Recent content by daddyJoe

What is the economy like in your area? It hasn't changed much in my area, but I'm hoping things get better in 2011. I hope it improves throughout the country.

My friend talked to his ex and according to her, the stepdad is strict. The kids don't like it and that's why they are complaining. Thanks for the advice. My friend feels a lot better now. What can someone do if it turns out the stepdad is actually mean?

I hurt my finger and it's very swollen. There aren't any breaks, but the doctor sent me to physical therapy. I've only had the first visit, but basically, they are going to use heat and cold to get the swelling down and have me do exercises to get the movement back. It seems like things I...

Yeah, I think that's it, MickL. I think it's more that she couldn't or doesn't like to leave her dog at home. I wonder how the dog feels riding along like that.

That's interesting. I suppose I'm a variety of personalities. I sleep on my side, then my back, and usually wake up on my other side. It would be interesting to know what that means.

We always have the same foods for Christmas dinner. I'd love to try something new this year. I sure hope someone has something they can share.

I'm trying not to use credit cards this year, but I don't know if I'm going to make it. We started buying for the kids a few months ago, but there is still a lot of shopping to do. It's great that your wife has the seasonal job, DriverDan.

Plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes that is not necessary is not something that I would approve of for my children. Now, if they got hurt and needed plastic surgery to remove a large scar, that would be another matter.

I agree with the saint and Richard. It's great that the parents got him involved in blogging! So many kids today spend hours on video games. Blogging is so much better than that, but I do hope the parents are monitoring it to be sure the child is not posting things he shouldn't.

My sister is getting a divorce. I don't know the details of why, but she's not the easiest person to live with or please. The problem is that her husband is a good friend of mine and I don't want to break ties with him, but I don't want her to be mad or hurt. What should I do?

I think that's the best advice you can give to someone like me who quit twice years ago and picked up smoking again as soon as I was under stress. I'd given up and resigned myself to being a smoker until the day I die. Your post kindled a spark of hope!

It's important that kids know they can tell their teachers without being ridiculed by other kids. I would advise them not to threaten another child with telling, but to quietly go to the teacher and tell her/him in private, if possible.

I was going to suggest working online, too. There are writing jobs if you're into that, as well as jobs that take computer skills and others. You have to be careful when you're looking because there are lots of scams to wade through on search results. You might check out freelance.com and...

I've been reading about herbs and if what I'm reading is right, there are herbs that help or heal almost everything. I've used them for some things and they've always worked for me, but I'm wondering if we should give them to our kids. What do you think?

We do tend to get involved in the holiday without remembering the purpose for the holiday. I'm developing a tradition with my kids of telling each other some things we're thankful for on Thanksgiving Eve (and other times, too). It's important that they remember the purpose of the holiday.