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A Lousy Economy, High Cost of Jewish Living Buoys U.S Immigration to ... - Forward

When Nisan and Gilan Gertz stepped off the plane at Ben-Gurion International Airport with their children last August, they were seven of almost 4,000 North Americans to make aliyah in 2009 — the largest number to do so in a single year since 1983 ...

Archive for October 2009 - The Spokesman-Review

The death penalty case against Christopher H. Devlin has turned into a legal mess in which prosecutors from two counties are squabbling over who should pay for the costly trial. Spokane County Superior Court Judge Jerome Leveque has twice ruled on ...

Vacationing Chileans Struggle to Get Home - New York Times

LIMA, Peru — There is the bus option, a two-day, hair-raising journey through mountainous terrain. There are charter planes, whose cost — tens of thousands of dollars — is prohibitive to most. Then there is the mad scramble at airports, where ...

MONDAY Q&A: Phys ed teacher instills idea that adversity builds ... - Indiana Gazette

Answer: I subbed for a few years, but taught at Unioto School District (Union-Scioto Local School District in Chillicothe, Ohio) and was there for seven years. Question : What is a typical day for you? Answer: A lot of work on the computer and ...

Phyllis and Harold - Movie Review - Monsters and Critics

Cindy Kleine’s momentous journey into the most private parts of her parent’s marriage strikes a balance between the mundane and the sensational. On the one hand, it is the intensively photographed marriage of her mother and father over about ...

Archive for June 2008 - The Spokesman-Review

As a result, the consumer feels alert and, although impaired by alcohol, does not ... Minnesota when he spotted two North Idaho children, Shasta and Dylan Groene, playing outside their home in May of 2005. Duncan killed the children’s older brother ...

Woman honored for volunteerism for work with Fresh Air Fund - Daily Star

Darlene Pondolfino of Oneonta has been honored for her ``brilliant outreach'' on behalf of the Fresh Air Fund. Pondolfino said Sunday she was surprised to receive the recognition during a three-day Fresh Air Fund conference in New York City in late ...

The other sides of ECO's David Weintraub - Blueridgenow.com

As a young child growing up in Long Island and Brooklyn, David Weintraub was mesmerized by the souvenir snow globes his grandparents gave him. Peering into them like crystal balls, he would dream about faraway people and places. When his mom, a ...

Families share their ideas for low-cost fun - Wichita Eagle

Even when families aren't feeling the pinch, saving money is a good idea. Our savvy readers agree, and they've shared with us their best tips and strategies for getting the most fun at the lowest cost. Besides taking advantage of local libraries ...

District May End N.C. Economic Diversity Program - New York Times

Don’t believe the hype, they warned. Many were considering private schools. All pointed to an unusual desegregation policy, begun in 2000, in which some children from wealthy neighborhoods were bused to schools in poorer areas, and vice versa, to ...

Open Question: what can i do to make my resume better?

i am applying for my first job. is my resume good? how could i make it better? Objective: To obtain a summer job working as a Junior Counselor where I can use my skills to gain experience and acquire new skills while creating an enjoyable and memorable experience for children. Education: ............ High School. Highest Honors Student. Work & Volunteer Experience: Babysit children on a regular basis. Volunteered for Safety Town for three years. Supervised kindergarten class. Delivered local Sun Post newspaper in 2008. Watched house and three dogs while owner on vacation. Activities and Honors: Honor roll 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. Highest honors 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Competed in Greater Cleveland Council Math Competition. Certified babysitter. Member of 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Students Against Destructive Decisions. Chosen by teachers as Student of the Month. Part of Homecoming float committee. Part of Homecoming decorating committee. Part of Winter Formal decorating committee. Personal Strengths: Responsible. Good with children. Polite and courteous. Motivated and enthusiastic. Work as a team player. Optimistic and encouraging. Efficient problem solver. more

Open Question: Mission trip to Ecuador or Panama?

I am most likely going on a mission trip with Global Expeditions this summer. I know God wants it for me, and that these two places are right for me, but I just can't decide which one. I am 14 years old. And I want to have a large impact, especially with children. I am going on a two week mission trip. Which place do you think and why? Have you been to either place, either on a mission trip or just vacation?My question yesterday was about how to get accepted, now that I know, thanks to the very helpful answers I got, I need to figure out where I am going.My question yesterday was about how to get accepted, now that I know, thanks to the very helpful answers I got, I need to figure out where I am going. more

Resolved Question: How much would it cost to bring a family of 4 to Disney World?

My moms good friend has always been their for me and I want to do something nice for them. The mom was raped, but had a lovely child who is now 12 and she adopted another who is now 6. Her mother helps her take care of the kids and she lives with her mom. They are struggling to make it by and they need a vacation. I want to bring them to Disney World as a Christmas present. I want to give them a 5 night stay at Disney's Fort Wilderness Cabins and I want to give them tickets so they can go to all 4 theme parks for 4 days. We are Florida residents so we get a discount but I don't know how much. How much would it cost me to bring all 4 of them to Disney in Spring or Summer 2011? The age of the kids are 12 and 6. Thank You! .They are Florida Residents too, and Im only paying for the room and the tickets. more

Resolved Question: How does this sort of custody arrangement effect children? Would you do it?

I know an eight year old has a really weird family situation. His parents never married and never stayed together. His mom lives in the usa and married a different man when he was a baby and now he has a six year old brother by her. His dad splits his time between Ireland england and Hong kong (and is very wealthy) and has 4 other kids by two different mothers! A set of 20 year old twin guys and one 21 year old girl by his late wife and a five year old boy by his second wife who actually died last year. Because the father travels so much during the year the five year old stays in england mostly with his big brothers and sister he goes to boarding school and boards Mondays nights and stays with his siblings (and dad if he is home) the rest of the week. During the summer the dad takes 3 months off to spend with the kids. Anyway this eight year old's dad has always been insistent on seeing him as much as possible and since he has been around 6 the arrangement is that on summer vacation he flys as an Unaccompanied minor to his dads and siblings place in the uk or sometimes Hong kong and stays there six weeks. (father takes 3 months off for summer to spend with all his children) He also flys over to his dads at thanksgiving break, and spring break and maybe once more for a week or two during the year. His dad talks to him on video chat for an hour 3 days a week when he is in his moms in the usa. And visits him maybe once or twice a couple weekends a year. Sorry if this was confusing but it is confusing to explain lol! What do you think of this arrangement? How do you think it will effect him? If you were in his parents place would you do anything differently? more

Resolved Question: Should I take the summer camp job?

I'm so happy because I just got offered a summer camp job! I love kids and this would be so much fun and I planned on moving out this summer because I'll be graduating in June...now here's the negative side. The camp is only offering me $138 a week. The camp runs for 11 weeks in the summer. The director told me that they usually allow 2 weeks off for vacation(I don't think it's paid considering they pay per week you work...the paycheck comes every two weeks). You have to work 6 days a week. I'm thinking about going into social work or child counseling when I get older so this would be great experience. I'm not staying with my parents. I also think this might be a nice place for me to meet young adults my age. What do you guys think?? Also, it's free room and board. more

Voting Question: Am I too obsessed with my weight?

Ok, so I know this question has been asked a million times here but I want to make sure. ALL my life, I've been the average/slightly heavy child. In fourth grade, I weighed around 70 pounds at an average height. I wasn't fat or skinny. Then when I went on vacation, I gained 15 pounds and then lost 10 pounds and became 75 pounds. All my friends were skinny so I wanted to be too. I believe myself fat even as a 10 year old. Then I gained about 10 pound each year even when I didn't eat. I knew my mom was nearly anorexic because she went from 110 pounds at 16 to 85 pounds by eating nothing but a few crackers or green tea each day. She ended up in the hospital. That only made me want to lose weight even more. Last summer, I lost about 5 pounds and then I gained 10 pounds all of a sudden so now I'm between 120-130 pounds and I'm 13 and 5'2 and a half. I was really upset last time I got on the weight machine because I has gained 10 lbs more than before. Most of my class is skinny and thin and my friends are too. Most of my friends are either petite or tall and skinny. I always feel so fat next to them. My friends, mom, and dad say I'm not fat and that I'm average. The problem is, I just found out I have to go to my uncles wedding in October and all my cousins are extremely skinny and they have always made fun of me for being average or slightly heavier than them. Last time I visited, they made me cry by insulting me and not want to come out of the room. I talked to my mom and she said I was perfectly average but it still hurt. Evenryone ganged up on me, even my own brother. SO I am desperately trying to lose weight and its not happening. I also have my grad next year and want to look not fat for that. I have even considered throwing up after eating or starving myself to lose weight but end up chickening out in the end. I want to excercise and use the excercise machines we have but whenever I did, my skinny brother would make fun of me. Whenever, I go shopping, I always come home depressed because I think that nothing looks good on me. When I tell my mom she said that I am being ridiculous. But she doesn't understand! She could fit into a XXS, I bet. I now consume between 500-1000 calories in a day. I always check the labels for calories/fat/ sugar and I check the # of calories in any type of food on the internet. If I end up eating anything like brownies, I don't eat more than 500-700 calories the whole day. And if I pig out, the next day I consume very little calories. And if I diet, my parents always somehow figure out what I'm doing. On Fridays, my family has pizza night and I end up eating 3 medium slices and feel fat afterwards. I don't know how to avoid it. I asked my parents if we could stop bringing pizza and they said no. I feel even more bad because my mom is extremely thin and weighs less than me but is the same height. When I think about this I just want to starve myself. So considering this, do you think I'm too obsessed with my weight? If you even read all of this. And I just want to know if you guys think I'm too obsessed with my weight. more

Voting Question: Where would be a good destination in Florida for me and my family of 4 others to go to during summer 2010?

hello, me and my family are looking into going to florida. there is mom, grandma, grandpa, and two children, 14 & 7,,, can anyone tell me a good city in florida where we could go for vacation where we are near the beach and by things to do/ see? thank you. we are also not the richest family in ohio, (we are driving down there most likely), so should their be good hotels for a medium- low price in this/ these cities? more

Resolved Question: hello, i am planning a vacation to panama city beach fl this summer...I know have a toddler?

and am looking for a good hotel which is kid friendly...i have looked online and found the sandpiper and the holiday inn but was wondering if anyone had any personal experience with taking children and what they found the best hotel was when they went... thank you very much more

Resolved Question: If you were my mother, what would you have named us? (kinda long BNG?)?

