Who are you?

[JI Jo]

Okay, so we all have issues which could or couldn't be MS or a number of related things ....but I know I am more than my symptoms!

I am a 25 year old mother of an (almost) 2 year old boy and step-mother to an 8 year old little girl. I am Jamaican born and raised but live and work in the Cayman Islands. I have a husband who I love but is a pain in the *** sometimes (aren't they all???) Apologies to the men on the forum, I'm sure you're different!

I love going to the beach, reading (mostly horror, fiction, suspense....favourite authors are Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Anne Rice....) and playing computer games (World of Warcraft at the moment - lol), I love animals, especially dogs and have bred and trained American Pit Bull Terriers for about 9 years now.

I'm a scorpio and have been told since I was about 3 years old that I am the most argumentative, stubborn person most people in my life have ever met. I will question if the sky is blue and will argue with you about it until you agree it is green with pink spots - LOL

Hence why I started law school, I didn't finish though as I quickly realized I do not like most lawyers. Figured that could be a problem... I've always wanted to do Veterinary medicine but I could never pass chemistry in high school....sigh.

So...in a nutshell, that is me!

Who are YOU???

[Momzilla]

Hi!  I LOVE your post!  I will respond when I have more time.  I'm at work right now, but wanted to say I love the idea!  You sound like a wonderful person.  I'd love to argue with you!  Truly.  I love a great debate!

Lator, Gator!

Zilla*

[pennst8r]

Awesome idea!  Nice to "meet you".

My real name is Lisa. I am 42, married to my college sweetheart and love of my life (second only to our 20-yr-old son). I live near Pittsburgh, born and raised here. Went to Penn State (obviously) for BS and MS in communication disorders. There I developed a deep passion for working with individuals with mental retardation, specialized in it there, never looked back. I currently supervise a very experienced team of MR supports coordinators; I also teach CPR and 1st aid as well as other MR related topics, and investigate allegations of abuse against folks w/ MR for the state office of mental retardation. I absolutely LOVE my job and can't stand to miss a day - as I am today.

I come from a large family - 6 kids. Most of us still live close to each other, which is awesome. Both parents were work-aholics and so are the kids mostly. My mom passed in '94 - will get over that someday. Don't know what I'd ever do without my Dad. He is my rescuer when I find myself at work or somewhere then unable to drive home due to my spasms or vertigo. He's the cutest thing you ever want to meet.

In my spare time, I am a  "volunteer-aholic" - church (teach Sunday school, lector ....), Salvation Army, various soccer teams, non-profits, etc. My mother was an ex-nun, so I was "bred" for it! I am a tremendous fan of dogs (red ones especially) or anything else with fur, poker - play online alot, soccer (have coached, referred and sat on boards for it), and all things Penn State - I have a life-sized cut out of Joe Paterno in my office! Oh yeah, and star-gazing - LOVE watching for shooting stars. I never plan to grow up, but fake it well at work, lol.

By the way, Jl, my son and his friends tell me I should have been a lawyer - always ready for a good debate, on justice or any other topic:)

So, that's me!  Penn

Next???

[fishyfish]

Hola!  Okay...who am I?  Well, 31 years old, married my college sweetie who I met online in a chat room back in the prehistoric age (my parents flipped out, thought I was meeting an ax murderer).  Nowadays it seems pretty normal!  I have two kiddos...6 year old son just started kindergarten this year, and my 3 year old girl.  I graduated with a geology degree in college and used to be sharper than a tack, not so much now.  Feeling duller with each passing year. :)  So much for being valedictorian.  I worked for a few years in geology consulting, and then moved into environmental farm planning.  I quit work after I had my first baby to stay home and raise him proper.  Been loving being at home, enjoying the kiddos and fleshing out my passions in other areas.

