Your housing crisis sounds dreadful. I've heard the saying, "Expect the best but plan for the worst."

I've also experienced some hostile feelings towards my mom, dead now 15 years. It's mellowed a lot since i discovered the saying in my sig. Now i just feel mostly disappointment that she was so weak a parent when i was a teen and older but gratitude for her attentive care when i was a young child.

She threw me the best birthday parties! The loot bags were super! We had a little ritual where she would say from time to time, "Go look on your bed -- i think there's something there for you." I would go look and there would be a new pair of pajamas! I loved my PJs! One set was so pretty my brother said i looked like a princess in it and i was over the moon! I wore them until they were rags!

As with my father, who i've discussed elsewhere, i try and remember the good times.