What I have done for years and it works sm

After years of owning only American cars, I now own a Prius. [2008-11-17]
I'm getting 50 mpg even on the PA turnpike. I'm extremely happy with it and would buy another in a heartbeat. Earlier in the year, Toyota announced that they will be building Prius in the U.S., too.

We go every New Years with friends [2008-11-07]
and occasionally once more during the year, about a 2 hour drive. For New Years we get a package deal that includes dinner, hotel, and some tokens. A few years back I hit $2000.00. I have to admit that was fabulous. Haven't won anything like that since, but I am sure we will be going again this New Years. Thay also have a dog track and we also bet on each race. Nothing more than $2.00 on each race cuz we dont have a clue what we are doing, but that is fun also. I pick the dog by his/her name.

I have done that for both of my children and it works wonders... [2008-11-07]
nm

I had it done a couple of years ago too [2008-11-06]
It really was not that bad. My understanding of why they only will do two quadrants at a time is that it is because they will not numb up both sides of your mouth at one time, so it is an upper and a lower quadrant done together. My sister also had to have it done last week, but the weird thing is they only said she needed two quadrants done (I believe on the same side, so upper and lower). She or I neither one could get our heads around that, so she decided to treat herself and have the other two quads done as well. Also, I do not have dental insurance, but had bought a plan from dentalplans.com (had the Patriot Plan at the time I had this done). It was about $90 per quad with the plan, but around here it was $300 per quad without the plan. Good luck!

All the time and I was RN years ago. [2008-11-04]
3333

When I first started out 20 years ago. [2008-11-04]
When I would tell the doctor I was a transcriptionist, he would ask if I wanted a job! I worked vacation relief and maternity leave in doctor offices, all the jobs gotten by a visit to the doctor. Wish it was that easy these days!

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. LOL. I get that from Bath and Body Works. sm [2008-11-03]
Seems like the minute I run out of a fave scent and go to get more, it has been discontinued. I think it is a conspiracy by Bath and Body works. LOL.

You've been married 15 years [2008-11-02]
and you've put up with it for 15 years. There's really no reason for him to change, is there? You've allowed him to do this to you. Sorry to be so blunt.

I am in California but I remember 15 years ago sm [2008-11-01]
requesting to be placed in a non smoking area of the apartment complex. I guess I am naive - I thought they pretty much had to work with you on this as it is a disability - your asthma? It sounds like a chronic health problem. I am not really saying actual physical disability enough for the ADA but saying it is a health issue and your apartment management should be more cooperative. I do not agree with below posters who say nothing can be done.

we had peking ducks for five years sm [2008-10-31]
I do not live in the country so ducks were kind of unusual in my neighborhood. My DD raised them from birth until they died after five years. They were in our backyard in a big walk in house my husband made. We had to take them in when it got below freezing. They would actually smile when they saw my daughter. They would bite my other daughter. They were fun

This was 24 years ago, but on our first anniversary [2008-10-31]
we went to a really nice Mexican restaurant. We spent our honeymoon in Mexico (Cancun before it was a spring break destination). Most of our bridal party joined us for our anniversary dinner, and we had a really nice time together.

I had my child's cord blood banked eight years ago [2008-10-31]
This was much more costly way back then. I compared many companies and finally decided on CBR (Cord Blood Registry). They are definitely the most reputable. The originating fee was $1200 and the maintenance fee is $95 per year. The procedure itself is virtually effortless. You are first sent a kit which you provide to your physician. At the time of your child My doctor was more than willing to perform this simple step at the time of my child Then, after collection, the kit is sent via courier to a deep freezer (I think mine is in Arizona). This is such an exciting prospect. Talk about life/health insurance. Just imagine what can be done with these cells many, many years from now. Will mychild never have to develop cancer? Could a spinal cord injury be reversed? Could he be cloned? Just imagine the possibilities. Truthfully, eight years ago was an eternity in this business of cord blood banking. I feel it is truly cutting-edge technology. Yes, it was costly, but when I think about the truly invaluable possibilities,I felt compelled to have this done. Now, it is much more affordable than it was back in the beginning stages of this technology. This is even much more valuable when siblings are involved. I, however, only have the one child. I don With my medical background, there was just no way I could not do it. Sorry I got so lengthy about this, but I am a huge advocate of this concept.

