See inside i use this website for extras. Also,

See inside [2008-11-26]
My daughter (now 19) has always had more guy friends than girls mostly because she does not care for the drama and backstabbing that many teenage girls engage in. What I would take into account is how your daughter acts around these boys--how does she dress (my daughter is an athlete--no low-cut shirts, short skirts, etc) and what are her mannerisms (too flirty or just chillin as friends) or do you see something more--watch the behavior. Have always welcomed all kids to hang out at my house--even though it has driven up my food bill--because I feel that way I know what they're doing, hear how they are acting/talking (they can forget you are around the corner), and I get to know who they are hangin with. As time goes by you can get to know who a lot of the kids are in your town including siblings and parents--have always made it a point to network, network, network--soccer games, helping in school, etc. Always offer to drive too--they will also sometimes forget you have ears up there in the driver's seat. I like to remind my kids that they don't know who I know so they should keep that in mind when out in public because you never know what could get back to me.

Alton Brown's website [2008-11-25]
Check Alton Brown's website for recipes. I am a pretty good cook and make Christmas cookies for all of our neighbors and friends every year. Cookies or not, if there is something that I just can't seem to pull off I go to Alton Brown. I have not found a recipe of his that hasn't worked for me yet. It took me 15 years to make a pie crust but I was only able to do it well with Alton Brown's recipe. I know he also has some recipes where you can make 1 dough and then divide it to make 4 different cookies. I think his black-and-white cookie is that way. Also, marshmellows are not difficult to make but they are so impressive and everyone loves them! It's a little messy with all the powdered sugar but the kids LOVE to make them. Its minimal ingredients and its like a science project when it grows in the mixer. You can also get extracts and make mint marshmellows, strawberry, whatever you want. They go great with hot chocolate. Actually I think this year we are only doing those and sugar cookies because everyone loved them so much the last few years. and maybe some fudge, to give me an excuse to make it. lol

Cool website -- any others you'd like to share [2008-11-18]
I think part of the reason we order in/eat out so much is because I get tired of the same thing. It seems everytime we have chicken in the winter, it Same with ham and turkey. I only had a few minutes on this website, but I was really surprised how easy chicken kiev is to make. Do you have any other cooking websites you'd like to share?

need a good free internet adult website/content [2008-11-10]
my NINE year old was looking at po rn on You Tube today. I walked in on him watching something totally adult. He said he clicked on something and when it came up it was that...i believed him but later on when I looked at the history there were 5 different adult videos he had viewed!!!!! how should I approach this??

Okay, I never thought to look for a website - [2008-11-05]
I just watch them on YouTube all the time and of course I have both of their albums and all of their B-Side Collection on my iTunes. Want to get Ragdoll and Myself too. Don't they put on a show?! Adam is so yummy! They were on 90210 one episode, which should be coming up in a few weeks on SoapNet on Sleep In Saturday.

A survey. See inside [2008-11-03]
Just wondering - those of you who have 16/17 year old children, what are your rules on going out during the week, other than sports or work. I let my teen go out socially on Friday and Saturday night. During the week I feel should be dedicated to school and her part-time job and I'm okay with maybe going for coffee in the afternoon if there is time, or maybe even dinner, but not all the time and don't feel she should be out at night. Especially now that days are shorter and we're headed towards winter. Just wondering how everyone else does it with their teens.

See link inside--my physician's office recommended this. [2008-10-30]
http://nuvoforheadlice.com/method_explained.htm We had to do it twice, but it does work.

Found this for you. See inside [2008-10-27]
Sep 22 2008 On Sunday, November 2 (the first Sunday in November) at 2 a.m., Daylight Saving Time ends in the United States. This is the second year that Daylight Saving Time is four weeks longer due to the passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005. The Act, which extends Daylight Saving Time by four weeks from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November, is expected to save 10,000 barrels of oil each day through reduced use of power by businesses during daylight hours.

