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: 576937


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im wanting to help my partner lose weight because i'm worried about his health.
I'm not a cook so i need some simple recipes that i can cook and that are healthy.
if you know of any please can you give me the ingredients and method. thank you (link)
Here are some sites with simple but healthy recipes.

http://www.freedomyou.com/level%202/RECIPE%20GUIDE.htm

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/over-100-quick-and-easy-healthy-foods.html


Last year I got in a lot of fights.(not fist fights but like curse fights online) So I kinda had a bad reputation. Well now this year I'm more girly and its my last year in my school then i go to high school so I'm trying not to have any fights this year. Well this girl in my grade who is mean to me but I'm not mean to her (i just get mad when she gives away my sn to strangers)she found out some how that I'm on advicenators. Well today she asked me a question a private one to me and she said my full name (first and last) and said that I pick on her and bully everyone. She also said that i take everything from her even the boy she liked that liked her. Now I have no clue what boy liked her that I liked/like. I just feel like I'm hated by everyone and no one likes me. And I don't know what to do to make myself cheer up. Wouldn't she be the bully now? What should I do? I feel so hated and unwanted. (link)
She sounds like someone you'd be better off ignoring. I am sure not everyone hates you.

As far as her harassing you in here.... isn't going to happen. Next time she baits you, reject her question.

If she continues to bother you, file an abuse report. Don't delete the question though until the abuse report has been dealt with. I would only do that if her questions just get to be to much. :)


I am a 25 and i would really like some advice i am at the end of my teather and would really like some reasurance i have suffered anxiety problems most of my life more and got much worse at the age of 17 i stupidly tried a drug called speed and it caused me to take panic attaks,i have been left battling with them for 8 years now i have thought i have been insane,thought i would stop breathing ,thought i was taking a stroke etc but i always looked forward to going out with my friends and haveing a drink although in my younger years i think i over done it a bit untill one day i was sitting with my gran and mum and they were talking about young ones and alcohol abuse and that how we would all be addicted and suddenly out of the blue i started to panic the panic was so stronge i thought i was turning into an alcoholic i thought oh my got my fear has just came true i have turned into an alcoholic like my dad (my dad passed away through alchol he wnet missing when i was 7 and that was always with me)what do i do i thought i like a drink cause it makes me confident confidet eventually the fear subsided but the thought was always with me and when ifell pregnant i thought oh no what if i cant stop drinking i will be a boring person,i did stop though i did have some. After my little girl was born it was always on the back of my mind the worry what other people would think of me if i was drinking or smoking do they think im a good mum i just felt terrible as erin goe older i experienced more stress sensations to my body i thought i was craking up, before a night out i would feel riddled with guilt and anxiety feelings but once iwas out and had a few they subsided and i felt great.I began to become very aware of the fact that alchol was making me feel better and that itself was scaring me again i would begin to feel really really anxious and the thought swould be am i an alcohlic why does other people not bother about alcohol and i do.When the night would come that we would be having a little drink i would become anxious even scared that every drink i was taking would make me an alcoholic but once i had a couple the worry would go away.i came through quiet a stressful time and moved back in with my mum i begun to feel really depressed and my anxiety was terrible.one day i went out with a friend for lunch erin had been playing up so i was experiencing these really terrible stress feelings on our way down to the restaurant i was think i would really like a wine with my lunch but i had erin with me and if i did what would people think of me as a mother any way i had a couple of wines it was a gorgeous day it was really warm and i thought oh no im really enjoying these couple of glasses of wine i wish i could sit and have more i started to feel panicky i thought oh got nichola are you an alcoholic i camed myself down and thought ill buy some wine for when i come home and we can sit out the back but i felt really guilty an was arguing with my self, i had a couple then felt really dissopointed with my self after them.
the next day i felt quite deppressed ithought why do i keep doing this t myself then all of a sudden fear gillted through my body i thought all this stress ive been feeling all these years what if ists because im an alcholic in that moment i thought oh no i feel like i could have i another drinkthe fear that pulped through my body was so intense i was burning up going cold the next i couldnt think straight i rushed to my mum and told her i thought i was an alcoholic she laughed at me an told me not to be silly but i couldnt make the fear and the thoughts go away. I went to my doctors and he told me i was suffering from anxiety and panic attaks and depression. I still cant gat this panicking thoght out of my head though could it really be possibe that i could be making myself feel like an alcoholisc that i am craving alcohol because of not wanting to be one,i also feel the fear starts if im drinking or before i am what if i cant stop drinking it is very scary when i calm down i feel differet but its when the panic is happening i cant function and get so scared it my worsed night mare come true to be addicted to something pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaase help and give me some reasuring so i can put my minfd at ease. xxxxx (link)
Sounds like an AA meeting might do you some good.

