I never forward things based on threats or promises of luck. (sm)

American Girl Doll things [2008-11-16]
I posted this before and a very kind MT responded with American Girl dolls for sale for Christmas. I am still searching for Samantha, Kitand Nellie and I am also looking for extra American Girl outfits. Any suggestionswhere elseto look? I have watched Craig If any MT would like to sell American Girl doll things, please let me know. You can reach me by e-mail through this site. Thanks for any offers or adviceon getting second-hand AG dolls for Christmas gifts.

Just to lighten things up - this morning's news - sm [2008-11-15]
SPAM (the canned meat) is back, factory working overtime, two shifts. Only Christmas and Thanksgiving off. Remember Monty Pythom and Spamalot? One of the workers said he was glad to be working but doesn't think he could eat it. Before we knew what was in it, used to have Spam and eggs. I guess it's not that healthy but history repeating itself? Gotta keep it on the light side. A little humor helps sometimes.

Explaining a couple of things sm [2008-11-14]
I studied IQ as part of my Masterget you because your sense of humor is probably well off the beaten track. You probably lack social skills from an early age. Your peers would play childhood games while you preferred to try to improve upon the toys they played with. In school, you didn't have to work very hard in most areas. It all came very easily. You didn't learn how to learn, which is a very valuable skill. You probably have a low frustration level and when something doesn't come very easily, you are prone to giving up. Because you see the world in completely different terms than people of more average intelligence, those same average people call you crazy or mentally ill and tell you that you should be locked up. You don't fit in and despite the higher intelligence, you are remiss to know how to accomplish the feat of being more ordinary. I alluded to this in my previous post. I have the unusual combination of being very artistic, creatively gifted AND being rather intellectually gifted. Yes, I did fall at the 99.6% percentile on the Wechsler. I know what it means and I have a firm understanding that indeed, that score suggests that I possess more intelligence than 99.6% of the people who have taken that test, and only 0.4% are smarter than I am. It has been a life-long struggle to fit in. I am too cerebral for artistic people, and too artistic for intellectuals. I literally have no one I fit in with. I have learned to tone myself down to make it work. I didn't say dumb down, I said tone down. That means I don't intentionally talk over the heads of others and I won't cram what I know down anyone's throat. I have had those people in my life who have been jealous of me. I learn quickly if it is artistic, musical, creative, the written word, history and philosophy. I struggle with math. I took piano lessons 10 years ago. I had 40 of them and had never played the piano before. In 40, 1-hour lessons I could play the Moonlight Sonata in piano solo (not a dumbed down easy version). Most people cannot do that. There many other things I have done in a similar fashion, but this is an example for you. You ask why I am an MT if I am so smart. I make very good money as an MT and I enjoy the challenge. My photographic memory comes in very handy too. I often stop and read up on a disease process I am transcribing about, so that I know what it means. Show me a word once and I'll know it forever. It makes my job easier for me to accomplish. This all sounds like I am blowing my own horn, but I am merely trying to explain. Being highly intelligent wonreally smart is not only not helpful, I think it is the root of the housecleaning issues in my life. In short, it is just great to have a good ol' high number and in the end it makes absolutely difference...if you don't count the fact that people with IQs over 150 are 3 times more likely to be depressed and commit suicide than the average population. People who are 125 to 140 are the most fortunate. They succeed in greater numbers in school, in a job, in life. They are very bright, and likely have learned how to learn. They are more likely to persevere in the face of frustration and challenge. It really isn't all you think it is.

You know how they say dogs sometimes can sense things about people? [2008-11-12]
We had that ATT U-verse stuff installed in October and three installers came to the house. Not a single problem with the dogs. (We still had LouLou at the time.) They sniffed the installers and then let them go on about their business. The one installer was at our house for 12 hours. On Saturday, two ATT techs came over to fix the computer. Again, not a single problem with Duke. He sniffed them out and didn't bother them for the rest of the time. On Sunday, the ATT tech who came over called to say he was on his way. He said he was somewhat spooked by dogs and he just wanted to make sure we had a friendly one. I assured him Duke wouldn't bother him. Duke didn't care for that man in the slightest. He growled at him and the hair stood up on his back. Every time the man came in the room, Duke reacted the same way and would back away from him. I wonder what it was about him that Duke didn't like?

Should we destroy a whole breed based ...sm [2008-11-09]
on what a few do wrong? Look at the Dalmation attacks, Alaskan Malamutes, Pomeranians, etc. Should we destroy these breeds too?

