...and I no more believe in Jesus than I would in pixies. When my mother starts to bring up the subject of religion, I tell her 'we cannot agree on this subject so I am changing the subject.' Then I do. Your mother in law will never respect your views, so it isn't worth discussing, it will just get everyone in conflict.

Good advice, but is your sister still stuck with all the work of your mother?

I wish I had been that smart when I was young and pretty. At least she is getting something for it! Now that I am old and not pretty, I realize that there is nothing wrong with wanted to be treated and pampered for sex, if you can get it.

They really help with this being along thing.

There was Pol Pot, and nobody gave a rats ass. And the Hutus and Tutsies, and nobody gave a rats ass. The mess in Bosnia, nobody gave a rats ass. The Chinese are systematically destroying the Tibetan people's culature, but nobody gives a rats ass.

The Holocaust was just a model that sick humanity emulates, over and over, with a few variations for local colour.

...I wish C.T would quit snidely dissing corporate America. It has its faults, a lot of them, but a lot of advantages, too. And, I have met plenty of 'creative' types who don't mind living off the taxes we pay.

LW sounds like a whiner who just won't be satisfied. She has a job using her writing skills, with a decemt income. She should STFU and be happy to have it.

.....when I was younger and very broke I used to crash hotel parties during the holiday season. I'd put on a pretty formal dress, go to a fancy hotel, find a corporate party with a buffet, and have a good dinner. As K has observed, if you look like you belong where you're at, you are not going tobe questioned. And as my gramma always said, "A pretty lady is an asset in any social situation." I enjoyed quite a few meals this way....

I'm single,working full time plus at a revolting job, and going to grad school so yeah I know busy too. Try this: One week I made two huge pots of stew, different flavors. Now every two weeks I make another pot, so at any one time I have two or three flavors of stew frozen and ready to go. I use different ingredients, but make sure I throw in some lentils, beans, lean meat, whatever is fresh and cheap, swiss chard works well and is colorful, chopped up yams do well, maybe some spices, etc. Freeze in baggies. You got whole meals, your meat, carbs and veggies for two weeks. Sure beats the ramen I lived on during undergrad.

I wish this was the worst problem I had.

...well, I guess some people do that sort of thing with big dogs, I've heard jokes about that...it makes me think of the movie where Gene Wilder is taking a sheep to a fancy restarant... LOL And the South Park episode with PETA, which was screamingly funny....

But I think the author makes wonderful points. I have a dog and two cats, rescue animals. It's great coming home to them after a long, awful day, having them hop on my lap, and just having the company.

AnnieOrchids

Geez, you are working 50+ hours a week to help HIM and you do most of the housework? If he is so fussy he should do the laundry. You are being taken advantage of, big time.

...I have of course heard about the greed of the auto manufacturers, but not about the LA subway system and how they killed that off. I feel sorry for the auto workers, but seeing the greedy corporate yahoos come down, that is almost refreshing.

This essay makes me wonder what HE looks like - Ugh, the essay degenerates into quickly into incredible selfishness and selfabsorption.

Most Christians I've known are at least on the surfact okay with my being a Buddhist. Some people I just can't speak to about religion at all, such as my parents and other extended family. However, at a graduation party, I had one Christian tell me in front of a group that I was 'stupid' for not being a Christian, that anyone with any sense would believe as he did. I just ignored him. What do you say to something so incredibly rude? My point for you, LW, is that you need to be aware should you tell your wife and family that you might get a load dropped on you. Difficult decision, I feel for you.

I'd give anything to have children who were at least ok, and a husband who loved me....geez, now you want to ruin everything with drinking??

Anybody remember Ginos? When I was a teenager many many years ago I worked at one. We had a salad bar, and there was a family of mice beneath it. The female teenagers working there, and I was one of them - we all thought the little mouseies were SO CUUUUUUTE - we fed the family. Which expanded. We just wiped off the little turds that appeared on top of the salad bar. Anyway a health inspector came, didn't find the mouse colony quite so cute, shut us down, and the manager fired us all. I don't eat at fast food places. Ever.