We thought we’d do something a little different this week. I’ll be honest..I was a little hesitant to do this as it could be really cool, or it could be a big bust.
The other night I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t immediately fall back to sleep. As is often the case, I started to think about stuff. Work stuff. Family stuff. Kid stuff. And of course, blog stuff.
I got to thinking that here we have this blog that approximately 1000-1500 people visit each day (depending on what day of the week it is), yet we are almost all anonymous. We all choose monikers or fake names to help secure our privacy – us included. Nobody really knows who anyone else really is. Readers can only be familiar with fake names and the situations that apply to that persona.
It kind of goes with the territory, I guess.
So this week let’s try to have a little fun and get to know each other more – without jeopardizing our anonymity of course!
Things to consider…
- Where are you from?
- How many kids do you have?
- What’s your occupation?
- What is your favorite football team?
- What’s your favorite TV show?
- What is your favorite city to visit?
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- Where do you dream of traveling to?
- What is your favorite beer and how many can you drink before you get drunk?
- What’s your favorite food?
- If someone gave you a 10 million dollars what would you do with it?
- What is the craziest thing you want to do before you die?
- Whatever you would like to say. Let your imagination be your guide!
It goes without saying that we expect all of you who comment regularly to participate and hopefully many of you who like to stay behind the scenes will join in as well.
I guess I will start things out…
Both Linda and I are 51 years young. We have three great kids – a son who is a senior in college and two girls who will be going to college next year. Linda is an elementary school teacher and I own a couple of very small businesses.
I was born in Chicago which is one of our all-time favorite cities to visit. I think my favorite city to visit though is San Francisco and my new favorite city to party in is Nashville.
I am a die-hard Ohio State Buckeye fan and vow that when I die, my ashes will be spread over their football stadium. (Not sure Linda will honor that request). By the way, in my second life I’m either going to be a star professional baseball player or a lead guitarist for a blues band. I haven’t made up my mind just yet.
When we’re not working we like to get outdoors. We walk, hike, bike and kayak as much as possible. We also occasionally get the opportunity to rock climb, go backpacking and/or car camping. If everything works out, we would like to tour the West this summer for a few weeks and see all the great natural wonders and take some awesome hikes. Eventually, we would like to travel to Europe – especially Italy.
I do about 99% of the cooking in our house while Linda does all the baking. Her chocolate cake from scratch is the best. I don’t have a favorite food per se, though I love Mexican cuisine and anything that is hot and spicy. I put hot sauce on just about everything.
Oh, and I don’t have a favorite beer either. I drink any craft beer that is on sale!
That’s all I can think of for now. Maybe I’ll add some more in the comment section later.
Try to have some fun with this!
We look forward to reading the comments.
Thanks and have a great day!
Linda & Doug
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LINESPACE
118 replies to "Discussion – Let’s Get to Know Each Other Better"
Sounds fun…im in…
Where are you from? Army brat, lived everywhere!!
How many kids do you have? 3…4 including husband
What’s your occupation? Dancer
What is your favorite football team? Giants
What’s your favorite TV show? Many…downtown abbey, sons of anarchy, homeland, modern family
What is your favorite city to visit? Any city close to beach, but Paris
What do you like to do in your spare time? Read and yoga
Where do you dream of traveling to? Bora bora
What is your favorite beer and how many can you drink before you get drunk? Mexican and three
What’s your favorite food? Anything cooked by someone else
If someone gave you a 10 million dollars what would you do with it? Pay off bills, set up trusts for kids, buy beach house, travel, and donate
What is the craziest thing you want to do before you die? Fly my friends and family to a city where we could all enjoy
Whatever you would like to say. Let your imagination be your guide! I’m controlling my imagination because being a BS, it goes all over the place….so this year is the year of emotional detachment. I know my life is changing but I don’t want to be overly dramatic in my words and actions … Those in my life will be self accounting. I have always done my best, and I know how loyal I am to those I treasure. If they wrong me, I forgive but they are the ones that will prove if its water and glue or cement to seal our bond…..
Thanks TSD for getting things started. Where were some of the places you’ve lived in the past? Ever over seas?
Germany Asia almost every state…also able to travel beyond the places we lived…speak chicken scratch from these countries…like HOW MUCH IS THE BEER??? Kidding…..forgot to mention, I’m 50, so I’m in the club with Doug and Linda !!!!
What kind of dancer? I’m intrigued.
I am 51 also, Doug, and from the midwest. My H and I like to camp – but not wilderness style. We go the 5th wheel route. Two kids – one out of college & working (Yeh) and one soon to be done.
I am a health care professional that works part time.
I am an alum and die hard fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes. I would say you have me beat this year, Doug, unless you want to talk wrestling.
Rather have a glass of merlot then beer.
Traveled to Greece, Switzerland. Awesome, but the trip over is horrendous.
I enjoy gardening, decorating and would love to be bored.
This blog is certainly calmer then yesterdays. That may have been part of your intention.
justbecause, We’re thinking of buying a trailer or motor home to do our Western states trip. After tent camping all these years it almost seems like we’re traitors or something. Yes, calmer, more upbeat is a good thing after the last 2 days.
Doug,
If you are just wanting a motor home for your Western states trip, you may want to look into renting one. My husband and I did that one time and had one of our best vacations ever. We’d always wanted to experience an RV road trip, but didn’t want to own one permanently. It can be a little pricey because many places charge by the mile, but it was so worth it!!
Sidney, That might be a good idea. I did look at doing that once before but I was shocked how much it was – like $3000 for a week. Perhaps I can look a little harder and find something cheaper. It might be a good way to test one out as well since we do think we want to eventually purchase one. We did a lot of trailer travel when I was a kid so I know what to expect at least.
Word of advice, if you take the trailer to yellowstone don’t pull in to see the petrified tree. There is no turn around. Been there, done that.
OK. thanks for the heads up. I went to the Petrified Forest as a kid. Seen one petrified tree, you’ve seen them all! ;-0
Hi everyone.
This is a great idea! I’m in.
I’m from Wyoming. A very small town. My father was a deputy sheriff for 24 years, his father was the Chief of Police for 30..in the next town over. Long line of blue blood.
I have one precious/demon 18 month old daughter. She is my miracle. As I was told over and over again it was not possible for me to conceive. I spoil her rotten and I’m sad that she is not a baby anymore..lol
I am a Radiographer. I returned to college when I was 30. I am now finishing my B.S. in Interventional Radiography. I have two semesters left. I love being a IR/RT technologist. I could never be a nurse and expect that nurses go straight to heaven!!!
I am not a fan of football, at all. I’m an avid follower of the Utah Jazz. I love going to games. My partner and I have this in common.
I’m very interested in anyhome remodeling show and I love Duck Dynasty lately. They crack me up. Si is my favorite, Jack! LOL
My favorite city to visit is Pittsburgh, because my mother moved there a yuear and a half ago for a promotion. My dad and her are still married and have been so, for 38 years. This is a difficult commute for each of them and a big change from small town (2100 folks) in WY. I miss her very much. My favorite city for pleasure travel is New Orleans, although I have not been there in 15 years.
I seem to have less and less free time, since I have a growing toddler. In my “spare” time I’m regularly standing next to an Interventional Radiologist in sterile procedures. When I have real spare time I sew and quilt. I like to create. It gives me a release of stress and helps me feel personal accomplishment in making something beautiful and useful. I tend to give my sewing projects to my friends and family.
I dream of travelling anywher tropical. I have only been out of the country once, to Germany; and it was winter..and I don’t ski. LOL
My favorite beer is from a local brewery in Salt Lake City, called Elephino. I like high point beers. I am also a big fan of vodka martinis.
My favorite food has always been spaghetti…I don’t see this changing anytime soon. Although, my partner is a very very good chef. I have an extra 20lbs right now to prove that point..lol. I also joined Weight Watchers this week, to remedy this by summer. (this is fun, Doug…I like getting to know each other!)
My favorite color is green.
I’m 35 years old.
I am a jeans and hoodie kind of lady. I like to wear snowboots all day. I have a large collection of nice earrings (not costume) and socks…since these are the things that show one’s personality while wearing surgical scrubs all day, most every day.
If I were an animal…hmmmm…I used to be a sidewinder; I’m not really sure what I am now, after becoming a mother. I think I’m in process of changing.
If I were a song, I’d be Queen’s “Fat Bottom Girls” or “Rhapsody in Blue”…Gershwin. I know…two very very different genre. If I were an instrument I’d be a saxaphone.
