http://app-sierrastar-1.aidpage.com/ Hope, Faith, Inspiration, Courage, Strength You have to have HOPE to get though your difficult times in life. FAITH To believe you will make it You need INSPIRATION to find HOPE, FAITH, COURAGE and STRENGTH You need COURAGE to deal with what life is throwing at you. STRENGTH will get you through another day. We all have these things in ourselves, we just need to find it. You are not alone and as long as you are here you will never be alone. There are people here who will pray for you, who will point you in the right direction and who will stand by your side helping you every step of the way. There are wonderful people here Elaine of TSA, Who ~ Knew, Ekikaseven, and Soulight are the most helpful and wonderful people. Together we can help you find the assistance you need, pray you have the strength and courage to make it another day, and encourage you to take the steps to help yourself. I can not help you financially, I can not do what these wonderful people do everyday. But I can help you learn to be more self sufficient, and I can help you find the HOPE, FAITH, INSPIRATION, COURAGE, and STRENGTH that you will need to climb the mountain in front of you. With Love in my heart, Lady Christie Vist my MySpace Page To start learning how to be more self sufficient go to Poorly Living The best way for a person to have happy thoughts is to count his blessings and not his cash. ~ Author Unknown Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can. ~ John Wesley Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that. ~ Norman Vincent Peale A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money. ~ W.C. Fields The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved. ~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta quotes You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need. - Vernon Howard Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. He who buys what he does not need steals from himself.- Author Unknown To know you have enough is to be rich.- Lao-Tzu, Tao Te Ching That man is richest whose pleasures are the cheapest.- Henry David Thoreau, 1856 Sat, 7 Oct 2006 04:09:58 PDT en-us Aidpage(SM) http://something-cute.app-sierrastar-1.aidpage.com/ "MY DOLLY" She takes me to my happy place,She never show's me an angry face. She's always there when I'm all alone,She's never bored with anything she's shown. She never interrupts and is always intent,She's never dissolved through any time spent. She's always there when I have a bad day,She's always willing to sit and play. Through all of this and more, What I have come to see,Is how much I love my dolly, And how much she loves me. ~Billy Thu, 19 Apr 2007 07:10:27 PDT http://for-those-of-us-who-are-just-poor.app-sierrastar-1.aidpage.com/ Just after 9/11 I realized life wasn’t going to be so good, my husbands job was in jeopardy and we had accumulated around $20,000 in debt. My husband’s employer made window gaskets for high-rise buildings; it was their specialty and the main product that they produced. They began working two or three days a week, it was barely enough to put food on our table and a roof over our head let alone pay utilities and credit card bills. We weren’t sure what to do, should he find a new job or should he stick by the company who has been so supportive of us. We decided to wait it out, see what happens. In the meantime I fought off the greedy creditors, telling them I will pay my debt I have always held my accounts in good standing only to end the conversations with me crying and begging them for understanding. I cried myself to sleep at night’s wondering why us, just when I thought our lives were going good how could we end up poorer then poor again. I thought how am I going to pay our bills, how will I keep our utilities on. I didn’t know where to turn for help, I didn’t know help existed. All I wanted was money to get by. I began to be jealous of anybody whoever had something that I didn’t. I hated people, I hated life. Eventually my husband’s job picked up he had more overtime then he could handle. It was barely enough to pay up on our utilities; we still couldn’t catch up on our credit cards. It seemed after all of this bad luck hit us one month after another. A hospital bill from when my husband was 19 caught up to us, $5000, past taxes he never paid $200, a debt to a bank $500 and a truck that he didn’t own anymore $700. Then I had gotten sick and hospitalized $2000 and my husband was stung in the throat by a bee and hospitalized $2000. Going through all of this I still had to fend off the credit card companies. Life wasn’t worth it anymore; I had life insurance I was worth more dead then alive. I tried committing suicide before but this time I wouldn’t try, I wanted my family to live a good life with or without me. I had even talked to my husband about being cremated and how I wanted my death to be handled if I ever died. I could never follow through I wanted to be with my kids I didn’t want to be away from them. I cried every night I didn’t know what to do. We couldn’t afford bankruptcy if I had $700 to pay a lawyer then I wouldn’t need to file bankruptcy I could pay my bills. I was stuck at a dead end I couldn’t move forward and couldn’t move backward. That’s when I decided I had to change our lives; no one would change it for me. I sat and looked at all of our bills one day, I wrote everything down how much came in and how much went out, only to find myself more depressed then when I started. I knew we had to change we had to start paying out less then we brought in. That’s when we started “Poorly Living”. I did everything I could to save money, right down to taking light bulbs out. I then decided any extra money had to go to our debts. I started babysitting, doing paid to read emails and paid surveys. It wasn’t much, it was pennies but every extra penny went towards our debts. I was no longer going to feel sorry for myself I was going to help myself. I am proud to say I did help myself, it has been six years and $20,000 worth of debt has been paid down to around $5,000. I have 2 years left to pay on our trailer and our last credit card, by that time I should be