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Have you ever tried the little things

Posted By: mdlfcrs on 2007-11-06
In Reply to: Need some ideas for some warm socks sm - mlstoo

you put in your gloves or socks to keep you warm - I've seen them pretty cheap - and I think they are reusable at least several times- could use them when you are really cold.  I keep one of those bed buddys that you warm in the microwave on my lap - my hands get cold and I warm them every so often.  you could put one under your heels or the foot not on the foot pedal.


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I've heard good things and about things about taking prednisone. My mom was on it for SM
for awhile and it made her look so swollen.  I sympathize with you.
Things you're afraid of vs. things you're not
I didn't used to be afraid of spiders, but I seem to have developed a fear of those little beasties. I also can't stand boats, water deeper than my hot tub and bridges. I'm also fairly convinced that UFOs, if not aliens (well, isn't anything driving those things?) are real, so that kinda scares me, yet it is strangely fascinating. I'm also afraid of El Chupacabra, though I'm very certain that's not real. It's one of those "hahahahaha" fears. 

Things other people fear that I do not include snakes (awwww, they so cute! they look like they're smiling!), rats, gangbangers (except Mara Salvatrucha, move them up to my "scary" list), poverty, death, traveling at high rates of speed with almost anyone sober, bats (CUTE!!!!!), homeless people, Sasquatch, most of my male friends, bears, mountain lions. 


Fear is such an odd thing, don't you think? So much of it is relative to our own experiences in life, yet at the same time some of them are downright irrational. 


So, how 'bout you? What will send  you running screaming in the other direction, and what things can you take care of when someone else goes running screaming in the other direction?


Oh, just a few things : )
http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/facts/
my take on things

I went through a similar situation with my (now ex-) husband's family during the ten years we were married.

Your husband is NOT the problem, his parents are. You said that your husband tried (albeit unsuccessfully) to get along with his father. So, it seems to me that he *DID* try as best as he could. But, sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things don't work out. So you do what the song says, "You have to know when to hold up; know when to fold up ..."

Now, it seems to me that his parents are treating your children like "holiday turkeys," ... bring them to be brought to the table once or twice a year, but ignore them the rest of the year. Yes, that's pretty much what it sounds like, and my heart goes out to your children 'cause I know the pain they are suffering ... because of their grandparents.

I also suspect that the ONLY reason your husband's parents went to the event was to "stick it" to your husband, and not because of the grandchildren. When you love someone and are truly proud of them, you do everything you can to be part of their life.

The ONLY people who matter in all of this are your immediate family ... You, your husband, and your children. Do not let his parents tear you all apart. I think you all need to get into therapy (you, your husband, and the children), so you can work through this problem AS A FAMILY UNIT, 'cause you're the only family that truly matters. You're all in pain and all of your feelings need to be counted, by each other.

Take it from someone who lived it. 


Try these things...
Have your husband do special things with that kitty such as giving him treats, having a catnip party, playing with interactive toys, talking gently, getting down on the floor with him at his level...Does your hubby have a big booming voice or thud through the house? One of my cats took a LONG time to love my husband because my husband tends to talk loudly and make more noise than I do. Fourteen years later, that cat still perfers me over hubby and still likes the house quiet, but there has been LOTS of improvement over the years. Be patient. All kitties, even when raised together, can have totally different purrsonalities! Good luck to you. :-)
Been there and things will get better.

Your writing my store.  I too went to court over 20 times due to custody battle with a dud.  After 4 years of being dragged in and out of court, I ended up the what I had before I started $100 a week.  I did get sole custody of my son though.  I spent probably about $20,000 on lawyers (4 of them).   I wrote a credit check for $5000 to hold is escrow because I had to sell my house and was planning on paying it after the sale of my house.  Well, the lawyer cashed my check and ended up in jail after he ripped off about $75,000 from clients.  I was out $5000.  


I also had a warrant out for my arrest becuse my ex took a notice I had to go to court out of my mail box.  Being that he was good friends with the neighbors from h&#%, I did get arrested and put in jail for about 4 hours which cost me another $250 for the bail. 