My favorite obscure artist, lately is Lukas Nelson (yes, Willie Nelson’s son, and you can definitely hear it in his voice).
If someone gave me 10 million dollars..I would open a quilt shop, hire a staff and sew…all day long. I would also buy a home for my little family to live more comfortably. I would save a lot of this money in order to take care of my aging parents. They are my best friends.
I miss my girlfriends. I moved from small town WY, and I don’t get to see them as much as I used to (not nearly enough).
Thanks Doug. I think this is a great idea. (My only sibling is named Doug.)
I can’t wait to read about all of you!
Thanks Jamie for chiming in. How close are you to Yellowstone? I love it out there – maybe not so much in the winter though. 18 months to me is still very much a baby. Savor every minute because they do indeed grow up way too fast.
I live in Salt Lake City UT now, Doug. But I am an avid fly fisher woman and love to go to Yellowstone Lake and the northwestern part of my homestate whenever I can. I’m closer to Jackson Hole (my home town is anyway..about 130miles from Jackson Hole). Yellowstone is still a very very long trip for me..now. 8 hours or so.
I’m enjoying my lil girl as much as I possibly can. I can’t wait for my clinical rotation to be over, so I can spend a couple days per week at home with her, again. It’s been very hard going from stay-at-home-mom…to full time clinical and part-time urgent care. I am grateful to have a paying job..and that my college career is almost finished, but I am thinking about my Masters degree…lol.
Winter is a challenge in WY. It was -36 two days ago at my Dad’s place. This is also why indoor hobbies are MUCH needed in the “tundra”..and hence, why I quilt and sew.
I think you should take a hiking/camping trip to Yellowstone asap. I’m sure you and Linda will love it!! July is the best month…it’s still warm and there are dozens and dozens of wonderful spots in or near the park where you have the wilds all to yourself (instead of sharing with tourists from everywhere).
Jaime, I have you beat. Size of town is pop 250. I am a country girl.
Type of animal — I love it. I think Baraccuda!
If you could be a fork, a spoon or a knife – which would you be. (Read this as a potential interview question once.)
justbecause…
Wow…250? that’s something..there.
I think I want to be a fork…but I’d bed dollars to doughnuts..that I’m a knife..LOL
AAACCKKK! This is scary:) OK here goes
Much to my chagrin I live in the midwest. Right smack dab in the middle of the country. I was an army brat and this was my father’s last post. I am mid 50’s ok, ok late 50’s BUT I don’t look it 🙂 My husband and I own our own business where my two sons work with us as well. We like to travel and I especially to Europe. I am a crazy francophile and would go to France every year. So favorite city? Paris, Paris, Paris and Chicago! Love San Francisco too. Love northern California. We just went to Paris last fall and we renewed our vows in the same church my parents were married during WWII. His idea, not mine. Touched my heart that he wanted to do it. Loved him even more for it. He cried and I cried because he was crying.
We love CO in the summer and love to hike. Haven’t done the camping yet, but want to. Kayaking is at the top of the list for us too. I’m really a city girl and my H loves cities as well. We enjoy much the same thing but this hiking bug has really taken hold of us. Plan on doing more this summer if we can get away from the office. Really want to hike Yosemite and Yellowstone. We like golf and I use the term “We” loosely. He loves it and is very good. I play because he likes it and well golf courses are very beautiful and really I pretty much stink at the game!
I used to love to cook and am known for my culinary talents but not so much anymore. Food just isn’t really that important to me anymore. (One of the positive changes since D’Day 🙂 ) My H is starting to take an interest in cooking and that makes it fun for me to show him how. I think he’s sad that I don’t cook like I used to but, I’ve changed.
We like going to concerts and lectures, love movies and currently loving Downton Abbey on PBS.
Not really crazy sports nuts but we do like going to a baseball game a couple times a summer before it gets too hot. Dislike football and would take a court order to make me go.
No beer for me, wine.
TH, great story about the renewal of vows in the same church your parents were married in. I bet that surprised the heck out of you.
You will love hiking Yosemite and while your out there, hit up Sequoia Park as well.
Doug
Very much so surprised. He suggested it and we waited a whole year before doing it. He could have changed his mind but he never did. Yes I would love to hike Sequoia Park as well. I am looking into a biking trip in the Northwest for this summer 🙂
OK, I haven’t posted lately and this is scary, but often I wonder what other readers here are like, so I will be brave and take the plunge and hope others are brave too. I am 48 years old and I am from South America. I immigrated to where I live now in Europe, many moons ago, and I have also lived in some other countries when I was younger. I was ready to go back home when I met my husband! Typical?! Between me and my husband we speak 6 languages.
I am a very proud mother of 2 amazing girls!
I work in Publishing. I am also an ex dancer, and ex music promoter, ex etc, etc…
I don’t like football at all although as a young girl I played a bit in a women’s team from work.
We don’t watch much televisions but if we do it would be documentaries (archeology, arts, music), QI, but I prefer films and I go to the cinema almost every week, and H an I watch loads of classics at home.
We love traveling and I love so many cities but I would name Rome, Venice, Lisbon, Barcelona, New York and Rio de Janeiro as some of the cities I love going back to, either for the food, arts, language and history, or just for the natural beauty.
In my spare time I read, study, dance, walk, and I love the theater, and any dance shows, but especially Classical and we love Opera! We also share the love for other things: Jazz music and we go to lots of gigs together! We do dance lessons together and it is usually great! There is never one minute to spare and I like it! One of our Jazz favorite are Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Miles Davis on the classical side we love Bach.
I have dreams of traveling all over the world but the Seychelles, Australia and Thailand are on my list.
In the summer I sometimes like drinking Italian, German or Mexican beer and I can hold well about 3 bottles, but would rather anytime choose a glass of Champagne or Prosecco, then my dear I could easily drink a whole bottle myself, but usually I am able to control myself to drinking just half. Husband and I love wine and although I have a well developed nose and taste bud, I haven’t got the brains to keep the information about them, so I drink by taste. My favorite red is a Carmenere or Merlot and my favorite white is a Saugvinon Blanc, specially the one from New Zealand. My husband in the other hand can name a place the wine came from just by tasting it. Very boring though!
I love too many kinds of food to list, but my own country food of course!, Italian, Spanish, Thai, Chinese and Indian are some of them. I love cooking, and used to do ALL the cooking, but not anymore and now husband cooks as well, and he has done some culinary courses and can cook some very tasty morsels!
If someone gave me a 10 million dollars I would pay off my bills, help my large family, open an arts and music center, help some charities, travel and travel and study other cultures!
Before I die I want to do middle age back packing as I did when I first left my country, I was soooo young! Had a great time! I want to travel by train from one place to the other just in the spare of the moment, just choosing according to where the wind is moving to.
Keeping my imagination under control but wild I would say that, I am afraid of this new life as I have never been afraid before. In so many aspect it is so much better than I ever imagined, things changed sometimes for better, but I find hard to accept that this is here to stay, I have never been afraid of the new, I have always dreamed and embraced changes, but now I am very suspicious and I hold back a lot! Lots of things are changing in my life! Is happiness coming my way? It might be, I just hope that I do recognize its face and embrace it before it passes me by!
tryingtoowife, Wow. I think you have lived in some places that Linda dreams about. We watch the show House Hunters International a lot and Europe and other areas of the world look just great. I’d love to move abroad at some point. I like wine as well, though I can’t tell a good wine from a bad one. I guess I just don’t have a discerning palette.
tryingtowife…I love Miles Davis..and wine. LOL. I am green with envy that you travelled so much and have such an amazing life! A goal of mine (bucket list goal) is to learn to speak Spanish before I retire. I am also planning to enroll my daughter in a dual emersion language program from K-9th grade, so she can learn and speak another language fluently. I smiled a lot when I read your post. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Jamie. You are 13 years younger than me, so you have plenty of time to follow these dreams! And you will!!!! And – you have a lovely baby to care for and that is a full time job. Bringing up my children although very hard work, because I had no one from my large family here to help, was far the best thing I did in my life, as they are great people in their own right! As for the Spanish. Start small. Pick some Spanish verbs and start to understand how conjugation works, like one verb (present tense) every week or two. I used it a lot to divert my mind from bad thoughts, and usually while traveling to from work. Great idea of school for your baby too. Traveling, I do because in Europe everything is close by so it its easier and we are great organizer of traveling on a shoe string budget, and because “I have fire in my pants”! You have done a lot since your beginning here. The strength is inside you to do whatever you want, and you will for sure. All the best
Oh GOD! I mean!: Ants in my pants! Ahhh! these b*&*&y foreigners heim! Ughhh!
