How many times does this have

DD has had this 3 times sm [2008-06-23]
and each time a different diagnosis. First thought to be a swollen lymph node (from cat scratch) and put on antibiotics. Second times many months later was thought to be a cyst and put on antibiotics. A year later again, was told it was MRSA and put on antibiotics. Each time it went away and since the last time in Feb. hasn't not returned. Still don't know for sure exactly what it was but antibiotics did the trick every time.

the last few times I was in our local [2008-05-09]
all the people working the windows were pushing the 'forever' stamps, telling everyone about the rate increase coming and you should buy some now before it goes up again. One postal worker even told one of the customers if she lost the stamps for 5 years and then found them she'd be able to use em. Personally, we snail mail so few things in our house these days that when I bought 3 books I figured they will probably last us about 5 years.

How many times does this have [2008-05-08]
First, you have to find out if you qualify. Then, look online on the IRS website to find the schedule according to your SS#. Of course, if you didn't use direct deposit for your taxes to begin with, they will send you out a check and those won't be sent out until later. It is not a crock - we got ours on time, according to the schedule!

I saw her on TV several times when they featured her on one of the SM [2008-04-15]
health stations. They told her story from birth. She is adorable. Her name was Kennedy.

I dated his younger brother a few times. NM [2008-04-08]
X

How many times could you forgive... [2008-02-22]
Your spouse for having an affair? I just found out that a friend of mine's husband has left her twice for another woman and both times she has forgiven him (this happened before we met). I just don't know if I could do that twice, once MAYBE, but certainly not twice...how bout you?

How many times are you going [2008-02-14]
to mention that his father never contributed any money, not a penny? Since you keep repeating it, it must be very significant in your mind. His father never contributed a penny to raising him. Now there is a rift between you and your son because of money. Anybody else out there think these two points are more connected than they may appear to be on the surface?

how many times have you [2008-02-14]
x

I guess these are the times when people just assume without knowing... [2008-02-13]
I said when I answered her call She seemed out of sorts, curt reply, telling me to call her back. Well, with all assuming that is going on, I assume people are not reading the post as I stated. If she thinks I am angry, I have told her to ask me. A person who assumes is wrong a lot of the time- as you were here.

Considering her face was broken multiple times by Ike Turner, a facelift is certainly excusable. nm [2008-02-11]
x

Besides many times life in jail is short anyway [2008-02-09]
or the criminal ends up with his own kind and fits in fine and learns more... so, if they live long enough (not killed by the other inmates) they learn how to be a better criminal. I just am agreeing there should be no parole. But oh boy, I'd never want to see the inside of one of those places.

We go several times a year but [2008-02-07]
we have crazy schedules - I work 60+ hours a week at 2 jobs, husband travels a lot during the week, weekends are filled with sports, etc. When we do go to grandparents though, as soon as we walk in the door, itleave the dog alone, stay out of the corral, don. The kids are expected to just sit on the couch and watch TV quietly (2 are teenagers and 1 is 7) - that's no fun???

both teams - not times .lol. [2008-02-04]
nm

I'm not a teen, far from it but I get SVT a couple of times a year sm [2008-01-25]
I usually get it in the middle of the night and it usually lasts about 4 hours. I am prescribed 40 mg of verapamil, which I take 1 at the onset and then 1 every hour until it eases up. I usually end up taking about 4 or 5. That works for me, but then I'm usually wiped out for a few hours afterwards. My first experience where this lasted more than a few minutes, I went to the ER and they gave me 6 mg of adenosine which converted me. They were able to see the SVT on my EKG, so the cardiologist was able to correctly treat me. They have offered me other treatment options, such as electrophysiology ablation, but since I only get it a couple of times a year, I'm not at the point where I want it treated surgically. Good luck.

I have seen the movie several times and of course [2008-01-16]
cry every time. I told DH I wanted the movie for Christmas and he got me the book. I had not read the book before, and honestly, I liked the movie better. That is the first time I have ever liked a movie better than the book.JMHO!

I feel your pain, been down that road many times over the years - sm [2008-01-11]
I am so sorry for what you are going through. You need to take her to the vet and let her go. That way she will not be suffering any longer and you will know you eased her pain. It sounds like it is time. Again, I have been through this many times over the years with my cats and it is hard each and every time. I will be wishing you all the best.

God, that is horrible as well. They should let someone 100 times her size stomp her and choke her. [2008-01-10]
.

I would wash several times - may even [2008-01-03]
try putting baby oil in first or something - it eventually will loosen and come out if exposed to enough water. Then maybe try to comb out.

Some ideas I have used for the rare times I go out for NYE or any big celebration - sm [2007-12-31]
I make sure before I even start drinking that I eat something fatty such as cheese or nuts to get that going through my bloodstream before I add any alcohol, which I seem to have a low tolerance for anyhow and cannot never drink very much. I also steer clear of red wine at all costs. I also alternate a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage and drink it slowly. Of course, I also keep eating some good calories (meat and cheese, veggies, etc.)throughout the night. Have fun!!

