Jill P. Viers
Jill is a technical writer, instructional designer, article writer, and creative writer. Her articles focus on business, education, parenting, cooking, entertaining, politics, and more. She also writes and publishes poetry, trying to convey a sense of self and common experiences.
Jill is an Iowa native living in the suburbs with her husband, baby girl, and two dogs.
Read More »
Jill is an Iowa native living in the suburbs with her husband, baby girl, and two dogs.
...
- Page Views
- 126,989
- Content
- 150
- Fans
- 58
- Contributor since
- 7/19/2008
Education/Experience
BA in Communication, MTSC (Master of Technical and Scientific Communication) - just need the thesis approvedInterests
writing, reading, technology, teaching, training, dogs, cooking, iowa football, pens, logic puzzles, martinis, entertainment, my baby girl and husbandMotto
Keep moving forward.
Featured Content (1 of 5)
1
Displaying Results 1 - 150 (of 150) for Yahoo! Voices
-
4 Easy Ways to Save Money on Baby ClothesBabies sure are cute, and so are their clothes. But those clothes don't come for free. Here are 4 ways I've been able to save on baby clothes.
-
2012 Presidential Election Hot-Button Issue in Iowa - Women's Role in State PoliticsWhen Michele Bachman decided to bow out of the 2012 presidential race, the topic of gender bias was examined as it is during most elections. In this post, I discuss this issue along with my personal experiences as a working woman in Iowa.
-
What Activity Should We Have at a Baby Shower?Baby showers offer a great time for friends and family to gather and celebrate the upcoming birth of a child. If you're looking for a fun activity for a baby shower, read about the ABC book in this article.
-
5 Things I Didn't Know About C-sections Before Having OneWhen I had my daughter, I was prepared for many things that would happen before, during, and after my C-section, but no one prepared me for these things...
-
Recap of Top Chef Season 9 Episode 4 - "Red Hot Chili Cookoff"Finally, this season of Top Chef has an interesting episode with chili pepper and chili cookoff challenges, perfect for the Texas locals.
-
Baby Bottle Comparison - Philips Avent, Playtex, and Dr. Brown'sIn a few short months, I have tried three different brands of bottles. I prefer Philips Avent and Playtex over Dr. Brown's, and in this article, I share my experiences with each brand.
-
Recap of Top Chef Season 9 Episode 2 - "The Heat is On"In the second episode of Top Chef season nine, the remaining five slots are filled. Group three's challenge is the toughest one yet as the time available to complete the challenge varies.
-
Autumn's ShadowA poem about the peace of autumn and the impending changes with winter on its heels. -
Walt Whitman, America's Captain of PoetryWalt Whitman was an American poet who conveyed a sense of self acceptance and freethinking through themes that are still relevant today.
-
How I'm Saving for a Tech GadgetA list of a few ways we will save for our newest tech gadget purchase. -
Recap of Top Chef Season 9 Episode 1 - "Everything's Bigger in Texas"The season 9 opener of Top Chef wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped, but I wanted to share some of the moments soon after they happened.
-
Kim Kardashian to Divorce Kris Humphries After 72 Days of MarriageAfter a mere 72 days of marriage, Kim Kardashian is reportedly divorcing basketball player Kris Humphries. -
Considering a Consulting Career?As a professional in the consulting world, I have seen firsthand the pros and cons of working as a consultant. In this article, I have shared some of the pros and cons to help others decide if a career as a consultant is right for them. -
9 Myths About Social Networking and How to Jump Right InSocial networking, or social media, has overtaken the world wide web. In this article, I share some of the myths about social networking in the hopes that others will shed their fears and jump right in.
-
Recap - Episode 2 of Top Chef Masters Season 3In this episode of Top Chef Masters, the chefs were challenged with creating a homemade meatball dish and an updated version of a '60s classic. Read on to see who went home!
-
7 Clever and Easy Ways to Sneak Money into an Emergency FundWe all worry about money and how to save it. In this article, I share some of the ways I've been able to save here and there. -
Recap - Episode 1 of Top Chef Masters Season 3The new season of Top Chef Masters has started! Here's a recap of the first episode, including details about the chefs, winners, and who was sent home.
-
The Honeymoon's Over: How You'll Know when It's Time to Leave a JobJobs can be stressful. How do you know when it's time to leave yours? This article provides some situations in which you may find yourself making the decision to look for a new job.
-
Questions to Ask a Landlord Before RentingAs an experienced renter of properties, I compiled a list of topics to discuss with ar landlord before renting and shared some of my horror stories.
