How to Filter Ditch Water

Living here in California, we need to be aware of emergency and survival tactics. We just never know when wind, flood, earthquake will hit. One of the most important elements of survival is water. So I wrote this little eHow on "How to Filter Ditch Water the Easy Way."

In an emergency situation, there are four elements to consider for survival: shelter, sanitation, food and perhaps most important, water. Without water, a person can die in just a few days. However, during an emergency, clean water may not be available. Even when resources are limited, there are simple ways to filter dirt, bugs and bacteria from the available water supply. Methods like these are already being used in third-world countries to provide safe drinking water.

Read more:
How to Filter Ditch Water the Easy Way eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8087449_filter-ditch-water-easy-way.html#ixzz1HpHSCZGH

How to Access California SDI Payments

I recently wrote this article. Having been on SDI, the change from checks to a Visa debit card was a surprise to me. However, it really was a pleasant surprise! While the first statement arrived a few days before the card, when I sent the statement in for the next check it was literally lightning speed. I mailed the statement on Wednesday and the money was on my card by Friday evening. Wow!

How to Access California SDI Payments

The State of California has implemented a new system of paying State Disability Insurance (SDI). Previously, your doctor's office sent the SDI forms to the state and you waited for a check. The new method of payment is with a prepaid debit card...

Read more: How to Access California SDI Payments eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7989889_access-california-sdi-payments.html#ixzz1FAfmXiIM

How to Win At Lotto

Well, you know I really don't have the winning numbers.

But here's two simple ways to "win" at Lotto.

1. Put the money in a jar at the head of your bed. Don't play the Lotto at all. Instead, save that money and when the jar is full, put it into savings. Or pay off a credit card bill -- a real win-win for your budget.
2. Play the game with the smaller prize, like California's Fantasy 5 game. The prize is smaller, only $50,000 (or more, depending on how many times it rolls over without a winner) but the odds are much better. In fact, to get a free ticket only requires hitting two numbers. If you play every day, the same numbers, like I do, you're likely to get at LEAST one free ticket every week. At least.

Now, there's nothing wrong with dropping a dollar on a Lottery ticket. But if it's wrecking your budget, remember that all too many "big winners" waste the money and end up worse off than they were before they won. In fact, one guy lost his life over his Lottery winnings. He was murdered by a so-called friend.

If you're obsessing over any kind of gambling, consider a getting help with Gamblers Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery. Seriously.

Links:

Gamblers Anonymous: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

Celebrate Recovery: http://www.celebraterecovery.com/

How to Find Out If You Have A Warrant In California

With the holidays looming, it's past time to check into old issues and see if you can get them resolved. People make mistakes and sometimes they can be pretty serious. For example, did you forget a court date, not show up for jury duty, fail to pay tickets, or bounce a few checks?

Unfortunately, you may find out that you have a warrant the hard way -- at a simple traffic stop when the officer cuffs you and hauls you off to jail. Don't let that happen to you!

Read more: How to Find Out If You Have A Warrant In California eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6041789_out-warrant-california.html#ixzz16vHge2wd

Handling your business before the holidays is a good way to start off the New Year, a clean, fresh start on the rest of your life.

The Holidays Are Coming!

Yes, it's October already! Time to clean the yard up, figure out how to store the lawn furniture, finish building that shed I've been working on for the last year (at least get the roof on it!) and start plannning for Thanksgiving Dinner.

I've published several of my favorite recipes on eHow.com:

How to Smoke Your Holiday Turkey
I always smoke my turkey for the holidays. That frees up my oven for all the rest of my holiday cooking. It's really not that hard, but you have to start about two to three days ahead.
Read more: How to Smoke Your Holiday Turkey eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5490320_smoke-holiday-turkey.html#ixzz11DQOP7bi

How to Make Super Healthy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a favorite dish for most of us. Yet, all too many of us buy into the "mashed potatoes are fattening" fallacy. Well, they don't have to be, mashed potatoes can be a super healthy dish that your family will love.
Read more: How to Make Super Healthy Mashed Potatoes eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5151611_make-super-healthy-mashed-potatoes.html#ixzz11DP1Ry6c

How to Make Healthier Sweet Potatoes or Yams
I like yams, aka sweet potatoes, but I don't like that gooey mess of marshmallows, mushy canned yams and sugar that most people make for Thanksgiving and Christmas.So I came up with my own recipe.
Read more: How to Make Healthier Sweet Potatoes or Yams eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5281875_make-healthier-sweet-potatoes-yams.html#ixzz11DOaLHCQ How to Make Healthier Sweet Potatoes or Yams eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5281875_make-healthier-sweet-potatoes-yams.html#ixzz11DORP6qB

About Demand Studios

I've been writing for Demand Studios since May. So far, I've made about a thousand dollars, just writing on the weekends, averaging four articles per weekend. (Yes, I know, I need to step up the pace, but I tend to get caught up in research.)

