Working independently

This is a little unbelievable. My wife and I have had frequent conversations the past three days or so. And we have said nothing cross to each other.
I know. It's just three days. But I feel better about my relationship with her than I have in MONTHS. I have to keep it going.

I realize only I may be the one thinking about this progress I'm making. That's fine. Isn't that what they say, to simply work on yourself first?

I had lunch with a good friend of mine. George is my father's age, but I've known him for nearly 10 years now. He was an editor at the paper I work at for several years, and then a reporter. He left once and came back, just like me. When I returned to Grass Valley, he let me stay with him and his wife for two weeks. We had a good talk. When I talk with George, I let him do most of the talking. He and his wife are good people.

I might be buying a car from him one of these days. I told him there's no way two kids can fit in the cab of a pickup truck. What does that mean? Only that I have to prepare for the possibility of getting my kids someday soon.

Regarding the conversations with Cherie -- they're not great ones -- more like, "Hey, how's it going." If they have to be more like that for weeks before something else develops, then fine. Rome wasn't built in a day, and San Francisco still hasn't fully recovered from Loma Prieta. She isn't going to do much for me. That I have to understand. But I can certainly do much for her, and I will. I think I realize pretty clearly when I haven't done what I'm supposed to do or treat her or the children the way I would like.

Progress? I suppose Cherie will have to decide for herself. I certainly am not going to throw a monkey wrench in whatever I'm trying to accomplish.