Its oh so quiet Shh Shh

[kibakiba]

Switch the M and the D. Male.... Lol.

[guidofatherof5]

Matilda's Horned Viper, New Snake Species, Discovered In Tanzania (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/09/matildas-horned-viper-snake_n_1194218.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=2314856,b=facebook)

[ConcinusMan]

Cool. Anyone else notice how the only new species found these days are always critically endangered? Of course, this is probably why it took so long to discover them.

[PINJOHN]

Matilda's Horned Viper, New Snake Species, Discovered In Tanzania (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/09/matildas-horned-viper-snake_n_1194218.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=2314856,b=facebook)
Thanks for that one Steve always gives a good feeling when a new snake is found, makes you think that wild life depletion has been halted ...well for a few seconds at least
by coincidence i just came across one of my old books [a couple of days ago actually] it is called SUN SAND AND SNAKES by Steven Spawls its about a guy who moves as a kid from the UK to east Africa and his herping adventures as he grew up, he is credited with several important discovery's and it makes a good read for those that like that sort of thing

[chris-uk]

Matilda's Horned Viper, New Snake Species, Discovered In Tanzania (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/09/matildas-horned-viper-snake_n_1194218.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=2314856,b=facebook)
I like. There's something about the horns and the colours that make it a stunning specimen.

[PINJOHN]

There is a story behind it? No...I just know it makes my stomach feel like crap all the time.

i have a tape of a program by the BBC i think ?[lost among thousands of hours of VHS tapes] that tells the story of a young Australian medic who proved wrong all the distinguished professors and eminent surgeons when they claimed that stress and diet caused ulcers...he noticed while doing post mortem's that body's with ulcers invariably contained pylori and went on to prove that the condition could be cured with a simple broad spectrum antibiotic in the face of opposition from those people who had been cutting out patients stomachs as a cure.

[kibakiba]

I got my meds today! Wheeeeeeee!

[PINJOHN]

I got my meds today! Wheeeeeeee!

What a piece of good timing...just before the full moon :eek:

[kibakiba]

Yeah, if I hadn't got them I would have turned into an awesome dragon in the moonlight.

Or, you know, the thing in my avatar. That's what I tend to look like.

[EasternGirl]

Well I'm very glad for my sake, Chantel's sake, and many others, that they discovered that antibiotics worked and did not have to cut out our stomachs!!

I might get that book you mentioned, John...I'm always looking for good books...sounds like a good read.

[kibakiba]

I took antibiotics the first time I had H plyori, they don't think it worked the first time around, because it's apperantly hard to get it. When I was younger I was the kind of play in the dirt and sling mud at my friends kind of girl... and that is what got me sick (according to the doctors).

Anyways, I don't have meds for that yet... I have a certain kind of non-pill medication for my depression and anxiety.

[RedSidedSPR]

OK, so I hit this guy bitching my girlfriend, put him in the hospital... I'm always defending myself at school and hurt a lot of people... If I do it again, I go.

That's it in a nutshell.

Not to mention a good Irish 18 year old friend of mine, his life fell apart, and he shot himself in the head.

So i've been in a bad ****ing mood.

But I'm good.

[kibakiba]

I'm sorry this is all happening to you. If it means anything to you, I'm always here for you, and I know many other members are too.

[infernalis]

OK, so I hit this guy bitching my girlfriend, put him in the hospital... I'm always defending myself at school and hurt a lot of people... If I do it again, I go.

That's it in a nutshell.

Not to mention a good Irish 18 year old friend of mine, his life fell apart, and he shot himself in the head.

So i've been in a bad ****ing mood.

But I'm good.

wow, don't know what to say. So sorry.

[EasternGirl]

Oh...Jesse...I'm really sorry about your friend. My ex killed himself seven years ago and I'm still mourning his death. While I don't condone violence...I do understand defending yourself and school can be insane...schools these days are pretty scary places. I don't even want to think about what my son will face...there is a reason why he has been training in martial arts since he was 4. You do have to protect yourself these days...and if it were my son, and someone were hurting or threatening him...I guess I would tell him to do what he had to do to protect himself. We are your friends here...we are here for you. If you ever want to chat about stuff..please let me know. I am a former bad bad teenager and I was a counselor for many years...and I am your friend.

Chantel...I do hope that you get better very soon.

[katach]

Jesse, I send good thoughts your way every day. I hope you get through this ok. We are here for you if you need us.

[PINJOHN]

Well I'm very glad for my sake, Chantel's sake, and many others, that they discovered that antibiotics worked and did not have to cut out our stomachs!!

I might get that book you mentioned, John...I'm always looking for good books...sounds like a good read.
this has reminded me of those rep mag's i promised to send, i will get them off in the next couple of days
and i thought i would tell you this joke to give the thread a little uplift [i hope it's not considered too risque ]

After no dates or sex for 5 years a woman goes to see a chinese expert sex therapist Dr chang.He says take off all your croase.get down and craw reery reery fas to otherside of room.she does...ok craw reery reery fas back...as she did Dr chang shook his head..your probrem vewy vewy bad..worse case of ED ZACHARY disease i ever sore, dat why you get no man....She says god what's ED ZACHARY disease...Dr chang says...its when your face looks ED ZACHARY like your ar$e

[EasternGirl]

Rofl...and thanks in advance for the mags.

[snakehill]

Wow Jesse! Don't know what to say either! So very sorry!! :(

[EasternGirl]

Okay...I just posted this on ssnakess...get this: I was watching a movie with my son and a guy got hit on the head with a coconut falling out of a very tall tree. I was thinking, that would probably kill you. So I decided to look up how many people are killed each year by coconuts falling out of trees. Turns out more people are killed by falling coconuts each year than shark attacks...150 people worldwide die each year from getting hit in the head from a falling coconut. And I have way to much time on my hands...

[kibakiba]

Well it is an interesting thing to know. If I ever go somewhere with coconuts... and a zombie apocalypse happens, I'm getting myself a shotgun and a box of coconuts... And I'll wait in a tree. :D

[EasternGirl]

That is just too awesome, Chantel...

[kibakiba]

I expect the world to "end" when the mayan calendar, but instead of warfare of the nuclearkind or the world imploding on itself, or anything else... ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE! I just need to learn how to play some awesome guitar and have some pyrotechnics and then I can sing to the zombies about how I'll kill them... Then smash my guitar on their heads. Yep. I dream about it every night.

[EasternGirl]

I told my son about what you said about the zombie apolcalypse and coconut trees and he thought that was so cool...he's at that age. I think this would all make a very good video game. You should sell the idea.

[kibakiba]

I'll tell my boyfriend to make it. He's into game designing. He knows people who do that stuff too. Not large scale, but maybe they could make something like that... :p

[GarterGuy17]

Sounds like fun if you ask me :)

[kibakiba]

It's actually not. If you were talking about game design. He doesn't really want to do it as much as he used to, but he also has a hard time focusing on things.

[GarterGuy17]

Well I wasn't referring to the designing of it I meant to play it :P

[kibakiba]

Dropping coconuts on zombies is hard core.

[angrygamer]

ugh, I just got through burning 30 DVD's since 4:00 this afternoon. Then I had to catalog them, which meant running them back through the DVD burner. Luckily, I have two burners so I could catalog two at the same time. Cataloging them only took 1/2 hour. I couldn't burn two at the same time though. :/

[Stefan-A]

I told my son about what you said about the zombie apolcalypse and coconut trees and he thought that was so cool...he's at that age. I think this would all make a very good video game. You should sell the idea.
It's too late to try to sell it, it's already public domain.

[chris-uk]

Well it is an interesting thing to know. If I ever go somewhere with coconuts... and a zombie apocalypse happens, I'm getting myself a shotgun and a box of coconuts... And I'll wait in a tree. :D

I've just checked in my Zombie Combat Manual, and coconuts aren't listed as weapons, not even in the "Improvised weapons" section.
Personally, I'm arming myself up with a cavalry sabre and a crowbar - trouble with the UK is that there isn't a lot of choice of firearms, I could get a shotgun but we can't own pump-actions and the disadvantages of firearms (noise, running out of ammo) outweigh the benefit of carrying them.

[PINJOHN]

I expect the world to "end" when the mayan calendar, but instead of warfare of the nuclearkind or the world imploding on itself, or anything else... ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE! I just need to learn how to play some awesome guitar and have some pyrotechnics and then I can sing to the zombies about how I'll kill them... Then smash my guitar on their heads. Yep. I dream about it every night.

Chantel are you sure you remembered to pickup those meds you mentioned :D

[kibakiba]

Well, there are tons of gun shops here... I live with a bunch of hillbillies. Soon to be Zombillies. :D I think I could be pretty handy with pistols, too. Keep those in my pocket areas... Have the shotgun at my waist, and the guitar strapped to my back so it doesn't get in the way...
Hmm... I need some awesome threads while I'm killing zombies too... Maybe some yoga pants and a teeshirt... Flexible but doesn't get in the way! I need larger shoes, too... My feet are all swollen from god knows what... Must keep preparing for the zombie apocalypse.

I could also use some giant speakers to play awesome dubstep and metal on to get me in the mood for a zombie dance off and all that... :D


Also, the "meds" I have are actually herbal smoking blends, just meant to calm my anxieties and help with my depression. I have about 9 different samples, each do something different... So far none of them have helped my depression in the way that I'd have liked, but that's what I get for trying something new. My therapist thinks it's a good idea for me to have the blends instead of actual meds, because most of them have just made everything worse... (and trust me, I've taken a lot of different meds)

[EasternGirl]

Rofl...the things we talk about on here...good grief it's 9am and I'm reading about ways to prepare for a zombie apocalypse...this all being started because I was googling how many people get killed each year by coconut injuries...lmao...

[kibakiba]

Hehehe.


Marnie, dear, clear out a few pms. ;)

[Stefan-A]

Start filling it in.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/garbage/zombiesurvivalsheet.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Start filling it in.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/garbage/zombiesurvivalsheet.jpg

Awesome. Better to be prepared.

AMCTV.com channel has a Survival test on their "Walking Dead" website. Lets you see which character you are most like from the TV series.

The Walking Dead - Which Character Are You – AMC (http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead/which-character-are-you)

[EasternGirl]

Sorry...PM's cleared out!

[EasternGirl]

Okay...I'm Rick...and I guess I need to start watching this show. I haven't seen it. Looks good!

[tress29]

Dropping coconuts on zombies is hard core.My boys have several games with zombie modes. Brady uses a frying pan and kills just as many zombies as Terry does with his full arsenal!

[kibakiba]

Haha, most zombie games I play I use melee, because I'm always the one with zombies at close range. I get more hits with melee than I do with any ranged weapons.

