Theresa, I am sorry for your loss; I lost my Mom Feb. 25, 2009. She had been sick for about a year, we expected it, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept that this is forever. I wanted to share a little with you about how I deal with missing my Mom. I went out and bought a journal with her favorite colored paper (purple), and I took her perfume (White Diamonds) and misted the pages a little with it. I take a few minutes each day and write to her about the days events, or how much I missed her, or problems that have came up that only she could have helped me with, or just a happy memory of something we shared, and although I know she is not going to give me the answers I am looking for, sometimes I can see things much clearer when I finish writing. Sometimes, days later, when I go back and read I find myself laughing that I was stressing over "that" whatever "that" might have been. The point I am getting at is the purple paper and her perfume bring me close to her memory and I find myself looking forward to those few minutes I spend remembering the good times, instead of dreading the time the feeling of loneliness is going to set in. Thanks for listening, Lisa

My ex DH was married to someone who sounds a lot like that. She had two children of her own and she so obviously favored them and they were horrible, mean kids. It came to the point where DS and DD weren't going to go there anymore. Their stepmom was so mean to them and treated them horribly and so did her kids. There were times I just wanted to smack her and ask her what the h#ll her problem was. My DD would come home crying hysterically. Finally I told ex DH (we have a good relationship) that if this was how she was going to come home, she wasn't going to come over anymore. He finally stepped up the plate and took charge somewhat. He was always at work too so the kids were home stuck with her. They went to their grandparents house a lot or stayed with me just so they wouldn't have to be there with her. She, to put it simply, was extremely jealous of my kids and me for that matter because ex and I get a long for the kids sake and she just could not stand it. I am happily married and was no threat to her. If I wanted to be with him, I wouldn't have divorced him. We have remained friends for the sake of the kids. Thank god they are divorced now or in the process of divorce. She is dragging it out as long as possible. Now on the other hand, I have three step children and I couldn't imagine treating them like that. Two are older and have never lived with us but my DSD who is now 18 lived with us all through high school. There are times that I think I treated her more favorably than my own kids. We all get along so well and my kids and DH's kids love each other to death. We have been so fortunate in that department. I feel bad for your daughter. I can't remember how old she is now but it doesn't sound like your ex is doing her any favors by being the "nice" parent.

NY Post I love quirky people like her. They make the world a lot more interesting...

Annie, did you ever hear the medical old saw that someone isn't dead until he's warm and dead? Meaning that life signs can be hidden by the cold? Same is true with starter. If you think it has died in the fridge, it probably hasn't if it had any legs at all. Pour off the hooch (brown alcoholic liquid) and use a spoon to remove the darkest of the gray part. Feed the rest, let it sit up to a day until you see a bubble. Feed it again. By the time it's warm and had a couple of good meals, it should start burping its thank-yous and showing rising signs of life. Feed it a couple more times in the warmth, until it doubles volume in 12 hours (8 is better) and you can put it back in the fridge to hibernate. Once a starter is established, it's really a resilient little pet. You can also dry your starter and wake it up a few days before you want to start baking...