How can I kick him out? I have told him to leave many times (sm) [2007-12-30]
he won't go. He tells me to leave. I have children. If you know how to go about making him leave, I really would like info on how to do it and enforce it. Thanks

In ancient times, that's why people thought cats [2007-12-15]
xxxx

Labyrinthitis - I've had it sev times - it is scary - you just need (sm) [2007-12-09]
some seasick med most likely. It is an inner ear infection - doesn't usually cause pain but causes the symptoms you have. don't worry - almost guaranteed that is what it is! See your doc for probably Meclizine and maybe a decongestant, maybe even antibiotics.

It's Garmin - I really want one too!! Borrowed a few times & love them! (nm) [2007-11-25]
x

Men are just weird some times## [2007-11-08]
.

How many times were you engaged [2007-11-08]
Before you actually got married? I married the only man who asked me to marry him seriously. I knew on our first date that he was my destiny...how bout you?

DOG BITE [2008-07-03]
I find this whole complete thread disturbing. This woman was coming here to vent her frustration and was basically attacked. How sad!!! I am sorry for your child. It is a terrible incident that I hope you win in court. Dog owners have a responsibility to take proper care of their dog along with keeping it on a leash. When you take on a pet you take on ALL INCIDENTS that this pet causes. If this dog had torn up property, not a child, and they just offered a couple of dollars for repairs, I would hope that something would be done to get the full amount. yes this is a child which to me seems a little bit more important than property. I would think they should be responsible for the whole $800. I want to know why who ever it was stated that she should get a fence in her yard? It is not her responsiblity to keep this dog out. It is the owners responsibility to keep their dog on a leash and under their control at all times. My suggestion would be EVERY single time this dog is loose you call the police or animal control until something is done. In Indiana there is a three strikes and your dog is out law basically. Call animal control and tell them about this neighborhood dog and your daughter. I would really suprise me if it is not picked up. Good Luck. Also, in the US, you can sue anyone for anything at anytime. That is the law. It is not like this woman and child are suing over nothing. A dog bite is a serious incident. This dog could potentially kill a small child. A friend of mine's mom has small dogs (under 10 pounds). One recently bit her child in a serious bite. The dog actually went for her 4 year olds neck!! Her mom was right there when it happened. The child did nothing wrong but bend down to pet the dog. Small dogs can do damage too.

My sons have been in Scouts for some time now...sm [2008-07-03]
My youngest (11 years old) was in Cub Scouts for about 3 years and crossed over into a newly chartered troop. My oldest son (17 years old) joined the troop also, mostly out of necessity (we needed his warm body in order to have enough boys to charter). My youngest loves it and my oldest is kind of lukewarm about it. I have also been a leader at the pack, troop, district and council level for over 4 years now. We are basically a scouting family and love it. With that said, however, I will say that scouting is not for everyone, and everyone does not get out of scouting what is there for them to learn simply because everyone is not interested in learning those things or because of poor leadership within the scouting unit. In your case, it sounds to me as if the latter may be true. You didn't say how old your son is or how long he has been in scouting, but it sounds to me like he has a very poor leader if he makes them camp this way. Some overly self-glorified scout leaders try to turn scouting into junior Army training which is not what it is meant to be. If there is another pack or troop in the area, you might consider changing and see if that improves his scouting experience by a new leader and better camping conditions. When we camp, each boy has his own tent (can be bought at Walmart for about $15) and we always have a campfire in a designated fire ring that burns pretty much all night. Each boy is safely enclosed in his own tent that zips up which greatly reduces the chances of spiders, snakes, bugs, etc. Of course the boys have to be trained to keep their tent flaps zipped closed at all times so that nothing gets in. My advice from a scouter's viewpoint is to talk to your son and then you and your son and husband talk to the scout leader and see what can be done to improve the scouting experience for your son as well as the other boys in the unit. If the leader does not want to chanage his ways to more closely follow the scouting ideals, then find another troop or pack to join. Sounds like there is a LOT of room for improvement here. Here is a link that may help, too. http://netcommish.com/askandy.asp

