let's see what has happened the past year?

BM decided she couldn't work anymore and is disability for some apparent back problem--no one can figure out exactly what is wrong with her.

BM had SD lie about when her braces were coming off. Dh was sending money to cover the cost, so you think any person would say "hey, you're done paying for these now". We found out through pictures that were taken in November 2006 that her braces were off. DH asked BM and his daughter constantly from november 2006 until march 2007 when the braces were coming off and the answer was always "I don't know". Why lie? it was only $50 a month in addition to his CS? I just don't understand.

Then SD got very sick late August--in fact she's pretty much been in the hospital since then. We almost lost her twice. Keep in mind SD and BM live 9 hours away so while we left the minute we found out she was in ICU, it still takes a little planning to leave for an indefinite amount of time.

DH ended up losing his job because of SD being sick. He had not been at his job an full year and so he did not qualify for FMLA. BM gave him November as a grace period on the CS--thank goodness because he had no income to pay her. Once SD was stable (early november)-DH came back home and has been looking for a job very aggresively. In the past 5 weeks he has sent out over 100 resumes. He finally found something part-time retail close to home. As of this morning he also has a job offer for a full-time job in his field and the salary is more than what he was making before--YAY!

Here's the issue. Because DH had no income at the beginning of December, BM did not get a check. She is threatening to have him arrested and is calling him a deadbeat dad. this was said after he called her to tell her the situation and that the day he got his first paycheck, she would get her 14%. In the 12 years DH has been paying CS, he may have been late once or twice, but she has always been paid. DH is living in fear that he's going to get arrested in spite of him doing what he needs to do to bring in an income to pay her.

On the other side of things, I've been paying ALL of the other bills we have and my salary barely covers everything. thank goodness DH did get at least something part-time...it means we get to eat. Yes, it is that tight. My own son is not even getting Christmas presents from us. I am fortunate though, my parents are going to give my son some very nice presents from "Santa".

I am so tired. I need a pat on the back for keeping our own hosehold from totally falling apart. I had to explain to DH yesterday about the bills and he actually seemed surprised that it was that tight. I also explained that I have made sure bills were paid and they were paid ontime. But did I get a thank you? NO. How do I explain to DH without being a total bitch that I am going through this too and I need a freakin pat on the back. From him.

I do have to say that I am so thankful to have found this site. After reading other posts, it seems that I am not the only stepmom who goes through stuff like this.