Completely agree with your post. Don't bring sm

Absolutely agree [2008-12-03]
I say screw everyone else including your husband if he decides the wedding is more important than the graduation. Personally I would leave it in my husband's hands to respond appropriately. As my husband likes to tell people, it's easier for him NOT to tick off his wife. lol and if they continue to act this way toward you, I would NOT send them a gift or even try to make it to the wedding/reception/or anything else.

Understand completely (see message) [2008-12-03]
This time of year is sad, canHospice or nursing home,you can Anything is minute compared to this disease, cutting off your fingers would be easier! Never smoked but transcribed a university study on it, some buried their butts, froze them, couldn't quit. So I am on a mission, I guess! There has to be a better way, I do have compassion but passion to help others see the reality of what it does to you.

Great post - my DH has cut off 100% of his sm [2008-12-02]
hateful family, 2 sisters, both parents, everyone. They were abusive when he was younger; they treated me crappy too when I came into the family; and in his 40s he finally said Enough. This may be extreme but we live out of state and they do not have our phone #s or address, nothing. He has chosen to cut them out completely b/c they were toxic and bad for his mental health.

Gotta agree with the point about smoking! (sm) [2008-12-02]
I hated it when I was a kid and everywhere you went was smoke-filled. I am so glad that there are rules about it now, although I do think some places go a little overboard with things like no smoking on the premises at all, etc.

Great post! nm [2008-12-01]
xx

I agree with Stardust and Deb...... [2008-12-01]
your sisters are toxic and you need to let them go. Even though they are family, there is no reason why you have to put up with that crap. When people take away your happiness knowingly, it is time to let go. It sounds as though you have done all you could and things obviously are not going to get better. Keep your relationship with your older sister but cut ties with the others. I have an aunt who is like that. Unfortunately she is 80 so because of that, I try to suck it up but it is so hard. If she were younger, I would have cut all communication long ago. She is abusive, insults me at every chance, etc. Funny how I am the only one who calls her every two days and goes up to see her all the time. When I call or go up, it is very stressful. I know what you are dealing with and no one should have to feel inadequate at the expense of another person.

Yes, this post is very true...sm [2008-12-01]
She claims to love her cats but she can be very mean to them. She constantly screams and swears at them. I wouldn She was one of the select chosen and with her narcissistic personality, she will absolutely refuse togive up her weekend at the cabin because she has no one to feed her animals while she is gone. She would rather see them starve.

Agree. IMO, the people who took the door sm [2008-11-30]
off the hinges should be charged with involuntary manslaughter. Hope the security cameras got a good shot of those SOBs. I read that other workers tried to help the poor trampled man and they also got hurt. Think of how much business these stores would get if they offered such bargains for a longer period. Greed is an evil thing.

I agree with you 100%! [2008-11-29]
Christmas has become this commercialized that people have forgotten the meaning. As for the stores, I think they need to come up with a better idea than allowing these people to wait for hours outside for their bargains which only happen that one day. This is why people get so uptight. I personally don't do Black Friday just for this reason. I think my family would appreciate having me around for Christmas, not having my funeral.

i agree not to lie, but allow the fairy tale!! [2008-11-27]
i always asked questions -- like really? you don't think there is a santa claus?? etc. Its fun for the imagination. My grown daughter now tells how she used to listen for the reindeer's footsteps on the roof -- and one night she thought she heard them!! Its a fun thing. But no, i never lied. If you EVER lie to your children, they will always question your honesty in a sensitive matter.

How did it turn out, what did you bring??? [2008-11-27]
Love to know!

Yes, will you post the recipe please? [2008-11-25]
I think I know kind of what you are talking about, but I don't think the ones I am thinking of have peanur butter in them, so I would love the recipe! Thanks

Agree with old part-timer [2008-11-25]
what's done is done. Is it worth the argument? He won't understand. Get it back, talk to him and let him know next time you would appreciate if he asked you first or asked them to come back when you are home. I would even ask him how he would like you to proceed which such a request of his things in his absence. He may not admit it but I bet he'll think about it later. If you are going to argue about something, make sure its worth the strain on your marriage.

I agree and when you do get it back [2008-11-24]
hide it! HAHA! No one can find to lend it out ever again!