This one has struck a chord with me. [2008-07-03]
I have been an assistant scoutmaster for 8 years now. Yes, I am a mom, and there are women scout leaders out there! My job with our troop was Webelos-to-Scout Transition Coordinator. My job was to help our youngest boys and their families become part of our troop and to make sure that the boys have fun and get all that they can from the scout experience. Summer camp was always the make or break time for the youngest boys. You didn't say if your son is a new scout, but I assume this is his first time at summer camp. Homesickness and living in the outdoors are always the biggest hurdles during the first summer camp. You are not over-reacting because your son is having a bad time. That's a simple fact, and he deserves to have those feelings validated and addressed. Since I'm female, I tend to approach the first-time scout's misery in a different way, and over the years, a lot of men have disagreed with my methods. But, they work. Men seem to like the stick-it-out approach, and I've seen some of the worst leaders actually tease and belittle homesick boys or boys who don't take easily to the outdoor experience. That really finishes off the boy for scouting. He quits. Do you think that is what is happening with your son? At summer camp with our first year scouts, I always listen to them, validate their fears, and then try to help them overcome their fears with knowledge. If spiders or animals scare them, we go to the nature lodge and find out all about them. We do a good cleaning of their tents or lean-toWell, it I and my fellow adult leaders have spent a lot of nights sitting around picnic tables talking to scouts, sometimes making a game of listening for owls or watching spiders crawl across the table in the lantern light. And if boys do call home, I would run like crazy to the camp phone to call the parents first to let them know what was going on and to tell them to expect a call from their son. In that way, parents were prepared, and we could coordinate our efforts to help their son. Basically, it just takes some compassion. The hard core approach doesn't work. Why do I go through all the trouble? Because I know the value of the scouting program. When it's done well, it goes a long way to help parents raise up honorable men. In our troop, our scouts learn to be compassionate, because we've modeled that sort of behavior for them. They learn about living in the outdoors, and learn to take care of themselves and others. That gives them a sense of accomplishment and makes them feel capable. They learn problem-solving skills and teamwork. These are all important life skills, and when scouting is done well, boys who come through are lightyears ahead of most of their non-scout peers by the time they are 18. But that only happens when it's done right. There are great troops and adult volunteers in the BSA, but there are unfortunately some real losers, as well. It's true that scouting is not for everyone, but there is no reason for so many boys to be pushed away because of issues that just need a little careful thought and attention. This is one of my most passionate issues with scouting. Even the BSA knows that the first year scout is the most likely to quit, and they spend a lot of money and time training volunteers on this subject. It seems that some adults don't learn as quickly as others, though. And there is a core of leaders who like to remember what it was like when they were boy scouts, and won't move ahead or adapt their techniques for the boy of today's times. A new 11-year-old scout should not be expected to act like a man and tough it out. He's still a boy, and living in the woods is usually a totally new experience for him. MOST boys are scared at first, but the men and other boys hate to admit it. A new scout just needs some patience, understanding and time to mature. He needs to feel safe even when he's struggling, and he needs to know that he is supported. I don't know all the details of your son's experience, but if you think that what I've said might apply to him, you might consider looking for another troop, one that will provide him with a good, supportive program. Not all scout troops are the same. Each has a different personality, so perhaps another troop would suit your son better. If that's not possible, or if at this point he is completely turned off by scouting, there are certainly other activities out there that can teach him the things that are learned through scouting. Encourage him to find out what his talents are and help him to explore all of the possibilities that life has to offer. I'm so sorry to hear that your son is not enjoying scouts. It really breaks my heart when I hear such stories, because I know that the adult volunteers could handle the situation better. My own sons had a hard time the first time they went to camp, which is why I got involved. I knew there was a better way to deal with such a common problem. My oldest, who is now 20, still works with scouts, and my youngest will receive his Eagle Scout rank in just a couple of weeks. I have seen many, many boys' lives changed for the better by the scouting program, including my own sons. I hope that your son can also have a great experience in scouting. I'm always happy to talk about scouting, and if you'd like to send me a private message, I'd be glad to share more of my thoughts on the subject.

I don't mind at all that you sent my email along. [2008-07-03]
There is plenty of training material available to scout leaders on the transition period and how to help the boys stay in scouting. There are videos, training sessions run by people like me, written material, etc. It's out there. It's just hard to get it through some of the leaders' brains that the boys need to be treated like boys in transition, and not like army recruits. I really applaud you for being willing to go out on the trips with the troop. That is also a hard thing to do with so many men around. I looked very carefully when my boys were crossing over to scout troops. We are fortunate in our area to have many troops to choose from. We found a great troop headed by mostly even-thinking adults who had no problem with a woman joining them. It's not perfect, and every now and then, some sexist fool says or does something stupid, but nothing is ever insurmountable in that regard. Know that having women leaders is a unit option, which means that the chartering organization can decide that no girls are allowed, so to speak. This is sometimes done for religious reasons. Other times it's just sort of a tacit tradition. I didn't have to overcome that issue, and in fact, when it was discovered that I had been camping all my life and was an avid solo backpacker, I got the job of teaching the boys about backpacking, too. Our troop welcomed all volunteers who were willing to be trained and who could commit to helping the boys. I do hope it works out for your son. If you do join as a leader, be sure that you take advantage of all the training opportunities available to you. Your troop should have a training coordinator or advancement chair who knows when training is offered. (By the way, are the adult leaders of this troop fully trained? That's VERY important.) As a GSUSA leader, you should understand the value of training. The Girl Scouts really do a great job of requiring leaders to be trained. BSA councils and districts, however, sometimes vary on how strict they are on training requirements. Don't be afraid to help out. You're doing this for your son, and that really is a great motivator. And what's really cool is that most of us start out wanting to help our own sons, but in the process we help so many other boys and parents along the way. Good luck!

