Your Opinion ~ New Ideas For Working From Home

For the last 4 weeks I have been racking my brain for ideas to make money from home. Now with the economy the way it is, it is especially hard, as I would guess that people are less likely to spend money on things other than necessities.. (I know I am)

So, I visited the usual suspects and found some great opportunities... but frankly, I have already tried a great deal of them.

Avon: Avon is a great company and a lot of fun... but I found it hard to juggle the kids and my avon schedule. As a single parent, my children were always with me, so we would walk door to door and drop off catalogs and if someone wanted to chat about products... that was invariably when the kids just HAD to tell me something (SMILE). I enjoyed avon and if I could have made more money I would have really really enjoyed it. The way is work is this: As the AVON rep you have to purchase ALL of your advertising material. All of the catalogs, inserts, special promotions, little giveaways... everything, including the avon trademark white paper bags. All that got to be pretty expensive, and took a while and a bunch of sales to actually break even... and it seemed like just when I broke even, then I had to purchase the next months catalogs.

I think with dedication, perseverance and the time available to really sell... This is a good opportunity, I would give it 1 chubby thumb up.

Discovery Toys: I also enjoyed discovery toys, The main vehicle for selling discovery toys is the Home Party. Once I ran out of friends, it was really hard to get anyone to have a party. The toys were great, but expensive, the profit was not exactly what was advertised by the mfg. I can't remember the specifics, but I seem to remember thinking I would be making more then I was, and there was some fine print. PLUS, you had to purchase the starter kit, which consisted of the display items and all the order forms and all that jazz... it was fairly expensive to start up, and honestly, not many people in my circle of friends really wanted to spend the money on expensive toys when they could get the same thing at Target or Walmart for 1/2 the price.

I think that there are people that make money selling these toys, I wasn't even close. I give discovery Toys 1 chubby thumb down.

Consulting: I have been a software trainer/consultant for a while now. When I get a job it's very lucrative, but the jobs are few and far between. My primary goal is the teach people how to use software. Most people taught themselves how to use today's productivity software, and although they can get their job done... they may not be doing it the easiest or most efficient way. many times I can come in just to address the most frequent stumbling blocks and everyone walks away enlightened... however many business owners don't see the value of the training. They feel that since the job is getting down, they don't really care how.

In terms of ease, consulting about something you know is great fun and fulfilling, but it ain't easy to get people to pay for information. I would give this 1 chubby thumb up

Candles, Home Goods: I will be honest with you. I have never had a candle party, a lingerie party, a home goods party, a americana party... I'm not into spending money on that stuff (as evidenced by my interior design style which is a mix between your parents basement and your neighbors garage sale. I just can't bring myself to spend $80.00 on a basket. (Longaberger) Honestly, I did attend several parties and the ones I liked the best were the candle parties, because I like scented things... and atleast when I ordered the box of 9 votive I felt like I was getting something for my money. Now, however, I have kids and candles have gone the wayside. I don't have any experience with selling candles and I would imagine unless they are hugely more popular than avon, that it would be about the same.

Pocket Book Parties: I wouldn't know where to get the products. really. I don't know a think about designer pocket books, I wouldn't know how to tell if the purse is really a coach or not... honestly. However, the purses sell themselves. I went to a pocketbook party, and saw that the person just laid the purses out in the living room and told everyone what the prices are and people just threw the girl money. I would NEVER spend $80.00 on a pocket book even if that was $200.00 off the regular price, I just don't have that in me. (however, I would register 25 domain names at $6.99 a pop just because) So I guess to each his/her own.

In terms of hosting the party and getting a discount on purchases I would say this is a 2 chubby thumbs up... however, I don't know how you would become a seller of these purses. If anyone knows I'd be interested...

Now... the fun part of this blog entry. A POLL

If your neighbor or sister in law or acquaintance from the gym invited you to a "home party" to sell a product please rate these products in the order that you would enjoy and look forward to.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE MY POLL
http://www.polldaddy.com/s/A1EA8336ACCD6E1E/

The Ambler Warning - By Robert Ludlum - A Book Review

Robert Ludlum is a book writing machine. It cracks me up that the pictures of the author make him appear to be one of his characters. However, having said that... his books never fail to captivate me. This book is no different.

The Ambler Warning is a journey. The reader and the main character journey through a believeably explained (albiet fictional) series of events that have led to the main characters lack of identity. Now, I'm no specialist on high level covert operations, but the story is fast, fun to read and slightly mind bending.

The ending was great.

Yes Yes, I guessed the ending about 1/2 way through... and you may guess it too, however the story was so riveting that I couldn't put the book down. I needed to find out if my guesses were correct.

This book is a nice walk down the fictional lane of government espionage and high level covert activity. Like a weekend vacation, this book was an 8 hour furlough from the drudgery of my uneventful soccer Mom life into the action packed fictional life of the larger than life characters that Ludlum loves and creates so well.

I give this book two chubby thumbs up!

Missing Child in Florida -- Not for the faint of heart

This is one of the reasons that I don't watch the news often... and although I can be accused of being an ostrich, I just don't have enough in me... I just can't afford to give out all those little pieces to people I don't even know. And so, without further adieu.... This tragic story

Casey Anthony age 22 had a 2 year old daughter. According to the Local Channel 6 coverage, about 5 weeks after anyone had last seen her daughter she finally reported her missing.

The many articles that have run since July 21st, detail the lies and false reports that Casey Anthony told the police as they first attempted to help her find her daughter and then attempted to get her to admit what actually happened.

The reoccuring theme is that her young 2 year old was "stolen" by the babysitter and that the young mother spent 5 weeks waiting for her to be returned. According to the newspaper reports, the young mother has repeatedly lied and misled police regarding the disappearance of her young daughter.

The most recent reports indicate that a famous bounty hunter leonard Padilla and his nephew Tony Padilla (a bail bondsman) have paid the bail to have Casey Anthony released from Jail. In reading the newspaper article it seems like the two men believe ... given enough time with the young mother they will be able to get to the truth.

Here are the headlines for the previous stories published... keeping in mind it is a newspaper... but it's still so sad.

August 15, 2008: No Credible Information On Kidnapping Theory In Missing Girl Case, Sheriff Says
August 12, 2008: Missing Girl's Family Threatened Every Day; Mom Cancels Visits
August 11, 2008: Psychic-Led Team 'Blind Driving' Central Fla. To Find Missing Girl
August 10, 2008: Orlando Mystery 'Eerily Similar' To Portugal Missing Girl Case, Attorney Says
August 9, 2008: Grandfather Apologizes For Outburst; 'Safe House' Considered In Missing Girl Case
August 9, 2008: Grandfather Rips 'Sensationalizing' Media About Missing Girl Mystery
August 8, 2008: Local 6 Locates, Talks To Zenaida Gonzalez In Missing Girl Mystery
August 7, 2008: Home Searched For New Direction In Missing Girl Case, Source Says
August 6, 2008: Crime Scene Investigators Swarm Home In Missing Girl Mystery
August 6, 2008: Grandmother: Gas Cans Taken To Look For Other People's Fingerprints
August 6, 2008: Missing Girl's Family Threatened; Charges Are 'Good Thing', Grandmother Says
August 6, 2008: Charges Filed Against Mother Of Missing Girl; Search Continues
August 4, 2008: Immunity For Mother Discussed In Missing Girl Case, Attorney Says
August 4, 2008: 'She's Close,' Missing Girl's Mom Says; Timeline Now In Question
August 3, 2008: People Magazine Article 'Blindsides' Missing Orlando Girl's Family
August 2, 2008: Gas Cans Removed From Home In Missing Orlando Girl Mystery
August 2, 2008: Bags Of Evidence Taken From Home Of Grandparents In Missing Girl Case
August 1, 2008: FBI Talks With Missing Girl's Grandmother; Mystery Letter Being Written
July 31, 2008: Family Of Missing Girl's Mom Meets With Investigators For 6 Hours
July 31, 2008: 'Who To Trust?' Missing Girl's Mom Asked On New Jailhouse Call
July 30, 2008: Request To Reduce $500K Bond For Missing Girl's Mother Denied
July 30, 2008: Ex-Boyfriend Has Missing Girl, Mother Allegedly Tells Inmate
July 30, 2008: Inmate's 'Ex-Boyfriend Has Missing Girl' Story Can't Be Verified
July 30, 2008: Photos Allegedly Show Missing Girl's Mom At Club After Disappearance
July 29, 2008: Judge OKs Release Of Mom's Jailhouse Calls In Missing Girl Case
July 29, 2008: Mother Is Only Obstacle In Finding Girl, Say Frustrated Investigators
July 29, 2008: Released Calls Of Missing Girl's Mom Hurt Investigation, Attorney Says
July 29, 2008: 'In My Gut, She's OK,' Missing Girl's Mother Says In New Jailhouse Call
July 28, 2008: Missing Orlando Girl's Mother Wants To Talk With Local Investigators
July 26, 2008: Missing-Girl's Family Begs For FBI; Mother 'Doesn't Trust' Local Detectives
July 26, 2008: 'Blame Yourself For Telling Lies,' Daughter Told In Jailhouse Call
July 25, 2008: Missing-Girl's Mom Begs For More Search Time In New 911 Call
July 25, 2008: 911 Calls Show Inconsistencies In Orlando Missing-Girl Mystery
July 25, 2008: 911 Call: 'Daughter's Car Smells Like Dead Body'
July 24, 2008: Series Of Missing Girl Sightings Reported In Georgia; Investigators Urge Caution
July 24, 2008: Attorney For Missing Girl's Mom Grilled; Family Negotiating Jail Release
July 24, 2008: 'Credible' Tipster Questioned In Missing Girl Mystery; Mom's Release Conditions Change
July 23, 2008: Source Of Decomposition Smells In Yard, Car Possibly Moved In Missing Girl Mystery, Detectives Say
July 23, 2008: $225,000 Reward Offered In Missing Girl Mystery
July 23, 2008: Missing Girl May Be Dead, Detective Says; Mom's Car Smelled Of Decomposition
July 23, 2008: 'Credible' Tip Of Missing Girl On Flight Surfaces; Investigators Checking
July 22, 2008: Family Likely Threatened In Missing Girl Case, Grandmother Tells Nation
July 22, 2008: Mother Wants Out Of Jail To Help Investigators Find Missing Daughter
July 21, 2008: Grandmother: Daughter Knows Who Has Missing Central Florida Girl
July 21, 2008: Hundreds Of Leads Checked For Missing Girl; Caylee Just Called, Says Grandmother
July 19, 2008: Dig For Missing Girl Abandoned; Caylee Alive, Says Grandmother
July 18, 2008: Search Expands For Missing Girl; New Location Leads Checked
July 18, 2008: Crews Digging Up Yard After Cadaver Dogs Zero-In On Areas In Missing-Girl Search
July 17, 2008: 'Lies' Plague Missing-Girl Search; Investigators Checking Phone Tips
July 17, 2008: Girl Missing 5 Weeks Never Reported Lost; Mother Says Doing Own Search


