Hi there! I'm not active on any other web site, but found this one looking for party ideas for my children! I am very family centered and this just looks like such a great group of people.
I am divorced, husband lost it and left, not my choice. Kids were 1 and 3 at the time, both being evaluated for special needs care, thank God one has a severe speech disorder but is very intelligent, the other seems fine...life hasn't been easy but we're on the right path now. I am a very faithful Christian, but also have some Jewish relatives on my Dad's side. So, I respect all faith, and pray everyone finds a path to God. My parents were very personally connected to God, and my kids are too, my daughter recently listed "Showing me how to love God and Jesus" as her number one of eleven-things-Mom-taught-me list for Mother's day, so I feel confident that I'm giving them that foundation.
My parents taught us to go to college, but my Dad died suddenly without enough life insurance to make that possible. My parents loved each other very much, my fondest memories of them are together in the end. My Mom died recently, I'm sure they are together now. My Mom left the state after my Dad died, devastated and not herself. She took my younger brother, but left me behind just turned 18 to care for my 16 year old sister. I was terrified, overprotected I thought I would transition gently to adulthood through college. What followed was just horrific, on so many levels that I should just not have survived. I think that's why I'm so faith-filled. If God didn't exist, I would be dead. So many close calls, for both of us. Things that I didn't even understand were dangerous at the time, I was saved from. I am proud to say that I did not bend any of my values or personal principals, no smoking or substance abuse, no promiscuity. Just me working day and night to keep us fed. My sister often says, that some people say they would never break their value system to survive, but I've proved it. I feel the loss of my twenties, though. I grew up too fast. Never had the luxury of being irresponsible! I don't like to talk about those times, unless it can help someone else.
I didn't ask for help, because I was terrified of 'loosing' my sister. Instead of going to college, despite being identified with a very high IQ and 'gifted' I took several jobs at once, and made sure my sister finished high school. It hurt, knowing the way out was school but physically not being able to go. They say everyone has someone, I had no one at all. No help financially, barely anything emotionally, since the day my Mom left. Without exception.
Divorce was a shock, never anticipated with the family I came from. A stay at home Mom, I refused to put the children in day-care, and started a company instead. Helping people find jobs, an employment agency. I took the children to work with me, or worked from home. I only did as much as we needed, as long as it didn't take time away from them.
I know not everyone can do that, but I was determined and did it anyway. I have suffered, don't get me wrong, and even as recently as three years ago when the employment market shifted, things have been really hard for me. The focus has always been the children, that's kept me going. I can honestly say that when you don't have any control over what's going on, you can always control your reaction. And you become grateful for anything and everything that comes to you.
My Mom died, and I returned to school when the children did. Now, I'm almost finished with an RN degree, I will be a nurse in December. I'm very blessed and happy to be able to take what I've learned in my life, all the trials and upset, and use it to help others get through their personal challenges. I love nursing, it's my passion and my calling. I will still do some agency work, too, finding people jobs is a great thing and I know I'll continue.
I found Mary Kay cosmetics as a way to help me through school. Working on my own schedule, demonstrating skin care products and making 50% upfront was a good deal. I have started a lot of women with no sales experience do the same, it's not really sales. It's more demonstration, someone always seems to buy something. I've had two corporations, and all I did was employment. But I never was able to offer women a good alternative to leaving their children to work. I wanted to create something like Mary Kay, for women, because I know it's rare for someone to be able to start their own business like I did to avoid leaving the children. But when I found Mary Kay I started offering that to women instead, and the results have been incredible. This company not only pays well, no pressure, no quotas to speak of and lots of optional training. But you don't have to do any of that, you can research via DVD's, CDs and training materials on line. It's all about your choice, taking what you need of it. Mary Kay is taught in the Harvard MBA business program, confirmed by my son's Godmother who just finished her master's at Harvard this year, all due to the success of Mary Kay's 40 years using a unique faith centered approach to truely serve women. Even women who are not Christian or faith centered in their approach tell me the human kindness principals speak to them. The point is they operate differently than most companies, and I find that's been good for women I know. She didn't like the way women were not given the same chances to do well as men, and that corporate America didn't support women's priorities with family etc. Not only in a no limit earning opportunity, but they are positive and encouraging and supportive on every level. I would NEVER work for anyone else, unless I was sure I had an exceptional thing going, and with Mary Kay its really your own business. They say you're in business for yourself, but not by yourself. They operate on the value structure of "Golden Rule" in everything, and 'God first, Family second and Career third" and they stand by it. If you want more information about it, I'm working on getting a team together across the country as a director, you don't have to worry about where you are. You can work out of anywhere with this company. As much or as little as you want. My Web site has all the info, and you can contact me through that. www.marykay.com/masteckorains.
