I used to work full time, but I have been home on disability for almost a year now. My husband's schedule has changed over the last few months, and will change again next week. He was laid off from his job last March and has been through a bit of upheaval himself. He will finally be back on the shift he prefers (evenings) as of Monday. That will actually make things a bit harder for me, though, than having him here in the evenings has been.

It's very strange - the cooking thing is especially challenging. Now, he has 10 years of professional cooking experience - everything from prep cook to full banquets for hundreds of people. Do you think he could open the fridge and see that the chicken on the bottom shelf goes with the broccoli in the drawer and the pasta and sauce in the cabinet?? Nope. I have dubbed him "cupboard blind", lol. Unless I lay things out in front of him and say, "here, cook this", he can't do it. Then there are times when, even if I do say, "can you please make this", he just plain doesn't want to cook (he's not doing it at work anymore either), and we end up getting take out. ($$!) So then money gets tight, and I get stressed about it, and we get into this crazy cycle. Like I said, he has been getting better, but he definitely needs a push. My kids also have chores, but you know how that can go with kids sometimes. But, let them complain all they want, as long as the dishes get done, right? Wears me out some days, though.