about

My name is Laura and I'm 28 years old. I live in Illinois and work as a licensed veterinary technician. I am a runner, bookworm and obviously, an animal lover.


I've been on this site since '05. I take hiatuses, but I'm never gone for good. I enjoy giving advice and I've made such lovely friends on this site that I couldn't imagine giving it up!

chat it up yo.


ps. here's my bestestestest friend.
I love him. You will too :)

advice

hi there! sorry this is a bit long..
me and my boyfriend have been together for 8 months. recently we frequently have arguments. i love him so much, so it makes me sad that whenever we see each other we end up arguing about stuff. we both work and dont get to see each other everyday. my boyfriend has been especially busy with work. i really would love to see him every other day at least.. but when i call him at work he would sound annoyed like im just disturbing him. whenever we go out and have dinner.. he just seems more focused on the time.. kinda wants to leave early to have enough sleep for work the next day. he goes by a plan and a schedule and wants everything done "the right way" as planned. sometimes i feel like going out with me is added work for him. hope you could give me some advice on this, thanks!

Obviously, he's very driven when it comes to his work. I don't think you should be upset and/or mad about that, because it's good that he's passionate about it.


However, I do think you have a right to be upset that he's making you feel like an added chore or something. I know how you feel, and it's not fun.


Try talking to him about it. Sit down with him, and let him know that you understand that he is busy with work, but you've really been feeling like you're "added work for him". Tell him just like you told us.


Maybe he can add you on to his schedule? Like, have a day or time every week that he spends time with you?


I hope this helps! :)


-Laura (17-f)

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Age:13
Gender:Female


So i like this guy and yes we do talk online sometimes. but at school we never talk coz i think were both too shy. he`s one year younger than me but were both in the same grade. My friend (who is friends with him) told me that he only goes out with girls because theyre "HOT". [and i also think that too sometimes]i really like him and all but i dont want to be with him. It seems like i dont know what that means but i also fantasize of being with him. I wonder if he asks me out, .. should i say yes or no? I think about him everyday and night. But im not obsessed. i Hope this doesnt sound confusing and i hope you can help. please&thank you. [:

You should talk to him. Obviously, you really like him, so why not take it to the next level?


Have your friend introduce the two of you and hang out with him a little. This way, you can see if you really like him and if he really like you.


Besides- What have you got to lose?


-Laura (17-f)

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hello

I have been overweight since my adolesence, since a tragic event in my life.

I was 220 lbs. but i am proud to say that my everyday activities have helped me get down to 190.

so ive lost 30 lbs, but im still at an unhealthy weight, im scared for my health, and looking better isnt bad either.

im mainly wanting to do this, for my health. as long as Im healthy, i dont care what size i am.


so my question is:

Does anyone have any tips or recipes that they can pass on to me? I am someone who is very busy with family and have minimal time to work out. I mainly am looking for healthy eating tips and support. Im having trouble getting through this on my own.

First off- congrats on the weight loss!


Here are a few tips for healthy eating:

1. Cut out soda. Find alternatives, fruit juice, water, etc. One of my favorites is Fuze fruit juice, or V8 Splash. I love V8 Splash!

2. Eat healthy snacks. Apples with peanut butter is one of my favorites!

3. Instead of ice cream, eat sherbet. It's much healthier :)

4. Instead of potato chips, ear baked chips. Also a much healthier choice.

5. Pack your own meals when you go places. You'll be a lot less tempted to buy unhealthy fast food!

6. Get your kids in on the healthy eating! Serve them healthy snacks, too! For more help on that:

only search advicenators.com


7. Do simple things to get a work out. Take the stairs, walk your kids to and/or from school, park farther away when you go to the store, etc.


I hope this helps!


-Laura (17-f)

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i'm 18 years old and i have a lisp, not the kind you usually hear but the kind when you talk and sh and ch sound different, and people always make fun of me. i've never had a boyfriend and i think that it's horrible, i always feel like i want to die because no guys like me. i don't think i'm ugly lots of people tell me i'm pretty some even say i'm beautiful and i do have some very good friends. but why don't guys like me?? i just don't know what is wrong with me besides my lisp.

Just because you have a lisp does not mean that your life is horrible. First off, think of all the good things you have in life. Start with the fact that you're ALIVE. I'm sure you have a great life, and you shouldn't let your lisp ruin it.


Just because guys are immature and don't accept that you have one flaw doesn't mean it will always be that way. One day, you'll find a guy who loves you and your lisp, I promise. :)


-Laura (17-f)

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I am going to be 15, and I am like the only one of my friends with a bad complextion, and acne. I hate it!!! It is all the time, what is something you can by at walmart that will be to the same effect as proactive! My mom won't use credit cards.

