I have been trying to help my husband. He hasn't shown any grief since the day he had to see his father's body at the funeral home. At the funeral he was the only dry-eyed person. I have been doing everything around the house, and anything I can think of to make things easier on him. But I am about ready to snap. NOt at him but at the insensitivity of other people. It is crazy. First, the my FIL's sister (in her 50's) posted an invite to his funeral on facebook. It was supposed to be a private family graveside service because my husband's mother is in a very fragile state right now. It was such a shock and she is not doing well. So two days before the funeral it is found out that his family now has to get together enough food to feed about 50 ppl because my FIL's sister invited all these people to the service and get together afterward. They did NOT need the extra stress of having to do this!! And a simple thing- my parents decided to send flowers my MIL's house even though they really don't know her. My mother asked ME to send them (because I could pick out something she'd like I guess) so I called a local florist and asked that the flowers be delivered to the house on the day of the funeral. The florist calls me back the day of the funeral to say they couldn't get the flowers I wanted in that day so they would be delivered the next day. I didn't want to argue so I said ok. There are more important things. But then I get another call that evening saying the flowers wouldnt' be delivered until TWO days after the funeral. I spoke with the owner who was VERY rude. When I said the flowers were for a funeral he corrected me and said "No they are not for a funeral, they are being delivered to a home address." Yes, dumbass but they have a sympathy card with them. He then asked what the address was even though I'd already given it to the person who took the order previously. He went on to say it wasn't his fault (I wasn't even upset at this point) that his supplier was late and all he could do was have me select another arrangement and he "Might" be able to deliver it by the next day. I found another florist and called him back and asked him to cancel the order. He said he'd already made arrangements to get the flowers I needed (still two days late) and I told him I just wanted to cancel the order please and he said whatever and hung up on me!! Stupid, but I just broke down crying. And at the service, the strangest thing was that my MIL did not want to watch her husband's urn be buried in the dirt (her kids and grandkids wanted to watch) and I definately don't blame her. She is still thinking of him as a person who is alive or has characteristics of being alive and to see that would just kill me. She started bawling and told everyone she had to get out of there and NOT one of her kids escorted her away. MY FIL's sister who posted the thing on facebook took her away. It also seems that my MIL does not want to hear any good things about her husband from anyone. SHe is very angry toward him (probably for leaving her alone) and if anything nice is said she gets mad. So I say nothing. I just don't know what to do.

You can also make bowls out of them - won't hold liquid stuff, but popcorn, jewelry, anything like that. You turn the oven on to a 200-250. Place metal bowl or pot in center of baking pan. Place record in center of inverted pot or bowl and place in oven. It will start to get floppy-looking about 7-8 minutes. Take the baking pan with everything on it out of oven. You can either use oven mitts to shape it a little more or use another bowl to put it in to shape it if you want another shape. Let it cool 10-15 minutes. Makes really cute gifts - especially if someone likes a certain group!

I just finished an ABC/123 Scrapbook for my son. What I did was I used a CM Sentiments album ( a real good size) and the first page was A. So I used stickers and Diecuts with words that are appropriate for A. For example, Airplane, apple, Apron, ant,.... Then I did this for all of the letters in the alphabet. I also incorporated photos in the album as well. Like for letter "G" Grandmother Smith, .. or for "U" Uncle Joe.. After letter Z, I then did a numbers part from 1 to 10. So for number 1, I put a Die Cut of a #1 in the corner and a large Diecut of a clown - thus showing one item. For #8, I placed 8 stickers of a dog , and so on. Once complete, this album can be used as a learning tool for children.

I would scan the pictures, put them on a CD and then have them printed at a photo place. Actually photos that age can be enhanced so that they turn out much better looking if you take the time at a photo kiosk to fix each photo. I can understand your Mom's feelings. My birthparents never did tell any of my nine half brothers and sisters that I exist. I was born a few years later than your brother and my birthmother felt really ashamed. My siblings still don't know I exist. I met my birthmother 18 years ago and have kept her secret even though I know a lot about my half siblings and could find and tell them so easily. If I could make one suggestion to you it would be to think of your brother as a friend, not a brother. Not growing up with him, you really don't have a true sibling connection. Take your reunion slow and easy as reunions can be emotional roller-coasters. The best ones are done carefully and slowly. Wishing you a wonderful close friendship with him. Your brother will treasure those photos. He probably would enjoy any family stories that you have and also a copy of things such as a copy of your mother's writing. Was he searching or is this all very new to him?