Agree with OP [2008-11-24]
Whew, this hit a nerve with me! My last guy thought everything we owned (that I bought) was community property. Anything anybody lacked, mine was theirs for the taking - be it my food, yard tools, my car, my cell phone, anything at all. He My most unforgettable time was when he whined and begged until I charged him a $500 tool set on my credit card. Within a week he had loaned the entire set to a brand new acquaintance, and gee, wow, someone stole it from THEM. Of course, if Ihave a problem withthis I am just a selfish B who doesn OK, so be it - I'm not a charity for every mooch he meets just so HE can look like a nice guy. Those of you who think that possessions mean nothing, perhaps they don But it gives you no right to think mine mean nothing to ME. Nobody else has a clue what sacrifices I might have made to afford my possessions, or how much sentimental value they may hold, or how difficult they may be to replace. Some of the old junk I own was handmade by my grandparents! IMHO, its a violation of trust to sneak something out of the house owned by someone you love and put it in the hands of strangers. Whose feelings SHOULD matter more? The needy stranger? The wanna-be Mr. Generous? Or the OWNER of the item? OP, your husband needs a wake up call. Take something that has great emotional value to him and hide it - the harder to replace, the better. When he finds it missing, tell him you loaned it to someone you barely know because you felt the need to appear magnanimous, and you KNEW he wouldn I think that should get the message across, and if it doesn't repeat it as many times as necessary.

You missed the point of my post [2008-11-24]
The only things she chose to complain about were nitpicky things -- what they serve for dinner. Most kids don Last time I checked PBJ and yogurt were pretty healthy. Her GS has ADHD. He isnbehave on command. Any MT would know that. First she complains because they don Instead of criticizing her kids, she should be trying to help the situation. Did she hit a nerve with me? Absolutely. My parenting skills are always being critiqued. From the time my oldest son was old enough to eat until about the age of 6, I had to pack PBJ everywhere we went. He refused to eat anything else. Was it because I didn It was because that My other child has ODD -- oppositional defiant disorder. Is it because I didn No, it I have 2 other children who are not like this. They were all raised in the same house under the same rules. I am constantly berated by my father for not cracking the whip on him and by my mother for being too strict. It Then after upsetting DS or DD, you can go back home and not be the one who on top of your feelings of inadequacy now has to deal with a difficult child. I could see if it the OP said the children were malnourished or not cleaned and clothed properly, but she She

I was up last night but missed your post [2008-11-23]
So I was up last night at that time but missed your post. I see you are on PST, where are you located? I am in the Seattle area. I guess you could call me a Goth MT as well : )

Bring ads from other stores. Most pricematch..sm. [2008-11-22]
So you donThus eliminating running all over town in a mad rush. All you have to do is get to the sale item at that store first before it It makes it sooo much easier and a lot less stressful. I hope I worded that so it makes sense. I'm tired. Or, get together the day before with a few other people who are going.Each of you is designated a different store and picks up what the others want at their designated store. Then meet for breakfast afterwards to exchange the purchases as well as horror/humor storiesfrom theadventures.Thus, again, eliminating the rushing from one place to another. I think I I heard you can do that for theblack friday sales and some store will even let you buy online and pick up at the store. (later, after the rush and madness is over!) Forthe virgin poster, beware, some people can be downright mean, nasty,rude and even violentthat morning. Seriously.Oh, and NEVER leave your cart unattended if you were lucky enough to getone of the limtedamounts per store items. People will literally take them right out of your cart if you And keep your purse in sight at all times. If you bring a purse, have it hang in front of you and not on your side. I like to just keep my money and/or credit card tucked snugly in my front pocket of my jeans and not even bother with a purse.

agree with the clean up, and remove programs not used. sm [2008-11-21]
research the computer site, like dell, etc. sometimes they have forums, questions and answer areas. sometimes they offer fixes if it was a company glitch. but first get your ducks in a row by defragmenting and freeing up space.

