Great input, never thought about BPD or any of that. Most people I know seem to think honesty is optional. So I have only a few people I call friends. The rest are merely acquaintances. The kids are in their mid 20's and fine with the situation. I am down to two dogs, having acquired one and lost 3 in the past several years. Someone I talked to said that for at least 2 years after his divorce "all woman were poison".
I don't feel that way.
Living by yourself gives you a freedom that I welcome. I don't think I could do it without my dogs, though. They are my buds.
The "appearance management" concept - most people seem to have that issue. They try to make it appear they are successful even if they are not. That is what credit cards are for, right?