Finally here is the link to the Local 6 News Link.
http://www.local6.com/news/17202414/detail.html

Top 10 Favorite Daydreams

Although I am not the type of person that will spend $100.00 of a $150 dollar support check on lottery tickets... I do like myself a nice daydream.

I have arranged my daydreams in the order of importance, with 1 being the lowest but still wouldn't turn it down, and 10 being the best, daydream on the planet!

1. The team from DIY shows up on a nice saturday morning and surprises me with plans for planting, landscaping and privatizing my large backyard.

2. Stacy and Clinton from "What Not To Wear" happen to be at the quick chek while I am buying my morning coffee and take pitty on myself and my girls and take us all on a world wind shopping spree....(pssst. Stacy we are right here in NJ, and don't get insulted being only #2)

3. I clean out my closet and find an old scratch off that hasn't been scratched... and I win a large amount of money, not life changing... but enough to help with the bills.

4. I meet a nice successful, handsome 40 something man, who doesn't mind staying in and hanging out on the deck, cooking burgers, while the kids run around.

5. Becoming suddenly famous as a blogger or a writer and earning a good living writing or consulting.

6. Earning a living playing around on my computer for 6 hours a day.

7. Winning a life changing amount of money, to be paid in large generous sums for the rest of my life and the life of my children. (realizing of course, that money doesn't buy happiness, however it certainly makes it easier to live comfortably)

8. Invent something and be able to market and sell it for a comfortable residual income.

9. Earn a living reading popular fiction and writing reviews

10. Raise my three daughters to be happy, smart, empathetic, hard working independant thinkers, productive participants in society and healthy energetic adults.

Yup that's about it.

You will notice I didn't mention Brad Pitt. If what I read in The National Enquirer is true, then he and AJ are on the rocks... and quick frankly, I'm not interested in a 2 time loser.

Using New Blog Tool - Adobe Contribute

adobe creative suite 3

This will be a short short blog entry.  I'm just toying with new blog tools.  This particular tool came with my adobe Creative Suite 3 - Web Premium... I decided it was time for me to put to work some of the premium web features!  :)

So far, this tool seems like it's just simply a blog entry tool.  I was hoping for something a little more dynamic. 

I'll keep you posted as I wind my way through the 15 applications can came in the suite.  ( I know your are thinking ... GEEK... A flower by any other name...)

Have a great day

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (Silent Acid Reflux) and Asthma

Last night I was reminded how everything in your body works today. I was reminded until 2:00am in the E.R. with my 7 year old who was complaining of a feeling like someone was sitting on her chest.

I was relieved to find that her EKG was normal, her chest X-ray didn't show anything unusual and the Doctors didn't hear anything at all when listening. But still, she complained and seemed to need to take periodic deep breath to relieve the pressure.

In the end, the E.R. gave her Motrin and sent us home, explaining that maybe during the stomach virus she had 2 days ago she pulled or strained a muscle that is just now starting to hurt.

I remain dubious.

I'm glad they didn't find anything with the methods that they used... I'm disturbed that my daughter has a problem breathing and we haven't located the cause.

My allergist maintains that my daughter suffers from something called: Silent Acid Reflux

Silent Acid Reflux also called Laryngopharyng Reflux is different then regular acid reflux because it may not present any feelings of heartburn or may be very mild heartburn. However, other symptoms include:
Dry Cough
Hoarseness or voice loss
Postnasal drip
Sensation of lump or something stuck in the throat
Sore Throat
Chronic Throat Clearing

Here's another reason my allergist likes the silent acid reflux theory.... Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is often present with a chronic cough that can mimic the cough associated with asthma. AND believe it or not, is often misdiagnosed as asthma, acid reflux or gerd.

I found it highly unusual that an Acid Reflux could be misdiagnosed as asthma. As it turns out, the standard asthma treatments also relief the breathing and coughing symptoms of LPR.

Yes, there is a way to determine if you have LPR, any Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor can take that little tiny scope and take a look at your larynx and tell right away if it has been bombarded with silent acid reflux. Unfortunately, my 7 year old wouldn't let the doctor take a look.

During the 10 minute office visit the ENT Doctor observed my daughter and felt that it was highly likely that she had LPR, based on her clearing of her throat, and slight cough.. and the other recurring symptoms we described.

How is LPR treated.
One way is with Previcid. So, he prescribed 2 previcid a day. (what? that's what I said, 2 ant-acids a day for my 7 year old) Well, I did for a while, but then got slack and ended up in the emergency room last night. You can bet your bottom dollar I will be giving her a previcid this morning!

Other ways to treat LPR are:

Avoid smoking
Avoid tight fitting clothing around the waist
Avoid eating at least 3 hours prior to bedtime
Avoid large meals at night
Lose weight
Elevate the head of the bed by 6 inches to decrease reflux significantly at night
Avoid the follow foods and beverages: caffeine, cola drinks, citrus beverages, mints, alcoholic beverages, cheese, fried food, chocolate, eggs

In closing, if you have read any of my other blog or hub pages, then you are aware that my daughter is scheduled to be tested for some food allergies and then off to see a nutritionist.
Hopefully, this will bring me closer to the answer to her weight issues and breathing breathing problems.

Managing My Motherly Melt Downs

Yesterday for (seemingly) no apparent reason....... I could have cried.

I didn't

But I could have...

In fact, as I was trying to evaluate my state of mind (aka sanity) I tried to locate valid reasons to prompt the tears... and it was utterly unexplainable. However, the more I analyzed my state of affairs, the tearier my eyes became and less able to swallow the lump in my throat. (even describing it now, brings that stinging to my eyes) And so.... I believe I have not managed my time properly and so have not managed my stress.

In fact, I think I need to schedule some stress relieving activity on the days that my ex-husband takes the kids and work towards reducing the stress in my life, where I can.

Because (in my not so professional opinion) it is the stress that is doing me in. Thankfully, my life is not rife with huge stresses and melodrama (well, no more than can be conjured by three lively daughters) but it is the constant push and pull of responsibility that acts like the ocean wearing away at a wooden log. AND since I am wood, not some prefabricated material impervious to the constant battering ... something has to give.

Keeping with my wood analogy, I can see how some might just snap under the pressure... thankfully (thus far) I am simply... wearing away.

AND SO... Enter the plan

Reduce Stress

The key to reducing stress is to locate stressful things that you can actually control.

Paying bills is HUGE... but guess what... if you are doing the best you can, then put that stress bomb aside and address other areas that you control but are not.

In my case: scheduling and appointments

Yesterday I purchased a 14 month calendar, which in essence covers the school year plus some extra. It's small enough to fit in my purse, but big enough for me to write several appointments in each day.

Although this manual calendar is NOT what I would have liked (being a geek and envying anyone with a Crackberry's and/or those who can afford them) it will remove the burden/stress of always keeping appointments in my head. (I missed 2 birthday parties this summer and was late for another)

Now that Music lessons, swim lessons, school holidays, school 1/2 days and misc Dr.'s appointments commence, I have reduced that particular stress by getting organized.

