An important note: DH and I saw SS12 over Thanksgiving and SS told us that he despises wrestling and doesn't want to sign up again next year, but BM and GF are forcing SS to finish out this season.  ** This will be important for later. **

Ranting and cussing will begin...

So I tried to have a conversation with the SS that reflected a great moment I remember having with my grandmother when I was growing up. The moment with my grandmother was riding in a vehicle listening to the oldies when a Captain and Tennille song came on and she asked do you know who sings this song? I said no, who is it and she explained and we continued all the way home having a great conversation about music past and current at that time.

Well, well. SD called DH on TDay. But he somehow missed the call. I dunno, I haven seen the log and don't intend to.

So they've been texting back and forth. He is giddy. They are going to arrange a Zoom call. DH isn't good with his phone so might need my help to connect. Gosh, I sure hope I don't have a mani appointment at the same time.

Happy gift grab season, everyone!

I'm frustrated because SD 14 almost 15 forgets belongings each week. She's generally a good kid involved in extra curricular a and good in school, a bit jealous if our two kids I think and sometimes bullies but that's besides the point, we have written a list of belongings on her mirror and ask her every transition day to please comb through it and make sure she doesn't forget anything.

I posted gift suggestions for older adults last year but here it is again for new members.  DH87 and I 79 have all the "things" we need and, actually, we are trying to unload stuff on our poor kids, lol.  We still live independently in a middle class suburb.  I've also included suggestions other Steptalkers added last year.  Please feel free to add more.

My partner has recently decided to stop helping monitor the SK time so they don't miss their bus. They have clocks, SD has a watch and alarm goes off over an hour before bus arrives, it's too taxing to read an analog clock for them, (not sure why it matters when our oven and microwave literally provide the numerical time stamp) blah blah.... 

So today SS barely missed the bus. He was too busy messing around to give a crap til minute of. But he made it.

So I finally had a conversation with my SO about what I need in this relationship and what I envision. I do realize he's had zero and I mean zero examples of what a healthy relationship looks like. He's got plenty of childhood trauma that he knows affects him and how he "reacts" to conflict. I don't see it changing immediately overnight because he's spent years "reacting" that way (deflecting, gaslighting and blame) but I am thankful he sees it. 
 

Ours was overall outstanding.  We flew out the Friday prior to TG.  That week was the 31st anniversary of our first date.  I only know the week because it was the week before TG.  Otherwise that would be nowhere near my Man-RADAR.

I swear to God I am going to get a divorce before we become empty nesters, with the finish line just 2-1/2 yrs away, and 9yrs of step-hell will have been for nothing. 

SS18 has been at college since August. I posted about how we think he's probably going to be coming back for his HS gf, hopefully just transfering to another college, but who knows at this point. Either way, NOT living with us long-term, just for the summer at most- hopefully staying with Crazy. But I digress.