Everwhere is walking distance if you have the time

[ClingingToHope]

At the IEP meeting, they already talked about getting her re-evaluated. The last time was first grade.

Really, the best journal I have is this site. I've pretty much documented all of the major happenings here since September 2009.

I disagree that holding her back won't help. There is a definite age bias here and in the world. The fact that D9 is a July 29 baby, making her almost always the youngest in her class, is a disadvantage she is going to face her entire life.

I've made copies of the first chapter of the book Outliers to give to XW and the social workers if D9 hasn't made progress by mid year.

D9 has always gravitated toward younger kids. Her best friends are in second and third grade. She is in fourth. It's always been that way. The girls in her class are into boys and makeup and D9 is still into dolls and Pokemon.

On the date thing, we're getting ahead of ourselves. I don't have one yet. I'm not close to asking yet. I'm just happy right now exchanging messages. I was getting a little frustrated with Match.com. It's nice to have some interest.

Journaling. Last night was my night with the girls, but there was lots of back and forth with XW over scheduling Friday.

It's my weekend, but I can make extra money working at a football game. D12 can go with XW to theater, but D9 wanted to stay at a friend's house. That friend, though, is having D9 over Saturday for a birthday party/sleepover. Her mom needs to clean and can't have D9 over.

So D9 asked to go to another friend's place for the night. That mom said yes. I let XW know because I know she doesn't really like this friend of D9's or where she lives.

So XW calls and doesn't really want her going there. I just listened and explained the situation and XW decides D9 can play there for a couple of hours, but she'll pick her up and take her with to theater as well even though she's not in the play.

Then, when I'm done with the game, I can pick them up, even if it's 11 p.m.

D9 is happy with that and I get to do the game and all is well.

Later, D9 finishes her homework and wants to call XW. I give her the phone and she goes outside. Ten minutes later, voila, here is XW at my house. D9 asked her to come over because she felt sick.

She never said this to me. It's probably just a ploy to get XW and I in the same room. XW takes D9's temp -- normal. She stays for about 30 minutes. I just laid down on the couch watching them and talking to D12. Then she headed home.

On the money front, I recruited a friend of mine to do a product endorsement video for my sister's company. I was "the face" for the video. I just did the driving and the talking and my friend did the recording and editing. My sister's happy and she's sending $500 for the video. $400 for my friend and $100 for me.

Every little bit helps.

[kml]

You know, you should speak with your wife about how she handled that. The APPROPRIATE response to a phone call like that would have been "Honey, let me talk to your daddy" OR a call directly to you to say "D9 tells me she's sick, have you checked her?"

It's a bad precedent I think to let D9 think she can just call one of you over to the other's house any time she wants - I wouldn't let the manipulation go on.

[ClingingToHope]

Perhaps. That's just not a conversation I'm prepared to have right now. I still don't want to have a "divorce rules" talk. Too fresh.

Right now, we live so close D9 does a lot of going back and forth. Eventually, they'll move and then there will be more separation.

[ClingingToHope]

So here's the question. I've felt much happier, much lighter, like a weight has been lifted.

If I'm really honest it's because someone interesting has been messaging back and forth through OK Cupid.

I know that's my need for validation, but still just the little connection feels good.

Is that bad?

[kml]

Perfectly normal! We all like to feel appreciated (especially after our spouses tromp on us) plus that little dopamine rush of flirtation/infatuation does feel darn good

[ClingingToHope]

After a couple more messages it turns out the OK Cupid contact knows a former coworker of mine. That's good. I really liked the guy and it gave us more to talk about.

So this morning I asked her if she'd like to meet for lunch.

So we'll see.

[ClingingToHope]

Hmmmm. Had the latest meeting in my "what profession to do next" tour. Met with the head of the economic development council and she said the hole in my resume, if I was applying there, is in grant writing.

So that's something to research. Do I just take a class or are there certification courses?

[ClingingToHope]

OK Cupid contact said yes. Wednesday or Thursday work best for her. Excited to have something different on my calendar.

[kml]

Yay! Hope she turns out to look like her pictures!

(Actually, I must say, that despite the horror stories people have told me about women weighing fifty pounds more or guys being 4 inches shorter or 20 years older - ALL the guys I dated from OKC looked just like their pics - most actually even cuter in person - and they all thought I looked great. )

[ClingingToHope]

She gave me enough clues that I figured out her last name and found her on Facebook where she had more photos. She's cute.

Fingers crossed. I'm not looking for the next Mrs. CTH. I'm looking for someone to go with to social events, dinners, movies.

She has two kids, one is ADD, similar in age and the same off weekends.

Funny. Little energy today. The girls are here this weekend but both are at overnight birthday parties. A couple of coworkers are coming over to watch a boxing match and I may go out later.

Or I might not. I'm tired for some reason.