Ok, grab your children, run for the hills...the end of the world must be upon us! Yes, for two months IN A ROW I managed to get this newsletter out. Wow, will wonders never cease.

Feedback on last month's online version of the newsletter was wonderful so we're going with this format from now on. To be honest, cuts the work down a fair bit for me and makes it easier to read for all of you.

I'd like to take a moment to thank all who answered the call to contribute this month. Our two book review come directly from the author himself and we've added some of his other helpful information to the Articles section of the site.

Last month we introduced something else new -- Online Polls! Yeah, ok, they serve no real purpose or scientific data collecting but they're always a quick way to have a little fun and perhaps learn something. Be certain to look for the link in this months Ramblings section for our July Poll on Children and Internet use/safety. While you're there, please feel free to view the results of last months poll on Child Care.

I'd like to bid my Fellow Canadian's a Happy Dominion Day on July 1st, and a Happy Fourth of July to our American neighbours. In this summer holiday season we've added two outdoor recipes in our recipe section.

As usual, I'd like to take this moment to welcome all of our new subscribers and bid a 'welcome back' to our returning ones.

• July's Recipes
  • Barbecue Newspaper Fish
  • Macaroni Salad
• July's Book
  • Drive the Best for the Best Price
• Ramblings
  • Kids and the Internet

BARBECUE NEWSPAPER FISH

• Take the whole fish stuff it with herbs, dill, onions, lemon pepper, salt, basically anything you like!
• Wrap the fish in a sheet or 2 of newspaper, depending on the size.
• Lay the fish and fold paper over flipping fish as you go until you have a neat package.
• Run paper wrapped fish under the tap briefly just to dampen but not drench with water.
• Place into a very hot barbecue and close the lid.
• When the fish is done, unwrap and the skin peels off with the paper.
• Cooking time varies with size of the fish. About 15 to 20 min. per inch thickness of fish.

A favourite of ours as we can hit the local lake to catch fresh Rainbow Trout and this creates a wonderful moist fish with great flavour!

MACARONI SALAD

• Cook macaroni and drian well
• Combine remaining ingredients
• Add macaroni
• Chill 1 hour or overnight
• Serve on lettuce, topped with almonds.

A pic-nic staple that goes nice with a regular at home meal on a hot day.

Kyle's Corner -- Tips you can use to better cruise

What enables people to be on time for an important appointment, attend a favorite social event or recreational activity, or just drive on a pleasant summer day? What machine do many people get to know as if it were almost a member of the family? What enables drivers to experience an increased sense of freedom? Of course, what else but the automobile. Or in today's terms: the automobile, sport-utility vehicle, or minivan.

More and more people are realizing that the cost of new transportation can really throw a budget into reverse. In many instances, today's new vehicle prices compare to the cost of a new home just a generation ago. Since dependable transportation is a necessity--do not despair; a two to four-year old used automobile, sport-utility vehicle, or minivan can be purchased at a savings of 25 to 50 percent as compared to its cost when new. Furthermore, the number of well-built, dependable vehicles has increased during the past decade. When well maintained, these vehicles can be driven for many miles, and they are now available at substantial savings.

The following tips will help you to get more driving pleasure and save money on your next used vehicle purchase.

1. Take the time to really identify your transportation needs. Buying used transportation that satisfies transportation needs to the greatest extent results in increased driving pleasure. Also, you will be less likely to get tired of the vehicle and want to sell it after only a year or two.

2. Consult the April (vehicle edition) issue of Consumer Reports at a public library. The Frequency-of- repair information will help you to focus upon used vehicles that will likely need fewer repairs.

3. At the public library, consult the N.A.D.A. used car price guide. Checkout the vehicle classified sections of the largest newspapers in the United States. Vehicle price trends begin in the major cities and then progress to other areas of the country.

4. Become aware of when a vehicle will be redesigned. Get an additional price break by purchasing a vehicle (the previous design) six months to one year after the new vehicle design hits the market. Try to avoid buying a vehicle that will be redesigned soon after you have purchased it or its price will drop on you.

5. Keep in mind that there are several used vehicle sources from which to choose: private owners, rental car companies (some rent sport-utility vehicles and minivans), Internet sources, bank repossessions, company vehicles, off lease vehicles at dealerships, etc. Be certain to inform each source that you are considering the others.

6. Remember that information, knowledge, and understanding are the keys to driving the best vehicle for the price.

For more information on buying a used vehicle and saving money, the book: Drive the Best for the Price... is available in print and e-book editions from 1stBooks Library at: 1 800 839-8640. In addition, it is also available from Amazon.com or through traditional bookstores.

In 1991 the book's author [Kyle Busch] purchased a used 1986 vehicle for $2,600 that a private owner had driven 82,000 miles. He has driven the vehicle for over nine years and the odometer has now logged over 292,000 miles. The vehicle continues to provide for Busch's daily transportation needs.

Kyle Busch and his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta -- A used vehicle that is closing in on 300,000 miles

It's an internet world -- if you're reading this, you obviously have access to a computer and some knowledge of the 'net. As parents, regardless of age, we can only watch in awe as our youngest children zip around the computer with ease and comfort unknown to us at such an age.

I remember a few years back when my children never touched the computer except to play games. Now, even my 8 year old has his own email address! "Jump Start First Grade" has given way to MSN, OnChat, and various virtual greeting sites. Heck, they'll ICQ me at work if I'm not around when they call!

There has to be a place between not allowing them to use the Internet and giving them free run, but I haven't fully found it yet. I tried firewalls that blocked certain programs from accessing the Internet, but my 10 year old figured out how to over ride that. I tried a locking program that kept them out, but it also kept them completely out of the computer it self so it seemed like overkill. I tried software programs such as Cyber Sentinel and Key Stroke Capture programs but all that did was give me logged pages upon pages of my child rambling with her best friend -- and BOY, can they ramble!

Authorities have said that no child, regardless of age, should (a) have a computer in their bedrooms or (b) access to the internet without a parent in the room. So, taking this as gospel your children (if you life is anything like mine) can only access the computer for the brief 4 hours between when you get home and when you go to sleep -- fight meals, homework, and 4 other people for this time and it just doesn't work out!

It frightens me to think about my children alone on the 'net so I tend to stay on the side of caution and perhaps over restrict them. If you've found the perfect solution/program please share it as I'm certain I'm not the only parent in this situation

What do you use to monitor or restrict your children's Internet use? I was going to add a link to last month's poll on Child Care but inadvertently deleted the data! I'll leave this link live in case I discover how to revive the old information. Well, trust me that the largest amount of people send their children to daycare during the summer months.

Well folks, that's it for another month. As usual, if you have any suggestions or contributions let me know! We're always up to suggestions and recipes sent in also have the chance to be included on the website.

Jill Lassaline, editor
Single Parents World