I made one of these earlier, and there were a few people asking I make something like it again. So here it goes. :) Its kind of long, because my mom had a lot of kids! Hehee. What would you have named my siblings and I if you were our mother? 1. You and your husband have just arrived home from a vacation in Venice, Italy. You have been married for 3 years, but haven't been trying to conceive yet. But when you return home, you find out you're pregnant! 9 months later you give birth to your first child, a baby boy. He was a big boy, with chunky legs and cheeks. He has dark brown hair and green eyes. Your husband and you pick an Italian name for him, and give him your fathers name as a middle name. 2. Your first born son is now 3, and you think it is time to start trying to conceive again. It takes you a while, but you finally find out you are pregnant again! And double blessed, you're having twins! You carry them almost full term, then have a natural birth. They identical twins, both boys.. They are a little on the small side, so they have to stay in the hospital a while. You give your baby #1 a strong biblical first name, and baby #2's middle name is a color. 3. Another 3 years have passed now, and all your children are doing great. Your first born is 6, and the twins are 3. And then you find out you're pregnant, again! This time it is a little girl. She has brown hair and blue eyes. She is delivered breech, but besides that she is perfectly fine and healthy. You give her a first name that is an unusual twist on a more common name, and her middle name is after your best friend. 4. You and your husband hold off on the baby making for a while, focusing on your children you have now and your careers. You work at home to be with the kids, while your husband is a drug & alcohol addiction therapist. Your children are 11, 8, 8 and 5 before you try for another. This time you have a little more difficulty getting pregnant, but finally conceive in the summer. Your baby boy is born healthy and happy 9 months later. His first name must start with an D, and his middle name must start with a J. 5. Now you're getting up there in age. Having your first child 14 years ago, you have a feeling this baby will be your last. After finding out it is a girl, you want to give her a very girly and pretty name.This is what my mother named us: 1. Nico Alexander 2. Elijah Gaelin & Joshua Brown 3. Alicen Hannah (me!) 4. Declan Jacob 5. Ashleigh Jade more

Resolved Question: Should i send my son to summer school?

My husband doesn't think so since he is the most advanced kid in his class, but i have mixed feelings about it. I do want him to go because i think this will make his first grade easier and he will get to be really active just how he likes, plus i think he gets really bored and kind of irritable at home. On the other hand when i was a child i really enjoyed my vacations i could hardly wait for them, it was like a break from the stressing school year and i think he also he needs a break, and since he is so smart i don't think he needs it, plus my 2 year old son gets kind of lonely at home. We have to return the forms next week and my husband and i will discuss this issue tonight. but any outside thoughts of people with experience on this matter is definitely welcomed. thank you and have a great day. more

Voting Question: Is it normal to back to an ex? This person walked out twice why would he take her back?

I was seeing a man for 8 months. We were together all the time either doing stuff just the two of us or with our kids. I am attached to his kids after all this time and his kids are attached to me. My kids are also attached to him and his kids. He has a baby with another woman that he had a long relationship with. She walked out on him not once but twice. She told him that she could not help but look at his older 2 children and know that they are the reason she won't have anymore children. He told her after they had the baby that he doesn't want anymore. She left with the baby the day before the baby's first birthday. She then came back and stayed for 2 weeks and left again. She moved back to her hometown with her parents so they could help her. He is raising his 2 other children and then was layed off from work so he moved back to his parents. When she found out I was in the picture she started coming around more and more with all sorts of excuses. She then called him and said that she was getting kicked out of her house. He decided that he has to take care of his baby ( I don't have a problem with that at all) but they are going to rent a house together and he hasn't spoken to me since. I am heart broken. We were just planning a summer vacation and talking about doing a lot of things that couples do and now I am no longer in the picture with no explanation nothing. Why would someone go back to a person that left twice and hurt his children and him so bad? He always told me that she was unstable....is this going to work for him?When he told me that she was kicked out of her house he said they were going to rent a place and that he was happy to have his baby in his life but not happy about her. Why can't he just say they are back together instead of denying it?? And when he told me we were in public at his sons wrestling practice with all the kids there and his daughter sitting on my lap!! more

Resolved Question: Relationship of 8 yrs ended not so good, have a child together, very confused on what to do, need advice?

My ex and I just ended our 8 yr relationship. We started dating in 01, I was right out of high school and never had a real relationship. He asked me out and I was swept off my feet and we started dating he broke up with me after 6 months, I was heart broken. We got back together and dated for 1 1/2 and he started cheating on me. We ended up back together and got pregnant this time. we moved in together and had our baby. Things were good for ahwile but he didn't stay faithful. I moved out twice before moving out one last time for good. In 2005 we both moved back home to our parents house he was paying child support but that didn't last long. We eventually started talking again. In 06 I couldn't take living at home anymore so we found a place to rent and moved back in together. Things were really good for 2 yrs. At the end of 08 things just stunk. I didn't feel I was getting the attention I deserved from him as a partner. I worked 7 days a week and was a full time mother to a toddler. He worked 2 jobs days and evenings and sometimes weekends, so he was never home. When he did get off work he went out with friends. In 09 at my weekend job a co-worker became interested in me. At first I wasn't sure, but he gave me all the attention I wanted. I began seeing him. It didn't interfere with my home life but as summer rolled around my b/f and I weren't getting along. I quit my weekend job and my co-worker also quit. We still talked every now and then. In August I wanted nothing to do with my b/f. He tried telling me one day he would do anything for me to save our relationship and wanted to marry me and give me the family I wanted, but I refused. We still stayed together not sure why ? In Oct. 09 we moved to another house. I had a vacation planned to visit family for us and he backed out at the last minute saying he couldnt go. I was very disappointed but went on the trip anyways. When I returned home all he could talk about was what he did and never asked about my family or the trip. Things were weird he told me he was doing a lot of texting at work so the phone bill might be high. I checked the phone bill and to my surprise it wasn't work it was another woman. I confronted him he denied it. He finally admitted it but said she was helping him through his problems, I knew he was lying. I found another phone he had purchased with texts between him and this woman and confronted him again he admitted to seeing her. I left with our son and moved out. I was very hurt. I continued my relationship with my past co-worker and really enjoyed time with him. My ex continued to see this woman. When I got serious about not coming back he got a lawyer and I got my own lawyer. He tried getting me back, saying he left her. But I knew better. he found out I went on a date and he went crazy. Threw some of my belonging that were still at the house outside. I'm very unsure of what to do with my life at this time. My ex moved in with this woman and is already moved out. He is very willing to do whatever it takes to get me back and is willing to wait for that day when i'm ready. he has everythign to offer that i want. part ofme wants to and part of me doesn't. This new guy is great and different and we have a lot in common. But at the same time I don't want my child growing up in a split family, but how do I know my ex will change. How do i know he's not just in the moment of saying this is what he wants. If I give him that chance he will wait. But if I don't he says he will move on tomorrow and wants to go out and find someone to take home the day he meets them. I don't understand it. I know he doesn't want to see me with someone else. but if its' true love don't u think he would not try to find someone else immediately and if he felt he really lost the one he wanted he would take time for himself. very confused very lost. I want the best for me and my son, but don't know what to do.Thank for the advice, some of it made me LOL!! I am an idiot. I forgot to mention I am going to start counseling to help me through all this. I have been focusing a lot on my child. I will be living back at home to continue my education. Thanks for ur answers more

Resolved Question: Places to stay in Dubrovnik?

I'm looking to vacation in Dubrovnik for a long weekend towards the end of the summer, and am looking at locations to stay in. We want to be by the coast but also in close proximity to a town. There'll be 3 adults and 1 child (aged 15) - any ideas? more

Voting Question: College advice... Criminal record check.?

