Community » CP White Pages » Shawn MacDonald
|
Shawn MacDonaldliving in Northwood, NH
|
|
| TOTAL VIEWS: 57,541 | | | PUBLISHED CONTENT: 209 | | | FAVORITED BY: 1 | | | CONTENT PRODUCER SINCE: 07/25/2007 |
I am the mother of three girls - ages 18,20 and 22. Strange, seeing as I'm only 29! My 'day job' is a diner waitress, but I've been writing for 20 years. I've published colums (humor) and had a novel published in 1992 (horror). Strange combination, I know. Aside from th Education/Experience: high school URL RSS |
Shawn MacDonald's Favorite Content Producers
Send Shawn MacDonald a Message
|
More about Shawn MacDonald
Showing Results 1 - 200 of 209
|
On the surface, Health Savings Plans sound like a risky idea. The idea behind the Health Savings Plan is that you are able to contribute money to the account, and then that money can be withdrawn to be used for out-of-pocket medical expenses. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/28/2007
|
|
Given that the citizens of the United States are allowed less vacation time than comparable workers in other parts of the world, it is an odd problem that there is a lot of unused vacation time floating around in the workforce. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/28/2007
|
|
The market for home-fragrances has exploded in the past few years - to the tune of roughly 9 billion dollars in sales per year. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/28/2007
|
|
A lot of the things that we hear about celebrities really stink. This celebrity is getting arrested for driving while intoxicated. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/28/2007
|
|
Several years ago my daughter - who was fifteen at the time - was having a problem with dizzy spells. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/19/2007
|
|
It seems as if by this time in history everyone should be aware of the dangers of getting into credit card debt. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/19/2007
|
|
By now, almost everyone who uses the internet is familiar with the craigslist site that sells everything from roller skates to used automobiles. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/18/2007
|
|
have always wanted to have a picturesque small pond in my yard. Unfortunately we have never found a house for sale that matched the rest of our needs and included a small pond. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/18/2007
|
|
As a general rule, new automobile technology tends to debut on high-priced, luxury cars, so most of us do not get to experience the new technology until it is old news. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/18/2007
|
|
The testing of DNA that can be found in fingernails, hair clippings, and various other body parts has become a great help in proving someone guilty - or innocent - of having committed a crime. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/18/2007
|
|
The average homeowner, who is conscientious about the upkeep of their yard, considers the beautiful falling leaves of autumn the equivalent of having a yard full of debris. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/5/2007
|
|
In case you have been living under a rock, a GPS unit - or global positioning unit - is a device that is used to gather real-time location information from global-positioning satellites. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/5/2007
|
|
A recent piece of legislation was passed by Congress and signed by President Bush that will cut nearly $21 billion dollars in government subsidies to lenders that provide for student loans over the next five years. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/4/2007
|
|
So if you love the concept of farming, but are leery of the risks involved in such a venture, what is a relatively safe bet as an alternative to traditional farming? Have you thought about deer? By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/4/2007
|
|
My mother claims to 'love her dog to death'. And she means that literally. She will continue to love that mangy, yippy little critter (if she reads this, I am toast) until the day that one of them dies. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/4/2007
|
|
The world is full of animal lovers. The world is also full of people who love the idea of owning a cute little puppy or an adorable little kitten - or even a vicious attack dog to protect their loved ones and their belongings. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/4/2007
|
|
There is a very strange phenomenon occurring in the United States of America right now, something very un-American. Brace yourself - politicians are being considerate of their constituents. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/4/2007
|
|
You learn something new every day, and I just learned an interesting little legal tidbit. Did you know that many housing developments and condominium complexes ban the use of clotheslines? By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/4/2007
|
|
If you are a fan of the scented candle, then surely you have heard of Yankee Candles. After all, there are over 370 Yankee Candle stores throughout the United States. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/4/2007
|
|
Southwest airline has used the same boarding system for the past 36 years. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/4/2007
|
|
More and more people are choosing to take their pets on the road with them when they travel these days. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/1/2007
|
|
For most pheasant hunters, having a well-trained, purebred hunting dog is not only a must - it is a large part of the joy of the hunt. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/1/2007
|
|
When traveling with your pet, it is wise to remember that some hotels will welcome your pets with open arms - and some will not. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/1/2007
|
|
It seems as if for every problem that a new piece of technology solves, two more problems crop up. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/1/2007
|
|
In theory, insurance companies are there to help us in our times of need. In reality, insurance companies exist to make money. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 10/1/2007
