Approaching Glory

Beyond the Classroom

Each of us has weak areas in our academics.  As a former public school teacher, I can say that even my gifted students had subjects where they could have used some individual assistance beyond the regular classroom setting.  When states (like the one I'm living in)  attach grade progression to testing achievement, it's even more critical that students learn specific subject matter material.  In addition, learning how to learn, and how to organize yourself to study are invaluable tools.  That's when I think students need some extra help and an innovative tutor to assist them in becoming academic successes.

Postie Love

I'm a Postie.  I work for PayPerPost.  Posties post ads on blogs for compensation. I've been doing this now for a couple of months and I am really enjoying the work.  The flexibility that working from home, means quite a bit to me as I homeschool and drive my child to his various lessons.  The money I've made since joining PayPerPost has allowed me to purchase some books needed for my child's schooling.  But the best thing that it has allowed me to do is to treat myself to my drawing and painting classes.  There is no way I would have justified the expenditure without having these extra finances being provided.  Another benefit is getting to "meet" some of the other posties and visit their sites.  I can not tell you how much information I have garnered through their tech generousity.  It is amazing what the veteran Posties know!  Thanks PayPerPost.

Teens and Money

Jbird is at that age where he needs to understand and appreciate the value of a dollar.  We don't have too much longer and he will be out there on his own.  I remember when I first went away to college, I was totally unprepared.  Even though I had had a couple of different part-time jobs, my parents hadn't gotten me a checking account or savings account.  It was not a good thing when I got to college and had to balance my check book.  Not good.

That's why I'm all for anything that helps teens learn how to be fiscally responsible.  And that includes items like Visa Buxx cards.  This type of card allows parents full control over the amount of money to which their teen has access.  There is even a chore system available that allows the parent to reward their child for completing chores or goals.  A debit card is an excellent tool for learning monetary responsibility.

Cruising Along

My father-in-law offered Hubby and me a cruise for our honeymoon.  We passed up the chance at the time and now I wonder what was wrong with us.  My mother went on at least two cruises and had an absolutely wonderful time.   She went to Bermuda and the Bahamas. Norwegian Cruise Line offers great travel opportunities to the Bahamas.  I can picture myself right now - standing on the deck in the moonlight with a tropical breeze wafting through my hair. Okay - so Hubby's already been to the Bahamas.  There are also great discount cruise packages for Bermuda, the Mediterranean, and the Caribean. What a wonderful relaxing vacation a cruise would be.

Cutting Edge

My friend Lynnell's father died last year from a brain tumor.  He had discovered he was having problems with his speech and controlling the muscles on one side of his body.  Within a matter of days he found himself having to decide what method to use for brain tumor treatment.  There are so many options available to us today that we really need to be well-informed patients.  When you are considering something as critical as brain tumor surgery you definitely want the least invasive treatment possilbe.  Considering the importance of our brain, you definitely don't want to hurt the surrounding healthy cells.

Consolidating Your Debts

People get into financial difficulties for a wide variety of reasons.  When hubby lost his job, we had a year where he could only work part-time jobs while he went back to college to get teacher certification.  In that year we were forced to use our 401k savings and then we had to begin the credit card use. For us it was a necessity, but we ended up in a financial hole.

I know for one of my friends it was a divorce that sent her into credit debt.  She was totally unaware that her husband had maxed out their credit card.  She found herself faced with a mountain of debt that she legally was forced to pay - even though her income had been slashed in half.

And take for instance the many students today who are graduating with thousands of dollars of debt.  The rising  costs of  tuition, books, and living costs force these youngsters into overwhelming credit debt.  And of course we can not forget the unexpected health care costs which send many families into credit debt.

Whatever the reason, people who have these bills need help with debt consolidation..  Many times we assume we can figure out our financial issues by ourselves.  However, I have discovered that garnering the assistance of other people is the best idea.  Debt Consolidation Lowdown offers you links to a variety of informative articles about money management, some silly suggestions as to what to do with your useless credit cards, and some handy tips on how to say no to those relatives who think you are their bank.

Gettting the Help You Need

I recently found out that a friend's child is in jail due to drug-related problems.  I had heard several years ago that this young lady had become a heroin user.  What a heartbreaking situation for her family and her.  I know that her family had made an effort to help her by getting some drug rehabilitation.  After awhile she relapsed and needed help again.

There are a variety of reasons why someone finds themself addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.  Sometimes people discover they are in situations totally out of their control.  Another one of my friends has a son who was in an accident where a set of bleachers fell on his back.  After years of treatment and surgery, he found himself addicted to pain killers.  He needed someone to help him find a way to manage his use of  medications. Unfortunately, for him he is permanently disabled and will have to learn to live with chronic pain.

