Checking emails

Trying to stick to a schedule here. On Mondays I am supposed to check emails and respond. That can be a bit tedious some days. Not complaining, just saying, I think I need a cup of something. Tea? Decaf? Plain Water?

I got a Vegan recipe for BBQ Tofu, pulled pork mimic. I plan to try it out. I'll let you know how it goes. I may look for another recipe out there on the internet because the one I have requires that I make homemade BBQ sauce and also homemade BBQ rub. I guess I don't mind that much. It's just extra work. I'm starting to wonder if it's really cost effective and worth this much effort. ??

Okay, I have a topic to cover that is unpleasant but might also apply to you and I have researched it to the Nth degree in the hopes that I can give myself some free help. Because it is not happiness and smiles to talk about I will be brief, but with any luck you will find something in my paragraphs that will be useable to you.

It's about betrayal.

Betrayal by family cuts deeper than almost anything else—because it violates trust, shared history, and the expectation of safety. When you add lies and money into it, it becomes emotionally and psychologically exhausting. I can testify to all of this.

When family betrays you, your nervous system often goes into shock: disbelief, anger, rumination, grief, even shame (even though you did nothing wrong).

First, take care of you!! You cannot fix them.

Stop trying to “make it make sense.” People who betray often rewrite reality to justify themselves.

Name it honestly: This is betrayal, not a misunderstanding.

Limit exposure to their narratives (texts, calls, social media). Lies are destabilizing.

💡 A grounding truth: You do not need their agreement for the truth to be real.

You do not have to chase every lie. That usually drains you and empowers the liar.

Decide: Are these lies causing real-world harm?

Legal?          Financial?     Professional?          Housing-related?     Reputation damage with people who matter?

If NO → Silence + boundaries is often strongest

If YES → You document and respond strategically.  I answered yes to 4 of these. Sheesh.

What helps:

Write one calm, factual statement (for people who matter), e.g.

“There are false claims being made about me. I have documentation and am addressing this appropriately. I’m not engaging in gossip or attacks.”

Keep receipts: dates, texts, emails, bank records, witnesses.

Do not emotionally defend yourself—facts only.

🔑 Truth doesn’t need drama. Lies do.

If Money is owed to you: separate emotion from enforcement.

This is critical: Family + money = treat it like business now.

Ask yourself:

Is there written proof (texts, emails, contracts, bank transfers)?

Is the amount significant enough to pursue legally?

Are they avoiding, gaslighting, or changing the story?

Practical steps:

Document everything (timeline, amounts, promises made).

Stop informal conversations about the money.

Send a clear written demand (calm, professional, dated).

If needed, consult:

Small claims court

A lawyer (even a brief consult can clarify leverage)

Mediation ONLY if they are acting in good faith. For me, I cannot trust this so no, no mediation.

⚠️ If someone lies about money, they often won’t repay out of “family love.” You may need structure or consequences.

There's more, plenty more but I promised to be brief and so that's it for now.

It's very unfortunate that this topic is even a part of my world and I am hoping for a bright, healthy outcome for everyone. I can always hope while I do what is common sense as stated.

In the meantime, if I am intending to get menus created I had better get busy. I have kitchen chores to do as well as emails, so TTFN.

Want to hear a roof joke?

The first one’s on the house.