I wish more people didnt buy service contracts on automobiles. They kill the technician these days with long factory warranties plus the extended warranty. I get really hacked at some owners who play dumb, but many folks do it. This leaves you to PROVE what happened and in many cases you just can't. The owner wins in most of those cases or you dont even try to challenge them. ON the other hand Ive gotten a lot of concerns that were written up for warranty by the service writer reversed into cash pay though. There are just way to many physical damages that customers try to cover up that an experienced technician can identify. This is also true of fraudulent insurance claims. There are some things you just cant hide from the trained eye. This holds true for lawn equipment, appliances, electronics, etc. Where there is a warranty involved there are always questionable claims made.

#1) Always know exactly where the pipe from the skimmer to the filterbox is buried. While putting the netting frame up, I had to drive stakes in the ground. I found the pipe. #2) DON'T add anything to the pond unless you are absolutely sure you want them. Not that they are a bad choice, but I let husband add a 'few' minnows to the pond. That was a year ago and I still have 3 I've never been able to catch. I didn't know they could get that big. #3) DO NOT wear a $2000 hearing aid while IN the pond. I slipped and almost went under. Fortunately, I managed to keep my head above the water although I will never know how I managed that. I can't hear much without it, but I don't care. Besides, I can 'hear' my goldies just fine. They do fin sign language by nibbling and swimming all around me. I am sure I will think of more later, but those are my top three mishaps. Anyone else?

My DH's friends have a bad habit of saying a few choice words that I don't like anyone of any race to say around me. I deal with it when we are at their homes... because it is their home and for the most part they are very good people. But, in my home...I always say something. Usually, I keep it light and just come on can't we be more creative with our words people. or if it keeps on going (which it has once or twice) I will firmly let them know.. I don't like that word and I don't like my family hearing that word... don't use it in my home. There is no reason not to stand up for what you feel is right and I think it is a good lesson for your children.... You can stand up even to those you love for something that is right and still be curteous and have a good relationship with them. DH supports me on it which is helpful. Nowadays I can usually give him a look when they start and once I leave the room for a drink or whatever he will say something like "man, lay off ... she doesnt like that" I caught my boys saying a few choice words that were not exactly kind about homosexuals... I don't think they fully understood the meaning but I stopped it dead in their tracks... saying I don't care where you heard it you will not use words that hurt others in my home.

Thanks guys. I was feeling rather low - like I had sunk to her level - and this really helps. I just can't get over how flip she is about those things important to her daughter. I can't think of one time she has truly put herself out for the sake of her daughter. Hell - half the reason DH has custody is that she didn't want to kick out the boyfriend threatening to kill she and SD. If that doesn't demostrate that she puts her wants before all others I don;t know what does! I just can't for the life of me understand how you wouldn't move heaven and earth to be involved in these special moments with your child. I truly wonder if it's because I coach - because it makes her jealous or angry to watch (though she could have done it just as easily but never volunteered) she doesn't like to come. SO WHAT? If it's about your kid rather than yourself, you get over it. She only comes to those performances that fall on her weekends - never to one on ours. DH is at every one with the boys in tow, and obviously I am as well. Good grief - MY parents have come to more than she has!! I don't know which part honestly irritates me more - the not coming or the just saying 'tough sh!t' on the costume issue knowing we would come through no matter how difficult it would be. Some day I would like to do the same thing when the tables are reversed . . . but I know we never will. We'll cancel trips, re-schedule plans and drive all over town to make sure SD is cared for . . . just like always. Isn't that what parents do?