free and clear of all debts. I did it by myself, no one helped me. It didn’t happen over night if I learned anything from my experiences it’s that all things are possible if you want them bad enough, and you will never learn anything if you don’t help yourself. God Bless all of you, Lady Christie Mon, 2 Jul 2007 10:24:27 PDT http://rape-prevention.app-sierrastar-1.aidpage.com/ Just recently a rapist moved near my home, so I thought it would be a good idea for me to learn how to keep my children and myself safe and to share this information with others as well. Find out if there is a sex offender living in your area National Sex Offender Public Registry No rape prevention strategy is foolproof. But you can avoid making yourself an easy victim by taking the following precautions. Protect yourself against rape "Every woman is a potential rape victim. Rapists tend to look for women who are more likely to be easy victims. But there are things women can do to protect themselves and reduce the risk." — Andrea Parrot, rape expert The Oprah Winfrey Show How to Protect yourself Every woman, no matter where you live or who you are, is at risk. Thousands of rapists remain free and continue to attack because their victims don't report the rapes. Just as author Andrea Parrot says, "Victims don't ever deserve the crimes committed against them." Victims are also instrumental in preventing numbers like these from growing. Rape Facts Rape and sexual assault are widespread problems. The use of psychoactive drugs makes a dangerous situation even more dangerous. Protecting yourself from date rape There are many misconceptions about sexual offenses, sexual offense victims, and sex offenders in our society. Much has been learned about these behaviors and populations in the past decade and this information is being used to develop more effective criminal justice interventions throughout the country. This document serves to inform citizens, policy makers, and practitioners about sex offenders and their victims, addressing the facts that underlie common assumptions both true and false in this rapidly evolving field. Myths and facts about sex offenders Rape is a violent crime, an invasion, a frightening experience. Rape affects all women, no matter what their age, race or economic status. All women are potential victims of sexual assault. More Rape Prevention ~*~ What to do if you have been Raped Find a counseling Center in your area ~*~ I have hung the picture of the rapist who moved in on my refrigerator, though my kids know to stay away from strangers I have made it clear they stay further away from this man. They aren't even allowed to go down his street. Tue, 10 Jul 2007 05:26:18 PDT http://christmas-tragedy.app-sierrastar-1.aidpage.com/ I have read many pages asking for help for Christmas, I have read a story by Who~Knew, about a Christmas gift that wasn't wrapped in a box but of just a few simple words spoken by a stranger. There are pages by Shezablonde that offers inspirational words and pages by Soulight and myself who offer alternative ideas to the normal gift buying season. A lot of people recently have come here for hope and assistance for this time of year especially parents who just can't seem to make ends meet or who are just making ends meet with no breathing room. We feel depressed because we feel that we aren't providing for our children or that they are missing out on something. We often say I want my kids to have better then what I had as a child, or I'm just trying to give my child the best life he deserves. Let me ask you a question, what is the definition of the best life possible for a child? Normally when I hear these statements it is often geared toward the materialistic side of life, I read once that if we keep on buying our children's love we are going to end up with a worldful of materialistic spoiled brats, I truly believe in this statement. I know we want the best for our children but the sooner we all realize this does not include money the better off the world will be. Even though I believe in one thing doesn't mean I don't question my beliefs so what does a parent do when they are confused about parenting, we take it to the experts our children. I told them to imagine two families one that is rich and one that is poor and I asked them who's family is better they told me they were equal because they have eachother. I then asked them who's kids were happier and they said the poor family because if they are rich that probably means the parents work to much and don't spend enough time with their kids. Just recently I questioned them about Christmas I asked them what does Christmas mean to them they said decorating the Christmas tree, family, food and Jesus. Not once was there mention of Christmas gifts. And actually last night while we were decorating the tree for Christmas they asked if next year for Christmas if they could have a real Christmas tree decorated in food for the animals and put presents under the tree for the animals with food in it so they could watch them come and eat. Once again not once was it mentioned of me buying them anything. Christmas time is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration. But most people feel the only way to celebrate Christmas is to have those TV Christmas's where there are tons of presents under the tree and tables overflowing with food. Because some people can't achieve the TV perfect Christmas we feel less of a person or parent. People find themselves depressed and not worthy and often times this turns into tragedy. I want people to know Christmas is more then gifts, If you are religious it's about Jesus and if you aren't it should be about your family. I know all to well how Christmas can destroy a family if you let it, and that's what I am about to share with everyone. Yesterday was the fourteenth anniversay of when my papa disappeared, he left for work that morning but never went to work. He never let on that anything was wrong he was the manly man type and never showed emotion. He was a busdriver for my school district and all of my classmates knew him and like me they knew he never took off work. When he wasn't on the bus that