Wow, it's been a month since my last blog.
Why? Because it's been QUIET.
No big issues.

SD12's room is still a pit, but DP is making sure she brings up her dirty dishes before she leaves for BM's. He's also making sure she washes/cleans up her mess in the kitchen. DP is now getting impatient with the general state of her room. Because some of HIS things are in there that he can't find. And she "lost" another bus pass - her third one in 9 months. She has been regularly locking the front door when she leaves (amazing!). Whenever he tries to talk with me about those issues, I listen and say, 'ok.' No opinions given.
He hasn't mentioned enrolling her in tennis or anything else since our last talk when I told him I didn't give a cr!p about it. He complains to me that she's always in her room. I say, "ok."

SD10 has been pretty good. She's been putting things away regularly (she knows I mean it when I tell her if she does it again all privileges are lost forever; yard tools). She's not been complaining about anything really - even about not spending enough time with her friend (she was really whiney about it lately and DP !! stopped that quick). DP is also going to limit the time she spends because when those two are together SD10 doesn't eat and she needs to. Her friend (yes, the troublesome one!...TF) basically takes over all time when at friend's house and doesn't understand "meal time." Her parents don't enforce it either and SD10 is super quiet and doesn't insist. So DP is going to stop the overnights for a while. I make darn sure those two sit and eat when at our place and make sure TF isn't calling all the shots. SD10 is also being super, super helpful in the kitchen. She loves prepping dinner, esp. something she can make herself, and she'll help with cleanup and setting the table (this exempts her from any after-dinner cleaning).

DP came to an epiphany regarding finances and getting his spending under control - because I stopped paying for so much! He had a mild breakdown this weekend after several issues over the past week that cost him hundreds of dollars, purely preventable. I am applauding and helping him with that if he asks. However, one of his asks impacts MY schedule another day a week (I already help him out on Thursdays and now he's asking for another day)...I told him I have to think about it because if his plan doesn't go smoothly, then it's MY problem to deal with and not his. I need to figure out how to help him but if something happens HE has to deal with the impact. I think I have an idea but I need to check to see if it'll work. He was not happy that I immediately didn't say, "Sure!" and I had to slow him down by stating, "Hey, this is NOT my issue, it's yours. Just because you are in this situation doesn't mean you get to blame me for it." Argument over.

Now we are getting quotes for a bunch of exterior work on the house...$$$$...ick. But it HAS to be done before fall/winter this year and it's the only major expense we'll have! I can't wait for the new house color and deck repairs/staining. It'll look stunning!