[chris-uk]

Haha, most zombie games I play I use melee, because I'm always the one with zombies at close range. I get more hits with melee than I do with any ranged weapons.
L4D2 with the katana... my second choice is pistols akimbo. Not played for a while.
Char is a dab hand at House of the Dead Overkill on the Wii, beats all my high scores.

Marnie - if you watch The Walking Dead start with the first season, it's far better than the 2nd season has been so far. We're in the annoying mid-season break for the 2nd season at the moment, hoping it will be back soon.

[kibakiba]

I liked the frying pan and guitar on L4D2. So fun... :D

[EasternGirl]

Do they have back seasons on OnDemand? Does anyone know?

[guidofatherof5]

Season 1 of The Walking Dead is available at Redbox.

[Stefan-A]

Season 1 of The Walking Dead is available at Redbox.
Also at TPB. :p

[chris-uk]

I liked the frying pan and guitar on L4D2. So fun... :D
Guitar had a good twang when you swung it. :)

[kibakiba]

Bad Poodles of Noodles!!

[EasternGirl]

I don't know what TPB means.

[guidofatherof5]

I don't know what TPB means.

The Pirate Bay.

[kibakiba]

The pirate bay, it's for pirating movies, music and software.

[EasternGirl]

Oh...gotcha.

[kibakiba]

I'm totally filling out that zombie thing. You'll get to see my epic suck drawings, and my awesome fashion sense. It'll make the fabulous, fashionable fairy fashionistas jealous.

:D

[Stefan-A]

I'm totally filling out that zombie thing. You'll get to see my epic suck drawings, and my awesome fashion sense. It'll make the fabulous, fashionable fairy fashionistas jealous.

:D
Well, normally people would just copy and paste images into the boxes. :p

[kibakiba]

I need to practice my drawing. It's important for my survival. Besides, there aren't any pictures of what I'm trying to make. I already checked.

[Elliot]

Wow this thread is still going!

[kibakiba]

Anyone got some healthy recipes that are also somewhat cheap? Next month I have to start losing 75 pounds and I'm not all that recipe savvy. My mom thinks I need to eat nothing but plain salad for 6 months. That is not going to happen.

[katach]

It's SNOWING!!! It hardly ever snows here.

[katach]

Anyone got some healthy recipes that are also somewhat cheap? Next month I have to start losing 75 pounds and I'm not all that recipe savvy. My mom thinks I need to eat nothing but plain salad for 6 months. That is not going to happen.

I have a couple of healthy eating cook books. I'll look through them, and email the good ones.

[PINJOHN]

Anyone got some healthy recipes that are also somewhat cheap? Next month I have to start losing 75 pounds and I'm not all that recipe savvy. My mom thinks I need to eat nothing but plain salad for 6 months. That is not going to happen.
make sure you go on at least two diets Chantel,.... as you don't get near enough to eat on just one :D

[Stefan-A]

Why not try a low-carb diet. I know a few people who have had some success with it.

Eating healthy and eating cheap tend to be mutually exclusive, unfortunately.

[EasternGirl]

I want snow gosh dangit!!! Chantel...Stefan's suggestion is a good one...but I know it is difficult to buy a bunch of healthy food on a limited income. Try replacing white flour items with whole grain to lower carbs. I buy whole-grain pasta...you can buy a lot of that for pretty cheap. Instead of eating spaghetti sauce on it, I eat butter substitutes like "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter"...(healthier and lower calorie than butter but still tastes good) and parmesan shaker cheese on it. I also buy flour tortillas...not as carb filled as bread, and you can buy whole grain...and make wraps with chicken and veggies and a little low-fat ranch dressing. I also buy whole-grain bread instead of white. Eggs are good...full of protein, no carbs...egg whites are even better for you. Make egg white scrambles with veggies. These are all pretty inexpensive ways to eat healthy and cut back on carbs.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I agree on the cutting out carbs thing. It does work! Also, Eat things that are high in fiber, this will help keep you feeling full! Fresh fruit... blueberries, pomegranate, mangos, and pineapple being some of my favorites. You can even go for canned fruits but check the labels, don't buy the ones in light or heavy syrup, they have sugar added. You want the ones that are purely in juice and water. The moment they added sugar to already-sweet fruit it makes it an unhealthy snack... If you are going for nutritious, pick fruits like those that are colorful on the inside. The more color a fruit has inside the better it is! I'd avoid things like apples and pears for that reason. If you have a sweet tooth I find plopping some grapes into a bowl of chobani vanilla yogurt and sprinkling some granola on top is very satisfying! I do that and stick into the freezer for a few hours before I eat it. Also, lean cuts of meat, especially venison, and fishes are good... meats like these are filling and you can't picture yourself sitting in front of the tv popping bits of steak into your mouth all night! While anything carb-based, you can. Another snack that I love that's not terrible is celery with low fat cream cheese or laughing cow cheese wedges. The celery is very filling and the only calories you even get are from the cheese. Even making small switches in your daily life, such as avoiding all products containing high fructose corn syrup, and choosing natural sugars if you want something tasty and sweet (instead of a piece of candy, have some dried fruit) Making switches like these is easier for some than others... it's easy for me because I absolutely LOVE fresh and dried fruit, raw vegetables... and a lot of weird stuff no one else in my family will touch. Also watch what you drink, you'd be surprised at how many calories you can cut by doing so! Replace anything sugary with water, but still enjoy a glass of orange or apple or grape juice in the AM or some milk with dinner... just check the labels on any juices you buy and make sure they are actually plain juice and not sugar water. During the day I snack on a lot of various things.... I particularly love prunes and dried figs. I can't stress this enough... read the labels on every single item you buy and DO NOT go shopping hungry.

You could also try the south beach diet! I did it once and it does work. The first two weeks ARE hard though, because it cuts you off of sugar and carbs completely! But once you hit phase 2, it gets much better!

[Stefan-A]

you can't picture yourself sitting in front of the tv popping bits of steak into your mouth all night!
By sheer coincidence, I bought about half a kg of reindeer jerky earlier this week. I also occasionally buy fried vendace or fry some baltic herring as snacks. Great snacks. :p

[EasternGirl]

Shannon's suggestions are great. I like berries and melon in low-fat cottage cheese and light yogurt...or like Shannon said, greek yogurt is great...very high in protein and low in fat...fills you up. I like to put berries in it for a snack or for breakfast. I have recently been trying to get back to eating healthy and low carbs...so for dessert or a sweet snack, I will have fresh fruit with cottage cheese or just a bowl of fruit with Stevia sprinkled on it. Stevia is a natural sweetener...it is made from a plant. You can use it to replace sugar and it isn't bad for you like aspartame. You can buy it in most grocery stores now. I also bought some dried banana chips...and I have been eating them instead of chips when I want to snack in front of the t.v. or computer.

I like teriyaki turkey or beef jerky...

[Stefan-A]

isn't bad for you like aspartame
Aspartame isn't bad for you.

Aspartame controversy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame_controversy)

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I freaking LOVE jerky.. I could eat that stuff ALL day. mmmmmmm. And yes I almost forgot about cottage cheese! That's another good one! I buy the 2% kind. Another delicious snack that I freaking LOVE.... take triscuit crackers and fat free cream cheese. Spread some cream cheese onto the cracker and cut up a piece of artichoke heart and put a sliver on each cracker. OMG it's so good! Or if you don't have time for that... just take 4 triscuits and one slice of cheese... fold it into quarters and they fit perfectly onto the crackers! And yes, blueberries in yogurt is sooooo good. I am huge into blueberries. During my pregnancy, in the summer when they were cheap, I was eating a pint container of blueberries every. single. day. (and also 2 or 3 kiwis, 1/4 a pineapple, grapes and blackberries but that's besides the point) Try doing that in the winter though, you will go broke -.-

My favorite foods are as follows:

1.) Fresh boiled artichoke. Not kidding! I loooooove them. I boil those suckers and scrape the meat off each leaf with my teeth, and then the heart! ooooo it's heaven. Especially with a tad of melted butter (actually we use I cant beleive its not butter)
2.) Crab legs
3.) about 5 different fruit tie for this spot. Blueberries, blackberries, kiwis, mangos, pineapple, and pomegranate. That's 6 but you get the idea.
4.) Chobani strawberry yogurt. I literally hoard that stuff. I buy the quart size so I don't go broke since the little cups are like $1 EACH.

[guidofatherof5]

Shannon I do believe you are drooling. :D I know I am.;)

[EasternGirl]

Oh, don't get me started on crab legs. I, no joke, closed down an all you can crab leg feast at Red Lobster when I was nine months pregnant with my son. I can eat those things like nobody's business! I have been buying them at my seafood counter lately when I can afford them.

Thanks Stefan, for that link. I was actually unaware that they had debunked the claims that it was unhealthy. Good to know.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Shannon I do believe you are drooling. :D I know I am.;)

you are right! I was. Writing that actually made me go over to the fridge and grab some kiwis.

FYI- how much do you guys hate peeling kiwis? I always did... it takes so long and you get such a small fruit out of it. I finally figured out one day during my pregnancy that it's very easy to eat a lot of kiwi if you simply slice one in half and scoop the fruit out of the rind with a spoon. Suddenly, kiwis were a lot more appealing and now I eat them daily.

[Light of Dae]

Anyone got some healthy recipes that are also somewhat cheap? Next month I have to start losing 75 pounds and I'm not all that recipe savvy. My mom thinks I need to eat nothing but plain salad for 6 months. That is not going to happen.


make sure you go on at least two diets Chantel,.... as you don't get near enough to eat on just one :D

Well if your needing to lose weight I can give a little knowledge on that... I used to be 220+ lbs and am now hovering around 130lbs.

I was never a slim kid, I was in fact a very chubby kid. always the 'fat' one of my friends. I started loosing weight simply because I was broke. I didn't have money to get take-out, fast food etc. I was going through a rough patch and out of sheer bitter determination I made it... and lost a lot of weight. I had realized that I had been eating way to much.

You know the gastric bypass surgery or stomach stapling some people get done in effort to lose weight? That's what I basically did, but naturally. I knew my metabolism wasn't (still isn't) fast, that what I eat I gain. So I started looking at the nutritional charts on everything I ate, noting the small portion sizes n started eating only the small amount suggested. If I was still hungry, so be it. I dropped the amount of Fat and Calories of what I was eating dramatically! Now you know that feeling when your REALLY hungry, your stomach kinda hurts as it aches to be filled? Well I had the straight for two weeks until my stomach shrunk to a normal size. Please note I wasn't STARVING myself (Even though it felt like it) I was still eating enough, I just refused to over eat again n fill my stretched out stomach. I had to let it shrink itself back down to a proper size. It worked. It was hard, but well worth it. I feel way better about myself and (for the most part) am healthier then ever before. (My body still hates me... Nothing to do with what I eat though)

I still eat whatever I want, I love ice cream, cake, candy etc. But all in MODERATION!!! I do try and stay away from really high fatty foods n eat healthier choices but I still indulge in cheesecakes, sweets, little junk food here n there, but in small portions. Say when I make cheesecakes I use all low fat or no fat products where possible.
I lost most of my weight just under 2 years ago, and have kept it off mostly. My weight will always fluctuate lol I do indulge to much sometimes, but it is all about maintaining SELF CONTROL.

