Are you puzzled by his behavior? Did he come on real strong and then seem to cool off? Don’t worry, plenty of women go through the same experience and wonder as to the reason for this withdrawal just when everything seems to be going so well! Here are some reasons as to why he says he likes you and then withdraws.

He has realized that he was too hasty
Most times, a man who has been driven by passion alone, wakes up when he actually realizes that he has been too hasty in telling you that he likes you. If he feels like he was too impulsive and is regretting his hastily spoken words, he will withdraw in the hope of squashing the whole thing.

He has a deep seated fear of marriage
Maybe he has realized that by letting his feelings be known he is letting you know that he is ready to make a commitment to you. However on retrospect he has found that he has a morbid fear of marriage and cannot really be committed to you in any way. This is the reason he has begun to withdraw from you in spite of the fact that he quite likes you.

He finds out that his feelings are not very strong
Even though he succumbed to a moment of passion and told you that he liked you, he has found out that his feelings are not very strong and he cannot commit to a relationship. Judging from your reaction to his words, he knows that you will want him to get serious and he can’t do that. This is why he has started to withdraw.

He can’t take the pressure you place on him
If you have been putting too much pressure on him too soon, he is bound to start feeling trapped and manipulated. Even though he was not lying when he said he liked you, he has yet to be sure that he likes you enough! If he can’t take the pressure you are placing on him, he will want out!

He finds out that you are not who you pretend to be
Have you been a bit of a disappointment to him? Has he found out to his dismay that you are not who you pretended to be? If this is true then he is not to blame if he loses interest in you and starts to withdraw. He might just stop liking you altogether and withdraw completely.

He already is involved with another woman
Even though he has said that he likes you, don’t take it too seriously until you find that his feelings run deep. The fact that he has begun to withdraw shows that he is not really serious about you. He may already be involved with another woman and his interest in you could be fleeting!

He just wants to tease you
Haven’t you heard of the fact that a man will try to make you chase him by pretending to ignore and lose interest in you? Check and see if he is just trying to tease you after all! He could just be testing you to see if you really love him and try to win his attention all over again.

A Naming Day Ceremony always seems to confuse people – especially anyone who has been asked to be a sponsor for the child, or to say a few words, or give short speech to mark the event.

The problem which some people have is that they feel they are treading on eggs and they don’t want to say the wrong thing or upset either of the parents or the family by saying anything religious.

In fact, if you go online looking for suggestions about what to say at a naming ceremony speech, time and time again you will come up against the ‘religious’ dimension. It comes in the form of ‘BUT’.

For example:

‘Here’s a lovely poem that you might quote, BUT you’ll have to leave out the religious parts… or ‘Here’s a lovely traditional Irish blessing, BUT I’m not sure if a blessing of any sort will be welcome at a Naming Ceremony.

But what is acceptable?

The answer to this question is simple – anything you say that is joyful, uplifting, happy and thoughtful is very welcome. After all, this is a wonderfully joyful, uplifting and happy event.

If you have to give a naming ceremony speech, my advice to you is: think of the three most important things about the naming ceremony itself and say something joyful and uplifting about each of them. For example:

1. The day itself – tell everyone how happy – and honored – you are to be selected to say a few words on this very special day.

2. The name of the new child – talk about why the parents selected this name. Tell everyone about the meaning of the name and the connection that it has with the family. And tell everyone how this name is now going to mean something very special to you for the rest of your life.

3. The beautiful child – tell everyone what a darling child he/she is with both the mother’s beauty in his/her looks and the father’s charm in his/her happy smile.

And then why not use one of the most beautiful love poems of all times to praise and extol the beauty and virtues of this lovely child. It’s William Shakespeare – Sonnet #18

Shall I compare thee (Insert Child’s name) to a Summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And oft’ is his gold complexion dimm’d;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d:

But thy eternal Summer shall not fade (Insert Child’s name)

Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest…

This is such a beautiful sonnet to say aloud over the child at a naming day ceremony, that I’m sure you will be a big success. This, of course is only an example of what you might say. But, as a professional speechwriter my experience always is that ‘Poetry’ – especially the poetry of well known poets – is almost a religious dimension in itself when it is spoken in a sincere and meaningful way.

Alternatively, if you are a good singer, you could announce that you would like to sing a special song for this special child. Stand beside the child when you are singing the song and place your hand on the child’s cradle as you finish.

So let me give it to you again.

1. Start by introducing yourself and telling everyone how happy and honored you are to be here on this wonderful day at this happy event.

