Saying no and upsetting people is the hard part of the whole boundaries thing. Once you do it a couple of times and see how quickly they get over it and how it doesn't destroy your realtionship and, by gum, that they still like you (okay, my issue there), it gets easier.

I so want to jump into conversations like this but A) off duty, B) none of my business. But I will say that Brenda and Robin are wise.

Plus, because I can't help myself...Remember that people choose their own emotions. You can't MAKE them feel anything.

So, the 13th? Or the 27th.

The 13th looks good to me.

Do the hard mentally healthy stuff as best you can, Tep. And don't beat yourself up about sometimes taking the easy way, just don't let it become habit.

B&J's Flavor Locator says the nearest Chocolate Therapy to me is in Mccomb Mississippi. That's so wrong.

B&J's Flavor Locator

I'm gonna be in Vermont in 3 weeks -- Ben & Jerry's tour, baby!!!

B&J's Flavor Locator says the nearest Chocolate Therapy to me is in Mccomb Mississippi. That's so wrong.

Oh, that is sad. I've been to McComb and it's a nice little town, but you shouldn't have to go there for ice cream. If you do and you need it, I know the bail bondsman there.

On Plei's rec, I got some of that last week. It lasted 2 days.

Steph, would it help to remember that boundaries are limits you put on your own behavior? Being aware of what resources you have to give out to others, and what you need to reserve for yourself, may help. Remember that If You Do Not Take Care of Yourself, You CANNOT Take Care of Anyone Else.

And? It's ok to not be perfect at setting and enforcing boundaries. It may take a while for it to really gel for you. That time between recognizing that you need to work on your boundaries and figuring out what YOU specifically need to do to set and keep 'em - is valuable, and it is very individual. Maybe you, as an individual, need more official work on the concept, like in a support group, or more therapy, or reading self-help books. Or maybe you just need time to bake. But whatever it is, you need it.

You, Steph, are a beautiful, wonderful woman. You are capable of making your life better.

If you do and you need it, I know the bail bondsman there.

I'm going to think of that every time I drive through Mississippi. I hope it never comes in handy. And they don't take away my cell phone and keep me from reaching my invisible friends that will help me get out of jail if it does.

Successful surgery and quick recovery vibes for erika's mom.

Tep, you've gotten great advice. And I've found that each case renegotiates the boundaries somewhat, though they get firmer as you get used to maintaining them.

Steph, would it help to remember that boundaries are limits you put on your own behavior?

Yeah, but -- oh, the guilt! My Dad calls me every. single. day. Sometimes twice. I have nothing new to tell him, and he has nothing new to tell me; his default introductory phone phrase is "I just wanted to see what was going on."

I know that he's lonely. He doesn't have to be, but he is. I am not the outlet for his loneliness. I am not a substitute spouse, which is what it feels like most of the time, and let me tell you, if it *sounds* creepy (and it should), just try and imagine what it *feels* like.

So what do I do? Say "Dad! Stop calling me every single day!!!"?

If I don't answer the phone (thank you, Caller ID!), he just calls back. And calls back. And calls back. But never leaves a message or calls my cell phone, which is what I would expect him to do in an emergency. And then when I finally *do* answer the phone, he immediately asks me, "Where were you?"

I know he's lonely, and he's probably looking for security. But creeping kudzu-like into all aspects of my life is not the way to get security. Or, even if it is, where is the dividing line between Dutiful Daughter and Appendage of Parent?

And that's where the guilt comes in. Because how do you tell your aging, single, heart-disease-riddled parent to BACK THE HELL OFF?

I hate it. And -- I'm serious -- most days I wish I were still just fucked up and not even aware that I was lacking boundaries.