Whew, been gone awhile. My computer was totally fried and it took months for me to get it fixed. I still can't access my email account. Frustrating!

During the away time, I became 'nanny' to three little kittens, courtesy of Tiger Lily and, I think, Mysterious. They are cuties but I can't keep them. That would make seven cats, and that's too many even for me! Unfortunately, I can't find anyone to take them, either. Shawn has given me till June 1 or he takes them to the pound where they risk being put down. I can't let that happen - I just can't. I will just pray to St. Francis to help me find homes before then.

My trip to Disney with Fifi, Emmi and Abby was fabulous! I was a genius to take Abby as she was the filling between the two Gean girls and kept them from driving each other (and me) nuts. It was a definite time to remember. Unfortunately, I am still not seeing the girls on a regular basis - I just can't allow their parents back into my life. Way too much stress. I told them I would try to get them once a month. We'll see.

Shawn is really struggling at work; the recession has hit the car industry full force. I warned him it was coming but he didn't believe me - he does now. He's been so stressed and he's taking it out on me. I try to keep the home life as calm as possible but sometimes I get frustrated, too. It's not like my job is guaranteed - we had two rounds of layoffs last year and will probably face another one this year. He keeps saying, 'you don't understand the stress I'm under' and refuses to acknowledge that I've got stress, too. If we make it through this recession, we will definitely be stronger for it.

We're fast approaching the first anniversary of Dad's death. I don't know how I feel about it. Sadly, as I had predicted before he even passed, I don't really miss him. He wasn't that much a part of my life, not like Mom was. It's sad that he's gone, but my life didn't really change that much when he left. AND Charlie has so fallen down on the trustee job - he's done nothing to distribute the trust and I think it has to be done by Dad's first death anniversary or it goes to probate. We're be lucky to get anything out of that estate at all. AND George is still living in the house. It's hard to clear out the stuff and sell the house when George is still in it. The whole thing is a total mess.