Well, I guess it's time for an update. So here goes.

My WAW and I continue to go to joint and individual counseling. She has not contradicted her statement that she doesn't want to reconcile. She has not stopped the D. In fact, she hasn't done much of anything. Still, there have been some positive developments (or perhaps everything else that happened before was so bad that even doing nothing looks positive). So here they are:

1. WAW continues to request joint counseling sessions.
2. WAW continues to attend individual sessions for herself.
3. WAW has not pushed the D further or talked about it (90-day min. waiting period expires in one week, D dismissed by default if no court date set by mid-April).
4. WAW continues to be curious about me and my activities.
5. WAW continues to talk to and question others about me.
6. WAW will not discuss selling property (which will have to happen before D is final).
7. WAW has admitted that "Christmas was hard on her".
8. WAW has admitted she "cried all the way home" after we divided up the last of our stuff in mid-October.
9. WAW has stated she "may have made some really bad decisions this summer" (apparently referring to the PA).
10. WAW has requested additional individual counseling sessions to "work on some of [her] issues".
11. WAW has not begun using her maiden name (stationery, VM greetings, etc.) though she has requested the court to reinstate it in the D.
12. WAW left small Christmas gift and card.
13. WAW continues to initiate regular e-mail contact.
14. WAW has extended an invitation to talk on three occasions.
15. WAW appears to still be attending church (at least occasionally).
16. WAW asked if I would be willing to do our taxes for 2006 (as married filing jointly).

In addition, we had our first conversation outside of joint counseling the other night. It was snowing here, and I felt impressed to call her (she always loved the snow...what little we get). I've been pretty dark and felt that if I shut off all communication, I'd risk making the path home too difficult.

She didn't answer and I left a short message to the effect of, "I hope you're someplace you can see the snow or get out in it. It's beautiful. I'm going for a walk in it and then off to the store. Goodnight."

I did go for a walk and then headed to the grocery store. She called as I drove into the parking lot. Normally I would let it go to VM, but I answered. She asked how the roads were, if I'd gone for a walk, and what I was doing. Exchanged brief chit-chat. I said I was at the store now. She said, "It's sad we have to shop alone now". I replied, "Yeah, well, I'm in the parking lot so I'd better go stock up on some groceries. Have fun in the snow. Goodnight."

Kept it short, upbeat (well, maybe not upbeat...but positive), and didn't let her drag me into the sad stuff. No R, no M, no ILY, no IMY, no checking up, no questions at all. So, not too bad. Didn't throw the door wide, but left it open a crack.