Neutrogena has a face wash called "Stress Control" that works really well. I'd recommend trying it.


Also, like the columnist below said, you should also stop wearing make up. Skip any liquid foundation (stick to powder- it's a lot less harmful for your skin/pores).


And make sure you drink a lot of water and don't eat too much junk food. Water is really good for your skin, and junk food (obviously) isn't.


Good luck!


-Laura (17-f)

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So me and this guy met and had a thing for about 1-2 monthes,we didn't date but we "talked" and he said he liked me and i liked him.after a while,he told me he loves me "as a friend" since we started hanging out alot.he knew i still liked him,so he stopped talking to me for like a week .then i had a talk with him and told him "i only liked him as a friend too now".things went back to normal and we started talking alot again ,but as "best friends".
I still like him ! I don't know what to do!
If I hang around him alot ,maybe I'll end up liking him as a friend? I don't know what to do!

You can't make yourself not like somebody, trust me, I know. I think that hanging out with him will only make you like him more; that's what usually happens in these situations.


Why not try spending some time (more than a week cause a week is nothing) away from him so you can give yourself time to get over him? Try to find a new guy that you like so you can get over this guy. Then, you can start hanging out with him again.


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

17/f

ok, this whole entire year, like from the beginning of last school year until now, i feel like i've been in this daze. i mean, i'm not depressed or anything, it's not like i hate my life. but, like in school everyone would always be like what's wrong? or you look depressed. are you depressed? and i'm like no.. i'm fine. like i would hear that literally every day. it got really annoying. i mean when i was at the carnival a week or so ago, i walked right in the middle of a couple holding hands, i didn't even realize where i was going or anything..i've always been a little bit of a day dreamer, but i pay attention in school a lot more then i used to. i don't have adhd, or add whatever. i got tested for it when i was little, and i don't have it. i haven't really done much this summer either, like i hang out with people, but i don't call them, they call me, and i don't really text anyone or anything, inless they do it to me, & all i've done this summer is take walks by myself in the park, swim, & a few parties. but besides that stuff, i just lay around kind of. like and stare at the ceiling. i don't know. :( is there something wrong with me?

I don't think there's anything wrong with you. Honestly? I feel like I was the same way this year. I got asked ALL the time if something was bothering me. And sure, things were, but sometimes I was just in a mood where I didn't really want to do anything, though nothing in particular was occupying my mind.


Do you keep a journal? I know you might not think it will help, but I started keeping one at the beginning of this summer and it has really helped me. You can write anything at all, and you don't have to show it to ANYONE. So if I wanted to rant about my family, or gush about my boyfriend, I could do it. I really think you should try it, cause it really helped me get out of this funk.


As of late, though, I've been feeling better. Call up your friends (don't wait for them to call you) and go do something really fun. Go to the beach or a water park or a concert or shopping, something, anything! Enjoy what you have left of summer :)


If you want more advice and/or just want to chat sometime, send something to my inbox :)


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

is there a way to cut out the begining of a song and keep the rest?

You can do it on iTunes. If you want to know how, just send me an inbox.


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

hey guys this one is for my friend! she says all her friends are really into sports and she doesn't play any at all. she said she cant go through H.S without doing anything active. so she wants to tryout for cheer leading. she has never done anything like it at all. but she wants to tryout. should i tell her to go for it even if she gets upset because she didn't make it?

You should tell her to try out, because it will be good for her. Even if she doesn't make it, she can at least say she tried her hardest. And she'll have the experience. Just, like columnists below said, prepare her. Let her know that you'll support her whether she makes it or not, but you don't want her to be upset if she doesn't make it. Plus, there are a ton of other things she can try instead.


If she doesn't make it, why not try a club? It's better to be involved in a club than in nothing at all. Just because it isn't a sport doesn't mean it's not good to get into.


I highly recommend joining your school's newspaper. I've been on my school's newspaper all throughout high school and I absolutely love it.



-Laura (17-f)

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well i have a friend that we get together sometimes. please no judging! anyways he has trouble getting it in! i mean hes cool and what not. but its a total turnoff. what should i do?

He's probably nervous, and telling him it's a total turnoff will only make him even more nervous, and probably really self conscious, too.