Is this inconsiderate or what? [2008-07-03]
My son-in-law stopped by our house on the way to work this morning. My hubby was pulling out of the driveway and I saw him give a bag to my husband and he left. My hubby brought the bag to me and said I was told to give this to you until tonight. He said my SIL was going to have a surprise for our daughter this evening after work at a local restaurant but didn I opened the bag and there was ice cream and pickles inside (?). Well, the first thing we thought of was pregnant and needless to say, our first grandchild, the look on our face was shock, disappointment, and happiness at the same time. We just stood there staring at each other, wondering what the **** was going on. My hubby went on to work and called a few minutes later, saying my SIL had text messaged him and said for me nor my husband to call OUR daughter or him today. I have sat in tears most of the day. That jerk (and he is a jerk) just told us our daughter is expecting our grandchild but not to talk to her today. What is the surprise about? He already knows, SHE already knows, we already know. So I guess you have to know my SIL to know he is a controlling person.....my daughter just hasn My husband has been so upset all day about this. Shouldn We are told by him to keep this inside all day. They are going to see his parents tomorrow at their lakehouse and I suppose tell them together, even though I have a feeling he This is a day my husband and I should be so gloriously happy and we feel sad too. We don I have just seen my daughter and she said nothing and I can This is my baby having a baby and we don Our son was here and saw what we saw and he was so happy to be an uncle, grinning from ear to ear, but can I have to say I am so angry with him right now. You have to know how controlling he has been. My daughter wouldn Are you kidding? What sick pleasure does he get from spoiling all this for us by it not coming from her, the pregnant one, standing there. Our child. We still don After all, they already know, we already know, so why haven I have to say my husband is so upset by this right now, he has called from work several times today and could not even focus on an important meeting this morning. To be honest, I am not at all sure how I will react once we are together this evening. Is this just a dumb way of doing this or has anyone else had this happen like this? We are just dumbfounded about it all and think this is avery cruel way of doing this.

I agree with you OP... [2008-07-02]
So many, many times we see and hear about animal versus human incidences and so many times it I agree with you 100%. You and your daughter deserve to feel safe and for her to be so afraid to go out and ride her bike is terrible. The money (which I hope you do get) will not help your daughter to overcome her fear, but hopefully it will make the neighbor take responsibility for their pet All my best to you and your daughter. She'll get through this, kids are very strong!

Some advice -- been there myself, [2008-07-02]
First of all, congrats on almost paying off that mortgage! I would love to have a $350/month mortgage payment. I watch a lot of financial shows on TV, so I hope some of the stuff I learned can help you. 1. Pay yourself first. I know this sounds hard to do, but if you put a little back each paycheck to a savings account, you can avoid getting caught in the credit card circle again. It doesn We do $40 a paycheckinto2 club accounts, $20 into a Christmas Club and $20 into a vacation club. This really helps out when those times of year come around. 2. Pay your highest interest rate credit cards first and/or lowest balance first. You say you have a credit card in the 20% range for interest with a balance of $200. Try to pay that one off ASAP, while still maintaining minimum payments on the others. Once that one is paid down, I would start on the next lowest balance (since 3 of your credit card interest rates are in the similar 20% range). You should put the money you were paying on the $200 card (after it 3. Try to make your payments as soon as you get your bill for that statement; don Interest is figured on a daily basis, so the sooner you pay it for that month, the less interest you'll end up paying. 4. The $5000 that you are planning on getting would probably be best used by paying off the credit cards for 2 reasons: 1) The interest on your house is probably a lot better rate than those on the credit cards. 2) The interest you are paying on your house can be tax deductible. If I were in your situation, I would start out with the first 3 suggestions. After you get the $5000, I would follow through with number 4. Finally, any remaining balances left, I would try to obtain a home equity loan. Home equity loans are not second mortgages. The closing costs are much less, usually not more than $100, if any. The interest on a home equity loan would be better than any of your credit card interest rates, and again, the interest paid on a home equity loan can be tax deductible. When shopping for a home equity loan, try to find one with a fixed interest rate rather than adjustable (the market You should be able to find one with a rate somewhere around 7%. Good luck to you!

Ummmm, I think her point is that they should pay - sm [2008-07-01]
all the medical costs. What she should do is get all the bills/records from the insurance company and write to the insurance company copying the dog owners. The health insurance company will then go after the dog owners for payment of the hospital bills. They are getting off scot free from their dog injuring someone, I think that is the point MT is trying to make. Also a health insurance company can drop you too just like home owners or car, so if they are po'd about having to pay for the kids care when the dog owner should have paid for this, they could cancel their insurance (for the victim's family) and then the girl's family is doubly screwed. It sounds like the dog was impounded, but at home (this is what happened here when my neighbors dog bit me, totally unprovoked, dog just ran up to me and bit...barely broke the skin but dog did not have up to date shots--owners lied about that--dog was quarantied at home for 2 weeks then was allowed out after that)--From the sounds of it that is what happened here. I was somewhat traumatized and did not like to go out walking much after that but I got over it, it helped that the dog in question got hit and killed by a car though one of the times it was out running loose. ---Insurance companies love to pass the buck, so this would get some results. I fell last year on some ice and spained my shoulder really good, my insurance wrote me asking me where I fell, etc. so they could see if they could get $ from someone else, I had to disappoint them as I fell on my own front porch steps, guess I am lucky they didn't go after our homeowner's insurance, LOL.

