And if he can find one that's been hanging around for 13 or so years open, we still don't know how to get the money from that account into our US account.

Late to the party but... Nora: have you considered using PayPal? They probably have an upper limit, but you can transfer money fairly painlessly over them, as that's what they're for. Maybe Tom's dad can set up an account and could transfer some money bit by bit.

I'm very glad I kept my British account when I left, even though I hardly use it and there's only about 25p on it at the moment. The bank killed my British Visa card a couple of years ago though, I was really annoyed about that.

Paypal has a nasty habit of sitting on money for six months while they investigate if they decide a transaction is "suspicious". I would never use Paypal to transfer a large sum of money than is typical for your account. They are not a bank, are not regulated as a bank and can get away with stuff banks cannot.

Nora, I'm sorry I disappeared. For me, the check writing option always had the least overhead. I would think something like Western Union might be the easiest. The solicitor can just send the money order from their end but I think those are the most expensive options? I have also done a wire transfer internationally which was easiest for repeating payments.

I went to sleep at 8. I have a cold and was exhausted. Of course, the dogs barked and now I'm awake. I can't really complain. I got 7 hours sleep but I don't have to be up for another 1.5. I want to sleep!

But I'm awake worrying because Joe didn't send me his alimony/child support check yesterday as he has been threatening to do. I can scrape together the money to pay the bills but not for more than a month or two. I wish I knew what was going to happen.

Oh man, Stephanie. Good luck with that.

Yikes, Stephanie. What was the reason for the threat?

I should go to the gym, but I just don't want to. For the past 2 weeks, every time (okay, it's only been 4 times) I've gone to the gym, I've had weird stuff happen -- usually kidney related pain that is not gym related. IT's been no good.

Well, his justification is that he left the Army and now is not getting paid by them so therefore he can't pay me. Which might be persuasive, even though it doesn't release him from his obligation, except that I know he just paid off over $13K of bills/credit cards. So he could have paid the minimum there and still paid child support.

I hate needing his money. I wish I could make the mortgage payment without him but as of now, I just can't.

Farmer eaten by his pigs: [link]

Tom, I think you need to Lee font that.

Unless he was only partially eaten, and survived the energetic gnawing, I think. She'd be cool with that, right, Lee? Right?

Mmm. Bacon. Long and short pork, all in one.

I don't know if this is the great picture of my mother sis was referring to (maybe this), but oh GOD, it's such a difference from a year ago that I might take a moment to cry before I go to my pain doc appointment.

Damn! Insurance never got back to me about cyborging being covered...shit. I needed to know that before today.

And yet I still eat bacon. Num.

Wow. That's...creepy and weird.

Our Airbnb host just sent me a message asking why one of the pillowcases is stained pink. Um...oops. I suppose I should offer to pay for drycleaning if it won't come out with bleach. OTOH, I saw a mouse in the kitchen our first night there, so maybe I shouldn't.