Erica, AKA Stretch

As a long time cat owner, I am facing two difficult issues that I cannot seem to resolve.

How do I keep my cats off the counter, when I'm not home?

How do I prevent my cats from clawing at a screen and getting outside?

As someone who rents it gets tiring having to explained to the landlord why the screens and shades in the windows are ripped.

This weekend I am moving into a new apartment and there is a propane stove. I'm concerned they are going to get their tails in the pilot light and cause a fire.

My husband is in prison and we have been struggling with getting him his open heart surgery that he needs. The prison system has not taken him seriously and he will die if things do not start happening. He is in prison due to drug related issues as a teenager.

He has also been transferred from Medium to Maximum security because he was doing push ups. He was doing push ups because the cardiologist stated he needs some exercise without over-exerting himself. Over 3 hours later he was having chest pains. His chest pains are on going and documented by the prison.

The facility said that he caused his chest pains and is now responsible for the ambulance and hospital bill. We have been trying to get him surgery for over 2 years. Since June 2006 I have been in contact with the Civil Liberties Union, Commissioner’s office and Medical & Forensic office for the Dept of Corrections and nothing has been done.

Do you have any suggestions on what my next step should be?

I'm 26 years old and have a very consistent menstrual cycle. I’ve only missed my period twice since I’ve started at 12 years old. But I have been experiencing Hot Flashes at night and during the day. There have been people who have started menopause early, but I do not have any other symptoms.

I've always been "hot stuff" and do not tolerate heat. It's winter now and I have still feel like I have hot flashes about once a day. Currently I am not on medications or have any other symptoms. I do have insomnia that I've been coping with. Do you have any suggestions on what else could be going on? Is this "minor" issue worth going to the doctor for?

I have several siblings in various states (between ages 36-16 years). They all seem to resent me. When I had called or emailed them they act all cold and distant. They do not respond to my emails or keep me up to date with their lives or even changes of address and phone numbers. I always hear things second hand from my parents.

When my birthdays came around they never acknowledge it, they were not at my wedding and haven't done anything for major holidays. However I have called them on their birthdays, attended their weddings and birth of thier children and try to keep them up to date. It's been years and I've slowly stopped contacting them because they have not acknowlege me.

I am very close with my parents, in-laws, my best friends and co-workers. I have great relationships and a wonderful life. But my sibilings ignore me. My mother is getting remarried and I'm closer to my soon to be step-siblings than my actual sibilings. Any suggestions on how to get over this resentment?