Could you correct please Doug? Or let people laugh!!!!
Fire in your pants, eh??!!! 😉 I think I’ll let people laugh!
Ha, Ha, Ha! Translated literally from my own language! Dahhhh! :-))) We have fire in the South, here is Ants, go figure!
Well! You and Linda are welcome in Europe, at ours anytime! We could happily start with some wine tasting and we could then point you both to the right direction to Europe! Not so soon after the wine tasting though!!!! Do it Doug! Just do it! It is always wonderful traveling! Europe is truly beautiful! You both deserve it so much!
I know. I know. It sucks that all three of our kids will have been there and we haven’t!!! What’s wrong with that picture? I’m ready to go on the cheap and backpack and do the train thing.
Great idea, Doug! My husband & I are both 52, and were both born, raised, educated, and still live in Vermont. I love to cook & that is one of the areas where I feel very competent. I once owned a home bakery business and provided desserts to several upscale restaurants in the area. My H loves to cook too, and we love to garden together (huge veggie garden, plus tons of flowers.) I was in advertising sales, and now work at a garden center March- December, and also do property management for several mountain homes at a local ski area. (There’s a saying in this state: “Moonlight in Vermont or starve!” and it’s the truth! Love local craft beers with 3 before I get tipsy. Best beer in this state is “Heady Topper” by Alchemist Brewery. Also enjoy good wine. We both love to hike in the summer /fall and snowshoe in the winter. Haven’t travelled too much but we have plans to do more now that my H is back on track, but we did like San Francisco and Charleston, and New York. We both want to visit Italy for the food, wine and art. No kids, but 2 cats, and we want to raise chickens. Favorite TV shows are Downton Abbey, Mad Men (except all the cheating in it!), & Homeland. Not a football fan but have a beer with my H while he’s watching the New England Patriots. Been a tap dancer (for fun) since I was 5, and want to get back into classes someday. Am 100% Polish and proud of it…all 4 of my grandparents came over from Poland at the turn of the century, and we currently live in the house my grandparents built during the Depression. It makes me feel good because my father helped them build this house when he was 13. In my spare time, I like to read, cook, garden, and do crossword puzzles.
Seems so far that 90% of us are 50 somethings. What’s that saying? I remember stopping in Stowe, Vermont when I was a kid on our New England vacation. Beautiful place. So is Maine. My cousin married a Polish guy and it was one of the best wedding receptions I’ve ever been at. Lots of polish food and booze.
Chickens, huh?!
It’s nice to live in a home that was built by hands that you knew and loved. We still have a ranch in WY. That place belonged to my grandparents and I know all of my cousins and I cherrish ‘going home’ every chance we get. Lots of memories there as I’m sure your home carries for you, Lynsey.
Have had goats and chickens. Go with chickens.
I dunno….justbecause. We had 4000 chickens on the ranch/farm growing up. I tend to think that “the only good chicken is a dead chicken.” LOL
I’m really enjoying reading about everyone. Great idea Doug.
It looks like I’m the oldest here, unless I’m missed someone. I will be 60 in March. How did that happen? That time flew. I am single and have been for a very long time. I was born in Texas, but have lived in Louisiana for over 40 years. I have four children, all grown of course. I’m retired from the postal service and I’m now a full-time writer.
I am a New Orleans Saint fan. Right now, New Orleans is one of my favorite cities to visit as well. I watch a lot of TV and can’t decide what my favorite show is. I’ll admit I do like to watch all the paranormal shows. I haven’t been doing much since I retired. I think I’m still resting up.
Not only is Ecuador the place I most want to visit, I want to move there someday, hopefully soon.
My favorite food is Mexican. Favorite beer? YUCK
I do like some wine or a mixed drink sometimes. These days I don’t drink a lot anymore, so it doesn’t take much to give me a buzz. One drink gets me started and two more would be too much. I’m a cheap date.
With 10 million, I would buy a big Spanish style home somewhere in Latin America and then travel…everywhere. After I spoil my children of course. The craziest thing I intend on doing before I die is move by myself to a foriegn country.
My kids worry about me because I stay home most of the time, but I like it. I’ve had a full life and I’m enjoying having a little quiet solitude. I’m happy and contented.
Hey Mary, Why Ecuador? I’ve seen some House Hunters Shows there and it does look like a unique place – inexpensive as well. Do you speak Spanish?
Sorry it took so long to respond Doug. I’ve been a little under the weather, but better now.
I decided on Ecuador for many reasons. I live on disability and wrting, and Ecuador’s cost of living is extremely low. It was voted the best place to retire four years in a row by International Living. The people there have been voted some of the happiest in the world. The temperature is perfect year round. The healthcare is great and very economical. There’s more, but you get the idea.
What do you write about MaryC?
I write blogs such as this one sometimes. I love to write about travel, which is how I found out about Ecuador, through research when writing. I was also a bartender for about 15 years. I wrote an ebook on bartending. I also wrote an ebook about my experiences in the abusive marriage that I wrote about briefly on here. Just a variety of things.
Mary c
Maybe you can help me write my book???
Tryinghard, have you started your book yet? If it is about the EA, it can be very therapeutic. Keep me posted on how its going. I would love to hear about it.
Hello, my name is Kelly and I am a chocoholic! I am 45 years young and thinking this was a very fun idea.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in the beautiful NW of Washington State but have spent much of my life traveling around. I have been in every State except for Maine.
How many kids do you have?
I have been blessed with 4 children. My oldest would be 26 but she passed as an infant from a genetic disorder. My 3 boys are 22, 20, and 15. My youngest is the only one still at home.
What’s your occupation?
I was in the Military for 11 years and had to get out for medical reasons. I had a hard time finding a job I liked until I started working in a daycare. Found I really enjoyed it so when the one I was working for closed down, I opened my own.
What is your favorite football team?
My sons HS team, other than that, I don’t like football. My son plays baseball, basketball, and football and I love watching him but I don’t go out of my way to watch sports or go to games.
What’s your favorite TV show?
Duck Dynasty!!! Love the whole family lol!!
What is your favorite city to visit?
I love New Orleans and Savannah, GA
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love going to my sons sporting events! We travel quite a bit for his tournaments. His Babe Ruth team made it to the World Series last year and God willing we are hoping to make it this year 🙂 Other than that my main passion is horse back riding. I have a group of horse crazy friends that I ride with every chance I get. I also do horse rescue and work with broken horses to help them heal and find loving homes.
Where do you dream of traveling to?
Europe. We are planning a month long trip when our youngest graduates. My H has been all over there so he knows the great places to see.
What is your favorite beer and how many can you drink before you get drunk?
I really like Ruby ale. It is a local micro brew and it goes fabulous with Tequila shots! Not sure how much it takes to get drunk since I never really drink enough to get to that point but I feel really good after a couple of them!
What’s your favorite food?
I love food in general but I would have to say that my all time favorite is Olive Gardens breadsticks with their Alfredo sauce and their Portabello mushroom raviolis! Unfortunately, I became allergic to wheat 7 years ag so no more for me 🙁
If someone gave you a 10 million dollars what would you do with it?
Take care of my family and buy a bigger farm so I could help more horses and my H could have a bigger workshop.
What is the craziest thing you want to do before you die?
Whatever you would like to say. Let your imagination be your guide!
It doesn’t sound crazy until you think of all the creature they have that are poisonous but I really want to backpack around Australia! I also want to walk the entire length of China’s great wall! Much of it is in disrepair and you have to take detours but To experience the countryside and scenes would be fabulous!
We have lots in common KelBelly!
Love the Duck Dynasty Fam…Jack! LOL
Farm girls/country girls. And…I just had Olive Garden breadsticks and alfredo this very afternoon, for lunch with my baby daughter. We needed a treat. Glad to know ya!
KelBelly, Thanks for sharing. Linda is a huge chocoholic too. It’s her feel good food. I’ve been to virtually every state except Washington, Oregon and Alaska. I’d love to get up your way sometime soon.
Man, I remember those days when my son played travel baseball. We would be gone all the time. I loved it ( I was a coach) and watching him play but it really chewed up all of our spring and summer. It’s nice now not to have that taking up all of our time.
