When Jackie Warren's husband goes through a mid-life crisis and announces that he is having an affair, she decides to make a new life for herself. Once a wealthy socialite, she enters the work force for the first time and gets her own place to live. Jackie squeezes into a less-than-lavish but charming house owned by former football player Marion Hill, whose stellar career was ruined by a freak accident. To cover expenses while he trains for a comeback, he moves into the apartment above his garage and rents his main house to Jackie and her two children. The kitchen becomes common ground for the tenants and their landlord. With only two years of law school as her experience, Jackie is hired as a legal assistant by Heather Comstock, a young no-nonsense power attorney. While she's working, Jackie must find someone to take care of her children. Despite her misgivings about Marion, Jackie's overly dramatic teenaged daughter Tiffany and her brainy young son Austin convince her to give him a c

Austin persuades Jackie to continue the family tradition of visiting their mountain cabin at the beginning of the spring season. But when Jackie's car breaks down, Marion must drive them. Their plans are thrown into further turmoil by Jackie's ex-husband Milton, who brought his new young bride to the cabin for a romantic weekend.

Jackie ex-husband, Milton is thrown out by his new wife when he accidentally says Jackie's name during sex. Jackie refuses to allow him to live in her part of the home, but Marion lets Milton sleep in his room. Unfortunately, Milton drives Marion crazy with his annoying habits, and the next day Marion tries to force Milton back to Sasha. When Milton rents a romantic hotel suite, Marion calls Sasha to persuade her to reconcile with Milton. She refuses, causing a dejected Milton to lock himself in the hotel bathroom. After Marion calls Jackie at work, she rushes over and persuades Milton to come out of the bathroom. Grateful for her support, Milton hugs Jackie--just as Sasha enters....

Tiffany and Austin want to bring the family together for Christmas, and that includes a visit from their great-grandparents.

Marion finds it hard to believe Tonia when she tells him that Alex is seeing someone else. Tiffany ruins Jackie's new dress.