Alyssa

I pre-ordered "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and was able to download it yesterday, but I was wondering if anyone knew if "Lonely Lullaby" (the song on the Owl City Galaxy App) would ever be available for purchase? I can't find it on iTunes or any relevant music sales websites. Thanks!

I have been with my fiance for 1 1/2 years now. Our wedding is set for November 2011. However, recently, he's been lying to me about little things but so frequently it is starting to concern me. He'll lie about where he was-- I'll ask if he talked to so and so today, he'll deny it, then I'll add that I talked to them and they said they had lunch with him. Then he'll 'remember' it suddenly. At first, I thought maybe he was just quirky this way, but these 'forget-then-remember' episodes are happening more and more often. In addition, I just found out he is having lunch with coworkers on a regular basis. One of this coworkers is an ex-girlfriend/lover. He denied ANY contact with her (when we first started dating he said he hated her) but I just found out he still has lunch on a regular basis as they work at the same business. Again, I wouldn't mind if he was honest initially, but these are things he is hiding from me. Prior to this relationship, I was in a relationship with a man for four years who cheated on me and physically abused me. I did have counseling and worked past it, but I cannot deny that lying and hiding things is something that panics me. I've tried to approach my partner and explain that the things he lies about don't bother me, its the fact he LIES that bothers me. When he lies, he tells me he'll buy me something, that we can go on a trip, etc. He doesn't acknowledge he did anything wrong or if he does, he'll just say "That was wrong" and then change the subject. These lies aren't really anything BIG (I haven't caught him cheating or doing anything obscene) but they are enough to make me wonder why he covers up things that he thinks MIGHT upset me. I've sent the wedding invitations out already and I am incredibly torn. When we were first together, he was a gentleman but he has become a liar (albeit about random things) and its truly bothering me. Is this something I should just accept (since thus far he hasn't done anything severe to breach our relationship) or are lies enough to make me reconsider our future together?

I am renting a home from a property management company in California. I have had issues with this particular home, and the property management has been quick in resolving issues, such as fixing a busted water pipe, a blown electrical breaker, etc. As winter settles in, I notice that I am getting excessive window sweating in the master bathroom. The entire window has condensation, and the entire frame is WET. I have tried toweling it dry each morning, but it doesn't seem to do much but soak up towels. When I open the window, there are little PLANTS growing in the window pane! As a result, the wall around my window as well as the ceiling of the bathroom have begun to grow mildew/mold. I've been scrubbing it once a week with a bleach solution, but the moisture is getting worse as the weather gets wetter and it keeps growing back. I suspect it is my window sealant that has failed. Is this something I'd call the landlord about to see about fixing or should I try to fix it myself? If so, what possible solutions should I try? Thank you.

I have a tb mare that is very sensitive in the mouth. I've tried an O-Ring, D-Ring, and Full-cheek snaffle (double-jointed) but they all seem too harsh. Any pressure on the reins causes her to toss her head or pull against the pressure. I've read that the french-link doesn't cause quite so much nut-cracker action and puts less pressure on the tongue. Does anyone have any experience using the french link? Also, I found a 1/4 moon eggbutt snaffle that is multi-jointed and looks even less severe. Does anyone know the difference between the two? I have a 4 yr old green broke gelding that I ride in a full-cheek, sweet iron snaffle. Would switching him to a french-link help him too? I have been using double-jointed snaffles for so long, I feel like an amateur, but I've heard wonders about the multi-jointed bits! Any info you have would be great =)

Since I have been a child, I have hated attention being on me in a personal nature. I can give large presentations in front of hundreds, I can plan gatherings for large numbers, and I can give personal advice and considerations for others, but when it comes to having a personal conversation about ME; well, it doesn't happen. The only person I talk to personally is my fiance. I have never been close with my parents, siblings, or any other family member. We are getting married in November 2011 and I am horrified at the idea of standing in front of family during a private moment. I am afraid I will be so tense I will just stand there, unable to smile, unable to enjoy it. I am on medication for extreme anxiety, and I know I could do this, but I just want to know how abhorent it would be if I tried for an incredibly private ceremony. The reception isn't a bother, because they won't all be staring at ME or more accurately my fiance and I. Any advice would be wonderful. I am so terrified I am considering calling the wedding off. This is something I've dealt with for years, and I know I CAN make it through the ceremony, but I know I will be incredibly uncomfortable.

