Sheryl

We have an addition, mother in law house, built before we bought the property, but not at the same time as the house. The septic tank is in the backyard between both houses. 

There is a horrible sewer smell in the small house, clearly from the septic, but only when it’s colder (not frozen as this is Florida). The vent pipe on the roof is clear - we ran hose down it with no problems. The smell does seem more prevalent inside the bathroom (especially near the sink and the wall with the vent) and around the other wall outside the bathroom by a hose spigot. All drain traps (shower, sink) are clean and not dry, used frequently. 

I think it could be a leak or clog in the main waste drainage going out of the house, but then why only when it’s cold? Otherwise, it completely disappears. I know a plumber with a snake would diagnose, but I was hoping for a possible explanation first. 

I’ve only traveled outside the US a couple times, but have lived in several states, and I often find myself clashing with “local” personalities and perspectives. I don’t know if it’s a lack of travel or a state of mind, but I am terrible at dealing with them. They make stupid arguments like that the native people are better drivers or that their area is very rural (despite population maps proving otherwise), or that it gets hotter / colder where they live. I think I’m having a friendly conversation, and they act like I’m challenging their world views. Does anyone have advice on being friendly and sharing your perspective, without arguing, yet not feeing like your bowing down to misinformation or getting put down?

Typically, I do a variety of activities, and am regularly physically active. I did a leg / butt workout a few weeks ago, had usual soreness, but mostly in the deep muscles of my right buttock with mild soreness in my calf on the same side. After a week or so, my butt got better, but the calf didn't. I did a swim and a walk - toward the end, I felt the calf slightly pull or cramp, so I took a couple days off. When I worked out 3 days later, the entire leg felt tight, and I thought I strained / pulled it, so reluctantly took a couple weeks off and treated it as such. It does feel like it might have been torn, and there are small lumps I can feel along the gastroc muscle fiber, but it doesn't really hurt a lot or feel much weaker and the soreness / tenderness doesn't seem to be going away. I don't want to risk tearing it more bc I can't afford insurance right now, but don't want to miss working out it it's not necessary.

My landlord informed me earlier this week that they would be spraying for bugs while I was at work. That night I noticed a little odor, but only in the kitchen around the stove. That night and the next, I slept with the air conditioning on and my windows closed (I live in Florida). The next two mornings, I was disgusted to find strings of dried saliva in my mouth, which I had to physically pull out and throw away. I didn't feel sick in any other way, but I did feel a little dizzy at work. I wasn't particularly alarmed by this, because I have felt dizzy from medications, ear infections, etc... before. But, I tried to figure out why I had saliva like that two mornings in a row, because I had never had this happen before. It was the third night (last night) when I connected the bug spraying to the symptoms. I slept with my windows open and had no symptoms this morning.

But, tonight I found an insect crawling under my couch cushion which prompted me to do research. Remembering a swarm of bugs in my kitchen that were shedding their wings and were dead or dying just before they sprayed, and with the saved insect from my couch (still alive), I figured out that they were termites.

I have read that termites are not specifically associated with adverse health effects, but I'm still concerned when I'm finding them crawling under the cushion where I am sitting. Also, what about the bug spraying incident? Should I be concerned about any long-term health effects of the exposure to the insecticides, or further exposure from pesticide still present? Thanks.

Earlier this week I had a swarm of flying insects in my kitchen, which living in Florida, I wasn't at all surprised. Their wings fell off and I merely swept up their bodies and wings and placed them in the garbage. Most of them were dying or already dead.

My landlord informed me within the next day or so that they would be spraying for insects while I was at work. After, I did notice a slight odor, but only in my kitchen around the stove.

That night and the next, I slept with my windows closed and my air running. The next two mornings, I was disgusted to find strings of saliva in my mouth, which I had to pull out with my fingers and throw away. I didn't feel sick in any way, although I remember being a little dizzy at work. I told my co-workers and family about the saliva thing, and tried to figure out what had caused it. It wasn't until the third night that I connected the bug spraying. I left my windows open that night and did not have any problems the next morning.