See inside for more ideas........ [2008-10-27]
I usually make a diaper wreath to hang on the door for the shower, gift for parents, and can also be used on the hospital door. Very easy and some will use the diapers off of it, some will keep as a keepsake. Here is a link to how to make them and pics......http://entertaining.about.com/od/bridalandbabyshowers/ss/diaperwreath.htm I also like to get the fabric and make my own blankets/pillow to match. Those kind that you tie knots on the end. I even personalized one before. If I have the funds and it is someone close to me, I love to buy baby quilts as gifts. For my niece, I got one of those big moses baskets, put in the personalized blanket and pillow I made, and filled it with lots of little goodies also. Have you seen the gifts on the clothes lines? That one is always funny. I saw in Rachael Ray magazine that they used clear baby bottles for vases and put flowers in them for decorations. You could also give mom a gift of a photo session for belly art. Some of those are awesome if you get someone who knows what they are doing. Here is a link of some ideas.......http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/Belly-painting--Art-on-board-1627.htm You could give mom a pampering gift certificate like for a massage or spa, food certificates, or house cleaning certificates. Something I could not live without.....burp clothes, diapers, diaper wipes, baby monitors, swing, sling to carry baby in. My favorite is the Maya wrap. http://www.mayawrap.com/s_distributors.php

Great website references [2008-10-27]
Thanks so much! I saw the wrap on someone about a year ago and have been looking at all the stores to try to find them. I see similar items but not exactly the one that is adjustable and this is exactly what I saw.

my Home Depot has 'em. no message inside. [2008-10-24]
.

Just Lysol inside the shoes - lol nm [2008-10-22]
x

Show us your messy desks! (pic inside) [2008-10-08]
I thought this would be a fun way to liven up another boring day... show off your messy home work areas! Here

See inside [2008-09-17]
Is he being picked on in school? Sounds like there is more going on. Especially the part about him saying he is fat and then not liking stuff the week after you bought it, makes me wonder if somebody has made fun of the clothing/shoes and now he doesn't want to wear them. Kids are ruthless and mean. I would try to dig deeper. My heart breaks for him. I hope he feels better about himself!

Love the "family tree" idea! My lists inside......... [2008-09-17]
Let's see........ Jewerly for girls - name bracelets and necklaces. Name poems and frames (still get updated requests for these and will be on my list this year). Those kind that say J is for so and so, etc. Rice socks one year. Candles and lotions. I bought the kits to do this with at Hobby Lobby and let my kids help make them. Keepsake boxes. I got the copy paper boxes that are very sturdy, wrapped in material, and decorated the box and top. Makes really good keepsake boxes and you could also do several sized boxes too. Photo albums - also bought plain and decorated with material, ribbons, buttons, etc. Picture frames could be done the same way. One year we made stones for the grandparents. Bought the kits at Hobby Lobby and decorated with stones and engraved sayings on them. You could do hand prints or just about anything. For my mom, we made memory stones of my sister, my grandmother, and my grandfather. We just put one that said in loving memory of and the other's with their names on them. She put them in her rose garden.

Never mind - found their website [2008-09-01]
nm

See link inside - History of Santa Claus [2008-08-26]
The origins of Santa Claus/Saint Nicholas. See link below. A real person long ago.

Who's Virginia? No message inside [2008-08-24]
?

See inside for an answer..... [2008-08-24]
Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the Editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps. DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? VIRGINIA O'HANLON. 115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET. VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