I agree with all of the above. sm [2008-11-21]
You are younger than you think. Also, I do not agree with the 2nd BOS but I do read their foolish rules, and especially learn the dosages, etc. That is the only worthwhile change that is important. I think you would do great working on your own with your own accounts as you have a lot of years ahead to work, but either way, you will do well. Some of these tests are ridiculous,so don't feel bad about them as they are looking for low-rate compensation and I found SOME of those in supervisory positions, only some, don't know what they're doing. Some of them are not true transcriptionists. So don't be discouraged, there is something out there for you. Don't settle for less, it's not you - it's the way the industry is right now and many are being taken advantage of. Be choosy, don't work for less than you're worth. You can do it! Watch out for those who may try to take advantage of you though - there are some money-grabbing numb nuts out there running these companies. Be choosy who you trust. Trust yourself! Good luck! {{ }}

Oh do I agree with you....sm [2008-11-21]
and he looks like he just plain out enjoys whatever job he is doing. Did you see the one with the alligators in LA? He almost lost his family jewels. LOL. He is as hyper as Ty Pennington.

Agree with poster below that [2008-11-20]
you need to get out of that situation, especially after reading what you son said. He is being damaged, and I have seen firsthand what that damage can do to you as an adult. Dysfunctional doesn't begin to describe it. Take action ASAP. I wish you the best of luck, I know it isn't easy.

I agree with the posters below. [2008-11-20]
You need to move closer to family and see a doctor. You can also find the local social services department and they will provide free medications for 6 months. you will have to see one of their doctors but and fill out some paperwork but that's the only catch. Depression is higher around the holidays. The weather, finances, family, on top of every day stresses can be overwhelming. Being in this antisocial job doesn't help either. I have often thought of getting something a few days a week just to get out of the house. I think it would do anyone good. Know that things could always be worse and they will get better. Your grandson is young, he doesnwhere as this is a common occurrence in kids. I thought it was only my child but since have found many others are the same. Keep your head up and do what you can. It's ok to cry and vent to others. Don't keep it all bottled up inside. You will be surprised to find who your true friends and family are when you open up and really need them.

Agree with below, don't bottle it up sm [2008-11-20]
I tend to do this also and ended up with shingles at the age of 14 and again at age 34 last year due to stress. Meeting new people as suggested by others is a great idea. If you want, trying visiting a local church. This is one of the things that helped me the most since I started going again. The socialization alone has been almost as good for me as the messages.

In relation to the grocery shopping post, let's talk eating out [2008-11-18]
We eat out for dinner once a week (usually on Friday nights when my husband gets back into town) and then usually end up eating lunch out on Saturdays and maybe even Sundays (fast food). I/We really need to cut this expense from our budget or at least just greatly reduce it! Would love your suggestions. How often do you eat out and what is the average you spend per meal? For those of you who donfeel like cooking, serving, and cleaning up? My husband won't cook unless it's to grill (too cold to do that now) and then my son is okay to help clear the table some but not to actually rinse the dishes, wash pots and pans, etc.

i didnt mean to come off harsh [2008-12-04]
i just dont understand and that is simply because i have never been a smoker I dont think anyone should ever start because it is addictive and I am aware of that, but there are also other ways to quit. i just was saying it doesn't sound like you really care.... which is completely your choice.

lol sounds like my MIL [2008-12-04]
My MIL was pissy this year too. Apparently because I got off of work (due to no jobs) and we arrived an hour early to spend extra time with them. She was mad at me. I thought it was a good thing!? We have always gotten along as well but I have come to realize I just tolerate her and move on. Itstuck in the kitchen and feels left out. Of course she says this to her children. I always offer and more than once but I have come to realize if I just step in and do it won't be right regardless. She doesn't talk to any of her own kids that way even though I know for a fact my husband does things very different from the way she does. Somehow she doesn't notice with him but alarms go off when it's me. She also hates to allow me to make anything to bring for dinner. I am martha-stewart-ish and she is the pull a pie out of the box type of person so I think it intimidates her or something. It's just the way I am and I enjoy doing things from scratch and old fashioned, plus I like to know what I am feeding my kids. I usually ask but just bring stuff along because I know it is the right thing to do and forget about the rest. She talks nice to the other DIL in her presence but the moment she turns her back she bad-mouths her. A few people recently have told me she does the same to me (Imom any more. I feel for her but dang, I will be glad to relinquish the dinner reins to my DIL or SIL so I can just sit around and play with grandkids some day!

