So, DH has been doing well lately and earning more regularly with freelance work as we continue to try to make the business work and grow it. We have decided that if it doesn't recuperate and take off at least a little by the end of the year, he will go into 2018 with something that looks a little more like regular employment. He starts despairing and getting really down on himself and depressed when things don't seem to be working...but I also think he panics and lacks patience...so we've been working on that along with better communication for both of us. I am a notorious stuffer of feelings...which is dumb because, except for a kind of rocky first two years of marriage, DH has always been good about listening to me and believing me...once he got past that defensive "you hate my kids" thing. Oddly enough, now that we're BOTH communicating better, my generous nature is resurfacing and I don't mind picking up some slack and/or doing extras for the skids every once in a while. I've also started prioritizing my savings / IRA, so I think that has something to do with it, too...I know I'm not giving at the expense of my own future. The resentment is slowly receding and being replaced with an "all is not lost" feeling...the truth is, I'm ambitious for my career...I like to work...I like to work hard...and I don't mind sharing. As long as I'm also being taken care of and as long as my partner is trying and contributing something.

I don't know why but it struck me as incredibly funny that he referred to me as a snack ticket.