Have you tried Dimetapp or Sudafed? I use kids' Dimetapp to avoid the racy side effects. You take it every four hours all day, everyday until you have relief. It's helped me immensely in situations such as yours. I hope you feel better soon.

Hearted for brightening my weekend! Though, "Pawed" would apply as well.

I'm so glad I didn't miss this awesome update! You handled everything fabulously and I am so in love with your dog. That face! Aww, glad things worked out. :)

I'm so happy about the dog! But also that you seem to have a great support system in place. I assume this isn't the first time you've had to come to the rescue. Your awesome-ness (new word!) jumps off the page.

I'd say in this case, yes. The hot-hot glue guns are magic. Low temp ones work well, but the hot seals everything. Just be careful to never smooth whatever you're gluing with a bare hand. I've already tried that for you. (Also, the glue can slightly melt rubber, but my daughter's soles were rubber, we used a thin…

What a terrible spot for you to be in. I keep thinking of the part where you said the dog went hoarse barking due to seeing you. I hope you keep the dog, and I truly hope your mom finds the help she needs.

We remedied a similar situation on my daughter's boot with a hot glue gun. No one's the wiser.

Well, he is Drywall Master of the Universe!

I adore brandied fruit cake but haven't had one in years. I need to get on that.

I agree with you. I believed in Santa until 2nd grade and still remember the magic, with no undercurrents of feeling betrayed. My youngest is 7 and I treasure each year we have left to 'believe'. I'll tell you though, when it's time to come clean about it all, it just about rips my heart in two. They recover so…

I'm paranoid about everything except tofu and yogurt. Those things last. Send me whatever it is you're making!

Ok. I had a black and white cat I adored. He was this floppy, teddy bear of a cat. I followed him around taking pictures, sending the pictures to people, being a nut. When we lost him, I grieved for a long time. I knew not to try to replace him because it would be impossible. I did, however, know that one day I…

RG3, back to business... :)

You can't believe how much I can relate to this sentiment. Hope it gets better for you quickly.

Me, too. I teared up as I read that. As much as I think and worry about children being abused, that is one aspect I'd not focused upon. It sounds like he's on a good path. I could never express how much I hate those who hurt children, not in a million tries.

I hope you reinstate that, because it sounds awesome.

It was funny, Jaden was in the top boys names the year after her birth. Plus, two sonograms had told us she was to be a boy. I had a completely different name picked out for my new son, but surprise! She has short curly hair, so schoolmates tease her about being a boy. I tell her, "Sweetie, you've been called a…

That this beast was allowed to have the children in her home... In the US, five children die from abuse or neglect every day (USGAO, 2011). Sometimes I can't sleep thinking about it.

And 'move on' from such a huge attention seeker? Please.

I've followed this case along with many others of missing children and you are absolutely right.