corn to make it more kid-friendly.

Clipping Coupons

Coupon clipping is quite a growing trend. It's a no-brainer to saving money at the check out line. I like to call it "free money." There's over $318 billion of potential savings available every year. Using coupons can save you some money. Using coupons in a strategic way can save you even more and even slash your grocery bill in half (or more)!

Let's start with the basics. I know not all of you have had a lot of experience with this, so I want to explain how this works. I really think that saving on your groceries is similar to starting your own business. Stay with me on this one. In order to really start making money, you have to stick with your own business for a few years to start seeing that profit. Thankfully saving money on groceries takes a couple of months - not years.

Like jobs that have different services and pay, where you live and how many coupons you clip has a lot to do with what your savings can be. The more stores you have where you live, the bigger savings opportunities. Similarly, the more newspapers or magazines you own, the more coupons you can clip to maximize your savings. However, just because you may not have a lot of stores to choose from does not mean that you can't learn to save a lot of money on what you do buy. Follow these 3 basic steps to help maximize your savings with coupons.

1. Clip coupons for things you use. Coupon printing, clipping, and sorting can be time consuming. Only clip coupons for what you'll use and you'll save a LOT of time and money. You can find coupons online, in the newspaper, in stores, and in magazines.
   
2. Pay attention to sales. Study store circulars to figure out what store your desired products are cheapest.
   
3. Match your coupons with what is on sale. Redeem your coupons on sale items only. Getting $0.50 off a product may not seem worth it to you. However, getting $0.50 off a product that is being reduced an extra $1.00 this week by the store can build your savings amount quickly! You just put $1.50 back into your bank account. Do this with a few more coupons in the same transaction and you'll be slashing your grocery bill in no time!

There are two types of coupons: manufacturer coupons and store coupons. While you cannot use two manufacturer coupons or two store coupons on the same item, you can use one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon on the same item. Are you picturing your savings now? Every store has their own policies on how they will let you use your coupons (like doubling, tripling, etc). See your local store manager for a copy of these policies.

There are a lot of people mastering the art of couponing and getting their groceries for minimal dollar amounts. I am one of those people and can definitely answer any questions you have about using coupons. Please ask! It will help me know what I should cover each Sunday to help you on your All You Grocery Challenge. While people like me - who can walk out of Homeland with $210 worth of stuff and only pay $88 for it - can instantly make you wide-eyed and dreamy for the same success on your next shopping trip, I urge you to take baby steps.

Write down how much you want to save. Write it down before you begin working on reducing your spending. If you spend $150 a week on groceries, learning how to save $15 a week will add up to $780 a year! Cutting your spending in half, which isn't unrealistic, would save you $3,900 a year! Start small and give yourself a pat on the back every time you save money no matter how big or small the amount. Remember, the shopper who save 7% every single year over his/her lifetime will save more money than the one who begins by saving 70% but gives up after 3 months because it takes too much time.

Stay tuned next week for tips on what NOT to do with coupons.

Free Stuff 07/18/09

A happy mailbox is a mailbox filled with free stuff. Enjoy the following offers for free stuff. Come back every Saturday for more!

HOUSEHOLD
Notepad and Pen HERE
What To Expect Guide To A Healthy Home HERE

FOOD
PureVia Zero Calorie Sweetener HERE
Tavern Direct Recipe Cards HERE
True Lemon HERE
Free Breakfast At IKEA 07/18-07/19 (coupon) HERE
Free Starbucks Pastry w/Drink Purchase 07/21 HERE
Free Tea At McAlister's Deli 07/23 HERE
Free Mocha Mondays @ McDonalds 7am-7pm Through 08/03 HERE
Starbucks Ice Cream Coupons Through 07/19 (First 800 per hour on Facebook) HERE

HEALTH/BEAUTY
Playtex Sport Tampons HERE
Vaseline Aloe Fresh HERE
Always Infinity HERE
Ambi Soft & Even Stretch Mark Diminishing Oil, Colgate Wisp HERE
Guide For Diabetics HERE