When I was 14 maybe, I can't remember exactly. I know it wasn't much older than that. I shoplifted and got caught. A police officer came in and told me how stupid it was. I know that it was put on my record that police can see. I was then hanging out with my friends at a school over summer vacation and we climbed on top of the school. Someone called the cops on us, and we were driven back to my house in a cop car. But about a month ago, my friends and I were walking down the street and stopped by a cop, wondering if we had been at the arena the night before (there was a disturbance) so he typed in all of our names, to see if we had a record; and he didn't say anything to me. Is that because it's not there? I am going to college for my DSW, working with disabled children. I have already been accepted. And with my program I have to have a police record check, I was just wondering if those 2 things would be on it when I give it to my placements, and if it will hurt me in any way. Thanks. more

Resolved Question: Religious Parents: I have a couple questions for you?

I have some questions for you guys..would love to hear your opinions on these topics.. Please no rude comments from people 1. Do you think when we get to heaven that we will know our love ones and our children? 2. Do you think (in your opinion cause i know nobody knows the answer besides God himself) that the world will end soon or do you think it will be here for a while? 3. During the summer we are a very active family so if we go on vacations we will just take our bible and read some while were on vacation..what do you guys do? do you still do things in the summer and just have bible/scripture time during your trips? Thank you! I am interested on what other christian families do!I do not TD and I can't stand when I ask a question and people TD answers i get..so sorry for all the happy TDers more

Resolved Question: Which is better for vacation with kids Belize or Barbados?

We might want to go to the Caribbean this Summer and we don't know which place to choose. We have one child and he is 12. Also, could you please give me some beaches so we can plan our trip out in advance? Thanks. more

Resolved Question: What do you think of women who marry rich men, with their primary motivation being that they don't want to wor?

My brother's friend lives in a mansion and his father is extremely rich and makes 200K as a director in Boeing, but the mother on the other hand lives a very high-end lifestyle, she sits on her fanny at home and doesn't work. She wakes up whenever she wants (12-2 PM) and has the whole day to herself, either playing on the computer all day or going out and shopping with her husband's money or socializing with other pampered wives. She has almost no obligations to worry about, no stress at all, life is simply a breeze almost, as if she is living in a 4 star hotel every damn day or is a teenager living in a permanent Summer Vacation! There are 2 kids and the youngest is 13. The older son works, the mother doesn't. Amazing as SHE'S OLDER. While the following may go without saying, the woman was very beautiful and still is a little bit at her age. She does nothing and has no intention on working again in a job, and she has never worked in her life. To myself, i'm like......WHAT IN THE HELL IS THIS? Here I am as a MAN having to work every damn day as a software engineer to make ends meet, and this woman lives a lifetime vacation, a vacation I only get 2 weeks a year. Feminism's tenets mean that you are persecuted and oppressed by your gender, but I really would not call this women oppressed, she lives a lifelong party. What do you think of women like this who don't work? Life just flies by, passes by, and she have nearly infinite time for herself until she dies. I hate to say it, but it's like using sex and looks to win the lottery. What is your opinion on able-bodied women like this who simply squat and do nothing in life? What ever happened to...."When I grow up, I want to be a (insert occupation)"? I honestly cannot fathom or wrap my head around an adult doing nothing, and living like children. THESE ARE ADULTS!!!See a shrink for what, LOL. Well, yahoo prevents me from saying what I want to say, I'll stop now. more

Resolved Question: My ex refused to pay my his share of day care, life insurance, other things the court ordered him?

I got divorce last summer after 10 years of marriage, my ex left me for his young co-worker. On pendente lite, the court ordered him to pay mortgage, child support, day care and house bills since I wasn't working at that time (I have not been working for 7 years to care for our son as per our agreement, I was working before our son was born and gave him all the money I made to pay his debt from his previous marriage). He paid nothing and it caused the house in foreclosure, electric got shut and debts on bills and day cares for our son. On the divorce agreement, he ordered to pay child support, alimony, day care, health care, and life insurance. He was making 110,000 but when I filed for divorce his suddenly decrease to 52,000 . He pays only child support and alimony because I asked the court for it to be garnished from his wage. He got away paying me a half of what he actually making because I have no proof to the court that he makes the same amount money (or even more) when we separate. He is working with cousin. After the divorce he told me that he was making the same amount of money but only 52,000 putting on his paycheck and the rest his cousin gave him by paying all his expenses. He also mentioned he has to put his salary low because he didn't want to give me any supports and planning to file for bancruptcy so he can get chapter 7 since our house in foreclosure, and after that he will get all his full amount of salary back. I started working when we separated and recently I have full time job as a entry level and unfortunately I don't make enough money and I still need his help with our son since our house will be taking away by the bank and I have to moved to an apartment. I am struggling paying everything with my little salary left alone my son full day day care, and my ex still refused to pay and keep telling me he has no money. Is there anyway that I can make him pay all the money he owed for his share of day care and other things that the court ordered him to pay or to do. He pays child support and alimony because he scared he will go to jail and he keep telling me that he will gets away with everything because I don't have prove of how much income he is making. The other thing is that the court also ordered us to exchange tax return every year since he decrease his actual salary and he ordered to pay me 50.00 more every week for every 10,000 he makes. I know that something that I will never gets from him unless I subpeano him, his girlfriend and his cousin. He keeps tell me that he has no money, he also threating me that he will quit his job while he went vacations, going to clubs, fancy dinners, buying fancy clothes, new car, and last week I just found out he bought a new house using his girlfriend's name. Another thing is that he refused to give me his new address and he has twice a month visitation with my son (he spend one night with him) and I don't want him to bring my son when I don't know where his new address is, please help me, I really need help. Thank you. more

Resolved Question: Who else disliked the last 2 books of the Twilight saga?

So I put off reading the Twilight books or seeing the film for a while as I saw it as teeny-bopperish. I do love vampire books/films (Anne Rice, etc) so when I saw recently that Twilight was on cable I thought I'd give it a try. WARNING- SPOILERS below!!!!!! *** Thought the movie was somewhat compelling and bought the first two books at the airport last week, and read them both was on vacation. Was really excited to read the next 2 books, was disappointed in Eclipse, but Breaking Dawn was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!! Omg!!!!!!! Seriously, the series should have ended after New Moon! I mean, the author goes against every rule she set up (vampires can't have babies, newborn vampires are bloodthirsty, it hurts to transform, etc.). And Jacob imprinting on a BABY? Ugh! Bella getting pregnant by Edward and having a hybrid human/vampire baby (what happened to the last 3 books where Carlisle and Rosalie both explained vampires can't have children, etc). I know the author explained it away with a ridiculous explaination that Edward was a virgin when he was made so there was, um, sperm still there. WTF??? And the birth scene where he ripped through her uterus with his teeth to get the baby out? And the baby's ridiculous name? And she really wanted Edward to transform her, but instead of anything seductive he injects her with venom in her heart? UGH UGH UGH!!!!!! What about the anticlimax at the end? The whole series was based on having to make a life-altering CHOICE, and making the ultimate SACRIFICE (giving up the chance for children, her family and friends, going through a horrific transformation where as a newborn she will be bloodthirsty.... NONE of that happens!). Everything at the end was all sugary-sweet and had the perfect happy ending. What a total letdown after the first 2 books.... WTH!!!! Anyone else agree? I know Eclipse is coming out as a film this summer, and I hope and pray they don't make the last dreadful book into a film!!! more

Resolved Question: Would you question your wife going on vacation with another man?

My wife and I dated and lived together for 3 years, and have been married for 3 years and have a 2 year old child. We're both in our early to mid 30s- my wife is 34 and I'm 32. I've taken about 3 golf trips per year, and golf at least once every 2 weeks, while my wife watches our child. My wife recently told me she wanted to take a trip to get away for a week- as I do. However, she is a teacher, so she's limited to the days she can take during the year (she teaches throughout the year). She is planning a 5 day vacation with her ex boyfriend. She has told me that she wouldn't go on the vacation (she hasn't scheduled it yet, just planning it) if I didn't trust her. The two are both looking for nice, affordable condos on the beach that they can split down the middle and split the cost- this is supposed to be a cheap vacation getaway to the beach for her- same as when I go on my golf trips. She doesn't have any close girlfriends that she would take a trip with, nor does she have family members that can get away during spring break, or for that matter, 5 days on the beach. We're scheduled to take an expensive 10 day vacation with my parents and my wife and child in late summer, but my wife says she needs a break soon. My wife has been life long friends with this guy, dated him on and off again, and then dated him seriously for about 2 years right before we were married, They have remained in close contact with each other because they have been friends for such a long time. I haven't objected to their friendship-they talked while we were dating, engaged and he lives hundreds of miles away from us now; however, he has gone through a divorce and is single right now. They have stayed in touch mainly through Facebook, but do text and call each other sometimes. I'm going to let her go and trust her. Am I a fool? I've never questioned my wife's fidelity or love to me... more

Resolved Question: If you could tell the girls that made the pregnancy pact?

