How and where to sell Indian arrowheads

One of my father-in-law's many collections was Native American arrowheads. When my husband inherited them, we did a ton of research on how to authenticate and sell them. My article, Best place to sell Indian arrowheads, is the result of our research.

If you currently own arrowheads and would like to sell them but thought they would be impossible to sell, this article will help you out!

How to make money on Amazon

It is much more difficult in 2011 to make money selling used books on Amazon than it was five or even a few years ago. For one thing, the Amazon used book marketplace is now flooded with individual sellers who are listing their own collections at prices that barely recover packaging and shipping costs. True, there are a few niche book markets in Amazon that continue to sell well. However, before laying down cash for an inventory of thousands of books from yard sales and library sales to list on Amazon, be aware that the potential for losing money on such an investment is very real. That said, here are some pointers from one who has sold used books and other media on Amazon for years that will enable you to earn money from Amazon.

Please click the link above if you are interested in earning money on Amazon!

Sally, my cocker spaniel

When my children were very young (ages 2 and 6) , we made the decision to get a family dog. We looked at several breeds before deciding upon a cocker spaniel. A cocker spaniel is an ideal family pet: tolerant and nurturing towards children, alert to intrusions, but quiet, as a rule. They are easy to train and eager to please. True, they require a little more maintenance than many dogs: their hair grows quickly and must be groomed regularly, and their ears and eyes are prone to infections. But with the proper care, these dogs are incredibly loyal and devoted. They are amazing swimmers and retrievers. And sometimes, they might even be responsible for saving a life.

My youngest daughter, Melissa, named the new puppy Sally. She was a bundle of energy and mischief, as are all puppies. We discovered that she loved to swim with us in an inground pool on our patio, and when we had a pool party everyone laughed to watch her leap with abandon into the pool in order to retrieve a tossed pool toy. Sally was not a barker; other dogs in our neighborhood yipped and yapped and she calmly ignored them; but if someone walked up to the front door, she barked like Timmy was in the well until my husband or I finally patted her calm and answered the door.

When my youngest daughter was four years old, she learned how to unlock and open the sliding glass doors to the patio and pool by herself. Soon after we learned that she could go out on the patio, we installed a child safety fence that separated the pool from the patio. But one day, she learned how to climb over the fence.

Read on...

My recommendation for making a dishwasher work without phosphates in detergent

If your dishes are not clean after running the dishwasher, you're not alone. According to recent reports from NPR, USA Today, and other sources, dishes across the country are coming out of the washer still dirty, or coated with white film. The cause? Many believe it is due to the removal of phosphates from major brand dishwashing detergents.

What are phosphates, and what did they do in your dishwasher that was so good?

Phosphates are tiny, salty objects that are made of phosphoric acid. In the good old days (before last year), phosphates made up about 8% of what went into dishwashing detergent. They were responsible for softening normally hard water so that the following good things could happen: limescale buildup would not occur on dishes or inside the dishwasher itself; a high alkalinity would be maintained in the wash cycle which helps sanitize dishes; and the detergent that was combined with phosphates would be more effective.

Unfortunately, the removal of phosphates means that those who live in areas with hard water now face dirty dishes after running the dishwasher.

However, there are a few things that can be done to make your dishwasher work without phosphates.

1. Try adding a dishwasher detergent additive called "Lemi Shine" to the wash cycle. The label on this products states it is "Made with real fruit acids, natural citrus oils, and fragrance. Phosphate free." I read about this product and finally tried it myself, and I have to say, it works. My glasses and plates are squeaky clean again with no residue. I recommend running the dishwasher empty the first time you try it, with a couple of tablespoons of Lemi Shine in place of your regular detergent, in order to clean out the machine. It is even possible to get a free sample of the product at www.mydisheslookdirty.com to see if it will solve your dirty dish problem. Lemi Shine can be purchased in many major grocery stores and it is located next to dishwashing detergents.

2. Place about half a cup of white vinegar in the top rack of your dishwasher. Vinegar will also enhance the cleaning action of your dishwashing soap. I tried this, too, and I was unimpressed with the results. However, I've read many articles praising the use of vinegar in the dishwasher, so try it.

3. Consumer Reports did a study in 2009 of dishwashing detergents, and they concluded that the following phosphate-free detergents work best: Method Smarty Dish tablets or Simplicity dishwashing detergent.

4. Install a water softener.

You do not have to live with scummy dishes. The problem is most likely not your dishwasher loading habits (although dishwasher companies may say it is), and it is not a malfunctioning dishwasher. Try these tips, and see which one works best for you.

Guide to Florida's Best State Parks

I recently published a guide to what I think are Florida's very best state parks. I hope you enjoy reading about some of these terrific family destinations, and I hope to hear your comments, too!

Buying a popup RV camper? Here's what to avoid...

If you've thought that a pop-up RV camper might be a great investment for your family, read on about my experience...

Be safe when refueling that boat!

Every year, dozens of accidents appear on boats that are being refueled, as reported by the United States Coast Guard. In 2009, the most recently reported year, the incidence of boating accidents related to ignition of fuel or fuel vapor almost doubled from the previous year, from 37 to 65 even while the overall incidence of boating accidents has declined in recent years in the United States.

For information on how to safely refuel a gasoline or diesel powered boat, click here...