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Happy birthday to me!! I’m not going to disclose my age because a woman doesn’t tell how old she is after she turns 18. It’s bad luck. Today was cool because I normally miss out on having celebrations for my birthday, especially being in college because the school year ends in May so by the time my birthday rolls around everybody has gone home for the year and they’re all spread around the city. But this year was different. Since I started working at this corporation last summer, I’ve been waiting for my chance to celebrate my birthday at work. And what a celebration it was! We all ate lunch as a team (even the managers) and then we had cupcakes and ice cream and they gave me a huge gift basket! It was one of those really pretty corporate gift baskets, with all kinds of fancy candies and chocolates inside. I’ve never gotten anything so beautiful! I opened it right there at my desk and gave some of the candies out, of course. I wouldn’t have been able to eat all of that sugar in my wildest dreams even if I wanted to. I also got a few gift cards, so that should be helpful when I start shopping for stuff for my apartment next year. But I must say, that gift basket was the best surprise of all.

            My friends had gotten gift baskets for their birthdays, even from me. I had considered buying myself one once but decided that would be just a little too lame for my liking. I had fallen in love with how easy it is to find a nice priced gift basket with just the right items inside of a decent price. My friends had even come to know me as “the gift basket lady” because they knew they were going to get some new type of gift basket for their birthday/Christmas/etc. I even started concocting my own gift basket creations. I’m thinking maybe I should start up my own gift basket making business and call it something like My Baskets or What’s In Your Basket? Maybe I can even come up with a catchy one-liner like “Baskets: Gifts of Today for the Friendships of Tomorrow”. I’ll specialize in special order and corporate gift baskets just like the one I received today. No gift basket creation will be the same as the next!

            Of course, I hear it takes some time and knowhow to get a company like that off the ground, neither of which do I possess at this point in time. But one day, my name will be there among the most prominent gift basket sites. Just wait and see.

Generally liposuction is a special procedure for body correction by destroying the fat under the skin. Every person has specific “trouble” zones which accumulate fat at most. For example male body accumulates fat near the abdominals and on the sides of the body. Female try to counteract the size of their hips which is the primary place for fat for women. People mistakenly assume sometimes that the diets and physical activities will burn fat as well as liposuction. This idea is not absolutely correct. Liposuction is not going to burn fat all over the body. This procedure is being established specifically for body correction but not for loosing the weight. This procedure is relatively simple. First, the surgeon makes a half inch cut on the patient’s skin near the desired place. Second, he inserts a special tube called liposuction into the cut until it reaches the fat level. Then a doctor flows a liquid into the liposuction which makes the fat liquid and it can be removed easily. After that procedure the fat has to be sucked from the place. This simple procedure helps people to look and feel more comfortable. Male persons perform liposuction as well as female, and generally the procedure can be done for people of different age groups. Obviously, in the United States, as well as in the rest of the world, there is a huge drive to look good, so liposuction, has smartlipo had huge popularity, despite the high Smart lipo cost. Smart lipo is favorite because it is a more “high-tech” procedure, which means that it might attract more people just because of that. A lot of stars can actually afford liposuction, and they need it, since they are constantly of display, despite the high Smartlipo cost the rest of people, for whom it is still pricey to have the procedure done, exercising and maintaining good diet is difficult, since it actually requires some work on behalf of the client or patient, so a lot of people resort to liposuction or Smart lipo. Also, some non-star people might be motivated to do the procedure even more since their favorite stars do it. The bottom line is - if you see a person on the street with ideal body, that does not necessarily mean that that person took a lot of effort to exercise or eat right. All that could be is that the person went through liposuction, and now looks great!

I was sitting at home the other day thinking about how fast the school year went by and all of the things that happened during this year of college. This year was so interesting: first there were storms galore on move in day, so I was crammed into a basement with all these students and parents alone because my two roommates had left and were trapped in Walmart at the time, and my mom had left me to my own devices quite some time before the storms hit. Then, after the storms died down and all of that, we were bombarded with the promotional products. We got coupons and mugs and plastic cups and pens and pencils and sweatshirts and T-shirts and hoodies and discount cards and keychains and trinkets and just about any other items that would be considered promotional items. Then we went to Target and got a lot of free stuff there, too, such as food and eye drops (now why on earth would we need eye drops, of all things) and Ibuprofen and laundry bags and little bottles of Febreze To Go (they must really want to give us college students a reason not to wash clothes). Although they seemed a little pointless when I first got them, when money got tight, those promotional items really came in handy and I was glad I had them.