Clean the House:
Ok, for you clean freaks this is a non-issue... for me... the anti-clean freak it's a big stress inducer. I'm sure I could find some statistics, but instead I will just ask you to... metaphorically close your eyes:

Imagine a room filled with the clutter of three lively children. Couch pillows on the floor, dolls, strewn about, completed puzzles -- 1/2 completed puzzles on the hardwood floor, and empty water bottles on the coffee table with the big box of wholegrain goldfish.

Now

Imagine the same room, with not a toy in sight, the coffee table cleared of debris, the couch cushions tucked neatly into place and the pillows propped decoratively at the ends. The faint hint of lemon pledge wafts through the room, the floor recently vacuumed and hardwood gleaming from the mop.

Which scene promotes calmness... and which scene create the feeling of havoc?

And so... as much as I would put off straightening up, in order to reduce my stress ... I am in fact, going to muster the gumption to get it all cleaned up and tidy. Thus creating an air of calmness and tidiness in my house.

And Finally.... Exercise.
Each week my ex-husband takes the kids either Saturday or Sunday. In the past, I have used these days to do the grocery shopping and other errands without the company of my three young children.

Today... (you can mark my words) I vow to put aside an hour for exercise. I'm not much of a walker, I'm not going to the gym (although with my recent YMCA membership, that's not a bad idea) In fact, I am going to borrow a bicycle. I LOVE bicycle rides. Nice leisurely little jaunts. I will be working towards acquiring a bicycle forthwith (it's a good day, when you can use forthwith in a sentence... )

Well, friends that is my plan.

As it turns out I will be home today with the kids, instead of at work, because we are circulating a stomach virus. The virus has now commenced it's torture of my 7 year old, who is a professional puker and has had her own puke bucket since the age of three. (this is much better then the last two days where my 4 year old battled her angry stomach refusing to give in... but instead laid around moaning)

I will be taking care of completing the update of my handheld calendar, and cleaning the house and will put out my feelers for a used bicycle.

I bid you adieu

(I already feel better just having a plan)

Coolest Spider in my Garden

It looks sooooooo neat... it's called a Black and Yellow Garden Spider. (surprise surprise)

If my nosy neighbor reads this entry... I will be home most of the day and she can come over with the kids to see the spider. It's been there for several days.


Which is good, because I prefer to have it where I can see it! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA









I know I know... don't you LOVE my Camera!

My Rant about Aspartame Continues...

Oh woe is me.... My beloved Diet Pepsi is sweetened by Aspartame.... I know, I know... what did I expect.....Pixie Dust?

Well, I just couldn't let the whole aspartame thing go... (you know me and my conspiracy theories) I just.... couldn't .... let it go.

So, today I located the mythical 92 symptoms attributed to Aspartame. It was a scary scary list. But I'm not going to provide you with that list... because, although it said the Department of Health on the pdf... it was just a single page chart, without any other identifying marks.. and honestly, I couldn't find any documentation in the FDA archives.

However, in my effort to find the chart on a government website I wadded through hundreds of documents and dockets regarding the dangers of aspartame. Some people actually used the Aspartame studies as precedents for .... if you can believe this..... discarding case studies or petitions ... So, without further adieu.... Here is what I found interesting today.... AND I have included the links to the documents I found at the government sites.

Four interesting facts:

1) According to the FDA, you would need to drink 21 cans of Diet Soda sweetened with Aspartame a day to get cancer. (doesn't that imply a cancer risk... ok ok, so the average person would have to drink a lot of soda... but still)

2) Singulair has aspartame

3) augmentin has aspartame

4) There are literally hundreds of FDA articles about how to label the risks of aspartame on ingredient labels, mostly due to PKU (or something like that which is an allergy to a specific amino acid or something)

OK... here are three intersting snippets and their link to the original document.

The amino acid risk ... this is just one of hundreds of documents regarding this particular sensitivity.

A recent report on amino acids prepared by the Federation of American Societies
for Experimental Biology concluded that even healthy men who take single or
incomplete mixtures of amino acids as dietary supplements are engaging in a potentially
harmful practice. According to the report, other groups taking these supplements are at
an even greater risk of possible adverse effects and should not use them without
responsible medical supervision.
In large doses, phenylalanine may make some people irritable or cause insomnia.
In addition, this amino acid should be avoided by people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a
birth defect caused by the body's inability to metabolize phenylalanine. (Diet products
made with aspartame [NutraSweet] contain phenylalanine at low, safe levels for people
who don't have PKU and must bear labels warning people with PKU of the presence of
this amino acid.)

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/CONSUMER/CON00207.htm



When you read this one... you will understand and just say... what? It looks like the fact that aspartame has not been labeled dangerous even in view of the evidence... is being used as a precedent to get a different drug approved.

In 1986, the Community Nutrition Institute (“CNI’) filed a petition with the HHS seeking an
immediate ban of aspartame, pursuant to an “imminent hazard” provision, which claimed that
aspartame causes neurological damage (e.g., seizures) or eye damage in a significant portion of
consumers. 15’ To support that claim, CNI relied primarily on anecdotal data concerning epileptic seizures and eye damage, including over 3,000 reports allegedly associated with aspartame collected by FDA over a two year period, a review of a portion of the FDA AERs conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”), letters and case reports collected by several physicians, and even an animal study.

However, HHS concluded that this information was insufficient to establish that an “imminent
hazard” was present, explaining that “[the evidence submitted [by the petitioners] is not of the
type that, standing in and of itself, establishes a link between aspartame consumption and
possible harm to public health.“152 HHS further explained that the type of information presenter was insufficient to “materially affect the scientific determination that aspartame has been shown to be safe for its approved uses, “Is3 because the information was not “reliable or concrete.“‘54
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/03/Apr03/040803/95n-0304-c003907-01-vol338.pdf

And Finally....Here's the one I wasn't even looking for... that really really gets me.... It supports my conspiracy leanings... and frankly, although doesn't shock me... does sadden me.

This is an excerpt from
United States Food Safety System
PRECAUTION IN U.S. FOOD SAFETY DECISIONMAKING:
Annex II to the United States' National Food Safety System Paper

E. Economic Factors
As a general rule, U.S. law requires cost-benefit analysis of regulations (Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Flexibility Act). This general rule does not apply where cost-benefit analysis is prohibited by law. Cost-benefit analysis is not applicable to most food safety decisions. Rather, these food safety decisions are based solely upon science and risk analysis. For example, FDA is not permitted to consider economic factors in determining whether a food additive, color additive, or animal drug is safe, and therefore allowed to be approved. In these determinations, economic factors are forbidden at the risk management step as well as, of course, the risk assessment step. Likewise, EPA is generally not permitted to consider economic factors in determining whether, with respect to human dietary risks, a pesticide is "safe."
There are some situations in which consideration of economic factors in food safety decisions is required or permitted. For example, a 1994 statute created the Office of Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis in USDA (Pub. L.103-354). This office's primary role is to review drafts of USDA's "major regulations" to provide an added assurance that they are based upon sound scientific, technical, and economic analysis. A "major rule" is one that concerns human health, safety, or the environment and that has an annual economic impact of at least $100 million. For major USDA food safety regulations, this statute requires USDA to conduct a thorough analysis that makes clear the nature of the risk, alternative ways of reducing it, the reasoning that justifies the proposed rule, and a comparison of the likely costs and benefits of reducing the risk. The consideration of costs and benefits is for the purpose of identifying efficient ways of mitigating risk. This thorough analysis should describe the uncertainty and variability inherent in these analyses along with an evaluation of how these factors affect the outcome of the analyses. (Because few food safety regulations have exceeded the $100 million threshold for treatment as a major rule, the main contribution in the food safety area of the Office of Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis, since its creation in 1995, has been its review of the Pathogen Reduction and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points proposed and final regulation.)
Further discussion of consideration of economic factors is found in paragraphs 209-213.
http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/fssyst4.html

And so, it would seem... that although the paper is saying that no economic factor should be considered at the risk of health factors... it is also saying... if it's big business... we will really really really need to weight the health factors.

And so in closing.

So... there is a huge controversy over the long term effects of aspartame.

Since I am NOT a scientist... I can't tell you one way or another which is the correct path to take.

I do know that ... The FDA approved cigarettes... and has not banned them ... even though they have been proved to cause cancer.

hhmmmmmmm.... could that fall under the: Economic Factors thingy again?

Well, thanks for listening. Have a great day!

Aspartame - Good or Evil

Last night while I waited for all the kids to fall asleep, I happened across a "documentary" channel.

The current documentary was about aspartame... and most of the documentary was centered around the fact that it causes holes in the brains of rats.

I didn't understand much of the chemical scientific mumbo jumbo but got the gist. Basically they were saying that several of the molecules of aspartame are actually poison and when the stuff is dissolved in our bodies those poisons go to work.

Today, I'm going to see what's going on......

First to Snopes:
I was interested to learn that snopes was "debunking" a chain letter and email campaign which was linking aspartame with Alzheimer's. According to Snopes, there was no truth to the allegations.

Well, I was so convinced by the documentary... that I continued to research... then I read something that Snopes wrote: "Just because something is beyond your comprehension doesn't mean it's scientific." I felt the fool. Because I believed the documentary without understanding.

