You all sound like excellent parents

It doesn't sound dumb... [2008-11-16]
...at all. I miss my Noni girl every single day. She was the light of my life, my soulmate who happened to be a different species. I have gotten 2 new dogs, but my heart will never feel the same.

Probably borrow from his parents - sm [2008-11-13]
they are loaded, though act poor (have a couple mil in the bank). Borrow enough to a pay off the house $40K if they would go for it, and I think they would, or sell the house (borrow from them until house is sold) and either rent for a while (we'd have about $140K after the sale of the house and mortgage paid off) or buy a much smaller house. We have land we can sell too so we would not be destitute though it would cause some problems.

Excellent post! [2008-11-11]
xx

You sound like you share my feelings for [2008-11-01]
all these wondeful creatures. Please know I said Monster in the most loving way!!! We laugh at her constantly when she manipulates and tells us what she wants! She is bound to get it, too. If we give her something and she doesn She sings because I sing to her a lot and that is just adorable. She actually puts the vibration in her voice! Youare so right on about the emotions of animals. They have needs and wants, and need to be loved and have companionship. I think many times over about her future. I wish I knew you and could work with you in caring for birds. I think they so very special. Keep up what you are doing. You are really making a difference.

Okay, these turtles sound so cool! [2008-10-31]
Do their tanks get dirty often? A pain to clean? We had fish a few years ago and it was a pain in the rear for me, not so much the 10yo. Ireplace her.

Excellent response! [2008-10-17]
Short on time and brain is toast but hey, want to know, keep me in mind and I'll answer too tomorrow probably. I enjoy conversation, even at odds with someone, that is not like what I see up a little further on this page. Thanks.

Not educational. This is something that should be the parents job to teach, not the school. sm [2008-10-16]
Besides, why should school children have a field trip to ANY wedding? What would people say if someone had a field trip to a church service? These are things that parents need to be able to teach their children when the time is right.

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

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

It can't because most parents (read this board!) are NOT [2008-10-16]

Excellent point! [2008-10-16]

Help! I live next to parents and they ...sm [2008-10-15]
are driving me mad, well my dad is anyways. I have always lived on my parents land next door to them. I live in a mobile home. Well my mom and dad divorced this year because my dad was cheating. He was calling another woman up to 10 times a day, going to her house, has give her everything he has. He owned cattle and sold them and got $32,000 for them. Well the money disappeared and he was broke before long. This woman he is cheating with is on disability and lives in a house and has a SUV. Her daughter has a car and son a truck and none of them work. Mama has looked on his bank statements and seen where he is making their payments. Well of course mom put him out. Like to never got him out. He got a mobile home and parked it on the land. She got 3 acres and the house in divorce. He has the remaining 7 acres. Well he puts his mobile home on his part and refuses to hook it up. He is staying in this trailer with no power, no sewage, nothing. There is only a bed. He has had the money to hook it up right. My mother has offered him part of the furniture and a TV. He doesn He refuses to live like a normal human being. Then he comes to my moms house every day when she gets off of work and wants to come in and take a shower. She is like no we aren You have a trailer and you go hook it up and take a shower over there. Well it has water to it he just doesn Well that is his own problem. He chooses not to have it hooked up because I guess he wants an excuse to come over to moms. Well she tells him no. Then he comes to my house and sits and sits. He comes over because he has no furniture and no TV or nothing. He comes and rumages through my cabinets and bums food. If me and my mom are at my house and decide to cook something he invites himself over there and helps himself. I have never seen anyone who was so annoying. I can He refuses to get a washer or dryer which without electricity it wouldn So he comes to my house and says can I wash my laundry? Well gues what? I end up doing it cause he doesn Then he leaves it there and expects me to finish it. I can not hardly do my work because he comes over and says are you busy? I just wanted to talk. I won Then he just sits there. I am at my wits end. I just want to move. He came over and said can I borrow a duffle bag? I said ok. I give it to him. He says I am gonna go buy one and I will bring it back. I never have got it back. Then he comes over and says can I borrow an ice chest. I let him borrow it and never get it back. He bums off of everyone here but this other woman and her children he gives whatever they want. He has taken money from me and my sister. He has borrowed money against my sisters extra vehicle she had paid for. He asked and she let him. he didn THis is his own daughter he did this to now. My husband had a pickup in my dads name because his credit wasn Big mistake. When the truck was almost paid formy dadborrowed money against the truck behind our backs. THen the truck is stolen and insurance has to pay it off. Well it was worth more than what was owing so we got the differnece. Well he had borrowed $1600 against it and said he didn So it came out of our insurance money from the truck. Finally when we knew he had some money we had to bug him and bug him for the money and he said $1000 is all he owed. He borrowed $1600 and paid one note on it before the truck was stolen. So we were out about $500. He takes from his children. I am at wits end. I want to get far far away from him. My sister lives an hour an a half away and she seems pretty lucky right now. What the heck to do?