|
|
Autumn is here and in New Hampshire - as well as most of the country - that means that serious hunting season is upon us. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/28/2007
|
|
Generally Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana are considered to be the best states for moose hunting. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/28/2007
|
|
When I was about ten-years-old, our science class incubated chicken eggs. The end result of this experiment was two adorable, furry little chicks. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/27/2007
|
|
Residents of the fine state of New Hampshire have long been exceptionally proud of the state motto: Live free or die. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/27/2007
|
|
Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a toothbrush that was so primitive that the user was actually forced to create the brushing motions using their own hands. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/25/2007
|
|
A 'never event' is - in hospital slang - an event that happens in a hospital that shouldn't. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/25/2007
|
|
To build bone and muscle and to regulate metabolism, the body creates human growth hormone. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/25/2007
|
|
Everyone has heard the saying 'laughter is the best medicine'. The saying is somewhat trite and overused, but it is also - to some degree - true. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/25/2007
|
|
Washing your car in the traditional manner will go through roughly eighty to one-hundred-and-forty gallons of water. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/25/2007
|
|
Sixteen-year-old Nick Cannata, from Coppell, Texas, died from ingesting 'cheese'. No, he was not lactose intolerant. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/24/2007
|
|
In 1998, a 300 million dollar plan was approved to restore this huge, haunting hospital complex that is such an integral part of our immigration history. When the restoration is finished, the complex will not serve the same purpose that it once did. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/24/2007
|
|
Many of today's teenagers are not only fascinated by the worlds of MySpace and Facebook, but they are borderline addicted to these sites. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/24/2007
|
|
Most of us are aware that the interest rates being paid by traditional branch banks are horrendously low - somewhere in the neighborhood of half-a-percent. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/24/2007
|
|
Mention the word 'homework' and any school-aged child will shudder dramatically. Who wants to spend their free time doing homework? By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/24/2007
|
|
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and New Hampshire feels that the problem of drunk drivers on the roads constitutes desperate times. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/24/2007
|
|
Interest-only loans sound like a bad idea because they usually are a bad idea. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/24/2007
|
|
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past twenty years, you are aware of the fact that high cholesterol is a bad thing to have if you are a fan of a ticking heart. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/24/2007
|
|
I have always thought that if you want a really vicious guard dog, the best way to achieve this is to have a family dog that loves its family. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/24/2007
|
|
Divorce is not a happy matter for anyone involved. The act of divorcing a spouse is essentially the act of shattering the most important hopes and dreams that either of you had - the hopes and dreams of a happy, united family unit.
By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/20/2007
|
|
When I was seventeen-years-old, I contracted mononucleosis. This was not highly unusual. Many kids my age were struck down by the 'kissing disease'. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/20/2007
|
|
I have known many mothers, over the years, who have beat themselves up for deciding against breastfeeding their children. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/20/2007
|
|
In this day of computer-generated entertainment, it seems as if good-old-fashioned family entertainment is a thing of the past. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/19/2007
|
|
In this modern age, there is another thing that many of us like to do to get into the spooky spirit of things, and that is to spend a few hours watching Halloween-themed movies. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/19/2007
|
|
As for the effect of marijuana on the lungs, a regular pot smoker can have many of the same respiratory problems that someone who smokes regular tobacco cigarettes does. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/19/2007
|
|
Nowadays we do our grocery shopping in super-sized grocery stores. There is nothing really wrong with these stores. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/19/2007
|
|
The real estate market has cooled drastically in many parts of the country. So what should you do if you need to sell your home? By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/17/2007
|
|
Before you do anything else, go to the bank and get pre-approved for your future mortgage. This will let you know how much money that the bank feels you can afford to spend on a home. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/17/2007
|
|
A friend of mine is on the go constantly. She works seven days a week, and when she is not at work she is running errands and trying to squeeze in a social life. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/17/2007
|
|
I have a friend who has a thirteen-year-old daughter who simply could not get through another day of her life without being the proud owner of a cell phone. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/17/2007
|
|
More and more companies are penalizing their employees if they are overweight - and apparently, under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act they are able to do so.
