Hey, rysmom, I'm glad your son is okay. I hope you are giving him the "treatment". That's what my son calls it when he is sick and I pamper him and give him small treats, and generally make him "prince for a day".
You said that you could not compete with the ow's personality. Well, when my H was messing with ow, I happened to find a way to get into his voice mail without using his phone, and I listened to the ultra sickening voice mails that ow left H. But, I also saw that ow was constantly purring on about how H was so good, and so wonderful to work so hard. So, I thought to myself, I said self, that beyotch has the nerve to tell my H he is wonderful for working so hard, and it is for ME and our S that he IS working so hard, so darn it, I am going to be the one to tell him, and I am going to be the one purring about it.
So, I started telling my H I appreciated him, and sending him cards and little notes each day, sometimes lovey-dovey, sometimes silly. But it has seemed to work, unless he is a better actor than I thought, because ow seems to have (hopefully) faded off into wherever ow go to when they fade.
So, if you do decide to take the plunge, and give your H a compliment, remember, H's love to have their ego stroked. They want to feel needed, wanted and loved. Some need it at a higher level.
Anyway, it's early here, 5:36 am, I couldn't go back to sleep, so thought I would check in here to see how you were.
I'm going to get coffee, bye.