Schuetz

"Tis better to be alone than in bad company." -George Washington

So your relationship is over, but you just want to see him/her just one more time. You can if you really have to but if you can be strong and make a clean break; you will be on the road to recovery sooner rather than later.

This is a big one. If there is one thing you can do for yourself that will help you move on with your life the fastest...it will be to avoid the on-again-off-again dance that so many people experience when ending a relationship.

If it's over...it's over!

Deep down in your heart you know it, but many people hope against hope that if they go back just one more time, things will work out.

So...they go back and try. 99% of the time it's the same sad outcome, minus a couple of precious months that would have been better spent in trying to heal themselves.

Don't try to be friends. Don't meet for dinner to see them one more time. Don't talk on the phone and rehash the past and don't let them continue to be a part of your life when they're not.

I know it's difficult to make the break, but be strong and keep your distance. It will make it easier on you in the long run. Instead, if you choose to keep in touch; you will only prolong the process. You will have to go through it anyway, so why put it off and make it harder on yourself?

All of our choices come with consequences. When you choose to see him one more time or talk to him again and again, the consequence is: you will begin to heal later rather than sooner. You will waste more of your precious time and you will hold onto the hope that things might work out, which will only be a disappointment to you in the long run.

Making a clean break and acceptance go hand in hand. The "clean break" is evidence that you've "accepted" that it's over and you are ready to move on with your life.

So...if you really want to be friends. Allow yourself the time to get over the pain of the break-up and then if you still want to; you can resume your friendship. Keep busy, find anything else to do, just don't go back there one more time.

Remember, take the right steps to heal your broken heart and...You will survive!

Read more about it at: http://www.whystay.com

Susan Russo is the President of Pinnacle Thought Inc. Publisher for books and resources which provide inspiration, self-empowerment and the tools and strategies to help move you toward personal success and fulfillment. She is editor of "You've Got Power" ezine and author of "There Is Life After What's-His-Name.

RV camping with kids can be fun for you and a great experience for the youngsters and it's good for kids to get out of the city once in a while. Get them out and away from the television and video games. Let them see a jackrabbit or a snake or or any number of wondrous things. Tell them about the different kinds of trees and plants that are found around the campground.

I had a great biology teacher in high school who took us on nature hikes and told us about the plants and animals that lived in the woods around us. I still remember a lot of what we learned. You can be a biology teacher to you kids or you can learn together.

This is a true story: On one of RVing trips we were waiting in line at a buffet type club dinner. The line was moving very slowly and the teenager behind me complained to her mother that she was hungry and wanted to know what was taking so long. In jest, I quipped that they had probably run out of hamburgers and had to go butcher another cow. The girls jaw dropped. She looked at her mother and asked, "Is that true? Hamburgers come from cows?" Her mother said it was true... where did she think hamburger came from?

Tips for Taking RV Trips with Kids

Moving about in the motor home when it is moving is not advisable. Kids must realize that they cannot play active games... tag, hide and seek, etc.... in a rolling home.

Audio tapes and CDs to keep their ears and minds occupied are options. If you're traveling with teens remind them to fill their iPods with some good listening.

Pick up some cheap items from a dollar store to use for "special awards". These places often have magnetic checker/chess sets and other games that are great for in car entertainment. Hold back some of the "treasures" you got for use in emergencies. Children can be very helpful in setting up and striking camp. Children should be assigned chores that will be their responsibility. Allow extra time for each day. Kids need frequent stops. And get off the road early in the afternoon so the kids can have the evening to play. An RV Resort or campground with a swimming pool and playground area is something the children can look forward to. Keeping children entertained, amused, busy along the way is worth any time that you may spend preplanning activities. Keep it FUN!

Fran Crawford is the editor of http://HowToRentAnRV.com

The website has a http://howtorentanrv.com/rv-rental-information/rv-rental-company-drectory.html Directory of RV Rental Companies

Americans, now, more than ever, are becoming more and more aware of our health. And we are realizing the importance of what we put in and on our bodies and how that can effect how we feel and how we look. This is just one of the many reasons why Natural Mineral Makeup sales have skyrocketed over 60% in the past year. The type of makeup we put on our face does make a difference in how our skin looks not just now but will look in the future as well.

If youve been searching for a Natural alternative to your regular over-the-counter makeup, something that is actually good for your skin, then Natural Mineral Makeup is your answer.

Keep in mind that not all Mineral Makeups are created equal. But a Pure Mineral Makeup, one that contains nothing but 100% pure crushed minerals of the earth show real documented benefits for your skin.

