Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy,
I work in an office with five other women . Our customers are primarily men . The problem is , all the other assistants dress provocatively , flirt and laugh loudly at our customers' lewd jokes . I am not like that , but every time I greet a customer with a smile , the girls say , "You must be in a good mood today," giving the impression that I'm otherwise a real witch .
Co-workers within earshot snort and laugh . This really rankles me , because I am always in a good mood . I just don't fawn over the guys like the other women do .
This is happening more and more , and I am tired of it .
Is there something I can say that will shut them up for good ?
Just about had it
Dear Had it ,
The co-workers tease you because they are guaranteed a flustered reaction . The best way to put a stop to it would be to laugh off these comments . That would not only defuse your anger , but also minimize their enjoyment .
Maxy
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Dear Maxy ,
One of my best friends is gay , but our other friend still uses the word "gay" to describe the things she think is stupid . She says our friend doesn't mind , but I think he does ... he would just never admit it . Should I act on my instinct and tell her she needs to stop , or should I just let it go ?
Keeping It PC
Dear Keeping It PC,
By all means speak up . Words are powerful , and how we use them is important . Being insensitive to the use of a word like "gay" is actually what is stupid. Talk to your friend about her choice of words and make it clear that you find her speech offensive . This is true regardless of whether she is in the company of your friend or not. By the way , it's important to acknowledge that wherever you are and no matter the company , using language like that is unwise because it continues a narrative of insensitivity that is unkind .
Your gay friend may or may not mind . But that isn 't the point . What's key here is for your friend to recognize that words have the ability to empower or hurt . Choosing empowerment is the way to go .
Maxy
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Dear Maxy ,
I made a silly and potentially costly mistake . I received an email from a friend suggesting that I look into a way to earn money from home . The link looked like a site from a television station , with articles and testimonials from a variety of people who said they earned money in this way . I found it intriguing . I did try to reach my friend to see if he had tried it , But I didn't hear back from him . (Later , he said his email was hacked .)
I got lured into the promise of earning extra money and signed up for it . Of course it required a small fee , which I paid . And then nothing > i didn't ever get to the place where I would earn money .
Now I;m worried that my credit card may be compromised . What can I do ?
Hoodwinked
Dear Hoodwinked ,
Usually , If something seems too good to be true , it is . Contact your credit card company and tell them that you believe the charge was fraudulent . Explain what happened and ask if they can stop payment and / or place an alert that the company you paid practices fraud . Credit card companies have departments set up to help customers with such things , so there's a good chance you will be reimbursed .
Maxy
*************************************************************************
Dear Maxy ,
My parents recently met my boyfriend . They liked him well enough but thought he was too quiet . They mistook his quietness as lack of personality , even though I tried to explain that he is shy and nervous about making a good impression .
How can I get them to see what I see in him ?
Misunderstood
Dear Misunderstood,
Time is the friend you need to embrace right now . Your parents may have misinterpreted your boyfriend's quietness primarily because they don't have enough information to figure out what they think about him . But what they want most is for you to be safe and happy .
Tell your parents that your boyfriend is shy , and describe what you like about him in detail . Ask them to give him a chance and allow time for him to share more of himself with them .
Schedule activities so your boyfriend can get to know your parents and vice versa . After a while , your boyfriend will relax , especially if your parents decide they want to get to know him .
Maxy

