Hi all,<P>I can't believe this topic, could I share a experience I had this week? I think I have "post tramatic food preparation disorder"!<P>Wednesday night I had the genteman I am seeing over for BLT's. I got ready to cut up the tomatos and he asked me "are you going to peel the tomatos?" I about freaking collapsed on the floor, while my friend is watching thinking he is with a crazy lady. I'm speachless, my head is spinning and I'm about ready to hurl. I asked him what high blood pressure felt like. He was just joking with me. I thought he was serious. <P>My ex HAD to have his tomatos peeled "cuz MOM always did it so I wouldn't belch". I mean this stupid little thing with my ex drove me NUT'S over the years. I was taught to eat the skins of any vegatable! My mom told me that was where the good vitamins were (great kid brainwashing). <P>Let me add that my ex is an owner/operator of his own semi truck. I jumped FOR YEARS any time of day or night to be a short order cook, like he expected on the road.<P>Anyway, we did have a good talk and laugh afterwards and I put the knife down, JUST KIDDING! I had no idea how much that "little thing" would set me off. I always thought it would be something major that would trigger gut wrenching pain in a new relationship after being divorced three years.<P>Thanks for letting me ramble.....<P>Ragamuffin

Wow... it's good to know that even the littlest thing can trigger an emotional response! Good that you/he had a sense of humor about it though!<P>Cheers!<P>------------------<BR>We cannot do everything at once... but we can do something at once

So - peel the freaking tomatoes!!!!<P>Just kidding - isn't is awful how the smallest little triggers set us off. <P>Yesterday a friend came by and told me that my ex was smiling and happy - as if nothing was wrong - that's been his 'LIFE' for the past 11 years - why should he change the pretense. But, it still sent me into a fit of tears. How can he be happy and smiling when he hasn't bothered to come see his kids whom he should want to see - never mind the fact that they would just as soon he fell off the face of the earth! <P>I got over it - and realized that it was part of the process of letting go. The tears are cleansing... Maybe peeling tomatoes and eating all the skins yourself just for spite would be a good way to let go. Tomato skins are full of healthy vitamin C. So - don't let 'him have any!!!!<P> <P>Make it a great day - Jan

Ragamuffin,<P>Now that is real. And that is honest. Can't tell you how many times this happened to me over something that anyone else would pass right by. After seventeen years, I still get those flashbacks occasionally.<P>Prayers and stuff,<P>Bumper

OvrCs,<P>Good to hear from you! Having a sence of humor does help! Isn't that what many want in a relationship too?<P>seekingjoy,<P>Ok, Ok, I'll peel them as fast as I can, LOL! <P>"The tears are cleansing... " So very sorry for the trigger you experienced also. I totally understand the pain of watching what your children are going through. Mine went through the same. My adult daughter is still affected by having a "dad" who wasn't interested in having a relationship with her.<P>Yep, I'll keep eating those skins with vitamin C in mind!<P>Bumperii,<P>"Now that is real. And that is honest." Confirmation and understanding of what I was trying to explain means the world to me! I'm truly not a crazy lady, just human?!?! Thank you!!!<P>Ragamuffin<P>

Instead of slicing my tomatoes horizontally, I slice them vertically. It seems to keep them from falling apart so easily.

Instead of slicing my tomatoes horizontally, I slice them vertically. It seems to keep them from falling apart so easily.<P>I know about those little triggers, too, by the way. And the individual who is most likely to trigger my anger is, believe it or not, his mother. Fortunately, I see it coming now. I'm still close to his parents, thankfully, because my children need those grandparents.