I called the attorney again

[Serena]

This time instead of leaving a message, I made an appointment.

For the day before my 20th anniversary. :(

[browneyes]

{{hugs}}

I'm glad you made an appointment.

[Serena]

me too

[dizneenut]

{{{hugs}}}

[helenabear]

Big {{{HUGS}}} Laurie

[preshi]

:( {{{hugs}}}

[nativetxn]

{{{HUGS}}} sweetie

[Tuffcookie]

Laurie, That is a step in the right direction. Continued hugs and prayers.

TC

[JerseyJanice]

{{{hug}}}

[Robinrs]

Hang in there, Laurie, I know it's hard...

[newmousecateer]

{{{HUGS}}} Laurie

[jx3smom]

I really am wishing you good luck. Remember, protect your children and yourself first ( now and the future). Health insurance coverage,doctor co-pays, and education are very important issues that need to be settled. You will be surprised at how strong you really are.

[Curly Q]

:( (((((HUGS))))) Stay Strong

[Lynn CC]

I'm truly sorry.
:(

[Boots]

{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}

[kejoda]

{{{HUGS}}} Laurie. We're here for you anytime, don't ever forget.

[olena]

***HUGS***

[iluvorlando]

((((HUGS)))). Good luck.

[Pooh93]

Remember, protect your children and yourself first ( now and the future).

This is so very true!

{{Hugs}} and ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*PD!

[Serena]

Thank you all. And no, I won't forget you all are here. I would pm each and every one of you but I don't know where to start. lol

You all have saved my sanity. Some of these nights have been pretty bad.
I'm sure I'll have more, but today I'm of the mindset that he did me a favor. That whatever I've been going through is to get me ready for what comes next.

Later, I may be back to square one, but right this minute, I'm okay.

BTW, I've been to ivillage.com and they have several boards about relationships and one has been really helpful. It's other women that have and are going through the same thing, in its many variations.

{{{hugs}}} to all of you. I don't think I could have done this without you.

[C.Ann]

I'm thinking of you all the time sweetie - even if I don't get to reply to every one of your posts..

It's going to be okay.. One day at a time - one foot in front of the other.. My first marriage ended after 9 years - my second has lasted 25 years and you know how much I love my DH..

There IS someone else out there for you.. You're going to be fine and one day you'll find happiness that will truly last forever..

Hugs and love to you..
C.Ann

[Kallison]

For 20 years you should get some of his pension and also be named as a beneficiary in his life insurance, even if he remarries some day. Good luck. Be strong.

[snoopy]

Ugh. I just want to come up there to where you live and kick his butt. :(

{{{hugs}}} sweetie. I'm sorry. It will get better, I promise.

[Serena]

I plan on sweet revenge. He is going to regret this for the rest of his life.
I'm going to move on to something bigger and better and be happier than he ever tried to make me.

He had me, he threw me away, his loss.

He's lost the respect of his children, his wife, and both our families, he screwed up royally.

[kejoda]

Living well is often the best revenge. Of course I also like Snoopy's idea.;)

[snowball22]

Stay Strong. Know that you are not alone. Hugs!!!!!

[Serena]

LOL, me too.

I've got a friend that wants me to go beat her up and she'll help. lol

Nah, then they'll just be talking about how crazy I am and no wonder he left me, etc, etc.
I'm going to be me. The me that isn't stressed out, the me that isn't depressed, the me that was in here all along and he just didn't see it.
I'm taking the high road and they won't be able to stand it. lol It'll drive her nuts. he he

[snoopy]

Oh, its not her I want to beat up....... :teeth:

I'm kidding, Laurie. You are doing the right thing, you take the high road and hold your head up high. He is the one who is losing his family, and trust me, he WILL realize it one day. By that time, it will probably be too late. Too bad, so sad, for him.

[Serena]

I know. I've had visions of frying pans across his head.

But I probably won't have to do anything. He's doing it himself. He's put his health in jeopardy now. He really is an idiot.

[kejoda]

If you get really upset with him Laurie we can just sit and think of many ways to torture him That you its out of your system, you won't actually do anything and we just might have a few laughs in the process.:p

[EdiePA]

Having just gone down this road a year ago (and we're still not done), here a few suggestions for when you meet with the lawyer. If you feel that you'll be too emotional to pay close attention, take along a friend. Be sure between now and then to get yourself very, very aware of your financial picture. I walked in there and felt very stupid because I didn't know how much we had in the bank, etc. Take along a notebook to take notes. Also, there are a lot of resources on the internet. Get yourself very educated about your rights. Everyone that I talked to thought PA was a 50/50 state -- wrong. My settlement will be about 60/40. Also, he will pay child support until our youngest graduates from college (not age 18).

It isn't easy. Rely on your friends at the DIS and iVillage, too. I'm "charmin" on the Divorce Support and Depression boards at iVillage.

Hugs,
Edie

[Poohbear123]

Best of luck to you. Sounds like you are already to make a go of your new life!;)

[KimRaye]

You can do this, Laurie! {{HUGS}}

When's that appt. anyway? We'll be thinking of you.

[Rajah]

*Hugs*

[Serena]

The appointment is next month, on the 18.

[glo]

Hugs Serna...do listen to what has been said. Go into it knowing all your rights. I got screwed in my divorce settlement, because I had a cheap lawyer, who just wanted to get it over with. His lawyer knew the ropes...I was fighting for custodial rights and it was all I could see...he got the money stuff. I do not care..in the long run, I can do it w/o him, but he ...well you know....anyway, just go prepared...you are in my thoughts and prayers honey...hugs and continue to be strong....you can do it.

[glo]

Hugs Serna...do listen to what has been said. Go into it knowing all your rights. I got screwed in my divorce settlement, because I had a cheap lawyer, who just wanted to get it over with. His lawyer knew the ropes...I was fighting for custodial rights and it was all I could see...he got the money stuff. I do not care..in the long run, I can do it w/o him, but he ...well you know....anyway, just go prepared...you are in my thoughts and prayers honey...hugs and continue to be strong....you can do it.

[Mamu]

Hugs! You will be in my thoughts on that day. Funny thats my aniversary, while I'll be celebrating 37 years you will be dissolving 20. This makes me sad.

[JasonLyons]

Im going aganst my maleness and hoping you get all you can