1997, now X decided he didn’t want to be married to me
anymore. My bio kids and I tossed out of the house literally. Drove down to see
Teri, spent a wonderful week down there. Returned to Indiana to try to figure
out what was going on. Kids and I landed in a homeless shelter (that sucked).
Found a job, rented a little house until divorce was final. Dad was getting
sicker so kids and I moved back to VA in August ’97.

Met my dh in September ’97. Turns out his sister and I used
to hang out together many years ago. Married in October ’98. Dad died in May ’98.
Went back to school in January ’99. Got an AAS in Drafting and design, worked
at large shipyard until November 2010 when I got laid off.

Kids are now grown and gone. Amanda is 28 and is a guest of
the Federal corrections system because she decided that working was for the
little people. Various identity theft charges, mail fraud and drug charges.
Should be released in Feb 2012. Before she got stupid she had 2 little girls
who we had custody of for 4 years until their dad (good guy) got his stuff
together enough to parent the little ones. They’re happily living in Colorado
with their dad, stepmom and half brothers.

Joshua is 24, married and in the Army. He’s stationed at Ft.
Carson, CO. Served 2 tours in Iraq. Probably will get deployed again some time
next summer. His wife is Thai. She’s a real sweetie! They have a dog, Jack. No
kids yet…we’ll see when they decide to have kids. No real rush.

Daniel is 21. Single and loving it! He’s also out in
Colorado, I think he’s living in Boulder.

Dh and I have been through hell in a handbasket, but we’re
still together. Separated for a  while in
2009 while some issues got worked out. Got back together in late 2009. Still
occasionally a little rocky, but much better than it used to be.

Mom had a stroke in 2006. She’s living with us. She’s
totally disabled now and should be in a nursing home but due to some serious
stupidity on her part she can’t get the help she needs. Trying to get it all
fixed but really pissed that this has been dumped in my lap. Still can’t stand
her.

Currently unemployed AGAIN! Working on a bachelor’s in
Religion. Should graduate in 2012.

That’s the last 14 years in a nutshell!