I'm sorry about your mom, I'd probably keep my head in the sand, too. I think you're smart to switch jobs. I bet the security of switching companies will make the pay reduction worth it.
We're actually pretty good, for a change. I knocked on wood as I typed that. Literally.
Emma has been really stable since finishing rehab. I think for the first time she actually got something out of therapy. Her meds seem to be working well, and she's on fewer. Also, she started a job in May, and she is doing awesome at it. I was so worried that work would be like school for her, that she'd try to avoid it and it would be too much for her. Instead, she has really taken to it. She offers to work extra shifts, and she has money saved. She went through a pretty brutal breakup with her long term boyfriend, and she handled it admirably well. She just started driver's ed. As of right now, she is hoping to go back to regular school the second half of next year.
Meredith is taking voice lessons and hanging out with her friends and boyfriend. We are going to have her eating/stomach iused evaluated. She never wants to eat because her stomach always hurts. I don't know if it's anxiety, or anorexia, or something physical.
Caroline and Harry are sweet and wonderful. Harry read a Bob book today! I wanted to weep.
Bill finally got a new job that actually pays decently. Thank god! It will take him a few months to work back up to the commission level he was at before, but it will be so nice to be able to pay rent AND bills AND eat.

And hey, an added bonus is that I may get to have a Christmas party with the Detroit SM's!
For the first time in a long while it doesn't feel like the sky is falling!