Vegetable "Meat" Loaf --- Hmm Good

Hands-on time : 60 minutes .... Total time : 1 hour 30 minutes
Vegetarians and meat lovers alike will love this twist of meat loaf . Ordinarily , you wouldn't pack a meat loaf into the pan , but since you are using a vegetable mixture , you will to make sure it holds together .
Meat Loaf :
1 large green bellpepper
1 large red bellpepper
2 pounds cremini mushrooms , coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup panko (japanese breadcrumbs)
1 cup chopped walnuts , toasted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese , grated
2 large eggs , lightly beaten
Cooking spray
Topping
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon vodka or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
*******************************************************************************
1) Preheat broiler to high
2) To prepare meatloaf , cut bellpeppers in half , lengthwise . Discard seeds and membranes . Place pepper halfs , skin sides up , on a foil-lined baking sheet ; flatten with hand. Broil 12 minutes or until blackened . Place in a paper bag ; fold to close tightly . Let stand for 10 minutes . Peel and finely chop . Place bell peppers in a large bowl .
3) Reduce oven temperature to 350*.
4) Place about one-fourth of mushrooms in a food processor ; pulse 10 times or until finely chopped . Tranfer chopped mushrooms to a bowl . Repeat procedure 3 time with remaining mushrooms .
5) Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat . Add oil to poan ; swirl to coat . Add mushrooms to pan ; saute 15 minutes or until liquid evaporates , stirring occasionally . Add mushrooms to bell peppers . Wipe pan with paper towels . Add asparagus and onion to pan ; saute 6 minutes or until just tender , stirring occasionally . Add onion mixture to mushroom mixture .
6) Arrange breadcrumbs in an even layer on a baking sheet ; bake at 350* for 10 minutes or until golden . Add breadcrumbs and next 8 ingredients (through eggs) to mushroom mixture , stirring well . Spoon mixture into a 9X5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray ; press gently to pack . Bake at 350* for 45 minutes . Let stand 10 minutes or until a thermometer registers 155*.
7) To prepare topping , combine 2 tablespoons ketchup and remaining ingredients in a small bowl ; brush betchup mixture over meat loaf . Bake an additional 10 minutes . Let stand 10 minutes ; cut into slices .
Serves 6 .... heart healthy .

Propofol : Now Used to Kill People ..On Purpose "OMG"

Dr. Conrad Murray may have been ahead of his time ... because the drug that killed Michael Jackson will now be used to put people to death in Missouri .

The Missouri Department of Corrections has announced it has opted to ditch the previous 3-drug cocktail method for lethal injections ... and replace it with one giant helping of Propofol . Missouri will be the first state to use Propofol for the purpose of executing someone EVER .

So far , it's unclear when Missouri will begin using Propofol to kill people ... but there are 19 condemned men who could go on the chopping block in the very near future .
Stay tuned ... updates as they become available .

Grilled Sirloin - Anchovy - Lemon Butter and Broccoli Rabe

Cooking spray
1 (1pound) boneless sirloin steal
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt , divided
3/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons hrated lemon rind , divided
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup presliced onion
2 garlic cloves , sliced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cut fat-free , lower-sodium c hicken broth
8 ounces broccoli rabe (rapini), cut into 1-inch pieces
**********************************************************************
1) Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat ; coat with chicken spray . Sprinkle steak with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper . Add steak to pan ; cook 3 minutes on each side . Let stand 5 minutes . Cut steak across grain into thin slices .
2) Place butter in a bowl . Mico-wave at HIGH 10 seconds . Add 1/8 teaspoons salt , 1/8 teaspoon pepper , 1/2 teaspoon rind juice and achovy paste , stir until combine ; set aside .
3) Heat a skillet over medium-high heat . Add oil , onion; suate 2 minutes . Add garlic and red pepper ; saute 30 seconds . Stir in broth and rabe ; bring to a boil . Cover and simmer 3 minutes . Remove from heat ; stir in remaining salt and rind .
4) Place 3 ounces steak and 1/2 cup rabe on each of 4 plates . Top each steak with 1 1/2 teaspoons butter .

Fast and easy .

Poached Eggs with Spinach and Walnuts with Roasted Acorn Squash

1 tablespoon olive oil , divided
1 (10-ounce ) bag baby spinach , chopped
3 garlic cloves , minced
3 vertically sliced shallots
1 tablespoon chopped thyme , divided
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon black pepper . divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (8-ounce)package cremini mushrooms , quartered
3/4 cup toasted walnuts , chopped and divided
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 ounces shedded Gruyere cheese
8 cups water
2 tablespoons white vinegar
4 large eggs
******************************************************************
1) Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high hest . Add 1 teaspoon oil . Add spinach ; saute 2 minutes . Remove spinach from pan ; drain , cool slightly and squeeze out escess moisture . Add remaining oil to pan . Add garlic and shallots ; suate 3 minutes . Add sage , 1/2 teaspoon thyme , 1/4 teaspoon pepper , salt and mushrooms ; saute 7 minutes . Stir in spinach , 1/2 cup walnuts , red wine vinegar , and cheese ; cook 30 seconds .
2) Combine 8 cups water and white vinegar in a large saucepan , and bring to a simmer . Break each egg gently into pan . Cook three minutes . Remove eggs using a slotted spoon .. Spoon 2/3 cup mushroom mixture onto each of 4 plates . Top each serving with one egg . Sprinkle evenly with remaining thyme , pepper and walnuts .
*********************************************
**********Roasted Acorn Squash
Preheat oven to 400* . Cut 1 acorn squash in half lenghtwise ; discard seeds . Cut each half into 6 wedges . Melt 2 talblespoons butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat . Add squash ; cook 3 minutes or until browned on one side . Turn wedges ; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt . Place pan in oven ; bake at 400* for 12 minutes or until tender .
Tip : You can omit ingredient you do not like and add other ingredients that you like ...
The game plan ... while oven preheats ... cut and season squash ... while squask roasts ... saute mushroom mixture ... while mushroom mixture cook ... proach eggs ...

