Slightly off the subject but this reminds me

LOL - that reminds me of the other day when [2008-11-30]
my 7 year old son came home from school. He asked me did I know that kids used to not speak unless spoken too. I told him what a wonderful concept that was that we've lost over the years. He just looked at me horrified. His expression was priceless! :)

Slightly different perspective. [2008-11-13]
So maybe I shouldn't post about this since I have not exactly been in your shoes but I think possibly I can lend a help perspective. I lost my father to cancer when I was 19. My FIL is an alcoholic. No I didn't grow up in a divorced family or without a father through my childhood and no I haven't experienced my father being an alcoholic. What I feel I can tell you is there is such a thing as being too late to say the things you wanted to say, good or bad. If it does come to that, you will never let it go. He is still your father regardless of the choices he has made in his life. You only have 1 father. After seeing my FIL, I believe alcoholism is an illness. Sure people can fight it and get help if they wan, but it takes a very, very strong person to overcome it and it is a constant battle. From the sounds of your post it seems as though you have some things you need to get off of your chest. Whether that means sitting down and talking to him or putting the past in the past and moving on with any kind of relationship - I think only you can figure that out. Even a relationship that is only on holidays and important events is still a relationship. Who knows, maybe talking to your mom would help her as much as it might help you. It certainly can't be a short conversation, it needs to be thorough to get through the surface feelings and to the nitty gritty. Maybe, just maybe, your mom could shed some light for you on why she has been able to forget the past to a certain extent and move on. If nothing else, this might make you and your mom even closer and it sounds like no one else (professional or otherwise) would understand better than her. With my FIL, we do not stay when he is drunk or starts drinking. The entire family knows we pack up and leave, regardless of the situation. It hurts his feelings sometimes I can tell, but he knows the circumstances and we have small children that we will not subject to that. It was difficult at first but over the years it is just the way it is and no one says a word anymore and respects where we are coming from.

Pumba. Reminds of Lion King. LOL...sm [2008-11-12]
She is a pretty kitty and sitting under the tree like she is a gift for someone. lol

This reminds me of an incident a couple of [2008-11-11]
months ago. My parents live 4 hours away and wonlonely people. Now, my parents may not come down but who says we are lonely??? I too went through many years of crying because we didn't have that Martha Stewart Christmas.

Off subject - Many insurance companie won't insure - sm [2008-11-09]
your home for certain breeds, Pitbulls and Rotweilers are two of them, also Siberian Huskies and German shepards in others. I have had huskys for years and they are the friendliest dogs in the world though they look fierce since they closely resemble wolves and are probably the closest domesticated dog to a wolf. It is unfair to the breed to mark it as dangerous because of its looks. My dog does get aggressive around other dogs but he is the Alpha male here, but with people he is just fine. I have the only husky in the world that does not bark or howl, he talks on rare occasion. The breed doesn't usually don't bark much as it is, but they love to howl. We have another dog but a female lab and the two of them are fine together. While I like pitbulls and I have known a few to be very good dogs, I will always be on my guard around them as you never know what might trigger it to become aggressive. Dogs can feel threatened over the such little things and cause such heartbreak in the process.

Ugh. Reminds me of (sm) [2008-11-02]
I remember dating this very handsome eligible batchelor when I was in my early 20s. He had his own apartment and a good job. He proudly told me about the fancy set of pots and pans he'd bought, so that was one thing he'd already have when he got married. I don't even care about cooking, but I didn't like the idea of the male picking out stuff for his future wife. I'm sure he made somebody a great husband, but it's funny how that conversation set off alarm bells for me. My husband also bought a car without talking to me about it while we were engaged, and I was quite shocked. It did say something about his attitude about money and purchases, and I should have listened to those warning bells too.

your post reminds me of the Jim Carey movie [2008-09-10]

this reminds me of what I went through [2008-08-03]
in the 80how much Kleenex are you using?. He had said so far. I called the teacher and said I was going to send the same roll of toilet paper we were having to use at home. She told me it was for the kids whose parents did not have money for these things and I told her, guess what, I am one of those parents. I. I never got asked for anything again. I thought I would choke on school supplies and extras the teachers liked such as Weekly Reader (in Texas, all school books are free, but that does not include Weekly Reader). There was the added pressure of each class getting a pizza party for 100% compliance. I wonder what they are going to do now with all the health food concerns, LOL.

Oops - got my name and subject line mixed up above [2008-07-09]
Guess its time to call it quits. :-) The two are backwards.

Almost 2 years. Problem has sometimes improved slightly, [2008-06-02]
.

Reminds me a lot of MTing when you get a new job [2008-05-09]
They make promises; you totally believe them (not you, probably more me), and then you find out they count lines strangely and you don that's all I expect anymore, used to be week long cruises in the good old days of MTing. Remember then? Good luck to everyone on the stimulus, hope you get it soon! MTmom.

That reminds me of what you do when you see a jellyfish (sm) [2008-04-23]
Don't touch the testicles!!!!

