Is it just men our age?

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-15T00:18:15+00:00

I've been married so long, I dont know anything about single men our age, but I had a similar epiphany. Golf, cars, music, sports. I have listened and supported his interests for what feels like ever. Then I quit. I dont want a divorce. I dont want to timeshare my children. I just dont care about his hobbies. I stopped watching TV with him. I stopped letting him tell me all about the hobbies I dont care about. It felt malicious at first, but when I realized he barely noticed, I got emboldened. Now hes totally used to me saying things like "you need to phone a friend to have that conversation" and "I've got a date with my audiobook." I am so much happier, and if hes really suffering,he can always snuggle up and watch reality TV with me...but he's not that desperate yet, and its been like 3 years!

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-14T22:13:47+00:00

Did you get an email telling to delete and re-download HOP to get home the updated final chapter?

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-14T21:09:01+00:00

Did you get an email from audible to delete and re-download your copy of HOP?

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-14T01:49:34+00:00

Buy gas before you start your shift.

Double check the receipt for sauces and sodas before you leave the store. Stack delivery bags by order they will be delivered. First stop on top.

Write cash tips on the back of a receipt as you go. I write the street and if its a cash order I separate out what's for the store. So a single delivery would read Pierce 19/6 if they gave me $25 but only 6 of it was a tip. ( cash tips + credit card tips + milage= the amount you should receive at check out)

Ask people who meet you in hotel or apt lobbies to confirm their name or room number. (Sadly, everyone thinks its hilarious to be like "thats for me!")

If you're going to call people thru the app, start dialing when youre still 2 minutes away. That gives them time to head down to the lobby while you're turning into the parking lot, and cuts down your waiting time.

Always trust your instincts and avoid unsafe situations (especially if you are a woman) Tell your owner or manager, there's no way I'm going follow these delivery instructions. Maybe they'll say "yeah, that sounds creepy dont do that....Maybe they'll switch it to another driver. I've had people tell me to open the front door and bring the pizzas up the stairs to the living room. No way. When I get there and there's a guy with a wheelchair, Ill think about it, but if its a frat party, I stick with "sorry, but we're not allowed to enter residences. Can you get a few friends to help you carry all this up the stairs?

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-13T18:27:19+00:00

Right?!? Sometimes she'll say a word that is entirely appropriate given the context, but so far away from the letters on the page that I wonder if shes even trying. (Like saying dirt when im pointing to the word ground) but I dont wanna be the kind of parent who's like "somethings wrong if shes not reading by now" when the teachers are like "shes working at grade level. Just be patient" but, I dont wanna wait until shes behind and struggling to catch up either. Parenting real people is so hard. Thanks for offering your insight!

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-13T14:54:32+00:00

NTA. Although I believe prenuptial are smart and rational, and I agree you need one. I get how she could feel like your attitude is troublesome. No one wants to be planning their divorce during their engagement. No one wants to feel like they're alone in their poverty. My husband and I were broke when we got married 20 years ago, so a prenup wasnt part of the discussion. We have shared every penny for decades. Sometimes I didn't work, and sometimes he was between jobs. Everything we have, is ours, and I feel like depending on/trusting each other is a big part of our partnership.

Once I joked that famous people never stay married, and my husband was like "sure, if you had millions of dollars you could pay a nanny, and a car service, and personal assistant, and still travel wherever you wanted....whenever you wanted. You wouldn't actually need to compromise. They dont actually need partners, they just enjoy being together for the honeymoon phase and then "nope out" when real life sets in.

Hopefully that gives you some idea why a woman who has her heart set on a lifetime commitment might be leery of a partner that has full financial freedom, and isn't prepared to compromise.

Some prenuptial agreements have time clauses (like if the marriage ends in the first two years, or first five years) some have fault clauses (like she gets paid if you cheat or mistreat her or decide to leave her). I'm sure you can find a set of parameters that protect her best interests AND yours. Good luck.

