Wingnut

When I got married, I suddenly learned that I could cook really well. And I'm finally to the point where I can cook by taste (not everything, but a lot of things) and be inventive.

Try Googling "personalized tee shirt" or "custom tee shirt." I just did, and came up with a bunch of hits. Here's the first one: Custom Ink.

First, let me apologize if I sounded insensitive above. The commitments required for baptism are willingness to live the various laws (tithing, fasting, chastity, WoW, etc.). The commitments required for ordination to the Priesthood (and eventually a temple recommend) are demonstration of living these same laws. I've known a number of new converts to the Church who continue to struggle with various WoW-related habits (although usually smoking and drinking) for a year or more after baptism. I also know that they were not able to advance in the Priesthood, and the one person in particular that I'm thinking of never held a calling before he eventually fell away from the Church after less than two years. It is important upon committing to baptism that one also commit to the lifestyle outlined by the Lord's laws. When such a commitment is made and taken seriously with honest desire, the Lord will help. I've seen it happen. As well, there are resources and programs set up within the Church to help with various addictions, whether WoW-related, chastity-related, or anything else. There is a 12-step style program in the Church called the Addiction Recovery Program. It is similar to the basic AA format, but focuses on scripture/doctrine, and overcoming addiction and living a righteous life, as opposed to focusing on the addiction itself. It is very confidential. I believe that most stakes now operate at least one group. If there isn't one active in your stake, there should be one in a neighboring stake.

oats

Technically, everything is a choice. No one is holding a gun to anyone's head at the time of baptism. But coffee is against the Word of Wisdom.

Not having read anything previous to this page, I will stay on topic. Mostly. :) My thoughts tend to wonder more about the 2/3. I wonder if there are people who chose Christ's plan and came to earth solely for the purpose of obtaining a body, because they recognized that it was better than the alternative, even if they agreed with Satan's plan more. I have a hard time believing that some of the most evil and vile people on this earth actually chose the Savior's plan on purpose, because they agreed with it. Yeah, yeah, the veil. I also wonder (though less, because this seems more doubtful...it's more of a joke to myself really) if there weren't a few mistakes. People who chose to be part of the 1/3 but accidentally made it into the get-a-body-and-go-to-earth group.

I might ask the cockroaches why they had to make such creepy noises. And ask most bugs why they couldn't just stay outside. I'd really let the carpenter ants have it. They invaded a bag of tootsie roll pops in our junk food drawer once, and I didn't know it (there was one pop that missed getting wrapped), and I stuck my hand right into the bag. Oh, and I'd tell the giraffe that he was proof that God had a sense of humor.

That were pollinated by the righteous bees.

Amen, sista! That makes my cheesecake even better.

Cheesecake. Must. Have. Cheesecake.

Ahhh...like a super dressed up baked potato -- with all the fixins'! I'm not a potato chip girl myself, with two exceptions. I like Pringles (once you pop, you can't stop), and one kind of kettle chips I've tried (I don't remember the brand)...the particular flavor I got was "Beer Cheddar." Yum. I'm a tortilla chips gal. Oh, and speaking of food and Canada...I LOVE Wunderbars.

Another thing...not a specific recipe, but still useful. I'm all about leftovers. And not just eating the same thing the next night, the same way. Last week I made chicken parm one night, had one chicken breast leftover, and made chicken parm pizza the next night. If you can plan to make a little more than you need for one meal, you can make your leftovers into a great second meal (or at least lunch to take to work or send with your working spouse).

I'm mostly inclined to agree, although I have no experiencial authority with which to speak (yes, I made that word up). When you talk to your bishop, though, he's likely to explore a little further to try to discover if you are involved with pornography or have any sort of sex addiction, because those would both lead toward disciplinary action and at that point you would DEFINITELY need to discuss them with your fiancee. In the interest of full disclosure, however, being a former fiancee myself, I think you ought to tell her. Should you "relapse" in the future, it's only fair to her that she know now. But it may turn out to just remain an isolated incident.

