I see that a couple of posters have mentioned crafts or hobbies. These can go a long way in filling up lonely hours, and you can focus on making something that you will enjoy.
Any search engine (I prefer google.com and dogpile.com) will bring up so many "craft sites" when you type that in. If yu want something more specific, anything from Christmas ornaments and decorations to make, to crochet, knitting, or anything that you may have always wanted to learn but didn't have the time!
There are tons of sites that cater to little ones, like pipe cleaner animals, and popsicle stick crafts that cost very little money and that you can do with the kiddies. I like the ones that use natural things like pine cones and dried flowers to make stuff with driftwood I used to get at the lake.
If you are so inclined, you can spend hours just looking at all the stuff some very creative people have made and give free instructions for doing.
I can't even imagine what you are going through and my heart goes out to you and your little ones. PM me if you'd like any help with the crafts links that you might be interested in. I'd be most happy to help!
hugs,
Annie