Divorce Actually Makes Us Stronger

My friends call me the "Divorce Poster Child". At the age of 20 I was married, and by 22 I had our first child. My husband was away at work every weekday, so it was just myself and the baby, keeping each other company from seven in the morning, until five thirty in the evening, every weekday.

Eventually (7 years later), my husband and I found ourselves with three children, and life was extremely hectic, with both of us now working in the same industry. We worked for the same company (his company), and he was still away at work every day, while I managed to work from home for his company, and took care of the house and the kids.

We worked apart, as do most couples, for the duration of our marriage, and our relationship got to the point where, when we were together, we had very little to talk about besides the kids, and work. Eventually, there was even less to talk about, because it would seem that my ex-husband to be, was getting more and more distant.

I sensed the distance, and sat him down and had the following conversation with him, "If you're feeling like you want to be a single man, and you want to be doing the things that your single friends do, please do me a favor; don't go behind my back, and sneak around because you want to be with someone else. Don't let me do all of the detective work that I see those poor women on T.V. having to go through before finding out that their husbands are cheating on them.

You know me better than that. If that's what you want, then go. Let's cut our losses now, and do it amicably." To which he replied, "I would NEVER do that! I don't want to be single. I love you guys. What would make you say that??"

Apparently, at about the same time that we had that conversation, my ex-husband was slowly and quietly developing younger woman syndrome, and eventually decided that he actually would rather be a single man (and the detective work that I mentioned in our conversation? I did it all). So, to make a very long story, somewhat shorter, I wasn't about to leave the home that I raised my children in, so I told him, "There's the door. See ya!" (That's the Coles' notes version.)

We've been divorced for four and a half years now. I went through many phases. The first was definitely blinding anger, followed closely (actually overlapped) by betrayal, which came before overwhelming sadness and feelings of failure, which were replaced by apprehension. Apprehension stepped aside to welcome self-pity. Major self pity. But self-pity was quickly replaced by revenge. I went on a spending spree, maxxing out his credit card twice (he was not happy, but oh well ). Each stage came with it's own set of ups and downs. I was beset by everything from uncontrollable crying, to unexplainable joy, to periods of quiet reflection.

I completely believe that I was meant to go through each of those phases. I've learned so many incredible things about myself because of this experience. I have friends and acquaintances who are going through the same things at this very moment, who (I'm flattered to say), come to me for advice, or merely need an ear, and it surprises me to hear them saying that they're having the exact feelings and thoughts that I had in the various stages of my journey. It also pleases me to say that there is nothing wrong with these phases.

There were times when I thought that I was completely loopy. But we all go through them. I found that mine were therapeutic, and in hindsight, educational. I honestly believe that we're meant to learn something from each phase. I learned that I'm much stronger than I thought I was. I learned this when apprehension came to visit me. I learned that I have a lot more patience than I ever thought I could have. I learned that I CAN be the bigger person (when I have to be). I learned that as long as I take care of myself, my children do wonderfully.

I have full custody of 3 children, and I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I could do this on my own. Don't get me wrong, "the ex" is a regular visitor in my children's lives, we're not best friends, but I'm okay with that. My task has been to grasp the lesson that what he did wasn't about ME. It was his mess. It was his mental and emotional mess. There was nothing wrong with me.

I'm happy with my life, and with who I am at the end of the entire divorce process. I'm running my own business (www.DebbieBurgin.com), and for the first time in my life, I'm in complete control of every aspect of my life. My children are happy.

If I want to eat Frosted Flakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I can do so without having anyone berate me for it. If I want to spend an outrageous amount of money on a pair of amazing shoes, I will without a second (unwelcomed) opinion (Mr. Visa loves me). And last but absolutely NOT LEAST, I don't have anyone looking down their nose as they ask me "What did you do all day?" when they get home from work.

All's wonderful in my world. I truly believe that my divorce made me a much stronger person. I proudly bear the title "Divorce Poster Child". I think I just might put that on a tee shirt.

