JillUser

Reply to Returning to the flute in Blogging JoeUser Forums

French horn?! That is quite a bizarre switch. I never had the chops for brass. Flute to sax was easy. I actually had a short stint on oboe in 6th grade so had a little experience with reeds. Sax is an easier reed than oboe and the fingering on all three is pretty similar. My best friend played clarinet. We did well with a duet at state competitions but I did best solo (2nd in state at Interlochen). I have boys so it isn't likely I will be passing my flute down. Maybe one of them

Reply to Christmas light installers in Blogging JoeUser Forums

Hey, great idea! Our neighborhood has its own website so maybe I can post and see if any teens are willing. This day and age I would probably have to have their parents sign a waiver so they couldn't sue me if the kid feel and hurt himself. That will be plan B after shopping around a little more.

Returning to the flute in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I am a former band "fag", "geek", "insert insult here". I haven't played since I left high school. I played some scales on my tarnished old flute last night and not only was I surprised I still could, but my boys were ecstatic! They said "Mommy, we didn't know you could do that!" Mommy has hidden talents :) So I ordered some Christmas music from flutestop.com and might try to impress them with some Christmas solos. I would love to play with an orchestra some day. Not a big one, so

Reply to Christmas light installers in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I'm an optimist so, after blogging, getting over the initial shock, and reading your response, I decided to go on the internet and see if anyone else in the area does this service. I found 4 other places so am going to propose that our neighbor call 2 and I'll call 2 and see what their rates are. Do it myself as last resort ;)

Christmas light installers in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I thought we would check out how much it would cost to have our Christmas lights put up by a service this year since our house is really tall and I am really afraid of heights. Our neighbor had the same thought and just called to let me know what their estimate was. Brace yourself.....$2000! Oh, but that is okay because that is just the initial expense. It will only be half that in the years to follow. That is only...$1000! That's right, three zeros! These people wouldn't even ite

Reply to Jessica Lynch vs Shoshana Johnson in Current Events JoeUser Forums

The Army doesn't give Jessica any money on the side. The 80% vs 30% is strictly following military procedure. Jessica has a spinal injury that has paralyzed her bladder and bowels (most likely permanently). Her left foot is crushed to the point of being numb all the time. She has pins and plates in her legs and back. She is 19 and moves like an 80yr old. Shoshana was shot in both ankles. She was able to walk when returning from Iraq. I am sure she will suffer psychological trau

Reply to Too much to remember in Blogging JoeUser Forums

TexasNurse, I think we are peas from the same pod. You just addressed my concerns frome my article "Too Young to lose my mind". Your first two questions really hit home with me although it is my husband that I have to help search for those things every morning. He has socks in every room of the house because he will set them down, forget where they are, and go get a new pair. I have to gather his wallet, keys, etc, then get my son's stuff together. By that time, if I haven't written down st

Reply to Jessica Lynch vs Shoshana Johnson in Current Events JoeUser Forums

When did she ever say she remembered being raped or shooting anyone? I guess we didn't watch the same interview with Diane Sawyer because the one I watched had Jessica say things exactly the way she had always reported. As far as the rape was concerned, not only does Jessica not "all of the sudden remember" it, she doesn't believe it happened even though US doctors suspect it may have happened. Their evidence is damge to her parianal area and the fact that her bloody body armor and clothing w

Romantic Gestures of a Married Man in Blogging JoeUser Forums

Once you have been married a decade or so, you start to show your love in new ways. Sad thing is, your wife appreciates it! Examples: Then- Cook dinner for your love Now- Eat at work and not ask her to cook for you at 9PM Then- Dinner at a fancy restaurant Now- Put your plate next to the sink (rather than leaving on the table) after dinner Then- Write her a poem Now- Leave her a note that your Mom called (rather than forgetting) <

Reply to Really bad Christmas Songs in Blogging JoeUser Forums

MsShrink, I like the way you think :)

Really bad Christmas Songs in Blogging JoeUser Forums

More weird ideas passing through my diseased mind ;) The worst Christmas Album Ever: Roseanne sings "Oh Holy Night" Bob Dylan sings "Silent Night" Sinead O'Connor sings "Jingle Bells" Josh Groban sings "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" Courtney Love sings "White Christmas" and Eminem performs his rendition of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town"

Reply to Announcing Multiplicity in Press Room JoeUser Forums

I still enjoy how the Simpsons pokes fun at Fox every chance it gets.

