THANK YOU for bringing that to my attention

Depends on who's bringing the desserts. [2008-11-26]
In my family some of us are cooks and some aren So it depends on who brings what. If it If Ibringing dessert, I usually make the pies.I have a sister who does not cook, so she always buys them. BUT she buys really good ones from local pie shop.For the first time, this year my 12 yo niece has been put in charge of dessert for Thanksgiving, with my SIL overseeing it. She I P.S. I do have a pumpkin pie stashed here at the house for later tomorrow night though!

Bringing your kids to see their granddad sm [2008-11-05]
My perspective: I had an uncle who was severely ill several years ago. His sons lived in different parts of the country and when he was well enough, they flew him in to visit. I could not see him so often, so I decided to write little notes to him from time to time. Talked about some funny things that he had done and how much they made me laugh. When he was gone, my aunt told me how much those trips and the notes meant to him, it was like a gift that he and the family got to experience before he was gone, a chance to say good-bye, that many people don't get. My prayers are with you and your family.

Sounds like he got a LOT of attention [2008-08-25]
x

Attention: Anon....website for stepmoms [2008-06-14]
Anon, I read your post about your stepson. I just wanted to let you know that I belong to a wonderful website that allows stepmoms to talk about their issues, give advice, share positives thoughts, vent, etc. I have learned a lot from the wonderful ladies on there. Here is the website if your are interested. www.stepsforstepmothers.com

Sounds like she is trying to get attention to me and it is working. sm [2008-05-18]
Can you not call and speak to the counselor yourself rather than your son? I couldn't confront the mother either but the counselor could if she saw it fit.

She does it for the attention, especially if she's sm [2008-05-09]
grinning at you afterward. I would just put her in the playpen or in the middle of the livingroom floor where she can't bang into anything or hurt herself and walk away. If she doesn't get a reaction, it won't be fun anymore. Good luck. They can be real stinkers, even at that young age.

Go for the classics, like Bringing up Baby or Philadelphia Story. [2008-03-19]
How about Blazing Saddles, Life of Brian, A Fish Called Wanda, or My Cousin Vinny?

She is a 68-year-old ROCK STAR, still bringing down the house. 'Nuff said. nm [2008-02-11]
x

Could be an attention/jealously thing too - sm [2007-12-19]
Why did dad take both kids to the game? Yeah its a lot harder with a little one but he needs to learn how to act when out in public too. We started taking ours out to dinner with us at a young age. They know how to act in a resturant and behave because of it. As for his comment on how hard can it be, this Saturday I'd dump the 3-y/o on him and go out for the entire day and see how he copes. My 2 (girls) have always been pretty good, they have had their moments and I have used time-outs, spanking, taking away treats/toys, etc. But are you right on target ignoring it, just walk away and let him scream, if he makes a mess have him (help) clean it up after he is done wailing. As it maybe being a cry for more of your attention or your husbands, are you working more than usual right now, do you spend any 1:1 time with him for say 20-30 minutes a day? If he doesn't get much of that then try making some time for him and get your DH to take him somewhere too just the 2 of them (granted if he is anything like my DH he never has the kids.....mine just started doing stuff with them on his own about 2 years ago when they were 5 and 7, so I get the rare 3 hours to myself on Saturday if he takes them to the movies or bowling). But your DH definitely needs to get a clue.

how about bringing someone into your home [2007-12-19]
a few hours maybe 3 days a week? You could canvass local daycares and find someone who has toys and resources to come in and work with your son. They can encourage good behavior with a reward system (have you tried a reward system instead of a punishment system?) It really sounds as though your son is understimulated in addition to wanting to run things and needing the right kind of attention (I don't say this to offend you...but you may not be meeting his needs with being so overwhelmed and things have just gotten into a rut). I had to work every Saturday for 2 months recently and I got a daycare worker my daughter loves to come spend a few hours of one-on-one time. I got my work done, my daughter felt special, the cost was minimal compared to what I earned, and the sitter loved coming. It was a win-win situation. It is unrealistic to think you can strip your house of everything you need and want to live with. If what you are doing now is not working, you need to do something different. I hope you get some creative ideas.

he wants your attention; take an hour and play with him [2007-12-19]
nm

This sounds more like a way to get attention. [2007-10-31]
If he I think if you feed into it then that would make him do it more. I would simply say to him Okay, if you. Tell him to let you know when he can be nice and you He does probably know this behavior causes quite a stir with you. He I think all kids have temper tantrums. It is part of growing up. Some adults even still to this day throw temper tantrums, so go figure! I P/S: Reward him for good behavior and time out or not giving him attention for bad behavior. Put a chart on the refrigerator so that he can keep track himself when he is nice and watch how fast he wants to be nice so he can put the sticker on the chart or what have you!

