Plain on the outside ... but a perfectly preserved era on the inside

A 96-year-old Toronto resident is selling her two-story home located in the West Toronto neighborhood of Bloor West Village. From the outside, the house doesn’t look like anything out-of-the-ordinary, and even her neighbors had no idea the surprise she kept inside…

Decorated in perfect style circa 1965, the home is intricately and gorgeously decorated in the 1950s and ’60s era — from floor to ceiling. We’re talking metallic wallpaper, modern baroque prints, colorful carpeting, and neo-ornate splendor and much, much more.

The homeowner is a 96-year-old seamstress who has always been passionate interior design, but was never able to make it her profession. Despite her age, she and her family have lovingly maintained the home’s classic beauty and eccentricities for 72 years. The interior remains in absolute pristine condition, and is currently on the market! How much would you love to call this place home?!

From the outside, a 96-year-old woman's Toronto home looks pretty ordinary. Nothing special, right?! But just wait...

       

    

The homeowner is a seamstress and knitter by trade. At 96, she's finally getting the recognition she deserves as an interior designer, though she's had no formal training!

    

From floor to ceiling, this 2-story detached home is decorated in perfect 1960s style. Just look at that wallpaper!

The homeowner says, "I like soft colors and I like things to match and flow well together. I prefer tone-on-tone to bright colors".         

 

 It's easy to see her favorite colors are soft pastels, like pink, purple, seafoam and aqua. The kitchen boasts amazing light fixtures and custom cabinet hardware.

     

And who doesn't love a breakfast nook?! These date all the way back to the days of the Brady Bunch, and are perfect for your cozy morning coffee.

 

The master bedroom features bright, bold gemstone purple, lilac walls, purple carpeting and a fuchsia settee.

Look at those built-ins, the copper gold mirror and emerald velour. Just beautiful!

                                             

The homeowner's daughter remembers how her mother's style wasn't complete without the color pink. Naturally, this is her favorite room in the house!

     

The family bathroom is also pink, but with matte gold accents to match.    

No retro home would be complete without a fabulous, spacious basement. It keeps that vintage look, but also has a geniune playroom feel.

The basement bathroom features a sweet lilac sink, with a function-forward accordion shower stall door.

OMG! A fully equipped basement laundry suite, too? This home has seriously got it all.

No one on the street ever talked about the home, or knew what it looked like inside. But now everyone is well aware of incredible design, and its 96-year-old decorator and keeper. I don't think this place will stay on the market for long, but I hope whoever owns it next will keep its 1960s look and feel intact!

 

Legless Skateboarder Aims for Paralympic Glory

Inspirational Kanya Sesser was born without legs but has used her hands as feet to become a successful athlete and model. The 23-year-old uses a skateboard instead of a wheelchair to get around her native Venice Beach in LA and enjoys playing basketball, surfing and skiing.

My Garden

In the serenity of my garden, I absorb the beauty and harmony that nature so lavishly bestows,
 and  find strength, sufficient to face my day.

 A river of energy flows through the soil, infusing blossoms and  vines  with the brilliance of  life and creating  small, abundant miracles.

The elements of the universe assemble here, but the secret of life still mystifies.

The great conductor, the source, the healer and restorer of weary souls;

If God exists, you will find him in a garden.

The Genie

**2015 Oscar Nominated** 3D Animated Short HD: "Sweet Cocoon" - by ESMA

Check out this absolutely delightful 3D animated short called "Sweet Cocoon" about two insects that decide to help a struggling caterpillar in her metamorphosis! Created by a talented team of animation students, Matéo Bernard, Matthias Bruget, Jonathan Duret, Manon Marco, Quentin Puiraveau of ESMA  (Ecole supérieure des métiers artistiques) in Montpellier  France.

Produced as a  graduation film, this short movie is made entirely in 3D animation. Cute with twist of irony. 



Perfect Storm : America's Extreme Weather Captured in Time Lapse

Stunning supercells and terrifying tornadoes - storm chaser Mike Oblinski chases some of the most extreme weather in the world. This year, the father-of-three spent two weeks on the plains of Arizona, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and California - capturing incredible time-lapse footage of Mother Nature in action. 

The extraordinary case of the Guevedoces

Catherine and his cousin Carla, Guevedoces in the Dominican Republic

The discovery of a small community in the Dominican Republic, where some males are born looking like girls and only grow penises at puberty, has led to the development of a blockbuster drug that has helped millions of people, writes Michael Mosley.

