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POLL: Are we headed for a recession/depression?

Posted By: me on 2008-06-18
In Reply to:

Do you think we are headed there or already there.  Some people have told me they think it is going to get really bad like during the great depression.  opinions?


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Recession/depression
I think we are at a "stuck" point, where it could shoot up or fall down into a rescession. I hope to God, it shoots up. I heard gas isn't coming down til after the first of the year (2009)
recession/depression
I think Michigan is already in a recession.  It is just sickening to see all the homes that have been foreclosed.  Everytime you watch the news or read a paper it is just more people losing their jobs.  I don't know how much more people here can take.  Hopefully things pick up soon!
Haven't you heard? We're in a recession and/or depression?

so, why would there be a raise in benefits if there is no inflation?


I think they might be headed that way
with her looking like Colleen and him looking like Santo, but I think she really loves Lucas and they have stayed together throug so much. EJ is cute and I think he can be nice, but he raped her. No getting around that. He is a DiMera too. I know so is Tony and he is good, but that is going to be hard for everyone to get over.
red-headed
I have 3 different sizes of red-headed woodpeckers. . but not sure what a hairy woodpeker is. . I love to watch all the birds feeding -especially the woodpeckers, cardinals and chickadees. .
I'm headed nowhere - fast. Or perhaps to

anyone have a very independent, hard-headed kid??? sm
i have a 5 y/o that has been very independent since he was a baby.  anytime i try to show him something or help him with his homework (yes, he gets homework once a week from school), he doesn't like that.  if he's trying to sound out a word and i say "no, try again", he gets so mad and throws a fit, bang his head on the floor or wall, whichever is close enough.  i try to calmly tell him he doesn't need to get so upset about little things like that.  for instance, he's in the bathtub right now.  he has this little rubber fish i was showing him something with it.  he got mad and started banging his head in the tub then splashing water all over my bathroom.  i'm so tired of his bad temper!!!  i don't know what to do any more.  i try to be calm, he's gotten spankings, i've taken things away from him.  i just don't know what to do any more.  he has a dad that is in his life, we all live under the same roof.  hubby works midnights, so i'm the one around the kids most of the time.  i just feel alone and not sure what else to do.  anyone else with these kinds of kids and what did you do?
recession
I agree with you.  We live the same way, no CC and no car payments.  My husband is disabled and he helps me and we have a 25 daughter still at home who buys the food.  We can honestly say that God does provide for us.  We're not rich, but the recession is not really hurting us that much, other than we don't like the increase in gas and food, but so far, so good, we have some savings.  We do give regular our tithes to the church, 10% as was in the O.T. and God blesses us.  If more people followed these Bible principles, they would do better.
Not just gas prices, but the recession sure will.
We are staying home this year and saving every dime we can. Our fed and state refunds went right into savings, and our "stimulus" rebate will too.
Recession Explained

THE CURRENT GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS EXPLAINED
 
Adam is the proprietor of a fast food restaurant in New York. Sales are low and, in order to increase them, he comes up with a plan to allow his customers to eat now and pay later. He keeps track of the meals consumed on a ledger.  


Word gets around and as a result increasing numbers of customers flock to restaurant. The suppliers are delighted and are very willing to sell more and more raw materials for the meals he prepares. Adam shows them his ledger of receivables and they extend him credit.


A young and dynamic customer service consultant at the local bank recognizes these customer debts as valuable future assets and gives Adam a credit line and then increases Adams' borrowing limit.


Taking advantage of his customers' freedom from immediate payment constraints, Adam jacks up the prices of his Burgers and Shakes. Customers dont mind as they are not required to pay on the spot. Sales volume increases massively; Banks and suppliers lend more; Adam opens more outlets. He sees no reason for undue concern since he has the debts of the customers as collateral.


At the bank's corporate headquarters, expert bankers recognize Adams' customer loans as assets and transform these customer assets into BONDS. These negotiable instruments are given exotic names such as FISHNCHIPSBOND, DOUBLEBACONBOND, BEEFBURRITOBOND AND CHOCOLATESHAKEBOND. These securities are then listed on the Stock Exchange and traded on markets worldwide. No one really understands what the names mean and how the securities are guaranteed but, nevertheless, as their prices continuously climb, the securities become top-selling items.


