Picture a happy couple in their late 50\'s who had worked hard for years to be able to buy that little sports convertible for weekend trips away. A couple that had raised their 4 children (collectively) to adulthood and had no empty nest syndrome, a couple that were enjoying being grandparents, playing with them then sending them home. A couple that could not worry about preparing a huge meal and eat a peanut butter sandwich or just go out for a bite without worrying about it. A couple that went out to dinner with friends often, took long drives in that little red convertible, ran around the house stark ass naked and enjoyed it, relished being alone (other than the cat!) and in love. A couple that bought not only what we needed but what we wanted within reason. Picture a woman who could go out to lunch with her girlfriends and spend the whole afternoon if I wanted, go shopping all day if I wanted or do nothing if I wanted.

Now the convertible sits in the garage collecting dust most of the time (only 2 seats), going out with friends is almost a thing of the past because we have no family close and babysitters are darn expensive, running around the house naked is only that 5 minutes between getting out of the shower and getting to the closet to dress, lunches, coffee or shopping with the girls is gone because I have a bus schedule, homework and child care to deal with. I cook meals every night, the laundry is always going, my time is not my own anymore nor is my life.

BUT.....our gd is safe from the abuse, secure that she is loved and wanted, living with parents that really love her, want only the best for her, will defend her against anyone and are her biggest supporters. Would I change anything?????? Yes, I would have gotten her years ago if we could have when she was born so she wouldn\'t have had to endure the abuse... but that didn\'t happen so now we are a family and we will survive, no matter what!!

I know whatcha mean. My only friends are my kids, my parents and my sisters. I cannot relate to most of the people I work with and no one else I know is in our situation. Even the family can be very negative sometimes when it comes to "what they would do" in our situation. Would I change anything? Nope GD is where she belongs and we are blessed to have her. Would I like to have friends that were not family with something in common? Oh yeah