I am old enough to be a grandma, but had my son very late in life.

Life was fun up until about age 8, [2008-08-17]
and then it started getting more complicated. From those early years I remember wonderful summer nights in Wisconsin with the windows open and cool breezes coming in, the June bugs hitting the screens, summer pajamas. I remember riding bikes and pretending they were horses. I remember shopping for fall clothes when we were lucky enough to get some instead of having them all hand-made from ugly Jiffy patterns. I remember the WI State Fair and winning 3rd and then 2nd prize in the twin contest there. I remember vacationing in cottages in Vermont when I was 4. I remember climbing our maple trees and being about 50 feet high and that was a normal thing to do. I remember my first kiss from a boy when I was 3 and he was 2. He tried to talk me into walking down the sidewalk to watch a store being constructed and I had to explain my mom wouldn't let me do that. From later years I remember good times camping with the girlscouts and the time we found a secret place to go near our house where there was a grove of sumacs you could sit under to get away from the world.

One of the great heartbreaks of my life... [2008-08-09]
was the 1993 World Series when the Phillies lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. So technically, that was international.

The Office; Lost; Pushing Daisies; Life. [2008-07-25]
nm

Craig Ferguson, Late Late Show [2008-07-25]
Such a great interviewer and SO handsome!

that was my life for the day, thanks. [2008-07-17]
I could see me wishing I HAD done all that preparation! If I ever go on safari, I'm taking you with me!

too funny; meant laugh, not life. nm [2008-07-17]
x

maybe a late bloomer? lol nm [2008-07-10]
x

Would filing your taxes late affect your stimulus check? [2008-05-30]
We filed an extension, and then sent our return out about two weeks late. We are getting a refund, so it wasn It was just a complicated return and we were just procrastinators.

I miss fizzies. They came back out in the late 90s, but left quickly. sm [2008-05-21]
They can't compete with soda, but when I was a kid soda was a rare thing, so fizzies were wonderful.

Most of my life was a 36 almost A cup. Now older, just a 38 long. (sm) [2008-05-14]
One of my daughters was a 36D in junior high and was constantly ridiculed and harrassed over it. She used to have me put velcro between the buttons on shirts so they wouldn't gap. Now in her 30's she is okay with it but certainly doesn't try to flaunt them. Even wears mesh coverups to pool until she gets in the water at least.

I am old enough to be a grandma, but had my son very late in life. [2008-05-09]
I am tired all the time, but glad to have him. I just can't get off the floor when I play with him there. Anyway, paper dolls! And imagination! And club houses we made with chairs and sheets, or boxes. But we had to put everything away when we were finished playing, and only play with 1 thing out at a time. Today I was just thinking, by the time I finish picking up the house, the kids are back home again and the house is trashed. Ugggg. My parents never nagged at me. They did not have to. I knew 4 o'clock meant vacuuming and that I'd have to wash the pots and pans if I were naughty instead of my mom doing them. And there were no automatic dish washers, or even phone answering machines! So much to remember. If my mom were alive today, she would not even imagine the things we have and how computers have changed the world!

Isn't life kind of short to be worried [2008-04-23]
probably peanuts compared to what we make working. Do you really think people on disability live the good life? JMO.

Since I have no idea what your life is like I am not sure sm [2008-04-15]
I can explain mine to you. If you want to elaborate then I will.

Keeping that part of my life separate sounds best - [2008-04-14]
I have been asked on dates but just have not been interested. I feel stuck just wishing we could all be a normal family again (the 4 of us). I even think ahead to when I'm a grandma down the road and still can't picture me with a new man! I don't know, maybe I'm just destined to remain alone unless I met the guy who was a perfect fit with my kids.

With youth comes minimal life experience, minimal [2008-03-30]
x

Sorry to chime in late, but YES! :-) [2008-03-28]
I have shipped cats from overseas when I moved, driven in the car 16 hours nonstop to get them to their new home, paid $1200 in a nonrefundable pet deposit, let my husband go to Guam for 15 months alone when he was in the military because I refused to put them in quarantine for 4 months, and spent probably 15K on a cat with chronic medical problems over a period of 4 years to name a few things, so I most definitely can relate with you.

