BEST ANSWER 5 STARS, thank you! )

Long story short, about a month & half ago my ex & I reconnected.. He looked me up, pursued me & we started talking again. In this instance I felt it was worth a try (the reasons we had broken up are reversible) & would regret it more if I didn’t try.. We had dated over 3 years & were broken up for a little over a year. I dated a couple people, he dated one person during that time. Anyway.. Just before we had gotten back together in May, it was "in the works" that his best friend (who works for his landscaping business) would move in with him into a house to rent (my bf had been living w/parents as rent is high around here). I am 24 & he’s 23. Right now, they (including his uncle who is the landlord) are renovating the small house, putting in new flooring, painting, new outlets etc. When we talk on the phone, i hear of all the neat things they’re doing to it. I’ve yet to be invited to come over to help, watch etc. I will be very honest: I am jealous that his friend gets to see him every day at work & now will live with him when renovations are done soon. I feel in a way that he’s taken my place. He is my competition. They are attached at the hip. I am lucky to see my boyfriend once or twice a week. And NO he is not gay, he is as straight as they come before anyone suggests that lol. I’m feeling really awkward about the situation but I don’t want to come across as the clingy, jealous girlfriend. His friend is getting to be part of a fun, new experience (getting a new house ready, picking out furniture to buy, etc) and I am not involved with the new place. I work full time but I’m still stuck at home, because I wouldn’t be able to afford a place without a roomate(s). Haven’t found anything yet. Anyway, the core of the issue is I just feel crappy how his friend gets to see him so much/do a lot with him. I feel left out and kind of like the third wheel. I usually have to wait til his friend leaves on a weekend to see him. I do believe we love each other but I also feel like I may be taken for granted.. How do i make it clear I need to be seen more & be more of a priority? How do I feel less jealous of his new roomate? I feel as though I am being pushed aside & it’s not a good feeling.. its like he’s trying to leave the single life but have me on the side (his friend is single & likes to hang out at bars some, kinda immature).. but yet he had pursued me for many years & acted like he loved me.. Any thoughts/input appreciated a ton.. basically it just feels like the roles are literally reversed.. I am the friend he hangs out with now & then, and he’s the girlfriend w/him 24/7 lol.. :-/ Thank You for help!

My parents have some old wooden chairs that they use every day, but they creak really badly. Is there something I can use to get them to stop creaking without damaging the wood?
Would WD40 be bad??

So, every year my mom’s side of the family has a mini family reunion (I say mini because only some people are invited). I have gone to these family reunions ever since I can remember, and, to be quite honest, they stopped being fun when I was around 13. I am 19 now and out on my own, and when I told my mom that I wanted to miss this one family reunion, she got really upset. The reason why these family reunions bother me isn’t a simple one. My entire family gets wasted every freaking night, except for me because I hate alcohol (my dad is an alcoholic). I’m always left by myself all week long… I sit there, completely ignored by everybody else. My mom’s family and I are worlds apart, and don’t relate to each other in any way. Not to mention, my family is so dysfunctional and my mother so warped, that I truly believe they just want me there so they can feel better about themselves (I’m the heaviest girl in the family, and my mother suffers from anorexia even though she won’t admit it). Basically, it’s just one big emotional mess for me. I alway end up alone and crying at some point on these vacations. My mom told me she would cry if I didn’t come, but I thought that was a manipulative thing to say. She also said it was for my Grandma… but if it were then why do they get drunk every night? She doesn’t like it either, and often goes to bed early or sits there in silence and engages in small talk with me from time to time (we aren’t close).
Also, I feel like I have a right to pass this up. I love my parents, and they do so much to support me, but they’ve also done a lot to hurt me. For example, my last birthday was a mess. My parents got drunk and, when I was upset with them, decided it was okay to go and hang out with my new neighbors without letting me know (I just got my own apartment.) I just went outside (where they were drinking wine and spilling it all over my deck furniture, and smoking cigars), and they were gone. No explanation. And after that my mom ignored me the whole night and refused to give me a hug when I was upset and crying.