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy ,

My 10-year-old daughter constantly asks me to buy things for her . I have always been generous , but she's getting out of control . She wants to go shopping every weekend . She sees something she wants and frets if I don't buy it . I don't want her to become so greedy . How can I curb this behavior ?

Worried Mom

Dear Worried Mom .

This is what is called a teachable moment . While you may get attitude from your daughter for awhile , the solution is actually quite simple . Stop buying her stuff every week or every time she asks . If she whines , so what ?

Explain that you love her and are happy to purchase things for her sometimes but that she should scale back her shopping expectations . Establish times when you will shop for her ; for a special event , for holidays and birthday gifts , for accasional treats .

Give her a weekly allowance . Have her save part of it , and give her permission to spend part of it on herself . This will teach her how quickly money goes if you don't hold onto it .

Maxy

Dear Maxy,

Invitations already have gone out for a graduation party for my granddaughter . She lives across country , and it will cost me $500 to travel there . I do not have a lot of money , but I promised I would give her $500 when she received her diploma .

There is now a good chance she won't pass one required subject and will have to go to summer school . I indicated that if she does not achieve her goals by the first of June , I will not go through the expense of coming to the party . I will , however give her the promised gift once she gets her diploma .

I'm sure my absence will raise questions and possibly cause resentment from her parents . Do you think I should go through the travel expense and attend the party ?

Grandmother

Dear Grandmother ,

If you consider the party to be a celebration of her diploma , rather than the four years she spent completing high school , you should not go . The parents will likely tell those who question your absence that it was too great an expense or inconvenience . However , if you would feel bad and later question your decision , you may as well attend . Consider the party an "early" graduation celebration , since your generous gift will undoubtedly provide an incentive for her to finish .

Maxy

Dear Maxy ,

I am a high school teacher , but I look young enough to be a student . I think that because of this , lots of students treat me like I am their friend , not their teacher .

I like to think I am a progressive teacher , and I love my students and want them to feel comfortable with me .But I also want them to respect me and remember that there are boundaries between us as students and teachers that are not the same as between friends . How do I tell my students this ?

Looking Young

Dear Looking Young ,

It is possible for you to have a congenial relationship with your students that remains professional . Regarding your appearance , you may want to change your style of dress . Instead of wearing casual clothing (if you do) , wear professional attire . That will make you look more mature and will say to the students that you mean business . I advocate for all teachers to dress professionally no matter what their age , because it shows students to respect you and the boundaries you have created . That means acknowledging them when they behave appropriately and making them suffer consequences when they don't . Let them know what boundaries are and how they should talk to you and one another . Over time , if you enforce your rules , they will follow .

Maxy

KillerTricep Workout

No more flabby back of the arms waving in the summer breeze for me

Let Pam Mazzuca Prebeg, Canadian Living's fitness expert, guide you through a great tricep workout. Complete her routine of five arm exercises three to four times a week for best results.

Remember Me ??? My Name is Gossip (Author Unknown)

 

Remember Me ??? My Name is Gossip (Author Unknown)

My Name Is Gossip
I have no respect for justice, I maim without killing . I break hearts and ruin lives .
I am cunning , malicious and gather strength with age . The more I am quoted , the more I am believed .
I flourish at every level of society . My victims are helpless .
They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face .To track me down is impossible . The harder you try , the more elusive I become .
I am nobody's friend . Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same .
I topple governments and wreck marriages .
I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights , heartache and indigestion .
I make innocent people cry in their pillows . Even my name hisses .
I am called Gossip... Office gossip , Shop gossip . Party gossip , Telephone gossip . I make headlines and headaches .
Before you repeat a story , ask yourself , is it true ? Is it fair ? Is it necessary ? If not .... DON"T REPEAT IT .


