• toitroutman
      • hello Toi Troutman
      • Username: toitroutman
      • In response to: "If you were in a movie right now, what music would be playing?" Something with lots of suspense and strings. I'd be a gun-toting detective with a leather jacket.
  • toitroutman's latest answers
    • Finalizing Commencement
      • In this time of economic disparity, many Americans find themselves with less disposable income. The ability to see and own it is not something most of us can do anymore. In fact, keeping our basic needs met an be a challenge.

        This is a story of Michelle, a single mother who fought hard to purchase a home--her piece of the American dream. Despite the struggles of home ownership and single motherhood, she beat the odds stacked against her. For eight years, she never missed a payment.

        In the middle of the economic crisis, Michelle's health began to fail her and she was forced to go on an extended medical leave. Due to the time it took her to recover, not only did she lose her job, but over half her income.

        The children, now young adults, were ready to move onto the next phases of their lives and Michelle's property was being foreclosed. Desperate for solutions, she sought a workout package and unfortunately, it failed.

        Now with a quickly sinking credit score and few options, her health once again began to deteriorate and going back to work was yet another option unavailable to her.

        Now, Michelle lives in the inner city in a small one-bedroom apartment and is has learned to cope with what she lost. She is now excited about living alone and having quiet evenings at home. She now loves drinking straight from the juice carton and dancing naked to her old school iPod tunes.

        The end of home ownership and the beginning of her life as a single mature woman is restoring both her health, and her faith in the power of a "do over." What once seemed a bleak curse, is now her greatest blessing.

        The end of one does not have to be the end of all.

      • answered by toitroutman on 07/01/2010
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    • Selfishly Giving
      • Sometimes being selfish is being smart. When we are in a relationship, oft times we tend to go all out for the other person's feelings--which isn't necessarily bad. However, when you begin to neglect yourself, you could be damaging the relationship more than helping it.

        Women sometimes end up resentful of their partners because of their own choices to behave unselfishly. You may put off college to help your husband or partner build his own business, or perhaps you've got your own advanced degree and instead of using it, you're an unpaid secretary who cooks--just to support someone else's dreams.

        Make wise decisions when it comes to selfishness. Remember, it is never selfish to take care of home. It is only selfish to neglect your own inner spirit.

      • answered by toitroutman on 06/30/2010
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