If you are drinking enough that you have sudden confidence...you have a problem.

Studies have shown that children of alcoholics are more prone to it themselves.

This doesn't make you a bad person. It doesn't make you a bad mom. But, it is something you need to get under control. I think you know that already (panic attacks and fear).

I took a couple of college courses on the subject. As part of the class I had to attend an talk to some of the people at an AA meeting for a report. You will be made to feel very welcome there. They are all good people, they just have a problem. They help each other and they will understand exactly what you are going through.

Almost every one of them told me that when they went to their first meeting...and the people told their stories, they all thought the speaker was talking about them. So, I would suggest you muster the courage to go to a meeting. Their should be a list in your local phone book. Call and get the details. I am sure someone will greet you there so you won't be scared if you ask.

Good luck to you. Please get some help. :)


I live in a really small apartment with my mom and sister. Its not even a nice one either. The floors are a different color in each room, the walls are different, the tiles are coming off in the bathroom. Its a really clean apartment but just very ugly and i get embarressed to bring people over. I havnt had a boyfriend in a really long time becasue im afraid he will have to come over sometime and see what i live in.. a dumpster! I dont know what to do im reallu nervous about having one and then letting them see this place. (link)
If its clean then invite them over.

Any up keep as far as paint and floors is the landlords responsibility not yours. Just explain that to whoever you invite over. What it looks like other than the keeping it clean part....should have no reflection on you.

If it does, the person is not worth your attention anyway. :)


I guess you could say that i am prude...but I have made out with a guy and he has felt me up, but I am really scared to be in a situation where he wants to finger me or he wants me to give him a handjob,or do anything else for that matter.(he is my boyfriend) I just think it would be awkward and i dont know what im doing when it comes to sexual stuff. can u jus give me advice on what to do if the times comes? Sorry so long...i rate high (link)
If you don't feel comfortable in any given situation with a guy. Say so.

Just simply tell him you are not ready for this. Any guy worth keeping will understand.

Here is a website for you to check out. Should answer any questions about sex you may have. We can't tell you how to do all that.

Just remember you can say no. Don't do anything you are uncomfortable with just to hang on to a guy. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_intercourse



Alright here is the story. I broke up with my boyfriend about 3 days ago because it didn`t feel right and I kinda wanted to explore with other guys. The problem is I still like my now ex alot and I dont want him to get with another girl! I Don`t know if I should go back out with him or just explore or what to do at all! Any ideas?
I rate well (link)
If hes willing you could still be friends with your ex.

If you think you made a mistake then you need to speak up and let him know that. If you aren't going to date him the he WILL find someone else.
That is what your plans were and he won't wait for you. He will date other girls. :)


is being a tease a bad thing?? (link)
If you ever want a guy to take you seriously it is.

A lot of people just won't play the game. :)


how do you french kiss? (link)
Usually it will just happen and you don't think about how you are doing it!

I do have a site for you to check out though. It has everything you could possibly want to know about kissing on it. Including how to french kiss. :)

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


I just started a new job last week. The store is brand new so everyone is on a 3 month probation. I've been working for a week and have always been on closing shifts.
Well tomorrow we are having a staff meeting for all the girls in our department. (the clothing department). I've never actually worked with my supervisor yet because she always leaves by the time my shifts starts.
The problem is I've been hearing from the other girls that she thinks I've been doing a lousy job. I'm trying the hardest I can. We have to deal with cutomers, make the clothing look tidy and do the cleaning. By the time I get home I'm exhausted.
The meeting is tomorrow. How should I act when my boss tells me what a horrible job I'm doing? I'm so stressed I'm thinking of quitting by then again I really need this job for the money.
I rate high
thanks (link)
First thing is so long as you show up for work, aren't rude to customers or goofing off all the time, I doubt she has a problem with you.

This being your first job, another thing you should know is that most co-workers in these type of jobs are big gossips. Most of what they say isn't true.

So, don't give up, hang in there. Talk to the supervisor if you have a meeting. It is not anything out of the ordinary. They do evaluations on everyone, that is how they determine raises in pay and that sort of thing.

Everyone who goes in there will have their good points and places where they need improvement. She will not yell at you or anything.

Sounds like you are doing your best. That's all anyone can expect. :)


im 13 and a female. everyday me and my bf go to our school library and hang there and we are usually kissing and making out but i dont really want to all i want to do is talk to him and some friends, snuggle close with him, and maybe a odd kiss a day if im in the mood. he love to snuggle with me too but he takes it too far and i really need to be answered tonight cuz tomorrow i might be biking to his house tomorrow and we will be alone and im sorta afraid of what he will do. is that wrong? what should i do? sry its so long.
**sleepiesheep** (link)
There is nothing wrong with wanting to take things slow at your age. As a matter of fact that's the way it should be.

