well, my parents are getting a divorce because my dad doesn’t want me or my mom there, my sister is in residential for trying to kill herself so she is away and safe until she gets out. we live in Connecticut. my mom has diabetes and stomach problems, back problems and leg problems. she has so many health problems and cant get a job because of them her doctor hasn’t gave her the okay to work and she cant stand long cause of her knee and back she had surgery so she cant work. me and my mom have to move out of my dads house and have no money and im 16 and cant find a job. she doesn’t wanna go to a shelter, but i don’t care if we need to then were going cause we need somewhere. where can we go, we have no family with extra room, my mom is on the verge of killing herself cause she doesn’t know what to do, i told her im leaving weather she is or not so now she feels like she lost both her daughters. we need a place to stay that well provide food and help us out. what can we do? my dad mentally abuses me and her, he is always degrading my mom, making her feel like everything is her fault cause he is the only one working, she cant help it. but because he tells her so Much and just makes her feel worthless she believes it. what can we do i love my mom so much and i need her. she cant kill herself i’d have nothing. i even tried it cause im getting tired of the way my dad treats us, and social services is closed till tomorrow. and my mom is a dumb fuckk and doesnt wanna go to a shelter, when that our only option
and its summer so im not in school, so i cant talk to a councilor or anything.

A loan officer is advising me to state that I’ve got undocumented income when applying for an Acorn loan if I want to qualify for a higher purchase price. She’s saying that only Acorn and BofA will know about it. Has anyone experienced this? Are there any negative consequences? I really don’t want to get in legal trouble or have to pay taxes on money that doesn’t exist.

We’re applying with only my husband’s income because I’ve been off work for a few years since I injured my knee. I plan on returning to work, at least part time, once we move. Even without me working, we’ll barely be able to make the payments that we’re considering.

This just seems so shady. Qualifying for an extra ,000 by stating we’ve got undocumented income (that we don’t have) is a huge difference in neighborhoods though. Without it, we’ll be looking at an area where the houses have all their windows and doors boarded up. It looks like a hurricane is about to hit central California.

HELP!

Thanks.
BTW, we’re going to get a 30 year fixed loan, so we’re not complete idiots falling into a predatory lending trap. Also we can afford the payments on our current income, just not by much. Ramen noodles will be on our menu frequently until I get a job.

My husband is getting transferred and I’ve got to wait until after the move to get the job because it’s a 4 hour drive round trip from where we live now. I’ve got an AA though and we’ll be close to or in a big city, so I’m sure I’ll be able to find something to help make ends meet.

But, wow, fraud, illegal. Those are serious words. If we do it, we’d better make sure we don’t foreclose I guess. It’s so tempting, but seems SO wrong for many reasons, except for our safety and that a really BAD neighborhood seems like not such a wise investment.

Before I ask this I have to say first off that I still do truly feel for the people of Haiti and what they have gone through and are still going through.

However I do have to say that I am a little perturbed by the fact that the current Haitian relief efforts are the largest since 9-11, and I say this because of Hurricane Katrina.

How and why is it that we as Americans are sending more help and supplies to a third world country then we sent to our own people?

We could not even pull together and get things right in the side of the U.S. after Karina, yet we were in Haiti 2 days after the quake with almost double the supplies that we first sent to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. I really have to say that, that does not look good on us at all.

We have sent mass supplies and aid to Haiti, and we sent a bunch of "trailers" to Louisiana that we’re useless because of where they were put.

Is America really so backwards that we care more about sending others help, then helping out our own kind?

Women in Louisiana were standing in the streets a WEEK after the storm crying while holding infants saying their babies hadn’t been feed for 2-3 days and hadn’t been changed either, because no one had sent them formula or diapers. However a week after the quake in Haiti we were loading airplanes with orphans and families and bringing them to the states.

I really feel for Haiti, but on the same note it makes me sick to think that we have already sent over a billion dollars in money and goods to Haiti, but after Katrina, housing companies used our southern states as a big ass tax write off AND NEVER EVEN BUILT THE HOMES.

