Need Help With Child Support?

I was doing some research for a friend the other day. She has been divorced for 5 years and hasn't received any child support payments. Of course this has made it very difficult for her financially so I was trying to find a way for her to start getting child support. She has 2 children who are the ones who really suffer from all of this.

When I was searching for information I came across this site http://www.squidoo.com/division-of-child-support-enforcement. It was packed with information, including phone numbers and websites to every State Department of Child Support Enforcement. It also included terms that are often used when discussing child support. It helped me to understand just what my friend needed to do to start receiving child support. There were books offered which showed you step-by-step how to start the process and what to do to keep receiving payments.

After doing this research for her, I was sure that there was other single moms out there who were in the same situation. So I thought I would pass this information along. Even if you can handle the financial aspect of your situation, your children are entitled to the support. Put it aside for them for college or any other major event in their life.

If anyone has any other helpful information they would like to share, by all means leave a comment.

Ever Get That Scary Early Morning Call?

You know the call to tell you that someone you love has been in an accident. I got that call yesterday morning and it is a call I could live without ever getting again. Fortunately, my nephew (who moved in with us Labor Day weekend) was just fine. Not the case for the other drivers. It was a three car accident. My nephew actually came upon the accident at 6:00 AM right after the first two cars hit head on going more than 60 mile hour each. In the dark, with absolutely no lights, and obstructed by a hill, my nephew only had a feww hundred feet to react. He did amazingly well negotiating between the truck that was now in his lane, a mailbox and a telephone pole to his immediate right. He only took off the driver's side rearview mirror and cracked the front headlight cover.

The other two vehicles were totalled - especially after rescue workers spent an hour using the jaws of life and saws to cut the driver of the car out. He was life flighted from the scene and the driver of the truck was arrested on scene for DUI and driving while high on drugs. (The driver of the car needs as many prayers as possible, so if are so inclined, it would be appreciated.)

The whole experience was beyond frightening. Not only for all those involved and for those of us with loved ones hurt, but for me looking ahead one year knowing that my son will be driving. He will be exposed to those who feel it is no big deal to drink or take drugs and then get behind the wheel. I also found out that this is not that man's first offense, nor does he have insurance. I am sure many of you have heard of simialr situations. The police can arrest these people, even take away their license, but does it really stop them from driving. How many people are killed by multiple offenders who have there license already revoked.

We all need to take an active approach to fighting drunk driving. The police are doing what they can. They have a timeline of wht they want to accomplish and a national media campaign to get citizens involved. But we need to talk with our children, not only about the consequences of them drinking and driving, but not to ride with friends who have been drinking. I know this probably sounds like common sense, but how many of us have really talked to our kids. Do we assume that they know this. I think this is something that we should talk to them often about. So if the situation arrises, they are out with friends and the driver has a few drinks, they will hear our voice in their head and act. I tell talk to my children about this already, even though they are only 15, 12, and 10. I want it to be something so familiar with them that there is no way they will wonder what to do.

Statistics are horrorifying on the number of alcohol related accidents and deaths. It is usually not the drunk drivers who are oncluded in these numbers. Somehow they usually manage to walk away unharmed - as did the man in my nephew's accident. I want to take every precaution that my loved ones are not ever included in these numbers. There are groups out there, one of the most well known is MADD. Check out there site and what they are doing as a group to fight against drunk driving. You can even sign a pledge to eliminate drunk driving.

Applebees Quesadillas by Copy Cat Restaurant Recipes

For all of you out there who have a favorite dish that you order every time you go to your favorite restaurant - I have a treat for you.

I came across this website while I was doing some research today called, http://www.copycatrestaurantrecipes.net. This site gives you all the secrets to your favorite restaurant recipes. instead of paying big bucks for your favorite meals, you can make them at home for a lot less.

I tried the Quesadilla recipe from Applebees's tonight for dinner. My family LOVED it! We all put our own toppings on the quesadilla to give it a little more. It is hard to make a meal that pleases 6 different people - some of them very picky - but this one was a winner.

So if you are looking for a few new ideas for meals and always wanted to be able to cook like the pros, check out http://www.copycatrestaurantrecipes.net

Northcoast Ohio Cities

I recently came across a site http://www.northcoastohiocities.com/. It is full of trivia, history, and information on 15 cities along Lake Erie, Ohio. Bellevue, Sandusky, Norwalk, Fremont, Clyde, Milan, Catawba, Huron, Castalia, Oak Harbor, Put in Bay, Vermilion, Port Clinton, Kelleys Island, and Marbelhead.

If you live in the area, are interested in traveling there, or are moving to one of the cities along Lake Erie, this is a great site to check out. You will find information about the schools, government, local attractions, kids activities, entertainment, and much more.

There is a business directory that is broken down by category so it is very easy to navigate and find what you are looking for.

A "coupon" and "classified" page offers great discounts on a wide range of products. You can even place a classified on their site for free.

Their blog is updated constantly so that you are always getting current information. They allow customers to post reviews of the businesses that are in their business directory which gives you an in-depth look into that business' products, history and customer service.

You can sign up to be placed on their email list. This is something you should think about since they send out weekly specials from many of the businesses within their business directory. When you sign up you are also placed in the pot for a monthly drawing which is usually a gift certificate for dinner from one of their businesses or tickets for two to the movies or a visa gift card.

So, got to http://www.northcoastohiocities.com/ and see what you can learn about some of the great cities along Lake Erie.

Thanksgiving Gift Basket

When I first met my husband it was a tradition to go to his family's home town every Thanksgiving. Well, as time went by and we had our own family, we created our own traditions and the Thanksgiving tradition of old clashed with the new.

This always made me worry that those family members we would no longer spend the holiday with would feel a little neglected. Until last year when I discovered 1800flowers gift baskets. It was a perfect way to say we were there in our hearts even though it was impossible to be together physically.

1800 Flowers made it so easy - just go online and choose from hundreds of gift baskets and they do all the rest. The basket was delivered the same day I ordered and it was beautiful! Sending a gift basket to the family back home on Thanksgiving is now part of our family's new Thanksgiving tradition.

Flowers Say It All

Flowers are a great way to wish someone a speedy recovery, say Happy Birthday, or express your secret feelings for someone special.

But what ifr that special someone lives across the state or country? No problem, 1800flowers.com has the answer. Go onlione or call and they will have your bouquet, cut flowers, gift basket or stuffed animal professionally delivered the same day.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner why not take advantage of a 1800 flowers coupon and order a beautiful center peice for the dinner table. It will be sure to add lots of color to your day.