And, I must say that I really like those twice a week deposits into my PayPal account. Yes, they pay twice a week for the flat fee articles. Approved by Sunday midnight, paid on Tuesday; approved by Wednesday midnight, paid on Friday.


Loving it!


Unfortunately, my kids found out. Oops. So now they ask for more stuff, while I'm just trying to make more money to pay bills.

And I still get a little bit every month from my old eHow account. I need to take the time and work my way through the old stuff, do a little bit of revising and updating, keep those articles fresh so they keep making money for me.

Oh, my old eHow address is: http://www.ehow.com/members/razzberry-jam.html

And my new Demand Studios articles don't show up the same way on eHow, so it's easier to do a google search using "ehow.com Ruth deJauregui articles" and see what pops up. I stay busy, so it changes fairly quickly.

Anyway, I'm planning on continuing writing for Demand Studios as well as working on my novel and writing in my blogs.

(I promise to write more often. Really!)

Catering -- A Hard but Fun Job!

Need a part time job?

I worked five summers as a catering assistant, working mostly in the Napa/Sonoma wine country at weddings. The work was long and hard, but it was a great part-time gig!

How to Become A Successful Catering Assistant eHow.com

Checking Out Break Studios

I've read a number of encouraging reports about Break Studios. They are similar to Demand Studios except they only pay $8 an article, and payday is twice a month -- the 1st and 15th.

The positive spin is that people are reporting that they can write articles in less than half the time that it takes to write an article on Demand Studios and you get several rewrite opportunities.

Now, not that I'm going to disparage my fellow writers, but when someone says they can whip out an article in 10 minutes, I wonder if it's a quality article or if it's something they're an expert in, so it's easy for them.

Well, I should at least write a couple of articles to try Break Studios out. The titles might be a little easier. So if you see a byline of razzberry-jam or my real name, yup, that's me!!

Too Busy To Write?

Well, I've been moved from the old eHow to the parent company, Demand Studios.

It's been a learning curve, but I think I'm improving. Demand Studios has a very specific writing style that must be adhered to. Like I said, it's been a learning curve.

While I sort of miss the freedom of eHow, I really, really like the twice a week payment to my PayPal account. I've already made more in the last month and a half than I made in my seven months of writing for eHow.

Better, the old eHow articles, all 108, are still making residual income.

So, I've got to find time to write in my blogs too. I've just been too busy with Demand Studios...

How to Deal With Child Support Issues

I've written a couple of articles on Child Support, focusing on California. If you live in another state, there will be differences in how your child support agency handles cases.

Thanks for checking out my articles!

How to File For Child Support In California

Your child/children deserve the support of both parents. Unfortunately there are absent parents, men and women both, who think that they have no financial responsibility toward their own children.

The California Department of Child Support Services can help you establish a child support order and garnish your ex's wages. You don't have to be on welfare, this service is free to everyone. If you already have a child support order, DCSS can handle the garnishment and future child support hearings for you.

This article is geared toward single parents. Separated and divorcing parents will have some extra steps as they go through the process, but in general, the process is very similar.

For the rest of the article, please click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_6007908_file-child-support-california.html

---------------------------------

How to Get Your License Back After Suspension For Failure To Pay Child Support (California)

There's a lot of people out there who've lost their jobs and failed to pay their child support.

If you're one of the unfortunate victims of the bad economy and if the child support is being collected by the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), you risk having your license suspended.

However, it's not hopeless, you don't have to pay the entire past due amount to get your license back!

For the rest of the article, please click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_6032306_license-pay-child-support-_california_.html

Spring Is On Its Way!!

Yes, Spring is on the way.

The almond tree is flowering already, despite the continuing rains. You know what they say, April showers bring May flowers...

