The Fem Place

Untitled

2010-10-18T19:52:00.000-06:00

Cold night
I hate your darkness
You taunt me and you like it.

Lonely day
You make me tearful
I need help.

Difficult life
You hate me
I suffer endlessly.

Hangover Help

2010-10-10T20:31:00.001-06:00

   Yesterday The Fem Place had a BAD hangover, but I think I have stumbled over a miracle cure! Okay, maybe not "miracle", my body still felt "used", but I felt considerably better.

Step 1: Drink a giant glass of water.

Step 2: Drink a giant glass of apple juice while eating ritz cracker or the store brand. (Mine were the store brand. I ain't no fancy-pants anyhow, it was a BEER hangover)

Step 3: Stomach still nauseous? Drink a small glass of chilled tomato juice or clamato. Not sure why, but it works.

Step 4: If you are kitchen savvy and can summon the strength, make a large pot of homemade chicken and dumplings. Nothing cures what ails you like chicken and dumplings.

   I actually felt extremely better after all that. I have accumulated all these tips (except for the soup, that one was all me) from the "next-morning, surf the internet for any morsel of info that might magically rescue me from this hell that is my hangover" persuit. I have also read that eating a banana does subtle wonders. The best thing one can do is eat a good meal the night before and drink a lot of water along with your adult beverages because the alcohol dehydrates you, thus causing your nasty hangover.

   So take precautions and drink responsibly. CHEERS!

Grand Re-Opening

2010-10-05T21:07:00.000-06:00

The Fem Place has been on a bit of a vacation, what due to getting rid of a jerk "baby daddy" and falling in love with a "first love" all over again. However, we are back in business my friends! And what better way to celebrate a re-opening than with a guest post? Yes, this week we want to feature one of your writing pieces! Send me a story, poem, haiku, product review, life rant, whatever and you could be the lucky reader who gets posted. Send all submissions to tfpguestpost@gmail.com and check back to see if your post was the chosen one!

Why I Love My Steam Shark

2010-08-20T21:22:00.000-06:00

When I think of how much easier it is to use my Steam Shark versus the old mop and bucket, I fall even more in love with it. True, it was a bit spendy ($119.99 @Target when I bought it last winter), but really I will save that much in cleaning solutions overtime. All I have to put in my Steam Shark is water.*Use distilled water for a longer lasting steam mop.* Distilled water is really cheap at your local Albertson’s, Smith’s or Von’s ($1-$3). I fill it, choose a mop head and mop cover, plug her in and steam my way to sanitary floors.

Granted, it doesn’t sanitize carpets, it only “freshens” them. But still, my Steam Shark is so worth the buy! Especially if you have all wood or tile floors! The mop covers come right off and go straight into your washing machine to be cleaned and used again. Use them until you think you’ve worn them out, rather than using disposable mop covers that you have to buy continuously. The Steam Shark really does clean. When I walk on my freshly “sharked” kitchen floor, I can FEEL that it is clean. No stickiness, just clean. Overall, I have to say the small investment I paid for my Steam Shark was well worth doing away with hands-and-knees style floor cleaning.

*The Fem Place was in no way compensated for this review. I just love my steam mop so much I thought I would share it with you.*

Everyting AND the Kitchen Sink!

2010-08-09T11:57:00.009-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

     Are you doing some remodeling? Maybe you are in the process of building your house and you have everything, BUT the kitchen sink? Become.com is currently sharing some great discounts on kitchen sinks right now! Were you just waiting for the right price on a stainless steel kitchen sink? See what all is being offered at http://home-and-garden.become.com/stainless-steel-kitchen-sink The prices for Double Bowl Stainless Steel sinks right now are hot! You definitely don’t want to miss out! Quality brands like Franke Manor House, Vigo Industries and the Elkay Lustertone Collection are giving excellent summer prices for their products, just in time for your redecorating project. Get yours for a STEEL of a price while supplies last.

     Already have your dream kitchen perfected? Maybe it is the bathroom this season that is getting its overdue makeover? Become.com also has the season’s scoop on ceramic sinks for your pretty little powder room. Round, rectangular or semi-recessed, Become.com wants to help you find whatever style you’re looking for this season. Beautifully polished ceramic sinks from companies such as Express Décor, Quality Bath and Surplus Décor are close to hand. With brands we know and love great prices and discounts are the icing on the cake! Toto, Kraus, RonBow and Nameek’s; find all this and more today at http://www.become.com/ceramic-sinks.