-
Land Your Next Job - 5 Interview Mistakes to AvoidA common sense guide to avoiding mistakes in a job interview.
-
Easy Entertaining - Host a Themed Cookoff PartyWho doesn't love to eat? In this article, I share ideas and themes for hosting an easy and inexpensive cookoff party.
-
Portrait of the University of Northern IowaI graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. I had many great experiences at UNI and wanted to share a few of my reasons for attending.
-
The Bride's Guide to Eating on the Big DayWhen I got married, I made the mistake of downing a pot of coffee in the morning rather than eating. Of course, I got very sick. Make your big day easier by following these tips. -
15 Again - A List of 10 Tips for Navigating the Teenage YearsIt's hard to be a teenager. Here's a list of 10 tips for dealing with the teenage years without melting down. Read if for you, your children, or just because.
-
Worst Travel Experiences in Key WestIn 2008, my husband and I went to Key West to celebrate our honeymoon. While we were there, we had a series of unexpected mishaps that could have ruined the trip (but didn't).
-
Melissa Etheridge to Perform at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines on Saturday, August 14, 2010Melissa Etheridge, iconic female rock star, will perform in Des Moines, Iowa on August 14.
-
Purple Breaking BarriersA haiku about the color purple and the connection among all kinds of people.
-
Jill's Smothered ChickenThis is a healthier recipe for smothered chicken. It's also quick and easy!
-
Don't Want to Be an American Idiot? Buy Green Day: Rock BandThis is a review of Green Day: Rock Band for Xbox 360. -
A Zombie Amongst Real People - PoemA poem about being so tired that you kind of have no clue what's going on or why you're doing anything.
-
Airline Travel Tips: Carry On Vs. Checking BagsIn this article, I describe airline travel tips for decided whether you should carry on or check a bag.
-
Homemade Birthday Gifts: How to Make a Chart Toppers CDIf you want to create a unique, homemade gift for the music-lover in your life, consider making a Chart Toppers CD. -
Stone Temple Pilots New Self-titled Album ReviewStone Temple Pilots, or STP, released a new self-titled album on May 25, 2010. This is the band's first album release since 2001. -
An Unexpected PleaA poem highlighting the importance of apologizing and how an apology may not always be expected.
-
Seasonal AllergyI grew up in the Midwest, surrounded by snow, wind, and ice. This is a short poem about winter, my least favorite season.
-
Eight Things to Avoid on Valentine's DayThis article provides a fun list of things you should avoid doing if you want to create a unique and memorable Valentine's Day.
-
An Update on Life in My WorldAfter a brief absence, I hope to be back up and running with my articles and poetry. This is a brief article about where I've been and what I've been doing.
-
An Iowa Hawkeye's View of the Orange Bowl 2010I've lived Ohio for the past 4 1/2 years, but I still bleed the black and gold of my team, the Iowa Hawkeyes. These pictures are from the Orange Bowl. -
10 Calorie Burning Activities for FallEnjoy these autumn activities for burning off those unwanted calories.
-
A Limerick About WorkingA fun little limerick about the tiresome nature of working.
-
Autumn Leaves in Cincinnati, OhioAutumn is my favorite season and I love capturing pictures as the leaves change colors and fall. -
Touching Dog Story: My Life with Tiffy and the Last Time I Saw HerThis is the story about my first dog and the impact she made on my life. -
Top 6 Humorous Dog MomentsTo celebrate National Dog Day, I wanted to share some of my favorite funny dog stories. -
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Zinzinnati (Cincinnati), Ohio in 2009Maybe you have celebrated Oktoberfest before, but did you know you can enjoy North America's largest Oktoberfest celebration right here in Cincinnati, Ohio? -
A Dog Will Love You Unconditionally - a PoemI wrote this poem because I love dogs and I am always blown away by their loyalty and unconditional love. -
BlankA poem about dealing with a difficult situation and lacking the focus to fully comprehend it.
-
Pregnancy Myths for Determining GenderA fun overview of some common pregnancy myths and how they aren't for real.
-
3 Unique Ways to Get Your Office to Donate to CharityEven in tough times, it is important to help those who are less fortunate. You don't have to donate or raise much money to make a difference. Workplaces have a unique opportunity for donating. -
CoverGirl LipSlicks Cosmetic ReviewI recently tried out CoverGirl LipSlicks lip gloss. In this review, I share my experience with the product. -
Proper Etiquette for Discussing Books and MoviesI was recently stunned by one woman's behavior as she overshared information about the book/movie, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." This is the story.
