Maybell,

I've got no advice, but I just want to say that

a) I like your style (you write beautifully and you've got such a clear head about things....)
b) I can totally identify with a lot of what you say, so reading about your situation is useful!
c) I'm so glad that everyone here gave such great advice to you!

Welcome back from your vacation. I'm about to go on a family vacation with my family this year, but with my H. I'm pretty stressed about it.

Before I do that, H is coming back from being overseas for the last 17 days, so I've got to go through that re-entry first. Blech.