What you tell them? As summer vacation begins, 17 girls at Gloucester High School are expecting babies — more than four times the number of pregnancies the 1,200-student school had last year. Some adults dismissed the statistic as a blip. Others blamed hit movies like Juno and Knocked Up for glamorizing young unwed mothers. But principal Joseph Sullivan knows at least part of the reason there's been such a spike in teen pregnancies in this Massachusetts fishing town. School officials started looking into the matter as early as October, after an unusual number of girls began filing into the school clinic to find out if they were pregnant. By May, several students had returned multiple times to get pregnancy tests, and on hearing the results, "some girls seemed more upset when they weren't pregnant than when they were," Sullivan says. All it took was a few simple questions before nearly half the expecting students, none older than 16, confessed to making a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together. Then the story got worse. "We found out one of the fathers is a 24-year-old homeless guy," the principal says, shaking his head. (Read "Gloucester Principal Stands by Story.") The question of what to do next has divided this fiercely Catholic enclave. Even with national data showing a 3% rise in teen pregnancies in 2006 — the first increase in 15 years — Gloucester isn't sure it wants to provide easier access to birth control. In any case, many residents worry that the problem goes much deeper. The past decade has been difficult for this mostly white, mostly blue-collar city (pop. 30,000). In Gloucester, perched on scenic Cape Ann, the economy has always depended on a strong fishing industry. But in recent years, such jobs have all but disappeared overseas, and with them much of the community's wherewithal. "Families are broken," says school superintendent Christopher Farmer. "Many of our young people are growing up directionless." (See the top 10 news stories of 2008.) The girls who made the pregnancy pact — some of whom, according to Sullivan, reacted to the news that they were expecting with high fives and plans for baby showers — declined to be interviewed. So did their parents. But Amanda Ireland, who graduated from Gloucester High on June 8, thinks she knows why these girls wanted to get pregnant. Ireland, 18, gave birth her freshman year and says some of her now pregnant schoolmates regularly approached her in the hall, remarking how lucky she was to have a baby. "They're so excited to finally have someone to love them unconditionally," Ireland says. "I try to explain it's hard to feel loved when an infant is screaming to be fed at 3 a.m." (Read "Gloucester Pregnancy Plot Thickens.") The high school has done perhaps too good a job of embracing young mothers. Sex-ed classes end freshman year at Gloucester, where teen parents are encouraged to take their children to a free on-site day-care center. Strollers mingle seamlessly in school hallways among cheerleaders and junior ROTC. "We're proud to help the mothers stay in school," says Sue Todd, CEO of Pathways for Children, which runs the day-care center. (See the people who mattered in 2008.) But by May, after nurse practitioner Kim Daly had administered some 150 pregnancy tests at Gloucester High's student clinic, she and the clinic's medical director, Dr. Brian Orr, a local pediatrician, began to advocate prescribing contraceptives regardless of parental consent, a practice at about 15 public high schools in Massachusetts. Currently Gloucester teens must travel about 20 miles (30 km) to reach the nearest women's health clinic; younger girls have to get a ride or take the train and walk. But the notion of a school handing out birth control pills has met with hostility. Says Mayor Carolyn Kirk: "Dr. Orr and Ms. Daly have no right to decide this for our children." The pair resigned in protest on May 30. Gloucester's elected school committee plans to vote later this summer on whether to provide contraceptives. But that won't do much to solve the issue of teens wanting to get pregnant. Says rising junior Kacia Lowe, who is a classmate of the pactmakers': "No one's offered them a better option." And better options may be a tall order in a city so uncertain of its future. — With reporting by Kimberley McLeod/New York Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1815845,00.html#ixzz0eRghRCug more

Resolved Question: Spanish help!!! 10 points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1?

Can someone who knows Spanish really well (not a translator please) translate this for me. I need to write a friend I met on vacation. She, obviously, only speaks and reads Spanish. So, it has to be perfect! Thank you! Dear Anna, Hello! How are you? It was great to hang out with you this summer! Sure, I will tell you what a typical day is for me. First, I wake up at 7:00 and I begin my day with my morning prayers. After my prayers, I get out of bed and brush my teeth. I make my bed, I say good morning to my family. Then my mom makes me a wonderful breakfast around 8:00. I get dressed so I can begin my busy day. I have a great part time job, my job starts at 8:30 and ends at 12:00. I work with children witch is very fun, but also very challenging. Well, enough about my day, I want to tell you about my schooling. Well to start off I am home schooled. I go through a Christian program called _________ . This year I am taking health, math, science, Spanish, and language. My favorite subjects are health, science and math. They are my favorite subjects because I want to be a doctor, so they not only interest me the most, but will also be helpful in the future. My school day usually starts at 1:00 and ends at 8:00. Since I am home schooled I do not need many supplies. They consist of my computer, calculator, paper and a pen. I normally do my school in my room. It is the quietist and the most comfortable place in the house. So, I would like to hear what your day consists of as well! I can’t wait to hear from you and hopefully sometime we can visit each other! I would love to visit Mexico and would also love for you to see Oregon. God Bless! Laurenviajero frecuente, I truly appreciate your help! I would have been so embarrassed to send an incorrect e-mail! Thank you so much! more

Voting Question: Mother is afraid to go through divorce?

My mom has been separated from our father for almost two years. She left him for fear of herself as well as her children. He has a history of alcoholism and physical abuse. Now, she wants him to provide child support since he hasn't sent much money in these past two years. I understand that without court interference he isn't obliged to, but four children are a financial handful for a single mother living with her mom. She is afraid of our father gaining visitation rights and being able to take them out of state. Our father lives in Ga and we're upstate in Ny. My mother does not want him to take my siblings during summer vacations and holidays while she doesn't get to spend any time like that with them. My father has two strikes against him that I am aware of. One, when he got violent with me while I was in middle school. And two, when we left mom had physical abuse recorded with the police in Ga before we fled. He went to jail for a month after this and was sent to anger management and such. There is also talk within the family about my father abusing his siblings as well as his own mother, but i'm not too sure about how that would hold up in any court. Would this series of past events affect him gaining any sort of visitation rights? He followed the courts orders to go to AA and anger management. But, he was sent to these programs after the first incident and we see how that turned out. Sorry about the jumbled thoughts its just really late and mom is concerned about this. I just want to get any information on this. I'll greatly appreciate it.Haha see I told you its late I just didn't get down to it. The question is should my mom divorce my father instead of just going to child support? And, is there anything keeping him from getting out of state visitation rights based on past situations? more

Resolved Question: Need Help and Advice on Close Friendships?

I was isolated from people and was abused as a child, and all I wanted my whole life was to have friends. I moved in with my mom when I was 17 years old, and since the school in her area didn't have enough honors or AP classes, she put me in a home schooling program. I still didn't have friends, but I wanted them. I found a penpal website and I tried to make friends that way. It wasn't much of a relationship, but it helped for a time. But, I still felt lonely, and I realized it wasn't the same. I got accepted to the University of Hawaii and went the next fall to study biology; I had flown for the first time from Illinois to Honolulu. I was scared, lonely, sad, confused- I wished I had never left home. But then, I found a church, and I went, and I met this awesome girl from New Zealand, and she was so cool and she wanted to get to know me and hang out with me, and I was like- cool! I have a friend! But, I was so shy, not being used to people, and many times, I hid from her, even though she seemed to want to spend time with me. Well, I got involved in Campus Crusade for Christ, and my new friend introduced me to other friends, and soon, I was starting to actually feel loved! For the first time in my life, I had wonderful, nurturing friends, and I was happy. I started to open up to my Kiwi friend by the end of the year, I told her about how my abusive dad and how I missed my sisters (they still lived with my dad at the time), and she consoled me and told me that God cared for me, and I told her that I loved her like an older sister (because I did, and still do), and she said she felt special. I was still shy, though. The next year came- started off with her trying to invite me to places, and I was still a little scared, but then I realized I was missing out, that this girl wanted to spend time with me, and so whenever she invited me, I went. Unfortunately, all of my friends were older than me, and most of them were going to graduate that year. My kiwi friend was also older than me, but she still had another year to go because she played water polo. Something happened by mid-year my second year of university. She changed. I tried to invite her to places, she didn't answer me, she sometimes invited me to places, but didn't come through. Graduation time came for our other friends. She grieved quite a bit. I was sad too. She promised she would be there more for me than she had been before. I was happy because I loved her so much- I never felt that way about other people before because I never had a chance to have or love friends. Well, that summer vacation, I asked if I could flat with her, she told me that there was no room in her flat because she had lots of other girls living with her and there was no room for one more, but I could live in the Baptist boarding house up the street. I forgave her. It seemed, though, that she was losing interest in me. The year progressed, I knew it was her last year- I wanted to spend more time with her and I invited her to events, to places, just wanted to see her again. She either didn't reply or said she couldn't, or said maybe but never did. I was crushed, felt rejected, hurt, etc. I finally asked her about becoming close friends. I wanted to be close friends with her. She told me flat out, no- she said she would be close to other people, she didn't want to "let me in" like that. That really stung me; all of the sudden, it was like this girl who loved me so much had chucked me away. I forgave her. I continued to love her and share my feelings, even though she was clearly excluding me from her life (i.e. she had to make sure that she visited her close friend on her birthday, but she couldn't say happy birthday to me). Her graduation time came, I was very sad. I wished I had spent more time with her. She didn't even invite me to come. I had to go to the stadium and find her, and when I did, she wasn't pleased to see me. I tried for 2 weeks to call her and at least say goodbye, since I didn't know if we would ever meet again. She never answered; she left and never told me. We have still kept in touch since then- it's been a year and a half already. I actually got accepted to veterinary school in NZ, and I applied and decided to go because I wanted a chance to see her again. She plays waterpolo in Spain right now; she came home to visit her family and go to a family wedding. I emailed and asked if we could meet since I was less than a 2 hour drive away; she said she had no time, she needed to catch up with her close friends and family. I asked if I could call her on the phone, I got no answer. I said I missed her terribly and asked if I could maybe see her someday, since she visits our other friends and I want to see her, too. She tells me she feels like I emotionally blackmail her into being her friend. Somebody please help me!! I feel so excluded and unworthy. All I want is a close relationship with someone, I want to feel l more

Resolved Question: Do you think this joke is okay for a sermon?

