Thanks for your thoughts. I guess may be by her purring

Here are my thoughts [2008-12-01]
Health insurance that doesn't include dental or vision - They're all from the same body, right? No insurance if you have a pre-existing condition. I second the one about the huge salaries and bonuses for CEO's that they get even when they are fired as their companies are failing. Gas prices that go up faster when the oil prices go up than they get lower when the gas prices go down. Shows on Bravo about the Real Housewives, million dollar listings, and ridiculously expensive vacations with people behaving like spoiled brats, when our economy is so bad.

Guess you never had a bad experience [2008-11-26]
My ex likes to lend things. They get returned...sometimes. When they do get returned, they And usually whoever had them is irritated thatthey had to be naggedto return it, and the friendship suffers. Some friends of his borrowed and destroyed an expensive carpet cleaner last year, he They are no longer friends. I lent my car to a friend once after she wore me down with her whining. I begged her to treat it gently, it was an old car and I knew she was a rowdy driver. She supposedly needed it to take her poor hurting, mother to the chiropractor. She destroyed my transmission, then refused to pay a cent to help me fix it, because my family had more money than her family. These were people we thought we knew pretty well beforehand. Rough way to find out what people are really like.

I guess you didn't really want opinions. [2008-11-25]
You just wanted validation for what you are feeling so why ask for others' opinions?

Is that german, I guess.it is a beater. nm. [2008-11-17]
x

I guess [2008-11-09]
A lot of schools are even cutting art programs (which is too bad because they keep SPORTS!) At least the self-satisfaction of having a degree is a plus!

I would guess so, but I don't think you [2008-11-07]
can have as big a hard drive, memory, etc. Also, the screen would be soooo small.

Ideas . . . thoughts on this? [2008-10-31]
Good afternoon, I am hopeful someone here can answer my question. Does anyone here type for a pediatrician? I was wondering . . . if a child bent all four fingers in a backwards position, would this action cause a lump to form on the back of the hand? Why do I ask? Well my daughter (in first grade) came home from school with a lump on the back of her tiny hand. At first she did not tell me what happened, but it has since come out that the bully in the class bent her fingers backwards. I I had planned to take her to our doctor to have it checked out, but today the lump is gone. I wrote a note to the school teacher asking that this child (the bully) be kept away from my daughter—now there seems to be this big coverup. This little boy was always in trouble in kindergarten and he was known to throw chairs etc.. .. you name it. As a matter of fact the kindergarten teacher couldn My daughter told me that when this finger bending/spitting occurred that her music teacher sent the boy to the office for punishment . . . now the school claims he was never sent to the office, like this never occurred. And no, I wasn Also, I should mention other parents found out there were coverups over bad behavior when this boy was in kindergarten. What should I do? Would a lump result from this type of bending of the hand? I guess I have to wire my daughter to find out what is going on in the classroom. Any suggestions or answers?

Tx - I guess its just sad (sm) [2008-10-29]
When you realize your own relatives think of you like that. DH says if thatmaybe he. :-) Anyway...we've got too much going here and from now on if his family calls they get voicemail. Just is sad - couldn't imagine my family saying things like that.

Sunny, gorgeous October day in Cali - (guess that's [2008-10-28]

My thoughts sm [2008-10-27]
I have seen corsages made of baby ruffled baby socks, which is not practical for a baby boy. I have seen where people make a christening bonnet out of a lovely antique handkerchief without cutting it at all so it stays a handkerchief that is later carried on her wedding day. Again, not practical for a baby boy really. I like your ideas. I'll share mom's favorite baby shower party favor: Pacifiers made of a mint lifesaver, a Necco candy and a jelly bean. She held them together with stiff frosting and they took a couple of days to make with drying time. These were part of other favors she didn't make, like triangles of flannel made into a diaper shape, pinned and dipped in wax so they held their shape for nut cups and baby bottles without the nipples, but with a straw for drinks. It is a very 50s and 60s thing, but then that is when my mom and her friends were having babies. I'll be remembering the blanket wrapping idea. Thought of a gift certificate to like JCPenney's Pixie Pinups photography? That is different at least.

