Cranky Swamp Yankee

I understand everything that you say here, particularly the grieving over dreams lost. When my ex-wife filed for divorce, I was devastated. I moved into an apartment away from her and my kids, and I cried alone every night for a months. The loneliness was like a huge cave that surrounded me and from which I couldn't escape.
But I survived. I ended up finding the woman of my dreams, and she and I have been extremely happily married now for eighteen years.

WOW! I must say, that is one experience that I've never had, and never WISH to have! His face must have been priceless!!!!

I had mango margaritas for the first time in Cozumel, Mexico this year!They are FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
If I had to choose between a woman whose talent is writing poetry or baking the cake that you describe here, there would be no hesitation at all. Don't get me wrong, poetry is fine, but it doesn't satisfy my voracious sweet tooth!

After overcoming addictions myself and spending 28 in an in-house treatment program back in the eighties, let me just say that I have seen people like Andy change, but not without TONS of work and effort.
Something tells me that Andy is not the success that he protrayed to DD. But DD WANTS to believe that her dad is a good guy.
You're right, if the Andy ever does show up to see her, he is going to break her heart.
If I were you, I'd prepare DD for the worst. Tell her what you afraid of, but don't put her father down, or she will just shut you off.
If you forbid her to see her father, she will hate you and mistrust you. So, I'd let the meeting take place WITH YOU PRESENT AT ALL TIMES. There are some things that DD is just going to have to find out for herself.
Sorry, hon. This is tough one!

Excellent post, James! I am so fed up with the #### happening in Washington! It's time to have a 1960's revolt against "The Establishment" once again.
I don't trust one of the bastards any more.

I must be an enigma; I love the Beatles and Elvis, although I DO believe that John Lennon was a genius and a poet, and Elvis was just a man with good voice.
As far as dogs and cats are concerned, I love them both...it's the PEOPLE I can't stand!

Of course you're loving this house!!!!! WHO WOULDN'T???? I LOVE a big front porch! (You need to install a swing!)
30 freaking windows, huh? Have you got stock in Windex???

Sounds like things are really falling into place for you, just as they should!
Underwater welding!!!! How interesting!

One day at a time kid! It's worth it!!!! Trust me on this one! Stick with it, and you'll be SO GLAD that you did! I used to smoke 3 packs a day, and then on May 5, 1982, I smoked my last cigarette ever. 26 years!!! The best thing I ever did for myself. And if I can do it, so can you!

This is GREAT!!!!!!!!
And here are the instructions for giving a pill to a dog.
1. Unwrap pill from foil.
2. Roll pill up in a slice of American cheese.
3. Toss pill in the air in front of dog.

Susan Sarandon, in my opinion,is an actress. I think she has enormous talent. Fortunately for her, you don't need a hell of a lot of brains to be good at acting. You just need keen powers of observation and a lot of heart.
Speaking as a pretty staunch liberal, let me say this, "I love you, Susan. Shut up!"

A fascinating back-porch-rocker glimpse of smalltown life.

"Letting go" can be hard, but you really have choice, do you? Guess you're just going to have trust others, kick back and recouperate for a while!

I think honeybugg has a good idea here. Could you leave the booklets off in public places like doctor's offices and such with your name and number attached?

You sexy thang!!!!!
Glad that you're on the mend, my friend!