Thanks for advice Hairdog, but sadly, we've got plenty of cash to squander on divorce proceedings--so that's not an issue with FIL. He does not like what W is doing, but like any father, is concerned about her health.
Today, was a bad day at work. My stomach felt sick and I could not concentrate. I had a meeting with my boss and hate when I'm not at the top of my game. To feel better, I decided if W was going to plunk $5k on an attorney, I was going to plunk $1,500 on season tix for the Islanders next year--way out of character for me. But, if I'm out of the house, I'll need something to do.
There's no need for me to retain an attorney right now. I anticipate her attorney will write up a reasonable separation agreement that I will appropriately choke on and then move into the basement. My next order of business is buying a comfortable and convenient blowup bed. After that, I'll propose moving the unneeded monthly apartment rent into three college accounts for the kids under their names. If W is really intransigient, then I'll see an attorney about preparing a will to make sure my kids get most of the money in trust if I die. If W moves any of our joint money into her own account, then I'll simply stop her credit cards and put my paycheck into my account--but I really don't think this will happen.
On the way home tonight, I prayed the Rosary and asked God to make me the most pleasant person in my house tonight. It worked, and I feel really good. I even asked W how her day went! I truly love my W and believe the girl I married is still there somewhere, so my next task is to be able to sit and let her dish out everything with me being as understanding as possible. At this point, I don't see how allowing her to reinforce her negative feelings can cement her any harder. In addition, I will really take care of myself and let her be. If that means I'm not around, so be it. That's how it would be with S; no reason to stick around now--especially when the kids are asleep at night.
Maybe I'll hop on some other threads, but for now, I'm spent. Hang in there folks.