Oh that reminds me "We got a great big Tomboy....(sm) [2008-04-23]
trucking through the night, yeah, we got a great big Tomboy ain My 7 year old's version of Convoy she heard on TV...lol

On the subject of fault. Dont read if easily [2008-04-11]
If my opinion upsets someone, I think it is their fault (for lack of a better word) if they get upset.Everyone owns their own feelings and should not let someone elsehow they feel. As far as lemmings and masses, those are generalities, a comment on society as a whole, not aimed at any one person. I am sorry if my opinions have so much influence over others. I will try to keep my thoughts in check.

that reminds me of a funny story sm [2008-03-21]
Remember back in the day when flip flops were called thongs? Well, my daugher (she was about 15 or so) and I were shopping with one of her friends and she said something that was funny, but 'back in the day' my mom would not find it humerous. I told her that she was lucky because, 'my mom would have reached back, took off her thong, and slapped me with it.' She looked at me in horror and her friend in disbelief... It finally dawned on me what they were thinking and after I stopped laughing hysterically, I explained... ahh... the good ol' days!

Reminds me of those ads which have always run in the back of comic books or magazines [2008-03-21]
Ever since I was little, the same ad still runs, I think it is for a learn at home program it says: Become a Medical Transcriptionist in your spare time. Earn over 25K a year. I am not kidding this one has been running in the back of magazines and comic books forever. I think it also says, learn by typing doctor They never update it. So, we make the same as we would have 15 years ago... but then again, that might be true considering we never get a cost of living raise... hmmmm.

This is a personal subject between him and his wife. [2008-03-18]
First, I hardly think affairs are only a NY thing. Do you know all of NY office holders? If you believe stats, most American adults have had an affair. I don't think that necessarily makes a person not decent, it just means they're human and had a failing. Personally, I'm tired of God complexes in Government. This is a personal subject between him and his wife. I wonder how many of us could live up to the scrutiny heaped upon politicians. I KNOW I couldn't. I've made mistakes too.

Reminds me of a neighbor [2008-03-11]
I called the school system on a child who was not attending school (I would see him lots of days in his yard during school time). When the authorities came out the mother tried to tell them she was homeschooling the child. Good thing her word was not taken- this woman can hardly read and is basically right on the fringe of incompetency herself. I think some kind of system ought to be in place to teach children- I personally do not think I have the knowledge to give my own child what they would need. Read on this site where mothers homeschooling and working an 8 hour day? How in the world are they doing that. I think the kids will probably suffer in the longrun.

But we need to subject our children [2008-03-11]
Is it fair for me (with no education in teaching) to try to teach my child, die, and then expect my child to do well as an adult in this society? No way. Let them live and learn as I did. Homeschooling, in my opinion (again my opinion) is like the MA and PA days where there wasn I The high school I attended had a lot of kids that came from private school because the high school was vo-tech, so the parents felt the kids were getting better than public school. Those kids that came from the private schools knew more about sex and drugs than I did growing up in the public school system. I guess their parents had the money, and I guess the kids felt penned up, I don't really know the cause. Never would I expect my children to go out and get a job or even survive one minute in college without an education from a school system. I don I don Let them see the world for themselves and for what it truly is, a melting pot, something to be experienced, a beautiful thing, and to avoid negativity at all costs, but to experience some just to learn from it. JMO. P.S.: Thanks for listening.....

That reminds me of my DH! . . [2008-03-05]
We have a small hobby farm and he works on it before/after work and on weekends. He would hate life if all he did was work and come home. I hate it when it is rainy or the weather is bad because he just sits in the house and complains about how there isn't anything to do (like a little kid!). Sometimes it makes me feel like he hates to spend time with me, but I figure he is just happiest taking care of his tractor and animals and whatever else he does out there. It must be a guy thing. He always says he needs to get a hobby that doesn't involve work. I have been trying to get involved with the farming stuff, so I can do things outside with him. He said he will help build me a chicken house so I can get some chickens this spring. He said he will help me get the garden going too. I guess I just need to meet him halfway and be more involved. Good luck to you!

maybe a slightly pinched nerve? (sm) [2008-02-21]
I've had something like this happen before, mostly just took an anti-inflammatory and/or another hot shower to loosen up then tried to work through it... Good luck!

Since we are posted on a subject I dearly luv!!! [2008-02-15]
Sex/cooking. I just made the most delicious Rachel Ray Recipe.. Chorizo-Hominy etal...Stoup plus a few of my own concoctions. Served it hot piping with cheese and chicken quesadillas...(CAT,this chicken from those last 3 recipes I boasted about...Haveusedit all) Excuse pleez, this was well receivedby the entire family, teenager, preteenager, dieting daughter, hungry husband, sweet son-in-law and handsomeG-Q house guest from Brazil....

