Articles written by Amy Phalen

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About me - Amy Phalen

I am a 45yr.old, married, mother of 2 (sometimes) adult children.My husband and I live in Ohio in a house that we built on property that his family has owned for over 100yrs.,with 2 cats and 2 dogs and many wild critters running around. As of Jan.07' I am

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Jobs & Careers > Stress & Time Management Late for work: The best excuses: 1 of 8
After almost 30 years in the restaurant business, I don't think that there is one excuse for being late for work that I haven't heard. Now let me just say that there have been a few times in my life that I have been late for work and I've tried to be honest about why.Most generally it's been because of power outages, we live ... More..
Food & Drink > Dining & Restaurants (Other) What happens when your favorite hole in the wall restaurant changes ownership?: 1 of 6
The first thing I have to say when a restaurant changes ownership is don't jump to conclusions about the new owners.I made the mistake of doing just that when the little restaurant I worked at for many years changed ownership. The Ohio Restaurant #2 had been a landmark in our little town and was owned by the same couple for o... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Friendship: 7 of 34
The school year started out the same as all school years do in Ohio,the day after Labor Day and still too warm to be sitting in a classroom. Most of us had grown up together that went to the middle school and lived in the same neighborhood. Whenever a new person came to our school we noticed and at least made an attempt to ma... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Wedding Planning How to protect yourself from the "bridezilla syndrome": 6 of 19
When my husband and I decided to get married in 1988 we didn't leave ourselves a lot of time for planning, two short months to be exact. We had two children to plan around and a large family. Since this was his first marriage and my second, we decided on a small outdoor wedding at his family home. We set our budget and called... More..
Style & Beauty > Jewelry Fake Rolex schemes on the Internet: 1 of 3
Being in the jewelry business I have talked to many people who have bought fake Rolex watches on the internet and even from vendors at flea markets,small gift shops, etc. These people tended to pay anywhere from $50 and up, only to find out that the watch was worth maybe $10. While I realize that the cost of a new Rolex is ve... More..
Relationships & Family > Relatives Getting along with mother in law: When it's real, when you're just faking it: 5 of 12
Let me just start by saying that: "I love my mother in law". This mantra has worked for me for almost 24 years, five of those years before my husband and I got married. For any of you who watch Everybody Loves Raymond, my mother in law is Marie Barone. She is a short, round, Italian, Catholic, who at times likes to drive me c... More..
Style & Beauty > Hair Color & Coloring Should you go gray naturally or dye your hair as you age?: 37 of 76
I have been a blond, a brunette and a red head, I have had red and green streaks for Christmas, orange streaks for Halloween and some light pink and blue streaks for Easter. Growing up with a best friend who's mother is a hair stylist, I never knew what was going to happen when we went to a hair show. At the age of thirteen, ... More..
Jobs & Careers > Professionalism Why some people are always late for work: 34 of 68
Growing up in a large family with only one bathroom we learned the value of time management. When you have eight people who have to get ready for school, work, etc. you stick to the schedule you are given and get up at first call.I admit that I am not a morning person and I am prone to hitting the snooze at least once, in my ... More..
Style & Beauty > Jewelry When a ring is wrong: Romantic jewelry that doesn't pop the question: 2 of 4
There are so many ways to tell a person how you feel about them without buying them an engagement ring. Most salespeople get dollar signs in their eyes when you tell them that you are shopping for a special gift, be prepared to look at the rings first thing. When you can get them calmed down enough to tell them you're not rea... More..
Style & Beauty > Jewelry Comparing diamonds and rubies: 2 of 3
According to history and lore(DCA Gemstone Compendium), a book written in Europe in the 1300's states,"Fine ruby is the lord of all stones.It is the gem of gems, and surpasses all precious stones in virtue".Ruby is one of my favorite gemstones and have sold many over the last few years. When purchasing a ruby look at the over... More..