I feel sorry for people who have variable rate mortgages. Interest rates are rising which may make it hard for some of them to make their house payment. And then I know a lot of people qualify for more of a home loan than they can truly afford. They might get the house of their dreams, only to find that making the house payment becomes very difficult if their situation changes or mortgage rates go up. There are people who can’t pay their mortgages, and they risk losing their homes due to foreclosure. I really think banks should rethink the amount for which they allow people to qualify. They would truly be helping people if they made the requirements for a loan more stringent. So what can people do who are caught in a bind? If the have poor credit, they could consider poor credit remortgage. For those who want protection for the future, they might consider mortgage protection.

Well, I was wrong.  It was not the flaxseed that caused our dog to smell bad every time she went potty.  Excuse the explanation, but turns out she needed to have her anal glands expressed.  She smells so much better now.  The only thing is that her allergies are still very bad, and the Benadryl and baths with dog oatmeal shampoo seem to help very little.  I’ve been reading online and I think she really does need omega-3 fatty acids…so back to the ground flaxseed.  I’m going to put that on her dog food every day and see how that helps.  Supposedly, it doesn’t help immediately but takes a little time to stop the itching.  So we’ll just have to wait and see.  Until then, she’ll still be a “conehead doggie.”  I’m thankful for doggie cones or otherwise she would have infected sores all over her body from chewing on herself.  I’ll let you know how the flaxseed works.

Insurance is a must for every family, especially if there are children. We don’t like to think about the unexpected loss of a family member due to an accident, but things like that happen. We have some friends who experienced this very thing. The husband was killed instantly at work by a heavy piece of machinery. If he hadn’t had life insurance, his family would be having a really hard time right now. But thanks to his foresight and planning, his family is taken care of and doesn’t lack anything. If you don’t have family insurance, check into it and see what would work for you.

This is such a great way to get in two or three servings of veggies. The veggies are raw which means you’re getting a gold mine of fresh enzymes which most people are lacking. Plus you’re getting vitamins straight from the food source, especially antioxidants. (Remember…cooking kills enzymes and vitamins!)

Here’s the “so very easy” recipe:

• chop your favorite raw veggies into bite-size pieces (carrots, yellow squash, zucchini, broccoli, cucumber, celery, bell pepper, cauliflower, etc.)
  

• fresh avocados, chopped

• drizzle extra virgin olive oil on top of veggies

• top with fresh ground black pepper and sea salt

Put in frig to chill.

Today I used red bell pepper, yellow squash, and zuchinni. It made a pretty salad and would be pretty to serve during the holidays.

Most people probably diet at some point in their life. Everyone has to find what works for them. But whatever diet is used, there are some common things to remember:

*Drink plenty of water. Water flushes toxins out of our system and keeps us hydrated.

*Eat five or six small meals or snacks throughout the day instead of three large ones. This keeps blood sugar and insulin at a steady level. When blood sugar spikes then the body tends to store fat.

*Eat slowly and chew your food completely. Chewing food well enables the body to absorb nutrients better.

*Use smaller plates so you won’t be tempted to fill up a large plate.

*Exercise at least three times a week. A good, brisk walk is great!

*Choose your favorite healthy foods that are loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Some people want additional help in their weight loss such as hydroxycut , but be sure to check with a doctor before taking any weight loss pill.

OK, all you serious shoppers out there take note of the link below to Macy’s ad for “Black Friday,” the big shopping day on Friday after Thanksgiving.   Are you already “making your lists and checking them twice” to get ready for Christmas?  :) 

http://www.black-friday.net/ad/macys-black-friday.html

I needed something from Wal-Mart. So one morning I went to a store close to where we live but they didn’t have the item I was looking for. While I was there, I used the Women’s Restroom. Later that day, I was in another area close to a Wal-Mart, so I stopped there to see if they had what I was looking for. When I got into the store, I had to use the restroom sooo bad. (and I mean bad!!) I hurried into the restroom, assuming that it was in the same spot as it had been at the other Wal-Mart store. Well, let me tell you…they do not make Wal-Marts the same. I discovered after I went into the restroom that this Wal-Mart had their restrooms opposite of how the other Wal-Mart store had them, and I found myself in the men’s room…and there were men in there washing their hands!!! I was so embarrassed (is there a stronger word for embarrassed?) and got out ASAP! A real sweet older lady was waiting for me outside the door and said, “Hon, I tried to catch you before you went in but I couldn’t get to you in time. I’ve done the same thing!” Now, I make sure I notice the signs before I enter the restroom!

Our daughter always goes shopping on the day after Thanksgiving every year. She gets up really early and has her shopping list in hand as she goes to each store. One year I did a little bit of that. However, I’m not real enthusiastic about getting up during the wee hours of the morning and then having to deal with mobs of people. But when our daughter returns with all of these unbelievable bargains, it makes me want to go the next year. Next year comes around, and I decide I’m too tired to go. But I just found out some great news! We can see all of the Black Friday ads before everyone else who looks at the ads in the newspaper. And there are direct links to each product so we can purchase these items online on Black Friday without having to stand in line forever at stores! One really cool thing is that Black Friday also offers email alerts to let you know when the new ads have been posted. When you go to the site, it is easy to use and consumer friendly. What a great way to do Christmas shopping while sitting in front of the computer in your PJ’s and sipping a cup of hot coffee or tea. That sounds wonderful to me! I can get the Target specials without having to stand in line for a long time with a huge crowd of people. What better way to shop!

It was so awesome here today. It actually seemed like fall weather. I had to wear a light coat, and it seemed so good to be out running errands. It was rainy earlier, and when I first went outside this morning, the air smelled so fresh and crisp. What a nice way to start a Monday morning. The rain went away, but it was cloudy and cool all day long. The wind was a little much at times, but I’ll take the wind any day if we get some much needed rain!

I do private tutoring in my home, using my nearly twenty years experience as a public school teacher as a resource. Different kids learn in different ways, and it just depends on the child. What works with one child might not work with another. So I have to figure out what works for each individual child and what they consider to be a fun way to learn (sometimes so fun they don’t even realize they’re learning).
If you’re wanting a fun way to help your kids reach their academic potential, then an Innovative Tutor is probably what you’re looking for. SCORE! Educational Centers use a customized approach for each child and try to instill a lifelong love of learning which is so important. SCORE!’s leaders have appeared on Good Morning America and The Today Show to name a few, have been around for 15 years, and have a great track record. So do your research, check them out, and then give them a call.