I guess this one is correct, but [2008-10-25]
I hate it when people say, on either side, meaning on both sides. I could see saying, on each side, but either just doesn't make sense to me in this context.

Thoughts on being gay [2008-10-17]
I don't have time to read all the posts now, but I did see that someone feels being gay is a sin. Okay, so it is obvious a man and women being together is the original intent ... so is having both arms and legs, being born healthy in every way, etc. Things happen. No one turns out perfectly. Sure there are some people who engage in homosexual sexual behavior just acting out sexually (and I'm sure they engage in all kinds of odd heterosexual sex activity as well). That is not being gay. I believe that true homosexuality is a deviation in the intended normalcy (whether triggered by hormones in the womb or whatever) and is not a sin. It is a fact of life that happens. Just like people whose brain feels the opposite sex of their physical self, people who are physically born both sexes, and any other deviation from the perfect normal of human beings. Whatever sex you are (if you are heterosexual) ... imagine that normal is to be with that SAME sex; however, you feel as you do now ... drawn to the opposite sex. How would you like having to make yourself be with the same sex because the other is looked at as sin and you would be ridiculed and acused of going against God if you didn't?! Humans were the ones who wrote the Bible. Those humans were flawed, lived a long time ago when they didn't understand much of what we do now (about so many things), and there were control and political issues also involved. Come on! Take a look at our society now (and our politics). You can't tell me you can't see how BS is mixed up in there. ? Jesus, himself, hated the bu!!$#i+ and was all about love and what REALLY matters.

I guess next time...... [2008-10-16]
I should preface my comments with: WARNING: BIBLE SCRIPTURE WITHIN? I think NOT! I read most of these boards on a daily basis and have seen plenty of instances where gay rights, just as an example, are being forced down the throats of Christians every day. Of course, the gay community probably does not see it that way since that is their lifestyle and we Christians should not judge them for it, or so they believe. Yet, let a Christian post their point of view based on their tenents of faith as outlined in the Bible and we are jumped on like a bug by a hungry hen. Can you not see the irony here? Christians must live in this world, that is true. But we don By the same token, gays (or whatever group is feeling picked on) do not have to conform to the Christian belief system. Each person will have to answer to his/her own on Judgment Day, and like one old guy at church says, There

Ok, I agree with that too. I guess I just wonder at what point you tell them they have sinned? (sm) [2008-10-16]
What if you were not a Christian, just non-religious, and someone of another religion came up to you and said that you were living a sinful life (if you were doing exactly what you are now) and that if you don't pray to their God for forgiveness you are going to suffer a terrible, painful eternity. Would you be inclined to listen to them? That's all I'm saying.

Well then I guess it is a good thing that ...sm [2008-10-12]
close minded people like you don't run our country then. Go do some research before you make comments. A pit bull is a dog like any other. They are steretyped as being vicious because some people fight them. I do not agree with fighting any breed of dog including pit bulls. Those fighting pits are TRAINED to do that. They are not born that way. Some won't even fight after being trained to. I used to have a Yorkie that was a little fellow but he was 10 times meaner than my pit. Actually I will tell you how nice the pit was. With his size he could have easily killed the yorkie. Well the yorkie was constantly growling and biting the pit and one day just reached up and bit him square on the balls. The pit turned around and just looked at him. He could have torn the little fellow apart but he didn't. Now would a unstable mean dog be that calm? You need to rethink your comments. You are way off the mark.

Thoughts [2008-10-10]
Ithe one and marriage being FOREVER if it is the right person. My parents never had any problems and if he was still alive, they would still be married. No, I don't want to see my mother lonely but she could have friends without being married and giving me a stepfather replacement. I'm not saying I would be rude to this new person, but I would keep my distance and make it known that I don't agree with the marriage. Just trying to provide a different point of view. I'm sorry you are going through this...like I said I would never be rude because its not the stepparents fault but I can understand where the difficult feelings would come in for a child with a deceased parent...even an adult.

