Amalthea

My car just died today. I bought it new when I was 17... 17 years ago. So, needless to say, I've been out of the car market for awhile. I had hoped to hold onto it until my husband's car payments were done in a year, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. I need to keep my payments to a minimum, at least until next year when we pay off his car, and I don't have anything for a downpayment really.

I just saw this offer for financing on the Toyota website, but I can't make heads or tails of it. It seems to be worded the way most financing offers are, and I figured if I could understand this one, I can probably translate it to other offers.

Can you explain this one to me like I'm a 5 year old? Math has never been my strong suit.

On approved credit from Toyota Financial Services. 0% APR for 36 months with $27.78 per $1000 borrowed. 0.9% APR for 48 months with $21.22 per $1000 borrowed. 1.9% APR for 60 months with $17.48 per $1000 borrowed. Varies by region. See participating dealer for details. Vehicles shown with optional equipment and may not reflect advertised model. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Subject to availability. Offers end 10/4/2010

I really hope someone can give me advice. I took off 3 days to get my slate tile floors stripped and sealed (with Aquamix Seal and Finish Low Sheen - Its a Coating Sealer that can "breathe.") The stripping took a full 2 days until 2:30 in the morning. I only have till tomorrow evening until the kiddos will be running around, so I have to get this done, and I have to be at work at 6am tomorrow.

So, here's the question. I've read the recommended drying time on slate is 24 hours before sealing. I'd really like to start sealing at 10pm tonight so my husband and I can catch a nap before I get up at 4:30. If 24 hours is recommended, is 20hours o.k? Or, am I screwing myself and jeopardizing the whole project?

We have the heat on in the house (windows shut because, of course, its hazy today). And a ceiling fan on. I live in the NorthEast if that helps w/ climate questions (Pennsylvania).

Please help! I'm panicking! Thank you in advance.

We have a slate tile floor all thru our ranch. It is polished, and a pain in the behind to maintain. I have 2 little boys who spill and drool and spit up constantly, and I don't want to have to strip the floor polish w/ ammonia and re-polish to make it look clean anymore. Can I use something to SEAL the slate so that it will be easier to maintain and I can just steam clean or mop it? (I understand this might give it a shiny or "wet" look. I don't mind that.) Any suggestions on the best way to strip and clean the floor prior to sealing, on the best product to seal with or any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Actually a couple of questions. I'm thinking about going back to school to pursue a Post-Baccalaureat degree (I have a BA in theatre) to become a teacher in PA. #1, I'm terrified of starting over at this point in my life (house/mortgage/2 kids/full time job & a husband who is going back to school too!) but I really need a change, and want to do something w/ some meaning. I'm having trouble figuring out the logistics though. How do I get my teaching certs while working? Will I have to quit my job to do my student teaching? My family depends on my salary, do I get paid while I'm completing the internship? (I'm not sure how we'd do 12 weeks w/o my salary, especially considering there's no guarantee of a job after that.) How competitive is the PA teaching market? Any advice or answer would be appreciated. Thank you!

(I am looking into some online degrees tailored to those who already have 1 degree... And, I am making sure they are universities that can provide/help with PA certs.)

I went to the dr. today for what I thought was strep throat and was told to get blood test b/c I might have mono. The results won't come back until Monday. I work full time and have 2 beautiful little boys who keep me running. I'm really concerned that if I do have mono, I don't know how I'll keep up and still be a good mom! I'm already in the "symptomatic" phase... I have a fever, severe sore throat, headache, etc. But the fatigue isn't unbearable. I just feel really run down. I know the fever and sore throat can go away in a few weeks, and I'm coping with them anyway (sort of.) But, will my fatigue get worse as the mono progresses, or am I going through the worst of it now? (I do know it can take a long time for the fatigue to go away, I'm just thinking that if it doesn't get worse than this, I might be able to handle my life!) Any advice or personal experience to help me try to plan would be great. Thanks.

I want to make solar powered fountain for my husband's birthday. However, we do not get enough direct sun all day to power a "direct sunlight" solar panel. I would like to use a solar fountain pump and add a battery system to it so that the battery will charge and accomodate for periods of shade during the day. (Kind of like how solar garden lights power up all day and then run at night.)

I've seen systems and kits you can buy, but they seem ridiculously expensive and I'm sure this can't be that difficult to do. Can anyone help me out w/ a How To?

I do have a basic understanding of electrical theory and wiring, but I am not an engineer, so please try to keep it simple. (I know about wiring, watts, volts, amps... I can install outlets, fix lights and understand balancing an electrical system to make sure the source is providing enough power and that the lamp won't blow up, etc.... to give you an idea of where I am coming from.)