AND yet, still not convinced that there isn't something to worry about, I went to the web.

Here's the Snopes Link: http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp

Second the FDA
I found the FDA paper very easily, and it basically details that there were some concerns that aspartame would cause brain tumors in humans. The final analysis is that they don't believe it causes harm to humans... however it says: "there was not sufficient scientific evidence presented to the PBOI that aspartame did not cause brain tumors in rats."

This paper concluded:
"In 1981 after extensive review of the record by FDA scientists, then Commissioner Arthur Hull Hayes approved aspartame as a food additive. In his decision Hayes noted that additional scientific data from a Japanese study about the brain tumor issue corroborated his decision. The PBOI chairman later wrote in a letter to Hayes that the Japanese data would have caused that panel to give aspartame an "unqualified approval."

"As data stood, we were unable to reach a communal feeling of confidence in aspartame's innocuousness on this score and expressed this unease in our report to you. By the same token, we wish to express our endorsement of your final decision in this matter," wrote Walle J. H. Nauta, M.D., Ph.D., of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology."

That worries me a little... Walle J.H. Nauta, M.D. Ph. D of MIT is basically saying, we support your decision even if we don't agree. right? Am I reading that wrong?

So, now I'm confused, Snopes seemed to indicate that there wasn't anything to worry about with aspartame, and the FDA although saying that there was nothing to worry about is kind of saying that we approved it for human use... but it seems to be a problem for rats.

Third Source: Wiki-pedia
Well well well..... I gotta tell you, it may not be scientific... but any wiki-pedia entry to has Donald Rumsfeld listed as a driving force for approval... makes me nervous and itchy..

Honestly, my hole ridden brain may have a problem wrapping itself around all that chemical compound analysis... but when I read something like:

"At that point in time, there was no requirement in place in FDA regulations to include brain research in the approval process, only cancer research. Searle's Chief Operating Officer, Donald Rumsfeld, reapplied for FDA certification immediately after U.S. President Ronald Reagan took office.[8] In 1981, Reagan appointed Arthur Hull Hayes as FDA commissioner. Citing data from a Japanese study that had not been available to the members of the PBOI[citation needed], Hayes approved aspartame for use in dry goods.[9] "

So now I don't really know what to believe.

An unfortunate quirk of my personality is to want to believe that government and big business conspiracies do exist at the expense of the general population and are propagated by the corporations ability to weigh their earnings against the % of fatalities... or chance of getting caught.

So, I have read the "Japanese Data/Study" referred to in all three of the places that I have so far searched for answers... and yet, I haven't actually FOUND the Japanese Data/Study...

on with the quest

I can't write much more this morning... So I will leave you with this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame_controversy

The above link is the wikipedia outline of the Aspartame Controversy... (Please keep in mind, that I don't believe wikipedia is governed by any omniscient judge of truth and facts... but rather it is frequently used as a vehicle to further forward causes and press releases...)

I can only say this....

What if only a little bit is true.

Even the FDA papers hint at a controversy and discrepancy in opinions.

Surprise Surprise, whenever I Google or search for Japanese Data regarding Aspartame, although no specific study is found, I found many pages stating that Japan since listed aspartame as a hazard and has moved to stevia for it's sugar replacements...

Now... that may or may not be true. What is true... is that there is a controversy over aspartame that is not so easily debunked by a common person like myself.

There seem to be many studies stating that the use of aspartame is safe for most people... and many studies that say... it is killing rats, and that there is an increase in brain tumors and all kinds of maladies that are directly related to aspartame.

I wonder, where is the truth....

Perhaps... sugar isn't all that bad.

What do you think?

Making a Phone Call... Can Save Money

The last several days has been a fantastic lesson in how to save money by asking questions. I have saved literally $500.00! Just by making phone calls and asking questions.

#1) My Phone, TV and Internet. VERIZON FIOS
Current Bundled Package: $126.00 a month
Phone: $26.00 - no savings
-Here's the thing, my phone is actually only $14.00/mo., but there is an additional $12.00 in subscriber fees and taxes. So, I can't really do much better with the phone, however this is the bundled price. In order to keep this price, I will have to switch to Basic Local Service and drop the long distance carrier. I won't be able to make phone calls out of my local area... but I do have a cell phone... and I can just program calling cards into the home phones for those times when I'm charging the cell.
Internet: $49.99 - switching will save $34.00/mo
-I will happily go back to DSL for $15.99/mo. The FIOS isn't any faster then the low end DSL. When you call FIOS they say, oh it's your computer, oh it's the websites you are accessing... whatever, it's all about how it's NOT the FIOS lines. The bottom line is... the lines may be fiber optic coming to the house... but once it gets to the house it runs on regular cable lines. AND if it's not any faster than DSL... why am I paying almost $35.00 a month more? no reason.
TV: $50.00 - switching will save from 10.00 - 37.00
-If I switch to satelite I can get "basic" for about $39.99, which will save me about $10.00, and won't really change the channels available. If I stay with FIOS and switch to basic local channels... I go from $50.00/mo to $12.99/mo. I will not have anything, but local channels. Which means, I will have mostly inappropriate shows for children except for what they put on PBS. I think the impending new school year will be a good time to switch, because they will be busy at school, and doing homework. I personally only have time or the inclination to watch The Daily Show and Colbert Report... and although Stephen Colbert may disagree, it's just not worth the $37.00 a month to keep that love affair going.
Savings: $71.00 a month!

#2) Calling to return or replace defective products
-I recently purchased a dog collar to train my dog NOT to jump the fence. It was pretty expensive, about $130.00. It worked great, until the last time I had to replace the batteries and the battery housing broke. I called the mfg. support line thinking I would have to purchase a new housing if I ever got the batteries out of the main unit... and surprise surprise, they offered to send me a new unit, in exchange for the one that I have. They are sending me the unit FREE and I am returning the broken one. That's a HUGE savings! HUGE... because like I said, the collar was about $130.00... and I didn't see any parts available online.
Savings: $130.00 replacement cost

-I also purchased a iRobot last year... this is an old savings occurance, but along the same lines. A couple of weeks after I purchased my little vacuuming robot, one of the sweeper brooms broke, I called and they sent me 4 new sweeper brooms... which as it turns out is a consumable. That means, that they expect me to have to replace them occassionally, I guess they didn't expect me to have to replace them so soon. I checked online, and the sweeper replacement pack they sent is worth about $30.00
Savings: $30.00

#3)Miscellaneous Savings
-Some of you may know, most not... that I'm a software trainer. I have been working on getting into the Office 2007 tests to recertify my instructor status. I was set to take the tests a few weeks ago, but the exam location called to tell me that their testing computer is down. I haven't taken it. I went online to research what I needed to take to recertify... and the short story is... I was provided with 5 exam vouchers! The exams are about $100.00 each. That's $500.00 in savings... unless the testing center has an independant fee... I will now be able to take the tests for free!
Savings $500.00

I just can't seem to do.....Coupons
This is a much more traditional way of saving money then... asking. But I can never remember to bring coupons when I go somewhere and I usually don't find coupons for items that I am interested in purchasing.

So, I decided to take a look at my monthly bills to see if I could lighten the load.

The savings I realized from the exam vouchers is unusual, however, the savings for the dog training collar and the vacuum only took about 15 minutes each.

How many times have you purchased something... anything and it either broke quickly or suddenly... Coffee pots, that stop working. Chairs that don't last more than a month. Anything that is no longer useful and will have to be replaced... is worth calling about.

I once bought a kitchen set at ... Crazy Al's (or something like that) a small chain of discount furniture stores in Central Jersey. The furniture came with a 1 year warranty.. I suppose they weren't expecting my big fat pregnant 275lb body to be constantly plopping down on those chairs because one by one they went ... kaput. yes, they were cheap... but you bet your bottom dollar (no pun intended) that I called up and they had to send someone out to fix them!

I did learn my lesson about cheap furniture.. it's not worth it. Because after the warranty period, and even after I lost 100lbs... the chairs still continued to break. I would have actually saved money if I had purchased a better set. In the long run, I ended up purchasing a new kitchen set at a garage sale, which I then had to lug home. The combined purchases were probably the cost of a well built reputable brand new set.

Live and Learn

I'm writing this entry for those of you that think... well, I'll just go buy a new coffee pot, or vacuum or dust buster. Don't do it, without first calling the company. Many of our small household appliances come with life time gauranty's. Take advantage of it. Make the phone call, you will be pleasantly surprised that the mfg. will probably either offer to replace or repair your item.

I hope this helps!

EASY FOR YOU TO SAY.... TIPS FOR GETTING THE JOB

First let's get this straight, I'm not talking about getting a job at White Castle or your local 7-Eleven... I could be wrong, but I don't think they even interview for those positions... I think you fill out an application and get the job when a position is open.

So, I'm talking about the job you really want. The receptionist job that fits perfectly with your kids school schedule. I'm talking about the customer service job that is the first rung on a ladder in a company that has great benefits... I'm talking about the job where there is some competition for the position.

