ask karenR



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I have gone from younggrandma to just yg. Now,
I am using my real name.
I don't think anyone who knows me will have trouble figuring out who that is!


I have been gone a while dealing with things in my own life. I am back now to help once again. Do not expect answers from me that just tell you what you want to hear. Life is to short for nonsense. :)
Website: advicenators forum
E-mail: karenrickel@gmail.com
Gender: Female
Location: KANSAS
Occupation: Homemaker,EMT, ER worker, Medical assistant
Member Since: March 4, 2005
Answers: 10132
Last Update: July 29, 2022
Visitors: 576646


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My boyfriend's dad has a business, his dad got very sick and now my boyfriend is working every single day, helping his family. I see him once every 1-2 weeks. I miss him and I know working this much isn't healthy but he tells me constantly he "has no choice". He's very family oriented so I wouldn't make him choose. It's just I would like to see him more, and besides it'll get his mind off work. What am I supposed to do? Wait it out and do/say nothing? (link)
Like the others have said, don't give up on him.

While waiting for things to get back to normal,
why not give him a call and arrange to bring
him lunch. It may only be an hour or 30 minutes but it will show your support.

Mention to him that you want to spend time with him,
even if it only an hour. Maybe then he will make
an attempt to see you more often. He may think you
wouldn't find it worthwhile if he can't spend a
long time with you while he is busy helping his dad out. Let him know that isn't the case. :)


My five year old son isn't interested in paying with other kids. My husband is VERY concerned. He will play with his sister and his cousins (all younger, all girls) and an occasionaly older girl who will act as a follower. My son likes to be in charge, he is the 1st born. Do you think any of theses characteristics are a sign that there is something wrong with him socially? He just seems to prefer the company of adults. (link)
There is nothing wrong with your son.
He will learn to play with others his
own age once he gets to school. Right
now he likes being around adults because
it is what he is used to. :)


Hi MY NAME IS TYASIA AND IM 13 YEARS OLD...I WEIGH 140 POUNDS BUT THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED ME IS THAT IM TALL ...MY HEIGHT IS 5'4 AND I NEED TO LOOSE WEIGHT BY SEPTEMBER 7TH!!!PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO! I WANT TO LOOSE 10-15 POUNDS BY SEPTEMBER 7TH...IF I DONT GET HELP I WILL STARVE MYSELF! AND I DONT WANT TO DO IT BUT THATS HOW BAD I WANT TO LOOSE WEIGHT PLEASE HELP Me!!! (link)
Don't rate this answer. I am only doing this so your question will be answered politely.

This is your first question to the site so I am
approving it. Please read the Help/FAQ located in the blue column to your left. We do not allow
questions or answers written in all capital letters.
It is considered shouting on the internet.

Everyone...Please answer the question this one
time please. Do not file an abuse report. :)


Okay.. when a dog that run for a dog track gets hurt, gets old, or doesn't win and they send the dogs away to be killed why doesn't someone stop them? Like theres just these huge vans that take the dogs into the middle of the woods or soemthing and kill them.. I know people who fallow them and when they turn into a gas station they ask to take some dogs and they let them!! thank godd... How do I help? (link)
They don't kill the dogs that I know of.
They do give them to good homes.

I adopted a greyhound who was unable to
race anymore and Bob Barker would advertise
greyhounds for adoption on The Price is Right. :)


can anyone explain to me how to makeout? i mean ive only kissed like on the lips. i know this sounds soooo nerdy and im embarrased for asking but im really curious. everyone thinks i get like all these guys, and that ive done so much. I correct them but they still think of me as some kind of sex queen. :[ but if you could just tell me like how you make out. i would appreciate it...everyone says it comes natural but i just want to know what to do! please help (link)
Here is a site with some good tips for you.