day they asked me where he was I found it odd but said I didn't know and went on about my day. That day when I came home from school my mom and stepdad were waiting for me and said we have to go to mamas your papa is missing and no one knows where he is. He was a funny type of guy he would drive an hour because pop would be on sale at this one store so he would have to go and buy it to save money. So I just said there was probably pop on sale in Texas and he went to buy some. He never came home that night and I still wanted to believe he found a good sale on something that he had to have I never tried to worry about him. The next day I was in school and over the announcements they said that my papa was missing and to pray that he returns safely home to his family. Once again after school we went back to my grandmas and waited they had contacted the TV stations. Still my papa never came home and I went back to school the next day, and I knew something was wrong. My papa was found that day, he had killed himself, a hunter had found him a couple towns over. My grandfather was depressed because of Christmas, he didn't want to face us Christmas eve when we were opening up our presents. He felt he would be letting everyone down because he wasn't able to provide us with the extravagant Christmas he felt he had to. If only he knew or remembered that it wasn't the presents that we wanted it was him. The little things he did made our Christmas. That year on Christmas eve we were at my mamas house we cried most of the time. Then it was time to open up presents my mama said "before papa left us he bought everyone presents and wrapped them I didn't put his name on them to try and trick you" after looking at the present I could tell right away it was his handwriting and he could never spell my name right and of course this year like every other year it was spelled a new way. My papa always bought everyone one sweater and some stinky perfume or cologne or bath gel he'd tell us we stink and needed to wash our behinds better or to wear the perfume to cover our smell. We would always tell him that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without our ugly sweaters or stinky stuff. My cousin and I still have those last two presents he had given us and Christmas has never been the same without them. If only my papa knew all we wanted for Christmas was him that presents under the tree wasn't important he might still be here with us. I am an adult now and while I still miss my papa every year and still wish he was here I realize that he had given me the best Christmas present possible. From him I can remember that Christmas is not about presents. I am not less of a parent because I can't put a ps3, cell phone or mp3 player under the tree for my children. I am not less of a parent if the only gift I can provide my children is an ugly sweater and a bottle of stinky perfume. And I am not less of a parent if I can only provide them with a Christmas breakfast and a marathon Christmas movie day. We are the ones who set the example for our children and if we only think about presents on Christmas that is what our kids will think about but if we teach our children that Christmas is not about presents then that is what our kids will believe. This Christmas instead of worrying about Christmas presents wrapped in boxes give your children a Christmas present of a new family tradition. Something that they will be able to take with them as adults, something they can look back on and say we didn't have everything that money could buy because money could never buy my families love. Lets all make a change this year for the better, if we all change we can change the world. Christie Mon, 2 Jul 2007 07:55:44 PDT http://how-to-create-more-money-in-your-household.app-sierrastar-1.aidpage.com/ We all need it to live so quit spending more then what you have, don't spend more then you need to and save every penny you can. Get a second job Cut back on spending Use coupons Quit using name brands Combine errands into one trip Create cash by selling your used books, videos and CDs online Have a garage sale Get Freebies and coupons from companies Quit paying so much for internet go to Freedom List to find internet for free or cheaper then you are paying now Have your checks directly deposited this will cut back on impulse spending Try eating a few veggie meals a week Whenever you get money unexpectedly never spend it. Save it. Avoid paying atm fees, go to your bank to withdraw money or get cashback at the store Pay bills online that don’t charge the convenience fee all others still mail out. When you find loose change on the ground put it in a savings jar Ok this has got to be the weirdest one I have heard I was talking to a friend and she told me about this, I guess she had read it somewhere. Selling pigeon droppings for fertilizer, it makes sense they are high in nitrogen. How to collect it I wouldn't have a clue, but if you can figure it out more power to you. Sat, 14 Jul 2007 15:30:06 PDT http://lady-christies-daily-money-saving-chalenges.app-sierrastar-1.aidpage.com/ I am big on telling people to save money, live more frugally and so forth and so on. Then I realized I am giving everyone a lot to swallow, it took me forever it seems like to remember to do things to save my money. How can I expect others to learn it all at once. So I am making daily challenges, not only will it be good on your wallet but some things are naturally good for the environment. We will start off simple, it's easier to take baby steps then to jump in head first. I will put daily challenges the night before Thursday July 12 Today we need to keep doing our previous challenges No lights on during the day Stop watching Tv for extended periods Keep electronics and or appliances unplugged Now for the new challenges Eat a meatless dish tonight. Cut your fabric softener sheets in half *Bonus* If you pay for your water or even if you don't try taking your shower in ten minutes or less. Wednesday July 11 This will be day two for our challenges I hope everyone tried at least one thing yesterday, today not only are we going to add new challenges I also want you to