Well, here in Cali, the showers are in January, February, March AND April.

In any case, I have some articles for you to peruse, while you dream of Spring and your garden...

How to Divide Cannas:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5310408_divide-cannas.html

How to Garden In A Concrete Jungle:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6007075_garden-concrete-jungle.html

How to Grow Pumpkins In A Pot:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6007280_grow-pumpkins-pot.html

How to Garden In The City:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5331768_garden-city.html

How to Grow Volunteer Tomatoes:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5213985_grow-volunteer-tomatoes.html

And hey, thanks for looking!

How To File A Claim With CalTrans

CalTrans is the state of California's Department of Transportation.

Basically, these are the guys that maintain and repair the freeways and State highways.

This is also the agency where you file a claim if your car was damaged or you were injured by a flaw or problem on a State Highway. For example: You're driving on the freeway and you hit a huge pothole. BANG, your tire blows out and you end up on the shoulder with a blown tire, damage to your undercarriage or frame, and a tow truck bill.

There are specific steps to take in filing a claim against any government agency. This is how you do it with CalTrans.

How To File A Claim With CalTrans:
http://newbridges.weebly.com/5/post/2014/02/how-to-file-a-claim-with-caltrans.html

Super Bowl Sunday Recipes

Mmmmm, Super Bowl Sunday and the massive potluck. Yummy!

Here's a couple of recipes that are good all year long, but especially good on a football Sunday afternoon. (And they're easy too!)

How To Make Baked Beans and Ribs:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5960756_make-baked-beans-ribs.html

How To Make Hearty Potato Soup:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5960662_make-hearty-potato-cheese-soup.html

How To Make Green Pea with Cheese Salad:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5593786_make-green-pea-cheese-salad.html

How To Garden In The City

We're still in the middle of winter, but I noticed that my almond tree is already starting to show little blossom buds at the tips of its twigs. Spring is coming and we should be thinking of our gardens.

If you live in the city, you may think that you can't garden. Well, I have great news for you, unless you live in the bottom of a well, you can probably manage a small garden.

How To Garden In The City:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5331768_garden-city.html

Recommit To Your New Years Resolutions

In the New Year, eating healthier and getting enough rest are high on my priority list (along with making more money of course!).

I believe I'm not alone, that you also want to make this a better year, so here's a few articles to help with your New Year's resolutions, just in time to help you renew your commitment to 2010!

Yummy!

How to Make Healthier Sweet Potatoes or Yams: http://www.ehow.com/how_5281875_make-healthier-sweet-potatoes-yams.html

How to Make Super Healthy Mashed Potatoes: http://www.ehow.com/how_5151611_make-super-healthy-mashed-potatoes.html

How to Make Chunky Tomato Soup: http://www.ehow.com/how_5067538_make-chunky-tomato-soup.html

How to Trick Your Family Into Eating More Vegetables: http://www.ehow.com/how_5310410_trick-family-eating-vegetables.html

Enjoy!

I Am REALLY Upset!!*

The how-to website where I write articles has a mirrored site in the UK.

That's cool.

What is uncool is that MY articles are on that website and I don't get a freaking nickel for them! And they have no intention of paying for the traffic on the UK site. AND somehow they've managed to leverage the UK articles so they're higher on Google, so that readers will be more likely to go to the UK site than to the US site!

Therefore, my earnings are half what they were two months ago!

NOT COOL!

There's been a promise to take the articles off the UK website. It hasn't happened yet.

I'm really unhappy about this turn of events. It's not like I make a lot of money, but dang, to take what little I do make and cut it in half? It's not even a tank of gas for a month's earnings!

Sigh.

Yes, I'll keep writing there, because I'm a writer and we do what we do. A penny is better than nothing. But I don't have to be happy about this...

*Hey, it looks like they fixed the problem! I checked a couple of articles (on Google) that I know for sure were mirrored and they're only showing on the US website AND my earnings went up a dollar today. (They were averaging less than half that since the holidays.) Maybe the situation is being resolved. I hope so anyway!!

** Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same. We were "compensated" for the UK fiasco. Yeah, that buck and a half really makes up for the 50% drop in earnings. Sigh. And the glitches in the publishing system continue...

Another Super Interesting Blog

Wow, this guy has a great imagination and actually implements his ideas!