I'm also assuming that you have an excellent resume. It's doesn't have to be cramed with lots of stuff... by excellent, I mean that it is well written and professional looking. You know, it's not typed on a typewriter with typo's and white-out...

Here's the list of the 6 verbal blunders that could cost you the job:

1) Yeah - instead of yes
2) Axe - instead of ask
3) Youse - instead of you
4) Ain't - instead of isn't
5) Don't - instead of doesn't
6) Mines - instead of mine

Here's the thing. I have met some very smart young ladies that prefer to speak "cool" or "street" rather than properly. AND although I know that they are smart, as soon as they open their mouth they sound shockingly illiterate.

My mother used to tell me: You can talk like that when you are around your friends, not when you are around me.

While we are on the topic of Job Interviews... Here's some more advice:
During an interview you need to BE the person that you think the company wants to hire. The very least .... the absolute least you can do is, sound like a grown-up professional adult.

So during the interview, when the employer asks:

Do you own your own transportation?
Bad Answer:
"Well, ya see, my baby daddy has da car that's mines. He in the parking lot now waiting, see dat Lexus, ah huh. So, he drive me"
Good Answer:
"I don't own my own car, but I've made arrangements to get to work and I have several backup plans."

Why do you want to work for this company?
Bad Answer:
"I see here in the newspaper ad that you will pay up to $15/hr, I be needing that kind of money to go back to work, if you know what I mean"
Good Answer:
"I've looking for more than a job, I'm looking for a career. I've read some great things about this company and based on the job description believe that my skills and experience will be a good fit.

Why did you leave your last job?
Bad Answer:
"My last boss didn't like me"
Good Answer:
"There wasn't any potential for advancement in my last position"

What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Bad Answer:
"Well, I would say I have a tendency to drink too much.... HA HA HA HA HA OK, seriously
Strengths; I am very strong and my weaknesses? Well, most people always complain because I am late for everything"
Good Answer:
"Funny you should ask, I guess my weakness could also be considered my strength. I've been accused of being too organized. I like to have everything in it's place, I like to complete a task, you know, follow it through to make sure it's completed, then file all of the paperwork appropriately before I leave for the day"

FINALLY.... THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE INTERVIEW... and the part that most people don't take advantage of..... the part where they ask: Do you have any questions for me?

This is where you can shine and stand out above the rest. All you need to do is check out the company online, to get a little information and figure out some questions to ask. Here are some samples:

#1) Is this a new position or has someone recently left leaving this position available. (if they left, and the interviewer doesn't say why... then say: May I ask why they left?)

#2) How many employees work at this location?

#3) Who would I be working with?

#4) I noticed online that your company has several locations, is the position for this location?

IMPORTANT-- don't ask about salary or vacation or holidays. These questions can be asked when you are offered the job. AND if they ask you what you are expecting to earn... give them a range. something like, between 15 - 18/hr or 33 - 38K. There is no reason to bid against yourself. Unless you already know exactly how high they are willing to go... give them a range... and when you are offered the job, you can discuss the specifics.

SO... remember... speak proper english.
Sit up straight
BE A GROWN UP... Confident, Educated... and perfect for the job.

Good Luck

The Innocent by Harlan Coben - A Book Review

Yesterday I read "The Innocent" by Harlan Coben. It was an enjoyably fast read with a satisfying ending.

The main characters are likeable, smart and could be based on real people. The descriptions and actions are lively and the author seemed to assume that I was smart too, as he didn't frequently ask me to suspend my disbelief, for the stories sake.

The part I liked the most about this book is what the author didn't write. This story includes murder, strippers, prison and blackmail and although the author certainly wrote about these things, his detail was only enough to convey the sadness and desperation required to believe the actions of the characters. Yes, there are bad people who do bad things, but the details provided were just enough to understand the situation, because honestly, this isn't a story about murder, strippers, prison and blackmail, this is a story about people.

Like I said, I like the characters because they are smart. I didn't spend the whole book groaning over their poor choices. The author wouldn't let me. Just when I thought the character was making a mistake, the author gave me a glimpse into the characters thought process... I saw the doubt, the confusion, the guesses and finally I understood the WHY of each choice.
Sometimes sadly, sometimes righteously, sometimes shockingly... always believably.

The only thing I found slightly hard to swallow was brought to light at the very end of the book. --I won't go into it, at the risk of giving away the ending.

I would suggest this book to anyone from Morris, Essex, Bergen County, New Jersey, (you'll see why when you read it) and anyone that enjoys a satisfying read with a well developed plot and thinking characters.

The Whole -- Whole Foods Experience

Today, I woke up bright and early.

I arranged for my brother to watch my children

I was at The Whole Foods in Madison, NJ 2 minutes before the automatic door opened.



First Impression:

Whole Foods was tidy and great pains were taken to lay out the fresh produce in an appealing and easy to access manner. The aisles were divided down the middle by an Aisle that cut most of the store in half, this was handy, since it turns out that the aisles nearest the front of the store didn't have anything I would ever purchase. (well, not at Whole Foods anyway)



The Prices:

While I didn't think the prices were extravagant... they were higher than Trader Joes, but Much less than The Health Food Shoppe. Like I said, I didn't see any outrageous prices for the items I purchase regularly and there were a number of 2/5.00 price discounts. I was very very very pleasantly surprised that they were WELL STOCKED in all manner of gluten and wheat free products. From Cheese crackers (actually rice) to Frozen Pizza (as you know, a good frozen pizza is worth it's weight in gold!) And still.... I walked out with 8 bags of groceries and paid $300.00. AND I didn't purchase any meat. yup... that's right... Thankfully I live near Costco (smile)



I have to say this. I think The Whole Foods has gotten a bad rep... and the rep I heard... was bad.



Do you want to know what I heard?



I heard Whole Foods was over-priced and pretentious and that only the hoity toity or those aspiring to hoity toity-ness shopped at The Whole Foods.



Here's the low down.



#1) I got there when they opened on Saturday... The Real Hoity Toity... aren't up at 8:00am The people that were shopping that early (and there were about 3 people shopping that early) were busy shopping.



#2) 3 different whole foods employees asked if I need help finding something, it was pleasantly refreshing... These employees weren't "assigned" to me... or standing at a courtesy counter waiting for me to come up with a question... they were just walking by and saw me studying the shelves... and ... guess what... they thought they could help.



#3) The manager, I am guessing a manager because he opened the door at 8:00 and knew a bunch about some of the other locations... took the time to mention to me that the wine I was purchasing couldnt' be "bought" until 9:00, because in Madison on Saturday, that's the law. No liquor earlier than 9:00am... he went on to mention that some of the other Whole Foods are governed by the town in which they reside.



So you see... the rep... which had kept me from going to Whole Foods was decidedly undeserved... again, I must say... that I was grocery shopping at the "crack of dawn" for for most people.

My Love Affair with Office 2007 is OVER

Nothing
Nothing
NOTHING will end a love affair with a software package quicker then that application "Doin you wrong." And Office 2007 - the whole kit and kaboodle- done done me wrong friends.

One day I'm loving life, foot loose and fancy free.... Training clients on the new Office 2007 features, my excitement barely concealed as I display Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint on the big screen... Mousing over the Fluent User Interface (the ribbon) activating the Contextual Tabs, warning against common pitfalls and chiding users for not taking advantage of some of the features from previous versions.

and then

and then

it happened

my .docx imploded

I'm not sure how, but I left for work with 5 perfectly good documents saved to my harddrive, and returned that evening to find 4 of 5 corrupt and unopenable.

OH yes friends, I used the "open and repair" function... which caused me pause as it is so conveniently located on the "open" drop down in the Open Dialog box. (almost as if they knew that you would be needing this feature... and needing it often)

OH yes friends, I attempted to convert the file from .docx to .doc using an online conversion provider... sob..... it didn't work, I got a blank page

OH OH OH Friends... it is sad sad sad.... especially since the documents that I can not open.................................. are ........................................ the training handouts I use for the office 2007 training sessions that I am currently running.

Oh woe is me.... to be lulled into a false sense of security by this vagabond software, this willy nilly corrupting set of productivity applications.... NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will NOT go quietly into the night!

...sigh....

So..... sniff sniff........ first I'm going to recreate the training material.... sob... hiccup ... then I will write Bill Gates. WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Finding A New Pediatrician - It Ain't Easy

Seven years ago, I had my first daughter.

I asked my Ob-Gyn for suggests for a pediatrician, I asked my friends, neighbors and local relatives. It all seemed very simple. I met the Dr., in the hospital (as he was the head of pediatrics) and he checked in on me and my children after they were born..(and following two daughters) and life was great and easy.

Here's what I liked:
1) I knew if I called because a child was sick, the office would call back and fit me in that day.
2) I knew if I called to speak to the Dr., he would call me back
3) He had Saturday hours
4) If he was on vacation, he arranged for another Dr. to cover and his answering machine referred calls to the other on-call Dr.
5) He was friendly and the kids liked him.
6) He really knew the kids. He recognized them, he remembered things about them.