One day, although the prices are still climbing, a credit risk manager of the bank decides that the time has come to demand payment of one of the debts incurred by Adam. Adam in turn asks his clients to pay up. One by one they refuse; the clients cannot pay back the debts. Adam refuses to serve them any more. The clients stop coming.


Adam is really screwed now. He cannot fulfill his loan obligations and therefore claims bankruptcy. All Bonds drop in price by between 80 to 95%.


The suppliers of Adam, having granted generous payment due dates and having invested in the securities are faced with similar problems. The meat supplier defaults on payment to the sheep and cattle supplier and claims bankruptcy. The Cheese supplier is taken over by a competitor; Adam lays off the cook and staff.. Bankruptcies soar, unemployment mushrooms.


The bank that lent the money in the first place is set to collapse. It is saved by the Government following dramatic round-the-clock consultations by leaders from the governing political parties with Adam commuting back and forth in his Executive jet and Mercedes 500SEL, brokering the deal.


The funds required to save the economic collapse are obtained by a tax levied on the citizens, most of whom do not eat Burgers or Shakes.
 
UNDERSTOOD?


I live in Michigan....and yes, we are in a recession. sm
Regardless of what the drive-by media says, we are in a full-fledged recession. Our governor even signed legislation giving big breaks to movie companies who come to Michigan to film their movies. Well that might be alright for the east side of the state, but that doesn't help us on the west side of the state. Electrolux and Bissell to name a few were only the tip of the iceberg. Our schools are going south in a handbasket also. Things just don't look good for Michigan. Especially now that gas is over $4 a gallon. I am predicting $5 by the end of the month, first part of July and any tourism dollars that would be spent here by out of state people or traveling locals, will now be kept at home. Michigan needs help, but then don't we all.
MI's been in it's own one-state recession for years
All forgotten here.  Rumor has it MI was once a super-power, but not in my life-time.  Boarded up, gravitti-ridden, poverty-stricken.  Highest in unemployment, top-ten in foreclosures, top-ten in high gas prices.  Our warted governor certainly is not spending our tax dollars wisely.  My only salvation has been to not get in over my head.  I drive a $700 car and bought my house for 13K.  Gotta love the clean beaches, too.
Just heard that a massive tidal wave (or Tsunami) is headed for England's coast and sm

could reach land in the next 12 hours.


I'll be watching this and I'm sure you'll be hearing more about it soon!


IMO definitely depression
I think people get freaked when you say depression because they think of Grapes of Wrath or what our grandparents talk about what they went through. They say "Oh that'll never happen here" - "Gas at $3.00 your nuts, that'll never happen to us". I think that as long as they don't cancel American Idol people don't care. I talk to siblings they have no idea of what's going on in the economy but they know the statistics of all American Idols or Survivors. It's sad. I definitely see a depression coming. First, gas prices are soaring. People can't afford it. If they can't afford it they can't get themselves to work, or they work OT just to pay for gas to get to work (when OT is available). Food prices rising. Reports of food shortages in areas, jobs being shipped overseas. Then the wierd weather patterns I also believe somehow affect the economy. To me I see a major depression hitting us. Also I do read a lot of websites (the kind that my family thinks I'm into conspiracies - that is until they start hearing the same news I'm telling them about, they just hear about it months later and pretend I never told them anything).
depression?
Okay so they say, finally, that we are in a recession.  I am thinking that we may be going into another Great Depression.  Call me doom and gloom but come on now, look at life.  So, my question is to those of you who stock up on stuff.  What do you stock up on and how do u do it?  I mean, do you go out one day when you grocery shop and just spend a fortune on extra stuff or do you spread it out.  Also, those of you that mentioned being stocked up, obvious it limits grocery trips and probably saves some money here and there but if we face a depression, do you think that there will be a huge shortage of food in our grocery stores? 
depression

Ladies, help me out.  What physical conditions can cause depression or mood swings?  For the past few months I have been experiencing bouts of depression that seem to come out of nowhere and hit me like a ton of bricks.  Within the span of 5 minutes I go from feeling normal and content to feeling like life is completely meaningless and hopeless.  This is completely out character for me.  I have always had a positive outlook, very even-tempered, and don't even get emotional around my period.  The year 2008 was one of the most stressful years of my life and there is still a lot of stress going on so I realize it could indeed be that I have reached my emotional limit, but if there could be a physical cause, I am willing to entertain that as well.   Thanks for any insight. 


