It IS Better!

18 years of marriage, two "his" and four "ours" kids, relocating to another state...we've had a busy marriage. We were too cash strapped for a regular wedding (we did the justice of the peace thing) and couldn't afford a honeymoon (fighting his ex for visitation with his son she totally withheld from him completely). I was wedding bands to replace my husband's band and thought about how long it's been, how far we've come, and how so very, very glad I am that his kids are now adults.

Is all the conflict over with the ex or his kids? I doubt it. I'm sure there will be times when chaos reigns briefly. Is it better?  Heck yeah!

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Reminiscing on the Past

I was talking to another stepmom the other day about some of the issues they've had in the past and that are still ongoing (even though the child is now an adult). They've not seen the daughter in over ten years. Mom alienated her from dad and that was that. I guess during the whole alienation process, the BM also assaulted the stepmother. 

Just makes me ask - AGAIN - what is wrong with people?  Why do mothers do this to their kids?

Wow am I glad those days are over!!

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Telling the Money Maker NO

HHow do you do money management when the stay-at-home person manages the very tight budget and the person working to pay for everything just wants to SPEND? I feel guilty telling him no because he worked for it but really, you can't spend like you have unlimited funds. He says it is "our" money but I still feel guilty when he wants something (he wants a lot of somethings often) and I tell him no. Oy.

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Water Disaster Prep

I feel bad for those in West Virginia that got caught up in the water crisis. I'm equally thankful that my husband turned down a job he was offered in that exact area several years ago or we'd be one of those families affected.

Did it make you think how you should prepare in the event of a water crisis? Conspiracy theory stuff aside, this actually happened. Error, chemical dump. Oops?

Really, they say the electrical grid could be brought down and they actually expect it to. Do you understand what that means? Not just lights out. Water filtration - out, right? Are you prepared? No clean water to drink (human body can go three days without water - - then it's lights out for you), no clean water to bathe in or brush your teeth in.

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Budget, Family Wishes, Family Time

My son wants to learn to play piano. All we have is an electric keyboard (it is a pretty big one but it doesn't have all the keys the way a piano would). I'm not sure he can learn on that very well. He could get the basics but then he'd want a piano, which we can't afford. I would like a piano, which we can't afford. I'd also like a bigger house to put it in so let's just dream big (while keeping in mind WE CAN'T AFFORD IT).

I'm wondering if he wants to play piano because the cute girl at school teaches.

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