I love to knit, bake, garden, and do pysanky (egg decorating with wax and dyes).  I'm hoping to make some money with it - maybe not a lot, but enough I can justify buying supplies! :)  I am also an animal-aholic.  We have 8 kitties, and 30 chickens, although those couple roosters are going to have to go.  Keep attacking the kiddos.  I like watching movies, although that is an occasional pleasure with the kids so young, but my hubby and I like to sit and watch the tv too.  I usually don't read too much fiction, but I like non-fiction how-to books.  You should see my bookshelves.  I love learning new things.  Too bad none of it sticks around for long. :)

I live in the toolies, and I love it.  Hate the city.  I love the bucolic atmosphere, and wouldn't have it any other way.  I get to see gorgeous snow-covered mountains every day, salty sea air, and the most mesmerizing blue skies you'll ever see - none of that hazy smoggy **** for me!

I'll probably go back to work once my youngest is in school, but I'm enjoying my slow life at the moment.

Next?

[mokibear]

Terrific idea!!
My real name is Monika(my name I use on here is what my nieces call me) and I'm a 43 year old female, 16 years common-law with my hubby (if it ain't broke don't fix it view on marriage lol) and no children as I am unable. But our dog Rusty makes up for that. Yes I am an avid dog lover!! I have 2 wonderful older sisters and fantastic parents. I live in Ontario, Canada in an area we call the great white north. We have some fun winters here.

I work at a private boarding school for troubled teen girls in the residence for 2 years now. I am also taking a home correspondence course in counseling. I love my job and the girls there. I have been on sick leave but am going back this week for a couple of days to see how I do. I'm hoping to be able to work at least 3 days a week if my health allows.

I love reading books and enjoy anything from metaphysical books to fantasy and intrigue and I even enjoy an Archie comic book once in a while. lol My all time favorite book is Lord of the Rings. I also enjoy cooking, gardening and playing computer games. Once a week my girlfriends and I have a Bingo night on Pogo. I also love animated movies and I'm pretty sure I own most of them. I too will never grow up. lol

I'm a Virgo and like things done a certain way and will give you a really good argument as to why it should be done my way. lol

Well that's me in a nutshell ( yes I'm a nut lol)
Moki

[crystaly]

thought Id add to this one my names chris ( hate christine) got married to my hubby 34 yrs ago now Im 50 oops where did it go ! Had four kids all grown up now with kiddies of their own and I love them to bits ! Live with my hubby whose got health problems as well ! Got a good sense of humour usually and like wise a Virgo whose not a perfectionist so perhaps my mum got my birthdate wrong lol I used to work with crisis kids in the care system in the uk hence the sense of humour I suppose ! Love animals got a staffy whose cuddly , and like reading , beading , and car boots
xx chris

[Johnny Utah]

  Great post and wonderful idea. And here's Johnny..

  Hmmm, 47 years young, male, extremely good looking (hey, it's the internet, I can say anything right?), OK, just an average good looking guy.. sorry can't help it. I'm in pretty good physical shape, 6' tall and 185 lbs.

  I was born in Maine (USA) and spent my first 18 years there. OK, but a bit cold for me, I don't like anything below 75F. I joined the US Air Force at 18 and traveled a small part of the world. I spent 6 years in the Philippines and another 6 years in Central America (Panama). I was in for 20 years and then retired. The other 8 years I spent bouncing around the US. Mississippi, Utah, Michigan, New Hampshire, Florida, and Texas.

  I was an air traffic controller for 16 years, the last 4 years I was the Air Field Manager which overseas the daily operation of the airport. I loved the service and the friends I made. A very good bunch of people.

  I'm a democrat but tend to just go with my gut feelings on politics. I don't care for the current US policy and administration and think it's time to break the taboos and elect a woman president. It might just send a signal to the rest of the world that the US is ready for a change.

  I was a healthy, active, 5 day a week golfer. I played league basketball for 15 years, I love racquetball but seldom play anymore. Golf has become a once or twice a year event because of my health. In fact, just about most of the things I loved to do are on the back burner for now.

  I have a lovely wife of 27 years, we have two children. My sone is 25 and my daughter 20.