Do you think he could be going through depression maybe? sm
Depression is an illness and it can definitely make you lose motivation or desire for anything. Just a thought.
I wonder if he has depression & if
depression meds would help pull him out of his funk so he could be at least motivated enough to get out & work? I fight depression & don't feel like working, but of course I do it because I have to support myself, but maybe he has a greater degree of depression?

On the other hand, I had a relative like this, and as long as anyone would hand him money, he wouldn't do anything to help himself. When people would cut him off, he'd work a while... My husband & I decided after a while of that that we would feed him when he came over to eat because we always have leftovers anyway, that we would quit handing him money but would never let him go hungry & he was welcome to eat with us anytime he wanted, but that would be the extent of it.

If he already owns a dump truck, he should be able to at least do a job here & there & get by though. I know men who would love to own their own dump truck!

There's no easy answer & I feel for you.
Depression after surgery
My Daddy went through the same thing after he had heart surgery. He would not go to a psychiatrist or counselor. We spoke with his primary care physician who put him on Paxil which helped tremendously. Ask your PCP or cardiologist if it would be possible to start him on an antidepressant to see if that may make a diffence.

Good luck and take care.
I don't think the depression meds --sm
should be taken in conjunction with pot. Anger and anxiety issues were already present prior to father's death. He may be grieving on some level, as his own psyche will allow, but sounds more like an excuse to me. I have lived with these types in the past. His lack of ambition is probably due to the pot, as well. Thinking of the child, I feel that separation from the source of this frustration would be the best thing for the boy. Counseling rarely works for the spouse, but it would probably benefit you. Go with your gut reaction on this as to what is best. You live with the man, and you know more about him than what you can post here. Trust your instincts. Good luck to you.
Could you be suffering from a depression?
Maybe go to your doctor and ask for an exam regarding your symptoms of being tired and wanting to always eat. Those are signs of depression. Are you on an antidepressant? They certainly have helped me.

Jan
Even postpartum depression.
I had a friend who was not even the same person after she had her second child. She was afraid to go out in public and would field all her calls through her husband and had never done anything like that before. We tried to go out together one day and she made me turn around and take her back home.

It turned out she had postpartum depression and after some time, therapy, understanding friends and short-term medication, she was fine.

Of course, the added stress of the baby's physical problems could easily account for a reason for the depression.

People have told me that one of the best things they appreciate from a friend is a sincere card or letter expressing empathy and concern. They like being able to read the sentiments again whenever they are down. Just a word of caution, always re-read such a letter before sending it to make sure there is no hint of something that could be taken the wrong way.


PPMD/depression
I have depression.  Right before my time, I get terrible.  I am taking sertraline (Zoloft) right now all the time. While I was asking my Dr. about this medication she mentioned to me that some woman only take it for PPMD and/or up the dose during that time.  I am actually considering going back to her and asking about this because during my time I get irritable and sad still.   I hear ya!! 
Best Description of a Depression
I really think the movie "Cinderella Man" gives a good and accurate portrayal of the Great Depression.
depression era music

jazz age


 


http://dismuke.org/radio/


It sounds like you might have depression.
Maybe you could see a doctor? Talk therapy could help, especially if you work at home and don't get a chance to talk to *adults* much.

If you can't/don't want to see a doc (and you think it could be depression), you could try a supplement called SAMe (can get it at Target). Do some research about it on Google. It has helped some people. It's not too expensive and supposedly it starts working fast so you'd know if it were going to work for you before you spent too much.


With depression you lose either way -- sm
depression pretty much kills sex drive, but so do antidepressants. Still, I prefer to be on the meds.
Anxiety and depression are two different diagnoses
Sometimes they co-exist, sometimes they don't, sometimes long-term suffering of one will create the other. Some are situational, some are chemical. Family docs now spooning out SSRIs like candy have blurred them into a generic diagnosis with a generic fix, IMO.

