Briget, for the record, Downbtntout's post to me was number 666. I hope he changes this. Twice in two weeks is too much for me!
Busy week ahead and the kids are off from school. W's active Christian friend from VA and her kids will be staying with us for a couple of nights this week. Also, W's birthday is this week. I'm disinclined to send a card, but am not sure.
The big news today is that W's atty called me. She wanted me to hire an expert to evaluate my law degree so its worth could be included in the separation agreement. I told the attorney that I recognized the awkwardness of speaking with me directly, but explained that this D was W's decision and that all I asked from W was a proposal. I added that I remained committed to reconciliaiton and I had no intention of doing anything right now, but if W wanted to hire this person, that was fine and I would cooperate with W and atty to provide any information necessary for them to prepare an offer. Her atty. said she would communicate that to W.
I also indicated to the atty that I was reasonably comfortable that W had no grounds for D in NYS and that in fact, I probably had stronger grounds. Her atty said that from her convos with W--our M was irreconcileable and that we should move on for the benefit of the kids. I answered that I understood what W was feeling right now and that I respected attys opinion based solely on what she had heard from W, but we'll go from here.
The atty then asked if I was open to having W and I meet with someone on what is best for the kids. I said I was open.
In my view, this is working exactly as I had hoped. W retains all ownership of D and must confront additional choices with her atty. In addition, some subtleties of the convo suggest that I am correct in not moving. W has hired an experienced advocate that will provide W with all her options. At another level, if I take this atty at her word, W is committed to this action--so I think I need to back off and take care of myself even more--without any guilt. W is likely to be even more angry that she has to make additional choices in pursuing D, and her wrath will fall on me. One day at a time.
