Rebecca2

I noted that you enjoy reading. Have you looked into doing book reviews? Publishing houses typically out-source their book reviews especially books by new authors so that their in-house people have time to concentrate on the big names and controversial books. You can do this at home. The salary is usually modest, but it would allow you to stay home and work. Do you have other hobbies that you could be a hidden job skill? Like 'they' say, think outside the box.

femelle, There's every reason you should be able to start a new career at 43. I received my degree at 40. I was worried about going to college with people half my age. I was surprised by how many mature, returning students are going to college these days. If you look at the statistics, there are also more mature, returning students going to technical schools. If you find something that requires training, you may be eligible for 'displaced homemaker' assistance (usually a grant that you do not have to repay) to attend school. I agree with the advice ladypeartree gave you. The career counselors with many of the local Displaced Homemaker programs are good. Many larger cities have a career fair at least twice a year. You should be able to find out when by contacting city hall. You are doing well to start looking now while you still have resources for support. without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

In my family, my brothers usually pay for the our parents' meals or their in-laws meals IF they are dining with just one set of parents. If they are dining with both sets of parents, then each couple pays for their own meals. This seems to work for all of them.

I am not in the best health. I have a seizure disorder since being struck by lightning a few years ago. I have arthritis throughout my body. The arthritis makes it difficult for me take care of my house the way I should. And, since the EMT's kicked down my door to get to me after the last time I had several seizures in one night, I'm not comfortable being here alone (that and I can't afford to keep buying new doors). I'm also tired of living alone. My family is rather large, but they all live in other states. The closest family member is in Prairieville and that's over four hours away. I'm not supposed to drive that far by myself anymore. I miss not having someone around to eat supper with and talk to. Several of my friends have suggested I find a housemate. The person would be a housemate / housekeeper. I would provide room and board and maybe a small stipend. The person would be free to have a regular job or go to college as long as they are around at night and take care of the things I need done around the house. I am going to do a lot of praying about this idea. I am also going to start putting together a list of requirements, expectations, and house rules. I have listed some things below for y'all to tell me what you think. Requirements: CHRISTIAN, Single, Straight, Female (Prefer serious college student) Likes Animals (I have six cats, two dogs, and a parakeet.) Good Record (Police Record, Credit, References) Calm (I don't need someone who will freak out if I have a seizure.) Drives (Has Own Transportation) Expectations: Clean house Do laundry (except my small clothes) Do dishes Take weekly garbage out to road Help with pets (help put them in car for vet visits) Help me do bi-weekly grocery shopping (I have trouble reaching things from the scooter cart.) House Rules: No smoking in the house by anyone including guests. No drinking on the premises by anyone including guests. Keys and alarm codes are not to be given to anyone'.'

My friend Richard and I travel back and forth to visit each other depending where we are living at the time, the purpose of the visit, or where we may be planning to go from our house. I never really thought about who should be doing the traveling. We also don't worry much about who pays for things. Usually we go dutch, but on special occasions we treat each other to a meal or a football ticket or whatever. I think the most important part of our relationship is that we are friends - first and foremost. There are no games between us. At this stage of my life, I would rather have a really good friend than a 'boyfriend'.

