Posts by kaffwynn

Original Post by susiecue:

That Kia ad with the hamsters was great.

I like the 'house hippos' ad - though I guess it's really an anti-ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBfi8OEz0rA

 OMG.  That is seriously the best thing I've ever seen in my entire freaking life.

(I absolutely love hippos, especially mini-hippos).

I might just move to Canada if I can get a house hippo!  ;)

I like this thread, much better than the "What didn't they do" thread.

My parents taught me the value of a dollar and financial responsibility.  My parents were very thrifty growing up and they led by example.

We didn't buy things we didn't need or go on lavish vacations.  When I was younger I felt deprived that I wasn't getting the same things as the other kids.  However, by the time I was 18 and ready to go to college, I realized the bigger picture.  My parents were able to pay for my education in cash.  My friends (the ones that had been on vacations to hawaii, had designer jeans, and every "it" toy invented), all had to take out student loans, starting their lives with a pile of debt.

I took this bit of knowledge, and was very judicious with my spending through college and beyond.  I got a credit card, used it responsibly, and paid it every month to establish my credit.

I learned how to budget from my dad.  I always follow a budget carefully.  Depending on the circumstances, it is sometimes a strict budget, other times it is more generous.  One thing stays the same, I always track every dollar of my spending, and compare it to the budget.  If we are over budget, we cut back, or re-forecast the budget as necessary.  These skills have allowed me to have a great deal of financial freedom.  I never have to "worry" about money.  I can't think of a single argument my husband and I have had about money because the spending expectations are clearly outlined in the budget.

I will raise my children the same way.  With a good financial foundation, you can pretty much accomplish anything.

OH NO!!!  That's horrible!  That's like my worst nightmare!

When I had my housewarming party for my brand new house, something similar happened.  I was mortified that the toilet clogged on one of my guests.  Later, when we finally got the plumber out, it turned out that someone had flushed wads and wads of paper towels (I'm guessing it was the construction crew, rather than my party guests) that had clogged it all the way down the line.

For these reasons, I HATE pooing anywhere unfamiliar.  Work is ok, since I know their toilets... but anywhere else I will hold it at all costs (and yes, I know that's not good for you, but I don't care).

Sorry you had to endure that, but thanks for sharing your story.  :)

When my dad went to public school (in the 50's), they said the Lord's Prayer in school every morning.  He didn't think anything strange of it.  He was not christian, and it didn't bother him.  It was just part of the day like saying the pledge of allegiance.  I believe he even told me they had bible study, but I can't recall.

Even in my public school we studied the Old Testament, and that was in the 80's.  I would have actually enjoyed it if we had explored other religions too.  They didn't, so I had to explore this in college.  I think a comparative religion course in high school could go a long way to fostering understanding between religions.

I don't object to a quiet unguided moment for prayer or meditation in school.  That way each student can practice what they believe, or just sit still for a few minutes.  I might object to a specific guided prayer.  Although, honestly, if I was raising a child without religion, and their school did have a daily prayer, I would just tell them to sit there any be quiet.  It doesn't have to bother you if you don't let it.

Oooh, thanks for that link!  I have a couple crockpot cookbooks, but I'm too lazy to go search them out sometimes.  I've subscribed to a bunch of other recipe-a-day type blogs, and they've really helped to inspire me!

Good to know I'm not crazy.  When I told my husband about it, he thought I was nuts.  It's still weird that with a lifetime of eating carrots that i had never seen one before.  Guess these ones were extra old and woody.  :)

Wow. Never thought about deportation, that sucks.  I wonder what a strict right-winger that believes marriage is a religious institution would have to say about this.

This family would basically be losing a parent, for no good reason.

THIS IS WHY WE NEED LEGAL UNIONS.  It's all about legal protection and rights.  It has nothing nothing to do with morality/belief about the institution of marriage.  I don't understand why people confuse the two.  In France, EVERY couple has a civil union, and then a religious marriage on top of that if they chose to do so.

Yikes!  I looked for pictures too, and most of the ones I found were of her in a gown...  she looked thin, but nothing ridiculous, so I didn't respond.

That bikini picture posted above is GROSS.  I can't see how anyone would find that remotely appealing, and furthermore, that is definitely NOT healthy!

I'm terrible about this.  I actually just turned in notice, AGAIN.  I've changed jobs 3 times within the past 3 years.  Despite the fact that my chronic job changing has doubled my income in 5 years, it makes me look like a TOTAL flake.

When I was looking for this job, the recruiters had a really hard time getting me interviews due to the spottiness on my resume.  When I interviewed here, they REALLY focused on the fact that I moved around so much.  Even though it is totally hypocritical, when I review resumes, lots of job changes are a red flag for me too.

I'm about to have a 6 month gap on my resume, AND another job change, so I'll be completely unemployable after that.

However, it varies by field.  My sister works in a technical field, and has very rarely held a job for more than a year.  She never seems to have a problem getting hired.

I have a short attention span, and once something becomes "comfortable" or "easy", I get bored and want out.  Longest time I held a job was 4 years... but I took 2 leaves of absence, and wanted to quit every 6 months.  :)

ETA:   Also, when I review resumes, and I see that someone has been at the same company for more than 5 years, without having a significant increase in role/responsibilities, that is also a red flag.

You want someone to be motivated to grow, but not so much that you go through the effort to hire them, only to have them leave a year later.

You know, back when I used to wake up at 6:30 every morning, I was convinced 5:30 was an ungodly hour to wake up.

Then I started waking up at 5:30 every morning to exercise (5:15 some mornings).  I've adjusted without a problem.

I think once you force yourself to do something consistently for a few weeks, your body gets used to it.  You'll also find yourself exhausted and ready for bed at 8:00, but such is life!

How many San Francisco hills do we need to climb to burn off dim sum lunch?  ;)

These people also have good ideas.  We can steal them, and then do them on our own (and avoid the exorbitant fees):

http://www.absoluteadv.com/calendar.htm

<---------  Jealous, sounds fun!

I haven't worn my HRM kiteboarding, but based on how hungry I get, I would bet it is a lot of calories.  Although, I'm still a beginner so I spend a lot of time walking upwind, and honestly I think that burns a lot more calories than riding.

I hope I have a similar experience when I go to Brazil in June!  I'll be gone for 6 months, and I would LOVE to come back blond, tan, and thin.  :)

I very foolishly signed up for an upper division California history class to fill a spot on my schedule.  I was a business major, and HATE history.  However, I had a hole in my schedule and I thought it would be an interesting class to take, being a native Californian and all.

Once I got in the class, I found out that it was the capstone course for history majors, and they ALL avoid it because that particular professor is so hard.

I wasn't at risk of failing, but I WAS at risk for getting a C (I did not get anything below a B my entire college career).  I tried to get the teacher to change my grade option to cr/nc, but he denied my request (he really was a grumpy old bastard).  I ended up getting help from my mom who has her masters in history.  It was the most miserable class I have ever taken, and I'll never forget that mistake.

Original Post by cellulitedelight:

Well, where I hang out, having a visible garter belt is actually a fashion DO.  

Well, it is a fashion don't at my Corporate America job.  That's not to say I haven't done it intentionally out of the office at some point in my life.  :)

I normally eat it with fresh fruit.  However, there are a couple other combos I do that I really like:

1.)  4 oz Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1/2 tbsp peanut butter.  It makes this delightful mousse like chocolate peanut buttery treat, and it is only 160 cals.

2.)  Greek yogurt, apples, and honey

3.)  1 chocolate vitatop covered in 94 g of Greek yogurt.  150 cal snack that is yummy and really holds you!