I have been away for such a long time -- it's not the company. I have been a care-giver for a friend I used to date, who just died of cancer. Which reminds me: Asolo, how is your Mother? Gladys: Yes, I have been interested in the Master Gardener courses. I actually did that when I lived in Atlanta, but want to do it again because I've moved to the West and gardening is very different out here. I had the good fortune to discover a community garden, and I'm very active in it and serve on the board. I love it! coolvt: I have dated a few fellas who had no apparent money constraints -- some I met through my profession and a couple of others through a singles group at church. But two of the best guys I've dated were very mainstream economically. I discovered a long time ago that the old saying "Money can't buy happiness" is very, very true. I would rather go to McDonald's with someone I really enjoy being with, then the fanciest place in the country with someone who's boring or otherwise just not for me. I hope you're meeting better prospects than the one you described. Sounds like "good riddance."

Though there is a marriage forum, I think it is important to acknowledge the poster's emotional pain. Have you considered marriage counseling? If your husband won't go, then go by yourself, at least initially. Getting the perspective of a neutral third party, one trained in issues such as you are experiencing, will help you. Your husband's actions seem unhealthy to me, verging on control, which can lead to worse problems, including isolation and abuse, if you aren't careful.

Hey Pashan! Congrats on moving into the new house. Sounds like you're up to your eyeballs in home improvement work. It's so fun ... but time consuming as well. Have fun making the house YOURS! How's the RE career going? I bet you're off and running by now. Yes, things are very quiet on this board. Don't know why. Maybe everyone was busy taking end-of-the-summer vacations and then gearing up for school. Things are OK here ... my SD is expanding her horizons every day -- we enrolled her in gymnastics, which she just loves. She's making new friends at her new school and seems quite content there. Her Mom has only called once since she moved two weeks ago. Strange, huh? What's even weirder is that my SD doesn't ask about her Mom often. Mentions her now and then, but doesn't seem to be going thru a traumatic stage of missing her.

She's a sweetheart! Young puppies of any size can't "hold it." Going out twice a night is what Harry did for about a year. The biggest goal in house training is to never give them an opportunity to go in the house. And remember, if they have an accident, it's the owners' fault, not the puppy's. It's hard, but it won't take long. I kept Harry's leash clipped to my belt and his collar. I set the timer; every 30 minutes, from morning to bed time, I picked him up, went outside, rushed to the far corner of the yard, set him down, and then wouldn't make eye contact or speak until he had gone potty. Then I praised him, unhooked his leash, and we ran and froliced and played back to the house. Then he was again clipped to the short leash attached to me and we went back inside. He was with me every step of the day. When I took a shower, I'd take him out before, then crate him, take a quick shower, dress, and take him back outside. After two weeks of this I decided to test him. I unhooked the leash but never took my eyes off of him. He wandered to the door and looked at me expectantly. I opened the door, he ran to his corner and did a big boy peepee! After that he didin't have to be hooked to me. He 'got it', that fast. He still spend nights in the crate, and had to go out 1-2 times a night, for several months. As soon as I'd hear him wake up, or whimper, I'd be up, scoop him up in my arms (so there couldn't be a mishap) and rushed him to the door. Too this day, he still potties in the far left corner of the yard. It sure makes the twice daily poo-patrol much easier. Good luck with your little gal. It won't take long to train her. "Constance Vigilance" now will make a quick and sure completion to her house-manners lessons. The night time outings will just have to be endured until her little body grows. Doggie doors are great if you can install one.