                As the year progressed, things changed. My friends changed, although I remained cool with most of them. My habits changed and my way of doing things changed. My attitude about life changed I reached the realization that there is more out there than even what I was used to in Chicago. My attitude wasn’t the only thing that changed, though. I changed my whole outlook. I had gotten into a slump when I first went to college where I didn’t care about much like my appearance and stuff like that. I figured it wouldn’t matter. But then I went home and got my very first drastic haircut. My hair went from below the shoulders to barely touching my neck. I had to have a sophisticated attitude to go along with my sophisticated haircut, so I started choosing outfits that reflected my more mature side. I didn’t ditch my old outfit completely, just made more of an effort to always look presentable no matter where I go. And it worked, too, because people noticed that I wasn’t walking around in just anything and I actually looked put together whenever I went somewhere, even if it was just down the street to get something to eat.

                Hopefully the added responsibility of this summer will increase my own self-awareness and will inspire me to be even more of the person I want to be: me.  

I was talking to Ted while riding the bus the other day and he said that he wanted to use debt consolidation to get his life back in order and eventually begin a new start.  His credit card bills and car payments have been running overdue left and right, and he was struggling to even pay off the interest to many of debts he owed.  He was getting discouraged at work, whose pay didn’t seem even close to enough to pay off the mounting debt.  He started to think about turning to the lotto or get-rich-quick scams to save the day, but I encouraged him to think soberly.

            Debt consolidation made sense for his situation.  His debts were growing unwieldy and he needed a fresh start.  Plus, he wasn’t the most organized guy, so he would often get buried under the avalanche of mailings and calls from creditors and subsequently miss payment deadlines or mail the wrong check to the wrong company.  In short, he needed debt consolidation to clean his life up and get back on track.

            Ted was a bit surprised though when he started to look into debt consolidation.  Basically, he would have to take out another loan.  He was more than finished with adding on one more burden to his life.  Still, this loan would be different since it would be used to pay off the other loans.  The interest rate may not be the lowest in the industry, but any extra percentage points would be well worth it in exchange for a more stable repayment plan and the peace of mind that comes from only having to pay one loan month to month, and not get buried in variable rates and due dates, as had been for several months.

            First, however, Ted needed to put down some serious collateral to help secure his consolidated loan.  I guess this makes sense from the loan company’s perspective.  After all, which company would want to lend even more money to those who are already in debt?  Fortunately, Ted had two nice automobiles and a jet ski that he could use to secure the debt consolidation.  (These vehicles were part of the reason he was so much in debt in the first place, but that story can be told another time.)  Long story short, he was approved for the debt consolidation, and now he’s on his way to becoming debt free as he works harder to pay off one clear payment each month.

I do not know if you have seen all those commercials about free credit report or even had solicitations from your credit cards companies. I have yet to see how the credit report is “free” since they usually charge you a monthly or one time fee. I still do not understand why we should have to pay for a credit report on ourselves! Our creditors can pull it for free. I always ask to see mine whenever one is being pulled. That saves me the time and effort of getting one on my own. It is a good idea to have a look at your report from time to time. I would hate to wait until I was in need of credit repair to know what is on my report. At that time, it may be too late. Fixing your credit is usually fairly easy. I had the same name as someone who had a run in with creditors, due to fraudulent check writing habits. Luckily, it was easily avoided, but sometimes your creditor may not be so easy to work with on this matter. They may not believe you are who you say you are, as I would imagine someone running from the law would have no problem lying about their identity. There are so many things that effect your credit rating. Such as how you pay your bills, late or early, whether you only make minimums or pay more than minimum. Even if you have large balances and then pay them off as opposed to carrying large balances for longer periods of time. Also if you have a lot of credit cards out there, even without balances on them, it can effect you. If you have a lot of credit available to you, even if you are not using it, it is still credit you can use. So I would just stay safe by pulling  report every so often, paying your bills on time and regularly, and paying more than minimums is possible. Any credit cards you have out there that you do not use, cancel them.  Make sure to keep one large on open in case of emergencies. This will probably help you in other areas, too. Like spending, for instance. A lot of times if you know you have credit out there, you are more apt to use it, than if you were paying cash. I know all of this from experience!