Best one though - I don't have to live with my parents :-) sm [2008-10-08]
I love them, love to visit them, talk to them on the phone...but I don't have to live with them!

I like the sound of your buns!!! LOL SM [2008-10-04]
If you swing by south central PA drop a few off, my friend!!!

Anyone here caring for aging parents? [2008-10-02]
Whoof. This is so very hard. My mother is/was a brilliant educator, highly respected in her field. We are walking a very thin line these days. I just hate it, and I do not use that word often. We have found an assisted living facility that she likes, and I do as well. But, she is not liking the fact that she must decide. Oh, it is so very hard. She was quite ill back in the summer, went to a nursing home for therapy (to recover from pneumonia), and then home. She is failing, and not going gentle into that good night. She wants so very much to live on her own, but it is such a struggle. I am afraid for her, and I am so very tired. Is anyone else living with this? If so, what do you do? I have read a thousand articles, talked with so many specialists, and still am lost.

Aging parents [2008-10-02]
Well, ya know, you just do what you need to do during these times. I helped care for both my folks and they each died in their mid 60s of cancer. I did a lot of praying to find the strength and really kept remembering I only had one mom and one dad and after all they had given up to give us kids a good life growing up, it was the absolutely least I could do. My brothers and sister were just great too and we got to the point we took shifts, even when they were hospitalized. Looking back, we had some really very nice moments. I can actually say Ihaveno regrets and feel no guilt about perhaps what I should have done later.If you do have siblings, ask for help. Take care of yourselves as you really are not as capable of caring for your parents otherwise.

you sound like the big sis I need [2008-09-30]
Thanks for your note. I could be making more of this than what is really necessary. It is a horrible way to live (always planning for the worse and worrying about what's going on for things we can't control). I think he realized today that all the negative news and me having to work was really getting me down. I just feel myself getting heavier and heavier and I'm so exhausted right now I feel like I'm about to fall asleep and I have got to finish the rest of my work (about another 4 hours). The reason we don't celebrate holidays is actually an agreement we both have. We used to celebrate holidays but every year I found myself so depressed because I've been away from home for close to 30 years and it is still hard, and I cant just go home every year. And he does not like family rituals or whatever those things are called (can't think of the word), as in it's Thanksigiving so we eat Turkey because it's thanksgiving (family traditions - that's it). So over the years I found it easier to deal with the holidays by not celebrating them. If I do cook a turkey on Thanksgiving its because I feel like having turkey that day. When I say I can't throw too much at him, he doesn't have health problems, but he just can't handle too much. We take one situation at a time. I learned that years and years ago. Me, I'll do 10 things at once, but I keep it simple for him otherwise, so he doesn't get too overwhelmed. Yes I know he's a big boy, but not all men act like it. I may not be expressing myself too good at this point. I'm so exhausted and need to go lay down. Thanks for listening. I liked your last line bout thinking his down and out feelings are more important than my well being. I will be thinking on that one more. Thanks again.

