I've just started baking bread regularly and enjoy kneading the dough but didn't realize how much time it takes when you have a lot of other things that also have to get done. My budget is tight but I'm seriously thinking of buying a good mixer. I don't much care for bread machines. What would be the cheapest, decent mixer I could buy that handles mixing dough? Sam's sells a Kitchen Aid mixer for about $260 but that's more than I would like to spend. We're a family of 3 if that matters. Thanks so much in advance. Judy

You might read a book called The Gift of Fear. It's suppose to be a very good reminder that we have survival responses built in so to speak. I have it on reserve at the library but haven't read it yet. My daughters and I were visiting a friend in a local hospital when a fire broke out. As soon as I smelled smoke but before the fire alarm sounded, I mentioned we had to evacuate immediately. Seconds later I heard myself saying that it was probably nothing. We did evacuate but I felt funny going down 9 flights of stairs thinking I was probably over-reacting. Thankfully the fire was small and contained quickly but that might not have been the case. Afterwards another visitor told me about this book. Many of us tend to delay taking action because we really don't want to believe the worse could happen. In the case of your daughter, you have alarms sounding. Listen to them! The worse that could happen is this man could be offended. But if you don't listen to them, the worse case could be unthinkable. Blessings, Judy

I need to have my current will revised ASAP but my budget is very, very tight. It just doesn't run to the fees lawyers in this are charge to create a will. Are the various software programs for wills valid? We live in Texas if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions. Blessings, Judy

You might considering covers for the screens since the bottom one especially can get scratched from frequent play. Also if there's a GameStop near you, their return policy is great for used games. Used games for games systems (but not PC games) can be returned for either a refund or an exchange within about 7 days. For the past year, we've only bought used games from them because of the return policy. Some of the games appear fun from the package or advertising but are uninteresting. Judy

Embarrassingly, I had to ask my 12 year old daughter about multiple children using Timez Attack because I can remember much of anything this morning. According to her, each of my daughters have their own game. I don't know, however, how many names can be added at one time but Beth mentioned there's space for at least three names. Judy

My 6th grader is dyslexic and has had many problems memorizing the multiplication tables although she's otherwise very strong in math. Timez Attack is the only program that has helped. She became very good at multiplying by spending about 15 minutes / day using the program. Because I have a slow internet connection, we couldn't use the free version. For us, the program is worth every penny it cost. My younger daughter is using it now. Check before you buy though for discount offers. I got (I think) $10.00 off the price for telling 4 people about Timez Attack. The developers are very good at responding to questions. Judy

I think I liked this thread better when it seemed more lighthearted. But that's just me. I usually don't post much because I don't communicate well in cyberspace. Judy

Well I love Texas and I love the U.S. but I have wanted to move to France for a long time. It's not for political reasons, I just would like to live there for a while. It's a dream so I don't have great reasons except it's a beautiful country. Of course I would probably get there and miss Texas summers so much, we've move right back. Really though there's no place quite like home, in our case Texas even with our hot summers and large creepy crawlies! Judy

I was a restaurant inspector in Texas for a while years ago. Mice droppings can transmit Salmonella for one thing. Would your church want to be responsible for an outbreak of food poisoning? There's a world of difference between making a decision for your own family to ignore a few mice and ignoring an infestation that potentially could affect many innocent people. People who might not chose to eat there if they knew about the infestation. I also don't think the person who brings up the subject should have to solve the problem necessarily. This falls in a much different category than suggesting a new program or event. If your church were selling the food, the kitchen would be shut down until the problem was resolved. Judy

or at least my age. I'm in my late 40's but I'm routinely taken for much older. I've lost 10 of the approximately 40 pounds I need to lose and I've started an exercise program using Leslie Sansone's DVD. So far I've been walking 1 to 2 brisk miles 5 days/week. I feel good about this part so far as long as I keep it up but I need to do more. My hair is more than 50% gray now. Temporary colors don't work. I have no idea what to buy. It has to be something I can use at home because of my very tight budget. I also need advice on skin care. My skin is getting noticeably wrinkled especially under my eyes. This afternoon, I walked though the cosmetic section in Wal-mart and was confused completely. I have no idea what products to buy for my sensitive skin. It's normal to dry but will break out if I'm not careful. So.... any help and advice would be so very appreciated! Ann

My wonderful minature poodle, Coco, died last summer at the advanced age of 18.5. She was healthy until she was about 17. She was the most amazing, intelligent, loving dog you can imagine. Coco was a rescue dog as well but I got her when she was still young. As another poster mentioned, bad teeth was an issue but until she was too old I had the vet clean her teeth annually. I bought clippers to use in between grooming sessions. Her groomer usualy charged about $35 to $40. Depending on my budget, I only had her groomed two or three times a year. When you think of grooming expenses, remember that poodles don't shed unlike my very large, lazy cat! My dog also wore a coat during the few cold days we have here but the coat wasn't very expensive. In fact I believe I still have Coco's most recent one. If you decide to get her, let me know. I'll be happy to give you the coat.

