Looking Forward

Making a better life for me and my kids

Archive for the tag “family”

Struggling

Our trip to Florida was nice. the weather was fantastic, which is just what I needed. The kids were the same as usual, and i would have been just has happy to have left them at home, honestly. husband had this idea that putting the effort and money into bringing them along would somehow elicit a bit of gratefulness from two teenage boys. I’m not sure what he was thinking.

Husbands mom has Alzheimer’s disease. The brother and sister live 15 minutes away from the parents, yet see them about once every six months. Husbands mom seemed alright for the family dinner on Sunday, but not as good when we stopped by on Monday. No one talks about it. Its just sad.

Upon our return home everyone was cranky. We came back to snow and cold. A ran to his gf’s house, D ran to the computer. Husband and I tried to readjust to normal.

Back to work, same old shit, different day. I really hate that place. It’s making everything in my life suck a whole lot more than it should. A stays over at the gf’s house for days and days. He stops by to pick up clothes or shoes or xbox games. We dont see him much. The gf is younger and her parents are newly divorced. Her mom is terrified of making her daughter mad, so ‘Sure! Your boyfriend can sleep over!’

The gf’s mom called me to say that she thought the kids were spending too much time together. I told her that she should send A home. She said the kids told her that I had kicked A out and he had no place to live. I told her that was bullshit. “It’s your house and your daughter. If you don’t want him there, send him home.”  I found myself losing patience very quickly with her, droning on about how the kids are both from divorced homes, how its soooo hard for the kids, and she told me that her husband now has a 24 year old girlfriend. She kept saying “please don’t tell the kids I called. Please don’t mention that we spoke. Please don’t tell them  I called.” She probably said that 20 times. She didn’t want her daughter to be angry with her. Sigh.

A no longer wants to go to college. He has gotten a second job. He has no idea what he’s doing. It kills me. GF’s mom was upset to hear this news about A, and said she’d ‘have a talk with him about it, because college is important!’ Yeah. You do that.

D is diving still. The season is over, but we’re paying for him to go to the Y 3 times a week to keep practicing. It’s good for him to keep busy. Meanwhile, he’s lazy about school and grades. We’re not sure if we need to adjust his ADHD meds or if he’s just really being lazy. It’s hard to really want to do too much with meds with the school year coming to a close.

Bill collectors looking for Dummy call me 2 or 3 times a week now. He’s changed his number, no one can get in touch with him. He’s still attempting to sell the house. He’s dropped the price 35k in the last 6 months. I wish it’d sell so I can get out from under the HELOC  and get my money owed for arrears. I’m not holding my breath though.

I feel like I’m struggling a lot more than I should be lately. I’m not sure what that’s about. We were hopeful that A would go to college, move out, be on his own. the idea of him just hanging on in his crappy little town with no real direction is worry-some…almost equally worry-some is that he’ll want to keep living at home.  D is being lazy, or maybe he’s not. I don’t know. Husband and D are at each other all the damn time lately. School work is taking all of my time and I’m sick of it. I’m so far from finished, I feel like the accounting profession will be replaced entirely with robots by the time I’m done and there won’t be any jobs for me.

My birthday is next week. Maybe this is my midlife crisis or something. I just feel….blah. I know the weather doesn’t help, and we are talking about moving just as soon as D is done with high school. But that’s still 3 years away!

I’d just like to not feel like I’m struggling all the time. How do I accomplish that?

Thanksgiving is coming!

First of all Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Secondly, anyone who does not have their kiddos with them for this holiday, you’ll be in my thoughts. These holidays centered around family are so difficult when your family isn’t able to be with you – and so much more painful when that missing family is your children. 

I, however, will have both boys with me for Turkey day this year. At least that’s the plan. My mom and dad will be driving up from the southern part of the state to be with us. My brother, sister in law, and niece have opted to stay home. This means more pie for me, so I’m not too broken up about it. My mom makes THE BEST coconut cream pie….I’ll write more about that in another post. 