I like it and I'm old. Reminds me of late 60's girl group [2008-02-11]
xxx

This is a sensitive subject, but is anyone else SM [2008-02-04]
Tired of the commercials advertising products for feminine odor? I just heard this again several times yesterday and it is degrading. If anyone has an odor bad enough that you are offending others there is a simple remedy . . it Is it me, or is that disrespectful to women? Why don I could name a few.

I can talk on this subject because [2008-01-29]
I can almost guarantee that if your child asks you this, when they are out on their own they would never return the same. I know, have an older daughter who asked me about my earlier life. She is now in her 30s and if I kiddingly ask I get the reply none of your business and it is not really and have told her as long as she is safe, no problem here. Your past is yours, no one elses.

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

both my kids figured it [2008-11-26]
My kids never believed in Santa, and they would ask is there one and I would say yes, and change the subject because my kids have big mouths and would have marched into preschool and educated everyone else. So the answer is yes, change the subject, donhonest with your kids. We just minimalized the importance of it and get on with the rest of christmas.

Does anyone play board games or card games anymore? [2008-11-25]
My 7-year-old child was invited to a B-day party for a little boy that was also turning 7. Anyway, when it came to opening gifts, he got Wii game toys, the different controlers and games. I did not even know the kid had a Wii game, but it seemed like everyone else did. I bought him a race track and a game of Go Fish. The race track got an I already have that comment and the Go Fish was what the heck. He did not say that but he kinid of looked at it like that and put it back in the bag. I wondered if he even knows what Go Fish is. The only gamesmy child has are board games, card games, those free games you can play on the computer and 1 game that plugs into the TV. It looks like a joystick and it has 3 games in it. These games have helped her in her reading because she has to read directions. She can identify a lot of the ocean fish. I was treated like an outcast at the party anyway. Itried to join in conversations with the other mothers, I would get ignored or very short answers, some would actually walk away. Then one mother actually turned her back to me to talk to another so I would just listen. They were talking about building houses, they have lots of land blah blah blah. They were giving each other advice on what to do with it all. When the conversation turned to how their kids are struggling in this subject or that that is when I got up and left because they toned their conversation down and then shut it off completely when then thought I was listening, so I thought that was my cue just leave so they can vent to one another about it. Itwas moreabout the teachers expecting too much blah blah blah.I have known some of these mothers or their spouses since we were little kids. They really treated me like trash back then. I thought that now that we were in our 30s, have not had much contact with each other since HS until now that our kids are going to school together, it would be like water under the bridge. Guess not. The families were wealthier than we were (just about every family was wealthier than we were back thenlol)but I know theycan Well, actually I don The only thing I did have over them is my kid is not struggling in school. She is making straight As on all her subjects. The only reason I went was because my 7-year-old and the7-year-old boy are really good friends and Ithought thatmaybe me and the other mothercould find something in common.At school, they are in separable so I really wanted dd to go to help him celebrate his special day. I could not help but notice that dd played with him more and the others were playing among themselves. I do worry if that tee I worry that they are going to discriminate against DD because I was a poorlittle nobody back in school and they were popular.I worry that they are going to start refusing to let the little boy play with dd and it will break her heart and hate me. I take baths, I practice clean living, always have, no drugs, alcohol. I don I pay my bills. Everything I own, I got honestly, paid for it myself. Of course, it isn H is not from here, he went to school elsewhere. I used to worry about that too back when we 1st started dating..Him finding out I was an outcast, dork or whatever and hate me. Now I worry that my child is going find out and resent me.

Mine would have said, "No" but I hate that sm [2008-11-24]
You probably have a generous husband. Mine is but only with family, sometimes he is rude to the point I get upset. I would rather be nice about it, but then again, it sounds like an heirloom so with the holiday coming, just say, Hi, are you finished with my heirloom rolling pin, I can Then next time, say, Gee, sorry, the thing was so old, I guess you Just work around it and be happy you have a guy who shares. Mine drives me nuts when it comes to this subject, not a good sharer, what's his is his and don't dare borrow it!