Keep your head up.  It will get better.  I haven't gone to court since 8/05 because both judges, the one in family court and the one in municipal court both told my ex to leave me alone.    Everytime I get the mail I'm expecting to get a notice to go to court.   Believe it or not, it wasn't so bad being in jail, a cell to myself, and away from the h$&% he put me through. 


So here I am, had to sell my house, broke as anything, living in a condo, but my kid is all mine. The ex moved 2 minutes away from me "to keep an eye on me" but what goes around comes around and I'm just waiting for the day he gets what he deserves.  My son refuses to go to his house because his girlfriend also took me to court a few times.  He is supposed to pick him up on Saturday morning and bring him home Sunday night every weekend.  So guess who has to give the kid money for the weekend - me.   That comes out of the $100 a week along with lunch money, clothing, food, etc.   I literally ended up having a nervous breakdown, 6 days in the looney bin. 


Keep your head up, I know exactly what you're going through and somehow it does get better.  ');>


 


 


 


Yes, know all the things that cause
and mine is thyroid related and menopausal so have those things linked with that. I am trying- maybe just have not "scrubbed" my head hard enough. Nerves not a problem here but well aware of lots of causes, probably been working on it longer than most.
odd cat things
my cat likes to eat toilet paper, either off the roll or from your hand. She also wags her tail constantly like a dog...with no dog in the house. She also will only eat 1 brand of food and no treats or tuna; she will eat french fries though
could be so many things
go to a doctor. but where I live, the first thing I think is Lyme disease.
Thanks everyone. Gives me some things to think about

Hayseed said, "No more breads, pastas, rice, or taters....all the things we really loved." That could be part of my problem. We've been eating a lot of pasta, rice and taters because hubby can't have dark greens, which includes salads, green beans, etc. because of gout and on Coumadin for AVR.  Don't know what else to make anymore.


We gave up coffee, now, too, because both of us were having stomach problems with it. Two cups a day was our limit. He can survive with it, I can't seem to do that. LOL


Dinosaur said, " I had undiagnosed diabetes and would just "poop" out when my blood sugar was too low (or even too high!)."  Diabetes runs in my family and I've been watching my counts for the past 10 years. So far, so good. I don't eat sugary stuff like pies,cakes, candy, soda. Don't like sweets that much.


I was checked for Lyme disease a couple years ago because I had 2 tick bites. That was negative.


The only allergy I have is my home. Ever since we moved to this house, I've had the flu, colds, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, etc.


Guess I'll have to make an appointment with a doctor and try to find out. Usually I'm one of those people who has something wrong that no one can figure it out. When I was 40, I had mono (rare for my age group) and was told I was "borderline Epstein-Barr and Guillame-Barre [sic]."


 I was also checked for B12 deficiency (borderline), Anemia (borderline), rheumatoid arthritis, etc. You name it, I had the test over a 2 year period. The answer? Nada. I'm beginning to think all these "borderline" tests are coming back to bite me.


Thanks for your help. I think I will make an appointment to get checked out again.


Some things to think about...

1.  Your house payment probably also has your taxes and insurance added in.  If paid off, you'll still have to pay these.  Mine account for about 1/2 of my total house payment.  Plus, 6% is low compared to the other interest rates.  


2.  Debt to credit ratio:  I've had all of my credit cards increase their rates to "default" rates just because my debt was a high percentage of all my credit (no missed payments, no late pays, etc.)  This will affect the teaser rates as well. 


3.  Your 401k is also probably earning some type of interest.  Take that "lost" interest from money you've borrowed into account.  That will help you better compare the interest rates. 


If you feel you have to talk to a debt counselor, there is no shame in that!  Just make sure it's a reputable company.  As with most things, there are a lot of scams out there.  Good Luck!


Try these 2 things perhaps
Some cats need more than one litter pan. I have 2 like that. One started having this problem and the addition of an extra solved it. But even before that, I would take her in to check for UTI. Some cats, particularly kittens, will not cry or behave oddly otherwise when they have a UTI. They will, however, start peeing in noticable places outside the litter pan. She may have also been bullied by a more agressive cat or kitten while in the litter pan. Some get territorial about them. In which case the 2nd one should help. Good luck and hope that helps.
It could be a lot of things, however... (sm)
This is heavy on my mind right now, so I will tell you the first thing that I thought of.

