Boundaries

I have an appointment with my therapist tomorrow bright and early @8am. I can’t wait. I literally have a list of items that I need help sorting through. My main problem, aside from the alcohol is co-dependence. I’m sure it’s probably been very obvious to you, my dear reader, but it’s been a bit of an eye opening revelation. 

Once we worked through that the therapist wanted to know what my goal of therapy was going to be from that point forward. After much discussion and self reflection on my part I decided my goal would be to find appropriate boundaries to apply to my current situation. I let H take up entirely too much space in my head. Since moving out is not an option due to financial reasons I need to determine what I need to feel safe emotionally and to enable me to model safe boundaries/self care to my daughter.

The first boundary that popped into my mind was our sleeping arrangement. H has camped out on the couch for over 1 year. Initially I was hurt by it, questioned him incessantly about it, did stuff/wore stuff to try and ‘entice’ him back into our bed. Nothing worked. Eventually I gave up and finally I accepted it. I never, however liked it. I got to the point where I did not want him in my bed but I still did not want to be alone. I’m too young and have too much life left inside of me to be in a celibate, loveless marriage. The last couple of months I’ve toyed with the idea of asking H to move out. I hate feeling like I’m living a lie or pretending to be something or have something (a marriage) that I don’t have. Plus, I have to admit. I really started to enjoy sleeping alone and having the bedroom to myself. Prior to meeting H I lived alone for about 8 years. I had roommates I college and it always turned into a disaster so after college there was no question in my mind. I would live alone. I loved it and missed it desperately after getting married. So much so that shortly after getting married and moving in with H I redecorated the guest bedroom into a “ladies lounge” I had the whole shabby chic, beach theme going on. I put in a bed, loveseat and entire entertainment center. I LOVED it in there. I moved in there permanently when H and I decided to divorce. I moved back out when I found out I was pregnant. I sold everything and redecorated it into a nursery for S.

I know I usually go on and on but let me try to make a very long story short by saying that I decided the first boundary I would establish would be that H move out of our bedroom. S no longer sleeps in her crib. One night she simply refused and that was the end of that. Instead she sleeps on a futon in her room. The futon was intended for my sister and her family when they visit us. S’ crib converts into a toddler bed and eventually a full size bed. I had asked H repeatedly to convert her crib into a toddler bed. He ‘never got around to it” Fine. I decided that H would move into S’ room and I would buy her a toddler bed and put it in my room. It would be tight but if I moved H’s nightstand out there would be more than enough room for me to make a spot for S. I would also request that H take his chest of drawers out and put in S’ chest of drawers but if he didn’t do it immediately that would be ok too. I could live with it. I was committed to doing what I need to do to get by with my boundary firmly in place. I had been stuck in a pattern of letting H redirect any conversation I initiated into an attack against me and my worth. H would purposely do this so I would end up feeling hurt and attempting to defend myself while letting the original issue and him off the hook. My therapist helped me to see this pattern and identify it for what it was. H is manipulating me and refusing to own up to his actions.

I’m going to go on a tangent here but I have to say that in my sessions I spoke of what has gone on in my marriage and how I felt about it. It completely blew me away when the therapist suggested the statements H make towards me are hurtful, the circumstances that I’ve tried so hard to persevere through are emotional and mental torture, the fact that I have needs too and deserve to have them met by my husband is not asking for too much and does not make me a bad wife or mother. Mind you, my therapist is very skilled. She never, ever said a bad or negative word about H.  She listened to my tales of woe and responded with empathy and compassion. Lot’s of, “that must have felt awful, that must have really hurt, that sounds insensitive, of course you’d be hurt, etc.” All very cliché, I know but they struck such a cord within me. I felt validated. Something that I have never felt in this marriage. She made it ok to feel as bad as I feel. I’m not sure if that makes any sense but that’s the only way I can describe it.