CHILDREN
Ashley Tisdale Party Pack HERE
Pampers Potty Training Kit HERE
Diaper And Formula Samples & Coupons HERE

PETS
Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food HERE

ENTERTAINMENT
Novel (Choose From Three) HERE
Free eBook Fair HERE
Creative Crafting All Year Round Holiday eBook HERE
Garden Craft eBook HERE
Cosmopolitan Magazine Subscription HERE
Travel Guides HERE
Free Book From The Golden Age Of Pulp Fiction And A Free Set Of Pulp Fiction Collectors Bookmarks HERE

MISC
50 Free Prints At CVS Photo HERE
Various Daily Freebies HERE

God, Your Guardian

God, Your Guardian
By Max Lucado
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you can hide." Psalm 91:4

The image of living beneath Shaddai’s shadow reminds me of a rained-out picnic. My college friends and I barely escaped a West Texas storm before it pummeled the park where we were spending a Saturday afternoon. As we were leaving, my buddy brought the car to a sudden stop and gestured to a tender sight on the ground. A mother bird sat exposed to the rain, her wing extended over her baby who had fallen out of the nest. The fierce storm prohibited her from returning to the tree, so she covered her child until the wind passed.

From how many winds is God protecting you? His wing, at this moment, shields you. A slanderous critic heading toward your desk is interrupted by a phone call. A burglar en route to your house has a flat tire. A drunk driver runs out of gas before your car passes his. God, your guardian, protects you.

Barlow Girl - "Never Alone (Acoustic)"

Secret Family Code Word

Every family should have a secret code word. A secret family code word is similar to an email password. It's something easy for your family members to remember - hard for anyone else to guess. It's a word your family uses to teach your children good situations from bad potentially bad situations. This word is for emergency use only. You should never share your secret word with anyone outside of the family - unless it's an emergency.

Teach your children to never leave with anyone unless they know the secret code word. Often a child's fear grows out of experiences which they cannot understand and which seem to threaten them. Having this secret family code word will help your child in an emergency situation know exactly what you want them to do when you cannot be there. It will help calm your child in an otherwise uncomfortable situation. For example, if your children are leaving school early and you cannot be there but a relative or friend can pick them up for you, using your secret family code word will allow them to know if and when it is okay to leave with someone other than you. You will tell this code word to your friend or family member. Then have your child ask this friend or family member what the secret code word is. If they know the correct word, your child will know it is okay with you to leave with this person. If this other person does not know the secret family code word, your child will know to stay put and not leave unless you are there.

Once your secret family code word has been exposed to someone other than your immediate family members, you will need to change the word immediately.

Dishtowel Potholder

Check out these cute potholders! I bet at first glance, you'd never suspect that they are actually made from dishtowels! This particular DIY craft requires you to know how to sew - or know how to use a sewing machine. If you can't sew - pass this one on to a friend who can. Sewing is the last step on this one, so I bet if you bought all the stuff and did all the work up to the pinning, they would be happy to sew them together for you. The materials are so cheap it would be nice of you (and affordable) to let your friend keep one for all their "hard work." ;)

DISHTOWEL POTHOLDER

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Dishtowel From The Dollar Store (standard size, non-terrycloth)
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Thread
• Needle or Sewing Machine
• Pins

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. Cut off hems and any tags from dishtowel.
   
2. Turn towel wrong side up.
3. Fold over one long side toward center about 1/3 of the width.
4. Fold the other long side towards the center about 1/3 of the width, leaving raw edge about 1/2 inch from the folded edge.
5. Fold end pieces of the folded dishtowel towards the center.
6. Fold over the dishtowel again enclosing the raw end pieces at the center. You should now have a somewhat square (or rectangular) shaped folded dishtowel with no exposed raw edges.
7. Pin the folded edges in place and insert a loop of ribbon (or a piece of the hem that you previously cut off) at either a corner or at the center of the potholder.
8. Stitch all around the 4 sides of the potholder.
9. You may leave the potholder as is or you can jazz it up with an applique, strip of patchwork, embroidery, or stamp a design.

