If you go to the website for the Dryer Bar, you will find many, different reviews on there. Very honest and detailed. I haven't used the Bar yet, but I got mine for free, through Vocalpoint. I tend to think, after everything I've read (both good and bad), that it's just another gimick. I don't know. ... View related article.
Betty, I absolutely love Facebook! So much better than MySpace and any of the other social sites out there! My main reason for joining was to connect with friends (and family) I hadn't seen in years. Within days of joining, I started finding people! It was awesome, and almost 200 people later (friends, family and, yes, a few I've "met" online;). I wouldn't change it for the world;) I've located people from school (elementary, middle, high and college), as well as friends I had while in the military.
I've found "lost" family members. For the most part, these are people that I would not have otherwise been able to find, without having joined Facebook! Sure (as mentioned). there are definitely anyone's share of games on the site. Personally, I have a select handful I enjoy playing. Good, harmless fun;) If, by chance, you're not interested in that aspect of the site, no one will force you to sign up for them. I promise;) In closing, I will simply say. the benefits you gain FAR outweigh any negatives that you may encounter. As for spam, viruses, etc. I have not received spam.
As for viruses. if you have a good, solid anti-virus program on your computer, that is in good, working order (and is turned on;), you'll be fine! Hope this helps=) ... View related article.
I have to agree with the poster who said Facebook! It is MUCH better than, either, Classmates OR MySpace. I started on Classmates, and did find a few friends there, but the site's so boring no one stayed. Then, I tried MySpace, but only located one person on there. I had a good friend of mine, then, recommend Facebook, which I knew little about at that time. I joined, and over the course of the next few months... I had found close to 60 (and, still counting) of my classmates! I definitely recommend Facebook. It's fun, too;) ... View related article.
I love Dollar Stores, too, but you really have to be careful what you buy there, because... I have found, many times, that other stores (including grocery stores) have much better deals on items (including food) than the Dollar Stores. It really just depends. I check all of my store's local ads to see which have the best bargains, then I plan my route depending on which are in close proximity to each other. That way, I get the best deals on products AND save money on gas! ... View related article.
The very thing you describe happened to me, just over a year ago. Like you, I had a wonderful landlord. Unfortunately, though, I had to make a choice; stay there and end up evicted anyway, for not being able to afford my rent OR move to a new apt. complex where the rent was subsidized and the utilities included. Emotionally, it was tough, but I did what was best for myself and my son. I thought, long and hard, and made sure I was certain of what I wanted to do.
Then, I called the landlord and asked him if he had time to talk. He agreed, and I told him the situation. I told him I was very sorry to have to do this, but that it would be best for me and my son. He said he understood the situation, but asked if I realized I'd still be held responsible for the remainder of the lease! I was NOT happy about that; however, I knew- by law- he was well within his rights to do that. I told him, that if it wasn't for my financial situation and being offered a deal I couldn't pass up on the new apt., there's no way I would move. I LOVED it there, and I really did like my landlord and neighbors.
I told him I would keep him up-to-date on the progress of the situation, which I did. Despite the fact that I moved before the end of the month, I went ahead and paid him for the NEXT month, because, I thought it would be the right thing to do. I moved into my new apt. the very next month... where I also had to pay for that month's rent, as well. The only difference was, that rent was about 1/3 of what I paid at the other apt., so I could swing it.
It is a little over a year later, and not only did my previous landlord not seek the remainder of the rent I owed on my lease, but things could not be better for me, financially! I am very pleased with where we currently live. I'm definitely not saying it will be easy, but you did mention you had a nice landlord. I suggest, you contact your landlord and ask to speak with him/her. When you do, make sure you let them know how very much you like them and how thankful you are to have met/rented from such wonderful people. Then, go on to explain your situation.
The very worst they can say, is, "no," and that still does not stop you from moving. In the end, you may very well have some debt over your head, but you would have that anyway, if you continue to live in a place you cannot afford. Move on with your life, putting this chapter behind you and live life the way it's meant to be lived! This is a minor setback, and if you continue to strive for better things will certainly work out, and you will be better off- financially AND emotionally!- for it=) Hope this helps! ... View related article.