First of all, the obvious lack of artificial ingredients, cheap fillers, waxes, parabens, binders, chemicals and animal by-products that is a true indication of a Pure Natural Mineral Makeup, eliminate most of the major ingredients that cause harm, aging, allergic reaction, breakouts and other irritations to your skin. This makes a pure Mineral Makeup hypoallergenic as well.

A true Natural Mineral Cosmetic is pure micronized minerals and, therefore, sits on top of the skin. Since it doesnt absorb into the skin, it doesnt clog pores causing breakouts and acne like many regular makeups do. An esthetic benefit to this is that it also doesnt cake up in lines and creases (which can accentuate wrinkles).

Because minerals are inorganic, or inert, bacteria cannot grow in them, so a pure Natural Mineral Makeup cannot support bacteria and cannot spoil.

Natural Mineral Makeups have an SPF of 15+ due to their mineral content: mainly titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Both of these minerals are most often used in sunscreens formulated for infants and people with the most sensitive skin due to the fact that they are much less likely to cause skin irritation than chemical UV blockers. Zinc oxide is also an antimicrobial and antifungal for the skin.

These mineral properties help to make Natural Mineral Cosmetics calming and healing to the skin and, in fact, Mineral Makeup is the only makeup used and recommended by Plastic Surgeons and Dermatologists following surgical procedures and facial treatments.

So, if youve been looking for a Natural alternative to your makeup, but worry about how mineral makeup will look on your skin, then stop worrying. Natural Mineral Makeup is very lightweight. It has a silky feeling that really feels like youre wearing no makeup at all. This light texture contributes to the natural look of your skin which gives you a much more youthful appearance.

The coverage you get with Mineral Makeup is superior. It creates a flawless smooth look but completely covers blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles and skin discolorations-even spider veins and rosacea. Pure Natural Mineral Makeup is the perfect natural alternative for traditional makeup and not only looks good but is actually good for your skin!

For the Best 100% Pure Mineral Makeup: Naked Minerals Makeup, go to www.LoveMineralMakeup.com. Naked Minerals is the ONLY Mineral Makeup with a 'Certificate of Purity' from the manufacturer. Due to their purity, Naked Minerals Eyeshadows, Blushes & Bronzers can be used interchangeably for the Ultimate in Versatility.

How can you "break the ice" with a youth who is a total stranger and guide the discussion from an awkward silence into a meaningful conversation?

Jesus often got people talking with his first question and then was able to guide the discussion so that it developed into a meaningful conversation about a life-changing topic!

He met people where they were--whether they were drawing water, fishing, collecting taxes, watching him from a treetop, or worshipping God in the Temple in Jerusalem.

But Jesus was never content to leave them where they were. His objective was always a changed life!

Remember the Woman at the well... A simple request for a drink led to a meaningful discussion on "living water" that transformed a village.

Zacheus was simply hoping to get a glimpse of Jesus but instead got to talk to him at his own dinner table in a conversation that not only changed his life, but reached out to the lives of many sinners!

Christ's first words to Nicodemus, a religious scholar, were a conundrum, a puzzle that left him searching. And that search seemingly reached its conclusion when Nicodemus took a bold step of faith, along with Joseph of Arimathea, and asked for the body of Christ after the Crucifixion.

The gospels are filled with the stories
of people who encountered Christ and then
their personal stories would be forever changed!

In encounter after encounter... Jesus not only broke the ice, but he left a lasting impact on the lives of the people he spoke with!

Sometimes Jesus used questions to break the ice. But on other occasions he use everyday objects, shared experiences, stories, and even crises to break the ice and open up the way to life changing spiritual discussions.

He asked people to share their opinions,
challenged their assumptions,
and asked them to find solutions.

He constantly invited others to join him in experiences
and used those common experiences
to bring out life changing spiritual truths.

Fresh experiences often served as living parables.

It's easy to relate to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences when you have just experienced them. Then it is only a short little jump to deeper truths and understanding.

The "here and now" becomes a springboard
to the distant future,
to choices and consequences.
A small controlled simulation
becomes a safe crucible
to test the consequences of real life decisions.

In the same way today, games, challenges, and contrived situations can generate discussions and expose the same deep set beliefs, attitudes, and values as real life situations and events.

How you play the game
is a reflection of who you are
and how you deal with life!

But in all things Jesus always had a purpose.
He broke the ice,
and later his own body would be broken,
so that broken lives could be mended.

Learn how you also can "break the ice" and make a lasting impact in the lives of youth!

I've specially prepared 52 of my best icebreakers of all time! (That's a full year of icebreakers - one a week!)

And like Christ's encounters with strangers they are icebreakers with a purpose.