My husband takes off his wedding ring when he is doing weight lifting or any activity when his fingers swell or could damage his ring. Its a bad habit that I admit I am guilty of too! At any rate, two nights ago I noticed his ring wasn't on. I asked him what he did and he couldn't remember where he'd taken it off. He became very distressed and we tore the house apart looking for it. We've been unsuccessful in finding it. I'm not mad, but I am a bit perplexed as to how he lost it in a house. There is literally no trace. Now I am faced with what to do. Do we replace it with the same ring or do we go for a cheaper one hoping we'll find the original? He is now fearful he took it off when we went to the movies the other night (don't ask me why he'd do that) but no one has seen it at the theater. When do we replace it? Do we wait another week and hope it appears in a weird place? He's notorious for losing things- his phone, wallet, and keys are always disappearing. Forgetful man! Advice?

I have a 4 year old APHA gelding that I cannot get to respect me. I have had him professionally trained (30 days) twice and when I take him home, he is back to his old antics. When I walk him on the lead, he'll walk over me. When I try to lunge him, he'll stare at me when I ask him for a walk or trot, and then if I pop the whip near him, he'll start bucking and run straight AT me. When I ride him, the minute I get in the saddle, he starts crow-hopping. No health problems, teeth fine, saddle fine, feet fine, etc. Someone else gets on him and he's an angel, listening to them, but when I get on he starts to go berserk. I've been riding for 15 years, had professional training in dressage and western, and there's something about this gelding that's not clicking. How can I get him to respect me? I've tried using a rope halter, stud chain, different bits, different saddles, and I know its all about language. I try being soft with him and I've been stern with him. He doesn't give to pressure, just stands there staring at me. I tried getting him to disengage his hindquarters on the ground and he'll just stand there if I tap him, and if I give him a pop with the crop, he pins his ears and tries to kick me. Ugh! What am I doing wrong? I have a trainer working with me, but I feel so embarassed. Anyone have any words of encouragement? Maybe a way to stand or something productive to get him to pay attention? When he does decide to lunge, his head is anywhere BUT with me. The only thing I can get him to do is stand still. He does that well. Please help

I have a 4 year old APHA gelding that is becoming very stubborn while being lunged. When lunging in a round pen, he will free lunge without hesitation, moving into all gaits with the slightest cues. However, I have since moved him to another facility, where there is only a large arena to work in, so I use a lunge line. I started from the ground up to get him used to lunging on the line, starting with a small circle and he progressed nicely. At first, he would bolt on the line when I even held the whip above the ground, and would start bucking and sometimes would charge right AT me, ears back, ugly looks. After 2 weeks of work, I can now send him out into a full circle and he will walk and change direction smoothly- no buck, no charge. However, I have now begun to ask for the trot and he will NOT trot. I try a light crack of the whip behind him, and he doesn't flick an ear. I try using voice commands and clucking to him, and he'll extend the walk, but won't enter into the trot. The ONLY thing that works is if I lay the whip on his rump (not whipping, but actually using the whip to 'push' him like a hand) and he'll pick up the gait. However, the second I release the pressure, he's back to a walk. On occassion, he will kick AT me if I crack the whip (again, cracking the whip behind him but not too close), but after a few bucks, he's back to the walk or he'll just stop and look at me. I even had a friend hold the whip & line while I climbed on and trotted him, and he trotted without hestitation for several minutes both directions, but only under my pressure. I didn't even feel him moving away from the whip when my friend encouraged him. He is still green broke and lunging is integral to my working with him, as I want to be sure I can lunge him before I start intensive work. He is healthy, his saddle was custom built, no health problems. Any ideas? He looks at the whip without any real concern. Need some advice on what to do. I've worked with green broke colts before, but they always had TOO much get-up-and-go. This gelding is happiest when he's walking, won't respond to aids, etc. He's got me stumped!