So, a pastor at my church gave probably what I thought was the worst sermon I have ever heard. He decided to tell a joke about a guy that blew off his freshman year at college and his parents were not going to pay for his next year in school. So, he had to work all summer in order to go back in the fall. He also was not able to go on the family vacation to Greece because that was also part of his punishment. One day, a postcard came from his mother, who was on the family vacation. The postcard message read "My son, we are standing at a shrine where ancient greeks sacrificed their deformed children. We wish you were here." The congregation thought that this was hilarious. I didn't think it was very funny at all. We are even coming off of a whole month of pro-life sermons. This joke was clearly bad taste and I don't know what to do about it. As far as I am concerned, I am preparing to leave the church. Should I talk to another pastor about this? Get others opinions? What should I do??You know, those who say that I am crazy for going to church or that I need a backbone need to get a life, seriously. I am not surprised that more people are offended. You are part of the world and it shows. You are as bad as the other idiots in the pews around me.I too believe that God has a great sense of humor. The Bible is full of places where the foolish were rebuked and laughed at. I know what is good and bad. I just want to make sure that I just wasn't being too uptight. more

Resolved Question: How does my boyfriend go about adopting my son when I cant find the Father?

My 4 year old sons father and I were never married, and we never lived together but he did sign the birth certificate and paid child support through Child Support Enforcement. I started dating a new guy when my son was a few months old and since my son only seen his Biological father a couple of times a year, he assumed my boyfriend to be his father. Now the biological father is in custody of Ice (and has been for a year) and I have no idea how to get in contact with him without his Alien number. Well, we are planning a vacation to mexico this summer and I cant get my son a passport without fathers consent, so me and my boyfriend decided that to help solve that problem and that since the likely hood of my son ever seeing or talking to his father was slim, my boyfriend would adopt my son. We just want to know how long the process takes and how to go about it without paying an arm and leg. P.S- we live in Georgia and if we did find my sons father i doubt he would sign over rights.I had no Idea that it mattered, but he has asked me to marry him plenty of times. Due to the fact that I am in school, I feel it better that we wait until I have completed all of my courses before I started planning a wedding, Plus I don’t want to just jump into a marriage, for it to end up into divorce like you Ms. Aloha! And I really don’t care if you like it or not, but if my son wants to call the man that has been in his life since he could remember Dad (and not the man that was forced to pay child support and hasn’t seen my son more then 5 times in his life) dad, then I think he has every right too!! Some of you idiots need to wake up and see that It is not just sperm and money That makes a dad it is the time and effort that he puts into his relationship with the child. I feel that my son (and I) are blessed that he had a chance to have a decent, loving, hard working man step up and be his father. I am very grateful that he wll not have to suffer living a life without a fatheWithout a fater bacause Of my mistake of dating a drug trafficer more

Resolved Question: Women who are married with children: would you allow your friend to visit 12 days after giving birth?

I have been married for a little over 5.5 years and we are expecting our first child on Friday (via c-section). One of my best friends, of 21 years (we met at age 11), is planning to be in town for a huge sporting event on February 10th and wants to stay at our home while she's here. I believe she'll be here through that weekend. We used to be very close and although we remained close friends we kind of drifted in different directions. I moved to another state and got married 6.5 years ago. I actually saw her last year when me, my husband, her and a couple of others took a vacation together. I was around nine weeks pregnant at the time. During our trip she mentioned she and her brother's ex were planning to come to town in February for this sporting event. I could kind of tell she was waiting for me to invite her to stay with us so I did. I told her the brother's ex could stay as well. We never really talked about it after that. I was leary of inviting her to stay knowing I'd have a new baby around that time, but wasn't sure of the exact delivery date, and figured it would all work out if it was meant to be. A couple of weeks ago she told me she'd see me sometime this summer as she wasn't going to make it to the sporting event. I thought I was home free but saw a note on Facebook a week or so later. The note said she was excited about the arrival of my baby and would be coming to town (I'm assuming the brother's ex is no longer coming). She also put a note on there that said hold her room for her. The problem is I am having a scheduled c-section (didn't know if I would need to have one or not in the beginning stages). My husband will be off the first week I get out the hospital then my inlaws will be staying with me the second week, possibly the third week (while my husband is back at work). We have a one-story four bedroom house (office, guest, baby, master) that is almost 2,000 sq/ft. but it really doesn't seem that big to me. Although we technically have room the guest room will be occupied by my inlaws. I feel that's only right. I have a couple of air mattresses but it would be difficult to try to squeeze them into the other rooms that have furniture. Then when the three of them trying to share the guest bathroom that would seem difficult. On top of that I don't really know if I want someone visiting right after having a baby ... 12 days after to be exact. It was hard for me to accept that my mother inlaw (although I get along with her) will be staying with me for a week or maybe even too. But I know I will need the help so I will have to deal with it. I just like my privacy and there's a difference in visiting and staying the night ... especially when you have a new baby. My husband seemed a tad bit annoyed that she would even still consider coming to stay. She's a very nice person but she is extremely loud and laughs extremely loud. I know she won't be looking for me to entertain her or anything but she's not going to be the type that could help either. She still lives with her grandmother although she could afford to have her own place. She has a 14-year old son who has lived with her grandmother since he was born. She just wasn't ready to be parent and although they live together now, there were times when she had her own apartment and he would spend the night with her. My point is, although I'm sure she's capable she's never done it on her own so I doubt she'll be much help to me. I know she is really looking forward to coming but I don't know how to tell her I just don't think I'm going to be up for it. I am still trying to get my mind in tune with the idea that I'm about to be a parent! There will be so much to learn and I don't want any interference. Would you allow your friend to visit you this soon? Do you think I'm going overboard with my thoughts? What are some possible solutions to my problem? Please don't suggest paying for a hotel. We do not have extra money for things like that, especially with me being out at a reduced pay while on maternity leave.*** Additional details *** Before anyone mentions it, she doesn't know how to cook either ... so it's not like she could be of help in that area.*** Additional Details *** Not that I expect others to do as I would, but I would NEVER consider staying with a friend, who was married, 12 days after she gave birth. That just seems rude. I would have never even brought it up or accepted an invitation to do so. I think that's another part of the problem ... she is single and I am married. Some single people don't have that sense of privacy when it comes to marriage (meaning they seem to think it's still okay to operate as you did when both of you were single). more

Resolved Question: Vacation ideas around ky/va/tn?

We are taking a trip to orlando in the summer, but we were looking for some ideas to do an extended weekend trip in the Spring. We live on the va/ky border. We went to gatlinburg last year. We also have two children under five. more

Resolved Question: Please answer. Im not sure what to do about this.?

My family isnt poor but we are lower middle class. My husband teaches at a comunity colledge and i dont work because i have 4 children, two have severe special needs. We live in a semi-wealthy area and my 2 children who dont have special needs go to a private school but we can only afford it because my husband teaches a class there so we get a discount and the school was kind enough to give us and additional 40% tuition break so we only pay 10% of the regular tuition. My two daughters that go to school are in 5th and 9th grade. My 5th grade daughter is "obese" according to doctors but she has a good personality. My 9th grade daughter is very shy and socially akward. There is a camp in the summer that several hundred youth groups go to in Panama City called Bigstuf. I got help from the church to afford to send my 9th grade daughter to it. When she got home, she said she liked it but signup started last week for this summer and I told my daughter i was going to sign her up to go to it and she begged me not to. After a little prodding, I got her to tell me why. She said all the other kids were rich, snobby, stuck-up, and just plain mean. I was shocked because it took a lot of saving to get enough money to send her to that camp and me and my husband had to give up a few things we wanted to do because we thought it would be an opportunity for her to get away from all that because thats what she faces at school. She said all the girls in the room she stayed in were private school cheerleaders and she tried to make friends with them but all they wanted to do was tan and meet boys. At Bigstuf, everyone in your room is in your youthgroup which I am now thankful for. She said the group time was kind of fun because there were adults around but during the several hours of free time each day where you can go swimming in the pool or ocean or play on the beach etc. was terrible because the chaprones werent around for most of that time. She said all the kids there wore name brands like Abercrombie and Hollister etc. and most of them had those Apple cell phones but they all had cell phones and ipods and videogames and laptops to use on the bus ride there. She said she didnt go swimming once because she knew she would get make fun of because she in not tan and she has a modest swimsuit. Im not sure what to do but im very mad about this. We were saving up for a family vacation but we spent it on this. I want to go talk to the youth minister and the paster about this. Should I? What else should I do about this? Me and my husband are thinking about leaving this church. And why do middle and high school kids need cell phones? I dont even own one and my husband uses a pre paid phone.Its a huge camp that has 7 1 week sessions with several thousand kids at each sesson. Its a shame that noone out of 2000 kids would befriend her. more

Resolved Question: Should we leave this church?