While I totally agree re. depression...nm
to poster above who has done a fine job and counsels others on getting money into the bank, the stark reality is that no matter how much $$ one has in the bank, when depression hits - and it will - all that money isn't going to amount to a hill of beans that was covered by the floods in the upper states. The dollar bill has little value now, so when the depression hits none of it will be worth anything. Best stockpile on canned and paper goods (TP will be at a premium, I'm told by financiers) now with that $$ in the bank 'cause that's all you are going to have!
A few suggestions on beating depression.
In the same boat gave good suggestions for the medical care part. I strongly urge you to consider an anti-depressant and/or an anti-anxiety medication. They are not addictive, do not turn you into a zombie and will help you tremendously in every arena, especially work. You could try OTC St John's wort. This did not help my depression (it seems to run in my family and I think mine is hereditary) but I have friends who say it has helped them. It is possible your depression is being aggravated by SAD (seasonal affective disorder).

Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep. If you have trouble with insomnia, another really good natural remedy for that is melatonin. You find it in the vitamin section of the drug store. It is inexpensive and is not habit-forming. There is no set dosage. They come in 1 mg and 3 mg tablets that can be split. Start with the 1 mg and increase by 0.5 mg until you reach your ideal without hangover effect in the a.m. 3 mg is what I typically take, but have taken as much as 4.5. Again, insomnia runs in my family and it is likely your dosage would be less.

Exercise helps with depression A LOT. This does not have to be strenuous or extreme. A 20 to 45 minute walk 3 times a week or more will do WONDERS for you. Biking is great also and in the summer, swimming.

Here's something else I strongly suggest. I know it's a hard one, because I am a mom too. Stop trying to take care of everybody else for the time being and put focus on helping yourself. Find things you enjoy doing that do not cost money and then DO THEM. This can be difficult at first. Take baby steps at first. Make a modest plan for a day off, wake up and PRETEND you are not depressed, then put one foot in front of the other. Read books, watch favorite TV shows, surf the net, window shop, light candles and incense and soak in a hot water tub with soothing bath salts, listen to music, pot plants using cuttings, cook a delicious meal, change your hairstyle, experiment with make-up and new clothing styles (go to stores and try them on), start a journal or do a little research on a new hobby. Sometimes even housework can be therapeutic. Whatever you do, be very kind to yourself and do not beat yourself up if you don't get as much done as you would like. The road back takes time and practice.

Get proactive about your job. Look for work at home with a company with insurance. Make up your mind that you are going to kick this depression, not the other way around.

Only if you've never suffered from depression and
Walk a mile or two in my shoes before you go judging me, or anyone else who's been helped by antidepressants.
Here's a new poll for ya...
Let's get down to the nitty gritty and be honest....Bras or no bras while working from home....javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
Can I do a little poll
For those of you who have been so unfortunate to go through an M/C or a termination, could you tell me how long it took to get a period after the M/C or termination, and also how far along you were in that pregnancy?

Just curious here. The doctor said 4-6 weeks, and I'm really hoping my body will cooperate!

to poll
Why didn't you give your opinion of Europeans?

BTW, most of us have European ancestors. That's a no brainer.

And it did look like you were picking a fight. I'm glad no one fell for it.
Can you get him to the PCP? They can handle this type of depression most times -nm
:-)
Our stories are very, very similar. Due to my severe depression sm
something horrible happened which I cannot speak of here. It is the main reason I found God, so you and I are alike in that matter.

As for God rescuing you like that - that is amazing. I guess we can just agree to disagree on this one. He saved you by showing you meds and saying it's okay to take them, and He healed me from my ailment without meds. Who is to say one is better than the other? That is why the saying goes that God works in mysterious ways!

I am happy for you! Continue to do what you are doing. I am not judging you. I only spoke to NCMT through my own experiences. We all have our own experiences.
either postpartum depression or embarrassed/guilt

I have known people to withdraw due to feeling like people are going to make fun of their child, blaming themselves or postpartum depression.  Is this their first child?  Could be that she is just simply overwhelmed. What does her mother-in-law/mother think?  Is she also pulling away from them? 


Just let her know that you are there for her even if that means sending her a card. 