Why do things like granola bars, yogurt cups, - sm [2008-11-03]
candy bars, jello & pudding cups, etc. keep getting smaller and smaller? And the amount of cereal in a box is less and less. Yet the packaging stays the same size? Do they think we don't notice?

I am glad things are going well for you but sm [2008-10-26]
The debt is not my main issue. My marriage is. All of the other problems are a result of the marriage being bad, and working at home in isolation. The problem is I feel I have no choice but to work at home because of my husbandnight fishing one night a week, leaving straight from work and getting home about 1 a.m., on a work night! He is very rude to me all the time and acts like he doesnI wonder what my life would be like if something ever happened to you mom. It wouldn My daughter I worry about too though not as much. I donhis and daughter is mine even though I regularly remind him that we are both parents to both children. So yes, the debt is there and it does worry me but just showing my husband my debt is not going to solve my problem. If anything it would put me more under his control and anger than I already am.

Good luck to you. It takes patience, but [2008-10-26]
you will have better credit. Some peoplethink itread that GMAC isnfinancinganyone whose credit score is under 700 credit score and if they do, it willbe at a horrible rate.It's only going to get worse too I'm sure. Long ago I was in your shoes, so I can relate. My DH and I have a credit score of over 800 now and believe me, it's worth it to have a good credit history, it just takes one day at a time.

Good luck to you too - sorry you are in the same type of situation sm [2008-10-24]
email me if you want. Maybe we can come up with some ideas encourage each other to get more motivated

Selling things other than MT equipment,books etc [2008-10-24]
Does anyone ever post things to sell/trade other than MT items on this site (in the classified)? I am a wah MT and I am looking at reaching out to some wah MT I already have some people signed up and just looking for a few more. I am on the MB for the cricut website, but trying to reach out to other MT's who like this as well. Thanks for your help.

we are and i am making things [2008-10-22]
finally got my stuff organized and am knitting/crocheting things for people. They may not want what i make but hey, lol.

Good luck to the Rays. [2008-10-22]
x

That puts a different light on things. [2008-10-19]
I'm glad you talked to him. It is surprising how honest teenagers will be sometimes when you just talk to them as equals and not immediately come down on them. Kids need to know that their parents trust them, unless of course there is a good, clear reason not to. I am curious though. Did you say anything about him helping another kid do this? I'm sure he knows from last time around that peer pressure and acceptance are powerful. By not helping this other kid with things like this - he could be helping this other kid overcome the problem too. What about knowing that it was in your house, etc? Personally, I would still be upset about that and want to make it clear that it should not happen again.

Unfortunately, the schools stick their nose in many things that should be the parents job (sm) [2008-10-16]
my children have had teachers give one-sided views of politics, whether they should be democrats or republicants, who their parents should be voting for, etc. For some reason, some teachers don We don't pay them to teach their opinion.

I still think it should be the parents who teach the child these things, not the school's place. [2008-10-16]
Each child goes to school to learn facts. They learn their social skills, values, etc.at home and from friends that their parents allow them to associate with. The school is a public entity full of many INDIVIDUALS who all have different values and opinions. Teachers should not be teaching children their own personal values and should leave that to the parents.

oops, forgot to mention a couple of things [2008-10-16]
It doesn H*ll does exist. Also, if you really are asking what I mean to be saved, I will share. I does not mean adhering to a dogma. It means having recognized your own sinful nature and accepted Christ That is what we mean when we say Christ died for us. We can live forever in paradise with him because God sacrificed his son, Jesus, on the cross, to take the place for each individual person so that they can live forever. Christ died so that I may live. Christ rose again and won victory over death. Being saved is accomplished through faith in Christ.

Morally-wrong things hurt other people. Loving [2008-10-16]
.

good luck to your hubby! [2008-10-11]
my dad just got one, I always try to get him to make me jerky like he did when I was a kid and he says he is just too lazy now!!! so disappointing. So isn't it interesting how you feel like you have to do things when he's not around? I ALWAYS feel more accomplished when the BF is gone, like I want to get all sorts of things done. Maybe that's why nothing is since he's here all the time! lol

That is one of the most selfish things I have ever heard. nm [2008-10-10]
nm

2 things in grocery stores [2008-10-10]
1. When your looking for a specific item and looking at all the choices and someone walks right in front of you and stops and does the same thing. Then they don't even have the decency to say excuse me or even look at you. 2. When your at the check out stand and writing a check on the little counter and the person behind you comes and stands so close to your back that you can feel them breathing down your neck or they are so close they can read your check.