Each one includes debriefs and meaningful discussion questions that engage youths to deal with real life issues.

Check out my new book: "Icebreaker's Ahead: Take It to the Next Level"

Simply visit
http://www.CreativeIcebreakers.com

Ken has been actively involved in youth ministry for almost 20 years and has been writing youth materials since 1988. He has written for numerous Youth weekends and summer camps around the world. He also does training workshops for youth leaders and teachers in Asia and is recommended by others for his creativity and for his passion in mentoring youth. You can get some wonderfully creative ideas for icebreaker games and activities from http://www.creativeicebreakers.com

If you plan to search for your soul mate online like the 40 million other people in the world you should be aware of a few tips that will help you along the way. Internet dating is a fast, safe and very easy way to meet people, so what do you need to know?

First off when you sign up to a dating site you need to fill out your personal information, such as age, height and body type. Do yourself a favor do not lie! It's useless to lie about yourself, likes, dislikes, occupation, etc... If you ever plan on actually meeting people in person from internet dating services, then be honest.

Photos are very important if you plan to get as many responses as possible. Men especially will search through profiles with photos only and contact people based on their appearance, so it's important to have a photo. Post a recent photo of yourself, not one that was taken 10 years ago, this can be deceiving if your appearance has changed. Ladies watch your email inbox fill up if you put a photo on your personal ad. The amount of emails you will receive will amaze you.

Try not to jump into sex talk in your profile too much, unless you are on a site like Adultfriendfinder.com. People might be scared off if they think sex is your only reason to want to meet them. We are all sexual beings however keep the sex chat in the background in the beginning.

When you do find someone you are interested in take it slow! Send a few emails back and forth, chat on instant messenger then work up to a telephone conversation. Don't ask to meet right away, and do not meet right away. You need to be smart and stay safe. When it comes time to meet in person, do so in a public place and take your own transportation. I'm not trying to scare you, it's just important to be safe, while meeting people you know very little about.

Try not to discuss previous relationships as this is a big turn off for people. No one wants to hear about negativity especially when you are first getting to know someone. Be positive and your personality will shine.

If you have already starting searching through dating sites, you can see that their is an endless supply of men and women looking for casual dating , romance and marriage. It can be overwhelming to try to find something you like because now you have too many choices compared to the real world. Don't get overwhelmed, this is easy to do. Write down what you are looking for and search for people who fit your requirements.

This might be a no brainer but do not ask someone to marry you when you first start corresponding with them. And don't say that you love them or they are your soul mate right off the bat, this might not go over too well. You would be surprised at how many men do this! The bottom line use your common sense, be honest, take your time and have fun!

Visit Chris Vorelli's site to find everything from Christian dating services, Gay personals and even Adult dating sites.

Ruidoso, New Mexico is a wonderful Southwest vacation destination offering Skiing, Horse Racing, Theater, Fishing, Shopping, Hiking, Biking and so much more.

Quaint shops in Ruidoso's midtown offer some of the most unique gifts you can find. Resembling a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting this part of the Village retains is rustic charm and offers some great dining, a saloon or two and lots of people watching opportuntities. You never know who you might see in Ruidoso, whether on the street on on the slopes.

The skiing at Ski Apache in Ruidoso is the best in New Mexico and rivals Colorado for quality of snow and choices of runs. The only gondola in New Mexico is at Ski Apache. A new snow park was recently added to give those daring riders a chance to catch some air and show off to the folks swinging by on the lifts.

World class horse racing fills the summers as does many events large and small. A bluesfest, 2 motorcycle rallys, a nationally recognized cowboy symposium, rodeos, and so many art shows, art tours and craft shows that they can't even be listed here. Then there are the casinos. Recently opened Inn of the Mountain Gods is a Vegas style state of the art casino with breathtaking views from the rooms and first class dining.

For reservations at one of Ruidoso's charming cabins go to www.wpcr.com or call 1-866-766-3445. For more info on Ruidoso and the travel opportuntities available go to www.GoRuidoso.com where you can also sign up for the free Ruidoso travel newsletter.

Chuck Duncan

Chuck Duncan is a local resident who serves on several commities as well as the Chamber of Commerce executive, the Lincoln County Lodgers Association executive and is a member of the Arts council. Chuck ownes and operates Whispering pIne Cabins in Ruidoso's prefered area of Lodging, the Beautiful Upper Canyon.

