Sweet Melissa

I have no romantic feelings for my ex-husband, but found out through an "accidental" text message (meant for him, but sent to me) that my best friend spent the weekend with him, kids included (hers and mine!) My friend knew she had to tell me before my kids came home, and though she denies it, I really think she sent me that text message on purpose.

The thing is, she lives an hour and a half from here. She came back to our hometown to hang out with my ex-husband, and didn't even let me know she was in town! I guess they had been "talking" for a few weeks before they got together.

I don't care if they are just friends (like she says) or more (like she doesn't deny) but I feel really betrayed. If she had told me they were talking or whatever, it would not have been an issue. But she drove all that way without calling... spent the night... and didn't return home until the following evening. I had no inkling that she was even in town until she sent me the questionable text-- after she got home.

She has been my best friend for 20 years... I have confided to her about everything. It's just really awkward. I told her I was hurt because she started talking to and seeing him without letting me know, and I didn't like feeling like they were talking about me behind my back...

Then my ex "accidentally" replied to me about a text that I sent her... she had forwarded my text to HIM!

I am hurt and angry. I told my ex that I will continue to be cordial with him for the sake of our kids. In reality, he did nothing wrong anyway. We don't owe each other a thing.

I told my best friend that I couldn't believe she was forwarding my texts, and that I wished them the best.

She says she forwarded the text to him because it was funny, and seems confused as to why any of this has upset me. What do you think?

My boyfriend and I are planning to get married next summer. We've been together for a year and a half. He (like most men) wants sex all the time. I'm usually happy to oblige, but that just isn't enough for him...

We have sex 5 or more nights a week, and I feel that most men would be VERY satisfied with that. But he is upset because I don't come to him with it very often. He says if I really loved him, sex would be my idea instead of his.

I'm not big on taking initiative in the bedroom, I've always been a little more old-fashioned and honestly never thought it would pose a problem. I'm not a prude, but I prefer that he start it. I tried explaining to him that he is asking me to be someone I'm not, but he calls b/s.

My feelings are horribly hurt by this. My opinion is that I am who I am, sexually and otherwise. What do you think?

"While she continues creating her own false pedestal, the world spins on without regard . . ."

I understand the psychology of addiction, and I'm well-educated on the ill effects of meth use... but most meth users don't want non-users to know what they're up to.

The decline in hygiene is a dead giveaway! I don't get it.

I'm toward the end of my third week taking Effexor XR. My Dr. started me out at 37.5 mg daily, then I went up to 75 mg, and now I'm at 150 mg.

I haven't had any of the common side effects associated with this medicine, but I've had a bad taste in the back of my throat for the past week. I can't taste much of anything, and sweets taste TERRIBLE to me!

I have another Dr's appointment on Tuesday, but was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem with Effexor XR. Do you think it's the meds, or is it something else entirely? Thanks.

I just found out that a co-worker who used to be in charge of my newest duties was getting paid an extra $1500 per month to do them! I'm supposed to be getting a raise... or at least that's what I was told FIVE months ago! I'm no good at taking up for myself, but this really has me mad. What should I do?

I do accounts payable and payroll for a car dealership...

If a mechanic is paid bi-weekly and is guaranteed 80 hours, should he be paid extra for a middle of the week Holiday when the 80 hours have been exceeded?

Here's the policy:

Mechanics who do not have a guaranteed salary are entitled to 7 hours of Holiday pay to compensate for lost wages. Guaranteed salary is good only if the mechanic is present for every day within the pay period; 8 hours is subtracted for each day of missed work.

This particular time, the mechanic missed 2 days during the pay period in question... but still had more than 80 hours.

Is he entitled to the extra 7 hours of Holiday pay?

Our divorce decree states that he is responsible for 54% of all work-related child care & medical/dental expenses... but he hasn't paid a red dime since I went back to work a little over a year ago.

I receive child support of only $136/month; it's garnished from his paycheck...

He has stopped taking visitation with our daughter (HIS choice), so I suppose he thinks he shouldn't have to pay?

I do have a court order (our divorce decree) that states otherwise... what steps should I take now?

Our divorce decree states that he is responsible for 54% of all work-related child care & medical/dental expenses... but he hasn't paid a red dime since I went back to work a little over a year ago.

I receive child support of only $136/month; it's garnished from his paycheck...

He has stopped taking visitation with our daughter (HIS choice), so I suppose he thinks he shouldn't have to pay?

I do have a court order (our divorce decree) that states otherwise... what steps should I take now?

It was stolen 2 1/2 years ago, but I've periodically checked the local pawn shops ever since. And today... it was there! My problem is that since it's been so long, I have no idea how to claim the ring... but I REALLY want it back. Does anyone know the steps I should take?

FYI: I didn't fill out a police report at the time because I was afraid that I may have somehow lost it. Our home was being remodeled & everything was a mess... but I always suspected that one of the workers had stolen it. Turns out, I was RIGHT...

Someone I work with is facing these charges and I'd like to know the meaning.

COME ON, people. Just buy a home pregnancy test! They're not that expensive... especially if purchased from the dollar store... and well worth the peace of mind.

So, in answer to all of the q's that float thru here... YES! You could be pregnant.

Just take the darn test, then you'll know for sure.

I have been taking Yaz for the past 4 months... since 6 weeks after the birth of my daughter. Every month, I start having a brownish discharge about a week before the active pills are finished. This lasts about a week and a half, or until just before I start the new pack. No real period ever happens, but I know I'm not pregnant. Does this mean that the low dose isn't right for me or ?

tend to think that they are SO superior to regular folks?! I'd also like to know why rich people get better deals (on pretty much everything!) than average hard-working people do. People who don't need for a thing are given the world on a silver platter... WHY? Personally, I think it's a joke... and I despise the politics involved!

I know Rome wasn't built in a day, but I seriously need some good advice on how to be the healthiest I can be. I just turned 30... I smoke, but I'm quitting that on March 1. I'm looking for a diet & exercise plan that I can easily follow with 3 small children at my curttails! I'm not really overweight, but very out of shape... and a sugar addict. HELP!