My wife & I love each other dearly. But she's been acting so strange, so aloof & uncaring lately. She has admitted depression that she's about to turn 30 and that her life is passing so quickly. 5 years ago we fell madly in love, got engaged after a year and married a year after that. We've always done things together, Linda always preferred it like that. I was always used to my own independence & was always happy when Linda would go off shopping with friends, or occasionally do her own thing. But in recent weeks we've done nothing together. I get the impression that sharing a bed with Linda is a chore for her & she chooses her Ipod over a bedtime chat...never before. She has started to go out with a work colleague a lot recently (female), and chooses to stay over. When I confront her she insists that nothing is wrong, she just wants more independence. She insists that she still loves me and that I'm reading into it too much. I know I'm not. I trust my wife and am sure that she isn't cheating. I'm just concerned that we do nothing together anymore. I miss her. She's going on holiday for a few days with her sisters & I'm hoping that she will come home with a more positive outlook to her marriage. What do you think? Am I making a big thing out of nothing?

OMG! I’m usually feeling so confident, like “Look at me! I can do it all! Home improvement, riding lessons, school concert, sew shorts, immaculate bathrooms, gorgeous gardens, neat job…and a boyfriend to boot.”

Yesterday and today, I’ve felt like a complete failure. Some of it definitely feels like the depression funk trying to invade, but I think a lot is just the timing. My dryer gave up the ghost a week ago, and I had to spend two hours picking out a new one, and it doesn’t come until Friday. Thank heavens I have a clothes line, but it’s been raining!!!!

I feel like bawling like Lucille Ball on “I Love Lucy.” I have a list of projects a yard long and not a shot of getting to any of them. Here’s the kicker—I have a BF, but I’m such a stubborn mule I refuse to ask for help. Isn’t that just dumb? From the time I was 1 ½ I used to say “ME DO IT!” I wouldn’t let anyone move my chair or help with anything. I haven’t changed much.

Maybe this is a horrible “growth opportunity” God is tossing my way. Learn to ask for help.

You know, I’ve always thought a quasi-commune would be ideal for single parents. Build smallish houses around a central square with no egress except through one of the homes. In the square have a playground, a gazebo and a big central kitchen. Community dinners one night a week, with people taking turns, plus each family taking turns with babysitting in center square. That way, when you were off, you could clean and cook and go to the grocery store. All sort of Kate and Ally but with lots more.

I know it would never really work, but it would be nice…

Have I mentioned I’m in love with my power drill? There are some things a single mom just can’t live without. J