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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

HOBBIT'S BAR - still finding it hard to move on ...part 7

999 replies

Izzie595 · 02/05/2015 07:36

Nobody understands the fully devastating impact of the ending of a marriage unless and until they experience it themselves.

Welcome to Hobbit's Bar. Thread number 7.

This is the place where we meet to let it all out, to share experiences, to get support, and maybe give support if and when we feel able. And also to sometimes have a good laugh about things, because Hell, we've earned the right to laugh!

The bar is owned by Hobbit. She is adorable, kind, and bonkers. And lazy. So we take turns in running the bar for her ladyship.

I'm the latest proprietor of the bar. Izzie Age 54. Married 30 years. Two young adult sons living with me. Husband left to live with OW on Halloween last year. Very appropriate! No moves towards divorce or financial settlement at present. I started posting my own stuff on MN at the start of the year. Best thing I ever did. Well, I've had better successes in life, but you get my point, yes? I've been through the whole range of emotions, backwards, forwards, round and round: it's not a linear process by any means. And it does seem common to have a huge crash at 4 to 6 months on. Today I'm meh. Mostly.

There are a range of experiences in the Bar, generally at any one time. Examples: the early stages of separation; negotiating; legal matters; abuse in all forms; feeling stronger; having a major crash again; dealing with fuckwittery from the exes; financial worries; issues involving both young and adult children; moving towards the Mecca that is "meh". Basically, the whole works. Believe me, whatever you are currently experiencing, you are not alone.

My advice to any newbies: just jump in, but if you have the time and inclination, try reading all of the threads. You will see real women experiencing their bleakest moments, their progress, their dips, their innermost thoughts.

Rules of The Bar

  1. Don't ask to join just come in.
  2. The phrase Party Pooper is banned. We may be having a good old giggle sometimes but someone in need must interrupt whatever is going on. We can't all be in sync, but someone in need ALWAYS takes priority.
  3. You are not obliged to give advice, reply to any posts, there are no expectations of you. Take what you want from the thread.

And just to ease you in, here are a few things you may wish to know:

  1. An Izzietini is the bar drink.
  2. A number 6 refers to rule number 6 in Hobbit's Twunts list. Reasons why they do things. Because they are....... erm, no, the answer is not "misguided".
  3. Mother, WellWhoKnew or WWK. Recently divorced, previous proprietor of the Bar and a legend of MN to those who followed her own threads. Also a legend on here for her straightforward advice. And keeps us in order.
  4. Some of the posters also have their own threads. I hope they will do a link for you.
  5. There's a bad case of exclamationitis on here. Occurs when trying to put in a comma on ipad, but it auto corrects to an exclamation mark. So if you post and get a dodgy comment back, eg "Have you thought about counselling! sounds like you need help!".....please believe us that we are not sarky cows. Because the rule of exclamationitis is that we only spot it after we have posted!
  6. Our sayings are Shit, this is hard and KOKO, keep on keeping on.
  7. Our theme tune to keep us going, is below.
  8. Jess is our sausage snuffling mascot. Owned by Hobbit, she pops up every now and again to entertain us and to dispense her own brand of advice. She says it as it is. She is currently busy knitting herself some new hats.

At the start of the year Fontella posted this on the first thread:

"Can I just say as more of a reader rather than a participant on this thread (I got shot of my lying, conniving, controlling ex 10 years ago) that this is fast turning into my favourite thread. Lots of powerful, courageous and funny (in a good way) women all coming together and supporting each other through an incredibly painful time. You are all fabulous!"

I couldn't have put it better myself.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

HOBBIT'S BAR - still finding it hard to move on ...part 7
OP posts:
Thread gallery
42
BravingSpring · 08/05/2015 22:44

Sorry, I'm hogging the bar tonight, this is a rhetorical question really, but why is he bitter that I've got the things he chose to leave behind, I'm supposed to be the one whose bitter surely? He's supposed to have what he wanted.