Many people ask me about the debt consolidation programs that are available.  I have made no secret about my own personal battle with debt.  Two years ago, I had just split with my husband, and found myself with a lot of bills and a very little income.  Unfortunately, I really had not prepared for being single with carryover bills from my marriage.  I struggled trying to pay my bills and did everything I could.  I took out payday loans, borrowed from one card to pay another, until I hit rock bottom.  I was afraid to answer my phone, and each time I did there was someone on the other end of the phone hollering at me, telling me what a bad and irresponsible human being I was being for not paying my bills.  I would get off the phone in tears, which quite honestly is why I stopped answering the phone.

One night I was up late worrying about what lay ahead, when a commercial for  ways to eliminate debt came on TV.  I thought to myself, well I am already in quite a mess, so how bad could it be.  I called them right away that night, and got all my bills together the next day and had a phone conference with them, and they were able to help me right away.  I couldn’t believe it, but they got everything ironed out with my bill collector’s and all my crazy harassing phone calls stopped.  I was free.  They set up one monthly payment for me, within my means, and now I am finally just about a year away from being debt free.  Not only that, but my credit must be improving as I am beginning to receive credit card offers in the mail.  I am not getting any more cards right now, but it is nice to see that my credit is improving.

consolidate debts -it is the best thing I have ever done.  It has helped me get out from the weight of debt that nearly killed me.  I feel free to live, to answer my phone, and to buy a cup of coffee.  I could go into detail about what they did for me, but let me just say it like this…They gave me my life back.  I have never felt more in control of my own destiny and it is awesome.  If you are contemplating debt consolidation I have only one suggestion for you…DO IT NOW!!!

A few days ago I went to a party. Everything was perfectly normal until we heard two gunshots from the shed out back. The house owner went out back and opened the shed door and saw a dead body that had been dragged across the floor before it was hung. The house owner began running back up to the house and called the police. When the police arrived they questioned everybody. I heard one of the cops say that this was a murder mystery party. After everyone left I headed home and laid in my bed wondering if they would ever figure out this murder mystery. The next morning after I woke up I headed over to the party house to see if the cops were still there. Sure enough there were three cops in the front yard. As I was passing I noticed that they were starring at me. I was worried that they might think it was me and arrest me for murder so I decided that I won’t drive by that house for a while. The next day I was having a beer on my front porch when a cop showed up and began questioning me. I was so nervous I was sweating. After they left I called the owner of the house where they had the party. She said that the body looked burned and that most of the flesh was deformed. After I got off the phone with her I called one of my friends and asked him if he had any plans tonight. He said no and asked me why I wanted to know. All I told him was to meet me at my house. About and hour later he showed up. I told him to head to the car and not to ask any questions. He asked some anyway. So I asked him if he remembered the party we went to and he said yes. Why are we going there? He asked. Because I want to know more I replied with a mean look. When we got there it was late so that the cops would not see me. My friend seemed really nervous about being there. I told him to toughen up. I put on some binoculars and looked around. After not finding anything I headed home. The next morning on the news they announced the killer was my friend I was shocked. I felt sick I was friends with a murderer!

Many people wonder about the online dating scene and if using a matchmaking site can really help singles find that someone special.  Hopefully this information I have compiled will help you make an informed choice and help you stay safe, if you do opt to try and find a date online.  The following are some things that I think singles really want to know:

 Why Choose An Online Dating Service? 

Once upon a time, online dating was considered only a last resort for people unable to make connections in “real life”, but those days are gone. Thanks to the increasing popularity and widespread acceptance of the internet as a ubiquitous personal tool, the social stigma behind internet dating has been replaced with a preponderance of excellent mainstream online dating sites that are safe, reliable, and above all - popular. Here are some more reasons why anyone looking to find friends, dates, or that special someone should seriously consider taking his/her searches to the web.

