Articles written by Vicky Harper - Page 4

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About me - Vicky Harper

B.A., M.F.A., and no, I don't work in the fast-food industry!

Check out my writer's blog at ICantRemember.org

There I have articles and blog posts about my perfect children, and my un-perfect home and garden. Also check out my articles at http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/60786/vicky_harper.htm l

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Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms The "Size Zero" controversy: 4 of 7
Remember when you could never be too thin or too rich? Are those days back again? The "Size Zero Controversy" is a backlash against the anorexic look that has graced catwalks, movie screens, and magazines lately. There seem to be three major objections to this type of "starvation fashion." The first objection stems from a co... More..
Personal Finance > Budgets & Saving How to teach kids to balance spending and saving: 3 of 5
TEACHING KIDS TO BALANCE SPENDING AND SAVING WITH A DIVIDED PIGGY BANK Teaching your child early to set aside part of every dollar for savings will pay them dividends for the rest of their life. By using a divided piggy bank system, the child will develop the saving habit at an early age. Charity also begins at home. Choose ... More..
Home & Garden > Buying & Selling Homes Alternatives to expensive houses: Think small: 3 of 5
Small is the new big. From predictions that Baby Boomers won't be able to keep up with the upkeep on their McMansions as they age to rumors that Tiger Woods is tearing down his Jupiter Island castle and rebuilding smaller, average home square footage may be actually decreasing soon. Oprah Winfry has declared that "this is th... More..
Home & Garden > Annuals Choosing self-seeding annuals: 3 of 5
How to choose and care for annuals that come back year after year. Self-seeding annuals a frugal gardener's dream: they come back year after year with no cost to you! But, you have to enjoy a "wild" or "cottage" garden, and you have to take care of them. Prepping the bed Pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day, s... More..
Arts & Humanities > Fantasy & Science Fiction Harry Potter: To trust Snape or not?: 8 of 13
Trust Snape to be in Book 7 what he has been throughout the whole series: Harry's true antagonist. Whose side he is on remains to be seen, though there are indications of where his "true loyalty" lies. Quirrel/Voldemort correctly remarked in the first Harry Potter book that no one would ever suspect him with Snape around. An... More..
Home & Garden > Vegetables & Herbs Companion gardening and how it affects plants: 5 of 8
Planting "companion" plants near each other in the garden can benefit both the gardener and the plants. The plants will be happier, and there will be less work for the gardener. "Companion plants" are ones that benefit each other. Some plants add nutrients to the soil that other plants can use, saving the gardener fertilizer... More..
Home & Garden > Cleaning Products Great cleaning tips using vinegar: 8 of 12
Vinegar is a fabulous liquid cleaner. A natural disinfectant, it can be used to safely sterilize items. Using vinegar in your kitchen, laundry, and bath as a frugal and environmentally friendly substitute for ammonia or bleach. There are many ways to use vinegar around the house, including: Hard water stains disappear when y... More..
Arts & Humanities > Classical Lit & Mythology How Sophocles' Oedipus Rex proves you can't beat the gods: 7 of 10
The myth of Oedipus was old and well-known before Sophocles wrote his version. His retelling of the tale in the form of a dramatic trilogy survives as the best version, not only because of his masterful handling of the story, but also because of the twists he adds which reinforce one of the central lessons of the story: that... More..
Arts & Humanities > Visual Arts (Other) The history and appreciation of art for the uninitiated "mass market": 6 of 8
Congratulations! You have the exciting opportunity to visit a world-class art museum in your next port of call. In order to ensure that you are able to make the most of this opportunity we offer these following tips on art appreciation. Art appreciation does not mean that you have to like all the art you see. Far from it. Bu... More..
Home & Garden > Trees & Shrubs Trees that can also be shrubs: 6 of 8
I hate to see trees pruned as shrubs. There they are, chopped into squares or circles, and sitting like little green meatballs: all lined up in front of some suburban home. Of course, sitting mere inches away from the house's foundation, they soon get revenge on their cruel owners for the over-crowding and mutilation they ha... More..