If things were as she stated then yes ...sm [2008-10-08]
she was a good owner. The only thing I disagree with the former pitbull owner is personally I won't take my dogs out in public loose. On a ranch wherever. They stated they had the dog at a ranch with them where the dog went frequently with no leash. I understand they had no reason to leash it because they didn't see it as dangerous but mine has never been dangerous eitehr. But see with me I wouldn't even let my dog run loose in my front yard and I live in the country. There is too much potential for accidents. What if he runs to the road and gets run over? What if someone pulls up and he doesn't know them? How would he react to a stranger? As the owner I have to make sure he doesn't get harmed or harm anyone else. They have to be on a leash if I take them anywhere. That isn't just my pitbull but beagle also. My pitbull is kept either in my backyard in a fenced in area he can't get out of or in the house. My pitbull has not given me reason to isolate him but I just have a rule that he stays in my control at all times. Some people do allow their pets to go in public without leashes or to go to friends houses or where they work and not leash them and that is okay for them but that is also how accidents happen. My dogs are not mean. But they never have that opportunity to bite or anything. If someone comes over my pit doesn't know he is put in the backyard and then maybe brought in and introduced to the new person and he is usually fine. I am a responsible owner. This is with any dog I have not just the pit. I don't allow the beagle out in public either not cause I think she is dangerous by all means she isn't but what if she gets ran over if she isn't leashed or in the fenced in yard. I just feel like it is my responsibility to protect them and other people from them whatever breed they may be. That is the only thing I think the former pit owner could have done different BUT not all people agree with dogs being leashed or isolated in fenced in yards. Everyone has a right to not like pits. And some are mean. Some are very dangerous. But a lot of them are so sweet and so loveable. You just don't know the love some can show. I have a beagle and a pit inside and the pit believe it or not is more affectionate. Not to say the beagle isn't affectionate but she is not AS affectionate as the pit. I am just stating that I believe all dogs should be kept on a leash or in a fenced in yard they can't get out of. I also have a warning sign on the fence saying warning: Dog. Just in case. He may not would bite but in case I will put the sign up and people will know he is there.

If things were as she stated then yes ...sm [2008-10-08]
she was a good owner. The only thing I disagree with the former pitbull owner is personally I won't take my dogs out in public loose. On a ranch wherever. They stated they had the dog at a ranch with them where the dog went frequently with no leash. I understand they had no reason to leash it because they didn't see it as dangerous but mine has never been dangerous eitehr. But see with me I wouldn't even let my dog run loose in my front yard and I live in the country. There is too much potential for accidents. What if he runs to the road and gets run over? What if someone pulls up and he doesn't know them? How would he react to a stranger? As the owner I have to make sure he doesn't get harmed or harm anyone else. They have to be on a leash if I take them anywhere. That isn't just my pitbull but beagle also. My pitbull is kept either in my backyard in a fenced in area he can't get out of or in the house. My pitbull has not given me reason to isolate him but I just have a rule that he stays in my control at all times. Some people do allow their pets to go in public without leashes or to go to friends houses or where they work and not leash them and that is okay for them but that is also how accidents happen. My dogs are not mean. But they never have that opportunity to bite or anything. If someone comes over my pit doesn't know he is put in the backyard and then maybe brought in and introduced to the new person and he is usually fine. I am a responsible owner. This is with any dog I have not just the pit. I don't allow the beagle out in public either not cause I think she is dangerous by all means she isn't but what if she gets ran over if she isn't leashed or in the fenced in yard. I just feel like it is my responsibility to protect them and other people from them whatever breed they may be. That is the only thing I think the former pit owner could have done different BUT not all people agree with dogs being leashed or isolated in fenced in yards. Everyone has a right to not like pits. And some are mean. Some are very dangerous. But a lot of them are so sweet and so loveable. You just don't know the love some can show. I have a beagle and a pit inside and the pit believe it or not is more affectionate. Not to say the beagle isn't affectionate but she is not AS affectionate as the pit. I am just stating that I believe all dogs should be kept on a leash or in a fenced in yard they can't get out of. I also have a warning sign on the fence saying warning: Dog. Just in case. He may not would bite but in case I will put the sign up and people will know he is there.