Wow! Was a nerve hit??? [2008-11-24]
I didnLeave it to Beaver. That's just not the case. By the end of the 1960s and into the 1970s the pendulum had started to swing so far toward women having careers that we were often belittled for choosing to be home with the children. Remember Hillary Clinton's cookie baking comment during her husband's first campaign? In fact, stay-at-home moms were the norm for only one brief period in our history right after WW II in the post war boom times. There was a pretty awful recession in the 1970s, and I remember gas rationing and long lines at the pumps. My mother had to work two jobs, and my father, who was in construction, was often one of the first to feel economic ups and downs in his paycheck. But we had dinner together every night at the kitchen table. Before the stay-at-home mothers of 1950's t.v. fame, most mothers worked. They had to. Only the very privileged stayed home and waited for Ward Cleaver to come home from the office. My grandmother, who lived to be 94, God bless her soul, was born in 1908. Her mother died during the great Spanish flu epidemic in 1918. My grandmother was the eldest of four children, and at the age of 10 she became the woman of the house. She stopped going to school so that she could cook and clean and took care of her father and siblings. And no one thought that was wrong. It was expected because there really weren't any government social services -- no welfare, no foster care. Eventually, when her father's depression over the loss of his wife became so great that he couldn't manage to bring home an income, people in the neighborhood just took over. The two eldest children went to live with other families. The two youngest went to an orphanage. My grandmother's father just drifted away and his children never saw him again. My grandmother married at age 20 and had four children during the depression. Talk about having it hard. When I was a young mother trying to make ends meet and I'd cry to my grandmother, she brought me around to reality. She told me what it was like for her to raise children during that time. Many a night she cried over whether or not she could even feed her children or if they would have a roof over their heads. And she wasn't alone. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, was in the same boat. The Great Depression was enormous. She and my grandfather worked wherever and whenever they could. They brought home a dollar or two at a time and fed their children buttermilk and potatoes. They didn't sleep, they worried all the time. Today, my grandmother's washboard hangs in my kitchen on the wall next to my dishwasher. It reminds me that I have no right to ever say that things are harder on us today. They aren't. Generally speaking, most Americans have so many more advantages, choices and opportunities than those who came before us. Yet many in my generation and the one or two generations behind me are just whiners and crybabies who don't think about the big picture. They even dare to say they have a harder time as parents today. Please. Not even close! Every generation seems to believe that, but just a short trip through a history book proves otherwise. I'm not that very old. But I've raised my children and I raised them well. I know what it takes to do that. It takes self-discipline, sacrifice and consistency. And you know what? That's exhausting. Parents today are tired. So what? All parents are tired. Offer it up, as the old nuns used to say. The kids have homework an hour a night. So what? They should have homework, and parents should make sure that it gets done, because education is important. There are parent-teacher meetings to attend, coaches association meetings, scout meetings, dance lessons, school recitals, etc. etc. etc. So what? Balance it out, quit what can't be done, do what can. Work because you have to. The kids have to be fed. It's still easier than it was a generation ago, two generations ago, three and on and on. We're parents to young ones for only a short time. Which reminds me, let's not forget about birth control. Most of us have 2-point-whatever children these days. I'm the youngest of 7. Most of the families in my neighborhood when I was growing up had 4 or more children. Today women can choose to have as many or as few children as they want. That means that we parent for far fewer years than the generations before us. I'm done with day-to-day parenting after just 20 years, and in fact, it got much easier on my day-to-day schedule once my boys were in high school. But my mother had children at home for 34 years. Imagine the number of cloth diapers for 7 children for year after year after year. Yes. I had it far easier, and I know it. So when I was exhausted raising my two boys, I just sucked it up and kept at it. The OP, I think, probably didn't want to be as blunt as I'm willing to be. She IS helping by babysitting her grandchildren while her children work. I'm sure she loves her children and grandkids, but I'm willing to bet that if she dared to say to her children the things I've posted, her children would react just as you did and she'd end up cut off from her family. To the OP: I hope it helped to vent a little, and I want you to know that I understand.

I like them..sm [2008-11-23]
I have no idea how to describe the taste. In my immediate family of 3 adults, I am the only one who likes them, though. A bonus:They grow really, really well in our garden. So glad you want to give them another try. Here is my roasted turnips technique: Note: All ingredients amounts are to taste. Also keep in mind that they shrink when roasted. Turnips, peeled and cut into wedges or cubes slightly bigger than bite size. Salt. Pepper. Rosemary, dry or fresh, chopped. Garlic cloves (or garlic/onion powder)Olive oil to coat turnips. Butter, either melted and mixed with the olive oil, or pieces on top prior to baking. Total roasting time is 45 to 50 mins. Preheat oven to 375. Mix everything except the garlic together. Roast 15 mins. Stir and add garlic cloves. Roast another 15 mins. Raise heat to 425 and roast until browning (15-20 mins).

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.

Mexican Chicken soup [2008-11-18]
Ingredients 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 medium rib celery, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 6 cups chicken broth, low-sodium canned 1/4 cup canned green chiles 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can posole, drained or frozen corn kernels 4 canned whole peeled tomatoes, roughly chopped 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 cup cooked skinless shredded chicken breast (about 4 ounces) 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves Juice of 1 lime Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, garlic, chili powder, and cumin, and cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, bring to a boil, reduce the heat slightly, and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Add the green chiles, posole, tomatoes, and oregano and cook for another 5 minutes. Pull the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chicken, cilantro leaves, and lime juice. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve hot. I normally buy 2 of the already roasted chickens at the store (Wal-mart) and eat most of one chicken for dinner and then use the leftovers as well as the next chicken for the soup, I know that is more chicken than what is called for, but it just really makes for a wonderful soup. I don't always have cilantro on hand so I usually leave that out. Also, for the whole tomatoes, I usually use a large can of crushed tomatoes. Sometimes the soup is a little to thin so I might throw in a handful of instant rice. My family can't get enough of it.