  I have had two jobs in 47 years. The Air Force and now with a semiconductor manufacture where I do sustaining work. A step below engineering stuff, basically fix the stuff that someone else messed up if its possible. I work in an electrical testing lab and get to wear a cool white jacket, gloves, hair bonnet and mask. Needless to say I don't come home from work dirty.

  I was going to retire in the Philippines however I was living on the side of Mt Pinatubo when it erupted for the first time in 600 years. My family and I had an hours notice to take whats important and leave. I never returned to my home, and seven weeks later we were evacuated from there and that was the last time I saw the country I had fallen in love with. 85-90 everyday and sunny!

  I now live in Maine again. When i retired from the Air Force I was going to settle in Florida but decided that my kids had not been around their grandparents much and that Maine was were we needed to be. Three years later my dad passed any from cancer, 2 years after that my mom from cancer. A year later my wifes parents moved to Florida. Nice. So here I sit in Maine wondering why I didn't stay in Florida. Well it was really nice to spend time with my parents at the end and I wouldn't have traded that for anything.

  Hey, did I say I was 6'3" and good looking yet? Love the internet..

  Johnny

[EL18]

Room for another little one.....

My real name is Emma, although Em to friends and family.  I'm 31 (just, had to get that in). Very happily married to a wonderful man called Rob.  We've only been married just over 2 years but have been together 12 years in total.  He is my best friend, my shoulder to cry on, my strength and my voice of reason.

No kids but I came off the pill recently so fingers crossed.  From a large family, I am the youngest of 7 kids, 4 big brothers and 2 big sisters.  Although I'm the youngest I am also the tallest....at 5ft 11, which my brothers hate...my revenge for years of torment from them when I was younger...lol.

I work for the government in education which I really enjoy...if not a little pressured at times. My claim to fame is that I left home at 10 years old to train as a classical ballet dancer.  Unfortunately my knees gave way under my height at the age of 17 so had to gracefully retire....can still do the splits though...my famous party trick after too many glasses of wine.

I am a big sports fan and before all this happened you would normally find me at the gym, in the pool or on the bike. Love reading, particularly thrillers and ghosty type books, love all that paranormal stuff...just as long as it's not in my house.  We moved into our new house about 2 years ago and my mum and sister are convinced that the development is haunted...probably is as my house is built on an old battle site....spooky. I really enjoy painting canvasses too.  

Normally do alot of fund raising too.  For a number of years I have completed an annual distance swim for charity.  My dad has parkinsons so I usually swim for the local branch he goes to but I've also raised money for other charities like cancer research, ms (ironically) and a blind charity in the uk.

And I'm a cancerian...

Thats pretty much it. oh yeah, almost forgot.  I live in the UK on the border of Northumberland, although I am orginally from Yorkshire...I will always be a yorkshire pudding at heart though.

That's me.

Em (aka the tall one)

[EL18]

Love it......still laughing.  Great fun.

[Roxie0818]

Thought I would chime in here  :)    My friends and I always thought we were comedians (especially after rum/cokes ).. when  a guy would introduce himself to me I would say..
Hi, I'm Roxanne  I have MS and 3 biracial kids... How many guys do you think came back knocking at my door!!  It has been a running joke for 7 yrs now!!    
Anyway,  I do have 3 kids...10, 8, & 5  my 5 yr old son had brain damage at birth with autistic traits.. so you can possible imagine what our house is like if he is having a bad day at the same time as I am!!  My poor fiance...which I met online few yrs ago.  My kids and I moved from Indiana to central California last year... I graduated college first with business  then Teachers degree (special ed),  didnt think I would like that  so I went back for Nursing degree..  quit work in 2003 from being a hospice nurse, my mom had just died from cancer.. and my dad was dx with prostate cancer few days before my mom died.. so neuro thought it was time for me to stop and take care of myself and family . so here I have 3 degrees and Im a stay at home mom (thanks to MS).. but I volunteer at church and at my kids schools..
Im the youngest of 7 kids (4 girls and 3 boys)  and NO I'm not the spoil the one!
Well.. I think thats the jist of it!!
My 25 yr old niece just asked me today.. are you still a country girl or u a city girl now.. my reply was... YOU CAN TAKE THE GIRL OUT OF THE COUNTRY, BUT YA CANT TAKE THE COUNTRY OUT OF THE GIRL!!    YEEE HAAAAAAAAAAA   :)

