And the stirring has started in steplife world. SD15 has not been over since we saw her briefly on Thanksgiving. Well this weekend coming is her weekend to come so we shall see! I know for sure she will be over on Christmas Eve to collect her gifts ( DH family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve) and of course BM has already made plans for SD to grace us with her presence on Christmas Eve .

Since my husband filed for divorce behind my back about a month ago, life has been a nightmare.

There have been some funny mentions of gifts from a step kid lately. What about you? What funny, pathetic, passive-aggressive things have your skids gotten you?

SS one year got me a potholder. Pretty sure that was a year he bragged about a 6-figure salary. At least it appeared new. But most years nothing, which is fine.  I can match that energy  

Currently we are just a few days out from my DS 16th birthday. Myself and his stepdad got him a car. (Nice used car from my brother in law who gave me a super deal on it) it's like new. However I know my ex and his family. I'm just waiting to hear the words from his mothers mouth says this is a gift from your mom and dad. Because he pays child support. She's done this before when I got her nephew (my husbands cousin) a nice very expensive wallet for his birthday. Made a cake and got a card. They all walked in that afternoon and put all their names on it like they helped!

As expected, SS63 called requesting her Christmas $ early due to "bills, car trouble and my anxiety".  So, she came over yesterday.

She sat down and started her organ recital.  Then she asked if she could come over sometime and talk to me to let me know what's going on.  (My body said "Alarm, Alarm").  I said okay but I hope it wasn't about money cuz I'm about tapped out with Christmas and our real estate taxes are due.  She said, oh, no (a probable lie).  She started to talk about her recent flurry of medical tests 

I bring this up because SS recently asked DH why I wasn't on Facebook anymore.

I mentioned here before that I connected with the skids via social media a very long time ago initially out of expectation that we would all get along just fine. When problems (quickly) arose, I stayed connected because we knew we were being lied to (a real dilemma...that wasn't my job, yet the intel was useful although frustrating/maddening).

I've gotten better than when I first arrived on scene, but I still have these days where I'm reminded that I'm viewed in a crap way by SKs when they ruined their own relationships with me.  Honestly, at one point or another, every single person they meet or befriend gets put down.... so maybe someone else is the common denominator.... but How do you just not care when someone thinks so vitrolly of you?  

Happy Hump Day, STalkers! Yes, the title says 'women', but this pertains to men, too!

While plenty consider this time to be a season of joy, that's not always true for everyone. Joy can be hard to find due to:

• Loss of loved ones
• Health issues
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Job problems (my best friend lost her job last week)
• Family problems
• Simply overwhelmed by the hustle and hustle

It's important to remember that THE most important thing to take care of is YOU. We've heard the saying... 

I think I know, At least in part anyway.

I tend to put the onus on picking a partner of substance, character, honor, and quality.  However, I do not often reference THE key part of the discussion. Being our best regarding substance, character, honor, and quality for ourselves and for a worthy partner.

We must be as worthy of them as they are of us.

If anyone else wants to air some grievances and/or join my pity party, please hop aboard my blog...it won't hurt my feelings.

I'm a lost soul this year. I lost my younger sister (46) in June and my mom in October. We have gone from a family of 5 to 3 in 4 months. (I have one more younger sister and dad).