My husband and I broke our lease exactly a year ago. We got someone to move into our apartment a week after we left so they cannot get us for any unpaid rent left on the lease I know that much. But they tried to get money from us at first…then nothing for a year and we got another letter today. Saying they still want 1800$ and blah blah

We were in that apartment for over 3 years of course carpet will need to be replaced. Everything should be covered by the deposit they got from us at the beginning. So what could really add up to 1800$

There was mold near windows because of hurricane damage they just painted over.

That is about it.

Are they just going to keep with the letters and slightly ruin our credit or are they really really going to take us to court? How long will this last? We have already been in another apartment for a year and pay rent on time can we use a letter from our current landlord for reference if we move later on in life and need another apartment?

Thanks
we just send a letter back to the collection agency asking for an itemized bill ?
TEXAS is the state I am in

***Questions at bottom of Additional Information***

I was watching the news about the HORRORS happening across the world from me and I keep hearing people say REALLY stupid things like “It’s no surprise that the US Supplies are being stolen… Just look at what Bush did after Hurricane Katrina.” And it made me think about the bias in the news coverage when it came to Katrina.

I’m MIDDLE GROUND in everything so I don’t have the wool over my eyes when it comes from EITHER side of the nut-job spectrum so when I watched the difference in reporting, I was SHOCKED at how both sides were manipulating the disaster to further their own aims.

The BIGGEST thing I noticed was how CNN and the Leftie nut-job side referred to EVERYONE as a “Victim” while Fox News and the Rightie nut-job side and the non-biased referred to them as “Survivors” and it REALLY hit home.
If you label someone as a “Victim” then they take on a pathetic, beaten down, “I can’t help myself” air while a “Survivor” is someone that has SURVIVED THE WORST & is ready to help their fellow survivors & rebuild!

A “Victim” is weak & needs others to support them…
A “Survivor” is STRONG & willing to accept help but is working just as hard as the helpers!

I remember watching the interviews on the various news stations & it was shocking how they picked through the people to find the specific “Type” of person to interview to specifically further their own political aims.

I remember an interview with an Asian family & when the reporter kept calling them “Victims” they actually stopped her & said “We are not victims. We survived & we will rebuild.” & 6 months later I saw a 60 min’s story on how they flipped off the world & didn’t retreat.
The whole community stayed & pooled their money & resources & strengths & they had almost finished rebuilding the houses & repairing the streets while a few miles away, the houses were still mold covered & the people THERE were doing nothing but b*tching about George Bush & how they had yet to get their FIMA Debit Cards.

Everyone I asked about these details went STRAIGHT DOWN PARTY LINES! The Republicans said “They are Survivors” & the Democrats said “They are just victims, unable to help themselves.” While us Middle-Grounds could stand back & see the distinctions & the shades of grey.

***QUESTIONS***
Does anyone else understand the manipulation tactics of their own political party?

Why is it that only about 1% of the population of the US is even ABLE to see the blatant propaganda & manipulation tactics?

What is your opinion on this?
p.s. I see this type of manipulation EACH AND EVERY TIME I turn on the news, but with H.K. it was so obvious that it is the easiest thing to use as an example.

"Normal" news days can be ignored or it is so small that you need to research what REALLY happened to realize the way you have been manipulated, but with H.K. it was so obvious that I could almost see the "Thought Bubbles" over the heads of the reporters saying "Believe US and not THEM!"

I am considering staying at the Barceló Maya Colonial and Tropical Beach on the Riviera Maya (an all inclusive resort), but my window of time to travel is from September 1st till October 31st.

My questions are:

1. This is a fairly new resort and I am having trouble finding any reviews by other people who have stayed there. Has anyone been there? Is it nice and worth the money? If you haven’t been there, do you know of any really good review websites?

2. Is the time frame that is available (September and October) hurricane season? What kind of weather can I expect from this area of the world at this time of year?

