Thanks for your replies and suggestions

Thank you to all for suggestions/advice [2008-11-26]
It It is so isolating working from home sometimes. I don Working from home is a mixed blessing sometimes... I do this so I can be available for my kids, but at the same time I feel I am always working and can On the days they don Iguess I thought it would be easieronce they got older, but it is just as complicated in many ways.Well, another day off from school is almost over and at least we all survived.

Looking for turkey day suggestions for fussy kids who hate everything but brownies! [2008-11-24]
Everything else is greeted with - yuck only the grownups eat anything. Posted below what the grownups like. Now if I could get the kids to eat!

Computer starting to freeze up every now and then. Any suggestions? It is [2008-11-21]
only 3 years old and not sure what is causing this.

Thanks for the suggestions. [2008-11-20]
Where the step is concerned it won't help. The situation is what it is and I knew it when we married. It's just frustrating at times but I know it is only temporary. I would hate to be the hateful ex who treats someone this way. It must be a terrible life to live constantly dreaming of ways to hurt your ex and his family instead of enjoying your own family and knowing that your child is well taken care of. As for the family stuff. I have tried to talk to the leaders of the family and they looked at me like I was a complete loon. That's fine. They can do what they want. He can do what he wants, but our budget is what it is and that will mean less for his child. Next year I WILL have a xmas fund set up so that I can provide for our kids and we don't end up in this holiday mess again. If nothing else $20 a month is more than what we have now and I'm sure I can scrape that together if I really try. Thanks for your help. :) I wish I could be oblivious like your husband!

I can't imagine affording all those meals out, but I have some suggestions sm [2008-11-18]
I usually cook from scratch. My idea of fast food is a can of lentil soup, and I have that about once a month, occasionally twice. I make crockpot soups a lot because I am busy. I will tell you, there is a place that is sort of between a restaurant meal and home cooking. I used to have kids at home, lots of them, and I would get too tired to cook. My answer was to hybrid the dinner, so to speak. You can get Stouffer's lasagne which is good. You can pickup some ready-made stuff in your grocery store deli or freezer case. We liked the frozen Banquet chicken back in the day. I might get that, a box of flavored instant potatoes, potato salad or ready-made mashed to go with it. We might get a bag of salad too. Fresh fruit cups were nice if they were on special. You know, make a nice meal you don't have to 100% cook, but isn't going out. These days, I see that you can get beef tips in gravy, or sliced beef in gravy and other prepared stuff at the store. It just takes looking. It is more expensive than doing it all yourself, but it is much cheaper than going out. You can try another thing that is NOT everyone's cup of tea, and that is OAMC or Once A Month Cooking. This is my favorite website: http://snider.mardox.com/plans.htm I donmini plans using what is on special in a given week. They have breakfast plans, muffin plans, potato plans, chicken, beef, pork plans, ground meat plans, even some dessert plans. With planning, you can do this in bits and pieces. From people who have done far more of this than I have, they tell me that with soup already made, no chopping or messing, they are more likely to make fresh rolls, salad and even a quick dessert...round out any meal because the work is done. Obviously, it saves money.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! [2008-11-13]
I have done most of that already. We don't have a fancy house or cars. Have cut back on all our driving and I have always stocked up on food but that is becoming more and more difficult. Guess at this point we'll just have to go with the flow and see what happens. I'm pregnant so a holiday job really doesn't make much sense for me, besides we live in the boonies and there isn't much available without a 45 minute drive each way. Hubs seems to have a good job and they are reassuring their employees but its still hard. Seems like no one is out of the path of destruction any more. Thinking of holidays and extra expenses does not help either. Maybe should think of tax season right around the corner. Atleast that is a little back to the rainy day savings.

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.

Need suggestions!!! [2008-10-28]
I joined a local volleyball league and our team is trying to think of a name for the team. Anyone have a clever or cute name for a co-ed volleyball team?

Thank you all for your messages and suggestions sm [2008-10-25]
I canComes the Dawn a lot also.

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

Thanks for your suggestions....I do need to get some (sm) [2008-10-24]
good info and some exercise. Also I know you are right that getting up and getting a shower first thing would help me tremendously. I always fit my shower in sometime during the day but when I worked outside my home and took one first thing it always made me feel better.