Cat early riser/ late sleeper [2008-03-26]
!

I'm loving life since leaving MT. [2008-03-21]
.

Sum up your life in 6 words [2008-03-20]
I saw this idea in the Charlotte observer.Mine:I will write a book someday.

My wonderful life began at 40. [2008-03-20]
//

Amazing husband, incredible kids, fabulous life! [2008-03-20]
!

Life is hard but not over [2008-03-20]
Life is hard but not over

A life unlived, yet I'm content [2008-03-20]
//

My brother's declawed cats have a great life [2008-03-11]
They stay indoors, they are spoiled rotten, they are happy cats. There are 4 of them, all adopted at different times, and you couldn't ask for more sociable content kittehs.

There's little in this life we have control over [2008-02-18]
I say your hair should be your decision. Whatever makes you happy. There are several celebs in their 50s and 60s that have very long hair and frankly, I think it looks fine. When I was growing up I remember my mother saying things about women who were too old to have long hair. I think things are different now.

Low carb is not a "fad diet," but sm [2008-08-19]
rather a way of life. Once you try it, you The energy that comes from eliminating the processed carbs is amazing. You sleep better, feel better, look better. It The weight gain comes if you start adding in all the processed carbs again, which shows you exactly how bad they really are for you. One can say the same thing about your diet suggestion. If one stops counting the calories and goes back to eating as they did prior, the weight will come back. Low carb teaches you to eat to fuel your body. Don't knock it until you've tried it.

Is it hard to find considerate people these days? sm [2008-08-18]
seems like no one is considerate of anyone else anymore. I dropped a few friends because of it. A recent friend is being inconsiderate also, husband wonders why I still do things with her. Well, you know, you can People are late, don The way of the world these days I guess.

memories of [2008-08-16]
sitting at grandparents on the back steps (very wide to fit the porch) and eating watermelon, or watching my dad and brothers taking turns cranking the ice cream machine and all making fun of each other for being too weak. It was so quiet you could hear the windmill squeak, very restful. Hearing stories of when Daddy and his three brothers were young and took turns jumping out of the barn hayloft with a parachute made from one of grandma's good white sheets which ripped. Daddy said he hugged that limp sheet all the way to the ground. Uncle Joe said they let him go first because it was his idea, but they all got a whipping for it. At my other grandparents, Mother and her sister talked about skating all over Austin jumping the cracks in the sidewalks. I had to be quiet when John Cameron Swazy was on (Timex keeps on ticking) or Billy Graham. Going to the barbershop (Papa was a barber) for haircuts. sitting on the porch snapping beans or peas. Aunt Nell and Uncle Frank lived in the country, feather tick mattresses and bolsters, chamber pots and outhouses, mean chickens. Aunt Nell's hair was let down at night and hung below her hips. She had a built-in ice box (not fridge) and a water pump in the kitchen and thought she was in high cotton. They lived in the house she had been born in. She had sunbonnets by the back door. Never went out of the house without one and at 86 still had beautiful skin you would not believe. Kept their money in a bible. They had a 17 year old hound under the front porch with no teeth who acted like he would tear you up. They called him didhebitecha. She made the best biscuits in the world until canned came out! Daddy loved woodworking, helping him hold large piece of wood in the shop or handing him tools. I was anxious to learn to cook (I never said I was smart!), made cookies and such at 12, cooking whole dinners by 16. Being the oldest was not all you would think it could be. I was a miniparent. I remember my baby brother being droopy drawers, would step out of his diaper and keep going. Love to remind him of that now when he is 52 and 6. Then came two more sisters, the last when I was 17, Mother had it made for that one! I remember my border collie, Lady. We got her when I was 9 and she was 2. Had her until I was 21. One of those dogs who knew who could come in the yard and knock on the door and who to run entirely out of the neighborhood. She was my best friend. She had trouble delivering her last litter and my grandmother helped her. I remember the attic fan, and wish I had one now. My son does and it saves him AC bills about 2 to 3 months of the year. I remember being around my great-grandparents. In fact, one grandmother was 90 when she died in 2000. I was 54. How many can say that? I also remember seeing a civil war veteran in the 1950's. This feels like such a time warp as the memories go flashing by. I remember when most moms stayed home. The fuller brush man went door to door. There was a man who traveled around sharpening knives and scissors. Milk was delivered to your door. Remember keeping wet clothes in a bread bag in the fridge? You put a tin sprinkler with a piece of cork around the base on a 10 cent coke bottle to sprinkle while you ironed. Do they still make those? and I remember when keyboards had a cent sign on the number 6 key! Just for the groan effect, here's one for you - gas was 18 cents a gallon and there was a gas war between competing stations!