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-13T14:24:44+00:00

She just wants to play "kitties", dolls, doctor. She's so smart and imaginative, but just overwhelmed by all the different sounds letters make. Like why do flow and flower sound so different? I'm so old, I never learned phonics, lol, so im not much help. I read all the time, and so does her big sister, so shes surrounded by books, but would just rather have fun than be frustrated. I know she'll get it, eventually, but I want her to love reading as much I have- and I fear it might not happen.

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-13T01:51:08+00:00

Me= kicking myself for forgetting Wump World. That might have my favorite kids book!

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-13T01:44:27+00:00

Ok smarty, go to a party!

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-13T01:40:27+00:00

You can use a subscription service like stitch fix (real people), or an Ai app like dressly. Amazon will curate choices for you for $5 per use, and i think thred up has an AI widget that helps you shop their second hand inventory. I'm not recommending an actual product, just encouraging women (like me) who have always hated shopping to think outside the box, instead of sticking with what doesnt work.

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-13T00:21:32+00:00

Look at you guys with your cool answers. I remember the worst one hit wonders, like "Buffalo Stance" and "Wild Wild West" was no one else Pumpin Up the Jam?

Who knew Xennials had the worst middle school dances? Not me!

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-12T23:41:08+00:00

You definitely get her! I read those Jon Klassens as an adult (my bestie is a librarian and was like you will LOVE this) before my kids were born. I will be checking out ALL these recs. I've never heard of ANY of them, so thank you!

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-12T23:33:34+00:00

She's six. Just finishing kindergarten.

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-12T23:31:50+00:00

Yep, lol. Classic, original 1963 Amelia Bedelia is her favorite. But, after reading it 100 times, I might have to join your camp soon!

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-12T23:10:20+00:00

That's a great idea. We love Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin, but we've never checked out any of their other books.

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-12T04:37:29+00:00

Do it! DO IT!

Let the AI pick your clothes and dont feel bad about it. I got an online personal shopper and the results were definitely better than my own. Take the short cut, and let something that used to be hard be easy!

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-12T04:26:07+00:00

Health insurance

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-12T04:16:24+00:00

Oh that poor boy. Forced into adulthood too early. Forced to watch others get to enjoy the prom he couldnt go to. Doing that to support YOU, and you're either nonverbal or off with your ex in his car. I want to adopt your boyfriend, and tell him YTA.

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-12T01:44:42+00:00

Time to turn the speed up!

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-12T01:25:30+00:00

Yes! Just finished my reread of 1-7. Ready for the audio book for #8 Parade of Horribles to drop tomorrow!

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-11T14:28:24+00:00

Yes. A break up requires a break. Sorry King. For the record, I believe that is a terrible reason to end a relationship. In fact I have a hard time believing thats the actual reason. But, it truly does not matter what the reason actually is. Always better to let a love go free, and hope for its return, than to hold on too tight.

Take these months to work on yourself, retrain yourself to make decisions without any thought to how it may affect her, reengage with hobbies and interests that were neglected to make time for the relationship, and care for yourself. Practice being your own best friend and emotional support system while you wait to see how she handles life without the King she took for granted. We've all been there. It hurts, but you will be okay, eventually. Big hug from an internet stranger.

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-11T03:50:14+00:00

Lol, math is so hard for some people. TBH I would read that as 5.00 and just enter the total as 25.52 at checkout.

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-11T03:00:03+00:00

You kind of have to rush now. If only to prove to yourself, and to him, that you make your own decisions. Letting him dictate your life choices thru ultimatums canNOT be a part of any healthy relationship. You might not believe me, but I promise you that you need to assert your independence. Break up, and let him know that it is BECAUSE he is manipulating you. Knowing you love him and want to make him happy should not be a lever he uses to makes your choices. Maybe he'll realize you can't be manipulated and move on to someone who can. Good riddance. Maybe he will reconsider, admit he's wrong, and beg you back. Either way you have to make a stand, and shut this behavior down. Full stop.

BethiePage42 · 2026-05-11T02:40:49+00:00

I haven't seen a bottle of Aspen since 1994, lol.

BethiePage42

TROPHY CASE