 How Do I Choose An Internet Dating Service That Is Right For Me? 

With a plethora of online dating sites from which to choose, finding the right one can be an overwhelming task.  There are numerous important factors to consider when finding the best one to suit your needs: Relationship Types, Region, Cost, Refund Options, Safety Screening Process, Search Functionality, Organization, Ease of Use, and Member Interactivity.  Also, research their reputation online and do your homework before you sign on to become a member. Scour those personals.

 How Can I Keep Safe When Interacting With People I Don’t Know Online? 

Choose a reputable online dating site that has adequate customer support, a listed phone number, and full address. Ensure the company has strict security, privacy, and safety policies. Look specifically for safety features such as the ability to block members, and make sure that your email or chat correspondence is contained on the site and not sent directly to your private email address.

When looking to find that special someone online, just be smart, and remember it is okay to be a little bit skeptical.  It is smart not to jump in blindly, but to take your time and try to get to know these people online before you opt to meet them in person.  And don’t allow anyone to move in with you immediately.  Also, if someone has to come from out of state to meet you, or you go out of state to meet them, be sure to make those hotel reservations.  Remember, you don’t really know this person and you need a back up plan in case they are not all they seemed to be online.  Be careful and have fun!!

I often send flowers to people when there is an event or a holiday, or even just to say I am thinking of them, especially if I know that they are having a difficult time.  I love to receive flowers and I think that it makes other people feel special too.

While sending a flower arrangement to my grandparents for their wedding anniversary, I noticed that the prices on gift baskets have gone way down.  I mean they were cheap flowers, but not cheap flowers if you know what I mean.  I love to send my grandmother flowers as she has always loved them.  She used to garden all the time.  Now unfortunately there is not much that she can do for entertainment.  You see she is suffering from dementia, has very limited vision, has significant arthritis in her hands and fingers, and seems to have difficulty keeping her balance.  She was always extremely active and I remember going for long walks together when I was little.  I also remember how much she loved digging around in her flowers and gardening.  She was always pruning also, which is not really something I am clear on, but she used to do it.

I really miss when Grandma could do all those things, and I bet she really wishes that she could have a little more fun than she is getting to right now.  Well, I really hope that these flowers brighten her day.  And all this yapping about her has given me an idea.  Maybe I will get her one of those indoor gardens, where she could grow some veggies and stuff, then she could garden in the safety of her home, and even while seated in a chair.  This would probably be very therapeutic for her.

Flowers are a great gift for just about any occasion and the great thing is that now using the internet, you can get online flowers delivered the same day for a really good price, from a florist.  (This is especially helpful if you are a last minute Lucy like me). The next time you have an event coming up and aren’t sure what to get the person, think flowers.  And if you all of a sudden find out that today is someone’s special day, and don’t have time to mail something or go to the store, think flowers.

This week I had my first exam of the summer.  I have been most surprised this summer by two different things. The first thing that has surprised me about summer college courses is just how fast the semester progresses. I mean I started this class two weeks ago and I had my first exam yesterday. I know that I am not the only one who thinks this is just a little bit crazy.  I think that if I weren’t as interested in the subject matter, American Politics, then I would probably be struggling right now.  Even though it has been going very fast I have been handling everything very well and I think that I got an A on the test.  The second thing that has really struck me about summer here is how few people there actually are taking classes.  I had thought about doing this all year and figured there would be a fair amount of people like myself who want to get ahead in their degree.  I have been sorely mistaken.  Every single one of the friends I had from the past year left a long while ago and I have been sort of stranded here with a lot of work to do and absolutely no one to hang out with.  I have been trying to make friends in some of my classes but it’s been hard since everyone is so busy with this quick semester.  I have been filling my time up quite well though with biking and online pool.  I have gotten a little bit too in to the online pool game and I’ve been trying the online snooker game.  A couple of weeks ago I had no idea what snooker was and now I am a master of online snooker because I really need to do something mentally challenging in my downtime or I will just loose my focus for a long while thereafter.  I hope that things around here will pick up when the second semester starts.  All of the new freshmen come in for the second semester and I hear that it gets a lot busier when an extra nine thousand people show up.