Johnny lives in a small town in the Dominican Republic where he, and others like him, are known as "Guevedoces", which effectively translates as "penis at twelve".

Like the other Guevedoces, Johnny was brought up as a girl because he had no visible testes or penis and what appeared to be a vagina. It is only when he approached puberty that his penis grew and testicles descended.

Johnny, once known as Felicita, remembers going to school in a little red dress, though he says he was never happy doing girl things.

"I never liked to dress as a girl and when they bought me toys for girls I never bothered playing with them - when I saw a group of boys I would stop to play ball with them."

When he became obviously male he was taunted at school, and responded with his fists.

"They used to say I was a devil, nasty things, bad words and I had no choice but to fight them because they were crossing the line."

We also filmed with Carla, who at the age of seven is on the brink of changing into Carlos. His mother has seen the change coming for quite a while.

"When she turned five I noticed that whenever she saw one of her male friends she wanted to fight with him. Her muscles and chest began growing. You could see she was going to be a boy. I love her however she is. Girl or boy, it makes no difference."

So why does it happen? Well, one of the first people to study this unusual condition was Dr Julianne Imperato-McGinley, from Cornell Medical College in New York. In the 1970s she made her way to this remote part of the Dominican Republic, drawn by extraordinary reports of girls turning into boys.

When she got there she found the rumours were true. She did lots of studies on the Guevedoces (including what must have been rather painful biopsies of their testicles) before finally unravelling the mystery of what was going on.

When you are conceived you normally have a pair of X chromosomes if you are to become a girl and a set of XY chromosomes if you are destined to be male.

For the first weeks of life in womb you are neither, though in both sexes nipples start to grow.

Then, around eight weeks after conception, the sex hormones kick in. If you're genetically male the Y chromosome instructs your gonads to become testicles and sends testosterone to a structure called the tubercle, where it is converted into a more potent hormone called dihydro-testosterone This in turn transforms the tubercle into a penis. If you're female and you don't make dihydro-testosterone then your tubercle becomes a clitoris.

When Imperato-McGinley investigated the Guevedoces she discovered the reason they don't have male genitalia when they are born is because they are deficient in an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which normally converts testosterone into dihydro-testosterone.

This deficiency seems to be a genetic condition, quite common in this part of the Dominican Republic, but vanishingly rare elsewhere. So the boys, despite having an XY chromosome, appear female when they are born. At puberty, like other boys, they get a second surge of testosterone. This time the body does respond and they sprout muscles, testes and a penis.

Imperato-McGinley's thorough medical investigations showed that in most cases their new, male equipment seems to work fine and that most Guevedoces live out their lives as men, though some go through an operation and remain female.

Another thing that Imperato-McGinley discovered, which would have profound implications for many men around the world, was that the Guevedoces tend to have small prostates.

This observation, made in 1974, was picked up by Roy Vagelos, head of research at the multinational pharmaceutical giant, Merck. He thought this was extremely interesting and set in progress research which led to the development of what has become a best-selling drug, finasteride, which blocks the action of 5-alpha-reductase, mimicking the lack of dihydro-testosterone seen in the Guevedoces.

Finasteride is an effective way to treat benign enlargement of the prostate, a real curse for many men as they get older. Finasteride is also used to treat male pattern baldness.

A final interesting observation that Imperato-McGinley made was that these boys, despite being brought up as girls, almost all showed strong heterosexual preferences. She concluded in her seminal paper that hormones in the womb matter more than rearing when it comes to your sexual orientation.

As for Johnny, since he developed male genitalia he has had a number of short term girlfriends, but he is still looking for love. "I'd like to get married and have children, a partner who will stand by me through good and bad," he sighs wistfully.
I am always amazed and fascinated by the diversity and strange quirks of humanity.
 This was a new one on me...never heard of it before. But it goes to show that almost anything is possible.

Best Ever Birthday Present and Surprised Reaction

Now here’s a birthday present Chad Reay will never forget!

In a video which has since gone viral, one woman is determined to surprise her husband with a gift that he will cherish forever.
“Don’t peek,” Catie Reay tells her husband after handing him a small box. “I’m dead serious. Don’t peek. Are you peeking? OK, you hold them closed…”
Catie then instructs Chad to open the present. “Is this an iWatch?” Chad asks.