When did parents stop paying attention? [2007-10-04]
Ibigger kids outside. Turns out, there were some 9th graders hanging out at the back of the school building where we meet. They were sitting near the playground, smoking and filling an empty 2-liter soda bottle with smoke, making smoke rings. They weren't particularly noisy, but their language was atrocious. Obviously, we didn't want that example near the little ones. So I walked over and said to them in a calm voice, Hey folks, I They just looked at me with an I-hate-the-world look, rolled their eyes and said, Yeah, sure. Of course, there was no movement. I say, I One of our scout dads started heading over at that point. He's a big man about 300 pounds. These kids, two boys and a girl, started spewing language you wouldn't want a longshoreman to hear. I'm no prude, and I've done less than bright things as a teenager, and I've paid my dues working with some troubled kids. I wasn't shocked by the language, though, I didn't like it at all. I did, at one point, say to them, Look, can you do this at home? The girlYeah, my parents aren That one actually made me laugh. I said to her, Well, if it She started screeching about how adults just donI I know she didn't understand. Nothing was out of bounds with these kids. The other adult with me made a remark to them about how little he thought of their parents because of their behavior. One overly-brave kid said that his parents were fantastic and let him do whatever he wanted. Yeah. That was pretty obvious. He told us we shouldn't be disrespecting his parents. I told him that I would never want to do that. Would he, therefore, please go home, tell his parents what happened and send them back down to me. I'd be there for the next 30 minutes. No one showed of, of course. What gets me isnYou won So when did parents stop teaching kids these basic rules of conduct, and when did parents forget to really teach children about respect for others and respect for themselves? IMy boy scouts are great kids! Unfortunately, the 12-year-old boy scout who called my attention to the loitering kids saw most of the exchange above. But later he came to me and said, You know what? Now I know why you are constantly on top of us about our language and our behavior at scouts. Really? Why Those kids don Now there's a kid who will go far! And it was one of my payoff moments in scouts!

They need it all - Love, attention and Discipline (sm) [2007-09-13]
Not saying my two will never do anything wrong - they are 10 and 7 - but I shower them with love and attention - However, they know what lines not to cross too. However in the case above, it just sounds like pure out neglect -my 10 year old would not be somewhere without me knowing it to begin with (nor when he is 12 for that matter)and it would not even cross his mind to do something like that. I would think he had gone totally insane!

I blame the parents. Children are not getting the love and attention [2007-09-12]
xx

Bringing my issue with grandparents and cousins to the top [2007-07-08]
I am sorry, I got myself out of town for the weekend to get away. I am still at a loss. I have tried contacting my grandparents numerous times to no avail. I emailed my sister, and she talked to my grandmother who said she has simply missed my calls. Thank you all for letting me vent Friday and giving me opinions. I will not stoop to their level. Also, to the poster who asked why I think the babyFigure it out, Daddy and because when I asked if that was it, she said, What baby, did I say something about a baby and aren Thanks again all!

Pay attention to post above hypothyroid too [2007-07-07]
because I, after taking Synthroid for years and having the excessive hair loss among other things, came to this board and was told about Armour and I went to my physician and told him that was what I wanted and got onto that. The itching immediately went away, the coldness stays with me as soon as the temperature dips, have cold extremities always in the winter months and as I said before, still have moments of absolute exhausation where I take time to just recline and spend about 30 minutes there. I told my daughter about my diagnosis but could not find on my maternal side a previous diagnosis. Asking my father, he was unable to give me any history on his side so I figured we just ought to do a DNA. Just kidding. Good luck!

yup - back and CRAVING attention, as usual...n/m [2007-05-25]

