In an interesting turn of events, I moved in with my ex-husband at
the beginning of the 2012 year - almost just in time to celebrate our
first full year of being divorced.
My decision to move back into
the house that we shared while married was multi-layered - like an onion
(a big, fat smelly one). But the 2 main factors were...a. I had no rent
money (since I had just recently left my job to start publishing) and
b. he never completed the mortgage edit - taking my name off the
property - and couldn't move forward with an appraisal since the house
was in disrepair.
Our agreement was that I would provide property
management (negotiating with the HOA, cleaning, managing service
providers, more cleaning, calling in all kinds of favors from friends
for home improvement supplies, did I mention the cleaning?!) and in
return, I would be able to live at the house for free while I pursued
whatever opportunities opened for me through jab's plethora.
The agreement would exist until the house was appraised, the refinance
paperwork completed and my name removed from the property. And we'd
figure out how to deal with the awkward part of living together again a
day at a time.
And even though the agreement was cut and dry -
real life has a way of creating more hoops to jump through, more pop
quizzes than you've studied for, more opportunities to feel like the
awkward adolescent standing in front of the class red-cheeked with
embarrassment.
To put it nicely, it has been a rich experience - and has hopefully, made me a better and stronger person.
---
But now, I am just ready to move on.
I
am happy to report that the agreement is coming to its fulfillment. The
house has been cleaned, the HOA placated, my friends and connections
thanked and thanked again. The paperwork process was initiated, the
appraisal scheduled and final details submitted to the bank for
processing.
Things have been moving along. Not near fast enough to please my taste, but at least there has been forward momentum.
This week, though, has been a doozie.
I
was informed by one of my closest friends that she and my ex have
started a connection that they plan to pursue. And though she doesn't
yet want to be called his girlfriend (by god, it's too early for that)
they have kissed and she does plan to come over for romantic visits
(last night, her car was still in front of the house at 4am). And she
really wants our friendship to remain the same...
[Can you blame
me for sleeping poorly; for rolling over at some point and checking out
the window and at seeing her car, checking my phone for the time? If you
want to, that's fine. Live as I have for the last 8 months and maybe
you'll start acting a little crazy too.]
My ex topped that tidbit
with the fact that the refi appears "dead in the water;" or at least,
that's what the Banker told him. He needs me to submit my divorce
paperwork, because what he's already submitted didn't fulfill the
requirements of the paperwork process. And he needs to find an extra
$1,400 to order to complete the process - and isn't sure where that
money is going to come from.
Is it any wonder that I may have indulged at the local Martini Bar on Friday night while updating my mom on all the particulars?
To
be honest with you, as ready as I am to depart this household, I don't
have a place to land yet. My company and my professional engagements
have grown - but not quite enough just yet. Those are ends I am
desperately trying to match up as quickly as possible...understanding
that ultimately the journey is not in my control.
All I can do is
act in a way that I can be proud of...so that when this nightmare is
over, I'm not haunted by actions that were mean and childish. My record
isn't spotless, but I'm doing the best I can to make sure that it stays
as clean as possible.
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