Hiya Jess, has the rain arrived up there yet? I understand about having to simply share a vent. Like IK said, we know you aren't looking for sympathy...By revealing your battle that, like my signature quote says... everyone has one, it's just seeking understanding. Just to be heard helps hey? Sometimes I drive people crazy with my Pollyanna perspective on life but there's always a positive slant to every challenge. In your case I think you are raising children who will have incredible resilience! They'll be the kids who'll deal with a stinking hot day on school camp when the others are fainting all over the place! Verity experiences this all the time. In winter (even though we have central heating I'm very stingy and rarely use it) she doesn't seem to notice the cold as much as her friends who get driven to school in heated cars (Verity walks even on the coldest morning)... sorry to sound like a dragon mummy... but she's tough! And your kids will be tough too! I agree it's probably YOU who finds it the hardest to deal with ATM. So don't feel bad venting. This is exactly what this forum is for. Also, those of us who don't share that particular challenge shouldn't feel bad about it... like Mel who has got air con. It's ok to be grateful for something and not be afraid of annoying those who don't... I know Mel isn't rubbing my face in anything LOL (((hugs Mel))). I also momentarily felt bad about posting that my DH wrote me a love poem the other day... I thought to myself :"oh, maybe that wasn't very thoughtful given Simone's loneliness"... but then I realised that if I took that train of thought it would never end!!! Because then I would have to avoid posting about Verity's education in case somebody feels bad that they can't provide that? And maybe I shouldn't mention my DH's bonus because some people in here are experiencing financial difficulties... maybe I shouldn't mention that we are going on a holiday becaue some Junies haven't had one in years??? So I don't think we should censor ourselves either...it's ok to celebrate and be thankful for what we do have. It's up to each of us to be strong and deal with our battles knowing that this is a caring place where we'll always find a shoulder to cry on when the going gets tough. So vent Jess And celebrate the good times!... we all know how much you deserve your night out on the 27th so you get on here on the 28th and fill us in on every detail!!!

ETA: I can receive but not reply to emails ATM sorry to those who have emailed me recently! I'm not deliberately snobbing you all!