It certainly is sad for the kids and their parents but - [2008-09-21]
I would much prefer to hear about an 11-year-old or 13-year-old being abandoned under the Safe Haven laws rather than hearing about their mother or father deciding the only way out of a desperate situation was to kill their children and themselves. The children are old enough that they have probably had numerous conversations with their parent(s) about why they are being left and how to find them later (at least I hope so.)

Okay, this is going to sound like a dumb question - [2008-09-19]
but what are Crocs? I just started having this heel pain about a week ago. It's been hard to bear weight, and I'm limping badly after doing the grocery shopping. Same thing - my pedal foot. I even had it on an ice pack while I was working a few days ago! I've been transcribing for nineteen years, and it just started. Are crocs and orthosis?

It doesn't make me mad but it doesn't sound intelligent either (sm) [2008-09-16]
I am sure if all of those people who were aborted were living, some would be good and some would be bad, in the same proportion as there is good to bad now. Your statement makes no sense. So somehow the babies who were aborted were meant to be aborted because they were bad seeds? Whatever. Sorry, that's just silly.

Our school has an excellent system in place - sm [2008-09-12]
Every year we fill out a million forms that have to be turned in on the first and second days of schools or they get grades knocked down----they then call and email you when they have anything going on. When they first implimented it last year I got 5 phone calls (have 2 kids in school). They worked out the bugs and now I get one call and one email. It is all automated and works quite well. I also work PT for the school so they they know my face and name so that helps too. The school policy is not to let any elementary or primary school child off the bus unless a parent is there. If the driver does not see anyone the kid goes back to the school. Parents get upset with it too, if they are too lazy to come out to the bus stop, then they have to get in their car and drive to the school (not a short jaunt) and pick up their kid. Very safety conscious here. (or lawsuit fearful!)

parents [2008-09-10]
I had a daughter in a similar situation. Her school had a tutoring program after schools with actual teachers and that really helped her a lot. She actually was doing okay in the class, but just didn't feel confident. The teachers made her feel more sure of herself and that seemed to make all the difference. I'd talk with the physics teacher or counselor to see if they can work with her before she drops the class.

Parents what would you do? [2008-09-10]
I My daughter just started the 9th grade. She This year she She She wants to drop out of the class already. I told her to give it to the first semester which will be over in ten weeks to see how it goes. My husband feels that she has to take it eventually so she should say in the class. She I think she should talk to the teacher and her counselor to see what advice they have. Her teacher is one that gives the work and says do it without really teaching them how to do anything. I My husband took physics years ago and he tried to work with her last night, but I What would you do if your child was in the same predicament?

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.

yup it is excellent and dependable [2008-09-04]
Never had a problem with it in the three years I've been using it. Oh you wouldn't believe all the free stuff that is available. Whenever I'm looking for something there seems to always be something you can get for free that is equal in comparison (well except a foot pedal and head phones that is. HA HA) Here's another funny fact - has nothing to do with MT, but DH just found a website and you know all these courses they teach at the big wig universities - you can watch the classes online for free. These are courses from MIT and really expensive universities. So if you were interested in getting your degree completed you could watch the courses, take a test and get your degree for a tenth of what it would cost you to sit in the same lecture class at a fancy university. That is one thing I love about the internet. There is a wealth of information and knowledge all for free. Talk about living in a great country!

I'm in Florida and spend about $175/wk for 5 sm [2008-11-18]
I5 and 158 lbs,eats more than my husband, who is 6 and 345 lbs. FIL had to have a feeding tube put in last July, and I had to cut down meals by half because we were having so many leftovers and wasting money. Just when I thought I had it figured out, he was able to get the tube removed, so II donwe (FIL and I) will just eat a sandwich or leftovers from the fridge As far as special foods, we dona recipe, and for a while we were buying meat ata butcher shop but have had to cut that out for now. It was really good but was close to DH's work, and if he couldn't pick it up while he was in the area, it was a 45-minute drive. I cook most things from scratch, except lasagna because I hate making it. Once a month, we have a luncheon at church that I bring a dish and a dessert, and I cook Wednesday night dinner there one night per month, but I get reimbursed for the Wednesday night dinner. I do include paper products and toiletries in with my grocery budget but that's it, and I usually go to Sam's once a month for those. I have it easy compared to my parents though. My dad got paid once a month, and there were 4 kids at home all the time, 5 when my sister came up during the summer. They used to have 3 grocery carts slap full of food, and my mom figured out that it took something like 18 boxes of cereal to last a month, each one with a date marked on it so we didnWe also hada freezer to keep extra bread and other things, and my mom also used to mix in powdered milk when the gallon was half-way gone. I never knew until I was grown, so she definitely blended it well.

