best of luck to you in your new life!

I watched three very happy women, grinning from ear to ear, as they walked away from the judge before it was my turn. A colleague hugged her judge.

were all hanging/shaking their heads.

will be getting spousal ss in a couple years, which i lose if i marry.
did manage to get it written in to my divorce that he doesnt get off the hook if i do, tho.
no intentions, but dont really want to get old alone.

I have recently replaced my broken refrigerator and stove with it, and I have plans to replace all the old broken things in my condo. For too long I found it almost impossible to make ends meet. Now I feel liberated. I am liberated.

Mine's going to be final the end of February. I was thinking about throwing a party, too. Sure do wish I lived close enough to you to attend and maybe get some party ideas. Give us an update!
Cheers!

but especially as it turns out that he is finally happy, instead of being torn between wanting to stay and wanting to go, it is a good thing.
we were together for over 30 years, raised 4 kids, built a decent retirement. thought we were going to have fun in retirement. i guess we still will, just not with each other.
no regrets either way.

just kicking to remind folks. i know you chicago peeps are out there. i know the chicago du get togethers were awesome.
so, come on.

I was married for 15. I now draw what's called 'divorced spouse' social security benefits from his social security. He's better for me now than he ever was while we were married. Karma

he ever was or would be. in truth, the judge never got the chance. we settled it ourselves, after my attorney fired me.
i got a good deal, and he got an ok deal, too. i will be fine, and most important, i will get to keep my little farm. he wont get to retire as early as he wanted, but he is making enough money that he probably wouldnt have anyway.

i dont get spousal ss until i am 68, blech. but i get maintenance until then. i can get a little on my own account, but i have mostly only been a mom and a starving artist for 30 years.

he is happy to be free, something that he did not know he wanted, but i did.

At 66 it doesn't matter how much you make. Before that you can only be making around $14,000 a year in order to get it. But you might be talking about something else.

i cant get mine until he is eligible, at 62. i'll be 68.

He proposed marriage 9 years ago this month...we've been married 8 years. Don't rule out another relationship or remarriage to the right person...

Congratulations to you!

lose my social security, for one thing. not gonna risk having to split what i have now, either.
but i dont want to get old alone.
and i dont have much left of my good looks. so i am not waiting around. looking looking.
done a little dating, and find that it is a lot more fun than i remember. if only i could still stay up late.

who knows, maybe mr right will show up with a magnum at the party.

Our party nights are mostly behind us with the exception of very occasional forays to see live music. Thank goodness for 5 hour energy drinks!

actually, he is the one who needs a shower. he took very little w him when he left, and moved into a fully furnished and equipped apt. he recently moved into a new place, so i hope he throws a shower for himself.
he is sort of a bitter ass, tho, and doesnt have very many friends. prolly doesnt want to be reminded of that fact.

been a lot easier to have friends myself now that his pouty ass has left the building. hoping for a good crowd, and much merriment.

But, i hope everything works out great.

damn. at least one du'er would make it a party.

I am friends with married couples, have brothers who're married. Am I missing out? Sometimes I think I am, but then I see this post and it gives me pause. I am really quite happy, though I'd like some female companionship.

not sure we are complete alone. but that is about averages, ymmv. doesnt fit everyone.