Just be patient with him and re assure him that it's ok (even if it does bother you). At least you have a great guy, regardless of his male issues :)


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

When I'm on my computer at night, all I do is msn and facebook. I've been getting quite bored with it. Is there anything else I can do? I've been playing solitaire and stuff like that, but that's about the only game I like. I like playing the sims though (hoping for the sims 3 any time soon!) So has anyone got any suggestions? :/

Omegle.com. Hours of entertainment. And Fmylife.com. More hours of entertainment.


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

well iv'e been feeling that not many people like me recently.
i don't really see any signs.
but this guy that i would talk to forever online and at school asked me out. i said yes and broke up with him 5 days later because i do not want an online relationship.
he took it hard and hasnt talked to me since.
it makes me feel really bad about myself.
and that ill never ever find a guy.
cuz im too picky :/
ugh. please help in any way.
some advice.
thank you.

You'll find a guy; you're still young.


You just have to wait, and one day, you'll meet the guy of your dreams. Just because you haven't met him yet doesn't mean you never will. He might not go to your school, heck, he might not even live in your state, but he IS out there.


And just because one relationship didn't work out doesn't mean you should give up hope. I promise you, you will find a great guy one day. Just be patient :)


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

This morning i woke up with a pain that started from my neck and traveled up to the back of my head to the side of my head. I dont know what this can be? does anyone know what this can be? as of now it is still hurting me =(

It's probably how you slept. Do you sleep with more than one pillow? If so, that's probably the problem.


Sleep with one pillow, so that your head and neck are aligned and not in an awkward position.


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

16 Female

All my life, I've had wavy / straight hair. After blowdrying, I usually straighten it and it only takes one or two minutes. I know that excessive blowdrying and straightening really stress out my hair, so throughout the year, I sleep with wet hair and in the morning it's curly.

Unfortunately, by the end of the day, it's pretty much wavy or even straight. It's really annoying, so I started using John Frieda's Frizzease products to help "define my curls." I was reading in Seventeen about the best mousse and the best spray gel, and I am confused as to which one would:
- Aid my hair in curling up more if i were to sleep on wet hair
- Keep my hair curly throughout the day
- Not create a "crunchy" or "hard" texture on my hair

Which one do you suggest for my hair type: Tresemme Flawless Curls Curl Care Extra Hold Mousse OR Garnier Fructis Style Curl Shaping Spray Gel?

Garnier Fructis has awesome Mousse. I use it all the time and it makes my hair really nice. I'd actually recommend that over anything.


Gel, like somebody said below, tends to make your hair crunchy and hard. I personally avoid using it because it makes me feel gross and dirty. But Mousse doesn't make your hair nasty, which is why I use it.


I know Garnier has a ton of curl aiding products. I know they have shampoos and conditioners, which you could try, too. So my advice is to go with anything Garnier Fructis, the products are amazing :)


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

i'm going away and i'm probablyyy going to get my period, just cause im that unlucky...i just started using tampons last month towards the end of my period but i've never been in water with them...im afraid its going to just leak everywhere and be really embarrasing. im using tampax pearl..i can also feel it up there...i thought i stuck it pretty far up there...it didn't necesarily hurt (only when i took it out) but i felt it. do i just have to get used to it? or are you absolutely not suppose to feel it? thankyouuu!

It's totally normal to be nervous about using tampons for the first (or second) time. Just know, that it won't leak. That's the entire point of them.


As for if you should "feel" them, it varies. Some girls do, some don't. If it hurts for you, you're probably putting it in wrong. If you just feel it and know it's there, give it time. Your body isn't used to having a tampon in, so it has to adjust :)


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

Recently, I just found out that the boy I've liked for 2 and a half years doesn't like me. But I don't know if he was lying because everyone is saying he is lying but I'm not so sure. And I've liked him for this long so I think we are meant to be. Please help me!!! I really do love him and I think I'm in love wit him.

http://www.advicenators.com/qview.php?q=564711


From there:


I have found, firsthand, that the best way to get over a guy is to do the following:


Step 1: Have a really good cry.
- When my boyfriend and I broke up, I was super upset (like words cannot describe how bad I felt). But I told myself that I wasn't going to let it flip my entire world upside down. So I let myself have one really good cry, and then I told myself I'm going to start moving on. Which brings me to...


Step 2: Friends = lifesavers.
- Go to the mall and buy yourself something nice (don't over spend, though. Just something small, but nice. Like a new outfit or purse!) Or go see a movie, or out to dinner or something! Don't mope around your house all day doing nothing.


Step 3: Talk about it.
- It feels SO good to let it all out. Sit down with somebody you trust (for me, it was my mom) and just spill your heart out. Again, don't let it ruin your life or impact you too much.


