alien invasion II

[hoosiermama]

Thanks, naej. Yes, I get to keep the house. Actually that was never an issue, which is a good thing. Working with the mortgage company on a "loan modification"--which makes me a tad nervous until it comes through and I see what it is.

Yes, I am glad that X still wants D13 in his life. I don't know if it will always be that way, but he seems ultimately to understand that she needs to be a priority for him and at least put forth that impression to her.

I was concerned--and disgusted--when he began mediation with the question, "How long do I have to keep paying child support?" There were a couple of other overtly self-serving questions in the beginning as well, but I think his atty got him to shut up. The good thing was, it seemed to have touched a nerve for my atty. He had, to a certain extent, played devil's advocate in our meetings. However, he began individual negotiations (when we went to separate rooms from X and his atty) by telling me he now understood X's "type"--"selfish, selfish, selfish." And later mentioning that X may have gotten what he wanted in dumping me for OW without apparent repercussions from family, church and friends--but by God, it was going to cost him. And from there on out, he was as rigid as could be with expectations, and it worked to my benefit.

So that's the rest of the story, I guess. Acceptance--yes. Finally. There were definitely times I doubted I could get here. I think I've visited it a few times since the first of the year--but I believe it's where I'll dwell.