Doug, you have to see the West coast and if you enjoy fishing and hiking you need to really make it to Alaska! It is funny that I fought so hard to get out of here when I was younger but after seeing so many other places, I found it not so bad here. The only thing that is really bad is that I am highly allergic to wasp and we have them everywhere here. In trees and in the ground.
I am so so with the basketball and football but I so look forward to Baseball! I hope he gets picked up to play in college lol! I am hoping by the time he is done that my older boys will be giving me some grand babies so we can start all over again!
Oh, we’ll make it out there at some point I’m sure. I know it is a beautiful area. I too am looking forward to the day when I can watch grand kids play sports – but not too soon! We have one more spring of soccer with our girls and that’s it.
I thought I would chime in just to show everyone that I haven’t fallen off the face off the earth. As Doug said I am an elementary teacher and this year been very stressful. We have a new principal, new Common Core, SLO’s, RTI’s, OLT and many other new programs that I can’t keep them all straight. I arrive home late, usually brain dead and the only thing I want to do is snuggle up on the couch with Doug. I feel terrible that Doug has been responsible for everything that you see on this site, I feel he has done a tremendous job and works his butt off. I am so proud of him.
I really enjoyed reading about everyone and realized that I need to get out more and experience life. As Doug said we really enjoy the outdoors and if it is above 50 I am outside gardening, biking, kayaking, camping,hiking or sprucing things up around the house. I love to power wash!
I also love to bake, decorate, sew, craft, and read. I usually have 4-5 books going at one time and their content usually focuses on being a better person, wife, mother, friend, etc. I’m all about learning how to improve myself and live an authentic life.
Currently Doug and I have taken up juicing, so we are doing a lot of research and experimentation . Of course Doug has lost all of his holiday weight, I just can’t give up the chocolate and unfortunately chocolate doesn’t juice well.
I commended Doug for coming up with such a great topic idea this week. I believe that when people are involved in online communities as such, it is easy to forget that the there are real people behind the comments. People with real families, interests, trials and tribulations and even though we do not know them personally we still need to treat them with respect and an open mind.
I look forward to learning more about everyone, thanks for your great comments.
Oh Linda, I feel your pain! Being a daycare provider with a preschool program, there are always new and better programs coming out and the DEL is forever changing so it leaves me feeling upside down quite often.
I imagine you are always working at continuing education and other certificates you have to hold. Some days I feel like one more thing added to my list will fry my brain circuit board.
I am learning to take time to smell the roses and take some me time which I highly recommend 🙂
Linda
I want to start juicing. Ant good recipes or sources? What kind of juicer do you use? I used to like to cook but annoy much into it anymore. Not much of a challenge. I just eat now when I have to. Wasn’t always like that. Food was my solace. Not so much now. I like chocolate to but it’s not a vice.
Hey Tryinghard, I’ll answer that one for Linda as she is getting ready for school. We didn’t want to buy a really expensive juicer since this is our first attempt at this, so we bought the Jack LaLanne model. Works goods and it’s easy to clean (though I have nothing to compare it to). One book that’s good and has a ton of recipes is “The Big Book of Juices and Smoothies” by Natalie Savona. A site that I like is: http://myjuicecleanse.com/ which also has some recipes. Linda likes this one: About 16 strawberries, a pear and an apple. I’ve been doing it for about 2 weeks and I drink only juice during the day (breakfast and lunch) drink water in between, and then a regular dinner in the evening. I do a citrus juice in the morning and a “green” juice at lunch. Good stuff.
Doug/Linda
Thanks. I have a juicer that strains the fiber and I don’t know if that’s good. I think we need the fiber. I’m all about the fruits in the juice, it’s the greens that I have a problem with. Kale is supposed to be great for you but I hate it. Can’t stand eating so I’m thinking of starting juicing again and using it. I’ll look that book up. Thanks
I happen to be drinking a green juice right now with kale in it. 6 leaves of kale, 1 cucumber, 1 green apple, 1/2 of a lemon and about a quarter of a pineapple. Pour over ice. First time I tried this recipe and it’s pretty good.
Oh, I am so envious Jamie lol! They now have gluten free noodles at olive garden but just isn’ the same 🙁 At least I can still enjoy some of the stuff there!
I am such a country girl. My H was raised on a big farm in MN and join the Military to get away from it. Now he would give anything to be back on a big farm. I could not imagine being a city liver even though I enjoy visiting, it is always so nice to return to the quietness of my little farm 🙂
I’m very much missing the small town life. Although…I am resigned to the fact that my professional goals are in any major city that has a Trauma hospital. I had to follow my heart when it comes to goals…but my Mountain Woman soul is underneath all the soot here in the city..LOL. I miss the neighbors. The quietness. The honesty; even if it is unwelcome…the honesty of people watching out for your kids, parents, friends. I miss small town festivals..like Oyster Ridge Music Festival..and the county fair. I never thought I’d say it, but I hope I go back to WY someday, to the quiet…and the neighbors.
I understand the career thing. I traveled almost an hour one way every day to work when I was in the Military so I could keep my country living. The good thing with my daycare is that it is in my home so I get to enjoy the benefits of working while being at home 🙂
I really need to start posting from my computer and not my phone! can you say mistakes and run ons lol! Sorry folks.
Very interesting to learn about the people on this journey with us!
I am 54 years old and I am from Hawaii. I have lived in several places but my heart will always be in Hawaii.
I married right out of college and had my children soon after, so I now have three grown children and one grandchild who is almost two. She’s the joy of my life and was sometimes the one thing that kept me going through the long journey after infidelity.
Like Linda, I am an elementary teacher, though I am no longer in the classroom full time. I am a resource teacher specializing in computers and performing arts.
While I can thoroughly enjoy a football game if I happen to have the time to sit long enough for one, I spend more time going to theater and concerts and getting involved in sports myself. I love Tai Chi and Kung Fu, all kinds of workouts and dance, hiking, swimming, and shooting skeet.
I also have a great love for reading and writing, and of course, blogging. I also spend a lot of time taking pictures everywhere I go – I even snapped some shots in Lowe’s the other day! And then there’s my telescope for my love of astronomy.
My husband and I are both serious foodies and we enjoy all kinds of food. Home-style Japanese food is my comfort food (not sushi), but I also love spicy dishes of all kinds.
My marriage coach once asked me to summarize myself in one sentence. This is me: Mother Earth in designer jeans and makeup, carrying a bag with a Tai Chi sword, an Asian dance fan, and homemade banana bread ready to share during rehearsal breaks.
HI DJ! Hawaii in my list of places to go to! It must be just wonderful living there! OHHHH! I really need that 10 million to fulfill my list!
Hey TTW – and I’ve always wanted to go to Europe! I never realized we were writing to each other from opposite sides of the globe.
Yes DJ. I am in beautiful Europe. Different continents, same problems to overcome! I miss the South American sun often, specially now, as it is snowing!
Hey DJ, Thanks for sharing. I love your one sentence summary. It’s amazing what you can pack into one sentence! Does your husband take Tai Chi and Kung Fu as well, or can you kick his butt?
Hey Doug – my husband and I attend martial arts classes together, so I would have a challenge on my hands if I ever tried to kick his butt! He has been going twice as long as I have but I have reached his level. I think it’s all the dance training – I have been dancing on stage since I was two, so I know about centeredness and balance and body awareness. I love it all. All my problems disappear when I am doing something physical, whether it’s Tai Chi or Asian dance or Zumba.
Dancing helps more than people realize with other sports or physical type activities. Our daughter have danced since they were 2 and have more stamina and core strength than a lot of other players their age. I’m convinced it has also helped them to recover from injury a little faster.
Sorry – busy weekend – but I wanted to say I agree wholeheartedly about dancers’ recovery time. I think dance incorporates a good mix of resistance and stretch in working the muscles, and good muscles means good support for joints and bones.
I’m glad dance is a part of your family’s life, too!
Hi, nice idea, here goes:
◦Where are you from? I’m originally from Yorkshire, UK and now live and work in the south of England. My H is from Scotland.
◦How many kids do you have? None
◦What’s your occupation? Currently a lawyer but before that was a postdotoral industrial scientist in the field of genetics, before that a shepherd.
◦What is your favorite football team? I have no interest in team sports!