Step 4: Move ON!
- Stop talking to him for a while (you need to give yourself time to get OVER him). Don't stalk his Facebook, spend time with other people, and don't even waste time TALKING about him.


Honestly, it's going to take time, and it's going to be hard, but once you get over him you will feel SO much better. I promise you that this guy is NOT worth wasting all of your time on, and that there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Go out and find a new guy that treats you right and is WORTH your time. Forget about this guy ASAP. You're young and have plenty of time for guys. And, as one of my favorite books puts it: The first boy is always the hardest.


Best of luck! :)


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

Hey. I'm 17, almost 18. Do you think it would be too late for me to Dance. I took Dancing once, a long time ago. I love it but I'm no good because I haven't had much experience or practice. Also I'm not very limber, I can't do splits or backbends. Really, is it too late? Is there any hope for me to be any good starting at this age?

It's not too late. Do you watch So You Think You Can Dance? Last season, one of the TOP FOUR finalists was a guy named Twitch, who started dancing his senior year in high school, and made it THAT far on the show.


To put it plain & simple: Go for it! :)


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

my best friend is a vegetarian and she really doesn't eat much besides salad, fruit and macaroni and cheese. she does complain about feeling week sometime and she gets sick a lot! i know she needs protein but she refuses to eat anything with protein in it. what can i do? im nervous for her health!

She can't eat anything with protein? I'm sorry, but your friend is an idiot.


Being a vegetarian means you don't eat MEAT. You HAVE to eat protein to stay healthy. No wonder she's weak! It's right for you to be nervous, because it's dangerous to not eat any protein. There are plenty of other food with protein in at that aren't mean:


only search advicenators.com



Talk to her parents, because she can't refuse to eat protein. She's going to develop a vitamin deficiency or something (I know this, because I did when I was a vegetarian).


-Laura (17-f)


EDIT: Peanut butter, or peanuts in general. Eggs, dairy, seeds of some sort.

[view]

Firts things first, I would like to emphasize the difference between loving someone and being in love with someone.. You can love your best friend, no matter the gender, but you can be in love with someone of the opposite gender.

In this case, for me it's the same person. I won't go as far as saying I am in love with him, but I do love him and I have non-platonic feelings for him aka I like him as more than a friend.

I am left with the ever so popular dilhema of deciding whether or not to act upon my feelings and impulses, and telling him or showing him that I like him more than he thinks. I currently have no idea how he feels towards me, we have only ben friends for little under a year now, yet a friendship that grew over time.

I am not expecting you to tell me what to do because you know neither of us, I just need advice on where to start, and perhaps how as well. Think of a hypothetical situation, and give it your best. Thanks in advance =]

If I were you and I wasn't so self conscious and so pessimistic about my love life, I would act upon my feelings. You said think of a hypothetical situation? So here it goes:


Let's say I'm in love with my best friend (who is a guy, so this works well) and I'm confident enough to let him know. I would start by dropping little hints.


1. Giving him compliments. Telling him he looks nice today, or that I've never noticed before, but he has a gorgeous smile, etc. Just making him feel good about himself, because that's a sure way to win somebody's heart.


2. Then, I'd continue to show interest. Text him just to say "Good Morning!", ask him how his day went, find out how he's feeling, etc. Let him know that I'm interested in what he has to say, what's going on with him, and how he's feeling.


3. Next, (as pathetic as this sounds), I'd drop more hints. Something I've found most girls our age do ALL the time, is make it completely obvious by using Facebook/Twitter/etc. When you're filling out surveys, put semi obvious answers. When you update your Twitter, put love song lyrics. I'm the queen of this, so if you need help on it, let me know XD


4. Finally, I'd just go for it. I would tell him that I like him. Now, I'm not saying flat out say "I like you!" (but you could do that if that's what you're into!), but maybe say something like, "Listen, I don't want things to be weird between us, but I really like you. We get along to well and I think we should try taking our relationship to the next level. Would you be into that?"


I hope this helps? Haha! Good luck! :)


-Laura (17-f)

[view]

So i recently got 2 hamsters...
One of them is up all night doing what she has to do. Yet, my boy one, he's usally asleep. He occasionly comes out to play, run on the wheel, and eat and drink. But yet i'm kind of worried,
Someonehlp? please answer asap!

Are they two different types of hamsters? Different types have different sleeping habits. Maybe you can try and go to the place where you got them and ask somebody who works there.


I'm sure they'll be able to help you out a lot more than we can here :)


-Laura (17-f(

[view]

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