Please understand, I've been in employment as an industry since 2000. My ex husband's family has been in employment for two generations, and I can make anywhere from two to five thousand plus finding someone an entry level job, paid by the client company. When I offer someone Mary Kay as an alternative, I loose money, but it's a good for many women. It's my dream of finding a way for women to do what I had to do, stay with the kids and make money anyway, but in a way that anyone can learn to do. Mary Kay is offered as an opportunity to women who really need to make something on their own and either add to a job they have or avoid having to go the traditional route. My goal is to become a director as soon as possible, so I can connect with thier international teams and bring Mary Kay to women all over the world. Mary Kay is active in many countries. It works well because of all the optional help they give you, and the company average is $75 an hour for in person appointments, but with the web site now, it's higher overall. I've found one consistant theme in people I talk to, they wish they found it sooner, and I include myself in that. Some people have come in just for the supportive positive environment, the networking is unbelievable. Or to learn the basics about how to actually run a real business. the training in sales and business management and people and how to support others to success that they have available is very solid. Per Harvard, and per me as someone who spent years finding people work. If I had started with Mary Kay other business things I've done would have gone better from the start, they teach in a simple easy to understand way what I took years to figure out trial and error on my own...you don't have to recruit anyone, and you can do as little or as much as you like of it, off and on even. Yes, I've found people who have come into Mary Kay other full time jobs along the way, because I get to know them and everyone hires people they know over people they don't, that's natural. The point it, I'm so impressed with this company, that I'm involved expressly to be able to offer it to other women. It's not a multi-level thing either, it's a safe real and solid opportunity, and I researched them all before I settled on one. I'm very careful what I put my name on, and I have business interests riding on my choosing well> I chose well with Mary Kay. The reviews support that. They want $100 to get started giving you $323 in actual products plus demonstration supplies and training materials, business cards, etc.
I'll be an RN in December, and with that very financially stable, employment is a good business but it depends on job trends, nursing is stable and we need that. I'm very blessed to be a part of the projects that I am right now. The children are eight and ten now, and really show the time and effort I've put into them. Remember, they won't look back on how many times you went on vacation so much as they will think back and know you were there for them. Mary Kay can bring that to more women, I'll continue to use that as my means to offering women an alternative. Mary Kay as a company also has a foundation that dontates to cancers that affect women, and domestic violence prevention. I've donated a lot of time to various causes along the way, so I respect them for that focus.
I am good at finding ways to help people, in all that I do, and I'm thrilled to be entering the nursing professoin. The children are my focus, and that gives me lots of freedom to plan around their schedule. I don't know what part of nursing I'm going into yet. The great thing about nursing is that you can move around through the profession as you want to. I'm very well respected at school, and have won scholarships and been able to show the children how hard work brings results. They ask me to write for the newsletter, the school has had me speak at several events about my challenges and how I've come through it. The children are in the school play every year, and I've choreographed that three years now as a volunteer. I just love giving back, because I know what it would have done for me to have had any help at all. Just knowing someone has faith in you, sometimes, is a huge help. I can't wait until I'm a nurse, I intend to offer a scholarship in my parents' names. I also will be able to insure that the children get their dream of a college education, right away not like I did so much later. My little girl has always wanted to be a Vet. She loves animals and is very sweet and loving. She wants to take care of children and their pets, and she's very sensitive and smart enough to get there. My son, knows that a college education is a given, but other than being a professional ball player or owning a team, he's not sure what he wants to do!