We just bought a new mattress - sm [2008-12-04]
It's a Sealy. Can't recall exactly which one but lower end on the price bracket. I think it was about 1000.00 for the mattress and box springs. We had one of those air beds for a long time and I will never ever recommend one of those. My husband also has back problems and needed a comfy mattress so he wanted that number bed thing. It was horrible. I would wake up with lower back pain that would stick with me half the day. His pain was worse too. Not to mention the fact that his side of the bed sprung a leak so after about the first year or so, there was no adjusting it to a comfort zone. Had to pump it all the way up and by morning, it was completely flat and he was laying in a hole inside the foam frame. It was cheaply made, uncomfortable, and a HUGE rip off. Go for a Sealy, it's worth it. I'm loving it.

Pet peeve [2008-12-03]
Know what I hate? E-cards! I mean if someone can't bother buying an actual birthday or anniversary card, don't bother sending some lame e-card. I'll stick with the post office on that one. As far as cell phones, I don't know of ANYONE whose cell is better than their land line! I'd love to get hold of that Verizon Can You Hear Me Now guy - I could drag him around to a dozen areas near me where he wouldn't be hearing anyone!

Am I the Wicked Step-Mother? [2008-12-02]
I know I don't post here much but I do read and feel you are all friends. I offer prayers for those that request them and feel for those with troubles. I would like to know what you think about my latest dilemma. I came home from town today to find a phone call from my step-daughter, age 43. She has my cell phone number but for some reason she wonno this time and now I feel terrible. She started out by saying she had a medical bill to pay and then turned it around to a DUI fine that has to be paid by Jan. 1. She got picked up in August for a tail light out and had been drinking with co-workers. Her story. I was advised by the court not to help her so that was part of the reason I said no. She works two part-time waitressing jobs. She's divorced and no kids. She said she would pay me back $100 a month. If that is true why couldn't she have saved $100 a month and had the money to pay the fine? She called me a few weeks ago and I know she wanted money then but she didn't come right out and ask until today. Thanks for listening, I appreciate it.

Great post - my DH has cut off 100% of his sm [2008-12-02]
hateful family, 2 sisters, both parents, everyone. They were abusive when he was younger; they treated me crappy too when I came into the family; and in his 40s he finally said Enough. This may be extreme but we live out of state and they do not have our phone #s or address, nothing. He has chosen to cut them out completely b/c they were toxic and bad for his mental health.

Things you never thought would still exist [2008-12-02]
1) Pirates. 2) The threat of nuclear war. 3) Polio. (Yup, it's still out there....) 4) Cars that guzzle gas, (and they keep on building 'em!) 5) Gas. 6) Racial discrimination and homophobia. 7) Still no cure for the common cold. 8) The dinosaur also known as - the Post Office. 9) Liquid Paper. (But I'm sure glad it's still here!) 10) Telephone poles (and the land lines that go with them). 11) Spam. (The so-called 12) Use-once-and-throw-away rocket boosters for Space Shuttle launches. (Why can't those things just take off from a runway and fly up to space by themselves?) 13) California condors in the wild. Also wolves, bears and mountain lions. I'm glad they're still here, too. 14) Dog-fighting, cock-fighting, bullfights, etc. Barbaric. 15) Terrorism. That's all getting pretty old. 16) Bank tellers. 17) The corporateglass ceiling for women, and gender-based pay discrepancy.Yup, stillthere. 18) Destruction of the Earth's natural environment, pollution, etc. 19) Runaway, uncontrolled human population growth. I wonder when someone's finally going to figure out that #18 will never be solved unless we do something about #19. 20) Plastic bags, styrofoam food packaging and coffee-cups, throw-away diapers, etc. Why are they still here? ....... and so the list goes on and on, but I have to get back to work. So, add YOUR list of things you though would've disappeared by now!