I wish everyone was like you - see message inside [2008-08-24]
I wish everyone would protest the marketing of Christmas. I think itmaking money off of Jesus. Especially when they make as much money if they put out decorations the day after Thanksgiving like its been done for years and years. I can't tell you how infuriated I get and my blood pressure rises thinking about this. I'm not a Christian (and I'm not an Athiest), but all I can think of is - Is this what Jesus would want, people to make money off of me? Growing up we celebrated Christmas. Got all the fun gifts like slinkies, easy bake oven, Lite Brite, barbie dolls, etc, but nothing like I-pods, computers, XBox (you know all the $300 a pop gifts) and we considered ourselves very very lucky. For us we celebrated Christmas mostly for the spiritual reasons (not marketing). My sister and I were in girl scouts and we did a lot to help the less fortunate, and I remember on at least 3 occasions (maybe more, but I remember 3) we went through all our toys and clothes and all the stuff we didn't play with anymore that were still in good condition were rounded up and given to a home that a lot of kids lived at (it might have been an orphanage but I don't remember) - I just remember wrapping up our toys and giving them to the kids and they were so thankful and happy. I really wish more people would walk out of a store without buying anything at the stores that decide to start marketing Jesus before Thanksgiving.

Thanks, I will get a quote on their website. (nm) [2008-08-22]
x

I love this website. [2008-08-22]
nm

This website says 70% of woman gain weight on Depo [2008-08-21]
http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/bcdepo.htm Not just me!

Throwing a party - can anyone steer me to a website than will give (sm) [2008-08-19]
how-tos on planning a party for about 40 people? Very, very new at this. It is combining an18-year-old BDay and going-away for 2 daughters who are getting deployed to Iraq again. Planning for outside (have a large tent). Needs tips on best (reasonably priced) food and decorations. Thank You.

McDonalds charges a $1 dine-in fee if you eat inside. [2008-08-18]
I don't tip those who bus the tables. I don't tip the person taking my order. I don't feel the need to tip those people - they are making an hourly rate for the job they do and it does not require hardly any skill at all.

Tell her you've gone into the petsitting business [2008-12-01]
(In my area petsitters charge $20 per visit for one animal, $5 extra for each additional animal in the household. That doesn't include extras like walking dogs, giving medications, etc. If she expects you to take a cat to the vet if it gets sick while she's away, she should leave you a signed, blank check made out to the local emergency veterinary medical center. Most won't let you in the door for less than $500, and won't treat the animal 'til that's paid. My guess is your sis would be inclined not to pay you back if it were to come out of your pocket. Might consider having her sign a waiver of liability, too.)

These 10 things definitely ain't right: [2008-12-01]
1) MTSOs who want people with top-notch skills and experience, but don't want to pay them what that skill is worth. 2) HMO's: So-called *health-maintenance-organizations* --yet they spend every minute and every dime of their far-too-large profits on denying healthcare, meds and procedures to their patients. These organizations have ruined American healthcare, and many American lives. HMO's have been a con-game since their inception. 3) The Bailouts: Giving money to companies who can too bad for the rest of you.* Then the Big Three show up in DC to beg for a handout, and fly there in private Lear jets. My answer to them would be, *I too bad for the rest of you.* 4) Apartment managers that won't allow even a single quiet, well-behaved pet, but will rent to people with continually screaming small children, and out-of-control older children and teens. Give me the pets for neighbors, ANY day. 5) Businesses that give an age-discount to absolutely everything that walks, runs or flies, but not to the middle-aged middle-class, who need it the most. Take the ski-industry: Young children ski for next-to-nothing, and sometimes nothing. There is a Teen Discount. There is a Student Discount for college kids. There I'll probably never be old enough - it's a carrot-on-a-stick, always just out of reach.) There are even corporate (UGH) discounts. But for those in my age group, who barely make ends meet but like to go up once a year for a couple days of bliss, there is NOTHING. 6) Travel-lodging deals that are always based on double or quadruple occupancy. What about singles? NOTHING. 7) TV commercials that are about a million decibels louder than the regular shows. Why can't it all be the same volume? Same with online newscasts. THEIR commercials will blow your eardrums out if you aren't quick enough turning down the volume before they start. 8) Surround-sound: Everything is too loud, already! Why do we need it coming at us from 4 directions? Why do people living in tiny apartments feel they need it? I've lost count of how many fights I've had with neighbors over this issue. Same with movies and music concerts. Why do they feel we need to feel the music in our SPLEENS? I went to Universal Amphitheater last week. (Now named something else). There is actually a sign outside warning that the decibel level inside might damage your hearing! (?!?!?!) Why do they need this? (To avoid lawsuits, obviously). If it's so loud you have to post a warning sign outside the entrance, then DUH.... it's TOO LOUD! 9) Banks that charge you a fee to use their ATM. They (I haven't actually been INSIDE a bank in YEARS).... and they want to charge US for using the machines instead of the tellers? Forget it. I won't give those banks my business. 10) The Post Office: Talk about rewarding slow, inept performance! The worse their employees are, the longer they seem to stay there. I'd rather have a root canal than go to a P.O. during the holiday season.