Well then I guess I know someone just like you nm [2008-09-18]
x

Some thoughts for all [2008-09-17]
Sometimes when someone is saying things that arenWhat it is you are saying? Or I (in a pleasant, sincere tone of course) the person has to stop and think of what they ARE actually saying, and they get a little mirror glimpse of how they are actually coming across (not making sense, not being fair/nice, or whatever.) The hubby who has not had a job in so long (if I understood properly) ... sounds like he is just kidding himself (or trying to distract you) with all his talk about what he is going to do next. It is not good for you OR him to be allowed to continue on that way. And to those who have to keep their mouth shut so not to be slammed. Not fair, and life is too short. Get some counseling for yourself and don't live that way. Connection is the most important thing for people (and all living creatures). You should not be deprived of a decent, loving connection. You can't make someone else behave differently, but you can learn to NOT tolerate it. They will either get help and make changes or you can move forward with a life that is better for you. People will often get away with what they can!

Actually I guess all the internet companies are going to be doing the same thing. nm [2008-09-13]
:

thoughts?... [2008-09-04]
The only thing I think when I see anything about this story ~ and I haven I hope I I remember following the Susan Smith case when those sweet boys first disappeared and I thought in my heart of hearts that they would be okay. I guess that sort of jaded me for everything that has come along since. The Elizabeth Smart case certainly turned out better than I expected, though.

My thoughts [2008-09-04]
It literally makes me ill to think of what has happened to her and that there is actually a human being on this planet that would do such a thing. I do believe she is guilty. I don't think many people have any doubt about that. Just trying to understand why someone would harm her and what was going through their minds at the exact time they were doing this. I can't understand it. I remember years ago that Susan Smith (think that's her name) some other poster mentioned her, but I remember when that happened I thought if parents can't handle having kids don't they know how many people would love to have kids. I thought if you can't take having kids anymore then please bring them to a shelter so they will be safe and other families who cannot have children (like me) would be able to adopt these. I don't get why people don't do that. We read and hear on the TV all these very strange things happened. Seeing as I type all day DH reads news and stuff and tells me bout these cases. Some young guy was driving down the road pulled over took his infant son out of the car and either beat him or just killed him. Someone saw this and the guy was saying something about the kid being posessed by satan. Another case some guy through his child off a bridge, some lady drowned her five children, and the latest DH told me about was some guy who was let out of some psychiatric hospital (I think), but went on a killing rampage. Walked into a store and shot a bunch of people, went somewhere else and shot some people, killed a P.O. and others. To bring it back to the story of Casey Anthony and what her mother has done (or not done maybe), but with all the very weird things going on does anyone have any idea why these things are happening. I sit here as a regular person wondering what is happening in the country. I've lived in other countries and sure they have crimes but not like here (as many or as horrendous). Is something going on that we don't know about. I read about the chem trails and wonder what in the world is in the poison that they are pouring on is. Is this what is making some people to absolutely lose their minds. What is wrong with our society.

thoughts...? sad and disgusting [2008-09-03]
troublesome, awful...

I guess he is being good now [2008-08-26]
he is scared sh*tless that the one person who is supposed to love and protect him above all others is ready to send him off to live with strangers.

depends i guess [2008-08-21]
on the cost of the insurance, vs the possible cost of injuries. personally i think you'd have to have a racehorse or breeding stock or something for it to be worthwhile...

China bailed out some large US companies. I guess we are [2008-08-07]
nm

Tell her you've gone into the petsitting business [2008-12-01]
(In my area petsitters charge $20 per visit for one animal, $5 extra for each additional animal in the household. That doesn't include extras like walking dogs, giving medications, etc. If she expects you to take a cat to the vet if it gets sick while she's away, she should leave you a signed, blank check made out to the local emergency veterinary medical center. Most won't let you in the door for less than $500, and won't treat the animal 'til that's paid. My guess is your sis would be inclined not to pay you back if it were to come out of your pocket. Might consider having her sign a waiver of liability, too.)

This shows what one person, acting [2008-11-29]
upon their thoughts, can do. Look how many lives were touched and the day made special. thanks for sharing.

