My MIL gave me a mother's day card with a very sweet, seemingly heartfelt message in it. Truthfully? With everything that's ever gone on with us, I just don't buy it.

It Is Still Abuse If . . . *There has not been any physical violence. Many women are emotionally and verbally assaulted. This can be as equally frightening and is often more confusing to try to understand. Abusers often go from verbal to physical abuse. *His physical abuse seems minor when compared to those you have read about, seen on television or heard other women talk about. There's no “better” or “worse” form of physical abuse. For example, you can be severely injured as a result of being pushed. *The incidents of physical abuse have only occurred one or two times in the relationship. If he's injured you once, it is likely he will continue to physically assault you. *The physical or verbal assaults stopped when you became passive and gave up your right to express yourself as you desire, to move about freely and see others, and to make decisions. You shouldn't have to give up your rights as a person and a partner in exchange for not being assaulted. I was an abused wife and give you this advice from my heart.

My pre-schooler advised me he could count to 100. My heart was quickly filled with pride and dread. He told me he counted to 100 at school. Thinking on my toes, I told him that it's only a good idea to count to 100 once a day, and that maybe he could let daddy hear it tomorrow. :) It's not that I don't want to hear it, it's... ok yeah i don't want to hear it.

Please tell me I'm doing the right thing...Today when I was talking to my future dss12, he said to me when he was at his mom's house this weekend he felt sorry for his cat. I asked why. He said because his cat didn't have any cat food and his mom and her bf couldn't afford to get more (yet they can afford other things like going out to eat, and other luxuries. I didn't say this to dss though). He said today was his mom's bf payday and they got cat food. I asked how does he know they got cat food for the cat unless he was there? He said they told him they were getting his cat some cat food today. As sad as it is, I can't bear the thought of someone starving a cat so I called animal control, I know in my heart I did the right thing. This is dss cat and I know he will be heartbroken if animal control has to take his cat away. Please please tell me I did the right thing :(

I haven't seen my first love in over 20 years. Today I saw a clip on FB of him being interviewed for a news show. He is a successful sports photographer. My heart was racing as I clicked the link. As I watched, I saw no trace of the skinny, quirky, punk rock boy I loved. I saw a professional, knowledgeable, silver haired man, who was very well spoken and passionate about photography. I'm so proud of him, but a bit wistful. That boy touched me in ways no one else ever has. He drove me crazy. He understood me like no one else. It just couldn't work out.

My dh has a small penis. Yes, I knew this when I married him. But when we were first together everything was still new and we were in that phase where every touch sent you soaring. 10 years and 2 kids later, and that honeymoon stage is long over. I love him to death, but I can seriously barely feel him inside of me. He does everything else, but sometimes I just want a good, hard, screw. Worst part is, that I don't think he even realizes how small he is, and I don't have the heart to tell him. It's not like he can do anything about it. He's in great shape, is a wonderful father, and a great guy. I love everything about him but this. What can I do?

My dad recently gave me his old pocket watch that he had a a kid. My brothers found out about it and threw a fit. My mom told me that my brothers wanted the watch, oh you are breaking my heart (jk). My dad said that the reason I got it (I am his daughter) is because he doesn't trust them with it. My older brother may pawn it for alcohol while the other one would let his son play and possibly break it. Sorry mom I know you spoil the boys a lot but I don't ask anything of dad and he knew that I would take care of it because I know the sentimental value this watch has (it has been insured by me.) My mom made it sound like she expected me to give the watch to one of them. Sorry to break it to you too mom but I don't trust your sons either.

I know many women who are dealing with the consequences of men who refused to honor their requests. They asked these guys to stop smoking, it's ruining your health. Don't ride that motorcycle, you've had too many close calls. Don't fly in that homemade plane because I don't think it's safe. Treat your sleep apnea. Please lose weight. The result of these these men's refusal is heart attack, death by accident, & disabling diseases that requre a caregiver so the woman has to give up her life to push the guy around in a wheelchair for the next 15 yrs. Men - why do you refuse to honor your loved one's request when she makes it in your best interest? Ruining both your lives? WHY? Why is it better to prove dominance over your woman than to look out for your health in a reasonable way???

Some times I like to browse dating sites to see what's out there, but I never contact anyone. I feel that since I found the one who made me feel whole, I have no need to find someone else. Him and I can never be together again due to something terrible happening to us. I don't think it would be fair to other guys because they can't compete. My parents love each other, but they couldn't be together...when they broke up before I was born, they never saw anyone else. My uncle met a woman when he was in his 20's, fell in love and planned to marry her. He never talked about what happened, but for some reason, they couldn't be together. He died in his mid 70's, was never with anyone else, never had kids. I come from a gene pool that believes once you found 'the one', then your heart is complete, even if things happen and you can't be with that person. I'm content knowing that my 'one' still loves me and always will. I think a lot of people who spent most of their life alone, and die alone, were people who knew who their 'one' was, and didn't feel they needed to look for another. Some people don't need to have someone physically in their lives to feel complete.

ExH is on his way over to drop something off. I still get excited to see him. Even though we've divorced and I've moved on and made a comfortable new life for myself, sometimes it makes me sick to my stomach that we're not together still. Then my dumb mind starts playing evil tricks on me doubting why we divorced and questioning if I tried everything to make it work. Then I remember that, "YES, YES I DID! I tried for 2 years to make things be the best they could be and I begged him to work with me on things. He tried for a little while and then realized his heart just couldn't love me anymore and probably never would again. I was crushed, but I couldn't hold it together in a healthy way all alone. It's crazy how I have to relive that over and over again occasionally to settle my heart and mind once again. *deep breath*. You'll be okay, dear self.