You can find the picture tutorial for this craft on Artsy-Crafty Babe.

Celebrity Endorsements

As television and movies became popular in the 1950s,
companies looked for new ways to reach an audience
through celebrity endorsements.
You may recognize this awesome lady
from the popular tv show,
I Love Lucy.



Makes you want that pen, doesn't it?

Creamy Vanilla-Caramel Cheesecake

Look at that picture! How delicious! I bet you'd never guess it's okay for a diabetic to eat that, but it is!!! Thanks to Betty Crocker, you can please your sweet tooth while minding your health. According to my stepdaughter, no mealtime is complete without dessert!!


CREAMY VANILLA-CARAMEL CHEESECAKE

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 15 reduced-fat chocolate or vanilla wafer cookies, crushed (1/2 cup)
• 2 packages (8oz each) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 egg whites or 1/2 cup fat-free cholesterol-free egg product
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups vanilla low-fat yogurt
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup fat-free caramel topping
• pecan halves (optional)

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. Heat oven to 300 degrees. Spray springform pan (9x3 in) with cooking spray.
2. Sprinkle cookie crumbs over bottom of pan. (put pan on cookie sheet to catch drips)
   
3. Beat cream cheese in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
4. Add sugar, egg whites and vanilla. Beat on medium speed about 2 min or until smooth.
5. Add yogurt and flour. Beat on low speed until smooth.
6. Carefully spread batter over cookie crumbs in pan.
7. Bake 1 hour. Turn off oven; cool in over 30 minutes with the door closed.
8. Remove from oven; cool 15 minutes.
9. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
10. Drizzle caramel topping over cheesecake.
11. Garnish with pecan halves, if desired.
12. Store covered in the refrigerator.

All-You Grocery Challenge

For this week's Sunday Savings post, I wanted to challege my readers. All-You magazine wants you to show off your shopping smarts by spending no more than $25 per family member per week on groceries over a four-week period beginning July 13. That's $100 a week for a family of four. You could win a $1,000 grocery card plus a year's supply of Knorr side dishes and the chance to appear in ALL YOU magazine.

Follow these guidelines:

• During the contest, groceries that you purchase count toward your weekly total. However, feel free to grow, barter or use stockpiled food to supplement your meals. Creativity and ingenuity count!
• If you eat at a restaurant or buy takeout, the cost must go toward the week's total.
• Household supplies and toiletries do not count toward each weeks total.
• Keep track of your money using the optional Spending Log.
• Save receipts--you will be required to submit them if you are a finalist.
• Post your strategies on our Grocery Challenge blog, and be sure to tell us your money-saving tips

Click Here to sign up.

Click Here for official rules.

Need help? Stay tuned next week as I offer tips for slashing your grocery bill.

Free Stuff 07/11/09

A happy mailbox is a mailbox filled with free stuff. Enjoy the following offers for free stuff. As you can see, this week was a big one! Come back every Saturday for more!

HOUSEHOLD
Ziploc Pack-N-Go Gift Pack From Right@Home HERE
Viva Paper Towels Sample HERE
Furniture Polishing Cloths HERE
Quick-Wrap Bag HERE
Soft Tape Measure HERE

FOOD
Free 7.11oz Slurpee @ 7-11 Stores 07/11 HERE
Ideal No Calorie Sweetener HERE
Join The Clipper Club And Receive Free Tea Samples HERE
Fiber One Samples Plus $5 Coupons HERE
Baja Fish Taco Day @ Long John Silvers 07/14 HERE
Free Mocha Mondays @ McDonalds 7am-7pm Through 08/03 HERE
Starbucks Ice Cream Coupons Through 07/19 (First 800 per hour on Facebook) HERE