The house has been cleaned, the menu has been set and the first round of shopping has been done. I’ve asked my parents to bring a few things, so I don’t get all overwhelmed and stressed out. I am very much looking forward to a holiday celebration in our home this year. 

Lastly, I just wanted to let you all know that while dropping A off with his father yesterday he said, “So I added the University of Maine to my college list.” I calmly replied, “Oh yeah? Well that’s great to hear.” We talked a little about their business program and their football team. Then I asked, “What is the in state tuition there again?” A replied, “About 10 thousand a year.” 

Ha! He’s paying attention!! 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

June 21st, 2012

June 21st, 2011 we were married at the town office. June 21st  2012 we had a ceremony in front of 30 of our closest friends and family. We live in Maine, and we had family come as far as Virginia, Wyoming and Colorado to share our day with us.

Sometimes when I’m feeling defeated or overwhelmed I go back and look at the pictures from that day, and I instantly start to feel better.

This is my new life. Its filled with love and respect and friendship. The bullshit I have to deal with now, is nothing compared to the life I used to have. I sometimes need to be reminded of that.

I wanted to share this picture with you because its my favorite from that day.487274_10151072490270990_1721972560_n

Christmas Miracle

No matter what I say or do, I will be wrong. Niceness is wrong. Meanness is wrong. No response is wrong. Responding is also wrong.

Last night he requested time with A, I responded, agreeing, with a few minor adjustments to time. I never heard back. Then this evening, I received this:

From: X
To: Me
Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2012 5:36 PM
Subject: RE: Time with A

Let’s be clear here.  You can forget about the pleasantries in the emails, as a matter of fact you can dispense with even typing my name.  That shit is disingenuous and frankly serves no other purpose than to cause friction.  We have no relationship to speak of that warrants any such language.  You have something to say to me say it.  I don’t need you pointing out the fact that I am once again on the short end of the stick for the holidays.  You are correct though I am a “big boy” and will deal with it.

I will talk to A whenever I want about whatever I feel is appropriate, and deciding what we want to do and when is an important thing.  When and if we decide to set up time together I will let you know.  He may ask you ahead of time as well because neither of us is interested in asking if it is going to be a waste of time.  Additionally, if A has thoughts of his own on seeing me of course I am going to encourage him to ask you first.  Common sense.

Understand this also, I don’t like you… in fact you, and those you cheated on me with while we were married, are really the only people I have ever had a long standing feeling of hatred towards.  But you in particular.  Funny, I never really knew what that truly felt like anytime before in my life – thanks for that.  I don’t see that changing any time soon, but I am working on it, believe me.  For that reason, I don’t want to have any communication with you beyond the essentials needed to see A and maybe someday D.  I am working very hard to keep my mouth shut about you and my thoughts on what kind of person you are, maybe you should try not to push buttons and screw that up – if you are really interested in the best interests of the boys moving forward.  I find it particularly upsetting when you choose to make an issue of seeing A when he wants to see me, especially given the fact that you have no problem with him going off and spending time with his friends whenever he wants.  Seriously, what kind of petty BS is that and what purpose does it serve?

If the time frame of notice is an issue, say so and that will be that.  I will make due as I have done in the past.  But make sure you explain to A that it was your call – I am open to seeing them whenever I can and have no intentions of playing games with when and where in this state it happens.  Just like I would never make an issue of them seeing you whenever they want.  Maybe you should ask yourself this question in the future when replying to me in regards to visitation or whatever with the boys – “Is what I am writing and deciding going to be for the benefit of the children or my own personal and unrelated reasons?”

I am seriously burned out on dealing with you, but I do it for the sake of the boys and any future relationship I have with them.

Let me know if taking A from the 26th through the 31st will be a problem given the lack of 7 days notice… your call.

I wanted to resend the email from last night. But I didn’t.

