Dear Lonely,
It's very difficult - and being lonely is harder to fix than being alone. I go to free seminars, church & hobby clubs to meet people like me. It's harder for you than for me - divorced, 54yo single mom w teenager at home, work full time.
If you just want some connection, and enjoy the internet - there are a couple of nice sites to try. Momtomom.com, mommychat.com, and my favorite - cafemom.com At least on this site, you don't get the "wanna hook up?" stuff....
When you have time alone, be with yourself. Make lists, think dreams, talk in yourself to yourself - gently, kindly. Most of us women, and me, as a nurse, spend all our time focused on taking care of others. With kids, they need your time, but can't fill your empty "personhood". I know my husband loved me, but I don't think he ever "liked" me. Sometimes I feel my son is a love sinkhole - he absorbs my time, energy, money - and though I am proud of him, I feel more empty after being with him than when I'm alone.
You are a person of worth with high morals and feet-on-the-ground - I hope you find friends like you, for you, soon. What your kids will get from you will be more precious than gold. Hug yourself, then hug your kids.
(tongue in cheek)> For now, let us both meditate on how absolutely awful it was for our pioneer grandmothers who had to do it all - with no car, no phone, no internet. In my great-grandmother Polly's diary, (Kentucky, 1882) she had many pages written about her worries, sorrows, and things she wanted to share with a friend - and there were none. I thank technology that I at least have the chance to search for friends - yeah Henry Ford and Bill Gates!
Hugs,
Blackcat0229