Bringing Lost discussion up to top of board (major spoiler alert) [2007-05-11]
Okay, all you Lost fanatics, what are your theories now, and how have they changed? Who or what is Jacob? How did the original inhabitants of the island get there? They are mostly Caucasians with American accents, with a few exceptions. They don't look like the usual types of people who are native inhabitants of Polynesian islands - if, indeed, that is where the island is. Why were Jack and Juliet keeping secrets from the rest of the group? If they had been honest and up front from the beginning about Juliet, maybe they could have all figured out a way to foil Ben's plans without bloodshed. And will the island heal Locke? Obviously he is of major importance - I don't think Ben heard Jacob at all, and he was jealous and afraid when he realized Locke heard him. That's why he shot him. Ben is turning out to be an even bigger weasel than before. And what exactly was the Dharma Initiative studying? Does Ben really know? After all, he was only a work man like his father. For every answer, there are a dozen new questions - at least!

THANK YOU for bringing that to my attention [2007-05-03]
I totally agree, and I signed the petition. I wish they would pass a similar bill about childbirth. Some women can only stay in the hospital 24 hours after their child is born (or it may be 24 hours total, I'm not sure). Or at least that's all their insurance will pay for, if it is a healthy birth with no complications. I am currently fighting with my HMO about a medication that I desperately need. At the moment I am buying it through a Canadian pharmacy (based in New York state) and it is sent to me from Mumbai, India. In the U.S., the medication costs $10.00 a pill!!! Through this pharmacy, I get it for $1.77 a pill. But it is still more than twice what my normal co-pay would be if the $#@%#$ HMO would cover it. So any kind of insurance reform bills that ANYONE knows about, PLEASE pass the info along. Thanks!

Media and attention seekers...sm [2007-04-19]
There is nothing wrong with children today anymore than children of any other day. Half the problem is the media and all the attention they are giving this and other similar things of this nature. The media are reporting every shooting, every violent act they can get their hands on and grouping them together because people watch this crap. Bad things happen every day and will continue to happen. It The more media attention things like this get, the more people wanting attention will copy it.

Bringing up the thread on NY bagels [2007-04-01]
before it gets * pruned * I have a dumb question - - - - what makes a NY bagel so great??? I would think it is just bread dough formed in a circle....like I get at Albertson's or Safeway or Ralph's.

She's getting waaaay too much attention [2007-03-08]
I heard she was offered a half million dollar contract to be a spokesperson for an adult DVD company.

In Europe, bringing pets into stores is quite common and has been [2007-03-05]
g

Most likely it was done for attention, like [2007-02-17]
everything else she's been doing. That's what you have to do when everybody has already seen your shaved nether-regions, I guess.

About the coming change to all... [2008-11-30]
If there's anyone left on the planet (well, maybe it's just this country) who doesn't know this, and isn't sick and tired of hearing about it, seeing TV spots about it, etc. It's been going on for what, almost a year? It started before Feb 2008 because some got the idea THAT was when it was going to change, but it was 2009- over a year away. I haven Thinking it was some big news story, I read it, and I don't know if it's been saying this all along but, along with saying you won't get (or might NOT get) good or any TV when it changes, unless you get a converter box, it also says YOU CAN USE A VCR OR DVD (as a convertor)! Not a lot of people don't have a VCR or DVD player and if not, you can get a cheap one for $39.99 or so. So, you can hook up your antenna to the VCR or DVD player and that converts it to the digital the TV needs, and you also get the VCR and DVD player (if you don't already have one)? So, why haven't they said this before? Or, if they have it wasn't stressed. People can get coupons to buy a converter box, more wires and things to hook up, when they can use their VCR or DVD player (or buy a cheap one and watch tapes or DVDs or record, etc. on them, too)? Maybe I have this wrong, but I know it said you either MIGHT need a convertor box, OR a VCR or DVD player to get the digital signal (just not with your TV and anntenna) Just thought I'd pass this on, in case anyone who uses an antenna still hasn't gotten a converter box but might have a VCR or DVD player (or would rather buy one, instead)

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.

We got our tree today [2008-11-29]
We went to a tree farm, took a tractor ride and cut down our tree. We have 12 foot high ceilings and usually get a 12 foot tree, but this year we put it at the other end of the family room, and we got an 8-1/2 footer. We used to have a fake Christmas tree up until about 8 years ago or so when our cat began eating all the fake pine needles. Long story short she ate so many she had to have emergency surgery to remove them (she wasnt' able to pass them) and $1,500 later we decided no more fake trees. She's no longer with us, but when she was younger she would climb in the tree and actually knocked it over one year. We had to anchor it to the wall. Our other cat never really bothered the tree except batting around ornaments at the bottom. He's been over sniffing it today, but hasn't paid much attention to it over the past few years.