Thanks!

I know PA gov or the federal gov has some sort of regulations about applying lawn treatments, pesticides, herbicides, etc. on or near schools and daycare facilities. But, I can't find any info on it!

I'm touring daycares now, and b/c of a history of cancer in my family (in 2 cases, the person was told exposure to these types of chemicals was a contributing factor) I want to find a facility that I'm sure is following the regulations/recommendations. But, I don't know what they are!

Any help would be great. Thanks!

I'm thinking about a career change and I would love to teach. However, I work full time and my hours can go as late as 9pm, so I'm having trouble finding a courseload that will accomodate this.

I currently have a B.A. (in theatre arts). Any suggestions on how to work the required curriculum into my schedule? Good online programs, etc.?

Also, I'm not sure of the student teaching requirements in PA. Any teachers out there who can help? Can I get a job teaching w/o the student teaching hours at a lower pay rate and log the hours then?

I'm very serious about this. I want to do something w/ meaning and I love to teach (have done some children's theatre, etc.). Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

My 20mo old is waking up w/ wet sheets a lot lately. He is filling his diaper at night and it just leaks out.

We're using Pampers and we've had good luck w/ them before. We've stopped giving him water right before bed for the most part, but sometimes he really wants it, and I don't want to tell him no if he's thirsty.

He's started using the potty every now and then, so we're putting him on it at night and letting him pee-pee right before bed. (Sometimes he doesn't have to go, but usu he will.)

Any other ideas? Or anyone else have trouble with this?

Its getting so frustrating to change his sheets, wash his stuffed animals, give him a bath, etc. every single morning! He's not playing with the diaper or anything. He's definitely not doing anything wrong, so I'm trying not to let him sense our frustration either. Its just an unfortunate situation.

I don't know what else to try!

I have a 94 Toyota Celica. Recently, I cannot depress the brake pedal when the car is in park and the ignition is off (only sometimes). As soon as I start the ignition, the brake pedal depresses and everything is fine. The, the other day, I noticed that if I brake hard, the BRAKE dashboard light comes on. I've never noticed this before, but I may just be more sensitive to it. (I do NOT have anti-lock brakes, and I do believe that this light is supposed to come on if the brakes are in danger of locking.)

Any thoughts on what might be wrong and how quickly I should get it to the mechanic.

Otherwise the car is in good shape. It's 120,000 miles and has passed inspection, etc.

All of a sudden, he's terrified of it. (We have a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector on the wall outside his bedroom.) He doesn't like to walk by it or be left alone near it.

We've tried explaining it, saying that it helps keep us safe. We've gotten out the ladder and let him touch it and push the button to make it beep. It hasn't gone off recently or anything to instigate this.

After we talked, etc. He'd be o.k. for a little while and then go back to being nervous. He is repeating what we've said and is at least a little curious. (Looks at it around the corner and says "keep us safe", "smoke dee-teter", and even "no big deal.") I'm trying to just be patient and let him take his time, but he's such a carefree little guy. I just hate to see him afraid!

If anyone has any tips I would really appreciate it.

My husband has wanted a dog for quite some time. But, we have a 19mo old, we both work full time and we are on a tight budget. I've never had a dog, but from talking to people, I feel that we can't really afford it (time or money) and that with as much as we are out of the house, it wouldn't be fair to the puppy. Any opinions, or suggestions on how to help my husband understand my point of view w/o a major argument. (PS- I understand that this is NOT a life or death question and that a lot of people have worse things to worry about. I'm just looking for some outsiders opinions.)

I'm playing in a survivor pool for the first time this year and I don't want to look like an idiot. I love watching football and am pretty good with players, teams, coaches, etc. But, actually picking a winner this early in the season is beyond me. Anybody that could offer me help with how to read stats and matchups would be a huge help! I've never been much of a gambler, so I have no idea what the +'s and -'s and points mean. And, I didn't get to watch a lot of pre-season, so I'm not familiar with all the teams yet. I'd really just like to make it to week 2 or 3! :-)

I always wanted to be a stay at home mom. My husband and I realized that that might never happen and we decided to have a baby and have me go back to work. We have a beautiful son. I spend as much time with him as I can and love him SO much. He's a happy and content child, but I still find myself wishing and holding on to the idea of being at home full time. Financially, losing my paycheck is not a possibility. Even if we cut down on everything. Am I a fool to hold out hope? Are there legitimate ways out there to pull in a good income while spending more time at home. ANY advice, practical or emotional would be such a help. Thank you.