Running out of time.

[Cie la vie]

DW & MHL,

It's been a bit since I last posted. Time is flying.

My vacation with the kids at my mothers was excellent and a lot of work. The trip was jammed packed with adventures for the kids and me as well. Steam engine train ride, beach boardwalk amusement park, MB aquarium, hike in the redwood state park and a day at another amusement park followed by dinner with good friends and their children.

This was an important step forward in setting the ground work for future trips solo with the kids. It's not easy solo but I know I can handle it. The weather couldn't have been better as well.

I chose to take the coast home rather than the valley and I won't do it again. It added and extra 1.5 hours to the drive (crazy traffic in SB) which I didn't enjoy. The kids were great though.

My STBX showed her game plan by calling my mother shortly after I left up north as well as on my return south. She has figured out that I am not going to be a source of information about my time with the kids and used my mother to get updated. I would prefer that my mother not provide her with a blow by blow of my vacation but I'm not dragging my mom into this mess.

Anyway, the main downside to the trip was the fact that I had to hand the kids off to my STBX upon arrival to the home we use to share. She was waiting outside when we pulled up. She said hi and I replied and began to unpack the van. I made no effort to engage her and maybe I should have been a little more open but I really don't like being in her presence anymore brings me down.

She loaded the kids up in her car I said my good byes to the kids and she departed.

She appears to have gotten the message that I'm not open to some phony friendship and the friendly email barrage sessions have ceased thankfully. The only email I have seen from her since I returned was strictly business. The way I like it.

I think my whole MO is pretty non-DBing but I'm doing what is best now for my psyche.

Last week I accidently called my SIL and we chatted briefly. Her tone was quite different from the the two or three other times we spoke. Back than she was of the mind that her sister was "sick" and in a MLC. This time she seemed distant and ended the conversation with a "I'm going to go now take care CLV". Not sure what to make of it but I would be very surprised if I ever receive a call from her or any other member of my STBX family again.

I did get a Father's day card from her mom but there was no personal message written in it just her name signed off on it.

Other than that there are only a couple of outstanding issues in the way of being completely (save for the kids) dissolved of each other. One the house and two finalizing the divorce. The later will in all likelihood occur well before the former.

MHL,

I have poked into your thread a few times and see that you still have some positives working for you in your sitch. Enjoy your coronas and Marley this evening.

DW,

I trust you are hanging tough and soldiering on. Keep me posted on any developments.

Thanks for checking in.