I have a 4 year old paint gelding. He's had 60 days with a 30 day follow up in an O-Ring snaffle. I ride him western. Saddle fits, no medical problems. About a month ago, I was riding him out (as I've done before) and he spooked and bucked me off. I've been riding for 15 years, but haven't been bucked in over 10 years and it took me by surprise. I lost a lot of confidence that day in my riding. Since then, every time I take him out, he wants to buck. At first he'd pull to the gate (he's getting barn sour) and when I'd try to work him, he'd start to just pop his hindquarters under me and pin his ears. It has slowly degraded to the second I get on him and ask for forward movement of ANY kind, he pins his ears, tosses his head, and starts crow hopping. I do a one-rein stop and he drops his head, but the second I let him go and ask again for a walk, he'll freeze up and throw a buck.

I took him to a trainer (30 day follow up); he was a dream. Its something I'm doing. The trainer tells me I need more confidence, tells me I need to be assertive, but I just need someone to give me some advice on exactly WHAT to do to be assertive. I ask for a walk, he starts to back and rear. No matter the pressure I put on him, he just fights me. PLEASE someone help. I've paid for the training, he works fine under the strong hand of the trainer, but when I climb on, he starts his old tricks up. Does anyone have any confidence building strategies or comments? How can I get him to move forward, or at all? He won't listen to my cues. Any advice would be great. I've even taken lessons on him, but I let my fear get the best of me and find myself shaking like a leaf. I need to do this, though!

When I go to lunge my mare, she will usually go a few rounds (I use a lunge rope because there are no round pens for lunging where I am) and then, will stop dead in her tracks and face me curiously). If I try to step sideways to get her to turn back into the circle, she'll either back up or will cut across the imaginary lunge circle. She has a habit of pulling me and running loose open circles one direction and then, when she is coming East, she'll push me and squeeze in to a tight circle.

Also, she does not respond to the lunge whip. If I am not constantly asking her to move forward, she will slow and stop. I've never had a horse so willing to stop and walk. She is quiet, but sometimes I need to lunge her to get some of her energy out before the ride (She's a TB). Any hints on getting her to move forward? I don't want to even have to use the whip, but she will not respond to voice cues or any other cues, just stops and stares at me.

I have a 3 1/2 year old APHA gelding that I purchased in August. He had 60 days training and when I rode him for the first month, he was quiet and perfect. No spook, no buck, no hostility at any time. He has excellent ground manners, the only issue I had was getting him to take the bit. I think someone smacked him around in the mouth before. It is now nearly November and I have been having some problems with him. He is boarded in a pasture and is fed Alfalfa twice a day (I am thinking about going to alfalfa/oat hay combo). I ride him western with a D-Ring snaffle. I rode him in the arena for over a month and he did wonderfully. However, early this month, I went to ride him out of the arena in an orchard (with my husband on his bomb proof gelding) and suddenly my little gelding started bucking. Because the footing wasn't even, I didn't use the one-rein stop because every time he crow-hopped he would trip and lose his footing, so I didn't want to turn him and have him roll on top of me. After a few crowhops, he completey went down in the front and I went flying over him. He proceeded to gallop home. I caught him, lunged him, got on him in the arena, and worked him for an hour.

Over the next few weeks, I'd take him out into the arena and he'd get jumpy, coil up like he was going to buck and I had to change his mind each time. Then, most recently, when I go to lunge him before I ride him, thinking that might be helpful, and he starts bucking and aiming his kicks at my head while he passes by. Another rider saw him doing this and came out to help me, and I ended up riding him while she held the lunge line and whip because he would rush me like he was going to run me down, even though I was deterring him with the whip and eventually helplessly tugging on his lunge line.

I admit I am beginning to get a bit nervous when I'm riding him. I've been riding for over 15 years and never had a horse so nasty intentionally trying to run me over and kick me in the face. I try to be stern, try to be soft, etc. Does anyon have any advice? I am thinking about getting a trainer out to ride him, but I paid so much for him because of his supposed training already. Its not that he needs training, just more time in the saddle, but I want to be sure I have the right tools to make that time count. Would anyone advise any type of bit, tool (ex. tiedown), etc for him? I can handle the spooking and bad attitudes, but the bucking is a danger I really don't want to face. When he bucked me off last time I hit my neck and was off my feet for a few days, so I want to get this STOPPED. I don't want to sell him, but he seems to be telling ME what we're doing and I for the life of me dont' know what to do or what else to try. I want to try something before paying hundreds of dollars a month for a trainer.