-
Commonly Misheard Lyrics, or MondegreensSong lyrics are commonly misunderstood. Here is a list of a few of my favorites.
-
Sick Day - a Short PoemA poem about the irony in needing a sick day when we're healthy and needing to rest when we're sick. -
A VisionThis is a haiku about something incorruptable.
-
National Poetry Month - List PoemsA fun little attempt at list poems about the workplace. -
In My TravelsA poem about accepting that other people's lives are not for us to live or choose.
-
Glass Reef Dolphin Encounter and Snorkeling, Key West, Florida - Activity ReviewThe Glass Reef tour of dolphins and snorkeling was one of the best activities I'd ever done on a vacation. I recommend it highly! -
Sloppy Joe's, Key West, Florida - Bar ReviewSloppy Joe's is an entertaining establishment, but after an encounter with poor management, I wouldn't go back. -
Amazon Mechanical TurkAmazon Mechanical Turk offers payments for completing small tasks, called HITs. It's not a scam, but it is unlikely to make much money there.
-
Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers Ziti & Meat Sauce: Food Review:I love pasta. Sometimes, I want to eat a quick, easy and delicious pasta meal at the office. This product fits the bill.
-
Creating an Attendance Policy for Higher Education ClassroomsIf you teach college students, you have a unique challenge ahead of you: creating attendance policies. To make the attendance policy fair to the students and to keep it from causing you headaches, consider these points. -
Cubicle EtiquetteDon't be the annoying office jerk. Avoid doing the items on this list and your co-workers will like you a lot more.
-
Rebounding: Exercise for a Mini TrampolineI enjoy exercising only if I can do something that doesn't bore me. That's why I like rebounding and exercising on a mini trampoline.
-
Weddingstar: Unique and Fun Wedding ProductsIf you want unique and fun wedding supplies, favors, or even personalized items, Weddingstar is for you. -
Preparing to Leave a JobIt can be stressful leaving a job. Follow these tips to make the process easier. -
How to Start on Onboarding ProgramThis article offers a brief description of an onboarding program and tips for development.
-
Technology Review: Microsoft Notebook Optical Mouse 3000This article contains a positive review of a Microsoft wireless mouse. -
Your Workplace Survival KitPack a workplace survival kit so you'll never suffer from bad breath or stinky armpits at the office.
-
3 Things to Consider Before You Start a Small BusinessThis article describes three important aspects of starting a successful business: demand, financing, and a business plan.
-
Christmas DogBecause of the weather, we weren't able to travel for Christmas this year, so I didn't get to take a whole lot of pictures. However, we still took a few of our dog as she opened her presents :-) -
My Biggest New Year's Resolution for 2009: Take Better Care of the PlanetWe can all do more to waste less and to use things more efficiently. I have decided to make this my 2009 resolution. -
Top New Year's Resolutions for Cincinnatians in 2009Cincinnati is a wonderful city with a rich history that is often overlooked. If you are a Cincinnati resident or visitor, make these your Top Resolutions for a New Year in Cincinnati in 2009.
-
Microsoft Power Point Presentation Design TipsUse these tips to create effective presentation slides. -
Creating Effective Quizzes in Corporate TrainingUse these tips to create effective quizzes in the business environment.
-
Jumping Through HoopsA poem about climbing the corporate ladder.
-
Software Review: TurboTax 2006An article about my experience with TurboTax. -
The Only One to Still BelieveA poem that draws different meaning for each reader (so I've heard).
-
EscapeA poem about feeling stuck in any situation.
-
Using Inexpensive and Free Technologies to Stay ConnectedWith our busy and far reaching lives, it can be difficult to stay in touch with family and friends. The abundance of inexpensive and free technology products available can make it much easier to stay connected. -
This Holiday Season, Let's Go the Extra MileLet's take the small amount of extra time it takes to be more considerate of and compassionate toward others instead of brushing by them without a second thought.
-
Vodka Drinks for a New Year's Eve PartyTry one or all of these delicious vodka drinks this New Year's or anytime. -
2008 New Year's Eve Activities in Cincinnati, OhioA brief list of some of Cincinnati's great events for celebrating the new year. -
Three Delicious Sea Salt RecipesSea salt is delicious and great to cook with. This article shares three of my favorite ways to use sea salt. -
Reindogs in Cincinnati's Mount Adams NeighborhoodThe 18th Annual Reindog Parade will take place in Mount Adams on December 13, 2008. -
In a Child's EyesA poem about the innocence and wonder of chidren.
