Oh inky, I'm so sorry to hear that your x is being a real *** towards you and not letting you see you kids and is scaring you. Is there not something you can do legally so that you can see them? Also, is there no kind of government agency in the US that would help you with housing. There is here. My heart just goes out to you and what you have to deal with. You're a strong woman, whether you believe that or not.