My little 3-year-old girl is being worked up for pheochromocytoma, which I know is very rare but could be a consideration for you. She has paroxysms of profuse sweating that come out of nowhere with pallor. She looks and feels terrible when it happens. She sacks out on the couch or mommy or daddy to wait it out. These episodes are done in about 5-10 minutes and she's fine. I have a documented blood sugar stress reaction (per the pediatrician) during an episode, so something's happening to her. She bounces up like nothing ever happened. We have yet to get her blood pressure during one, though.

If you look up pheochromocytoma, there are usually multiple links or references to other conditions that may fit your symptoms as well. Pheo is pretty rare, and I'd be surprised if my daughter was positive for it because it is, but her symptoms are quite like it.

A simple blood test rules you in or rules you out.

It's an off-the-wall idea of mine, but it may get you looking in the right place if you start your research in that area.

Good luck to you.
2 things
I always bring stuffing.  We call it "outdoor" because whomever makes the turkey had already made "indoor" to stuff the bird with.  Then I make cinnamon bread.  My 2 specialities for the main course.  Man, I'm getting hungry!
A few things - sm
Absolutely nothing with alcohol in it, candy and cookies included.

No pornographic material or anything that might be considered pornographic by their "host" country.

No glass containers.

Chocolate or anything that could melt is not a good idea either.

Think that is about it.
things not like they used to be
in the old days, the store could have had him do work there to pay for what he took.. things have changed. . it seems like nobody wants to take time with kids (or anybody) any more. . have you heard the saying "it takes a village" . . I will pray for your family and hope everything works out. . I know how much stress you must be under.
Things are different-
the kids have taken over. I think you are not supposed to beat the kids but I be darn if I will raise my kid or a g'child and not have the upper hand- I will not be walked over like lots of people are letting their kids do now. If I did not switch, I would take everything humanly possible away from them with the exception of a necessity, that being a bed or a coat or maybe food. Families have done this to themselves for coddling, pampering, talking to and now what?
When things get that bad
around here, I go on a mini-strike. I wash my own plate and dish and only do my own laundry. Family has to do laundry/dishes when no clean towels or glasses. They shape up after that. For a little while anyway!
Any GI things going around right now. nm
:
Two things...

One, she's a cleaning lady, not a housekeeper...


Two, you didn't catch her "red handed", you don't even know 100% for sure that she took your drawers.  Red handed is when you catch someone in the act, which in this case you did not...


Things to try - sm
Go get those huge bags of ice they sell at gas stations and fit in as many of those as you can into the freezer and fridge, then DO NOT keep opening them to check on things.  I personally would not eat fish that had thawed out...Best of luck to you! 
There are things to be said for being an IC - sm
Yeah, I know there's no PTO, but having complete control over my work schedule - well, there's nothing like it! I've been doing this, with my own schedule for five years now and I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, I do try to maintain my own regular schedule - otherwise my work bleeds all the way from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. I try to get everything done between 8:00 a.m. and suppertime. But that still leaves room for kids' doctor appointments, chaperoning field trips when the kids were younger, or even a little "special one on one time" with my husband while the kids were in school. Then, come vacation or sick days from school I can tailor my schedule to fit without having to ask anyone permission. Love it!
Oh, yes - I do get "Mom, can I just check something quick on the computer?", etc., and have to be firm about the boundaries that I do set because you're right - They never do completely get it!
Several things
Ectopic pregnancies are possible in this situation--the babies can grow on an organ. However, this creates a very high-risk situation. Babies have been carried to term this way.

In this case, though, if she has been 13 years without a period, I would wonder about a tumor, especially if she found out about her pregnancy with a home pregnancy test. HCG (what the home pregnancy test measures) can be produced by tumors, which also may correlate with a growing abdomen, giving one the false idea she is pregnant.