Did anyone watch Wolfgang Puck on HSN .ast night.. [2008-11-29]
Lord, did that hostess with himtalk to no end. I couldn Everytime he She was talking nonstop. And saying the same thing over and over. Also, did you see when Wolfgang Puck sneezed into to the towel? THen he wipedpans and the counter with it? Then I noticed not too long after that he put some fritata on a plate and gave it to the talkative host and I didn I have to hand it Mr. Puck for the amount of patience he showed with Ms. Butt-In-Ski. Well, I guess t.v. has really gone downhill when you end up enjoying the commercials more than the shows, but I do...especially when they are selling cookware.

Electric pressure cooker... [2008-11-29]
The electric pressure cooker seems nice, and I like that it hasa removable pot, but it didn I They are hard to wash, and to hard to store. I guess if I had a huge amount of cabinets, I would though.

Haband is also great for "pretty plus." [2008-11-28]
If I had to guess, I would say 24-26 in plus size. My Mom was that size.

I feel for the family as well.... [2008-11-28]
Gosh I guess even WalMart isn That ought to bring on a hefty law suit against WalMart - hmmm... I really think Black Friday shopping is overrated anyway. All of that stuff is on sale at any time of the year. It For goodness sakes.

BLACK FRIDAY [2008-11-28]
Stayed home just relaxing -- when I heard earlier on NPR that a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death when a crowd of early shoppers pushed in the front doors! They said the store was on Long Island, but gave no town. Guess what? I grew up on Long Island (that's NY) but have lived in Maine for years -- haven't seen a crowd yet! Bargains will still be there tomorrow. Rosie

My plan - sm [2008-11-26]
Thank you all who responded. Yes, I definitely want to bring him to my house. I guess I just needed some others who love animals to reassure me. :-) I am going to see if he is there this afternoon and how he reacts when I pet him and if I think I can get him in a carrier by myself. Oh, and do not worry - he will DEFINITELY be neutered ASAP. That is not even an option for my cats! I will keep you updated. Thanks again, everyone! :-)

I trust my daughter but not her friends [2008-11-26]
I think my daughter knows right from wrong and would not do anything inappropriate, but I worry about the boys. They seem to be able to do a lot more than what I allow my daughter to do... some of them are older and also they have very bad manners IMO. I wish she would find someone else to hang out with. It seems like that harder I try to change her behavior, the harder she pulls in the other direction. Are all teenaged girls like that? I guess I was too at that age, but it still worries me.

I have a 14 year old daughter also [2008-11-26]
Thankfully right now she doesn't have any boyfriends, although there are boys in the neighborhood who are friends that we've know for 13 years that she'll meet up with when the weather's decent and everyone is outside. She has amazing friends who come from good families and I trust her and them. I guess you just have to trust your children and decide how much leeway you feel you can give them. There are a couple of younger girls in the neighorhood that hang out with a whole group of older boys and just walk the streets. Those are the ones I'd worry about. Just this past year we've been letting her go to the mall with her friends alone and she has started going to parties, but she always has to go in a group and come home at a decent hour.

Thank you to all for suggestions/advice [2008-11-26]
It It is so isolating working from home sometimes. I don Working from home is a mixed blessing sometimes... I do this so I can be available for my kids, but at the same time I feel I am always working and can On the days they don Iguess I thought it would be easieronce they got older, but it is just as complicated in many ways.Well, another day off from school is almost over and at least we all survived.

men [2008-11-26]
Unless your husband saw the four potatoes sitting on the counter and his mom said that is it for 13 people, I would have to guess that husband is exaggerating a little bit, but I still think your tray idea is a good thing just in case.

