DizzyD

I have been married 4 years now to my husband. I used to be really heavy and lost a lot of weight just before I met him. At the time, I didn't think any man would ever find me attractive (just being used to not having anyone like me when I was bigger). When I met my husband, he instantly fell for me. Not used to anyone every really liking me, I dated him thinking I would never meet anyone and this was my one chance to find someone.

A year after dating, we moved to a big city for work. Then we got engaged. I cried the night of my wedding but thought it was just the emotion of it all. The first year of marriage our sex lives became non-exsistant. First because he was stressed with work and just was never in the mood. Then when things got better - I just didn't want to be intimate anymore. The once in every 4 month periodish was out of duty rather than anything else. But foolishly, that one time was enough to get me pregnant. I should have known better, but in the past I was told by several doctors that it would be almost impossible to become pregnant without fertility drugs. I never wanted children - but now that I have my daughter, she is my life. I love her more than words can say. She is like a tiny angel put in my life and everything she does makes me smile.

Shortly after she was born, we moved closer to my family and a small town. My husband and I ended up in seperate bedrooms - mostly due to his snoring that literally shakes the bed and my insomnia. We bought a house - our first one. Its a bit of a fixer upper. I work part time from the home and am a stay home mom. My husband is an apprentice plumber.

Now that we have a home and a daughter, I feel as if he is not taking on the added responsibility that he should. He does nothing to help fix up the house. I installed latace and painted, mow the lawn, shovel snow - while he sits and watches movies or plays video games. Yes he works 40 hours a week- but he doesnt even play with our daughter. If I ask for help with anything- he does it, but grudgingly.

I have spoken with him about maybe a seperation. But he starts crying and tells me he loves me and will do anything to make it better. Then he helps for a week, maybe 2 and goes back to how it was.

Lately I have been fantasizing about men I see or know. I am so depressed it isn't even funny. I dont sleep, I have started eating again, I got a ton of tests done to see if I was sick or something because I was always tired, my hair was falling out, and I had sores all over. After everything from a complete physical to a MRI - they came to the conclusion I needed to be on antidepressents. Now I have been on them a month, and still I feel sad and alone.

So thats where it is at. We started counselling then he just stopped going. What can I do? Its not that I dont love him. I do in my own way, but I am no longer in love with him. I am tired of the same argument over and over.

I have a daughter that just turned 1 about 3 weeks ago. We have been trying to train her for about 2 months now to use a cup of some sort on her own without us having to help her. We have tried all different types of cups - handles, straw type, open etc. and all types of beverages - juice, milk, water. She just refuses to try using it on her own. She screams if we dont help her. I know she can do it because I have seen her drink from them on rare occassions, but she likes if people help her instead. I tried ignoring her pleas but then she just refuses to drink anything and she gets a bit constipated from lack of beverage which is obviously not good either. I try helping her hold it, show her how etc over and over.

Just as a fyi- she topped the chart in her gross motor skills as extremely advanced when she saw a physio shortly after her birthday. (she used to have tortocollis but we worked hard with her and she is completely better - it was a follow up appoint.)

Any suggestions?

Hi All,

My husband and I will be moving Sept 1 from Alberta to Saskatchewan and I am currently on maternity leave from my job. I receive EI benefits and was wondering if anyone knows if I will still continue to get them as I will not be returning to that specific job. I have not decided yet whether or not I will look for other employment or stay as a full time mom when my mat leave is up. Does anyone know about the benefit guidelines and moving?

Hi all, has anyone donated their placenta after giving birth for stem cell research? I would love to do this as I am a really big believer in the possibilities it can open for the health industry. I am currently just less than a month from my expected date. Does anyone know who I would talk to about this? I currently reside in Calgary, Alberta.

I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and I have a 9 year old cat that likes to lie on my hip (and a bit on my tummy) when I am laying down. Is it safe for him to be on me? He never lies directly on my stomach - always on my hip. (And no I dont change the litter or anything like that)

I am 26 weeks pregnant and had a prelimanary glucose test done a week ago. The test results showed I have a high blood sugar level and they are sending me in next week for a Glucose Tolerance test. Am I able to lower my blood sugar level in the next 5 days by more exercise and cutting more carbs from my diet? I was tested before pregnancy for diabetes with my annual physical and it can back normal. Any advice?

