Snowmom

Thanks for all your wonderful suggestions! I ended up using a product called "Smells Begone" (already had it in the house so I didn't have to buy anything else). Then I left the projects spread out all over the picknic table in the hot sun for about an hour. I turned 'em over, sprayed 'em again and left them out another hour or two. That seemed to do the trick! They are now packed away in a new Rubbermaid container awaiting my next fit of "Yarn Madness". ------------------

Lynnie, I'm so, so sorry for all you are going through right now. I'm the only member of my family that hasn't had multiple divorces. So, while my advice is as a bystander, I really have seen a lot of divorces. The first thing I would say is to not allow your pain to get in the way of defending your children and their economic future. Yes, your husband still loves the children, but in leaving you he is looking out for his own interests, not yours, and not theirs. Don't allow yourself to be saddled with 100% of any joint debts. Both my sisters have done that because they wanted to keep the house (and were convinced that also meant keeping equity loans and 2nd mortgages) Do not let him walk away with cars, boats, motor cycles, etc. that were bought with an equity loan or 2nd mortgage and leave you with the debt because it goes with the house. Also, in our state we have a program called, "Non-Traditional Occupations for Women". It's run through our county vocational school and it gets women ready to work in "men's jobs". Many of these women are just like you, starting over without high school diplomas. You may have a similar program where you live. A program like this can help you get a diploma or direct you towards good paying jobs that don't require one. They can tell you how to go about applying to the carpenters, electricians & plumbers unions and help you get the skills needed to pass entrance exams. I know a woman who weighs 90 pounds soaking wet who is a heavy equipment operator. When the guys tease her about being a woman and being so tiny, she just tells them that it's the truck doing all the work, and she can climb up into the cab of that truck just as easily as they can. She drives dump trucks, bulldozers and road building equipment. She makes $22 an hour. (probably more now, last time I talked with her was several years ago) You may not want to do this kind of work forever, but it's the quickest way I know of to begin making the kind of money it will take to care for yourself and your children. "Women's work" will never pay enough for you to provide the kinds of things you want for your girls. Regardless of any child support and alimony he may be required to give, if you get custody it's going to be up to you to provide for them. You can't do that making the kind of money most "women's" jobs pay. As for the extra 40 pounds you are carrying.....you are about to go on "the divorce diet". I've never met a woman yet who hasn't lost a whole chunk of weight before the divorce was final. Take good care of yourself, eat well (healthy) and don't sweat it. ------------------

Hey Westie, we noticed some bees in our city park that were actually fighting each other over flower blossoms. I never saw anything like it. They were a bit darker than honey bees and moved a lot faster.....dz'at sound like Africanized bees to you??? We didn't get too close ------------------

I wish we lived a little closer, I could just GIVE you this stuff!!! LOL I ended up finding a high shelf where it can sit for a while longer. ------------------

Oh poor kitty!! How long was s/he "locked up"?? ------------------

I am so PROUD of you!!! You are just amazing, woman!!! ------------------

Nana I'm so sorry for all you are going through. ------------------

Our "new" car is a '99 Honda Civic. We bought it in March with 23,000 miles and I absolutely love it. Then we have a '94 Taurus station wagon (about 140,000 miles) and an '87 Jeep Comanche pickup truck (well over 100,000 miles). We just gave oway our '85 Chevy wagon when we upgraded to the Honda. ------------------

I'm in for 11 miles. ------------------

We just gave away our '85 Chevy Celebrity wagon----and it just kept passing those tests too!!! Sometimes older does mean better!! [This message has been edited by Goose Liver (edited July 29, 2002).]

I discovered I have an old trunk full of yarn projects. All "in progress". The problem is it smells really musty and dirty. (Stored on an enclosed porch) Any ideas on how to freshen up the yarn without washing??? ------------------

Where do you take sewing classes?? I've asked at several fabric stores in my area and believe it or not......THEY DON'T KNOW!!! ------------------

I have a week's vacation from work this week and I'm staying home, "simplifying" I have waaaaaaayyy too much lamp oil. Does anybody have any suggestions for ways to get rid of the excess??? I don't think the Salvation Army will want it and I don't see anyone buying it on E-bay.......I'm at a loss here. ------------------

Thanks Momo!!! The haircut has already changed though! LOL I couldn't get my hairdresser to cut it the same way twice. ------------------

I'm finally downsizing my preps. I've lived in constant clutter since '98 and I can't stand it anymore! I'm de-cluttering the house. I'm off work this week and we're going to have a reeeeaaallly biiiiig trash day!!! ------------------

Uh-oh Ed....that was a bad one...... ------------------

Oh Motherearth!!! I am so sorry for all you've been going through. You've been sorely missed here but I don't think any of us knew how to get in touch with you. Welcome back!!!! ((((((HUG))))))) Hope you're feeling much better and on your way to a complete recovery. ------------------

Thanks Ladies, for all the kind words. That last picture was taken in February, I have some more recent that haven't been developed yet. ------------------

Since I've been on this diet: I've lost 27 lbs My hair quit falling out and has gotten thick again Some of my gray hair has returned to brown My periods have gotten easier My skin texture has improved My face is less puffy, even before the weight loss I have more energy My memory has improved I have less aches & pains Two dark moles fell off and have not returned I have a benign tumor (lipoma) and it has gotten smaller I've been able to reduce my thyroid meds, which most docs will tell you just *does not* happen Here's a link to a "before & current" picture: http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/pattysplace/page2.html In the first picture I'm 33 years old, in the second I'm 41 and I weigh more. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Goose Liver (edited July 27, 2002).]

So far I've used carrots & apples as a base along with something green. I've tried carrot/apple/kale, carrot/apple/celery and carrot/apple/parsley. I like them all. I think I could drink any juice as long as it had carrots and apples in it. I usually only use one apple, then split the juice with my husband so I'm only getting juice from 1/2 an apple. I tried straight kale juice.....I DO NOT recommend it. I took one sip and staggered around the kitchen for ten minutes gagging. ------------------

MadCat!!!!! I'm so thrilled to find someone doing the Hallelujah Diet!!! I'm not exactly doing the same diet, but the diet I'm on is very similar. (just more disorganized....sometimes I juice, sometimes I drink fruit smoothies......sometimes I just can't eat all the healthy stuff I want to eat!) I am eating a high percentage of raw fruits & veggies. I've given up dairy, except for a little cheese and I've now been meat free for 7 days!!! Still struggling with refined sugar and bread though......but doing better!! ------------------

Well I just can't used to being an "Easterner"....... I don't know where I belong either...... ------------------

(ppsssssstttttt, Brigid.....you only have to hid the chips in the gym......Ed doesn't care if you eat chips in The Shop) ------------------

What wonderful news Lois!!! I'm glad to hear she's coming home. It's *always* safer at home than at the hospital, even though there are times you need to be there. ------------------

What wonderful puppies you have . ------------------