mmg19

3 good things at 7 this morning and now 3 more at 5. 1. Church was just what I needed to hear today. 2. Boys had friends over after church and I love my kids friends. 3. Parents came over with a surprise dinner prepared for tonight.

You are in my prayers this morning.

1. A beautiful week-end to rest and refocus. 2. Great mentors, teachers, and youth leaders for my boys. 3. A safety net of friends and family who constantly amaze me with their kindness.

Thankfully you got a "heads up" and were able to stop it. Presumptuous indeed.

Loved reading this post today. I confess that I love doing laundry and dishes. These are the two chores that were therapeutic to me the first few months. As long as my hands were busy and I felt useful I did not think about the pain in my heart. It has been said that habits are formed from repetition. Now at almost 2 years I still wash dishes by hand. The dishwasher has not been run in months. When a grief wave begins the bed is stripped, towels collected from bathroom and I do laundry. Never have I been accused of being OCD but laundry is folded and put away immediately. This post clicked in my head. LH loved fresh clean sheets and fresh towels in bathroom. I'm doing that because I want everything ready should he return. Now I feel better with this confession. Thanks EUF and Lost35.

Congrats on the job. You've just been through an exhausting process and now it is time to rest. Sorry your #1 supporter is not there to share it with you. Preparation is the key to most successes in life and you have proven it true again.

1. 3 Good friends 2. FICO score now high enough for excellent rate to think about buying a house 3. Teaching is going great

Happy kids. Happy Momma. No homework. No school work. Plan to grill out, have friends over, and each boy will have a friend over. I surprise myself with how little it takes to make me smile these days. Labor day was one of DH's favorite holidays. Last year the smile was forced, my heart hurt, and I couldn't wait for Tuesday. We rarely traveled on holiday week-ends and always spent it at home with family and friends and last year I forced every smile. Nothing much to say except happy kids are the best healers. Wishing everyone a good 3-day weekend.

My LH and I were semi-frugal. One of his favorite sayings was ?An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?. This doesn't always put money in your hands immediately but in the long run saves Big Bucks. Some examples of how this has worked for us/me over time. Taking care of what you have is obvious but it has saved me $$$. Car- Regular oil change, tire rotation, tune-up. Now 8 yrs. old and still going with no major repairs or costs. Household appliances ? Vacuum refrigerator coils monthly, check and replace filters in AC/heating until every 3-6 months. Clean vents regularly, check and do preventive maintenance as needed on all appliances. Keep a check-list. Utilities ? replace leaky faucets and drips. Turn off all lights when not in room. Caulking windows as needed. Checklists are available on google for preventive maintenance. Be aware and track any increase in electricity, water, and gas bills. Doing this without my partner is not always easy and not fun but I'm still using refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, vacuum cleaner, and small appliances I've had for over 15 years. I can't afford replacements and updates right now so immediate repair and a little TLC has saved me from spending on the big items. At present I am renting after selling my house this summer, but I believe the reason I made the profit I did on the house was because the inspector found everything is excellent working condition.

Sorry about the bus stop Moms. I can relate as I am dealing with the "school pick-up Moms". Have this duty every other week and it is an eye opener.

Tossed the old makeup and bathroom stuff that had long ago expired date. Old magazines tossed.

Wow! I have two sons (12 and 14) and it is not easy. But then raising kids alone is not easy. We just work twice as hard. Only suggestions are 1. Unconditional love 2. Communicate 3. Consistency. It will be OK. You will all make it and this too shall pass. ((Hugs))

You do have a full plate. NG is at this time one of the pieces not the full plate. Children, going to school, personal growth and wellness, adapting to moving and then all the time and energy for running and maintaining a home, involved parenting, kids activities and appointments, etc. He needs to cool it and give you time. I don't know the details but as nice as you portray him, you and your children need top priority right now. Take care of yourself and everyone will benefit. I know sometimes I'm too blunt but his wants and needs take second place to yours and your children.

No personal experience but I'd say you are doing everything right. Communication and staying aware is key. Good info from Maureen and she appears to be in the loop for the help he may need. Sending prayers for both of you.

What a wonderful post. ((Hugs))

The new colleagues I've met since starting this new job have been amazing. Patient with me, willing to share tips, giving me supplies I was not here to order last spring, and most of all becoming friends. Also grateful I have not messed up really bad.

24 years after obtaining a BS, I returned to get teacher certification. After DH died I took 15 hrs. in education and another 6 online to get certification to teach and am continuing with night and online classes to get Master's degree. Only being extremely frugal am I able to pay. I'm calling it my vacation fund since all vacations have been in the classroom these past two years and will be for the next year. I'm grateful that I'm now in a teaching job and being paid. First year teacher at 45 and finally have a career. Best decision I've made since widowhood and like having a purpose again. My cheerleaders are my 12 and 14 year old boys. DH would be proud of us.

Class is.....Grace under pressure. You have shown us an example of Class at its best. Thanks for update.

I also thank you for sharing this today. It's been a grief wave kind of day. I really thought they were gone.

I'm so sorry. I know it hurts but sending you and kids (hugs).

Just sending ((Hugs)).

My thoughts today exactly. I just want to talk to him. Need to discuss all the changes taking place in my life. Need to discuss our children's future. Need to have an opinion I trust right now and you are the only one who who would tell me the truth. No sugar coating, no avoiding criticism, no hidden agenda. Today I could also ramble but I'll spend some quiet time before bed and try to get the answers you would give me.

Thinking of you today and feeling so positive. Now to the future. Hugs to you.

You've got this. SimiRed you never cease to amaze me. You have my encouragement and prayers to get through a difficult day. I just want to add my respect and admiration for the way you have handled this situation.

Not sure where this post should go but seems to apply more to fast meals. Actually it is also one of utmost gratitude. Go to meals first. Turkey, chicken, and beef pot pies. The gratitude part is next. My Mom has roasted a turkey and cooked a huge beef roast today. Add to that all the garden vegetables that are in abundance. Tomorrow we are making and freezing pot pies for the fast and easy meals in the next few months. Going to my Mom's tomorrow and have a day of chopping vegetables, making the pastry, and making as many pot pies as we can. I'm not the cook my Mom is and would not have attempted this project alone. I'm buying individual and family size containers so we will have a fast dinner for one or a family meal.