Not quite. Little did Chad know that upon opening the box, a positive pregnancy test was resting where the Apple Watch should be. And Chad's reaction is nothing short of priceless.

Food for Thought : Breakfast

Are you one of the millions of people who skip breakfast on a regular basic ? According to one survey , about 10 percent of Americans (31 million people people) skip breakfast every day .
There are a lot of good excuses for skipping breakfast . Most of us state that we skip breakfast either because we are not hungry or there isn't enough time to prepare a meal . Making sure that you get a good breakfast that includes enough energy and protein does not mean that you have to cook a big meal . Here are a few tips to help you get a quality breakfast .

1 .  You  must do a little planning :
Having healthy foods on-hand is essential to a speedy breakfast . Think about your schedule for the week . Is one day more hectic than the other ? Are there mornings where you typically have a little more time to prepare the food ? Being honest and realistic in the planning stages will help set you up for success .

2 .  Think protein :
Many items you can prepare early in the week and keep on hand for several days . Cook hard-boiled eggs or cuts of lean breakfast meats.ahead of time . Purchase individual servings of Greek yogurt . A handful of nuts or seeds is also a great protein source if you are in a rush .

3 .   Prepare your breakfast and lunch before :
This will help save you some time in the morning . Make a peanut butter sandwich  and grab a banana to go with it . Scramble some eggs with vegetables and cheese , re-heat in the microwave and use as a filling for a breakfast burrito or taco the next morning .
                                 Whole-Wheat Pancakes

Homemade pancake mix is cheaper per pancake than the store-bought stuff, plus you can use whole-grain flour to boost the nutrition factor. Make your own mix in advance, and then it's a breeze to serve your kids a hot breakfast off the griddle in the morning. All-natural maple syrup is a delicious, low-calorie sweetener. (And don't confuse it with factory-made "pancake syrup!")

1-1/2       cups whole wheat pastry flour, or oat flour*
2             teaspoons baking powder
1/2          teaspoon salt
1             cup cooked quinoa 
1             cup milk
1             egg
1             tablespoon agave nectar
2             tablespoons oil

1.    In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large liquid measuring cup, whisk together quinoa, milk, egg, agave nectar, and oil. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and whisk until just combined.

2.    Heat butter or oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat. For each pancake, pour batter onto the butter or oil, and heat until bubbles form around the edges of the pancake, pop, and then don’t fill in with more batter. Flip, and cook for about 20 seconds more. Repeat with remaining pancakes.

Words of Wisdom :
All of us, at certain moments of our lives, need to take advice and to receive help from other people.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.

Our real blessings often appear to us in the shape of pains, losses and disappointments; but let us have patience and we soon shall see them in their proper figures.

A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.

A proud grand-poppa             G.

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
It has been a dream of mine to continue my college education in London . When I spoke to my mentors about my plans , they told me that it would not be a good idea because the America job market will not hold an international degree in the same regard as an American college degree . I respect my mentor , but I really think I should go to London and make my dream come true . Besides , I cannot let my friends down ... this is all I have been talking about since I was 10 years old . What are your thoughts ? Should I make my dream come true , or should I continue my college education in America with a focus on international studies ? 
A Dream Deferred
Dear Dream Deferred ,
 Listen to your heart and also do some intense research . You should not think about whether or not you will be letting down your friends. It is your life , not theirs .
 As far as your mentors are concerned , find out if what they are telling you has any relevance .  Contact some corporations  you are interested in and find out what their policy is regarding degrees from other countries. If you are pursuing a degree at a British school  that is acclaimed for your particular major, chances are that you will be well placed in a job with that solid academic background . Figure out what the top schools in your field are and determine if you can afford to go , either because you can pay the tuition or you can secure scholarships or loans . Once you are well informed, you will be prepared to make a decision , you will know what the best choice is for you .
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I was invited to attend a small wedding in a few weeks for one of my college friends . I invited a woman to be my date for the ceremony . However , we are not currently communicating with each other due to a disagreement . Do you think it is wrong for me to inform her that I made new arrangements for the wedding? I don't mean to be rude , but we are no longer dating and she doesn't even know the couple .
Wedding Crusher 
Dear Wedding Crusher,
You absolutely need to hold fast to a wedding invitation with this woman . You do need to let her know that you are no longer expecting her to go with you . You may also want to clear the air regarding your disagreement . Even if you have no intention of getting together with her ever again , it is  kind and respectful to close the loop . In the best of worlds , you should contact her and start by addressing whatever the conflict was . Follow up with the point that you are no longer expecting her to join you .

Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I've been in a relationship for five years with a guy who has been very enjoyable company , however , in the past 18 months , rumors have surfaced about him being bisexual . He never told me about this part of his past . Finally , I confronted him and he admitted that this was just a whim at a time in his life when he was alone . He's been divorced for 23 years and claims he never knew why his wife divorced him . 
He now feels that since he is with me and the desires are no longer there , I should just forget about my disgusted feelings and go on as if nothing was ever said . His friends were the ones who kept dropping these hints to me , but , of course I ignored them until now .
I don't know if I should continued this relationship . He is 85 and I am 79 . We don't have sex since he has erectile dysfunction and his desire has diminished .
Worrying Winnie 
Dear Winner ,
What is that you want from this relationship ? Whatever is in this man's past does not need to affect you or your future . Someone who is bisexual is attracted to both men and woman but the proof of his loyalty lies in the fact that he has stayed with you for five years. He obviously cares very much for you. Do you want to lose that?
If this were a sexual relationship , I might understand your concerns . But you aren't having sex with him and have no plans to do so . You don't have to marry him to enjoy the relationship . You admit you find him to be very enjoyable company . I don't see a problem . 
When  we reach our senior years, having a dear friend is very precious to us. Don't lose that friendship for lack of understanding.
Maxy

Nanook's Crafts

Crafts from Nanook's workshop for young and old.

 V-neck T-shirts --toddler to XXX large

 Round neck T-shirts -- toddler to XXX large

 Round or V-neck T-shirts -- toddler to XXX large

 Light jackets or shirts--bring your own clothing article ,we will  make it work,you pick your colors .

Slippers in all sizes ... display ... we make all sizes , warm and comfortable .

Food for Thought : Weekend Camping

When was the last time you went to a local park, campground or National park for the day or over the weekend? Camping, hiking and spending time outdoors is a great way to get some quality family time without breaking the budget. It can also be a healthy way to get active and get some exercise as a family. This is the perfect time of the year to share in the creation of many memories. The weather is cooler, but the hustle of fall activities and the holiday season is not quite upon us. Whether you plan to sleep in a tent, you rent a cabin or just go on a day trip, there are several places in this area easily within driving distance. Here are a few tips to help you and your family have a healthy and active trip to a local park:

1 .   Come prepared. Know exactly where you are going and what activities you plan to partake in before you leave home, as well as predicted weather conditions. Having the right equipment for activities helps reduce the risk of injuries and illness. Make sure to pack a first aid kit.
2 .   Plan your meals and snacks. Know which foods need to be refrigerated and pack a cooler if necessary. Plan at least one extra snack per person per day if you are going to be engaging in excessive amounts of physical activity.
3 .   Pack non-perishable foods when you can. Trail mix made of nuts, seeds, dried fruit and granola makes a wonderful addition to any hiking or biking trip. If you are cooking your meals, make sure you follow all food safety rules and bring plenty of anti-bacterial wipes for your hands and equipment.
4 .   If you are planning to take raw meats to cook on the campfire, make sure you pack them in a separate cooler. If you plan to fish, make sure you have a separate cooler to store your day’s catch.
                                                                Pan-Fried Fish:

1          pint homogenized milk
6-8       ounces beer
1          egg, beaten well
2          tablespoons prepared mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste
Creole Seasoning, to taste
10-12     catfish or trout filets
2/3         cup cornmeal
1/3         cup flour
Salt & cayenne pepper, to taste
Creole seasoning, onion powder, and garlic powder, to taste
¼         cup extra light virgin olive oil
¼         cup butter
Mix well the first seven ingredients; add fish filet and marinate at least 4 hours. Drain filets in a colander. Mix cornmeal, flour, and seasonings. Dip fish filets in cornmeal mixture and fry on medium heat, adding more oil as needed. Drain well and drizzle with lemon juice. Makes 4-6 servings.
          Zesty Tartar Sauce:

