The best writing advice I ever got was, "write like you're hanging clothes on the backyard clothesline and talking over the fence to your neighbor at the same time." It was my supervisor who told me that when I was 22 or 23. I soon got a new job and never thanked her. So last year I looked her up and she'd become a nurse. And she died in her 60s from cancer. It still frustrates me that I didn't reach out to her a lot sooner.

Good word. Patronizing.

I hope you don't think that I was being a jerk. I was always assumed to be younger than my age, then one day I noticed that it wasn't happening anymore. 😄 But I'm with you, I don't like people commenting on my looks. (I won't wear shirts that people have to read.)

Trust me, you'll really hate it when they stop saying it!

This seat cover for the two front seats of the car are awesome! We bought a new car in 2019 and I've been trying hard to keep the seats clean. But this wonderful cover got rid of my anxiety.

I just turned 58. I don't like it when occasionally a man -- usually older than me -- says, "Hello, young lady!" I know I'm not young, we can all tell I'm not young and. . . I feel like it's demeaning. Don't get me wrong, the guy who says it the most doesn't have a mean bone in his body. Something about it though bugs me.

What a gold mine!! Thank you for sharing this piece with @bodiesmom. When you feel up to it, I hope you'll let us know how you are. I know what covert narcissists are like. Put on your armor. Get tough. And assume he's up to no good. I'd jettison the idea that "he'll retaliate if you make an aggressive move." He'll be a jerk no matter what you do. Let's us know what state you're in. And remember: you're not alone. We're behind you.

We lived in Reno for three years when I was a kid. When we moved to CA, my parents co-bought a house in Northstar (Tahoe). You can't even compare the two. If you want to just sleep, get up, eat and run I'd assume that Reno is the easier route. I wrote about Lake Tahoe for this parenting mag. But Tahoe is heaven. Mark Twain first came upon Lake Tahoe and said,"I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords." If I ever get massively rich you'll find me every summer at Tahoe. (I grew up skiing, but it wasn't my cup of tea.) We live in Atlanta now, and Tahoe is the one thing I honestly miss. A gob-smacking gorgeous place. One thing I remember the most? How good it smells because of all the pines. But I wouldn't recommend driving in the winter: lots and lots of ice and snow.\ Adding: DO NOT TAKE HWY 50 TO TAHOE. Take 80. Hhy 50 gets very hairpin-y and at one point goes so close to a cliff that dh said, "that is even responsible." (Meaning that it was irresponsible of whoever built it, to build the way they did. ) Have an awesome trip!!

Food or no food. . . the way she's acting is awful.

I'm thinking that divorce-coaches must be busy.

My husband seems to think that you can close or at least freeze the HELOC. If he does take money out of the HELOC, he'd eventually have to pay you back but that could take a lot of time to get the money back. Hugs. ♥♥♥

Exactly. Of course he wants mediation. . . and funny how everything would turn out in his favor. That's not a no, that's a H**l-no!! (I mean, think it. Don't say it.) Being a duck -- looking smooth on top while kicking furiously -- is awesome advice.) I'm so angry on your behalf. I don't have experience in this, but I did see a friend go through it. She was instructed not to leave the family home. I can't remember what could happen, but leaving the family home -- in CA -- was a big no. So let him go to his house. I don't think he's allowed to just empty money accounts. But I could be wrong. He sounds like he's accustomed to pushing you around. Be cordial, calm and business-like with him. I'm so mad for you and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. Dealing with a covert narcissist is no little thing.

Because somebody told me exactly what I've said here, just fold laundry or whatever and keep an eye on season one then in season two it really picks up.

LOVED the Crown: yes, not all of the dialogue is accurate, but the show follows history from 1952 to current times. Really good. Especially the first two seasons I like the actress who plays the queen, but season 3 and 4 are outstanding for other reasons. It's Netflix. You might try a free week if they offer that. Same with Call the Midwife: get through the first two episodes and you get hooked. Schitt's Creek: the first season is boring. Just watch it for story line, and then season 2 and on so good. I'm probably not helping. I just had to rave about these shows.

I haven't read everyone's thoughts, but here's how I would take it at my advanced age of 58: a wacko situation with the mom and her friend. It says EVERYTHING about them and nothing at all about you. She should have given you an apology, but she's clearly from another world. The older I get the more I take things less personally, and get a laugh out of a ridiculous situation. When you know it wasn't you at all, it's easier to think, glad I'm not part of that goofy group. A billion years ago, I was confronted by coworkers accusing me of taking money out of their purses. Of course, I hadn't touched anyone's purse. It was ludicrous, but I was really young -- maybe 22 -- and it hurt my feelings. Roll your eyes and laugh (and I'm not so sure you want dd around them). A pocket knife is no big deal to me. ♥♥♥

Thanks Emily! I'm trying to get the word out, THS is great for those who love to travel!

One: I finally googled Costco's best hours to shop with few peeps in the store. This is what I read: "The perfect time to shop Costco is between Tuesday and Thursday, arriving between 3 and 4pm." Dh and I drove at 4 to Costco and I can attest: quiet parking lot and quiet shopping. If you like quiet these are your hours!! (But I also read that Monday morning is nice and quiet too, and they're restocked from the weekend. And, two, the headline is: Americans Will Soon Be Able to Renew Passports Online. ♥♥♥

Trusted Housesitters tries to make it easy if you have a "clean" background. They do a full background check starting by asking for your driver's license and going from there. Since my background is clean, I was approved. I'm guessing something else happens if there's anything on your record.

((((Anne)))), I hope you'll take a look at my blog. I write about how I lost 55lbs. and have kept it off for 16 years now. TheInspiredEater.com I do know the feeling of "doing everything right" and not being able to lose. Hang in there.

Laura, This was our exact plan too. My darling isn't with us anymore, and instead of adopting a new pup, we're house sitting. Just as an example, we're staying at a ginormous home at an island in GA for two weeks in Sept. We're babysitting two kitties. ♥♥♥

I've written about sugar cravings on my blog because I've sure had them too. I still have my Cookie Monster moments. I hope one of these posts is helpful. ❤️ How to Conquer Your Evening Sugar Craving The OMG Ice Cream Hack & the Poison of Perfectionism The Best Question to Ask Yourself throughout a Successful Day

Following!

This is what I do all the time: I take a cold tote bag full of food that I can eat and like.

Following.

No, I don't work for this company, but I think they're just awesome. I've done two house sits in destinations I wanted to see, and both were some of the best weeks of my life. TrustedHouseSitters.com The company is located in England and the house sits are for all over the world, not just the U.S. And it's not a trade, there is no trading involved at all. Two weeks ago I did a house sit in South Carolina with the cutest little guy on the planet! And the home -- 8 mins. from the beach -- looked like it was straight out of Coastal Living. I also did one in Richmond, VA in 2018 because my kids' wanted to visit good friends. Even budget hotel were making visiting hard because a week is so expensive, but I found this house sit nine minutes from their best friend's homes. It was a huge, beautiful house and -- as you'd expect -- the animals were adorable. Only downside? You can easily get attached to animals you may never see again. I'm crossing every finger that I get to see the SC fur-boy again. I just loved him. Will they allow kids? Every house sit is different. The people in Richmond didn't blink when I told them I had teen boys. One house sit I wanted to do with dh said, "No men at this house sit." The poor dog was scared of men. Have fun! Will you help me keep this bumped so others can see it. 🙂