The department you deal with in Michigan for things like this is called "Friend of the Court". [2008-09-22]
You need to get in touch with your version of this in your state and tell them what is going on and file a form for re-do the visitation agreement. You may even have to see your original divorce attorney. We went through this with my husbandin pro per form. Which basically is a DIY form. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but you need to get started now to get your ducks in a row. Have you thought about talking to somebody at the local VA office in your state or city? Those guys are a wealth of information. Good luck to you.

Well I see a couple of things here (sm) [2008-09-20]
You may not like all of my answer but take it from someone who knows from growing up in a blended family. The one who is not your grandson is obviously jealous of the attention you give his brother and is resentful at having to babysit his brother when he is only 8 years old. 8 year olds don't know how to babysit and discipline a 6 year old sibling - they don't even know how to take care of themselves! I have an 8-and-a-half year old. No way would she ever be in charge of another child or be left alone. I am assuming the dad of the 6-year-old is your son? WTH is wrong with him and his wife? I know if you say much to them about the way they are raising their children it may cause a problem but they need to be in charge of the household. It sounds like the 8-1/2 year old is expected to practically raise his half-brother. Doesn't sound very fair to me. I'd probably be ticked off too. Why don't you try getting there earlier on Sat if you know they are up and inviting both children to visit with you together? That might be a good place to start.

Talk about poor things... [2008-09-17]
I'm so sorry for you. My DH and I may both be in menopause at once but he would never quit a job without another one to go to. I take back what I wrote (if you want you can call that a mood swing). I have a wonderful husband who has a darn nice paycheck. That alone cancels out all his goofiness (most of it anyway).

OK, I rolled mine over into AARP [2008-11-22]
in January. I made $850 the first quarter and now I have lost $1500 for the year. They put everything in the most conservative things they had because of my age. My friend, however, has lost 50+% of hers this year.

Buy more than one paper Thurs. a.m. [2008-11-22]
It will be worth the price to get extra coupons, especially if you have someone else to go with. Preplan the day/night before. Layer clothing as it may be really cold out usually (where I live anyway) but the stores get hot, crowded and nasty. But it's worth it if you really still need to shop for some special things. I would not want my husband with me as he gets frustrated with crowds and holds me back. Better to bring a friend who will help you shop and likes the excitement of it all. Have fun!!

Help is a safety net you have paid for sm [2008-11-21]
Food stamps are a safety net we all pay for, all forms of public assistance are things we have been paying for all along. TAKE the help you need! Do move closer to family if you possibly can. I have been in your shoes myself. I lost my home to foreclosure 4 years ago because of having a near-fatal drug interaction and losing my job of nearly 7 years. I made a couple of moves and finally ended up in a small town out of state from where I had lived for 30 years. I lived with a close friend for about 9 months and had the opportunity to buy a mobile home for $3000. The people I bought it from said I could make payments and I was able to pay it off in 5 months. It needed a lot of work and it has gotten it, most of which I have done myself. This project really helped me to regain parts of myself I had lost. It gave me a reason to get up and get going on my days off. I turned this ugly old thing into a lovely, comfortable home I cherish. I have lost about 50-60 lbs since living here and I have brought the idea of vastly cutting expenses in line with making more money. The end result is that I am very well off financially, better than in my entire life. DO get medication to help you if you can. I didn't have medication to help because I am allergic to every psychotropic in existence. I did this by pulling myself up by the boot straps, but if I could have had help, I would have. There IS a brighter future out there. You CAN have that brighter future because you DESERVE IT. That said, no one expects you to get there alone!!! Don't be embarrassed to ask and receive help. You will be able to help others later. Years ago, when my kids were young, I was a single parent, no support and it was Christmas time. My kids didn't even have adequate clothing or food. A neighbor I hardly knew handed me a Christmas card. Inside was a $100 gift card to K-Mart. She said that many years before that, she had been in my shoes and someone had given her $100 one Christmas, she was now paying this forward to me. The only provision was that I return this favor when I could, and that I bought something for myself too because I deserve nice things for my hard work. It was a turning point for me. I have been more of a giver since. Although I could have paid this back last year, I didn't know anyone who would appropriately benefit. This year, I do and I had to tell her that I was going to do this and why. She cried and felt embarrassed because, she said, she was usually in the position to give and it hurt a little to receive. I reminded her that she was GIVING me the gift of giving with pleasure. Others are going to give to you with pleasure, love, friendship and concern for your well being. TAKE IT. One day you'll post back here about how good things are and I'll want to hear it.