My poor, slow dial-up connection is only 35 kb/s download and 85 kb/s upload! I'm in the dark ages. Judy

I realize now I had let myself get way too overwhelmed with everything, her needs as well as ours as a family. My friend got home but it was in a taxi. The hospital provided a voucher. Thankfully she rescheduled the other appointments for today and the first of next week. You all are so right that I have to pace myself. Thank you all so much. Judy

This is only a vent but I'm feeling very guilty about not helping a friend today. She has been in the hospital since last Thursday when my daughters (11 & 8) and I took her to the emergency room. We stayed in the ER with her for almost 8 hours until they decided to admit her. We've visited her every day and gone by her house every day to either pick up things she needs or to clean / do the laundry. In addition, I'm a single mom who is self-employed. She's being discharged today. Her almost 40 yo adult son is leaving this morning to spend Christmas in Hawaii with his dad, her ex. His trip has been planned for weeks. Her much older sisters (in their late 60s) left this morning to spend time with their families out of town. My friend can't go because she's not suppose to be around crowds. Neither her sisters nor her son have done much to help her during this time. I've ended up being the primary person. She found out today that there's some dense spots on her recent mammogram unrelated to this illness. Her doctor wants her have have additional tests today after she is discharged as an outpatient. I told her I would gladly take her home but couldn't take most of the day for the other appointments. She decided to call a neighbor instead but I feel I've let a friend down. Scripture says to not tire in doing good works but I'm so very tired today. Plus I've not completed shopping for my girls or preparations for tomorrow. Christmas is only a day even though we celebrate it as the day of our Lord's birth. People come first. Anyway, I'm feeling very guilty about saying no to the additional appointments. I know she has to be scared. So if you've read this far, I would so appreciate some virtual hugs and more importantly prayers for my friend. Thanks so much. Judy

Depending on the child a movie such as Annie could be very painful. Both my daughters have seen the movie. They handled it well because we discussed it thoroughly before hand. Plus both girls have matured to the point that references to orphanages don't hurt as much now. Also the desire to watch the movie came from them. They had seen an advertisement for it a year or so ago. But I simply can't imagine someone sending my girls the movie with such a note even though your friend probably didn't mean to be insensitive. I'm glad you intercepted the gift first. Frankly I rarely discuss adoption issues with anybody anymore who isn't in a similar situation so I don't have any great advice on how to approach your friend. Judy

I really needed a good laugh today. Thanks so much.

charity navigator is one.

We like The Fourth Wiseman. I think it was a made for TV movie but it's available on DVD.

I suppose there are quite a few people with an entitlement attitude but I don't volunteer very much because as a single mom who's self-employed and homeschools, I'm stretched as thin as I can be. I'm at a point I would rather pay to have my children in a program than have them attend one at church. Inevitably one of the volunteers will say something about my not volunteering. Actually I do volunteer but for one time or limited time situations. What I do is not as visible I guess. Frankly, I rarely feel that what I do is appreciated or matters by our church. It's never enough anyway. I'm well aware that there are other single moms who do much more that I do but I have to know my own limitations. I guess it doesn't matter much anymore because as I mentioned my daughters rarely attend programs at church for this very reason. Judy

Strange donation to a food bank, isn't it. I wonder if Coco-Cola makes a monetary donation proportional to the number of cokes given opening day. That would make more sense to me. Judy

Here's some promotions for you! It's too late for this year but as a homeschooler, you can request free tickets for yourself and your students. The deadline is usually in May. I'll send you the address if you don't have it. I've got it somewhere. Just let me know if you need it. As for activities, I just follow my girls wherever they want to go. The petting zoo is a big hit every year as is the parade in the evening. We bring our own food and water; both are very expensive once you are within the fair grounds. Judy Participating North Texas KROGER stores Advance purchase General Admission tickets are $12.50. A Season Pass is $29.95. They may be purchased at the check-out counter or at the service desk. Opening Day-Sept. 26--Bring a full 20 oz. Coca-Cola product for donation to the North Texas Food Bank containers at Fair admission gates and enter the State Fair for $4 per donation per person. Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays--Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $3. Most rides (excluding the Thrillway and the Texas Star) are 5 coupons. Kroger "Three for $1" each Wednesday--Admission is $1 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for area food banks. Coke $4 Thursday--Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $4 admission. (this is also the day our FREE homeschool student/teacher passes are valid) Mature Texan Magazine sponsor of Seniors FREE Thursdays--Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the State Fair FREE each Thursday. FREE Thursday admission with a Cinemark Theater ticket stub. Any Day--McDonald's offers $3 off General Admission with one of their State Fair coupons any day of the Fair. Each $3-off-General Admission ticket allows you to bring in one child for free. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.

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We support a high school aged young woman in Tibet through Love without Boundaries' Mama's Wish program. We're excited because she just passed her college entrance exams! local food bank Opportunity International for loans to micro businesses in developing areas Salvation Army especially at Christmas Goodwill with stuff

Our church has changed its Sunday School schedule. K - 5th grade will have traditional classes but 6th grade through high school will be in a youth group for study and fellowship. I'm having deep misgivings about my 11 year old participating regularly with high school age kids. She's just now beginning to develop and show an interest in boys etc. but at the same time she plays with dolls. I'm concerned that she will be prematurely thrust into a more adult setting. I could hold her back but there are no 5th graders attending church now. The oldest young kids are in 4th grade. Actually I'm seriously considering changing churches for that as well as other reasons but would appreciate advice and opinions. Am I overreacting? Thanks so much.

I'm so sorry your daughter won't be able to participate with this group. Sometimes I think it hurts us as parents more than our children. Although I believe strongly that private groups have a right to limit their membership, how your situation was handled seems unkind. To be fair as someone here pointed out, we're hearing only one side. Several posters have made great suggestions for Mom to Aly. But as a single mom with limited income, I absolutely understand the depth of disappointment and frustration when affordable, doable opportunities such as this vanish. Thankfully, through all the tough times I know Jesus will provide for our needs even though our circumstances can still be very hard. Even in tears, I have the joy of the Lord in my heart. Still if Mom to Aly's life is anything like mine, it can be so painful to want simple things for our children such as participating on a sports team that so many other children have and lose the chance. I think it would be especially painful when the group is Christian since our Lord reached out to so many hurting people. Whether the group's decision was right or wrong is less important to me than the fact that they as Christians missed an opportunity to minister to a family in the name of Christ. Mom to Aly, my daughters and I will be praying that wonderful opportunities open up for both of you soon.