So. Do you think I have a right to sit this one out for one summer, or am I being a baby? Again, I feel split because I love my parents when they are sober… they provide so much for me. But… I just don’t think my brain OR emotions can handle that. I need a break.

the weather was overcast raining on and off but not windy. My parents think it was kids but we have never had any people causing trouble in our area and if they were going to knock the chairs I am very sure they would have knocked all of them down. My family has had trouble with kids before where we used to live and we always heard them during the night.

I live in a neighborhood where the are lots of children. I have my own kids. Kids are constantly coming over to visit. but mostly it’s for the food. I feel like I’m a short order cook. When they are done with their meals they ask for more. I try to say enough without hurting their feelings. Parents show up to play with my kids unannounced, lots of times I busy doing something, that I have to drop because they came to visit. Then the kids want something to eat and the parents don’t say anything so off I go to the kitchen to fix them something. When I was young I was not allowed to mention that I was hungry when we were visiting. I would get in so much trouble. Kids jumping on my furniture and parents don’t say anything. I don’t allow my children to do any of the above. The parents are really nice people so I’m careful about what I say or do so as not to offend anyone. Please give me some ideas. I feel overwhelmed.

Before you say bad things about this and make me feel stupid, just, REALLY hear me out.

So my sister, who is two years older than I, got her room redone. I had to lift all of the furniture up the stairs, and while doing so, I saw the price tags. I estimated about 00+ were put into this project.

My parents got me a candy bar and a book so far this year. And they refused to get me an Xbox game. (because of price)

She gets a mini cooper as her first car coming up. My parents said I have to buy mine.

She also is allowed to have a facebook. I am not.

She can hang out with guys, If my parents saw me texting a girl, I would be punished.

She is payed an allowance, I am not. (even though I take out the trash and do many other small chores. She does none)

My parents always defend her. Or it seems like it.

Now, you are probably like, this kid just thinks everything is all bad. And I don’t. I just think my parents favor my sister. And they have every right to. She’s fit, gets nothing but A+’s, in accelerated classes, does theater, musicals, doesn’t curse, doesn’t understand sex (she is 16), she is always prepared, and kisses up to my parents, and she has 5 friends total.

I eat junk food, although I am thinner, I get mostly B’s and low A’s, I sit around because my interest is in film and directing, and there is nothing to do with that, I curse but my parents dont hear it usually, I understand sex, I masterbate(Like any other teen guy), I avoid my parents because all they do is tell me how to be better and suceed… And I think I have plenty of friends I can trust.

I don’t know. Maybe I am just a little prick. Maybe Im just overreacting. But above, those are just examples of my relationship with my sister… I mean, I love my sister. I do. I’d take a bullet for her if it meant my life. But sometimes I don’t understand…
If you could give me some advice, or anything. That would be fantastic.

I watch TV shows all the time and constantly wonder if non-parents (lack of a better word) think if that’s what parenting or pregnancy is really like.

For example:

On ER you see woman have children, work and go about life as if the child had never came into their life.

On One Tree Hill there is a case of teen pregnancy where these kids (mind you only one has a job at a restaurant) live in a lavish home with really great furniture and accessories.

Even on "Everybody Loves Raymond" there are points where you see the kids and it doesn’t even seem like the adult characters seem to notice they are there.

While of course these things do happen sometimes (in real life) that people have everything *great* it’s not really a common occurrence.

Do you feel almost all TV series convey parenting as glorious and not necessarily on a realistic level?

How do you think these shows effect soon-to-be parents and/or people considering to become a parent?

In general I’m looking for decorating ideas. I recently moved out of my parents home and into a very small apartment at college. I want to make it as nice as I can.. considering it is college. I like warm neutral tones.. But the kitchen is so small. Any tips or ideas? I’m on a budget!

My kitchen table is kind of a light wood… it was free so i have to work with it!

Accent wall? If so what color? Thanks to anyone willing to help

I’m asking for advise from parents out there.