Diet fads are just that, fads. This is a more a life choice.

What Shannon was talking about sounds really good...

Eating fruits / veggies before heavy foods like meats helps too, Eating things in proper order helps your body move things around right n in order! Say you eat raspberries n yogurt for dessert after a steak... It will ferment on top of the slow digesting steak n give you foul gas... Unless of course you got an awesome digestive system that is in peak running order... As a few lucky people do *Shakes fist at those lucky B*$@^&*!! lol

[Light of Dae]

you are right! I was. Writing that actually made me go over to the fridge and grab some kiwis.

FYI- how much do you guys hate peeling kiwis? I always did... it takes so long and you get such a small fruit out of it. I finally figured out one day during my pregnancy that it's very easy to eat a lot of kiwi if you simply slice one in half and scoop the fruit out of the rind with a spoon. Suddenly, kiwis were a lot more appealing and now I eat them daily.

lol I've never peeled a kiwi just to eat it , I've always cut them in half n used a spoon

[kibakiba]

Woooow. Too many posts! Haha.

But really, I just need "healthy" food sorts of stuff, I hate dieting, but I'm normally eating whatever is in the fridge or pantry, and my mom likes junk food... So, naturally that isn't healthy. Last time I was able to eat healthier I lost 70 pounds extremely fast, but of course money is the only problem I have. And my mom buys sweets when she's stressed, and that ends up being the only thing to eat. If I have healthy recipes, I can go to the store with my mom and make sure she buys whats on the list, not in her mind. She's also said she wont buy anything "healthy" except for apples and salad unless I have enough recipes that we don't get constantly bored of that food. I don't want to live my life munching on random pantry goodies... :p

[EasternGirl]

Dae...that is excellent advice. I have heard many people lose a ton of weight using portion control like you have described. It's the underlying premise of Weight Watcher's isn't it? That you can lose weight by controlling portion instead of calories and carbs? Congrats on losing all of that weight...that must have been tough!

[Light of Dae]

Dae...that is excellent advice. I have heard many people lose a ton of weight using portion control like you have described. It's the underlying premise of Weight Watcher's isn't it? That you can lose weight by controlling portion instead of calories and carbs? Congrats on losing all of that weight...that must have been tough!

Thanks, It was tough lol I just wanted to fill my stomach up again but knew it would be worth it in the end. :)
I still eat far to many unhealthy snacks n cookies n sweets n such but instead of having 4 or 6 cookies I'll keep it down to 2 cookies. I also keep track of what I have eaten n of what quality it was, Say I had pancakes for breaky with lots of butter n syrup, (Lots of sugars) I try to balance it out later by having say soup n sammichs later. I try to cut back on sugars... doesn't always work, I love sweets. lol But again instead of having a big bowl of ice cream I'll have a big spoonful.

My momma in-law used to be really really big, when I'd give her a hug I couldn't touch my hands together behind her back... She found out she was diabetic n stopped drinking pop. She used to have at least one or two or three cans or bottle of pop a day. By first cutting that out she dropped so much weight it was unbelievable! Now she continues to drop weight n be healthier by doing what I did. Eat proper portion sizes. Now when she comes over I can easily touch my hands behind he back when giving her a hug. She has lost over half her size in just over a year. I love my momma in-law n am so proud of her.

If you don't have the option of healthy foods all the time, do what I did. Eat less. When you eat just less the amount of calories then you use in a day, your body will naturally start burning its stored calories which are stored as fat. Find the balance of eating the right amount. REMEMBER the first two weeks... your stomach will hurt, you'll feel like your staving n will want to 'fill the void' if you must, drink a glass of milk or have a piece of toast. Something for your stomach to digest but do not fill your stomach. Its like a stretched out balloon that needs to get back down to size. Its tough but I did it, it works. You can do it too!

[Stefan-A]

Writing that actually made me go over to the fridge and grab some kiwis.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/garbage/gigg2.jpg

[EasternGirl]

I might try it...I am terrible with portion control though. I would rather eat a huge salad with vinegrette so that I can feel like I am pigging out. I don't really need to lose that much weight...if you saw me you would say what everyone says...that I am thin. But I know what I should look like...you know what I mean? I mean, I know I am over the weight that I should be for my height. I was always super skinny my whole life...I actually had to try to put on weight until I had my son. Then in the last couple of years I have been on hormone treatments for a female condition and it's made me put on weight. Although people think I look small, I could actually stand to lose twenty pounds given my height. It may come off after I have surgery in March and stop the hormones though. Plus, I am going to start exercising.

On a totally different note...I have to go to a meeting with my son's teacher in an hour. I scheduled the meeting to talk about some problems he has been having in math. The thing is, my son is great with math...it comes naturally for him. But the math that they have been giving him at school lately is ridiculous...it is beyond what he can do at a third grade level. He keeps getting homework assignments with these crazy word problems...you know the ones I am talking about...the frustrating math word problems that they put on standardized tests, the ones that take you ten minutes to figure out because they are so ridiculous...I mean, I have a hard time figuring out the problems! They remind me of problems from my nursing entrance exams. My son, a nine-year-old, has no clue how to work the problems. And herein lies the problem of the public school system in the U.S. They are teaching the kids what they need to know to test well on the stupid standardized tests they keep giving them to show where the school ranks in terms of standardized test scores...instead of teaching them what they need to know to succeed in school. Oh don't get me started...I could go off for pages about this...argh!

[kibakiba]

Stop worrying about what you "should" look like. I stopped caring about all the pregnant jokes I get. I'm probably the size of you times 3. I've accepted that my weight is a lot over what it should be, and that I can't be skinny. I actually look weird when I'm thin, all of my stomach goes to my chest and hips, it causes more back problems than I get while being large. I like having a little bit more weight on me than an average person, and if I live a healthy lifestyle and keep that weight on me.. who cares? I mean, I'm almost 250 right now, but I exercise every day. People say I'm lazy because I'm fat, or I'm fat because I'm lazy... But, what do they know? They aren't the ones bellydancing the day away.. Nor do they have the awesome muscle contol that I do. :D

[EasternGirl]

I hear you...I'm not worried about what other people think of me. I'm just saying that I am not comfortable with me right now. I think I just need to tone up and then I will be happier with the way I look...for me.

Now I am even more frustrated because my son's scatter-brained teacher scheduled our meeting today on a school holiday, and I assumed that meant that the teachers were going to be there. But I went to the school and it was closed...she must have forgotten about our meeting. She does stuff like this all the time and it's irritating...very unprofessional.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

lol I've never peeled a kiwi just to eat it , I've always cut them in half n used a spoon

Well! Now I feel silly :P I always used to sit there and grumble as I peeled my kiwis with a knife or a potato peeler. I felt so S-M-R-T when I discovered I could eat them that way instead.

[EasternGirl]

So I found out tonight that there are many people with my first and last name, and even a few with my middle inital as well, out there in the world. I decided to google my name and see what came up. Apparently there is a pastor with my name, and a very promiscuous bisexual with my name on twitter who likes to brag about her sexual conquests. I also realized that for $49.95 anyone can get all of my personal information including my credit history, criminal background, marriage history, the names of all of my relatives and lots more. What's even more disturbing, and kind of funny...is that a lot of the information that the background check agencies have about me is incorrect. Apparently I have been married to people I have never even heard of and my father's middle name is GOD. Depending on what agency you use to check my info...I am either 41 years old, or 76 years old. Pretty amazing that I had a child when I was 67. I also paid off the mortgage on a house when I was 7.

[EasternGirl]

Oh wait...I forgot...I also have about six different aliases, I have lived in about 20 different states in the last 15 years, and I am am currently a rock star in Australia and an African American pastor in Maryland. I basically profile like a spy. I hope that prospective employers do not use these internet background checks...because if they do, I will never get hired anywhere.

[RedSidedSPR]

Internet went down............

[kibakiba]

Dude, if you're a rockstar in Austrailia, fly me out there. I want to meet my friend and his GF... :D :p

[gregmonsta]

Im just little old me in google world ;)

[infernalis]

Oh wait...I forgot...I also have about six different aliases, I have lived in about 20 different states in the last 15 years, and I am am currently a rock star in Australia and an African American pastor in Maryland. I basically profile like a spy. I hope that prospective employers do not use these internet background checks...because if they do, I will never get hired anywhere.

Maybe I should try that... My only "Alias" is Infernalis, so whenever I ban someone, then bump into them at a different site, They always seem to remember.

[PINJOHN]

Maybe I should try that... My only "Alias" is Infernalis, so whenever I ban someone, then bump into them at a different site, They always seem to remember.
What kind of things get people banned :confused:

[EasternGirl]

Well Wayne...do a background check on yourself...you probably have a whole bunch of aliases (and an entire life for that matter) that you are unaware of...I'm just going to start applying for jobs as a spy...when they ask for my credentials, I'll tell them it's very top secret and not on my resume but they can run a background check if they like...lol.

[Light of Dae]

Oh wait...I forgot...I also have about six different aliases, I have lived in about 20 different states in the last 15 years, and I am am currently a rock star in Australia and an African American pastor in Maryland. I basically profile like a spy. I hope that prospective employers do not use these internet background checks...because if they do, I will never get hired anywhere.


Well Wayne...do a background check on yourself...you probably have a whole bunch of aliases (and an entire life for that matter) that you are unaware of...I'm just going to start applying for jobs as a spy...when they ask for my credentials, I'll tell them it's very top secret and not on my resume but they can run a background check if they like...lol.

Aye but when a prospective employer does a background check, they require two pieces of ID one has to be a photo ID. :D just so they can eliminate all your other aliases. I've gone through a number of background checks.. Joy for me though NO ONE else has my name, there is only one me. :)

[tress29]

Oh, don't get me started on crab legs. I, no joke, closed down an all you can crab leg feast at Red Lobster when I was nine months pregnant with my son.
Oh no! Not for me! I'm allergic to shrimp, lobster and crab. Once, to see how hard it is, I tried breaking open some crab legs. Where the spines poked my skin, my thumbs were swollen!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

What kind of things get people banned :confused:

Asking this question is the number one way to get banned :p



On THIS website you'd have to try pretty darned hard to get banned!!! Or even recieve any kind of punishment.