I was in Hurricane Ike and had to use all my rent money for supplies to survive on things such as "water, gas, propane, candles, food,and what Notus for my family. my rent was due the 15 now he is throwing me out can he legally do this??????? Please help..

Katrina or Charley anymore. Katrina destroyed d@mn near 2 whole states, killed thousands of people. Charley destroyed 3 Florida counties, killed about 40 people, some of whom died from complications and aftermath of the storm. Ike was what, a cat. 2 at most?? Charley and Katrina were cat. 5’s!!! I was here for Charley. It destroyed my whole city, my school, it destroyed my house, I’m still making repairs after 4 years… 6 months after Charley hit, my father died, now i’m the only person to make repairs on my home, and my grandmothers house! Katrina did so much more damage that ike and charley, but compared to katrina and charley, ike was nothing, and those morons in houston want to b*tch about a few broken windows in a stupid building! God, count your blessings you selfish morons. At least your buildings are still standing, unlike the rest of ours.

Sorry, I do not mean to offend anyone, I just really needed to vent, and am hoping that some will understand what I mean.
Every hurricane is not the same. And there is no possible way that ike is anywhere near the damage that Katrina wrought.
And that is true, most of that money was wasted. My alma mater wont have a real building until at least 2012, and Charley hit in 2004. But they got the football field done in 6 months. Oh, and all those pretty lampposts along the bridge.
PG, on the river.
9/11 is an entirely different subject. No one ever talks about that either anymore though, you do have a great point. Why dont we ever talk about it anymore? Out of sight, out of mind. Just like the natural disasters. And, we had an hours notice at most when charley hit, because it was supposed to be about 120 miles north of us. We didnt have much of a choice of leaving or staying.

VIDEO: Tornado Caught on Tape in Loves Park, IL

VIDEO: Tornado Room 4pm 11/11/2010

This is my prediction of the upcoming Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao VS “The Tijuana Tornado” Antonio Margarito fight on Nov 13th in Dallas TX @ the Cowboys Stadium. Pls Comment, Rate, Subscribe….and EXPLAIN your prediction…And this fight is NOT for a title regardless of what the sactioning body says….I’m done with that catchweight stuff….if the scheduled weight is not 154lbs…..then you can’t be a Jr Middleweight Titlist

I haven’t had power at home since Sunday (Hurricane Ike caused a wind storm). My meager stock of frozen breast milk had to be thawed out and used. I couldn’t pump at home (no power) and only at work. When I had power, I had been pumping about 8-10oz. every day at work and pumping more at night to make the 12-16 oz. my 7 week old is eating while I’m at work. I was using a Medela DoublEase pump that isn’t that great on suction. It would take me a long time to get that much. This week, I am only getting 5-7 oz. at work and none at home because of no power. Yesterday, I switched pumps. A friend let me borrow a Medela InStyle Advanced (I have all my own tubing). It has a battery pack attachment so I could pump at home. I only got 10 oz. yesterday with the new pump (including pumping at home). It is more powerful, so I thought I would get more milk. But I am getting the same amount of milk, just in a shorter time period. Could it be that the pump is too strong and I’m not used to it?

Some factors that add to this: I haven’t been eating well (not enough and fast food basically) because I can’t cook or store food and I am stressed out because I have no power and we don’t know when it will be back on! Plus, my fiance has to have another surgery and I am super stressed about that and money! So this doesn’t help my milk supply either.

Bottom line, everything is used up except for what I pumped today and that is only 8 oz.!!! Yesterday and the day before, she ate 16 oz. while I was gone!

So now what? I guess I have to give her formula? I have no other choice, really. I have a few cans of powder that I got for free as samples, so I can use that. I really don’t want to though. But oh well, she’s got to eat.
Should I mix it with the milk I have?

How can I get my supply back on track? How can I more easily trigger let-down (I feel like I have more, I just can’t get to it. Even when I nurse her and pump with the other, I hardly get anything. I have tried looking at pictures, smelling her clothes, hearing her on the phone, nothing.).
I am picking up some fengereek tonight.