Here's what I didn't like:
1) He was constantly scheduling followup calls... I was in the Dr' s office... A LOT

Then we moved.
I spoke to several people and got several referrals, only one of the Dr.'s actually took our insurance. This particular Dr. was a referral from a nurse friend of mine, and I trusted her opinion and made the switch.

Here's what I like:
1) The kids like him
2) He takes the time to explain everything and speaks directly to the kids

Here's what I don't like:
1) If I call the office and leave a message on the voice mail, I have a 50/50 chance of getting a return call
2) They can not always fit my sick child in, on the day I call... on one occasion I waited 2 days
3) They are "on call" on Saturday, but do not have weekend office hours

So, I went a looking for a new Dr.

The Gauntlet.... My Three Questions - in the order they were asked.

#1) Do you take my insurance.
#2) Do you have weekend hours
#3) Can I set up an appointment to meet the Dr's before I have all of the information sent over.

First, I called the Dr's that I got from my new friends and neighbors... Not one took my insurance. (Which was interesting, because it's the insurance provided by the State of NJ to state employees... )

So, off I went to the Insurance Website.
Since the offices were right off the website, I was able to just confirm question number one. Now here is the shocker.

ALL of the offices I called (except 1) had no weekend hours. ALL. When I asked what we were supposed to do if our children get sick on the weekend, the receptionists said... "take them to the emergency room". what?

NOT ONE of the offices I called would set up a "meet and greet" appointment. Every single one said, since my girls had had their yearly physical and vaccinations, I could just collect their records, and wait until they get sick. ALL OF THEM! Not a single pediatricians office was willing to let to meet us before someone was sick.

Can you imagine?

These are children not cats. I mean... I practically got better service at the Vet when we got a new Dog.

Oh, I am frustrated

Dear Dr. Pediatrician whom I have never met.

Your office staff is rude and uncaring, which makes me think you are too.

I understand, how answering the phone; speaking to people with sick kids all day can be draining and tiring... and maybe not everyone is as much of an emergency as they think.... So, I can understand why your office staff may have bad days, but your staff treats me like I'm bothering them.
Your staff gives me the impression that you are too important and busy to worry about whether my kids and I will like you for a new Dr. AND have conveyed in no uncertain terms that you do not need us for patients and therefore we should just be glad you take our insurance.

I mean... HONESTLY, I can't tell you how many times in my quest for a new pediatrician I felt like I was inconveniencing the office staff. They definitely made me fell that they were very busy and more pressing matters to address... AND the physicians apparently are too busy to meet with me... AND on at least one occasion I was actually told, "We don't solicit new patients"

Solicit new patients? Again, I say.... THESE ARE NOT STRAY CATS. THESE ARE MY CHILDREN. One of which has a potentially life threatening illness (asthma) and you can't find 30 minutes where the Dr. can meet me, my kids take a look at them healthy so that he/she has a idea of what they look like, sound like when they are healthy?

Well, back to my search.

There was one pediatricians office that takes my insurance, that has Saturday hours and several Dr's so someone is always available. However, since my kids have all had their yearly physical... I have to wait until someone gets sick, then call for an appointment.

Can you believe that?

Look. I'm not asking for a Dr. or office staff that loves my children. All I would hope for is a group of people dedicated to helping me raise them healthy. It seems like common sense, that A) It would be nice if the kids were comfortable with the Dr. and staff .... and B) the Dr. had some idea of what they looked like and sounded like when they were healthy.

And so... I say... If you are moving to a new city, new town... Finding a brace yourself for the search for a new Pediatrician.

A Quest for Legitimate Home Business

Good Morning Everyone!

This morning I renewed my search (my ever on-going search) for profitable and affordable home businesses.

Not long ago, I posted a list of 10 businesses that were affordable and pretty good niche markets for the stay at home parent.

After about 5 hours of research I come up with the big one.

This is based on the number of successful franchises available... and my own personal experience.

This opportunity isn't for everyone... because basically, the world is split into three categories when it comes to this opportunity:

Those that can and like it
Those that can and hate it
Those that can't

That's why it's such a lucrative business.... conceivably 2/3rd's of the population will pay 1/3 of the population.... to do it!

It is clean.

That's right. While I sit and blog, in the back of my head I am thinking about the laundry, the unvacuumed floors, the untidy kitchen, the unmade beds, the NEVER SEEN A DUST RAG table tops, the cluttered kitchen table and coffee table, the messy toy area, the refrigerator, the counter tops... You name it... I need to address it.

But alas.... I fall into the second category. Those that can, but hate it. In fact, I would gladly work an extra 10 hours a week to afford to pay someone $100.00 every 2 weeks to come into my home for several hours and clean it up.

Years ago I knew a Slovakian woman who would come to my home and clean it. Here are the tips I learned from her to make it a lucrative business:

#1) Pricing:
Client commits to every 2 weeks - Figure about 4 hours for average house @ $25.00/hr
Client requests, 1 time clean up - Figure at least twice as much

-Here's what my Slovakian friend told me, if she comes every 2 weeks, the house remains cleaner and cleaner and eventually she spends only 3 - 4 hours in the house, but still makes the same amount of money.

If the house is a one time clean-up, it is probably very messy, and with no ongoing maintenance, she doesn't want to be called back once a month to spend a lot of time without getting paid for her time. She values her time at a minimum of $25.00.

She also explained that she always tries to convert one-time clean ups into bi-monthly clients.
She didn't advertise, she got ALL of her clients by word of mouth and towards that end, she ALWAYS did an exceptional job cleaning.

She NEVER brought her own supplies. She would use the home owners supplies and leave a list of items that needed to be replenished before the next visit.

She would leave a list of cleaning tools that needed to be purchased or replenished before the next visit

AND for her bi-monthly clients, once she gets the cleaning and clutter under control she always picks an extra project, like the refrigerator, the kids toy bin, the hall closet or office.

AND it's primarily a cash business.

Let's do the math together:

If you want to work part-time, while the kids are in school, you have approximately 6 hours available. That's easily 1 regular customer a day, and a random new or one time clean up customer.
5 Regular customers a week @ $100.00 a day is a weekly income of $500.00, for perhaps 20 hours of work.

If you could possibly eeek out another client on any given day, that's ... an additional $100.00

---------------------
How to start

The best way to get reliable consist work is... Word of Mouth.

Start with a neighbor or friend and let them know that you are starting a home cleaning business and tell them to let their neighbors know that if they want someone reliable, affordable and trustworthy to come in and clean... they can give you a call. I think you will be surprised at how many people... would like someone to come and help them out with the cleaning.

let me know what you think.

Office 2007 - Love It or Hate It

Today I am preparing for an Office 2007 presentation I will be giving tomorrow. In preparation I usually spend a couple of day surfing the net for pros and cons, to get a feel for what other people think. I noticed a lot of mixed feelings about Office 2007.

I love new techy things and I LOVE office 2007....now. Like most "power users" I didn't like how the change in format slowed down my productivity. However, now that I have used the 2007 version for over a year, I have learned to love it. It's pretty, it's effecient and quite frankly Microsoft Outlook and MS Word are business standards.

....sigh.... Do you remember Wordperfect 5.0.... Do you remember the little template for the top of your keyboard with the three levels of keyboard short cuts... Do you remember how good you were, you could "reveal codes", setup the document and print without pausing in your keystrokes.... and then came windows! Do you remember Word 3.0? Do you remember it on your resume? (chuckle chuckle)

Well, we've come a long way baby!

So, in my effort to try to understand the struggles with this newest version, I'd like your specific struggles with the latest version of Microsoft Productivity Software

Thanks

4 Things My Neighbors Do... that Irk me

I live in a nice little lake community. Not a Up-In-The-Mountains-Hot-Tube-Touting-Log-Cabin community... more of a Man-Made-Lake-with-summer-homes-converted-into-year-round-houses-next-to-a-major-highway-in-New-Jersey kind of Lake Community. So, I guess, besides having a lake, it's like any other neighborhood. The houses are pretty close together, and the kids can still play out in the street (with proper supervision and a smattering of "children at play" road signs thrown out there.

Living this close to your neighbors requires a certain amount of patience and .... what's the word I'm looking for.... hhhmmmm..... forbearance. Yes, that's the word I am looking for.

Forbearance: 1 : a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due

I am uniquely qualified to spy... I mean see, my neighbors. My house is on a corner lot with my house positioned on the side. Out my back deck I face 3 neighbors backyards and see 2 neighbors front yards (across the street). Here's my list:

#1) Neighbor across the street, built a dog run with dog house for his dog to reside in during the day while he is at work. It's a beagle and she's a barker. A constant, non stop barker. (I spoke to the neighbor and he explained that she keeps having "accidents" in the house so she has to stay outside while he is at work)

#2) Old lady across the street who can barely stand, shuffles herself and her decrepid dreadlocked maltese thingy-ma-bob over to my lawn for relief. The first couple of times I thought "well, she probably can't bend over to pick it up because she's just too old" after the seventh or eighth time she did it right in front of me... without even a "Hello Deary" I considered bagging the poop and leaving it on her front stoop. Yeah Yeah she is old... but here's the kicker, she has her own yard!

