Estella

Estella

Estella

I think you should call right now and apologize. Life is too short. My dad and I once stopped talking for two years over an issue related to my parents' divorce. It was the classic case of the child being caught in the middle even when they are adults. I had no control over the situation as I was not part of the decision-making process.

 We are both stubborn, but I knew he was more stubborn than I. So after two years, I really started to miss him in my life.  I started calling him, writing him, telling him  how much I loved him repeatedly until finally the ice thawed on his end. Our relationship is very strong now, actually better than ever. He respected me for being honest with him in my letters. We now realize we don't have that much time together. I see him whenever I can and enjoy every minute.

Estella

Estella

I learned this from my mom and dad: If I can't afford to pay cash for it , I can't afford it.  A house is an exception since it is an asset, but don't buy more house than you can afford. Amazing how being debt free simplifies your life! Cars are liabilities. I drive used cars and pay cash for them. I do use a credit card for ease but pay it off each month.

I'm with Thoreau who said, "Keep your accounts on your thumbnail" and "Simplify, simplify, simplify"

Estella

Estella

Welcome back, Keri,

I have been so worried about you. I'm glad you are back. What an ordeal you have been through! No one person should have to go through so much in such a short space. It sounds like the chemo will be a short does, and that's great. My mom is going through chemo right now, so I know about the mouth thing. Lots of foods she used to love taste terrible to her now, so we keep experimenting with different things until something is appealing. Cheese crisps sound really good to her right now. You might try that.  Kepp us posted on your progress. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way at all times.

Estella

Welcome back, Keri,

I have been so worried about you. I'm glad you are back. What an ordeal you have been through! No one person should have to go through so much in such a short space. It sounds like the chemo will be a short does, and that's great. My mom is going through chemo right now, so I know about the mouth thing. Lots of foods she used to love taste terrible to her now, so we keep experimenting with different things until something is appealing. Cheese crisps sound really good to her right now. You might try that.  Kepp us posted on your progress. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way at all times.

Estella

Estella

 I couldn't wait to feel life inside me. I only wish men could have this mystical experience. Since I have twins, it was more like there was a wild party going on inside me most of the time. I wasn't invited. I just provided the house and the food.  

Estella

I was a working mom, so I made my kids responsible for their own wake-up routine. The night before they set their  own alarms, lay their clothes out, packed their backpacks.

While they were getting ready in the morning, I would make breakfast. We would eat together and talk about the upcoming day. I found that the more I did for them, the more they depended on me and the more helpless they became. Later, when they were teenagers,  they made breakfast for me.

After school I would wash out their lunchboxes, and we would each pack our own lunch together for the next day. That was a good time to talk about their day before they went outside to play. Each morning they had to make their own beds before leaving for school. I didn't care if it looked great. It was just the idea that they had a job to do.

 I believe in natural consequences. If they didn't get up in time, they missed their bus and had to walk to school (it was a long walk). If they forgot their lunch, they ate a school-provided peanut butter sandwich. If they forgot their jackets, they were cold. Interestingly, they rarely made the same mistake twice.

I know it sounds harsh, but they have both thanked me many times for making them accept responsibility at a young age.

Estella

Estella

Estella

Estella