Really annoyed & need to vent

Because my hubby is too nice, he agreed to bypass child support enforcement and pay his ex directly. This started before we were even dating, but I tried to get him to go through CSE to no avail. He is disabled now, so he gets social security. That means his ex gets the benefits for his two kids. It's actually twice the amount the courts ordered him to pay. We still help out his ex with kid related expenses, beyond medical. I encourage him to not grumble about the cost either when he does.

Well, about 6 months ago, for some reason, **cough cough the ex cough cough** child support enforcement magically decided he was 15 YEARS in arrears. So, his check had been garnished considerably. Surprise, surprise getting his ex to sign an affidavit that she had been getting child support and then some has been like pulling teeth.

It's slowly getting resolved because the courts can now see there are no arrears. (Pretty sure the ex was double dipping) But it's meant we've struggled to make ends meet. Losing most of his income has hurt. I had to sell most of jewelry to get through the holidays.

We had an incredibly generous Christmas gift of money from my hubby's uncle. I was excited that I could finally get my sons glasses and my glasses, both of which are being held together by tape. My sons don't look so bad...black glasses with black tape on the arms. But my glasses are horrifyingly bad. Tape is holding the left lens in. It's mortifying to go out in public, but I have had to since August, but only when absolutely necessary. You do what you gotta do.

We also need a new washing machine. I've been hand washing clothes in the tub, which is back breaking work and it means hives and rashes because I'm allergic to the detergent. Again, gotta get it done.

Well, hubby gave all but $200 of the gift to his parents to invest (or something, he's not really clear) without a word to me (though I knew something was up). I completely agree with that for a portion of the money. But I think these needs should have been taken care of first.

So I'm pissed and devastated... It's like we don't even exist. I'm the first one to go without and sacrifice for the family. I'm the one who always has to be the bad guy, saying no we can't do this or that. But there was more than enough to both invest AND take care of these needs. I mean my glasses make driving dangerous if for no other reason because the tape creates a blind spot.

And in the long run, I KNOW it'll be okay. Eventually we'll get the garnished money back. I love my in laws, but I hate how they just cut me out of the discussion with these large choices and how my hubby just lets them.