-
Christmas Tree Shopping - Should You Buy a Real or Artificial Tree?Helpful tips for choosing your Christmas tree. -
What Christmas Means to MeSome musings about Christmas in my world.
-
Homemade and Inexpensive Christmas Gag GiftsHave some fun with this gag gifts.
-
CycleA poem about how we live out each day.
-
Recipe Substitues for Thanksgiving FavoritesThe Thanksgiving holiday usually brings about many delicious recipes and the tendency to overeat. You can still gorge yourself on food, but if you are looking for ways to make delicious alternatives... -
Christmas Poem: A Wish for Hopeful TimesA simple poem about Christmas and the holiday season.
-
Thanksgiving Poem - Reaching Out to Share This DayA poem about giving thanks, Thanksgiving, and spreading the warmth to others
-
Autumn ChangeA simple poem about autumn and the changes that take place each fall -
EscapeA poem about feeling trapped in any situation
-
Nature's HeartbeatA poem about listening to Nature
-
Connected to the ComputerA poem about using a computer. -
The Night SkyA poem about differing viewpoints
-
Tips for Grading Papers Without Scaring Off Your StudentsThere is an art to grading papers. If you follow a few simple guidelines, you will encourage your students to succeed instead of scaring them away from writing. -
Adult Halloween Party PlanningWhile many adults only associate Halloween with children and candy, Halloween can also be a freakishly fun time for the young at heart. -
Dealing with Negative Feedback from Students or TraineesIn the position of a teacher or trainer, you are constantly being evaluated, whether you like it or not. This article discusses some of the common excuses for not wanting to accept or learn from negative feedback.
-
Grilled Chicken Oscar - Delicious and Easy RecipeA recipe I use to make grilled chicken oscar. It's quite delicious.
-
Halloween Acrostic PoemAn acrostic poem written about the Halloween celebration.
-
Great TV and Movie Theme Songs for HalloweenCheck out this list of theme songs from TV shows and movies. It's spooktacular...muwahaha! -
10 Creepy, Scary, and Entertaining Halloween SongsI wanted to share a Halloween song playlist with some song titles and artists that you may not have considered for your listening or party planning pleasure.
-
Political Limerick: It's Time to Move OnAn anti-McCain/Palin political limerick.
-
We Call Upon a New LeaderA poem about these uncertain times and our call to a new leader
-
Lessons of LifeA poem about the lessons we learn throughout our lives.
-
Shiny ObjectsA poem about lightning bugs
-
A Shadow UnprotectedA poem about sorting through loss and accepting life for what it is
-
Teaching a Writing Class: A Reflective Analysis Tool for Your StudentsThere are many people out there who would rather get a root canal than write a paper. However, writing skills are so important for us to develop. In this article, I share a reflective analysis tool for writing students.
-
Silk Flowers - A Modern and Inexpensive Centerpiece for Your Dining Room TableYou don't need a huge, expensive dining room table to want one that looks nice. With a simple mix of silk flowers and candles, you can create a fun and romantic atmosphere (without spending much money). -
Renting a Practice Space for Your BandSimple tips for getting the most out of your practice space. -
Starting OverA poem about starting over and the new journey that follows.
-
How to Seek Treatment for an Eating Disorder in CollegeThis article examines some of the common reasons why young adults struggle with eating disorders and body images; it also includes suggestions for seeking out treatment. -
Healthy Halloween Recipes: Festive and Fun EntertainingFor most kids, a big part of Halloween revolves around candy and costumes. For most parents, there is still the concern about nutrition and health. How can you offer some delicious, yet healthy foods to offset the overly sugared treats? -
5 Things You Should Never Wear to Work - Even on Casual FridaysThere are just some clothing items that don't belong in the office.
-
2008 U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team Review: How Did the Team Captain Affect Their Performance?The U.S. women's gymnastics team won the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Many teams would be thrilled to earn the silver medal, but it can be a tough pill to swallow for a team who was clearly able to win the gold and had it within reach.
-
Tips for Cooking with Sea SaltGreat ways to use sea salt and pitfalls to avoid. -
The Best Cold Cheese Sandwich RecipeIf you like cheese but you're tired of the same old grilled cheese sandwich, why not try a cold cheese sandwich with fresh veggies?
-
Tips for Renting a Recording StudioIf you have a band and you want to record an album, make sure you get your money's worth by following these tips. -
Choosing the Best WordPress TemplateWordPress offers many easy-to-use tools along with professional, yet fun-looking design templates. This is a list of my favorite templates and tips for choosing the best design for your own blog. -
Bright White PaperA poem about the power and satisfaction of writing.