HEALTH/BEAUTY
Bodycology Hand & Body Lotion HERE
Aveda 3pc Sample Pack Coupon Redeemable @ Aveda Salons HERE
Nivea Touch Of Sparkle Body Wash HERE

CHILDREN
GoodNites Sleep Pants HERE
Baby Calendar HERE
ABC's Of Safety Coloring Book (printable) HERE

PETS
Pet Info Cards For Drivers HERE
Breath-A-Licious Dog Bone HERE

ENTERTAINMENT
15 Free Lollapalooza Music Downloads On iTunes HERE
22 Free Nylon Magazine Music Downloads On iTunes HERE
Creative Crafting All Year Round Holiday eBook HERE
Garden Craft eBook HERE
Pay Per View Movie Free To Dish Network Customers HERE
Cosmopolitan Magazine Subscription HERE
Travel Guides HERE

MISC
Sam's Club One Day Pass Without Membership Fee HERE
50 Free Prints At CVS Photo HERE
General Tire Poster (4 To Choose From) HERE
Science & Technology WWII Poster HERE
Ignation Inspiration Poster (4 To Choose From) HERE
Motocross Sticker HERE
Purple Ribbon Sticker To Prevent Drug Overdose HERE
Clean Energy For America Sticker HERE
Time Savers For Teachers (printables) HERE

Via Dolorosa

Via Dolorosa
By Max Lucado
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” 2 Corinthians 5:19 NKJV

The most notorious road in the world is the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of Sorrows.” According to tradition, it is the route Jesus took from Pilate’s hall to Calvary. The path is marked by stations frequently used by Christians for their devotions. One station marks the passing of Pilate’s verdict. Another, the appearance of Simon to carry the cross. There are fourteen stations in all, each one a reminder of the events of Christ’s final journey.

Is the route accurate? Probably not…No one knows the exact route Christ followed that Friday.

But we do know where the path actually began.

The path began, not in the court of Pilate, but in the halls of heaven. The Father began his journey when he left his home in search of us…His desire was singular—to bring his children home…

The path to the cross tells us exactly how far God will go to call us back.

Chris Tomlin - "God of This City"

10 Things We Can Learn From Men

Some people accuse men of being lazy for sitting on the sofa, but men argue that they’re merely using the time to regenerate and take care of themselves. I found this list on Care Pages and I had a total "duh" moment. Perhaps we are quick to judge our men and need to give them more praise for acting the way they do. Summarizing classic male traits may seem like shameless generalization, but we could all learn a thing or two from male-specific behaviors. Here are 10 to get you started.

Keep emotions in check
Certain situations require emotional detachment, especially at work. Sometimes, a poker face can help prevent others from getting overly-stressed out or overwhelmed. If you stay calm, everyone else will stay calm, and you’ll be able to focus on the task at hand.

Ask questions and challenge
Men like to ask questions and play devil’s advocate sometimes—not to antagonize or to argue—but to explore different points of view. It can help to get a new perspective on things.

Be confident
From an early age, boys may feel more comfortable than girls in speaking out without the fear of mistakes to hold them back. Later in life, some see this as men being more aggressive than women. But we could all learn from a little more self-confidence. Everyone has worthy contributions to make in daily life. A little bit of cockiness every once in a while doesn’t hurt.

Focus on solutions
Women often communicate to vent or share, while men look at communication as a means to an end to provide a solution. While venting certainly has its place, it can help to focus on a game plan when you’re really trying to make an important decision. Break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks and keep your eyes on the prize.

Make eye contact
The next time you’re faced with an uncomfortable situation, don’t avert your eyes. Instead, face things squarely. Staring down a situation for what it is can help you get through it with grace and positive energy.

