Karen

A utility worker slipped and fell down my front steps today. We are in the midst of a blizzard. Can he sue me? He took my cell phone number "just in case" .

Ok, my husband and I dabbled in the idea of being "swingers" for a while. We met a couple about 2 years ago. The wife was too ga-ga over my husband and HER husband pulled the plug on the whole thing. Flash forward to Nov last year. She comes across is phone number and begins texting him without her husbands knowledge. We were not aware that he didn't know about it. She tells my husband, email me instead of texting. So he emails her (stupidly) from his work email address. I advise him she seems a little shady and he stops communication.

So now, months later, her husband emails my husbands bosses and HR and forwards the emails (and pictures which were NOT sent via email, although he says they were) that were sent from his work address. My husband loses his job.

I understand that he lost his job because he was stupid and emailed her form his work address. HOWEVER is there anything we can do legally for what he did? I mean, this is was his career. I'm terrified that this guy may follow him or who knows what else! Please is there anything we can do?

And if you're answering just to say you don't agree with being a swinger, save it.

Thank you!!

My son got busted for unlawful possesion of Marijuana and my husband and I are going to court with him tonight. HE did NOT have anything on him, however the front passenger did AND there was paraphenalia in the backseat, which was claimed by the backseat passenger. However, because of NY law, everyone in the car was charged. The officer had probable cause to search because he smelled pot when he approached the car.

I am hoping to have the charged dropped since my son really didn't have anything ON him. What can I expect to happen tonight and what are our chances of having the charges dropped?

I'm on day number two and it's not terrible but a bit uncomfortable to talk. How long, generally, does the swelling last? Thanks! =)

I just got a Monroe piercing on my lip. Can I clean it with the ear care solution you get when you have your ears pierced?

My dog chewed through my husbands brand new Roto Zip saw's power cord. Can the cord be fixed or replaced?

Our family is going to go to Disney World in Orlando Florida this year. Of course, I want to get the best deal possible. Whom should I book the trip through to get the best deal? A travel agent? AAA? Or through the Disney web site?

And which one is better?

Sometimes I fell like everything has gone mad. Recession, war, gas prices, fatal storms. Anyone else get these feelings too? Or is it just me. =(

Do you know anyone whose last-minute gift ideas include a dog or cat? Here at the ASPCA, we’d like to remind animal lovers how to make wise choices when considering adding a furry member to the household—particularly during the holiday season.

Many families purchase puppies from pet stores, the newspaper, or even online, but the ASPCA cautions that the puppies you see in pet shops most likely came from a puppy mill—large-scale, inhumane, commercial breeding operations known for housing dogs in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. To learn more about what goes on at puppy mills, and what you can do to fight them, please visit ASPCA.org.

For those who want to give a pet as a gift, the ASPCA, along with many animal shelters around the country, promotes gift certificates that allow recipients to choose the pet of their choice. Our ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City offers a “Gift-A-Pet” certificate whereby the giver pays the adoption fee of a cat or kitten for a loved one, and the recipient then selects the furry friend best suited to her family.

“Pets can be our most loyal companions, providing us with unconditional love,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “At the ASPCA, we understand this bond and hope that potential pet parents consider adoption their best option. Local animal shelters offer many choices, whether your preference is dog or cat, small or large, purebred or lovable mutt. If you’re ready to make the commitment, then adopting an animal in need, and receiving that animal’s unconditional love, is truly a gift for any holiday."

You can also wrap up a pet toy or pet-related items, such as pet care books and kits or gift certificates as a post-holiday adoption promise. The expectation of a new pet’s arrival can be fun, especially for children, since the whole family will have the time to properly plan and choose the right companion animal. Thanks for reading—and please forward this information to anyone you know who may be considering giving a pet as a present.

My son has a friend who's in a juvenile detention facility and he wants to send him a Christmas gift. I have no idea what would be allowed. My son was thinking a music CD? Wold that be acceptable?

I have four dogs. Two of them have kennel cough. My other two seem fine right now. One of them is a very small chihuahua and I have heard that toy breeds often can get gravely ill from minor infections.

Aside from keeping them away from her, is there anything else I can do to protect my little one?

Also, my vet tech told me antibiotics are usually not necessary for Kennel cough, but to watch out for seconday infection. Is this right?

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

With no thought of the dog filling their head

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap

Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear

But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears

He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick

Last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick

More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name

And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!

On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all."

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year

For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear

The gift of a dog is not just for the season

We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons

In our haste to think of the kids a gift

There was one important thing that we missed

A dog should be family, and cared for the same

You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain

And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight

"You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!"

Author Unknown

My nine year old daughter is starting to stay home with her 16 yr old brother by themselves after school for a few hours until I get home from work. I want to print out a safety list to remind her of some rules. here's what I've thought of so far:

Door locked at all times

Do NOT answer the door

Only answer phone if it's me, dad, or grandma (we've got caller ID)

No cooking on the stove

She's a very responsible little girl and I'm only 5 minutes from them if anything were to happen. Still if anyone has any ideas for my list, let me know! Thanks.

I take 10 mg Amitriptyline nightly for sleep. Has anyone ever taken this med and then stopped? I also take Paroxetine (Paxil). I know I get very ill when I try quitting the Paxil. Would it be the same with the Amitrityline? Does it cause side effects if you miss doese or stop suddenly?

I'd like to get my daughter a tortoise for a pet. Does anyone here have one? Are they easy to care for? What would you recommend?

My daughter is 9 going on 10 and she seems to have an unusual inward curve in her lower back. It makes her belly stick out farther than normal. Her lower back always looks like a "C" as if she were arching it.

I know little kids usually have that curve until they get older, but it is usually gone well before age 9! Anyone have any info on this? Should I make a special appt with her doctor or wait until her next physical?

It doesn't seem to bother her but if it's something that needs to be corrected, I don't want to wait too long. Thanks!