Ok, back to my story. I mentally and emotionally prepared myself; I rehearsed what I was going to say. I reminded myself to stick to the topic, not let H railroad me onto another subject. I was going to ignore the attempts to put me on the defensive. Pay no mind to the inevitable insults. I approached H and asked him if he had a moment for me. He said he did and I laid it out: Move out of our bedroom. He had made his wishes/desires towards me clear by sleeping on the couch for the past year. He set a physical boundary between us. I need to set an emotional boundary. I want my bedroom to be my private space for my daughter and I. He has slept on the couch for the past year but he still came in every morning to shower and get ready for work. I want that to stop. I need my room to be my sanctuary away from him and this so-called marriage. I’m done pretending. We live like roommates so we will be just that. Roommates. Naturally he said, “I’ll think about it” in a dismissive tone as he walked away. That stung but I concentrated on breathing through the moment and approached him to initiate the conversation again. Once he realized I would not be put off he reluctantly agreed. This happened Friday evening. We spent our evening as usual. He was in the living room watching TV. I went between the kitchen, outside to blow bubbles with S, laundry room, kids room and my room. H fell asleep on the couch and I went to bed alone.

I woke up about 5am to H snuggling up to me. He scared the heck out of me. I jumped so high I almost hit the ceiling. He was trying to put the moves on me. It kept my head about myself and asked him to refrain from touching me in that way. Too much has happened between us and it’s been too long remember this? He acted all hurt and offended but I paid him no mind. Saturday morning I began putting S bed together. Saturday night he came to bed but kept his hands to himself. Sunday he slept on the couch. Monday he sent me a text, “by the way I’m moving back into our room” I responded that I was not comfortable with that. There was too much distance between us. I didn’t want him in my bed. He text back that he also felt that there was distance and wanted to ‘fix it’ by sleeping in our bed again. I asked him point blank why he left in the first place. Unless he could be honest with himself and me nothing would change. He didn’t respond but slept on the couch. For the past 2 days he’s been very attentive, calling and texting throughout the day. Telling me not to cook dinner so he could pick up my favorite take out and he’s been sleeping in my bed. I hate it. I feel so uncomfortable with him in my bed. It truly feels like sleeping with a stranger. I can’t relax. I doubt he’s going to try anything but I feel as though I’m on guard. I don’t want him touching me. It’s sad but true. I’ve thought of asking him to go back to the couch but I feel bad. I don’t want to hurt his feelings or make him feel rejected by me. As crazy as it sounds I’m worried about causing irreparable damage to our marriage. As if anything could ever repair the damage he’s caused….Told you I was co-dependent!

Bottom line. I do not know what to do. Even after everything that’s happened between us the boundaries of where he ends and I begin are blurred. I plan to discuss this issue with my therapist and work towards a resolution tomorrow. Another goal, suggested by my therapist is to make a connection between my heart and my head. My head knows what is going on and what I need to do but my heart only knows what it feels. That leaves me feeling unhappy, unloved and stuck. That needs to change.

 

Drive down memory lane.

I enjoyed myself at both parties today and I didn't drink. It wasn't hard at all to refuse alcohol when offered. I'm not sure what prompted the change but I'm grateful for the reprieve from obsession/compulsion to drink.

The parties were in the same area, roughly about 90 miles away from where we live. I refuse to drive if I've been drinking but I'm ashamed to admit that I have no problem with getting in the car with him if he's been drinking. Earlier in the week H had suggested we rent a room. He figured we would both be drinking and knew the burden of driving would be on him. Since I knew I wouldn't be drinking I offered to be the designated driver. About 5 miles away from home the freeway was closed unexpectedly for repairs. Everyone was forced to exit the freeway and follow the detour route by street. As I drove along I realized that I was going the same route I would take when I was drinking daily. My routine was to stop on my way home from work to buy vodka and then finish it off before I reached my freeway exit. Since this was a daily routine I did not want to stop at the same liquor store every day. I was worried the clerk might think I was an alcoholic! For some reason I find that to be funny now, especially since I AM an alcoholic. Anyway, I soon figured out every liquor store on my route home and would alternate the stores I stopped at. It's also worth noting that although I refused to drive AFTER drinking I saw nothing wrong with drinking while I was driving. I would wait until I had about 2 miles to go and would down the equivalent of about 4-5 drinks. I'm a binge drinker, obviously. I told myself that it didn't count as driving while intoxicated since the alcohol would begin to affect me as my drive home ended.

