Hi kterlep, Illinois extension services maintains a listing of u-pick and market stands that includes Illinois, NW Indiana, and SW Michigan listings that may be helpful to you, see the link. Petro Here is a link that might be useful: u-pick farm listings

My sister has told me that sometimes when my BIL has a flight and gets in at odd hours of the night, the USO will pick him up and bring him home so my sister doesn't have to get the kids out to pick him up. They don't request it; it's just something the USO offers to help ease the burden on the families. About 8 or so years ago, my brother went on his first deployment. He was in Yemen when the USS Cole was attacked. The Ombudsmen called my parents after it happened to report that my brother was alright. It was a huge relief! It was a hard 1-1/2 years for him. He called me one afternoon and was really candid. He said that he arrived at the airport, walked through all of his buddies and friends greeting their wives and kids and families, got on a bus and headed back to base. He felt so alone. He walked into his room in teh barracks and there was fruit basket from the USO welcoming him home and thanking him for his dedication. They also bought groceries and stocked his fridge for him. It actually lifted his spirits! He didn't feel so alone anymore. It really made a difference for him and gave him a sense that someone cared about him; just a single man doing what he can for his country. Another good organization is Navy Relief. They have helped my sister's family so much. Like when it has taken abmormally long to get moving expenses reimbursed, they have loaned my sister's family money to pay their bills and have bought them groceries until their reimbursement came in. They even gave the girls Christmas presents when they moved close to Christmas. It was so wonderful! You're right, Pfllh, there is much more support now for the military. Your story made me teary!

I was just discussing this with someone else, but most lawyers I know would advise against filing for a legal seperation if a divorce it what you are really after. Why did she choose the separation route? It generally just costs more and just drags out the inevitable. I think the fact that she filed for a legal separation instead of an actual divorce may tell you something. There may be some good reason she wants to be apart from him but still remain legally married to him (inurance or religious reasons, etc). Still, that doesn't say why she didn't sign the separation papers.... But legal separation papers often don't really do much. Frankly, I would guess she may have hopes of a reconciliation and may have filed the papers as a kind of bluff. I'd just ask her.

I was so happy my parents got divorced, I practically stood out in the street and cheered. Living with the tension, the fights, the yelling - THAT was the horrible part. But now that I'm an adult, I also see the realistic side. My father was disabled so there was no alimony. My mother had minimal skills and worked as a secretary, a waitress, or a housekeeper. We were poor, which wasn't a huge problem for us kids. For my mom, I now realize there were a lot of sleepless nights, extra hard work, and endless worry about being able to pay bills. Forget saving for any college funds; it was more "I hope the kids don't need to see the doctor more than once this year". There are NO guarantees, sorry. You're not doing yourself or your kids any good by staying. But only you can run the numbers and figure out if you can afford to support them on your own, even if you get a good lawyer. Because that's what you really need - the very best divorce lawyer possible. If you decide to leave, I can guarantee you your spouse will make things as difficult for you as possible. A good lawyer will make it IMPOSSIBLE for him to hide his money. A mediocre lawyer may not work as hard for you - and you would need all the help you can get. It isn't easy being a single mom. But many women have done it, successfully. It takes guts and determination. Do you have enough of both? Only you can decide.