Today, I found an insect under my sofa cushion, which prompted me to do a little research. I discovered the insect to be the same as the flying ones - they were termites. (I saved this bug in a container to ID it)

All of these events have me worried and disgusted. I live in Florida so I'm used to cockroaches and all other kinds of insects, but the fact that my landlord did not inform me of a termite infestation or about the strength of the chemicals used (and obviously did not allow proper ventilation after spraying), has me concerned. The fact that the termite was crawling under the cushion where I was sitting is not only gross, but shows that the infestation is probably severe. It makes me uncomfortable to live here.

Do I have any legal rights and what should I do?

Whenever I swim laps, I feel like I'm conquering all my psychological fears... does that have something to do with being underwater?

Thanks for any ideas.

I'm training for triathlons two-a-days Tuesday-Friday (short session in AM), one short session on Saturday AM, and a long bike on Sunday AM... but I can't go without my yoga.

I love to do yoga first thing in the AM, but too much stretching before a hard workout can be counterproductive, and it feels great after working out. On the other hand, I don't like jumping out of bed to hit the pavement in less than 10 minutes, either.

I'm not as motivated to do yoga in the evenings, because by then, I've got too many other things to do.

Any suggestions and useful info?

Whether you agree with the death penalty or not, why would you be the one to carry it out (speaking of both volunteers in countries where it is carried out more privately, and countries where it is more public and brutal, such as stonings in the Middle East)

I am interested in the psychology of the individuals that carry these acts out (in relation to the culture) only.

Is it a demonstration of power? Bravery? For bragging rights?

What kind of characters are the people that volunteer or end up being the individuals that perform these executions/killings?

I am not speaking of only Muslims. The death penalty (formally or informally) is carried out in various cultures, and I am looking for a parallel of the individuals that perform them.

Please keep answers as objective as possible, and about the individuals that carry out the executions.

I have experienced hate toward others to the point of wanting them to suffer, but would never carry out such violence. I have felt the desire to kill in the name of my family and loved ones, but never would. I don't agree with the death penalty, never have, and I don't understand how men can drag a woman in the street and stone her to death? What must they be thinking? Many of these people are not even directly affected by the acts they so vehemently disagree with (like murder and adultery)...

I'm not asking why they disagree with the acts themselves, but how they justify that death is the solution, and how they can bring themselves to murder.

Sharia law human rights violations, blood for oil, war

What does it mean to the rest of the world?

I'm thinking of all the famous adult cartoons, like Family Guy, Futurama, The Simpsons, South Park, etc...

Are the artists just lazy, or is there some other reason?

I prefer a man with more sexual experience and maturity, but it seems like men are the other way around... Of course I look at personality before this, but I am specifically interested in views on sexual experience in men and women (from either sex about either sex). Please give your reasons why. Thanks!

I am American born, more promiscuous (in past) than the average woman, am athletic, outspoken, am willing to cook and clean, am somewhat of a perfectionist. I can be incredibly nurturing and nonjudgmental. I have the heart of a mother and teacher. I take good care of myself, have great skin, look good for my age (28) - most people say I look much younger. But, I want a career of my own, and although I would make a fabulous housewife, it's not what I want, nor would I be willing to do all the housework if I was working the same hours. Is this unattractive to most of the world? I actually prefer a partner with more sexual experience... why is this not true from a man's perspective?

During about the ages of 12-19, a teen is supposed to develop a sense of identity, in relation to their values and society. But, what if they fall behind in this step of development? (Symptoms of developmental lag are depression, suicide attempts, sense of isolation, loneliness, impulsiveness, extreme rebellion, denial of feelings, poor hygiene, fantasy as an escape from problems, drug/alcohol abuse, anorexia, bulimia, obesity, sexual activity to provide missing nurturance, prostitution, stealing, pathological lying, psychosis, fire-setting, violent assault, truancy, running away, pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, cults, early marriages that are likely to fail, hatred and rejection of family - from www.education.com)

If the person had any of these problems as a teenager, but does not have them as an adult, could they still have psychological problems related to identity, and is there a specific disorder for that?

