Beth M

My hubby is unemployed and I was a SAHM (now working some part time). We have some debt and enough in a retirement acct to pay it off completely. We pay about 200 a month to our cards, and also have about 200 a month in interest, so we are getting no where. We have other retirement accts, this one is smaller, and enough to cover the debt. It is it worth it to take the penalty, lose the acct and pay off the debt?

We got my daughter a betta fish a few months ago and for the first few months all was well. Then the tank started to smell. BAD. Despite being cleaned it still smells. The water below is clear, but the top has a greenish tint and smells awful. The tank is in my daughter's room, so we have to find a solution.

Our daughter is 7. She has continued to watch preschool shows, dvds and other things because most of what is offered for her age group (Hannah Montana, iCarly, etc) all contain things we feel are not appropriate until she is a little older. Girls being mean, rude, rolling eyes, bad attitudes, kissing, dating, cheating boyfriends is just not her world yet, and it doesn't need to be. She still plays with dolls, loves dress up, and imaginative play. It seems there should be some shows for girls, besides Bindi that are cute and funny less the attitude. Does anyone have suggestions?

I have had this computer for 7 mos -- during which time I have had issues with it shutting off. After much time online and on phone with Dell I learned I can't put my laptop on my lap or upholstered furniture, bed, etc.....because it was shutting off. Lately now the fan makes all this loud noise. Do I need a new one? Why is it sooooo loud?

I have an old laptop with a ton of contacts in my outlook (2003). I just got a new lap top but don't know how to get the contacts moved over. Someone said to attach them to an email....so I have emailed them to myself now what?

Our Girl Scout troop is representing Lebanon at World Thinking Day and we have to make 250 SWAPS. They are small little pins that represent a theme, idea, etc. I need an idea for a swap based on Lebanon....any suggestions????

I am unsure how to understand magnifications on binoculars. There was a 50x30 or 10x25 -- which is better, which would you recommend?

I was hit from behind with a shopping cart at least 3 weeks ago (my daughter was steering it and hit me). It did not rupture, but got a big bump on the back. For 2 weeks I had a horrible bruise, but was walking normally and all in all I was fine, a little sore. Time has worn on and I am still having pain -- now on both sides of the achilles at the bottom (sort of like my ankle), and mid calf. I am very nervous and don't have any idea what to do.

I also think I have sciatica -- because I have all the symptoms and have had it in the past. So, I don't know what I feel in my leg and calf are from it or from the achilles -- anyone??

I would love your 2 cents.

My daughter had her 2 front bottom teeth pulled today, and they are the first. The tooth fairy should be making an appearance any moment now....how much does she leave these days....I used to get a quarter, but I am sure that is insufficient these days!

We have about 5 cracked bricks. There is one main crack with 3 "off shoots". There are 5 maybe 6 bricks involved. It is a small fireplace. The whole back wall is only about 12 bricks total. Can we repair this or do we have to get a whole new insert??

My children are 3 and 5 and are biting, hiting, kicking, smacking, etc each other daily. They apoligize, and the victim says "it's okay". But it's not okay. I am just wondering why we say it -- when it's not true. Perhaps we should all be saying, apology accepted. Just curious.

My 5 year old daughter is an avid thumb sucker. She sucks her thumb from morning, thru noon, until night. We broke the habit last year by taking away her favorite lovie (which broke our hearts) and promised a new toy (her first barbie) for successfully going 3 weeks. She was free of the habit until one day about 6 mos. later when she found her lovie in her closet where I was storing it. And, since then, I have been unable to stop the habit. Both my kids suck their thumbs ONLY in the presence of the lovie (blankey in the case of my son). It seems so mean to take this away, as she LOVES this thing! But, I don't know what else to do, other than buy one of those $75 awful contraptions, which I think she could take off.

Her dentist says she must stop, her teeth and palette are really moving forward. I don't want her to have to suffer though buck teeth and teasing.

Anyone been through this, or have suggestions?

