mommy of a monkeyboy

A family friend tried to commit suicide lat month. He was perscribed Lithium and just last night he beat his wife. Can psych meds really affect you THAT much?

Any suggestions? Are there gel packs that he can put in the drink to make them cool? Also, any suggestions on cool things that you received (or have sent) to Iraq would be great.

Thanks

I received an email from a friend today with this question:

My nephew is going into the Army he ships out to boot camp today. What do you think he will need or want while there. In addition, any advice from the people who may have been attitudinally challenged before they went in about what he needs to do to make it through.

Whatever responses are posted, I will reply with -- thanks!!!

Serious answers only please....

I'm entertaining the thought of going to an angel reading. Have you been one, and if so what was it like? Did you believe what he or she was saying, and has it affected your daily life?

Okay, I need some help here...

I have a 2002 Jeep Cherokee - it's the kind with four doors. I'm obviously not the mechanic of the family and my husband is in Iraq.

Anyway, today it started becoming very hard to turn and making a "tick tick tick" noise. I went to the oil change place because I was a month overdue. As soon as I pulled in, a loud "POP" came out from under the hood. They guys opened the hood and said "the power steering column is out" and something about a power steering belt snapping. Right off the top, they pulled out this circular thingie. Anyway, I left it there and will have it towed to a mechanic tomorrow.

I have no idea about cars, so can someone give me a ballpark figure at what I'm looking at cost wise??

Totally embarrassed to ask this question, but I don't have time to search the internet. I have more than a ton going on right now, and today...everything hit at once. Husband reached Iraq (and he'll be there until July of 08), mother in law is absolutely driving me nuts, and the Jeep's power steering belt broke today. I sobbed hysterically when I got home, but tried really hard to focus on my son. Now, I'm dizzy and can hardly stand for more than a couple minutes at a time. I'm having a hard time breathing. Is this a nervous breakdown? What can I do to calm down? Between crying and being dizzy...I just need ....a normal day..and my husband back. I feel like I'm going to pass out. Please ... any suggestions.

I work near the D/FW metroplex, and within the last two weeks, we've found three birds dead or dying right near our area. The boss doesn't want to make a big scene, and won't allow a call to animal control.

Is there any other way to know if this is West Nile? The birds are called gackles, I think.

Thanks.

My husband is serving in Iraq, and even though the boxes go to an APO address - the price is based by weight. We are National Guard, so we don't live anywhere close to a base. I know that some of the larger bases were shipping boxes for free, but we're hundreds of miles away from a base.

Any ideas or suggestions?

My son is THE MOST ENERGETIC 2yr old ever, which is loads of fun! However, because he's not afraid of anything and loves to try new things - I feel uncomfortable at night time ... just in case he wakes up and gets out of bed. He's learned how to crawl out of the crib, so we put him in a toddler bed. He knows how to open the doors, too. At night time though, I put those child safety locks over his doorknob so he can't get out.

Is that okay? I would hate for him to get into something or get hurt in the middle of the night. It sounds horrible though. Any thoughts??