How did she determine she was pregnant with twins?
Things to do
1. Find a trainer.
2. Yelp like a puppy whenever the dog is rough housing as that is what its littermates or pack mates would do.
3. If you yelp and it continues, play ends and they go into their kennel. You control the play and that usually helps teach them what behavior is acceptable. No words because that is giving attention..simply stop playing and put into a kennel for a time out.

My oldest did this biting nonsense when he was little and we got a trainer immediately who let me see so many things on how I was reacting that made him think not only he was boss but that his behavior got him payback with negative or positive attention. I trained with her and even worked with her in her dog business for a while and learned a lotas

There is no reason that a dog should need to be "gotten rid of" if the owner is responsible and takes care of behavior problems in a responsible, caring and teaching way.

No such thing as bad dogs... only bad packleaders/owners.
think I'd think things through...nm
x
One of two things
Either your an i d i o t for putting up with it time and time again or your husband is an i d i o t for throwing away perfectly good items!  Either way.....
These 10 things definitely ain't right:
1) MTSOs who want people with top-notch skills and experience, but don't want to pay them what that skill is worth.

2) HMO's: So-called *health-maintenance-organizations* --yet they spend every minute and every dime of their far-too-large profits on denying healthcare, meds and procedures to their patients. These organizations have ruined American healthcare, and many American lives. HMO's have been a con-game since their inception.

3) The Bailouts: Giving money to companies who can't cut the mustard, who spent what money they did have rewarding their inept CEOs with huge bonuses. What part of *business* do these people not understand? Their ethics are nothing more than, *I've got mine; too bad for the rest of you.* Then the Big Three show up in DC to beg for a handout, and fly there in private Lear jets. My answer to them would be, *I've got my Toyota; too bad for the rest of you.*

4) Apartment managers that won't allow even a single quiet, well-behaved pet, but will rent to people with continually screaming small children, and out-of-control older children and teens. Give me the pets for neighbors, ANY day.

5) Businesses that give an age-discount to absolutely everything that walks, runs or flies, but not to the middle-aged middle-class, who need it the most. Take the ski-industry: Young children ski for next-to-nothing, and sometimes nothing. There is a Teen Discount. There is a Student Discount for college kids. There's a single, share-able ticket for 2 parents taking turns skiing or staying in the lodge to watch their babies who don't yet ski. There are senior discounts (though the starting age on that keeps going up; I'll probably never be old enough - it's a carrot-on-a-stick, always just out of reach.) There are even corporate (UGH) discounts. But for those in my age group, who barely make ends meet but like to go up once a year for a couple days of bliss, there is NOTHING.

6) Travel-lodging deals that are always based on double or quadruple occupancy. What about singles? NOTHING.

7) TV commercials that are about a million decibels louder than the regular shows. Why can't it all be the same volume? Same with online newscasts. THEIR commercials will blow your eardrums out if you aren't quick enough turning down the volume before they start.

8) Surround-sound: Everything is too loud, already! Why do we need it coming at us from 4 directions? Why do people living in tiny apartments feel they need it? I've lost count of how many fights I've had with neighbors over this issue. Same with movies and music concerts. Why do they feel we need to feel the music in our SPLEENS? I went to Universal Amphitheater last week. (Now named something else). There is actually a sign outside warning that the decibel level inside might damage your hearing! (?!?!?!) Why do they need this? (To avoid lawsuits, obviously). If it's so loud you have to post a warning sign outside the entrance, then DUH.... it's TOO LOUD!

9) Banks that charge you a fee to use their ATM. They're saving millions by hiring fewer live tellers; (I haven't actually been INSIDE a bank in YEARS).... and they want to charge US for using the machines instead of the tellers? Forget it. I won't give those banks my business.

10) The Post Office: Talk about rewarding slow, inept performance! The worse their employees are, the longer they seem to stay there. I'd rather have a root canal than go to a P.O. during the holiday season.
Things that never did seem quite right

Pet rocks


Hummers


Suburban sprawl


7 year car payments


$5 coffees


Please add  more!


Things that are better NOW........