I have been getting migraines since I was 13. Not very often, maybe once every few months. However, I moved to a valley environment 2 years ago and developed some severe allergies. I get sinus infections at least once a month, sometimes requiring anti-inflammatory steroids to combat a severely swollen throat. Twice within the past year I've been hospitalized because I couldn't breath, my throat was so swollen. I get injections of the steroids and amoxicillin and then I am okay for awhile. My sinus infections usually include severe sinus pressure, congestion, sore throat, and headaches. Within the last few months, I have also been suffering insomnia. I have trouble falling asleep, and if I do, its for about 30 minute intervals, whereas I wake up and can't fall back to sleep.

During the day, I can sleep and sometimes will take a nap on my lunch break. I'm not sure why I can't sleep at night. I've tried going to bed early, going to bed late, etc. I

Additionally, I have begun to get severe headaches at least 5/7 days a week. I have begun waking up with them and they usually don't go away, just are dulled with the aspirin or tylenol I'm taking. My doctor prescribed Imitrex for migraines, but I know I shouldn't be taking those everyday, and sometimes, the headaches are bearable. They are light and sound sensitive, movement sensitive, and accompanied by extreme nausea.

Does anyone know what this might be? I have seen my regular physician, a specialist, and an allergy doctor without any helpful conclusions. They just tell me I have allergies so I'm stuck, but I need sleep. One doctor said my lack of sleep is what is causing my headaches, but the constant headaches have been around long before the sleep problems.

My doctor prescribe Trazodone, an anxiety/anti-depressant, saying that I'm obviously depressed. I had a history of depression when I was in my teens, but feel fine now. I might be a bit anxious because I have no sleep, but that doesn't explain why I'm not sleeping, why I'm getting headaches daily, etc.

Anyone know anything about this? What to do? I take allergy medication, including Nasonex.

I have a B.S. in Criminal Justice and am seeking to obtain my paralegal certificate to open up my career horizons. As I work full time for the government, I need a program I can take online. I know this prevents me from taking an ABA accredited program, but I really don't have an option due to my availablity.

I have found a few programs that I am interested in, but I am seeking advice regarding which one I should enroll in. Duke University offers a self-directed paralegal certificate program for $6,000. However, I can take the same program with the same courses at a community college for under $1000. There are also programs at State Public college that offer the courses for about $3,000.

Is it worth it to take the program through Duke so my resume is more impressive? Is it worth spending an extra $5000? Because a certificate is a non-degree program, there are no financial aid options so I'll have to take out a private loan or pay cash, depending on which program I enroll in. I know its worth it, but I know instances where I got stepped over by someone with a less prestigious degree program and wanted to know if that might apply here.

Any information or insight would be greatly appreciated! =) Thanks.

I live in California and on August 31st, I completed a walk through, turned over my keys, etc. for my apartment. Due to California Law, the landlord has 21 days to refund my security deposit. I patiently waited, but I had everything completed cleaned, including carpets, walls repainted, etc. and the representative at the walkthrough wrote on move-out inspection that nothing needed to be deducted from deposit, but that the companies headquarters wrote the checks.

On September 23rd, over 21 days later, I contacted the landlord as I had not received any mail or any word regarding my deposit. I was told that "it can take 60-90 days to process the deposit", whereas I mentioned that I'd read they had 21 days to process my deposit refund. The apartment representative immediately became quiet and asked me what apartment I'd moved from. She then placed me on hold. She came back to tell me my security deposit HAD been sent out but it was returned because I gave them the wrong address. I asked if they could tell me what address that was. She said that they were undergoing renovations in their main office and she didn't have access to the files. Yet, somehow she knew who I was and knew it had been returned? I then gave her my address, the same one I'd written down on my move-out slip and on my 30-day notice to vacate.

I asked if I could come pick up the deposit, as it had been returned. She told me that she'd need to put a request in to have it re-sent from headquarters, since they didn't handle deposits. She said I could receive it within the week.

It is now October 4th and I have not received any word from the apartment nor received anything in the mail. I called the landlord and asked to speak to the office manager. I was told that they had my check in their hand (funny, I thought it was going to be sent to the address I gave them) and that I would get it in the mail tomorrow.

