http://www.funadvice.com/my/advice/skatemore en-us Pay bills skatemore Sat, 17 May 2008 06:35:44 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/tax_stimulus_checks 351179 Any religion is fine unless you force other people to believe as you do, kill those that refuse to 'convert' and use the religion to try to justify your actions as the only correct actions. People like having something to believe in, most don't like to believe that this life is it and that all the learning we do is for naught. It's nice to believe we go on in some form and that we make a difference. One issue with Christianity is that is gives you the feeling that you were 'born bad' with the whole original sin issue, and that someone else died for your sins. How sad that a new innocent baby is so bad when all they've done is dirty their diaper. Making people believe that they will burn in Hell is a good way to control the masses. skatemore Thu, 15 May 2008 06:25:02 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/what_do_you_think_of_christianity 349414 "An inconvenient truth' , Al Gore's movie is being shown in schools as a historical document when it's full of lies, untruths and scenes from the movie 'Day After Tomorrow'. I have issues with this. skatemore Wed, 14 May 2008 15:28:45 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/al_gore 348850 Roller skating - you lose weight by having fun and listening to great music while enjoying time with friends. skatemore Wed, 14 May 2008 15:25:33 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/your_favorite_sports 348847 The next she calls or you see her, you say " I'm sorry but we cannot be friends any longer. We are different and don't have anything in common." Then do not return her calls and don't talk about her to other people. skatemore Wed, 14 May 2008 15:21:57 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/not_being_friends 348845 Why is your user name skankyxb? Seems like you have personal issues about your own self confidence. Work on liking yourself and you won't worry about what others think so much. There will always be mean people and they are usually mean because they don't like themselves either. Tell them you are sorry they are having such a bad day and walk away smiling like you know something they don't. skatemore Wed, 14 May 2008 15:19:43 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/what_can_i_do_58790 348843 Sounds like he has no intention of being a serious parent. You already have one child to raise. There are plenty of couples that would love to adopt your baby that you are carrying and give him/her a wonderful home. The problem with abortion is you will carry a scar that never goes away for the rest of your life and wonder who they might have been. Think hard, think about alternatives and don't think that abortion is the only one. Try calling about some adoption resources, you might find there's a better way. But personally, I'd lose the loser boyfriend and find a man worthy of you as a mother and a wife. Not just someone to play house with. skatemore Wed, 14 May 2008 15:15:19 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/boyfriend_says_stress_a_baby_might 348835 I just wonder if everyone in the US thinks 9/11 was a one time fluke and that it won't happen again. The naivete of the American people to think we are somehow better protected against attacks like that now compared to then? I'd rather not fight a war on our land and make no mistake, it will come to our shores if we don't keep trying to stop the spread of islamic extremists. The rest of the world can bury their heads in the sand, but remember how Hitler happened, remember how the world sat back and let it happen and it will happen again. It's happening now and all we whine about is how much the war costs and how we invaded Iraq for the wrong reasons. I just hope whoever gets into office, they have much military strategy because they are going to need it. Friendly smiles and handshakes don't go very far with people that don't care whether they die for their cause. skatemore Wed, 14 May 2008 08:50:25 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/is_mccain_a_warmonger 348503 If you are so terrified of your mother, why do you want to live with her? Sounds like life in Jamaica is much better and you have a boyfriend you enjoy. At 18, start your own life and life where you wish and how you wish. Sounds like a better alternative to me. skatemore Wed, 14 May 2008 08:44:38 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/killer_mom_help 348499 Sounds like neither of you are ready for a mature relationship if he's surfing MySpace and leaving notes for other girls and you are putting up with it. If he's asking other girls out, sorry, but he's not looking for a one on one relationship. skatemore Wed, 14 May 2008 08:42:06 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/does_he_really_love_me_62798 348498 You can share with your mother that by 2009 there will be a shortage of registered nurses to the tune of 18,000 and the pay scale is going up and up. A registered nurse with proper training can make upwards of $60,000 per year. A registered nurse with a masters degree in nursing