Be the strong, silent type
We’ve all been there: feeling uncomfortable with silent pauses. Men don’t feel the need to talk just for the sake of talking. Standing back and being quiet sometimes means that you’re just taking it all in. Don’t feel the need to fill up the air with words. But when you do have something to say, by all means, say it!

Be a team player
Men might understand the spirit of teamwork faster than women. Many played organized sports while they were kids and have learned how to set common goals and work together. Not a bad skill to have.

Express anger sometimes
It’s okay to express a little anger to blow off steam. Women can sometimes bottle up their anger, only letting it pop long after they've built up a reservoir of resentment. Don’t worry so much about the other person. It’s okay to show you’re not happy. Then you can be done with it and move on.

Be a straight-shooter
Women are sometimes accused of expecting men to be mind readers. They hint and used veiled metaphors—then get hurt when men don’t figure things out. In reality, men are literal creatures who ask for things directly and specifically, so they expect others to do the same. What a refreshing concept.

Accept a compliment
You seldom hear a man replying to a compliment with a “Oh this old thing?” retort. Men love compliments and even fish in the conversation to get a few. Women have a tougher time accepting compliments without shooting back a qualifier. We all should own it. Smile and say thank you.

Spoon Mirror

Last week's project from Country Living was so much fun that I decided to post one more from the same site. This project was just too cute and unique, I had to show it to you. This is an extremely frugal way to turn an old mirror into a unique conversation piece.

SPOON MIRROR

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 18 Inch Round Mirror
• About 105 Colored Plastic Spoons (check dollar store)
• Hot Glue Gun
  

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. Place a generous dot of glue on the back of the base of the handle of your first spoon.
2. Press the spoon onto the mirror so that it's bowl sits just outside the mirror's edge and the handle points toward the center.
3. Put another dot of glue on the back of the second spoon's handle in the same spot, and lay it on the mirror next to the first spoon, so that the widest part of the second one's bowl nestles into the neck of its neighbor.
4. Repeat above steps all around the mirror's perimeter - just be sure to keep the handles pointed at the mirror's center.
   

Bicycle Safety

It seems 1950 was a popular decade for educational videos.
There was a video for just about any
social interaction you'd ever face.
I found this 1950s video for bicycle safety.
As you ride your bike this summer,
remember the following tips!
This particular video is kind of dry and boring.
Still, watching these old videos never gets old to me.

June And July Home Maintenance

To avoid home disasters and/or a lot of home improvement in one single weekend, I'm bringing you a home maintenance check list every month. Doing a little each month will save you time and money. Plus, you don't have to worry about printing a yearly list and then losing it. In case you missed the first four months, you can find them here: January is here, February is here, March is here, April is here, and May is here. These lists are very short, but important. I just realized I never included June... so today I'm offering June and July home maintenance.

For June you will need to:

1. Swab the Deck. Power-wash a wood deck to get rid of mold.
2. Schedule your annual chimney inspection. It will be more difficult to book an appointment in the Fall. You're also more likely to get a discount in the off-season.

For July you will need to:

1. Let the grass grow. Yes, you heard me. GROW. In summer, keep grass tall, which slows water loss by shading the soil. Raise the mower's blade three inches or higher from now till Labor Day.
2. Lower the blinds on south and west facing windows. This will prevent up to 45% of the sun's heat from entering your home, thus not needing to run your air conditioner so often.
   

Tropical Chicken Salad

This is quite the summer recipe! It's not only beautiful and delicious, but it's also low in fat and perfect for a diabetic diet. This one comes from Betty Crocker.

TROPICAL CHICKEN SALAD

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch strips
• 2 tbsp blackened seasoning blend
• 1 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
• 1 bag (5oz) mixed baby salad greens (4 cups)
• 1 medium mango, peeled, pitted and diced (1 cup)
• 1/2 medium red onion, sliced (3/4 cup)
• 1 small red bell pepper, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 2/3 cup raspberry vinaigrette
  

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. Place chicken in heavy-duty resealable food-storage plastic bag.
   
