I'm still alive

but just barely. Was feeling fine (the kids have colds thouhg) until I go tback fro Aikido practice tonight. A fever came out of nowhere - I got a runny nose, high fever, the chills, and a cough that feels like it is due to hacing swallowed a feather (and it's stuck in my throat). On the way home, I coughed so hard.. how do I put this.....I coughed so hard that my scrotum muscle cramped up. Sorry for the visual - but it was not a happy moment for me either.

The case: The short of it is that it was sent to mediation, and we both dropped our suits.

The long of it is, after a review and contemplation, that I was rushed thru the mediation process, and ended up dropping my suit, but NOT having a detailed list of what I "wanted to get out of this". We signed an agreement that we were simply dropping our case that day. They can sue again..and probably will. On the drive home I realized that I failed to have a Letter of Dissolution of the original promissary note included as part of the mediated settlement. DOH! I feel like such an ass.

On the good foot, I blind sided them with my concerns, as well as all the evidence I had to produce. I didn't show all my cards, but it was faster to do so in mediation than if they had requested a declaration of defense (a letter from me describing why I felt I didn't owe the money). Hell, that could have been a novel by the time I was done.

I will post again, in a while, about what all I had as evidence. Still not sure if they are tuned into this station or not. But let me say that she (they only sent the office manager - no husband, wife or lawyer), and although she walked in with a stack of papers/folders in her hands, all she could produce was the original promissary note and an email I sent (I of course had both of these in my folder as well).

Sun Tsu, in the Art of War stated :
When you are the anvil, be patient. When you are the hammer - STRIKE!

I really feel like I was the friggin hammer, and was still patient. I was armed for bear, they brought a bbgun, and I walked away with a draw.

My current plan. I have left a message for the office manager requesting a letter of dissolution of the promissary note. I also have mailed a copy of this request to them. If I don't hear bacl from them in a few days, I will resend the request via registered mail. If I STILL don't hear back from them, I'll know that they are simply regrouping, and may try this again.

This is where I feel confident. I still have a decent case prepared. I can always add to it. If I don't receive the requested letter within 30 days, I plan to go on the offensive and refile suit against them. It'll cost me $50, but if they crefuse to supply a letter, chances are that they will sue me again anyways. Sun Tsu also said that an army that has control of the battlefield (when and where the battle takes place , has an advantage over the enemy. Doggy barked. SHortly, doggie may bite.

Thanks for ya'll concern, and I'll post more later when I feel better.

Shannon