I make these every year. [2008-12-01]
After making the peanut butter part I put the balls in the freezer to get hard. This also makes the chocolate coating a little thicker which my family likes. After dipping in chocolate they return to the freezer. Once hard I put them in air tight containers or ziploc bags and store in the freezer. They come back to room temp very nicely or you can eat them frozen which my son likes. I have had them in my freezer for about 3 months before and they have been just like the day I made them. Of course I usually have to hide them well if I want them to last more than a week. :) I use regular chocolate chips and about a 1/2 inch square of parafin to 1 bag. How many bags, depends on the recipe. I usually make a huge batch when I make these but I think the standard recipe is 1 bag. Oh, I have also found it easier to make if you stiffen the peanut butter mixture up a little with extra powdered sugar. When short on time, I have even mixed enough powder sugar to be able to roll without refridgerating first. If you want a little twist on tradition, they are great to add a cashew or peanut inside the ball or mix in cereal to the peanut butter mixture, rice crispies are yummy.

Hubby with hearing and greedy problems [2008-11-30]
Dear NOT Silly Girl, I am a clinical psychologist and now teach medical transcription. I lost my deaf old sweetie 2 years ago. He was incredibly vain about wearing aids and/or his glasses. FINALLY got him to an audiologist in Canada (half the price than here in US) but getting him to wear the aids was another matter. Solved it by training just like dog or horse. Yep! Intermittent positive reinforcement - rewards, treats, smooches, etc. I told him I would only go out to dinner or shopping with him if he wore the hearing aids. Refused to go out of house with him unless he had them on -- and he loved going out! It worked, except then I still had to repeat everything 3 times inside! Many, many frank discussions also helped. Turned out he was incredibly vain and thought he looked old with hearing aids. I finally convinced him that shouting at people REALLY made him look old. He got contacts instead of glasses. As to self-centeredness, that has to be educated out of him, too. All this takes time. Just talk to him about values whenever he acts that way, and when he stops the selfishness, reward him. That is not acceptable behavior in an adult -- and I would tell him so directly. Good luck. Rosie By the way, I would take

Martha Stewart's recipe [2008-11-28]
I'm sure you can look it up on her website. I have her cookbook and have been using her recipe for years! It's not fool proof, as I have found that fresh eggs don't peel as well but do peel a little better if I use her method and I NEVER get that green ring or the dot of slimy uncooked egg when I use her recipe. It's very simple too. I wish I knew it exactly from memory but I don't - the closest that I can come is this (though if you want to try it I would pull her recipe and not use mine from memory lol) Start eggs in cold water. Put on the stove. Bring to a boil. Heavily salt the water (1-2 tablespoons for a normal sized 1 quart sauce pan). Cook 7 minutes. Turn heat off and let stand for 5 minutes. Place into ice water. Peel under running water. Then you can store them peeled with wet paper towel in a zip top baggie or platic tightly covered dish for a few days if needed.