Heartily disagree with some of those... [2008-12-02]
I love the post office. For 42 cents, they will take my card or letter all the way across the US, to Alaska or Hawaii! I think it's the greatest bargain going. (And, no, I don't know anyone who works for the post office.) Secondly, I would NEVER give up my land line on my telephone. Try dealing with a few conversations getting choppy and incomprehensible on a cell. Cell phones have their place, but their quality is pretty poor compared to that line stretched on the poles.

family origins [2008-12-02]
Mother's side English and German, although rumored Irish. Father's side completely German, PA Dutch language, if you will. Can't speak it though because he and his brother used to tell dirty jokes in PA Dutch when I was small and they didn't want me to know what they were saying, so I was never taught the language. My ex's family was Ukranian and Irish/Cherokee tribe. Now there's a mix. LOL

are you talking about [2008-12-02]
the graduation party being the night of graduation? HOW COMPLETELY RUDE for the sis-in-law to say that! The wedding date isn't set yet, its not YOUR fault if they decide that month that weekend, etc! How selfish of her to send that nasty e-mail! I'm so sorry! Graduation is a big deal, they can get married any day, any time of year, graduation is not any time of the year. If they set it on that weekend AFTER you already sent the save-the-date email, that would make me feel they are being selfish too. I'm sorry you're having such a bah-humbug time of year!!

favorite new inventions [2008-12-02]
Dish Network Sirius Radio (no commercials) Anti-smoking legislation (can you believe we used to smoke in the grocery store and movie theater?) 100 choices of shampoo that smells good. Debit Cards Dishwashers I agree internet turned out to be much cooler than I thought it would be.

To Backward Typist regarding Heat Surge [2008-12-02]
You wanted me to post when I got my first electric bill after having the heater. It was used for the full month of the billing cycle and my bill went down $10. I run it from around midnight until 8 or 9 am, sometimes I will run it more if I'm to lazy to start a fire and its not that cold outside.

These 10 things definitely ain't right: [2008-12-01]
1) MTSOs who want people with top-notch skills and experience, but don't want to pay them what that skill is worth. 2) HMO's: So-called *health-maintenance-organizations* --yet they spend every minute and every dime of their far-too-large profits on denying healthcare, meds and procedures to their patients. These organizations have ruined American healthcare, and many American lives. HMO's have been a con-game since their inception. 3) The Bailouts: Giving money to companies who can too bad for the rest of you.* Then the Big Three show up in DC to beg for a handout, and fly there in private Lear jets. My answer to them would be, *I too bad for the rest of you.* 4) Apartment managers that won't allow even a single quiet, well-behaved pet, but will rent to people with continually screaming small children, and out-of-control older children and teens. Give me the pets for neighbors, ANY day. 5) Businesses that give an age-discount to absolutely everything that walks, runs or flies, but not to the middle-aged middle-class, who need it the most. Take the ski-industry: Young children ski for next-to-nothing, and sometimes nothing. There is a Teen Discount. There is a Student Discount for college kids. There I'll probably never be old enough - it's a carrot-on-a-stick, always just out of reach.) There are even corporate (UGH) discounts. But for those in my age group, who barely make ends meet but like to go up once a year for a couple days of bliss, there is NOTHING. 6) Travel-lodging deals that are always based on double or quadruple occupancy. What about singles? NOTHING. 7) TV commercials that are about a million decibels louder than the regular shows. Why can't it all be the same volume? Same with online newscasts. THEIR commercials will blow your eardrums out if you aren't quick enough turning down the volume before they start. 8) Surround-sound: Everything is too loud, already! Why do we need it coming at us from 4 directions? Why do people living in tiny apartments feel they need it? I've lost count of how many fights I've had with neighbors over this issue. Same with movies and music concerts. Why do they feel we need to feel the music in our SPLEENS? I went to Universal Amphitheater last week. (Now named something else). There is actually a sign outside warning that the decibel level inside might damage your hearing! (?!?!?!) Why do they need this? (To avoid lawsuits, obviously). If it's so loud you have to post a warning sign outside the entrance, then DUH.... it's TOO LOUD! 9) Banks that charge you a fee to use their ATM. They (I haven't actually been INSIDE a bank in YEARS).... and they want to charge US for using the machines instead of the tellers? Forget it. I won't give those banks my business. 10) The Post Office: Talk about rewarding slow, inept performance! The worse their employees are, the longer they seem to stay there. I'd rather have a root canal than go to a P.O. during the holiday season.

