ODDS, ENDS & INSPIRATION

STRANGE BUT TRUE

It was 20th-century American paediatrician and author Benjamin Spock who made the following sage observation: “All the time a person is a child he is both a child and learning to be a parent. After he becomes a parent he becomes predominantly a parent reliving childhood.”

If you’re lucky enough to be hanging out with a bunch of frolicsome pug dogs, you can accurately call your companions a grumble of pugs.

You might be surprised to learn that an early version of scuba diving took place as early as the 1770s. A man named Andrew Becker wore his leather-covered diving suit during an hour-long immersion in a London stretch of the River Thames. He even had a window in his helmet – though there’s no report on what, if anything, he saw in the notoriously murky waters. Those who study such things say that the average man shaves at least 20,000 times in his life. If you add up all that time spent shaving, by the time he reaches the age of 75 a man has spent more than 37 days with a razor in his hand. If you decide to move to the US state of Kentucky, you might want to keep in mind that in that state, it’s against the law to paint your lawn red. NOW HERE’S A TIP

“I replaced my beat-up tension rod in the bath, and immediately had a thought to use it for hanging clothes in my narrow laundry room. It gives me a space to hang items coming out of the washer for air drying. When it’s not in use, it’s easy to remove and lean against the wall.” – contributed by N.L.

Get control of your money with a financial calendar. Just as you would pencil in dates for doctor and dentist appointments, add reminders for updating your family budget, increasing your retirement/super contributions or reassessing your personal savings. Re-shop for insurance providers yearly to get the best deals.

To maintain a half-kg per week weight loss, you’ll need to burn or forgo 3,500 calories (14,644 kilojoules) per week. If you’re not already a hard-core athlete, consider addressing poor nutrition coupled with moderate but regular workouts to make gains!

If you’re on a home-renovation budget, don’t forget to consider the considerable power of paint. Look for pieces that can be customised to your look with a bit of sandpaper and paint at bargain and resale outlets, discount stores and even the garbage. It’s good for your wallet, and reusing existing goods makes environmental sense.

“When I put on a pair of stockings, I use a dryer sheet to take away static cling. Use one sheet and run it over the surfaces of your legs. Your skirt will not cling, I promise.” – H.F.

They say you should plant your spring flowering bulbs before the first frosts of winter. Keep that in mind for next year!