If your mom and dad just divorced this year, have you ever thought of depression? sm
Maybe your dad is going through a real hard adjustment to his new life and could use a little help or boost from you instead of a cold shoulder. Sounds to me like he might just be in some major depression as his life has had a drastic change. Reach out to him and help him in his time of need. Sure he is an adult, but everyone can walk on hard times with major traumatic events going on in their life and he may just lack desire to care due to his depression.
Depression/Menopause/Decreased Sex Drive
I was wondering if any has any suggestions for increasing a woman's sex drive. I have been on Wellbutrin and trazodone for years and now I am going through menopause on hormone replacement. (I am 47 and had an ovary removed last year which caused me to go into menopause.) The last few years my sex drive has decreased to almost nil. Any suggestions/information would be much appreciated.
Pet owner poll: sm

Do any of you feel that the monthly one-spot flea and tick preventions are hazardous to your pets' health?


Between my best friend and me, we had 6 dogs.  Since June, 3 of them developed cancers, 2 of whom died.  The common denominator is Frontline.   Her dog was only 4, and my 2 were 10 and 8.   Her dog had a leiomyosarcoma.  Mine had squamous cell sarcoma and the other had undifferentiated giant cell sarcoma.  We both live in Florida where fleas and ticks can be a big problem.


Two other friends claim they don't give their dogs these preventatives because they were told they were poisonous to dogs, the advice coming from holistic vets. 


What are your thoughts and experiences, and where do you live? 


Thanks.


 


Poll: How many of you have a My Space?
I do.
Ok, lets take a poll, how many out there
EVER saw any evidence prior to today of her shaking, trembling, picking at bugs in the air, whatever -NEVER. Let her get some medical help through the court system.
I do Harris Poll
They give you points for surveys and you can spend them on whatever you want. I've gotten a weed whacker and a walkman...I think a couple other things as well.
Poll questions...

1.  What ages are your kids?


13 and 8 (boy/girl).



2.  Do they have their own cell phone?


13-year-old just got cell phone last September.  8-year-old does not have one.  He's been responsible with the cell phone, and I like him having it in case I need him right away as he skateboards a lot outside with his friends in the neighborhood.



3.  Do they have their own TV and or computer in their room?  If so, are there set hours they're allowed to use these:

Both of my children have TVs in their room.  They watch it mostly in the evening hours when they are settling down for bed.  The computer they use is centrally based and my husband mainly monitors that one with the parental controls.

4. Do they receive an allowance?  If so, are they required to do chores to receive this?


They do not get a regular allowance.  I'm fortunate in that they really don't ask for much as they get what they want for their birthday or Christmas.  However, I will on occasion get them something special if we are out and about "doing my deliveries" and they are with me.  My son has to take care of the trash throughout the house twice a week.  My daughter has no chores.  I want them to focus on school and just being kids.  I was made to do chores from the time I was 5 due to my mother's legs (she had severe arthritis), and I was not always allowed to go places for this reason.  I figure in due time they'll have their own homes.  They watch me and will help if asked, but have no specific chores to do. 


Poll answers
1. What ages are your kids?

15 and 7 (girls)

2. Do they have their own cell phone?


15-year-old does, 7-year-old no.

3. Do they have their own TV and or computer in their room? If so, are there set hours they're allowed to use these:

Neither one has a TV in their room. They share a computer that is located in a place where we can monitor them. They ask permission before getting on and are usually allowed to be on for no longer than hour. Homework has to be finished first though.

4. Do they receive an allowance? If so, are they required to do chores to receive this?

Yes both receive monthly allowances. Yes, they have chores they must do to earn their allowance.
Oldest daughter (15) gets $100 a month, 10% goes to church and 10% goes to savings. The rest is hers to budget for lunch, entertainment, and clothes.

Youngest daughter (7) gets $10. Same deal as the older one -- 10% goes to church and 10% goes into savings. What is left is hers to spend (usually a Webkinz or will save up for a new Nintendo DS game).

Answers to poll
Favorite job: Being a staff writer on a weekly newspaper in Princeton, NJ. Did not pay well, but I got enough to live and have pocket money, pay rent, etc. Got to meet a lot of interesting people and interview. My stories ran in the paper, and my job was very flexible, I was single and worked all kinds of hours. Those days I actually lived a dream because I was not in it for money. Or, I should say I made enough to be happy and my job made me happy too.