◦What’s your favorite TV show? I really like dark humour programmes such as Green Wing, Human Remains, Nighty Night… Blackadder and also Peter Tinniswood
◦What is your favorite city to visit? So far it’s probably Koln, Germany as the museums were amazing for their roman history, but most cities are fascinating
◦What do you like to do in your spare time? I’m a trained jeweller and make bespoke complex jewellery for a small number of clients. I also mountaineer, dog walk, garden, run (a newer hobby) and keep hens.
◦Where do you dream of traveling to? Pretty much anywhere apart from the West Coast of US, I think for many years I won’t be able to go there without thinking (irrationally) that I’ll bump into the OW.
◦What is your favorite beer and how many can you drink before you get drunk? In England we have a choice of fine beers so I’d say most things from Adnams brewery or Shepherd Neame.
◦What’s your favorite food? Good italian and Indian. But I’m fairly eclectic as I really enjoy cooking.
◦If someone gave you a 10 million dollars what would you do with it? OOh, go on holiday for a year first then set up some college bursaries for kids in the area where I grew up as in the current climate I have no idea how kids will have any opportunity to go to University even if they merit it.
◦What is the craziest thing you want to do before you die? Ooh no idea. Depends if I have that 10 Million as well…
Chiff, Thanks for sharing. I’ve always wanted to travel to London, see the sights, hang out in some pubs and see a soccer/football game. When my son went there a few years ago, he said he would love to live there.
It’s a fun place, there’s certainly tons to see and do in London. Living in London when you’re young and carefree would be great too, it’s a bit less fun when you’re older and more cynical 😉
Interesting background, Chiff – one thing stuck out at me when reading your bio: your comment about running into the OW. Yes, there is an entire country that I will probably never visit because the OW lives there. Just the mention of it hits a nerve with me… Luckily it’s not England. Maybe I’ll run into you one day! My bucket list includes visiting England.
DJ and Chiff
OK you two, don’t let those pieces of s**t hold you back! It’s not worth it right?? Believe me California is worth the risk. Especially northern California. It is magnificent. DJ I don’t know what country the b***h is from but you are giving that cockroach too much power. Life is short and we all need to see the world. It’s a big beautiful glorious place. I’ve run into the OW at a local retail store where she works part time. She follows me around and I’ve caught her looking at me. I just flip my hair and let her take a good long look!!! She looks like crap, I don’t hahahahaha. Next time I see her I’m not going to say anything, I will just subtly flip her off 🙂
That a girl!! ; )
TH – I am in Chiff Chaff and DJ group here! We have not been to the place where OW comes from, for a LONG time, and we use to often before. In fact if it depends on me, it is erased completely from my life. I feel cold in my heart just hearing it mentioned in any form. My husband says that he can accept it, if this is part of our healing, but I wonder sometimes. I hope for the day when I wouldn’t care! It is funny, but it is not for fear that I will run into her, because I sure wouldn’t., but instead, just the feelings that the connection brings. I commend you for being able to stomach seeing the OW, I think that I would just lose it and only God knows! You are a brave and strong woman TH, I love your attitude towards OW!
Same here, TTW – it’s not that I am afraid of running into her. It’s just that the triggers surrounding that place and what my husband did there are still too much for me.
My husband is afraid of running into her. He’s afraid that I’ll practice my Kung Fu skills on her!
This strikes a chord with me, too, but unfortunately for me the OW is coming to me — she’s a high-profile opera singer and is coming to give a performance at the university my H and I both work for in a month. This was all arranged just about the time I found out about the EA. She apparently wants the money that will come from the gig. (There were even attempts to get the institute my H works for to fund it — he says he blocked that.) I’m pretty anxious about her arrival. My H wants us to go out of town on the day she’s here, but I can’t as I must teach that day. I know I shouldn’t get worked up about this, but it’s torture waiting for the date of her visit to pass. And I don’t know what I’ll do if I run into her — she will be at my workplace for TWO DAYS! Nobody at the university outside one of my H’s coworkers knows what happened. And so they’re all innocently excited about her visit in front of me, which makes me want to vomit.
But since this is supposed to be a positive thread 🙂 — I am 42, married for 18 years this January, with three wonderful kids ages 12, 9, and 6. I grew up in Arkansas and now live in the midwest. I teach and write about English literature, theology, and history. I’m a musician, too — used to play professionally (classical music) but only part-time (I was too scared to make a go of it full-time). I’m proud of the fact that my kids are all budding musicians; my oldest just gave a recital where he played Seitz, my middle son is learning a Paganini theme on cello, and my youngest can play Bach minuets on violin. Suzuki method is great!
Hobbies: well, reading, gardening, exercising with my dog, and learning new instruments (currently I’m working on a rather difficult one). I have a decent-sized vegetable garden in my backyard — about 600 square feet. It’s fenced with raised beds; I grew pretty much all of my family’s produce last summer from organic heirloom seed: broccoli, tomatoes, eggplant, brussels sprouts, carrots, peppers, squash, peas, beans, lettuces, beets, chard, turnips, okra — you name it. I’ve found that if I grow it, my kids will eat it! I’ve also got lots of herbs, an asparagus bed, a raspberry patch, and a currant bush patch that I just put in last year. I’m jealous of Paula’s acreage. 🙂
I’m a big sports fan, largely because I have little athletic talent whatsoever and am in awe of those who do. The only sport I’ve ever been good at was endurance swimming, and my counselor has been pushing me to get back to it, using it as my own little anti-depressant. I love watching football, basketball, soccer, tennis, you name it. I always said my passion for football was wasted on my H, since he’s not a big sports fan. 🙁 Fortunately my sons are now at an age where they’ll watch with me. I like to travel and have been to Europe several times (U.K., Germany, Italy, France, Hungary) and Africa (South Africa). Never been to Australia or NZ or Asia; would love to go.
I like dark, unfortunately mega-caloric German beer. 🙂 My H is a wine aficionado, and I’ve learned to like the wines he chooses.
Carol
I had to read this twice. I soooo feel for you. Can you get a sub and get out of town? If not Xanax :/. When is her royal highness coming?
Thanks, Tryinghard. I wish I could get a sub. Unfortunately, in this case it’s not allowed unless I’m sick. Maybe I’ll come down with a terrible headache . . . The diva arrives Feb. 25 and stays through the 27th. At least I think that’s the schedule; she may be here a bit longer. I’m a little worried about what I’d do or say if I saw her. And what if she decides to ‘drop in’ on my H??? Xanax — or some stiff brandy. Sigh.
OMG you are so dedicated. OK here’s the deal. YOU ARE GOING TO BE SICK IF YOU STAY. Get the eff out of town. If you really think Princess I’m a Diva, So That Gives Me the Right To Do What I Want, would have the nerve to drop in on your H I hope you have prepped him for an answer for her. Nothing short of “Get the Eff out of my office”. OK, so talking from my own point of view here. I have warned my H that if we see her out and he acts any less than crazy stupid devoted to ME I am walking. I am going to some strong positive energy (prayers, whatever you call it) on 2/25. This isn’t fair. OOO what could you do to unnerve her during her performance??? How about a laser pointer to the eyes??? Oil on the stage??? Ants in her costume? Pay the pianist to play the wrong notes? Start the wave during the middle of her aria? I hate her!!! 🙂
Heh. You’re giving me ideas . . . once when I was playing in the pit for a musical production, the lead soprano was really rude to all of us — just acting like a big diva all the time. So at the dress rehearsal, which was open to local media, the trombone player nudged me and said “hey — we’re all taking her big solo up half a step.” Now, that may not sound like much, but basically she was having to fight muscle memory through the entire thing — she was straining, red-faced — we loved it. And she was much, much nicer after that. Wonder if I could talk Her Royal Diva-ness’s pianist into something similar . . . Seriously, thanks for your response. I talked with my H about what he would do if she showed up to his office. He said he’d say ‘hello’ and then introduce her to someone else to get her out of his office. Excuse me??? Why does he feel the need to be polite to someone who nearly wrecked our family???? Sigh. I can’t wait till this infernal visit is over.
