It is lovely! I have had lifelong fascination with miniatures. Have you ever had a chance to visit miniatures exhibit at Art Institute of Chicago?

How awful for you! I wonder how the troublemaker got your password. Is your virus software up to date?

I would call whatever charitable organization works with immigrants and refugees. In our city, the most common one is run by the Catholic Diocese. They should be able to explain the cultural differences here with regards to child safety.

My immediate family suffered a tragedy about 1 1/2 years ago. The pain was so unbearable for me that I stayed in privacy of my bedroom for several days. I did not want to interact with my husband or anyone else. Processing the situation took all my mental energy; thus, I was "unable" to speak or converse. My husband called my employer to explain my absence. I know that some family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances did not understand why I was not receptive to their efforts at comforting, and I am grateful to husband for fielding those calls. Thus, I guess I qualify as one of those people who would rather their husband be somewhere else during grief processing too. Interestingly he also needs solitude to reflect on tragedy.

That was my line of thinking too. I was pondering a suspension of natural law only for the saved people that somehow enveloped them in an invisible protective shield and deactivated them until life resumes.

:iagree:

I am so sorry for what you, your husband, and friends are going through. It is hard to deal with pointless destruction.

A beautifully written play that examines cultural interpretations of mental illness is Blue/Orange. If I recall correctly, it does not touch on DID/MPD. The psychiatric patient in play believes he is Idi Amin's son.

Whoever successor is, hopefully the transition will be peaceful.

:iagree: Similar sequences of events have transpired to create repressed memories and past lives. It is the same erosion from reason to hysteria that brings us travesties like the McMartin Preschool case or our own local preschool tragedy where a woman's family was destroyed by ridiculous allegations, an overzealous prosecutor, and gullible jurors. The shame in this case was that every link in the criminal justice system failed the accused woman at every juncture. Three and four years old made outlandish claims that they were taken away from preschool in airplanes for satanic abuse. It truly was a modern day witch hunt even though the convictions ultimately were overturned. Of course horrible evil child abuse occurs regularly but a false conviction fails everyone, most of all the victims. People develop coping mechanisms to deal with abusive situations but I have my doubts that MPD is an authentic stand alone disorder. I thought that MPD (multiple personality disorder) was removed from DSM-IV but maybe I am mistaken.

Oh my. He will be missed here. It is sad to see the courageous golden souls depart.

Thanks for the posting that. I've always just used tap water even though instructions recommend distilled water or boiled tap water.

Do whatever you are comfortable doing.

Right now Aldi's has 10 lb. potatoes for 1.99. You could make a double batch of mashed potato casserole. Fry the leftovers in butter for potato pancakes. They also have pineapples for 99 cents again. Black bean soup is a good option for lunch and dinner. Pair it with crusty French bread and either a garden salad or a raw vegetable plate.

I think you have formulated a logical and reasonable exit strategy. Not all problems can or should be solved immediately. Striving toward financial independence is important, especially when marital foundation is shaky. You a strong person who will be able to withstand the situation until you can leave it. Meanwhile, I would remain steadfastly mum about my intent to leave, nix major purchases, insist upon frugality, stash money aside, and, if time permits, find hobbies or activities that you can enjoy without the spouse or children. You will need that type of thing when you leave your marriage, so laying the foundation will help you ease into single motherhood later on. Knowing that you have a plan hopefully will help you to find peace and comfort.

:iagree: It is a sad day at our house for his passing. He rated "celebrity" status in our home.

:iagree: Although it is more common to divide assets equally among living children and the issue of deceased children, some decedents do indeed choose to leave only to the first generation below them. If the estate was large, could it have had something to do with avoiding generation skipping transfer tax? Although it is rare, sometimes if the other heirs are aware of the hurt feelings of the heirs who were not named in will, they may be willing to agree to redivide assets in a manner that the decedent may have intended.

Although it obviously was not the sender's intended response, I find the whole thing hilarious. It will make for a funny family story now and years down the road. Not only is Santa keeping tabs on you, but Jesus too. Hmmm...Astrid, is there something you need to get off your conscience? :lol:

My gay piano teacher would keep time on my shoulder so the situation as described does not set off alarm for me. He would also lay his fingers over mine at points in the lessons. Of course, this was many years ago.

:iagree:

Reducing carbohydrates upped my energy level too.

Thank you for sharing the heartwarming story.

Does he have an apartment or a residence hotel where you and your son could commute to Tulsa with him at least once in awhile?

Could your husband homeschool the 10 and 7 year olds in the evening so that their education does not suffer?

Generally we have had poor results with taking small mammals to vet. It is hard to tell they're sick until they're almost gone anyway. However, we did indeed take a pet rat to vet for a lump behind its ear. It turned out to be an abcess and easily treatable. The rat pleasantly lived out its life span.