When my now 20 yo DD told me about her drugs and alcohol sm [2008-06-30]
I asked that she wait until she was out of high school to have sex, because it carries big consequences and she needed to be ready for that. For that she waited for that, but tried marijuana twice and got drunk a couple of times too. I was shocked by my good girl.

hormonal imbalances and sleep loss - can you help? sm [2008-06-30]
Hi, ladies. Five weeks ago I began experiencing severe middle insomnia for the first time in my life. I will sleep for 3 hours, be awake for 3 hours, and then maybe sleep for another hour before it is time to get up. I also cannot nap no matter how tired I am because I tried that several times. Ambien CR no longer keeps me alseep, nor does Lunesta, and I am not big on having to take a sleep aid every single night for sleep. I have tried melatonin, which also has not kept me asleep. I have been told I have hormonal imbalances (am nearly 44), am on no HRT, and wonder what anyone might suggest for sleep until I can get myself squared away on some hormonal therapy. My poor husband...He has been a saint through all of this, but I am not sure how much longer I can work, keep up with the house, etc., with missing so many hours of sleep each night. Pretty desperate here.

This is HORRIBLE! [2008-06-30]
You need to get as far away as possible. You have a computer, so how about emailing your local Domestic Abuse hotline and see what they can do. Perhaps you shouldbcc to your sister all emails regarding your home situation. Also send her any replies that you receive.YOU DO NOT WANT HIM TO READ ANY EMAILS REGARDING YOUR FEARS AND WANTS!!Maybe your area has an underground process to move you and the kids to a safe place.....hundreds ofmiles away. Everyone...don't assume that she is not telling the truth. Stress can cause one to forget dates, exaggerate, or even make up something. I would rather see that she goes into a shelter and not a grave!

This is HORRIBLE! [2008-06-30]
You need to get as far away as possible. You have a computer, so how about emailing your local Domestic Abuse hotline and see what they can do. Perhaps you shouldbcc to your sister all emails regarding your home situation. Also send her any replies that you receive.YOU DO NOT WANT HIM TO READ ANY EMAILS REGARDING YOUR FEARS AND WANTS!!Maybe your area has an underground process to move you and the kids to a safe place.....hundreds ofmiles away. Everyone...don't assume that she is not telling the truth. Stress can cause one to forget dates, exaggerate, or even make up something. I would rather see that she goes into a shelter and not a grave!

drinking for 2 years is not trying it out [2008-06-30]
Your daughter is headed down the wrong path. If she Apparently, both of these new habits fit and she The fact that she says she feels relieved not having to hide it anymore is a sure sign she has no intention of quitting. I strongly urge you to discipline her. Children need discipline. She may hate you for it now, but your job is to be her mother, not her friend. Both of these habits carry dire consequence over the long-term (which I Yes, I tried alcohol and cigarettes when I was 16 (no drugs) but only a couple of times. To this day, I still don When my mom/dad found out what I was doing, I was severely disciplined - grounded, spanked (yes I said spanked at 16), and was stripped of any privileges. This definitely deterred me from participating in these things after I was allowed to resume a normal life. This may sound harsh, but I I intend to do the same with my children. I think that's the problem with a lot of today's youth -- they're parents are too worried about being their friend, instead of doing their job as a parent.