I'm not so much into the bikes, but the great ideas for trailers are so, so cool. And cooler (maybe hotter), he actually made some of them and took them to Burning Man, which is held in August in the Nevada desert.

Way cool! http://highmileagetrikes.blogspot.com/

How To Get The Gamey Taste Out Of Meat

In these tough economic times, people are buying cheaper cuts of meat, or have even taken up hunting!

This article will help you with that "gamey" taste that you associate with wild game, like venison or elk. It also works with cheaper (and tough) cuts of beef and/or pork.

How To Get The Gamey Taste Out Of Meat:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5846534_gamey-taste-out-meat.html

How To Buy Auto Insurance After A DUI In California

I actually wrote this article back in August, but you know how the cops had high enforcement over the holidays? Well, there's probably quite a few people who need this information -- unfortunately.

How To Buy Auto Insurance After A DUI In California:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5310422_buy-insurance-after-dui-california.html

And I'm sure I don't have to remind you "Don't drink and drive!"

How to Lose Weight Slowly And Naturally

The holidays will be over soon enough, and you (and I) will be busy with the top New Year's resolution -- Losing Weight!

Like me, you've probably researched every method possible, but let's get real. Crash diets don't work.

Yes, you'll lose weight fast, but it'll come back even faster. Seriously, the last crash diet worked for a minute, didn't it? And then the pounds crept back on, one by one. Crash diets are a temporary modification of our eating plans. They don't solve any of our long term problems of over-eating.

So, what can we do to change that scenario?

I'm going to go with the Tortoise Diet Plan -- slow but sure is the way to go.


Check it out: How to Lose Weight Slowly And Naturally

How to Make Stovetop Meatloaf

This is an easy way to make a meatloaf without turning on the oven and heating up the entire house. It's also great for camping, you can even fix it on a camp stove.

You can use your own meatloaf recipe if you prefer, and just cook it using this method.

Come check it out at eHow.com -- How to Make Stovetop Meatloaf.

How to Make Gluck

Gluck is my family's FAVORITE way to use up the holiday turkey and leftovers. It's delicious!

For instructions, please check out my article How to Make Gluck on eHow.

How to Make Gift Basket For A Twilight Fan

Some people are just so darn hard to buy for. If your friend or loved one is a huge Twilight fan, I have a few suggestions for a gift basket to help feed their Vampire addiction.

For more, please check out my How-To at How to Make Gift Basket For A Twilight Fan at http://www.ehow.com/.

Christmas Gifts for Under $5 - My eHow Articles

I've written several articles on how to buy or make inexpensive (but very cool) gifts for under $5 per person. Rather than copy the entire article, I'll just give you the links. And hey, thanks for looking!

How to Make A Family Gift Calendar in Publisher
This is a favorite Christmas gift for my whole family -- and so easy and inexpensive for me! Even if you're not the office geek (yup, that's me!), if you have Microsoft Publisher you can make a great little calendar for your family!
http://www.ehow.com/how_5570180_make-family-gift-calendar-publisher.html

How to Find Christmas Gifts For $5 Or Less
Money is tight right now, and with the holidays coming up quickly, budget is a huge issue for many families. It is possible to be very frugal and still get nice gifts for your family and friends!
http://www.ehow.com/how_5694387_christmas-gifts-_5-less.html

How to Make A Financial Planning Basket
Many young people will be leaving home soon. A Financial Planning Gift Basket would be a great gift for Christmas. (I wish someone had given me one when I left home!)
http://www.ehow.com/how_5710208_make-financial-planning-basket.html

How to Make A Cold Winter Night Box
I make a lot of gift baskets and boxes during the holidays. The Cold Winter Night Box is a great gift for the young parents or college student.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5710212_make-cold-winter-night-box.html

How to Make A Tranquility Gift Basket
I often make gift baskets for my family, usually as Christmas gifts. I know that everyone is highly stressed these days, so I came up with a Tranquility Basket.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5710204_make-tranquility-gift-basket.html

Christmas Year Round Spot

My friend on eHow has her own how-to blog, featuring Christmas ideas from eHow!

If you want cooking, decorating, gift giving ideas, or have just been overcome by the commercialism of the holidays, this is the place to look for great Christmas ideas: http://christmasyearroundspot.blogspot.com/

The antidote to Christmas overload isn't ignoring the holiday, it's wise selections in all that you do...

... and remembering the reason for the season.