I have been very busy with work and GAL and have not spent much time around W. I took a weekend trip with some of my friends which was awesome. I filled them in on the sitch at the outset and then no R talk for the rest of the weekend - just positive good times and laughs. Then I spent another weekend with my S(7) and a few friends and their kids at one of their condos up in the mountains. No R talk, just good times with the kids in the snow. Truthfully it's pretty great having full control over the weekend and no W inserting her controlling behavior over every little detail. And S(7) had the time of his life.
I had another night out with some old friends who were aware of the sitch generally but not the details. We hung out for a few hours at their house and I filled them on BD, ILYBINILWY, the W's caustic behavior over the years, my withdrawal and thoughts of a D many years ago, my own bad behavior, etc. etc. I was blown away when my friends spoke of instances when they were taken aback by W's harsh commentary they had experienced, even one instance where one friend actually felt dissed by her. It was so comforting yet also emotional to hear. I am a pretty strong guy but I shed a few tears and there were big hugs put on me. They also commented on my withdrawing from the R years ago, saying "anyone would feel that way after being hit with constant criticism". One friend said I need to watch out for PTSD. Then we went out for a great dinner and drinks with a bigger group of friends, and everyone was so supportive with lots of love in the air. Incredible night.
I've have been hitting the gym hard, lifting big weight and some cardio as well. In combination with the "D Diet", I am down from a 34 waist to a 32 and that's as slim as I can go. I was a weekend warrior athlete for decades and while I tapered off over the past 7 years since kids, everything is coming back pretty quick (for an old guy :)) I am probably about 90 days away from burning down any residual body fat and packing on the additional muscle mass I want. Just in time for the 2 S's - Summer and Separation.
I have a few more issues to update the board on but am out of time, more to come. Thanks for reading and everybody keep DBing - you are in control of you.
