Changes

I am sitting in my way too comfortable bed listening to my crazy little purse dog chew the pine sap off his paws. It's an exciting Friday night, isn't it?

There has been a lot going on in my life, lots of additions and subtractions. Dino, the aforementioned purse dog is one of the additions. So are the two giant pine trees he likes to spend hours under, hoping a squirrel will make a wrong move and come tumbling down into his tiny little jaws. Dino weighs 5.5 lbs. he is a rescue dog I impulsively got three days before Christmas. I adore him. He is a total pain in the ass. He's my favorite mistake. Daisy loves him and is probably the happiest dog on the planet to have him as a companion.

I've moved to a wonderful little 1960 ranch house. It has a too big yard with giant pine trees. Tonight I heard someone mowing a lawn a house or two away. It struck fear in my heart. For the first time ever, I will be in charge of mowing lawns.  I'm in charge now because I am single.

Two years ago B and I started contemplating divorce. Over the last two years it's become more and more apparent that neither of us were happy.  At the beginning of February our landlord told us some changes with our rental, and we realized we would have to get a new house. We took this opportunity to instead look for two new houses. One for B, and one for the kids and me.

It's been scary, it's been sad, it's been tense. However, I can tell you that we both feel better than we've felt in years. We now get along better than we have in a decade. We are better parents, friends and people. I honestly feel happy. The kids behavior is better. They seem happier. We constantly give them opportunities to talk and they seem pretty okay in such a short time. B sees the kids nearly daily. He's got an apartment 5 minutes from work, and the kids have spent a couple of nights there.

The other huge change is that Mallory moved into her own apartment with someone she has been seeing for over a year. She's very happy. He's a nice kid. He loves her. He respects her and treats her well.

Oh, yeah and the weight thing. I've lost 70 lbs. B lost 55 lbs. I honestly feel like I've found the secret for me. I avoid simple carbs. I don't eat processed food. I keep moving- not much intentional excercise (I do yoga once a week),- but I just move. I  spend little time on the couch. I'm kinda stunned it's so easy.

This is not the life I imagined, but this is a good life.

Comments

[Dawn]

I'm so happy that YOU are all happy. I look forward to hearing more about your brand new better life!

[susie]

WOW. I've been wondering about you -- it had been a long time since you'd posted. I can see now that you had a lot on your plate. I'm so happy you seem to have made such a positive transition. It was a brave move on your part, and it has clearly paid off. Congratulations to you and B -- you've always struck me as one of the sanest people I don't know. It sounds like you have really settled yourself, the kids, and B on a freer, happier new phase of life.

[Susan]

Here's hoping for much, much more happiness in the coming months and years.

[Vidalia]

Just. Wow. And, also, seriously? That's what those kids are for: mowing lawns. ;)