Homemade bread [2008-08-16]
Well, I'm old-fashioned. I've never used a bread machine in my life. But I do make four loaves of bread at least every week and my family can't live without it (I say in all modesty). I've won blue ribbons at the County Fair for it. This is how I do it - This may seem very long and involved, but it's because I'm trying to describe it really thoroughly. Don't let the length of the instructions put you off. Do try it! The initial makinag and kneading of the dough only takes about twenty minutes - the rest is waiting time, mostly. I start with dry yeast, one package in a half a cup of hot tap water, stir it up and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. While it's sitting, I put three cups of hot water in a big mixing bowl with two teaspoons of salt, two tablespoons of sugar, and a quarter stick of margarine (or butter if you prefer). I heat that in the microwave for three minutes. Then I add two cups of flour to the ater/salt/sugar/ butter and stir it up. Youas a baby was how I was taught. Then I wash out the bowl and dry it with a clean dish towel, spray the inside with cooking spray, put the dough in, then thoroughly wet the towel (not dripping, but don't wring it out all the way either), and cover the bowel. That'll keep the dough from drying out while it's rising. Set in in a warm place to rise. In the summer I set it on my stove with the light on over it. In the winter, I'll put a pan of warm water in the oven on the bottom shelf and put the bowl on the top shelf. Let it rise to double its original size, about an hour. Can be more. Dough is very forgiving if you let it rise too much. Then fold it in on itself, recover it and let it rise again. I usually let it rise at least two or three times. The more often you let it rise, the lighter it will be. After the last rising, I spray my four loaf pans with cooking spray, then take the dough out, put in on the table and divide it into four parts with a large knife. Then, fold it in and under to form a loaf and put it in the loaf pan. Set that to rise to double. At about 45 minutes, start preheating the oven to 375 degrees. When the dough is the height you want (it will rise a little more in the oven), stick it in the oven for 30 minutes. It should be golden brown on top when it's done. Take the loaves out of the pans immediately and put them on a cooling rack so moisture doesn't accumulate under them. The family will attack the first loaf of bread immediately, be forewarned! The other three, when they are almost cool, put them in regular bread bags you have saved from store-bought bread. I freeze mine, because this has no preservatives and does get stale quickly. It's best eaten within a day or two of making it or thawing it. That's never a problem in my house. I hope you try it. It's a great feeling, getting all the accolades from your family and friends. PS - if you're lactose intolerant, like me, there are no milk products in it. I never eat store-bought bread anymore. It also makes the best toast in the world, and French toast?!? Wonderful!

worst song? [2008-08-16]
I have always hated You light up my life. That was so popular years ago they played it constantly. To this day I want scream when I hear it.

What are your favorite childhood memories [2008-08-15]
Watching the kids in the neighborhood play takes me back to my childhood days. Lots of people say they would never go through childhood ever again but I would in a heartbeat. I Mine were 1. Playing all day and night on weekends and after school. My only concern was getting in the house before dark (or by supper time). 2. Grandma Grandpa lived up the road so spent lots of time with them (they taught us how to do the polka to Lawrence Welk). 3. Didn Everything was prepared for me. And, no laundry. Always had clean clothes hanging in the closet. 4. School. Learning, learning, learning and being with friends. 5. Being free enough to have imaginary friends and nobody would tell me I was losing my mind (or were they really imaginary????) 6. Girl Scouts (need I say any more). 7. The idea that I could be a ballerina, movie star, singer, or anything I wanted to be when I grew up and my parents entertained that as though it could become a real possibility for me. 8. Mom and dad tucking me into bed and kissing me good night. 9. Thanksgiving with the whole family over. 10. Best Christmas gifts were Lite Bright, Easy Bake Oven, Feely-meely, Incredible Edibles, Frisbee, Slinky, dolls, and anything that was not mechanical or electrical. 11. Ice skating,sledding parties, and slumbar parties. 12. Being innocent enough to not know about all the kooks and problems in the world while I had the protection of mom and dad always. Well I could think of a ton of things, but those were the best times of my life. What are yours?

