How to Find out if he or she is the right one.

When becoming seriously involved in a relationship, you think about taking the relationship to the next level. You may want to move in together or get married. But, you need to know if he or she is the right one. Just how do you find out if he or she is the right one?

There are four relationship tests:

Trust your gut feeling----
When you are in a serious relationship, and you are wondering if your boyfriend or girlfriend is the right one, you will have to trust your gut feeling. When you have a feeling that something is wrong, that nagging feeling, then usually that means there is something wrong. You need to trust your gut. This may sound very vague, but you need to sit down alone, and really think about if he or she is the right person for you. If you really think something is wrong, then ask what is wrong.

The animal test----
In order to find out if a person is the right one, you need to find out if your partner is a good person. Try doing a test on your boyfriend or girlfriend. Introduce a dog or cat into the relationship. You can take your partner to a friend’s house to do this also, if you are not ready to have a dog or cat. Pick up the cat or dog and pet it. Watch in a casual, relaxed manner what your boyfriend, or girlfriend does. If your boy/girl friend runs in terror from the animal, this may mean she has not grown up with an animal, and has no experience with animals. An animal loving person is a person that shows love and compassion easily.However a person that hates animals may have major problems that need to be addressed before he can enter into a committed relationship with another person.
Child test---

Another test to perform on your partner is to find out if he or she likes children. You should find out if your partner can handle being around children. When a person has been raised with several siblings, or he has been raised in a large household, he will know how to get along with other people. When a child has been raised as an only child, he may be more selfish, more self reliant, and not be able to share easily with others.
When you are planning on having kids in the near future you will want to live your life with a person who can take care of children. When a person can talk to, and get along with children this is usually a good sign that you have met a “keeper.”

Family/Parent test---

To find out if your boyfriend or girlfriend is the right one, perform the ultimate test; introduce your parents to your partner. You will also want to meet his parents and family. While having your partner meet your parents, he may find that he has nothing in common with them, and that he feels he is making a mistake. Your parents may be more laid back, and charismatic, or just the opposite. You are better off discovering what his family is like before allowing the relationship to become very serious.
Making sure he or she is the right one is not difficult, just use common sense, and perform a few necessary tests. If you are still unsure of your future partner, hold off on the relationship for a while to give the two of you time to think about what you really want. Copyright (c), 2010, written by professional author Kate Johns.

Valentine's Day is Overcommercialized

Just when you thought it was safe to settle down in a dreary winter existence of working, and staying home cuddling under numerous blankets, along come the ads beckoning you to spend more money. Didn't we just end the money spending fervor, called Christmas?

Now we are brought to the brink of insanity with retailers forcing Valentine's Day down our throats.
Obviously they are trying desperately to make money. But do we have to run out to stores or order online expensive jewelry for our female soul mates? Does she really deserve to have another diamond ring foist upon her?

The ads start every year at least a month before February 14, with numerous jewelery ads showing expensive necklaces, rings and earrings. TV ads, online ads, newspaper ads showcasing pricey items filled our heads like those sugarplums of Christmas past.

All I want to know is when did Valentine's Day become all about buying expensive jewelry for the woman in your life? My husband has never bought me an expensive item for V-day. And when I told him that, he got huffy with me.

Pro flowers ads have sprung up on the Internet so much so, that I now hate and don't ever want to see another red rose. Big box stores are in on the game:
Kmart even is hawking jewelry. Last year, I remember getting numerous Walmart ads decorated with everything red for your sweetie, including stuffed animals, and candy hearts. By the way---Where's Victoria's Secret in the melay?

Next, major retailers will be counting down to Valentine's day. They will force us to buy a Valentine's tree complete with red, pink and white ornaments. Do you really need another mug laden with red,and pink hearts?
Enough already!!

I say we go back to the days when Valentine's day was not over-commercialized, and forced down our throats. We are making single people feel like crap! Stop bludgeoning us over the hearts with candy, lacy red teddies, and expensive presents!! Let's go back to celebrating Valentine's Day the way it was meant to be celebrated; between two people who love each other. Celebrate in your own way, whether that is staying home cuddling, or painting the town with pink, red and white hearts.

Before you know it, there will be Valentine's parades, and cupid for kids to ask for presents from. Do we really need to get everyone in the family V-day gifts? Do the kids need candy hearts, and new stuffed animals? Do we really have to have Valentine's parties for the kids? Do we really have to over do buying everyone at work heart candy, cakes, or doughnuts?

It's gotten to the point where it is expected that men run out and buy their sweetheart expensive presents for Valentine's Day. But you don't have to go into debt to satisfy your Sweetie! A good old fashioned romp in the hay will do the trick, Guys! Hint hint, and acting like a romance novel character will enhance the pleasure. copyright 2011, (c), written by professional author Kate Johns.

How to have a cheap company Christmas party.

Where my husband works, they are trying to cut costs anyway they can. So, I was surprised when they had a Christmas party. They held this festive affair in January. The business where he works even took some of my cheap ideas, and came up with some of their own. They held the party after Christmas in January, didn't serve dinner, and made employees pay for their own booze.