[lisarenee37]

Hi,
Well lets see. My name is Lisa. I am married to my husband Blake.. We have three gorgeous boys.. Stetson 20, Derek 15, & Colton 13... My whole family is so good understanding how I feel with my up and down days... I have been diagnosed with possible MS.. But due to lost insurance I havent completed testing...
Anyways,  I  love the outdoors, love to travel and spend time with family....
I recently quit my job as an EMT  in the Emergency Room, Due to my health problems...
But, I hope and pray soon, I can get it under control and keep doing what I love... Taking care of other people...

I love hearing everyones story and I think you had an excellent idea for people to tell WHO THEY ARE....
Everyone is welcome to visit my Myspace page at  myspace.com/lisarenee36   ... I would love to share stories and be here for anyone that would just like to talk...

GOD   BLESS

[Quixotic1]

Hmmm.....I'm afraid I have become someone defined by my disability.  But, I will tell you a little about how I got here - minus most of the medical stuff.

I am the youngest of two, my sister, 18 months older now lives with me and is my main caretaker.  

We moved all over the western US growing up, but landed in So Cal for high school.  I was the typical, geeky brain, on the speech team and the swim team.  In college I was a dual Pre-Med and Spanish Literature Major, graduated Magna, Phi Beta Kappa and Hypo Gamma Chondria, and went on to USC School of Med.  The spanish was the smartest thing I could ever have done, as I also trained at LA County General (largest teaching hospital in the world) and about 90% Spanish-speaking-only patients.

Initially I did an old fashioned Rotating Internship - combining Medicine, OB/Gyn, Peds, and Surgery.  Then off to the Indian Health Service who I was a general Medical Officer in the Public Health Service for three years.  It was in Yuma, AZ and I started in July.  I signed all the employment papers, and because the PHS is a (sort of) branch of the military (you know, head guy is the Surgeon General) my mom and I were of to the Marine base to the commissary to stock up.

Well, they stopped us at the gate and asked for ID.  I remembered something about signing a page titled something like "Officer Commission."  So I told the guard, "I think I'm an officer."  Now, mind you, I was 27, weighed about 120 and had my long wavy, blond hair up in pigtails, and was in short shorts and a peasant blouse - maaaaybe looked 16.

The guard snorted and said, "Little Girl, if you were an officer you'd KNOW your were an officer."  The three other marines standing nearby snickered.

To which I said, "No, Really, I think I signed something.  Mother give me that file folder."  So I reached in and fumbled around and found my commission papers.  I was a 2nd Lieutenant.  I gave him the papers, he paused then muttered, "My God, She's a Lieutenant!"  And everybody snapped to attention.  This scared the Holy sh** out of me, and I thought they were going to shot me.  I froze.  They just stood there staring straight ahead.  My mom leaned over and said, "They won't relax until you salute back."  I had never saluted before, no one had ever said how to do it, so I shakily reaffirmed the location of my forehead, and he waived me through.  Meanwhile, my mom is in convulsions of hyterical laughter, and my heart is pounding a mile a minute.

that was the beginning of my military career.

I went on after being doctor to the Cocopah and Quechan tribes back to LA County General and did my Residency in Pediatrics in Spanish.  Then I did most of a Fellowship ar UCLA in Immunology/Allergy/Asthma.  In the meantime I married an Engineer.  He and I met at a massage workshop in Big Sur.  He was totally blind and the smartest and funniest human being I had ever met.  While I did my residency, he completed his Masters in Computer Science (He already had degrees in Economics from the Univ of Chicago and in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford.)