     Last but not least, Become.com is also giving you the inside dish on utility sinks for your laundry room too. It may not be as fun as redecorating your kitchen or bathroom, but no less important. Become.com knows this and that’s why they are supplying you with prices you are looking for on the designs you want. Crane, Julien Urbanedge Pedestal, Advance Tabco or, my personal favorite, Whitehaus Laundry, are all waiting to become a part of your “laundry day”. Make your Cinderella experience a little easier with a utility sink that you hand pick. Get yours today at http://home-and-garden.become.com/utility-sink.

**It is a possibility that The Fem Place could be monetarily compensated for this review, but that in no way influences our opinion. Great prices are great prices whether I agree or not.**

Yummy Breakfast Skillet

2010-08-02T14:42:00.004-06:00

Today I would like to share a yummy breakfast skillet recipe with you, out of which you can make breakfast burritos!

This was for a family of three, so you can alter these numbers and measurements according to your specific needs and preferences.

Step 1: Dice two medium size russet potatoes into small cubes. Cut half a pack of turkey bacon into bite size pieces. Combine potatoes and bacon in a large skillet with a TBSP of EVOO *This is to keep your potatoes from burning before the turkey bacon can produce any grease* and any desired spices. *I used cajun seasoning and black pepper. I personally DO NOT add salt to my dishes* Cook on medium heat until bacon is cooked thoroughly and potatoes are soft.

Step 2: Dice up one green bell pepper and one-half an onion. Also cut three cloves of garlic into thin slices. Combine veggies and garlic with your still sizzling’ potatoes and bacon...

and continue to cook over medium heat until green pepper reaches desired texture.

Step 3: Scramble five (or more) large, white eggs *Note my picture shows three, but that turned out not to be enough*

and grate approximately 4 oz of desired flavor of cheese *This is a measurement you might alter to taste*. Pour eggs over skillet mixture.

Push around with your spatula or spoon until eggs are cooked. Then add your cheese and stir continuously until cheese is all melty and delicious.

Step 4: Heat up, fry in EVOO or use straight from the bag, enough flour tortillas for everyone to make burritos. Spoon some of your skillet mixture onto your tortilla and add a little Cholula hot sauce or whatever kind you prefer. Wrap it up and enjoy!

Final Thought: All in all, this is actually a pretty healthy dish. By using EVOO and TURKEY bacon you omit things like butter, vegetable oil and pork fat. You also use FRESH vegetables and garlic. Garlic has been said to have many medicinal qualities such as containing antioxidants which can help protect the body from “free radicals”. The hot sauce may be questionable, but hey, sometimes you gotta spice it up!

Standing Up To An Abuser: The Story of Jane

2010-07-31T15:11:00.003-06:00

     Last night a good friend of mine, we’ll just call her Jane, was physically assaulted by her ex-boyfriend/father of her 19 month old baby. Now granted, Jane didn’t walk away with any black eyes or bloody lips, but abuse is still ABUSE.
   ---
     After a long interrogating lecture from (lets call the abuser Earl), Jane was in a daze of tears and hopelessness. Earl had thrown food to the floor, leaving it scattered about her freshly cleaned kitchen tiles; relentlessly questioned her about why she no longer wanted him and why she showed such disdain toward him; which in utter frustration, brought Jane to her silent cry.

     In an effort not to be seen and not to make matters worse, Jane excused herself to the bathroom. Jane sat on the closed toilet lid and let her sorrows flow freely, streams of bitter regret and longing for freedom. Jane had tried to hide, but knew already Earl would follow. He would come to mock and harass her further, as if she were doing something wrong. Jane pleaded to Earl, “Why must you always do this? Why must you always destroy things?” And in response Earl breaks Jane’s curling iron. “That’s why!” he yells. As if he has given a rational response. Poor Jane sits on that toilet and simply continues to weep. No more questions. No retaliation. Only slightly salty rivers of inner emotional pain draining through sad eyes.

     Earl is the kind of abuser who shows small signs of remorse here and there. Coming in and out of coherency and trying in futility to right his wrongs. Earl tries to mend the curling iron, but is beyond repair.

     Jane takes a seat on the couch as she watches the obliviousness of their 19 month old daughter, still unaware that there is tension, happily watching cartoons and waiting for dinner. Earl takes the seat beside her. He begins again, questioning her why she won’t treat him the way she had before. Jane listlessly replies that there is no point in discussing such matters further, their relationship has been over for a month. In a split second Earl’s hand is around Jane’s delicate throat, applying just enough pressure to overpower and incite fear in her. And as quickly as his hand was there it is gone again, but Earl has gotten his point across. Jane sits silently, still, replaying what happened only seconds ago and trying to hold back all emotion… for fear of encouraging more abuse.