My son will be 3 March 1. He is going thru what I hope is a phase. If he gets in trouble he spits -- if he gets really mad he spits a lot. If you pick him up he spits on you. If he goes in time out he spits there. Etc. It is gross, plus he was vomiting earlier this week, then spitting in my face. Gross. I am not sure if ignoring it is the best, or him getting in trouble for it when he is already in trouble.

He is very hard headed, wants what he wants, when he wants it. Doesn't get it, but doesn't learn just gets mad. Then spits -- or throws himself around shouting "I don't like you".

I try hard to spend quality time with him, hold him a lot, snuggle, read.....etc. I work part time, but have a LOT of time with him -- and right now I am just going crazy with him.

It is frustrating. Suggestions??

I am just curious about how many couples from the Bachelor/Bachelorette have gotten married (besides Trista and Ryan). I have watched this season of the bachelor and am wondering.........

My 4 yr old is a nervous nail biter. She now has 3 fingernails that have started to separate and peel from the nail bed. My kids had hand foot and mouth about 6 wks ago and since then she picks her dead skin -- from the blisters. Now she is picking off the top part of her nail that has separated. Her thumb nail is now all lumpy and bumpy like when someone loses a nail. I am hoping she is not going to end up with a bunch of lumpy bumpy nails.

Has anyone seen anything like this before??? We will see the pediatrician tomorrow, just wondered.

My 4 year old has 3 fingernails that have started to separate and peel from the nail bed. My kids had hand foot and mouth about 6 wks ago and since then she picks her dead skin -- from the blisters. Now she is picking off the top part of her nail that has separated. Her thumb nail is now all lumpy and bumpy like when someone loses a nail. I am hoping she is not going to end up with a bunch of lumpy bumpy nails.

Has anyone seen anything like this before???

about much beyond sex, their myspace and iming their friends. I don't understand the laziness I see, the lack of interest in getting an education, the lack of realization that they are the future, and that kids in other countries are passing us up. Which means one day they could out smart and out do us if we continue to be the kind of people we see on jaywalking. Rome fell, Ancient Egypt fell.....no culture lasts forever......the dumbing down of education, our spoiled kids, could be our downfall. I just don't know if it the failure of parents, the influence of media, or just a spoiled, I don't care attitude.

My husband and I found my 15 year old step daughters notes. Her bf is pressuring her in each note to find a way to come over, he has the condoms, etc. Or will she at least "blow" him........ He gives her advise on what to say to us and her mom....etc. We also know from the notes she has been lying to us telling us she had practice and didn't and has been staying afterschool with him. He is a pretty bad kid -- ISS twice this year, etc. I have had suspicisions for a while, buy hubby has been oblivious and wanted to trust his daughter. We don't now how to confront her. Do we disclose or note reading? We have also gotten some info from her myspace. This is against our beliefs and wishes for her.........AHHHHHH! HELP!!

I am a Christian, and I totally am committed to my faith. However, I see Christians on this site answering non religious questions with "the Lord God said..." and other such strong statements. To someone who is not a Christian, that is off putting. I think it comes off snotty, or that you think you are superior. I think a concerned point of view, showing love and compassion, with perhaps a reference to Jesus or God would come across better. What do you think?

I have 2 children with my hubby (age 2 and 4) and a 15 year old step daughter. My sd has many things at her school (which is about 30 min away in a much more rural community). My husband is gone sometimes 3-4 nights a week for sd's activities, leaving me home with our kids. I also work 1 night a week and Sat. I want him to be there for sd, but I also need some support with our kids. I am exhausted, getting sick. I asked him to miss the football game last night and he did but was very pissy. We had a movie night with popcorn with our kids. It was great. Tonight he is at a performance for sd.

Sd is with us everyother week all week. Currently she has a broken finger and is not even performing with the colorguard. Is it wrong for me to as hub to spend time with me and the kids. He has made me feel so bad about it.

Sometimes I feel like his priorities are sd, work, football, our kids, me. :(