My question is, do I have any right to request the full deposit in the event that they don't refund me the whole thing? She said they'd had to clean the carpets so that was deducted (even though my walk through said no need for any cleaning).

Any advice would be appreciated.

For clarification, I live in California. I am a prospective tenant looking to move into a ranch house. I will perform ranch duties in exchange for free rent. However, the landlord's current proposed lease includes her ability to use the washer/dryer (located in garage) and also that the landlord & her guests can use the house's bathroom if necessary.

I have a few issues with these conditions. The washer/dryer are using water and electricity, both of which I am responsible for paying. Additionally, I feel that the landlord using my restroom inside the house is a breach of privacy & quiet enjoyment as well as a potential danger in the event my pets were to escape when someone enters the home (she has agreed my 2 cats can live there with deposit).

Do I have any legal backing in requesting changes to the lease? Is it reasonable for her to ask that I pay for her to use the washer/dryer and also to use the house's restroom?

Also, the landlord said she will pay trash if I pay for water, but the water line also runs in the 12-stall barn. She says water is usually $25 a month. However, trash is a flat rate. If her horses drink a lot of water, my bill will go up, but the trash will not because it is a flat rate. She says I pay her water and she'll pay trash so its an even trade-off. Is this reasonable?

I really need the extra money I could save by moving into this house and doing the ranch work, so I am trying to negotiate instead of walk away. Please, any advice you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks.

For the last six years, the relationship I have with my mother has been shaky at best. When I was fifteen, my mother saw I was making friends, after years of being anti-social, and she immediately locked me in my room and refused to let me have any communication with anyone else. When I went away to college, she took it as an insult because I'd left, and she promptly kicked me out of the house as soon as I was finished with my first year. After I left, she accused me of being ungrateful and making a rash decision to move out. She denied ever telling me that I had to leave. I had voice messages of it, which she pretended she couldn't hear.

I speak very rarely with my family. As I had rushed moving out, I had moved in with my boyfriend I'd met in college (not the brightest idea) and he ended up being incredibly abusive. His level of mental degradation became so severe that at one point, he had me backed in a corner, shoving a razor in my face, telling me that I was so pathetic, I didn't even have the backbone to kill myself. So, I grabbed the razor and slashed my arms. I was immediately placed in a mental ward.

My parents came, my mom scolded me and told me how I'd ruined my life, then took me to their home. Within one week, my mother had gone through my wallet and put her name on all of my bank accounts, credit cards, phone bills, etc. She monitored my calls and my purchases. I could not live like that.

I moved into a new apartment by myself, got a better job to support my bills, and tried to mend my relationships. Then, my grandmother, the most influential person in my life, died after a nine year battle with cancer. My family was torn apart. During my time in college, I'd gone to see my grandmother nearly every weekend and so I was particularly in pain. We'd become very close.

My mother didn't even tell me my grandmother was in the hospital. My cousin, who I barely spoke with, ended up calling me to ask why I wasn't there with the rest of the family. He told me my grandmother had maybe a day to live, and it was a two hour commute to get there. I ended up walking into the hospital room five seconds before she flat lined. I didn't even get to say goodbye.

I am currently working two jobs to support myself and am going to school online full-time, double-majoring in law and criminal justice, all paid for by myself. I don't know what more I could do to be a responsible person. I don't drink, do drugs, or smoke. I volunteer at the local animal shelter and I foster kittens. I coach high school speech and debate during the school year. I do all of this and am proud of myself, but my mother refuses to be. Instead, she tells me how I am unworthy of anyone's attention.

I feel so emotionally exhausted I don't know what to do. The only person I really care about is my family is my father, but he is with my mother and will always take her side. I know this and do not hold it against him. The one time he tried to talk with her about her behavior, she disappeared for a week. The rest of my family, including my father's parents, and my mom's sisters, do not talk to her. My aunts tell my mother she needs help.

Should I stop talking to my mother for good? I am so weary of this. I have seen psychologists who tell me my mother needs help and that I shouldn't be seeing her. If I don't talk to her, she has everyone else so afraid of her, I will lose contact my father and my immediate family.

Please, I need advice. I don't know what to do.