Resolved Question: So whatta ya do when yuor kid's best friend's Mom doesn't invite YOUR kid to her child's birthday party?

My daughter has been BEST friend's with little girl since kindergarten. They are now both 5th graders. They have been inseparable. Sleep overs. excursions. you name it! But early this year things started to fall apart when I began speaking up to her mother. Her mom has a reputation for being domineering and very insulting. And talks about EVRYONE. nasty rude comments. I REALLY TRIED to be her friend. But always noticed the friendship was one sided. Yet the girls remained close. I am half black/half Italian, and early this year the mother was concerned about new neighbors. And said to me concerning an black friend who hurt her "so now she's a NIGGER!" I was stunned. And when I told her her comment was inappropriate she went off one me! "Please don't tell me you are offended. You people are always over reacting" AND She stopped speaking to me for 2 months. still the girls remained close. And i had to communicate with the chil'ds dad to make play dates. I caved and broke the ice. Then one day she saw my daughter and I driving, pulled beside us and when she found out we were going out to dinner she said "gee thanks for invintg US!" in the meantime. we always invited she and her child. dinner. movies. etc. but she NEVER invited us. So I stopped. last straw for both of was one parent night when she sat beside me. and insulted EVERY teacher who stood up to speak. "what a dork". "god she is butt ugly!" and not for nothin' but she is about 5' 7" and weighs 250 pounds she told me. and some people heard her insults. and put her in her place. and eventually when i asked her to stop, she rolled her eyes and left and MADE her husband leave, and sat somewhere else. Then the girls relationship fell apart. at the end of summer her daughter returned form vacation and never called my daughter. we never knew she was back. yet she called 2 other girls. and what was so hurtful was my daughter said 2 weeks ago her best friend brought in a birthday cake, went out of her way to stand in front of my kid and said "umm yummy!" then my kid's teacher saw my kid's reaction and asked them to leave? How could this happen? the short is she never invited me kid to her party last week. my daughter was soooooo upset and sad. what would YOU do? would you approach the mother? or just let it go? another thing I should mention is many parents have mentioned the mom's bad behavior. throwing the "N" word around. so no love is lost there. I don't need that kind of negative person in my life. but what about the girls? no more play dates. and she had her kid turn on mine. how cruel. again. what would YOU do? address it? or let it go. sorry for the story. and thanks in advance.the "N" word was deleted. she said "so now she's a "N" word. more

Resolved Question: My wife has fled to South Africa with my two sons and she is keeping them from having any contact with me?

We were officially from Tanzania but we have been living in the USA for almost 10 years now. as the years have progressed we did not have a good steady relationship between ourselves, with her accusing me of things, lying and our arguments and so on. we could not stay together like this. One year ago, she left out of the usa with my sons ages 12 and 15 years old. I have tried to make deal with her as I wanted to keep my oldest son with me and she take our youngest, so we can split the kids. She disagreed and stated that she wanted to take both of them and that our sons should not be split apart from each other but that they will come back to visit me during their summer and winter vacations. it has been a year already that she has been gone, we both agreed that I would still be able to stay in contact with my sons by phone or mail, but I have not been able to speak to my sons for 7 months now. during the first few months they were gone everything was going fine and i was speaking to my sons. We had agreed that I would get the boys in june through august and december through january. When I called in june and I spoke to my oldest son and he told me that he and his brother were excited and they could not wait to see me again, as they were supposed to come back to me in June that month. I told him to speak to their mother about it and remind her so that she can be aware that it was june already and that they should be coming back to me in a few weeks from there. Everysince then I have not heard from any of them. We are a family as I am still married to her. I feel she is not wanting me to see them or have any contact with them, so she isin't allowing them to speak to me. My sons and I are very close and they would usually be calling me very often atleast few times out of the week every week, so I know they would not just discontinue speaking to me all of a sudden. I know my wife is the reason because this, she did not want to be family with me, now she is taking my sons away from me. I refuse to let her block contact away from my sons, and I know that is just what she is trying to do. I have been trying to reach her and there has been no answer. I am now starting to think that she is not even in south africa anymore, or that she wasnt there in the first place and it could have been a lie. Even though she and I are not together anymore, I should still have a right to beable see my sons am I right? Legally here in the US we are still married, and I do know that parents can go to court over the children, but only problem is she is not in the states, so I would not know what to do I do know one thing, if I am able to find contact with her again... I am comming for my sons reguardless of what she has to say and I am taking both of them back. I am feeling stress because 7 months and no contact with them, I want to know what happened to my sons and where they are at.I have tried calling around to family so they can let me know if they have heard from them. I find it suspicious that her sister just said she spoke to her last month, when I have been trying to reach her for 7 months. more

Resolved Question: Whats a great place to go for summer vacation?

It's about time to start planning our summer vacation for this year, and we're stumped at where to go.... Anyone have a favorite spot? We want something on the ocean this year.....thinking Charleston, Savannah, or Myrtle Beach. (something like that) Last year we did Disney, and the year before was Cape May, New Jersey. We have 2 small children, so it can't be anything that involves a lot of touring or walking. Thanks! more

Resolved Question: my half sister and child support?

I have a question about how to handle my mean half sister. I am 13 years old, my parents are divorced. My mom works and makes good income plus she gets alot of help from my grandparents on both sides. And my dad pays around 400 in child support each month. My dad remarried along time ago and I have 2 half sisters. One is 9 the other is 11. My dad and his wife doesn't make very much money and every time I go for my visitation rights with my dad, who I love with everything I half, my half sister rubs my nose into the fact that she goes without because of my dad paying support. She even hit me in the face when she found out I had alot of presents under the tree this year when dad and his wife were only able to afford maybe 2 presents each and a nice dinner. What should I do? I don't want to stop visiting my dad, it's court ordered that I spend 1 month of summer vacation and every other weekend anyways and I know he wouldn't give that up. How do I get her to stop abusing me? more

Resolved Question: What is the name of this book?

Ok so i am brain dead right now. lol ok so it was like a children's book for like kids ummm...9-12 i guess? well i read it like a year and a half ago and the main character is lise i think. so she asks the mom to get pizza for dinner and she gets in a car accident and is badly hurt. the little brother cant talk btw. so then they go 2 maine on a vacation for the entire summer (very cold ocean) . there's this indian next door and he ends up dying in a hurricane. everyone said that he was crazy. yea so ...plz help me! what is it???whoops nvr mind i remebered right after i put this up...lol but still guess! first right guess wins 10 points!remembered** more

Voting Question: My girlfriend broke up w/ me 2 day after christmas!!!!!! i am so depressed.....................…?

we have been together for 4 yrs. we live in nebraska. she's 25 yrs old and i'm 27 yrs old. back when we first met she would let her ex use her car and she would buy him stuff because he wasnt working nor was he taking care of his kids. he wasnt paying child support at all. she told me that she hated him and that he was no good but she was letting him use her car and she knew he was selling dope. she assured me she didnt want to be w/ him.she has 2 kids ( 6 yrs old & 4 yrs old) that are not mine. her baby's father is locked up for drugs and is on parole in 2011. i really thought we were going to have a future together. we rented a house together in january of 2009. at that time we were both excited and we both were happy about it. we went on a summer vacation w/ the kids to california via roadtrip. by all accounts we were building on a dream of both of ours. up until mid october we went everywhere together me and her. we went to football games, parties etc always me and her. she never once complained, never once said anything to me. then it seemed like to me after she went to a doctor and started losing weight and started hanging out w/ her new so called friends, it seemed like she changed. at first i didnt notice it. then one night she told me she going w/ her friend to a single moms thing at a local church. ok i didnt worry. then she comes back at like 4am telling me that she stopped at one of her guy friend's house (who i know) and fell asleep there and woke up and didnt know it was that late and she said she just left. then in november she said she was spending the night at her friends house and that we were going to spend the whole day together the next day. again i didnt worry, so 11am came the next day ans she wasnt home and i texted her insteading of calling her. she texted me back saying she would be home in alittle bit. then alittle bit turned into 2 hours. i was upset. i went for a walk so that the kids wouldnt see me upset. their grandma was watching the kids at that point. i came back in the house and texted her some more but more line of b.s. now i am in a state of paranoia. i'm upset and pissed but i keep my emotions in check. then at 430pm i get a text from her saying she'll be home in 1 hour and that her mom needed to go somewhere in 30 minutes and she wanted me to watch the kids. i said i wouldnt watch her kids until she came home and i asked her where she was. she couldnt tell me where she was. finally i did watch her kids and she came home at 6pm. we went into a private room and talked alone and i asked her" what if i told u we would spend the whole day together the next day and i pulled the same thing u did to me what would u do?" she said she would say nothing. that was b.s. i know her and she would flip out on me. also one day she left her profile up ona particular website on the computer so i looked at it and i found disturbing texts to guys and some revealing pictures of her on her homepage. she even texted one guy that were werent even together. i shouldve seen the handwriting on the wall then. i was upset. long story short we go through thanksgiving and we go through around christmas where she is having misgivings about our relationship. she said some of her issue dealt w/ some problems we had in 2008 & she thought ive changed and i thought we got past that. i asked her why did u rent this house w/ me if u had problems w/ me? she responded by telling me she was happy w/ me. she said doesnt know if she wants to be w/ me anymore but she said she also doesnt want to hurt my feelings. she said she wants to be single for awhile to find out if she wants to be w/ me or not. needless to say i was floored. i have been angry, sad, and depressed for a week. this was the worst christmas and new years ive had. i invested 4 yrs in this relationship. i worked when i was sick so sick i shouldve stayed in bed so that her kids would have the things they have and pay the bills and food to eat. i moved 1000 miles across the country just to be w/ her and now she wants to end it. i sked if she wanted to go to counseling but she said no. i feel ive been used to help take care of her kids and to let her ex off the hook and that she broke up w/ me now because she knew she was getting that $7000 tax refund for having kids because earlier she didnt have much money. what should i do?? i'm still on the lease i'm still living here. its so hard. more

Resolved Question: Where is the best place to vacation with the most things to do?