Don't give roses on the first date -- it can come across as creepy, but it's just so unimaginative and uncreative. A single flower (of a variety other than roses or carnations) shows that you want to impress (or at least make a good impression), but that you have a brain. I say no to carnations because I think they're funeral flowers. If you have access to fresh flowers (like mom's garden), fresh-cut will be even more thoughtful. Also, if it took you several tries to get the date in the first place, or it was like pulling teeth, I'd pass on the flower altogether on the first date because she probably said yes to get you off her back. See how the first date goes then maybe get a flower for the second.

There are TONS of food blogs and websites out there that can help you. I would recommend Food Blogga, Robust Cooking, Smitten Kitchen, and A Veggie Venture. They each have links to other sites as well. Happy eating!

Potato: I agree with most of what has been said here. You could benefit from more professional counseling, at least weekly. You could benefit from spiritual counseling with your bishop, also perhaps weekly. It sounds as though you could also benefit from prescribed anti-depressants, though I would be careful in this area. They can occasionally have very negative side effects (mostly as you come off of them) and it's very easy to become dependent on them. They can help you bridge the gap between now and improved self-esteem (because that certainly isn't going to happen overnight -- it can take months or years), but take care not to become dependent on them, nor complacent with them. You don't want to start taking them, then say "Oh, everything's better now. I think I'll go back to the way things have always been with this family." I also think it sounds like you and your husband need some time apart, though not necessarily a divorce right away. Someone suggested a legal separation -- this may be a good idea. But I wouldn't do it without discussing specific goals for both you and your husband to work on during that time, including that you each (separately) seek counseling. Finally, it occurs to me that you have a responsibility to break a certain cycle. You mentioned that your mother was emotionally abused for many years by your father, but that they were not divorced until after they served a mission together. Without knowing the exact timeline, I'm guessing that means they were married for 40 years or so while your mom endured that behavior. You married into a similar-sounding situation. Do you want your children to experience that as well? I'm not trying to make you feel guilty (you already carry enough of that, it sounds like), but just to get you thinking. Your husband can change, but you cannot change him. If you were sealed in the temple, and that is what make you hesitant to seek divorce, re-think it. If you end up deciding that divorce is in fact the route you need/want to go, know that as long as you are living worthily and keeping your covenants, you and your children will still enjoy the blessings of being sealed. Your husband will make his choices in that area.

I'm in the same boat as Dazed, but for future reference (or other people who may read this), In Style magazien has a section on their website that lets you photoshop a picture of yourself onto Hollywood hairstyles, so you can play around a little bit. Here's the link.

Ditto to everything. I wear the chemise garment tops, and I did throughout my pregnancy, just in a bigger size. A lot of people I know still continued to wear their normal garment bottoms, just tucked below their belly, but I can't do the low-ride thing. Physically no comfortable for me. So I got maternity bottoms and larger chemise tops. Now that I'm nursing, I still wear the chemise tops, but I've taken to wearing my bra beneath my garment top, so that I can pull up my shirt and garment as one, without having to pull up my shirt, down my bra cup, down my garment, and out my nursing pad. I found it very inconvenient and time-consuming.

How does one have 6-ish daughters?

I'd love to play guitar, but my hands and fingers are too small. And I don't have a good musical ear anyway. But I think my hubby should definitely learn to play.

I have a friend who had a similar experience, except that it was when she went to Utah. The worst part is that her husband's family doesn't like her much, partly because they don't have kids, even though they can't.

Just curious -- why were you topless when you got IN the tub, rather than when you got out? Haha...j/k. You could try this websiteModest Swimsuit Tops | Modbe Catalog, which has two piece suits, but tankini styles, and skirted bottoms. Or (as I amusingly found one day), if you're up for extreme modesty in your swimwear, try this: Modest Swimwear Solutions | ...finally, a modest swimsuit pattern!