Gossip is not only hurtful ... it is down right mean ...
The PICs wanted to share this with all our readers ... Name of the poem is Remember (Author unknown )

Super Sun Hat

Turn an old pillowcase or less than a yard of scrap fabric into a feminine sun hat with this sewing tutorial from Stefi Luca. You can add bias tape for a colorful brim on this free hat sewing pattern.

Materials:

• Old Pillowcase or 1 yard of fabric
• 1 yard of interfacing
• bias tape

Instructions:
I refashioned mine from an old pillowcase but you can use any fabric, it only takes less than a yard. And you'll also need less than a yard of interfacing.

Start out by measuring your head size and replicate it on the fabric. To create a perfect circle divide the circumference of your head to 3.14 and then again to 2 to get the radius of the circle. Then mark the center of the circle on your fabric and with a ruler draw the circle. Think how big you want the brim to be and draw another circle around the first one.

Third piece of fabric you will need is a strip of the same length as the circumference of your head. Have the set of three pieces (2 circles and the strip) cut twice from the fabric and once from the interfacing.

Sew the edges of the strip together to form a crown. You'll have 3 crowns: 2 of fabrics and one of interfacing.

Sew together the outer fabric brim and the interfacing brim. Do the same with the outer fabric crown and the interfacing crown. Then sew the two sets together on the wrong side. It's not an easy stitch, I must say but be brave :)

Sew together the inner fabric brim and the inner fabric crown on the wrong side. Place the two brims with the attached crowns one inside the other and sew them together along the edges.

Sew the round sandwich together (fabric, interfacing, fabric) and then attach it to the crown on the wrong side. This isn't an easy stitch either but it's the last of the kind. Add a bias tape on the edge of the brim.

‘Super-Surrogate’ Meredith Olafson Retires Uterus After 15th Baby

Meredith Olafson, 47, has given birth to 15 babies. Only four of them are her own. In the past 13 years, Olafson of North Dakata has acted as a gestational carrier — she's been dubbed a "super-surrogate" — giving birth to 11 children for parents who can't conceive on their own.

"I've had two sets of triplets, a set of twins, then including my own four, six singletons," she said. Two weeks ago, Olafson gave birth to a baby girl for a South Dakota couple. She claims that sixth pregnancy is her last.
"I'm retiring after this one, this uterus is closing shop," she told the TODAY Show.

Olafson insists she didn't do it for the money, adding that surrogacy in North Dakota is not the cash windfall it is in other areas of the country. She receives $12,000 to $19,000 per pregnancy, a fraction of what some surrogates make elsewhere. Note that in Canada, it's illegal to pay surrogate mothers outside of reimbursing them for their expenses. Instead, she insists she merely wants couples struggling with infertility to experience the joys of parenthood.
"When you see those parents' faces, when they see that ultrasound for the first time and they see that heart beat beating, or they get to hear that heartbeat, that's priceless right there," she says.

Because the future parents supply the embryos — none of Olafson's DNA plays a part in the fetal development, making her literally a walking incubator. She claims that giving up the children she's carried for nine months isn't difficult.
"Those parents are the actual mother and father and so the mindset for you at that time is you know you're handing them their child," Olafson says. "It has nothing to do with you whatsoever. It does make it a lot easier."
Olafson's pregnancies are the kind every mom envies. Not once did she experience morning sickness, she put on a minimal weight with each baby, and was able to work until the day of delivery. Her longest delivery, her oldest daughter, took just over an hour. Her youngest child took just 20 minutes of labour.
"My pregnancies have been basically a piece of cake. I kind of got told not to come back to a Lamaze class because I wasn't that 'typical' Lamaze mom," she said.

What Olafson didn't share with TODAY was that two of her more recent pregnancies resulted in health complications. She developed pre-clampsia with the second set of triplets, and had placenta previa, which can cause severe bleeding before and during delivery.
"It does raise health questions," Michele Goodwin, a law professor and medical ethicist at the University of Minnesota, tells The Jamestown Sun. "The older the person is, the more likely there will be a multiple gestation and also some health problems for the person who is carrying and the fetuses."
Surrogacy.ca recommends that surrogate mothers not be over the age of 45.
At 47, Olafson's womb deserves a retirement.