Pathetic.

WellWhoKnew · 08/05/2015 22:48

Braving, don't apologise, post away as and when you want. Them's the rules.

It's totally pathetic, isn't it? I delt with chattels quite early on in divorce (after first hearing) and then he started up again on the Friday before the Final Hearing, which was a Monday. It's just any excuse to have a dig...

They end up bitter about everything.

WellWhoKnew · 08/05/2015 22:49

dealt!

Ali3333 · 08/05/2015 23:19

Braving you're so right about them expecting to leave AND take everything.... Or in my case leave, then realise he's got nothing left so he'd rather use his own dd to try to get everything back except me.
My dd has just gone to bed and we've had a couple of calm days.Some crap from him but not quite the same. I just wonder if he'll give me so much as a second thought on Monday, anniversary day. I really am thinking of taking off for the day by myself, don't know where, just need to be away from reminders of him everywhere in the house.
WWK I honestly think it's him that needs the help now. I hope you are ok ? Xxx

Frizzybear · 08/05/2015 23:29

Going to sleep on an upSmile sons new girlfriend is beautiful, she looks like Kate MiddletonGrin have to say my eldest is pretty hot himselfWink made me smile tonight, nice to see some happy in this carnage, wankchops would have loved tonight, the life and soul, but he wasn't there, did a pretty good job though with the help of DS best bud, too much wine again, but I don't give a fuck really, got loads of people round tomorrow and I'll drink some moreBlushWineConfused gonna look like Marge Simpson soon, oh well, like I said before, guilt for another day, not today, love the bones of you all Hobbit family xxxx

Izzie595 · 09/05/2015 00:02

this is a rhetorical question really, but why is he bitter that I've got the things he chose to leave behind, I'm supposed to be the one whose bitter surely? He's supposed to have what he wanted

Is it because they realise just how much they have given up? I definitely read somewhere that this is one of the reasons affairs don't often last once they are "legitimised". Just how great does a relationship have to be to willingly give up so much? I don't think they realise the full extent of that until it's too late, and then they often have no choice in the matter, as can be seen on this thread, for example, when considering how many exes wouldn't have their partners back. I think also, even if they appear to be happy, they then see the ex happy, yet the ex didn't have to give up all of those things to achieve it. That's how I think they view it. Obviously where abuse was originally involved, the reasons are different. But in Braving's case that doesn't appear to have been an issue.

Thank you for your support, people, all this shit, it's just one thing after another. I know my situation is better than most on here, and I know we shouldn't invite comparisons blah blah blah. So I will have a good whinge. I'm sick of having to tackle new things, I'm sick of feeling tired, I'm sick of the fact that I'm not eating properly purely because I can't be bothered to cook or even prepare food. I'm sick of knowing that this will cause my appetite to dwindle and it will become an issue, I'm sick of the fact that loads of my clothes don't fit, I'm sick of looking tired, I'm sick of there being too much to do, I'm sick of worrying about my kids' futures which has absolutely nothing to do with twunt but just generally, I'm sick of that arse wipe still being in my life, still having a key to here, still using this address when it suits, and being such a prick that he has nothing better to do than order fucking permits when he could just use the local amenities where he lives. Basically, this is all such a gruelling process in all sorts of ways, and I'm just tired.

On another day I would be all woo look how much I've achieved. And I'm not going to be beaten with getting things done. Before he left I set out how I wanted this place to be, it was well overdue being done due to the shittty years leading up to him leaving. Well I'm not going to live like that any longer. The last decision he made about my life was when he decided to end my marriage. He most definitely doesn't get to decide what my house looks like. He can go fuck himself to the end of fuck and then fuck off some more, and repeat as nauseum.

