We had cubed steak and gravy (low fat version) with mashed red creamer potatoes and vegetables...hubby didn't show :)

Deedee, big hugs to you!! That is very thoughtful!

tjay...say what? A nice meal like that and he was a no-show??

Yeah, you know, "Gotta be free to be me". Whatever. My kids enjoyed it, and I did too.

DeeDee, I thank you too. Like many others you have helped me. Keep reaching out to me (please) and others as you find your path. It is amazing how we can help each other, even though we all have our own issues to deal with.

Blessings to you.

Bacon lettuce and tomato sandwiches on whole wheat toast. Made dinner once for daughter and myself and oldest daughter called after we had eaten and asked what was for dinner. Soooo...I fixed it all over again with hot dogs for the little ones.

Then we all sat around and played rummy and acted like idiots and laughed. Something I would never be allowed to do before.

It was nice...and fun and I laughed and enjoyed my kids and grandkids...

Yes, thanks to all who comment and bring their stories and advice. It has helped me and so many more.

Lavender, that is an awesome night! I love BLT's and I love playing cards with my big kids and stepkids (mine are 26, 24, 20, 17, 16, 13, 3 and 9 months!) It is great to bond with them when they are older...I never get tired of them, at any age. Although they are much easier to deal with under the age of 4 lol.

yep I agree they are easier with younger. The grand kids are great. I can spoil them, love them, give them ice cream then send them home...payback don't ya know. lol

Oh honey I'm waiting for that! My kids being so spread out, I figure I'll have about 20 grandkids to spoil by the time my baby is out of the house!

deedee I feel the exact same way...You put into words exactly how i feel...Thanks to you too!!

I am SO grateful to this forum....

My sister in law told me yesterday..How just three weeks after my ex beat me..and I had to put him out of our home..That he turned up at hers with his 'new' woman..and asked her if she'd come out for dinner with him as two couples?

She said that she was absoloutely disgusted with him....And said to me...never!!

But what struck me..Was if i didn't have this forum..and all the lovely women in it...and all I have learnt by being in it....And all the great support I've have from it...I likely would have been very upset to hear that story....

Instead I have all the knowIedge I would ever need to know full well that I am hugely better off FAR away from him...

I have also had all the validation I needed to recognise that once an abuser, always an abuser..And that I'm missing nothing..

I also know..That if it had upset me..That i could have shared today...and that everyone here..Would have lifted me up...and would have helped me through it...

So BIG thanks to you all also...And big Hugs!!

I totally agree tjay..that 'It is amazing how we can help each other, even though we all have our own issues to deal with.'.

We all know what its like...It helps me so much...

To all who have got away...Great to hear how you are relishing your new found peace...and your abuse free days...We all well earned them....

And we all deserve them!...xx

DeeDee,

We love you and thank you to for your support and strength here in the forum. You humor is awesome.

I will post the menu in a topic. Its gonna be a good one.

Huggy Huggy!