2013 in Retrospect - Christmas and New Years

So things seemed to blossom between Mr Alabama and I. We got to know each other really well from an online level. We talked about him moving here, the process on getting a visa and starting our lives together. For the first time in months, I felt happy. Although there was always something not quite right in the back of my mind. Is it my subconscious telling me something? Perhaps. But I was happy and although it I know I had just gotten out of a 9 year relationship, to me, this felt safe because he was there and I was here. The distance was my security that I could heal at the same time. Christmas was certainly different. The kids and I celebrated Christmas out of town. However, it wasn't completely as relaxed as I had hoped. The Grinch, and this is why he is called The Grinch, decided to message me on Christmas Day to say he was only going to put through half of the child support because he felt that as he would have them for one week, he didn't need to put the whole amount through. On Christmas Day! For one thing, the child support payments are calculated over a 52 week period. Secondly, The Grinch doesn't actually know what the definition of child support means and what it's used for. So how do you reason with someone who hasn't done his homework? You can't. In the midst of the text war that took place between The Grinch and I, I received a message from Mr Alabama to say that he misses me which couldn't have come at a better time. A conversation with him reminded me that there are good men out there and the difference between a man and a boy. The Grinch takes "momma's boy" to a whole new level or maybe not? Maybe this is the true definition of "momma's boy". A 33 year old man who lives with his mum, sleeps in the same room as her, plays as much Playstation as he wants and lives a life of not really having that much responsibility. He's definitely playing the "poor me" card. When my children are over there, Miss 9 and Miss 8 are allowed to play Grand Theft Auto (which is R18 BTW), he only has them for 30 hours and in that time has naps and leaves the minding to his mum while he naps. Lucky him! He doesn't cook, putting pre-seasoned frozen potatoes and chicken nuggets in the oven doesn't count as cooking. They spend a lot of time at fast food outlets. The girls have noticed that he spends more time playing with their brother than managing his time evenly with all 3 kids. But, who am I to say anything? I can't, he refuses to listen. All I hope is that one day, my children will realise and see the efforts of their mum, the time she spent with them, no naps needed, and how strong their mum was to do this on her own. I'm digressing... New Years was relatively quiet. A few drinks with friends, I was home by 1am. It was definitely an odd feeling not having my children or a husband around. All I can say is that, at the stroke of midnight, I could finally breathe and say "see ya later 2013, you were a bitch!" And shed a tear or two. The following night would be Mr Alabama's New Year and it started off great. We talked i.e. Skyped and then 15 mins in to a conversation... I heard a female voice and then he hung up. A few minutes later, I get messages to say I was too good for him, I deserved better and that he didn't feel I was as in to it as he was?? I never heard from him again.