Wow! [2008-11-28]
I was in a WalMart and some lady not paying attention rammed her cart right into the back of my elderly mother. Of course Mom didn What a jerk that lady was, and she didn

6 pumpkin pies, 2 vinegar pies and a chocolate chiffon pie sm [2008-11-27]
So now that I have caught your attention...just what is a vinegar pie, you ask. In the south, they are referred to as transparent pie. You will sometimes hear it called sweet and sour pie. It is good real cider vinegar, the kind with the mother at the bottom, brown sugar, white sugar, butter and eggs, a bit of flour. It is like water when you put in the shell. You bake it for an hour and it comes out about like the goo in a pecan pie with no nuts. It is not sour a bit, nor is it sickly sweet. It is sweet with a bit of an apple bite. The kids love it and when younger son is home for the holidays, he will devour one of them at a sitting. He literally comes in and sees the vinegar pie, takes one and says: So...what is everyone else having? The other son won't eat pumpkin or vinegar, so he has the chocolate chiffon. The rest of us are pumpkin eaters.

i told him he could stay, but his testicles would have [2008-11-26]
I already had two rescue cats, when the neighborhood stray came in through the cat door two years ago. He was so sick with pneumonia, limp and lifeless. I nursed him back to help and swiftly had him neutered. Of the three, he is by far the most grateful, any food, any attention, any place to sleep. When you have more love to give, what's the harm in just one more???

Depends on who's bringing the desserts. [2008-11-26]
In my family some of us are cooks and some aren So it depends on who brings what. If it If Ibringing dessert, I usually make the pies.I have a sister who does not cook, so she always buys them. BUT she buys really good ones from local pie shop.For the first time, this year my 12 yo niece has been put in charge of dessert for Thanksgiving, with my SIL overseeing it. She I P.S. I do have a pumpkin pie stashed here at the house for later tomorrow night though!

Tried dessert from this board and others sm [2008-11-26]
Made the Jello/cream cheese/pineapple dessert from the Gab Board (looks good), son bringing pumpkin pie, bought a Mrs. Smith apple crisp, made pumpkin bread,choc. chip cookies and brownies.(Whipped cream on the side, of course)

HELP! Turkey Day dilema [2008-11-26]
We are going to MILs for Turkey Day. She made a big thing out of doing dinner and everything for her family this year. My husband just went to her house and comes home to tell me we are going to starve tomorrow. lol There are 9 people in the immediate family and she has invited at least 4 other people that we know of. She is makinga small turkey breast, 4 potatoes for mashed potatoes, gravy, dinner rolls and that Oh, and an apple and cherry pie. Nothing else. Any ideas on how I can creatively make food to take without upsetting her. I am already bringing a pecan pie and pumpkin pie because I was in the mood. Any suggestions, ideas? We are expected to spend the entire day and evening down there. Already made plans to play cards, games, etc. and make a day out of it when I get off work.

I would definitely rescue him if you like...sm [2008-11-25]
him. He would be much better off on your screened porch than out homeless. At least he would have a place to sleep and food. He would also have vet care and someone who gave him attention.

Help with home hair coloring sm [2008-11-22]
Perhaps this will get their attention. With the price of salon treatments and especially around the holidays, we need some help here, so please read and comment if you could. Thank you. I miss my blonde highlights. When done correctly, makesme feel not so mousy brown - would love to know how to do this well without looking like a clown.

I live on the very edge of Philly, just into the suburbs. [2008-11-22]
Lots of people, lots to do. The weather changes a lot, which is good because I have a very short attention span. :) I love it here.

so stupid [2008-11-14]
But people will do anything for attention (negative or otherwise). I just wonder if people really LIKE watching those grotesque stories??

