Magnificent

[mishka422]

There's no possible happiness over here

Oops!!! Jeff, that didn't come out like I meant it in my head. I only meant romantically, that stuff is done for me but there are so many other things that bring me happiness now and I'm slowly learning that romance is definitely not something for me. More trouble than it's worth! I'm just a sap though so I love to hear other people's love stories.

The Wii is awesome!!! I have so much fun and get such a wonderful workout. I also got the new Jenny McCarthy workout that comes with a camera that shows you on the screen and critiques your moves alongside hers. It's a little intimidating but you want to talk about a serious sweat???? Whew!!

Ali, you are right about the depression. Gabe's thoughts are very similar to your bf's. He doesn't like himself, he thinks he's incapable, etc. Sad situation, but it's his to deal with.

CTH - That is wonderful that you and your sister are putting past issues to bed. It's so important to maintain your family connections especially when you are in a traumatic time.

Personally, from what you are saying and how he is acting recently, I give serious thought to Gabe being well in step 1 above. Are you at all prepared for step 2?

Dylan, I don't know if I would want step 2 to occur. I would like to hear him say the words that he made a mistake. It would be a kind of sweet justification. However, I know he made a mistake, many of them, but I know the man he is and that man is not someone that I want to be involved with any longer. We are able to talk to each other and even joke sometimes and that is a good step forward, especially for Marc. He doesn't need to be exposed to his mother's resentful attitude toward his father. That is definitely not healthy.

Gabe had told me last week that he was planning on trying to make his mom's tamales. You have to understand, this is a man who doesn't really cook. He can make the usual - spaghetti, eggs, burgers - but tamales are a real undertaking and can take several hours depending on how many you're making. I was listening to something on tv yesterday while doing my candy making/baking (10 hours of that will send you to the funny farm!) and they mentioned tamales. I shot a text to him asking when he was attempting the tamales and he called me back to tell me he was going to make the masa that afternoon and steam them and if they came out ok he would bring them over when he picked Marc up for karate. He brought them.....they taste just like his mom's!!!!! YUM! I jokingly told him that he had this secret talent all of those years and never made tamales for us! He said sorry and I told him he was just going to have to bring them over every year now. He was sheepish and said he would.

See, I can have a good interaction with him without feeling like I want to bite his head off. I think because I have absolutely zero expectation of him manning up to his responsibilities, paying what he's supposed to pay, spending the negotiated time with Marc, that I am much more at ease around him.

That's a plus for me! YEAH!