I also agree, a SM should not introduce herself as mom. However, my SD has introduced me as her mom to her friends' parents and I did not correct her. I did not correct her because I did not want to embarrass her or make her think that I had a problem if she wanted her friend to think of me as her mom. (I think JNM has said that her SD got upset because JNM would correct her and she wanted to know why JNM didn't want to be her mom. I didn't want my SD to feel like I am differentiating because I don't want to be called mom.. if that makes sense) I have also told SD that I'm flattered that she would call me mom but her mom's feelings may get hurt and I leave it up to her to decide what to call me. But, I agree... it's never okay for the step parent to misrepresent. I've always told the school, teachers, etc. that I am step mom because I have the same last name as SD, her mom never has. My point in my last post, was in general. If a mom has a problem with ANYTHING the step mom is doing or does, if she calls up and acts like an adult with the focus being on the child's best interests, not marking her territory or berating the step mom, then it's more likely going to get the result she wants... which is for the step mom to respect her wishes. I'm not saying that step mom will always agree or be as mature, but it doesn't resolve anything to get irate and demand things. I don't disagree that Sweeby's child's stepmom overstepped or as theotherside put it, vaulted way over the line in what she did. What I am saying is that if Sweeby had called her up and yelled at her ex or SM and demanded that "that woman is NOT my son's mother and how dare she say that and it better never happen again!!!!" might have been met with, "and what are you going to do about it?" and the fight is on. That is not what's best for the children. I think Sweeby handled it excellent and ALL parents should take notes.

The health dept. told me there were two pharmacies offering Shingrix in my community, CVS and one other regional chain one. My doctor is on haitus all month and I'm still debating on jumping ship. Either way, it will be at least a month before I can get any services from a personal physician. I still haven't heard back from my insurance company about coverage of the Shingrix, but I'll extrapolate from hubs experience with Aetna supplemental and project that it will be expensive for the vaccine and minimal if any coverage by my insurance company. I don't think my coverage will be better than his. But I have to find out for sure before I can maybe pursue some special program through our health department. But I'll bet that too will be minimal support. They need our money and have us over a barrel, so there you have it.

When I got my 1st dose on Friday, I was given information about the CDC's app for reporting side effects, called V-safe. As part of this, the CDC will contact you via the app to ask how you are, any problems, any illness. I hope that any of you who have had side effects (I had a rash the next day, that lasted about 16 hours) have downloaded it and are participating. This is how we can help to know just how effective the vaccines are as well as the issues people are having with them.

@terezosa / terriks we got our shots at walgreens. They were on top of it - but there was some kind of computer glitch. I had to set up appointments for each of us using a seperate email address. I got my confirmation and then cancellation - about 4 times. LOL The Mr got confirmations and no cancellations. I called the store and they were SO nice. Told me to come on in with him. Which I did, no problems. And, I still have confirmation of my second appointment. It never cancelled that one. (You scheduled 1st and 2nd appt. at the same time.)