So. I haven't been on these boards in a long, long time. Things have been . . . busy.
1. I work for the govt. About 5 months ago I was offered a chance to take a "detail" and go work for the legal devision in my Department, as the head of the General Indian Law section. It is an awesome opportunity to learn more. But has been so effing hard, and so effing time consuming. I work constantly all day, and work is always on my mind at home. The detail is up Nov. 1. I'd love them to offer me the job permanently, but I don't think they will, for a variety of reasons (they also have no money to hire, which is why I'm doing it). It is also exhausting because it is like a 6 month job interview and I'm terrified of making a mistake.
2. As many of you are aware, I've had problems with my wife for a long, long time. I finally snapped, and told her this weekend I can't do it anymore, and I needed to separate, at least for a little while, to figure out what is best for me, the kids, and the marriage. I don't like the dynamic we have established for eachother. I don't like how I act around her; I don't like how she relates to me; and I'm not sure I like who I am while we are together. There is a lot more to the story (we've been in counseling for a long time; she's made an attempt to "be a better wife" lately, but that just pissed me off because why the hell has she waited until I was wanting to leave before she actually was responsive to my LONG running conserns, etc.) I told her I just had to go -- I was afraid that if I told her that I wanted to separate, but then stayed in the house until I found someplace to go, then I would never go. She would be on her best behavior, and I would just get complacent. So I left this past friday. I'm sleeping in a friend's extra room until this weekend. I'm not sure where I'm going to go after that.
3. I've seen the kids every day. I come get them ready for school in the morning. And I come see them from 6-8 or so at night. We go to the library, or the park, or get something to eat. Then bring them back home.
4. My wife really wants me to come back. She is putting a lot of pressure on me; she's sad, she's crying; it is really effing hard. She got mad yesterday, saying I could just "come and go when I want" and that "i'm just the fun dad and didn't have to deal with the fallout." I told her I could get a permanent place to rent nearby, and take the kids half the time to stay with me. She got upset and said "please don't take the kids from me." Good christ.
5. I'm exhausted, stressed, and haven't slept well in 5 days. My old bed is inviting. I want my wife to stop crying. I don't really have a plan for after Friday.
Ok . . . Just needed to vent. I probably can't write much because I'm so busy at work and I don't want this to affect work. But thanks for listening GMTAN.