Well, now it's my turn to tell my story...(Beware..this is long) [2008-06-29]
Well, I just don I was 26 years old when I met and married my husband. It will be14 years ago this August. I was a platinum blond, Swedish, 26-year-old, voluptuous virgin waiting for my prince to come. I had never dated because I was too fearful and shy. My mother always told me that my prince was coming. She just didnthe prince of darkness. It has been a nightmare, although he says it has been great with only a few bumps along the way. He is abusive in every way including verbally, mentally, emotionally, some physical although very little (not an excuse, just telling it the way it is), what I feel is sexual abuse with me but not the children,but the worst by far is his financial abuse. He has told me many, many times, Who do you think YOU are? What do you think...that you I can find a dozen more women like you. I have three children, now ages 14, 13, and 11. 14-year-old has ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder. My husbandis just like this although he has never been diagnosed and never would be because in his own words, I am perfect just like God made me. There is nothing wrong with me. The problem here is you. My credit is down the toilet. Credit score is about 500. His is 800. Through the years, when the children were babies I had to feed them dry cereal with a cup of water because he wouldn One very hot night in the summer, I had to feed them generic hot dogs and pink beans, which were some kind of bean that slithered out of the can in a gelatinous material. The kids werewere dry heaving at the table. One day when I was about 8 months pregnant with my last child, he came up to me and said, Well, I I said what He said (very matter of fact), I I won If you want something, get off your f______fat a__ and get a job. I had a 6-month-old and a 1 1/2-year-old and 8 months pregnant with the third one. What!! Get a job!! Are you crazy?? He said, Oh well. Famous last words. That is all I ever hear. He has ripped out phone lines, denied us food and clothing. We have two cars. He used to hide the car I would drive around the neighborhood so I couldn He would even take the carseats. One time when I was pregnant, I had no money so my girlfriend needed a babysitter a few hours a week. She lives in Connecticut, which is about 45 minutes from my home. She could only pay $45 a week but I would drive up there four days a week to watch those kids just to get that measly $45. One day when I was leaving to go, I wanted $2 for an ice cream cone (I was pregnant at the time and that was my thing during that pregnancy). I asked him for $2 and he said no. I reached into his wallet and took $2 anyway. So he came after me. I took out the butcher knife but he ran outside to get to the car first so I couldn I put away the knife and ran out the back door to try to get to the car first but he got there before me. I reached in to try to grab the car keys out of the ignition when he rolled the window up as hard as he could. I was screaming at the top of my lungs. I thought he was going to break my arm. I was able to backhand him and he unrolled the window. A little while later I ran to the neighbors to call the police because he ripped the phone lines out. I was there for about 15-20 minutes calling the police, family, and my friends to come and help. When I got back to the house, he had taken both cars (hid one in the neighborhood) and went to work. He left my 9-month-old and 1 1/2-year-old children all by themselves (and at the time I lived on a very busy street where cars would drive by at 50 mph). When I walked in, they were sitting on the living room floor screaming at the top of their lungs. The next morning I was in the shower and I lifted up my arms to wash my hair when out of the corner of my eye I saw something on the underside of my arm. It was a jet black bruise about four to five inches long by about two inches wide. It was literally jet black. I was stunned. When I called the police, I told them what was going on with his abuse. I told them I was pregnant with two little ones at home. I told them I had no food. I told them and showed them the bruise and I told them I wanted to press assault charges. They said, He did that to you? I said yes. I said, I want him arrested for assault. I told them where he worked. They turned around and told me that because the incident happened the day before that there was nothing they would do and that they weren They told me to just let him lie low for a while. This happened in 1996. We are not talking the 50s here. This was just before they handed me a pamphlet on battered women and battered women The pamphlet said there does not have to be any sign of physical abuse. If you are in a situation where you simply fear for your safety, the person can be arrested. And I am sitting there pregnant with ahuge, jet black bruise underneath my arm from where he rolled my arm up in the window. This is just a few tidbits of the life I have had with him. There have been some good times and good vacations but mostly bad. We have fought so bad for years and years that I know the toll it has taken on the kids. The guilt I have is insurmountable. If he buys groceries, I have to pay him back. If he pays the phone bill, I have to pay him back. If he buys me anything or gives me a $10 or $20 bill, I have to pay him back. Most of the time, I am not allowed to go into a store with him. I went with him once to Wal-Mart and I put a $2 box of sweetener into the carriage. That was it. I am now not allowed to go into a store with him. He screams at us that he pays the rent, therefore, it is his house and we have to learn to live the way he wants us to and we should be catering to him. If we don He has told me for years that he is a king and that the house is his castle and that he has allowed us to live with him because he is kind, loving, and gracious. He will only buy oneChristmas gift for his kids and no stocking stuffers or tape or wrapping paper or anything like that.I have to do that with what I get paid to do MT work. He doesn When they were little, I would tell him that the children needed some cool clothes for summer. He would take their little pants and cut them off and then