Dogs v kids [2008-11-18]
I am a sucker for a pretty face & don't have kids, so I am at my dogs' mercy. You should see their stockpile of dog treats. It's ridiculous. School lunches. $2 a day! Doesn't sound like a lot for a meal, but it sure adds up...you would think they would give you some kind of deal because you have 3 kids. I guess I'm assuming they all go to the same school. Now I'm dating myself, but when I was in elementary school I think it cost 40 or 45 cents for lunch. A nickel for milk. Amazing!

Blondie, have read your posts before sm.. [2008-11-15]
You sound like a very good person, very caring. I was in the same situation once with a neighbor's dog. He would go to Canada hunting and just leave his dog tied to a dog house in mid-winter in New England and I would take her into my home, feed her, keep her warm and all. This neighbor today I can say with full confidence was borderline-retarded without a doubt. I am so glad I did this. I even at one time went to the dog pound and claimed this dog who had gotten loose and said it was my own. I could not let this poor dog suffer because of its owner. All I can say is do what is in your heart, it may cost you a few dollars more but think of it is abandoned children and you are there for them. Take a good look at this guy and truly ask yourself is he is capable of the love and caring you have in your heart. I know times are tough, but perhaps you are the one who is meant to save these poor animals. Sounds like this guy is either not the sharpest tool in the shed or something else wrong with him. Does he have enough money for beer or etc., and not his dogs? Then he doesn't deserve them! Think hard about the dogs and what would happen to them if it were not for you. You are a very nice person. I hope you find an answer. As for your husband, only you can answer that question. I think he should at least stick up for you and address his dumb friend as to what his responsibility is in the situation. Good luck, Blondie, you are a sweetheart to put up with all this, and I am sure the dogs are in a better place with you. Do you have an SPCA or someone who could help with the food? Perhaps online you can find a way to make your own food suitable for dogs at a reasonable price. May God be with you. Perhaps you are meant to care for dogs in some way that would be beneficial to you in other ways. God bless you for caring.

Must be nice to know you have in-laws ...sm [2008-11-14]
who would help. My parents couldn't help. My father in law couldn't either BUT mother in law could but wouldn't I know because she is so tight. She would just say oh well loose all your sh**. She wouldn't come off her money.

I agree ... an idea [2008-11-14]
I think it might be better to just tell the story of the real St. Nicholas who was so generous (Google for specific info on him) and tell your child that in remembrance of his special generosity, you will give some presents in his name (and can still call him the evolved Santa name). That way, there is still some special mystery feeling involved but no lies! My 2nd child really got upset too and so did my nephews. It seems it can teach a child to not trust even his/her own parents when going the old route with the whole Santa thing.

Please...I need someone to talk to...sm [2008-11-13]
Okay, its pity party time. I may need to get a professionalfree therapy. I am feeling really, really guilty about not seeing my dad as much as I should. So, heredad just up and leaves sort of way. He got a job in another city about 5 hours away. I remember we were all really excited about it as it was a really good career move for him. Mom didnagreement was that he would come home on the weekends and see us (right). So this turned into seeing him every month, to every couple of months, to about twice a year (thanksgiving and Christmas). Him and mom are still married (don't know how she does it) but I feel such resentment toward him that it is hard for me to go see him. We only live about 15 minutes away from my parents and are in their town a lot to see my husband's family. However, I choose not to go see my father because it is awkward and weird and it stresses me out to the max. I get to see mom about 3 times a week as we work together (both as transcriptionists) at our local hospital. I love spending time with her, but not with my dad around. I know I'm hurting his feelings when I don't see him but on his birthday, father's day, holidays, etc. He doesn't drink THAT much anymore, a beer or two a day (we think), but it still bothers the heck out of me when I see him drinking. Although it is better than mom and I trying to get him to bed while he is falling down drunk or driving away, getting a DUII, etc. I would never tell him how I feel because I love him and wouldn't hurt him like that. He isn't very healthy (hep C, high BP, neuropathy, etc) and I don't think he'll be around for that much longer. NEway..getting off track...I just need some advice and/or to hear someone else's stories about something like this. I don't know what to do and it is really getting to me. It does feel better to be able to talk to someone about it though (husband doesn't understand and talking to mom about it just makes her feel bad). Thanks ladies for all of your support!!!