My husband and are a childfree couple. We have several good friends who do have children. The problem is when we invite our friends to our home, they do not keep an appropriate eye on their children. They let their kids run all over the house, pick up expensive items and play with them, allow them to eat in our living room (in once instance, the mother brings those mini chocolate bars in her purse for her 3 year old son who then puts his sticky, chocolate fingers all over our furniture) etc..the last straw came a few weeks ago when our friends came over with their four year old and let him play with our Wii without making him wear the wrist band..he also stood right directly in front of the TV and came very close to hitting our screen several times (we have a 70 inch flatscreen television). We also have a Lhasa Apso puppy who is very scared of kids as she’s not used to being around them. Our dog has been slapped by one of the kids as well as having her tailed pulled all the time. The parents say nothing. They just smile and say something like "Isn’t that cute?" No, it’s not. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t feel right "parenting" someone elses’ child but don’t we have the right to enforce rules in our own home? When we visit others’ homes, we show respect for their house and any house rules so I don’t see why it’s any different when they come to our house. Whenever I have dared to say something, I get told that I "just don’t get it" because I’m not a mother but I don’t see what that has to do with basic respect. Am I wrong?

Any ideas welcome!!

I’m asking for advise from parents out there.

My husband and are a childfree couple. We have several good friends who do have children. The problem is when we invite our friends to our home, they do not keep an appropriate eye on their children. They let their kids run all over the house, pick up expensive items and play with them, allow them to eat in our living room (in once instance, the mother brings those mini chocolate bars in her purse for her 3 year old son who then puts his sticky, chocolate fingers all over our furniture) etc..the last straw came a few weeks ago when our friends came over with their four year old and let him play with our Wii without making him wear the wrist band..he also stood right directly in front of the TV and came very close to hitting our screen several times (we have a 70 inch flatscreen television). We also have a Lhasa Apso puppy who is very scared of kids as she’s not used to being around them. Our dog has been slapped by one of the kids as well as having her tailed pulled all the time. The parents say nothing. They just smile and say something like "Isn’t that cute?" No, it’s not. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t feel right "parenting" someone elses’ child but don’t we have the right to enforce rules in our own home? When we visit others’ homes, we show respect for their house and any house rules so I don’t see why it’s any different when they come to our house. Whenever I have dared to say something, I get told that I "just don’t get it" because I’m not a mother but I don’t see what that has to do with basic respect. Am I wrong?

Any ideas welcome!!

i’ve been dating this guy for 3 months now..we are very close (eventhough we agreed in the beginning to take things slow b/c he’s been hurt before-had his relationships end badly)…we’ve told each other pretty much everything about our lives (I know things about him that not even his parents know)

I’ve talked to his brother on the phone, he told his parents about me a month ago, and I’ve also talked to his parents on the phone a few days ago (we were hanging out at the park and he put them on speaker phone to say hi to me). I also met and hung out with his college buddies this weekend when they came into town to visit. these are his very close circle of friends..

we went out for lunch yesterday then went out again last night to play poker..when I walked into the bar where we play poker he immediately got up from his chair, wrapped me into a huge hug and said "I missed you". later that night, I was sitting at the poker table still playing (he got kicked out) and I looked at him from across the table-he smiled and winked at me.

later while we were sitting down talking, he rubbed my back, looked right into my eyes and said "I wish I didn’t have to think about you all the time" I looked at him w/a sad face and said "what’s that supposed to mean? I can not talk to you ever again then you won’t have to think about me" He smiled and said "don’t worry, it’s a good thing"

when we walked over to say goodbye to our friends, he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into a hug..I rested my head on his chest and he squeezed me tight.

he hugged me tight again for a really long time when we said goodnight out by my car (pulled me really close to him)..he said he’d see me today and started to walk away but then came back to hug me again.

what does all this mean? do you think he wants to commit soon?

i’ve been dating this guy for 3 months now..we are very close (eventhough we agreed in the beginning to take things slow b/c he’s been hurt before-had his relationships end badly)…we’ve told each other pretty much everything about our lives (I know things about him that not even his parents know)

I’ve talked to his brother on the phone, he told his parents about me a month ago, and I’ve also talked to his parents on the phone a few days ago (we were hanging out at the park and he put them on speaker phone to say hi to me). I also met and hung out with his college buddies this weekend when they came into town to visit. these are his very close circle of friends..