The update on kitty - sm [2008-11-30]
I have been overthere at various times of the day and making sure I was there at the regular times I had seen him previously (sometimes 4 times in a single day!) and have not seen him again. I have waited in my car for him and gotten out to call *kitty.* I still have the carrier in my car and I am ready to bring him home. I have put out 2 cans of really yummy canned food over there for him, but they have gone untouched. I sure hope the little guy is okay. I will continue towatch outfor him!

family secrets [2008-11-30]
My mother blackmails my sister that she will tell her secrets to her new husband. If you love your husband, let it go and if you refuse to let it go, make sure you consider the source as more trustworthy than your husband before you bring it up.

we don't exchange gifts either [2008-11-29]
We stopped exchanging gifts about 30 years ago. When my husband and I first approached the subject, we met with some resistance, but we stood our ground and said we would not be buying gifts. My husband is the oldest in a family of 7. By the time they all married and had children, the number could have been quite staggering to buy for. I was a surprise baby, my sisters being greater than 11 years older than I am, so when they began their families I was too young to buy anything to buy for them and so never started doing so. Now both of our families agree the holidays are much more enjoyable without the stress of the gift buying, worrying about what to get, how much, will the like it, can I afford it, etc., etc. The true gift of Christmas is the love we feel for our families and all we ask is time with them, and everyone agrees on this. We usually bake or take small treats to the families are who have misfortune of spending Christmas at the Ronald McDonald House in our city due to the illness of a child. Often the other kids in the family (the healthy ones) get lost in the shuffle of caring for a child with cancer. There is no gift one can give as great as giving and bringing joy to a family in such a situation. Anyway, my point is that there may be others in the family who will feel the same way, that it is just too stressful, and you may find that they will appreciate the holidays much more if the gift stress is taken out of the equation. I should add here, I do buy something for my own children but usually one or two things and my grandchildren because, after all, Santa still comes (!) and I do think Christmas gift giving is for children. Watching my little ones open is a gift a truly a fun thing to do and makes me happy. I do ask my kids not to buy for me or my husband because they have young families and can't afford the extra money. I have always told them I would rather they spend time with me any day then go out and buy a gift.

I feel exactly the same way. [2008-11-29]
When my siblings and I started having kids, we agreed not to buy for each other's families. That has worked out fine. This year, we have NO money. Even though we still have our same jobs, it seems like more money is going out than is coming in. I don't quite understand where the money is going myself, try explaining that to family. I would just like to completely forget Christmas this year. I would even volunteer to work to get out of it. Don't feel bad about being bitter. I find myself getting tired of having no money and having to explain why we can't do the things we used to do all the time. I've started preparing the kids for Christmas, telling them it is going to be real skimpy around here. They are old enough to understand but whether they believe me is another thing.

Has society become this bad and why [2008-11-29]
I saw the post down below about the Wal-Mart worker. Here is a new article that just came out (link below). The police are now looking at video surveillance to see who trampled this poor worker to death. Personally I hope they find all responsible and prosecute them to the fullest. It doesn I like their store just fine, it is what society is doing to people that nobody even bothered to stop and help this person. I grew up in the 60s/70s in a small town in New England. Maybe I'm old fashioned but my parents/grandparents taught me better than this. I just can And for what? Getting a Christimas item? This is one of many reasons why I do my Christmas shopping (what very little I do) online and gift cards. I think the traditions of the big shopping day the day after Thanksgiving should go away. I really donlove thy neighbor, not trample, bite, and spit at them so you can grab that item. (BTW - you can shop online at Walmart too). I think to myself that I thought the spirit of Christmas was supposed to celebrate Christ. Oh yeah, I'm sure he is so proud of people like those who harm others and cause death so they can get what they want. I hope those guilty are sitting at home worrying about whether or not their face is going to show up on the video camera. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081129/D94OJ4NG0.html

Thanksgiving [2008-11-29]
1939 to 1940 Abraham Lincoln href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Roosevelt>Franklin D. Roosevelt broke with this tradition. November had five Thursdays that year, and Roosevelt declared the fourth Thursday as Thanksgiving rather than the fifth one. In 1940, in which November had four Thursdays, he declared the third one as Thanksgiving. Although many popular histories state otherwise, he made clear that his plan was to establish it on the next-to-last Thursday in the month instead of the last one. With the country still in the midst of The Great Depression, Roosevelt thought an earlier Thanksgiving would give merchants a longer period to sell goods before Christmas. Increasing profits and spending during this period, Roosevelt hoped, would help bring the country out of the Depression. At the time, advertising goods for Christmas before Thanksgiving was considered inappropriate.