As I drove home tonight and remembered the various lengths I had gone to just for a drink it saddened me. The compulsion/obsession to drink followed by the despair and self loathing was terrible to remember. It was horrific when I lived it day after day. There is also a part of me tonight that is very grateful that I am no longer in that place. Those days are gone and I'm going to do everything in my power not to have to go there again. I want to recover. I will recover.

Lets get caught up.

Its been so long since I posted that I don't even know where to begin. I don't want this to get too long so I'll focus on the highlights.
1. I'm still struggling with my sobriety." I drink less often and less than I used to but I haven't been able to stay sober longer than roughly 10 days at a time.
2. I celebrated my 38th birthday with my kids and close family. H was not interested in joining us and I didn't press the issue. I wasn't angry about it, mainly embarrassed. I couldn't pretend that everything was ok with us. His absence made it obvious that things are NOT ok between us
3. New Years Eve was spent here at home. Friends came over with their kids. At midnight we counted down then popped champagne. H came over and gave me an awkward hug, no kiss. It was weird but felt "right" somehow.
4. I havent found a job yet.
5. Our vacation/cruise is coming up and I am not looking forward to it. H planned it with this other couple and he'll pretend like everything is ok between us and expect me to do the same. I'm not going to worry about it though. The cruise is geared towards kids so I know my kids and I are going to have a blast!

Heavy Heart

Sorry about the absence. I've had a really rough week. I was trying to maintain my denial and did not want to blog about what I was going through because then I would have to face reality. Last week was H's birthday. The kids and I made him a cake, planned a dinner and bought him a gift. He wasn't interested in the dinner we planned so he changed the plans on us. Ok. Fine. I was bothered but I didn't want to make a big deal about it. Not for his sake but for my kids. When we got home he "wasn't in the mood for cake" so we didn't light any candles or sing for him. Honestly I couldn't care less about it but our kids were looking forward to it. Even S who is too young to understand much knows all about birthdays. When I tell her it's someone's birthday she'll sing "Happy, Happy" a few times and then end it by blowing a big gust of wind. I didn't even bother mentioning the present. I gave the kids dessert and put them to bed. The next day evening went out with "the guys" to celebrate his birthday. I ordered pizza for dinner then the kids and I watched A Muppets Christmas on tv. I thought about drinking a few times but I was so angry at H that I wouldn't entertain the notion. He's not worth drinking over.

Around 3am that night H came into our room and got into bed with me. It's been months since he slept in our bed so it woke me up and startled the hell out of me. I've gotten into the habit of sleeping in the middle of the bed so I scooted over and prepared to go back to sleep. He spooned me and started rubbing my arms and legs. I'll spare you the details but you can imagine what he wanted. I was in shock. As I've mentioned before I sleep alone every night and at best we've been intimate 2 or 3 times since 2009 and not once this year. Initially I resisted his advances. It felt unfamiliar and very strange to have his hands on me. I was tempted to ask him to get out of my bed but the truth is it felt nice. I hate myself for feeling that way and I'm ashamed to admit it but I started this blog anonymously so I could/would be honest and that is the truth. I liked him being in my bed. I know there is nothing wrong with being intimate but I hate that someone who treats me so bad could make me feel so good. What's worse is that I let him. He doesn't deserve to be anywhere near me, much less in my bed. Anyway, what struck me later about the encounter was he never told me that he loved me. That should have given me a clue.

 The experience was ok physically but empty emotionally. The next morning he cuddled with me and was acting like the old H. The one I fell in love with and agreed to marry. I was on cloud 9. I know, I'm a fool. Although I wouldn't dare admit it to myself but some part of me started thinking that things were going to get better between us. I don't know what happened to give H a change of heart but I truly wanted to believe that he had a change of heart. I never really figured out what made H change from the person I fell in love with to the man he became. Cold, bitter, mean, insensitive and indifferent towards me. It felt as though it happened overnight and I was willing to believe that the change back would be possible overnight too. We chatted about the upcoming day and I suggested we take the kids to the movies. He agreed. Shortly after that we got up and went about our day.