Cell Phones:  If I'd had one of those as a teenager, I wouldn't have gotten into so much trouble for always forgetting to call my parents and tell them where I was, or that I'd be late. 


ATM Machines:  I remember running out of gas on a weekend when the banks were closed back in the 70's, had no credit cards, and would my car would be running on fumes to get home 'cause I couldn't buy gas.  


The Internet:  About 12 years ago, I remember asking someone what the Internet was, and why we needed it.  Now, I'm 100% hooked on it.  Remember the HARD way of doing things in the past?  Like buying theater or plane tickets?  Looking up directions?  Comparing different brands of something you wanted to buy?  Selling something you no longer wanted?  Looking for a house or an apartment?  Getting the latest news?  The list is endless.         Long Live The Internet!!!! 


Google:   Who can live without it?  Especially Google Earth & Google Maps?  Now I'm armed with driving directions, maps, even photos if needed, of where I'm going.  Back in the day when I had to rely on someone's verbal directions, following them and actually getting to your destination was like Russian roulette. 


Digital Cameras:  When I think of all the money I spent on film, and then developing said film, and all the film wasted on bad shots in my lifetime, it makes me cringe.  I love the freedom and flexibility digital cameras give me to take as many photos as I want, and to experiment with them, as well. 


MP3 Players/CD Players:  Think of all the fights you've had in the car over which radio station to listen to listen to, and how loud.  Then think how they never would've occurred if Mom & Dad could've handed each of us our own music source and headphones. 


Solar Lights:  I love solar lights!  Garden lights!  Floodlights!  Christmas lights!  You can fill your yard with them, and the power source is FREE!!! 


Hair-straightening and Curling Irons:  Remember the 60's, and trying to smooth frizzy or too-curly hair with an IRON on your mom's ironing-board?  Or sleeping with HAIR CURLERS?  UGH!!! 


You can probably think of a million more great things than I did.  Let's hear 'em!


First things first...sm

The first thing you should do is take her to the vet to have her looked at medically as far as eliminating on the bed.  So many things could be in play here.  Secondly, kittens often try to play rough.  Pull your hand away and refuse to let her do it.  I also make a loud meow sound at the same time and they will usually let go immediately.  The kitty will get the idea before long.  I would make every effort to engage this kitten and get her to like you again.  Have plenty of toys available, make sure there is a scratching post, buy her some catnip.  They are like kids at this age and need positive reinforcement, not you being mad at them.  Best wishes.


2 things
Since I only woke up about an hour ago...

1. I woke up (still alive).
2. I fed my cat and she then came over and rubbed her head all over me purring loudly while I rubbed her belly thanking me for her breakfast.

But the day is still new, am sure it will go downhill from here on.
other things to try
"Extended stay" motels. These have a refrigerator, 2-burner range, sink, dishes, pots, etc. They are slightly larger than a motel room. Google "extended stay motels." You can get a great deal on monthly rates, & you don't have to pay hotel tax on anything over 30 days.

Check to see if there is some kind of roommate referral or service where the people are screened. I read an article recently that said matching seniors & younger people is a growing trend, & there are community agencies who will facilitate this.
Two things - SM
1) TALK IT OUT:
Get a professional to work through your feelings about this.

AND

2) WORK IT OUT:
Sew the sheets around him to the bed as he sleeps, and go get the baseball bat.

(Seriously - wade through those emotions with a trained listener. Take care of you first, and you'll know what you need to do. And give it time.)
Boy how things

Over the course of less than 1 year I will have:


Had a son enlist in the Air Force...


Have that same son get married...making me a mother-in-law...


Same son leave for basic training in December...


And....now his wife's pregnant! All the while, I'll turn 40 in August, which is when the baby's due...at the end of August!


Talk about a whilrwind year...I need a break!  Oh yeah, and my daughter got engaged...whew!