I was pre-med at first, but nursing is better. I would encourage anyone who can get into a program (it's not easy) to think about nursing as a career path. It's foolproof related to the economy, it's always in need, and it's a way to really help people. I'm glad I found it. Not sure where I'll work yet, but I'm glad I'm in nursing.
Thanks for giving me a chance to chat a bit about me. I never have done this before, but it's been theraputic! I think this web site is a great idea. I hope to find lots of answers here! Maybe contribute a bit, too.
What is life if not the opportunity to share your experiences and help others? I know that focus has kept me from taking my negative live experiences and letting them poison my future. I'm uniquely capable of seeing the best in people, and believing that each situation has a reason. We don't know now, or here why. But everything happens for our growth. I constantly ask God to keep me on the path he wants for me, and here I am. The great thing about keeping God's will in your prayers, is that whatever you find you'll know caries His blessings!
Take care, if you took the time to read this, Thank you!
Hello. I had a situation recently where I was offered a credit card and didn't want to take it (this debt thing isn't one of my issues, and I don't want it to be!) but it's good to have some credit cards I was told by a loan broker, so for what it's worth, this is what she said. You open the credit cards far in advance of wanting to buy, and not too many at a time. Meaning, one or two probably. If you accept a credit card, be careful, even if you never use it or cancel it before the first due date, there may be an open and closed account on your credit anyway. Always ask once you've accepted a card, nto activated...accepted. Before you decide to dump a card, make sure you've had it at least six months, and if it's right in the beginning you might want to reconsider if it's already an account, it could impact if it's on the report, depending on how long. American Express (I loved this card because I never was tempted to carry a ballance) they told me, the broker, that American Express is the example of credit that won't help you get a house down the road.And it's the same problem if you charge and pay off each month on another card. They can't see you make payments. With AMX it's even worse, because there's no spending limit, normally. So, the way around it, I was told, is to carry a small balance, even if you pay it off every so often. Maybe just a few months then pay it off. NEVER pay only the minimum, ever. Make certain if you decide to make a payment off the time it's due, that it gets applied in the month you think it will, so you don't have no payment in May for example, becuse you paid May on the first, and someone's computer thought you meant April. Make sure that when you do carry a balance, it's less than HALF of the limit. That seems to be a reapeat theme with a lot of brokers, accountants and so forth, no more than half the limit used on any one card at any one time. Hope that helps, it's been consistant advice from my end.
I hope to buy when I'm a nurse, even something small, but not having enough credit though mine is really good what there is of it, can hurt. It's different with a house, I qualified for a new car, no down payment no income information at all at a preferred rate though my bank, yet, I can't get more than $500 limit on a credit card. I told them, it's weird, you were going to give me thirty plus thousand for a car, no questions asked...but it's different. I don't have much credit card experience, except AMX.
Talk to Fannie Mae (if that's spelled correctly you can find them on the web! :) ) but find an authority to guide you so there are no unhappy shocks later. I do know, that if there isn't something in your credit that you need, it takes months sometimes to fix that. So, starting early (as I am) is a good plan. Good luck to you! Enjoy the house, paint it any color you want! ;) ... View related article.
Hello. Q tip great idea, don't use your saliva though. I'm an RN student, and in the ER I've seen people with infections from using saliva too close to thier eyes. I know it's yours, but it belongs in your mouth not your eyes or skin. I know that's confusing, but there are tons of infections throughout your body that's caused by 'displacing' bacteria from one area to one it doesnt' belong. It's especially bad around your eyes. If you have any sort of cold sores, depending on what causes those in you, damage to your eyes can include blindness and ulcers that damage structures around your eyes. There's a lot more to that, just use a bit of water or saline solution instead. Please! You are right to watch the little fibers around your eyes, though. That's also dangerous. ... View related article.