Does anyone play board games or card games anymore? [2008-11-25]
My 7-year-old child was invited to a B-day party for a little boy that was also turning 7. Anyway, when it came to opening gifts, he got Wii game toys, the different controlers and games. I did not even know the kid had a Wii game, but it seemed like everyone else did. I bought him a race track and a game of Go Fish. The race track got an I already have that comment and the Go Fish was what the heck. He did not say that but he kinid of looked at it like that and put it back in the bag. I wondered if he even knows what Go Fish is. The only gamesmy child has are board games, card games, those free games you can play on the computer and 1 game that plugs into the TV. It looks like a joystick and it has 3 games in it. These games have helped her in her reading because she has to read directions. She can identify a lot of the ocean fish. I was treated like an outcast at the party anyway. Itried to join in conversations with the other mothers, I would get ignored or very short answers, some would actually walk away. Then one mother actually turned her back to me to talk to another so I would just listen. They were talking about building houses, they have lots of land blah blah blah. They were giving each other advice on what to do with it all. When the conversation turned to how their kids are struggling in this subject or that that is when I got up and left because they toned their conversation down and then shut it off completely when then thought I was listening, so I thought that was my cue just leave so they can vent to one another about it. Itwas moreabout the teachers expecting too much blah blah blah.I have known some of these mothers or their spouses since we were little kids. They really treated me like trash back then. I thought that now that we were in our 30s, have not had much contact with each other since HS until now that our kids are going to school together, it would be like water under the bridge. Guess not. The families were wealthier than we were (just about every family was wealthier than we were back thenlol)but I know theycan Well, actually I don The only thing I did have over them is my kid is not struggling in school. She is making straight As on all her subjects. The only reason I went was because my 7-year-old and the7-year-old boy are really good friends and Ithought thatmaybe me and the other mothercould find something in common.At school, they are in separable so I really wanted dd to go to help him celebrate his special day. I could not help but notice that dd played with him more and the others were playing among themselves. I do worry if that tee I worry that they are going to discriminate against DD because I was a poorlittle nobody back in school and they were popular.I worry that they are going to start refusing to let the little boy play with dd and it will break her heart and hate me. I take baths, I practice clean living, always have, no drugs, alcohol. I don I pay my bills. Everything I own, I got honestly, paid for it myself. Of course, it isn H is not from here, he went to school elsewhere. I used to worry about that too back when we 1st started dating..Him finding out I was an outcast, dork or whatever and hate me. Now I worry that my child is going find out and resent me.

You definitely have the right idea [2008-11-25]
As long as it's done in moderation I don't see anything wrong with it. It definitely sounds like you have a system that works for you and your family. I guess I'm lucky in that I have daughters, the youngest one is pretty young for video systems, although she does have an educational V-Smile system, and the older one (14) has a Play Station 2 that got old really fast as she got older (we've had it for quite a few years). Now she's into all the girly stuff and has never wanted any of the other systems. We almost got a Wii this Christmas for the whole family but decided against it because of the cost. Our friends have one and it really looks like a lot of fun.

Last vent on obnoxious toys. LOL. [2008-11-25]
The LeapFrog Tag thingy. I saw them at Wal-Mart and it looks like certain books work with it. I saw the advertisement andthought it wasneat until that crazy man in the lizard costume or whatever it is insinuated that books are boring unless they can be used by that talking pen. I cannot figure out how that thing helps kids learn to read as it says it does. It looks to me like that pen reads for them. My 6-year-old is in first grade and they are trying to teach her to read by phonics. So when she and I read together whenever she stumbles across a word I have her try to look at it and sound it out before I will give her an answer and most of the time she can. I think I am just frustrated by that whole industry now anyway because I have had salespeople come to my door basically telling me that my kid is going to be a dumbazz if I don I guess I am not giving those electronics a chance. I cannot see what they can do for my child that I cannot.

Sorry, cleaning all day, here is recipe sm [2008-11-25]
I would set the oven at about 350-375 degrees, no higher or lower, I add everything at once, the apple juice, the butter, etc., and cover with foil just so it wonnuke it on TDay to warm it up. My refrigerator will not hold all this stuff plus the turkey -- that I do a lot the night before or day before now, as I find if soaked in water on the stove, it isn't harming anyone, then just turn the heat on and cook, or even cook the night before, smash it up and nuke it to warm it up. It's all about SPACE!

back of the store [2008-11-25]
Lately, I have noticed a lot of manager's specials at my store. The only thing they have in common is that they are due to expire that day. I guess they used to throw that stuff out, but a lot of people need it now. Usually everything is around a dollar or so. There is one for dairy, meat, and bakery at my store which is actually in a wealthy neighborhood. I guess everyone is having a hard time lately.

