I've had days like that. I think you need to set some goals of 'me' time and figure out some ways to make it work. Part of that is getting your dh to help and part will be teaching your child to be more independent. You already know that your dh needs to help you more and give you a break. That's the hard part. I would suggest telling him you need help. I have to ask/tell my dh the same thing. If I want help getting the kids to bed or help getting them to brush their teeth, I have to ask him. He doesn't just jump in there. The same goes for when I need 'me' time. My dh isn't unwilling to help and he doesn't take subtle hints. He is a good guy, but he needs someone to flat out tell him to help. At a year and a half, your ds probably likes a little more physical or outdoor activities. I'd probably start by asking your dh to take ds to the park or go for a walk or even play ball in the yard. Your dh should be able to do that without needing you there. Tell him you need time by yourself. If your presence at home is too handy, then physically remove yourself. Go get get a haircut, go shopping, or take your own walk. Do something for yourself even if it is grocery shopping without a child in the cart. I'm guessing you're a SAHM. I would suggest finding some other SAHM's out there and letting your kids play together. If you could find one or form one, a playgroup would be great for support for you and playmates for your child. Other ways to meet parents with children would be to call around and find out about various preschool activities in your area. Most libraries have a reading hour. Go on a couple of different days to see if one group is better than another. If you have a zoo, they may have something. Stick your child in a stroller and go walking around the neighborhood. Youll meet some local people and possibly others with small children. Some churches have childrens programs like choir that you and your child could participate in. Money may/may not be a factor for you in getting other help. Another option would be to find a preschool or Mom's Day out that would take your child for a few hours a day or two a week. Meeting other other moms for that little bit of interaction would probably help you tremendously. It would help your ds, because it would distract him and teach him to play with others. Things may not magically change overnight. You can do it. Pick a small goal for yourself for this weekend such as a trip to the store by yourself. Go buy a few flower bulbs or seeds to plant in the yard this week if the weather is nice. It'll give you something to look forward to and it will be a distraction. I think you'll start feeling better.

I will echo the others against leaving the cats alone for five days. Talk to your vet and get the name of a reputable cat sitter. My cat sitter came to the house to meet my cats (years ago) and they grew to love her. Before leaving on a long trip, the sitter always reminded me to change the batteries in the thermostat (if it was winter) and she kept a folder with information about my preference for a plumber, electrician, etc. After all her years of pet sitting, she'd seen/experienced it all. Really, it's good to have somebody set eyes on them once a day. It's worth having that peace of mind while you're away and it's kinder for the kitties.

To answer some questions: "For a small search area..." Two parameters had to become more flexible. I actually reduced my search Radius after figuring out that certain areas would add and extra step to commute. So: Initially I was only looking at "first period" houses: Early nineteenth century. To stay in certain areas I had to consider "second period" houses, 1960-1980. (Not much was built in between) The second parameter that had to change was Price. I was looking at cheaper houses that needed 2/3 or more of the purchase price in addition in renovations. I am looking at *some* houses almost twice as expensive as where I started, but if you remember some of the others they were little more than habitable shells. "Lots of nice period details?" Yes, completely intact mid-19th century floor plan, completely intact staircases. Not a lot of detail upstairs, it wasn't a fancy house. But "untouched" architecture really. "Where is the wallpaper" --it is a vaguely marbled blush and beige vinyl textured paper that doesnt look much more like mottled walls in the picture.

My house was 85 years old when I bought it, and the plaster had never been painted, only papered. 6 different layers over the years! The house smelled like an old house for the first 9 months until I ripped out the wall paper, Btw, it took 9 months to get all six layers off in 3 rooms. The wallpaper is now gone, but I used oil based kilz directly on the plaster (it literally sucked in 2 coats) then painted over that. It was a lot of work, but the walls look beautiful and the smell is non existent. Some of the closets also smelled (clothes got the smell), so I just painted Kilz on those too, and it is barely there now. I think it's probably permeated through the old plaster and will always have a faint scent. But, I only use all natural cleaning products and no additional scents to cover it either. Dining room before: Dining room during removal: Dining room after- venetian plaster over plaster walls Living room painted (plz ignore the cobwebs!)