My son was allergic to peanuts (still is), dairy (grown out of it) and wheat. He also suffers from asthma, eczema (is exacerbated by food allergies), pollen and ragweed allergies. I found it very difficult, at first, to figure out what he could and couldn't eat. Once I began reading labels and asking questions, it became much easier for me to recognize which products he could/couldn't have, and which restaurants were safe/not safe. When you go out to eat, always inquire about whether or not they use certain allergic products in their food/cooking. Even if they don't use it in the dish, your child will consume, but they use it in other dishes/products they serve, there is a high likelihood that your child can/will be cross-contaminated by the food/s. This happened to our son twice!
The simplest way to approach meals, is by cooking the same foods everyone else eats, but omitting the allergic ingredient/s. For instance, if you're cooking lasagna and you can't use eggs, simply omit the eggs. You can use a replacement if you wish, but if not, that's o.k., too. If, for instance, you're baking bread, and it calls for nuts, just leave out the nuts OR substitute something different, such as Grape Nuts cereal (near consistency of nuts), or toasted oats. If soy is an issue, steer clear of everything soy. If a recipe calls for chocolate, and your child is allergic to that, use carob powder. There are many, different ways you can substitute ingredients inexpensively, without having to purchase "special" ingredients you might not normally have on hand. Cooking this way is so much healthier, anyway. Hope this helps! ... View related article.
You mentioned that they have lived in a dysfunctional environment? For starters, they have to live in an environment which is not that way, but is safe, with loving and firm adults around and people and situations they can trust. Until you gain their trust, they probably won't change, at least, not for you. I, too, have seen and cared for children in very dysfunctional familial environments. These are the kids that need trusting and loving adults in their lives, so they learn to believe that every adult is not like the ones they deal with on a daily basis. Trust is huge! If you can, try and talk to them about things you know they enjoy.
Do they play sports, like certain music groups or movies? Talk to them respectfully (which can, sometimes, be difficult, especially if they're not that way back), and kindly. Let them know you are the adult and while they are around you (or, in your home), they have to follow certain rules, and respecting you and your home are just two of them. If you find they are hyper or angry or they just don't want to talk, be sensitive to those things. Gradually, talk to them like you would anyone else.
Talk to them about how you feel, things you think about and things you enjoy doing. Putting yourself on their level (so to speak) shows them you trust them and that you're interested in them, and how they feel. Kids are very smart. They can pick up on the smallest of details. They know when we're angry, they know if we don't want them around, they know when we're lying and they know other things about us we don't think they know. They know these things by our actions, through our words, our body language, etc. In the end, these children will come around, but... they have to live in a stable, loving environment and be able to trust the people in their lives. I pray you can reach them! ... View related article.
Honestly? The very BEST way, is to get a cat! We lived out in the country and they were sneaking in all the time (I hate mice!). We tried traps of all sorts, chemicals... nothing! Then, we got our smart kitty and, did he ever put a stop to them coming in) They still tried, every now and then, and even if they succeeded, he'd be right there to catch them (if not, I went lookin for him, around the house, and I'd bring him TO the mouse;). Our kitty was a good mouser; however, he would not eat them. Like most kitties, he'd bat it around a while (this drove me crazy!), then kill it, then, leave it right there, in the middle of the floor, for "mama" to dispose of; (Other than that, he did that job well=) ... View related article.
I have a question, Monique. So, this would be for a 1-or-2 lb. loaf of bread? Also, is this for a basic white bread? I'm trying to go healthy, so would you be able to substitute an equal amount of, say, whole wheat flour or another flour (rice, oatmeal, etc.) for the white? I would really appreciate it, too, if you could post the exact equivalents of each ingredient in your recipe and the directions you follow. This would definitely help me;) If not, maybe you can contact me, via email, and give me the info. that way. I would really, really appreciate it=) Thanks, so much, for the tips on bread/bread machines, as I just got a bread machine about a month ago and have yet to make my first loaf=0 ... View related article.
