We KNEW PJ had an ulterior motive for jogging. It's to check out the neighbors plants so they can go snatch them later. Good idea. I walk the dogs for that reason but I could cover more ground jogging. Thanks for the tip. During the Historical Homes Tour -first 2 weekends in May-Our neighborhood association is having a plant sale. I am the lead! So come on down and BUY some plants and see an old house or 12. Then go raid my yard and see another old house, this one a "restoration in progress". It's getting so you can't walk. With all the rain & great weather the yard has gone NUTS, kind of like this site. Tally HO!

Very pretty, indeed. I love the fabric...It's great to know how to sew, you can save a ton of money and change things all the time! I have tons of fabrics as well...stored in big tubs that are stacked on top of one another in a large guest closet. It's a sickness. Next time I go to my wonderful fabric guys, I'm going to bring my camera. You won't believe how much fabric they have...they ship all over the world (not retail - wholesale)It's a fabric-holic dream... The place is huge...I went 2 weeks ago to look for my dining room chairs and went home with samples, but nothing was right. I'll have to go back another day, when I have more time to look. When I went, I said I wanted something for my dining room table to use for protection, so I don't have to use the pads all the time...He gave me a huge bolt of the stuff for free, He said here take it...They are so nice these two guys. They sell me stuff for 1/2 of what I pay in the fabric stores and give me extra too... :)

I did write my post a little confusing.... BM is a middle school teacher...... She told DH last year - she was helping to administer the SAT's at a high school in North Carolina last year - and could not meet DH.... But it turned out to be a lie - when SD called DH on that Saturday and told him BM had just bought her another "Build a Bear - Stuffed Bear" AND yes - BM has attempted to use modeling, cheerleading, summer school, dancing, birthday parties, travel, and now illnesses to try and block SD and DH from exercising their visits - court ordered of course.... The majority of these things turned out to be a lie. SD is only involved in dance - and it is actually during the week... not on fri sat or sun. Like she was saying earlier this week about a casting call for the fashion show there in NC this weekend. We looked up the CAC and got the telephone number. The casting call is next weekend....... which is not his weekend at all - so she was going to lie about it and block his visit this weekend...... Lovehadely - very good point... I copied and emailed him your response today. I have said the same thing. But maybe him seeing it as advice from someone else in our shoes will help him to understand what i am trying to get him to understand. I told him that BM is basically starving for attention and using the arguements to get it. She will stop at nothing to get him upset and angry or hurt. AND once she does she feels good about it. I also told him that the court order is in place for a reason. He should not have to argue and fuss about what the "Court" has given him in regards to his daughter. We paid alot of money for this attorney to respresent him - and he needs to use the guy now for any other interaction with BM. (especially since the attorney told him and me after court he will not charge us again - since this is the first time he - the attorney saw a guy doing right and going above and beyond - being attacked for no reason) Great advice ladies.... I will let my DH know so he can maybe understand that he doesn't have to argue with her..... Just follow the court order and the judge's comments. File what is necessary and continue to document her actions. I tried to tell him - I think she is really happy when she has him upset and to stop giving her the satisfaction and stop letting her cause him the un-neccessary stress. I treat my daughter's father the exact same way - when he calls - if he calls - or emails - it must be about my daughter or I don't allow him to speak to me or return the email. He has never been negative to my daughter so i am fine with him talking to her. I just don't allow the drama or stress. BUT i don't use her (BD) against him either. It works for me - less stress, means peace of mind.

WHile I understand the frustration of you pitted against the DH, I think you made it worse with this "I looked at him and told him he was creating a cry baby by giving into it and I walked away". I'm really hoping SS did not hear/see that and as at a table setting I'm not sure how it could have been very private between you and DH. I'm guessing the other adult friends witnessed this also. I doubt DH or child are non too happy with the incident. You called them both out for all to see. I'm not saying I think you're wrong to want backup and consistent 'rules', punishment ect, but I'm thinking making an issue over the iphone and vid games on it in a setting were games were part of the reason there was your wrong step. Ignoring kid's fit, fine. Quietly pointing out to kid his behavior was silly and all the others were having fun, fine. But putting DH in spotlight and calling kid crybaby in front of all, not so fine. If I read this wrong, please forgive me, I know it's hard to tell a whole story in these small spaces, I'm just going on what and how you actually told us here. I think there are two problems now. 1. Dh is not consistent with SS and sending kid double messages which are 'no', and also 'oh, okay, if you whine about it'...and 2. you put them both in bad light in front of others and DH came out defending son. No win situation. It may have been better to ignore SS fit, and once DH did not by giving kid iphone, it would likely have been better to deal with DH at home in private away from friends and SS. Like being between a rock and a hard spot. There was really nothing you could do, but you ended up letting SS play Dh against you. Yet another reason it likely should have been dealt with later, kid just learned he can win with dad against you by even more crying and whining. Good for him, bad for you. I think it's good long talk time with DH. He's not helping SS and you're ending up being the bad guy.