Debbie Burgin. Copyright 2005 Debbie Burgin All Rights Reserved

About the Author
Debbie Burgin is a divorced mom, who believes that "Divorce is one of those things that give us the opportunity to look at our lives from behind an entirely different pair of goggles than most would expect. It is the opportunity to start over, to begin again".

Debbie can be reached at debbie@warnerdigitalmedia.com

This article is supplied by DivorceHelper.info that offers you articles on divorce, advice and information that helps you get through this painful time of your life.

Stress Free Travel Tips

It is possible to enjoy stress free travel whether you are going on a business or pleasure trip if you plan ahead. Tension can start from the planning stage up to the time you are leaving.

However, stress does not have to ruin your business or vacation trip. These simple stress free travel tips are guaranteed to help you get rid of the travel stress bug.

Plan Ahead
Stress free travel starts with good planning. First, make sure that your flights and hotel accommodations are booked and confirmed. This will put you at ease knowing that there will be no surprises at the airport and hotel desk.

Make sure you arrange for transportation for the duration of your trip. If a rental car is out of the question or out of your budget, you will have to get around the city by taxi. Ask the concierge at the hotel to help you find a reputable taxi company.

Be Prepared To Get Lost
Remember that you are in a foreign country and unless you have already traveled there before, you'll have no way of knowing how to get around. Becoming lost can be one of the biggest nightmares for travelers.

For a stress free travel vacation it's smart to buy a travel book with maps and a few useful phrases that you can use with the locals before leaving on your trip. Also, carry a credit card with you, identification papers and enough money to get around the city in case you get lost.

Ask your hotel for a business card which you can show to locals when you ask for directions back to the hotel. By being prepared for when you can get lost, you are planning for stress free travel by being ready for anything.

Keep The Communication Open
One of the most important stress free travel tips is staying in communication with your family when traveling. With today's technology, communication is increasingly more available. It's easier to keep in touch with all of your family members through cellular phones, emails and text messages.

See All The Sights
Set aside a day where all you can do is travel to different sights in the city. If your schedule is spread out, make sure that you have enough time to see everything you planned on. Another great stress free travel tip is always ask the hotel staff or concierge for some suggestions. They are local people who know where neat places are and helping you is part of their job.

Eat Local Cuisine
Treat yourself to local foods and don't order your usual foods like burgers, fries and sodas. Be adventurous and have fun with local foods because that's why you are on vacation. Before leaving, you can ask friends who have already traveled in the country if they can recommend any restaurants. Remeber, hotel personnel are locals that can help you find the good spots.

Keep A Travel Journal
Writing down your experiences during your trip is another great stress free travel tip. It not only preserves your memories, it will also help you relieve stress. Describe the sights that you have seen and even the people you have met. Get small keepsakes from each experience, a napkin or matches from the restaurant where you have eaten, a souvenir or a bus ticket going to a special place. This will keep the magic of your travel alive when you get back home.

The next time you are going on a business or pleasure trip, remember these tips so you can enjoy stress free travel and make great memories.

Copyright © 2006   BudgetTravelTips.info   All Rights Reserved.

This article is provided by BudgetTravelTips.info where you will discover travel tips and new ways to have fun and exciting trips and vacations to make great memories.

Choosing The Right Car

Would you like to know how to choose the right car? Buying a car is an expensive purchase. It is important to consider budget and the main purpose as to how you will use the car. Are you going to use it for shopping trips and family outings or are you going to be out on the road a lot. If you drive a lot of miles every year, a diesel engine is worth thinking about. Reliability and maintenance are also critical considerations.

Although, the make, model and condition of the car you purchase will be determined by your budget, equally look at your needs and see if your budget will allow for them. Also look at consumer periodicals that have tested different makes and models of cars for reliability, safety and cost of ownership.

Do your homework first, whether buying from a car lot or a private seller so you do not pay too much because you had no idea of the true value. This can be done easily by looking through different magazines selling cars. Cars of the same make and model should have a similar sales price.

