Thanks for making me a fighter...

[wishing, hoping]

Update:

S is sick. I could see it coming on Saturday. He wasn't hungry and he took a nap. S never ever takes a nap. Ever. And he is always hungry. Sunday, the same. He didn't want to stop for ice cream. That. Never. Happens.

So yesterday and today he stayed home from school. He has a low grade fever. This morning it was 100.6 so I gave him some tylenol and told him to drink lots of liquids and rest. He says his throat is dry and scratchy and he can barely talk. I am taking him to the doctor this afternoon to rule out strep. I am guessing it is just a viral thing, but I am hoping I am wrong so he can get medication to help him feel better. H came over yesterday and announced "It isn't strep. I saw nothing on his throat. His sinuses are probably draining into the back of his throat." I think I will go ahead and get that second opinion. From a doctor, not someone who wants to play one on TV.

H called me and started asking some unusual questions regarding a settlement proposal. He said he is working on another and asked if I would mind getting a buyout in two installment payments rather than in one lump sum? I asked him why he didn't just submit the proposal to my attorney and we would consider it? He said he wasn't sending it to my attorney, he was filing it with the court. I asked him why, but he wouldn't give me a straight answer. He just said something about needing it documented or time stamped or something. Whack-a-doodle. I mentioned something about sending my lawyer a draft and H insisted this was not going to be "a draft". I asked what that was supposed to mean but he was very cryptic and secretive. I don't know what exactly he thinks he is up to, but I am sure it is no good.

I called my lawyer after that conversation and filled him in. He said there is no reason H should need to burden the court with that and that proposals should be sent directly to the lawyer, and not through the court. He said that was completely inappropriate, and I said "Well, that's how H rolls". I am guessing H is putting this "offer" on the table and announcing this offer to the court as proof that he is trying to get the deal done. I am also guessing that H will say something to the effect that if I refuse to accept this offer, then all negotiations are off the table and we will proceed to trial. I don't know what H intends to accomplish doing this, except to bully me into giving him what he wants, which is to refinance the house. If he wants the house, then fine, he can have the dam house, but I am not going to give up child support and maintenance so he can do it. If he can't afford it then so be it.

I also mentioned to my attorney about H asking S to write a letter about how S feels and my fear that he could use it against me in a trial. My attorney confirmed the child placement piece is a non-trialable issue and the judge told H that last week at our hearing. The lawyer thinks H is probably trying to sound like a counselor and thinking that he will have this piece of paper to use over S's head one day. I told S to drop the subject of writing this letter and if his dad mentions it again to tell him he doesn't want to write it.

So H is trying desperately to take matters into his own hands to get what he wants. I can't stop him, so I will let this ride out. I hope this is over soon. I am ready to get on with my life.

WH