drewsmaga--may I gently suggest that you hold back from the phone calls a bit? Sometimes when we do too much for our kids and give them our undivided attention they take us for granted. I think this is especially easy for us moms to do, especially if it involves lots of monetary "help." It's wonderful that your son had called you but I would not make too much effort to call him back immediately. As for your other kids, after some time has gone by without calls from you they will start to get the picture. I realize this would be very hard on you as we all love our children (and grandchildren) very much, but I think it's the only way things will change. Try to stay busy with friends and activities; if you don't work, do you volunteer? I have a friend who has been on disability for ages because she couldn't be away from her mother but after her mother died she has learned to have a little more of a life. It's taken 2 and 1/2 years for her to decide to volunteer once a week--she lives with her dad who is out of the house a lot--and calls me pretty much every day. I don't really have time to talk so much but try to be patient. However, I'm really pushing her lately because I believe she's simply gotten used to not having any commitments. I hope this volunteer gig pushes her to do more. If she were busy, she would be so much happier than she is now. Moni, how hard it must have been to share your story. I'm so sorry you have been ill-treated by both your parents and your husband (in a passive way,) but very glad to see you are one STRONG woman who knows herself and is creating a better life. How rotten that your ex is moving in on your friends--too bad they don't give him a bit of a cold shoulder. OJ, you were a shy kid? What happened?? Just joshing ya! How amazing that you and Iva Mae realized you had two separate connections. I'm awfully glad you know each other.

Fresh Fruit & Vegie Salsa ________________________ 1/4 cup salad vinegar dash lemon juice 2 slices med onion 1 T minced garlic 1 T grenadine (that cherry stuff used in some drinks) 2 T corn syrup or sugar 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cumin 1/4 tsp cilentro 1/4 tsp chilli powder Blend (I use a blender for all of it) Add: 1/2 c. chopped green pepper 5 Roma tomatoes cut up 1 firm apple cored & chopped Blend on low/med until chopped I use a blender to make this, but I think a food processer would be perfect. __________________________________________________________ I think I will try to answer questions. Thank you for all the nice comments, it was a fun time and I'm so glad we kept it "SIMPLE." It made it easy for those coming and also for us. On top of all that ease we were able to make all the noise we wanted by not being in a restraunt. Riley "the mouse" cynic mentioned, is our grandson's dog. On top of everything else we were asked to babysit the dog while they went on vacation for the weekend. I didn't bother to mention him to everyone, and he arrived after everyone was here. Joan heard those toenails on the floor under the table and thought we had some good sized mice in this house! LOL The meal was just a MN picnic (ordered from a grocery.) I wont go throught it all because Joan already did. I must say I'm not too good at figuring out how much chicken is needed! We have a lot of left overs. The meal only cost $6.00 each. That sure worked out great. Joyful, you missed a good time, but I'm sure your group was very special too. LOL about your comment about cynic! Flamingo! LOL I didn't actually notice, but they must be dirty because she brought a beautiful fresh picked bouquet of homegrown flowers. When I said our food was all MN picnic, I forgot to mention that Nita had to add that AZ flare! I told her that people in MN don't eat artichokes! I told her she would be lucky to be able to find them in the store! ........... Then all these MN peeps BLEW MY FRONT, because when she put it out everyone was saying OOOOOH I love artichokes! Yum YUm! and all that stuff. OK, I tried it (and I really gave it a chance) but I really don't like artichokes, even when you try to hide them in cheese! Well, some of our folks weren't even originally from MN! LOL Shall I pass the plate of leftover chicken? It was really fun.

sorry i didnt welcome you sooner, i always miss these posts or im running in and out..lol so welcome to the kt im pretty new again to.....but its october.....be very very careful here at this time of the year... theres terrible "goblins" who like to be mischieviuos!(sp) lol have fun the kt it is great wen

Hey Dok, you will always be my #1. Just to give our KT folks an idea of the wise-a$$ remarks our family gives to each other. When Dokkkter turned 25, I was giving him a hard time about how it felt to be a quarter century old. His reply was...."How did it feel to be the MOTHER if someone a quarter century old" As I posted on your entry post yesterday about your being pantless......I've seen you that way before, when I used to change your diapers, years ago. Welcome, Son. I look forward to your many intelligent and funny posts. dotMOM