I'd just say something like, "Oh, I stay plenty busy! Thanks for asking." Then turn it on them: "What do you do to fill your time? Oh, you work full time? What do you do with all your leisure hours?" Get them on the defensive. If they ask about you again, just repeat, "Oh, I stay plenty busy! What about you?"

If this is through her university, they should have a transfer agreement with several universities around the world. My dd is planning to go to Japan in the fall. The transfer agreement means that she'll pay the tuition and housing rates of her home school while she is abroad, and she'll get credits from her own university. She will have to take a Japanese language test for placement, either here or once she arrives in Japan. Then she'll probably take Japanese language classes most of the time, and possible a class or two offered in English. She's planning on doing a whole year over there. Some things to do now: See what the home university says about study abroad and find partner universities. Get familiar with what's offered. Make sure her passport is current and won't expire while abroad. Make sure she has money in the bank to show that she won't be left unsupported in the new country (they may require bank statements as part of the application.) Find the website of the partner university and scour it as best you can for dates, information, pictures, policies, etc. to put your mind at ease or to find red flags. We're finding that since covid, some of these programs have been slow to start up again, so your dd may need to press for answers and be persistent. Good luck! Exciting times!

Cool! Score one for team Labrador! I knew I recognized a lab in those eyes. Thanks for sharing!

We’re watching it. Dd is learning Japanese in college, so we listen to the original and read the captions. I think the hunters are told to ignore the camera people and can only give chase if they see an actual contestant. The hunters don’t seem to chase for very long, either. It’s a bit staged and overly dramatic, but we’re having fun watching.

You have the right to be angry and frustrated. They seem immature and selfish, but not necessarily toxic. They seem difficult and annoying, but not evil. But, I'd sure make plans in case this ever happens again: I'd have some big craft ready to set up in the empty rooms in case they want to come again unannounced. "Oh, we're repainting all the bookcases right now, so you'll need to stay at a hotel this time." If that's too indirect, just tell them to stay at a hotel because of what happened last time, and you need your space. I would try to take the high road, as you have done, unless this becomes a pattern.

I'd guess a Labrador/German shepherd mix, based on prey drive, friendliness/party, and companionship needs, and based on her looks. Maybe a bit of Blue Heeler because she looks a little like a dog I know. I'm probably completely wrong, so I'm interested to see her results! Beautiful dog!

Greetings! Welcome to the forums! You posted on a homeschool forum, so you might get better answers on a medical forum. But to answer your question: I think you will be positioned on your back. You might want to call the imaging clinic to ask them directly so you know for sure. All the best to you.

I'm so sorry. What a wonderful legacy she left in her family and in you!

I used to fill my own capsules, but that got to be a pain, so now I just put in about a quarter teaspoon of turmeric with my emergenc- C mixture at night, and gag it all down. It’s not too bad. And it does help with my hand and knee arthritis pain

I would have done the same thing you did. I didn't know about toxic people at that age, or NPD, or family dysfunction. You took your baby to a safe place and stayed at the safe place. It was not emotionally safe for you at the time, looking back, but you didn't know that or have any better options. Yes, you would do something different now, but you have learned so much and evolved so much since then. Your mom, unfortunately, has not evolved or learned. Have grace and compassion for your younger self; she did a good job in a difficult situation. She survived and she kept her baby safe.

If they "park" on your property, they will end up living in your house. They will first just park and draw your electricity to power the camper, then they will be in frequently for bathroom and kitchen use, then they will just never go back to the camper. Set your boundaries now; they have given you a warning of what's to come.

It sounds to me like you need to get out of the family caregiving situation now, not in three years. If you are in a situation where you mutually benefit from the caregiving (if you are living with the family member rent free or something like that), I think the first step is to get some distance and independence. I don't think it will be easier in three years just because dd is leaving, although that gives you a good reason for moving. It just seems to me that the caregiving situation is sucking the life from you. So don't wait. Give the family member plenty of notice, say, three to six months. Then start preparing for independence, either by getting a part time job or by getting training and a job. Your first job may be low-paying (say, lunch lady at a school or library assistant or grocery store worker), but I think once you get out in the work-force, your confidence will come back and you'll get a better job in a short time. I'm sorry you're going through this, but I think you have a wonderful opportunity ahead of you.

Higher Grounds

Hang out in the bathroom with us, we don’t mind. I’m glad the rest of the family is having fun. Give your sister a brownie and report back.

I’m so sorry.

Our news says he’s a grad student in criminology at Wa state U which is 8 miles from Moscow, ID

Just roll with it and keep posting to us 😘

I’m glad they caught him. I’m in E Washington state and all the college towns near here have been on edge, including dd’s Your proximity to the suspect is disconcerting, to say the least

Dawn, it's ok if you're not there for the last breath. And it's ok if you are. It's out of your hands, and you've released him. He is making the transition from physical to spiritual, and it is a solitary journey (even though I don't think he'll ever be alone). I was not in the room when my dad passed; I had been with him for hours on end for over a week, and I was exhausted, just drained. I told my dad the same thing that you did. I got the call from hospice that he was gone at two in the morning. It's ok. You've done a great job, and you're a great daughter. 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

I saw him play in the 70's in an exhibition match in Denver. He was fun to watch even though he was already "retired" by then. He was a legend.

Thinking of you and praying for you today

I bought the Ibenzer laptop case and keyboard cover, as well as the Mosiso laptop sleeve for for dd when she went to college. She has a MacBook Air. She has been very happy with the setup, and she just puts the whole thing in her backpack for class. She chose the wine red case and cover and the dark grey sleeve, and it looks great! Got them on Amazon 😎

I'm sorry Dawn. Grace and peace to you and to your dad.

Saraha, I know you feel bad about venting and complaining here, but I feel like you’re giving a master class in how to lovingly and firmly make boundaries and support your family when given an impossible situation. I am learning so much and am starting to reconsider my commitments and willingness to deal with difficult people’s demands. Hang in there, and know that the hive is here for you, and we’re now invested in your situation. Vent away!

I’m a professional elder caregiver. I get $18 per hour. I would not take this job because of the c-diff and the frequent diarrhea and the low pay. Cleaning, disinfecting, and laundering frequent blowouts would take up most of my working hours. Elder care to me is light housekeeping, meal preparation, help with daily activities like dressing and toileting, and companionship. Toileting should be mostly independent. I love elderly people and do this job partly as a gift to them and in honor of my parents, who were well-cared for at the ends of their lives. Your situation sounds like something my agency would take on for a while, but we would have trouble staffing because of the diarrhea issues and the fall risk and the heavy care load. It has been hard to find workers, even with the easiest of clients. I hope you find someone, but I would definitely be lining up skilled nursing options. i think you and your dh have done an admirable job of advocating for common sense solutions.