I am the only girl in my family and have four brothers. If you can manage to be heard in male dominated family, you should be able to learn to be more vocal away from your family. It might be difficult learning to speak with confidence to co-workers and managers. I used to stutter terribly when I had to speak in public, but I worked through it. Make a habit of speaking to at least one person you don't know every day. It might be a co-worker or the office cleaning person or a store cashier. You don't need to say much. Just 'Hello' 'How are you today?' 'That's a nice outfit or color or whatever.' Have a short conversation with them - speak and listen. Get to know your co-workers better as far as both work related and personal subjects. Who likes to do presentations? Who likes to organize projects? Who likes to do background research? Who is good at organizing a presentation? Who is well-organized? Who completes projects with time to spare? Who is goal oriented? Who will step on anyone to climb the ladder of 'success'? Who is married? Who has children? What do the children do that the person likes to tell people about? Is the person an introvert or extrovert? Find a mentor. Some companies actually assign new employees a mentor. If your company does not assign you a mentor, then after you get to know your co-workers a bit, ask one of them to be your mentor. As someone as already mentioned, join Toastmasters. This organization will give you plenty of direction and practice with public speaking. without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Because of the medication I am on for seizures I can't take any OTC medications for colds. I typically drink hot echinecea tea (strengthens immune system), hot lemonade with honey (source of Vitamin C and strengthens immune system), or apple-cinnamon tea (cinnamon is a bronchial dilator). I also make a jar of Spice Tea up before cold and flu season. Spice Tea 2 cup Instant Tang 2 cup Instant Countrytime Lemonade 3/4 cup Instant Community Tea or Lipton Tea 3 Tbs Ground Cinnamon 1 tsp Ground Cloves 1 tsp Ground Ginger Put everything in large jar. Seal it tightly. Shake it until well blended. Let sit until everything settles. Put 2 (or more) teaspoonsful in a mug of hot water. Stir. Enjoy. I also use Vick's liquid in a vaporizer or Eucalyptus Oil in a diffuser when I sleep. That keeps me from becoming more congested as I sleep. I guess it would be a little difficult for you to sleep prompted up a little to help prevent congestion. Well, if you can, you might want to try that too. When you're awake you can use Vick's Vapor Rub around your nostrils and lips and take deep breaths when you think about it. If you get nauseated from congestion / drainage, ginger ale, ginger tea, or peppermint tea usually helps. Hum, that's about all I can think of. I pray you are already feeling much better.

This sounds like my office. The only difference is that my manager has heard a lot of the negative person's snipping at me. He spoke to me about it during my performance review and gave me credit for not responding to the person with equal negativism. He did tell me I need to be less of a doormat. I told him that I just have no desire to respond to her. I also have more respect for my other co-workers than to disrupt their day anymore than she already does. The really sad thing about this situation is that she considers herself a Christian and can actually be a very nice person at times. She is just bitter because she was passed over for a job (that she knew she was not qualified for anyway). She blames everyone who was qualified for the job and got an interview whether we got the job or not. I pray for her every day before I face her, give her to God, ignore her, and do my job. The funny thing is that half the time when she starts ranting at me I tune her out. I don't know when I started doing that, but sometimes I even smile and hum while she is ranting. When she runs out of steam, she goes away. I think my humming must get on her nerves. I do keep this prayer posted on the wall behind my computer so that I can see it all the time. I Bind Myself Today God

Thank you all for your advice and support. After much prayer and thought, I discussed the matter with my account representative at the mortgage company. She then called the tenant and notified her that they will be receiving a third party notice to vacate the property. This does not help me pay the mortgage, but it allows me to evict the tenant without having to wait the full time period required here. I will still have a problem paying my bills this month, but my account rep is working on getting me a deferrment for the mortgage payment for a few months until I can either sell the place or find renters. If I continue to rent, I will turn the place over to a property management company. I don't like being mean. It makes me feel rotten about myself. I just wish my Mom was here cause I really need a hug. I'm so glad I have God to lean on.

I already let them stay one month free in exchange for work done around the house. Unfortunately, he went a bit further than I had asked / given permission for and added a deck on the front of the house that I do NOT care for at all. I think it will decrease the property value. The mortgage payment on the other house is not quite $100 less than this house. To make it handicap accessible would double the cost of the house. I would need to get a second mortgage. I would end up paying more monthly and in the long run. Also, it is in the county and I would have to pay a fee for emergency services. In the long run it would cost much more to move back to the other house. I will have to look into a rental management company. I had given that a thought before. Maybe it's time to make some serious inquiries about this. Thanks

I would never think of living in a house for which I could not pay the mortgage or rent. I was placed in a similiar situation when my husband walked out on me after I had put him through college. He maxed out my credit cards, cleaned out my bank accounts, and caused me to lose my job. I ended up filing for bankruptcy. I didn't want to do it, but I had to be realistic. It still hurts knowing that I didn't pay my debts.