Worst job was when I was an artist painting faces at Disney in Florida. I thought it would be great. It was the hardest job I ever had. I only lasted 1 day and worked 12 hours and did not even get paid because I was a temp and I did not return after the 1 day. It was a million degrees outside, it seemed (I just moved to Fla from up north), and I never sat down or even had a glass of water in all those hours. I had to smile 110% of the time (that is actually a rule at Disney, you could get in trouble for frowning), and the tourists always wanted more (I know they paid for it, but the line was really long and I only was allowed to spend so much time on each person). This was indeed a dream job, but truly the most difficult job I ever had, and therefore my least favorite.
It's the Thursday Fun-Poll !!!! YAY!

       Let's see how alike or different we all are!


Chronological Age:  55


Physical Age:  30


Emotional Age:  12


What State:   CA


How you like being an MT:     Eh, it's [barely] a living. 


What you like/dislike about it:   I like to type, but I hate being poor.


Favorite Food:   Hamburgers.


Favorite Spectator Sport(s):   Figure skating.


Most fun you ever had in your life:   Exploring London & Oslo on foot.


One of your worst experiences:   Breaking my leg at the top of the mountain while skiing, and having to hop all the way down on one leg because the ski-patrol blew right by me, and didn't even stop to help. 


Funniest experience:  Getting my fanny-pack caught in a chairlift seat at Squaw Valley, and going clear around the bullwheel before the stoned-out liftie realized what was wrong.   Then, mortified, having to jump 6 or 8 feet to the ground while the liftie & others laughed.  (Find paper bag.  Cover head with it.  Ski away fast!)


Best pet you ever had:   A dog-pound dog I adopted in 1973.  She was my sidekick for 4 years, before getting killed by a car.  She understood English, so you had to s-p-e-l-l  some things in her presence.  She was psychic - always knew what I was thinking.  She went everywhere with me:  Hikes, horseback rides, long car trips, motels, other people's houses, the Renaissance Faire, art shows, concerts, etc.  My mom considered her to be my sister.


Funnest job you ever had:   I was a temp for Kelly Girl, and got to work for 2 weeks at an architect's firm located high in the mountains above Malibu Beach.  Lots of young, cute guys worked there.  Every day at lunch, we all changed into shorts, set up a volleyball court in the parking lot, and played volleyball for an hour! 


Weirdest job you ever had:   Worked (also as s temp) at a toilet-factory in Van Nuys.  The people there were all so high-drama about that place, that I had to stifle giggles more than a few times.  I also used to do saddle-repairs and bridle-making.  Also got paid to drive motor homes for people who were scared to drive them. 


When you win the Big Lottery, you will:     Quit my job!   (duh...)   Buy a small house somewhere, maybe up in Lake Tahoe, preferably with a tennis court in the back.  Will remove the net, and turn it into a private roller rink.  Will make it "flood-able" for winter, so I can ice-skate in my own backyard.  Will maybe get a pet chinchilla.  Will travel frequently, especially back to London.  Will own a season pass to not one, but several ski areas.  Will become more involved in animal rescue.


Your favorite musical group(s):   Pussycat Dolls (various);  Sundogs (swamp-rock boogie);  Red Elvises (Siberian surf-rock); Trans-Siberian Orchestra (orchestral rock); Michael Franti & Spearhead (various, reggae, etc.);  Grateful Dead (various).


Latest pet peeve:   Obnoxious skateboarders.


Favorite News Anchor:  Brian Williams.  (What a cutie!)


Favorite past Sat. Nite Live comedian:   Gilda Radner


Favorite current Sat. Nite Live comedian:  Kristin Whig...  (her "Penelope" character has me ROTFL.)


Favorite Sports Hero(s):   Apollo Anton Ono (short-track speed skater), Johnny Mosely (freestyle skier), Peggy Fleming (ice skater), and Joe Montana (and I don't even like football!) 


Most disliked sports figure(s):   Barry Bonds, and all those other 'roid junkies.  OJ Simpson is no prize, either.


I cook / don't cook because:   If God had intended for me to cook, I would've been born with Teflon hands.


What you would replace in your house:  My fridge.  It's OLD.   The freezer is not frost-free, and this most recent time I defrosted it, it had gotten SO small inside, that only 2 Swanson chicken pot-pies would fit in it. 


Who did you look up to as a kid or teenager?    One of my horseback-riding instructors.  Not only taught us kids how to ride, but she also took groups of us on field trips to places like the Art Museum, the Ballet, historial spots in the city, movies, miniature golf, concerts, the 4th of July fireworks, etc.  She practically raised some of us.