I am 20 weeks pregnant and although I do have a GP- I do not have an OB. Over 2 months ago I asked my doctor to refer me to an OB for the later part of my pregnancy and delivery. My doctor agreed - and then forgot and never did it. Now I can't get in to see an OB at all. I dont even know what happens. This is my husband and my first child and we have no family and only 1 set of friends we see occassionally. We are still unfamiliar with Calgary and I am really scared about what will happen. It is so important to me to have proper care given during this time as I dont want anything to happen to the baby. I also am not comfortable with a midwife. I just really want to give birth in a hospital under expert supervision in case anything goes wrong.

Does anyone know what happens without an OB? Can I still go to the hospital of my choice while in labor?

I am currently 15 weeks pregnant and have not gained any weight yet. I was already overweight before becoming pregnant and am experiencing something strange? Or maybe it isn't. Although I haven't gained ANY weight yet ( in fact I lost about 3 pounds during the first trimester due to morning sickness ), my stomach is way bigger. Its getting more difficult to do up my regular jeans. Its wider lengthwise. Is this normal as I have not gained weight yet? I don't really understand it. Did this happen to anyone else?

A co-worker has recently become obsessed with practicing good dental hygeine. Normally I would think this is definetly good practice. The problem is - they brush and floss their teeth in our lunch room. They spit in the community sink that we do dishes in and floss over the lunch table. Everyone in the workplace is so grossed out by it that no one will eat in there anymore or do dishes. Not to mention, no one wants to be eating while spitting beside them. Our manager has spoken with them but they continue to do it. Suggestions?

I have a "friend" that I have had since I was pre-teen. I am now 31. When I was a teenager - I did / said a lot of things I am not proud of. I used drugs regularly, slept around and had no ambition. In my early 20's I decided to turn my life around. I stopped using drugs / partying, went to University and earned a B/A degree. I have had a steady job that I have had for several years now and work extremely hard in order to move up the company ladder. I got married a few years ago and my husband and I enjoy a wonderful life together.

The problem is, even though my friend has been with me every step of the way - she refuses to see me in any other light than 12 years ago when I was a teenager. When she see's people from our past she talks about how horrible I was and never mentions how I am now.

Normally I try not to let people's opinions of me matter - but I have worked hard to get to where I am in life and it frustrates me that she won't acknowledge it.

My cat is 9 years old and I have never had a problem with him. Within the last 3 weeks he has started to occassionally poop on the carpet (no urine - he still does that in his box). My first response was to take him to the vet but he came back with a clean bill of health. Nothing has changed in the past 3 years. Same litter, same food, no change in surroundings, no new people - nothing. He has also been neutered since he was a kitten. We have no other pets.The only thing I can think of is that he may be angry as he is not allowed outside. For the first 6 years of his life he was allowed out. 3 years ago we moved to a big city and are right near a main 6 lane highway. We made the decision at that time to keep him indoors as every once in a while he wanders (2-3days away). Up until now - although we can tell he has always wanted to go out, he never did anything. Is it possible that he is finally fed up with only being an indoor cat? Does anyone have any other suggestions?? Please help!

I have worked in the same business office for several years. Within the last half year, they hired a new lady to help with our expanding company. We will call her "Amanda."

Amanda is an older lady and everyone adores her. She is very sweet and a hard worker. When Amanda was first hired on, I was in the process of learning another position in addition to my regular one. My supervisor was on holidays the day Amanda started. I was bogged with work trying to train, perform my regular duties that generally takes 2 people to run as well as learn my additional position. Amanda did very well in the chaos.

2 weeks after however, when my supervisor returned, I saw a different side of Amanda. She continually apologized for asking questions. One day I told her in a very nice tone "Amanda, there is no need to apologize for asking questions, you are doing an excellent job." She took great offense to me telling her she did not have to apologize.