[PINJOHN]

[QUOTE=aSnakeLovinBabe;196098]Asking this question is the number one way to get banned :p

then my lips are sealed :D

[Stefan-A]

What kind of things get people banned :confused:
Spamming: About 2200 people.
Scamming: 2-3.
Trolling: 2-3.
Not listening to moderators when they tell you to stop doing something: 1.

[Stefan-A]

On THIS website you'd have to try pretty darned hard to get banned!!! Or even recieve any kind of punishment.
Not many have tried. One disgruntled little brother, maybe.

[PINJOHN]

Not many have tried. One disgruntled little brother, maybe.
what is trolling :confused:

[kibakiba]

Annoying people and baiting them to get super angry or upset, pretty much. Shannon is an uber troll.... :D

Should probably add that Shannon doesn't troll in a bad way, just in a silly way. I just woke up so don't expect wise things to come out of my mouth/hands.

[PINJOHN]

Annoying people and baiting them to get super angry or upset, pretty much.

that makes my wife a troll and she's never used a computer :D

[kibakiba]

Hehehe.

[EasternGirl]

Do employers actually use those internet background checks? Even if an employer could eliminate my aliases, they would still think that I move to a different state every year and that my mother's stupid bad credit is mine...Even if you look at the person who they have listed as me...they have so much information incorrect!

[kibakiba]

We have almost 4 or 5 inches of snow and it's coming down in huge quick flakes. :D I love it! I just hope that our power doesn't go out... The snakies would all have to sit in my bra with me while I read or somthing.

[EasternGirl]

Will you people in all of these snowy places please send some of that snow my way? I want snow! Lol...that would be a lot of snakes in your bra!

[Stefan-A]

Annoying people and baiting them to get super angry or upset, pretty much.
Specifically for their own amusement. Shouldn't be confused with someone who's simply provocative.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Annoying people and baiting them to get super angry or upset, pretty much. Shannon is an uber troll.... :DShould probably add that Shannon doesn't troll in a bad way, just in a silly way. I just woke up so don't expect wise things to come out of my mouth/hands. This made my day. Just knowing that my trolling is recognized in some small way just thrills me!!!! But you are right, I'm the silly kind of troll, not the mean one. artoftrolling.com is one of my favorite places.Trolling IS a art, after all!

[kibakiba]

I also like art of trolling.

[Stefan-A]

Trolling IS a art, after all!
Never gets old.

I can't talk about one of my favorite places.

[RedSidedSPR]

I love trolling. Like, in a passionate way. :p

[kibakiba]

We've got nearly a foot of snow now. I'm kind of wishing it would stop... because we're going to have even more tomorrow. It's getting kind of crazy... Don't want it to be like a few years ago when we got 2 feet of snow, and power was out or a couple weeks. Not fun.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Never gets old.

I can't talk about one of my favorite places.

1st rule: Don't talk about fight club.

[Stefan-A]

1st rule: Don't talk about fight club.
Yes, Fight Club.

[ConcinusMan]

This made my day. Just knowing that my trolling is recognized in some small way just thrills me!!!! But you are right, I'm the silly kind of troll, not the mean one. artoftrolling.com is one of my favorite places.Trolling IS a art, after all!


I love trolling. Like, in a passionate way. :p

My comment is, "No comment" I'm staying out of this.:rolleyes:

[Light of Dae]

Do employers actually use those internet background checks? Even if an employer could eliminate my aliases, they would still think that I move to a different state every year and that my mother's stupid bad credit is mine...Even if you look at the person who they have listed as me...they have so much information incorrect!

Some employers may use internet but I think the majority use a private or government services for a proper criminal / background check. Although I have had an employer tell me With every resume he gets he looks at their facebook page to see what they are like...



Will you people in all of these snowy places please send some of that snow my way? I want snow!

SURE gladly!!! You can have this -42c (-55c with windchill) weather too!!

[PINJOHN]

SURE gladly!!! You can have this -42c (-55c with windchill) weather too!!

Good God :eek: are those temperatures even possible :confused:

[kibakiba]

It's gotten to -20f here, but I do live in a higher altitude and it's always cold.

[PINJOHN]

recently Steve ran down to his local post office to get a parcel of to me for which i am very grateful and i thought i might mark the occasion....most of you will know of his background in law enforcement so i did a little role reversal.....[taxi's off the road again i have far too much time on my hands]

the car turned right at the junction ,faster than its driver would normally have driven, the screech of its tyre's piercing the afternoon heat ,continuing down the street at a desperate speed the driver then skidded to a halt outside the post office only to find all available parking spaces taken, all that is except one space reserved for the disabled, pulling into the disabled bay Steve prepares to make a dash for the post office door, frantic that his package makes the days last post.Sitting in a side street watching the scene unfold is traffic cop dic* Tortrino or as he is better known to his fellow officer's dictatorial, dic* lives for these occasion's his eye's light with a feral gleam his pulse rate quickens and he feels that warm glow in his stomach as yet another victim is about to fall to pieces under his baleful glare, god he loves his job, he had heard every excuse in the book, nearly all if them pathetic, prompted no doubt by panic after coming face to face with his imposing stature all five foot one[in his stacked heels] .
Crossing the road dic* arrives as Steve climbs back into his car after quickly posting his package, dic* assuming his most intimidating stance and using his most ferocious voice say OK BOY so why don't you share with me exactly just what your disability is.... Steve looks dictatorial in the eye smiles and says....tourette's now f**k off, and drives away.
t

[guidofatherof5]

The one and only John C. from Liverpool.

[Light of Dae]

Good God :eek: are those temperatures even possible :confused:

Lol yup, Move to Canada eh, We all live in Igloos eh.

[Light of Dae]

3829
This is my home, heated by bear breath.

[PINJOHN]

3829
This is my home, heated by bear breath.
on the up side the position the bear has taken means you have somewhere to park your bike

[Stefan-A]

3829
This is my home, heated by bear breath.
Mine is heated by mastodon flatulence.

[kibakiba]

Your house must smell like roses and pretty flowers or something.

[EasternGirl]

I think it is ridiculous for an employer to look at someone's Facebook page! This is a perfect example of why my FB page is blocked to anyone but friends and family.

[Light of Dae]

er yes n no. I think if I were an employer I'd want to have a heads up if I'm going to be hiring someone who 'according to FB' parties every weekend or something like that. I wouldn't let it define if that person gets a job or not but it would have an impact. Plus like you noted, you can set your privacy so not just anyone can view your stuff.

[ConcinusMan]

We have almost 4 or 5 inches of snow and it's coming down in huge quick flakes. :D I love it! I just hope that our power doesn't go out... The snakies would all have to sit in my bra with me while I read or somthing.

Vancouver (WA, U.S.A.) got quite a bit overnight last night. Winter wonderland this morning. Mom sent pics to my phone.

Still not a drop of precip at my place in over a month. Sunny, 68.

[EasternGirl]

I want snow! Yeah, but if you think about it...that is really an invasion of privacy...the fb thing. I don't really think an employer has a right to know what I am doing on my own time...as long as I am professional at work and get the job done. I bet an employer wouldn't want employees knowing all of his or her business outside of work. People have a right to private lives....but then again, they don't have to post all of their business on fb either. I don't post anything on fb that I wouldn't want everyone to know...people can be a bit daft when it comes to what they put on the internet.

[ConcinusMan]

Do employers actually use those internet background checks? Even if an employer could eliminate my aliases, they would still think that I move to a different state every year and that my mother's stupid bad credit is mine...Even if you look at the person who they have listed as me...they have so much information incorrect!

Yeah, unfortunately they do. Not once have I seen a result that was correct. Every single time I've had my background checked by an employer, there were charges dropped that were listed as convictions, and even charges that stuck, that were completely missing from the record they received.

The one and only time that my record was complete and correct, is when it was checked by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, after I was already employed by them. Private employers do not have access to this kind of check because it was done using fingerprints, not name/date of birth. Private employers must rely on those internet backround check websites which are extremely unreliable.

I was part of a class action lawsuit against a certain background check company used by an employer that denied me employment. They lost the lawsuit, and had to pay out 6 million bucks. My share of it was $54 :rolleyes:

I don't think it should even be legal for them to check your credit and background if you are not going to be hired in a sensitive position, especially given the unreliability of the info they find.

[chris-uk]

I've just had to allow my employers to do a Criminal Record Bureau check on me to keep some of our customers happy... if they find anything I've signed to say that they can fire me.
OK, so I have access to a lot of data owned by our customers, including data about children and vulnerable adults (amongst a lot of other data), so a background check is justified. The thing is that the CRB checks that they run in the UK are not a lot of use - they only return convictions (so if I was any good at breaking the law I wouldn't have been caught), they need to be done for each employer/organisation (so I had one done last summer so that I could coach kids for my hockey club) so you end up having to go through the forms more several times, and their accuracy is questionable even when you supply good addresses to check against. The whole CRB system was a knee-jerk reaction to some child murders, and the system has proven fallable between then and now, how many crimes has it prevented? Who knows, but I don't expect it's a huge number.

[ConcinusMan]

That U.S. Govt. check they did on me was so thorough and accurate that it even listed every time I was arrested, even if I wasn't convicted or charged with anything. Yes, there's been multiple instances where I was arrested but not charged or even jailed. I know, doesn't make sense, but there was a reason for that. Those instances were even listed. I was suprised.

But that kind of check uses fingerprints, was done by the Govt. and it took weeks. Private employers don't do that. I've had those private checks, which take just minutes, list convictions on my name, that didn't happen, and also had them leave out convictions that did happen. Ridiculous.

Another problem is that employers consider Burglary a theft-related conviction. That is just not necessarily the case. Burglary does not imply or even require a theft to have taken place in order to be convicted of it. I racked up one just by unintentionally breaking a window with my fist when I was drunk. Because my hand entered the building, it was burglary. Duh.:rolleyes: In all actuality, it was misdemeanor property damage. That one little detail (hand went inside the window, where they found my blood) makes it burglary. I plead guilty to Attempted burg in exchange for the minimum sentence. Employers just see the conviction. They don't get to see what actually happened, or the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Because of this incident, they see me as a thief. Ridiculous. No theft, or attempt at theft took place.

The funny thing is, even with all the details of every time I've been arrested, convicted or not, the Govt. still hired me. A private employer wouldn't have, even in the same kind of job.