I'm starting to feel a bit better. This morning I was going to post in reply to something Green said about doing something for yourself! giving yourself a treat. What I was going to say was that I had started to look at myself as a project in itself. I was unhappy about my weight loss so once my appetite was back I went on a feed me up diet eating a load of shit that would help me gain weight quicker. I then looked at my tiredness and started to relax more and tried to have early nights and to take a tonic. The tonic remains untouched and the early nights are rare, but that's my next mission. However, I rest a lot more now. There are lots of little things I have in mind to do to make me feel better about myself, or to make my life easier at home, even if it's just something daft like when I ordered another plastics recycling box because I'm sick of having to spend time packing the one box like a bloody suitcase each week because it's not big enough. All little things that make my life easier or make me feel better in myself. So what I was going to say is that doing these things has helped me to feel better. Clearly not always, like tonight, but generally yes.

I spoke to DS1 today about his dad. He said that a number of his friends who have divorced parents lose contact with the one who has left. I asked how he felt about that prospect, and he said he accepted that as highly likely, and that he wasn't really bothered by it, that's life, as he sees it. A sad reflection on matters, really, but one of the predictions I made was that he would lose contact with his kids. He's made noises to DS2 about them going out for a meal or going bowling, and said they should give him some dates to coordinate. DS2 hasnt exactly leapt on it. I know it's difficult to coordinate stuff with the two of them, but all the same, as an absent parent he should be being more proactive. I'm not having that conversation with him again though. However I put it, he will later go into victim mode. Quite frankly, if my sons have little interest in seeing their father, it means I don't have to suffer the bugger on the very occasions when I least want to see him eg weddings. Not a very generous thought, but that's the honest truth of the matter. As long as my sons are fine, that's all that matters.

Hopefully I will feel more positive tomorrow.

I will head up the new thread when this one gets near the end. I will just add a sentence or two to what's already in the opening post.

Thinking of all of you, especially those with significant dates of one sort or another looming.

Tomorrow I'm going to stop smoking in my kitchen. I spent all that time doing it, and I'm smoking like a chimney in it. I hate myself for it, and mostly hate the thought of having to paint it all again.

OP posts:
Izzie595 · 09/05/2015 00:09

positive alert!! I still haven't contacted him to tell him what I think about him, and it would seem alien to do so now

OP posts:
TheOldWiseOne · 09/05/2015 00:24

izzie The last decision he made about my life was when he decided to end my marriage.

I LIKE THAT ! A LOT!

Cassawoof · 09/05/2015 00:32

Glad to see people doing a bit better today.

My H came to collect the children. I suggested I might visit his sister in half term. She mentioned it to him, he didn't really say anything. So I booked flights. Now turns out he was surprised I was thinking of visiting her. He said it seems like I am taking everything from him. I said he was free to visit her when he liked, I was moving on like he told me too.

Yes, I am taking everything, I have the kids all the time except every other weekend, I am in the family home, have a relationship with his family still, and my family, and the school parents who are shocked at what he's done, and my friends, and I have a career still. I said but this is what you wanted. He had no answer.

But I have to keep this up and push on making a life for myself. I am so glad I have my kids with me still (but sadly not this weekend).

Ali3333 · 09/05/2015 01:04

Cassa you're doing well.. You have control and that's fantastic , but what's best is you have your kids. He's got nothing !

Hobbitwife001 · 09/05/2015 01:22

Hi everyone, well good news and bad news really, we did 'talk' ex and myself over the phone, and the good news is he is coming round to the idea of a 70/30 split of the equity and paying spousal maintenance, but then a lesser share of his pension, how much of a lesser share he hasn't made clear yet.

So, obviously, that's a good outcome for me and my sons, but it's send me down again as any contact with him always does, and I'm reminded of what he's done and what he's lost. And now I can't sleep and I'm crying and feeling sorry for myself, 28 years together thrown away for an infatuation and a mid life crisis.

WellWhoKnew · 09/05/2015 02:05

Hobbit, I'm still up (albeit about to go to bed).

