How awful to live at the mercy of others approval of you. Whatever relationships you might have with people who would develop or not develop relationships with your and your children based on your material possessions would be shallow. Why would you want to cultivate relationships with people who would judge you based on what your house is or isn't?

This seems like the perfect time for you to speak openly and honestly with Mrs. Hold about what you want your future to look like. She has told you she doesn't want change and you feel you do. Maybe you can make plans together for what your futures might look like. This would put the future in a realistic light for Mrs. Hold and might give you something to strive for. You may even be able to end things amicably if you both work on plans for the future together.

Formerly nam here since 07/31/03 coastal, CT