Trigger for simplifying?

[Williamsmith]

Williamsmith:

I am intrigued by that itty-bitty storage unit you have. May I ask (in vague terms) what is in it that is so hard to part with? I too have a few things I am on the fence about keeping or getting rid of, but man...it can be tough to make those choices. You know?

I used to do a lot of woodworking...things related to that. Also some hunting and fishing related odds and ends, a bin for each kids childhood schoolwork. Tools used around the yard and garden, some of which were owned by my maternal grandfather. And some stuff that came with the condo like extra bamboo flooring and door knobs and hinges. Just plain stuff that seems to have no home but will eventually. At $50 a month rent, I'll get it sorted out. Nothing too interesting there. Mostly craigslist stuff.

[Ultralight]

Yeah, that fishing stuff is hard to part with. I keep going back and forth about selling or keeping my fishing canoe.

[freshstart]

freshstart:

My heart goes out to you. You seem to be in some overwhelming scenarios.

thank you but it always gets better, I'm sorry for the overly long post!

[freshstart]

Freshstart: so sorry to hear about the custody battle. YOu should not have to go through this when fighting an illness too. Hugs)

It's just so stupid and a waste of money for both of us. We've had the same judge since the kids were little and even she is shaking her head at this one. I think at 16, Claire, who is mature, can eventually be told an abbreviated, teen level explanation and she'd be fine. My ex is vindictive and lawsuit happy, he sues over the stupidest stuff, the judge rules for me and all that happens is a waste of money and more ill will. He is the World's Only 60 Year Old Adolescent, maybe I can get him into Guinness! But none of that matters, what matters is he keeps putting the kids through all this nonsense. They end up the losers, not me or my ex and that is really sad.

[Teacher Terry]

At age 16 your daughter is old enough to decide for herself. Too bad the ex doesn't see this because it could hurt his relationship long term with his daughter. It also is flushing $ down the toilet. The kids always suffer the most when people act like children.

[freshstart]

we've been divorced since 2004, separated 2002. I dutifully read every book about how to co-parent so children are least affected by divorce. For him, it was just a mean, hurtful contest for I don't even know what. I was so naive that I kept believing he would eventually settle down for the kids' sake and just co-parent like normal divorced parents. I STILL make every effort to co-parent via email or calm conversation, I am a fool, lol. If it hasn't happened in 13 yrs, it is never going to happen. He's educated, totally capable of grasping the concept of co-parenting, he just keeps up a battle that none of us win when you come right down to it. It's sad.