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday [2008-08-13]
Actually, it Every year, starting the day before Thanksgiving, I begin the preparations: House cleaned, clothes packed, manicure, pedicure, extra lines worked. Then Thanksgiving day, the family comes to my house (my parents, 3 siblings and their families plus me and hubs and 3 kids). We have an early Thanksgiving dinner - 2 p.m. By 5 p.m., the guys are all watching football, the kids are playing video games, and we women begin staking out our big day. We have the sales papers all over the table, the Sharpie Usually around 6 or 7 p.m., my company packs it in and calls it a day. My hubs then heads to Wal-Mart (yes on Thanksgiving day) to buy his stock of groceries/snacks for the weekend. While he Then I call my girlfriend, with whom I I print out our agenda on the computer and then try to get myself to bed early, usually by 10 p.m. At 3:00 a.m. Black Friday, the alarm goes off. I By 4:00 a.m., I We throw her suitcases in the back and head off to our local Wal-Mart for the first finds of the day. We usually have our stuff checked out and back in the car by 6:15 a.m. Then we head off to our yearly shopping extravaganza. We spend the weekend in Lancaster, PA where there Our hotel has a hot tub and an indoor pool. We catch all the great buys at the dept stores in Lancaster and then spend the rest of Friday crafting. We have a nice dinner and then head back to the hot tub. Saturday We usually meet up with the rest of our crew -- about 10 of us, all ladies, no kids. We have dinner and go over all the best buys we got. Come Sunday, we sleep in a little late and then check out of the hotel. Not much opens early on Sunday, not even the mall, in Lancaster (home of the Amish). We finish up our day at the mall and then head over to the Olive Garden for a farewell dinner. We usually end up making it home by 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. Sunday night. Okay - now you I can hardly wait. As for my hubs and 3 kids, they usually buddy up and have sleepovers. Saturday is a definite movie day. They almost always have a must-see Christmas movie out Thanksgiving weekend. Sunday, they pretty much lay around and wait for me. My hubs usually gets the indoor Christmas decorations out for me to get started on. We usually put the outdoor ones up the weekend before Thanksgiving. I SOOOOOO CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!! It is absolutely my favorite holiday of the year, my second fav being Christmas Eve (I love the anticipation of what Thanksgiving is only 107 days away!!!!

Digital Camera [2008-08-12]
I have a digital camera that is only about 2 years old. I used it one day and it was fine. My husband used it the next day and the display does not show the picture or any information. I have not taken it into a camera shop yet but plan to as soon as I can get there. Just wondering if anyone has had this problem before? Can it be fixed? Is it expensive? I hope I don It still works, I just cannot preview the pictures, take videos,see the battery life orhow many pictures I have taken, change settingsor anything because I can't see the display. Second to this note, if I do have to get a new one I am looking for suggestions. I currently have a Sony, so I would like to use the same memory cards (very expensive and I have 3). BUT, I do not like the delay on my current camera and would likea digitalwithout delay but had a hard time finding one when I bought this camera. Of course, small and compact size is also a feature that I like.

Another fun video game sm.. [2008-08-11]
Is Wii Fit. It It has yoga, some strength exercises, aerobics (running in place). I live in the South, and it's nice to exercise in my house with the air conditioning.

I got the Wii Boogie for Christmas [2008-08-11]
and my sis and I play it more than the kids do. I can When we play it back, we laugh our a$$es off.

Unfortunately this is untrue - he has died [2008-08-09]
Don't know what news you were listening to but they were misinformed. Bernie Mac has passed away from complications of pneumonia. I wish it weren't true. He was very funny and from what I've read a very decent and humble and wonderful person in his private life. Will miss his good humor. I did love his routine about his sister's kids among others.

