I student taught this spring in a 3rd grade classroom and we read a play that was very similar to that... only it wasn't a rabbi... just a wise man named Bartholomew. The play was called "The Crowded House".

You have made me laugh, the very same children that told me when they turned 18 they were moving out have all rotated through the door a time or two. I was just enough of a shrew to make them want to leave.....and they did, no empty nest here and there never will be. I must count my blessings, even though it is sometimes through clenched teeth to have them all in my life.
Thank you so much for the laugh, the temperature is rising and the burn is rearing its ugly head!

Ah yes, I am perfecting the behavior of the shrew 'mother-in-lawticus', of the Northern Hemisphere.

As an actor, I have found that if say
"WHAT THE HE11 IS GOING ON HERE" ,
using my 'voice of God' voice-
(projecting to the back balcony of a 2000 seat theater)
things quiet down around me, at least for a while.
(also.... grandchildren under the age of 5, start to cry )

LOL, the booming voice schtick....yeah that works, but not for me....I sound like a raging hen. One syllable from hubby in booming voice and I swear the world is silent. With such a powerful weapon, I can see why he seldom uses it....it makes me cry too!

I do a bit more of the 'looks of daggers' and silent pouting these days....I am more of a post menopausal Brunhilde. I also have the 'nag' but that seems far less effective these days...no one listens.

No one told me this child wakes TWICE per nite for feeding....Lord. I suppose I should have asked before I committed to this....ugh. I committed when I thought I was getting a one year old. Well, at least I get to train him to my schedule.....in time.

Good thing he is cute during the day.....never the less, this will be a looooong 18 months. This too shall pass.

I refer to my adopted children as 'chosen' children, since that was the term applied to these kids....you know, to make them feel special.....my 'regular' kids, whatever name one chooses to them....bio, birth, whatever are apparently lower on the foodchain. Well, I would do this for any of my kids, but, it is a lot to ask.

'Chosen' has apparently conferred some sense of entitlement....well, whatever, this little boy had no choice in his matter, and would likely rather be with a doting mom (if he had one), than an ailing grandma....yet, he smiles so sweetly at me, that it warms my heart, and I don't feel old and ailing.....except at 2am. Unfortunately this has the impact of running a marathon a day!

Ouch...I've been out of work for over a year. I spend many hours every day trying to find a job. I've worked hard all my life. Spent a whole pile of money and gobs of time going to school at night to get my degree. Now that I'm over 50 and unemployed long-term, nobody even wants to talk to me. Haven't you heard that many companies now state "unemployed need not apply" in their job postings?

I know you didn't mean this maliciously, but comments like this are very hurtful and make it even harder for people like me.

No, I didn't mean this maliciously. Of course millions of people pound the pavement religiously and really LOOK for jobs....our case here, was not one of those. My cosuin's husband is out of work (newspaper business) and he is 60....where is HE to find work at his age? He deserved unemployment, so do millions of others. Some areas, including ours are devastated. I live in the rust belt.

Nope, I mean people exactly like my SIL who sat on his behind and had NO plan B until the electricity was turned off and eviction number 2 was beyond imminent, despite our paying the rent for several months.....McDonalds and home improvement was beyond him. He was employed within two weeks of coming to my home....and PERMANENTLY. When some one tells me they use the 'trick' of applying for jobs they can't possibly get...well....yes, it makes me wonder how many do that. I pray it is not many.

I am out of work too....and a good friend of mine, also an RN lost her job (and has serious, often terminal illness). Any one on this board knows how I vote, and many disagree with me, and I would be the first to extend benefits, despite some people not being honest. You can't throw out the baby with the bath water.

It is rough out there.....I have ONE family living with me, I support another daughter's child now, completely, and I end up helping one son....sooo, you are right.....we have a SERIOUS problem....I was making light of my personal situation.

BTW, I am broke, and HE has a new washer in his storage unit! Do you think he offered me his after he broke mine? Pffff. Two weeks to U-haul and end of story. I now have to find some one to haul off my 200 lb. TV as well....ugh. NO wonder my lab work is all off today.....

I do hope you find work. I hope every one who is looking for work, finds work, work they love.

I hope every one who is not looking for work, finds some purpose to get up other than SpongeBob-Square Pants! Applying for account analyst and CEO jobs when you don't have your high school diploma, just to keep your benefits going, well.....this isn't fair to you or me!

I gotta go count my chickens.....I need enough to barter for medical care.

[QUOTE=cyclelops;677143]
G...yet, he smiles so sweetly at me, that it warms my heart, and I don't feel old and ailing:

*** I highly recommend this documentary if you've had (or want to have) a baby in your life. A stunning feat of film-making and you will think, ponder and muse about it for weeks after.

"Babies":

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020938/


*** And bless you for doing what you do whilst your child is sent to war. I hope and pray your brood is reconstituted safely.

CB