Hi Joanne, Betty is probably making a good move for herself - a few years ago I had to drop most of my stuff becasue so much "bad"had stuff had happened - I was simple becoming more and more angry, sarcastic, combative and lashing out at anything and everything, I was practically at the point where even I didn't like myself, must have tried everyone else's patince also. Sometimes just like naughty children - we need time out. It takes a longtime to assimilate a bad experience - when you have multiple ones happening - I think one day - its just too much, and its a good time to take time out - I spent a year reading ( when I wasn't working or caring for Amber)- I racked up 368 books in a year. I also regained my equilibrium becasue everyday I wasn't bombarded with more bad stuff to deal with or having to deal with others people bad stuff. I think we burn out on bad stuff, and if are not careful - we will become really bitter, angry people who drive other nuts and away. It gives one a chance to get away from just reacting and having time to reflect. There was day I thought - Boy was I obnoxious upon ocassion. And that heralded getting better and looking at what was really wrong. I needed time - that in 8 years - I had been laid-off, gotten divorce, lost my home, battled with cancer, become more disabled, bought a house, broke up with my abusive boyfriend, got new job, got laid from my part-time job, got new part-time job, had my beloved father-in-law accused of molesting the grandchildren, lost another another boyfriend - one I had hoped to marry, had several friends die and had one of my best friends ditch me - along with maintaining working 3 jobs and taking care of Amber. That was the straw that broke the camels back. Enough is enough. So I dropped off the planet for awhile( as much as I could). It did me a world of good. Maybe that the point to at which Betty has arrived. Brightest Blessings - Trisha > You have been through a great deal over the past > several years. The loss of your mom, the loss of your > body and the way you once you knew it to be,the loss > of independence, and even at one time(and it may come > up again in the future) the thought of selling the > family home, indeed another loss to be dealt with. The > world must feel like it's spinning totally out of any > control you may have been used to having. I think it > would be very natural to be very bitter and angry > being in this place in your life. I don't believe a > strong opinion ever bothered anyone on this list as > long as it was done so not to attack any individual. I > can say without a doubt you have always been kind to > all members on this list and respectful of their > opinions. I'm not sure taking a vacation would be > healthy either as it is one of the few places I've > ever seen( maybe the only one) where one can rant and > rave, no matter how ugly you may think the opinion you > are giving or how much you feel you are ramming it > down someone's throat, the list members will still > send a warm fuzzy and hug because they read the > struggle and hurt behind the words. You may need > someone more professional than the list can offer but > know that many on the list care about you and only > wish the best for you. > LOts of warm fuzzies and hugs to get you through these > hard times > Joanne > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax > http://taxes.yahoo.com/