 

X,

I am fine with A going with you from the 26th to the 31st, as long as you agree to the time change of 5pm rather than 6pm for when he would be dropped off.  I also wanted to know where in Waterville A would be staying. Please let me know if you are in agreement with this or not.
I also didn’t see any mention of you having time with either of them on christmas eve.  If you would like to see them, and can have them home by 4pm, that is fine with me. Please let me know.
Thanks,
Stacey

I spoke with A this morning, letting him know I was fine with him seeing dad, I wanted minor time adjustments, and to know where they’d be staying. A told me “the comfort inn”. Thats right, he’s going to take my 15 year old son, his new puppy, and himself and spend a week in a Comfort Inn in Waterville. “just until his new place is sorted out” A told me.

The was the conversation between A and his dad as the day went on today:

A: Mom wants the time changed for the drop off on Xmas eve to 4 instead of 6 and the drop off on the 31st to be at 5. Other then that she’s fine with everything I’m just waiting to see when you’re picking me up today

Dad: Really? So she gets all of xmas eve evening and christmas day huh? Does that sound fair? We’ve made arrangments already to be here so I think we will stick to that. I am waiting to hear back from the hotel guy.

A: Ok

would you be able to pik me up at the end of the road and i will wait at manys for him to kall you bak

Dad: Idk what the hell this guy is doing, but if I don’t hear back from him before 4 its a no go for the overnight – no sense in driving down just for a brief overnight

A:ok

Dad: What times the game on?

A: no idea
1 i think

A: the games on right now

Dad: Shitty start I would say

A: It’s typical haha, did the guy call back

Dad: Nothing yet…

A: Alright

Dad: Hey, if this dumbass doesn’t get back to me you wanna catch a movie tonight?

A: Fine by me, would many let me stay the night just tonight?

Dad: I have no idea. Give her a call and ask nicely.

A: ….you ask

Dad: I did yesterday. I have no idea what the issue is, but I am not interested in dealing with it

A: No call back; ?

Dad: nothing… I had to get out of the house and at this point am not sure about what will bre happening

A: Alright

Dad: I need to get into my own place like yesterday Hate the whole waiting part

A: I would too

Dad: you have been very good and understanding through this whole mess, I owe ya and will make it up to you… PROMISE. just shitty timing

A: Where are you now? Shanes?

Dad: no, I am burned out on the whole family and holiday thing already. I think I am just exhausted from the last couple of months and not being able to just stop and relax and catch my breath

A: Where are you?

Dad: Bangor

A: Oh, where in bangor?

Dad: near the mall I am going to take a nap and then figure out which way the wind blows. Maybe find out what is playing at the movie theater

A: Good idea

Dad: although now that I think about it I am not sure what I would do with the puppy…

A: Sneak her in

Dad: lol

A: are dogs aloud in the mall

Dad: I am not sure, but I suspect that the answer is nope

A: sounds like you need a hotel in bangor

Dad: yeah, but not sure what to do with her any other times. I don’t like saying that we will do something and then have outside forces fuck it up… sucks

A: mom doesnt mind as long as im here by 4 tomorrow

Dad: right, well I am not sure. maybe it is just easier to shoot for a solid week starting on the 26th. I can plan out the hotel room and make sure we are all set on the plus side I am at least back in the state so once I get settled it will be much easier

A: ok

Dad: Alright I am done with the whole bullshit email thing with her – just read her snarky response from last nights stuff.

A: then she wont let you see me

Dad: I am working on it

A: ok

Dad: not a great email, frankly it was quite frank, but maybe it will help in the long run… We will see what she says in regards to you coming to see me 26th-31st

A: ok

And as I’m typing this, a Christmas Miracle!

From: X
To: Me
Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2012 7:42 PM
Subject: RE: Time with A

The 5 O’clock drop off is fine.  The Comfort inn and then *his new address!*, Winslow, Me.  At this late time I will not be available, nor have the accommodations to host for Xmas eve or Xmas day.

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