Bakes potato soup [2008-11-17]
I like to make baked potato soup. Bake 3 large potatoes or 4-5 small ones. Cut them in half, cool slightly, then scoop out the middle. While they are baking I takes some time to heat up some chicken stock with a bay leaf, garlic, black pepper, a little time. Sometimes I use boulion (sp?) if I donbake the potatoes in the microwave if you want). I find that kids love it if you call it cheese and bacon soup. lol Usually for the bacon, I don't cook a new package but instead when I cook bacon for breakfast, etc. I save 2 or 3 pieces in the freezer each time. Then when I want some for soup, green beans, or salads it is available.

Slightly different perspective. [2008-11-13]
So maybe I shouldn't post about this since I have not exactly been in your shoes but I think possibly I can lend a help perspective. I lost my father to cancer when I was 19. My FIL is an alcoholic. No I didn't grow up in a divorced family or without a father through my childhood and no I haven't experienced my father being an alcoholic. What I feel I can tell you is there is such a thing as being too late to say the things you wanted to say, good or bad. If it does come to that, you will never let it go. He is still your father regardless of the choices he has made in his life. You only have 1 father. After seeing my FIL, I believe alcoholism is an illness. Sure people can fight it and get help if they wan, but it takes a very, very strong person to overcome it and it is a constant battle. From the sounds of your post it seems as though you have some things you need to get off of your chest. Whether that means sitting down and talking to him or putting the past in the past and moving on with any kind of relationship - I think only you can figure that out. Even a relationship that is only on holidays and important events is still a relationship. Who knows, maybe talking to your mom would help her as much as it might help you. It certainly can't be a short conversation, it needs to be thorough to get through the surface feelings and to the nitty gritty. Maybe, just maybe, your mom could shed some light for you on why she has been able to forget the past to a certain extent and move on. If nothing else, this might make you and your mom even closer and it sounds like no one else (professional or otherwise) would understand better than her. With my FIL, we do not stay when he is drunk or starts drinking. The entire family knows we pack up and leave, regardless of the situation. It hurts his feelings sometimes I can tell, but he knows the circumstances and we have small children that we will not subject to that. It was difficult at first but over the years it is just the way it is and no one says a word anymore and respects where we are coming from.

My new favorite is Vidalia onion cornbread sm [2008-11-13]
Vidalia Onion Cornbread (from Paula Deen) 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix 1/2 stick butter 1 large Vidalia or other sweet onion, chopped 1 egg, beaten 1/3 cup whole milk 1 cup sour cream 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese, divided 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp dill weed (which I leave out) Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with vegetable oil cooking spray. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and saute the onion until tender, but not browned, for about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the muffin mix, egg, milk, sour cream, 1/2 cup of the cheese, the salt, and dill weed. Stir to combine. Pour into the prepared pan and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, until set and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before cutting into squares. I double the recipe and bake it in a 9x13 or even 11x15 pan and it comes out great. And to keep the cheese from getting too dark, I add it the last 10 minutes instead of at the beginning. So yummy! Second favorite is corn casserole, very similar to the onion cornbread. Corn Casserole 1 pkg Jiffy corn muffin mix 8 oz sour cream 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1 egg 1 can whole kernel corn (do not drain) 1 can cream-style corn 1stick of butter Melt the butter in an 8x8 baking dish in a 400-degree oven. Meanwhile, mix the corn muffin mix, juice from whole kernel corn, egg, and sour cream until well mixed. Add remaining ingredients and pour into dish with butter. Stir slightly to mix in the butter. Bake 30-45 minutes or until set in the middle. Again, I have doubled this recipe and baked in a 9x13 pan; however, donot double the butter or it is too greasy.

Thanks for your suggestions and kind words. [2008-11-12]
I am a very old fashioned person and generally speaking have the ideals that you speak of above. Making gifts, thinking outside of the box because it means more, putting aside the cost and really putting effort and thought into the gift - for any occasion. I know I have a short fuse right now with the hormones and it makes me not want to even try. Really my MIL is the only problem. Everyone else would love a thoughtful, homemade gift. I guess you sort of have to know her personality too. Generally speaking, she rubs me the wrong way but I try to just let things go. I just get tired of hearing the we are really going to cut back this year! when they said the same thing last year and it was a normal Christmas, then when I offer a suggestion she looks at me like I just cut someoneretired and bored. I did stand my ground this year though and tell my husband to deal with her on the Christmas morning doings. In the past Santa only comes to her house...so all the kids and grandkids have to cart their stuff over there to put under the tree and then wake up and drive over for presents in the morning. Screw that. In what fairy tale book did they read that Santa doesn't come to the house where the child sleeps?! Crazy how different families can be. Oh well, I'm getting off subject here but I thank you for your kind words and I'm going to try to change my attitude. I can only do what I can do. I suggested my homemade gift ideas to my husband and he then went through a catalog and picked out gifts. Granted they were $15-20 a piece but still. Every dollar counts these days. HI'm trying to look at it as one less thing I have to do or think about - I'm sure that's where he is coming from anyway. Men just think backwards sometimes.