2. Talk about the child’s name. Do your research in advance and tell everyone what the name means and why the parents have chosen this name for their child. Tell everyone that you think it’s a lovely name.

3. Tell everyone that the lovely child and the happy event combine to remind you of an uplifting piece of poetry. And then go on to read the uplifting piece of poetry with sincere feeling. Alternatively, if you are a good singer, you may prefer to sing a song.

But, whatever you do, don’t use rhyming doggerel. Use really great poetry and you won’t go wrong.

Anniversary poems are the best way to express your feelings towards each other while celebrating years of togetherness. These are an ideal way to wish a couple on their anniversary as well. You could dedicate one of these poems to the couple when you are invited to be part of the celebration.

For your Spouse

If you have to wish your spouse and express yourself, these anniversary poems would be the ideal way to do it. You could say all that you want in the most romantic way. These poems will help you express your feelings in the most appropriate manner. After you have shared the most beautiful years in your life, it is only natural that you would want to let the other person know how much you have enjoyed your journey togetherness. The romantic poems are found on many websites, which can be of help if you don’t have enough time. But it would be ideal if you could pen a few lines that express your thoughts, rather than just using borrowed lines. You could use some references if you are looking for some inspiration or if you have a whole lot of things to say, or if you are suffering from a writer’s block.

For Parents

A recitation of these anniversary poems can be an emotional moment for most families. Celebrating the 25th wedding anniversary for instance, is one of the most fulfilling events in the couple’s lives. These are events where the children, grandchildren, friends and families join in the celebrations while bringing in more good wishes and cheer for the couple who have been married for 25 years. The children generally express gratitude for having been blessed with such wonderful parents. The couple, on the other hand, is not just happy to have each other but live a complete life with their children and grandchildren as well. It is a beautiful feeling to be a part of a big family and to see the family grow.

For Friends

All of us have friends who are very dear to us and some of the friends are an inseparable part of our lives. We grow up together, do the schooling together, and spend a lot of fun-filled times together. Bringing in their anniversary is a joyful occasion. It is also an occasion to let your friends know how special they are and how thankful you are to have friends like them. Very often, we find ourselves much closer to our friends and buddies than we are with our extended families. Only the best wishes would do for your closest pals. Give them a treat with some beautiful poems on their anniversary – something that is specially written for them for this special occasion.

Anniversary poems are an integral part of every couple’s first wedding anniversary, but most of them overlook it due to lack of time to pen down their thoughts. Words can say a lot, and these poems are something that friends and family will always cherish. So, just go ahead, make time and say all that you have wanted to, but may not have.

If your child has autism then you’re a walking target for friends, relatives and even strangers to offer unsolicited advice. You realize they have good intentions but it’s still a very hurtful experience. We’ve compiled a list of common mistakes that people make. When talking to parents whose children have autism, here are some things you should never say.

AUTISM DOES NOT MEAN DEAF

You’re chatting to your friend and you notice her child engaging in some strange behavior. You’re curious and you ask “What is he doing? Does he always do that?” Questions like these place a parent in a very difficult situation. They are also very damaging to the autistic child’s self esteem. The child might not look up at you but he heard what you said.

A common misconception is that people with autism don’t comprehend the world around them. Nothing could be further from the truth. People with autism might not respond or react in typical ways. They might not have much speech but they do understand what’s being said. Keep in mind that many of them have acute hearing and can hear what you’re saying clear across a room.

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

You’re standing in line a busy store. The woman in front of you is struggling to keep her sanity intact. Her child is running off and pushing items off the sales racks to the ground. “What an insolent child” you think to yourself. “His mother should discipline him better!”

Don’t jump to conclusions just yet. It’s very possible the child has autism. Even if you’re tempted, do not roll your eyes and shake your head in disdain with other customers. This mom faces judgment at every turn. You will make her day if you smile broadly at her. Then offer to keep her place in line so that she can redirect her child.

DISCIPLINE ADVICE

You’re visiting a friend whose child has autism. Her child is painstakingly building a tower and he accidentally knocks it over. Devastated at his mistake, he flies into a rage and hurls the blocks through the air. Your friend quiets the situation but you don’t approve of the way she handles it. Shocked at her son’s inappropriate outburst, you offer some well meaning advice and share your discipline tactics.

Children with autism often don’t respond to conventional methods of discipline. This mom deals with more than you can possibly imagine and has probably tried every discipline tactic in the book. She’s afraid you’ll be judging her actions. A warm smile and a swift change of subject will do wonders for her.