I understand Clomid works [2008-08-08]
For a lot of people it does work. I, unfortunately, was one of the unlucky ones. 20+ years ago while being a young Army wife my DH and I tried everything to have a baby. I was seeing a german doc who was one of the best fertility specialists in our area of Germany. Ibaby making meds and counseled to be prepared for at least triplets. DH was on medication to increase sperm count. I took special mud baths each month, used the basal temperature method, and we also constructed what looked like a jungle gym that I would hang on upside in the bedroom after we had sex. After returning to the states I had all the procedures done to make sure my tubes and ovaries were okay, and I was on Clomid. My OB doc even had it timed down to what day each month was the best for getting pregnant and the day before she would prepare me for the next days adventures. She was also one of the best docs in the area for fertility. Here it is 26 years later and I never did get pregnant. My sis also was never able to get pregnant, so we believe it was probably something hereditary. She adopted and 19 years later after hearing her trials and tribulations of life with her child I realize now that not having children was the best choice for me. Incidently, 8 years ago I did become pregnant but it was ectopic and I had an ovary and tube removed. My advise is if you really want kids don't give up. Do everything you can think of - even if it means constructing a jungle gym in your bedroom - can be lots of fun - :-). It's usually the craziest things that will work. I did have a friend I worked with for some time and she wanted a child so bad she did everything and for years nothing worked. When she finally relaxed and told me if it works it works and if it doesn't it doesn't - two months later she became pregnant. I wish you the best of luck. I know how disappointing it can be. I spent every month for 20 years in tears so know how heart breaking it can be.

parents [2008-08-08]
My parents helped very little - they were very loving, but very poor. I worked, had no car, ate very simple cheap foods - that is the only way I could have done it. . I could not help my daughter much either - she got scholarships, took out loans and worked - full time one year while attending college full-time. . If parents can help, I think they should. . I think this mom is willing to help, just not change her entire life, which she should not have to.

What's her reason for moving out of dad's house? [2008-08-07]
I think that is a big factor. Is this something she does from time to time because she doesn't like the rules or gets in an argument? Or do you think she just misses you and wants to spend time with you? Do you think she plans on getting her own place at 18, going away to college, or staying on for awhile? I think that matters too. If this is habitual or temporary, she can tough it out (as long as it's not an abusive situation). Life isn't easy as an adult and she will be finding that out very soon either way. You aren't a bad parent because you want her to be independent and not think everything is owed to her. The sooner she learns that, the better off she will be.

Some suggestions...sm [2008-08-06]
I would enroll her in a good basic puppy obedience class. She sounds like a typical fun-loving, high-energy pup, but youclose to full size, just with some filling out to do). Plus,she will soon be entering into what I LOL She just needs to learn some need to learn how to communicate w/her in a way she can understand, which a goodtrainer can help you with. Learning the basics (sit, stay, down, come, heel) will come in very, very handy - esp. I mean, think about it, she can Teaching basic obedience to your dog issort of like teaching manners to your kids, can you imagine how insufferable they Ask your vet if there are any training classes locally that he/she recommends. You can also try the Assoc. of American Pet Dog Trainers: http://www.apdt.com/ Find someone who uses fun, positive, dog-friendly methods, and avoid anyone who wants to useforce, yelling, hitting, pushing the dog into a sit, drilling the same command over and over, etc. Do some research before deciding on a trainer,because anyone can hang out a sign and call themselves a dog trainer - doesn Training s/b a fun, bonding exp. for you and your dog. In fact, you might want to look into something called If you can And personally, Iwould not play tug-o-war with her, at least for now. For some reason, that game seems to get dogs pretty wound up and *Maybe* later, if she learns to release the toy on command when you say We train our dogs from the start that they are never allowed to put their teeth on us, ever, but some people allow the dog to do it if they do it gently, in play. I just find it easier to not let them put their teeth on us at all, but that We also teach our dogs that they are not allowed to jump up on anyone unless the person gets down on the floor and calls them up (by patting the chest). They doncontrol untilthey settle down. Please don- far from it! I often For instance, there is a dog toy called You can fill it with peanut butter and kibble, freeze some beef broth and kibble it it, all kinds of things, and give it to the dog to keep them busy. I love it! If you go to their website, they have recipes. My other big suggestion is: Exercise, exercise, and more exercise. Dog people have a saying: I can tell you from personal experience that this is soooo true. My dogs can be so obnoxious when they haven A dog that gets plenty of exercise, both physical exercise and mental exercise (in the form of training where the dog is having to concentrate which wears them out mentally just like it does us) is a good dog, because ita dog that doesnto get into mischief. Some ideas: 1. Treadmill (supervised, of course). 2. Walks on a leash with the dog having to heel and wearing a backpack that has something it for a little weight to wear him out a little. 3. Running,playing, wrestling with another dog of similar size and energy level (with a friend's dog or at the dog park maybe?) 4. My absolute, all-time personal favorite (because ILOL): Riding around the neighborhood on my mountain bike with my dog running/pulling alongside, attached with something called a Springer, which you can find here: http://www.springerusa.com/ (I use a better harness than the one that comes with it.) This is a great way to exercise your dog, IMO. Be careful, wear a helmet, let the dog set the pace. You have a high-energy breed, so... enjoy!

