I was recently on a five hour flight at the end of a 13 day vacation.  To my great disappointment, a man sat next to me who absolutely reeked of body odor.  I decided to deal with it by imagining everything I could think of that would have been worse on the flight.  I was still very stressed by the time I got off the plane but I think I handled it as well as possible.  The plane was full and there wasn't any way to change seats.   What is YOUR worst travel experience? ... View more

One of my main lifetime goals is to reduce my stress level in every way possible.  Here are the main things I have come up with to lower my stress when traveling:   1)  Allow extra time 2)  Anticipate possible needs and provide for them 3)  Plan, plan, plan 4)  Set goals for the trip (which may be very different than the goals I have when not traveling) 5)  Try to be as flexible as possible ... View more

  What is your age category?   Under 26 26-39 40-64 65-80  - This is where I am. Over 80     What is the length of your  credit history?   Mine is 43 years, 7 months     What are your most recent credit scores?   My  scores as of August 2009: Equifax: 810 TransUnion: 805 Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 29-08-2009 07:45 PM ... View more

I just watched "White Light/Black Rain"  --  a documentary in which survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings share their perspectives some 60 years after the blasts.  I believe this is one of the best documentaries that has been made.  The people who speak in the film are truly remarkable. Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 18-08-2009 09:06 PM ... View more

Today I took the bus home from downtown where we have a huge market.  I was amazed how many fresh flower bouquets were brought onto the bus as it moved from stop to stop.  I believe fresh flowers are one of the very best gifts.  I'm going to start giving them to myself on a regular basis.  I think I'll buy myself a single long-stemmed rose today -- it will only cost $3. Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 18-08-2009 03:32 PM ... View more

On August 18, 1979, I was thinner than I am now.  I was in my 12th year of teaching.  I didn't own my own home.  I knew practically nothing about credit.  I didn't manage money particularly well.  I wasn't playing three of the instruments that I play now.  There hadn't been any deaths in our immediate families.  I hadn't had many of the surgeries that I have had since that time.  I was not aware that there were many wonderful surprises awaiting me in my future.   Some of you probably hadn't been born yet 30 years ago.  If so, what do you think things were like for your parents? ... View more

Based upon my genetic inheritance, I may have 30 more years to live.  It's hard for me to predict what my scores will be when I die.  I am thinking that my Equifax score might be 830 and my TransUnion Score might be 825.    I have found that the customer service representatives at myFICO are very helpful.  They can look up old scores that were purchased a couple of years ago.  If you call, they will give you a 10% off promotional code to apply to your next myFICO purchase.  You need to give your social security number to them so it would be better to use a land line.   In general, myFICO definitely helps me.  I am very glad it exists.   8/16/09 Equifax: 810 8/16/09 TransUnion: 805  Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 16-08-2009 04:35 PM ... View more

(Please note:  The following quote was approved by myfico Administration on 8/15/09.)   Apparently the American Medical Association has weighed in on the new Health Care Initiatives from the Obama Administration....         The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.       The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.       The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception. Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted.       Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Pediatricians said, 'Oh, Grow up!'       Oncologists fear it's malignant, while Osteopaths see it as holistic.       The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it.       Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing. The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter."       The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were p****d off at the whole idea.       The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.       In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the a**holes in Washington . Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 15-08-2009 01:18 PM Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 15-08-2009 08:56 PM Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 16-08-2009 08:22 AM ... View more

I love SmorgasBoard because it covers so much ground.  I love to read the different perspectives from members. Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 12-08-2009 01:55 PM ... View more

I am taking music lessons with an outstanding music teacher who is unfortunately very negative and sarcastic.  She practically never says anything nice about my playing even when I practice a lot.  I am clearly improving and I value her expertise.  But, I find that her negativity is keeping me from having fun at my instrument.   Instead of saying that I will practice now, I will instead seek to have fun playing my instrument  I am studying my instrument for a HOBBY to be enjoyed by ME.  I am not preparing for a concert.   What hobby are YOU enjoying today? Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 12-08-2009 08:08 AM ... View more

Here's one that I really like:   You never change things by fighting the existing reality.To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.   --R. Buckminster Fuller      If you wish, share your reaction to this quote.   Henrietta23 ... View more

I just remembered a doctor reminding me long ago that if one watches the water as it comes to a boil, it seems to take forever.  But, if we get interested in something else -- it seems to be no time at all and the water is boiling.   The doctor might be surprised to know that I am remembering this 17 years after she shared the idea with me. Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 20-08-2009 02:58 AM ... View more

I am consistently inconsistent except for four areas: Paying bills quickly, saving $1100 monthly, keeping a budget, and having high FICO scores.  I am going to try to change my longstanding pattern by  using my recumbent bicycle each day.  I had an injury  a month ago and I haven't been able to exercise for a month.  Now I'm starting up again.   Ideas? Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 22-02-2009 07:55 AM ... View more

My Experian score has been 839 for quite a long time.  My other scores are 809 and 810.  I have worked so hard to have high scores.  I am now thinking that it is false advertising to suggest that scores can be as high as 840 or 850.  I don't expect this ever to happen with me even though I am seemingly doing everything right in terms of suggestions given.   Comments anyone? Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 07-02-2009 07:40 PM Message Edited by fused on 02-07-2009 06:50 PM ... View more

I am an amateur musician who studies music and plays mostly in my living room.  My teacher does not use recording equipment in her work.  Can anyone recommend some good music recording equipment? ... View more

I am very impatient -- I want to achieve my goals quickly.  If you have achieved a goal recently (any goal), please tell how long it took from the time you started to the time when you could say you did what you set out to do. ... View more

Yesterday I saw the new movies, "Doubt" and "Revolutionary Road" -- back to back.  This experience reminded me of another time that I watched two zingers one after the other -- "Fatal Attraction" followed by "Platoon."  I was almost in a stupor as I found my way to bed in the wee hours of the morning. Message Edited by Henrietta23 on 04-01-2009 04:34 PM ... View more

When I learned to type at age 15, I had no idea how valuable a skill I was learning.  Few people could have imagined then that the personal computer was coming and that it would transform our lives. ... View more