My boss is having extremely major surgery in the near future and I would really like to do something nice for him. But I dont want it to come across as brown nosing. He has always been very kind to me and treated me with respect. He is the only one in my company that has been willing to give me the opportuity to expand my office duties. He literally has opened up a whole new door for me to utilize in the future.

Our work place is full of petty people and office politics and I am afraid doing something nice may somehow backfire and cause a negative spin.

A little about him - he is a diabetic, but loves the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He is an older gentleman with a beautiful family and grandchildren that he is beyond proud of.

Should I get him anything? Do something? If so - what is a good idea. Or should I not do anything in case it causes some sort of backlash? Please help with some advise.

Lately I have considered taking up landscape painting. I have never done it before but have always wanted to try. I know I want to work on a canvas rather then paper but I am not sure of the best way to get started. Is oil paint the best for canvas? Where can I buy blank ones at? Is it an expensive hobby? How much do paints usually run you? What kind of materials will I need to begin? Thanks for your input.

Any of you that have read my previous questions will know and understand this has been one thing after another.

I am unable to attend my best friends wedding (read previous posts if you like) so I volunteered to host the stagette due to her not really knowing any of the wedding party. I was supposed to converse with the new MOH in details. She wanted a limo, a pre-party and then the bar. The cost of the stagette was rocketing and I told the new MOH I couldnt afford this much. So we worked out a solution to cost. I was to pay a portion of the limo/drinks but I would through the pre-party and supply food/decor.

So Tues. I had a big dental appoint. Lots of work done. Wed. I woke up with a sore throat. I emailed bride Wed night - told her about dentist and said it may be that or I may be sick. If I am getting sick do you still want me there since wedding is so close. Didnt hear back. Thought she hadnt read the email. Comps went down at work and I had to pull OT time Thurs.

Here's the scenario. I already declined the position of matron of honor at my best friends wedding due to how expensive it will be. She is getting married 8 hrs from where we live and wants the perfect (pricey) bridal party gowns, prof. hairstyles, etc. My husband goes to school and my work just barely covers the basic expenses. My husband also works but all his money goes to paying school. I agreed to help the new matron of honor plan the stagette. The bride demands a limo for the evening to take us to a bar. The new MOH has asked if I will host a pre-party at my place where we can all meet and have drinks first. I agreed and am okay with having to supply food and decorations etc. However, I told them I would not put in more then $30 towards a limo as we will have to take cabs home and will need to buy drinks at the bar etc. There are only 5 ladies coming including the bride and she wont pay into the limo. The cheapest one I could find was $180/hr. Am I being to cheap standing ground?

First off, I have to make it clear I really love my sister-in-law. She is a really kind person with a good heart. But on that note, I am unsure what to do - if anything.

I dont believe that she was ever taught by her parents how to clean properly. They have a number of cats (I love cats so that isnt the problem either) but she doesnt really clean up after them - litter, vaccum etc. My brother and her have a baby and it is at that age where it is crawling around on the floor and eating things it finds. Their place is a pigstye. The baby just recently ended up in the hospital for a common bacteria disease which I believe came from unhealthy living conditions. My parents are both pushing me to "discuss" with her that she needs to take better care of the place. Problem is, I have already done that several times diplomatically and nothing has come of it. I am not excusing my brother either. He needs to get his butt in gear and help out as well and I have told him that too. What do I do?

My best friend of 18 years is getting married in May. She asked me to be her maid of honor and originally I agreed. However, I have recently changed my mind and cancelled. I can't get my feelings under-wrap on whether or not I am doing the right thing. Please read below and tell me your thoughts.

1) It is the busiest time at my work and although I can get the time off, they asked if I wouldn't

2) I got married last year and asked her to be my maid of honor. She said no due to having to leave her dog 1/2 a day alone. She also did not want to help with any details - dress shopping was out so she could sleep in and she complained during my entire staggette of boredom (not to mention she was broke and we paid for all her drinks)

3) My husband and I are financially strapped as he is going to school and I do not have much of an income. I work overtime several days a week just too compensate. We calculated the cost to go (it's in another city) incl. the dress and it will be over $700 total