2. Sprinkle seasoning blend over chicken; seal bag and shake until chicken is evenly coated.
   
3. In 10in nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
   
4. Add chicken; cook 7 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink in center.
   
5. Remove chicken from skillet; drain on paper towels.
   
6. In large bowl, toss salad greens, mango, onion and bell pepper; divide among 4 plates.
   
7. Top with chicken. Drizzle with vinaigrette.

1 Bag, 5 Dinners

With it being a holiday weekend, I am revisiting an old Homemaker Hero post this week. Enjoy.

I quite often plan our weekly grocery budget by pairing my coupons with what is on sale. However, there are times that we just have no use for what is on sale. I have found an alternative to getting FIVE dinners out of ONE bag of groceries. It's on Kraftfoods.com.

The cooks there have graciously planned 5 meals which reuse ingredients over the week and end with a yummy pizza Friday. Although it's not always the cheapest option (because we still have to buy breakfasts, lunches and weekend meals - as well as most of what you're buying not being on sale), it seems to be a decent alternative.

There are several types of meal plans to choose from: Healthy Living, Chicken and Beef, Chicken and Pork, and Chicken and Seafood. Being able to reuse ingredients over the week is an excellent way to save some money! Be sure to check it out and let me know how it works for you! Don't forget to print your handy shopping list once you choose the meal plan you want for the week!

A List Of Our Sins

A List Of Our Sins
By Max Lucado
“He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He…destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross.” Colossians 2:14 NLT

Come with me to the hill of Calvary…Watch as the soldiers shove the Carpenter to the ground and stretch his arms against the beams. One presses a knee against a forearm and a spike against a hand. Jesus turns his face toward the nail just as the soldier lifts the hammer to strike it.

The crowd at the cross concluded that the purpose of the pounding was to skewer the hands of Christ to a beam. But they were only half-right. We can’t fault them for missing the other half. They couldn’t see it…

Between his hand and the wood there was a list. A long list. A list of our mistakes: our lusts and lies, greedy moments and prodigal years. A list of our sins.

The list, however, cannot be read. The words can’t be deciphered. The mistakes are covered. The sins are hidden. Those at the top are hidden by his hand; those down the list are covered by his blood.

Fireflight - "You Gave Me A Promise"

Free Stuff 07/04/09

A happy mailbox is a mailbox filled with free stuff. Enjoy the following offers for free stuff. Come back every Saturday for more!

HOUSEHOLD
Free Patriotic Address Labels from Paralyzed Veterans HERE
Free Business Card Holder HERE
Free Friendship Bracelet HERE (newsletter sign up - scroll to the very bottom of page)

FOOD
Free Diabetes Meal Planner HERE
Free Chocolate Fondue from The Melting Pot HERE

HEALTH/BEAUTY
Free Healthy Summer Samples HERE
Free Facial Cleansing Cloth Sample HERE
Free Guide to Controlling Diabetes HERE
Free Hugo Boss Orange Cologne HERE (mute speakers)
Free Poise Pad Sample HERE
Free Aveeno Nourish Hair Collection Sample HERE

CHILDREN
Free Diaper and Formula Samples and Coupons HERE
Free Potty Prints Kit from Huggies HERE
Free Coloring Pages HERE (awesome resource!)

PETS
Free Sample of Whites Premium Dog Food HERE

ENTERTAINMENT
Free Travel Guides and Brochures HERE

MISC
Free 4th of July Crafts and Recipes eBook HERE
More Free Stuff Posted Every 24 Hours HERE

Marriage Simplified

I discovered this article on About.com last year. I thought I would revisit this list for today's Family Friday post. It's really good! If you or your spouse are clueless about how to meet the needs of each other, stop trying to figure it out on your own and check out these top 10 lists of what wives want from husbands and what husbands want from wives.

