WAW, bouts of anger still spewing, awaiting the D.

[SH_]

The following day I received a text from WAW letting me know that she would bring d5 over Saturday morning as the flight was getting in late on Friday night. The night that she was supposed to drop d5 off to me for my weekend after the 2 week vacation out of state.
I was not pleased, but it did not anger me. It happens.

I got some weekend chores done Friday evening so as not to have to worry about them when D5 came over.
I got up early Saturday to exercise and get somethings done and then it was 9 am and no word or sightings of WAW and d5? I texted to inquire as to what time to expect them.
A bit later I received a text saying that her car would not start and that they would be a bit later.

Again not pleased, but not angry. It happens.
Then it is noon and still no word. I text again. I receive a call a bit later, and she says that the battery had died and she was on the way to the dealership to swap it out as it was under warranty.

Again not pleased, but not angry. It happens. But seriously. 3 hours to figure out a dead battery and decide how to fix it?
45 minutes later I get a text saying it would be an hour before they can even get the car in, and I can come get d5 if I want.

Again not pleased, but not angry. Becoming annoyed. It happens. I reply, I will be there shortly to pick her up.
I needed to ask the dealer something anyway as it was where I purchased my new car.

After I pick her up and we head home, d17 mentions to me that d5 may be really tired. I replied, yeah, jet lag. d17 replies, no, their plane got delayed until 130 am and they did not even get in until 330 in the morning. Her mother was stressed out and exhausted and d5 did not get a restful nights sleep because of all of this.
Ugh.

D5 was in good spirits and we went swimming and had a good evening. Sunday still in good spirits and then just like that weekend over and after missing her for 2 weeks, I felt shorted on my weekend. But it happens.

The rest of the week was pretty much a lot of the same. But it was build up for a super fun birthday weekend for D17.........now D18.
She looked all week for something fun to do. Most of the things she found were outdoor things. We have temperatures here that are even to hot for the devil to enjoy, so I encouraged her to keep looking.
Thursday night she tells me she found the perfect thing, but not sure if I would do it. I asked her what it was.
She replied,"Flyboarding."
I said fly...whating????
She said flyboarding. It is where you hover above the water.
I said, "Say whaaaat????"
She said, here check out this video on youtube.

I did. I had a look on my face. She said never mind. I know that does not look like something you would do.
I said, maybe another time. I might give it a go. She said cool.
I then, thought aww, what the hell?!!? Why not, lets do it.
She said "Say whaaat??? For real?"
I said, yep. Lets book it now before I change my mind.

Long story short, absolutely amazing fun.
D17 did so good and the smile on her face after doing it was a beautiful thing.
Me on the other hand. I had great fun, but my first fall was a belly/face flop that could be heard across the lake. And the video d17 took, you can hear her voice of pain for me as she announced the play by play and then her giggling with laughter at my expense.
Fear faced.
D17 had the time of her life.
Totally worth it.
Can you say "becoming an adrenaline junkie"?
Yup. Yup I am.

We then had some great KC BBQ at a place on the pier and watched some experienced flyboarders. Google it if you have not seen it before. Some cool vids of folks flyboarding.

A fun fact, the model used in the movie the Pirates of the Caribbean for the Black Pearl pirate ship is anchored at this lake. the guy that created it owns a houseboat and some other stuff and has placed the model boat in the lake and it is used for party and things of that nature. It is about half the size of what it appears in the movies, but it was cool to see and check out.
Did I mention I live in a desert where the temps get much hotter than down in the devils neck of the woods?
The lake was amazing and to think. I have lived here 15 years and never went there.
We capped of the bday fun by seeing Star Trek. Yep, I grew up with a Trekkie father and so I am trying to pass the trekkie tradition along to my kids. She enjoyed it.

Sunday I was asked to speak at church. Now I was asked 10 days prior and procrastinated like no other in preparing a talk. Sunday morning I was not prepared other than half dozen resources and an idea of what to do. In the past I would have made an excuse and bailed out. I wanted to, but I chose to face my fear.
Fear of public speaking. Fear of doing something when everything is not in order. Fear of speaking to a congregation that knows full well I have not been an active member for years. And fear of half the congregation that has my STBXW's side of the story and basically helped her and supported her decision to leave me.
Fear faced. Many shared thanks and positive feedback for the message that I shared.

This week I am setting up an IC for d18 and I. She is still struggling with bouts of depression and anxiety. She manages it better than one would thing, but when things break down. It is very not pretty. I am hoping for additional help for her to talk with someone, as well as for me to learn how to assist her and be whatever she needs to support her through it.

D5 has been a joy this week, but something is really off. She is starting to seem confused, sad and frustrated. Many little things that I will not go into detail of, but in all of this time, this week she really seems off and it breaks my heart. But I ensure that I acknowledge her when she speaks, I let her lead when she is trying to accomplish things and I ensure her thoughts and opinions are included as we do things. And as many hugs and kisses as I can convince her to share with me. She loves to mock me by wiping of the kisses on her cheeks. Oh I love that kid.
I think the novelty of this being fun for her is wearing off.
School starts for her next week. Structure will be shock to her I believe as she has not had any over the summer and we'll see how we can best help her.

Yesterday morning, d18 offered to drop off d5 at their mothers as she was going in that direction for her babysitting job. This is something that WAW knows of and asked that I let her know as the drop of is a bot later when this is done.
I forgot to text her mother the night before to advise she was doing it and that it would be a bit later. We had agreed on this previously and I just forgot.
In the morning I received a text asking if I was coming to drop d5 off. I replied with my apologies as I meant to let her know the night before. I also advised that we were running a bit late as d5 complained of a tummy ache the evening before and again in the morning.
The reply from STBX was "I thought d18 had to work. It is not d18's job to drop her off for you."

Yup, blood pressure rose. I paused. Reminded myself that the response was that of a crazy person as this had already been discussed and agreed to and that my only error was failing to text the night before. And only a crazy person would fail to ask about the state of d5 who sounds to not be feeling well.
I called d18 to give her a heads up in case her mother went after her as is the pattern. D18, said thank you and not to worry about it.
I took an hour to ensure a positive text response.
It was, "You are correct. It is not d18's job. I hope d5 feels better as she said she was not feeling well."

No response.

D18 let me know later that day, that she did not really say much and whatever she said d18, just ignored and changed the subject.

Well, I better not let 2 weeks go by before making an update. Thank you to anyone that is hanging in and reading this all.
Today I have been in a funky mood. But it is late. So more on that later.