To all the parents whose children have special needs, we commend and praise you! Your road is rocky, filled with joy and challenges. To everyone else, we stand in gratitude. Your love and support is immeasurable for parents and their special needs kids. Thank you for standing by their side.

Using emoticons on your smartphone can cause severe problems with the voice-to-text functions of the Ford Sync System. This self-help article reveals ways to correct these problems.

Since late 2012 there were numerous problems with the iPhone 5, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S as well as the Samsung Galaxy, the HTC Evo and other smartphones having connectivity issues with the Ford Sync system. User forums for these smartphones and for the Sync system have been filled with people which connectivity problems that affected the base model, the MyFord and the MyFord Touch Sync systems. The issue was something was seriously affecting the Sync users accessibility of their phone book contacts with Voice commands. If you pushed the “Voice” icon on your steering wheel and said “Phone” and then “Call + (your contact name)” then your Sync system might reply, “Calling Dot on Cell.”

Some of the issues were a result of smartphone users downloading and using any of the Emoji Apps. The word emoji is Japanese for ideograms, you know, those little emoticons such as smiley faces, “frowny” faces, etc.

The new Apple iOS even allows iPhone 5 users to go to their Settings folder, to the General settings, to the Keyboard tab, and then to the next menu to select “Keyboards.” You can then tap “Add New Keyboard” and add an emoji keyboard. However, this is the kiss of death for your Sync system.

The issue is that the cute emoticons seen on your smartphone screen as a smiley face are, in fact, long strings of programming language which cause Sync’s text-to-voice conversion to go haywire. When given a Voice command to call a contact the system will say “Calling Dot on Cell” and then dial the first contact listed in your phone book.

If this has happened, then review EVERY phone contact and remove any emoticon. Also remove any extraneous exclamation points, periods, commas, dashes and so on that you might have in your phone contact list. Be sure to even check the name of your device! Some overzealous users renamed their phones with smiley faces on the device name. Check to see that everything is cleared again. Then go to your Bluetooth settings and remove Sync from your phone.

If you have an iPhone, do a soft reset. This is done by holding your “Home” button, the large button at the lower center of your front screen, while also holding down the Power button at the top edge of the phone on the right side. Hold these buttons down until the Apple icon appears. Then release the buttons. Let the phone go idle for a few minutes. You can further push the power button, then slide the on-screen button to power down the phone. Leave the phone off for a few minutes. Then push the power button and let the phone power back up.

Then go to your vehicle. Go to your phone settings and delete your phone from the list of Bluetooth devices. Then turn your vehicle off. Open the hood and find the car battery. Loosen and remove the black (negative) battery cable) for about five minutes. Then replace the cable and tighten the clamp. Close the hood and restart the vehicle. Let a few minutes pass before resetting the radio from AM and resetting the clock. Then go to your phone settings and pair your phone back. See this video for instructions on pairing a phone.

Yes, this is a lot to do. This is why you need to really clean Emoji Apps and emoji keyboards from your phone files. Emoticons are cute but they defeat the whole purpose of having a Bluetooth-enabled hands-free communications system. Maybe it’s time to say bye, bye to smiley faces! So sorry!

In improv comedy, there is a concept called ‘yes and.’ ‘Yes and’ is a two part idea. The first part being that no matter what you say or do, I am going to say ‘yes’ to you, thereby accepting whatever you have offered. The second part is that I will add what I want to say by saying ‘and,’ thereby building off of what you said. As an exercise, two performers can have a scene where everything they say has to start with the words, ‘yes and.’ First time performers struggle with this as the concept of agreeing and working with someone else is relatively foreign to them.

The opposite of ‘yes and’ is ‘yes but.’ The first part of this concept is exactly the same as ‘yes and,’ where no matter what you say I will say ‘yes.’ In the second part, I will say ‘but’ instead of ‘and.’ This one word difference has the dramatic effect of completely changing the discussion. ‘Yes and’ is a conversation; ‘yes but’ is an argument.

When you say ‘yes but’ your ‘yes’ is just lip service. What you are really saying is ‘yes I hear you, but I don’t care.’ If I am talking about something with you, we can both say the exact same phrase over and over again if we start with ‘yes but.’ (‘ I hate the beach!’ ‘Yes but I really want to go the beach today!’ ‘Yes, but I hate the beach!’- and on to infinity). ‘Yes and’ forces me to work with others and work toward positivity. (‘I hate the beach!’ ‘Yes, and I think the park would be a better choice!’ ‘Yes, and at the park we could play baseball!’ – and so on)

What is astonishing is how much easier the exercise is when you play it as ‘yes but.’ As people, we are far more conditioned to argue and dig our heels in than we are to accept and work together with others. Think about some arguments you regularly have. Chances are both parties are saying ‘yes but.’ Even if the words themselves aren’t literally said, the ‘yes but’ intention is most assuredly there.