I do pity you...sm [2008-11-13]
It sucks when you have a parent who has chosen to put other things/people before their children. I donjob and not coming home to see his family for long periods of time. So you kind of feel like why should I feel guilty when he didn't? It is up to you if you want to see him more than the holidays and b-days. My dad has chosen another family over his family. I am 31 years old and my parents divorced this year because my dad was running around. Well according to bank statements he is paying not only the woman's bills but is paying her daughter's car note and her son's electric bill, etc. Anything they want they got it. This woman's kids are in their 20s. I have to work to pay my car note and I am his own daughter. Which I realize it isn't his place anyways. But it is the principal. He has NEVER payed anything for me and I mean NOTHING. He has never given me money at all. My mom has helped me when I needed it but not him. But yet he can give them anything. He doesn't know I have seen those bank statements so he doesn't know what I know. It kind of makes it hard to want to be around him when I know what he does for them and has never done for me or my sister. I kind of know where you are coming from in that I don't specifically care to be around my dad either and sometimes I feel guilty about it. But then again does he feel guilty for what he is doing? Apparently not.

I can sympathize [2008-11-13]
If you honestly love him like you say, then maybe it is time for some forgiveness in your heart, just forget what has happened and move on or sit him down one on one and tell him to get it off your chest. My mom and dad divorced when I was one. I am almost 40 now. I won Once he had more kids, I was in the way. He was never there for me even as an adult. His wife (married again when I was 3) only wants to be involved in my life when she can stir up drama. I made the decision to finally cut them out of my life because it was beginning to affect me on a daily basis. I did confront both of them to a certain extent, not all that I wanted to say. But since his wife was stirring up drama with my 4 kids, momma bear came out and enough was enough. I still love my dad, but don't understand how he can be so blind about his wife. Being that your parents are still together, I think you need to either sit him down without your mom and tell him how you feel and maybe he will then understand why you have been so hurt. If you feel you can Just my 2 cents worth...I wish you the best of luck

How Rude!!!! [2008-11-13]
Good for you! The fact that she told you to hold on while shefinished texting would have sent me right over the edge! Congrats to you for teaching her a lesson her parents obviously don I have 2 teenage girls and we have made that rule quite clearthat they will lose ALL privileges if they even thinkof texting while driving or talking while driving. The phone must be turned offwhen they drive and we have tested them on it many times just to make sure they are following the rules.

My dad drinks a lot...or at least I think he still does... [2008-11-13]
but I am not really sure now because I live so far away...and I miss him terribly and I worry. Sometimes, just from my point of view, I think that we might not fully understand what makes people do what they do and we need to love them anyway. It doesn't make the bad things they have done or the disappointment go away, but it does make me feel better. Also, with the health problems, you might not have that long to see him, so why not take advantage of every minute. He couldn't have been all bad. I'm not saying you should buy him a 12 pack, but maybe try to accept him as an imperfect man. Everyone has faults, even our parents.