take their turtleneck shirts and cut off the turtle neck and cut off the sleeves and say, There you go. There Or he would just tell me, Go ask your sister to buy them some clothes. He has threatened to kill me and the children if I leave. He has told me that he would kill me and the children before I would ever see child support. He has a sex fettish where he wants it all the time, every day multiple times in a day if he could get it (not that he does, mind you. I stopped that crazy crap a long time ago), and I am just supposed to stop all that I am doing and fulfill his needs (even though sex for me offers virtually nothing other than soreness,swelling, and boredom and has always been like this). If I don I am very overweight, I smoke like a chimney, my credit is destroyed, I don I have less now 14 years later than I did before I married him. At least before I married him I had my own very nice car and some clothes. I don My clothes are tattered, stained, and worn. And...I had dreams of what my life was going to be like when I got married. But it certainly was not a life like this. My kids are older now and they are seeing their father for who he is. He blames me and tells me it is all the bad stuff I am telling the children. I keep telling him it is what they have seen for 14 years. They beg me to divorce him. My youngest, who is 11, was diagnosed last year with severe ulcerative colitis. He has had a flare now for the past six weeks with at least ten bouts of diarrhea with blood every day. He talks about depression a lot and always asking me what it is. When I got the call last year from his pediatrician telling me to take him to the hospital for a possible blood transfusion (this was when we got his diagnosis), Ialmost fell on the floor from fear. I called my husband at work to tell him he needed to come home. He said, I can I have to work. He said, Don His red blood cell count had dropped to 7.2 froma normal of 12 because of his bleeding. He came to the hospital when he got out of work. He showed up at 6:00 p.m. We went outside and talked for a bit and then about 20 minutes after he showed up, he said, Well, I have to go home to eat and shower. I When I got angry, he said Hey, I I need to rest. Besides, there We still didn I didn I was scared to death. But he had to go home to eat and shower and rest!!!! I think that was the beginning of the end for me. I once read something on these boards that someone posted saying Marriage is not supposed to be a good deal for one and misery for the other. That is what my life has been. My marriage was a great deal for him...kids that he never has to pay for (I mean nothing...not school projects and believe me there are a ton of them, not clothes, not shoes, notebooks, backpacks, nothing), free sex, and a wife that he doesn I believe in my soul that my marriage was a good business deal for him. If you knew my husband, you would laugh at that statement because he is extremely uneducated and talks like a mentally retarded person. People in the past have actually asked me if he was mentally retarded. He thinks that if my son would drink lots and lots of water, that that will cure his ulcerative colitis and makes fun of me and insults me and everyone else. Itell him he is a moron and he doesn His abusive mother made them drink nothing but water. She would not buy them anything or strive for a better life. They lived in a nightmare life. So now he gets very angry when we woncure everything. He tells us that he is trying to show us how to live right but we just won He tells this to other people too including our landlord. He has the most disgusting habits. He picks scabs and eats them, he has eczema and psoriasis so he is one huge flake, which he enjoys picking off chunks and dropping them in a pile on the floor, he passes unbearable gas (like every two or three minutes that has such a horrid stench it makes all of us nauseous) and then flips out if we spray a room spray. He will actually grab the can and scream that this is his house and we are all just disgusting to live with and just impossible to live with. He just had a fight with my 12-year-old daughter tonight because he was passing tons and tons of gas and she sprayed a room spray. He got up in her face screaming at the top of his lungs at 11:00 at night that this is his house. He will pass gas all he wants and that he won She was crying and begging me to divorce him. She kept saying, You said it would be better for the family if you stayed married to him but it It won Well, I could go on and on. It has been 14 years of this but I think you get the picture. I have no money. I don I have a son who is going to need ongoing frequent medical care and I am afraid he will cancel the insurance if I do anything to get rid of him. I have a great fear for our safety. He has major problems with having to give up his money so to haveto pay child support will send him over the edge. He is a pathological liar so you can He told me, I would never allow anyone to judge me like that. You can tell the judge to kiss my balls. He seems to expect the absolute highest standards from the children and I but he doesn Never has and never will but will shove it down my throat when he doesn Well, any advice. I really am looking for legal advice for anyone else who has been through this. I know I need to get rid of him...for the kids sake. They need to see that life is not like this and not all men do this and that you don My daughter, who just turned 13, says to me she hates men with a passion. I told my niece that I felt like I was dying. I never, never, never, never leave my house except to go to Dunkin Donuts up the street to get a coffee. I haven And that is three hours probably once every two months. I am lonely, isolated, and ragingly angry. I want to go back to school but when I talk about that, he poo poos it saying I should go back in five or ten years or 15 years when my bills are paid and I can afford it. HELLO????? I am going to be 43 in October. Maybe I should just wait to go back to school until I Well you get the picture. If you By the way, when I bring up any of his abuse to him, he tells me I don Funny, he always remembers every time I swear at him though. Has never forgotten a single time.