[chris-uk]

It's all about the interpretation of the checks. Crazy that the government consider you trustworthy and private employers wouldn't have... I hope the government job will serve as a watershed and that future employers see it as a sign that their checks as useless.
A CRB check here basically just gives an employer (or youth group, school etc where you volunteer) a yes/no as to whether you have existing convictions. Not a lot of use really.
If you're looking at sensitive government jobs they do proper background checks, all the way up to any politcal groups you might have belonged to. I don't know a case personally where it's happened, but in principle belonging to an extreme political group at university could be enough to deny you a sensitive post. Of course, the sort of posts that require that level of clearance are Ministry of Defence or GCHQ type jobs (so equivilant of working in the CIA). I know at one point when my dad was in the Royal Navy he had some background checks that included checks on family members before he was posted to work on encrypted trans-Atlantic comms.

[chris-uk]

It's all about the interpretation of the checks. Crazy that the government consider you trustworthy and private employers wouldn't have... I hope the government job will serve as a watershed and that future employers see it as a sign that their checks as useless.
A CRB check here basically just gives an employer (or youth group, school etc where you volunteer) a yes/no as to whether you have existing convictions. Not a lot of use really.
If you're looking at sensitive government jobs they do proper background checks, all the way up to any politcal groups you might have belonged to. I don't know a case personally where it's happened, but in principle belonging to an extreme political group at university could be enough to deny you a sensitive post. Of course, the sort of posts that require that level of clearance are Ministry of Defence or GCHQ type jobs (so equivilant of working in the CIA). I know at one point when my dad was in the Royal Navy he had some background checks that included checks on family members before he was posted to work on encrypted trans-Atlantic comms.

[infernalis]

Gee, and I don't even get pulled over?? I must be boring.

[EasternGirl]

I think it is absolutely ridiculous for employers to do credit checks on people...especially since most people these days have less than desirable credit ratings. I don't see how my credit rating has anything to do with anything and shouldn't be an issue with me getting a job or anyone's business for that matter. That said, I have never applied for a job that ran a credit check. Most of my jobs have been in social services, and the background checks they do for those jobs are always criminal checks specifically looking for any type of crime involving abuse against another person. I know what you are talking about, Richard...as I was a wild teenager, and I have a couple of stupid things on my juvenile record that were supposed to be esponged but that still come up on my record to this day and I always have to explain them to employers. I have never not gotten hired because of them though. Like you said, they weren't even convictions...but the way they appear on my record...you can't tell exactly what they are...so an explanation always has to occur. I can tell you one thing, if any employer ever uses one of those internet checks to screen me, and denies me employment based on all of that ridiculous false information that is out there on me...there will be one heck of a lawsuit.

[kibakiba]

Vancouver (WA, U.S.A.) got quite a bit overnight last night. Winter wonderland this morning. Mom sent pics to my phone.

Still not a drop of precip at my place in over a month. Sunny, 68.

My boyfriends parents went to Vancouver! I believe they're still there... I hope they aren't hating the odd weather around here... :D

[EasternGirl]

Saw on the news today about all that snow in WA...we are supposed to get a "light dusting" of snow in the next couple of days and then it's supposed to melt right away because the temps are supposed to go up again. Poo! That is all I have to say about that.

[infernalis]

I just had to share this with you folks....


Last night, the wife and I were sitting in
the living room and I said to her, 'I never want
to live in a vegetative state, dependent on
some machine and fluids from a bottle.


She got up, unplugged the Computer, and
threw out my beer.

[PINJOHN]

I just had to share this with you folks....
superb Wayne i absolutely love it :D :D :D

[Light of Dae]

I think it is absolutely ridiculous for employers to do credit checks on people...especially since most people these days have less than desirable credit ratings. I don't see how my credit rating has anything to do with anything and shouldn't be an issue with me getting a job or anyone's business for that matter. That said, I have never applied for a job that ran a credit check. Most of my jobs have been in social services, and the background checks they do for those jobs are always criminal checks specifically looking for any type of crime involving abuse against another person. I know what you are talking about, Richard...as I was a wild teenager, and I have a couple of stupid things on my juvenile record that were supposed to be esponged but that still come up on my record to this day and I always have to explain them to employers. I have never not gotten hired because of them though. Like you said, they weren't even convictions...but the way they appear on my record...you can't tell exactly what they are...so an explanation always has to occur. I can tell you one thing, if any employer ever uses one of those internet checks to screen me, and denies me employment based on all of that ridiculous false information that is out there on me...there will be one heck of a lawsuit.

I think employers have every right to know what your credit is like for certain jobs. Say my new job, I am going to be in a position where say if I had a lot of debt I could easily 'disappear' a lot of vehicles n steal money. Employers are doing it to pry into your life, they do it to protect their own arse! I have a little bit of bad credit from old phone bills from when I was a kid. That they don't care about, what they are looking for is REALLY bad credit like say a gambling problem, unpaid credit cards coming out your you know what! etc. They could care less about a few late payments or whatever, they are simply protecting themselves.

Criminal record checks are the same, they just need to know if you are going to be a risk to them. That you don't have a long list of robberies n grand theft autos n sh*t like that.

EXACTLY Because even if your criminal record check raises a few eyebrows n questions if it's not something that is going to wave a giant red flag in their face screaming that you will rob them blind or hurt people etc. They won't care! They probably ask simply because it's vague n they are curious.

I understand it may feel like privacy invasion but if you had say.. a dealership, selling cars, you you hire just anyone? Or would you want to do every check possible to be sure that this person isn't going to destroy your company n company name? It's like that with ANY business where you would be in a position to hurt them or their clients or their name etc. Not all places of business do these checks because they aren't putting you where you could hurt them.

[Stefan-A]

I think employers have every right to know what your credit is like for certain jobs.
I don't think they have a right to anything that isn't public. If credit info is public, so be it. I don't think it's enough that they'd like to have, or would even benefit from having a certain piece of information.


Employers are doing it to pry into your life, they do it to protect their own arse!
Anything that can be used, can be abused.


I understand it may feel like privacy invasion but if you had say.. a dealership, selling cars, you you hire just anyone? Or would you want to do every check possible to be sure that this person isn't going to destroy your company n company name?
There's a lot of information people and organizations would like to have, that they shouldn't get.

[Light of Dae]

I don't think they have a right to anything that isn't public. If credit info is public, so be it. I don't think it's enough that they'd like to have, or would even benefit from having a certain piece of information.

True, credit info is public.. to a degree... You have to allow them to do it by signing a paper, so it's as public as you make it.


Anything that can be used, can be abused.

I meant Employers aren't doing it to pry into your life But yes, it's true anything can be abused



There's a lot of information people and organizations would like to have, that they shouldn't get.

They can only get what you ALLOW them to. Criminal record checks, credit history checks, Proper correct background checks ALL need you to sign papers n give your consent n some require you to give ID as well. Sure they can go online n see what they can find but we all know how reliable that is.

[tress29]

I think employers have every right to know what your credit is like for certain jobs.

Criminal record checks are the same, they just need to know if you are going to be a risk to them.

I'm a contractor for Customs and Border Protection. I work in the computer room and have access to everyone's data. Our background investigations start with a criminal background check and financials. Then they interview your co-workers, your neighbors, your ex-boyfriends third cousin! It's kinda crazy but CBP handles all sorts of sensitive, confidential and classified information.

I just got my fingerprint cards for my reinvestigation (every 5 years.) Not looking forward to them seeing where my ex paid the mortgage late for 10 months. (We still co-own the house together, long story!) Or now, when he's filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy (with his new wife) and they'll see my house listed in the darn thing. He's signing a Quit Claim Deed, giving up his rights to the property, but I still feel like I'm getting dragged through the mud! I've tried to refinance, but the programs only really apply to people who are paying late or are in arrears. Why punish those of us who pay on time every month, but don't have 20% equity anymore?

[PINJOHN]

Saw on the news today about all that snow in WA...we are supposed to get a "light dusting" of snow in the next couple of days and then it's supposed to melt right away because the temps are supposed to go up again. Poo! That is all I have to say about that.
Marnie just what is behind this irrational need to see that wet, cold, slippy, potentially bone breaking, skid inducing, chillblane causing,traffic stopping, stuff called snow. :confused:

[infernalis]

True, credit info is public.. to a degree... You have to allow them to do it by signing a paper, so it's as public as you make it.


They can only get what you ALLOW them to. Criminal record checks, credit history checks, Proper correct background checks ALL need you to sign papers n give your consent n some require you to give ID as well. Sure they can go online n see what they can find but we all know how reliable that is.

Not all true.

It all depends on the source of that information.

If you pull the criminal background from the court files, it's accurate.

Tax files are open to the public, if someone wants to know how much you earn, how much your property is worth, it's all available.

Your credit scores may not be "accurate" (sometimes you have to dispute things to have them removed) but credit reports are public.

Dig deep enough, your social security information is "public"

How does any of this affect employability? depends on the job you are applying for.

If you will be issued a company car, a company credit card, be put up in hotels at company expense, etc..

A corporation is certainly not going to hand out a set of car keys to a known reckless driver.

Or issue a corporate credit card to someone with impulsive spending habits, or put you up in an expensive hotel so you can trash the room.

However wrong you feel these checks may be, big business didn't get big by allowing unfit people to represent their firms.

For every decent home care nurse out there, another is stealing from the jewelry box, for every mobile tech who does his/her job, another is doing spin outs in a parking lot with the company car, for every honest person, another is filling up his wifes gas tank with the company gas card....

That is the reason they do these checks.

[Stefan-A]

True, credit info is public.. to a degree... You have to allow them to do it by signing a paper, so it's as public as you make it.

They can only get what you ALLOW them to. Criminal record checks, credit history checks, Proper correct background checks ALL need you to sign papers n give your consent n some require you to give ID as well. Sure they can go online n see what they can find but we all know how reliable that is.
In which case they should be outright forbidden from asking for your consent, if refusal can lead to discrimination.

[andycul]

Little bird

"What does a fifty pound parrot say?" "Polly wants a cracker, NOW"

If you have a parrot and you don't teach it to say, "Help, they've turned me into a parrot", you are wasting everybody's time. :D

[EasternGirl]

Well...I agree with what Stefan said...because if you don't agree to consent to their terms, they can refuse to hire you. I do understand jobs in which sensitive matters are at hand running checks...it's the employers that do the checks when the information has nothing to do with the job, and determines whether or not you are hired that I think is ridiculous. Of course a person who is in debt needs a job...that doesn't mean they are a thief. Many people in America right now are in ridiculous debt because of the economy and there are plenty of people who have credit cards that are unpaid because they had to live off of those credit cards because they had no money. They probably want a job so that they can start paying off the credit cards..not so they can rob their employer blind to pay off the credit cards. I have to dispute a bunch of crap on my credit reports because they keep putting my mother's info on my report. My mother doesn't pay her credit card bills because she simply doesn't have the money to pay them anymore. Now I have to write letters to all of the major credit check places to dispute the incorrect stuff on my report...it's tedious, and who knows how long it will take for them to fix it. Anyway...Tress...there is just no way in Hades that I would ever work for a place that dug into my life that much and judged me based on my friends, relatives, and ex-husband. That is completely unfair...I don't know how a place can do that. I mean, unless I was running for president or working for the FBI...then I guess I would expect it. But then again, there is a reason I don't work for the government.

