Why I'm Glad I'm Divorced

TG has started her own small kid-business (something like car-washing), and has put up flyers around our neighborhood to drum up business. A potential client called yesterday, and her ten-year old heart was all a-flutter with the idea of earning $5. The client called my cell phone, of course. To discuss what needed to be done, TG made an appointment in the evening, after I got home from work. I had to let PdeFF know, because it was his night to have the girls.

He blew a gasket, worrying about abduction, predators, whether TG could handle the responsibility (??? -- of course she can), etc. It took 20 minutes of sweet-talking to talk him down.

I made him promise that he wouldn't pop TG's balloon with "Are you responsible enough". Setting up her own little business shows that she's responsible enough, and she'll get more responsible as she does more.

We met the potential client, and he's a client now, and starting Monday, TG's a money-making ten-year old.

And I feel enormous relief that I'm no longer completely tied to someone who can't distinguish between hyped up media worry of crime and opportunity for his kid (plus her showing buckets of initiative).

Who Knows What We Want

I had a much more enjoyable weekend roadtrip with Innana than I previously did with SiQ. We went to Warrenton, to the White Elephant thrift shop and the Friends of the Warrenton Public Library (or whatever county that is) store. This store has really cheap book prices, and had too much stock, so was having a 50% off sale. I got about 10 hardcover books for $5. I love that place. Then Innana and I went to a wine bar/restaurant and had a wallow in hedonism lunch. Innana is carless, but just received a hefty (and long overdue) check, so she treated me to a yummy lunch (I feel a tad guilty, but I did drive her to Warrenton in the Brave Little Toaster).

And here's the clincher. I have no impetus to make me ambitious. I have all I want. I have a good friend, I have great kids, my work is enjoyable and mostly doesn't suck (although, as with most jobs, there are moments of suckitude). As Twisty Faster would call it, my obstreperal lobe is largely in a dormant state, although it's ready to kick in and kick some ass if necessary (Mark Sanford, Tiger Woods, BP: I'm looking at you). TigerGrrl won tons of awards at her Fifth Grade graduation* ceremony. The summer is looking good. So this blog will be boring until a crisis hits. Since this is life, one will, but eventually. Not now.

As a U.S. citizen, something seems wrong with saying: I have all I want and need. One is supposed to always be striving for more and better. Of course, I'd like more money in the bank. I'd like lots of things. But I really do have everything I need to be content. No drama there.

*I didn't attend: I attended the actual awards ceremonys. I believe in High School and College graduations. Pre-school, elementary school, and middle school graduations are just a bunch of hogwash, cheapening the real celebrations.

Preparations for Freedom

Yes, the Foilkids and I are off to camp tonight, but first, where the heck is the new can of sunscreen I just bought for $7.99? Do I have enough sheets? Towels? Changes of underwear for all concerned? Enough recreational activities in case of rain? I'll relax as soon as I can get out of town and do so.

Free

The Foilkids and I are heading to the Eastern Shore this weekend. For those who are not local (DC/DelMarVa folk), the Eastern Shore is the entire peninsula stretching through Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, not just the ocean side. There's also the Chesapeake bay side, which is lovely (and has smaller waves, making for less anxious mothers of high-spirited five-year olds).

I can wait, but don't want to, to be on the road trip to the beach. We're going with a group of people to a summer camp that rents out space before summer camp season begins.

And I feel free and happy. That's all.

Common Courtesy

I haven't responded to ex-SiQ's email regarding our (totally fictional except in his own mind) arrangement (see prior post for explanation, such as one exists). Do I owe this man any further response? My inclination is to avoid all further contact -- I'm certainly not going to meet him again, and my possibly self-serving thoughts on this subject are that he wouldn't hear anything I said anyway. Just avoiding discomfort rationalization or realistic view of the situation? Let me know what you think.