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
My husband and I have been married for eight years , and we have two beautiful children . Recently , an ex-boyfriend called to let me know that his father had died . I hadn't heard from him in 12 years.
"Matt" and I began speaking regularly and even spent some time together . My husband knew all of this and was OK with it . One night , however , things went further than they should have , and we kissed several times . I don't know whether I should confess this to my husband or not . Other than getting it off my chest , what good would it do ?
The kissing isn't going to happen again . Do I follow the "honesty is always the best policy" philosophy ?
A Confused Wife
 
Dear Confused ,
You have betrayed your husband and should stop all contact with Matt immediately . You are playing with fire , risking your marriage and family for the thrill of feeling young and desired again . It's time to grow up and end this nonsense .
Maxy

Dear Maxy,
I live in an exotic location , even though it's simple where I'm from and where I live . I went to school in the U.S. , and many of my friends from school like to come and visit me . When they come , they expect me to host them for their entire vacation . It's almost like they think my home is their hotel .
Don't get me wrong , I want to see my friends , but I am not a travel agent or a bed-and-breakfast . I can't really afford to host them the way they expect , and I also have to work . What should I say to them ?
Not A Hotel

Dear Not A Hotel,
It's time to speak plainly to your friends . Tell them how much you love them and appreicate them coming to visit , but state plainly that you are not a hotel . Tell them you hope they will continue to visit but that you need them to understand your parameters . Then lay them out .
Establish a length for visits . Describe how you hope the meals will go ... with everyone pitching in so that you don't become the sole cook or provider of meals . Talk about what you have to do while they are in town , especially if you have to work . Remind them that they are coming for vacation , but this is where you live and work . Be clear with them . You may find out that some of them may choose to stay in a hotel and visit with you rather than crashing at your place the whole time , especially if you make it clear that they cannot have free run of your house and refrigerator and time .
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I had a misunderstanding with my next-door neighbor , who has been a dear friend for many years . I hosted an event for my colleagues at my home and did not invite her . She throught I was having a party for friends and got her feelings hurt .
When I reached out to her to talk the next day , I learned she was upset . I was really surprised , because as much as we like each other , neither of us invites the other to every event we have .
I don't think she should have been invited to this event , but I feel bad that she's upset . How can I help her to feel better ?
Next-Door-Neighbor

Dear Next-Door-Neighbor ,
Invite your neighbor over for tea and a chat . Tell her that you hosted a gathering of colleagues and tell her a bit about the event . Then tell her you think she's upset because she wasn't invited . Remind her that both of you host events for different groups . Sometimes it's right to be included , sometimes not . Assure her that you love her just as much . The end .
Maxy

Kids Say The Darndest Things ' Ain't Kids Wonderful'

*** What would you like to do best ?
Fly kites . I have a secret invention , where instead of using one long tail , I use a third  string which runs over  and connects with the second  one that's connected  with the tail and it loops over the first string and secret one .
*** Well. don't let anyone know .
No grown-ups anyway  , after 21 adults gets dumb .

*** How old are you ?
Six .
*** Any hobbies ?
I like to drive cars .
*** Do you ever drive ?
I don't yet because of one trouble .
*** What's that ?
My Mother won't give me the keys .

*** What do you want to be ?
A carpet layer doing the  week and a preacher on Sundays .
*** Why ?
My dad is a carpet layer  and my mother wants me to go to heaven .

*** What's your name ?
Alex Tontainbleu .
*** What kind of name is that ?
French .
*** What's your father ?
Part Scotch , part English and Irish .
What's your mother ?
Swedish .
*** What does that make you ?
I'm Spanish .

*** How old are you ?
Four .
*** What do you want to be ?
I don't want to be anything .
*** Don't you want to get married ?
Yes
*** How'll you get the money ?
My wife can work .
*** What if she won't ?
I'll send for my mother .

*** Do you have any hobbies ?
Yes , collecting brothers .
*** How many have you ?
Only one , so far, but I'm looking for another one any day now .
*** Oh , your mother is expecting .
No , my brother is expecting . He got married last month .

