Next time....wear gloves!! That must have been really scary. I have gotten cut pulling bird netting out of filters for cleaning. That stuff is thin and does not give when it gets hung up on something....but skin does. I had quite a scare on Saturday too. I was cutting PVC pipe with a chop saw, something I have done a million time in the past. Well, this time I was not holding the pipe quite good enough and as soon as the blade hit it, the saw snatched the pipe from me, slammed it into my hand and the pipe got launched about 15' feet away. The pain was intense and instant. For a moment, I was afraid to look at my hand, fearing I had lost a finger to the blade of the saw. Luckly no fingers were lost...thanks God for a GREAT instant blade break on that saw! I do have a horrible bruise right at my thumb joint, but nothing broke and I got a good reminder to respect that saw a little bit more. Cindy

I've had good luck with many different brands & types- it seems like the key or common ingredients are shea butter (miraculous) goat's milk lanolin vitamins A & E aloe I've had excellent results using aloe straight from the plant for a lot of problems other than burns. Last week I had an insect bite that turned red, got chapped, flaked, & *itched* like fire. I tried every single remedy in the medicine cabinet with no effect, & then... I accidentally broke off an aloe vera leaf. Figuring I didn't have anything to lose, I squeezed the fluid onto the spot & the itch stopped immediately & the place started to heal.

Doodle, I get that it is hard for two parents together as well. BTDT too lol. It's not easy for anyone or any situation. Sometimes hearing the other side (well when neither side is a whack job, but rather normal human beings with flaws) helps. I've been there with DD and family only wanting to see her when I call for babysitting. This wasn't her father, but it is the same principle. If you don't call to see her on your own, then why would I continue to do it. I already feel guilt having to ask for babysitting all the time, if you're not calling on your own, then that signifies you don't want time and only doing a favor for me. That's how I see it. I can't imagine anyone DD's father telling me or expressing that he wishes I called him to see if he wants more time. I can't. That just seems so backwards. Ceph doesnt have to see it different ways and can blame whoever she wants and vent away, we all need to sometimes. But it doesn't solve anything or take away her feeling of a trainwreck about to happen. Oh and my father, god love him, is a father to kids not his. We don't have a great relationship, but I will give him that, when he gets involved with women he takes in their kids like his own. My uncle was a stepfather to two kids in his first marriage and he put them through college, bought their first cars and taught how to drive, walked one down the aisle, been there for birth of her kids etc she still calls him dad. And I actually, I know quite a few men who have done that too. I thought that was more in the realm of normal than not? Especially with the new face of blended families.

That is a wonderful story. I love that you are both life long friends. That really is special. I remember when I had my first two kids, I was really loved that I was young when I had them, so I could relate somewhat. Then Carlie came as a surprise at 38 also, and I also love being an older mom. I always try to remember to cherish her being little as I truly do know how quickly they grow.... first hand, not from someone telling me. You know.... Welcome to the world Joseph, blessings to your family!