Noxema. I used to burn when I was in my twenties, before I decided to avoid the sun, too late now, but for the future, the idea is to cool the skin ASAP Believe it or not, if you submurge the skin in ice water for awhile right as you notice the burn, it will slow down the damage. Then you cake on Noxema which actually cools down the skin more, treats the burn medically (and it's cheep) leave it on awhile, when it's no longer white it's probably served it's purpose you can rinse it off (always with very cold water until the red is completely gone) and then use the Aloe Vera. A word about the Aloe, it's actually not always 'active' in all it's skin protection properties if it's not very fresh. There are two things you can do to insure this, use only the health food store variety, and it has to be pure gel. Or, do what I do and keep a plant. Open a leaf by splitting it down the middle and either rub it directly on the skin for immediate relief or squeeze out the gel and use it straight from the plant. Don't wash this off. So, cool the skin with ice water, reinforce that with Noxema, and follow with truely fresh aloe which you would reapply often. If you have trouble sleeping at night, repeat the ice water and Noxema. Should reduce the discomfort until you can fall asleep. I hate this situation, and wish you luck! If the sore seems infected, or you are truely miserable, call a doctor or ER and ask for an advice RN. I'm an RN student, and I know they'll talk to you if you call an ER and insist on talking to an RN. Take care! ... View related article.
Hi there. I broke my ankle last year, and the podiatrist really opened my eyes about a few things. first off, according to him, lots of people get fungal or skin infections from pedicures. Probably fine if you go to a good place, but you may be better off doin it yourself! You can get a kit of pedicure equipment, often with directions, and use it over and over again to save money. Be very careful about rough mechanical skin removal if you have diabetes or tend to suffer from infections. The heel thing is common (I'm almost an RN) and the build up of dead skin there can lead to heel pain, where it hurts a moment or two when you get up to walk, causing a slight limp. That's not the dead skin directly, but the way it shifts how your shoes fit and the damage done deep in the heel of the foot. The skin that builds up, anywhere on the foot, is actually protective from some irritation. Check your shoes, before you remove the build up of skin or calouses so that you don't develp blisters instead. Again, if you have any history of diabetes or sores that heal slowly, infections etc, don't be too rough with your feet. Actually, open shoes should be rarely worn if you have diabetes or circulation issues affecting your feet, so maybe you already are clear of that issue. There are som fun books out there on how to do your own pedicure. The other thing is to use alcohol first on all equipment, even if it's just yours. The reason is that in the unlikely event that you damage your tissue, or cut yourself with the equipment it's already clean. You can transmit disease, some very serious, with shared equiment. Same reason, tiny bits of tissue or blood. I know, it's all medical and you were looking for more fun stuff. But it is fun, more so, when you know you won't hurt yourself. And it's actually lucky you cant' go somewhere else, less risk of complications! Have a good time! ... View related article.
Hi, great to see someone thinking about another. I was on my own (father died) with a sixteen year old sister at just barely 18 years old, and I can tell you this from personal experience. There may be more help needed than he will ever admit to. Find some excuse to give him a gift, and don't worry that he's going to be offended, trust me on this one. Someone once gave me eggs saying there was a special at the store for flag day! I felt blessed, not offended. You are in the right place at the right time to help, God put you here you'll know what to do.
I do have a connection to Mary Kay cosmetics, and they just came out with a new skin care line for men, MK Men, all the products match and work together, the excuse if you go that route could be that because they're new, you wanted to see what he thought of them. I'm looking for consultants right now, not required to add people, but I have a staffing background and I want to. Some start just to get the products for 50%, so that's an option. You can check into them or the consultant/discount idea at my web site, marykay.com/masteckorains. One of the main reasons I'm in Mary Kay, is thier value structure. They openly declare that they operate "God first, Family Second and Career Third and the Golden Rule" And they live by it, have for fourty years. I like the idea for this young man, because they all go together as a set, you don't have to explain why you gave him soap, shaving cream (add your own rasor) etc, it's available separate, if needed.
If you don't do that, look for something else that is sold in matching packaging like a set, even if it's not MK< he will assume it came that way, not that you thought he needed that much help! As far as the girl thing, he might care about that, or he might be so into his own survival right now that the next meal is more important. Are you sure he has a place to live? Not a place to stay, somewhere stable? Renting a room for some token amount can go a long way.