makes over $85,000 a year in certain parts of the country and more. The benefits of working for a hospital are terrific, with retirement benefits that make some corporate workers jealous. The nursing field is being addressed more seriously because registered nurses are getting their acts together and approaching it more professionally. Men are entering the field because they see how flexible and lucrative it is. I know, I'm married to a trauma nurse specialist and everyone around is certainly glad he's on hand when something goes terribly wrong. Approach your parents respectfully with facts and statistics on nursing, and the new developments in the field and see if they might consider it a worthy occupation, not to mention the difference you will make in other people's lives. skatemore Wed, 14 May 2008 08:40:04 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/i_gave_up_on_parents 348496 Children do have rights. They have the right to be loved and cherished, clothed and educated and fed healthy food. They have the right to be taught that the world doesn't revolve around them and there are limits on what people can and cannot do. They have the right to be taught that it's a good thing to help others, to respect elders that deserve respect. They have the right to be taught that they need to leave the world a better place than when they entered it. The world is not an easy place to exist. Some children are blessed with an easier beginning than others. But every child deserves love, food, clothing and an education. They also deserve values and respect. A mother of 4 and a grandmother of 2 and much older than you ;) skatemore Wed, 14 May 2008 08:34:05 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/kid_rights 348494 You can emancipate yourself at 14 with the courts permission. It's easier at 16 if you live in an abusive home, you must apply to the juvenile court. Here's the wording and the link: Before a child gets emancipated he or she must be able to provide for themselves, handle their own money and have a legal way to make money. All these conditions at a minimum must be met before the judge will make a ruling in favor of the child. What are some of the general rules on how to get emancipated in Colorado: The child must be a resident of Colorado The child has to be at least 14 years of age The child must be living separate and apart from the parents or guardian The child must be capable of supporting himself or herself financially and managing his or her own affairs Each parent or guardian must consent (although there are certain exceptions) Not a ward of the state Just because a child becomes emancipated there are still certain responsibilities the child must take care of themselves: Cannot drink alcohol until the legal age in that state Must attend school Cannot get married unless he/she has parents permission Cannot vote until the age of 18 Cannot purchase cigarettes or alcohol Cannot purchase or possess firearms Now for the good news about emancipation. The child who is granted emancipation can get medical care, apply for a work permit, sign up for school and go to college and live where he/she wants to. Remember this is a big responsibility and when you ask for it you really should be ready to receive it. If you want to get emancipated then go to the appropriate juvenile court to start the proceedings. You probably be interviewed to make sure you understand the ramifications of emancipation. If it is deemed that you are a candidate then a petition in juvenile court should be filed to start the process. http://blog.laborlawtalk.com/2006/12/22/how-to-get-emancipated-in-colorado/ Be careful what you wish for, it's a big responsibility taking care of yourself at such a young age. Try finding help with the local school social worker, your church pastor or rabbi, friends parents that can help etc. This is not a step to do casually. Good luck, feel free to drop me an email if you have questions. Did a lot of work with abused kids in Colorado years ago. skatemore Tue, 13 May 2008 17:57:16 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/guardianship_rights_in_colorado 348097 Perhaps what you can't get over is being the 'dumpee' instead of the 'dumper' this time. Sounds like you understand that she wasn't right for you, but it still was an ego slam to get dumped. Being the 'dumpee' always hurts, and maybe you will be more cautious with your relationships once on the receiving end. I know from experience many years ago. ;) skatemore Tue, 13 May 2008 17:49:10 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/still_cant_get_over_an_ex_i_know 348086 When I was 25 and pregnant with my first child, I took a trip to New Orleans and walked around at about 7 months along, swollen feet and all. Thinking to myself, this will be the last time in my entire life I will be alone and worrying about only me. It was a very overwhelming feeling that from 8 weeks later I was responsible for another life, their every need and care for more years than you have been alive. I would have to earn the money to feed, diaper, clothe, educate, keep healthy, and happy. It's a huge responsibility, and will pray you are up to the task once the baby