http://www.partyhearty.com/kissingadvice.html

There are a lot of them. I will give you my search
and what I came up with if you want to investigate
some of the other sites. :)

only search advicenators.com



today at dinner i was eating this pasta dish. the pieces of pasta were a tiny bit bigger than a piece of rice. and my dad said something funny and i accidentely inhaled a piece. and i was coughing trying to see if i could get it out. but it didnt. and i was just wondering if this could do any damage or anything serious to me?
(link)
It won't cause you any serious damage.
Serious would be if you had stopped
coughing. It went down the right way.
So long as you are able to breathe all
is well. :)


my boyfriends going to the movies with her old friend angelina, and angelinas friend who i dont know. he asked me if it was okay and i said yes even though i didn't mean it. i dont want to be stupid and be like no you cant go. the thing is my boyfriend use to have feelings for her, like a year ago and thats what worrys me. can anyone give me advice not to think about it? or something so i dont worry as much? i do trust him im just blah jealous i guess =/ (link)
First of all, if it happens again, don't say
things you don't mean. Not a good habit to
start!

Instead talk to him about it. Tell him it
really makes you uncomfortable since he
used to have feelings for her. He will
then at least reassure you he no longer
has feelings for this girl.

Do the same now. Talk to him and let him
know how you really feel about it. Talking
about things like this is a good thing. He
is the only one who can make you feel better
about it so don't keep your feelings inside. :)


Hi, I'm 14, soon to be 15 in 13 days, female.

My family has recently become poor. I've never been a person to shop at Hollister or anywhere that expensive, buttt, according to my mom and dad, we're almost in debt, and we can't pay our monthly bills. We can't afford my school clothes, so I'm having a yard sale.

My dad, tonight, just told me that we might not have enough to send me to Drivers Ed this September. I got really upset, and he still has to look into the finances.
I told him I was angry because we were poor, and he said whatever and left. What do I do about all of this? I think I hurt my dad's feelings, and yet I'm literally crying because we don't have enough money for anything anymore, I can't stop crying.

... please help. What should I do? My birthday will probably be the worst ever. (link)
Let me see if I can give you an idea of what
your parents are feeling. I know you are
feeling bad and all kids want to take Drivers
ED, but it isn't the end of the world. There
are other ways to learn to drive.

Your parents main goals right now are making
sure you have food to eat, electricity so you
have lights and TV, Making house payments or
rent so you have a roof over your
head. Maintaining a vehicle so someone
can get to work everyday, gas, tires,
insurance. Water so you can drink it and
keep clean. Health insurance in case someone
gets sick. That is a lot to keep up with and
can be really expensive.

Right now your mom and dad are struggling
with finances. They are probably stressed
big time so apologize to dad and ask him
to teach you to drive since you can't take
Drivers ED. He is probably feeling real bad
that he can't afford for you to take it.

You will have other birthdays. If you can't
have a big party for this one, there will be
others. please, try not to make them feel bad
if they can't afford to make a big deal about
it this year. :)


is the regular birdseed sold at stores bad for birds? i was told they make birds fat

(budgies) (link)
I have been known to feed my bird store bought
bulk food. The only difference between it and the type made specifically for your type of bird is
vitamins are added to budgie food.

Sunflower seeds can make them fat. Don't feed your bird only sunflower seeds. Mix them with other seed.
But they will eat it and be fine. :)


Hey Guys-- Things are a mess right now and I could really use some advise.

My long-term boyfriend and I (of almost 4 years) seperated in early june and just started seeing eachother again last week. During that seperation, I began seeing another guy who was really wonderful, but I just couldn't get over my ex.

Now that me and my boyfriend are back together things are going extremely well and we're falling in love with eachother all over again...

But here's where it gets interesting...I just found out that I'm pregnant...and it MUST belong to the guy I was seeing when my BF and I were seperated. I have no idea what to do...I can't have an abortion (well, I won't have an abortion) but I don't know if my boyfriend would stay with me knowing that I'm carrying another man's child.

