dolphin mama

I am thinking of starting a home-based photography business. Do I need to get a business license first, before purchasing photography equipment, in order to be able to take those items off as business expenses? I am wondering if I can use and claim the equipment I already have as a necessary business expense (you kind of need a camera to be a photographer) or if I have to have a business license prior to buying the stuff. Professionals who have done this would be a great help!

My husband and I are planning a cruise to Mexico soon. Is there a huge difference in having a cabin that has a balcony as opposed to one that is inside? The price seems to be nearly double for one with a balcony... Is it worth the extra money? It is a four day cruise with two port stops. If you have experienced both a balcony and inside stateroom on a cruise, what would you recommend? Thanks!

Our center is considering eliminating "nut products" such as peanut butter, items with nut oils, and any items such as granola bars, candies with peanuts in them, or peanut butter crackers. We have already eliminated them from the snacks and foods that staff serve to children, but the administration is considering a policy that would forbid parents to send these items in their child's lunches. I think this crosses the line of responsibility. I believe it is the center's responsibility to take "reasonable" precautions to protect our children with special allergic conditions, which includes not serving potentially harmful foods and avoiding cross-contamination. However, I feel that it crosses the boundary when the center tells families what to serve to their own children. What do you think?

My husband and I are planning our third child, and I would like to find out from users of ovulation testers what they think of the various kinds. What was the name brand of the test? What did you like about the test? Was it easy to use? Can it be re-used multiple times? Do you feel that it was accurate? Was it affordable to purchase/how much did it cost? Do you feel that you achieved the results you wanted using this test, or do you think you'd have had a better chance just doing it the "natural way"? Thank you for all your input! I really want to be able to plan well for this child (I've got two with birthdays two weeks on either side of Christmas! I don't want to repeat that!) Thanks again!

We are thinking of moving about 1000 miles from where we currently live. I have been living in the same town that I grew up in for 30 years, and have never been anywhere outside my state. My brother's family, my parents, and my husbands parents all live where we do. My husband has done a lot of traveling, and is used to moving. We have two young children (7 and 2). I am wondering if other moms have had this scenario and what they ultimately decided. What were the benefits of moving? What would you have changed about moving? What were the hardships you faced? Was it hard moving to somewhere you didn't know, with no family close by? What did you do when you wanted to go out with just your husband and had to leave the kids with someone you weren't related to? How did you adapt to a new environment and all the changes (job, home, etc.)? How did your children adapt? Thank you to the helpful answerers!

We are looking into moving to Colorado, and where we live in California, I hold a Master Teacher's level Child Development Permit. The teaching matrix is different for Colorado than in California, and they have something titled a "Group Leader". What kind of college units are needed to be a preschool teacher/group leader? Is there some kind of proficiency test you must take if moving from out of state? How much field experience is required? I have tried looking up info on the Colorado child services website, but it says it is under construction. Any info from current teachers/directors in Colorado would be appreciated.

In this movie, a young girl is treated for mutism, (perhaps post-traumatically induced) after (i think) her dad dies, although a lot of her behaviors suggest autism. Her mom and brother try to "unlock" her from her inner world by building a huge staircase hanging from the trees in the woods near their house. This movie was on HBO or STARS about 4-6 years ago or so. Any information on main actors,etc would be great, but the name of the movie would be best!