Ok, but there are NO long-term studies!!! [2008-11-12]
And I don't know about you, but my daughter is NOT going to be a guinea pig for this vaccine!!! My daughter's doc keeps asking me to allow her to have this, but since they have no idea of the adverse reactions YEARS after the vaccine, there's no way I'm going to subject her to it. I really hope 10 years from now the girls that had Gardasil don't have problems with fertility or heaven forbid, have babies with birth defects because their parents let them be guinea pigs for drug companies!

FYI [2008-11-11]
This information comes from the Mensa International web site: Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities. Mensans range in age from 4 to 94, but most are between 20 and 60. In education they range from preschoolers to high school dropouts to people with multiple doctorates. There are Mensans on welfare and Mensans who are millionaires. As far as occupations, the range is staggering. Mensa has professors and truck drivers, scientists and firefighters, computer programmers and farmers, artists, military people, musicians, laborers, police officers, glassblowers--the diverse list goes on and on. There are famous Mensans and prize-winning Mensans, but there are many whose names you wouldn't know. The term IQ score is widely used but poorly defined. There are a large number of tests with different scales. The result on one test of 132 can be the same as a score 148 on another test. Some intelligence tests don't use IQ scores at all. Mensa has set a percentile as cutoff to avoid this confusion. Candidates for membership in Mensa must achieve a score at or above the 98th percentile on a standard test of intelligence (a score that is greater than or equal to that achieved by 98 percent of the general population taking the test). As this list suggests, Mensa is a remarkably diverse organization. While Some Mensans noted here are well known, many others lead interesting lives out of the public eye. Geena Davis: Academy-award winning actress, who has starred in The Long Kiss Goodnight, A League of Their Own, Thelma and Louise and Hero. Donald Petersen: A former chairman of Ford Motor Company. While at Ford, Petersen was involved in the development of two of Ford's most successful cars--the Mustang and the Maverick. Marilyn Vos Savant: Listed in the Guinness Hall of Fame for having the worldAsk Marilyn!, a weekly column in Parade magazine. Bobby Czyz: A former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) Cruiserweight Champion. Czyz now commentates on many nationally-broadcasted fights. Dr. Julie Peterson: A former Playboy Playmate, Peterson is a graduate of Life School of Chiropractic. Alan Rachins: Portrays DharmaDharma Greg. Rachins, who left the Wharton School of Finance to pursue an acting career, also portrayed Douglas Brachman on the hit TV series, L.A. Law. Adrian Cronauer: Radio personality, lawyer and subject for the movie Good Morning Vietnam. Terance Black: Screenwriter of HBOTales from the Crypt, syndicated series Dark Justice and the feature film Dead Heat. Barry Nolan: Co-anchor of TVHard Copy. Deborah Yates: Member of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes. Bob Speca, Jr.: Professional domino toppler. Speca travels internationally doing domino shows and has appeared on TV programs and commercials. John N. Moore: University of Virginia law professor who specializes in international law. Moore was hired by the U.S. ambassador to Kuwait to help the emirate recover damages inflicted during the August 2, 1990 invasion. Jean Auel: Best-selling author of Clan of the Cave Bear, Valley of Horses, and Plains of Passage. Linda Warwick: Creator and producer of the billboard mega-hit childrensBabymugs!, and the Toddler TOGS series--the fantasy video for highly creative tots. Maurice Kanbar: Inventor and owner of Skyy Vodka. Henry Milligan: A boxer and scholar, Milligan was the 1983 National Amateur Heavyweight champion. Patricia P. Jennings: Pianist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. She is the symphony's first black member and has performed internationally. Richard Lederer: A master of the pun. Lederer has written dozens of books on word play and is a frequent guest on National Public Radio. Judge Ellen Morphonios: Nicknamed Maximum Morphonios for her strict rulings in Florida. Morphonios is a former model and beauty queen who passed a Florida exam that allowed her to enter law school without an undergraduate degree. Richard Bolles: Author of What Color is Your Parachute? which at one point had been on The New York Times Best-seller List for 228 weeks. Velma Jeremiah: A retired attorney who graduated fourth in her law school class at the age of 47. She is a former chairwoman of Mensa International. Dr. Abbie F. Salny: Author of the Mensa Quiz-a-Day books and calendars. Dr. Salny is a retired college professor and expert in intelligence who has served as Mensa's supervising psychologist. Note: most of the members listed are members of American Mensa.