I think thanksgiving would be the [2008-11-12]
perfect time to make it clear you are NOT joining in the free for all giftgiving. Maybe you could make their favorite desserts or breads instead or think of some other inexpensive hand made gifts. My sister makes jelly or tamales for the sibs and my brother buys a bottle of wine each (mine is piling up and getting well aged). This is exactly why I tell my 3 boys to buy for their wives and kids. I myself don't (can't) spend much on the kids, but I figure their parents need to have that fun, I've had my turn with my own. And I don't want anything at all, in fact, I wish when someone came over, they would have to take something when they leave! But, like I told one of mine, you are making memories, it will depend on your attitude and not what you spent that the kid remembers later. One might forget that expensive day at an amusement park, but remember years later a plain simple picnic because of the feeling of family fun and closeness. Good luck with your pregnancy, I am sure you are unusually tired already.

I think thanksgiving would be the [2008-11-12]
perfect time to make it clear you are NOT joining in the free for all giftgiving. Maybe you could make their favorite desserts or breads instead or think of some other inexpensive hand made gifts. My sister makes jelly or tamales for the sibs and my brother buys a bottle of wine each (mine is piling up and getting well aged). This is exactly why I tell my 3 boys to buy for their wives and kids. I myself don't (can't) spend much on the kids, but I figure their parents need to have that fun, I've had my turn with my own. And I don't want anything at all, in fact, I wish when someone came over, they would have to take something when they leave! But, like I told one of mine, you are making memories, it will depend on your attitude and not what you spent that the kid remembers later. One might forget that expensive day at an amusement park, but remember years later a plain simple picnic because of the feeling of family fun and closeness. Good luck with your pregnancy, I am sure you are unusually tired already.

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

My best one was the Christmas I [2008-11-12]
After everything was open and my brothers and I were so excited to be playing, my Mom asked me to get something from the kitchen. Of course it was dark because we There it was my Barbie Dreamhouse in the kitchen! I loved that Christmas and it got lots of play... Fav foods are cookies, cookies, and more cookies that my sister-in-law makes. I have an aunt that makes Walnut cookies to die for! Every year she On a lighter note, I love seeing our kids opening their stuff! It brings back great memories!

Loved the clown-box story! AND.... - sm [2008-11-11]
there are ways to regift that can actually make you totally grateful that you got that gift in the first place! One year my brother (whose heart is in the right place, but who always finds the most notoriously bizarre and useless gifts) gave me a bright red, fuzzy laughing Elmo toy. (Tickle-Me-Elmo?) Anyway, it had this really annoying, creepy laugh. I only tickled him once, heard that laughing banshee-shriek come out of him, and nearly threw him in the dumpster, I hated that sound so much. Well, later on Christmas day, I saw a little 5-year-old boy that lived in my apartment complex. The kid was a real cutie, but I couldn't stand his mom. Then, an evil, Grinch-like thought came to mind.... I told the kid to wait a minute before going upstairs, because 'I had something that I thought Santa had delivered to my house by mistake'. Then I ran into my apartment, grabbed the offensive Elmo, and asked the boy if that was something Santa should have brought to him (giving him the option to say 'heck no!')... but he said yes, he was hoping he would get an Elmo, and Santa hadn't brought him one! So, I said, 'Well then, here ya go - this must have been in Santa's bag for you.' Heh heh.... It did my heart good later that evening, when I went outside and could hear that evil 'Hahahahahahahahahaha' coming from the apartment of that lady I didn't like.

Perhaps did not explain sm [2008-11-11]
We have youth programs where a member of the department will come and talk tokids about the dangers of the internet. You know they never listen to parents, and you donbeing directed there.Perhaps some don't know the horrible crimes that come out of youths being lured by porn and the sooner it's dealt with, the better. I don't mean to have the police come in uniform with sirens and lights blaring. There are simple solutions to this problem and I am all for putting away these slime balls, some of them are judges, ministers, etc., so-called trustworthy people hurting our youths. Perhaps I misspoke but you may have read more into it. It's a common problem we all share and it could end up with a dead or kidnapped kid. I'd rather get tough early and save a life. Overreacted, maybe! I would never roll on the floor laughing about it but then again, we're all different.

