UGH - one year, I bought her an orchid, which she threw out a window and called to let me know how much it hurt her that I bought her a gift instead of flying across the country to see her and be miserable.

I used to hear that all the time - and eventually I started telling them “If she was your mother, you’d feel the same way. Just be grateful you had a decent mom”

eh, but there’s a difference between waiting for a generation to die naturally than thinking they should all be murdered!

correction_ family *CAN* be an amazing thing.

CONGRATS for standing up for your wife! That’s really awesome. Toxic family is not worth keeping. If people don’t make you feel good, they don’t deserve to be in your life!

AHH THIS IS SO TRUE!!! Being firm with your boundaries is sometimes the only way people will realize they need to respect you to maintain the relationship.

Seriously - they don’t even respect him enough to choose the person he loves, I doubt they’re respectful in other areas either.

I think this is an important distinction to make - I don’t know many people with kids, but the few I know that planned and carefully considered having children seem infinitely happier than people who had unplanned pregnancies or just did it because it’s “what you do”.

Why the hell do they think they’re entitled to any of that money, when you should be saving any extra you have after paying off that debt?

And I bet they were saying horrible things implying she did something wrong in her veganism that caused her to get cancer...because apparently a vegan diet should destroy cancer... My condolences to your friend, but I hope she’s doing better.

OMFG - “it tastes JUST LIKE CHEESE”

THANK YOU for the insight, I really appreciate it. I’m lucky that me and my sister are on the same page, and we will find a lawyer! My mom isn’t elderly yet, though - is an elder law attorney still the right way to go, since they’re more familiar with conservatorship?

OMFG the addition of violence in with the mental illness is truly terrifying! I’m so sorry you’re having to experience this!

I wasn’t interested until I saw him dancing in Magic Mike....the way his body moves suddenly made me attracted to him!

You’re so right! I did notice that the supporting men seemed to take more dance lessons before the second movie, because their skills were so much better.

I like *parts* of the first one!

OWN IT!!! We can go together, and you will NOT be embarassed by the time we’re done!!

My mother has schizophrenia, but doesn’t believe it and refuses medication - I’ve been dealing with it for 15 years trying to get her help. But, it’s really fucking hard to force someone to take medication, even with hospital and court involvement.

My mother is severely mentally ill, to the point she’s convinced my family won the lottery in the 80's and someone’s been hiding the money from her all these years (We’re secret millionaires apparently!).

I think she’s saying that having to deal with the career goals took so much energy she was unable to enjoy time with husband and dogs, and maybe making herself miserable wasn’t worth it.