TY for replies/advice - see "wait a minute" below for [2008-10-01]
update. I plan on talking to principal and teacher today and go from there.

Any suggestions are welcome [2008-09-30]
I find I am going into a depression each day as time goes on. The root cause is home sickness. I live far away from my family where the only way to see them is to fly. This happens maybe once every 3 or 4 years (which is how often I go back). My DH doesn However, with that said DH listens to a lot of talk shows, news stations, etc. Almost 2 or 3 times a week heanyone is nuts to want to get on a plane now adays. I havensis is desparate to see me and I haven He just came out again to tell me hedonCanada to Mexico whenever they want to) My heart just sinks everytime he says that. Once I told him that they have to make flying safe because the whole country is filled with people who have to fly for business or personal reasons. I want to go back to see my family so badly my heart just aches, sowas thinking maybe betweenThanksgiving andChristmas time frame (we donthat way it would give things time to settle, but I just haven Also, with the crisis and election coming up there is a lot of uncertainty too, and I can't throw too much at him (he can't handle it). - Believe me in this household the impending gloom and doom are an every day part of our lives and our talks what we'd do if certain things were to happen. What would you do? Do you think I should just hang in there and wait to see what happens over the next few weeks or so? P.S. - we do not have a marriage where I just demand or tell him the way its going to be. Of course I may just be thinking too much of this, but at this point not sure and I get more and more depressed the more I think about it. So looking for some opinions/suggestions on how you would handle this situation.

Thanks for the suggestions, all! [2008-09-18]
x

Thank you all for your replies (sm) [2008-09-17]
I am worried about my little guy - there is so much pressure on kids these days to grow up too fast. I am going to look into the youth group resources at our church. I don't want to suddenly send him to a counselor and send him a message that something is wrong with him.

Wow -these are excellent suggestions [2008-09-05]
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am 49 years old (feel 69 right now). I'm 189 pounds and lead very very sedentery life. No kids, no activity. I know I need to do some activity but I just can't get motivated. However, I do have an exercise video called Callanetics...very low impact aerobics (slow movements with very relaxing music), so tonight I pulled it out and starting tomorrow going to do that at the end of the work day. I too have to have my caffeine and one day without it I sure can tell. Isemi-organic (at least that's what I call it). I refuse to take any medication (not even aspirin when I have a headache). I'm trying to go vegetarian (or more vegetarin) but I do like meat. Just got to lose weight and a bit more exercise. Imy friend and I canbaby producing machine, yet I'm cursed with these blasted periods. Okay - sorry, that's more of my own emotional problem I have to deal with. I just want the periods to end. Your suggestions of herbal supplements are most interesting and I will be looking into them. Thank you again for your post.

Thanks to all for your replies...sm [2008-08-29]
I am sorry to hear so many people are having these problems because it is so debilitating at times and if there are this many on this site with these problems, there must be many, many women suffering from these things! Misha, I am going to try your suggestions as well. Thanks for all who have replied, and if anyone else has any input - I'd appreciate that too :-)

Suggestions for moving across country? [2008-08-29]
So I am from California, my little sister has been in North Carolina where her husband is stationed at the Marine Corps for two years. They just had their first baby (the first extended family member) and I flew back there for the birth 08-18-08 8 pounds, 3 ounces 19 inches long And now that I The rest of my family is here on the west coast, but I My mom thinks it is because I am at the age of wanting babies, but I don Is this a crazy idea? I mean, most people are not able to take their work where they go, and I don I wouldn't live in Jacksonville, NC where they are, I was thinking more along the lines of Myrtle Beach SC... two hours away so they still have their privacy and I live somewhere where I think I would love (but have no idea really, I visited there one time)... I just don't know how you go about making plans to make such a huge move... Any thoughts, suggestions, advice? Obviously this is a quick assessment of my lifestyle, but I am willing to do it, but is it crazy to think i want to be around my niece enough that I would move 3,000 miles away from my home? Thanks for the input and i attached a pic cause i can't help showing her off! :) This is Allyson Ayn!

