WOW! You 2 certainly have it together, even when you're not together. I wish I could say the same. I'm left holding the bag with Ryan, can't even communicate with him about R's best interest without him still spewing poison at me. I try to stay out of the line of fire and am still unsure how to handle the "after me" stuff. I do have a will and a plan but he could effectively screw that up.
What a difficult time for your family. Knowing the inevitable. Just waiting. It is SO hard.
It is so inspiring the relationship you guys have. It is something we can all shoot for.
Your cold CO weather has invaded us the last few days, yikes!! If we didn't have the wind,ithinki would be good but this stuff is crazy.
So s19 should knowing coule of days if they get their apartment or not. They would be moving right before Thanksgiving. I am so not ready for that. I had a good cry. He showed me his spring schedule and who would watch the baby for the 4 hours that he has class on Monday,Wednesday and Friday. He also has his work schedule set. At least they are thinking ahead.
kat
Me-53(and learning!) S24, S21, D18, D17 Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming. Dory
I have a very similar relationship with my ex as you do with Mr. Wonderful. It has made life that much easier actually since the divorce. We remain on the same page in all of the major decisions, especially in regard to our two daughters.
Do you think Mr. Wonderful may be possibly re-evaluating his relationship with you? What would happen if he decided he wanted to propose you consider reconnecting? Would you be interested or has that ship definitely sailed? I know for me, even though I appreciate the positive relationship I have with my ex, I would never ever want to go back to that. I'm happy with the direction my life is going - of course having a significant other helps as well! :-)
My thoughts and prayers continue for you and your family. I pray your brother has a peaceful passing from this life to the next.
BA: I admire anyone who can pull that off. It is definitely what is best for the kids.
Kat: The baby and the future has become a reality for your son. I admire his "stepping up to the plate" as so many young people become deadbeat dads or rely on social assistance. It is not unusual to move into one's own apt at age 19. I know this is not the way you planned for it thank God he is being mature and responsible.
My ex stepped out of his alienism for a brief nano second. Ashley sent him a text - asking if he had any recent photos of her (I think she is making him something for Christmas). He replied with "Just this" and sent her a quick sketch he made of her - it was hilarious! We both said it reminded us briefly of the funny guy he used to be. Neither of us had seen that side of him in years.
Josh's Mom was hospitalized last week then moved to a nursing home. Her Alzheimers has progressed to total paranoia and seems to be defeating her more than the cancer. She is down to 90 lbs. Sad…
I am still in Florida. Seeing pics of the snow and cold at home. Psyching myself for my return to the north in one week.
Just a quick note for you that don't keep up with Betsey on the alt. Her brother passed away this weekend. I don't know much more than she has written here, but I thought you guys would want to know.
Bless you and your family Bets. I am keeping you all in my prayers.
kat
Me-53(and learning!) S24, S21, D18, D17 Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming. Dory
This will be a quick drop in. I've been gone so long I feel like it's been a month. My desk looks like a bomb exploded on it. It's a little overwhelming, given that I've had new business calls that need to be squeezed in this week. That part of my life is going well, at least.
The estate house closed last Wednesday. I'm tying up the loose ends now. It had its own drama, none of which was welcome. But at the very least, there is little left to do there. Just in time for the holidays.
While I was gone, my D20's BFF house/cat sat for me. She texted me a photo of my mailbox yesterday. Apparently, in the wee hours of the morning Saturday night/Sunday morning, someone took a baseball bat to my mailbox. WTF? It's completely stupid. I might post that photo on the alt. Now I need to put that on my list of things to do today. Like I needed that, LOL.
The past 10 days have been bittersweet. I'm so glad I went. My D17 and I first flew to Hoboken to watch my D20's volleyball team win regionals to advance to the Elite 8. We then hopped a train (well, a 2nd train because we missed the one I had booked) to DC. While we were enroute, my sister called me to let me know that my brother had passed away peacefully. My dad picked us up at Union Station and just hugged us. He and my cousin were with him when he passed; my mom left the room about 15 minutes prior.
I spent Monday with them making arrangements at the funeral home. I'm SO glad I could do that with them. Logistics, as usual, dominates this process; so we're having visitation, the funeral and his burial the 12th and 13th of December. So I'm flying out again for that. I feel like I've been in planes, trains and automobiles constantly since the middle of October. I'm really, really tired. And I'm trying to forget that I have to schedule time to shop really soon. Like now.
We had lots of visitors, lots of food, and I think we were all grateful for the distraction of heading to the VA Beach area for the volleyball championships. It was a good 4 days that took all of us out of the grieving mode (for the most part). There were moments, for sure. But all in all, we had a good time aside from that. Keeping busy helps me. But I got on the plane last night, and for the first time, had time to think, and then it hit me. Hard. I'm glad my D17 was sound asleep next to me and the overhead lights were off. I had a headache when the waterworks finally stopped.
In the meantime, our TG plans are going to change. D20 decided she couldn't risk the weather preventing her from making a big test upon her return, so she decided not to come home this week and is going to her BF's house instead. Bummer, but I understand. I don't know what Mr. W., D17 and I will do now. He mentioned seeing what his GF is doing, and I'm fine with that. I could use a little alone time this week anyway.
Kat, I will call you this week if you're around. My brother paid me a "visit" the night he died. Funny, but he also showed up for his stepdaughter and my dad as well. We all had the same types of messages, but mine was far longer and more detailed. He spent a lot of time with me.
So that's my news for now. I've got my eyes on 2015 for more peace and smoother sailing.
Blessings to all of you-
Betsey
"There are only 2 ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
Hey Bets, sure you can call. Tomorrow night might be best if you are aiming for pre-Thanksgiving. The kids will be with their Dad which might make the fact that s19 is moving less obvious. If not I have a long weekend. Trying to nail down a second job that actually will work with me when there is a computer issue!
I am glad he visited you. I think you really needed that. Does your Dad and step-niece believe in it? I hope so because those messages can be such a gift.
2015 and smooth sailing...count me in because my turning 50 and the aftermath has been anything but! Are you ever going to make it to Olathe?
Talk soon, kat
Me-53(and learning!) S24, S21, D18, D17 Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming. Dory
Kat-I will plan on calling tonight. But if the weekend works better for you, just text me. I'm loving the fact that I will be here for the duration. It feels good not to look at a suitcase for my clothes.
I finalized my TG plans today. Mr. Wonderful called this morning to figure it out and I'm cooking. He supplied the turkey already so we're good there. We agreed on a scaled back version of what I would have done if D20 were home. He said he really didn't want to share it with his GF. I asked a few questions and he pretty much told me that they are through. She's mad at him for not driving to where she lives (in Bumf*ck) and he said he doesn't care. How about that loaded statement?
I've got wine and we'll probably have a few drinks along the way. BA, if we pull a Jimmy Buffett, I'll blame you. We've never gone there, and I don't plan on it. It's just that you had to go ahead and bring that up a few weeks ago. And doggone you, he's been really sweet to me for the past few months. Maybe we're just returning to the state of being good human beings to each other?
Besides, he's the only one to whom I can say "Let's make our funeral plans this week" and gets it. (And I did say that on Sunday when he picked us up.)
I got my mailbox replaced and it looks pretty good. I'm thinking of having my handyman come out next spring and build me something cool anyway. So I appreciate the vandal giving me the thumbs up on that.
Now, if someone can send over the shopping fairy, I'd really appreciate it.
Betsey
"There are only 2 ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
p.s. Kat, yes, my dad and niece believe. Our visits all held the same theme. I think he was happy about that and it brought some comfort to my mom as well.
"There are only 2 ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
Betsey