Firstly, you are not feeling sorry for yourself. You're not a woman inclined to self-pity. But you are allowed to cry. It's not weakness, but sadness. A human response.

Under the circumstances, you're okay to be sad.

You are carrying the burden, the responsibility, and the consequences of his selfish decision. So take some time out to regroup. THIS SHIT IS HARD.

"The buck stops with you". As CEO of Hobbit Family, you're steering the ship to calmer waters.

When you get to shore (and it takes time) it doesn't mean that he's not still in stormy seas.

He's a plank. He's walking on one. Now kick him off the end.

He has exited the family. You're still the parent who got your children to this point. What a shame he's not your equal. They say: A leader is not a manager.

You lead. He attempts to 'manage'. Seems that you have outperformed him for years.

Leaders are inspirational. Managers are bureaucratic.

So you lead.

He's gonna have to 'manage'.
And you're still human.

KOKO.

Hobbitwife001 · 09/05/2015 02:34

Thank you, wwk you calm me down, I still feel such sadness at his betrayal of me and his abandonment of our family, it's so hard to come to terms with.

Izzie595 · 09/05/2015 07:20

Hobbit I totally understand your feelings. There isn't and wasn't a good reason for your marriage to end. And it's unbelievably frustrating that the only person not to recognise that is the one person who could have prevented it. Against all of that, any progress in negotiations seems a hollow victory.

However, to return to reality, the negotiations look positive. Obviously you have had very good advice about the dangers of forsaking any part of the pension pot. And I'm sure you will continue to take advice, and further financial advice as negotiations continue. He is gradually coming round to the financial implications for him. It wasn't long ago that he was still talking about a 50/50 split, so this is progress indeed. Hold on in there, you are doing amazingly well.

Thinking of you xx

OP posts:
TheOldWiseOne · 09/05/2015 07:40

Never a night owl - always an early morning bird !

Although I was a little bit late last night - went to a local Meet Up which turned out OK in the end - mostly all ladies and all single in one way or another. I have mixed feelings about these - but did get some ideas last night about what people do as a living/getting out related to my experience ( one thing in particular I might try to follow up)...I need to get over the feeling of feeling such a "failure" or a "loser" because of this situation I am in. I have had an emotional week in trying to support my son in his relationship ( situation still not resolved) - it seems to take its toll on you physically - either that or I am beginning to think that in the first 2 months I was running on adrenaline and now I am on a rebound dip? ( so tired all the time) I have also heard via my son that my husband is having a bit of a health issue which is going to have to be investigated further - all that you end up thinking is that " why is he not here? with his family? getting support at home? ( there is no OW - he is - I think- depressed due to a variety of things including a bad few work years, family and medications and other unresolved medical issues - low testosterone) It all seems so stupid....

TheOldWiseOne · 09/05/2015 07:46

In the pub where this meet up was - there was a couple of youngish guys ( not at the meet up!!) - mid/ late 30s? - having a drink and one was saying he had split up with his wife a few months ago - that it was just one of those things blah blah but he misses his kids and that his 3 year old son had been crying when he left and that really got to him - not enough though to think " what am I doing here? I should be trying to support my family" but no I will be sitting here in a pub on a Friday night talking about it...its just all so sad - obviously I have no idea about all the story but it just seems that people give up so easily - it is this concept of " happiness that I should have all the time" ..where did this come from? Sorry more a bit of a diary today but think relevant all the same..

TheOldWiseOne · 09/05/2015 07:58

Oh and good post at midnight last night izzy It WAS positive !!!
Sorry I must make longer posts and stop "eating" up the number here - can't get used to not having an "edit" button ....

Izzie595 · 09/05/2015 07:59

Morning all, a quick post as the internet seems dodgy today.

For all of us supporting each other through all of this.

He Ain't Heavy

OP posts:
1nogoingback3 · 09/05/2015 08:02

"The last decision he made about my life was when he decided to end my marriage."

I LIKE THAT ! A LOT!