Has This Ever Happened To Any Of You Here? [2008-11-13]
This was unreal...I had made a trip to the store for cat food (before I became cat food LOL!) and while slowing down behind a car that was turning, I got hit in the back. No real damage, just a scruff on the bumper of my Subaru Forester, and a bit of a blow to my ego, but the dang kid who hit me was texting her boyfriend while driving and obviously not paying attention to the road. She was only 19 years old! Holy cow! I got out, she got out...still texting. She said, Wait a minute, and continued texting. I couldn't believe it. I have that hands-free voice-activated cellphone setup in my Forester that DH set up for me, so I got back in and called the police department. If she hadn't been so rude, I might have let it go, but when she pulled that, I decided to teach her a lesson. She was horrified to learn that I called the cops while she was texting. She actually yelled at me, saying, My Dad and on and on. I just stood there and looked at her. The cop got there, threw the book at her: failure to yield, following too closely, texting while driving (it's a law here now -- you can't do that) and she has a nasty fine and her insurance is definitely going to go up. She was horrified. Maybe she'll think twice before texting while driving again...before she causes real damage and people get hurt. So thatHang up and drive! Has this ever happened to any of you?

I'm going to add this...sm [2008-11-10]
Until you come to know a pitbull you will continue to have these feelings because in your heart this is really how you feel. And with all the media attention they get how could people not feel this way. Until you actually own one of these dogs for yourself you just won't realize how loving they are and how they are just like many other dogs. It takes owning one to know what I truly mean. It takes coming to know one and if you knew my CJ you would know love. He is love. He shows love on the most real level. I don't even know how to explain it.

Let's get to know pit bulls...sm [2008-11-09]
A lot of people on here I am sure do not own a pit bull. It is hard to know the breed when you aren't around them on a day to day basis. I would just like to share some traits of pit bulls. Pits are robust. They are active and love to play. They are a smart breed of dog too. I guess you could say they are roughnecks. They will do anything to please their owners and want to be a big ole lap dog. Oh yeah they will and mine does (all 70 pounds) climb up in your lap wanting to be nurtured. LOL. If I had to describe their personality I would say first of all contrary to all the media hype and hysteria of pits, the dogfighting community (by the way I do not condone dogfighting) did not breed pit bulls to be human aggressive. They wanted a dog they could work with in the fighting arena and not have to worry about these dogs attacking them or other people watching this sport. (which is unscrupulous but just trying to explain this is how they were bred). A lot of pit bulls are so happy on meeting owners friends they don that some people who get them worry they won't make a good guard dog because some happily greet strangers. The protective instinct a pit has usually won't surface until they are about a year old. I would say they want to be the center of attention. They are very self confident dogs. I have to say pits can be funny. One reason is pits have some of the most expressive faces. Sometimes though you may have a perfectly nice pup which will grow up to be mean because he was encouraged to be mean. Raised to be mean. If pit bulls could choose their owners instead of the other way around then I would say a pit would choose an owner with high spirits and a joy of living. Good owners of pits are able to handle their dogs. A pits character traits seem to be contradictory in that they are strong but sensitive; rowdy but gentle; outgoing but devoted; easily fired up but highly trainable; mischevious but sensible; energetic yet serene; peaceful but always alert. All these describe the pit bull.

Rattlesnake vaccine [2008-11-09]
I live in the San Bernardino Mountains in southern California. We have a lot of Western Diamondbacks here. There is a company called Red Rock Biologic that makes a rattlesnake vaccine. They get 2 shots a month apart the first time no antivenin required. I have read on Red Rock's website that they have different formulations for different parts of the country, depending on what kind of snakes are prevalent. You might want to ask your vet about this.