we went out for lunch yesterday then went out again last night to play poker..when I walked into the bar where we play poker he immediately got up from his chair, wrapped me into a huge hug and said "I missed you". later that night, I was sitting at the poker table still playing (he got kicked out) and I looked at him from across the table-he smiled and winked at me.

later while we were sitting down talking, he rubbed my back, looked right into my eyes and said "I wish I didn’t have to think about you all the time" I looked at him w/a sad face and said "what’s that supposed to mean? I can not talk to you ever again then you won’t have to think about me" He smiled and said "don’t worry, it’s a good thing"

when we walked over to say goodbye to our friends, he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into a hug..I rested my head on his chest and he squeezed me tight.

he hugged me tight again for a really long time when we said goodnight out by my car (pulled me really close to him)..he said he’d see me today and started to walk away but then came back to hug me again.

what does all this mean? do you think he wants to commit soon?

My parents are on a tight budget and i got my braces on a couple of days ago, and then today they bought deck furniture for ,000. I need to help pay for them.
How is the best way to pay for them?

Birthday Sex
Adam was talking to his friend at the bar, and he said, "I don’t know what to get my wife for her birthday – she has everything, and besides, she can afford to buy anything she wants, so I’m stuck." His friend said, "I have an idea! Why don’t you make up a certificate saying she can have 60 minutes of great sex, any way she wants it. She’ll probably be thrilled." Adam decided to listen to his friend’s advice. The next day at the bar his friend said, "Well? Did you take my suggestion?" "Yes, I did," Adam replied. "Did she like it?" "Oh yes! she jumped up , thanked me, kissed me on the forehead and ran out the door, yelling "I’ll be back in an hour!!"

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Poor Duke
A boy was meeting his girlfriend’s parents for the first time for dinner. After dinner, his girlfriend and her mother left the room to do the dishes, leaving him with the father and the dog Duke, who was sitting underneath the boy’s chair. Unfortunately, it was a large dinner and he really had to fart. He stealthily let out a quiet, but audible, fart. "Duke!" the dad yelled. "This is great!" the boy thought. "He thinks the dog is farting!" So he let out another one. "Duke!" the father barked. The boy thought he was homefree so he let everything out at once in a really loud and smelly fart. "Duke! Get out of there before the boy sh*ts on you!"

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None For You
A little boy came down to breakfast. Since he lived on a farm, his mother asked if he had done his chores. “Not yet,” said the little boy. His mother tells him he can’t have any breakfast until he does his chores. Well, he’s a little pissed, so he goes to feed the chickens, and he kicks a chicken. He goes to feed the cows, and he kicks a cow. He goes to feed the pigs, and he kicks a pig. He goes back in for breakfast and his mother gives him a bowl of dry cereal. “How come I don’t get any eggs and bacon? Why don’t I have any milk in my cereal?” he asks. “Well,” his mother says, “I saw you kick a chicken, so you don’t get any eggs. I saw you kick the pig, so you don’t get any bacon, either. I also saw you kick the cow, so you aren’t getting any milk this morning.” Just about then, his father comes down for breakfast, and he kicks the cat as he’s walking into the kitchen. The little boy looks up at his mother with a smile, and says, “Are you going to tell him, or should I?”

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S & M
One day Mom was cleaning Junior’s room and in the closet she found a bondage S&M magazine. This was highly upsetting for her. She hid the magazine until his Father got home and showed it to him. He looked at it and handed it back to her with out a word. So she asked him, "What should we do about this?" Dad looked at her and said, "Well I definately don’t think you should spank him."