They are doing an early Black Friday sale now online! [2008-11-25]
There is a website that shows all the Black Friday ads and also shows which ones are online now, or will be on Friday. Most stores are doing the same sales online now. Just Google black friday info

Alton Brown's website [2008-11-25]
Check Alton Brown's website for recipes. I am a pretty good cook and make Christmas cookies for all of our neighbors and friends every year. Cookies or not, if there is something that I just can't seem to pull off I go to Alton Brown. I have not found a recipe of his that hasn't worked for me yet. It took me 15 years to make a pie crust but I was only able to do it well with Alton Brown's recipe. I know he also has some recipes where you can make 1 dough and then divide it to make 4 different cookies. I think his black-and-white cookie is that way. Also, marshmellows are not difficult to make but they are so impressive and everyone loves them! It's a little messy with all the powdered sugar but the kids LOVE to make them. Its minimal ingredients and its like a science project when it grows in the mixer. You can also get extracts and make mint marshmellows, strawberry, whatever you want. They go great with hot chocolate. Actually I think this year we are only doing those and sugar cookies because everyone loved them so much the last few years. and maybe some fudge, to give me an excuse to make it. lol

Calling all you animal lovers - live and let live or intervene? - sm [2008-11-25]
I have a dilemma. I am an animal lover and have something I cannot come to a conclusion about. At a restaurant where I eat lunch every Friday with a friend of mine, I have noticed a young male kitty hanging around outside looking for food. This past week he ran up to my friend and rubbed her legs and quietly meowed. I purposely did not try to pet him because I knew I would get attached and ignored him. Well, ever since then I find myself thinking about him and wanting to rescue him. Meanwhile, I already have 4 inside cats (2 rescues, 2 Maine Coons) and hubby really does not want another cat in the house because a few years ago I promised we would never have more than 4 (had up to 5 at one point previously). I actually have a huge screened deck he could stay on indefinitely because I do not believe in letting cats run loose for their own safety. I could provide plenty of food, a warm place to sleep, and veterinary care. At some point I would even probably work him into our household, but I just cannot do it at the moment. Just not sure I would be doing right by that kitty because I am sure he would be upset and confused for a good while as to where he was and what was going on, but is that better than being hungry and cold? I know there are lots of animal lovers out there. What does everyone think??

What a wonderful person you are [2008-11-25]
To think about taking in and caring for animals the way you do. I'm the same exact way. I saw you had 2 Maine coons. I take it you live in the state of Maine? If so, I love it there. I grew up in CT. Anyway... please, please, please go get him or her. With the winter coming I'd hate to think of any animal outside in the cold. Your deck would provide shelter for the harsh winter, and you said you'd provide food, a warm place to lseep and vet care. That is so wonderful and what makes you a wonderful person. You know you have 4 inside cats, so what's another one. Cats are a bundle of joy. I wish our cat would get along with other cats, but she doesn't. She was abandoned and we took her in (or rather she adopted us). If you have cats already I'm sure your husband is a very kind person and cares deeply too and I'm sure he wouldn't mind just one more little kitty. For your own conscious and well being I would take the kitty in. Otherwise you will always worry about her/him all the time and wonder if he's cold or hungry and what is happening to him. P.S. - my dad took in stray cats and he ended up with 24 cats (mostly outside). He said there was no way he would ever consciously let a cat suffer from the cold or be hungry or lonely. Over time some coyotes got some and now he is down to 7 cats and he loves them all.

What do you mean we Kemosabe? [2008-11-24]
Someone comes over to borrow something. Your spouse says, Sure, we have one, you can borrow it! The item is YOURS, NOT your spouse's. Now, if you say no, it makes you appear to be an utter witch with a capital 'B'.... The story? I have a good, heavy wooden rolling pin, WITH the good bearings inside. You CANNOT just throw that in the sink, I used that rolling pin for my first meal that I served company when I first moved out. I made a homemade chicken pot pie, and I used my rolling pin to make my crust. He loaned it out yesterday. It's not back yet.

