If it were my son you were worried about, I'd be saying you were an angel. Thanks for caring.

People here (US/Canada border) grow things most of the year in unheated greenhouses. I've planted mine this year but it's buried in snow so I have no idea what's growing. My friend has chard and spinach that will be ready to eat soon. Elliot Coleman's book - 4 Season Harvest is a good resource.

My MIL handed back the cookies my then 10 yo dd made her and said "no one here likes these". I can't tell you how angry I was.

Thanks. There's lots of good suggestions here. I'm off to buy books.

I'd like to find a book on perfectionism for my 15 yo ds. Any suggestions?

I'm looking for new books for ds. He loves Terry Pratchete (sp??), Harry Potter, Isaac Assimov, among others.

I am a huge believer in exercise as a treatment for everything and I work out regularly. While it does improve my mood, the addition of meds really improves thing. The difficult thing is that one of the effects of the illness is difficulty in getting started and continuing with anything, including exercise.

My biggest regret in life is that I didn't go on meds earlier and stay on them longer. I'm close to making a decision to stay on them forever because life is just better - way better. I take Prozac and for me, it's a miracle drug - no side effects that I can tell.

This sounds like my MIL - right up to the fat comments. After many years, I make sure I'm never alone with her and I encourage dh and kids to visit when I've got other commitments. It works for us.

I've just reached my goal weight with WW and one of the best things about the program is that you learn these things and start again. What saves me is planning ahead for going out. And enjoying the splurges that I really want to make (and avoiding the ones I regret the next day).

WOW!! You guys are all amazing.

We hire students to come over and let our dogs out when we're gone or if we know any responsible young adults who are still living at home, we invite them to stay at our house and enjoy some time on their own while caring for the animals. We also exchange animal sitting duties with neighbours who sometimes travel.

My almost 15 yo Lab/Rottie has CHF and has been on heart meds and diuretics for about 6 months now. It helped a lot at first but I see him getting worse again. I know his time with us is really limited but we're still enjoying him. :grouphug:

We just got one. It was more expensive but will last longer. The snow will slide off it which will be great. We put insulation under it so it isn't a noisy as metals rooves can be. I think it looks great.

:grouphug: You are not alone. I've lost the same 30 lbs over and over. Right now I'm close to my perfect weight and I'm terrified that I'll regain it all again. I'm attending weightwatchers meetings in hopes of avoiding it all.

My dd went to public school in Grade 10. She graduated this year with very good grades and was voted the Valedictorian. Her transition wasn't too bad - a bit stressful but it was OK. Ds is now going into Grade 10 this fall. I hope his transition goes as well. Dd thinks she would have been more challenged at home but I think it was worthwhile for the other things she learned.

DS 14 is off to Grade 10 at the local high school. We're both very excited. It was time.

I just made pickles and my recipe called for soaking in ice water for 2 - 8 hours and then canned in a water bath. Of course, I haven't tasted the results yet but this is supposed to make good pickles. I found the recipe on allcooks.com and it's labled Sharon Howard's kosher pickle recipe.

As a former lifeguard, my experience is exactly like that. Kids drown silently. As an 18 yo, I'd walk along the beach pointing this out to parents which must have made me really popular but I didn't care much. I cared more about keeping those kids alive.

:grouphug: I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. I have a good friend who was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer 6 months ago. I just saw her yesterday and she looks and feels great. Chemo really worked for her. So there's lots of hope. I recently read a story about a man with young daughters who thought he was dying of cancer. He put together a group of his good friends to mentor his daughters if he died - substitute dads if you will. As it turned out he recovered but I thought it was a great idea.

For me, much would depend on why ds is moving home. Why wouldn't he get the futon? I'm never in my room except to sleep either but me getting my sleep is a huge priority.

What a huge insight!! I think it's true for all of us but that awareness comes and goes. I do OK sometimes but need reminding. So today, I'll work on my part on my family's issues.

I've suffered from depression 3 times in the past 30 years. All 3 times, I went on meds, Prozac - the last 2 times. All 3 times, it was like a miracle drug and after 6 months, I weaned myself off them and carried on drug free.

:party:

:grouphug::grouphug: to you and your daughter. I had a friend who was in the same situation. Life was difficult for a bit but it all worked out.