I usually do a lot of handmade gifts. This year each kid gets $100 they are all grown sm [2008-11-21]
I make my oldest son boxer shorts, he only likes the ones I make. My other son wanted a robe and matching PJ pants. Daughter wanted a couple of outfits and a denim jacket. My mom wanted something I had knitted up for her. Stepdad just wants to be remembered. My brother won't take anything from me, so no problem there. I will do some small things for my friends, but I won't spend $500 total, even with giving the 3 kids $100 each. I have NEVER spent that much on Christmas! I have worked like a dog all year, but I have had no time to do these things they think they want.

Just check all the ads in the newspapers. [2008-11-21]
Most stores have special coupons for early birds on Friday morning. Around here, stores open around 4 a.m. and last year we got there at 3 and stood in line in the cold just waiting to get in. Good luck. Don so unless you are first in line at those places you are usually out of luck. I know last year, people were in line at Best Buy at 2 a.m. waiting for it to open at 5.

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! {{ }}

Divorce [2008-11-21]
I divorced my first husband when my children were 1 and 3. He was a crack addict. It wasn't easy but it was the right decision for me. I would definitely suggest going to Al-Anon. I didn't make it there until quite a few after my divorce, but it helped me a great deal. Best of luck with your decision. Shelly

From your end you could do a disk [2008-11-21]
clean-up and defragment it. Also, make sure you have all your updates and get a spyware/antivirus program to run. Many are free out there. I have Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (you can Google it) and it seems to catch things my McAfee does not. I also run Spybot. A lot of times freezing up and running slow is caused by spyware, cookies, etc. Don't know if this will help any, but it is a suggestion. Also, I run AVG everyday.

Whatever sale item is most important to you [2008-11-21]
start there...early. Sale ads from Wednesday night's or Thursday morning's newspapers should tell you the store hours and sale hours. Many end at 11am. My dd and I like to go about an hour after stores open, though it's still dark outside. The crowds that were waiting in line overnight for the big ticket items are gone by then, and most everyone else avoids the stores until the afternoon hours, thinking they will be less crowded. Wrong they are though. There are more employees on duty early rather than later, so things move more quickly in the morning hours. We've also found the earlier crowds to be friendlier. DD starts singing Christmas carols while standing in line and soon lots of others join in. She's a blast to shop with. Then we go to a late breakfast and go home before the unfriendly crowds show up. Hope your experience is an enjoyable one.

Has our country taken a turn for the ... [2008-11-21]
Our once great country, I afraid, has just turned a corner for the worse. I have watched as the mentality of our country has gone from setting your mind to something, working hard, and you can accomplish it to giving up, sitting back, and letting somebody else take care of them. I was brought up, as many were, with a good work ethic that was instilled in us by our parents. With the idea that if you want something you had to work for it, and by working for something you learned quickly the difference between wants and needs. There were always incentives for a person to strive to better themselves. Whether it were financial incentives, or just the pride you gained in knowing that you did something yourself, it didn�t matter. I wasn�t long ago that people had that �small town� mentality, and everybody knew their neighbors. And those neighbors helped each other out, in any situation, it was just what you did. And people were so proud that some times help would have to be disguised, you remember the lines like..�Mom made more stew than we could eat, could you help us out by taking it so that it doesn�t go to waste?� But, somewhere along the line those thoughts of some (I guess now the majority) have changed. Some how, if somebody works hard to gain something others feel entitled to have the same things, even if they didn�t have to go through the struggle to earn it. Some how, things like big screen TVs, cell phones, and shiny new cars have wrongly slipped from the �wants� list to the �needs� list. Somewhere the incentives to strive for betterment have been replaced by incentives to be lazy. The easy way out and hand outs are now the norm. The feeling of pride about being self sufficient is supposed to be replaced by guilt for having more than others. The �small town� mentality is gone and our neighbors have turned into strangers. People no longer help out their neighbors or even themselves, instead they sit and wait for the government to come solve things for them. And when help does come they complain that the help wasn�t good enough or didn�t come fast enough, the pride is gone. Well, I refuse to think that way, my small town roots and work ethic runs to deep. I refuse to let somebody take care of me while I am willing and able to take care of myself. I will continue to meet and know my neighbors and help them out when they need it. I will continue to work hard to take care of my needs and by doing so, my wants will take care of themselves. I will continue to volunteer for things and give to charities of my choice regardless of what the government wants to take away from me and give to the undeserving. My hope is to change the thinking back to the way it was. The sun will rise again tomorrow, I�ll keep doing what I do, and this country can be great again�.at least in my little corner of it�

Also, if there is a really popular item you want...sm [2008-11-21]
you could map out the store. Saw this on the news once where a lady and her husband drew out a map and each aimed for a specific department/item. It was pretty comical, but efficient when you think about it. As for opening times, the ads will let you know. Anyway, good luck!

it never really goes away, you just have to chalk it up [2008-11-21]
as a lesson learned. this is amazing, cuz the same thing just happened to me this week. been helping someone for ages, then they turn on me !! blew my mind and i we can only learn to surround ourselves with the loved ones around us. you can I and go down the long list of things that you know you are blessed with. this is the worst: youall the people who have done me wrong. so much for getting back to sleep once that list starts creeping into your consciousness. forgive yourself, realize it and remember, no good deed goes unpunished. -- sorry.

He is 60 years old...sm [2008-11-21]
And acts like he is 2. He doesnI am not his babysitter. He is a grown man and he needs to act like it. Social service doesn't need to help him. The man makes decent money. He just won't take responsibity to pay his bills and has too many at that. He needs to thin them out. For instance, he has 2 new model trucks. He does not need 2 trucks but he WANTS both of them. But a light bill is one of your most important bills. And I for a fact know he had the money to pay it and didn't. I even told him you better go pay that electric bill. He wouldn't. I have never seen anyone who was quite like him. I love my dad and don't want to hurt him but he is making things very hard for me right now. I can't babysit him anymore. He is more than welcome to come visit me as often as he wants. He can come by everyday if he wants. But then there is a time to leave and go home. I have a family and I know I wouldnt like it if my husbands dad did this. I would not be happy at all. I am not happy about my father doing it but what do you do? Tell him get out?

So you do regular maintenance on the computer..sm [2008-11-21]
Such as check for Windows updates, deleting your cookies and browsing history, scanning for errors, and defragmenting? If you need help with any of this let me know. I can give you instructions on it. I have Windows XP so that is the version I know about. I don't know about other versions. These things really make a difference.

This may sound a little weird [2008-11-21]
But I live in a really big city and I would put him in a retirement complex. That is a really good place for people with lots of money who don't feel like cooking for themselves or being alone. I hope you live in a big city too. Good Luck!

OMG [2008-11-21]
I can understand (maybe) wanting them to have the breast milk, but can WOW...I'm kinda freaked out right now.

I only have one child, a son..sm [2008-11-20]
so that helps. I usually spend about $300 on my son, but this year I have spent $400 already on a playstation 3 he has wanted ever since they came out last year. I can't just give him that so I have to buy him some other little things to open. My mom and mother-in-law and sister-in-law are going to buy playstation 3 games because after spending $400 on it I can't buy the games too, which are about $60 each. So I still have to buy some small things for him so I will probably spend about $500 on my son this year. The most I have ever spent on him and he is 10. Like I said it is usually no more than $300. I try to spend no more than $100 on my husband, but this year I know he has said how he would love to have an ipod. So I am going to buy one for about $150. I have my dad to buy for and mom. I know I will probably spend about $50 on my mom. My dad I am not sure yet. In-laws are usually about $20-25 each. My sister about $25. My brother in law about $20. My 2 nephews about $20 each. I also have a niece I will spend about $20-30 on. I try to spend a little more on my niece because my sister in law spends a lot on my son. So you see I have a lot of people to buy for. I don't even know how much that is all together but it ain't cheap. And the people I buy for I have to cause they do for us.

OK, I am a 46DD (if the guys only [2008-11-20]
knew it would be like them hauling around 2 watermelons)and I have had better luck and durability with a minimizing bra, but they are expensive. Everyone below is right about being fitted properly. There just was something on the news about women complaining about rashes they are receiving wearing their victoria secret bras for more than a few hours and there has been the suggestion of formaldehyde on the fabric which the company denies. So, I don't know where they are made, but I would keep that in mind, especially anything out of China. I have noticed their new bra currently being advertized is not up to par in the area of supporting the underarm tissue.

black friday [2008-11-20]
I went one time...and won I guess it would be better if I had someone to go with, but even then it gets crazy! Good luck to you! I will stay at home on Black Friday shop online!