I think you should tell them and let them decide what they want to do. [2008-11-04]
My husband died six months ago suddenly and unexpectedly. My niece, who just turned 12, has always been extremely close to my husband and me, and spends a lot of time at our house. LIke your children, she had never experienceddeath in aclose relative before. The day he died, my brother and sister-in-lawpicked her up from school and broke the news to her. She was sad of course and she cried for quite a while. Her parents gave her the choice of what she wanted to do in regards to go to the funeral home and/or attend the funeral. She chose to come to the funeral home and sit with me, and to attend the funeral. She later wrote on the subject when the class had to write an essay at school about a life altering event.She wrote about how much she loved her uncle and she felt that was her last chance to say goodbye, as she didnShe was sad that he died suddenly and she didn't know ahead of time, and that seemed to hurt her a lot, even though nothing could change that. As for me, her presence at that time made mefeel a little better. My husband She She knows sometimes when I get a little sad, that I'm thinking of my husband, and she totally understands, cause she still misses him too. I know this is kind of rambling, but I hope it makes sense. I think kids want to be a part of our experiences, the good and the bad, and I think to exclude them, even when you think you Good luck to you and your family. My prayers are with you.

your video [2008-10-31]
That reminds me of the scene where Jerry Maguire and (what ever Renees name was in the movie) were watching their video right after the ceremony. He was rubbing his forehead and looking quite disturbed. I tease my boyfriend about doing that if we ever get married. We are middle aged (supposing we will live to be really old) :) and he has never been married! Glad you had a fun time on your first anniversary!

Okay, here's what I see in your message [2008-10-29]
1. I It sounds to me that maybe his brother feels inferior to your DH. 2. When told he should be prepared if he gets drafted he said oh no they wouldnThere is no draft anymore. Nobody is automaticaly an officer just because they work for a prestigious company. (Another way the brother sounds quite inferior to your husband). 3. Why do you live in that state you do? Only bumpkins live there.That's totally ignorant. 4. Why do you keep moving? Have you done something illegal and are trying to hide? (Weve been at the same address for 2 years.That makes no sense. 5. You should be happy is O gets in, you When DH said what in the world makes you think I donyou do? (I think itHe's showing how inferior he feels again. He wants that check himself. 6. You know your just stup!d because you voted for GW. When DH said to him what makes you think we voted for him? He just said you didn We all thought you voted for him. DH said, no I didn:Just trying to stir up political trouble. 7. He made a comment about there might be a bloody war coming in the middle east and then said Oh I. DH said well no, why would you say that. Then the little *(% changes the subject.Might be a bloody war in the middle east? Where's he living? He doesn't know about Iraq and Afghanistan? Shows his ignorance again. .... but his brother doesn All he wants to talk about is sports (which DH hates sports) or who the Survivor or American Idol winner is.He lives in a small world, has a small mind, and if I were your husband, Idwell onpettiness (sp) or ignorance. I think you husband's family is just jealous of you guys and what you've accomplished in your lives and his brother is trying to get your husband down to his level.

itching burning sm [2008-10-28]
ItI ended up diagnosing myself, it was a pain med I was on, stopped when I discontinued. Had them after pregnancy, used hot baths, then hemorrhoidal ointment. Sometimes the hot baths will dry the skin, thus the itching. Bubble baths are also VERY bad for both the anal and genital area. Don't blame your husband yet, could be an allergy to something, i.e. new laundry soap, etc. Good luck with it.

Who needs them [2008-10-28]
Yesterday I was saddened beyond words. Who needs enemies with family like this. DH was talking to his half brother (15 years younger than DH) and these are some of the statements brother made to him. First let mesayhis brother is from a second marriage. MIL hates to acknowledge her3 kids from her first marrage. She has always felt they are inferior to her youngest. They live in a different state so we don So here is what his little punk half brother said to him. Even though it is brought on by political talk, this is more of a family issue post so didncomments (whichwere spoken with fake southern accent). 1. I'm not dumb, I went to a University (husband went to state colleges). 2. When told he should be prepared if he gets drafted he said oh no they wouldn't draft me, I work for a prestigious company and I went to a University and if I was drafted I would automatically be an officer, I wouldn't have to do all the other stuff the uneducated ones do. 3. Why do you live in that state you do? Only bumpkins live there. 4. Why do you keep moving? Have you done something illegal and are trying to hide? (Weve been at the same address for 2 years. 5. You should be happy is O gets in, you When DH said what in the world makes you think I donyou do? (I think it's odd that he didn't even ask DH what he does). 6. You know your just stup!d because you voted for GW. When DH said to him what makes you think we voted for him? He just said you didn We all thought you voted for him. DH said, no I didn 7. He made a comment about there might be a bloody war coming in the middle east and then said Oh I. DH said well no, why would you say that. Then the little *(% changes the subject. In the past we have been told that only the stup!d uneducated people go into the military (we were both in the military - me for 3 years and DH for 12 years. Husband also has an IQ of around 129, but he has always been told he is inferior (not in those exact words) because he didnUniversity. DH told him I wanted to go to this place or that and if mommy daddy could pay the way for me too I would have been able to go(not in those exact terms) and then his brother got upset and was trying to say DH was saying he was stup!d. Then his mom got in on it and told DH he's picking on him and jealous, etc. I just canhis own brother could say such hurtful things. I could understand if its someone you donItthat he He said their true colors really came out. And if you want to talk about intelligence DH will bring up subjects like what All he wants to talk about is sports (which DH hates sports) or who the Survivor or American Idol winner is. It is just really sad to be treated like your nothing by your own family. We have decided we will not be answering the phone from now on if he calls and just not talking to him for a long long time and let him think about what he did. Me particularly, I don Just very very sad. Okay, Sorry so long, just felt heartbroken and had to get it out.

