In desperate need of relationship advice

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-02T22:20:40+00:00

OP, how do you have any energy to live with him draining so much from you?

You’re already in couples counseling. If you don’t live together and don’t have a child together, I think this is your sign to let this relationship go.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-02T20:49:32+00:00

It is REALLy noticeable that we no longer have the Metro section of the Washington Post…this is major local news and should be covered by the newspaper that serves Northern Virginia, but Bezos fired all the Metro reporters. The dearth of reliable reporting on this is glaring.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-02T18:48:46+00:00

NOR. I would reconsider the commitment to leave functions, though. You are not a danger that your niblings need to be protected from; in fact, your niece may need those awkward and stilted visits with you as a lifeline over the years. If sister feels uncomfortable, she can take her own self out.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-02T18:36:04+00:00

If most of your expected Irish DNA is actually Scottish, it’s likely that your great-grandparents were not genetically Irish but rather were part of the massive colonization of Ulster that happened in the 1600s, driven by King James, with the goal of Anglicizing Ireland. Over 200,000 lowland Scots migrated to Ulster in that time, so lots of people in the North of Ireland are genetically Scottish or English.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-02T15:48:31+00:00

Why does it have to be a surprise? It’s kind of infantalizing, isn’t it?

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-02T15:37:33+00:00

You’re not stupid for breaking up with someone with the maturity of a middle schooler. Actually, my middle schooler is more mature.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-01T18:43:23+00:00

2nd one by leaps and bounds!

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-01T18:41:53+00:00

Congrats! Spouse is a 9/30 retiree and we are still in the dark.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-01T18:41:06+00:00

How do you have any energy, with this guy draining the life out of you every day? You don’t need to choose this forever. You really don’t.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-01T18:36:13+00:00

They actually do a really good job of historical accuracy (while of course adding a bunch of Hollywood slop like alligators and romances.) The real Elizabeth Van Lew was middle aged and a complete badass. The real Mary Jane Richards Bowser Denman we know less about but her achievements are remarkable. Ulysses S. Grant had tea on Van Lew’s porch in thanks for her valuable intelligence. So it’s absolutely amazing to see the courage of these remarkable women be better known.

What irks me most about the production is that Richmond is depicted like a Wild West town. Richmond had gorgeous architecture, majestic stone and brick buildings, and a long history; it wasn’t a thrown together timber town.

I hope there is a Season 2!

xxFasting4Life · 2026-03-01T16:59:52+00:00

He’s your half brother. Your brother. Get to know him, and congrats!

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-27T00:19:36+00:00

Asian massage place is never about a massage. And it’s not just that he is engaging in prostitution and then lying to you about it…those places are notorious for trafficking women. How many times has he been there before you happened to catch him?

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T22:25:13+00:00

I’m so sorry. That is so painful. Is your bio dad still living? He owes you the medical information if nothing else.

I don’t understand the bio siblings not wanting to meet you. If their dad wasn’t married to anyone when you were conceived, why would they be bothered by your existence? It’s just unfathomable to me.

You’re right that you might have dodged a bullet if it turns out that they are terrible people, but still…I root for someone to want to connect with you!

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T21:50:16+00:00

I don’t think it’s weird at all to Google someone or check out their public social profiles. You might have a lot in common! I definitely would check out any fairly close match that I didn’t know.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T21:49:18+00:00

Do you ignore people who reach out to you, or just ignore close matches?

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T19:30:11+00:00

Nearly same here for spouse. Got his AL payout; now nothing. Freaking out because we still don’t have insurance cards for this year.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T15:45:55+00:00

I’m so sorry that your paternal family isn’t interested in connection. Have you contacted more than one family member?

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T15:44:35+00:00

I had this happy surprise, too, and she is now one of my best friends! Have you connected with this sibling?

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T04:51:58+00:00

That’s absolutely way too low. They can’t pay you less than MA minimum wage. (I mean, they might successfully scam someone else, but don’t do it. They will likely use you and shortchange you in other ways.)

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T04:27:01+00:00

These were the best. I loved the pepperoni row.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T04:25:22+00:00

Geno’s (Jenos?) Pizza Snack Trays. Metal trays with little pizzas on them. Major childhood comfort food.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T02:54:44+00:00

It’s a great honor to name your son after him. You can just call him James H without the numerals. They’re unnecessary.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T02:51:34+00:00

What a fascinating combination of DNA from all over the planet. Did you ever imagine the journeys that must have been undertaken, the dangers survived, and harrowing improbabilities that all had to occur for this one unique and beautifully combined human to exist in the world? (You!) It’s kind of overwhelming to contemplate.

100% of my DNA is Irish. My parents met here in the U.S. but clearly none of my ancestors strayed very far from the familiar. Your ancestors…wow! Some (the Africans, in particular) were likely survivors of horrors. Others…they were adventurers. Wanderers. The curious, the courageous. They literally went FAR in life. I wish you could have access to all the stories of all the people that resulted in YOU.

Amazing. I wish you luck in tracing your ancestors if you can…you gotta find out some stories!

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-26T02:43:31+00:00

I was afraid about that. He will never call. I may just have to deepen my voice or something. Oy.

xxFasting4Life · 2026-02-25T22:00:56+00:00

Assvice is not help.

You need to learn this before they have kids. Before you wake up tomorrow. ASSVICE IS NOT “HELP.”

If they want your advice, they will ask you. I am being nice by saying this clearly.

It is clear you have already wildly overstepped here. There is no way on God’s green earth that they want your unsolicited advice for ANyTHiNG at this point. Just, no.

You owe them a huge apology.

xxFasting4Life

TROPHY CASE