WHAT WIVES WANT FROM THEIR HUSBANDS:

• Telling her daily that she is loved. It's not just about saying "I love you" -- it's holding hands or an unexpected hug.
• Understanding and forgiveness. Remember that no relationship can be sustained without forgiveness. She'll have her bad moments and days that she's difficult to be around. She wants and deserves your understanding and forgiveness.
• Conversation. Don't let your conversations with your wife dwindle down to only talking about you kids, jobs, and the weather.
• Willingness to make time for her and your children. You have to make this happen by not only planning time together but following through with it. Time with those you love has to be a high priority.
• Saying "yes" more than saying "no". Habitual negative responses to your wife and kids can push them away from you.
• Listening well. It's disheartening for a wife to share her thoughts and then realize her spouse has not been listening at all. Listen not only with your ears, but also with your heart.
• Affection and kindness. How often do you say "please" or "thank you" or offer an unexpected kiss? Being kind and affectionate are keys to a successful marriage.
• Sharing household and child rearing responsibilities. Chores and child care are not the sole responsibility of your wife. She shouldn't have to ask you to do your share around the house.
• A day off now and then. Don't fret about your wife taking a day off several times a month. This is necessary for herself to be emotionally and physically healthy.
• Commitment to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Many men are notorious for not taking care of themselves when it comes to health issues. This isn't fair to your wife. She is your wife -- not your mother. Take responsibility for your health.

WHAT HUSBANDS WANT FROM THEIR WIVES:

• Believe in his capabilities. Many men believe it's important for them to protect and provide for those they love. Let him know you are supportive of him.
• Understanding. Daily dialogue only takes 20 minutes of your day. Isn't your husband worth 20 minutes of your time?
• Affirmation of his accomplishments. Most guys like to be patted on the back. Compliment your husband often. Just don't overdo it with sticky sweet oozes of how great he is.
• Acceptance. Many husbands are hurt and angered when their wives try to change them. Realize that the only person you can change is yourself.
• Less chatter. If you husband is tired or involved in a project, and you really want to talk to him about something, get to the point. If he wants the details, he'll ask for them.
• Affection. Hold your husband's hand in public, leave a loving voice mail, massage his shoulders, give him an unexpected kiss. Men like this too! It's a win win.
• Respect. Show respect for your husband by not making negative comments about his thoughts and opinions, by being considerate of his plans, and by avoiding the "eye roll" when listening to him.
• Free time. Most everyone has a desire for quiet time alone. Time to re-energize, regroup, and reconnect. When he first gets home from work, allow him some time to unwind. Don't over schedule his days off with projects around the house.
• Trust. Trust is vital in the success of a marriage. If you have trouble trusting your husband, seek counseling - not spying.
• To be a companion. Hopefully you can say that your husband is not just your lover, but your friend. Staying friends and companions through the years requires that you find time to do things together.

Firecracker Favors

Are you planning a 4th of July party this weekend? First, you should read my 4 tips for holiday cleaning article. Next, gather some craft items and make these super cute party favors for your guests. They can be filled with sparklers or anything you wish. Thanks to Country Living for the idea and the printable images.

FIRECRACKER FAVORS

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• paper towel tubes (or smaller versions using toilet paper tubes)
  
• crepe paper
• favors (such as sparklers or candy - and be careful to not lay the sparklers near a hot glue-gun)
• hot glue gun and glue
• cardboard circle (slightly bigger than the opening of the paper towel tube)
• pipe cleaner
• string or ribbon

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. Wrap paper towel tubes with crepe paper
2. Hot-glue a cardboard circle to the tube's bottom
3. Add favor inside
4. Insert a pipe cleaner "wick"
5. Tie off with string or ribbon
6. Print the Victorian postcard images by clicking HERE
   

Happy Independence Day!

Homemaker Hero would like to wish all of you
a Happy 4th of July.
Happy Independence Day!
Here's the #1 song on July 4th, 1950...


Anton Karas - The Third Man Theme
(yes, movie themes were musical hits back then too!)