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

Any suggestions on helping my puppy with [2008-08-03]
let to be held.

A couple of more suggestions. [2008-07-17]
I experienced this with both of my daughters. The oldest was trial and error, but with the second, when I found out she was skipping school, etc., I took her to her medical doctor for a physical to make sure everything was okay and to get an expert opinion. We also had HIV testing done to let her know the seriousness of the situation. Then I took her to a psychologist who said this was normal teenage behavior and she did not have any mental problems. We had counseling sessions (me, Dad, and daughter) together and alone. The psychologist also had her keep a diary. It wasn't easy but we got through it. I just found the situation easier to handle with professionals involved. As parents, we need all of the help we can get.

Thanks for your replies and suggestions [2008-06-30]
I I Wouldn Thank you all.

Need a new printer for Vista OS...Any suggestions for a good cheap one?? sm [2008-06-19]
I need a new printer compatible with Windows Vista OS. I would like an All In One, but at this point, I am not picky...I just need to print! Thanks in advance for all suggestions!

Thank you all for your replies....sm [2008-06-18]
I am sorry to hear that there are so many others in my same situation. it is so hard. It is such a trapped feeling. At this point I have talked to my son about trying to stick it out just another couple of years so we can be more sure that he will have some more say in who he lives with. And we are just trying to focus on happy things, things we can do to make life more enjoyable, etc. I just don't know what else to do right now. But I am going to def look into family counselling as soon as our new insurance kicks in.

I posted earlier today asking for some suggestions to relieve severe s/m [2008-06-10]
hot flashes. Tonight I am doing a search for cures and came acrossa site that swears by apple cider vinegar. There are many posts on this site stating this has been a miracle for not only hot flashes but many other conditions. Now my question. . . How do you drink vinegar in water every day? I am terrible about any liquid medicines, etc. with a bad taste. Anyone use ACV? I wish there was a better way to ingest it. Thanks!

I think I am anti-gift giving this year [2008-11-28]
Money is so tight right now I am no sure how I am going to pay my bills this December.I had some unexpectedbills come up that needed to be taken care of. On top of that, I have to come up with X-mas gifts for everyone and they do not like cheap things. Their idea of cheap is hand-made and they do not like it. So that is out. I just got a part-time job but that is not going to kick in a whole lot of money until closer to the end of the year. I would like to opt out of gift giving this year but if I suggest it I get the lecture from family members of what do you do with your money?, what are you spending it on? and other invasive questions. The other unforunate thing is I live in the same town with them. The most inexpensive thing on my niece She is not careful with these and she has already gone through so many. To top it all off I have 3 birthdays in December. I really hate this time of year. Any suggestions on how to tell them to just buy for them and not for me and let me out of this so-called family time? Sorry to be so bitter.

sorry for your situation. it is a [2008-11-28]
shame there is so much focus on the gifts. no, i doncharity begins at home). God bless.

This is what thanksgiving is all about...a must read [2008-11-28]
At turkey time last year, Monique White was unemployed, living in a cramped motel room and pining for the Thanksgivings of her childhood, when dozens of people would gather for a holiday feast. Today a receptionist at a dentist's office, she has a townhouse in Littleton, Colo. And, thanks to an Internet posting, a list of Thanksgiving dinner guests � strangers all � who will help her eat nine turkeys, four hams, 16 boxes of stuffing and a dozen or so pies. How did this happen? White, 36, was feeling a bit lonesome a week ago; her two sons were planning to spend the holiday with their father. And though her longtime partner, Doug White, would be there for her on Thanksgiving, she longed to be surrounded by many more people. So she posted invitations on Craigslist, the Internet classifieds site. In part, one read: Maybe you are someone who is new in town and doesn She figured four folks, maybe five would answer. But then the replies poured in: People laid off from work. People with no family. People ashamed to bring their children to a Thanksgiving dinner at a soup kitchen. I thought: There White says. In all, 32 people are expected for dinner. When White's boss heard what she was doing, he offered to pay for the food. Then a local hotel offered to provide tables and chairs. Then a professional magician said he would like to perform for the kids. Certainly a far cry from Thanksgiving 2007, White says. Last year it was just us two. It was horrible. Doug White has been busy baking turkeys, putting one in the oven as soon as another comes out. People need to stop being so worried about me, me, me, my bills, my life, he says. You stop worrying, and look what happens?