Carol: The COW that was my H’s “friend” still works in the same company as he does but on a different floor. One day after he stopped all contact with her she showed up on his floor (even though she’s not supposed to have access to his floor for security reasons. Someone must have let her in) and said she was there to say “Hi” because she hadn’t seen him in a while and wanted to know if he wanted to go to the cafeteria (their usual meeting place) for a cup of coffee. My husband trying to be polite (JERK!) told her he was busy and that maybe they could do it another day. When he told me what he had answered I went CRAZY! I told him that he was being too polite and giving her hopes. He was never to do that again or else I’d go down there and tell her to stay away! Several months later she sent him an email asking him the same thing. This time he answered: “No. I can’t. Don’t have time.” That was 6 months ago and he hasn’t heard from her. Fortunately they don’t even cross paths in the building. So tell your husband that being polite is not going to cut it. All he should say to her is: “Please don’t come in unannounced. I’m busy. And close the door behind you.”
Carol and Natalia–
What is it with our CS’s thinking they have to be so nice and polite if the OW contacts them after the affair has ended? My H had no contact for 20 months (her to him or him to her–she lives on opposite side of country), and then she decided to email him on his birthday this last August 2012. He responded and they emailed about 2 times before he cut it off saying they couldn’t continue this, as he had promised me “no contact.” But I saw 1 email that he had misaddressed and so found out about it. His email to her was so nice and kind, and I asked him why he had to word it that way. Either he should NOT have answered at all or told her to leave him alone, period! And, of course, he should have let me know she had emailed him (as he had promised he would do). I just feel that he should be disgusted at this person who has brought so much havoc into our lives. Yes, I know he is to blame, too. But I know that she is the one who started this in the first place in 2009, and now again when she emailed him in 2012. Fortunately, he is the one who told her “no more”–I just wish he would have not been “so kind” about it.
Doug, is there anything you can say to explain why our CS’s feel that have to be “nice” to their AP when they have ended the affair. Is there still a “longing” for the AP that makes it so difficult for them to be curt, even to the point of rudeness? I really do believe my H that he does not want contact, but he just couldn’t seem to bring himself to be blunt with her. This is very hard for me to understand.
Thanks Carol. Wow, that’s a big garden. We had a somewhat warm day here on Saturday and Linda and I got out and cut some trees down and cleared out some area of our yard so that we can start a vegetable garden this summer. We’ve also been composting for the last few months and hope that our efforts are successful. Do you can any of the stuff that you grow, because we want to try that as well?
Hi, Doug — I haven’t done canning recently, though I have canned tomatoes in the past. I have frozen lots of stuff — tomatoes, homemade pasta sauce, green beans, green peppers, broccoli, blueberries, chard, beets, turnips, butternut squash, zucchini, yellow squash, pumpkin meat, carrots, etc. Usually by about February we’ve eaten through all the frozen stuff and we’re eager to start growing again! Composting is the best. I’ve probably dug about 3000 pounds of composted manure and composted kitchen clippings into my garden. The kids love the idea that they’re digging in ‘cow poop,’ and the veggies just grow and grow.
Geez, what kid doesn’t like to dig in cow poop?
Shape, it’s WEAKNESS. The same weakness that made the fall into the EA trap. And the fact that they can’t just turn the switch off on the feelings they had for the COW. In my husband’s case he probably still has feelings for that whore but doesn’t dare show them and he can’t be too nasty to her because they both work for the same company and next thing you know she goes to HR and files a complaint against him. So he has to be subtle but firm. In about 4 months things are going to get very testy because the company is moving to a new location and they will be working on the same floor though at opposite ends. Everyday I pray my H finds a new job soon or she gets layed off!
DJ. Ok that made me laugh out loud. I love fantasizing about all of us kicking the OW asses. Kinda like West Side Story! If you ever do Kung foo her please tell us:)
LOL! Oh, I definitely will let you know. I’m kind of embarrassed to say that I have indeed fantasized about it – more than once, and my husband is absolutely serious about being afraid I would do it. I do nothing to dispell those fears, even though I would not really hurt the pathetic, scrawny, insecure little leech. Ha!
My H has also said that he wishes San Fransisco didn’t even exist anymore as he hates to see or hear it when it comes up on tv or in a magazine.
Even though I know that the OW has moved from SF now, not that I give a shit – she’s a friendless self-obsessed 2D plastic crone really – but it means there’s more of the west coast that’s out of bounds. Thankfully there are plenty great places to visit before SF.
I’m sure that if I did have to see the OW I’d cope. I’m a strong sensible woman, not some sort of low esteem princess who lets married men sleep with her.
Oh and I’m early 40s.
Doug, what an excellent idea!
I’m originally from South America but came to the US at the age of 5. But I went back to my country to go to high school and college. I’m 54 and my H is 56, he’s also from South America. We met in college. He was my teacher! I was 21 and he was 23. We’ve been married for 29 years and have 3 kids (27, 18, 18). We live in Florida. I’m an interpreter (English/Spanish) freelance and work full time as a legal assistant.
I don’t like sports but sometimes watch basketball because my H likes the Miami Heat. My favorite tv shows are Castle, American Horror Story, Mad Men, and Scandal.
I don’t travel much (no money) but I’d love to visit Paris.
In my spare time I like to cross stitch and read. I also like to watch old movies, especially thrillers.
Don’t like beer too much even though I like a Stella on a hot day. I prefer a rum and coke! Oh, I never get drunk. I prefer to enjoy a nice drink and stop drinking before it gets to my head.
My favorite food is Chinese and Peruvian. Delicious!!!
If someone gave me 10 million dollars I’d thank them very much, I’d pay off all my bills, give my kids some money, travel and donate a good chunk to St. Jude’s.
Don’t know if this qualifies as crazy, but I’d love to spend the rest of my live by the sea in a beautiful beach house with my H.
Oh, and live in a small town, just like Justbecause! Pop. 250 sounds perfect to me. Do you think I could find a job as an interpreter in your town? Actually, I’ll work in any job that would allow me to live happily and comfortably in a small town. Sounds like the ideal place to me.
A little professor – student romance eh, Natalia? Do you do your interpreting over the Internet or something? I wouldn’t think a small town like that would have much demand.
Yes, Doug. That’s why it was so important for me to save my marriage. We were so young when we met and so in love, not to mention all the history we have together. As to interpreting, I do telephonic interpretation and also face to face consecutive interpretation. I love my freelance work, too bad it’s not very profitable that’s why I work as a legal assistant too. I love it because I’ve been interpreting since I was 6 years old for my mom and it comes very easy to me. You’re right a small town wouldn’t have use for my services, but I’d still love to live in a tiny town where not much happens and life is simple and you have more time to do the things that make you happy.
Ideal??? Everyplace has its pro and cons. But move on in – price of living is great. There are jobs for interpreters. Not in my little town (isn’t that a song title?) but 20 miles away. I work with them occassonally at the hospital. Large influx of spanish population in this region and medical center draws from large area.
My town of 250 has a church, grocery store, auto dealer, library, grain elevator, community center with weight/exercise room & gym, bank, several small businesses and more!
Justbecause, your town sounds like the ideal place for us. Will start looking for a small town now that nothing is holding us back in the city we live in now.
Thanks Doug, this is more like the positivity we need! Tried to post on this thread yesterday, but cyberspace swallowed it at work.
So impressed with the diverse and talented bunch we have here.
I’m from New Zealand, almost 45.
Three kids, two still at home and school, and one daughter living in Auckland (about three hours from us in the South Waikato) who is a film and TV makeup artist.
I currently work at a vet owned and run equine reproduction company. We are a small company, but also mentor and sponsor Masters and PhD students and are involved in research, at present setting up a stem cell lab for a Masters student (a gorgeous single mother) which is very interesting. I am not a scientist, I do the admin, marketing and import/export of semen. I went to uni to do law and commerce, as I topped my school in business and languages, but my love was science, so when I dropped out of law (I HATED IT! THREE YEARS AND IT WAS AWFUL) I went to vet school, but didn’t make the cut (unsurprisingly as I had very little science after being pushed in the other direction at school.)
Football, well, we are a rugby mad lot, not so much me, but I do support the All Blacks and the local Super Rugby franchise, The Chiefs. My kids and I all play/ed hockey – that’s field to you North Americans – my youngest daughter, my son and I to regional representative levels at various age groups. My daughter is tiny, and a goalie, and that cracks me right up! A few other sports sprinkled in there as well.
I actually like quite a lot on TV, but rarely follow much avidly, of course, Mad Men, Girls, Breaking Bad, Weeds, Downton, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and for very light laughs, New Girl. Locally I liked Outrageous Fortune, Nothing Trivial, and the Aussie standards Packed to the Rafters (mindless and fun) and Offspring.
My favourite city is London, followed closely by Melbourne, but I’m sure there’s many more I would like equally given more travel!
