Often times, My SD makes a confused face, which is usually followed by a smartass comment. She pretends to act confused because she is under the assumption if she does she will be excused from being a smartass. This is akin to the "do something wrong and then act innocent afterwards like I didn't know it was wrong". Please keep this in mind for the following conversation:

Since SD doesn't have a counselor, I wanted DH and I to go a counselor to work on our issues (which mostly stem from being blended, but some other things). Insurance recommended a guy, and I looked him up on his website. He looked older, which I was fine with because my DH is in his late 40's (I'm in my late 20's). He had an extensive background, but it listed nothing about blended families. However, there was a ton of other stuff and degrees listed so I thought he would be great.

I was wrong.

We have SD (age8) tonight. Last time until Christmas week, when we have her all week. She informs me that Dr. Evil has bought me FOUR presents-two shirts, lotion and "something else". Urgh, wtf??? She says that we need to start working on getting a present for her Mom. I asked her what she had in mind. She said jewelry, and it has to be REALLY nice, after all her mom bought me FOUR presents. She was thinking along lines of 80$. I snorted. Dr. Evil and SD have a taste for expensive things.

Both DH and I are in the Army reserves. I got laid off from my Active Reserve job in October (funding issues), so now I just drill one weekend a month (as does DH). DH just lost his civilian job this morning It was a great job and he had been doing it for a decade. We will be okay, we have funds in savings and no car payments. Few recurring costs. Just sucks because he loved his job, and this is right before Christmas. We do not plan on telling SD until after Christmas.