This may appear sort of off topic, but it's not. LBs loom on the horizon, and I need help keeping them away. I'm feeling very stressed. Our finances are in terrible shape. I still have June bills unpaid and it's July now and more due dates hitting this week. Last year we agreed to host a meeting for a garden group. Two weeks from now, we'll be hosting a potluck and 40 people are likely to attend. I need to start the massive house cleaning, like yesterday, and the list of things to do is so long my eyes are glazing over. <P>I tend to LB when I get stressed. I help my H do "his" stuff, but "my" stuff I do alone. For 13 years I've tried to get it through his head that we'd get along much better if he'd do the same things for me as I do for him (i.e., offer to help <B>me</B> once in a while!). There's been some improvement in this area since I found MB in April. We have some very tough times ahead, primarily due to our miserable financial situation. I need to be strong, and I need some help. Any suggestions?

I live with an H that says because I stay home I should do all the cleaning and any other household things. It's just who he is. I have had to learn to accept that. I used to LB over that kind of stuff (not closing the cabinets or drawers, leaving cloths all over the place). It's not worth it to me in the big picture anymore. I do the best I can. Sometimes my house is clean, others it is not. See if you can have the rooms he's in the most often clean, leave the others. Have a friend over to help you organize and then maybe you can do the same for her one day. It's more fun cleaning with a friend anyway. My kids and I sometimes "tag team" a room. It's done in no time. As for your potluck and garden meeting, clean where they are going to be at. Remember too, when all those people are in your house they are not going to notice if it is a little messy. <P>As for the bills, you could try Consumer Credit Counseling. It's free and businesses tend to respond favorably to them because you are still paying your bills. <P>Good luck

Hi LH,<P>Sometimes us Superwomen fall into the habit of "over-commiting" ouselves.<P>1. Perhaps, now would be a good time to re-evaluate the commitments & get out from under a few of them.<P>2. Another suggestion is the old adage, "Many hands make light work". Ask for some help from friends and family. If they refuse, then revert to #1 above.<P>Good luck. I think we all can relate to your dilemma at one time or another.