Last post! I dug up an old moleskin and am starting a bullet journal to replace what I had going here. As others have said, it will be good not to be on the Internet as much. I don't think I'm going to join the new group, so this is goodbye!

When I first started posting in late 2012 a lot of the men's posts and threads helped me understand why I was so upset and my husband so distracted and distant. Basics such as fitness tests and loyalty tests, holding frame, outcome independence, on and on, helped me understand interacting with other people in general, especially my mom.

I took a break for 8 months or so and came back under a different name, and it was then women helped and inspired me a lot on my own learning and awareness of my strengths and weaknesses and what I need to really work on: of note @HowlAtTheMoon @MrsJon @angeline ;@Avalinette @forestleaf @Tiger_Lily @telyni

Many of your stories (too many to recount) also resonated with me as just good stories, and it was a lot of fun to see real people grow in real time.

 We still have a lot of work to do as a couple, and individually, but I'm happy how MrH handles the down cycles and just the stress of being a father to many and husband to one. And looking forward to the 6-week pp "you're good to go" from my OB in a week!

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and many adventures in 2017!

Still tired and sluggish, but nice people are still bringing meals and my motherinlaw is still taking my laundry. Husband is still mostly putting the kids to bed each night. He's also almost always in bed each night, which is a big deal (the original reason I came here 4 years ago), although we're going to bed too late each night.

Got my hair cut! 

I'm thinking about some longterm plans, and am looking into technical editing programs around here. We have many higher educational institutions within reasonable driving distances. I'd like something like one night a week class (in person or online). I'm not sure how the tuition would work. 

Today: dinner, dishes, duds. Specifically, the areas I do those things. So counter and sink clear, laundry room set up with sorting baskets, no more clothes in the living room

This week: Christmas begins! One last shopping outing tomorrow and I'm set there. We're getting a tree and decorating on Friday. Need to lay out all the clothes for Sunday. Mom's having a tantrum about everyone not being able to be at her house on Christmas for more than 3 hour overlap. She keeps trying to call and argue with me about our arrival time, even though I told her 2 months ago when we'd be there.

Got to go out with friends the other night. Still sort of running errands too much, but forcing myself to take a nap in the afternoon.

Tomorrow
Thank you notes
One load of laundry 
all dishes clean before bed
go over to-dos for Christmas 
Drink a full glass of water every time I nurse

Extras: pull out Christmas decor, make butterscotch bars

Great conversation with H this afternoon after a difficult few days where I really didn't know what was going on and was feeling pretty alone.

Got everything crossed off the list today except for the online shopping/orders, which I'll do after the kids are asleep.

Working on the living room now in the hour before (a provided) dinner, then I'll take a hot bath and rest. Catching up on drinking water, too.

Evening routine went well. Got all errands done and the ride fell through, so I took my daughter to 4-H. We were home by 8:30. I did a load of laundry and am fishing up dishes now, then I'm going to bed. Didn't do any of the extra stuff

Tomorrow:
homeschool group
doctor appointment
Finish thank you notes/insurance stuff
order photo books/go over Christmas list

extra: old friends get-together before one moves away