Number one- Have an office party instead of a big party at a restaurant or club. Ask everyone to bring a dish to pass, including Christmas cookies. One person brings a Cd player and the Christmas jams. Another person can bring a karaoke machine. Everyone can chip in to buy any booze you will need, unless you are having an alcohol free event.

Number two- Tell employees to chip in to pay for the party. Your Scrooge-like employer will not have to pay for the entire affair. This may mean the difference between raises, a party, or letting someone go.
Number three- Have a work related party at the boss's home, or a co-worker's home. Once again, everyone can bring a dish of food to pass, and a bottle of alcohol. This way you get to have a party and don't have to pay all the expenses that go with a club, bar or restaurant.

Number four- Have the party at happy hour at a club or bar. You can get free appetizers, cheaper prices on drinks, and still everyone gets to have a good time outside of the workplace.
Number five- Plan on having the work party after Christmas during a slower time of year, such as in January. At this time, many restaurants, and clubs will be begging for business, and your office can get lower prices than offered at Christmas time.

Number six- Save money on a work holiday party by trading business for the party. In other words, your business can give something to the restaurant, bar or club in exchange for the Christmas party. Depending on what kind of business you work at, you might be able to set up a very sweet deal!

Number seven-Save money on a work holiday party by doing something completely different. Don't have a regular, Christmas party. Instead throw a sledding party, or a party at the boss's home. Everyone can make snowmen, and ice-skate on a homemade ice skating rink.

Number eight- Have the holiday party during the warmer months and rent out a shelter at a park, picnic site, or at the beach. Why not, it's cheaper then renting a large room at a club. You might even be able to afford to buy tickets to a baseball game.

Number nine- Instead of having a Christmas party, splurge for the staff to go to a holiday show, or a holiday concert. You can even get a discount rate on a large order. Community Theater is cheaper than big city theater productions!

Don't be a total business Scrooge this year, have a company Christmas party, with proper prior cheapo planning!! Copyright 2010, written by Kate Johns, who has been writing professionally since 2004.

Business:How to Save Money By Going Green

With today's tough economy and rising costs, it's becoming increasingly difficult for businesses to make ends meet. There is a way to turn a profit these days; the answer is by going green. Whatever you want to call it, recycling, environmentalism, people have been doing this for years creating alternative business opportunities.

Sell, and or produce green products, such as green cleaning products, green methods of growing and producing food, or methods for utilizing recycling technology. Many businesses are created every day by making reusable products such as cotton robes, clothing, towels, and by starting a business that centers on lending their services to other businesses in how to become green. Just think a business can be created offering their services to give a company a complete going green makeover.
How to Save Money in Business by Going Green by Kate Johns

A business will save major bucks by having the entire office staff telecommute. Telecommuting can save a business thousands of dollars every month that really adds up! This way with the staff working from home, the employer has lower electric and gas costs. With employees working from home the employer doesn't have to pay for electricity use for lights, computers, fax machines, telephones, etc. A business can save as much as 50 percent a year by having its employees work from home.

Conducting all business correspondence electronically, can save the company major costs once again across the board. No longer will stacks of paper be needed to send interoffice mail, and business letters to co-workers and business clients. Employees will be able to conduct business with the aid of the Internet and by utilizing e-mail. Expensive paper will no longer be necessary and the cost of doing business will lower. And the business will do their part to save the trees.

Create ways to save money and make a profit by going green. Any business can save money in this manner, it just takes a little thought and creativity. If you need any more help with this matter, you can hire me as your new Manager of Green Savings. Copyright 2010, (c).       

Overprotective Society taking Freedom Away

Did you notice how companies are recalling everything these days from cat litter that may not clump, to cars having brake problems, to baby strollers that don't stroll?
Is it any wonder why so many people are riding motorcycles with their motorcycle Mamas hanging on the back, with the wind blowing through their hair? Do we think twice about people moving away from large cities into rural pastures to gain their freedom back? No, we don't. We are all too busy watching or listening to the media telling us what has been recalled now, and how big government has come up with yet another law clamping down on our freedom.

Society as a whole has become too overprotective. Each new generation growing up is taught from birth about the dangers that befall our lives. Just the other day I saw on one of the news stations that a blind manufacturer was recalling the blinds because babies and small children could get caught in the cord. The question is where were his parents,in the first place?
We have become a society that is allowing not only our personal freedom to be taken away, but we are allowing companies and government to rule if not ruin our lives. Kids are too afraid to go outside to play. Instead they stay inside where it is "safe" hanging out searching the Internet for more friends, and create sexy videos like they see on TV, and the Internet.

Society has become too complacent by allowing someone else to dictate what is correct for us as a society. Do we need government telling us to go back to school? Do we need local officials telling us we can't smoke in our own homes? Do we really want our kids inside 24-7, experimenting with everything electronic, instead of going outside enjoying life's freedoms?

Way back in the time machine of life, Americans were allowed to drive their cars, while not wearing seat belts. People were allowed to smoke cigarettes at work. Dogs were given the freedom to bark all night long, and kids could go outside and jump in a pile of leaves without fear of getting dirty, or worrying about texting their parents.

We have become an overprotective society. Cellphones are the new babysitters. Your car has been recalled. A camera may be watching your every move as you slave away at your desk at work, Your computer may be monitored by your boss at work. Copyright 2011, (c), written by freelance author Kate Johns.