"The M you have reached has been disconnected...."

[faithisbelieving]

HI all. I think, like all losses, I am moving upward since the signing. To 2nd, I haven't seen that book but I will put it on the 'to read' list. Thanks. Drew, mulesqb, bworl, 25, et al....thanks for stopping by.

All in all, I probably have the longest divorce process here so far. Officially, I am still married in the eyes of the law. Yes, the stip is signed and we are apart but the judge still has to stamp it. Last week my atty tells me that it might be another 2 months. Since the law still sees as us 'family', I still have to carry her health insurance and it's a killer.

I had to have pest control come by today to treat for termites as part of the sale. $2000. Ouch. She will have to split that at closing however as prep of the house.

I am packing now. Amazing how many things you come across, from baby hats, to toys that fell behind things, to love notes, etc. I'm tossing as much as I can.

This far out, both my kids have expressed pain over the divorce. My son was crying last week after spending the weekend with me, saying he hates the pain of having to leave each parent and 'why do you two have to be divorced? I don't like leaving each of you'.

And D7: "Dad, can I ask you a personal question?" "Sure D7". "Are you happy that you're divorced?" That one took great thought to answer.7 year olds are bright, especially my daughter.

Last weekend I took the kids up to Cooperstown and we had a fantastic time. The leaves were incredible and the hotel owner had kept the pool and hot tub open, so, in mid-October, there we were outdoors swimming away. My kids are pool rats so I think THAT was the highlight of the weekend. It was my first 'leaf peeper' weekend away in quite some time and the views were spectacular. I hope to post them on 'visage livre' as they say in French.

Finally, Cadillac man appears to be a permanent fixture for now. I have not seen him nor do I really want to. It is not jealousy or wanting X back. It is the thought of my kids with a 'stranger' in the house and, to a degree, the same thought that others express here..the feeling of 'she won and you lost'. I think that most of these negative thoughts are coming from the finality coming up: moving and the financial hit that will come over the next 2 months.

I can do this. Just not looking forward to it.

Almost 4 1/2 years. Of course, after I am done, NY finally decides to pass a 'no fault' divorce law.

More boxes to pack. FIB