Over the Shock and GALing 6

[Thinker]

Journaling:

Not much happening in this sitch. W is away with MIL, returning tomorrow. Boys and I had a great (and very busy) weekend - family party friday pm, Hiking on saturday, followed by a birthday party, church followed by a cub scout hike, then basketball today.

I'm not doing much worrying right now - just living life. I've actually been enjoying the increased space recently. W has been calling multiple times per day to check in and talk to the boys, but I mostly just pass her off so she can talk to them. She misses the boys and they miss her a lot.

I've been using my spare time to read "I'm OK, You're OK." I had never looked as this book because the title put me off. It sounds like it is going to be all new age feel good, but actually provides a very good framework for understanding yourself, others, and the ways we interact - "Transactional Analysis". I recommend it as another piece in the self improvement jigsaw puzzle. I was cracking up reading the section on "Games" and seeing what it described map so well to everyday life and life in a MR. I think I may have to pick up "Games People Play" next.

I'm a bit on edge for W's return tomorrow - no reason other than anticipation of the unknown. I am not expecting anything other than a return to our new "normal" - going our separate ways and sleeping separately. It IS more stressful when she is here than when she is gone.

I know she is under a ton of personal and psychological stress from her mom's sickness, so am trying to be supportive without pursuing or violating my own newly set boundaries.