You can't have everything, where would you put it?

[ClingingToHope]

Thanks, Wii, I was really down this morning after dropping the girls off. I'm not going to see D11 much at all for the next two weeks. She has a horseback riding camp next week out of town and is at STBXW's campground in two weeks.

Lots to do at work. Going to try to focus on getting a ton done here.

I have some great things planned for when I have them -- but I'm like a lot of non-custodial parents on these boards, worrying that as time goes on the bonds will lessen.

The only answer to that is to ALWAYS be on my game when I have them. Not in terms of blowout fun things to do but in terms of attentiveness, listening, staying involved.

D11 and I didn't end the morning so well. She argued over brushing her teeth and then brought up money as an excuse of how she isn't improving as an actress.

D11 wants things handed to her. She wants to be a "star" or "great" or "rich" or "famous" but she doesn't want to put in the work.

Oh, and STBXW pulled a fast one on me. I thought she was going to drop the camp forms off at the camp. It's right by her work. No. She brought them over. The girls were up and getting ready and in a good mood -- the D11 stuff came later -- so it was OK.

The apartment was a mess though and I hadn't showered. I had a softball game this morning. In a way that's OK. STBXW has always been jealous of my job and it's flexibility. I've played Monday morning softball for 13 years and there's never been a peep about it. It's just part of what I do now. STBXW always hated that.

I came down and sat on the stairs while she was there. D7 talked to her for a minute then came up and sat on my lap and gave me a big hug.

It's going to be very interesting how this all turns out for STBXW.