Hi, I'm looking for the best place to go on vacation with the most things to do. My mom and dad want to go to New York. I do, but I'd rather go to Orlando. The problem is that we've been to Orlando every summer since I was 8. If you've ever been to either of these places or another spot that you had a really cool vacation please tell me all about it and what all you did. I really need to know. Additional Info: My parents are in their 40's and me and my friend(i get to take a friend every year since i'm an only child) are in our teens. Also, I'd prefer it'd be a place in the USA Thanks more

Voting Question: child timeshare issues and vacation?

I have primary custody of my daughter but share legal custody of my daughter with her mom. I have a wife in the Philippines who is having a baby in June 2010 and I plan on going out there for 3 months. My daughter's mom says that she may not allow my oldest daughter to go because I have her paying child support. My daughter will be 7yrs old by then. I am in the State of new mexico and my daughter spends 5/7 nights with me. I am considerring doing a motion, but a little unsure of how it works. Also, does anyone have advice on this topic, because I really want my daughter to go with me there. This will occur during my oldest daughter's 3 months of summer break. Thank youhey thanks for the information. to go back, see i know the child support doesnt have a thing to do with where my daughter is going. but to my daughters mom, she is using that as a reason to not let her go. "If you dont cancel child support, <daughter> cant go> its the way the woman is unfortunately. To say the last comment lol leave my daughter behind? thats silly of your assumption. and if i was lvl 2 id put the thumb down for you. of course though, you would have to know me to see that my daughter is the world to me, and i would want her to go for the experience of going to other countries.. Thanks again for your output on all of it guys! more

Voting Question: Martial Arts questions for fighting and fitness.?

Alright, so I'm 18 years old and will turn 19 in the summer. I'm in very good physical condition (I work out frequently and eat very healthy). Unfortunately, I've never done any martial arts and my flexibility is terrible. This is partly due to the fact that I grew up as a fat child and hated stretching...I was never really flexible. In order for me to stretch, I need someone to make me do it. I am considering going to a martial arts school for my summer vacation while I'm away from college to get into better shape. At first I was thinking only about flexibility, but I don't want to spend money to stretch and do a bunch of work without learning how to defend myself. I live in Weehawken, NJ (northern NJ) which doesn't leave me with too many options besides Taekwondo. I don't want to learn TKD, however, because from what I've seen and what my father (blackbelt in TKD) has told me, many schools focus more on point sparring than actually teaching how to fight. I don't want to learn TKD for this reason. My other options seem to be Kickboxing, Aikido, Shao-Dang Tao (which I'm guessing is a kind of Kung Fu), and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I always wanted to learn BJJ, but I'm not sure if grappling martial arts focus much on stretching. Kickboxing most likely puts a large emphasis on stretching, but from what I've seen, it seems like many kickboxing schools put more emphasis on exercise and weight loss than teaching self defense. I honestly don't know much about Aikido or Shao-Dang Tao, so any input on those would be great. So basically, assuming equal convenience between all these martial arts, which one should I choose for better flexibility, fitness and self defense? I know it all depends on the instructors, schools, etc. and not as much on the martial art, but I do know that there are certain standards when it comes to training. Please help me out! If I didn't make my point clear earlier, I really don't want to choose a Taekwondo school, so please don't suggest that. Also, please don't answer if you have no martial arts background. Thanks, Gerard more

Resolved Question: my girlfriend broke up w/ me 2 day after christmas!!!!!! i am so depressed..............................?

we have been together for 4 yrs. we live in nebraska. she's 25 yrs old and i'm 27 yrs old. back when we first met she would let her ex use her car and she would buy him stuff because he wasnt working nor was he taking care of his kids. he wasnt paying child support at all. she told me that she hated him and that he was no good but she was letting him use her car and she knew he was selling dope. she assured me she didnt want to be w/ him.she has 2 kids ( 6 yrs old & 4 yrs old) that are not mine. her baby's father is locked up for drugs and is on aprole in 2011. i really thought we were going to have a future together. we rented a house together in january of 2009. at that time we were both excited and we both were happy about it. we went on a summer vacation w/ the kids to california via roadtrip. by all accounts we were building on a dream of both of ours. up until mid october we went everywhere together me and her. we went to football games, parties etc always me and her. she never once complained, never once said anything to me. then it seemed like to me after she went to a doctor and started losing weight and started hanging out w/ her new so called friends, it seemed like she changed. at first i didnt notice it. then one night she told me she going w/ her friend to a single moms thing at a local church. ok i didnt worry. then she comes back at like 4am telling me that she stopped at one of her guy friend's house (who i know) and fell asleep there and woke up and didnt know it was that late and she said she just left. then in november she said she was spending the night at her friends house and that we were going to spend the whole day together the next day. again i didnt worry, so 11am came the next day ans she wasnt home and i texted her insteading of calling her. she texted me back saying she would be home in alittle bit. then alittle bit turned into 2 hours. i was upset. i went for a walk so that the kids wouldnt see me upset. their grandma was watching the kids at that point. i came back in the house and texted her some more but more line of b.s. now i am in a state of paranoia. i'm upset and pissed but i keep my emotions in check. then at 430pm i get a text from her saying she'll be home in 1 hour and that her mom needed to go somewhere in 30 minutes and she wanted me to watch the kids. i said i wouldnt watch her kids until she came home and i asked her where she was. she couldnt tell me where she was. finally i did watch her kids and she came home at 6pm. we went into a private room and talked alone and i asked her" what if i told u we would spend the whole day together the next day and i pulled the same thing u did to me what would u do?" she said she would say nothing. that was b.s. i know her and she would flip out on me. also one day she left her profile up ona particular website on the computer so i looked at it and i found disturbing texts to guys and some revealing pictures of her on her homepage. she even texted one guy that were werent even together. i shouldve seen the handwriting on the wall then. i was upset. long story short we go through thanksgiving and we go through around christmas where she is having misgivings about our relationship. she said some of her issue dealt w/ some problems we had in 2008 & she thought ive changed and i thought we got past that. i asked her why did u rent this house w/ me if u had problems w/ me? she responded by telling me she was happy w/ me. she said doesnt know if she wants to be w/ me anymore but she said she also doesnt want to hurt my feelings. she said she wants to be single for awhile to find out if she wants to be w/ me or not. needless to say i was floored. i have been angry, sad, and depressed for a week. this was the worst christmas and new years ive had. i invested 4 yrs in this relationship. i worked when i was sick so sick i shouldve stayed in bed so that her kids would have the things they have and pay the bills and food to eat. i moved 1000 miles across the country just to be w/ her and now she wants to end it. i sked if she wanted to go to counseling but she said no. i feel ive been used to help take care of her kids and to let her ex off the hook and that she broke up w/ me now because she knew she was getting that $7000 tax refund for having kids because earlier she didnt have much money. what should i do?? i'm still on the lease i'm still living here. its so hard. more

Resolved Question: do you have to keep in touch with?

People you have worked for in the past? I worked two years as a nanny in a family of 4 children. I had to leave last june because they were going on vacation and the younger ones were going to school in the fall. I did call over last summer for papers I needed and asked how everything was going but I haven't had news since then. In the fall I was hopping not to get a call because I was embarrassed at the fact that I was workless but now I feel a little bad about loosing contact like that. I thought about calling but I'm pretty sure it would be awkward and I think the kids probably forgot about me by now... Should I just forget about it? more

Resolved Question: What hospital was Barack Obama born at?

I am taking my family to Hawaii for a vacation in summer 2010. I plan on spending a day visiting some of the places our great President has been when growing up and his birthplace would be nice to visit (at least to take a picture). Depending on the source, I have read that Obama was born in different hospitals: Queen's Medical Center and Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children. Which is correct? I don't know if I posted this in the correct category; I apologize if it is not. more

Resolved Question: Family travel ideas?