#3) Neighbor behind me rarely mows their lawn. By "rarely" I mean, they mowed their lawn 2 times last year. TWICE. AND I think one of those times they did it with a weed wacker... the whole lawn! They didn't mow the backyard once last year. This year, they hired someone to come in and do something and the outcome was that the yard was mowed... but that was months ago!

#4) There are a couple of houses across from each other that have kids that all play. These kids range from 2nd grade to 5th. They are like a swarm of mosquitos, hovering and flitting about, in the middle of the street. They aren't too bad when you walk by, they are actually quite nice... it's driving by that they turn into evil spawn. First of all, they stay in the middle of the road and ignore the fact that you are driving towards them. They don't move. They wait until you stop. They look at you... act surprised that a car is trying to drive down the road... then saunter... not walk, they actually reluctantly saunter out of the middle of the road and only provide JUST enough room for a car to go through. Next time... Next time... I'm getting out and I'm going to talk to their parents. (although the kids did come to my kids lemonade stand and spend all their quarters... so I might let them off with a warning)

The Health Shoppes - A Gluten Free Shopping Review

My avid readers are aware that my family is now on Day 6 of a gluten free diet. The elimination diet was prompted by my review of the long list of symptoms of gluten intolerance… matched against my 7 year olds, long list of complaints. AND so, the quest for palatable gluten free food commenced.

I’ve picked up many things at the Super Stop ‘n Shop, nothing at Pathmark and I haven’t tried Shoprite yet. Trader Joes, while an excellent experience, was a gluten free disappointment. Yesterday my kids and I went to a tiny whole in the wall The Health Shoppe, in my town and it was a veritable Gluten Free Bonanza!

However, I walked out of the store with three small grocery bags, and a bill of over $100.00!

But I go too fast…. Here’s the run down:

The Appearance: The store was in a strip mall, next to a Large Petco and Pathmark. I have been to this strip mall literally hundreds of times, there is a McDonalds, a Dollar Store, and a Stone Cold Creamery place… but I never noticed The Health Shoppe. In fact, I had to call and ask where they were located and was pleasantly surprised they were so close and convenient.

The inside of the store resembled a standard vitamin shop. Nothing fancy. Again, it was small, and I thought I would be disappointed… again.

The Products This small store was laid out in theory like a large store. Everything in its own place and similar items together. Here’s where this store excelled. In each product group there was one or more items specifically labeled “Gluten Free”. I picked up pasta sauce and very light brown rice spaghetti noodles. I picked up some chicklet like candies. I found… frozen pizza with whole milk mozzarella, I found fudgesicles, I found cookies, more pretzels, chocolate bars with rice crispies, and chocolate bar with almonds. I found a frozen Mac N Cheese dinner.

Honestly, this tiny store was packed with great food, but the amazing and more monumental discovery, was the frozen pizza. TINY 6 inch pie… that tasted GREAT! The kids loved it. AND I was hoping they would since it was $8.00 a pie!

The Employee There was a single waif like 30 something man behind the counter. He offered no help. He offered no comment. In fact, he was less than helpful when my 4 year old announced she had to go potty and I asked about facilities, he sent me over to Pathmark. OH yeah, I forgot…. When I was checking out, he actually “harrumphed” his disapproval of my purchase of the soy chocolate pudding treats and candy bars (at first I thought he had Tourette’s, but I checked him out… no twitching). Fortunately the store is small enough to never have to ask the attendant to step down from his elevated cashiers position.

The Patron Just us. One 43 year old mom, with a 4, 5, and 7 year old in tow. We spent a bit of time there, (as we had to walk to pathmark for the potty) and not even any walk by traffic.

The Prices This store was HUGELY expensive. It seemed like nothing was under $5.00! It was the only place, so far, that I have found the frozen pizza, so I may just use this store for Pizza Fridays! Everything else, I have found in a combination of all the other stores I visit. Trader Joes has a great gluten free spaghetti sauce, and Super Stop N Shop has everything else.

Overall Impression I was originally overjoyed to find so many gluten free items in one spot, until I got to the register and had to pay. The Store, The Employee, The Prices all make me feel like I don’t want to go back. But go back I will… because they are the only ones that carry the frozen pizza. I can’t help but think that a little makeover might bring some more customers… From the outside it looks like a 5 and Dime or a vitamin shop, not a little mini grocery store.

I’ve been informed that there is a larger The Health Shoppe in a neighboring town. I may stop in to see if there is a huge difference, or… if they have a larger variety of gluten free pizza.

I hope you are enjoying my quest for the perfect gluten free shopping experience!

Me and Trader Joes - A Gluten Free Shopping Review

Recently I started my family on a Gluten Free Diet. My 7 year old has several health issues that may be attributed to an intolerance to gluten, so to determine whether that is the case, I have implemented a 3 week elimination diet. That's 3 weeks gluten free.

But I digress, ... so, my usual grocery stomping grounds consist of ShopRite, Pathmark & Super Stop N Shop. I suppose I should say this right up front. I'm not a lover of food... I'm an eater of food. I enjoy a good meal, but I could eat pizza every day of the week and be happy. My kids have a couple of favorites and only the older 2 are even willing to eat something new... and only the oldest will eat a new green item without a battle. (My kids are 4, 5, & 7)

In my quest for easy to prepare clearly labeled Gluten Free items.... I headed over to our local Trader Joes.

Now, most of you know... if I don't have to go into the office... I'm not getting into the shower. On a good day, that's nothing a clean pair of cut-offs and NY Yankees cap can't fix. Today was no different. I was sans children as I picked the day their father had visitation for my first foray, to aisles of TJ's (as it is known to the locals).

The Appearance: My first impression was good. It was clean and well laid out. It had a wood floor, while I don't know it if was recycled wood, it certainly looks like it was salvaged from an old barn or ship. The products appeared to ALL have hand drawn labels. Like a high school art major gone wild with markers! Circling, swirling, lots of colors... big handwritten easy to read letters. (My 43 year old lazy brain thought, "I wonder if I can get that font for my computer")

The Products: At a glance, EVERYTHING appears to be organic. I only found the following items specifically labeled gluten free: 5 cheese spaghetti sauce, brown rice spaghetti noodles, 1 loaf of really hard bread, (this I didn't buy), granola, Many Many Chips and Snacky things.

The one thing I wanted. pizza. not there.

The Employees: Very very nice. The check out counter is also wood. The check out person is nice and chatty. AND when I say chatty, I don't mean chatting with the person bagging about the party they went to, or about getting their 4 inch long nails done... they chatted with me. They looked me in the eye. They smiled. The check out was a real human experience. nice.

The Patrons: Now, first let me say, I looked like I totally fit in. I supposed if someone had looked closer they would have noticed that I was wearing the Walmart version of crocs and that I had cut-off my own jeans and the distressed look was authentic, in that I had distressed my jeans over the course of the 10 years I had owned them! AND, I got the impression that the people with children were on a game show called, "Look what a good parent I am" Each contestant was challenged to elevate their preschoolers vocabulary to college level in 10 minutes. (ok, that was a little harsh, but you know what I mean) for all that, the people were
nice.

The Prices: I purchased about 4 bags of chips, spaghetti sauce and noodles, 3 boxes of frozen waffles, granola, (I think that's it) and it came to $28.00. Not too bad. All of the items were organic and gluten-free. I later found that the pricing for the items is around the same as the Super Stop N Shop (although I couldn't find gluten free spaghetti sauce at the stop n shop)

Overall Impression: I like the store, but I didn't find much I needed. I was disappointed by the lack of gluten free items. There were a few... but not many. (I later found that almost all of the items I found at Trader Joe's were also available at my Super Stop N Shop)

AND, Although the employees certainly didn't make me feel strange, the other patrons all seemed to be in the same "club". Perhaps it was my insecurities... my own love for the prepackaged meal... but I felt like an impostor.

Conclusion: If you are looking for a great selection of wholesome, organic food and intelligent and friendly service... Trader Joe's is an great and pretty inexpensive solution.

If you are looking for gluten free, not so much.

The Negative Power of Complaining

Several days a week I go into an office to work. Like most offices it is compiled of people that would never have voluntarily chosen to spend 8 hours a day together. I find that surviving in an office is a lot like driving on a New Jersey Highway. You just need to take a deep breath and don't let the other drivers get to you.

Just like the highway, there are people who insist on "teaching" you how to drive, they believe themselves to be excellent drivers and therefore make every effort to teach you by example... right down to making sure you can't pass them so you will be able to "learn" longer. (In the office this is similar to the person that feels they must walk you through your job, even though you have been doing it for years, they still feel the need to tell you what screens to go to in the software and what codes to use to access the information.)

Just like the highway, there are people driving slow in the fast lane... they seem placed there specifically to slow you down. (This is the person that reviews your urgent proposal for 4 days and then takes another 3 days to toggle between two different closings... Very truly yours, or Sincerely)

And Just like the highway, there are those people sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, that insist on beeping their horn, as if the 4 mile backup is due to someone "not going". (In the office this translates to the person that always complains and mostly about things that they have absolutely no control over)

This is the person I want to speak to today.