************NOTICE: YOU DONT HAVE TO READ ALL OF THIS IF YOU DONT WANT TO!! I PROBABLY WOULDNT BUT IT GIVES YOU MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND!!!************

Okay so im 14. Can I legally train dogs in virginia if i am 14? i have a HUGE dream to be a dog trainer. I’ve made all my flyers, business cards, signs and my calendar (did i move too fast?! i tend to that ALOT its one of my weaknesses). do i really need a lisence to call myself a "dog trainer" is it illegal in virginia. i also don’t think i am the right age. im ONLY 14. I have always loved animals.I was inspired by Victoria Stillwell and her show "Its Me or The Dog" as well as by Cesar Millan and his show "Dog Whisperer" i have all the books written by both of these people and have numerous books on dog psychology.Can i call my thing a Business without having a permit? I really don’t want to interfere with the LAW! also do i even need a permit, i have had numerous answers saying i do and ive also had alot saying i dont unless im doing like bird/duck hunting and the dog is going to retrive my kill (which i would never do duck hunting! poor animals imma vegitarian =D….) But can i be a proffessional dog trainer or just a trainer if my parents get me the insurance i need. or if i get it myself? i mean i already have a dog walking buisness and people give me tips which i put in the bank after a while wont it be enough for some sort of insurance? Also If i can be a trainer if i get insureace or my parents do or they get the buisness lisence (im not sure if they can dot hat….. can they?) would i be allowed to be a trainer or does me being a trainer at my age interfear with the child labor laws on virginia…which i dont understand because i can be an employee at the snackbar and my public pool and i get paid, i just have to take a 4 hour class before the snack bar opens. so i dont know how the child labor laws work. =\

My family has 4 dogs ive trained them all, they are all great dogs, and i have made it so everyone in my family is their pack leader which was tough there is 7 people in my family. I have also helped some of my friends dogs with their barking. biting, counter surfing, begging and even with recall. so far ive done okay. a couple times even i gave the dog a massage and my friends parents have said that they never saw their dog so relaxed the dogs almost fell asleep in my hands. also do you have any recomendations for fences… an 8 pannel fence is like 0.. i dont know if this thing ive had a dream for will even work so i dont want to spend 300 dollars on a fences… any ideas on how to make my own? i love carpentry i built all my dogs their dogs houses and ive made 2 chairs in my room, and a bird house. any ideas…

people also judge my strenth they dont think im strong and i walk all 4 of my dogs at once. they range in weight from 15-58 lbs. one time even at the rescue thing i volenteer at the owner said i was really strong, i worked with a tough tugger for 4 hours and never once asked anyone to hold her, she was 48 lbs. if i had a chance i would have worked with her but i like to work in quiet ares… they said that you couldn’t hide in the isles of the store so i couldnt work with her.

If i call myself a dog trainer is that the same or different as a professional trainer?

I think I dont understand some deffiniotions in their legal terms. I am 14 and i can train a dog basic commands and tricks and other stuff too, so i think of myself as a trainer. Because i CAN train a dog to do something.

Lets say someone i know gets a cut, if i put neosporin and a band-aid on it i consider myself to be a doctor. i know i dont have a medical degree and i never went to med school but i aided the wound therefore i think of myself as a doctor.

Can i call myself a dog trainer even though i cant get a lisence. Im not calling myself a proffessional trainer just a trainer or even a trainee. is that ILLEGAL?Because to me if i can train dogs to not bark or to act correctly when nervous or if i can train them recall or the bacis commands or to pick something up and bring it to me i consider myslf a trainer because i trained the dog to do something. Now if I want to pass on my ability to train my dogs onto other dogs in my neighborhood by teaching them the same things if i dont have a lisence because im not old enough is that LEGAL or ILLEGAL?

i hope you understand what im trying to say.

Thanks for all your help and kind words, and please if your just gonna get mad at me and tell me to stop asking these questions then please dont leave anything at all. I just want to know as many ways to work with my comunity and work with dogs and train them if its LEGAL for me to do right now.

please dont get mad at me for asking similar questions for the fifth time now, i just want to know if it is legal and then i want as many other options or choices of things i can do untill i can get my lisence. thanks

R
RIGHT NOW I HELP BY:
-I have a dog walking service
-I foster dogs and cats
-I train my friends dogs and puppies
-I volenteer at animal shelters to help clean their cages
-I volenteer at animal rescue foundations to help get dogs and cats adopted…
>>>specificaly the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation
-I volenteer at my local veterinary hospital to play with the animals that stay over night. they shouldnt have to feel lonely

THANKS AGAIN!