A "good" group meeting seems tough to find, for whatever reasons. In addition to helping yourself, your own experiences are a benefit to others. Nationwide on any given day, there are also seminars packed with people seeking information. I feel better after having joined several on-line forums, support groups where people communicate The "been there, done that" approach from individuals is great, and many times provide contact to care otherwise unknown to you. All done from the comfort of your home. Just like using GW to ask questions . Some get lots of replies and support, some get few. The topic has nothing to do with handicap stalls.

Welcome to this great forum, Janet! It really is a special one, isn't it? When I first joined, decorating a home was very easy for me, but I totally stressed out at the very thought of trying to create any tablescape! I've learned so much here since then! My DH is at the opposite end of the spectrum, I think. As good of cook as I am, he's even better! I just wish he had more time to cook for us! He loves gourmet meals and really appreciates my tablescapes (now). But I think what he appreciates most is the other very valuable thing I've learned on this forum . . . that you don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive dishes and things to create a beautiful or fun tablescape; some of the best finds can come from the Goodwill, garage sales, making them yourself or from "shopping" your own home for unexpected things to use. I've always been a bargain hunter and these talented gals here have shown me a whole new set of places to look now. I haven't been around here much for the past month, as our 16 y/o DD was finishing up the last couple of hectic weeks of her school year. I'm married and we have two kids, although no grandbabies yet. Our oldest will be 26 this summer. His Army unit was just deployed to Afghanistan two days ago. I'm looking forward to seeing your pretty dishes and tablescapes and am so glad you've decided to come out of Lurkdom and join us here! Lynn

Hi Everyone, Enjoyed a lovely dinner last night and cards with our dear friends. I ate Shepherd's pie (crustless type), biscuits and ice cream. Yes I went over my daily limit but I am not worried. I do the WW program and actually just used up my weekly freebie points or calories. Today and tomorrow I am in recovery mode to compensate. So what does my day look like? Cottage cheese 1%, home made barley soup loaded with veggies for lunch, apple for snack and dinner will be a full plate of steamed zucchini, squash, onion and a cooked egg. I will literally load that plate and put a spoon of margarine, salt & pepper. Of course water, water, water today. Why am I telling you this? Because you can deal with a meal event. I faithfully logged how much I had last night and noted the points/calorie values. I know where I stand. I am not deterred at all. I continue. Did I have a large serving? Yes, honestly and honestly two biscuits. Today I am quite happily puttering away at little jobs around the house and enjoying my healthy food choices. So don't despair when you have these moments. You dust yourself off and carry on. If you know a meal event is coming - plan a head. Reduce your calories a day or two ahead and then a day or two afterwards. Don't beat yourself up. Don't regret, feel bad - just do your best and keeping putting one foot in front of the other. You can do this. You can persevere through these moments in life. That is part of living a healthy lifestyle. Just be honest with yourself. Over the coming weeks I want to talk about planning ahead and then staying the course. There is a major meal event/weekend coming up in November for those of you in the US and I'd like to open the communication lines on how to deal successfully with it so you can enjoy your friends and family. Focus on the joy of the fall season. We'll get through that time together I promise and you will continue with your goals. That's what I wanted to say today to everyone, even those silent friends we have out there reading but not posting. I'm reaching out to invite you to come back and read our posts, share our journey. You don't have to share on here to be a part of our journey together. Just come back. If we can help you stay true to your dream then that is all I'm trying to achieve. Lets have a wonderful day today and tomorrow. Cheers, Peggy

Hmmmmm....I guess there are many different ways to look at what is going on. Bottom line, right or wrong, I think she probably does "need the sympathy" or at least some support. I think you may be being a little tough on her. Many parents of teenagers have problems with their kid's boyfriends or girlfriends...straight or gay. I'm just wondering if maybe she wouldn't have acted the same way if it was a daughter, and I think maybe she would have. Very conservative people, are very conservative. Now, it is a shame if she is truly slandering this poor boy..using his name and other people actually know him. How bad are the things she is saying about him? I think most may be able to read through the "sexual agressive" label as her just being overprotective of her own child. And, another thing to consider. I've been to support groups before and some people will have real major problems--- illnesses close to death, or major hospitalizations, while someone else may seem to think that a hang nail is a major drama. Every comes for their own reasons and thinks their own problems are major. Don't write off your friend's feelings; I'm sure they are dealing with a lot at one time and may just need some support to come to terms with everything. Plus, just because you like Scott doesn't necessarily mean he is right/good for their son...maybe there are things about him or the way he treats Brad that you are not aware of. No one really knows for sure if what anyone says at any support group is the whole truth or not, but support groups aren't formed to verify facts, they're formed to lend support and help let people talk and get feelings off their chest. You could talk to her personally and say..hey, I really like Scott, I'm surprised you don't...and see how the conversation goes. Other than that, if she's not totally falsely bashing him, I'd just let it go.