I am 123 pounds down and have been for 3+ years [2008-10-30]
I went from 235.5 to 115. I did gain some weight in the middle of my weight loss, but I was baking a 9 pound 1 ounce baby during that time. I was at my prepregnancy weight within 3 days after delivery. The weight loss on WW was the best thing I've ever done for myself. Good luck!

Really? I've been doing this over 12 years and never had the problem before nm [2008-10-29]
x

Yes, please let me know how it works out(sm) [2008-10-23]
The bedroom is still quite cold at night depending on the temperature outsidewhen you close the door. Hubby never cared because as a child, his room didnused to it, but now that he's older, he's getting to be a little bit too much to handle. He tried a gas wall heater but it used to much fuel. We tried an Eden Pure, but it died before the winter was over. He only needs the room around 60 so he cut a hole in the wall above the door and put a fan in to draw the heat into his room but the fan is so noisy, it's hard to get a good night's sleep.

I did this 8 years ago [2008-10-23]
When my husband and I got together we had 6 kids between the two of us. His brothers and sisters either had none, or just one. They were used to drawing names, we told them we could not participate (actually my idea but he backed me up)because of what it meant cost wise to us (no matter how young you drew a name). My husband always had dinner at his house so we continued that but told everyone if they wanted to exchange gifts they would need to do it before they came for dinner. The idea went over like a box of rocks then, but they adapted and now, 8 years later when all of them have at least 4 kids (and his brother 6 LOL) the mention of drawing names sends them in to meltdown. Christmas is not supposed to be about the gifts anyway. If that is all their concerned about let them eat dinner somewhere else anyway!

Midnight shift husband for 18 years now......sm [2008-10-21]
It will get better....eventually. It took about 8 years for my hubby to realize I can't work midnights like him because we have two kids to raise. Believe me, it is very difficult at times, but it does get better. It might help if you have a calendar in full view for him to look at, so he knows what type of schedule you are on regarding work, kids activities, etc. Once he sees it in writing and realizes all the pressure that is on you, he may begin to understand. Believe me, night shift is not easy for the marriage. It takes great patience and understanding of both parties for it to succeed! I sleep with my golden retriever at night now!

Your argument works against you. [2008-10-16]
Your pastor interpreted something else and twisted it to tell you what he wanted. The Bible does not say to not marry outside your race. Interpreting things is what causes the problem. In the Bible, God said we are all sinners. (Don Don

Been going up and up for 2 years around here not just recently! [2008-10-11]
xx

After 5 years [2008-10-09]
of being this way, I think itparent in my own home, or not, and I would make the decision on my life accordingly. I was not content with being the friend. Things were better after that point. I think he just needed to know that I did care and I did want to be a part and it wasn't being forced on me...and more importantly the child had to know that my being there, and being included, was not a choice. It was just the way it was going to be. We still aren't as close as we used to be but I think that also comes with growing up and a boy needing dad more than mom. I know how hard this can be but do you really want to live the rest of your life this way? And what's to happen if/when the 2 of you have your own child? Do you want that child to be pushed aside too. Like the other poster said, choose the right time but I think you owe it to yourself and your relationship to have a heart-to-heart with him and let him know how you feel...don't just point fingers. Not saying this will be a quick fix, we still have problems, but it certainly opened the lines of communication for us. Good luck. I hope it works out.

In all my years of school, I was never [2008-10-01]
once assaulted. This is assault. There was, however, a girl who did this to others. I was just fortunate enough to avoid her. She ended up in prison for murder about 3 years ago. Maybe if she It is not about being paranoid or vindictive. It is about teaching, teaching a child right from wrong, teaching a child that there are consequences for bad behavior. Children need to learn that at a very early age. It helps to form their conscious.

My kids got me one for by birthday years [2008-09-26]
ago. Absolutely love it and they make their milkshakes with it, no mess at all.

I am some years your senior, but still young looking and seem to SM [2008-09-26]
be attractive to men. However, I found that men felt they had been there, done that. . . and the only thing they were missing was what you pointed out. I literally met a man who was married and divorced five times. Thanks, but no thanks. For me he HAS to be a nonsmoker, very occasional drinker, etc. My sister and I agree that after we were with a man a time or two it already became quite evident why he is divorced. I know this is not always the case, but very often it is. I met a man one time, and I must respect this, who told me sadly that he had the most wonderful woman in the world and he cheated on her and lost her. He said he takes 100% responsibility for the breakup. He said it was the worst mistake he ever made in his life. There are exceptions to every rule, but more often than not I found the ones who were looking for one thing and had no desire to begin again and have a future with someone.