Long story short - 10 years on the South Side of Chicago practicing developmental medicine with the group that pioneered the first specialty school using simultaneous communication with kids with autism.  My practice was about 1/3 autistic kids and their sibs, 1/3 very, low bithweight premies (BW less than 2 pounds after they graduated from the nursery) and 1/3 other multi-handicapped kids.

Hubby turned out to be a closet sociopath and the marriage went south as he continually berated me for not making enough money.  This was after I put him through the University of Chicago Law School (ranked 2nd in the nation right behind Yale)

We maoved to a small town in the Nevada desert, separated, I paid HIM alimony, and he forced me into bankruptcy.  Vertigo---disability---MS  yada yada yada.

I am housebound for the most part because the vertigo has casued extreme sensitivity to car motion.  I have my sis and 4 lovely cats.  Abby is the regal, elder queen, a fawn (pinsh-beige) Abysinnian who reads my heart.  Tony, is a mackerel Maine Coon-type who is sort of like your old college roommate - the one who ran around in his boxer shorts and drank beer for breakfast.  He is huge and has no clue about the concept of momentum.  So he is called Tony, the Destroyer.  When you yell at him he looks up lovingly and says, "Hi, Mom!"  Trax is a prim, extreme long-hair Tuxedo.  Very polite with the voice of a newborn kitten.  Finally we have snickerbritches, the little bengal mix, named Clyde.  She, too, will be empathetic and a playful lover.

I love the trees and the weather here.  I'm on the mountainside so we see the Columbia Gorge and the river.  I love the nourishing rain and the Washington state flower - mildew.  I listen to John Denver.  I knit compulsively, but buy yarn more compulsively, having never met a skein of yarn I didn't buy.  My mom says I look at the world slantwise and have a quirky sense of humor.

I never had kids, never wanted them, but adored all the thousands that passed through my office.

And, yes, there is a support group for people who talk too much.  It's called

ON-AND-ON ANON

Quix

[floridamom2]

Hi all - What a great idea!
My name is Kristin and I am a 37 year old mother of 2, Nick 10 & Samantha 6.  My husband is Mark and was made by God for me.  We have been married for 12 years.  I had a rocky childhood here in Florida, my father was a drug addict (prescription drugs mainly) and I was/ am a recovering alcoholic.  I have been sober since I was 20 - yes, I have never had a legal drink!  I am the middle child and have an older brother and a younger sister and a very large extended family that all moved here from New Jersey in the early 70's.  
I am an LPN but I quit nursing after my daughter was born to work at the family business selling Windows & Doors, better money and no shift work.  I love to bake, clean (I know, it's borderline OCD!!), laugh and oh yeah, laugh!  I love Seinfeld, and we have every episode on tape somewhere.  .  I also love to garden, cut the lawn and work.  I am what most would consider ADHD so reading books is not in the cards but I enjoy anything that can hold my attention for more than 30 minutes!  I have 3 dogs, 2 Jack Russels and a Humane Society mix that is my baby!      

It is wonderful getting to know you all!

Oh yeah - and I earned a Gold medal in the 2004 Olymipics in the 200 m hurdles  - how about that Johnny!!  Isn't the internet great!
Kristin

[Quixotic1]

Hah!  I WAS one of the hurdles in the 2004 Olympics!

[risnerrose]

Sherry here.  Hi all.  According to my former neurologist, I am "a pleasant white woman" and am "slightly obese".  Oops! I forgot - no neuro talk here.  I am 42 years old and have three children; a 17 year old daughter, and two sons - 14 and 9.  I teach 7th grade life science, so I deal with 100 hormonal kids all day and then come home and deal with two more.  The youngest is still by baby.  My kids are all wonderful . . . all 103 of them.  I feel blessed to hang out with people who make me laugh all day and then come home to 3 kids that I adore.  (It is so awesome when you realize you like your kids, not just love them.)  My husband of 20 years is a veterinarian.  Between our careers, we have many animals coming through our home.  We have two dogs, two lizards, and 7 "pity kitties".  Our snakes escaped this summer. . . thank goodness they were in the garage not the house, and my tree frog - which I've had for 6 years - just died.