I have an opportunity to work on a ranch in return for free rent. The agreement is, I will feed horses morning and night, clean stalls, feed chickens, and maintain the cleanliness of the property in return for a 2 bedroom 1 bath ranch home. However, my concern is, the job is 7 days a week, 365 days a year. How should matters be handled in regards to 'time off' or if I were to go on a vacation. I am getting married soon, which the owner is aware of, but I am unsure what rights I may have or what I should insert into the agreement before I sign it. We have drafted an agreement to sign and have yet to both sign it. Any advice would be appreciated. I assume that no laws apply to a mutual agreement, but I thought I would see if anyone knew. Also, the owner wants me to start working NOW but the house will not be ready for a few weeks. That would be a great deal of time and money spent on gas to drive to the home as it is 25 miles from my current home. Should I insist on compenstation for this 'free labor'? I am so unsure! I really want this opportunity, as I love horses and the location is AMAZING, but I also want to ensure I am not taken advantage of.

I have a unique rental opportunity that sounds perfect, but I need advice on how to handle the fine details. An owner of a horse training facility has offered me free rent in the home on the property in return for feeding the horses morning and night, cleaning stalls in the morning, feeding chickens, and keeping weeds down. The owner's lawyer has drafted a formal agreement for both of us to sign. In return, I would live in the home. There is a annual lease agreement, but there are a few catches that I need advice on. One is a vague inspection clause. It states that the landlord may inspect the premises at any point and time. According to CA tenant laws, there has to be a 24 hour written notice given before entering property. I am planning on bringing this up on our next meeting before signing the lease documents. Also, the landlord/owner has stated that the landlord or guests may use the house's restroom. This is a bit invasive, but as the facilities are newer, construction on the stable's restroom is not complete. Obviously I want to have some sort of notice before someone comes walking into the home. I believe I should have these requests in writing. How should I draft them? Additionally, I am in a current lease elsewhere until the end of August. The owner originally agreed that I would begin work and the move-in in August, however they have since fired the individual that was completing the ranch work due to a discrepancy and now are insisting I start work NOW, even though the house is undergoing re-modeling. Is it unreasonable for me to deny free labor? I feel as if I were to start feeding, cleaning, etc. it would be like me 'paying rent' but not receiving anything in return. Additionally, the owner has said I could work and move in next week (when re-modeling is finished). However, I cannot justify paying rent at my current home through August 31 while living somewhere else. The new property is roughly 25 miles from my current home, so it is not a quick drive to go finish these chores. ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Thank you!

My fiance and I are looking to buy our first home and are trying to learn as much as possible before going into an office and talking rates. My parents have purchased several homes and when I spoke with them, they told me NOT to put any money down, because you can lose all of it if something happens and you have to sell or the home loses value. For example, they put 30% down on a home in Southern California area. When they went to sell, the housing price had decreased dramatically and they ended up losing all of that down payment AND more. They had to pay off the rest of their mortgage on a house they didn't even own anymore. They told me I should try to put as LITTLE down as possible, and they did this with their newest home.

Is this right? I know that this might hurt my rates, but I also want to avoid a situation like they had.

Again, I am new to ALL of this so please forgive me if this is a bad question! I just thought I would see if anyone else knew about this?

THanks!

I'm not an open person. I was raised to keep personal feelings private. I was in a five year relationship during which I began to express myself only to have that person tell me after 4 years I was worthless and send me to the hospital. I lived for one year being told I was nothing; he even had his friend come to my apartment, use his key, and try to rape me, saying I deserved to be raped because I had no value. That was over 2 years ago, but that feeling of numbness and worthlessness flare up still. I am now engaged to a man I love very much, but I find myself feeling unhappy. It has nothing to do with him, he makes me feel better, but we've begun planning our wedding and I feel really stressed. We're also getting ready to move into a bigger place together, which is a lot of work. Also, my job is furloughed and depends on a budget that may not be passed so I'm worried about funds. I love planning my wedding and looking at houses but I feel overwhelmed. I keep worrying about dollar signs and then when I'm upset and my fiancé asks what's wrong I feel afraid to tell him because I don't want to be weak. I am so misguided. I don't know how to talk to him and I'm ashamed to be so open. There's nothing he can do and I don't want him to worry but he already is because he sees I'm upset. I'm afraid to be hurt and I'm afraid to admit I'm stressed because he'll think it's from the engagement and that I don't want him.