*** What is your idea of the definition of a gentleman  from the viewpoint of a kid ?
1 ) A man who cleans up after himself in the bathroom .
2) A man who's always nice to his wife and hardly ever hit her .
3) A man who always pick you a handkerchief that's dropped except by another man .
4) A man who always kisses his wife  just before he leaves for work .

*** What's your defination of maturity ?
It's when you come to a dead in .

*** What are some of the saying that ten-year-old are using around school these days ?
1)  "Go, man go !"
2)"He's a cube ." (That means dope ).
3) "She's 3-D" (Dizzy , dopey  and dumb ).
4)  "Jet propelled muscle juice .
*** What's that ?
Milk .

*** What makes a man bald ?
They eat too much ... it fills them up so much that it pushes the hair right through the top .

Hi, I'm Your Liver

GET A CHECKUP

Italian Coconut Cream Cake

1/2 cup Crisco (shortening)

1 stick oleo (I use 1/2 cup butter)

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour

5 egg yokes (beaten)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon soda

1 cup buttermilk

1 14 oz. pkg. coconut (I use 2 cups)

1 cup chopped pecans (I leave these out)

5 egg whites (beaten stiff)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter three 9-inch round cake pans and dust with flour; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer using a paddle attachment, cream shortening, butter, and sugar until fluffy (about 5 minutes). Add vanilla and egg yokes beating after each. In a medium bowl whisk together flour and soda. Add to creamy mixture alternating with buttermilk and beat until smooth (about a 1-2 minutes). Fold in coconut and egg whites. Spread equal amount of batter in prepared pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until cake is done. Remove from oven and let set for 5 minutes before removing them from pans. Cool completely and frost with icing recipe below.
Cream Cheese Icing


2 pkg. cream cheese (softened)

1/2 stick ole (I used 1/2 cup butter)

2 lbs. powered sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

3 tablespoons half and half

1 cup coconut

1 cup pecans

In the bowl of an electric mixer using the whisk attachment, cream cream cheese, butter, until smooth. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time until all is incorporated and creamy smooth. If too stiff, add a tablespoon of half and half if needed.

Your family will love you ... holidays ... special days ... anyday ... just plain good .

Old Fashioned Hot Water Cornbread

2 cups yellow cornmeal

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1-1 1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups water, boiling

1-2 cups vegetable oil

1-2 tablespoons bacon grease (optional)


Heat enough oil in a large iron skillet or heavy bottom skillet on high heat. (Oil needs to come half way up the side of the skillet.) In a medium bowl, mix together cornmeal , flour and salt. Stir in enough boiling hot water that the cornmeal mixture comes together enough to spoon (not too thick and not too thin, kinda like creamy mashed potatoes) As soon as the oil in the skillet is hot, but not smoking, spoon hot cornmeal mixture in the hot oil. Fry each in hot oil, turning once, until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.


Note: The Hot Water Cornmeal will be really tender, if you try not to handle the cornmeal mixture with your hand so much.

