I love to read. Reading "Prep" right now. Whoa, captures the awkwardness of HS very well.
I agree with GH, GAL is not about only putting on stilletos and hitting happy hour each night. Do it with the kids, esp. now they must need the support too, and you get a million miles from their time/smiles.
Cheap fun: 1) Library--READ--escape to a different world. Nice to do in bed when H is there nor not...you're not waiting for him to come home sitting in bed. I used to do that and hate it, I need to get better at this.
2) Movies...rent them and watch with/without H. Plan a family movie night with the kids and let H know. Up to him after that.
3) Parks. Do you have bikes? A public pool? Hiking areas close by?
4) It's summer, so check the local paper for free family fun in town. Or online. If you live near museums/art centers/community centers (and surely you do, even I do)....in summers they have free events all week. Weekly concerts outside, plays, book readings, exhibits, free access 1 night a week, etc.
5) Exercise...it's free and the BEST boost for yoru PMA and is like an AD. PLUS, you feel and look great and that's just plain good. I did it for health and alleviating tension/stress/depression, and the side effect is I LOVE how I look now...H surely compliments and is VERY encouraging. Even if in the morning, you stretch, do a little quick walk in the neighborhood, etc.
6) Hang with friends. Nice that neighbor is next door. Can you arrange for sitting and go out together? Or take the kids on a joint trip?
7) Get creative with summer jobs. Surely someone must need daycare for the summer? People still work now, right? (or am I the only one??!! NOT). Put an ad in the paper, in schools (now that they're closing), local grocery store, anything. Even if part-time it's a LITTLE cash and that's better than nothing. Also, what ELSE can you do? Are kids with you all day? If not, then how about a temp job elsewhere?
8) Any house/odd jobs you have pending but haven't gotten around to? Look at that to do list and get cracking...takes your mind off and you feel accomplished. That's what I've been doing this week and it feels good.
Whew....so there's a starter list and I'm sure you can get REALLY creative.
** Another idea, and one that I LOVE is sitter-share/job-share with a pal. So, if you get part time job for a few days a week, and a friend does on the other days of the week, then you can each work PT and sit each others kids. This is ideal if you both are sharing the SAME full time job....you never know, it might work out.
Get creative and keep thinking. I know you'll find something.
It's the start of summer....make it a great one...that's your goal. You're gonna look back and this is gonna be the best summer of your life!