Martha Stewart's recipe [2008-11-28]
I'm sure you can look it up on her website. I have her cookbook and have been using her recipe for years! It's not fool proof, as I have found that fresh eggs don't peel as well but do peel a little better if I use her method and I NEVER get that green ring or the dot of slimy uncooked egg when I use her recipe. It's very simple too. I wish I knew it exactly from memory but I don't - the closest that I can come is this (though if you want to try it I would pull her recipe and not use mine from memory lol) Start eggs in cold water. Put on the stove. Bring to a boil. Heavily salt the water (1-2 tablespoons for a normal sized 1 quart sauce pan). Cook 7 minutes. Turn heat off and let stand for 5 minutes. Place into ice water. Peel under running water. Then you can store them peeled with wet paper towel in a zip top baggie or platic tightly covered dish for a few days if needed.

I feel for the family as well.... [2008-11-28]
Gosh I guess even WalMart isn That ought to bring on a hefty law suit against WalMart - hmmm... I really think Black Friday shopping is overrated anyway. All of that stuff is on sale at any time of the year. It For goodness sakes.

This is what thanksgiving is all about...a must read [2008-11-28]
At turkey time last year, Monique White was unemployed, living in a cramped motel room and pining for the Thanksgivings of her childhood, when dozens of people would gather for a holiday feast. Today a receptionist at a dentist's office, she has a townhouse in Littleton, Colo. And, thanks to an Internet posting, a list of Thanksgiving dinner guests � strangers all � who will help her eat nine turkeys, four hams, 16 boxes of stuffing and a dozen or so pies. How did this happen? White, 36, was feeling a bit lonesome a week ago; her two sons were planning to spend the holiday with their father. And though her longtime partner, Doug White, would be there for her on Thanksgiving, she longed to be surrounded by many more people. So she posted invitations on Craigslist, the Internet classifieds site. In part, one read: Maybe you are someone who is new in town and doesn She figured four folks, maybe five would answer. But then the replies poured in: People laid off from work. People with no family. People ashamed to bring their children to a Thanksgiving dinner at a soup kitchen. I thought: There White says. In all, 32 people are expected for dinner. When White's boss heard what she was doing, he offered to pay for the food. Then a local hotel offered to provide tables and chairs. Then a professional magician said he would like to perform for the kids. Certainly a far cry from Thanksgiving 2007, White says. Last year it was just us two. It was horrible. Doug White has been busy baking turkeys, putting one in the oven as soon as another comes out. People need to stop being so worried about me, me, me, my bills, my life, he says. You stop worrying, and look what happens?

my mom would stash paper towels and - sm [2008-11-27]
toilet paper. When she died I counted 86 rolls of TP and about 30 paper towels, also about 15 boxes each of zip lock bags, quart, gallon, freezer bags. My dad and I divvied it all up between him, me and my two brothers. If it was on sale at the store my mom bought it. Had about 18 pounds of butter in the refrigerator too, as well as cheese, and about 80 packs of Hershey chocolates (they were hidden in a closet). Was a bit OC on the TP and PT though, and every night she would check all the doors to make sure they were locked at least 4 x before she would go to bed. Always made enough food that is for sure. My MIL goes either one way or the other, we never know until we get there though. No snacks so it if is a sparse dinner then we end up going home hungry and stopping on the way to get something, or the kids fill up on the dessert I bring. Stayed home this year though, and my BIL is cooking for them this year, and I cooked for us.

My plan - sm [2008-11-26]
Thank you all who responded. Yes, I definitely want to bring him to my house. I guess I just needed some others who love animals to reassure me. :-) I am going to see if he is there this afternoon and how he reacts when I pet him and if I think I can get him in a carrier by myself. Oh, and do not worry - he will DEFINITELY be neutered ASAP. That is not even an option for my cats! I will keep you updated. Thanks again, everyone! :-)

just go, forget this child play and really, really enjoy ---- [2008-11-26]
yourself without him. He'll change his tune. If you allow this behavior and kiss pratt for it - you'll have to do that whatever and whenever the whim suits him. agree with other poster - he he can't put himself aside for a couple of hours for your sake and the sake of the whole family...then it is he the problem.