Any advise (ANY AT ALL) is appreciated. Thanks in advance. (link)
You don't have a choice but to tell him about it.
Pretty soon it will be obvious. :)

If there is any chance it could be his you will
want to get a DNA test done at some point.

Just be honest with him about the whole thing.
You have a long history together and it may not
go as badly as you think. He may be willing to
help you raise the baby. You just won't know
until you tell him about it.

Don't put it off. I know it will be difficult
to do, but waiting isn't going to make it any
easier. Just get it done and over with. You
don't need any stress.

Good luck. :)



i'm going to the gyno for the first time tomorrow. my mom made me an appointment ebcause i get really bad cramps during my period and like, severe PMS. i have my period now and i'll have it tomorrow.. is it okay to go with my period? and what do they do? should i tell the doctor i'm sexually active? will she tell my mom? (link)
Most doctors won't do a pelvic exam if you are having your period. Call them and discuss it with
your doctors nurse, but they will probably reschedule your appointment.

Your doctor will keep anything you discuss with
her private. Ask her or her nurse if you want reassured. :)

Here is a good site that explains your first exam,
should you care to have it.

http://www.coolnurse.com/pelvic_exams.htm


Is it true that when you smoke a cigarette you get a "buzz"? Is it like a buzz you would get from drinking or what?

Also how many would you have to smoke to get it? (link)
If I remember correctly its more like nausea!
Don't know why we keep doing it with a start like that. :)


Hi i have had a hemroid for like 3 years! i never went to the doctor becuase it isnt huge but it hasnt or doesnt hurt at all. it hasnt since only when i frist got it. so does that mean that it will never go away. how do i get rid of it! and fast! (link)
Most go away in a few days without treatment.

I don't know how fast you can get it to go away
but I can tell you how to prevent them, which
may help them go away.

They are mostly caused buy straining when
you go to the bathroom. Go as soon as you
feel the need to. Do not put it off.

increase fiber and fluids in the diet. Eating the right amount of fiber and drinking six to eight glasses of fluid (not alcohol) result in softer, bulkier stools. A softer stool makes emptying the bowels easier and lessens the pressure on hemorrhoids caused by straining. Eliminating straining also helps prevent the hemorrhoids from protruding.

Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. you could also use a bulk stool softener or a fiber supplement such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel).
Generic brands will work just as well, check walmart.

Exercise by walking. That will help a lot too. :)



why are people always like "oh you shouldnt have sex you're too young, wait for marriage." just because one person believes you should wait til marriage doesnt mean everyone else does and has to abide by that. people shouldnt be judged on what age they want to have sex at. it is THEIR opinion. and if they regret it, at least they learned from it. everyone makes mistakes. it is their OWN lives and people shouldnt tell them how to live or what to do.
i know I HATE when people tell me what to do.
i can make my own decisions. (link)
When you ask questions you get answers based on peoples experience and what they have learned or been taught themselves. Thats what asking is about.

When you decide to have sex is up to you.
However, a lot of times age is a big factor weather you believe that or not. If you just
go by the population of young people that use
this site you can see it.

Look at some of the questions we get....

'I just had sex we didn't use protection, could I be pregnant?'.

'We had sex the condom broke, could I be pregnant?'

'My boyfriend fingered me, could I be pregnant?'

'My period is late, could I be pregnant'

'What are the symptoms of pregnancy?'

None of these people have any business having sex.
They are immature. The time to ask these questions is BEFORE you have sex.

You are right, everyone makes mistakes. Some mistakes can be life altering mistakes though.
Get pregnant, or get AIDS and you life as you
know it is over.

Then of course when young people have children when they are 14 years old and have to get state
assistance they are a burden on all taxpayers.

So, their opinions, while not popular make a lot of sense should young people decide to listen.

My advice to my own daughter on this subject was always.. When you are able to care for a child
should you get pregnant, and if the guy you
are having sex with cares enough about you to marry you should you get pregnant, then you
think about having sex with them. Not a minute
before.