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
My daughter has very serious acne , and it causes her a lot of stress . Her peers at school tease her , and even other people who see her in the mall or wherever somestimes say say something about her .
She saw a report about a teen girl with the same problem who started wearing makeup to cover her acne. She even made instructional videos about it , and now she has good self-esteem .
My daughter wants to start wearing this kind of make-up , too . I think it's a mistake because it probably clogs the pores even more .My daughter is set on doing this .How can I dissuade her ?
Protective Mom
Dear Protective Mom ,
Dealing with severe ance can be traumatic , especially for the teens who are usually stuck with it . I understand your concern about the makeup not helping to heal the skin . And you are probably right . Still , self-esteem is a real issue for people with acne .
I recommend that you take your daughter to a dermatologist to get medical insight regarding her condition . Ask the dermatologist about make-up coverage . You may get a cosmetic that includes acne-drying properties as well as coverage .
Maxy Dear Maxy ,
My assistant of two years will be leaving me soon , and I have a concern , she has been completely loyal for the time she has worked with me , and I appreciate that . She also has all my passwords and other senistive information because it was part of her job .
I'm wondering if I should change passwords and locks , etc . I don't have any reason to believe she would do something to harm my business , but is she's not working for me anymore , shouldn't I make it so that she doesn't have access to my records .
Turning The Page
Dear Turning The Page ,
Security specialists typically recommend that passwords for email addresses be changed frequently . At some companys it is mandatory to change them every 90 days . For sure , you should change your locks . It's great that you have had a positive relationship with your assistant . Protecting your files and other assets by updating your security measures in no way reflects on her . So shrug off the notion that you are doing anything wrong .
Celebrate your assistant as she leaves you , and take care of your business as any professional should .
Maxy
Dear Maxy ,
I am in an abusive marriage . There has been some physical abuse along with verbal , emotional and mental abuse . It has gone on for for three years , and I think about leaving every day . I cry all the time. I have tried to be a good wife , but nothing I do , is good enough . I have talked to a couple of counselors and they tell me to get out . I want to, but I don't have any money (he has seen to that) and I have no place to go . I don't have any family or friends close by to stay with .
I've been in contact with the local women's shelter a couple of times , but right now , they don't have any available housing . How can I leave if I don't have any money or a place to go ? I just don't know how much longer I can hang on .
Crying
Dear Crying ,
Please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (http://thehotline.org) at 1-800 799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233). The people there can help you figure out how to protect yourself and prepare to leave this relationship . In the meantime , don't hide your situation . Let others know what is going on , including your family members and trustworthy friends . When you are able to leave , you will have their support .
Maxy

Butter Chicken Recipe

This recipe is very good

Kids Say The Darndest Things 'Free For All'

A

Maxy would like to share with you some of the funny things he heard kids say this past week ...

*** A tiny Sunday school pupil who had listened wide-eyed to the teacher talking about a Bible lesson that included the quotation about "from dust thou art and to dust thou shalt return." Rushing home from the meeting , he peeked under his bed and then went running to his mother .

"Mama is it true we're dust before we're born ?"

*** "Of course ," Mother replaied in a puzzled tone . "Why."

"Well come up and look under my bed , quick! Somebody's either coming or going !"

************************************************************************

*** A little boy was atanding on the sidewalk watching the milkman's horse intently . When the driver finally returned from his errands , the youngster inquired ;

"Do you have much farther to go today ?" "Well you ain't going far ," the boy announced . "Your horse just lost all his gasoline."

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A six-year old girl recieved a wrist watch and a bottle of perfume for her birthday . All day long she kept showing everyone her presents , until finally her mother said ;

*** Honey , I know that you are proud of your gifts , but you're bothering everybody with them . You may sit at the dinner table with your guests tonight only if you promise not to mention the watch or perfume even once ."

*** The little girl promised. All through dinner she sat wordless , but from time to time sniffing audibly , and at frequent intervals raising her left wrist to her ear to catch the sound of the ticking . Nobobdy paid her any attention . Finally in desperation , as the meal came to a end , she blunted out ;

"I'm not supposed to mention it , but if anybody hears anything , or smells anything , it's me ."

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*** Little Ruthie ran into the house in a feverish state of excitement .

"Oh mother!" she cried , "our pussy-cat has got some kittens and I didn't even know she was married ."

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*** Did you take a Bath last night ?

"Nope."

*** Why not ?

"Because I'm saving the soap for my dad. He's the dirty one in our family."

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*** How are you going to be a better boy during the coming year ?

"Obey everyone in my family except my Aunt Freda .

*** Why not her ?

" cause she just causes trouble and starts fights .

*** How old is she ?

"Eight."

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"My dad's a lawyer."

*** Does he put people in jail ?

" No , he's on the innocent side ."

**8 I suppose you want to be a lawyer .

"No , a cop , so I can put my daddy in jail."

*** Why would you do a thing like that ?

"He spanked me last night ."

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"My dad's as busy as a beaver .

*** That's an interesting figure of speech .Do you what that means ?

"Well , you know how beavers are always cutting down trees with there teeth ..."

*** Is that what your Daddy does ?

"Oh , he's not really a beaver . Besides , he has false teeth .

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*** So , your dad's a fireman . Does he tell you any interesting stories ?

"The most excitement is right at the fire station .

*** What happened there ?

"A fireman heard the bell , jumped out the bed , pullrd on his pants , slid down the pole upside down , and knocked himself out when he hit the bottom ."

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"My mom told me not to tell any of the family secrets , like the time she dyed her hair blonde and it came out purple .