A few years ago I had to move out of my house because it was not handicap accessible and could not be remodeled to make it handicap accessible. I bought a house that was handicap accessible. Also, the new house is also within the city limits so I don't have to pay an extra fee for emergency services (i.e. ambulance, E.M.T.). I have been trying to sell the first house without any success. In the mean time I have been renting it out. I have had three sets of renters. The first ones tore the place up and left owing me $1200. BTW, the first renters were the daughter and son-in-law of some friends of mine. The second renter deserted the place leaving two dogs and a tiny kitten to fend for themselves. I didn't know she had left until a neighbor called to tell me that the doors and windows were open and kids were going in and out of the house. I don't know how those poor animals lived in that place in the freezing cold without without food or water for nearly two weeks. (I don't know what happened to the dogs. The kitten is a happy part of my family.) The renter left owing several hundred dollars plus it took over $3000 to make repairs. Now, I have renters who seemed decent enough. They didn't have a criminal record, had a fair credit report, had good references, and had good jobs. Of course, two months after they moved in things started going downhill. They failed to pay the utilities (which WERE in my name). She got laid off. He had an accident on the job. He did not qualify for worker's compensation. Then it rained for almost two weeks straight and he couldn't work because he does construction. They are currently $1687 behind in rent. Tomorrow that will increase when this month's rent is due. I have talked to them about what they owe and how they plan to pay it. I don't think they fully undetstood the meaning of our conversation. So, here is my dilemna - I can evict them and start over with new tenants or try to sell the house again. Of course, because of their debt, I don't have any funds to carry the mortgage for even a month. I have already had to make a deal with the mortgage company to pay the interest on the loan until my tenants catch up with what they owe me. If I evict my tenants after the mortgage company has agreed to work with me, it makes me feel like that jerk in the parable who was forgiven his debts but refused to forgive the debts of someone who owed him money. At this point, I am having a problem paying my bills. I am juggling the bills I pay from month to month. I have cut back on things including medications that I should be taking. I can't afford to keep going the way things are going. I have prayed a lot about this. I have talked to people in my church. I know that God will help me resolve this. I am just having a lot of headaches and heartaches about the whole thing. I just want this white elephant to go away!!! Prayers needed. Ideas wanted.

Personally, I don't understand why anyone would want to do this. I have seizures and when this happens to me it is NOT a pleasant experience. It leaves me nauseated, unsettled, and extremely tired. I usually have to be sedated and sleep for 24 hours to recover.

Zol, I did not join a 'church' until I was 47. I didn't really fear joining a 'church' or even being involved with 'church' activities. I just felt no desire to be a member of any particular denomination. That, and I didn't want to join a 'church' that I did not agree with 100%. My parents come from two denominations that have different theologies, practices, and traditions. My father is Roman Catholic. My mother is Nazarene. They rarely attend church together except for weddings, funerals, family events, and holy days. They taught us that denominations or 'churches' are the result of man's interpretation of God's word. We were taught that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We were taught that the only way to have an eternal life with God is by confessing our sins and accepting Christ as our Savior. We were taught that to have a full life walking with God we needed to read the Bible and pray daily and that didn't mean once a day before we nodded off to sleep. After we became young adults (per Jewish tradition), we were allowed to attend different churches. I have two brothers who are Catholic, one brother who is Southern Baptist, and one brother who is Presbyterian. I have attended Catholic churches and Methodist churches. I can recite the rosary and have my own Catechism book. I attended different Nazarene churches where I was a Sunday School teacher and youth worker. I attended different Baptist churches for a few years before joining one. I do not totally agree with Baptist theology, but I resolved that issue. I believe in the essence of what makes the Baptist denomination a part of the Christian church and that is what really matters. When I joined the Baptist church, I was given a card to fill out that gave them a indication of my background, needs, and gifts. I was given an opportunity at that time to indicate just what level of involvement I wanted. I love books and I work in the library cataloging new books. I love to do crafts and I get to work on sets for plays. When I can't help I just tell the project coordinator and it's okay. These are my Christian brothers and sisters. I have no fear in telling them 'no' every now and then. Zol, I hope you find a 'church' home. We need Christian fellowship. Let God be your guide. I'll be praying for you.

I don't believe there is anything wrong with dancing as long as the people dancing are not being obscene, lewd, lascivious, or indecent. If I could dance, I would. Unfortunately, I have no rhythm. I even have trouble clapping my hands in time to music. Cajunboy, if you're planning on going to a nice fais-do-do, have fun dancing.

President Kennedy had the following on his desk in the oval office. O God, Thy Sea Is So Great And My Boat Is So Small It helps me realize that God may ask my 'boat' of me, but without him I would be lost in the immense 'sea'. I also think about the fact that all I have is really God's anyway. If he wants me to give him my life, my talents, and my possessions then how can I deny him what is his anyway.