So I have this very dear friend of long standing, who has pitched in and helped me whenever I needed it -- financially, emotionally, name it. Two of her 5 sons helped me move.

I've never understood her children. All 5 are high school dropouts. At any given time, at least 3 of them are living at home and have no jobs. The oldest is in his early 30s, and they aren't separated in age by very much.

When I arrived in MN, I had quite a story to tell about the week I endured just trying to get here. I emailed a bunch of people on my list (I think I posted it here, too) to tell them about it and let them know I made it.

I haven't heard from my friend since, which is odd. But I was going back through sent mail and read that one over, and I said something awful about her kids, and now I don't know what to do. She cuts them far too much slack, if you ask me, or just has too-low expectations or something, but who am I to parent somebody else's kids, you know? It's just that mine is an honor student who just got a pile of scholarships to college (he'll be a freshman in the fall), and I'm much more used to having an achiever than a slacker.

I don't mean to make excuses for what I did, it was terrible. I don't understand why she puts up with what she does from her family, but what I said was uncalled for. NOW what do I do? I don't even know where to begin to apologize. I feel like crap!

Me and my big mouth........

Candy