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.

Thanks to everyone sm [2008-11-24]
I value your opinions/suggestions. Mine like Annie so I am fortunate, I will definitely offer a casserole of Anniein the box)? So good to hear from all of you! Happy Turkey/Ham/MacCheese Day - whatever works is a good idea. All the more for next-day Thanksgiving Sandwiches, yum, turkey, stuffing and cranberry all on a sandwich on recycled plates.No dishes, no holiday stress.Getting together is what is important. I hear the Indians had fish, clams, etc., which sounds realistic for the area.

perhaps I was a little hyped in my reply, [2008-11-24]
but it only comes from the fact that I I don The OP hit a real nerve with me because my parents are always on me about how we raise our kids. We My mom worked nights. She wasn She got home late from work (1 or 2 in the morning) and got up to get us kids off to school and then went back to sleep for a few hours in the morning. All the while, my 4-year-old brother was home with her watching TV. He knew to wake her up after a certain show was over, so she could get him lunch. My mom was never a heavy sleeper, so I My dad coached my brother My mom yelled at me one day because I brought McD It was 4:45, and she thought it was awful that I didn My mom worked at McD Many of nights, she gave us a frozen pizza for supper before heading to work and then brought us home leftover chicken nuggets and apple pies. We lived for that stuff, but here she was berating me for giving it to my kids. What she was really upset about was that my kids were hungry and they were asking her for something to eat, which she didn She was watching them for me after school that day until I got home from my appointment. But that No one Criticizing others won I just felt like the OP My suggestions in my original post were meant to give the OP some insight into what the other shoe feels like.

Thanks for nice words of support [2008-11-24]
After reading all the other replies I started feeling guilty. >> Take something that has great emotional value to him and hide it ... That's what I am going to do now.

would you share how you do it? [2008-11-23]
we have some butternut we grew this summer and decided just tonight we'd use some as a side dish for our big dinner...would appreciate any suggestions. Doesn't need to be fancy!

Anyone go through a divorce w/younger kids? sm [2008-11-20]
Iit just isn while I have always felt you don't throw around the word divorce unless you mean it. Well, I mean it now. I gave him an ultimatum - straighten himself out or I leave with the kids. I am not going to go through 5 years of this again. It is affecting the kids, and my son is acting out to the point of saying he wishes he had never been born. I am giving my husband until after Christmas to decide what he is going to do, and if he does not value our marriage more than his alcohol, I am moving out of state. This is not to keep him away from the kids but because my parents (divorced also) are in a different state than I am and I have no family at all here. Has anyone had to make a decision like this? I donno other options. He refuses to go to counseling or to see a doctor about what I am positive is depression. Any tips or suggestions? Sorry to dump on everyone like this, thanks for reading.

Looking for Christmas gift ideas for [2008-11-19]
a 14 yo girl and a 17 yo boy. Any suggestions???

Christmas Gift for Boss [2008-11-19]
My other job is a legal secretary. I am looking for gift ideas for my boss that was not too expensive. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks!

In relation to the grocery shopping post, let's talk eating out [2008-11-18]
We eat out for dinner once a week (usually on Friday nights when my husband gets back into town) and then usually end up eating lunch out on Saturdays and maybe even Sundays (fast food). I/We really need to cut this expense from our budget or at least just greatly reduce it! Would love your suggestions. How often do you eat out and what is the average you spend per meal? For those of you who donfeel like cooking, serving, and cleaning up? My husband won't cook unless it's to grill (too cold to do that now) and then my son is okay to help clear the table some but not to actually rinse the dishes, wash pots and pans, etc.

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

Best apples for pie [2008-11-11]
I'm looking for suggestions of what kind of apples to use for a pie. I like them to stay firm and so many seem to go to mush. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

What do you do with a pomegranate? [2008-11-04]
Pomegranates were buy one, get one free at my local grocery store. I know they're good for you, and I've had pomegranate seeds in salads. Does anyone have any other suggestions for what to do with these?

