Bob, topnotch advice. However, I have to say that I'd be sooo happy if anyone even offered the possibility of "consolation" (it's been 5 years! And more!) I'd be a lot happier than I am now! But I do know better than to accept, I would hope! Just kidding! About the offer, I mean, not the knowing better...

Update: Since the last court date when I lost my bid for sole legal custody, X2B has a) missed yet another OT appt for Tim, who needs it (after missing both of the ones scheduled during his tenure between this last court date and the prior one); b) missed the time to deliver the boys back to; and c) missed the time to pick the boys back up, just last night. This is not uncommon; the pattern since I fled in March 98 has been we set up a schedule, I adhere, X2B ignores/forgets/claims it wasn't what was discussed/whatever. For about 2 years I used to say that I didn't know why meetings, appointments, pickup times were missed. Now I give what I honestly think is the most likely reason, which is forgetting. I am, I have to admit, tired of lying to protect that (expletives too many to choose from) in order to be non-denigrating to the children, and my experience is that this actually is working better. I think they could tell I was lying and thus worried that something was up (at least one pickup was missed due to a car accident). Now they seem to accept my answer with less angst...

Upon rereading, I do have to specify that the car accident did not involve a pickup TRUCK. I was referring to a scheduled picking up of the twins.