Thanks so much! I am talking about the code you could get from a conference catalog.

You need to get your feelings out in the air. Like have a screaming fit or get really angry with him. Too many emotions bottled up. I know you have also been talking about your weight and it seems you have a low self-esteem -well, now is the time to reclaim your self and become the woman you are inside, emotionally speaking, not about the weight. I agree that people make choices and that others cannot be blamed for those. If you were my girl friend in RL, then I would suggest you find something outside of him to satisfy you and give you a feeling of competence. Make him re-want to pursue you and treat you like his queen and appreciate you. Not sure if cooking at a nursing home for a minimum wage is going to be it (or a cause for burn out). I am also wondering why you have to carry the financial burden and be the catapult for how happy he is feeling? You should go get a make-over. It will spill over into your heart. Get an interest or do something that will take you our of the zone of trying to please him and solving his problems and re-discover yourself. Even you mentioned you might consider moving form the place you have lived in since age 10......lots of status quo and a dh seemingly relying on you to carry the burden, yet, he chose to share his woes with someone with whom he had no strings attached. Seems he is really the one in a crisis, not you.

Dd has always gotten her roomie situations worked out. She was also once put in a triple room which just did not work for the people involved (can't recall the details) and she and her friend ended up getting a room together alone. It usually is worked out pretty quickly.

Hey Everyone, After a lot of disappointments from pen pals who only write 1-3 times, then my girls have asked me to look for new pen pals for them. Not sure what is up with people, so please only consider giving your kid a pen pal if they really want one! D is into horses and loves to use the bow, the books of Hunger Games, animals in general and saving the world. S loves writing and reading, loves to write her own stories and is particularly into cats. She also loves the Hunger Games, but also loves a lot of other books and reads at a pretty advanced level (although her writing is still on age-level). They are both 11 and come from a big family. We live in NH. Please PM if your dd wants to have a regular pen pal and plans on writing long term.

Just asked dd 11 if she knew what they used to do with witches in Salem MA....So you can imagine how we feel about her screaming and commandeering everyone around her.

I was in a funk for a year or two with dd. Now I can't wait for her to get out and on with her life (starting a research position out of state), but in my defense then she is ready to also move on. Second dd is going to college next weekend. We'll miss her, but she is so ready to get started with her future and I am so occupied with next one up that I don't think I will physically miss her as much as with the oldest child. At least second dd is only 2 hours away so we could go visit. Oldest will be 5 hours away and totally on her own, so she might (again) get most of the attention in the level of worry!. They are cute. You eventually adjust to the fact that they are growing up while we are still young.

Hmm, he is very interested in computer stuff and finances actually.

What would you suggest for high school for a student considering becoming a lawyer? He does not have a real focus yet, but likes to argue as well as bringing home a big paycheck (!). So, yes, I'll take any kind of motivation. What should he not miss during high school and what do you suggest for college in order to get into a good law program?

:D To Shannon, I say go! You'll have fun and your dh will have the time with the kids that he missed during the beach vacation. For the rest of us, we'll enjoy your vacation from afar. Haven't been on vacation in, what, decades. All we do is go one day to an amusement park and I think we once stayed in a hotel, so enjoy what you have and stress less. It'll be fun!

Thanks, Stacia.

Last year we stayed on E 29th St but that hotel's rates have gotten really up so looking for another option. We would prefer to be within walking distance of Times Sq.

I think I would be upset if they were just guests, but these were her in-laws, right? So I am guessing older and what not. I just found this whole thing very rude. Sorry, that's just me. I have had in-laws visiting with weird eating patterns, but I chalked that up to them having been deprived as young (seriously).

THANK YOU. I thought I was the only one thinking this. The OP and all the support posts have been one of the lowest points on this board.

Newport and Burlington, lovely towns. Burlington might be a bit cold, though!! Anyways, thanks for the feedback on Princeton. I feel all electric thinking of moving to an area where people walk, with safety and with cultural and academic offerings and with a milder climate. One can dream, right.... Dd got a job there so we have the opportunity to check it out and see if it would work or the area there in general. OP, good luck to you. How exciting to finally be moving if you have lived in the same house forever!! We have lived here 7 years and I am beyond bored (lived in MA for 4 years, so going into 12 years in the same vicinity yet we don't have roots or great friends here and need a change).

Not weird at all. I would regret it forever if I had not shared even if it was not helpful, but because it *might* be helpful.

Slightly hijacking here, tell me more about Princeton, NJ. How is living expenses there and is the weather milder than here in NH? The heat and bugs are killing me here and the winter is too cold. I want some more civilization and easy walking access (a la Europe). Have been considering NJ for a while and got Princeton on my radar last week....

After being a parent for 21 years, then at this point I would say that if your dd is this sensitive and considering you had a travel planned, taking her out the day before might not guarantee a germ-free environment. We have asthma in the house and have had many babies over the years (including one who almost died from pertussis from a boy at the playground, so I have btdt), however, it is my responsibility in the end to decide whether or not to take my sensitive kid out to public events with possible germ consequences. I have cancelled events at my place because a friend was going to bring a really contagious child here, but I have also had many people over with kids with runny noses etc. because I don't want to shelter my family too much or totally keep germs abay. Even considering we have no insurance and dh especially has it bad with asthma. Of course if your post was only to garner support of your own viewpoint, then please disregard this opinion. I personally just think that especially, but not exclusively, within the homeschooling community then there is a lot of over-parenting.

Can you do afterschool care at the school or a Boys and Girls Club? Might not cost a lot. Or have a neighbour check them off.

Yeah! Congratulations are in order. So excited for you.

Congratulations. I agree this is rude, rude, rude. I got the same kind of treatment from the Medicaid office; apparently some people enjoy seeing others hurt. That said, I would most definitely go there in person and be pretty loud in the lobby, demanding to see the office manager and if still a problem request to see the doctor and gt this settled. This woman is just so rude. I suspect a polite, but public scene would take care of things in your favor.

Will definitely have your dd in my thoughts and heart as I have been waiting to hear good news. She deserves it.

UmmAbdullah, your Eid preparations and day sound absolutely lovely. Your ds will cherish the memories. Thanks, Karen, for the well wishes. A funny story....I live here in NH where there is very little diversity. Was recently shopping in Hannaford down the street in this little town when this lovely young woman stopped and stared at me in a curious manner. Finally she very shyly began speaking and was asking me about some ingredients as she going to a potluck for a fasting friend here in Ramadan. She then ended with saying Ramadan Mubarak. It was a very sweet interaction and I hope she left feeling glad that she asked me because she made my day. She is probably an implant from CA or something because I don't really see this kind of openness or interest here, haahha. Or maybe she was from Cambridge MA.

Tea with the dh. Relaxes plus it makes me look younger.

She can decide what she wants to do after she gets connected. Eid Mubarak to everyone, btw. Forgot to say that! Please remember Syria in your prayers.

Oh, no, Eid means going to Eid prayer and feeling the buzz. Call somebody up and let them know you need a ride. Are you in San Antonio? I will ask Amy in TX if she knows anyone.