Holidays in a difficult time
Cloud Swift
4 years ago
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plllog
4 years agoblubird
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Difficult time of the year
Comments (9)Your idea about having removable coverings for your windows is close to what I do, this time of year. My GH has polycarbonate panels that clip and screw to the outside of the aluminum frame. I've made screens the same size to replace some of the panels during hot weather. As you said, this time of year, it's too cold at night to leave the screens in place, but too hot during the day to leave all the panels in. Frustrating! Fortunately, it only takes me a few minutes to remove a solid poly panel, lay it behind the GH (out of the wind) and put in a screen. Then I go out and put the panel back in place, late in the day, before night temps fall. I do the same dance in the fall...! I will be happy when our night time temps get high enough so the screens can go in, and stay in!...See MoreDifficult times.....
Comments (30)Teresa, I'm so sorry to hear about your father, it's never easy no matter how old they are or how wonderful their life. You and your family will be in my prayers for strength and healing. Congratulations on the new baby in the family and on the house. I've always said that the only way to really clean a house is to move but it appears that having the entire thing repainted might be effective too! All those colors, though! I'd have painted it all white. (grin) Annie...See MoreAre the Holidays a Good Time for Mending Relationships
Comments (27)Hello organic brice, I was sick over the holiday. My husband called his father (his father never calls him) prior to the holiday. He said he didn't hear from his sister (only when she is needy and wants something). I called my mother prior to the holiday. No contact of any kind with the sisters. His aunt sent him an email (about the weather) and a few pics with the grandchildren (nothing else). He received an email from a cousin (sporadic emails) with a few sentences. Nothing else and nothing different--the status quo as usual. My husband doesn't want to rock-the-boat. They all want to pretend--the status quo is easier than to accept personal responsibility. I don't have the energy to cope and deal with any of them. I no longer care to try because they will never take responsibility. I used to try to make attempts, but this backfired and resulted in anger, rage and hostility. I was an easy scapegoat and the target of their rage, malice and misery. I think my husband okay with this (he says it isn't, but he doesn't talk to them about their unacceptable behaviors). He says, they will not change and they are a lost cause, etc. I find it easier and less emotionally stressful to stay away and avoid contact. It takes more than one person to find a solution and by their actions they have clearly demonstrated that they are unwilling to the invest time and energy into improving relationships. The status quo and pretending is their preferred outcome. A few years ago, my husband's step-mother sent him an email letting him know that she had left his father. He told me that at first he thought it was a joke. He called her and found out otherwise. The problem had been brewing for a long time, but he ignored it. She sent a Thanksgiving card addressed to Mr. & Mrs. with an inside note to him and me. I noticed that his father's name wasn't on the card and his name wasn't on the return address. (She sporadically sent cards to my husband for his B-day and Xmas and signed them from his father and her). She never acknowledged me. Then she sent another card for Xmas and it was basically the same, except this time, on the inside note she wrote my name first, instead of his. She'd never done this before (she'd never communicated to me, as it was always to him), so I took notice. I asked him what's up, and then he told me that two months prior she had left his father. I asked why he never said anything to me, and he made some excuse, saying he thought it wasn't important. To make a long story short, I repeatedly asked him throughout the year, if he was going to contact her (they had each other's emails and phone numbers--she would forward him email jokes) and all of her prior communication was to him. He told me there were a few emails, but really nothing to speak of. He'd made comments about her, which I felt were negative. I think he felt he had to choose sides (this is a consistent and very destructive behavior pattern), or else pay the price and as is typical of his behaviors--he didn't want to deal with it. He always told me his parents were the, "Do as I say, don't do as I do types". They make unreasonable demands and do not care who it hurts or the destruction it creates. I had health issues and surgery, so almost a year later I wrote her myself (I did not tell him). I finally had an opportunity to speak my peace, without his interference or control and she responded. She mainly vented her anger and frustration about his family--his father's manipulation and control and his sister's manipulative behaviors. She said that she had always stood up for me (to all his relatives), something that I never knew and was unaware of. She told me that she didn't want anything to do with their hateful, cruel and malicious existence. (This was his father's 3rd wife). If she told my husband about how she stood up for me, it was information which he never shared. I do know that she was upfront with him and direct about his sister's manipulative conduct. This was something that he did tell me about. I wrote again, but she didn't respond. I let her know that if she wanted to see me alone, I would be willing to do that, but if she wanted to visit with my husband that it was between her and him and I didn't want any involvement period. I told her that I don't want to blamed--my husband can take responsibility for his own behaviors and speak for himself. I want absolutely no part in any of it. Since she didn't respond, I left it at that as I've had too much on my plate to deal with. My MIL is deceased. She died two years ago. She didn't want a relationship with me. I've never written completely about her cruelty--someday I will. It probably would be good for me to let it out. I'm glad that you had a nice visit with your SIL and your husband's ex step-mother....See MoreDecember holidays are a perfect time for reading
Comments (64)Carolyn, very interesting and seemingly quite different from what happens in English/Welsh churches (I can't speak for those in Scotland, some of which are very 'strict'). Re the letter. Is it a piece of paper "to whom it concerns . ." or is it some type of printed form with details of the person moving from the area; a sort of reference for them to see if they will be accepted by the new church? And what happens if the new church thinks they might not want this new member, are they able to turn them down? Mary, I knew that Catholic churches will not let non-RC's take communion. There was the eg here that the papers got hold of, concerning former PM Tony Blair who used to accompany his wife Cherie (She who must be obeyed) and children to Mass and take communion. This was picked up by the hierarchy and he was forbidden to continue. He has since joined the RC Church. And on a similar note the C of E has just appointed its first woman Bishop. When you consider that women now make up about 45% of the clergy though mostly in 'junior' roles it seems not a moment too soon. :-) A recent TV prog. spent time at Canterbury Cathedral and talked to women priests. They said after their ordination some 20 years ago they left the building worried to be confronted with banner-carrying women, but were relieved to see they were Catholic women who's message read "We'll be next"! . . .Though they might have a very long wait. Here is a link that might be useful: A Woman Bishop...See Moresheesh
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4 years ago2ManyDiversions
4 years ago
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