I am glad to hear that you aren't about to slip over the edge. I guess I just misinterpreted what you were saying, and probably was indirectly the source of the others wielding the 2x4s. I get way too emotional, way too often. I guess I just felt that if there was any chance, I should do my best to help you the way nobody helped me. Most of the friends I talked to either just commiserated with me or told me I was a complete idiot and walked away. Nobody sat down with me in a caring way and understood the feelings I had, as well as the feelings I was soon going to have.
Anyway, I just hope that you can keep those temptations way in the back of your mind for the next 5 days.
One thing I would caution you about is the "OM makes me feel so good about myself that I treat myself and H better" line of reasoning. It can REALLY backfire on you. If your H gets an inkling that you are dressing nicer, acting sweeter, etc. partly to impress some other guy, it won't matter if some of the new you bleeds into your M. Just imagine if the roles were reversed. Would the fact that your H was wearing a cologne you really liked be a positive thing if you knew one reason he wore it was to attract the attention of another woman?
Now don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be taking those positive steps to improve yourself. Just focus on them being good for you and for your M, not that they originated from OM. I am guilty of the same thing. OW's actions and interest unlocked my heart, tore down the walls of indifference I had put up there, and made me realize that yes this nerdy geek could be attractive. But, those things are good things independent of their original source, and are things I need to focus on independantly of thoughts about OW. I hope I am making sense. Maybe phrased slightly differently. YOU are an attractive woman Fran, whether or not work-guy notices or is even there.
Keep thinking positive Fran. It does sound like you have a lots of hurdles and past hurts to get around in your M, but you do have some positive things going.
OK, enough of my ineptly wielded 1x2. Good luck this week! STOP TALKING TO YOUR SISTER ABOUT IT. I cannot believe that someone who has gone through the heartache of a broken marriage would be encouraging you to do something which could cause the same. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, but it sounds like she has a screw loose.
Your great too Fran Chrome
"Recollect me darlin, raise me to your lips, two undernourished egos, four rotating hips"
Good luck this week! STOP TALKING TO YOUR SISTER ABOUT IT. I cannot believe that someone who has gone through the heartache of a broken marriage would be encouraging you to do something which could cause the same. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, but it sounds like she has a screw loose.