Anyway, long way to make a point. But there you
have it. :)





So about..11 days ago i got plan B..and then followed up with it the next day with ortho tri cylcen lo which i had been takin preveiously for awhile but i had forgoten to take the whole pack the preceeding month. my last period was july 8th or so and today i started bleeding (august 6th) does this mean this is my period and the hormones haven't worked? it doesn't seem liek break through bleeding but i don' tknow, does this mean i am pregnant, what shud i do? (link)
I would say it is your period and that you are not pregnant.

I am not to familiar with the plan B. The doctor I worked for just gave girls a couple of regular birth
control pills to take. So I will guess that your period is back on track. I don't think you have a thing to worry about.

Just remember to take your pills. :)



Okay, so my friend and I decided to masturbate with a Banana too figure out the sensation it would give us. Is it safe too use it as a "masturbating tool"? (link)
Answering these questions really isn't my thing, but I have to send a word of caution on this one.

IF you use anything like food, if it breaks or
gets stuck, do not just leave it in hopes it will come out.

You may think I am kidding but while working
in an emergency room, I had the pleasure of working the night a lady with a 2 week old
potato stuck up her vagina came in. It stunk,
I kid you not we used every spray you can imagine. Not only did it stink in the emergency area, it stunk in the registration area. Rotting fruit and vegetation is probably not something you want
to have to explain. So use extreme caution.

This lady had to be admitted to the hospital
for potato extrication. Sad thing is this wasn't
her first visit for this problem. :(



on 7/11/07 me and my boyfriend had sex, he used protection. i should have gotten my period 8/4/07 but i haven't and i'm rly worried. yesterday i seen a little brown discharge, so i used a tampon, pulled it out hours later..nothing? and when i woke up today..still nothing!

i have been pretty active this last month so maybe thats why its off? (link)
Of course there is a slight chance you got
pregnant. But, since today is the 4th, its
a little early to be worried about it.

Give it a few days. Many times worry will make it
late. Most girls/women aren't real regular,
so don't worry to much about it. :)


I just got a guinea pig from petsmart today. They said I could hold it and pet it. But when she got home I tried to pick her up but she had her claws out and was scratching me. I put her back down. When I try to pick her up will she claw me, then get calm? Because I want to hold her. Please give me some advice! If she stays mean I'll just leave her in her cage and leave her be, but it will be sad to know that I wasted $113.oo on her, the food and the cage!! (link)
I read a few sites and they all say they love to be handled and petted. I think she will calm down soon. Give her 24 hours.

From what I have read they thrive on routine. They like to eat, be played with etc. at the same time every day. Whatever routine she had is messed up right now! Somebody took her out of her home
and moved her somewhere strange with strange people.As soon as she gets to know you and feels safe, she will calm down.

There are quite a few good websites on Guinea pigs
care. I will give you the search I used if you care to have a look at some of them. :)

only search advicenators.com


IF YOU HAVE 2 BROTHERS TOGETHER IF YOU SEPERATE THEM WHEN THEY ARE STILL KITTEN AGE (LIKE 7 MON) WILL THEY BECOME DEPRESSED? i'VE HEARD THEY DO BUT I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD AS LONG AS IT IS STILL THE SAME PEOPLE HAVING THEM BOTH. (link)
L2 note...Don't rate this.

Since this is your first question to the site
I am approving it. In the future please do not use all capitals. It is considered shouting on the internet and isn't allowed on the site. Just write normally.

Read the Help/FAQ located in the blue column on the left. It has some site dos and don'ts. This is a common mistake so don't feel bad about it.

No need for the rest of you to file an abuse report.
I'm sure it won't happen again. :)


Can a therapist write a prescription? Can someone who has all these after their name write one? M.A., L.P.C.,N.C.C. ? (link)
I would say probably not. All states have different rules, but most have to be an MD or have a medical degree. Psychiatrists have a medical degree. Most
other therapists do not. :)




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