‘Yes and’ is really a way of thinking. It opens up your mind, helps you listen, and creates a great supportive environment. Try it next time you are in a discussion, and see how it helps you out.

Did you know that over 61 million American consumers have a “subprime” credit score? A subprime FICO score is one that is under 640 according to the three major credit reporting agencies. Having a less than perfect (or even decent) credit score can be due to a bevy of different reasons: job loss, health issues, divorce, or the mismanagement of finances. For many people it’s the last of those and is a direct result of over borrowing and overextending one’s budget.

Direct payday loan lenders understand that for whatever reason a person has subprime credit, we all make mistakes. They also know that bad credit comes with a price which can mean paying higher interest rates on credit cards, mortgages and car loans, as well as being turned down for credit and even the loss of employment opportunities. That is why they don’t look at a person’s credit score when applying for a payday advance loan. Taking out a short-term loan for a cash emergency is fine and will not affect your credit but you still need to consider how you are going to rebuild your credit score and get out of the sub-prime category to afford yourself more financial borrowing opportunities in the future.

The first step is knowing where you stand in regards to your FICO score. You can do this by ordering a copy of your credit score from the three major credit bureaus: Transunion, Experian, and Equifax. Each American consumer has the right to one free copy of their report every year. You can request your report either online or calling directly. Unfortunately, you will have to pay to get your FICO score with your report but it’s worth it because it is what defines your credit worthiness. The three reports may vary depending on the bureau and will change over time as your credit history changes. Once you receive all three, go over them individually to check what has been reported and to make sure everything is accurate. Mistakes on your reports can be costly and affect the future of your credit so it’s vital you check to make sure everything it correct. If you find something that you feel is not accurate, it is important that you immediately dispute it with that particular bureau. With your report should come a form that allows you to do so.

Assuming your credit score needs some help, it’s important that you take action to rebuild your score and correct any mistakes that are on your report. It’s not going to happen overnight, in fact it could take months or years, but be patient and remember that you are tworkingo secure your future credit worthiness. While paying off your payday loan will not cause your score to go up, it will prevent you from paying extra in interest and fees as well as free you up to start paying off any other high interest loans or credit cards. Once you start doing this, your credit score will get a boost. Keep in mind that although payday lenders don’t run your credit and don’t report it when you are repaying, should your loan go into default, a third-party collector may take over your account which means there is a chance they will report it to the credit bureaus. Call your lender right away if you are not able to make your payment.

In the meantime, continue to check your credit report(s) to be sure your efforts are reflected in your score. If you see something that is not accurate, be sure to report it. Not only do you want to pay attention to mistakes regarding debt that you have incurred, but also want to make sure there you are not a victim of identity theft or fraud.

Here is one lesson I learned when I had my assistant asking for audio interviews.

There is tremendous power if you have someone else ask for you. Even if it’s a family member or a friend, like your assistant. As long as you are positioned as someone who works with you, there is just tremendous power in having a third party do that.

I had an assistant that I hired for a couple of months and her job was to do nothing but book me interviews. I was kind of in an interview mode and it was kind of nerve wracking asking for interviews. If I’m asking it can be nervous for me asking for an interview, you know? I may get turned down like anyone else.

But I hired this assistant and I didn’t have to deal with that. I said, “Here is your job; your job is to approach these experts,” and I gave her a list, “and you are the personal assistant for Michael Senoff and Michael Senoff would like to interview you for the month of November or December,” whatever. That was very powerful, because it wasn’t me asking it was someone else asking and it was great positioning for myself.

She was really successful. That month we did a ton of interviews. I was so busy doing interviews and editing the audio that I had to take a breather from it for a while. She got me so much stuff that I didn’t use her for the third month, I couldn’t keep up.

So yes, you can be a nothing, but you could position yourself by having a personal assistant call and schedule these interviews for you and with phone systems today people don’t know and with a Web site you could project a beautiful image. They have no idea really what your company or business is like and I’m not saying lie or deceive anyone. But just go for it.