By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/17/2007
|
|
There is no doubt that, as a nation, we must learn to gain some control over our spending habits. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/17/2007
|
|
It seems that it can be universally agreed upon that an unwanted pregnancy is a bad thing. We, as a nation, have been fighting the plague of teenage pregnancies for decades upon decades. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/17/2007
|
|
My sister works for the department of animal control in Odessa, Texas, and she is as skinny as a rail. Seriously, the woman does not have an ounce of fat on her. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/17/2007
|
|
My name is Shawn and I am a forty-four-year-old woman. I did not change my name to Shawn for the sake of having a 'different' moniker. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/17/2007
|
|
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a huge problem in this country, and those of us who do not reside beneath a rock are fully aware of that fact. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/14/2007
|
|
Credit card and college students can be a lethal combination. This is no surprise, because many college student's parents are in their own form of credit-card-Hell. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/14/2007
|
|
Personally, I use the card that offers me cash back for my credit card purchases. And yes - I love getting a little extra cash from time to time. Who doesn't?
By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/13/2007
|
|
Housework is absolutely full of exercise. There is simple walking, of course. There are squats - I am constantly squatting to pick stuff magazines off the floor, or abandoned plates, or the scattered laundry debris from my daughter. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/13/2007
|
|
If you have a senior in high school this year who is looking forward to attending college, you are about to experience the joy of filling out a 'FAFSA' report. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/13/2007
|
|
The first thing that we did was to investigate the scholarships that were available through the high school. Most high schools have many different scholarship programs available to their students. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/13/2007
|
|
More and more senior citizens are being forced into debt by skyrocketing medical costs that are not covered by Medicare. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/13/2007
|
|
Several years ago, when we first moved to New Hampshire, my aunt came to visit us, and we needed an interesting place to take her. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/13/2007
|
|
Next to decorating for Christmas (I am the reigning queen of tacky Christmas decoration), I love decorating for the fall months. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/13/2007
|
|
All three of my daughters belong to gyms - different gyms. And they do actually use them, which was my original argument against them joining a gym. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/13/2007
|
|
When I was a kid, the best thing in the world to have for Halloween (besides tons and tons of candy) was a store-bought Halloween costume. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/12/2007
|
|
It is the beginning of September, which means that my very favorite time of the year is just around the corner. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/12/2007
|
|
None of my daughters went away to college. All three of them lived at home for the first year, and then rented apartments that were within thirty-minutes driving distance. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/12/2007
|
|
Several years ago, not long after we purchased this house, I noticed that we had a herd of large ants parading through the house. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/12/2007
|
|
When my oldest daughter entered her freshman year of high school, it was finally time for her to sign up to learn a second language. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/12/2007
|
|
I remember, as a child, wondering who the heck came up with the idea of carving a pumpkin into a scary face, sticking a candle in it, and using it as a Halloween decoration. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/12/2007
|
|
There was a day when I would have sworn that I would never let my teenage children trick or treat. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/12/2007
|
|
Transferring from one college to another can be a major hassle involving a ton of paperwork, and should not be done without a legitimate reason. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/12/2007
|
|
When daughter number two was accepted into college, she was immediately asked to join the honor's program. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/12/2007
|
|
Achieving a bachelor's degree in four years used to be a given. Not anymore. More and more, college students are finding that it takes more than four years to get their bachelor's degree. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/12/2007
|
|
So here are some tips to keeping that washing machine working at its best for the longest possible amount of time. First of all, be sure to keep an eye on your water fill hoses. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/11/2007
|
|
Cleaning the dryer duct, though, is an extremely important measure to take for lowering the risk of a dryer fire and for saving energy.
