!~Tonya~!

I have a 5yr old son, we'll say Lane, his dad & I split up when he was very young. We've kept the custody 50/50, and managed to have an ok relationship about it. Shortly after we split I entered another relationship & got married and have a step son, Luke (6), and we later had a daughter Iris (3). The boys have known eachother since they were 1 & 2yrs old. To them they are not "step" brothers.

But now that it's time for Lane to go to school we're having issues. His dad lives about 45 minutes away from where I live. I do however work kind've close to him (20mins) He wants Lane to go to school either in the school right down the road from him, or in the school in the town I work in. (I drive 35 mins to work, and usually car pool with my sister, her husband and their son) So while this is potentially an option the effects of this are: Lane and Luke (and Iris when she goes to school) will not be in the same school and will not form the bonds that siblings have, I am the only one in my family that can drive for the next couple of years. (which REALLY sucks!!) So if there is a school event, chorus, game, etc scheduled for both schools on the same night we will literally have to choose which child we go see. The two boys will not have any shared friends. We have daycare for before & after school currently provided by my in laws for FREE. Otherwise I will have to find a provider and pay for 3 out 5 days a week. Just all the extra hassle of keeping events and schedules straight for two different schools.

Has anyone else dealt with a similar situation???!!! What'd you do? I can see his point to want him closer because our schedule would be able to remain the same. Where as if he goes to school where I live his dad will get him on the days he doesn't go to school. Right now he gets him Weds night thru saturday (and every other Sunday).

I just don't know what to do. If I spend all my time and energy trying to make everything easy and convenient for everyone else then I'm the one left having to juggle everything and hating life. At some point I have to put my foot down and say no! Right? I don't think that's too mean of a thing to do.

But now Lane's dad is talking to a lawyer...freaking great!

I'm having trouble gaining perspective on an issue.

My (long time ago) Ex, whom I have a 5yr old son with is dating a girl that recently graduated High School. (She would've been 12 when our child was born-eww)

This ex hasn't dated much, publicly since we split up.. I believe this is largely due to him not being able to find a quality girl and also his drinking problems that turn him into a bumbling fool by 10pm. So I think his standards have gone down. The girl is pretty enough, but she's 18. She just graduated High School in MAY. I don't know what on earth they could have in common, other than their desire to drink beer and what not.

All of this doesn't really bother me until we get to this point...

He wants our son to go to the school by his house. Which would mean he'd have him the majority of the time. I've told him that even though I'm keeping my opinion of his girlfriend to myself (for the most part) actions like this make me question his judgment in BIG way. That along with his drinking issues is enough to make me NOT want him to have our kids more.

I am married, between my husband and myself we have three children that have been together for 5 years. We don't drink unless on a special occasion, we don't smoke (his dad does), we're active with the kids.... I guess I don't think it's really an option.

Anyone else been in a similar situation?

I have been in what I'd consider an abusive (mostly emotional) relationship for the past 4.5 years. We've had 1 child together and have been married for 1 3/4 years. I left him last week because of his controlling nature. I have a post I wrote a while ago that sheds some light on our past issues. Our more daily ones are that he will flip out if I don't answer his phone call or text with in 5-10 minutes. He's always thinking I'm cheating on him. I have to speed home every night to avoid the dreaded "where were you?" or "what took you so long"

https://www.mytherapycouch.com/read_forums_thread/...

Now, on the flip side...as with everything..it wasn't all bad. We're both very kookie and off the wall odd balls, which was one of the things I was so excited about when we got together. We have had a lot of fun times.

He's promising the moon and stars right now, says he knows where he's went wrong. Since I wrote a long letter explaining all the things he's done that were horrible over the course of our relationship and gave it to his parents he's had to face his problems. I just don't know if I can believe him. I've been his submissive little wifey for so long though that it's a mental battle to NOT listen to him. It's hard to watch him hurt, he's remodeled the bathroom, redid the landscaping, sent me flowers. Of course, he's not listening to my request and giving me space but I know he's hurting soo bad.

What I want to know is if anyone has been in a similar situation..I need some good solid advice.