Between a rock and a hard place - HELP! [2008-08-06]
Okay, back towards the end of last school year some mothers decided to have a coo at the elementary school and take over the PTO for this coming year from the ones that had been running it. Shortly after that, the now ex-pres moved in next to us. The neighbor across the street is now on the new PTO. Somehow, they didnoh you. Well, I let the principal know that I would and now am regretting it. I have a full-time job plus type part-time at night (switching to just weekends when school starts). My husband is gone during the week so that leaves me to take care of kids, homework, games and practices, etc. I get calls and emails all day long regarding PTO. I thought about just sticking it out for the school year (I do have the flexibility to be off or leave early, come in late from my full time job) because I really want to be more involved in the school since my child is going into the second grade. Well, the final straw was a few nights ago when a bunch of us parents were sitting in our driveways watching the kids playing. It wasn My husband went ballistic! We came in the house and he said that was uncalled for, we need to move, and that he SO, what do I do now? How doI gracefully back out but not get shunned from being up at the school and helping out with some activities? The other story with that neighbor across the street that has bugged me this week - everything my child gets (we are not frivilous by any means), she makes sure her kids get the same things, even down to the exact same pair and color or tennis shoes for school, clothes, bicycles and now, the yard ornaments that we have had in our yard, i see she has bought some and are now in her yard also. I cringe now when I see her but I hate to keep my child from playing in the front yard just because her kids are out there (same age). Any ideas on this too??? What a crappy week!!!

I do believe (sm) [2008-08-05]
I have always heard that children can see things that we cannot. My sister-in-law said that my nephew was just sitting one day looking at the door and he said Mommy theres Hassell She about freaked out because that was her grandfather's name and he has been gone a while. So, there ya go. I have also had an experience. My brother passed away in 2001 and both my parents in 2006. The day my precious mom passed away, I had been at the hospital all night and day with her and I came home to get a quick shower and when I was coming up to my house, you have to cross over a creek and I swear to you there was a boy knelt down there that I believe was my brother. I even looked back in my rearview mirror and he was watching my car go up the road. At that moment, I really did not know what to make of it, but about 2 hours later my mom passed away. I think it was a sign. Before my parents died, they had experiences with seeing my brother and I have also had things moved that belonged to him that was special to us both. Sadly though I have not had any experiences with my parents. My hubby does not believe in anything like that. He says once you are gone, you can't come back, but who really knows. Oh,by the way, I have a 8-month-old little boy and right now he sleeps in his bed, but if he was scared or wanted to sleep with me I would let him. Life is too short and they grow too fast. Don't feel bad about that.

What he needs is some parents with some sense (sm) [2008-08-04]
I feel sorry for you as his neighbor and sorry for him that his parents have raised him to be this way. They shouldn If the people who are supposed to love you more than anyone on Earth treat you like that, then how would you possibly learn to treat other people with decency and respect? If anything actually needs to happen, it is that DSS needs to be called and told how the parents talk to their child. He doesn I am usually the last one who would say that because I think children are almost better off with their parents, messy house or whatever, but in this case, this child needs help.