By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/11/2007
|
|
My oldest daughter has a friend who returned home from her first year of college having gained what she termed 'the freshman-forty'. It was not pretty, and she was not happy. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/11/2007
|
|
While the students that are living on campus are immersed in collegiate life twenty-four hours a day, the commuter student has to make their social connections in a few short hours. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/11/2007
|
|
For most college students, the dorm experience is their first chance at cohabiting with a member of the opposite sex. Then reality sets in. Having boys living in close quarters means there is a very good chance they will see you in less than pristine condition. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/11/2007
|
|
My mother was born in 1942, in the midst of World War Two, so she was raised by parents who understood the concept of stocking up on the necessities of life in case of an emergency. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/11/2007
|
|
The goal is to find a place for your student to live that keeps the distractions to a dull roar, that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg, and yet still allows for a reasonable social life. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/11/2007
|
|
Your refrigerator is probably your most expensive appliance to purchase, and it can also be your most expensive appliance to own. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/11/2007
|
|
It is amazing how many wrong ideas that we have about saving on the cost of energy. I remember my dad hollering at us when we were kids for turning the lights on and off. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/11/2007
|
|
Is it just me, or has the iPhone phone only been on the market for about ten minutes? In fact, I believe that it was released in June. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/11/2007
|
|
When most people think of getting a massage, they tend to think of having our back, shoulder and neck muscles kneaded to relieve the tension and loosen those tightly knotted muscles. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/10/2007
|
|
Massage therapy - it isn't just for people anymore! Canine massage has arrived! By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/10/2007
|
|
Ice cream has gone to the dogs! Well, that is not news to me. Every dog I have ever owned has had an affinity for ice cream - much like their owner. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/10/2007
|
|
The United States Army has added an attractive new bonus program - $20,000 for signing up with the army and being willing to ship out sometimes within days. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/7/2007
|
|
There are currently about 3,000 schools in the United States that have chosen to use what are known as 'alternate calendars' for their school year. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/7/2007
|
|
To most people in this country, Halloween is a fun holiday and little to no thought is actually given to its pagan origins. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/7/2007
|
|
In theory, the United States of America was founded on the concept of religious freedom. This is, of course, a wonderful concept and as far as the law is concerned, one can not be discriminated against because of their religious preferences. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/7/2007
|
|
There is much debate about the definition of the words 'Wiccan' and 'witch', not only by those who wish to throw stones at either group, but also within the confines of witches and Wiccans themselves. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/7/2007
|
|
So ... having given up any hope of ever regaining the title of The Perfect Mother, I set my sights on becoming 'The Mother Who Didn't screw Her Children Up Too Badly'. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/7/2007
|
|
We all realize - or we should all realize - that good communication is extremely important to getting through life. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/6/2007
|
|
When it comes to finding the right man to spend the rest of your life with, women everywhere face the same question - brains or brawn? In other words - nerd or hottie? By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/6/2007
|
|
My grandmother's recipe for arthritis relief consisted of 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey mixed in warm water. She drank this several times a day when her arthritis was really bothering her. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/6/2007
|
|
Would a new kitchen add $14,000 in value to my home? I really did not think so. I called five realtors, and four of them told me that I would make a 150% or better return on my money. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/6/2007
|
|
Allow me to remind you: While your child is a minor, he or she is your legal responsibility. If they get into trouble, you get into trouble. Monitor what your child is doing. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
I have attended two weddings this month, and there is one thing that both weddings had in common: The young couples were both strapped for cash. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
When it comes to Halloween decorations, there is no such thing as "too much of a good thing." Now is the time to start showing your Halloween spirit through the art of decorating. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
Once upon a time, an outing to a movie at the theater was a nice family event. And once upon a time, it was affordable. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
One of the ways that I have tried to be ecologically correct over the years is to request paper bags at the grocery store rather than plastic. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
I have a group of friends who have initiated a wine-tasting group in the area. This sounds like a rather hoity-toity thing to do, but for the most part it isn't a snobbish group. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
The teaching profession is not for the timid. Teaching can, in fact, be a profession for the adventurous. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
In reality, it is a fairly simple process, although it does take a certain amount of patience to ensure that you do a good job.