If you are considering a used car, then it is advisable to pay a small fee to get an inspection by a qualified person. This is money well spent to avoid any costly repairs afterwards. A car well cared for will have a service record. Scour the service record thoroughly and get in touch with the garage that serviced the car to make sure it is genuine. Also research to make sure there are no outstanding payments left on the car.

If you cannot find a qualified person to look the vehicle over for you, then there are some very simple and basic checks you can make yourself. Look for rust on the bodywork and chips in the paint. Make sure the seats are not ripped or have excessive wear. Check to see that the foot pedals and steering wheel are all consistent with the mileage and age of the vehicle.

It is important that you take a test drive of the car you are buying. Test drive it to make sure the vehicle is safe. Check to make sure the brakes work properly and are not worn or leaking any fluid. Test drive a few different cars before handing your hard earned cash over.

Think carefully before making the final decision and make sure it is reasonable and not an impulse decision. Choosing the right car for you is easier if you follow these simple tips.

Copyright © 2006   JustCarFacts.com   All Rights Reserved.

This article is provided by JustCarFacts.com where you will find car buying tips, care, facts, products and huge extended auto warranty savings.

Spyware Protection Software

Spyware protection software is the best way of removing and keeping spyware from your computer. The software detects and removes all spyware and adware automatically. Spyware is difficult to remove manually so you should only remove it with spyware protection software.

Spyware protection software is designed to get rid of spyware viruses and will act as a shield for your computer. It will keep out hackers, data thieves, malicious e-mail attachments, and other new Internet threats. It block these dangerous viruses from getting into your computer in the first place.

You might be asking, "if there are free spyware cleaners available why would you want to purchase spyware protection software?" The free spyware cleaners are good to get rid of spyware viruses you already have on your computer now. But how much of your personal information, passwords and even credit card numbers did they send out before they were removed?

Many spyware programs automatically reinstall themselves even after they are removed. So you get a false sense of security because the hacker designed the spyware program to start right back up again. Free spyware cleaners should be a warning to you and not a permanent solution to solve spyware and adware problems.

Spyware protection software is designed to find all of these hidden programs and disable them before they have a chance to work. It is the best way of removing spyware and adware from your computer and keeping it away. Whether you take our recommendations or someone else's it's important that you get spyware protection software installed immediately.

Spyware dangers have become so common, they have now moved ahead of viruses as the number one danger facing computer users today. It's worth your time and a little cost now to invest into quality spyware protection software. Your personal information and computer are at risk until you do.

Copyright © 2006   SpywareProtection.info   All Rights Reserved.

This article is provided by Spyware Protection.info where you will learn how to protect your computer from spyware and get access to the best spyware protection software.

Blue Collar Comedy Tour DVD Review

Among all the comedies available today, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour ranks number one in the "must see" category. Few comedians can find an audience among a broad range of demographic groups, and with varying tastes among individuals, it's quite difficult to find universally entertaining people.

But Blue Collar Comedy Tour showcases four stand-up comics of such ability. The stand-up routines are filmed in Phoenix with intermittent features on the exploits of each of the men as they travel the country on their popular comedy tour.

Opening up with all four men fishing in a lake, amazingly even the conversations between these men are hilarious and entertaining. What then could we expect when they take the stage? Only the best of modern redneck, working man comedy.

One of the rising stars of stand-up, Ron White brandishes his liquor and tobacco drenched persona along with a loveable sarcasm to produce one of the better comic routines of the decade. White chronicles his 9-minute plane ride to Phoenix which almost ended in tragedy when the plane was forced to turn around in mid-flight due to equipment trouble.

But the event didn't phase the alcohol-induced outlook of White who advises the passenger next to him (a man who has something to live for, unlike White) that if one engine goes out, the other will take them right to the scene of the crash. And to top it off, they'll beat the paramedics by thirty minutes.

White's act is well followed by Larry The Cable Guy, a redneck's redneck who lives by the catchphrase "Get 'r done!" Speaking in a redneck dialect that borders on another language, Larry The Cable Guy is a barrel of laughs for any American who loves apple pie.

