An example of financial pettiness

Back in November, I made a post where I mentioned [...his...] financial pettiness, and I said I would give an example. This is one of the most fun examples, because I was able to be a smartass at the right moment.

More than a decade ago, I had mentioned that I wanted to take some citrus crate labels and decoupage them onto wood and have a citrus themed kitchen. It was little ideas like this that would inspire [...him...] to collect. He could never just buy a couple of labels for my project, no, he went out and started buying actual VINTAGE crate labels. I didn't want to destroy original, valuable labels. So they just sat in the garage, unused.

After the divorce, we never did the "you take this, I'll take that" exercise that many couples do when they are dividing their possessions. [...He...] took whatever without my input. So my kitchen gets painted, and I remember those crate labels. I was texting with him and he was going to come over and pull some more stuff from my garage. I said, hey, if you come across those citrus crate labels, let me look through them, I would like a couple of them. [...He...] replied, they are already at [...his home...] but he would bring them over. Then, about ten minutes later, he texts me with "you know, you can find them on eBay for about ten bucks with free shipping." I reply with, "but why would I buy them when I already own 50% of the ones that were in my garage?" His answer is, "Actually, I traded [...antique dealer...] with currency from other countries that I had from my childhood. So technically, they are mine." Oh! Okay! I see how that works! No problem. Basically, I think "whatever, dude!" and roll my eyes, because, hey, this is part of the reason we're divorced, right?!? Like, why would I expect better consideration from him AFTER the divorce, omg, that's funny!

Okay, so fast forward about a week. I have shared this story with my daughter-in-law. [...He...] is over at my house, going through the garage for more of his stuff, and he finds our old wicker picnic hamper. He asks if he can borrow it to take his current internet dating site partner (there was a slew of them) on a picnic. I immediately reply that he can  have it! Oh, and I have some stemless wine glasses that I can give him that would be perfect. I start rooting around in my sideboard to find the wine glasses, and then I am struck with the ridiculousness of the situation. I stand up, look at him, and say, "I can't find them. But you know, you can find them on eBay for about ten bucks with free shipping!" I have no idea if that resonated with him at all, because I know there is a very specialized wall that surrounds him, a shield which only filters through the things he is willing to hear.

But the look on my daughter-in-law's face when she heard my retort, was PRICELESS!

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2018!

Hey! It feels good to be back in the land of the living! I got the flu on Christmas Day, and had a very high fever that whole week, ugh! It was terrible. The week after New Year, I was still very low energy, and now I am struggling with a residual cough. It is a slow process the older you get, I guess!

Here is a poem I wrote some time ago, I just came across it and am happy it still rings true.

Untethered

to realize the thing you've conditioned yourself to never need

really does exist

and is actually vital

to find yourself lifted onto a wave so big yet so fragile

and the words you rely upon to express yourself won't come

because your soul is rejoicing and refuses to break the spell

to feel connected 

utterly intertwined

by the souls' delicate silver cords

to feel the jolt of a kiss

completing the circuit

that was dormant for so long

to be coaxed,

to surrender, and

to hear the voice inside your being

whisper so silently, now you are safe,

walls are not needed here.