If I have spare time, I love gardening (flowers, esp.) and reading.  I hang out with my kids as much as possible . . . chaperoning church camps, etc.  We love going to the drive-in . . .$10/car for a double feature - can't beat that - and I don't feel guilty if I fall asleep in the middle of the movie.  We take geek vacations: gathering seashells on Sanibel Island, searching for trilobites in Ohio, etc.  Life is good (with one little exception :) ).  

[BondyinOz]

Hi there! I have enjoyed reading your stories immensely! You are all such witty and wonderful people! Alas, I may just let the side down here :-)

My name is Melissa, I am 24 years old and I am all that Cancerians are said to be. I grew up in a small town in South Australia, a really wonderful place to start life. I have an older sister and older brother and grew up the child who would always be left out. (awww, the violins are playing hehe) I could swim before I could walk and joined the swimming club at age 7. I competed in a whole heap of competitions and my form stroke was breastroke for a while and then butterfly. I competed in the state championships at age 11 and was on my way to bigger and better things. Suddenly I started going through puberty and things went downhill from there, resulting in a very interesting medical 'episode' ending up in an inability to walk and hospitalisation for two weeks. One day it just started getting better and things went mostly back to normal.

At High School I was a keen musician, specialising in the Clarinet and the Tenor Sax. I loved my music teachers and had an absolute ball playing jazz and rocking out in general. I also starting singing and had the pleasure of singing with Australian jazz greats Don Burrows and James Morrison - some of the best moments of my life!

I also enjoyed developing my linguistic skills at High School, having learnt German since reception, and decided to take this right the way through Uni. I went to the University of Adelaide and studied a Bachelor of International Studies and a Diploma in Languages (German). I started a Law degree as well (so studying 3 degrees at the same time) and soon became unwell again, which meant a year later I was so unwell that I had to quit Uni, stop working and move back to the country to live with my parents for 6 months until I could get back on my feet again. I decided to start learning Russian at this point and focussed what little energy I had on it.

I moved back to Adelaide and started working full time, studying part-time, and finally finished my first degree. I then did my Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) last year and became a High School Teacher. Funnily enough I scored a permanent position on staff mainly as a German teacher at my old high school and have moved back to Clare! (Although not with my parents... and, breathe hehe) So far it has been really stressful but rewarding and I have gotten sick again.

Oh well... at least I'm on the hunt for a kitten and I'm looking at picking up my Russian again next year as well as starting a Grad Dip in TESOL by distance over the next two years, which is really exciting. I am single and looking to add more dimensions to my life. I think I want children in the future if the right guy comes along but I may not be able to have any. Se la vie.

In my spare time I enjoy chilling out, watching TV, playing computer games, quilling (a form of paper art) and learning very difficult languages. I am about to join my old swimming club again so am hoping that I don't drown in the process hehe I think it will be a real challenge but it will give me another opportunity to get to know my students and to get active again. Not exactly looking forward to getting into that lycra swimsuit though...

Great to meet you all!
Mel

PS - The best thing about moving back here? The fact that my high school boyfriend from so many moons ago is still here... :-)

[grannyhotwheels]

Hello all, what a wonderful idea.  My name is Carol and my nickname that was given to me by the railroaders that came to my grandmas cafe is "Tuffy".  I'm 42 years young.  I have been married for 25 years to Rob who was my first real love at the age of 16.  We have our ups and downs but I know he loves me and I know I love him and that's all that matters in the end.  

Rob and I have 3 wonderful children who I have devoted my entire life to.  Everything I have ever done was to make their lives better.  I love them more than life itself.  I also have 4 wonderful grand-kids.  Sammie, Caleb, and Mariah are my step grandchildren that God so graciously gave me.  They are the ones who gave me the name grannyhotwheels.  My son blessed me with the most perfect granddaughter you could ever imagine.  She is perfect in every way.  I can't imagine life without any of them.