I want snow because I love snow! What is the point of all this cold if there isn't any snow?

[tress29]

Anyway...Tress...there is just no way in Hades that I would ever work for a place that dug into my life that much and judged me based on my friends, relatives, and ex-husband. That is completely unfair...
They want to make sure you're loyal to the US, don't have relatives in foreign countries, etc. They want to make sure nobody can blackmail you to hand over government secrets! I really don't mind, it's the safety of our borders at stake. I just hate being judged by my ex-husband's poor money habits. Anyone can look at my record and see I've succeeded, in spite of him!

BTW, it's snowing in Indianapolis, just an inch or so. Snow on cars and grass, already melting off parking lots.

[RedSidedSPR]

Holy guacamole...!!!

I don't know, just wanted to say that....

[EasternGirl]

Holy cannoli!

[kibakiba]

Our power was out for about 15 hours... Poor snakies were ice cubes!

[guidofatherof5]

What does a Hindu Harry Cary say?.................... Holy Cow !

[kibakiba]

Yum... Cow...

[kibakiba]

I might be dyslxic! And if I am, my whole life will make sense again! Hah.

[katach]

We ended up with 7in of snow here is my little town. No school all week, but I still went to work. I even get overtime this week!! It's raining now and the snow in melting. We went sledding Wednesday. I even went down the hill a few times. Brian had a blast. Had a snowball fight too. I love the snow!

[EasternGirl]

It is finally snowing here!! The street is covered and my car is covered and it's still coming down...but they keep saying it isn't going to amount to much and it will melt right away. The weather people have been wrong many times before...so I'm hoping we get more than predicted! Of course this has to happen when I am supposed to take the snakes to the vet tomorrow...

[katach]

Good luck!! I love to curl up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and watch the snow fall. It's the best!

[chris-uk]

Motorway driving when it's snowing, but not settled yet, at night... :) The way the snow is lit by your headlights makes it look like you've just hit warp factor 9 and gone into hyperspace, as opposed to 70mph.

[tress29]

I love to curl up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and watch the snow fall. It's the best!I love to curl up on the couch and watch movies, listening to the rain. Would love to have a metal roof!

[Mommy2many]

We are getting snow here now for today. Expecting 4-6", which is the most since last October's Nor'Easter.

[EasternGirl]

Well, I changed the vet appointment...we got a couple of inches of snow and the roads don't look good...it's sleeting now so it's probably going to get icy. I had to change the appointment to Tuesday because my stupid crown broke off on my tooth because my dentist is an idiot...now I have to go get my stupid tooth fixed on Monday...I think Cee Cee is okay though...I haven't heard anymore wheezing, and she ate normally the other night. I have the enclosure warm and the humidity low for her...she seems to be acting normal...but I'm still going to take her to the vet just to make sure...plus I want him to check Seeley...since he's starting to look skinny from his lack of eating. He did eat a couple of bites of fish the other night though...so at least he is eating again.

[RedSidedSPR]

I'm dyslexic

[ConcinusMan]

I think it is absolutely ridiculous for employers to do credit checks on people...especially since most people these days have less than desirable credit ratings. I don't see how my credit rating has anything to do with anything and shouldn't be an issue with me getting a job or anyone's business for that matter. That said, I have never applied for a job that ran a credit check.

I wouldn't bet on it. "Background" checks often include credit information. It's pretty much common practice these days for employers to check criminal and credit info. The reason behind checking credit info is that it gives them an idea of whether or not you are a responsible individual. Bank overdrafts, past due bills, etc. can show patterns of irresponsible behavior. That's why they do it.

[ConcinusMan]

Gee, and I don't even get pulled over?? I must be boring.

Me neither. I've only been pulled over once and that was 1989.:cool:

[EasternGirl]

Well, if anyone has done a credit check on me...they didn't tell me about it. I have signed consent to a criminal background check...but I have never signed consent to a credit check. I would say that these days...if my employment depends on my credit, I will remain unemployed. I need to check my credit...but money has been very tight and some of my bills are behind so... Then there is the whole mess with my mother's lousy credit on my reports.

On a better note...made it out in the ice and snow today to do a little food shopping at the natural food store. It is very icy here right now. I'm going to put in an application for a part-time job at the natural food store. I know for a fact they do not do credit checks there...lol.

[guidofatherof5]

Le Ann, time to clear some PM's out.

[EasternGirl]

Hmmm...just looked up one of those online free credit reports on myself...my credit isn't actually too bad. Good to know.

[Light of Dae]

Ok.. I'm really scared... I joined another forum today. BabyCenter.ca I know I'm pregnant...
Please read my post there, (Guys you may not want to read if you are sensitive to Woman issues) :'( Not again... - High-risk pregnancy - BabyCenter Canada (http://www.babycenter.ca/thread/27901/-not-again) I'm not ready for this, we aren't ready for this. I don't know how I'm going to talk to my fiance Cole... I mean I really want a kid... Cole doesn't... But I know he'd make a great father...

I am reaching out here because in real life.. I have no girl friends to talk to, let alone any of my own friends... I mean I have friends but if it wasn't for Cole I wouldn't know them... And the guys are great, but they wouldn't understand. One guys wife, is a huge gossiper n kinda a bytch. I can't talk to my mom just yet... Coles' mom is awesome I love her but she lives a ways out...

:'( I've also got cysts on my ovaries... I don't know what to do... Oh God.

[BUSHSNAKE]

...one day at a time girlfriend, good luck!

[EasternGirl]

Okay...breathe. First of all...the cysts on your ovaries will not be a problem. I have severe endometriosis and all kinds of female reproductive problems...I wasn't even supposed to be able to have kids...and I have a nine-year-old son sitting in my living room. Cysts should not interfere with anything. As far as not being ready...my pregancy was planned...but I don't think anyone is ever really ready for what parenthood entails...you can't be...you have no idea what it is like until you experience it. You do the best you can do and love your child and that is that. You have the instincts..and the nurturing ability...if you want to have this child, you can do this. You need to talk to your fiance and find out where he is on this. If he really doesn't want a child and you do...then you guys have some fundamental differences that are going to be problems in the long run for you both. You need to think about what is best for you. But in reality, as soon as he decided to have sex, he took the chance that he could be a father and he needs to take responsibility for that. He may not want to be a father...but as of this moment, he is one... Breathe...and PM me if you want to talk.

[Stefan-A]

as soon as he decided to have sex, he took the chance that he could be a father and he needs to take responsibility for that.
And every time you cross a street, you take the chance that you may get run over.

[kibakiba]

Honestly, if you aren't ready for a kid.. both of you need to use protection and lots of it.

[Light of Dae]

I shouldn't have said he doesn't want kids... He doesn't want a baby. We had planned to adopt an older kid or two, Babies just scare him.. He wouldn't know how to deal with the crying n everything... But you should see him with our friends kids (age 2 n 5) He's so good with them n all kids love him... And up until my miscarriage, he didn't think he could have kids either... I'm just scared of miscarrying again or what my pregnancy would be like... My mom had terrible pregnancies and was bed-ridden for the majority of the 9months... And my system is worse... way worse then hers...

It's not like we can't afford a baby either, we have some money saved up, and I'll be able to work enough hours to get maternity leave pay from my new job.

I guess we'll see how it goes.. I'll have to get Cole to do the litter box tonight... I'll go see a doctor yet...
My step-sister is due in April... So at least we could do play dates :P ... If I can carry it..

[EasternGirl]

Well...I'm sorry to be blunt but he is just going to have to get over it. I don't particularly like babies myself...I was not a big fan of the baby years with my son...but he was my son so I loved him and I dealt with it. It is different when it is your child...does the crying still get annoying? Yes. Is it still scary? Yes. I don't think that there is a parent out there that wasn't scared at some point with a new baby. As far as your health issues go...you never know what will happen. I have a lot of health issues and I had a really easy pregnancy. The birth was tough...but nothing I couldn't handle. I was supposed to be infertile and I had miscarriages...my mother had miscarriages...and we both had children. You have to think positive. Don't start thinking everything is going to go wrong....believe that it will go well. I refused to believe that I couldn't have children and now I have a beautiful, amazing son :).

[infernalis]

I have to admit, I was scared.. now they are teenagers, they scare me still.

[Light of Dae]

Thanks Marnie :) I'm excited too... just more nervous n scared right now... I'll feel better when Cole gets home n I can talk with him about it...

When the doctor told me my tubes where solid and that they couldn't push the camera through, I asked if they could show me... They did. There was so much tissue around everything, it looked like solid blisters on top of more blisters. They had also showed me the cysts n endometriosis tissue on my ovaries n exterior uterus... It all just looked so... wrong... lol Like something out of a cheesy horror movie.
I guess the Depo-Provera worked to remove enough that eggs could get down. I've wondered what it looks like now...

[EasternGirl]

Oh I'm moving out and giving him the house when he becomes a teenager! Lol... He is already starting to get some pre-tweeny angst going. A little mouth here..a little temper there...Fortunately I have a bigger mouth and a bigger temper and he still knows that at this point.

[EasternGirl]

Thanks Marnie :) I'm excited too... just more nervous n scared right now... I'll feel better when Cole gets home n I can talk with him about it...

When the doctor told me my tubes where solid and that they couldn't push the camera through, I asked if they could show me... They did. There was so much tissue around everything, it looked like solid blisters on top of more blisters. They had also showed me the cysts n endometriosis tissue on my ovaries n exterior uterus... It all just looked so... wrong... lol Like something out of a cheesy horror movie.
I guess the Depo-Provera worked to remove enough that eggs could get down. I've wondered what it looks like now...
Something worked if you got pregnant...you just need to talk to the doctors. I would recommend finding a doc who specializes in difficult pregnancies. Depo works a lot like the lupron that I was on for my endometriosis...so it may have cleared up the tissue. I was on lupron right before I got pregnant and it did the same thing. My problems came back after my son was born though...pregnancy kept them at bay...but just to warn you, they can come back.

