Margarita

I am a third grade teacher who has been employed for 9 years. I recently resigned from my position to stay at home with my 3 year old son. I am taking kids in during the day and providing day care from about 6:30 a.m. until about 5:30 p.m. Needless to say, I am exhausted! I realize we are basically in a recession, but what can I do working from home using my skills (excellent grammar/writing) via the internet? I would love to write or edit for magazines, newspapers, or websites and I just don't know how to break into that market. I need to make about $600 weekly to pay my bills. Please advise!

I know there are tons of get rich quick programs out there that are scams. I just wondered if anyone tried this and how it works....I really want to work from home doing some sort of writing & posting ads looks very easy. Please tell me what your experience with this is.

We are moving to the country this summer and our new house has a septic system rather than public sewers. This is very new to us and since the house also has a dishwasher, I was wondering about a septic safe dishwashing liquid, among other things. I know bleach and tampons are out-I've been doing a little research. I have also heard that rid-X can help. I have also heard the rule of thumb about "If it can't go through you, it shouldn't go through your septic system."

If you have a septic and can provide me with some national (U.S.) brands that are OK for most household chores I would appreciate it!

Thanks!

We are moving to an old farmhouse where to decor is somewhat primitive. I would like to keep it that way and need to dress the windows in most rooms. Can anyone give me a store or a website where I can find cheap but cute country valances? I need to buy 10-12 and I don't want to spend a ton of money. By cheap I mean like under $10 each.

Thanks!

We are moving to an old farmhouse where to decor is somewhat primitive. I would like to keep it that way and need to dress the windows in most rooms. Can anyone give me a store or a website where I can find cheap but cute country valances? I need to buy 10-12 and I don't want to spend a ton of money.

Thanks!

We recentlly bought a house built in 1880 with the addition part built in the 1920's. The addition area houses both bathrooms and upon engineer's inspection mold was discovered from improper ventilation. Does anyone have this same problem and if so, how did you remove it? Is it harmful? We have had it swabbed and are waiting for the results to come back from the engineer, but wondered if ayone had this same experience and how it was dealt with.

I have been teaching in an Upstate New York public school for 9 years. I want to take time off to raise my family. I know people have done this, but how does it work with retirement? How can I find out for sure if I would be eligible to collect retirement monies eventually, although I am not fully vested at this time? Does anyone know if I can collect based on being partially vested (9 of ten years completed)? Like maybe get a percentage of the money because I have not taught the full ten years? Or would I lose the money altogether?

We live in a suburb in upstate NY and we are thinking of moving to the country. We feel the taxes for the new property are rather high compared to what the neighbors are paying. The house includes 5 acres, a pole barn and the house is around 2400 square feet. There is a partially finished basement and an enclosed deck that I'm not sure is included in the sq. footage. Taxes are around $9500 but other comparable properties in the area have taxes that are in the &5500-$7000 range.

We know about the STAR program and we also hope to get the property for about $40,000 less than what it's assessed for. Then we plan to go the the tax assessor and ask for a reduction. Can anyone give me some ideas about any other ways to reduce taxes???

I give my 7 year old Lab mix Science Diet Adult dog food. She is getting older now and it seems that she is less active, so I bought her Science Diet for dogs 7 years old and older. Should I switch her food gradually by mixing it in with the old, even though it is the same brand?

I have feeder goldfish for over two years. One is slightly larger than the other and seems to have always had a few health problems, but usually bounces back with time. This time he really looks bad, and seems to be suffering. He is twisting and twirling around in the tank and has been face down, tail up in the gravel since last night. He is still using his gills, but it looks like the end. Is there something I can or should do to ease his passing?

I try to keep the door open after using it, however, it still seems to smell and I feel that this smell is now transferring to my clothing, too. Is there something I can run through the washer (it's a Tromm Front Loader) to help allieviate this?

what else can I provide him with (indoors) to satisfy his need to dig and bury? Sometimes he hides it under the couch, but I don't think he's happy with that because usually he walks around with the bone, crying and whining, and only puts it under the couch as a last resort! Please share any ideas that you may have that will simulate his natural need for this type of activity. Thanks in advance!

I have been teaching in NY for 8 years. I want to take some time off to raise my children. Of course this would mean that I would forfeit my tenure in the district where I am presently employed, but what will happen if I am not "vested"? I keep hearing that you need to teach for 10 years to get benefits. Do they need to be 10 consecutive years? How or where can I find out more about this?

I am trying to eliminate cow's milk from my diet, but I do eat yogurt. I'm looking to find a yogurt made from soy (or something else?) that does not contain dairy or casein. I've found that the soy yogurt available in our local grocery does often contain trace amounts of these. Is there a yogurt that is truly vegan? And how does it taste? Is it worth seeking out, or should I just abandon the idea all together?

We are considering a house that is in an area where there are very large metal towers (they're kind of shaped like a person) that hold up area power lines. I am not talking about the regular power lines that go along the street, but the ones that cut across roads, through fields, etc. Besides the obvious danger of electrocution, are there increased risks (such as cancer/radiation) related to living near these structures?

Do you use one of those Mr. Clean Scrubbie things, or a mop, or some other useful tool? Or do you just scrub it by hand? Please give me some suggestions-I am tired of mopping and want an easier way.

I want to visit my friend in Philly this summer. Rather than drive, I was thinking of either flying or taking a train with my two year old. Is there a portable, easy-to-carry car seat available for kids about 25 pounds? I have thought of the backless booster, but I think my son would have to weigh more.

I got a new student teacher yesterday and as I was talking to her I used a tissue to blow my nose. Then later I realized that I had forgotten to wash my hands, but in the meantime touched the computer, the door handle, etc. I am embarrased and this is very unlike me, as I am usually very good about hand washing after such events. Do you think I should apologize, disinfect these items in front of her, or just let it go?

I recently rescued a stray cat from certain death in the horrible neighborhood where I teach. I am presently keeping him separated from my cats, and plan to have him neutered later this month, before I find a home for him.

He had fleas (I treated him with advantage) and he also has worms, which I plan to take care of this weekend.

My question is this:

Every day when I go into the room where he's staying to give him water, food and scoop out his litter box, I notice that the towel where he has been sleeping has these little things on it that look like sesame seeds. They do not appear to be alive or moving, but I'm wondering what they could be.

I didn't see many dead fleas fall off of him after the advantage treatment. Could these be the eggs? I know what flea dirt looks like and altough I did see a lot of that at first, this is something completely different. Any thoughts?

My son is 2 years old and loves his crib. He does not climb out, and he still fits. When should we transition him to a regular bed? We bought a toddler bed a while back, but if he stays in his crib long enough he may go right to a twin size. When did you do it and how?? Advice Please!

Also, he snuggles up on top of his pillow on one end of the crib (against the side rails) every time he goes to sleep. How can I break him of this habit? He will no doubt fall out of a real bed if he does this! The toddler bed has no side rails because it is one of those race car ones.