1½       cups mayonnaise
1          pickled jalapeno, diced
3          tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2          tablespoons green onion tops, chopped fine
1         tablespoon celery, chopped fine
1           tablespoon capers
1           teaspoon dried dill, optional
Mix together all ingredients; chill.
                                                                       Simple Slaw:

1         (l-pound) bag shredded slaw mix
3         hard-boiled eggs, chopped
3-4     stalks green onion tops, chopped
¾        cup mayonnaise
¼        cup bottled Ranch dressing
Salt and pepper, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste
Crispy, fried bacon, crumbled, (optional)
Combine slaw mix with hard-boiled eggs and green onion tops. Mix mayonnaise and Ranch dressing; toss with slaw mix. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Blend in crumbled bacon, if using. Makes 6 servings.
Note: For a change of flavor, substitute Italian dressing for the Ranch.
                  :Tomato Pie

4          tomatoes, peeled and sliced
Salt, to taste
10       fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2      cup chopped green onion
1         (9-inch) deep dish pie shell, baked
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1         cup grated Mozzarella cheese
1         cup grated Monterrey Jack cheese
1         cup mayonnaise
Place tomatoes in a colander in the sink in one layer. Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for 10 minutes. (If tomatoes are still juicy, place them between layers of paper towels to absorb remaining moisture.) Layer tomato slices, basil, and onion in pie shell. Season with salt and pepper. In a bowl, combine grated cheeses and mayonnaise; stir. Spread mixture on top of the tomatoes. Garnish top with additional chopped green onion and basil, if desired. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Makes 8-10 servings
                                                                    Hushpuppies

Vegetable oil for frying
2            cups yellow cornmeal
1-1/2     cups flour
3            teaspoons baking powder
1            teaspoon salt
1            teaspoon sugar
1            teaspoon garlic powder
Black pepper and Cajun or Creole seasoning to taste
1            egg
1            (15-ounces) can cream-style corn
1/2         cup finely chopped onions
Hot pepper sauce to taste
Worcestershire sauce to taste
Heat vegetable oil in large frying skillet. Mix together all dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. Mix together the wet ingredients in a small bowl; blend until well mixed. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until well blended. (If consistency is too thick, add milk, a little at a time) Form batter into small balls and drop into hot oil. Cook until lightly brown. Serve with your favorite fish and fries.
            Sausage Biscuits:

1         pound bulk pork sausage
2         cups biscuit baking mix
1         teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1         egg, beaten
1/2      cup water
Make sausage into patties , fry in non-stick skillet ; test for done , remove to paper towel to drain.
Mix all ingredients; drop by spoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350-degree oven until brown, approximately 25 minutes. These will keep well in a sealed container for several days.
Note:1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese may be added.

Words of Wisdom :

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.

Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.

Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.

Have great weekend camping trip : be prepared.



A proud grand-poppa                          G.