I made baked sweet potatoes for dinner last night [2008-10-21]
You cook them just like a baked potato. My 10 y/o daughter and I just like butter on ours. I love sweet potatoes though! I also have a really good recipe with apples and sweet potatoes in a casserole (see below). I brought it for Thanksgiving dinner last year and it was a hit! It's more tart than sweet and really delicious! Apple-Sweet Potato Bake 3 pounds sweet potatoes 4 medium tart apples, peeled 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup butter, cubed 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup honey 2 tablespoons orange juice 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1. Scrub sweet potatoes with a veggie brush under cold water. Pierce skin in several places; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until almost tender (I bake them a little longer cuz I like them pretty mushy). Cool slightly; peel potatoes and cut into 1/4 inch slices. 2. Cut the apples into 1/4 inch slices; toss with lemon juice. In a greased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish, alternately arrang sweet potato and apple slices. Sprinkle with pecans. 3. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, orange juice, cinnamon and ginger. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; pour over potatoes and apples. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until tender. HereHeavenly Sweet Potatoes by Campbell's Soup. Vegetable cooking spray 1 can (40 oz) cut sweet potato, drained 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1/8 ground ginger 3/4 cup Swanson Chicken Broth 2 cups miniature marshmallows Spray a 1-1/2 quart casserole with cooking spray. Set the dish aside. Place the potatoes, cinnamon and ginger in a 3-quart bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the potatoes are fluffy and almost smooth. Add the broth and beat until the ingredients are mixed. Spoon the potato mixture into the prepared dish. Top with the marshmallows. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until hot and marshmallows are golden brown.

I think I understand sm [2008-10-21]
The Bible thing hits home with me, I go through it all the time, some of my family carries it in their car and they believed they are saved and I am not. Unfortunately, I have been victimized the other way around, DILfound the right path, I am Catholic and not saved and have noticed an almost but not complete banning such as not answering my calls, etc., even though I have in the past been a savior during hard times and itraw when it comes to this subject. I think back to when I resented my MIL and feel I am being punished but I truly do not deserve this, I never discuss religion, etc., my grandkids love me and I am tired of the excuses because they are hurting, they actually tell me theynewly-found Bible-based new testament. I have stopped going to church myself and am I know if I were told not to behave in a certain way, believe me, I would bend over backwards to play by the rules. I am just being given the cold shoulder I donsilent war and being pushed out, so don't listen to me, I'm in too much pain and I should take myself out of the equation. Good luck with everything, your kids don't need this swearing on the Bible thing, it's not normal. I pray that your Mom sees the light and loves the kids enough to change her ways. I''m just sad about my own situation. This shouldn't happen to a dog. But it did.

Thanks for your support sm [2008-10-21]
The subject just hit a nerve and I think this girl has a legitimate complaint and her Mom needs help.I just hate my new situation, all brought on by switching churches and thatI love them so much and I think my DIL just needs to lighten up with her new church who are very anti-Catholic. I truly never talk about religion or any private matters, just get down on the floor and get busy playing. There is really no comparison tothe OPsituation, I wouldn't tolerate that either. Sounds like her mom is taking the Bible out of context - a lot of that going around these days!! God would be very upset with it all - family is so important, I can't stand that a church family has taken the place of the biological family. Nobody wins, everybody loses. The original poster has my heartfelt sympathy, that's no way to talk to kids, they are blank slates and we shouldn't fill them up with nonsense in their little brains. Sorry for the raw edges, sensitive lately.

Actually, she never talked about it... [2008-10-20]
she always changed the subject when somebody asked her..guess she didn't feel it was anyone's business...good for her though...I heard she wanted to get pregnant so makes since that she would want to get married first.

I believe people are still inspired.... sm [2008-10-17]
by God today because I have seen the evidence in individual lives. I also believe there are people who THINK they are inspired by God but are really using God's name to perpetuate their own agenda. I don't remember Jesus speaking to the subject of homosexuality specifically, but he did warn sternly about adding to or taking away anything from God's word, and God's word does speak specifically to homosexuality. If you truly believe in Jesus and believe in God, then you must believe that his word is true.

I would not bash anyone for their beliefs [2008-10-17]
however, I do disagree. If my child came to me that he/she were gay, I would never in a million years tell them I disapprove of their lifestyle and that God does not approve either. As a mother, I would want my child happy and comfortable with their sexuality. I think a lot of damage is caused by parents who enforce their beliefs on their children. With it comes guilt, low self-esteem, unhappiness, self-disdain and anger. I would never ever subject my child to those feelings no matter how I felt about the situation.