Me too! That's exactly how I feel.

hobbit you were together a lifetime. I wonder myself how I can feel such resentment and dislike towards HRT on the one hand but on the other sit and cry. It's so complicated. When I cry now it's sadness about the effect it'll all have on DC. It's frustration at myself for somehow getting myself into this mess without noticing, it's panic about the future, it's the loss of the boy I once knew and the young man I married - it's a lot of things but it's no longer because I want him to agree to giving us another chance and he won't. Sod him. He wasn't that special. He was a difficult, selfish man with a horrible temper at times. I loved him despite it all and focused on the loveable things about him and clung on to those. He's thrown loyalty, love and a lifetime of sharing away for goodness knows what. Good luck to him.

Thanks for words of comfort last night ladies - means a lot - this thread keeps us all going. I'd love to meet you all one day when this nightmare is over for us all and say thank you in person. Your husbands must be lunatics to leave you all.

frizzy I, like you had a good evening with DCs and bf of DD. They all headed off together to collect DS2 from prom. All came in full of life. No Victor Meldrew complaining about anything. No slight atmosphere. Just a normal family having a normal time. He'll never have that again, not with his family - maybe with someone else's.

izzie well done for avoiding the war of texts. I broke my own rule last night and sent my frustrations through cyberspace. Twunt replied with the usual nonsense. Wish I hadn't given him the satisfaction of thinking I cared about what he was losing, but hey ho, there'll be no more breaking of my own rule - well not for a while!

bobs I know now that I've probably been deluding myself if I think the DC haven't picked up on things at home. I guess it won't come as so much of a shock now. DS2, DD and now DS1 have all indirectly implied they know something's up. The sooner it's over now the better.

izzie I think it was you who said that the support last night bodes well for the future. You're right. You've got your sons and I've got my DC too. Most (if not all?) of us have - even if they 're being tricky atm Ali.

WWK I know this is something a teenager would say but you're a legend.

So much progress being made when, 'reading between the lines' of your posts ladies (and drifted) even if it doesn't feel like it. KOKO xx

Ps I think I might have mentioned this before but I bought the album that's got our theme tune on it - it's excellent - a good blast of it in the car en route to work works wonders for the morale. Xx

1nogoingback3 · 09/05/2015 08:13

wise You're right. In the war of texts last night, he accused me of looking at our life through rose tinted spectacles. I replied that it was him looking at other people's lives through rose tinted spectacles and an image of the life he thinks he's now going to have. My life was real, with it's ups and downs, pressures of work and family life clashing at times, and also a tricky husband to negotiate with. But there were also such happy times in a life that I was content with. Why isn't that enough?? God knows xx

1nogoingback3 · 09/05/2015 08:20

m.youtube.com/watch?v=beKFjPEU_Fw#

This old corny song summarises what I'm talking about. Don't want him back now though....

1nogoingback3 · 09/05/2015 08:45

izzie Thanks for that fab song. Great music at just right the time makes be cry too, but in a good way Flowers

fairylightsbackintheloft · 09/05/2015 08:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BravingSpring · 09/05/2015 09:13

Fairy The date sounds exciting.

I'm not sure about the day out with your H, I'm not sure I could do that, maybe if she wasn't on the scene, I don't know. Just going to vote with h the other night was bad enough, just so different without the emotional connection and nothing to talk about. I hope you can focus on your dc and make it bearable.

I'm going out tonight to get drunk and flirt :) unfortunately dd started her periods yesterday, but she's starting with my mother in law who should be ok with helping her. Not good timing but I'm desperate for a night out, a friend is picking me up from home so i can't bail.

BravingSpring · 09/05/2015 09:19

Fairy My mother in law told me yesterday that she hasn't told anyone outside the immediate family because she's too ashamed, which i hasn't really considered. I'm sure on some level your mil will feel embarrassed even though she's done it herself, didn't set him much of an example, which no-one will ever be able to say about you.