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy,
My teenage son was previously overweight . Recently , he commited himself to exercise and has lost so much weight that none of his clothes fit . Like me , he hates shopping , so he has been wearing my pants and his baggy shirts --- he doesen't care they are too big . The rest of the family chides him on looking "homeless" in his large clothes and I know he needs new attire , but I can't bear to set foot in a store .
Although one of the problems with my son's new lifestyle is his appearance , an even bigger concern of mine is his advice to others . To change his life arond , he used an app to input his height , weight and daily caloric intake to find out he would have to exercise to lose a certain amount of weight . He has taken to the habit of asking people what their weight , height and daily caloric intake so he can help them lose weight . My son is not doing this to offend , and he feels as though he is genuinely helping others . My daughters do not feel the same way , and I doubt the various cashiers and salespeople do , either . How can I get my son to focus on his own appearance and stop telling others how to change theirs?
Weighted Advice
Dear Weighted Advice ,
It is common for people who have made a dramatic and positive shift in their way of living to become advocates for their lifestyle choice . Too often, that advocacy can turn into proselytizing (trying to convert  you to their way of thinking ) something that few people want to hear . You can gently point out to your son that, he had to recognize for himself that he needed to make a change in his diet and exercise choices; the same is true for others . The decision has to be a personal choice , coming from within oneself and by oneself in order to be successful.
If the people he is approaching are overweight and out of shape, they may very well take offense at his remarks.
Point out to him that he has not yet been totally successful with his own program because he still has no pride or   confidence in his new appearance. To advise other people, one has to be a shining example of  one's own advice.
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
My Son received a ton of homework to complete over the Summer , but he hadn't completed most of it . I remind him to do his work ever morning , but he procrastinates and doesn't do it . I don't want to punish him everyday , but I have to get him to complete his work . What do you recommend .
Facing Homework 
Dear Facing Homework ,
Wake your son up early , before any distractions can come into the picture . Make sure all "screens" are out of view . Sit with your son to work on his homework together. Be interested in his assignments. Do your best to engage him in the work. Talk about the importance of responsibilities . Work together each day so that you can get the work done . If you do not seem interested in his work, why should he be? Positive reinforcement really does work with kids.
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
My parents own a good amount of land in their native country . When I was growing up , they paid for my tuition but they were not very supportive emotionally . I sponsored them to come to the U.S. , and because they didn't speak much English (and still don't) . I helped them find jobs .
The problem is , my parents are giving everything they own and whatever they made during their lifetimes to my brothers as an inheritance . They are leaving nothing to me . I've decided to encourage them to move back home and live with their sons .
Why should I be handling their bills , buying their groceries , picking up their prescriptions , taking them and acting as their interpreter ?
I paid back every penny they spent on me , including my tuition .
I am angry that I am obligated to take care of them when they are leaving everything to my brothers . Please help.
Foolish Daughter in Orlando
Dear Daughter ,
I assume your parents come from a culture that values sons more than daughters ( there are many) and that daughters are expected to care for the parents while the sons inherit property .
While this is hardly fair, you cannot expect your parents to overcome their own cultural upbringing so easily .
You need to think of this differently . Your parents do not owe you an inheritance . They raised you and helped you get into college by loaning you tuition . That is reason enough to be grateful. Any land or moneys they possess are entirely theirs, to do with as they wish. 
Anything you do for them is out of  love and respect, not for gain or profit .  They will appreciate you for that. And your brothers should welcome the opportunity to do the same .
Maxy 

Dear Maxy ,
I am a cross-dresser and I like your no nonsense advice to "No Life ,Without Wife .
I married in the early 80s and did not tell my wife about my cross-dressing . Nine years later , I wanted her to be part of my complete life . I told her by leaving women clothing jn the closet and telling her they were mine . She said she needed time to think about it . Nine months later , she still wouldn't talk about it or see a therapist and said I needed professional help . That led to a divorce .
In time , I realized that if I wanted to enjoy my cross-dressing and be able to share my pleasure with someone , I have to tell that person early on .
When I told my current wife about my cross-dressing , she asked whether I was gay. I told her no . She asked a lot of other questions and I answered them as truthfully as I could . She was willing to compromise and now the two of us enjoy both of my worlds .
I would strongly advice "No Life" to tell his wife in person , privately and as soon as possible .
Turn off all the phones , and let her know you have something important to say . Stay calm , and let her absorb the news at her own pace .
He also should have the name of a therapist ready in case he or his wife wish to speak to a professional .
Glad I Did
Dear Glad ,
How well I remember "No Life Without Wife." You did exactly the right thing by being completely open with your wife. Too bad you learned that the hard way.
You must give your present wife a lot of credit for understanding and adapting to your lifestyle. I hope you honor her by doing the same for her.
I can't stress enough how important it is not to keep such important parts of your life hidden from your spouse . Aside from the surprise , it also feels like a betrayal not to have been told before the marriage . And, yes, most people do require counseling to help them adjust. Very good advice for 'No Life Without Wife'.  Thank you for your testimonial .
Maxy

A DIY Stain Remover That Works On Everything..."Honestly", says Young Mom

I’ve always been good at removing stains—that and parallel parking are things I would list as my best random skills. But I found a new challenge in stain removal when I dug out my older son’s baby clothes once I was expecting baby number two. My older son used to spit up terribly. A lot and everywhere. So even though I washed and thought I removed those stains before I put his clothes in storage, once I got them out I found that over time the stains had come back and yellowed, ruining most of the clothes I had put away for future babies.

But I refused to give up on the clothes without a fight. Through trial and error I found a concoction of things I already had in my home that I used to make a great DIY stain remover that really worked on those years-old dried and stored spit-up stains!



