I went to two different dermatologists to treat my severe acne and neither of them put me on accutane. There are other available medications. I had side effects to two of them. The private doctor I used (cost an arm and a leg – he doesn’t take insurance) really worked with me. He took one step at a time and monitored the results. When I had a side effect to a medication, he immediately took my off it and then waited a little before putting me on a different drug. I had no long term side effects. “Magic” cures don’t work well and don’t last as long.

I know someone who sent about 10 suitcases with people coming to Israel over the summer and Yomim Tovim. She paid $50-$70 for some, but she had almost everything she needed when she got to Israel. She said it was easier because she had to pay for the second piece because otherwise no one would have had room for her bedding, linen, lens solution, corelle, and cutlery. She was also very organized and gave each traveler a clear list of exactly what was in the suitcase.

I could tell you too many reasons people have speculated: “too picky,” “too accomplished,” “too educated,” “too busy to date,” “too heavy,” “to plain,” “too simple,” “no major yichus,” “too fum,” “not yeshivish enough,” “too closed minded,” “younger siblings skipped ahead,” “wants a Moshe Rabeinu,” “went to the ‘wrong’ schools,” “davens in the ‘wrong’ shul,” “too quiet,” “too talkative,” etc.

The real reason is because Hashem has His master plan, time, and place for everything.

Jolly Rancher, you left out those who come in quietly listen to what’s going on aroung them, take the drink/food-for-thought, respond politely to questions, and move on with their day. They know the owners, would recognize them if they saw them on the street, but the owners only know them when they come in and ask for their drink.

Great comparison! (Even though I’ve been to 7-11 only once in my life.)

Guy wanted to know WHY on all aspects of my upbringing, such as:

Why I live in the neighborhood I live in? (well, I didn’t think I had to move out of my parents’ home in order to get married)

Why I went to the schools I went to? (How much of a say does a 13 year old have in choosing a school?)

Why I daven in the shul I daven in? (I’ve been davening there from before I knew the alef-bais)

I felt like asking him WHY he’s going out with me if he so concerned about my upbringing.

Treat youself!

Start planning an outing with friends/family or a mini vacation/weekend. It keeps you busy and the anticipation will help your mood.

Hatzlacha raba!

P.S. Unfortunately, talking from experience.

Written on Florida Natural’s

“Made responsibly in China.”

We don’t brok, but we’re not up to cooking/baking either. So we didn’t dig up our recipies.

Maybe someone can find the link to last year’s recipies. I do recall someone posting a good ice cream recipe.

Many places advertised in the Bina and Mishpacha. Oh! Nuts has some baskets starting at about $36 probably plus shipping. You can also try rddbaskets.com and mishloachmanos.com.

The “Go Miami Card” has some very good attractions included. I got it – and I appreciated the fact that I didn’t have to keep thinking about every penny along the way – just thought about making the most of what I paid for already. Even if you don’t get it, look at what’s included to get an idea of the many attractions available. Their website is http://www.smartdestinations.com.

Enjoy and have all of us in mind!

happym19, Glad you enjoyed!

nachas, I never tried substituing this recipe with whole wheat flour. I have a different whole wheat recipe – which is drier than my regular challah recipe.

2 1/4 Cups lukewarm water

7 1/2 teaspoons yeast

12 Tablespoons olive oil (alternate with honey)

9 heaping Tablespoons honey (if you alternate with olive oil the honey will slide off the spoon)

3 eggs

9 Cups whole wheat flour

3 3/4 teaspoons salt

Same instructions as any challah recipe. My tricks are the same: beat all ingredients with half the flour and salt with a regular cake beater then switch to the dough hook when you add the remaining flour. When you punch it down after 1 hour, put it back on the mixer with the dough hook.

Personally, I don’t do an egg wash on whole wheat challah, I find that it gets a little sticky.

This is THE best challah recipe. Guests often call after shabbos for the recipe.

3 Cups water

8 teaspoons yeast

1 1/3 Cups sugar

1 1/3 Cups oil

8 eggs

6 teaspoons salt

5 lb flour

Combine lukewarm water, yeast, sugar, oil, eggs, and half the flour in the mixing bowl.

* If you mix it with the regular cake beater (at this point) it kneads much better.

Add the salt.

* Switch to the dough hook and add remaining flour.

Let the dough rise for one hour.

* For a lighter challah, knead the dough again for a minute using the dough hook.

Let the dough rise an additional hour.

Braid the challah and let it rise for 1/2 an hour. If the dough is a little sticky, lightly grease your hands.

Bake: bilkelach – about 25 minutes (depending on size), small challahs – about 1/2 hour, medium challahs – about 40 minutes, large challahs – about 45 minutes.

* Tricks I’ve found that really made a difference in the challah’s texture.