Time Flies...

My, it's been a while since my last post. Of course, no one knows this because apparently no one reads this (according to my site meter).


So, to catch up those of you who read it but don't register on the site meter, the big news is that my husband and are I divorcing. He moved out in September, and we will file after we fill in some blanks in the paperwork.


Am I happy? Kind of. Am I sad? Kind of. Is this weird? Probably. When I tell people, the usual reply is "oh, I'm sorry." I really want to say "don't be, because I'm not." I suppose that may sound callus and unfeeling, but it's really for the best. For everyone involved, not just me.

In the past two months, the stress level in my house has all but diminished. My girls and I get along better, and we spend more time as a family. I know that they hid in their rooms or buried themselves on the computer just to avoid interaction. Or the arguments. I don't blame them. I wished I could sometimes.

He seems to be doing better too. I found out this weekend he's been seeing someone for about a month. I say, good for him.

I guess it's hard for some people to realize that divorce isn't always a bad thing.

Super Shopping

The new Super Wal Mart opened in my town last week, amid glorious fanfare. Well, if you count an inflatable Energizer Bunny and our local high school band as glorious.

Anyway, I went on opening day. Wow. I've been in Super Wal Marts before, but my word. This thing is HUNIMBOUS*. There's a Home Depot next door (of course, they come in pairs) and you could probably fit two of that store in the Wal Mart.

I went again on Sunday for grocery shopping. I have to say, I've been looking forward to it finally being open so I don't have to go one place for groceries and another place for shampoo, soap, golf balls, etc. I noticed that, even though the food prices were a bit higher than the grocery store, I ended up spending less because I didn't have to go to two places. I tend to get glassy-eyed in Wal Mart and buy a lot of stuff I don't need. But, if I hit the food side first and buy ice cream, I will tend to spend less time browsing in the shoes, nail polish or home decor departments so my ice cream doesn't melt.

*Hunimbous is a word my daughter made up when she was 2. It is a mix (I think) of huge and ginormous.

I'll Drink to That

While browsing 1800Flowers, I came across a category called Happy Hour Bouquets. How frickin' clever is this?

Communication

My daughter Jessica called me on my way home from the gym last night. We talked until I got in the door. She was upstairs in her room - I was on the phone with her downstairs. I then told my other daughter, Kelli, to sign off the computer. She told me she was IMing Jessica. I said, "well, you can't say we don't communicate around here."

I have been known to pick up the house phone in the kitchen and call Jessica, who is in her room upstairs, to tell her dinner is ready. I email people at the next desk. I have sent a text message to my husband while we're at the same party. (Of course, that message said "we need to get out of here!" Not exactly something you want the host to hear.)

I remember when my mom yelled for me out the front door. I still do that to my youngest but that's only because she's 8 and doesn't have a phone. Yet.

The Big 1-8

My oldest daughter turns 18 today. I'm so proud of her. She's smart, beautiful, sassy, doesn't take any crap, loves with her whole heart, and is just a wonderful child.


Happy Birthday Jessica.

I never know what to say

I got a call from a friend of mine today. She told me that she and her husband have separated. I never know what to say in these situations. My standard response is "I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

She's not placing all the blame on her husband, she's taking responsiblity for the problems, too. She said something that made me think - "I hate seeing him devastated by this but in the same breath - I'm not happy."

At what point in a marriage do you stop living for your husband and children, and start living for yourself? I had to finally realize that in my first marriage. Yes, I know, marriage isn't "all about you," but I believe that if you aren't truly happy in your marriage, it eventually will affect the other aspects of your life. And your kids aren't dumb - they know when things aren't right.

So, as sorry as I would be if they do divorce, if they are happier apart, then isn't that really what matters?

Summer is Here

What activities mean summertime to you? For me, washing my car in the driveway and buying ice cream from the ice cream man that drives through the neighborhood. Going boating with our friends and Saturday night backyard barbecues. Golfing. Watering my flowers and begging them to grow. Enjoying the daylight until 8:30. Sitting on my porch and drinking ice tea (or a beer!). The smell of fresh mown grass.

I love summer. I hope I can slow down and enjoy it more this year, because it seems like my life is whizzing by me at warp speed. It feels like we just started May, and now we're starting June next week.

Enjoy your holiday.