Help is a safety net you have paid for sm [2008-11-21]
Food stamps are a safety net we all pay for, all forms of public assistance are things we have been paying for all along. TAKE the help you need! Do move closer to family if you possibly can. I have been in your shoes myself. I lost my home to foreclosure 4 years ago because of having a near-fatal drug interaction and losing my job of nearly 7 years. I made a couple of moves and finally ended up in a small town out of state from where I had lived for 30 years. I lived with a close friend for about 9 months and had the opportunity to buy a mobile home for $3000. The people I bought it from said I could make payments and I was able to pay it off in 5 months. It needed a lot of work and it has gotten it, most of which I have done myself. This project really helped me to regain parts of myself I had lost. It gave me a reason to get up and get going on my days off. I turned this ugly old thing into a lovely, comfortable home I cherish. I have lost about 50-60 lbs since living here and I have brought the idea of vastly cutting expenses in line with making more money. The end result is that I am very well off financially, better than in my entire life. DO get medication to help you if you can. I didn't have medication to help because I am allergic to every psychotropic in existence. I did this by pulling myself up by the boot straps, but if I could have had help, I would have. There IS a brighter future out there. You CAN have that brighter future because you DESERVE IT. That said, no one expects you to get there alone!!! Don't be embarrassed to ask and receive help. You will be able to help others later. Years ago, when my kids were young, I was a single parent, no support and it was Christmas time. My kids didn't even have adequate clothing or food. A neighbor I hardly knew handed me a Christmas card. Inside was a $100 gift card to K-Mart. She said that many years before that, she had been in my shoes and someone had given her $100 one Christmas, she was now paying this forward to me. The only provision was that I return this favor when I could, and that I bought something for myself too because I deserve nice things for my hard work. It was a turning point for me. I have been more of a giver since. Although I could have paid this back last year, I didn't know anyone who would appropriately benefit. This year, I do and I had to tell her that I was going to do this and why. She cried and felt embarrassed because, she said, she was usually in the position to give and it hurt a little to receive. I reminded her that she was GIVING me the gift of giving with pleasure. Others are going to give to you with pleasure, love, friendship and concern for your well being. TAKE IT. One day you'll post back here about how good things are and I'll want to hear it.

okay, curious here -- what's the current temp outside [2008-11-21]
60 degrees inside, freezing fingers. headed for a steaming hot bubble bath, then back to work.

It's 23 degrees here [2008-11-21]
and we're having our first major blizzard. Just got home driving in it. No fun. Did I mention I hate snow?! Inside it's a nice toasty 68. Just watching The Ghost Whisperer and ready for a very early night.

Sorry you are feeling so down (sm) [2008-11-20]
First of all, relax. You need to go to a doctor and get on an antidepressant? No insurance? If you can get the money to go to the doc for one visit, you can get them to prescribe an antidepressant that is on Walmart's $4 list and get it for $4 a month. Call United Way and see if they can direct you where to get help with your rent. Don't worry about whether or not you have cable, you'll be okay without that unless you need it for your job? Don't worry about not being able to give Christmas gifts...just explain that you don't have the money. People will understand and your grandson can have it explained to him. I have the same isolation issues that you do because of the job. Can you go to a temp agency and see about getting a job outside of your house so you can be around people more? There is a website called Exercisefriends.com where you can meet people in your area who want exercise buddies, maybe just someone who is starting out trying to walk every day or something like that (not sure what your fitness level is). Or advertise on Craigslist for a walking buddy (but be careful of course when first meeting the person). I met one of my best friends this way and have known her for 4 years now. If you want an email buddy feel free to email me. I think everyone is struggling right now and it is hard. I would be happy to have you vent to me via email all you want. :-)

I agree with the posters below. [2008-11-20]
You need to move closer to family and see a doctor. You can also find the local social services department and they will provide free medications for 6 months. you will have to see one of their doctors but and fill out some paperwork but that's the only catch. Depression is higher around the holidays. The weather, finances, family, on top of every day stresses can be overwhelming. Being in this antisocial job doesn't help either. I have often thought of getting something a few days a week just to get out of the house. I think it would do anyone good. Know that things could always be worse and they will get better. Your grandson is young, he doesnwhere as this is a common occurrence in kids. I thought it was only my child but since have found many others are the same. Keep your head up and do what you can. It's ok to cry and vent to others. Don't keep it all bottled up inside. You will be surprised to find who your true friends and family are when you open up and really need them.