Stop it!

You complain after you return from a client site about; how far you had to drive, how dumb the client is, how cheap the client is, how difficult the project is... If you can't complain about the client, then you complain about; your girlfriend, your health, your parents dog! PLEASE.

You are like a great big bummer cloud, sucking the pleasure out of the air and raining down discontent.

I'm sure you don't believe this... but if you changed your negative ways, you would be much happier too.

If you have the urge to complain, stop.

If you must speak, make a positive comment about something good that happened today.

Go ahead try it

I'm waiting.

Hmmmmm not so easy right.

Is it because you think no one will care about... the great tune you heard on the radio this morning, or the fantastic sleep you had last night?

Is that is?

Honestly, if no one cares about the good stuff.... what makes you think we care about all of the things you are constantly complaining about?

PLEASE try.

Please try to be the person that comes in like the golden rays of the sun warming everyone with their positive glow and humor.... instead of the big bummer cloud!

I beg of you, on behalf of your co-workers....
If you have to talk...
and we have to listen -- We would prefer to hear about the cute thing that the little chipmunk did on your deck to taunt your dog this morning .... rather than... the lady at the Dunkin Donuts who apparently dedicated her morning to making yours more difficult, by not understanding your order the first time you interrupted your blackberry text-fest to give it to her.

In closing, you bring us down. And although secretly I'm hoping your don't read this post, because I have won the last 4 out of 5 "What-will-he-come-in-complaining-about-today" pools. I still have to think that although I won't be richer, I will be a little happier.

10 Things I Didn't Know About Mono

Today I bring my 7 year old back to the Dr. for a blood test to rule out Mono. Yup, she's sick. Of course with the prospect of a blood test coming this morning... she says she feels "Much Better!" HA HA

Here's the list. I hope it helps!

10 things I didn’t know about Mono
1. Mono is caused by the Epstein –Bar Virus (“EBV”)which is a member of the herpesvirus family
2. By Adulthood most people have anti-bodies directed against EBV
3. Healthy people without symptoms secrete the EBV in their saliva FOR YEARS due to periodic “reactivations” of the viral infection
4. It is believed that these previously infected but currently healthy people are the primary reservoir for transmission of EBV among humans
5. The incubation period is – up to 6 weeks!
6. People who have NEVER “had” mono-- but were exposed and therefore have the virus in their system as well as the anti-bodies -- can still be carriers and spew virus particles in their saliva during reactivations THROUGH OUT THEIR LIFETIME.
7. In addition to fatigue, headache, fever, soar throat, swollen glands and enlarged spleen, Hepatitis, Jaundice and a rash are symptoms.
8. The EBV virus can live for several hours outside the body and is very contagious
9. First identified in 1889 and called “glandular fever” it went through a series of renames and discoveries and eventually in 1964 was discovered to be a member of the Epstein Bar Virus
10. The big worry is rupture the spleen, so children and young adults are not allowed to participate in vigorous activities or contact sports (including rough housing with brothers and sisters)

Well that’s the list.

Mononucleosis diagnosis is based on a persons age, symptoms and a physical exam. A diagnosis of mononucleosis is made from laboratory tests including:
· Atypical lymphocytes - a type of white blood cell, in the blood. In mononucleosis, these atypical lymphocytes make up more than 10% of total lymphocytes.
· Increased total white blood cell count
· Antibody tests like the mono spot test.
· Additional Epstein Barr antibody tests

WORKING FROM HOME WITH A SICK CHILD

Every parent has at some time or another had to make the decision of whether to go to work or stay home with a sick child.

This my friends, is where the benefit of being a work-from-home mom comes in.

This, my dear readers, is WHY you decided to work from home. (ok that and because the cost of child care was so prohibitive that every penny was going to "The Local Learning Academy" and none towards groceries)

Yesterday my 7 year old had 102.8 fever, I should have known something was brewing when she decided to take a nap. Eventually we got her fever down and she slept through the night. This morning she has a low grade fever but reports a "pukey" tummy and ear ache.

By tomorrow my other 2 youngster will probably bed ridden.

The Bad News: Three girls = Whine fest 2008
The Good News: I'm home.

If you are a work-from-home parent, you are probably aware of the one limitation of working from home AND watching the kids.

NO PHONE CALLS

The phone is a magnet or monumental proportions. They could all be in the living room putting together puzzles, playing with dolls, or the Little Tikes Kitchen... but as soon as the phone rings or you dial out.... All three of them PLUS THE DOG, will be tugging at your shirt for attention, repeating "mommy mommy mommy" or perhaps requesting a snack over and over again.

You can't even take the phone out into the back yard... because they will find you.

or worse.... the baby will suddenly and inexplicably wake up from his/her nap and start wailing! If you are a new mother, you know what that does... if you are a stay at home father... (sorry guys, but your not known for your multi-tasking abilities) you may even hang up on your caller just to go to the baby.

NO.... You must be aware of this limitation.

If you are working from home and you have younger children. You must NOT perform any phone work. If you can't NOT use the phone for your job, you may want to consider calling in reinforcements. Someone to sit with the kids while you make your calls.

Hope that helps.

Is Gluten Free the New Black?

Everyone seems to be coming up with Gluten Allergies... or should I say, Intolerance.

I was interested in finding out if being Gluten-Free was really a necessary evil or if it was just the latest and most fashionable eating trend... like South Beach, Atkins and the Cabbage Soup Diet. (What? You've never heard of the cabbage soup diet, my friend Diane swears by it. smile)

Let me tell you why I even googled the words, Gluten-Free.

My 7 year old. From 3 months on, she was a chubby baby. She is was always hungry. She still is. She also has asthma, which wasn't called asthma until she was 5 years old, prior to that the pediatrician and allergy/immunologists said "well, could be asthma, could be allergies, it's treated the same way". Turns out she has some allergies (i.e. Cats, Dust, Weeds, Trees, cockroaches) and she also has asthma. Her excema appeared sometime around 3 years old, I think, but she has had dermatitis (which is just basically a blanket name for itchy skin, not as bad as excema or sporiasis... but persistently itchy), since she was a toddler. Couple of other things to note: She frequently has a tummy ache after eating and rotates from having both spectrums of "problems" .... going number 2. She frequently complains of being to tired to walk, or play outside. Over the last 2 years she has complained about her feet and knees hurting.

Let's see, what else..... hhhmmmmm...... Ah Yes, always a prolific puker. Never had a problem "spitting up" as a baby, only ever started puking when she started eating real food.

Now.... in retrospect, that all fits with what I am reading about an intolerance to gluten.

Well, first let me tell you... there is a big difference between a gluten or wheat allergy and something called Coeliac Disease. The Coeliace disease is hereditary and eating wheat destroys the lining of the small intestines, so the nutrients aren't absorbed correctly.

For more comparison between the two, read this article: http://www.gluten.net/downloads/print/glutenintoleranceflat.pdf

Here's the run down of the symptoms:
Allergic reactions to wheat (IgE-antibody mediated) usually begins within minutes or a few hours after eating or inhaling wheat. The more common symptoms involve the skin (urticaria [hives], eczema, angioedema [swelling due to allergy]), the gastrointestinal tract (abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, oral allergy syndrome) and the respiratory tract (asthma or allergic rhinitis). In association with exercise, reactions to gliadin or gluten can cause urticaria, angioedema or life-threatening anaphylaxis. As these proteins are present in other cereals, these symptoms may also occur in wheat-allergic individuals due to cross-reactivity.

Anyway, back to what I was saying... Turns out, when I google Gluten-Free and there are more grocery stores, online malls, books, products, software and more than the iPhone 3G! Here's the thing... with all of the information there was one clear theme.... whether it's a wheat "allergy", gluten intolerance, or Coeliac... the bottom line is, avoiding gluten or wheat products (see the above list) is the only "cure". Because there is no cure.

So, since I can't afford a nutrionalist, I am going to go gluten free for 3 weeks. (not just me... me and my three kids) I am fortunate that I live by a Trader Joe's AND a Whole Foods. It's going to be expensive, but the rewards... if this turns out to the be the problem... will be priceless.

I am going to document each day and record what we eat (see http://my3glutenfree.blogspot.com/ ) and I will also document my 7 year olds progress with her asthma, weight, energy level and all that other stuff. Wish us luck!

If you are unable to access the blog, feel free to contact me at momblogger@rocketmail.com and I will add you to the list of authorized viewers.

P.S. In case you were wondering, here's the list of things you need to watch for in the ingredients to make sure it's gluten free:

the presence of wheat proteins
Bread crumbs
Bran Cereal
extract Couscous
Cracker meal
Enriched flour
Gluten
High-gluten flour
high-protein flour
Semolina
wheat
Vital gluten
Wheat bran
wheat germ
wheat gluten
wheat malt
wheat starch
Whole wheat flour
Gelatinized starch
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Modified food starch
modified starch
Natural flavoring
Soy sauce
Starch
Vegetable gum
vegetable starch

I think about covers it.