PitBull's are misunderstood... [2008-11-09]
Instead offocusing narrowly on only your dislike of PitBulls, why don't you look at the bigger picture as a whole... First of all, the statistics on fatal attacks...well it doesn But that still doesn't mean PitBulls are more likely to bite... The statistics that I have read regarding breed specific likelyhood of biting have shown that small dogs (and mixbreeds) are way more likely to be aggressive towards humans and other dogs. Specifically Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Jack Russell Terriers to name a few. PitBulls were more likely to show aggression to unfamiliar dogs. I_udi=B6T48-4SNGRDR-2_user=10_coverDate=06%2F03%2F2008_alid=765300851_rdoc=2_fmt=high_orig=search_cdi=4968_sort=d_docanchor=view=c_ct=27_acct=C000050221_version=1_urlVersion=0_userid=10md5=a9e7d67a2a45dc01019b232cbbfa3bf5 Here are some other good points from websites that are unbiased: To reduce the number of dog bite-related injuries, adults and children should be educated about bite prevention, and persons with canine pets should practice responsible pet ownership. (CDC website) �While at times informative, statistics on fatal dog attacks can also be misleading. For example, a number of cases where a Pit Bull, Rottweiler or German Shepherd Dog were counted as causing a human fatality, in reality the direct result was from gross human negligence or criminal intent�. (http://www.thedogpress.com/Columns/Jade/07_Dog.Bite.Stats_09.htm) A fatal dog attack is not just a dog bite by a big or aggressive dog. It is usually a perfect storm of bad human-canine interactions -- the wrong dog, the wrong background, the wrong history in the hands of the wrong person in the wrong environmental situation. (Malcolm Gladwell, Troublemakers - What pit bulls can teach us about profiling, The New Yorker, Feb. 6, 2006.) www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/breedlaws.html Our Country was not founded on the restriction and punishment of the masses based on the actions of a few. Focusing legislation on dogs that are vicious distracts attention from the real problem, which is irresponsible owners. These very breeds as a whole have proven their stability and good canine citizenry by becoming Rescue' dogs, Therapy dogs working inside hospitals, professional Herding dogs and family companions for years. Banning the so-called dangerous breed will merely hasten the upswing in popularity of some other breed that will be used for vicious attacks on people and other animals. There is no valid reason to deprive animal lovers of their well behaved pets. The reports and statistics are flawed. Among other things, a dog bite victim is usually unable to identify the breed of dog that bit him or her. Therefore, victims will name the type of dog that currently is on people's minds as being the dangerous dog. (From the Animal Farm Foundation.) One more thing, the best K-9 drug searching dog in America is a PitBull...his name is Popsicle because he was rescued from a man who tried to kill him by putting him in a freezer. -Cindy, owner of 1 PitBull (Zeus) and 2 Beagles (Max Osiris)...and yes they do get along!

You say he was demented...sm [2008-11-08]
so how do you know that he didn't hit the dogs or kick one of them or provoke them in some way. There is no way to know what happened for sure especially with an elderly DEMENTED individual involved. I however, you must understand that they're animals, not little people. They don't have the same thinking process that people do and therefore should you should always be aware of the fact that they could in some ways be dangerous even though they make great and loving companions. Its a risk that we take by bringing animals into our lives. However, they should not be punished or judged because they have animal instincts and sometimes act upon them. I worked at an animal shelter and there I learned to respect the boundaries of ANY breed of dog. Plus, out of the dangerous dogs that we had in the shelter, probably only 1 out of 15 or so was a pit or a pit mix. It is quite sad and very ignorant to believe that pits are to be feared just because they are pits.

Same here [2008-11-04]
I get a lot of questions and where I know a little about a lot of stuff, sometimes I have to tell them I can spell the word they're asking about, but not much else! I often zone out when I'm working and unless they dictate something that piques my interest, I'm paying no attention at all. Sometimes I'll have to go back and read the history to clarify whatever got my attention.

She is no monster! sm [2008-11-01]
I firmly believe that animals have emotional lives of their own. They like what they like and they want it when they want it, much like humans. They don't speak English and have our vocabularies, though I'll bet Morry talks up a storm when she wants to, she doesn't have the intricate workings to tell you what she is thinking or feeling. I have a dog and she can't tell me what she is thinking! She communicates with what she does, which is awfully smart for one, and she knows you understand for two. She knows how to get a rise out of you or how to get your attention. I'll bet she has treats and knows how to get one when she wants it. This isn't spoiling and you have not created a monster! Like most creatures, she will be happier when her needs are fulfilled. She knows, as an infant knows, how to have an impact on her world to get what she wants, even if she can't articulate them with words. When an infant's attempts to communicate their needs is constantly rebuffed, they will learn to stop asking (think being cute or crying). It is the same with a pet. If she knows how to get to you the way she does it is because she has learned it through experience and generally gets the reaction she is seeking. See what a great job you are doing? Amazons live a long time and are talked about in bird circles as legacy birds, or probate birds because they so often out live their human caretakers and have nowhere to go. She is an extraordinary bird by Amazon standards (which are high). Please be sure you have made appropriately extraordinary plans for her. I donget the word out because we have a re-homing program. In a single month recently we had 6 macaws, 3 Amazons and various conyers given up to the program, most of them due to the death of their families. We take them in and they are rehomed to people who know and love birds, but we also know that others are not so fortunate. We LOVE birds and treasure them. They are incredibly special to us and we care. Our recent push is to encourage owners to think about the very long term.

