Lou, Part of my disappointment re: dream house is that I could've afforded to stay in it, I think. I didn't give it much consideration because it's a very large house for one person and it has 25 acres and a lot of yardwork that would have been difficult for me to keep up with and I wouldn't have been able to afford to hire it done.
I really don't miss my XH one iota and it only takes a couple of minutes talking to him to make me realize that I'm better off with the peace of mind I have now. As for the "stuff".....it can be replaced. I didn't expect to be divorced two years before I could retire but the good news is that my retirement is very good and he and I worked out a deal where I don't have to give him half of it. He has no retirement so in the long run, I'll be better off.
As for what happened to my son, it was a very long time ago but occasionally it still knocks me down emotionally. I did not want more children after he died. I was shocked to find out I was pregnant with D 10 years after he died. My kids would be 16 years apart!!!! She was a mistake, but definitely the best one I ever made!!!
And, no......I don't think you came across too harsh with BB. I really do think that she respects you for it when you finally draw the line. Women want "strong" men (most of the time). We want to know you guys can take care of us. If you let "us" boss you around, it causes us to wonder if you are strong enough to count on when there is a crisis or will we have to get you through that too.
