I don't have too much to add as far as advice, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank you (and all the helpful people on this forum) for making my first year of owning a travel trailer a great experience. We're close to 10,000 miles since March this year and they were mostly smooth and all fun thanks to the experience shared at this site.

You do an exceptional job on this site. It's appreciated.

Good luck going forward.

Just a couple of ideas/suggestions based on personal experience...

Stay away from those buckets of Kentucky Fried and bags of Utz BBQ potato chips. Feels good for a little while, but that's about it. No long term reward. Utz Old Bay chips on the other hand...

Take your anger sessions out on the wood pile and nail gun. Doing productive things! That didn't sound quite right, did it. Oh, wait till your hernia op heals up good first. In the meantime, play Space Invaders or something.

Hang in there Mr. Admin sir! Glad your back in the hood!

fred

P.S. Consider Frying that turkey for Thanksgiving! It's fun and feels good!

On the positive side, my to-be-ex has been amicable and even helpful.  Such as the kitchen remodel that is still only half-done, she is going to contribute money to get it functional even though the house is going to be mine free-and-clear.  I will still be left with plywood floors and unfinished walls for a while, but hopefully I can make Thanksgiving dinner in the new oven and not the old one.  Because of my surgery I can't do much until Nov 9th so that will be a close call.

Doug,

Sorry to hear your situation, but good on ya for putting it out there.  Not something to be shameful about and hide.

Times will get much better, from my common experience.

Same as you, divorce shock  with two teenage daughters in the mix, over a decade ago. 

My now grown daughters and I are so close today even though we live miles apart.  They both called me today.  It is very good with me and my girls.  I feel like a very successful dad, and they prove it in their lives.

Hernia, dual inguinal surgery, I had that done last year.

Eclipse, yep, I watched it from my back deck.

Hang in there. 

Above all, hold in the anger from your kids view.

You have done a lot of good things, and I have no doubt you will continue to help people.

I watched a movie years ago when I was feeling like you do now that helped me in an oblique way.  I even bought it and watch it yearly.   Maybe you might benefit too. 

It has a lot of life metaphor's in it if you dig deep enough. 

Consider watching "An Unfinished Life" as you go through "Manopause".   (That's what I called my unpleasantness).

Prayers from me in Wyoming for your tough times.  Prayers have power.  

There is another happier side coming for you, it just takes awhile. 

In fact it all happens way to slow at the first part of the process when you are wanting it to all be over with so you can move forward.

Best regards 

In more recent months things have turned a bit darker for me.  Namely, the beginning stages of a divorce that I didn't see coming.  This has been most unfortunate for my two teenage daughters, but they have adjusted much better than I was expecting.  I've adjusted to it, too, but I'm in uncharted territory.  You could say the eclipse was a metaphor for where my life was going - a lot of excitement and then you realize you are in the dark.  It will be a while before the light starts to reappear on the other side.