[Light of Dae]

lol Our friends kids OMG I will NEVER let any child act like what they get away with... The little girl who is 2.5years old cries n screams to get what she wants, talks back to her mom n dad. Little boy 5years old is worse... again cries n screams to get what he wants, DEMANDS it NOW! steals his moms phone, lies, hits his mom n dad n little sister n all his friends... They are far worse then just a little temper n mouth here n there.
lol The kids don't like it when I watch them... I will not tolerate being hit, being told what to do etc. They know better when I'm around lol

Oh and my discipline does not entail 'Go to your room n watch a movie' It's more along the lines... sit in the corner, cry, scream if you must, but you will not leave that corner let alone turn around, until you are ready to apologize, honestly. Lol its funny when I go there to hang out, kids start to fuss n demand things NOW... They won't look at me lol if I do catch their eye, they stop.... walk away... find either mom or dad... and then fuss again out of site of my 'un-approving, you better stop that NOW' look lol Not allowed to talk back like that till teenage years! Even then.

Me n Cole agree 100% on how to raise kids, there would be no... Mom says no but dad says yes type foolery going on. lol And when supper time comes around if chores ain't done, 'Go out, feed the horses like you were supposed too, then come back n re-heat your supper, Or go to bed without supper like the animals' Unless there is a viable reason chores ain't done, lol I wouldn't starve my kids... just have set, solid rules in play, no lame excuse for laziness. :)

[kibakiba]

That's the one reason I don't like kids, besides the fact they all make me sick... My niece and nephew screech loud enough to nearly blow your ear drums out. My mom is a push over, so they screech at her, but if I come out of my room, they know to shut up. They both liked to throw food at each other, hit each other with toys until they bled, ect. Ever have a teen who wants a baby early? Give them Kaden and Kylee. I know for a fact they made me despise kkids and made me become vvery unsure that I'd ever want one.

[Light of Dae]

yea See that's what I would never allow. I know a couple whom have a little boy 3years old n a baby girl 1year old and they are ANGELS you wouldn't believe they are kids! The other day mom was sick n her son asked if he could have some juice? She told him mommy didn't feel good n was going to lay down for a bit n he could watch a movie n get himself some juice if he wanted, he said No thanks mom, do you want me to rub your back? lol So her 3year old son gave her a back rub when she laid down n then got her a glass of water.

It's all in how you raise them n what you let them get away with.

[kibakiba]

I know that much. There's more to the story than just my disliking kids on that part. I can't handle loud noises, have )possibly) dyslexia, severe depression, etc. I can barely handle myself, and because of that I know I couldn't handle a kid.

[Light of Dae]

Well we had a good talk about it all n I feel a lot better... lol I transferred my worry to him, but he isn't consumed with worry, just is more of a wait n see kinda guy. I will make a doctor appointment soon for this n a few other things n go from there.

[kibakiba]

That's good. I'm the kind of person who takes things day by day, so that's the only advice I can really give you. Things get tough for everyone, but the best thing you can do is just deal with it.

[Light of Dae]

I've always been called a 'worry wart' But I've learned to take things day by day... slowly... I still worry, but I'm getting WAY better at just relaxing. I know everything will work out all in due time.

[kibakiba]

I'm a worry wart, too... I worry even when I shouldn't, but I just ignore it usually and stay busy. Some things you have no choice but to take day by day, like money issues! You can't really fix those immediatly... ;) At least, not in our case.

[EasternGirl]

The thing about children is...and this may surprise some people...they need parenting. I have serious issues with all the "parents" out there that do not parent their children. You can't just have kids and then let them run all over the place acting crazy. I see these parents out in places like Kmart, yapping on their cell phones while their kids are running all over the store destroying everything and driving all the customers crazy...and it takes everything in me not to walk up to the parent..yank the cell phone out of their hand and scream at them to start parenting their kids! My son sees those children and points them out to me. He says "Look at those crazy kids Mommy". He knows not to act like that. He knows how to behave in public...he knows how to behave in general, because I parent him. Parenting takes effort...you don't just push out a child and then go about your life like you did before you had a kid...but, it can be the best thing that ever happened to you. I wouldn't trade my life now for my life before my son for anything. My son made me the person I am today...and I am a much better person now than I ever was before I had him.

[kibakiba]

This little thing is a crochet blanket I made to bury Angel with. It was my first attempt at crocheting in 10 years. I tried my best for the sake of making Angel something nice.
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/466/sdc14227g.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Jingoism.
Thanks for the education. Just another new word for my limited vocabulary.

[ConcinusMan]

Hmmm...just looked up one of those online free credit reports on myself...my credit isn't actually too bad. Good to know.

Did you know your rating goes down just by having it checked? :rolleyes:

[chris-uk]

Jingoism.
Thanks for the education. Just another new word for my limited vocabulary.
It's a useful word to add to an American vocabulary. Or have I made a presupposition based on a prejudiced judgement that Americans, as generalistic proposition, are possessing of a nationalistic outlook that may on occasion verge upon jingoism? ;)

[EasternGirl]

This little thing is a crochet blanket I made to bury Angel with. It was my first attempt at crocheting in 10 years. I tried my best for the sake of making Angel something nice.
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/466/sdc14227g.jpg That is very sweet Chantel...a very beautiful thing to do for little Angel. Nice work with the crocheting...

[EasternGirl]

What?? Your credit rating goes down if someone checks your credit? How is that possible?

[chris-uk]

What?? Your credit rating goes down if someone checks your credit? How is that possible?

The logic is that if there are lots of searches against your credit history it's because you're applying for lots of credit, and if you're applying for lots of credit (and get it) you are a higher risk because you've just got another £xxxx-worth of credit to spend on a new card, or another loan, etc.

[kibakiba]

I'm going to be remaking it, I have figured out how to crochet better than that.

[EasternGirl]

Can I just vent for a minute please? My parents...who were never the most responsible people...who never saved any money, or had a retirement plan...both of them are now old and getting sick...my father runs a business that they both work for...and little by little, the business is going under because they can't work...so there is no money coming in and more and more they can't take care of themselves or this house...but they don't have the money to have anyone take care of them or the house. So now I am taking care of them, and the house, and my son...and I have no money...because I am in school. They told me that they would support me while I went back to school. So...I stopped working and invested my time and hard work in a nursing program...that will probably all go down the drain now...because I probably won't be able to finish because I have to take care of my parents and this house. My mother keeps "losing" money. She doesn't balance her bank account. She comes to me and says..."my bank account is overdrawn again...I don't know where the money goes!" How can you not know where the friggin money goes??? It's not magically disappearing! You are spending it and if you kept track of it like a normal person...you would know exactly where it went. Her bank account is now overdrawn $500 again. Now we have no money for groceries or for my son's baseball registration this weekend...I am about to lose my flippin mind over here. I had one child for a reason...and now I suddenly have 3 children and two of them are my parents...I'm trying to find a job and then I will have a job and a child and two irresponsible parents and a house to take care of....I think I'm going to have a heart attack now.

[kibakiba]

I know how you feel. My mom is exactly the same way. She's actually dropped two 100 dollar bills at the store. She literallly has less than half a brain anymore.Is there any way you could managetheir money for them, so they can't screw up their bank accounts more?

[EasternGirl]

I told my mother that I want her to give me her bank account info and all of her bill info so that I can set up an automatic online billpay system with her bank that I can monitor. That is what I use to pay my bills and it works great...I used to have problems keeping up with bills, and ever since I started using the online system...all of my bills are paid on time and I can always see what is coming and going. Now it is just a matter of getting her to give it to me...she is a little unorganized, to say the least. I know my parents took care of me..and it may sound ungrateful that I don't want to take care of them in return. It isn't that. I think it is unfair that my parents never saved any money or planned for retirement and now because of that...instead of finally getting my life together, which I have been trying to do for so long, I am going to have to spend the rest of it taking care of them. My father really needs to go into a home. I think my mother had a stroke because she is taking care of him and it is too much for her. But medicaid will not pay for him to go into a home as long as my parents own a home...they will force my parents to sell the house to pay for the nursing home. Nice huh? So, my parents are going to put the house in my name...it's supposed to go to me anyway...so that medicaid can't take it. But we have a trailer at the beach...we were going to rent it to have some money to live off of...but now the lawyer is saying that my parents can't put that in my name because medicaid will charge a penalty...that we have to sell it if we want to put my father in a nursing home. Medicaid is supposed to help people that don't have money but they force people to sell everything they own in order to pay for help...it's unreal.

[kibakiba]

Sorry to hear, Marnie. I'm usually on skype all day, if you ever need to talk.



My hands and feet are swollen, in a water retention kind of way... Only painful and it swells up more if I move that hand or foot... I have to go to the walk in clinic to get it checked out... To hell with my doctor, she just keeps telling me it's water retention and not to worry... But its worrysome when my left freaking foot is the size of Texas with burning and throbbing, just because I walked out of my room to get a snack.

[EasternGirl]

Thanks Chantel...I may take you up on that. That is odd...there should be a reason for the water retention if that is in fact what it is. Google your symptoms...be careful because you don't want to get yourself all freaked out if you read some deadly disease fits your symptoms...you have to be careful with internet info...but I have actually found answers to medical problems online that my doctors could not figure out. Also look up side effects of any medications you are taking. Could it be a circulation problem? What about those herbal smoking blends? Natural does not always mean safe...herbs can be dangerous. I have to go out now...but I will be around later tonight if you want to talk on Skype.

[kibakiba]

I was thinking circulation issues, but it started when I started up my leg strengthening exercises. My mom thinks I injured myself or pushed myself too hard, but I only do as many as I can without it hurting or puting too much stress on my joints and muscles.
I'm not taking anything at this moment, other than some painkillers for the obvious pain, and that was only after it started swelling.

I haven't been smoking lately, either. Part of me thought it might have had somthing to do with it, but even after a few days with none of it in my system, it's unchanged. I don't plan on smoking for another few weeks to be sure, though.

[EasternGirl]

Hmmm...I do not know. Google is the best thing I can tell you...

[kibakiba]

google just keeps coming up with edema, which doesn't seem like what I have. It syas stuff about liquid filling the calves and foot area(it does feel like a little liquid is in there) but shows a leg that is swollen and yellow, leave imprints when you touch it... All of the google images Isaw showed similar or worse. Luckily, I'll see a doctor tomorrow and hope that they don't just say "it's water retention, drink more water". I've been drinking a looooot of water.

[snakehill]

Chantel, did you try WebMD? :confused:

[Light of Dae]

I'll see a doctor tomorrow and hope that they don't just say "it's water retention, drink more water". I've been drinking a looooot of water.

Just don't let a doctor tell you it's one thing if you know it's not or know it's something more. When I had severe pain in my left abdomen, I went to a few different doctors and told one to go uh... f off lol he kept telling me the pain was because I was constipated and was shoving a prescription for a strong laxative in my face, I kept telling him 'I SH*T FINE THANK YOU' he wouldn't listen! so I grabbed the prescription and tore it up telling him he should take it n that he could F OFF lol Finally found a doctor willing to listen to me n he did all sorts of tests n scans that didn't find anything. So then he got me in for an exploratory Laperscopic surgery n found a piece of Endometriosis Tissue stuck in-between two intestinal walls. SO glad to have that gone!