I was so happy, I felt loved and was positive that things would be better and continue to get better from then on. Like I said, yes I know I'm an idiot. I approached him about out movie plans and he made a face and said in an annoyed voice, "I'm watching football. You take them" Ok fine. Once again I didn't want to make a big deal about it mention that he had told me that he would join us. The kids and I headed out. When I got back I sat down next to him on the couch and attempted to tell him about the movie and wanted his input on dinner. He basically kept his eyes on the tv and ignored me. The old H was back but I REFUSED to believe it. I thought that if I explained that the change in his behavior from earlier that morning was confusing and hurtful to me  we could talk about what was going on with him. I was hoping we would have a discussion like normal, rational people and come to some sort of mutual understanding/arrangement that worked for both of us. I was hoping he'd finally be open to listening to me and attempt to understand how his actions affect me. Wrong. He refused to acknowledge any change in his behavior. I told him that after a while I get used to sleeping alone and his indifferent attitude towards me. After a while it doesn't hurt as much but when he plays these games with me all of the hurt comes flooding back. Then I have the added pain of feeling like a fool for letting him hurt me yet again. He told me that I was crazy and imagining things.

Once again, I hate to admit this because I feel like such a stupid fool but I was crushed. My heart ached. I cried off and on for the rest of the week. I was so hurt by his treatment of me. It was cruel and felt calculated. I felt as though he set out to hurt me and I let him. When am I going to learn?  I should know better by now. On an intellectual level I can see that his actions have  nothing at all to do with me. He's obviously a very disturbed/unhappy person to treat anyone like that, much less his wife. But yet it still wounds me very deeply. I'm only human.When someone cuts me I bleed.

Sorry to be such a downer on the beginning of a holiday weekend. I needed to get this out. It's been festering in my mind and heart all week. I needed to write it all down so I can purge myself of it. I really want to enjoy this weekend with my family and my kids. I used to love Christmas but haven't been feeling the Christmas spirit the past few years. I remember the anticipation and excitement of Christmas that I used to feel and I want that back. So this weekend I am going to reclaim it. I'm going to offer up my marriage and the burdens surrounding it to God and focus on all of the Peace, Hope and Love of the Christmas Season. I hope you are able to do the same.

Merry Christmas!
xo, Bien Tomada

Procrastination on MY Story

I’ve been procrastinating on telling more of my story. I have a habit of denying what’s really going on in this marriage. A few years ago H and I went to couples counseling. I threatened to divorce him unless he agreed to counseling. I had been begging him to attend counseling with me for ages. I was ready to leave him but unwilling to get on with it. I didn’t want to be ‘responsible’ for our divorce. I never imagined that he would agree to counseling. I figured that he’d refuse counseling like he always had and I’d be ‘free’ to leave him. He didn’t refuse so we went and after a few sessions it was me who decided to call off the counseling.

During our counseling session a majority of the time was spent telling the counselor our story. Towards the end of the sessions the counselor would advise us to spend quality time together and told us to save any hard or difficult discussions for our next session. In hindsight I can appreciate what he was trying to do but at the time I would think to myself, “Yeah right. The last thing I want to do is spend time with HIM. Didn’t you just hear how’s he’s treated me? The stuff he’s done to HURT me? WHY would I want to spend any time at all with someone like him!?” I remember leaving the sessions feeling angry, upset, hurt and humiliated. I HATED having to say out loud everything that had happened between us. I was ashamed that I allowed someone to treat me so poorly. I was ashamed that I was still with him. Eventually my inability to deal with the hurt and anger from our past led me to decide that counseling wasn’t working. I can see now that I didn’t give it time to work and I wasn’t committed to doing the work required to repair our marriage.

So I’m going to start working on finishing up my story. I just wanted to share that I hadn’t forgotten about it and I will do my best to post it soon.

Stay sober my friends.