Do you know that the local restaurant you frequent probably doesnt make everything from scratch? I learned this when I worked in a New York City a while back. Much to my dismay, I watched one day as the kitchen staff unpacked boxes of already-made sauces, packages of conveniently chopped vegetables, and even prepared cookie dough and pie-shells. There is a well-known chain of sandwich shops that boasts heroes with freshly baked bread. But you might be expecting to find frenetic yeast rising and dough rolling in the back. Chances are you would see globs of dough pre-formed into hero-bread shape, waiting to be put in the oven. And whats the difference? The cookie or bread would taste freshly baked, and the cooks wouldnt waste time with rolling pins or discarding dough that didnt rise. It makes for a much more efficient kitchen, right?

Well, why not use the same principle in your own kitchen? You can make a delicious lasagna without rolling out the pasta dough, or even toiling over a stove to make your own sauce, like Grandma did. Of course, if you want to do everything from scratch, more power to you, because you probably have no kids, dont have to work for a living, and have someone to clean the mansion and do the laundry. But for the rest of us, leave the saucing to Francesco Rinaldi, and the pasta artistry to Ronzoni. Your guests will think you knocked yourself out for them, and you can still put your own culinary signature on your lasagna. To this day, friends still call me on me to tell them how to make my lasagna, and my name doesnt even end in a vowel!

First, buy a package of lasagna pasta. To make it special, you can get green spinach pasta. If you want to make it really outstanding and you live in a big city, or an area with a big Italian population, you can go to the local Italian deli and get fresh lasagna noodles, instead of picking your box off the grocery shelf. Check with the store about cooking time and make sure you tell them you are making a lasagna, so the pasta will be put in the oven after cooking. Sometimes you get already-cooked pasta that you can put right into the oven without par-boiling. If you use pasta from the box, do not boil it for the 15 minutes they tell you on the box. You want your pasta to be al dente which is a little hard, because when you put it in the oven to bake your lasagna, the pasta will cook more, and you dont want it to overcook it and let it get mushy.

The next thing you are going to put together is your filling. Now, here is where you are going to put your own signature on your lasagna. Mine was little mini-meatballs, but you can also brown the chopped meat and put it in too. Start with some tomato sauce. Here too, take liberty and pick out a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce. You can use meat sauce and you dont have to brown any meat. You can use sauce with sausage, or to make it really special, buy already-made Italian sausage. Make sure you cook it first. Want to add your own special vegetable? You can put in cooked eggplant, zucchini. Onions, peppers or whatever you want. Add fresh herbs if you desire. If you want to make a vegetarian lasagna, leave out the meat. Want to go easy on the calories and cholesterol? Use chicken or instead of chopped beef, use chopped veal or even chopped turkey. For a very different lasagna, put in seafood -- calamari, mussels, or even shrimp.

Now you are ready to assemble your lasagna and put it in the oven to bake. You will need a large container of ricotta cheese and a package of mozzarella cheese too. Take a rectangular baking dish- either glass or metal, or even disposable. Spray the bottom with non-stick cooking spray or a thin layer of olive oil. Then line the bottom of the pan with sauce. Then cover the bottom with a layer of your pre-cooked al dente lasagna noodles. Next, slather on your ricotta cheese in a thick layer. Then, put on your filling and sauce. Then, put another layer of lasagna noodles, again slather on ricotta, and again your filling. Top off with a layer of lasagna noodles, liberally pour sauce on top, and then slices of mozzarella to cover the top. Put the pan in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes, or until the mozzarella on top is completely melted and the sauce is bubbling.

Make sure to serve some Italian bread and compliment with a good bottle of wine, and your guests will never know that you didnt slave all day. You can even make the components of the filling the day before. That way, all you have to do on the night of your dinner party is parboil the lasagna noodles, assemble the lasagna, and pop it in the oven. Everything is already cooked; you only have to put it all in the oven to melt the mozzarella and heat everything up. The lasagna is your creation. You have chosen what goes into it and what flavors and spices your guests taste buds will enjoy. And the best part? If there are leftovers, you can reheat it and enjoy it again. I will never figure out why, but Italian food always tastes even better the second time around. Isnt there a song like that? Or is it love that is better the second time around? Love? Lasagna? They certainly go together.

Fern Cohen is a freelance writer living in New York City. Diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease in January, 2004, she was forced to retire early from her career of teaching foreign language and ESL in the inner-city. Fern also enjoyed a 20-year career in the travel and tourism industry and holds an MS in Tourism and Travel Management from New York University. She also has a BA in French and Spanish from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and has studied collage and mixed media at the Parsons School of Design in NYC. She is active in rabbit rescue, and shares an apartment with Chelsea, a gray chinchilla bunny, who is also her muse. Her website is at http://www.ferncohen.com and she has a blog at http://www.ferncohen.blogspot.com