Did you pass the 1st time you took your driver's test?   No.  I forgot to look over my left shoulder when changing lanes, and he flunked me for that.  I was sooooo embarrassed, I didn't go back to re-take it for several months!


Do you text when you drive?   Haha.... I can't even text when I'm sitting in the living room!  Them little buttons is 'way too small for me........


What you hope to see in your lifetime:   Solar-powered EVERYTHING... houses, cars, even airplanes.  (yeah, right...)    Switzerland.  Mount St. Helens.  Paris.  Another Olympic in-person.  (Went to summer 1984 in Los Angeles... it was just TOO much fun!)   The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in person.  Death Valley.  Burning Man.  Australia & New Zealand.  Spain.  Ireland.  A tornado (from a safe distance).  And....!   MT becoming a good-paying job again someday.


Worst pain you ever felt:   A couple of real doozer, 3-day migraines.  Yes, those were even worse than my broken leg! 


How you treat a really bad mood:   I avoid other people if possible.  Stay inside all day and watch lots of daytime "trash-TV" shows.  Buy a gallon of chocolate-chip-cookie-dough ice cream, and polish that puppy off in one sitting.  Spew a little on Craigslist's "Rants & Raves" board.  Bake a few million cookies.  Go for a very long drive, hike, skate, or bike ride.  And....double up on the Prozac


Favorite gemstone:   Amethyst


Favorite color(s):   Purple


Favorite domestic animal:  Horses, cats


Favorite wild animal:  Mountain Lions


Happy Flyer, or White-Knuckler?   Happy mid-flight, white-knuckler on takeoffs/landings.


Phobias:  Bees, especially killer-bees.  Large numbers of any type of bug.  Sharks and jellyfish.  Sometimes seaweed. 


"I would rather die than eat a - :"       Tomato.


A friend or relative who passed away 20+ years ago gets to come back and visit you for a day: 


You would be proudest to show them:    The view from where I'm living.


They would be most shocked by:  The attacks on 9/11. 


They would be most amazed/intrigued by:  The Internet.


They would be most dumbfounded by:  The near-collapse of Wall Street, & the imminent collapse of the American automobile industry.


The activity you would most like to do together:   Go skiing!


This person was:   My dad.



 


 


Poll: How broke are you?

Last payday, I would have needed $200 to pay all my bills and then be broke.  Payday is three days away.  Here's my tally:  Cash on hand:  48 cents.  Checking:   $3.58.  Savings:  4 cents.  Woohoo.  Hatin' it. 


Sure am glad this forced me to stop the cigarettes -- 18 days smoke free now.


 



Anybody's hubby went through Open Heart Surgery and can't get out of depression?

I seem to be having a big problem with mine. He wasn't too bad after surgery, but since then, there have been a lot of house problems. i.e., water , septic system problems, roof leaking, my car not passing inspection so down to 1 vehicle, etc., etc.


He feels he cannot handle it anymore. He'll sit in our garage for hours on end doing nothing, but knowing he should be doing something. Yet, everything he does lately, does not solve a problem and he winds up doing something else for the same problem. It never bothered him before except ot get him mad he didn't do it right the first time (does anybody understand what I'm saying here?). He's feeling very "old" and incompetent but nothing I do or say is getting him out of this depression.


I'm afraid for him but don't tell me to make an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist...he would never go. He's losing interest in eating, too, and even fixing his favorite foods depresses him because he thinks it's not made the same.


Anybody have any suggestions? I don't know what else to do lately. Thanks fo the help.


The risk of suicide is greater in people with depression anyway sm
I personally have suffered from depression for most of my life, and the only time I feel "normal" is when I am on some kind of antidepressant. It takes time and a patient understanding doctor to work with you until you are on the right one at the right dosage, but I strongly feel that it is irresponsible and dangerous to tell someone not to take an antidepressant if they need it. You don't go telling diabetics that they shouldn't take insulin because people taking it are more likely to have high blood sugar do you? Makes about as much sense to me
Poll time ....do you exercise? sm
I make sure that I walk at least 1 mile 3 times a week.  It's not as much as I should exercise but it beats nothing.  What about you?