New Diet Concept in Blogging JoeUser Forums

As I was cooking this evening I had an idea for a new diet plan. I have to work the kinks out but here is the basic idea: You can eat anything that takes 2 or more steps to prepare. Fruits and veggies would be the only exception to the rule. Of course drink 6-8 glasses of water and exercise as much as you can. Stay away from the TV. Distract yourself during your main munchie hours. Just think, you wouldn't be eating candy, no cans of pop, no fast food. Prepari

Reply to Jessica Lynch vs Shoshana Johnson in Current Events JoeUser Forums

russellmz2, thanks! This sparked some interesting conversations. Makes sense when you think about it.

Reply to The American Sex Drive in Personal Relationships JoeUser Forums

Idea of something fun to do together: My husband and I played paintball together with a bunch of friends. It was a blast! You get to learn new things about yourself, your spouse and you friends. I think the practice of thinking about what life would be like without your spouse is very wise. Although I think it is very useful when you are mad if you can still be honest with yourself. I have a very active imagination so the thought of not being with my husband quickly brings

Reply to MsShrink is Being Temporarily Replaced... in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

I'm with you! I understand people wanting to put their lights up before the weather gets nasty or just when they still have the time before all of the holiday events start. I just don't understand them lighting them up in mid November. I really don't mind the music. It helps me get into the mindset of the season. I do miss the days when Santa at the end of the Thanksgiving Day Parade was the first sign of Christmas coming. That was special. Now Santa is everywhere the day after Ha

The New Gas logs in Home & Family JoeUser Forums

We got a gas log set for our two way fireplace yesterday. I just can't believe how real it looks! I grew up with wood burning stoves and fireplaces. I remember seeing gas logs and thinking how incredibly fake they looked. This new one has a regular grate, "magic embers" that burn just like wood embers, about 7 very real looking logs. The boys are mesmerized by the fire. The 3yr old has to point it out to everyone that comes over. I really enjoyed sitting near it and watching it du

Reply to Jessica Lynch vs Shoshana Johnson in Current Events JoeUser Forums

dbullitt, where did you get that Johnson was raped? According to all info I have read, her captors gave them blankets and fed them well. As for paying someone for their emotional trauma, you would have to pay every single person that has ever gone to war. Are you saying that is a reasonable thing to do? BTW, it is Lynch that the speculation about rape was discussed with. I think people do car about Shoshana's story but she was part of a group of captive soldiers. Her story

Reply to "Elf" a new Christmas classic in Movies & TV & Books JoeUser Forums

I might have to take the kids so I have an excuse to see it again :)

Reply to Brainstorming in Blogging JoeUser Forums

Splateaux, I know you had a comment hear but I don't know what happened to it. It was posted 9 times so I deleted it 3 times then all of the sudden all 9 were gone! Sorry about that. Don't know what happened.

Reply to Enough with the rear-wheel drive cars! in Consumer Issues JoeUser Forums

Rear wheel in the snow? You're nuts! Try driving both for a winter in Northern Michigan. I guarantee that you will change your mind. A lot of people go to the extent of thinking they are safe in 4x4s in the winter. The going isn't bad, it's the stopping that's the problem. In front wheel, you have a lot more control on slippery roads and can stuff it in a snow bank if necessary. In rear wheel, you will fish tail like crazy. BTW, why would you be driving "at the limit" if it is sn

Reply to Mr. Do Right? in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

I guess I am lucky because I meet mostly kind, generous people. My neighbors are like family to me. I meet people all the time that are considerate and helpful. I am a realist though. I know there are always bad elements out there. I resent those individuals that make you lose faith in human kind. Those that rob you of your ability to trust. I got a good look at both kinds while serving as a juror on a murder case last year. There were the defendants, scum of the earth, and the j

Reply to People who don't work in Blogging JoeUser Forums

Sounds like your coworkers took the "George Costanza" course on looking busy. I think lack of work ethic and lack of pride are a lot to blame. People often seem unable or unwilling to put themselves in their employers shoes and think "what would I think if my employee acted this way?" Hey, if blowing off a little steam but writing a quick blog helps you get back on track, I don't think your boss would mind.

Too Young to lose my Mind in Blogging JoeUser Forums

Here I am, 33 yrs old. I can't seem to remember what I am doing at all anymore unless I make notes constantly. I blame all of the distractions of life (i.e. 3yr old son, phone calls, emails, etc). I start on one course and a phone call or interesting blog will take me right off track. I am now trying to get into the habit of making a bulleted list of accomplishments for the next day before I go to bed at night. That way, if I find myself wandering off, I refer to the list. Should I

Reply to Microsoft in Personal Computing JoeUser Forums

We are picking on and resent Bill because he is rich and evil. He likes to wipe out competitors. The whole feeling of Windows monopolizing the OS world is unsettling. The reality though is that the vast majority of people use Windows. That is why everyone develops software to run on Windows. The easier it is to get something, the more likely it is that people will use it.