I have worked 3 different jobs in my life.  I never went to college but worked so my hubby could go.  I intended to go after him but here came the little angels and that was that.  I worked at McKee Baking Co. which is the owners of Little Debbie Cakes, what a wonderful place to gain weight.lol.  I then worked at La-Z-Boy Manufacturing.  I sewed the seat cushions you set on.  Lastly before I had to quit because of health I worked for Day Spring Greeting Cards which is owned by Hallmark.

Before MS.  I played on an adult women's softball team that won first place in the state of Arkansas fast pitch.  I'm pretty proud of that.  I played 1st base.  After that the town I lived in switched to slow pitch which was a blast and I played left field.  I loved it got a lot of balls hit my way.  I was fast and oh how I love the Internet.  No really, this is all true.

My hubby and children also played.  It was hard with everyone playing so of course as always I gave mine up so I could coach my daughters softball team.  I loved to go outside and play a quick game of basketball with my son and the neighbor kids.  During football season I played football with the same bunch.  I was the cool mom on the block.

I now live in the boonies where I sit and drink coffee while watching the deer walk through the woods right in my back yard.  It's beautiful.  I live in Oklahoma but I'm 3 miles from Arkansas.  I'm the biggest Oklahoma Sooner Football fan you will ever meet.  My kids tell me I'm a fanatic.  I even have a Honors table in my living room foyer dedicated totally to the Sooners.  That way every one that visits gets to see that first.lol

I could go on and on because this is so fun talking about what I would still love to be doing and would be if I could.  My PT asked me this morning what my long term goals for therapy was and I told him that I wanted to play on an adult women's softball team next spring.  He told me that he would see me there.lol

Thank you for giving me this oportunity.  I feel so much better now, and as always I'll be praying,

Carol - grannyhotwheels - hotlegs

[risnerrose]

3 words . . . "Wooo, Pig, Sooie!"  :-O

[innisfree]

I am a mother of 4 adult children and Nana to 4 grandchildren (so far). I am a sister to 4 brothers. I, too, am blessed to have children I like/love and it seems it is returned.

I am a close friend to 1 dog, 1 cat. I am on a waiting list for a service dog.

I am an artist. Drawing is my core modality.

I love to read. Anything. Except maybe romances.

I am an introvert. Confidently and competently introverted.

I like to camp--preferably alone.

I like to cook. Mostly healthy foods and have a preference for simple, peasent food.

I am a nerd. I love school and am in my dissertation phase of my doctorate. It is on animal assisted therapy in a mental health setting.

I am a psychotherapist. Work takes most of my energy right now. I have worked in one form of the helping services or another for nearly 30 years. I am currently a clinical team coordinator/animal therapy coordinator at a residential psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents. Most of them have been horrifically abused. I work with 1 guinea pig, 3 rats, several dogs, 2 goats, and 8 horses and a lot of people in a beautiful setting on around 1200 acres. I love my work.

I have had a lifetime of adventures and misadventures--with few regrets. I am generally happy!!!

[grannyhotwheels]

Please if you don't mind I would like to add a couple of more things.  My parents where my number 1 fans as I grew up playing every sport that girls could play.  I also was Watts Rodeo Princess when I was 12.  I barrel raced for several years and rodeod all over until my dad became ill with cancer.  He passed away at the age of 44 when I was 14.  A year later my mother was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 39 and she passed away 10 years later at the age of 49.  I will die missing them both.

I grew up around horses, cows, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats, and anything I caught.  I now have 2 dogs.  Hank is a pit bull and Maddie is a pug.  She is the one who told me I forgot about her.  She sits on my lap and reads all of my posts.lol.

I have 2 older sisters and 1 younger brother.  I also have 5 nephews.  I had a very close nit family who always gathered at grandmas for Sunday dinner.  Lord, how I miss those days.

I am very involved with my church although I can't do a lot these days.  I also sing and play the guitar when my hands allow me too.

