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

[smith18]

My friend has done a few of those 2 hour or more distance match.com relationships. He says no more. I have on my profile that I am limited to 10 miles.

[ClingingToHope]

Yes. I did that too, but this one found me. She didn't pop up on my screen. I know BobbiJo was messaging with some long-distance guys.

I'm probably going to respond just because it's fun to swap emails. Part of the fun with Church_31 is that it's just messaging, she's taken right now and I'm still married so it's just banter.

[ImprovedRomeo]

Hey you never know...she might move...in. LOL

Seriously, long distance stuff is tough...it is. But sometimes some people are worth it.

[ClingingToHope]

Fifteen years ago STBXW and I were installing blinds out of town. She managed a miniblind store but made her real money installing blinds. When we started dating, I'd go with her to help. She did most of the real work. I just helped carry stuff, clean up and just be someone to talk to. I did one time catch her as she fell off a ladder.

Anyway, we were eating at a Perkins after one of the installations and she said she was considering moving 90 minutes away to manage the other store.

I looked at her and didn't say much and she looked at me and said "so is that it for us?"

I said no, I'd move north with her if she wanted.

She smiled. Remember, she'd never dated anyone longer than three months and I was committed.

Nice story. Today. With an 11-year-old and 8-year-old? I don't care if this was the most perfect woman in the world for me, I'm not moving away from them. She'd have to come here ... and she has three kids and I'm doubting she'd move them away from their father.

Life is going to just get more and more complicated.

Long night. D8 stayed home from school with diarrhea. She seemed fine tonight until I put her down to sleep. It's starting to act up again. I'm starting to not feel so good either.

If she's sick tomorrow, I stay home. No questions asked. But there's a big thing happening that I should be at. It's a toughy.

The joys of single parenthood.

Feeling good tonight. Really, really, really a good night with the girls -- other than the tummy thing. D11 and I put in 15 minutes on Wii fitness and she even lifted some weights with me. I think this may become our thing.

[ImprovedRomeo]

Good story CTH...and you made a great point. It's almost impossible to move anywhere with kids. It really is complicated. However, there are those exceptions like a friend of mine married a woman who moved from Canada with her son. Apparently her ex is fine seeing his son for just three weeks during the summer break. But these probably are just exceptions.

Sorry to hear about the stomach problems in the house, hope you all feel better soon. Glad to hear you guys had a good night and even got some workout time in- way to go CTH!

[ClingingToHope]

I'm back in sentimental phase. I asked D11 if she's ever eaten at this one really nice restaurant in town. She said no. I told her it's the restaurant I proposed to STBXW in.

D11 really likes those stories.

I may take the girls there for "pre" Thanksgiving. I don't have them on Thanksgiving, but I do have them the night before and was looking for something special. By all indications, I'll be a single father by then.

I'm heading north to eat with a cousin for TG. I'm looking forward to it.

[ClingingToHope]

Got girls off to school without a hitch. I thought of something last night. I've been waiting, waiting, waiting for a light switch to go off in my head that "I'm over it."

I'm guessing that just doesn't happen. Instead, you just keep living days, crossing them off the calendar and eventually it all just becomes routine.

[fb2]

"..., you just keep living days, crossing them off the calendar and eventually it all just becomes routine."
Yes, I had a journal. Some days its just - woke at 6:30am; got kids to school on time; cooked dinner; went to bed at 10pm. But it gets you thru' a day.

"My friend has done a few of those 2 hour or more distance match.com relationships. He says no more. I have on my profile that I am limited to 10 miles."
Listen to Kerry, the great ladies' man ;-)

You seem to be doing much better. And despite all those nasty 2x4's to the cranium! I think you SHOULD establish firm boundaries both with the STBx and the kids for your own well being; it helps the healing and you have been severely traumatized.

[ClingingToHope]

Text late last night from STBXW. D8 had a severe meltdown because her fundraiser stuff is due today and STBXW never took it to her work or give it to me to take to mine.

So she ordered five things and asked if I could take it in to work today and then to D8's school. I was already going to D8's school for a family picnic day. I'd texted STBXW yesterday to tell her I planned on going.

She wanted me to pick up the form last night. I told her to just put it in the mailbox and I'd pick it up on the way to work (no reason to drive over there and see her).

Busy morning. Had to cover an event for my job, but I did get the form. Ladies in the office ordered six things -- so D8 will get a prize. Then I picked up food and headed to D8's school where I was the hero.

Yes, yes, yes, I know, it's not a competition. But STBXW never makes these daytime events -- can't break away from work. I've always been the one to do them.

I just loved seeing D8 sprint across the playground to give me a hug when I showed up.

I'll see the girls for an hour after school. Then I have some stories to finish up. I'll hit church tonight for an hour then I'm meeting friends -- seven women, I'm the only guy to watch an improv troop. Tomorrow, the company team is in the end of the year softball tournament. I'll find something to do tomorrow night. I have options. Nothing firm.

Then working out Sunday, watching some NFL football and maybe put some hours in Sunday night.

Right now I'm on the smooth part of the rollercoaster.

[Drew]

Yes, yes, yes, I know, it's not a competition. But STBXW never makes these daytime events -- can't break away from work. I've always been the one to do them.

You did what you did for the right reasons. Your daughter. Not to prove you're a better parent than STBXW. There's a difference. Subtle, but VERY important.

And BTW, my 2x4's are only to keep you from making some of the mistakes I made. Good job.