I have fostered dogs in the past, but [2008-10-25]
had a hard time giving them up, still have all three! In my area, the shelter relies heavily on donationsto keep operating efficiently, so basically the foster homes take responsibility for all expenses of the animal being fostered.Fostering gives animals a chancewho would otherwise be put to deathbecause of lack of room, money or lack of people to rehabilitate the ones who have been mistreated and need extra attention.It is so worth it to give an animal a second chance at life.You have to be willing to let go though when the time comes and it is very hard to do. I just could not do it and so now just stick to volunteering at the shelter and doing fundraising and stuff.

I actually think this one is cute, but my boyfriend who is actually very educated says (sm) [2008-10-25]
He gets *heart flapitations* and I thought it was so adorable I Don he does not need medical attention!

Help. I have made my own prison. Please make suggestions sm [2008-10-24]
I will try to make this brief. I have marital problems, husband is gone all the time. I came to work at home again because I have no help with our children. I need to be here if they are sick and be here when they get home from school. But I have become once again socially isolated (I did this type of work for years and had a job outside of the home and enjoyed it, except for the fact that my children did not get enough attention, so I quit). I do have friends but I don I used to walk several miles a day but never do that anymore, have gained weight, eat junk food, stay on the computer too long. I am constantly busy. I still do volunteer work with my children - Scouts, church, etc., but I am so overwhelmed. My husband is almost never here. It almost feels more like he comes to visit us sometimes than actually lives here, but I need his help financially and my son is very afraid for me to get a divorce (long story, but he is afraid he would have to live part-time with his dad, and they are not close). I have debt that my husband doesn But he won When I tell him I need more money he tells me things like, turn off the cable TV or don The thing is he spends lots and lots of money on entertaining himself. He makes 3 x as much as I do (or maybe 4 by now). I have not been allowed to open his mail for years and we pretty much never talk. I have started to allow things to pile up, mail around my desk, weight around my middle, clutter here and there. I just feel like a big slug. I am tired much of the time. In reading this I sound depressed but I am already taking an antidepressant which I started a few years ago because of my marriage.I love my children so dearly but I am afraid of leaving and disrupting their lives. If I left I would at least get my part of the equity in ourhome, etc., and maybe have a chance at having a life again. Anyway, I know this is long and rambling and jumbled, but I just woke up, from another night of poor sleep. Please suggest what you would do. Thanks

Great idea [2008-10-22]
Hi there. I think your daughters will love getting a massage. I used to be a massage therapist, & what I can tell you is that a good masseuse can accommodate anyone's comfort level, from performing a massage with the person fully clothed to all clothing removed and having the person covered by a sheet. There are techniques for maintaining a person's privacy, such as allowing a person to turn over without being seen by the therapist, allowing the person to undress privately & knocking before entering the room. If the masseuse does not do these things, it is extremely unprofessional & you should go elsewhere. If you have concerns about any of this, you should just talk to the masseuse a little bit beforehand & ask if these are things she can do. If you get the sense she thinks it will be a hassle or will be unable to accommodate your daughters' needs, I would find someone else. No licensed massage therapist (& you should check this as well) should EVER do anything remotely sexual--EVER--& they should always be sensitive to people's levels of comfort. Also the place should be squeaky clean. What you can expect is a massage that lasts for an hour or whatever you have paid for. You will be shown to a room (a lot like going to the doctor), routine where she likes to start with a certain side (back or front) first, but she should always ask if the person has any specific parts that need attention, I can handle more pressure on my neck, or my back is too sore for that much pressure. The masseuse should not be yakking during the massage. Around halfway through she will ask you to turn over & she should hold the sheet up in such a way as to shield you while you do this. Then she will do the front, which is usually legs & arms, possibly upper chest, and neck. I normally did not do anyone's stomach unless I had massaged them many times, & I never touched a woman's breasts other than to move very large ones out of the way while I did her sides, but I did do the axillae and pecs above the breast. After she is done she should leave quietly & give you a few minutes to stay relaxed on the table & get dressed at your own speed. This is pretty generic, but more or less what to expect the first time. In the name of due diligence, you can get yourself a massage & try it out! If you don't like the massage, giving a gift certificate for a facial is another way to go that is equally wonderful.