By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
That fall I added 'lawn mower maintenance' to my long list of things to do before winter, and I actually managed to get it done before the first snowfall. I began by emptying the gas tank. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
We have all heard of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and are aware that one of the big causes of this ailment is overuse of the computer. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
Many people enjoy a nice glass (or two, or three) of wine in the evening for the simple pleasure of the taste and as an act of relaxation at the end of a long, hard day. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
I am allergic to wine. I know - sucks to be me. Now, this is not a huge tragedy for me. I am not all that crazy about wine in the first place, although I have been known to enjoy a nice wine cooler. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/5/2007
|
|
Well, the best thing to do is to concentrate on showing your house to its best advantage. There are all sorts of helpful suggestions floating around out there - such as updating your kitchen and bathroom and installing new carpet. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/4/2007
|
|
The true trick to goldfish reproduction? Throw a half dozen cheap goldfish into a large body of water, pay no attention to them other than to feed them once in a while, bemoan the lack of space for winter storage of these fish, and voila! Lots of baby goldfish.
By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/4/2007
|
|
Proponents of invisible electric dog fences - those that sell the electric dog fences, and those who buy them - claim that this particular tool is essential to the overall well-being of your dog. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/4/2007
|
|
Once upon a time, a long time ago, the list of back to school tools included a few number two pencils, a pen, and a couple of notebooks. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/4/2007
|
|
When it comes to back-to-school shopping, a backpack is now probably the most critical item that you will need to purchase. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/4/2007
|
|
The price of electricity when it comes to simple daily living can be daunting, and it is something that we feel that we can not live without. Or can't we? By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/4/2007
|
|
Congressional legislation has made it so that state governments are forced to go after the one big asset that most of us have if we are in need of Medicaid assistance - our home equity. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 9/4/2007
|
|
There is a lot of debate about what the best time of the day is to exercise. For years I have heard that the best time of day to exercise is in the evening. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/31/2007
|
|
We all know that breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day. I, personally, have never been a breakfast eater - unless you count half a pot of coffee as 'breakfast'. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/31/2007
|
|
As we all know, one of the hardest things about raising children is setting a good example. For me, this was particularly true when it came to the matter of setting a good example by eating a healthy diet. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/31/2007
|
|
A few years ago, I made a horrifying discovery. I was turning into a bat! It's true! No, I did not think that I had been bitten by a vampire. That would be silly. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/31/2007
|
|
Let's face it - exercise is almost terminally boring. Or at least it is boring for those of us who are normal human beings. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/31/2007
|
|
I like to think of myself as a good mother. My husband refers to me as 'uber-mother', and I'm never really certain whether that's a compliment, or an unfinished insult. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/31/2007
|
|
There is one extremely important thing about male-female relationships that most couples do not enter into marriage knowing. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/31/2007
|
|
Then we began to get offers for 0% interest, or 1.9% interest, usually for a limited amount of time such as six months or a year. Despite the fact that we weren't making ends meet, we did have an excellent credit rating. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/31/2007
|
|
During my lifetime, I have to say that I have not given the subject of toilets a lot of thought. Let's face it - everyone has a toilet, and it pretty much has a single purpose. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/31/2007
|
|
All of my life I have had a difficult time finding a bra that fits comfortably. It's not as if I have huge breasts, or lopsided breasts, or some sort of abnormal breasts. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/31/2007
|
|
Is fresh fruit really superior to canned fruit? In some ways, yes. But most would be surprised to find that as far as nutritional value goes, studies have shown that canned fruit if very similar in nutrients to fresh fruit. By Shawn MacDonald | Published 8/30/2007
|