Been connected with the AF for 44 years now - sm [2008-09-24]
I can tell you that security forces WILL be deployed, especially now that many bases are short handed. That means they can go anywhere armed forces are in place. I believe they deploy for up to 179 days at a giventime because to deploy for 180 days would mean a change of duty station, which is a lot of paperwork and expense. He could literally be deployed for 179 days, home for 1 day, then deployed again if they wanted to send him some place else. If they are telling him he will be gone 180 days a year then he probably will be gone at least that much. Ibelieve they do TRY to let them be at their home base for stretches if it can be done. It is a lot to ask of a spouse if and when he gets married. That said, however, I believe the AF is still a good choice for many people because of the awesome benefits and training they offer. If he can stay for 20 he will also get that retirement check every month, which is the best part of all! Best of luck to him.

Ditto........25 years, bored to tears....... [2008-09-24]
xx

We have a Chevy HHR and a Jeep sm [2008-11-18]
The HHR is the first new car we have had, and it was a year old when we bought it. DH also had a Chevy C-10 pickup truck that he sold a couple of months ago because it needed a transmission. The Jeep was my mom's that she sold to us when she moved a couple of years ago. We have mostly had GM products. The only foreign car we ever had was a 1985 Mercedes 300 SEL that turned into a money pit. We ended up selling it a year after we bought it and barely got back what we paid. It was a nice car for about 2 months but unless I can afford to buy new with a warranty, which will most likely be never, I wouldn't buy another one. My dad drives Toyotas now, which is so funny because he is the one who got me into liking classic cars like Mustangs, Impalas, Firebirds, etc.

67 Firebird is my dream car sm [2008-11-18]
Very similar to the Camaro. My dad had a 67 Firebird when I was younger and sold it when I was about 13 so my brother and I wouldn't be able to fight over it when we could drive. It got wrecked about 2 years later

Last month I spent $321 for 3 of us. [2008-11-18]
It's just DH, 18 year-old son, and I. We live in the Philadelphia area. We generally eat far less meat than most American families, but we aren't vegetarian. My son commutes to a nearby university and works there, as well. He provides his own lunches, and probably only eats breakfast at home half of the time. Now, if you want to factor in what we pay for the meal plan for our son who lives away at college, well then... that's a whole other story! KA-CHING!

I used to use coupons a lot [2008-11-18]
& had one of those little wallet things with tabs for organizing them. I haven't done that in years. Maybe I should get back to it. There are 2 markets up here, a vons name brands are very expensive in that store. But the produce is always a lot cheaper than at vons.

I have a TracFone. And I LOVE it. It is the original Nokia, but..sm [2008-11-18]
I can text on it. Texting uses up your minutes. However, when you run out of minutes, you doncodes that you have, you sometimes can get bonus minutes etc. So if I have 10 minutes left on my phone and I buy another 120 minute card, when I am done activating it I will have 130 minutes on my phone. And if I have a code then I will have the minutes from that also. I would not hesitate to get another TracFone. They have some really cheap, reconditioned ones too.

YEAH baby!! Me too. sm [2008-11-18]
About 10 years ago I bought a Honda HX with prototype gas-efficient trannie, light wheels, no frills. That puppy would still be with me if not for the prototype trannie pretty much fizzled on most of the HXs but I milked mine for as long as possible. Ex had a Prelude, same year (99). He loved the car and took great care of it. Gas was killing him though (uses it to drive and travels a bit). He wanted to keep it in the family so he sold it to me. I drive about 5000 miles a year, if that. Amost 300,000 miles on that one and what a dream it is!!! He bought a new Civic. Another SWEET car. My son has a 1990 Accord, bought it used with less than 100,000 miles about 3 years ago. We've put some money into it, mostly cosmetic and just catching stuff up, but it runs like new. My Civic was actually built in US, so I didn't feel too guilty, but how many years have US automakers had to see the writing on the wall? I'm sorry, but I like keeping a car forever. No car payments are great. Honda fits that mold.

