WAW w/Exit Affair or WW? - Don't Want Divorce (2)

[BL42]

It's been a few weeks...mostly preoccupied due to wrapping up work for the year, prepping for and actually enjoying the holidays.

The week prior to Christmas was stressful and upsetting. Following LH19/Steve85/Vapo/Ready2Change's comments, I did not confront W about OM2 staying over with the kids, as enraging as it is for me to think about. However, my F-I-L called that week (I assumed regarding logistics for the kids) but because he was upset with our Christmas plans. I explained I had nothing against him or S-M-I-L, but due to the divorce we have to negotiate and split up time with the kids on birthdays and holidays, and W & I had disagreements on that. He was taken aback when I told him in my last communication with W I did offer to compromise and have her bring the kids to their place (he said, "oh I didn't know that") and must've called W later that night because I got another email trying to change plans. I agreed, and am glad I did now because I'll have more time with the kids next Christmas. Anyway, that phone call also led to a discussion about OM2 (according to him at least he's had two run ins by happen stance and wasn't treated warmly either time). And step-MIL called later and I finally had to tell her we needed to stop talking because between discussions with my parents, them, the stress of the divorce and Holidays I'm just trying to detach and move on.

We did have a major snow storm so I picked up S5, as I promised to take him sledding, and OM2 was there. I made a snide comment "Hey OM2, aren't you going to say hello?". W glared at me, and I just smiled back. Probably wasn't great DB'ing but it felt good and a bit Alpha. I mean if he can move in with a married woman and her kids he can at least have the balls not to pretend he's not there, right?

Fortunately Christmas week itself with the kids was absolutely wonderful. We had a fantastic time; it truly warmed my heart. I took S5 and D2 to church on Christmas Eve by myself, which I was a bit nervous about but they were very well behaved and it went fine. Then we drove to see lights, had dinner with my parents, and did the usual read "Twas the Night Before Christmas", put out cookies for Santa, and get into bed routine. I stayed up until 1:30 playing Santa and S5 woke up at 3:50. I said "oh no...no way!" and got him to fall back asleep and "sleep in" until 6am LOL. Both kids LOVED their presents - as excited and happy as a parent would hope - and I got a lot of it on video for posterity. We played with their gifts all day, and had a blast. That weekend my sister, her husband, and my niece visited for the first time in awhile (due to COVID) and the cousins had a grand time. I truly had a wonderful Christmas with my family (children, parents, sister's family) despite the on-going sitch.

This past week of New Years I mostly relaxed and rested. For the first time in quite awhile I didn't have work OR have the kids at all because W was off (I typically have them before/after school and Fridays even during W's week). I lounged around, slept in, watched Netflix, got a lot done around the house. NYE was a lot of fun with several couples each doing a custom cocktail from a different country around the world - cool theme. They invited a single woman younger than me and I flirted a bit but didn't pursue the obvious set up (2nd time now that's happened). Unfortunately I couldn't get out with people and GAL as much as I would've liked other than NYE party to due to COVID. Things are escalating a bit and many people are tentative to go out or get together. I should've gotten out skiing or hiking, but didn't.

Anyway, tomorrow is back to the regular work/school routine. I'm so glad 2020 is over. I realize it was a rough year in general for most people due to the pandemic but particularly for folks on this board who's sitches were starting/on-going (myself included). Hopefully 2021 is nothing but up for all of us!