I would like to find a inclusive resort in the US. Looking for one that is equally relaxing and fun. I want to pull away from people and kick back but have the opportunity to kayak, snorkel, and be social (club) also a swim up bar is a plus and very close to the ocean also.

Any places fit the bill?

I'm looking for a entertaining escape from the cold winter months. We're in IA, so I'm sure we'll need to go south but I HATE driving. What is a good destination that offers plenty of entertainment without spending all of our savings? (and can get around easily with a cab or something of the sort)

I'm considering getting a 22 and am looking for one that comes highly recommended. I would like something with enough power that I won't become bored with it and wanting more.

We decided 5 weeks ago to get married 10/8. It's been crazy getting it all together. All along my sister and I (whom are usually pretty close) have barely spoke. She's given me the cold shoulder and has only called me 1x, to ask a favor of me. Which then ,ofcourse, she was nice. Also since we announced our engagement she has gave her bf an ultimatium that he purposes in 6mths or they're done. ~crazy~ In addition to that my mother & I haven't spoke since June due to a sudden revolution on my part of how crappy of a parent she has been. I have invited her to the ceremony & reception, b/c even tho we are not getting along now, we once were very close. I understand that things change and if we resolve our differances down the road I'll always regret not having her there.

Anyway my sis emailed asking what time she needed to help put up decorations, and just in a very dismissive manner mentioned mom was coming with her. I told her I didn't want Mom there, I want the day as stress free as possible. So she said she wasn't going to tell her she couldn't come. Apparently she invited her along without my knowledge and refused to tell her otherwise. I had had enough and flipped out. Told her I didn't want her or mom to come decorate and called her out on her recent complete rudeness.

Well now I'm quite worried of what will happen come the day of my wedding. I'm not generally the type to argue but I'm also not going to let people walk all over me. My sister on the other hand is very ummm....gruff? abrasive? loud? Hmmm can't find quite the right word but she's very confrontational. I don't want to tell her she can't come b/c there might be a miracle and she might be nice but on the other hand she might very well cause a sceen or more possibly sit back in a corner and talk crap on me the entire day. Fun fun! I think alot of her hostility comes from that she's the older sister and the last to get married. Which is nothing I can help.

Anyway, I'm hoping there are other people that have had a simular situation and can give me some comforting words. I'm at a loss here.

is it correct that the other parent has complete custody of the child while the other is away? And is there anywhere that referances this?

Thanks!

I'm trying to look for a computer that will support multiple programs running at once and still operate at great speed. (Photoshop, Lightroom etc)

The computer I have now is very slow and to work on photos it takes about 8 hrs to do 50.

Price is an issue here but any feedback is appreciated!

Not sure if "elope" is the correct term. We're considering getting married in Vegas. Our familes are in IA. I don't think any of them will be joining. However I'm wondering is there any tactful way to have a bridal shower for a situation like this.

I'm looking for a good place to get collages from. I've already checked out Picnik but I'm wanting something with some better customizing options.

Sorry guys, I'm basically clueless on this type of thing. I've downloaded the one I want but don't know where to go from there. Its just saved to the computer right now.

I'm new to it and for the life of my can't get my Text to change sizes, I've used the tool bar on top and the tool bar off to the side....the size never changes. Any other options?

Also when I upload the photos to FB they always look pixelized any idea why they're doing that?

Looking for good prices for great photos. I'd also like to be able to store my images on the site.

The version I have is extermely outdated and I'm looking to see what everyone else recommends.

I just got the camera today and would like to do the blurred background photos however by just putting it in the AV Mode and reducing my F stop I'm only noticing a slight blur and not the dramatic effect I was looking for. Is there something else I should be doing?

I'm just starting to mess with photography so this is all very very new to me. What is a good COST EFFECTIVE starter lens for portraits?

And what are the critical things to look for when shopping for a camera? I'm just beginning to look into them and need to know what specs I should be paying the most attention to. My price range is about $800, I wouldn't mind getting a package deal with an extra lens too, but don't know what exactly I'm looking for.

I'll be doing more research on all of this but thanks for giving me a jump start!

I'm looking for a replacement phone for Verizon and am seeing alot of Unlocked phones..just curious what exactly that means and are they reliable?