Please, most of these things are
fattening....you can prevent that spread by not eating crap and exercising. Seems like most people exercise at the computer and on the couch in front of the tube. Not everyone spreads, believe it or not! While nuts are good, more than a handful is not. Honey Nut Cheerios...sugar. You are pretty sensitive...must be guilt!
We do one of two things - sm
If gone for more than 2-3 days we kennel them. But we have a fantasitc kennel with big pens, and they let the dogs out to play together in a big play area, and in the summer they let the dogs swim in their pool (which my lab loves), but at $18 a day per dog with 2 dogs we only do that when we have too. Otherwise my retired neighbor comes over and feeds them late afternoon and then lets them in about 10pm. They are outside in our fenced in backyard most of the time normally, and in at night. So he likes to have something to do and won't let me pay him in any way or form. I have tried, he just said not to as it will just get him mad and he enjoys doing it. So he has saved us lots of money over the past 2 or so years for which I am grateful.
Few things . . . sm
Congratulations. Check at your public health to see what kind of coverage you can get. Even if you make too much money, I think some states offer Medicaid with a premium. Also, if you are not offered health insurance through your employer, then your baby should be covered by medicaid (once born), though you may have to pay a premium if you make too much.

My delivery (MD and 3 days stay) was $9500 before insurance (no complications).

You might want to check with your public health as well to see if they offer OB or well baby checks (mine offers well baby and immunizations).

Also . . . with it being summer coming up, watch for garage sales. You can find some really good deals.
I would try these three things
When I got my teaching credential in Calif. to teach Med. Transcription I had to take classes teaching lesson plans, etc. One of the things I learned was that there are three different types of learners. Some people are visual learners, they see it, read it...and they learn it. Some people are audio learners, they can read a chapter in a book over and over and not get it but if they hear it in a lecture...they learn it. Some people have to touch things, take them apart, make them work...(as in putting a puzzle of the alphabet together)...and they learn it.
I incorporated all three of these learning modalities in my lesson plans. I did lectures, they had written assignments, word puzzles, audio tapes. So you might try all three of these types of learning and see if one works better than the others. If not, I would do as another poster said and take her to a bigger city and get her tested, the earlier she gets help, if she needs it, the easier it will be on her.
One of those things
that could have meant anything.

Do you, by chance, say that a lot yourself? Just thinking the comment might have been more about you than your children.

Really, if it bothers you, I think you should just say that you found the comment disturbing and are wondering what it meant. You may or may not get a truthful answer (or at least one that feels satisfying).

Beyond that, your best bet is to let it go and let it be THEIR issue.
Here's some things you can try.

Make sure you are drinking enough water, of course.  Have you ever tried Gas-X?  It works really well and it may relieve the bloating and gas.  Also, if you want to try fiber to help with constipation, I have recently tried Fiber-One bars and they are DELICIOUS.  They taste like candy bars. I liked the mocha ones and also the oat/chocolate chip.  Also I have used MiraLax for my son and it works wonders.  As you know, it's OTC now.  Best of luck.


Well first things first..

You need to make a list of things to do (I am a list person)..


Decide where you will be having the shower & make sure it is available~


Then will you be having other foods or just cake/ punch, etc.


Where will you get the cake/ or cupcakes is a good idea too, what kind of foods to make... what color is the wedding going to be in, that will help with what colors to decorate the cake in & the place you have the shower..


I did one for my son & his wife, we had soup, cheeseball & crackers, nuts, cake, mints, punch, coffee, etc..


Decide how much decorating you will need to do or can do depending on where you will have it


I made a towel cake for the centerpiece of the gift table.. It turned out great as a c/p as well as they had towels, handtowels & wash rags to take home and use..


Are you going to do "get involved" games where people have to get up & do things OR are you going to do paper/pen games, where no one really has to get up & do anything, let me know I have some game ideas as well


things for decorating.. streamers, balloons, curling ribbon, tape, table cloth for gift table & food table, games, pens/pencils, prizes for games


okie dokie let me know if you need anything or need games, ideas for prizes, etc.