As the late great Paul Harvey used to say, “I am Paul Harvey, and this is the rest of the story.” I am reading in the Chicago Tribune that the health insurance rates for 2016 are going up an average of 6.1% in Illinois. It also says the national increase is 7.3%. Now these are based on the second lowest price Silver plan which is generally one of the most popular plans. This is where Paul Harvey jumps in. As an insurance broker and can speak from the rate increases my clients are getting. Let’s start in Illinois. I have a couple in their early 40’s in Plainfield who is getting an increase with Blue Cross and Blue shield from $493 per month to $719 per month. That is about 32%. I have a family of three where the ages are a couple in their early 60’s and a 24 year old child in Park Ridge, going from a Bronze plan at $906 per month to $1270 per month. This is also an increase of near 30%. My third example is a single male in his late 30’s residing in Woodridge. He has a gold plan which was priced at $370 last year. His plan was canceled as blue cross cancelled their large network of doctors and hospitals. His plan will move to a smaller network of doctors where he will lose his doctor and still get an increase of about $4 per month.

You see when you compare apples to apples we see large 25 to 30% increases. When someone is reduced in coverage you see a smaller increase. The last example cannot be counted when you are comparing apples to apples since the plan he had and the network he had no longer exists. I have another family of five on a silver plan whose silver plan was cancelled. If they stay with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois they will pay less for insurance this year since Blue Cross is canceling that plan and network. The plan they are moved to however, does not have the children’s pediatrician in the network or their dermatologist. They can move to the Blue Cross HMO and get the pediatrician, but then they lose both the family doctor and the wife’s OBGYN. If they change to say United Health Care they can get all of their doctors and hospitals but it will cost them about $50 per month more for that privilege.

Moving to the State of Texas I have a client in the Houston area whose PPO plan was cancelled by Blue Cross as well. He is being moved to an HMO which is generally seen a step down in coverage, but to do so it will cost him $300 a month more.

My last example comes from the great state of Ohio. This family of three has a Silver plan with Medical Mutual of Ohio, who by many is considered the best carrier in the state. His plan is going from $840 to over $1000. This is in the neighborhood of a 20% increase. So this is not isolated to one state or one carrier.

As a broker I am seeing near 25% for most of my current clients in Illinois, Ohio, Texas, and Indiana, Some of my other states not as much, but pretty much all double digits.

So when reading about smaller rate increases you need to know the “rest of the story.”

For those of you not living in either California, Florida, Louisiana or Latin America, you may not be familiar with a merliton. Perhaps the names, chayote, vegetable pear, mango squash, cho-cho, xuxu or christophene ring a bell. They all refer to this versatile gourd-like vegetable that is grown around the world and called by various names. Historically, it was a primary food of the Aztecs and Mayas.

What Exactly is a Merliton?

A merilton is an edible plant of the Curcurbitaceae (gourd) family along with melons, cucumbers and squash. It is grown on a vine. It looks like a light green large pear, similar in color to a Granny Smith apple. The inside is a lighter color with a soft large seed.

A merliton can be fixed in as many ways as a sweet potato. It can be stuffed, fried, bake, mashed, creamed, pickled and buttered. The filling makes a great custard pie. It can be eaten raw and served cold in salads. It makes a great tasting soup and merliton fritters are a popular substitute for pancakes.

Many say that merlitons can be substituted for any recipe requiring squash. But I would add, for any recipe calling for sweet potatoes as well.

Merlitons are a low calorie vegetable, only 40 calories per cup. They are also low in sodium and a good source of fiber. They are rich in amino acids and vitamin C.

How Does A Merliton Taste?

It tastes good! A merliton tastes similar to summer squash, but a little sweeter. The outside texture is a cross between a potato and a cucumber. The inside is more similar to an eggplant. I prefer it cooked, but many eat it raw or pickled.

A great low calorie snack is to cut into strips and boil. Marinate with low fat salad dressing in the refrigerator. The strips make a great snack when looking for something quick to munch on.

Where Do I Buy One and Why Are Merlitons So Great?

Although merlitons were native to Mexica and Central America, they are now grown over the world. They can be found in ethnic markets including Asian, Indian, Philippian, Caribbean, and Latin American. They may be found in your local “super” supermarket, but most likely are not called a merliton.

Merlitons are great because they taste so good and can be fixed so many different ways. But best of all most people have never heard of them. I live in Texas and for me they are my secret weapons. When I want to WOW my friends with my cooking prowess, I cook a dish with merlitons. My Cajun merliton and shrimp soup has my neighbors begging for more!