That is a good idea. I can try that...again (sm) [2008-11-03]
Thank you for your suggestions.

Fist anniversary confusion...sm [2008-10-31]
Me and my husband's 1st anniversary is coming up on December 15th. I want to do something special, i.e. mini-vacation, fancy dinner at home, dancing, etc. I can't decide on what we should do. Can any of you give me thoughts or ideas or even examples of what you did on your 1st anniversary? Any suggestions helpful and welcome!!! THANKS

Ideas . . . thoughts on this? [2008-10-31]
Good afternoon, I am hopeful someone here can answer my question. Does anyone here type for a pediatrician? I was wondering . . . if a child bent all four fingers in a backwards position, would this action cause a lump to form on the back of the hand? Why do I ask? Well my daughter (in first grade) came home from school with a lump on the back of her tiny hand. At first she did not tell me what happened, but it has since come out that the bully in the class bent her fingers backwards. I I had planned to take her to our doctor to have it checked out, but today the lump is gone. I wrote a note to the school teacher asking that this child (the bully) be kept away from my daughter�now there seems to be this big coverup. This little boy was always in trouble in kindergarten and he was known to throw chairs etc.. .. you name it. As a matter of fact the kindergarten teacher couldn My daughter told me that when this finger bending/spitting occurred that her music teacher sent the boy to the office for punishment . . . now the school claims he was never sent to the office, like this never occurred. And no, I wasn Also, I should mention other parents found out there were coverups over bad behavior when this boy was in kindergarten. What should I do? Would a lump result from this type of bending of the hand? I guess I have to wire my daughter to find out what is going on in the classroom. Any suggestions or answers?

Something nice my DD said to me last night sm [2008-10-29]
She is away at college and out of the blue, my IM flashed and this is what she said: I just wanted to tell you that I am very grateful to have a mother like you. I have heard about other mothers and read in books and none of their moms listen to them like you do for me. you try to understand me and usually do. you don't tell me what to do, you make suggestions. you don�t treat me like a child and you are just awesome. I know that when I make a mistake it is not the end of the world for you and that is so important to me. You are always there for me when i need and even when I don�t. Thank you so much for being the mother that you are. You mean so much to me and I would never trade you for anyone else. I love you mom. I IMd back: OMG I don't know what to say. You know, you bring out the best in me. She said: No mom, YOU bring out the best in ME. Thank you.

Thank you! [2008-10-29]
I appreciate the suggestions. I tried using Borax,which is similar to baking soda but I believe a little better at odor removal. It did help,but didn't completely eliminate it. I just picked up some Nature's Miracle at the pet store (no Dollar Store nearby!) It cost $10, but cheaper than a new mattress. I just sprayed the mattress down. I have used it in the past for pet urine odors and it worked wonders. Don't know why I didn't think of that myself!

Looking for a good [2008-10-28]
Any suggestions? I don

Mattress odor [2008-10-27]
OK, this is a little gross, but I know you ladies are a fountain of knowlege about all kinds of things, so I My adult niece just left after spending 2 months living with us after a rough spot in her life. She slept in my college daughterThere is a bad smell in the room, and I can I have traced it to the mattress, mainly at the foot of the bed. She had a cat in there with her but it smells nothing like cat urine, and there are no stains at all on the mattress. I honestly think it Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do to try to get rid of this odor, short of dumping the mattress? I HELP!

Wii skate board game question sm [2008-10-27]
If one buys the WII skateboard game will it work without a balance board? I foolishly asked my grandson to look through some games for Christmas and he chose a WII skate board game, now I am worried that you have to use a balance board which costs $100+, I am confused as I googled it but can't understand if it is necessary. Hate to disappoint but I may have to. Replies appreciated, TIA.

Wii skate board game question sm [2008-10-27]
If one buys the WII skateboard game will it work without a balance board? I foolishly asked my grandson to look through some games for Christmas and he chose a WII skate board game, now I am worried that you have to use a balance board which costs $100+, I am confused as I googled it but can't understand if it is necessary. Hate to disappoint but I may have to. Replies appreciated, TIA.

Thank you all for your messages and suggestions sm [2008-10-25]
I canComes the Dawn a lot also.