Peer Pressure and Debt

Whew, is it getting hot in here? For some reason, the past two days was a huge day for financial peer pressure. It just seemed like everywhere I went, there was some example about how our family isn’t/wouldn’t/won’t fit in because of some of the financial choices that we are making. Our biggest long-term goal is to completely get out of debt, including our house and to start to build wealth so we can give generously. At the moment, we are far from this goal, but making progress. We have no debt, other than our house, although that debt is … Continue reading

When the Pressure Is On

When the pressure is on, the tension in a marriage can really mount. While it isn’t the most pleasant feeling, sometimes you just have to go with it. You have to allow for those ugly moments and know that you will make it through. That is exactly where my marriage has been at for over a week now. We have been experiencing a lot of uncertainty about when our 18-year-old son is leaving for basic training. We are told one thing one day and something else another day. It is frustrating because we are trying to emotionally prepare ourselves for … Continue reading

Special Needs Blog Week in Review – Week of April 29 – May 5, 2012

Every week, the Special Needs Blog Week in Review gives you a brief review of each and every blog that appeared here in the past seven days. This is a quick and easy way to catch up on whatever you might have wanted to read, but didn’t have the time to when the blog first went up. What did you miss this week? The Special Needs Podcast Roundup went up on April 30, 2012. This time, I’d like to point out an episode of The Coffee Klatch that was called “Dr. Temple Grandin – Different Not Less”. This is Dr. … Continue reading

Special Needs Blog Week in Review – April 15 – 21, 2012

At the end of the week, it is nice to do a quick review of all the blogs that appeared in the past seven days. The Special Needs Blog Week in Review is a great way to catch up on the blogs that you missed, but wanted to read. It gives you a brief description of each one, and a link that will take you directly to it. The Special Needs Podcast Roundup went up on April 16, 2012. This time, I’d like to point out an episode from The Coffee Klatch which was called “National Autism Association”. It features … Continue reading

Special Needs Blog Week in Review – April 8-14, 2012

The Special Needs Blog Week in Review is a great way to keep up with everything that has been posted on the blog in the past week. It gives you a brief description of each one, so you can quickly find something that you are interested in reading. What did you miss last week? The Special Needs Podcast Roundup went up on April 9, 2012. This week, I’d like to point out an episode of “Hold the Gluten” podcast, which is called “Help With Celiac Research”. The episode featured Dr. Daniel Leffler of Beth Israel Medical Center, who discusses a … Continue reading

Is High Blood Pressure In Your Family Medical History?

I have talked before about the importance of knowing your family medical history. The other day I was at a doctor’s appointment and my doctor actually asked me questions about my mother, father, and sister. He even drew a little family tree right there in my medical chart. The reason for his inquiry into my family’s medical history is that I developed high blood pressure during both of my pregnancies. My son was born almost four weeks ago, and my blood pressure is still high enough that I must take medication for it. These current pieces of information regarding my … Continue reading

Time To Get Out the Pressure Washer

A pressure washer is a great tool to invest in for use around your home. It can make short work of clean up of your outdoor environment. Spring is the perfect time to use a power washer, too. Bright sun and gentle breezes help dry anything that you wash. Put a quick, clean shine on things. What is a Pressure Washer? A pressure washer is a machine that sprays out water at high volume. It can be used to remove dirt, mildew, mold, dust, grime and even chipping paint. The home pressure washer attaches to a common garden hose for … Continue reading

Your Challenging Teen May Be Able to Better Resist Peer Pressure

If I can find the light at the end of any dark tunnel in raising teenagers, I will gladly look for it. Because I truly do believe that even the most challenging moments can bring about some good. So imagine my surprise and delight when I recently read that a new study finds teenagers who challenge their parents are more likely to stand up under peer pressure. There are usually two kinds of homes. In one type of home, teens can never question anything their parents say. They must simply do as they were told. In the other type of … Continue reading

The Trend Toward Co-Blogging and Blog Contributors

I first began blogging about two years ago. Up until that point I had not even read a blog. I began blogging to house my writing and share my thoughts. I never intended for blogging to become an important part of my life. I’m a wife with four kids and a business. That last thing I needed was another thing on my plate. However, soon blogging became a passion of mine. In my time on the blogosphere I noticed an interesting trend. Solo bloggers are starting to become group bloggers. The trend is not lost on me. I contribute to … Continue reading

Political Pressure Pushing Justices to Recuse Themselves

Political groups, on both sides of the spectrum, have been pushing certain Supreme Court judges to recuse themselves from hearing the case about the insurance mandate. Conservative groups want Justice Elena Kagen recused, and Liberal groups want Justice Clarence Thomas to be recused. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case that will ultimately decide if the insurance mandate is constitutional, or if it is unconstitutional. This is the biggest, most important, case regarding health insurance. The outcome, whatever it is, will affect every American. Naturally, both sides of the political spectrum are engaging in gamesmanship in an attempt … Continue reading