I am trying to find an affordable and fairly closeby (within four hours) place for a family summer vacation. I have a 6 year old almost 5 year old and 2 year old. I love for my children to experience new things (we have been to Baltimore aquarium) but as a family of 5 are on a tight budget. We live on the easter shore of MD and would like to do just a weekend trip. Any ideas? P.S. We have looked into Sesame Place in PA and that's one of our current options more

Resolved Question: What Beach is better for a family vacation?

My family is planning a vacation this summer. Funds are tight, we're looking for a fun filled, week long vacation the we can all enjoy without breaking the bank. I have small children, so we need to go to a family friendly location.If anyone know of a reputable agency or realtor, please pass that info along. Thanks:-) With 4 kids we can make our own excitement. As long as our kids enjoy thier selves we really don't have a preference as to where we go. more

Resolved Question: i need your help understanding what to do .?

i am a single parent who has not had a vacation in a very long time don't i have ever had one as an adult . anyway i have two kids one 12 the other 6 the six year old live's with me and the other with his grandma . the thing is they cry and and swear i don't love them that i hate them when i just suggest going somewhere or me doing something for my own entertainment without them my youngest is not so bad but the older one that don't live with me looks devastated when i tell him i want to go alone he breaks down and crys and tells my other child that i hate him and that the younger one is so lucky . i don't know how to deal with this i treat them both the same and include them in everything i can . my problem at the Moment is that this coming summer i want to take a week to myself go somewhere . and would like to not involve my kids i have already got a sitter and have told my kids and the oldest has already started to complain . i would like you opinion on how to ease there minds so they can understand that i need to get out sometimes too . helpi responce to one of the answers i have recevied . i have taken my kids out to amusmentparks for weekends and camping and movies , fourwheeling in my blazer many many things i have given them for entertainment . . so have you got any other sugestions as to how to deal with it as i don't want them to hold it against me . more

Resolved Question: Looking for suggestions trying question again to fix what I said?

We have been married for 5 years. I have 2 kids from before we married (10, 7). My husband is the greatest man in the world and love him with all my heart. He treats my kids like they are his kids and has done so since the beginning. The kids real father was a abusive and gladly have not heard of seen him since before the youngest was born. Ok this happened almost 10 months ago. While at a cook out I was talking with some friends and made a few comments that probably shouldn't have. I could blame it on being a bit drunk but still in hind sight was not something should have ever said. The worst part was that my husband overheard my comments and thats what has really made our life a mess. The comment was about my husbands size and how I missed that part of some exboyfriends I had before particularly the father of my children. The fact that I had even sometimes fantasized about them while having sex with my husband. Now have to say, in his behave, that mentioned his great oral skills but that didn't seem to make things any better either. I know should have never made the comments in the first place but someone brought up conversation about size and fantasies and I just let my mouth get ahead of my brain. When my husband heard it he left the party immediately I ended up having to find a ride home that night. He also moved into the guest room for a couple weeks. One night, a couple weeks later,I came home to find our bed was gone and 2 singles were in our bedroom. Which is where we have been sleeping since. He in his bed and me in mine. I have tried everything can think of to make things better. When ever try to talk to him about it just ends in a big yelling match. He is still great to the kids and we talk about everything else as before but no intimacy. We still went on vacation to Disney this summer all of us and had a great time but nothing intimate even though we had seperate connecting room from kids. Also we still have date night twice a week and have good times out but no touching intimtacy of anykind. I have dressed sexy, tried clmibing in bed with him, etc and nothing seems to fix the problem. Have even asked him to go with me to counciling and he refuses. I love him the kids love him can not see myself without him but living with no intimacy or sex is driving me nuts. He has told me since I dont seem to do it for me then why bother. Also that if am that unhappy that I can just move out, he had the house before we married. What really hurts even more is that prior to that party we were talking about having a baby together and as can tell thats not going to happen. I love him so much and can tell he loves me and the kids but I have destroyed his ego and can not seem to fix it more

Resolved Question: VACATION SHOPPING!! ;D plzz answer... thanxxs!?

Heey people, As you know.. I HATE THE COLD!!....and living in ontario, Canada doesnt reely help ;), my mom duzznt like winter either, ( im a only child livinng with my mom).... we decided to go on vacation!! :D Im soooooo excited, we;re leaving in 2 weeks, we're going to the Bahamas :) i looveeee beaches!! were staying for 1 week and a half. So.. heres my question: I need to shop for an whole new wardrobe, cuz i need summer clothes.& all my summer clothes fromlast year are ugly and too small :S aNY suggestions on what to buy?? im 12 (almost 13) have dirty blond hair and fair skin... i alredy have all my smmer makeup and accesories (jewlry sunglasses..) so any ideas on cute clothes.. pics or links would be helpful ;) thankkss soo much....pleeaasssee answer!! ;) xoxo. Sophia more

Voting Question: Help have run out of ideas to fix what I said?

Resolved Question: what was your wake up call to finally lose the weight?

im 15 years old, 5'3" and 157 pounds. i USED to be skinny as a child, but i got a little TOO used to junkfood, and a little TOO lazy. ive lost 6 pounds since 2008-2009 (my freshman year in highschool). so yes, i was 163 pounds. i have been telling myself since the summer going into 7th grade that i was going to lose weight. it was always my birthday wish "to be skinny", and my new years resolution was always to lose 20 pounds or more. and it never happened. ive always been the one on here asking these SAME exact questions over and over. im going to florida for vacation in february, and i need to lose this weight. even if its only 10 pounds, i need to feel like ive accomplished something what was the final straw for you. what was your wakeup call that finally got you moving and losing those pounds? please help me, i need the motivation more

Resolved Question: How to deal with Holidays and unwanted visitors - kind of long, advice needed?

I'm currently in a college that's on the other coast from where my mother lives, so I very rarely get to see her. Lately, she's been dating a new man. Every time she comes to me see, ever since starting to see this man, he's always with her. Sometimes, I just want to be with my mother by ourselves. I've seen him every single holiday since last summer - Father's Day, Forth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving. I had to beg my mother for us to spend my birthday with just me and her as he wanted to show up then too. This man's personality is actually pretty clingy, he calls her all the time and he cries if she threatens to break up with him (which is often - they're relationship reminds me of teens in high school). He also has several mental disorder and strange personality quirks which just makes it very difficult to be around him. For example, The last time he came to my apartment, he picked up a box of Rit Dye (which I had opened earlier, and I knew it was open so I laid it down a certain way) and started shaking it. Dye came out everywhere. I told him I knew it was open, and to please just lay it back down. Then, he starts shaking it even more so that he can show me the dye and then shakes the second box of dye everywhere. It ended up permanently staining the marble countertop of my apartment and he made zero effort to clean it up, he said he would do it later -- and never did. I now have to pay for counter and he hasn't even offered to help with that either. Sometimes it feels like I'm around a child, I would expect a child to do the above. Because of the above, it's extremely exhausting being with him. I'm always worried about what he's going to destroy next. He's very hyper, is incapable of paying attention, has severe anxiety, depression, paranoia, he requires constant reassurance -- these are just what I know about him. I don't know if there's more. But his personality can be very draining to be around. He's also quite a rude guest. When he and my mother visits, he treats MY apartment like HIS house. I'm the one paying the bills for it. He constantly says how he feels at home, puts his feet (shoes and all) on my glass coffee table, he once sat on my coffee table - and since it's on the flimsy side, I was mentally freaking out - he doesn't take his shoes off, and he walks around like it's his place. In the fall, he invited himself, his daughter, two of her friends, and a bunch of other people over to my apartment in a different state, to spend the night, and have me be their tour guide of the city. He invited them, I didn't know these people - these strangers spent three nights in my apartment and requested I revolve my schedule around them to take them around the city. I spoke to my mother about this and she said to just stay in my bedroom when he's around. Which I still think is not entirely fair since it's my apartment,, I shouldn't have to hide in my room - I also am genuinely trying not to be rude to him and thought that it may be offensive, but I did need a break from him..So I relented. He then proceeds to enter my bedroom, without knocking, over and over and over and over. Now I'm coming home for Christmas, and again he's going to be there for Christmas and New Years, he's staying the full week. I asked my mother if, just this once, we could have a holiday with just she and I. She sent me a text saying I'm being selfish and how everything is always about me. Which actually hurt my feelings because I've been trying very hard to not be selfish and to like this man. But it's too much, too soon. I don't need to be around him constantly. They're already planning their spring and summer vacations with him, and his daughters, and my mother. I'm not able to go since I have to work and have summer courses. So now it feels like I'm not even apart of this family anymore. Am I really selfish for wanting to spend some alone time with my mother for Christmas? I genuinely would like to know so I can take a look myself and my own actions if need be. I don't want to be a bad person but I'm having trouble accepting this. Even on my birthday, she spent most of the day on the phone and texting him for hours non-stop. I'm not exaggerating, it was about four hours straight on the phone. This is actually normal for them. Also, this is my first time coming back home in two years. I don't mind that she's dating him, she's dated other men in the past, and he is nice, I do believe his intentions are good - but nobody has ever been forced upon me so greatly before. Could anyone offer some advice? I honestly don't mean to come across a spoiled brat, I don't know what to do. My mother and I have always been extremely close, and this is driving a wedge into our relationship. We're no longer speaking at the moment. more