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"My momma said to keep her condition a big secret . And the funny thing is , I don't even know what a secret is . She just keep getting fatter and fatter every week ."

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My Daddy told me not to raise my eyebrows , not to laugh to loud , and no matter where it itches , don't scatch anywhere !"

Slim Beverage Tote

Going to the beach … or going ‘green’, this slim tote bag will fit your beverage, wallet and snacks. Stuff your keys or change in the circular pocket on the front! You can make this summery sack in only a few hours using fat quarters and scraps.   
Tools Needed:

• 45mm Quick-Change Rotary Cutter (RTY-2/NS)
• 6 in. x 24 in. Non-Slip, Frosted Advantage™ Acrylic Ruler (QR 6 x 24)
• 24 in. x 36 in. Self-Healing Rotary Mat (RM-MG)
• Rotary Circle Cutter (CMP-3)

Materials Needed:

• 1 - Fat quarter or 18x22” of two different fabrics for BOTH bag and lining
• 1/8 yard fabric for bag strap
• Scraps of fabric for pocket

Instructions From the bag and lining fabric, cut one each 15” X 22”. Cut 1 – 3 ½” X 40” for the bag strap Cut 2 – 6 ½” circles from two different fabrics for the pocket, using the OLFA Circle Cutter. Use ¼” seam allowances through out unless directed otherwise. With right sides together, fold the bag and lining pieces in half so they measure 15” X 11”. Stitch and then press the seam open on each piece. Center the seam in the middle of each piece. With raw edges even, right sides together, stitch one end to from the bottom of the bag. Leave the other end open. Press the seam open. Lightly press it flat on the sides of the bag. To make a box bottom, center a side fold on top of the seam at the bag bottom forming a triangle. With the bag side crease centered over the bottom seam, measure down from the point 2” and mark with a pin. Fold over the triangle up to the mark, crease and press so that it looks like a triangle. Open the triangle back up and draw a line on the crease. Stitch on the line (base of the triangle). Repeat for the other side. Do this on both the bag and the lining. Turn the outside of the bag with the right side out. Leave the lining wrong side out. With wrong sides together, press the open end of each bag component under 1”. Set aside. To make the circle pocket, with right sides together, put the 6 ½” circles together and stitch around the entire edge. Don’t leave an opening. Decide which side of the pocket will be the main pocket fabric and which will form the cuff. On the fabric that is the main piece, make a 1” horizontal slit, ¾” away from the edge. Turn right side out through the slit. Press the pocket carefully, pulling out the seam edges. Turn the cuff to the right side, making it 1 ¾” deep from the curve to the fold. Press. Cut a 12” piece of rick rack. Stitch it to the curved edge of the pocket, leaving 1” of rick rack on either end of the top of the pocket. Mark the center of the bag front and the center of the pocket. Pin the pocket 4” down from the top, folded edge of the bag front, matching the center markings. Top stitch close to the pocket edge, tucking the excess rick rack inside the pocket seam. Stitch ¼” along the top of each corner of the pocket to secure. (If it’s easier, you could do this step while the bag front is still flat. If you choose to do this step then, place the pocket 5” down from the top raw edge, centering the pocket on the center line of the bag.) Place the lining inside the bag, wrong sides together, matching the back seam and the top edges. Top stitch ¼” from the top edge of the bag, and again, 1” from the top of the bag. To make the strap, fold the 40” strip in half lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch the length of the strap, leaving 3” open in the middle of the length for turning. Stitch the two short ends. Turn right side out through the opening and press carefully. Top stitch a scant ¼” from all the edges of the strap, sewing the opening closed as you do so. Tie a knot in either end of the strap. The strap is attached so one end is sewn on the front of the bag and the other on the back of the bag. You may want to change to a zipper foot for this part. Measure and mark 3” toward the left, from the center of both the front and back of the bag. Center the strap on this mark, with the knot ½” below the bottom row of stitching at the top of the bag. Stitch the strap to the bag, ¼” from the edge of the bag, matching it up with the top stitching. Sew another row of stitching ¼” below that. Be sure to back stitch. Attach both the front and back straps ends this way. Snug up the knots after the last row of stitches. Press out any crease marks. The Snack Sack is ready for treats for the beach or to pack lunch for work!