Onward and Forward

[Lifes Twists]

Hi Everyone, here is an update:

I start a new job tomorrow with a significant increase in salary. I am glad to be away from the last place I worked. The VP there was such an insecure person that he had the need to belittle or accuse you of doing wrong virtually every day with out any real cause or reason to build up his own limited self image. I have one last battle coming up with this individual as he has chosen to fight my being awarded unemployment for the few weeks that I was unemployed.

My girls continue their individual struggles to grow up and deal with what has gone on. I continue to give advice and support when requested.

My relationship with the ex continues to slowly improve. We now readily communicate and co parent together. This is a big step forward from no communication and having the police called on you.

I believe that she is testing me on things to see what kind of reaction I will have. Our wedding anniversary would have been last week on a day that was terribly hot and oppressive. I was with her a couple days after and she made the comment that we were luckily our wedding day was not that hot and humid or she would have melted. This was the first time since this all started that she mentioned the anniversary. I was shocked that she mentioned it and responded that I did not bring up the date as it might be uncomfortable for her. She responded that it was part of our history. Little things like this or recognizing my birthday are more easily happening.

There is no relationship talk at this point. We are planing a week long trip with our youngest daughter and one of her friends to visit some colleges my youngest is interested in. The trip is taking place during the last week of July. We will be camping and ex and I will share a tent while the two girls use another. The last three days of the trip will be spent camping on the outerbanks, a place we had spent many good times together in the past.

I don't want to bring up any relationship stuff or do a temperature check before the trip. If the trip goes well should I do a temperature check right afterwards or should I just continue to roll along the way things are?