arrives. So much happens in a young girls life between 15 and 21, but others have done it and hopefully the Dad will still be around and supportive financially and emotionally. Get your support network in place so you can continue your education, and good luck to you and your new family. skatemore Tue, 13 May 2008 17:43:11 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/mother_to_be 348075 I'd think you were pretty smart for asking such intelligent questions and not just accepting everything on 'faith'. What bothered me most growing up was that G_d did things like pillars of fire, separating oceans - major things - how come He doesn't do that now? Why doesn't He talk to us now? Where is He when things go wrong and bad? Why doesn't He help those people that get hurt or sick? Nothing is wrong with wanting a sign or proof. But be willing to search for answers and not just wait for it to come to you. Study, read, learn, talk to ministers, pastors, rabbi's, priests and learn for yourself and make your own choices on your spiritual path. Personally, I don't believe in Hell or original sin. I don't believe that G_d made us in His image and then made us sinful. Every baby born is a clean slate and can make choices about their life and how to live. This was G_d's gift. Use it wisely. skatemore Mon, 12 May 2008 12:33:18 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/what_is_wrong_with_wanting_proof 346846 Interesting comments, socialism has yet to work well. There will always be humans that want to work harder, differently than others. There will always be differences in wants and needs and opinions on how to go about getting it. When I was a child, I asked my father how wars started. He stated "When two children are in the sand box and one has something the other one wants and the other will not give it up". One government would be ultimate power and no two people could decide who should wield that kind of power let alone a world. The UN wants a global army and global taxes, they are quietly working towards that goal unfortunately. Remember that Bush didn't make the decision alone to do the things we did. It's easy to blame one person for many things, the problem is bigger than that. Do you wait until evil grows to the point that you have no choice but to fight it at your door? 9/11 apparently didn't teach the people in this country that one attack wasn't isolated and it will happen again. We aren't any more prepared than we were then and we whine about long lines at the airport. skatemore Mon, 12 May 2008 12:27:05 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/should_the_world_have_a_single_government 346841 Because you are in charge of setting the limits on their world for now. They want someone to tell them when enough is enough and where the lines are drawn. Kids with no limits are scared and feel like no one cares. Kids aren't angels around everyone else, they just tell you that ;) When they choose to show their best side to others, they are giving you a glimpse of what they will be someday. Don't be afraid to set limits and be firm. I'm not a fan of whipping anyone, that just teaches them that someone bigger than them can hit them and get away with it. Might doesn't make right necessarily. skatemore Mon, 12 May 2008 06:10:33 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/children_4176 346569 We just went through this. What makes the difference is how the remodel is done and if the products are appealing to a wide selection of people. The quality of the cabinets and appliances are important. Then there's the 'don't over improve for the market' theory too. You usually get your money back if you take those factors into account and the usual upgrades these days are stainless, granite, good cabinets and laminate flooring. I'm not a fan of laminate myself but it's popular. Neutral colors too are really important. We got nailed on a couple of DYI projects that people thought looked that way and we thought we did a good job. Now I'm afraid to try any project ourselves, heh. Good luck and show before and after pictures! skatemore Sun, 11 May 2008 14:02:44 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/how_much_value_will_a_kitchen_remodel 346017 It depends on the child. If a child is very coordinated and mechanical they may talk later while a child that walks later may talk really early. My daughter taught my grandson sign language and at 2, Conner was using signs for 'more' and 'love you' and a few other things. He's just now stringing words together a bit but the old point and 'ooo' still works fine and 'ewww' has several meanings. Some don't talk until later because we don't let them try, we know their 'sign language' and they see no reason to work on it. If by 3 they aren't moving along, might want to have your pediatrician consult with you. Good luck and have fun, talking can happen quite quickly all of a sudden and then you miss the baby days. skatemore Sun, 11 May 2008 13:58:05 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/sons_doesn_t_talk 346013 it's hard to saddle a squirrel skatemore Sun, 11 May 2008 13:53:02 -0700 http://www.funadvice.com/q/what_your_favorit_squirrels_or_horses 346007