-
Inspiration and ScribblesA poem about the act of writing
-
The Rat RaceA poem about slowing down and appreciating life.
-
Presidential Polls in OhioOhio historically has been known as a swing state and generally ends up voting for the winner. Who will we choose this election year? -
Festive Appetizers: Quick, Easy, and Delicious RecipesGood appetizers are always a crowd pleaser. You don't have to slave away in the kitchen for hours to make great food.
-
Ugly Talent and Modeling AgencyOn the August 8, 2008 episode of the Today show, Al Roker interviewed Simon Rogers, the owner of the New York talent and modeling agency called Ugly.
-
Oh Thesis, My ThesisA poem about the painstaking process of writing a thesis.
-
Costuming Your Play: Creative Ideas that Won't Break the BankA school or community play can be a very exciting (and potentially expensive) undertaking. If you want your actors to be confident and to look professional without breaking the bank, consider some of the following ideas. -
Your Wedding Day: Chill Out and Enjoy ItYour wedding day should be one of the happiest days of your life, and it can be if you let it.
-
Product Review: CoverGirl Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream FoundationA positive product review of CoverGirl's Advanced Radiance Foundation.
-
How to Deal with a Jealous Co-WorkerIf you've ever felt the glaring eyes of jealousy upon you at work, this article is for you. -
How to Avoid Becoming a Jealous Co-WorkerIt frustrates and upsets you when someone sends it your direction, so why return the favor? -
Taste of Blue Ash: Neighborhood Event with Big EntertainmentBlue Ash, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio, will host the Taste of Blue Ash from Friday, August 22-Sunday, August 24. Local and national music, food, and games will be available. -
Building a Gazebo: Best Materials to Use and Things to Consider Before You BuildBuilding a gazebo is a fun and fulfilling activity. Whether you are building it to serve a one-time, specific purpose or to entertain your guests for years to come, your gazebo will be a functional and aesthetic masterpiece. -
RainA poem about the positive and intriguing elements of rain.
-
Wondering Up in the SkyA short poem about drifting into the clouds and contemplating life. -
Where to Find Information on How to Be a Contestant on Your Favorite Reality TV ShowGael Fashingbauer Cooper at MSNBC wrote an article that contains links and information for trying out for today's most popular reality TV shows. I added in my take on whether or not I'd apply for any of them.
-
Kraft's New Ranch DressingRanch dressing is one of the most popular salad dressings in the U.S. People's taste buds may differ when it comes to determining the best brand, but I can tell you which one isn't the best...
-
Getting Back to My Easygoing WaysThese are just ramblings about how I've realized that life is too short to worry about what other people think. It's not really edited or proofread...just written. -
The Views in CincinnatiA few pictures of different areas in Cincinnati -
Mt. Adams Music Festival on Saturday, August 9!Mt. Adams, one of Cincinnati's premier suburbs, will host the Mt. Adams Music Festival this weekend. Come enjoy some music, food, and drinks.
-
ConfusingPoem about getting your message, your point across.
-
Women: Remember to Live for YourselfIn the race of life, women are consistently running marathons. In the attempt to prove to everyone that we can handle anything, we end up doing everything. Learn to live for you again. -
Bridesmaid Dresses at David's BridalWhen I got married, I looked high and low for dresses that fit the style of our wedding without costing a fortune. I ended up going with David's Bridal. While the dresses looked great, there were a few details that left something to be desired.
-
Technical Communication MetaphorsOne of the professional writing assignments I completed in college was to read an essay and develop a metaphor to explain some aspect of the field of communication. As a technical writer, I decided to connect the field of technical communication to a cloud.
-
Deceiving CameraThe camera may catch a snapshot, but none of the meaning behind each moment.
-
Glue Your Eyes to the TelevisionA poem about being a spectator in your own life, being sucked in by the tv as a way to avoid real problems, being wasteful and greedy.
-
Wedding Flowers: They Don't Have to Be Real or Really ExpensiveIn this article, I describe the combination of flowers I used at my wedding. They looked great and saved money. I hope the article and the pictures generate ideas for others.
-
Estelle Getty and the Golden GirlsEstelle Getty, an accomplished actress, passed away on July 22. In this article, I list a couple of my favorite Golden Girls moments. A recent post listed one of the characters from the show incorrectly, so I briefly pointed that out, too.
-
Using Humor as a Teaching ToolI wrote this while I was teaching college-level business writing and technical writing classes. I believe the use of appropriate humor can improve not only the atmosphere in the classroom, but also enhance the learning experience.