SUPPLIES:

• Dawn Dish Soap (the blue kind)
• baking soda
• hydrogen peroxide
• airtight jelly jar or plastic storage container

INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1: Mix one part Dawn with two parts peroxide in your chosen container.
Step 2: Then add 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda, making a paste. Add more baking soda if too liquidy (yes, that’s a word), or more peroxide if too thick.



HOW TO APPLY:
Step 1: Pour generous amount of liquid onto stain. Using a toothbrush or garment brush, rub stain remover into stain. Be sure to do the same to the underside of the garment, where stain may have bled through. It is important to treat both sides of the stain.
Step 2: Let item sit for at least an hour (more for really tough stains), and then wash according to clothing label.



Step 3: Check clothing item to be sure stain is gone before you put it in the dryer. Dried on stains are harder to remove. Repeat process until stain is gone, then dry according to label.
If you have any left, store in an airtight container in a cool dark place. I usually make small batches each time I need it since peroxide loses its effectiveness over time. And since this is such a cheap and readily available DIY, it is easy to make over and over again!
And in case you were wondering, this magic blue mixture saved all of those baby clothes, which my new baby currently wears. So this DIY stain remover really does work!

The Minion Phenomenon...



It was only a matter of time, wasn’t it, but ‘Minions’ has made a billion dollars at the worldwide box office. But what’s their appeal?
Officially, the ‘Despicable Me’ spin-off has taken $1,018,901,000 over the summer since its early July release and is the most successful in the franchise.
Success Story
 The first ‘Despicable Me’ hit cinemas in 2010 and amassed a respectable $543 million, which was pretty good going considering it was a brand new, unheard of franchise hitting the animation scene.  2013 saw the release of ‘Despicable Me 2′. It quickly surpassed the original and took just under a billion dollars, with a total of $971 million, affirming it as one of the year’s biggest grossers.

Like Pixar films, this franchise manages to appeal to a wide audience, but not quite in the same way. The likes of ‘Toy Story 3′ and ‘Up’ connected on a basic, visual gag level to small kids (bar that Married Life montage in the latter). ‘Despicable Me’ and its sequel appealed largely to the kiddies but provided enough jokes and silliness to appease many adults.
‘Minions’ hones in on the mega success of the first two and goes all-out to get children into cinemas, while retaining a fundamental cuteness that can not only entice adults, but invites impressionable, developing children to engage with the on-screen action. The minions are cute in the most basic, simplified style. No fine physical details to distract one from their devilish personalities. Just yellow beans in goggles and overalls.
The fact that its stars - Stuart, Kevin, and Bob - can barely utter a coherent word between them seems to have worked in the film’s favour. Not only do their funny sounding utterances make audiences of all ages laugh, it seems to resonate strongly with little kids, serving as a viable form of entertainment where developing minds can follow a simple, easy to understand narrative.
Summer holidays have always proven a good time to release movies aimed at bored kids who have driven parents up the wall for weeks on end, so is likely one reason for its July and August surge. And for adults who, admittedly, have no idea what they’re saying, the three dungaree-wearing misfits are amusing and visually adorable enough to capture their imaginations, too.



Plenty of Appeal
No doubt as the franchise has grown - and its creators have realized how the yellow odd bods can pull in the adults - the wit and visual comedy has been a big thing grown-ups can latch on to. Sure, on the surface they’re inarticulate blobby ‘things’ to keep kids entertained, but each with their own personalities and some genuinely amusing moments even without the ability to tell verbal jokes, it’s this blend that has proven a winning formula, and something different to Disney’s, Pixar’s, and even DreamWorks’ output.
In truth, people sometimes underestimate the influence and huge audience share that are children. Disney’s ‘Frozen’ targeted youngsters but also managed to grab the attention of adults too. Aiming a film primarily at younger viewers while giving a bit of appeal to older ones doesn’t even feel like a key issue here, mainly because parents will have to take their children to see it anyway, which accounts, in part, to its strong box office performance. 
Quite why minions are so popular across the board is, as with most crazes, largely inexplicable, but well targeted to an audience: in this case kids. But subjective appeal, especially in the film world, needs no explanation.
 All we can do is choose whether to ignore or embrace ‘minion fever’ because, let’s face it, they’re here to stay.
‘Despicable Me 3′ is in cinemas in summer 2017, with ‘Minions 2′ practically guaranteed to be with us in the coming years.
 For some reason, whenever I see the minions, I smell bananas.