We have racehorses, so have fun following them, and keep busy looking after our youngstock. We farm for a living, and it is also a passion, so livestock, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, etc. I enjoy gardening, but in fits and starts. I used to LOVE to entertain, being a foodie, finding artisan food producers, at local Farmers’ Markets, etc, but have lost a lot of friends over the affair, so not so much into the foodie-ness anymore. Most spare time still taken up with coaching kids’ sports and running them about (we live half an hour from the nearest town, so quite a bit of driving them about.) We have a holiday home near a large lake with a world reknowned trout fishery, and I want to learn to fly fish – one of my partner’s passions, I love to fish from the sea, and have boat, with our large coastline we are never far from a good fishing spot.
Travel, well, been to Australia, all around the Pacific, eg, New Caledonia, Fiji, Bali, Samoa, Rarotonga, and UK and Ireland (thoroughbreds, lived and worked there in my 20s) and limited excursions into France, Spain and Germany.
Beer, used to love the stuff, but it loves my waistline too much! I drink less alcohol than I used to, enjoy a beautiful Central Otago pinot noir in winter, and in summer, I am a bubbles girl (French or good Methode Champenoise – we make good stuff here in NZ, and I have a couple of wine-making friends/acquaintences who have great international reps!) or I go for a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp Pinot Gris. Secretly I love a good rum, Appletons, or the like (but the waistline again!) A cheap date, get tipsy after one or two wines. If I’ve done something really physical, like I did the other day in helping the men and boys here put a thousand bales of hay in the barn – and had a REALLY good sweat, I’ll enjoy a lager, or Pale Ale, anything beery and icy cold!
Food, well, Pacific girl here, love Asian food, especially Thai, Malaysian, Japanese. Pacific rim cuisine is the naff title for what I love, fresh, simple, zesty. LOVE seafood, crayfish, prawns, bugs, scallops, BLUFF OYSTERS! Delish, but especially when presented in innovative ways, my brother is a chef who has worked in Michelin starred restaurants around the world, and the foodie gene is strong with us, my mother was very food innovative in the 70s – even ran a small intimate catering “hobby” business from home when we were growing up, but mostly for fun, and to keep her hand in – profits were not her motivation, spreading happiness and educating palettes did it for her 🙂 We grow most of our own organic veges and home killed beef, pork and lamb, supplemented with freshly cuaght fish are staples here.
Ten mil, well, buy a dairy goat farm, was a dairy farmer for nearly twenty years, and I grew up on a dairy farm, and was my father’s top relief milker/calf rearer. Skills easily transferrable, and my eldest daughter would love it, and would come home to run it with me. Our current 1200 acres is sheep and beef, and not suitable for dairy goats. Spoil family and friends, travel, and donate, animal charities are top of my list, but surf lifesaving in NZ, again, our large coastline is only patrolled by volunteers, and the fundraising effort is huge.
Crazy, well, what is the definition of crazy, have bungey jumped, if that is what you mean, but my adrenaline junkie is quite smallish, I love a challenge, but not to push the envelope too far, maybe it was having kids young (at just 25) and the enormous burden of responsibility that I immediately felt. There is plenty yet to do, and spontaneity is a big part of who I am (or used to be!) I’m sure it will return one day.
My next plan is to return to full time study when my youngest heads off to uni – still unsure of what I will study, but I think it will be “airy-fairy” stuff, anthropology, philosophy, things to occupy and challenge my mind and soul. Have a couple of friends doing similar stuff – empty nesters, one doing a Masters now in a totally different area to her previous professional life in her 50s, inspiring stuff 🙂
Paula, Thank you for sharing your information. I wish we lived in an area where we could get the real fresh seafood. Nothing better than seafood right out of the ocean. I’m not sure I want to know this, but how does one extract semen from a horse? Very carefully I’m sure 😉 What would the person’s job title be who has the pleasure of doing that?? Chief semen extractor? Equine Masterbatory Specialist? Horse Fluffer?
Doug, I’m sure Jody, our Horse Fluffer would be pleased you’ve taken an interest! Especially since she has a Masters degree – in Horse Fluffing – well, not quite, but related. Horse porn is part of my everyday life, and I forget that people find it so amusing 😉
I am a 62 yr. old New Jersey girl.
I have two married daughters, age 37 and 33
I was a hair stylist but now just enjoy my grandson and looking forward to twin grandsons due in April.
Don’t really like football, but would say the Giants.
My favorite TV shows are : American horror story, Long Island medium and glee.
My favorite city is New York City. Didn’t travel much while raising my children but now my husband and I enjoy a vacation every now and then. We just came back from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and plan on visiting San Francisco next.
I love the beach, gardening, reading,concerts. I enjoy all kind of music but I am a motown girl and just saw Smokey Robinson tonight and love spending time with my 3 1/2 year old grandson.
I would love to visit Krakow, Poland where I just found relatives there and also England and Paris.
I like most beers and enjoy wine and also martini’s but three beers is my limit.
My favorite food would be Thai, polish and Italian. I hate cooking but love going to my favorite restaurants for dinner.
If someone gave me 10 million dollars I would travel to the places I just mentioned plus some, I would pay for my grand children’s educations and buy a house near the beach.
I don’t have a crazy thing to do before I die. I have been very blessed in life and happy that I can spend what’s left of my life enjoying my family and mostly enjoying it with my husband.
Hey Patsy, thanks for sharing. We have twin girls. Look forward to lots of work – even as a grandma!
Thanks Doug, maybe u could switch hats and give some twin advise
First advice…Save as much money as possible as everything you buy has to be duplicated. 😉 You gotta get two sets of Barbie dolls, two sets of soccer dues, two sets of dance fees, two prom dresses, etc… But you also get twice the enjoyment!
Patsy50, Doug is right. I also have twins, boys 18. And buying everything”double” has been the story of my life. Prepare yourself for when they go off to college, then you’ll really understand what we mean. But in the end it’s all worth it. Twice the fun, twice the love and twice the excitement.
I am a 71 year old Pacific N.W. woman. Spouse is 10 years younger, but I look his age not mine! His AP, though, was 22 years younger than him. Makes this much more difficult. Have known of AP’s affair for 2 years now. Still difficult to deal with, especially at my age. Married for 17 years now. I have two children; he has 3. Second marriage for us both – but first marriages did NOT end because of any affairs. I have 1 beautiful grandson who is a year old now, but they live on the other side of the US, so I don’t get to see him as much as I’d like to. Love to travel and have been to lots of countries, many in Europe; lived in Bangkok, Thailand for 6 months in previous marriage. Favorite foods? Just about anything I don’t have to cook! Would much rather clean, wash clothes, organize things than cook. I’m retired (was a high school registrar), volunteer in a couple of places, exercise, read, play piano and do some fun sewing.
This blog idea is great – helps to know each other a little better. I don’t post real often, but I always learn something from the posts I read. They help me realize I am not alone and that how I feel is how many others also feel.
Shape, Thanks for telling us a little about yourself. I’ve heard Bangkok is an interesting place and that there are a lot of Americans living over there. Not sure it would be my cup of tea from what I’ve seen, but maybe a cool place to visit nevertheless. Did you enjoy it there?
Doug-
Yes, I did enjoy Bangkok once I got used to the heat and humidity. Locals said there were 3 seasons: hot, cool, and rainy. All I ever thought was that it was hot, hotter, and hottest! But I was able to travel to Penang, Malaysia, and Vientienne, Laos while I was there during the Vietnam conflict 1968-69. Another experience I had was helping at an orphanage in Zhytomer, Ukraine (about 3 hrs from Kiev) and also an orphanage in Jos, Nigeria. Hope to get to Australia one of these days. Traveling with a purpose other than just as a tourist is something I really like to do whenever I can.
Limiting my travel now is one of the sad side affects of my husbands affair. I feel uneasy now whenever I am gone. His affair didn’t necessarily happen because I was gone; in fact most of it took place when I was home. It has just made me uneasy to be gone. I am trying to get beyond that, as traveling is something I always wanted to do when I retired in 2007. Since I am 10 years older, he is still working and doesn’t usually come with me, (and he is very tall and uncomfortable on airplanes!). However we do travel together to see family who live on the opposite side of the country and take short, local vacations together. We do seem to be getting to a better place, but it is still a struggle, and I do not have my full trust back yet.
