Kay, we live in Ocala. It's quite a distance from you, but we'd love to have you. You can e-mail me, okay? Jasdip, we are having ham loaf with pineapple glaze, potatoes au gratin with gruyere cheese, steamed asparagus, croissants and raspberry trifle for dessert. I posted the potatoes here and also on another site I visit. Four ladies at my other site made them and loved them. A few used cheddar instead of gruyere so I think it's the method rather than the cheese. Two ladies have made them more than once.

I don't see/smell any trace that OP is the other woman in her relationship with her father. I feel sorry for the father who lost so much joy with the family due to his insecure, control freak new wife. "Does your husband and his mother go to lunch and other leisure activities without including you? Would it be okay if they did?" - Why is it not OK? This question is beyond silly. In our family, we always have alone time with our parents and children. I still remember the wonderful time and conversation with my own father even it has been 40-50 years. HD was his mother's favorite, they always had private time together when we were on vacation visiting her. We also have great memory spending alone time with our own children in various countries and cities. southernsummer, do your own biological children spend alone time with you or your husband? If they do, does it make them the "other woman or man"? May be because I am the type of person who does not always remember my own birthday, I fail to see the big deal of spending time with your husband exact on your birthday, especially the daughter does not live with the father, and you live with him every single day of the year. Why cannot you find another day to celebrate? In your other posts it seems you have problem over Christmas gifts from your husband to his children. Again, I fail to understand the issues. In our own family we don't see children until Christmas break due to all of us have busy careers. We are so appreciative that they spend vacation and airfares, expenses coming home to see us ( they could well afford traveling to anywhere in the world if they want to). As always, we give high dollar gifts to indirectly compensate the expense they incur. If the once a year gifts impact your financial future, you need to have a serious discussion with your husband, otherwise, why interfere? Relationship between each parent and child is unique, it does not need to be according to others wishes/rules.

Always have a great visit with Linda! We meet 2 or 3 times a year for lunch. Today, was the same. Great lunch, great visit. We tried a new restaurant, closer to her. I had fried oysters and Linda had fried chicken. Everything is cooked to order. Thanks ya'll for your interest.

Wow....what an amazing list of people.... too many of them no longer with us or active here. It is nice to remember some of their names and their struggles that we shared. Thanks for the memories.