Why is it that some people tend to polarize - you either love them or hate them. I ask because I am a polarizing person and I don't understand why - In most of the situations in my life, I was well-liked and very popular, OR the majority went out of their way to alienate me and hurt me. I want to know why that is?

And then, how can you explain people like Oprah, who are very loved, yet have little to no disrespect / enemies? How can you project a good image and exert positive influence without attracting opposition? Are figues like Oprah truly creating new images and ideas or simply stating the mass opinions out loud and taking credit for it?

I am 28 and have never been married, I'm unemployed and living back at parents after getting fired. But, up until I got fired, I had a pretty good job, lived on my own since I was out of high school, went to college. I still want to go to med school I've done triathlons and am fairly athletic. I'm not perfect, but people who have known me for a long time really respect me. I always thought I'd have kids by now.

I was fired from my job for an "aggressive confrontation". The women I worked with had ganged up against me after I had a relationship with a higher up (not my boss but in my dept), and he dumped me for a girl closer to his age (35). The girls (and my boss) did everything they could to try to get me to quit my job but I hoped it would just blow over. I liked my job. Finally, I got upset when one of the girls (a new temp who had joined their group and wanted my job) wouldn't listen to me or help me, as usual, so I told her "Can you please just HELP me?!" in a raised voice, and someone in the hallway overheard me. (Also had some tardies and other complaints made about me in preceding 6 months by same girls. When I explained to my boss my co-worker's behavior, she stated that she did not think it was only my fault. But when I asked why I was the only one who was punished, she said because they thought that I had been the one that initiated it).

To make matters worse, I then dated a Muslim doctor who after 6 months, I found out he had a wife and kids in another state and he lied to me about his age. It was about the time I found out about that - that they were trying to get me to quit at work, and I just couldn't fight anymore. All of my grandparents had died in the previous couple years, too, and I am the only child near my parents, so I was being supportive of them, too. I kind of just gave up, and now I've been unemployed for over 6 months. Honestly, I haven't really tried to get a job in all that time. I have to go to re-employment services appointments, and I dread it every month. I was about to go to counseling, but I changed my mind because I started feeling better. I have a fighting personality, but this is really not me right now. I am pretty, smart, athletic. I have pretty good self confidence. I had exceptional grades in college with pre-med / biology degree and worked to support myself, had lots of friends, boyfriends. I keep thinking things will get better, but I can't seem to find any motivation anymore, and I am really feeling at a loss here.

I hear so many things about how wine is good for you in moderate amounts, but I'm not entirely convinced. Usually I'm tempted to drink more, if not that night, then another night. Does anyone really ever drink ONE drink regularly? I have no problem NOT drinking, and I have no alcoholism in my family that I know of. It's like people that suggest having credit cards, but to pay off the balances every month. It sounds great in theory, but most of us are going to run up a bill at some point, despite our good intentions. What do you think?

I am obsessed with schedules because if I don't keep one, I end up unbalanced in my life. For example, growing up I focused mostly on school alone and didn't develop practical skills, like cooking or car maintenance, or common knowledge. As an adult with many time demands, I've become more aware of this imbalance, and have tried to compensate, unsuccessfully. It seems like I can't focus on living my life and pursuing goals at the same time. Does anybody have any simple time management tips for a smart person with no common sense?

I am obsessed with schedules because if I don't keep one, I end up unbalanced in my life. For example, growing up I focused mostly on school alone and didn't develop practical skills, like cooking or car maintenance, or common knowledge. As an adult with many time demands, I've become more aware of this imbalance, and have tried to compensate, unsuccessfully. It seems like I can't focus on living my life and pursuing goals at the same time. Does anybody have an simple time management tips for a smart person with no common sense?