Thanks, was thinking the same but hate to do it. [2008-11-24]
My kids loved it all, then they turnedorganic andvegan, etc., their kids are fussier than they were, but they don cheese. Funny, as I was food shopping yesterday, one little girl was screaming at her mom to buy some Kraft mac cheese, the orange kind. So I guess theyYuckkkk! they say.There is just so much room for all these different offerings. Peas are out! You're right it's only one day and I'm only the grandmother so they will eat again at home at night.

I know I mentioned about the gift [2008-11-24]
but it really isn't so much about that but that she can't find 5 minutes to stop by for my shower. It's right by her house. Maybe she invited me to her wedding reception thinking that I wouldn't come and would just send a gift? I don't know. I am just hurt more than upset. It makes me feel like she doesn't even try but I guess the gift was her way of trying and my life is just in a different, more mature, place than hers. Having a baby puts life into perspective very quickly. Thank you for the kind words. I hear this scenario with a lot of people but guess I just thought that wasn't us since we still talk and see each other often. But you are right, I can't let the relationship be one-sided either.

First off, you're pregnant [2008-11-24]
that in itself will make this situation feel 10 times worse than it is. Having said that, I do agree that I would be a little miffed, myself. It She I would also agree with the poster below that you have grown apart. Being that you Ifun years before I got married and then before I had children. You're just at different places in your life. The best way to handle the situation is to go to her party as planned. I would not splurge for the $50 gift card. I If youwild days. You don Anyone would understand a pregnant woman would be tired from such a long travel and then the party. When you leave, be sure to seek her out and let her know that you If not, let it go. If you haven Believe it or not, some people would think they didn You have so much to look forward to and baby showers are way better than bridal showers/receptions anyday. You can eat as much as you want and all your guests will say is how cute you look. Don

Giving [2008-11-24]
Two years working as a missionary overseas has taught me that material things are really not important. Do not hold onto things with such a tight fist. I guess after see children begging in the street for food daily kind of changes your perspective. Oh and then the women who washed her clothes on a rock made me vow to never complain about washing clothes in a machine. Forgive your husband. His giving natureis more important that a rolling pin. A fire, like those in Califronia, or other natural disaster can cause you to lose all of these things. Things really do not matter anyway do they? Have a nice Thanksgiving, and be thankful you can afford food to use a rolling a pin on. So many people in the world cannot.

Probably to him, it's more like lending out a hammer [2008-11-24]
I really doubt that he thought of that as much more than you lending out his hammer to a neighbor. I guess he would have felt stupid saying, Uh, yeah, we have one but I better ask before I let you use it. If it's ruined, ask him to get you another one of the same quality. Chances are though that it's fine and no worse for wear.

My opinion [2008-11-24]
While on some level I agree with the others about having a giving nature, I understand where you are coming from completely. I am not really a material girl, but some things I would rather not lend, at least not without being able to explain how to care for the item. I mean, if I paid for it, and I am by no means rich or even the slightest bit well off, I do not want to have to save up my money to purchase another of the same thing that I would have kept in good condition for life, and I shouldnI usually use a fork too, but DH just bought these and offered her a large plastic cooking fork. She just explained that she wasn't going to scratch it and kept right on doing what she was doing. People oftentimes do not care when it is not theirs. Sorry so long, guess it hit a nerve. I have so many of these it wasn' theirs so they didn't care stories I could just go on and on. It is annoying.

Mine would have said, "No" but I hate that sm [2008-11-24]
You probably have a generous husband. Mine is but only with family, sometimes he is rude to the point I get upset. I would rather be nice about it, but then again, it sounds like an heirloom so with the holiday coming, just say, Hi, are you finished with my heirloom rolling pin, I can Then next time, say, Gee, sorry, the thing was so old, I guess you Just work around it and be happy you have a guy who shares. Mine drives me nuts when it comes to this subject, not a good sharer, what's his is his and don't dare borrow it!

401K contributions [2008-11-23]
WIth all this talk about losing money in our 401K did anyone stop making contributions to their 401K? I Thoughts?