The Beginning Stages of Wonderful Can Suck

Mothers are the most judgemental lot on the face of the planet. When Jane Goodall watches her primates in the wild, you just know that the group of females who are picking nits off each other are chattering about how so-and-so is raising her child and isn't it ridiculous?

Whenever I hear of a mom discouraging her child from doing something because it would take the child far from home and the mom would then be lonely, I think "You self centered so-and-so" and then I continue to pick nits off my girlfriends and cluck my tongue and shake my head.

My daughter has a wonderful opportunity to go far away. To start fresh at a new school with great programs where no one knows her name, where no stalker chicks are driving her crazy, and where she can blossom, surrounded by creative, artsy fartsy types.

And not within driving distance either. We're talking several plane rides away.

She is sooooo excited. I am sooooo excited.

And then I stop. And I go take a shower. And I turn on the water. And I cry.

Yes, part of it is the idea is missing her.

But most of the idea is being left behind.

Their school year starts in August and she might need to wait and start school here for a couple weeks. I'm sure STBX will bring the name change to a hearing so she needs to be around for that.

But then, she will be free. Free to be called Ms. Harkness in a new place where all she will be is a "new girl".

The hardest part of all of this is trying to arrange it while school is out for the summer.

Welcome to a new list with at least 20 steps and 15 forms.

Filling out forms is a good distraction though. It makes me feel useful, if only for a little while.