My Dog is a Killer [2008-08-04]
I am at my wit My sweet, sweet mutt, Sparky, is a Killer. Nothing in my yard is safe (only cats). Last week a squirrel, Saturday a possum, and yesterday a blue jay. I cannot get her to stop killing critters. She is the kindest, nicest, most gentle dog, but oh man, when it comes to wild-life, she can She sneaks up on them like a bird dog (front leg bent) and creeps along stealthily. I put extra tags on her collar for jingly noises so the critters would stand a better chance, but she still is so fast that she gets them. We had a long talk last night, I hope she now understands, but this is driving me nuts. The smell from my trash can filled with all of the carcasses is horrible... trash pick up in the morning, thank goodness. Any suggestions? Help!

to tx mt [2008-08-01]
So sorry, I have a friend whose sister has had this all her life, too. She has had problems with the peritoneal portion and the neuro told her not to have her transported by ambulance because the ride was too rough and when they get to UTMB they are to call him, no one else. She pretty much has led a full life, just this one thing, but you have to know her and when something is not right and what to do. Good luck to you.

Chest pain relieved by Nitro [2008-08-01]
I received a phone call from my brother last night. He sounded really bad. He told me that he had been admitted to the hospital because he had chest pain that went to the back of his shoulder blades and down his left arm. This has been happening for 3 weeks. He did got to his PCP and he did an EKG and he did not like what he saw (bro did not any specifics) and they were going to do a stress test on 08/07. Well, since this episode, they are going to go ahead and do the stress test tomorrow, which is actually today. Anyway, they were telling me that his enzymes were doing fine so far. They said that since his chest pain was relieved by Nitro they are sure it is heart-related, maybe a clogged artery. I never heard of chest pain being relieved by Nitro having any diagnostic value. Bro is 36 years old, not too overweight but a little overweight. He does not smoke. He does drink occasionally but I am not sure who much though as I have never seen him drunk nor do I see him with a beer can in his hands regularly. He has, however, had a highly stressful life. Bro was telling me that on the phone, part of it is his doing some of it is not. I remember with he called 2 weeks ago telling me they suspect things going on with his heart, mom and I thought it was anxiety. It maybe more serious. I am worried. I cannot believe my brother is going through this so young.

I'm reading Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish [2008-08-01]
It's from a woman about her growing up on an Iowa farm in the 1930s. The title is her grandmother's nickname for her and her siblings. It is littered with recipes and tips for things (like how to keep a pie crust from getting soggy). It's quite interesting and hard for me to imagine such a life! I previously read Randy Pausch's book The Last Lecture, and I recommend that book wholeheartedly.

Hey JSS sm [2008-07-31]
Info on YR just in case you haven When Noah returns from summer camp he will be played by an older actor. He is Kevin Schmidt and is 20 in real life. I really don Michael Gross from Family Ties will start in August playing Michael

Hey Marie - I don't know where to get the icons [2008-07-30]
They do make the post much more fun to read. I always see people putting little funny icons in but I don't know where to find them. You are right on about the hicks. There are just a few things in this life I don't understand. 1. Why aren't people considerate of their neighbors. 2. Why don't people love their pets like we love ours and take care of them the truly decent way. 3. Why there are so many criminals. I just want to scream hello out there - you need to wake up and live like the rest of us - making an honest life for yourself. If it's not yours don't take it. Okay, the list could go on and on but am too tired right now. Thanks for the funny little smiley things.

Here is what comes to my mind after reading your post. [2008-07-28]
Are you sure you are not favoring one child over another and he senses this or is imaging it - that would be difficult to articulate for a child. Being a first born, he may have been center of attention for a while and then had to share it to his siblings - always hard on a child. If he does not have a disorder that is chemically induced, I would consider that as tantrums are an attempt for attention. Communication is the answer. I'd suggest one on one events with this child alone on a regular basis. You will gain his trust so that he can express what is making him so frustrated. I feel for you. I watch the nanny shows and am always amazed at how difficult life is in a house when the family is unable to live in harmony due to out of control children. You'll have to not stop until to find a solution, for everyone's sake. Good luck to you, mom.