I am really upset about this. Can anyone answer any of my questions or give me some advice? I don’t know when my power will be back on and I am going a little crazy from that anyway. Please help in any way you can!
I’m at work right now using the internet in case anyone is wondering. I have to leave in 30 minutes so I anxiously await any advice. If not, I will get it tomorrow I guess! Thanks!!!
You gals are great! I am eating some oatmeal right now! (I had a packet in my drawer at work)
I drink a lot of water, but I have been forgetting to take my prenatal vitamins because of all the power outage mess has messed up my routine! I leave at 8pm and the vitamin store closes at 9, so I am getting some fengureek tonight.
I WILL get her back on exclusive breastmilk.
Oh, and I do nurse her when I am at home. She only gets a bottle of expressed milk when I am at work

My finance and I are getting married September 26th, and are planning a cruise to the bahamas for 7 days, I am aware this is during hurricane season. If I purchase the cruise ahead of time, and there is some risk of a hurricane, etc, will I get a refund? I heard from someone if there was a hurricane that you would lose your money, is this true?

1: Economics is the study of:
the use of alternative resources which have multiple uses.
the use of available resources which have multiple uses.
the use of scarce resources which have alternative uses.
the use of scare resources which have very few uses.

2: Which of the following is not an alternative use of water?
producing ice
producing steam
powering a hydroelectric plant
producing a hurricane

3: Scarcity is defined as:
not having sufficient resources to fulfill unlimited subjective wants.
not having sufficient resources to fulfill limited subjective wants.
having sufficient resources to fulfill unlimited subjective wants.
having sufficient resources to fulfill limited subjective wants.

4: Seldom, if ever, is there a fixed quantity demanded. Likewise, there is no fixed _____.
cost
supply
demand
equilibrium

5: _______ is the direct exchange of goods or services without the use of money.
barter
consumerism
economy
retail

6: ______ were once the most common forms of money.
half-dollars
rice and grain
gold and silver
U.S. dollars

7: Which of the following is not one of money’s main uses?
medium of exchange
unit of account
measure of worth
store of wealth

8: Which of the following is not directly affected by the quantity of money in a country?
the level of prices
the quality of service
the rate of economic growth
the amount of employment

well why did Cindy McCain say its time to take off are republican Hats and put on are American Hats and donate to all these charities to help with the Relief of the Hurricanes.

but in other countries he US sends Medical Supplies, food, water, troops. how come they need are money? 10 billion in Irarq a month.
they help other countries, but we have to help our own country.

America is at war - For a reason. Even though you might not understand why.
He Vetoed the bill to pull the troops out of Iraq - Read the full bill, that was only a small part of it. The Bill was actually to FUND the troops.
Gas prices are high - Yes and it sucks big time, but again, not Bushs fault, blame supply, demand and the gas companies..
The whole Hurricane Katrina Incident - The PROCESS was slow and the leaders in Louisiana are as much at fault. Bush CANNOT order troops into a state. If he had you would be saying he was "Invading" them.
He uses scare tactics such as "terror attacks and threats" to gain control of the American people - Yeah, look at his ratings. How much control does he have in YOUR life…
Our civil liberties have lessened - How?

Even with all the shit that went on during Clintons presidency, I was still able to coherantly focus the blame where it lay…
If all he cared about was "A Paycheck" and he has the connections he has, dont you think he could be making a whole lot of money NOT being President? He certainly wouldnt have has much vitriol thrown at him daily. I have a friend who is a Texas state trooper and while he was assigned to guard Bushs ranch, he said it was common for Bush or his wife to bring them a plate of BBQ while he was on duty (This was before Cindy Sheehan lost her mind and camped there)

Lets say that the government were to supply money to a Christian faith based relief effort to help victoms of a massive earth quake or hurricane. Wouldn’t that also require them to cough up money to Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, and even Sihk organizations? It seems like they would also need to supply money to atheist organizations for atheist billboards or bus ads.