So how do you know which place would best meet you and your loved one's needs?  Where do you find the information you need about intervention, signs of relapse, and detoxification? Fortunately, it is all at one place, 4rehabilitation.  They offer you the assistance you need to find help that is near you.  They have a phone number on their site where you can reach a qualified counselor who will help you find the drug rehabilitation place that meets your unique situation.  They also have a referral form available online.

If you are looking for information regarding specific drugs, you can find that at their site as well.  One of the features of their site that I liked was their "Aftercare: page.  This is where they list some of the signs that family and friends should be aware of that may indicate that their loved one may be experiencing a relapse.  Facing that you have a problem is the first step to recovery.  But it doesn't have to be a blind journey.  4rehabilitation has excellent information and is waiting to help you find the assistance you need.

Healing Memories

Today my guys did something real awesome for me.  I had wanted an easel for Christmas.  They got me one but it wasn't what I wanted or needed.  So we took it back and I just told the guys I'd wait.  Now that I'm back in the swing of things with my art classes, I find myself needing that easel.  I thought about borrowing one of M's table top easels.  Then I thought, "Hey - why are you putting this off?  Just do it."

So this morning I asked Hubby if he'd like to take a road trip down to Atlanta.  He said it sounded good to him and we all piled in the Explorer.  After getting a biscuit and a cappucino for breakfast, and feeding the car to a hefty costing fill up on the gas, we headed for Binders.  We got there okay - the direction from Mapquest were good.  And low and behold we found this awesome store of art goodies.  Now I can tell you right away that this is a place that I don't need to go to often.  It falls into the category of other stores I don't need to be found in - such as bookstore, fabric store, and yarn store.  These go into the category of "Thou shalt not tempt..." stores.

I tell Hubby my mission for today.  Fine by him.  I show him the one I want.  Let me tell you that I am really very good about choosing good but not too costly goods.  He was fine with my choice.  And then he told me to pick out the drawing table and chair that I want as well.  How wonderful.  But I know this is a big dent in our budget and I ask them both if they think my art is such that we should keep pouring money into it - without a doubt they both say in unison.  How affirming!  So that is how I came home toay with an easel and a drawing table (complete with pencil holder, chair, and lamp. (not to mention some erasers and other little goodies)

Since I don't have the room ready for them yet, the easel will grace the dining room and the drawing table is set up in the upstairs living room.  Fine by me - I can work but be with people at the same time.  Pics to follow - remember - charging the batteries.

Oh - and why this means so much to me - as much as I loved my parents - they never really got my art heart.  Mom was always concerned with the cost of the things I said I needed (trust me I only asked for supplies I needed for school) and my father always wanted to know what I was going to do with my art.  Translate that to mean - How are you going to support yourself doing art?  Now - thirty plus years later I have two guys who just want me to do my art because I want to - because they think I'm good at it.  Tickles my heart.

Daycare Helpers

I remember when I was desperately seeking help looking for and comparing daycares.  It is a difficult task and that is why I'm so impressed with the Daycare Bear site.  Every family should  know what options are available to them locally.  You can chose to start your search by selecting the options that best meet your family needs.  You can select to search by nanny, babysitter, non-profit, and many other choices.  In addition this great service, the site offers many useful resources for parents. Daycare Bear's resource page includes great articles to help parents make an informed decision regarding their child's caregiver.

Calling From a Distance

I've been wondering for some time how people make calls when they're overseas.  My nephew is currently in France for a semester and I wonder if he knows about Pingo, a company that offers cheap International calling cards.  Pingo has great rates and a super sign-up bonus. My sister-in-law would be thrilled to discover a way to save some money on calls from France.  Plus, my nephew would be without excuse for not keeping in touch.

France is just one of the many companies that Pingo serves.  I have friends who just got back from a missionary trip to Haiti.  I know that their families over here would be excited to know they could save money on calling cards for a Haiti phone call.  The missionaries plan on going back from time to time and I definitely will be referring them to Pingo.  What I like about pre-paid cards is that you get to budget and plan for your expenditures rather than just blindly spend.

Sandra and her family will be touring the UK this summer and I'm sure she'd be interested in checking the UK's Pingo calling card rates..  I think they would benefit from Pingo's services.  I know they'll be calling me because I'm in charge of the animals while they are gone.  I believe Pingo has the economical solution for us to keep in touch.