Your welcome! Don't forget to [2008-11-19]
check the theater website for coupons or a frequent visitor card. He probably wouldn't fill one out himself but you could fill it out and include it in with the gift card. Usually you can get free drinks, etc. and it will really stretch the gift card. We did a movie pack for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law last year. I found a plastic popcorn bucket at the $1 store and wal-mart had candy in the boxes (like at the movies) for a $1. Turned out to be a very cute gift if I do say so myself. We through the giftcard in there instead of buying a $3 card to go along with the giftcard.

You are both so kind, and you are right [2008-11-19]
on the mark. Yes, the credit cards are his. He lived off credit cards for several years to support himself and his kids after he and his wife split up. His wife never paid child support and he paid for daycare and everything, so had to pay for extras outside of his salary on credit. Then when I came along I was doing real well as a hospital MT, but had to quit because I was here and he needed me to watch the kids. He did not understand I had a shift like a regular job. So, after several months of my back and forth work and being with the kids, the boss gave me an ultimatum daycare for the kids or I leave my job. I told my DH that my income which was very good at the time was important to me as I have supported myself my whole life including being a single mom. But he would not budge. So, I quit. It has been 3 years and most of our marriage my trying to balance kids (I love them don Next time you get money mommy, GO FOOD SHOPPING. He said that right in front of DH. But, I just know when I do that the gorging goes on. I explained to DH about telling his son about gluttony, but he laughs at me. So, when I see him and his son eat this way, I get grossed out and am not hungry at all. I am sorry to say all this here. I actually just came back from the doc who gives me nerve pills because of my situation and he says I am doing really well coping with the situation. Which he knows what is going on. He is sending me to see a good counselor who he says, will validate me and give me support and confidence. Last time I went to see a counselor she told me to leave. But, my son loves his step sister and brother and so I want to stay. Well, sorry for the soap opera. I think when I start making more money I will get food and tires for my car, etc. but I will hide some food and snacks and siphon it into the general population here. That way they don't get snorted up by certain people. LOL. (And yes, I am putting an emergency fund away. But this is why I wish there was more transcription out there!) Thanks for your kind words and support. Between you and the doc today, it makes me feel I am not alone! :)

How about ideas for siblings and their families? Here's one [2008-11-19]
I have three siblings, with spouses and children. Not only is it expensive to buy for all of them, but it Last year I went to a craft store and bought cheap baskets on sale. I bought each of them a 2-month subscription to the movies that you get through the mail,NetFlix (can do Blockbuster if you want). I put the gift certificate in the basket along with the big boxes of candy that they sell at the show (.99 cents apiece at Walgreens), a few packets of microwave popcorn, and a 6-pack of their favorite soda. They loved it and everybody enjoyed the movies over the next couple of cold winter months. You can purchase the movie gift certificates on line at their website.

Any Black Friday shoppers out there? [2008-11-19]
Tell me your plans for Black Friday. I subscribe to a website that posts the Black Friday ads earlier than they are actually sent out. It helps me map out my day. I get up at 3:00 a.m. and wear my Black Friday shirt -- I have a couple and just ordered 2 more. One reads: If you Another reads: It I ordered 2 new ones. One reads: It and the other one: I train year-round for Black Friday; you don After shopping all day, my BFF and I head to the Roadhouse for dinner and drinks and then we hit the hot tub. In case you didn The closer it gets, the more psyched I get. What are your plans?

My family is hurting :( [2008-11-19]
Some of you may remember the recent pet picture postings here. I posted a picture of my baby girl, Daisy, nursing her three babies who arenow nearly two years old. My husbandcame home about an hour and a half ago and went to let them inside, and the only boy (besides the dad), Chewy,did not come with the others. They all always come up on the deck when they hear his car, so he knew something was going on. He came into my office and asked if we had Chewy with us, and then went to see if he had gotten out of the fence. A few minutes later he came in and said that he found him still in the backyard, lying under the trees on a pile of leaves, and that he wasdead. We are all so sad . We do not know what happenedto our baby .. . he had been fine just a couple of hours before, when my son got home from school and went to see the dogs. He said that Chewy was acting no differently than usual and seemed fine. I am just beside myself not knowing what happened to this sweet little guy. He was the SWEETEST EVER and we will miss him dearly. WE LOVE YOU,CHEWY!!! May you rest in peace.