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

No perfect family here sm [2008-11-11]
When I was younger and innocent, I believed I had started a wonderful tradition of having my family over for the holidays because I was the oldest and first married. After many years of dysfunction, second marriages, sibling rivalry, etc., have gone back to the basics, just my husband, my kids and their kids. I no longer have to listen to, I etc. I no longer have to wash my house down from smoking and no longer have to pick up half-empty alcoholic drinks (which by the way causes more havoc and tongue slips). We are happier, saner, and sober and we enjoy the holidays much more than when I spent a whole weekHome for the Holidays, National Lampoon and other films such as those and laugh at what used to be. Ifix people anymore, I can only fix myself. I don't think there is a Hallmark perfect family. If there is, it's news to me!

Just gained 5 lbs. reading above sm [2008-11-11]
Hash brown recipe simply scrumptious, I use crushed potato chips for the topping. I once used grated parmesan cheese (the kind you put on spaghetti) instead of grating it myself and it was absolutely delicious (expensive) but so easy. I also make a carrot cake with the crushed pineapple and use 2 jars of baby food carrots instead of shredding. (Lost that receipe someplace.) Just call me lazy, I guess. Gosh, now I have to go and stuff my face. You all make it sound so good, I can smell it cooking!

To sky........ [2008-11-11]
I wanted to explain that intelligence should not make us unhappy. If it does, then something is not right with this person. Our intelligence should bring us positive things not negative things. If somebody is highly intelligent and he cannot use it in a positive way, this is also a kind of stupidity or he has an emotional problem. I reject also the opinion that alcoholism is an 'inherited' disease. Whatever all this studies say, I think that alcoholism is a self-inflicted' disease. How can a person who destructs himself be intelligent? And this is also a sin. Nowadays the parents, and ESPECIALLY the mother, are blamed for everything that goes wrong with the children.

Santa reality sets in sm [2008-11-10]
Think itWhat do you think of that? They know, just have to work it out with them.

There is a genetic link, IMO [2008-11-09]
I have steroid-dependent asthma, but nobody else does--my parents, my brother, my daughters, no one! My middle daughter has terrible eczema like me, but she has no asthma. She has some allergies and another daughter of mine had food allergies, but none of them have the respiratory issues that I do with the allergies. Here's food for thought, though. In my family, my brother has type 1 diabetes. My father has rheumatoid arthritis. This makes me think of an inherited autoimmune component to our respective issues. Another thing is that my father and I are carriers of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. He has pretty severe lung disease even without being homozygous. The gene we carry is apparently linked to increased incidence of asthma, from some sources Iworse alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency gene, but he has no asthma. We are vigilant about keeping them out of second-hand smoke, so they all should be fine and without lung damage. I've always heard asthma was environmental, due to genetic disposition, sometimes emotional, but always crappy.

Well, writing this after the episode was shown. [2008-11-08]
Doubt we will see Callie and McSteamy but Merideth better get over that thing she has not dealing with her life with mom or she may lose her man. Drives me nuts, let it go already, get over it, move on. Liking the new doc Yang has her eyes on more every episode. Gosh, we all sound like this is really a functional and actual hospital setting;-)

we must make judgments, [2008-11-08]
and hopefully good ones. I love animals; have been around them and owned many all my life; but do not trust pit bulls. I have a good friend who now has a pit bull and it changed my comfort level on going to visit. On one of the tv court shows, even the judge uses a chart to show the number of pit bull attacks and deaths vs other breeds. That ought to cause one to make a sound judgment.

Has anyone here had the painful problem of having to place their parent in a nursing home? SM [2008-11-08]
My beautiful dad passed away last year. My mother and father were devoted to one another, my mother always taken care of by my father in every way, married 67 great years. My mom has always had excellent health, but after about 1-1/2 years, she has deteriorated to the point where I do not know her and I am scared, she is frail, not eating, almost unable to walk, struggles to dress herself or do for herself, will not accept a home health aide, we are trying to cook and clean for her at home but it is getting very scary, she just turned 90 and she seems to be failing fast. I am so sorry this is so long, but it is all so complicated, it is like she gave up the second my dad died. Anyone go through this yet????