Providing unique insight into the world at large, his audience is presented with the great conundrum of the dog dish water purifier (among other things). Why should he buy a water purifier for an animal that eats its own crap? If you're unfamiliar with this guy's routine, you need to pick up a copy of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour DVD just for him alone (or for that matter - any of these comics merit a full-length DVD by themselves).

Beginning the second half of the movie is Bill Engvall, a comic who takes a more well-spoken, family man approach to his routine. I first saw Bill on The Tonight Show when I was ten years old. He delivered the best stand-up routine I've ever seen, and I still remember much of it word-for-word to this day.

Central to the routine was his trademark tagline "Here's your sign" (referring to a "stupid sign" handed out to people who make dumb remarks). Just like his colleague Jeff Foxworthy, Engvall has managed to keep that tagline not only going, but while inventing a hilarious treasure trove of new material. This guy is just plain funny.

Rounding out the final one-man routine is Jeff Foxworthy, perhaps the most famous of the crowd due to his widely promoted "you might be a redneck if…" jokes. Foxworthy starts off with a standard routine that's really funny (this part of his career has been widely overlooked), but then he naturally moves into the part of the routine that people love to hear - the redneck jokes.

My favorite of the whole Blue Collar Comedy Tour DVD is his line "If a beaver bites off your nipple, you might be a redneck". Based on a true story, you simply have to watch Blue Collar Comedy Tour in order to understand just how hilarious that one is.

But the funniest part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour DVD is when all the comics are finished with their individual routines and they gather together on stage to tell personal stories to the audience. Each story keeps the belly laughs rolling, and each comic has his moments, but Ron White steals this part of the show with his "tater salad" story.

Recounting the story of his recent drunk in public arrest (he was actually drunk in the bar - they threw him into public), White tells the tale of his rise from a small town in Texas to a life replete with criminal aliases such "tater salad" and his fathering of a child named "tater tot". You just have to see it to really enjoy it!

With a host of talented funnymen, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour DVD is grade-A entertainment. Certain to be an enduring classic for years to come, this is one comedy film you don't want to miss…

About the Author :

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour (DVD).

This article is supplied by The DVD Review.info where you can find DVD movie reviews, purchases, rentals and full length movie downloads.

Why Golf Balls Have Dimples

Do you know why there are dimples in golf balls? The answer may actually surprise you.

Dimples are crafted into golf balls to reduce the aerodynamic drag while the ball is in flight. A smooth ball, when sailing through the air, leaves a huge pocket of low-pressure air creating a drag that slows the ball down.

So by having dimples on golf balls, the drag force is reduced. The dimples create turbulence in the air surrounding the golf ball. This, in turn, forces the air to clasp the golf ball more closely.

By doing so, the air trails the warp created by the ball towards the back instead of flowing past it.

This results in a smaller wake and lesser drag.

Dimples also help players to put backspin on a shot making the golf ball break off on the putting green.

The idea of putting dimples on a golf ball can be traced back to the early 1900's. Coburn Haskell introduced the one-piece rubber cored ball encased in a gutta percha sphere.

It was during this time when the players observed how their shots become more and more predictable as their balls turned rough from play.

When William Taylor applied the dimple pattern to a Haskell ball in 1905, golf balls finally took their modern form.

From then on, dimpled golf balls were officially used in every golf tournament. In 1921, the golf balls took its form with standard size and weight.

Today, there is an abundant selection of golf balls to fit different golf game and condition. There are golf balls that offer control, while some offer distance.

In whatever ways golf balls vary, only one thing is common and known. Golf balls are not just elements of the sports arena; they are perfectly designed in physics.

Copyright ©  2006  AllGolfTips.info  All Rights Reserved.

This article is supplied by All Golf Tips.info where you will find golf information, product recommendations and a ton of ways to take strokes off of your game.  For more golf articles go to: Golf Articles