My family is hurting :( [2008-11-19]
Some of you may remember the recent pet picture postings here. I posted a picture of my baby girl, Daisy, nursing her three babies who arenow nearly two years old. My husbandcame home about an hour and a half ago and went to let them inside, and the only boy (besides the dad), Chewy,did not come with the others. They all always come up on the deck when they hear his car, so he knew something was going on. He came into my office and asked if we had Chewy with us, and then went to see if he had gotten out of the fence. A few minutes later he came in and said that he found him still in the backyard, lying under the trees on a pile of leaves, and that he wasdead. We are all so sad . We do not know what happenedto our baby .. . he had been fine just a couple of hours before, when my son got home from school and went to see the dogs. He said that Chewy was acting no differently than usual and seemed fine. I am just beside myself not knowing what happened to this sweet little guy. He was the SWEETEST EVER and we will miss him dearly. WE LOVE YOU,CHEWY!!! May you rest in peace.

I used to use coupons a lot [2008-11-18]
& had one of those little wallet things with tabs for organizing them. I haven't done that in years. Maybe I should get back to it. There are 2 markets up here, a vons name brands are very expensive in that store. But the produce is always a lot cheaper than at vons.

I can't imagine affording all those meals out, but I have some suggestions sm [2008-11-18]
I usually cook from scratch. My idea of fast food is a can of lentil soup, and I have that about once a month, occasionally twice. I make crockpot soups a lot because I am busy. I will tell you, there is a place that is sort of between a restaurant meal and home cooking. I used to have kids at home, lots of them, and I would get too tired to cook. My answer was to hybrid the dinner, so to speak. You can get Stouffer's lasagne which is good. You can pickup some ready-made stuff in your grocery store deli or freezer case. We liked the frozen Banquet chicken back in the day. I might get that, a box of flavored instant potatoes, potato salad or ready-made mashed to go with it. We might get a bag of salad too. Fresh fruit cups were nice if they were on special. You know, make a nice meal you don't have to 100% cook, but isn't going out. These days, I see that you can get beef tips in gravy, or sliced beef in gravy and other prepared stuff at the store. It just takes looking. It is more expensive than doing it all yourself, but it is much cheaper than going out. You can try another thing that is NOT everyone's cup of tea, and that is OAMC or Once A Month Cooking. This is my favorite website: http://snider.mardox.com/plans.htm I donmini plans using what is on special in a given week. They have breakfast plans, muffin plans, potato plans, chicken, beef, pork plans, ground meat plans, even some dessert plans. With planning, you can do this in bits and pieces. From people who have done far more of this than I have, they tell me that with soup already made, no chopping or messing, they are more likely to make fresh rolls, salad and even a quick dessert...round out any meal because the work is done. Obviously, it saves money.

Cool website -- any others you'd like to share [2008-11-18]
I think part of the reason we order in/eat out so much is because I get tired of the same thing. It seems everytime we have chicken in the winter, it Same with ham and turkey. I only had a few minutes on this website, but I was really surprised how easy chicken kiev is to make. Do you have any other cooking websites you'd like to share?

Oh, yeah, it's very nice and improved over the first models, of course. [2008-11-17]
It's roomier on the inside than you might expect. We bought the basic version, and it still has plenty of features. When gas was over $4.00 a gallon, my DH, who drives 50 miles round-trip to work each day, was saving $200 a month. Gas is lower now, but we still are saving money. Plus you never have to replace brakes on a Prius, and here in PA, I don't need to pay for emissions inspection since it burns so clean. We get our emissions sticker for free. There are a couple of other little perks like that with a Prius. And, of course, I just think it's fun. :)