Do you hold this same view?

It seems like a bunch of conservatives in the states want to pour money to churches to get votes from conservative Christians.

We are getting two horses and have the electric fence up. But… the lean-too is delayed. So, the horses will have to go without shelter for about two months. There are no big trees around, but we do have a lot of thick trees and brush by the fence. We don’t live in the really hot weather area, but we also don’t live in the really cold area either. Since it is april it is getting warmer. So, my question is, can they go without shelter from a lean-too for two months.

P.S. They will have coats on if it gets cold, ect…

Thanks! Any other options are good too as long as it doesn’t include a lot of money. We can’t do any thing else.
No stupid answers please.
Thanks!
EDIT: The horses we are looking at are out in the day and around 3pm they go in a stall. We are worried about them freaking out at night. The trees are kind of far from the fence line and doesn’t provide that much shelter. Please tell me your advice.

I have an amazing picture of a Tornado at sea in Dubrovnik Croatia and I would like to share it with everyone,,,,,Also i would like to make some money. What should I do?

I live in Florida and we are supposed to be getting ready for a bad hurricane season. We usually get everything we need, but are on a tight budget this year. I’m sure we will manage to get whatever we need, little by little, but it got me to thinking……What about the people who just don’t have the money? Have you ever seen the supply list?
Are all of you ready if a hurricane or any other major storm hits your area?

Our "friend", proclaimed handyman, really got us for home improvements costs. During his work, he asked for ,500. which (duh) I gave him by check written out "cash" w/comments on the bottom "home improvement." I paid for all supplies. Long story short, 75% of work is not finished. He tried to put a sprinkler system in our yard, but had no clue. Our screens on back porch are now in place, but he never finished cutting them properly. We live in FL & Hurricane Katrina did a bit of damage. We paid for a pressure cleaner which he used 1st for his own home & charged us for the rental & /hr. to shoot a bit around our home. Twice he used a snake to unclog, but Draino works. He presented me w/a bill & I could not read it. All scribbles, but thinking he was a good friend of my husband, I wrote him a ,500 check. Later we argued about the unfinished work & I fired him. Can I get any money back? Would appreciate any advice or experiences. TY — Patti H

My friends are needing a small building, about four feet tall, six feet long and four feet wide. It doesn’t have to be much, just enough to keep out the weather. I had an idea of sticking four pieces of river cane into the ground and simply wraping it with tarps. Have you got any better ideas? We don’t really have any money.
We have a lot of grass or other plants and stems, etc. to use, so it can be natural. I just don’t know how to thatch a roof, or I would’ve probably done it by now.

Many of our country’s "enemies" have offered help to us in wake of tragic events; most of their offers refused.

In Hurricane Katrina, Cuba was one of the first nations to respond and offered to send doctors, tons of medicinal supplies, and money. The US Government declined and told Cuba "no". Now say what you want about political differences but if help is offered immiediately it really doesn’t matter who it is coming from and you are declining the supplies offered to the people who need it.

Also in Hurricane Katrina assistance from France was at first rejected but we later on accepted their aid.

On 9/11 Mayor Guiliani would not accept a 1 million dollar donation from Saudi Arabia.

How do you feel about our government declining the aid of our "enemies". I use "enemies" in quotes because I don’t regard Cuba and France as threats to us. It is a way to mend relations with our nations; to work together in wake of tragedies. A step towards making progress during these wars.

What do we really need to survive: Air, water, food, shelter or protection from the weather, the sun and this planet that holds us all. The absence of any one of these, will mean the end our existence for sure. Without gold and money, nothing will physically happen to us. But what do you think will happen? Would the things that we do in our everyday life still make sense?

Now that he’s promised not to smoke in the White House. Will there have to be a permanent shelter, built using taxpayers money, added to the White House lawn for him to smoke in, in-climate weather?

Have you seen the "Lincoln Bedroom"? It pales in comparison to the "Obama Smoking Shed!"