That’s wonderful that you’ve been able to travel so much. It’s is unfortunate though that your husband’s affair is limiting your desire to continue those travels. I hope that he continues to do what’s necessary to rebuild the trust.
I have been following this site for a year now (DDay was Jan. 2012) and have only ever made one comment. It is not easy for me to express myself, but I really relate to others on this site. I identify with so much that you say! I just find that I often can’t put words to it myself. So, this is a big step for me.
I am 40 and from the midwest, but moved to Florida as a teenager. That is where I met my H. We were high school sweethearts. We have 2 beautiful children who are 13 and 11. I do instructional design and implementation. My favorite sports teams are those my kids are playing on, as they play baseball and softball, soccer, and run cross country and track-n-field.
I do not watch much TV, but when I do, I like The Middle, Last Man Standing, and Castle. We really do not travel much, so I cannot yet pick a favorite city to visit. But we are planning on taking a trip to Nova Scotia in the next few years. I want to kayak, fish, go whale watching and hiking. These would all be very new adventures for us.
I have 2 children that play sports, so what is spare time? If I do find some, I love to read, take long walks with my dog, and cook. I don’t drink beer often, but Budweiser is my favorite. I can drink about 1 1/2 and then H finishes for me. I am more of a red wine drinker. I love a good shiraz or carmenere. I’m only good for about 2 glasses. I have too many favorite foods to just list one. I love anything Italian, but I am not a picky eater, so most anything else as well.
If someone gave me 10 million dollars I would pay off all of our debt, and my parents. I would make sure we set plenty aside for the kids, and then we would buy a house with 100 acres, preferably close to a beach.
Before I die, I don’t think I have a crazy thing I want to do, I just want to see a little more of the world. I want to visit the grand canyon. And learn to drive a motorcycle.
I am very grateful for this resource. I am really learning to know myself and know what I want. Things are looking up!
ataloss, Thanks for sharing and for taking that first big step. We know what you mean by not having spare time when kids are in sports, dance, etc. We never had time just for the two of us. Now that our son is in college and the girls have their own boyfriends and can drive, it’s like we’re dating all over again. Though we can’t seem to recover quite as quickly after the occasional late nighter.
This is the part that makes me sad. Our oldest is in college and our youngest drives.
We could have started dating again, therapy etc. The five days that he did try it was nice. We made time for each other, went out, and no verbal abuse. But, I guess it wasn’t good enough in his eyes. He said he wasn’t emotionally connected to me and I didn’t make him happy.
Hello everyone, time to introduce myself. I’ve been a reader for about a 1,5years now, not much of a writer but I thank all the regular posters for their genuin input. I’m 43 and my H is closing in on the horrible 5! we have 3 little children (4-6-8). My parents moved back to europe when I was 5 where I’ve lived ever since. Me and my H are full-time MD’s and we just fininshed building our house so not much spare time left at the moment. I used to love gymastics but grown to an age it’s not very usefull. I was a recreational jogger until I met my H and other intrest of relaxing, wine and dine interfeared. Now I’m wating for the youngest to start all over with me. My H is a soccerfan.
I was a hudge reader before the kids. I had a hard time putting my book away at night. We usually travel through europe with the kids trying to get a mixture of sun/sea/nature/culture. And now we started skiing with them which is a lot of fun.
I’m not a beerfan, prefer champagne or wine
I would love to go back to the US with the kids. A trip to south-america would be geat but I feel you need a bit of spanish to get out of the tourist traps.
Crazy things? I’m not really the type. I think of the consequences before… My H is the impulsive one thats why I fell for him…
And for those who are afraid of travelling to the country of the OW. What if she works nextdoor? I’d love to move as far away as possible.
Thanks for sharing CBB. I imagine that you do indeed have your hands full with 2 young kids and a new house. We built our house 20 some years ago and I think we spend virtually every weekend doing something. Having one built, in my opinion, is much more work than buying a used one. Best of luck to you!
Where are you from? I’m a service brat (air Force) and former Air Force, but I’ve lived in Texas the longest – currently in San Antonio.
How many kids do you have? I have two boys, 21 and 11.
What’s your occupation? I’m a Senior Software Engineer.
What is your favorite football team? Next (I don’t really watch football, except during the holidays.)
What’s your favorite TV show? Walking Dead, Game Of Thrones, True Blood, Firefly
What is your favorite city to visit? Hmmm, Boston was ok, Seattle was really nice, Pordenone, Italy was pretty (haven’t seen it in since 1993 when we moved back to the states)
What do you like to do in your spare time? Sail and race sailboats
Where do you dream of traveling to? The Caribbean and the Mediterranean.
What is your favorite beer and how many can you drink before you get drunk? I’m a fan of craft beers, but I don’t have a favorite. I’ve tried 150+ different beers and appreciated them all for their different qualities. However, my current beer of choice is Red-Headed Stranger from Ranger Creek in San Antonio. It takes probably 4 or 5 craft beers (which usually have higher alcohol levels) to give me a good buzz.
What’s your favorite food? I grew up on Cajun and Southern Food food food, but I like just about everything. Right now, I’m really intrigued by middle-eastern and Mediterranean fusion.
If someone gave you a 10 million dollars what would you do with it? Quit my job, buy a (relatively affordable) sailboat, and see the world for 5 or so years. I’d also donate a portion to my favorite charity, help the family, put my son through college, and save a chunk for retirement. …unless I could build a time-machine and go back and fix everything before it went so badly (and make a few strategic stock market purchases).
What is the craziest thing you want to do before you die? Sail around the world (hopefully with her, if we can fix this).
Whatever you would like to say. Let your imagination be your guide! Some days,when I let myself think about all this, I feel far older than my 43 years. …but I am starting to feel that I could be ok again and feel normal and healthy. That is my hope and dream.
Thanks for sharing Dave. Many years ago, Linda and I were very close to buying a sailboat. I can’t remember why we decided not to, but I”m guessing it was a combination of money, kids, and the fact that we live about 3 hours from any lake worth sailing on. One of my fantasies would be to island hop in the Carribean or Mediterranean for an extended period of time. Never mind the fact I have no idea how to sail. Do you sail on a lake or on the Gulf?
We’ve been sailing over 10 years now, mostly on a lake north of San Antonio and another in Austin. We have several small boats, a 22 foot Catalina, and a 27 foot Catalina that needs some work before we can sail it.
You can get into sailing inexpensively (less than $2000) with a used small boat in the 15-18 foot range. Of course, you need a lake within a reasonable traveling distance. Ours is 45 minutes away.
Before all this, our son was going to race the Texas Youth Circuit, we were going to bare-boat charter a boat in the British Virgin Islands for a week, and we were going to buy a newer racing boat (we raced as a couple). Of course, that was short-circuited this past year. This year however, we hope to get back on track and do some of that…and fix “us” while we fix up the Catalina 27. We’ve been working on it each weekend with the hopes that we can race again this summer, and maybe take a trip down to the Gulf.
The extended plan was to do some coastal sailing as we rack up more time towards our certifications and do some bare-boat charters to get comfortable with larger boats (in the 40 to 50 foot range). When our oldest son was off in college (in 8 or 9 years), we planned to sell our house and buy a big boat. We’d initially sail along the coast to Florida, cross over to the islands for an extended stay, and once we were comfortable and the season right, go north and cross over the Atlantic with the goal of sailing to Greece, Turkey, and Croatia. Eventually we’d cross back over and sell the big boat, find a nice lake, and live beside it and get a smaller boat in the 25-30 foot range.
We had friends who did that, but they also got divorced a couple years after they got back, although that probably had nothing to do with their experiences on the water.
Cool stuff. Your extended plan sounds like a wonderful adventure. We had actually looked at the 22 foot Catalina and I think a 24 foot. It’s been a long time so I’m not sure. Maybe now that we will soon be empty nesters we can revisit that whole idea. Though paying for 3 kids in college may short circuit that idea.
A Catalina 22 is a great starter keel boat. That was our second boat. Our first was a Capri 14 board boat. It is a perfect size for a husband-wife team, but it requires a little more athleticism than a keel boat. The upside to the smaller boat though is that it is a lot less expensive (used for $1500), it can fit in most garages, and can be towed behind any car, and rigs quickly. If you ever get the chance, it is loads of fun.
I have a friend that used to have a Flying Cloud and we would sail it on a smaller lake and it was a lot of fun. It took a little bit of work tough as well – just getting out on the lake and packing up was a bit of a chore.