Don't be afraid to say no. Don't be afraid to talk to him about your feelings. If he is mature enough to slobber all over you he is mature enough to hear that you aren't ready for all that.

He may get mad about it but, he isn't the only one with feelings in your relationship. Everything should be fine if he really cares about you.

The main thing to remember is ( especially if you will be alone at his house) DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SAY NO! Don't be pressured into doing anything you aren't ready for. And he will give it a try. :)


I'm not fat but I would feel much better about myself and more confident if I was skinnier, what are some good ways to lose weight, i'm already in soccer and bearly eating anything, but i'm not losing weight. (link)
Not eating will make you gain wait.

You body goes into a self preservation starving mode and everything you do eat makes you fat.

You are probably getting plenty of exercise. Try eating more for a week or two and see if that doesn't make you lose. You will be surprised. :)


I'm writing this essay about the movie, October Sky. It's just..that we watched that months ago..and suddenly THIS popped up..and I have a bad memory.

What is Homer's "Abyss" ?
(link)
I would think it was maybe his relationship with his father. Very good movie (and book. Worth another watch! :)


I get sleep paralysis like..every night..It happens to me over and over and over until my body gets so tired that.... I'm not afraid to get stuck in sleep. Why is this happening? I get 8 hours of sleep. I'm always tired when I go to bed. I take no naps during the day. I fall asleep. Is there something wrong with me?
This has been happening to me ever since THIS year. Last night, I had a dream that I couldn't breathe but then I realized that I really couldn't. I struggled to move my body to get myself up (link)
Has a doctor diagnosed this condition? If not then you should see one. He/she will be able to get you the help you need. :)


I was invited over to my friends place one night to play a card game with her and another friend that is married.
We started playing the game and joking around, and then I mentioned that my ex boyfriend was trying to get back together with me.
I was laughing about it because my ex is such a loser. Everyone else was laughing too except for the married guy. When I looked at his face he got this really angry, jealous expression and didnt laugh at all.
Does this mean that he might like me as more than a friend? He's married so I was a little suprised by his reaction.
I rate high, if you answer my question I promise I'll give a 5.
Thankyou (link)
Some men (mine included), feel that if you say bad things about one guy you are saying all men are like that. They get quite defensive about it.

So, if I were going to guess, That is what I think it probably was. :)


I read the questions in your column and it seems like you answer the questions perfectly.. but the

ok my hair is so boring and I have the PERFECT cut in mind I just need opinions on how it would look on me... ok my hair is brown with blonde and deep red highlights, my face is round/heart shaped, skin is an olive tan color and my hair is half way down my back.. ok this is what I want done: I want to get a lot of layers, take some length off of it, side sweep bangs, and spikey things at the top (kinda like a faux hawk but not that short) If you need details just IM me on my AIM sn: funnyfunkestuff

(if that hair wouldn't look good then give some suggestions) : )

asked this on the public thing but no answers.. so I decided to ask you (link)
It sounds great to me. Matter of fact I would like mine cut that way. Though mine isn't as long as yours.

Go for it. Take a pic and put it on your site. I wanna see how it looks on you. (my hair is the same color yours is!). :)


ok me and my best friend (guy) are going out secreatly and i was wondering if that is wrong to keep it even from my best friend. Should i talk to him and see if im able to tell a couple of really good friends? im 13 and a female.
**sleepiesheep** (link)
Why would it need to be kept secret?

Secret means either his parents think hes to young to date, or he has another girl in the wings somewhere he doesn't want to find out.

I would talk to him and see why you need to keep it a secret ( unless you already know). Let that help you in your decision. :)


ok so my friend. we were eating dinner with her parents. they asked me a question about something for school. we had something for our parents to meet our new teachers. then she got GROUNDED because i said we had em (since she didn't tell em). well now i feel like crap since i got her grounded. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE IT UP TO HER? DID I EVEN DO ANYTHING WRONG!?!?!?!! (link)
If she didn't tell you not to mention it I don't think she can be mad at you for long. I mean you didn't know she hadn't said anything to them about it.

I know you feel bad but, it isn't anything you did to deliberately get her in trouble. There is nothing you can do to make up for it. You did nothing wrong. Just answered a question you were asked. :)


Is limewire free? (link)
Yes, it was last I used it. :)


hi!
how do i make a link from my advice colomn to yours because i think you are really cool at helping others with there problems! (link)
You know I don't no how they do that. It is pretty cool though.

I do know that K2204 wrote and told me she put me on her list. So, you might ask her how she did it.

Thanks for thinking of me! Brightens my day. :)


What are some good german rock/pop music? (link)
The Scorpions are the only ones that I know of.

Very good band. :)




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