Us too - sm [2008-11-17]
On 11/13 we had to say goodbye to our 19-year old cat named AhAh. We've lost many over the years, and each one hurts as if it was the one and only. So sorry for your loss.

loving pet [2008-11-17]
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. I'm glad you enjoyed his company and love for many years. This is the caveat of having our loving pets - it's so difficult to lose them. We will join with all of them one day, when it is our time...how could we not. They provide us with so much love and good company.

My DH drives a Chevy Malibu Maxx... [2008-11-17]
I have a 2005 Buick LeSabre and we also have an older Ford Explorer that DH kept to use for hauling stuff..... I've never had anything but an American made car........... LOL, I'm not exactly a car salesperson's dream customer........ I keep my cars forever...... 1972 Plymouth Duster 1984 Buick Skyhawk 1996 Buick Century 2005 Buick Skyhawk.......... only 4 cars in over 30 years......

I used to own only foreign cars [2008-11-17]
I had Mazdas when I was younger. Then I married my husband, and he works for a Chrysler/Jeep dealship so no more foreign cars for me, but I do love my Jeep.

I am so sorry for your loss. sm [2008-11-17]
It is never easy to go down that road, at any time, let alone after 22 years. I hope your Fred had a good, long life. My 4 cats and I will keep you in our thoughts.

I drove Ford pickups most of my life, but - sm [2008-11-17]
I got tired of the fact that the danged things don't steer well. They all have steering-gear problems. Each of my trucks ended up having anywhere from 2-4 new or rebuilt gears put in during my ownership, and they still were next to impossible to drive in a straight line. Getting parts was a pain too, as often you had to know the month the vehicle was built in order to get the right part. Simple do-it-yourself work often had to go to the shop instead, because of the difficulty of accessing the area without taking half of the front end apart. So of course the shop bills were high, too. It became increasingly difficult to get parts after the truck was 5 or 6 years old, and I drove most of mine for 12+ years. So when it was time for a new car, I wanted a midsize SUM. I did my homework, and chose a 4Runner because of the quality & favorable consumer reports. I couldn't afford a new one, so got a used one that was 5 years old. I'm still driving it, loving it, and it's like they say in the Timex watch commercials: 'It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'!'

93 Buick LeSabre and 93 Chevy Silverado [2008-11-17]
The truck mileage sucks, only 12 mpg. Hubby wanted to buy a Toyota this year but with his work being so slow, he's stuck with the Chevy. He's had nothing but problems with it. My last car was a The engine was like brand new, only 45,000 miles when we bought it in 2003. I miss it. It went to the car graveyard after we took the engine out to put in the Buick above. We always pay cash for our cars, so really don't ever buy brand new. Got the Buick for nothing because it had a blown engine and I found 3 cents in it to boot. Now that's a deal. LOL We owned a Datsun Maxima back in the 80s, but it was a diesel and I didn't like it. Gave me backache, and the only other foreign car we owned was a ྄ Opel. That was a good car and comfortable to drive. We always bought American.

I had a similar experience [2008-11-17]
I divorced my first husband in 1972 and it didn You will feel SO much better after you do it!

So what exactly has he done for the public good [2008-11-17]
in the last 30 years?

apologies [2008-11-16]
I just wanted someone When I was young and stupid I broke someone We were best friends. I have been thinking about this person a lot lately. They moved on to get married and have a family, so that is great. I recently sent a letter saying howsorry I am for being so terrible and asked for forgiveness. I did not give my number or put a return address on the envelope becuase I did not want anyone to think I was wanting a reunion or anything. I just really wanted toapologize and maybe get some sort of closure. Do you think there is a statute of limitations on saying I'm sorry and asking for forgiveness?

I don't think so [2008-11-16]
I don Obviously if it has been bothering you lately, you felt it was something you needed to do. How the other person reacts and if they want to accept the apology, it But maybe the other person needed the closure, even after all those years, you never know. I think it was very nice of you and I give you credit. Some people would have said just forget it, it's not important after all this time.

very well said [2008-11-16]
I totally agree. I have done this sort of thing, apologized after a long period of time. I heard back from each of the 2 people & they were grateful for it. They had not felt heard all those years ago & finally did. These were not people I was romantically involved with, so I did send an e-mail & heard back. I think your choice not to include your address was very appropriate. If the person wants to contact you, they can go to the trouble of looking you up. Nicely done.