continue to keep your lights off during the day. This will save you electricity and it will keep your house cooler. Do you watch tv during the day for extended periods of time? Well stop, read a book you borrowed from the library, go for a walk just do something else besides watch tv. It will save electricity. Go through the house and unplug appliances and/or electronics you don't use everyday or even ones that you do use often but could live without their instant on features (or clocks in my case). The electronics and appliances that have the instant on features and little lights on them leech your electricity. Though it isn't a lot, but your money is still being wasted. *Bonus* Of course some of you may have already paid your bills if you have keep this in mind for when you have to pay them again and if you are about to don't forget to do this. I want you to pay at least an extra 10 cents on each of your bills. Don't give me an odd look, yes I said at least an extra 10 cents. Don't say that's not much because it is. I want you to do it every month and act like you don't do it at all after a while you will have a little cushion to fall on if you ever need it. Tuesday July 10 Get a clean container and put one nickel in it, this will be the beginning of your savings and your start to a brighter future Do not turn your lights on during the day *Bonus* Buy one compact fluorescent light bulb this will save you money on your electricity and it won't heat up the room while on like normal light bulbs do. Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:46:19 PDT http://i-am-not-looking-for-assistance-i-am-just-having-a-bad-day.app-sierrastar-1.aidpage.com/ You know day in and day out I do everything I can to save a penny and to make a penny only to feel hopeless, and useless. There are times of the year when it just gets to me and school is just right around the corner and now it is getting to me. I hate just barely making it, I hate taking water out of my washer to flush my toilet to save money on water, it's ridiculous and it is a pain in my hiney. I use the rinse water from washing dishes to water my garden as well as using bathwater. I think I spend more time hauling water to different parts of my house then anything else. My house is so cramped with people and mostly necessary stuff that it just always looks dirty and cluttered. God knows I tried having a garage sale a month ago only to not do well. I have thought about ebay but I just don't have the time for it. I have three kids, babysit three kids and my house has turned into the neighborhood hangout for my kids friends. I just feel like I am going crazy, just once I don't want to worry about money, just once I would like to say I have enough, I just want to catch up on all my debts from years ago and just not worry. I get the aching feeling in my gut all the time, it won't go away. I look at my bills day in and day out trying to figure out where I could save a dollar. I have done all that I could to make money, I have sold cheesecakes, I have done odd jobs, now I have a website ( which isn't exactly rollin in any money). I'm not poor from lack of trying, we try all the time. To make my problems worse I have to look at my neighborhood I live in, there is a nine year old girl taking her parents crack and giving it to her little friends. Kids bikes are getting stolen on a daily basis. A drug dealer has been shot and another one was hauled off to prison and he lived right across the street from the playground. People are breaking in to other peoples houses now a rapist moves in. But I have learned how to keep my family safe from the bad things but my stepdad is part of the drug task force who is hauling these drug dealers off to jail, it's no secret who my stepdad is almost everybody knows it so now I have to worry about retaliation on my family. God knows I'd love to move, If I could I'd move in a heartbeat, I just can't afford too. I have always said I never wanted a lot out of life I just want to be happy. Thu, 19 Jul 2007 05:20:59 PDT http://concerning-ptr-sites.app-sierrastar-1.aidpage.com/ You have probably noticed one PTR site on here. Now I am not putting this site down, it has a reputation of paying members and from what I have read is a good site to be a part of. This is not what I want to talk about. First off I was naïve and joined quite a few PTR’s in the past; low $5 payouts, high $35 payouts, sign up bonuses and payouts weekly I thought wow I could join this many and make this much a week all by reading my emails. Let me tell you it’s not that easy, yes I did make an income, it was enough to cover my internet and it was hard work. You see what these programs don’t tell you and what the people who want you to sign up under them don’t tell you is that the only way to make money doing these is to have referrals. Now getting referrals isn’t an easy task. You have to be active anywhere that gives you an opportunity to promote your link, sometimes you join other ptr programs just to promote your links and it goes on and on. It is hard work until you build a nice downline. I would spend 12 hours on the computer a day just reading emails, then time and time again I was fighting spyware and viruses I would pick up from these programs. To me it wasn’t worth the hassle. My advice to you if you join any paid to read email programs know what you are getting into. There are many legit programs who will pay you just realize the work that has to be put into getting paid. Lady Christie Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:05:10 PDT http://comment-i-have-looked-at-the-freewebs.app-sierrastar-1.aidpage.com/ Note: This aidpage was started as a comment on "Comment: hi, just wanted to let you..."I have looked at the freewebs site helping needy families and I am a bit uneasy about them asking people to pay $2.99 to recieve help. They don't have any information about them that I could see, I don't know but my gut says something doesn't seem right. Not only that I just read that the $2.99 is said to keep the site up and running. How much does it cost to keep a free website going Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:17:23 PDT