they can still do things...
When my kids were younger, they didn't have all sorts of scheduled stuff either, but they sure didn't sit and watch TV all day. In fact, I don't think they watched TV at all. They went out and played with other kids. They rode their bikes, went to the playground, made forts, played mini golf in their own backyards, they read books, made up and acted out their own plays, they played god old hopscotch and games, used their imaginations - something kids need to get back to. Basically - they were just kids. You don't need to have your time scheduled to do things with other kids. In fact, it is a lot less stressful than having your every minute planned. spontaneity is a good thing!
A few things
As a recovering alcoholic for years, I can tell you a few things: 1. He drinks because he does not like himself and a drunken mind can be a lot happier. Trust me - nobody can despise an alcoholic more than they're already despising themselves. 2. Eventually, it will come down to his health in the form of pancreatitis or cirrhosis, or what is a horrible way to die - he'll end up with a "wet brain". 3. I'm sure he always seems to have enough food is because he might have already gotten to the point where he cares very little for food and has pretty much a liquid diet, though I imagine the marijuana probably makes him hungry. Still, in a sick alcoholic's mind, we start thinking that food takes up too much room in our stomachs for the amount of alcoholic we want to put in us instead. I was very angry with everyone that I was an alcoholic at 33. Now, I'm darned glad my heavy drinking only lasted a couple of years before I ended up in the hospital. Many people don't get sober until they hit their 60's or 70's and they regret not getting sober earlier in their lives. I found AA and have been sober a long time. There's got to be a rock bottom for him somewhere. And I can promise that if he does get sober (it almost always takes more than 1 attempt), become spiritually fit and works the 12 steps and goes to AA meetings, his friends will start fading out of the picture. Like I said, we know we're out of control. It's a huge blow to the ego to see a friend you used to party with all the time get their act together. The first step in AA is: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives have become unmanageable. Now, he may or may not be aware he has a problem but eventually he will know it and admitting it truly is one of the most important things he can do. It doesn't look like his life is unmanageable..... yet. It will come down to that, if an early death doesn't get him. Three thinks that will happen if he continues to drink heavily: Jails, institutions (rehab/mental ward) and death. Maybe all 3.

You're working like crazy and managing to keep your head above water. Good for you! You should feel darned good about yourself. I'd have as little contact as I could with your ex if I were you. He's only bringing you down. Don't resent him - feel sorry for him because practicing alcoholics are truly pitiful people with very low self esteems. Try to, if you can, save a few dollars here and there and then do something for yourself. And know one thing - right now your ex is a poor excuse for a human being and you are making it, doing things the right way. Keep up the good work! You can E-mail me with questions:

vikefantam@comcast.net

God bless!
Oh so many things...sm
I was cheerleading captain and a rodeo queen, I wrote children's novels and poetry.  I loved FFA and 4-H and I hung out with a pretty roudy croud.  I started dating my now-husband in high school, but I don't have any 'lasting' friends from high school really.  Ummm...I was in the band and was Glenda the Good Witch in the school play of Wizard of Oz (God knows why...I can't sing to save my life lol).  It was a very fun and very confusing time.  I'm just glad I made it through alive!!!
Try to think of things
that you can do that will make you happy (and get around other people). Maybe your health will improve without the stress and strain of work, and you will be happier in the long run.

Hang in there! You certainly sound like a very nice woman.
Maybe she BORROWED it , things
are NOT always as they appear. Yes, there is a lot of abuse of our system, and maybe she was one of the guilty that way. But maybe her car broke down too --
Some things never change...
I believe this is the very thing that Joseph was afraid of way back when. Judgement.. We can not judge until we know the full extent of the situation, even then we have to be careful with our conclusions.
The same things they always want every day, except perhaps for the steak.

The atrocious things ppl say about others...
Anna Nichole wasn't a saint by any stretch, but to insinuate that she was screwing her own son is absolutely atrocious! This would have broken her heart even more had she heard these things being said. Some ppl are so hateful!
And you are saying to look at things in my home because
I am closing an account? That does not really make too much sense to me, maybe to you?? Did not state why I was closing but why should I check articles in my home?? Do not get the connection.
Things get more relaxed here too

I think they do spend way too much time on the standardized test.  I just read that some states are planning on opting out because of lack of funding for them.  A lot of people are finding that the testing does take up more time than it is worth and really not helping as it was intended.  --GA