"All rise"

[faithisbelieving]

Thanks all. Great posts.

Game plan:

1) XW plans to be out by June 1. She is now asking for things NOT on the Schedule A (things desired in the house). She wants the backyard furniture and now she wants the kitchen table on top of the hutch in the kitchen. I have to say no. I told her that if I move into an apt. she can have the outdoor furniture otherwise I want some backyard comfort until the house sells. There is also a fold out kitchen table in the basement with 4 chairs. The kitchen can't look bare before being sold.

2) Going back to working out. I had returned to running 5 miles when this started out. My weight is still way down but I have to return to a good pattern which will be easier (sadly) when the kids leave.

3) Clean up the house. Get rid of reminders. She can have wedding videos, albums etc. Once a relationship is over for me, I lose interest in keeping any of that stuff.

4) Look for new work, bolster the income, get out of the hole

5) Dating again.

6) Resume my bagpipes

7) Keep the house in shape for sale.

8) New interests. I was thinking of maybe starting bicycling...see if there is a men's group around to take up bicycling.

Funny, now, how XW seems 'friendly' in texts and emails, even now talks on a limited basis on the phone. However, I fully expect to find myself in and out of family court by repetitive motions.

I'm doing better. I have processed the fact that, unless beaten, broken and bruised, a man does not get custody of the kids here. Therefore, it is the cross that we men bear in that women get custodianship and men get less time. I must work it. I bought cell phones for the kids. D7 is now texting me and sending me pix of herself. S9 is completely under the thumb of XW...afraid of her for now, afraid to do things that will annoy her.

Finally, XW asked me to cooperate with regards to renewing the kid's passports. She apparently is planning to take the kids to France, something I've always wanted to do. It hurts, but, I'll survive.

FIB