Too bad more people do not do this - [2008-11-16]
I think this shows how much you have grown up and how caring you are. I think this will bring the other person closure as we all need that when we are hurt. I had my heart broken 10 years ago and not a day goes by where I think what did I do wrong to be treated so horrible. I don't dwell as much but I wonder how people can be so cruel. I commend you and hopefully, this will bring closure for you too.

Don't know about "sweet" but dog is God spelled backward sm [2008-11-16]
I put up with a terrier mix (not a pit - just a mutt) who was hyper and ate everything, my house shingles, kitchen floor, rugs, etc., tried caging her and she bent the wires, scaled a 6 ft. fence or dug holes underneath to get out. We called her Hogan's Heroes. When she literally ate my whole couch one cold Christmas Eve with 20 people coming, I called the SPCA in tears and they said no one would take a dog like her, they would only bring her back and she'd be put to sleep. So I kept her over 16 years and she's buried in a pet cemetery nearby. I now have a 120 lb. Golden who had big paws when he was born and the last one left because he was going to be big, so I took him. People have dropped off dogs to me crying and I found homes for them. I understand how we can't turn away these beautiful animals others don't have the heart to understand. I would present your husbandbill for food, etc., but don I believe in good deeds being rewarded. It takes time but good only leads to good things coming back at you. I doesn't seem that way right now and times are tough, but hopefully you will be rewarded in other ways.

Need some advice on an old friendship -- [2008-11-16]
I got divorced 7 years ago. Started out as a friendly divorce and then I started dating a man that my ex did not like (because he is black) and we quit speaking at all. Then, one of my very good friends started backing off from the friendship andI thought it was because I was openly dating a black man. Well, 4 months later, I heard that she was dating my exhusband. I called her and asked her about it and of course she denied it, could not believe I accused her of that, she would never do that to me..... on and onand on. To make a long story short, of course 2 months later I found out it was true, they had bee seeing each other for about 6 or 7 months. Anyway, during that time period after I knew that they were together but before they broke up, I would call her occasionally if I needed information on my son (who lived with his dad and would not speak to me at that time becaue of brainwashing) and we stayed friendly on the phone, felt like old times, etc. Then they broke up and now occasionally I get the urge to call her or she will call me for something, and it is like nothing ever happened. We laugh and cut up and it I have some thoughts though about when it really started, before we were even divorcing or during the divorce, and then sometimes I get really mad because she lied to me in the first place and let me keep trying to have a friendship, and then sometimes I miss her and think it does not matter because we were divorced and he was free and I definitely did not want him back. My problem is what to do? Forgive her and forget her... forgive her and be friends again... ask her the questions I need answers to and then decide whether to be friends??? And the other big problem is my new husband gets very upset every time I even speak to her because she did thatto me when she was my friend and he says you never go behind friends to their love interests. Advice please....

Yep, RUN, she was never really a friend to start with. [2008-11-16]
A true friend doesn Dating a friend Sounds like your new husband has a good head on his shoulders. Hope it works out well for you.

Yep, RUN, she was never really a friend to start with. [2008-11-16]
A true friend doesn Dating a friend Sounds like your new husband has a good head on his shoulders. Hope it works out well for you.

I say forgive, of course, but forget, NO WAY......sm [2008-11-16]
To be a true friend and truly care for someone, you first have to respect them and honor their dignity....how can care for anyone, friend, lover, or whatever, if you cannot be TRUTHFUL? How can you say you respect someone whiile blatantly lying to them? As a Christian and hopefully good person, I belive we always have to forgive, but to forget as if nothing had happened, that is impossible, I would think. She betrayed you by lying, not by seeing your ex, that is HER problem if she wants a second-hand loser, but friendship is a sacred bond, I am sure you can forge some newer, better friendships, can you ever feel any confidence in this woman again? Just my firm opinion, I had this done to me many years ago when very young, and although we tried, the friendship was never the same, for obvious reasons. God bless in your decision!

Rest in peace, Fred! [2008-11-16]
We just put our 22-year-old cat, Fred, to sleep this evening. He had wasted away from 17 pounds to 5 pounds and was too weak to stand or eat. He was a loving companion for the past 22 years and will be missed dearly. Rest in peace, Fred. Benny, Gus, and Lily will be waiting in heaven to greet you with open arms!