My story [2008-06-29]
I went through very similar circumstances. I left about 3 times. Finally in 1998 I made an appointment with a Christian psychiatrist and he agreed to go to see her. She diagnosed him as being bipolar and Baker Acted him. Today I can honestly say, he is not the same man. He is warm and caring and actually helps me with my medical transcription business. He is on proper medication. He had proper counseling and support groups. He was in the hospital for 6 weeks and then went to a 3/4 house, where he received proper counseling and support groups, which were mandatory. I thank God that he is better today.At the time in 1991 I wish that someone would have diagnosed him as having that propblem, as my older daughter moved out and he has no relationship with her at all and knows that it was his fault back then. Who knew? It was a disease that was in the closet so-to-speak, but now I am very concerned about our older daughter. We have a younger daughter who does forgive him and lives with us who is 25 years old. I hope you get the help you need before it is too late.

"Sweet 16" [2008-06-28]
About 1 week before I turned 16 my parents put me in a psychiatric ward for troubled teens becuase they caught me drinking twice and I was so bad at hiding it those were the only 2 times I had actucally drank. LOL! Once I had been there for 3 weeks and my parents sat in on many family sessions with other parents and troubled teens they realized I really wasn't all that bad. That was 25 years ago and hey, I still turned out okay.

my kids didn't listen either [2008-06-28]
until I gave them a set time such as you have to take you bath and have your teeth brushed by 8:00 and if it wasn't done they lost a privilage. After a couple of times they saw I was serious and the problem stopped.

I have a similar problem with my son...sm [2008-06-27]
He is 10 and hates to take baths. EVERY night you have to tell him multiple times go get a bath. I told him, Do you want to stink? He says but I don't stink. I said because you take a bath every night. If you didn't you would stink. I have told him it is a fact of life everybody has to take a bath every day. Gosh I look forward to it. But I remember being little and not wanting to also. So I guess as he gets older he will grow out of it.

"go brush your teeth" -- kid don't listen [2008-06-26]
You know, truthfully,I have a nearly perfect 7-year-old kid. He Why is it, then, that we have to havethis big fight EVERY night and EVERY morning regardinggo brush your teeth.Ihave to tell him this six to seven times beforeI am heard. Then I My onlythought is totry ignoring him when he requests something, making him ask me six to seven times. That might work. Gotta love him, but this really irks me.... Anyone else with a similar dilemma?

here's what I do -- [2008-06-26]
Every summer, I make a chore chart for each of my 3 boys, ages 5, 7 and 10. Brushing teeth is apparently a big chore that requires a reminder. So on my chore chart it goes, once in the morning and once at night (I figure 2 times a day is pretty good). Other chores I include are making their beds, picking up toys, dirty clothes in the hamper. They are also each required to help wash their clothes once a week and put away their clean clothes. In addition, they Each time they complete a chore, they get a sticker for that day. At the end of the week, we add up all their stickers. If they have a certain number collectively-- they get to pick a group activity (local amusement park, chuckie cheese or bike ride with the parents, etc.). If they don I Kids need structure, even in the summer, and this gives them something to look forward to at the end of the week. I Rewards don Just pick something you know your child would like. Having the chart helps to remind them and kids love the feeling of getting it right Good luck and remember: when all else fails, bribe

My experience...... [2008-06-25]
For at least the past 10 years, about a week before my period, I get a very stuffy nose, nearly cannot breath at night unless through the mouth, which then gives me a very dry sore throat. A doc I worked for in Florida said this is not unheard of considering we retain fluid before our periods, some more than others, and with the very stuffy nose I would get a migraine-like headache and ache in my shoulder joints and neck. This would go away almost immediately the day I woiuld start my period. He believes it has something to do with swollen mucous membranes because of inflammation in the body (fluid retention, hormone changes, etc.) which makes sense to me. My ears will even feel stuffy at times. He suggested I try Aleve or plain old aspirin for anti-inflammatory benefit and for me, it did help. It kept the swelling down, which helped everything else. Couldn't believe the difference this made for me. I know the misery you feel to some degree. Hope this will help you as well.

Something to consider... [2008-06-24]
My brother received a full scholarship to a private school. The first year was okay, but as thecourses got harder, he became more pressured to attain a C average or better to maintain his scholarship. The stress of that nearly killed him. If the state school financial situation doesn My brother did great in high school, but he soon found out he couldn He As for the social aspect, we are from a very small town (population 4000). The private school my brother attended was located 10 minutes from New York City. It was an adjustment at first, but he soon came to love the environment. Now that he He says he enjoys all the cultural things. He even eats sushi now (I don't think there's a sushi bar within 50 miles of us).

THANK YOU for all of your responses.sm [2008-06-24]
I will definitely be talking to her today about my feelings of having my daughter on the 4 wheeler and how dangerous it can be. I know she would never intentionally hurt my daughter, but it I will have to choose my words very carefully with her, but I think I will be able to get my point across. I would hate to keep her from spending time with my daughter, but if she continues to put her in danger, then I guess I will have to be there at all times. Thank you all for giving me the confidence I will need to do this! :)

by the way, [2008-06-23]
pet stores will buy them from you, a lot of folks like the king snakes. Don't throw away those coffee cans! A lot of folks believe in keeping a goose around the yard, but I think I am more scared of them than the snakes, some of them are downright mean! and of course, it probably does not fly past homeowners association. I did not see the same show other poster was talking about, the one I saw was a rattler under a mannote to self, but I have no desire to actually touch one unless it is a belt or boot! homeowner: good times.

DD has had this 3 times sm [2008-06-23]
and each time a different diagnosis. First thought to be a swollen lymph node (from cat scratch) and put on antibiotics. Second times many months later was thought to be a cyst and put on antibiotics. A year later again, was told it was MRSA and put on antibiotics. Each time it went away and since the last time in Feb. hasn't not returned. Still don't know for sure exactly what it was but antibiotics did the trick every time.