     As Jane travels towards the bedroom to retrieve something from her purse, Earl follows. Standing now in the narrow hallway Earl tries to apologize, tries to hug Jane. Jane is so numb and harbors such hate in her heart towards this man, although she knows better, she stands there lifelessly waiting for him to comfort himself and be done with it. One minute she is standing there in Earl’s clutches and in the next she found her self airborne, winging down the length of the hallway and crashing awkwardly to the floor; a slight pressure in her spine from the rough landing. Jane lays there. She already gave up. She is not fighting back, but still she endures more torment. She is still in shock and is aware of the strange pressure in her spine, she isn’t sure if she is hurt. More crying. Jane can’t help it. Everything inside of her is begging for rescue, but none comes.

     Earl angrily tells her to get up. Jane complies and is luckily able to do so with no serious injury in her back. She takes a seat again in the living room.

     Pretending as if nothing is wrong, they eat. Even in her tender youth, the baby has now noticed the pain in her mother’s eyes; red and swollen from her weeping. Jane knows this because she can understand all nonverbal communication from her child. Jane tries too fake a smile in hopes of comforting her daughter.

     A few minutes later Jane’s best friend Nicole shows up. They had planned a visit earlier. Jane’s heart leaps in gratefulness. He cannot, dare not touch me now! Jane rushes outside to greet Nicole. Just the presence of Nicole brings light and laughter back into Jane’s sad heart, they travel inside to begin their visit.

     Earl lies pitifully on the couch, fuming at Nicole’s arrival, but not yet showing it.

     A short time later he storms in on their good time trying to scare Nicole into leaving, threatening to break more of Jane’s belongings, punching a gaping hole into the wall and ultimately denouncing his duties as a father. He leaves.

     Nicole having been there for Jane throughout the whole three-year journey of this steadily declining relationship, encourages Jane to take a final step. Jane must call the authorities and report it all. Hesitant, Jane knows Nicole is right and if she is ever to be free then this is something she has to do.

     Jane calls the sheriff’s department and reports a crime; tells them of the hole in the bedroom wall, but denies any physical abuse. Jane has battered wife’s syndrome. She is afraid she will get hurt again later if she tells everything. However, Jane lets it slip that Earl is, in fact, mad at her and NOT the wall. Dispatch informs her that an officer will call her shortly.

     Maybe three minutes pass and Jane’s phone rings. It is the officer. She explains what happened and is again asked whether or not there was physical abuse. Jane loses her composure and amidst more tears confesses the abuse to the officer. She describes Earl’s appearance and vehicle; she also informs him that Earl has a key to the house (he was supposed to be moving out the next day, however Jane knew that wouldn’t happen as planned). The officer thanks her and makes his way to Jane and Nicole.

     Upon the officer’s arrival, Jane answers all his questions and both women fill out a police report. Now the officer explains that they are going to find him and when they do, they are going to arrest him. The county will file charges against an abuser regardless of the wishes of the victim. Jane is comforted by this. Earl is getting what he DESERVES.
   ---
     Earl was taken into custody approximately 3-4 hours later that evening. Jane and Nicole continued to laugh and enjoy each other’s company, satisfied by Earl’s detainment. And after the visit had ended and Jane was alone again, she smiled as she prepared to go to bed for the night. The officer had also returned the house key Earl had in his possession and at least for now, for that night until Earl’s release, Jane was safe.

Enter to Win a Ritz Crackerfuls $100 Visa Gift Card

2010-07-29T19:57:00.000-06:00

Need a delicious snack for work and/or school? Have you tried Ritz Crackerfuls? Click on the link below and enter win a Ritz Crackerfuls $100 Visa Gift Card! Good Luck!

http://busymom1.blogspot.com/2010/06/ritz-crackerfuls-100-visa-gift-card.html

Legitimate Way to Earn Money Blogging!

2010-07-29T15:44:00.001-06:00

   I have recently discovered a great site called LinkFromBlog. This is a great way to monetize your blog and earn a little extra cash by doing product reviews. So simple!

     All you need to do is complete the quick and easy registration form (I did it in 5 minutes), add your personal blog to your new LinkFromBlog account, complete the activation by writing a post about LinkFromBlog and away you go!

     After you have been activated you can bid on reviews to write and/or wait for advertisers to offer you reviewing opportunities on their products. It's that easy!

     As a single, working mother this new opportunity was something I had been actively searching for. I needed to pull in just a little more cash than I was and didn't know the first thing about how to use a blog to earn money. I am happy to have had the opportunity to share this information with you in hopes that you will be able to start using your blog to its fullest potential!

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