I think that's about it and thank you for allowing me to add a little more.  Like you had a choice.hahaheehee.

I'll be praying,
Carol

[grannyhotwheels]

I live close enough that I root for the hogs some too, but they will never compare to my Sooners!

[T-lynn]

My name is Toni, I'm 41.Divorced once and seperated now.

I have 4 children,my eldest is 21 and lives close,my 18 year old daughter is in the Navy and studying electrical nuclear engineering in SC.My son is 16 and my youngest daughter is 12.

I have a degree in statistical process control and have worked in a variety of factories.Before children and as a teenager I worked for the RED CROSS and taught swimming lessons and water saftey to train lifeguards.

I am currently disabled not by the MS but 2 failed back surgeries,the MS was an added bonus.

I enjoy spending time with my children and playing practical jokes,I love to laugh and refuse to grow up.

I am one of 4 children,I'm an identical twin,but the better looking one.(lol)

I enjoy remodeling my old home and enjoy household projects,I like to quilt,love to cook and have many flower and water gardens.

I am an advid football watcher and a seattle seahawks fan.Love the Ohio State Buckeyes

I volunteer during football season to do consession stands for the acedemic boosters.

I belong to a fitness center,somedays I think its just a social membership(lol)

I enjoy being with my family  and spending time with my kids having bonfires,I love having a housefull of teenagers as they are so full of life.

I have raised newfoundlands,but down to just having my one and getting another on Monday

I just generally love life in general and look at everday as a good day

T

[Johnny Utah]

  OK, you got me Kristin!  I lied, I'm not 6'3".

[Heather3418]

Of course, you may have already figured out that my name is Heather,  I am a Navy brat and have lived in many places around the world.  Go Navy!

I am now 54 years old, mother of two and grandmother to 5 and great-grandmother to one.  I was married for 34 years, divorced when my husband's zipper went through a mid-life crisis.  (Sorry to be so blunt..)  Been divorced now for 3 years, met a wonderful, loving and most handsome man on the Internet and have been with him since my divorce.  I am treated like a queen.  Hopefully someday, I will be a "Mrs." again.  I enjoyed having that title and honor.

Ex husband and I are now the best of friends.  Easy divorce, no arguements, just friendship; for which I am grateful.  It helps my two adult children to know that their parents don't fight and argue anymore.  It all turned out to be a good thing.

I was once a ballerina, very active in most sports and told I am blessed with a sensitive, loving heart and a sense of humor.

When I was 52, I found out that I was adopted at birth.  A secret that was suppose to follow all my "relatives" to the grave.  Father has severe dementia and it "slipped out."  Also found out that my brother, is not really my blood brother.  Changed my whole world...  I finally am adjusting and learning to take life as it comes.

I adore animals...especially my toy poodle and my three Chihuahua's.  Lap dogs are wonderful for pain relief....great little "heating pads," when the pain from the ugly MS, rears it's head.  When I have an "attack" I tell everyone that the "MS Pac-Man" is at work in my brain again.  Everyone has learned by now; that means Heather is not feeling up to par.

I live in Virginia among the mountains and fresh air, after spending most of my life around the Washington, D.C. area, where my father was stationed.  Glad to be away from that rat race.  I am the proud daughter of a retired Navy Captain, who served aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, when the peace treaty was signed with Japan.  Even have lived in Japan...wonderful people and a beautiful land.

The love of my life and I, enjoy a quiet, relaxing, retired life and are now building an "HO" scale model railroad, to "play" with, this winter.  What fun.  Expensive hobby as I am finding out, but fun.

I've never met a 'stranger' and live life to the fullest.  I am a blessed woman and truly love life....

Heather

[Momzilla]

Hi, everyone! I'm kind of shy, but here goes:

I like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain.
I'm not much into yoga, and I have half a brain.
I like making soup at midnight, in the dunes of the cape.
I'm the lady you've looked for.  Write to me and escape!

Zilla*  aka Twinkle Toes*