yes that happened to me a few years ago. extemely painful! antibiotics didn't work on me, but instead gave me fever and a body rash. Acupuncture helped me instantly. A soon as the first session was over, I was able to relieve myself normally. It was like night and day...I am totally amazed. I've never had a UTI again since I had the acupuncture.

Yes. DS is like me, and DD is like her dad. DS is optimistic, hardly ever gets mad and looks at the bright side of things. DD is a drama queen, gets frustrated easily at minor things and takes a lot to calm her down.

I thought pretty much the whole world, not just Europe, and much of the US, hated Bush....for all of the reasons above.

dcum, youtube, and zumba.com

need to check out these other ones!

ughhh. mine is over $300.

wow! I will give it a try!

love the charm bracelet idea!

I would not be offended at all as that is normal for many people, American or not. I wouldn't want to track shoe grime into someone's pristine house.

One time I went to a Japanese restaurant in LA and they gave us all sandals to wear into the private party room. Everyone left their shoes outside the room and no one seemed to mind.

Most gyms are like that, I guess because they have so many different package rates and specials going on. S&H is between $60-$80 I think. WSC is $50-90 depending on the plan (usually determines how many of their gyms you can go to). Fitness First is around $35.

You can also check their websites to see if they have what you want...sauna, pool, classes, etc.—which will help you determine which one is worth the $. You can print out a free trial pass for many of them.

I have 3 kids, work FT. I don't have any time to myself unless you count the gym or shopping. I can't remember the last time I was home completely alone. Oh wait, I think it was last spring. What I never seem to have time for, unfortunately, is my friends. I need to fix that.

Anonymous wrote:I totally understand, except we have to go to her house. This is the woman who told me TO MY FACE that she thought about trying to ruin my wedding because she was mad at me for not inviting her best friend. Sigh. I just take deep breaths, bide my time and try not to get caught in a situation where I'm alone with her. My DD is too small yet to pick up any habits of her's, but if she did, it would drive me crazy.
Good luck and just keep breathing. We'll all get through this holiday season!

OMG! SHe actually told you she thought about ruining your wedding?!

My sis also has to deal with not so friendly in-laws. Her FIL is a minister and she has to sit through 3 consecutive sermons about how Catholics and Mormons are going to hell...and she is Catholic. She sits tights and tries not to take it personally as to not cause any tension between her DH and his family. But I am mad for her!

yes, breathe and do some yoga! How long is your MIL staying for? I guess just keep reminding yourself that it's not forever. Maybe there is something she likes that you could offer her to keep her in a good mood while she's there?

If I had more time, I would do cards. I love getting cards. But 3 jobs, 3 kids...the cards never seem to get done. Phone calls, parties and e-cards will be my method of holiday greetings once again. I feel slightly bad about not mailing out cards, but then I again, I feel good that I'm saving trees. : )

Oh do I know where you are coming from. I used to have a neighbor (when I lived in an apt.) that would wait by my steps EVERYDAY when I got home from work so she could unleash all her sob stories on me. Her mom, her boyfriend, her kids, her zoloft. I barely even knew the girl. Sometimes I would try to sneak up into my apartment to catch a break. But yeah it's tough living near overwhelming neighbors!

Just decline nicely, maybe even with a bit of humor so there is no tension. I would say, I don't know where you get all your energy from...I have a million things filling up my schedule that if I don't chill at home I'll lose my mind! Well maybe not those words exactly, but something that will cause no friction. If you decline enough, maybe she'll get the hint. And don't feel bad for declining...it's not like you're severing all ties. As long as your nice about it, things shouldn't become uncomfortable.

Aren't there Barbies and Bratz dolls in every ethnicity? I don't particularly like the Bratz dolls, but they seem pretty diverse in their commercials. I used to have a Japanese and Hawaiian Barbie when I was little.