It works! [2008-11-20]
When mine were smaller they had more fun unwrapping and playing with the boxes. They are all between 12 and 17 now. I told them to count their blessings if they get Christmas dinner this year let alone presents. This year kinda stinks, but I am sure they will get a few things they each want. I always figure it out.

Christmas Club...sm [2008-11-20]
I have three grown kids (includes 1 in-law) and I have money taken out of my paycheck through the year and whatever the amount is when I get the check, I divide that by 3 and that is how much I spend on the kids. It I put back through the year from my OT and get my husband something nice and then I just pick up a few inexpensive things along the way for a couple of other people I like to give a little something to. I don't think anybody really cares how much I spend on them, but I do try my best to be equal in what I spend on the kids, even at their ages now!

Do any of you have a spouse [2008-11-20]
who can How do you work it out? Are you just stuck always being the bad guy? Unfortunately, the entire United States is having a difficult financial time. It is obviously not just our household. We have cut back everywhere we can, and I mean everywhere. Our families are having difficult problems as well. We also have an ex-spouse and have had unexpected increases in child support, etc. recently along with unexpected additional expenses where this is concerned. Basically, the child needs new glasses, etc. even though the child really doesn It just seems like it is one thing after another and I know it is for everyone, although the circumstances may be slightly different. My problem is that I have been telling my husband for months that this was coming, along with Christmas, birthday, etc. He hasn Although we have cut back on many things, on my initiative, it just has not sunk in for him until now...when everything finalized and we dont To top this off, he can Ibad guy because he is ok with all of it although he admits he has no idea where the money is going to come from. I have been upfront with my family and when people ask me but is it too much to ask that he do the same? I dont But of course he wants to constantly remind me (the cheap skate and tight-a$$) to cut back on groceries, etc. which I cannot possibly do any more than I have already. We have nothing left in savings. We have no Christmas fund. I I donI told you so but I did tell him and he had no concerns until now...when we are seemingly headed towards financial trouble. I have been working OT but his OT has been cut indefinitely from his employer. I I must say he doesn't buy things for himself..its just the piddling away of $20 here and $20 there on top of our already mounting unexpected expenses.

Haven't done it for years . . . sm [2008-11-20]
but this year my 14-year-old daughter and her friend and mother are all going to try it again with me. I am looking forward to it, because I think it will be a lot of fun for me and my daughter! We don't go out too seriously, though, just for fun!!! I used to like to bag the bargains when the kids were little, but nowadays the bargains never match my list!!!

My husband is oblivious to our finances [2008-11-20]
Sometimes that It sounds like maybe your husband is too proud to tell his family that he can I I would suggest talking to the leader of his family, the person who hosts the get-togethers, and let them know that you do the finances and you just don It doesn I would certainly let your husband know that you are going to say something beforehand, but he doesn I For birthdays, we take the time to call and wish that person a happy birthday. We don My brother lives about 2 hours away, so we don Unless his family is loaded, I'm sure they'll understand. As for the glasses, I just took my son for new glasses yesterday. The eye doctor said he needs a new prescription, but I asked if just the lenses could be replaced and the frames reused. He said absolutely. Our insurance covers new frames, lenses and the exam, but my son has a tendency to break things at the most inopportune time. We just bought him these glasses in June because he broke them and according to the insurance, it wasn Now that he is eligible for everything new, we asked for just the lenses. If he breaks his frames later in the year, we can just get new frames (covered by insurance) and pop the lenses in. The only problem there would be is they discontinue his frames because the new lenses probably wouldn So, something to consider here is, if your stepchild needs a new prescription and already has glasses, then I would check with your lawyer to see if you can just buy new lenses for the current frames. The frames are what normally cost the most anyway.

there is a parallel universe! [2008-11-20]
Depressed is the right word for what he feels, so you can shut your mouth right now. This is all about guilt. I am a step-mom too and I swear you are telling my story down to the glasses! I would love to tell you that you are in this together and partners, etc., but the truth is my husband did not come around until he got a good job, a really good job that had status and paid a lot of money, and he had to do that all on his own. I let him buy expensive clothes, because for some reason, every time he got a raise it co-incided with buying a nicer suit or tie, so you can help him there. All the nightmarish gift exchanges, arguments about buying lotto tickets, not eating out, step-kids, all the horrific details and arguments just came down to him deciding to step up. Then it all just went away, the depression, the lotto tickets, and the give away the farm stuff too. Good luck to you! Don't give up on him!