Hi Landslide,
I was away from the board for a while due to school work, but I must say that when I saw your question "1Red still out there" or something like that, I actually shed a tear. It is so nice to be noticed and acknowledged. I am sure that you must be a great mother to your family with the care that you demonstate.
Well, hey, what's`new? Shall I be candid? You'll have to tell me yes or no in your next post. I am doing okay...things are up and down as usual, but I am doing my best not to let them get to me. I have finally reached the conclusion that my H is having a major mid-life crisis -- I've read up on it and all. He is so alone and out searching for himself that he cannot welcome help from others. I understand that this may be a long ride that I'm in for...will I make it? Who knows.
Spoke to the MIL last week as she called for him but I answered. I really let her have it -- but kindly and civilly -- that she had not called me for my birthday. She was able to be honest enought ot admit that she had feelings about calling or not calling and then apologized for not doing it. Gosh, what a sick family I married into. The good things is that she is more or less on my side. The bad thing is that she just can't help smothering her only son.
I am practicing the "pull myself up by the bootstraps" approach here...although it is hard. I know I must re-create a life for me.
How are you doing? What is new? Let's "have a cup of coffee" again! How are your children? Please drop a line and let me know how you are..
Thanks be to God,
1Red

(((((((((1Red))))))))))))

I'm so glad to hear from you. You sound really strong. That is great. I'm glad you were able to have that talk w/ MIL. I hope I will never take up for my children when they are in the wrong. Maybe it's hard for her to put away that, "Oh, my poor little boy, I'm sure he had a good reason for ripping your heart out..." mentality. She probably needs to take a few steps back and look at the situation. Maybe a lot of steps. hehehe.

Things here are okay. B-a-b-y steps you know. My H's actions are confusing. One day he acts like he wants to be "close" emotionally speaking, then some days he is very distant.

I've taken an emotional break for a while. I'm concentrating more on me than on M.

Nursebetty has a thread going on forgiveness. I love what she said to someone about putting down the oar and enjoying the water. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to steer this M in a direction it will never go to a place it will never be. I'm putting down the oar for awhile. Let it(M) go where it goes. Let's both put down the oars for awhile and float in this water together. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

The warm weather here has brought with it a sense of well-being for me. I know it is God's presence I feel not the weather, but isn't it great of him to give us that bouquet of flowers every spring. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

My son is having another graduation next week, then he will be off to his regular duty station. I hope he gets to come home for awhile. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Do you get a spring break?

I hope you get to do something nice for you!

I'll post again later. Got a few errands to run.
Sooooooooooooo glad to hear from you again. You know I have been praying for you.

Talk later.

In my prayers,
landslide

^