But any way you do it, know that it's a way that God may have put this seed in you to open the door to something greater. You see that he needs personal care products, but he really needs more> I know becuase I wasted my twenties struggling terrified to admit to anyone that I needed help. Now, I'm in nursing school with two kids abandoned by the wrong husband, and if it wasn't for my faith I would sincerely not have survived to this point. There are no accidents! I love MK for me, becuase of the values. But anything you do for this young man could quite sincerely turn his life around. Offended isn't likely to be an issue, as long as you present it with a sincere heart and very casually. I like the set idea, if not MK something simmilar. Thank you for thinking of someone else, I wish I had been lucky enough to come across such a kind heart when I needed that. Taking care of a sixteen year old, I was more afraid than average to ask for help.
Oh, one more thing. From personal experience. Please, please, please don't look at your approach from YOUR perspective, think if possible from where he is. Not easy. But think to yourself, someone with this much need, how much of an 'excuse' would HE really need to be able to accept help? Now from where you are in life, but from where he is?
Also, try to see from his perspective what he actually needs beyond this, being careful to work within his values and what matters to him or is of greatest concern to him and that will help you have confidence that whatever you offer in help will be appreciated. It will be anyway, but you'll know you are truely helpful.
I've worked with homeless people through school, was myself for a very short time after my Mom died, and I pulled it together myself but not everyone can do that. I have heard time and time again, that they know what they need (people in need, not just homeless) but that well meaning people don't seem to care to ask, or forget to. That might help too...but please don't let concerns about how to help keep you from helping...remember, flag day egg sale? I'm very intelligent and I knew that wasn't likely, but all I saw was the love behind it, and we ate eggs and made cookies and it's still one of the fondest memories of gratitude that I have with my sister. I appreciated it, regardless. He will too.
This is going to the first time ever that I've had a reliable finanical situation for the children and myself, when I complete the RN, and it's been years of pain and suffering alone to get here. YOU could have been called to change the course of a life, and who knows how many other lives you will touch in the process as this young man continues on his path? You're BOTH very blessed, take care. Mary Anne ... View related article.
Neutrogena's was the standard when I went through this, and I found it worked well enough that eventually I didn't need any special shampoo, just a moistuizing one. Returning to Neutrogena's T-gel when needed...if not, I would sincerely call a dermatologist, I'm in RN school, and I know they often will take a message from a non-patient asking a general question of the doctor. The nurse, may even know without checking with the doctor. Tell them you are considering seeing a derm. but that in the mean time, you need some quick advice...the medical assistant or RN in the office that works for the doctor should talk to you with that intro. Of course, going in or seeing your own derm. is best, but if you can't for any reason. Call one. If they won't help you, call another one. This is the advice we give patients in the ER about alot of general questions. They won't diagnose you over the phone, but if you say, I have this issue...I've used this, but need a better alternative, they will often help. Good luck! ... View related article.
Hi, I'm in nursing school where forgetting something for the hospital at five thirty AM can mean being thrown out of the pogram...the bag on the doornob thing works exceptionally well, I follow that with a sticky note on the door with a list of anything that's in the refrigerator/won't fit in the bag, etc....Thanks! ... View related article.
That's a great idea! Would make spelling, writing fun for kids past the choking age (over 3 usually) too...They could 'write' to each other. Maybe on their own magnetic board...that would be a great gift idea, too, again for the older child not likely to put them in her/his mouth. :) ... View related article.
HELP! Need First Communion party at home ideas for mixed adult.child family style. I'm in RN school, so money is a huge issue. Two children, boy and girl both had the communion already. Very few could attend, we went to brunch after paid for as a gift by a relative..This is the party for everyone who's upset about missing it. Thought about revisiting the brunch idea. Has to be inside, upstairs large condo with balcony, bright with kitchen/dining/living/family rooms all open to each other. I want to show the home video at some point, for anyone who missed it. I can cook and I'm creative/artistic. About 20+ adults and children. My fear is looking back in six months as a nurse when the money issues are resolved thinking I wish I could have done a better job of this...any ideas would help, thank you and God bless! I have one week :0 ... View related article.