[kibakiba]

Yes I tried webmd. It gave me a whole range of nothings.

Lucky me, it's all fine and dandy in my feet except some slight pain, but now my hands and my FACE and swollen... my upper lips and cheek are huge... ugh.

Dae, I plan on being firm with whoever I see today... I'm not in the best mood with my face being so swollen that I lisp. I am PO'd and the doctor better do something... and not tell me it's water retention... I get that every month with just a little swelling and tightness in my hands and feet, but never so much that I can't walk.

[EasternGirl]

Ok...that doesn't sound good Chantel...sounds almost like an allergic reaction or something. Yes, definitely make those docs listen to you! You would not have water retention in your face. Keep us posted please.

[kibakiba]

Perhaps I'm allergic to smoke. It does irritate my nose and throat a bit but not enough that I'd have really worried too much. I guess we'll see since I'm leaving in about 10-20 minutes and I won't be smoking for the next couple weeks just to make sure.

[EasternGirl]

I wouldn't think that would make you swell up like that. I have seen people have allergic reactions to smoke and it usually just involves coughing and sneezing, wheezing...respiratory symptoms. Your symptoms seem systemic. Now, you could be allergic to the herbs but if you stopped using them, the reaction would have stopped or at least gotten better. I'm guessing it's something else.

[kibakiba]

Water retention. In my face, and whole body. Yep. That's the only thing I gathered from my rude and equally pissed off doctor. Then, I had to wait almost 4 hours just to get home, after 1 hour of urine and blood samples, and the doctor questioning my virginity. Lovely day...

[EasternGirl]

I wish I could bring you here and take you to my doctor. Water retention from what? Did the doctor even have an explanation for it other than you are obviously lying about your virginity and working as a call girl? Maybe the blood tests will show something...I would have peed on the doctor.

[kibakiba]

Haha, throw my urine sample at the doctor!!! Whooo! No I'm not that mean. But, my blood tests came back all normal.

He didn't say anything other than "water retention" and to drink more water, preferably 10 glasses of it a day for 2 weeks with the diuretic. I'm going to change offices, I think... The only nice people are the receptionists and the doctor's assistants. If anything, the only reason why I kept my doctor after she's been rude and uncaring, is her assistant. Sweetest lady you'll ever meet. She actually cares, too.

He asked me 3 times if I was pregnant, each time my "no" got firmer and more angry sounding... Perhaps he took that as "yes, but I don't want anyone to know". But, my name isn't Mary, so I think I'm okay as far as that goes.

[guidofatherof5]

Hello PINJOHN. Anyone home? Dump some PM's buddy.
How can I harass you if I can't send any PM's:D

[PINJOHN]

:D
Hello PINJOHN. Anyone home? Dump some PM's buddy.
How can I harass you if I can't send any PM's:D
Your wish is my command O divine ruler of the universe,and swamper at the local wall mart :D

[chris-uk]

Hello PINJOHN. Anyone home? Dump some PM's buddy.
How can I harass you if I can't send any PM's:D

We could make a concerted effort to get him on Skype?
I may have a trip to Glasgow coming up, which will mean passing close to Liverpool. Otherwise it's a case of waiting for one of Lancashire customers to have a problem that needs me onsite. Or, of course one of our two customers in Liverpool (but they are.... interesting.... customers to work with).

[guidofatherof5]

We could make a concerted effort to get him on Skype?
I may have a trip to Glasgow coming up, which will mean passing close to Liverpool. Otherwise it's a case of waiting for one of Lancashire customers to have a problem that needs me onsite. Or, of course one of our two customers in Liverpool (but they are.... interesting.... customers to work with).


I think it's called for Chris. I think we need to keep a closer eye on him.
Kind of an intervention. We can work shifts to make sure he's not spending too much time at Starbucks.

[EasternGirl]

I think that's actually a job for me. I will stay at Starbucks 24 hours a day watching to make sure that John is not spending too much time there.

[chris-uk]

I'll plant a GPS tracker somewhere about his person. Do you think we could programme a unit to give him an electric shock when he gets within 5 metres of a Starbucks, Costa, or Cafe Nero?

[PINJOHN]

We could make a concerted effort to get him on Skype?
I may have a trip to Glasgow coming up, which will mean passing close to Liverpool. Otherwise it's a case of waiting for one of Lancashire customers to have a problem that needs me onsite. Or, of course one of our two customers in Liverpool (but they are.... interesting.... customers to work with).ng
Hey...i thought my ears were burning...the good news is my daughter has finished the difficult part of her placement, she has been teaching while under observation which meant a lot of pressure for her but the people from her university have been in and she has passed with flying colours which means that next week she will have a little time to treat her old dad to some skype time.
i am also forming the opinion that i might have a fellow caffeine fiend in Marnie i can state categorically that i have never spent more than eighteen hours straight in Starbucks.......[they threw me out at closing time:mad:]

[EasternGirl]

I once stayed in a coffee house for so long and drank so much coffee that I actually overdosed on caffeine and had to take a sedative when I got home because I was so sick. Now John...I will have to go around to all of the coffee houses and watch to make sure that you are not hanging around them...I will have to test all of the coffee of course, to make sure that...um...er...I will have to stand watch.

[Stefan-A]

Finns rank #1 in coffee consumption per capita. All 5 Nordic countries are in the Top-6.

[infernalis]

Finns rank #1 in coffee consumption per capita. All 5 Nordic countries are in the Top-6.

My kind of people!

[guidofatherof5]

Where does tea drinking come on a list.
No slams or jokes please. :D

Tea drinking is serious stuff. "Earl Grey, hot!"

[EasternGirl]

I would think that the UK must be number 1 on the tea drinking list...when I was over there, people drank tea more than we drink coffee...it was pushed on me like drugs..."here don't you want a nice cup of tea?" "oh come on, have a nice cup of tea.." I thought I would swim home to the states...lol...

[kibakiba]

I love tea. In fact, next month when I start my diet change.. I'm replacing most of the soda we drink with tea instead... I say mostly because my mom isn't joining me, she's going to buy herself a 5 gallon tub of ice cream to eat over the course of 2 days.

[PINJOHN]

Finns rank #1 in coffee consumption per capita. All 5 Nordic countries are in the Top-6.
an extremely discerning nation the Finns :)

[kibakiba]

I love your sig, John. :D
Though, I'm some cases... You will not want to take a look at all. :p

[Stefan-A]

I would think that the UK must be number 1 on the tea drinking list...
United Arab Emirates. They consume more than 3 times as much tea per person, as the Brits do.

List of countries by tea consumption per capita - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_tea_consumption_per_capita)


List of countries by coffee consumption per capita - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_coffee_consumption_per_capita )

[chris-uk]

So Char and I are out, babysitting for her best friend while she's on a date night with her hubby (it was Char's idea for a Christmas present, Maria said it was the best present she'd had for years). So they 7 and 10 year-old have both been good, and are now in bed, and we're watching some stand-up on TV. Those on the other side of the pond may not have heard of Michael Mcintyre, he's been one of the "of the moment" British comedians for a few years now. He has this great routine about a man drawer...


http://youtu.be/C6wZUV1t1y0

Very funny man, and one of the campist straight men on TV.

[kibakiba]

Urrrgghhh. I got the flu. Probably from being stuck at the doctor's office for almost 5 hours. Evil, evil flu.

[guidofatherof5]

Get well soon. Have some tea ;)

[EasternGirl]

Funny stuff Chris! Yep, Chantel...when I got that flu at Christmas it was because I took my mom to the hospital...caught it from that place.

[kibakiba]

We have no tea til next month, I have to stick to water for now. ;)

[angrygamer]

We have no tea til next month, I have to stick to water for now. ;)

I know all too well how that goes.

[kibakiba]

Yeah, we live off my moms disability, and I can't get a job until I get my ID... And we don't have money to pay for it. So, you know.

[PINJOHN]

I love your sig, John. :D
Though, I'm some cases... You will not want to take a look at all. :p
Thanks Chantel i did pause before changing my sig thinking it might possibly be a bit near the knuckle, but i decided that if it offended anyone in the slightest then off it comes [but i find it very amusing if i do say so myself]

[kibakiba]

Did you mean to make "near the knuckle" seem like a bit of a pun? :p

[PINJOHN]

Did you mean to make "near the knuckle" seem like a bit of a pun? :p
HaHaHaHaHaHa... :D:Dit did not even occur to me, you were too fast for me on that one Chantel :D

[kibakiba]

It's in my genes, perversion and sex jokes kind of run in the family... Haha.

[PINJOHN]

It's in my genes, perversion and sex jokes kind of run in the family... Haha.
this is the second one that i was a bit [slow in the uptake] with in just a short time the other was the comment by Richard about the debating team it went completely over my head until Marnies post alerted me to it...I am left wondering is it me ..is senility beckoning... or is it just that you ladies have dirtier minds than us chaps....I lean towards the latter explanation...:D

[kibakiba]

Haha, my mom and I have pretty dirty minds... You wouldn't believe it. Haha. :D A lot of my lady friends do have pretty dirty minds... My friend from middle school was dubbed "the gutter" because of her dirty mind!

[EasternGirl]

We have dirty minds. Yep.

[kibakiba]

Dirtier than a rat infested sewer in New York City.

[angrygamer]

Dirtier than a rat infested sewer in New York City.

But what about Chicago?

[kibakiba]

I dunno. If it's worse than a new york city sewer, then yes.

[Mommy2many]

John, I love the new signature!

[PINJOHN]

John, I love the new signature!
i have to say its not as good as yours Le Ann, as i told you before i wish i would have thought of it, but i thought mine was amusing and hoped others might agree :D

[EasternGirl]

I once kicked a pile of trash in Baltimore and a whole bunch of rats ran out of the pile and down the street.

[kibakiba]

Yum.

[guidofatherof5]

I once kicked a pile of trash in Baltimore and a whole bunch of rats ran out of the pile and down the street.

Why may I asked were you kicking a pile of trash?

[EasternGirl]

I honestly don't remember why...oh now I do..I was visiting my friend in Baltimore and we were standing on a very gross street...I don't remember why...I think we were parking the car in the city or something..and I commented on how gross it was, and he was like..."Want to see something? Kick that pile of trash and watch what happens"...I was 21...you do these things for entertainment I guess...

[PINJOHN]

Why may I asked were you kicking a pile of trash?
That's an interesting question Steve...It seems it happened as Marnie left her anger management classes where they had just refused to refund her money...:mad: