Dear Befuddled,
You are islolated and I worry about you.
Volunteering sounds good. Are there other ways for you to be around poeple? I mean even if you don't make great friends, you could still be with people. I thinking of something like going to a jr high football game or something like that. People at sports events are friendly.

Can you join a walking club at the local mall? Or taking a knitting/potery/cooking class with people who like to chat? Do you see where I am going?

There probably is a bar around with people not coupled up. You'd have to ask around about this. ..like the bars that cater to the after work crowd... But it might be better to stay out of bars....

My husband has had to temporarily cut himself off from his three sisters. Each time he called they would yell/ make demands/lie/insult him and make him upset for days after he got off the phone. They don't even have his phone number now. He still talks to his brother and his uncles sometimes.

Your brothers have problems that have nothing to do with you. (They made up a lousy excuse to your cousin.) It's not your fault that they are the way that they are.

You will make it. You are a lot stronger and tougher than you think you are. You need to draw on your own resources.
Hold on.
Mari

Thank you Mari,

Yes, that is a good idea to get into other things other than volunteering. I will check on that tomorrow.

befuddled2

((((((B)))))),

I'm glad you found a way to get some of your balance back.

I don't cook very much. My Mother and son were/are fantastic cooks. I guess I didn't get the cooking gene :rolleyes: I do feel better when I prepare a 'real' meal or something 'from scratch'.

I admire your strength. I think you're doing a fantastic job of keeping your boundaries and allowing yourself some crying time but also taking care of yourself.

BIG HUGS.

Barb

Dear Befuddled
I am going to try to post some chat rooms that I use when I need to talk to someone...one one who will listen to me:There are many and some folks are up late at night too.
the first is a bipolar site that I occasionally use: YOu don't have to be registered to use this one:

http://www.bipolarworld.net/Community/webchat.html

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/chat/flashchat.php

that is the OBT chat room you will need to use your log in name and pass word.

and of course the chats here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/chat/flashchat.php