I can't wait to go back and read all these life stories!! what a great idea (and how did I miss it??)
ME
I'm a 40 something single mom. I say 40 something because I never remember.. I have to ask my daughter every single time "How old am I?". Age truly is a state of mind, and I lost mine long ago!
I have 2 children, both the joys of my life and the cause of my gray hairs. Though my hair has been every color in the rainbow, and is currently a bit multi colored by user error. I grew up in a 'normal' household; 2 kids, dad worked full time, mom part time, we moved a LOT, so thanks to facebook, I have re-discovered many of my old friends. They are scattered across the world! I love it!
I've always been described as a bit flightly, free-spirited, artsy, and big hearted. Everyone is welcome in my life, but as I grow older I have realized that I love my solitude too (so ya better call first! haha) I looooove projects, and thanks to my dad I learned to attempt anything and everything, but never finish it, so my house is full of many various projects. Since I'm a single mom I had to learn how to do it myself (my childhood mantra was "do itself".. and that still fits). I've replaced my own dishwasher, plumbing, lighting, flooring, brakes, etc etc. If it can be done, I will do it.
I love to cook and spend most winters baking and cooking up a storm. When summer hits I love to get out and dig in the dirt (it's theraputic), we love to be as natural and earthy as possible, and I believe firmly in the 3 R's; reduce, reuse, and recycle! I've succeeded well in the latter two, and need work in the first! Pretty sparkly things tend to catch my eye, so I color my world, and each room in my house is a different color. My bathrooms and bedrooms get painted the most. Since art and crafts (my family has many artists, pro and amatuer) are a HUGE part of my life, I've converted my dining room into a full on art room. I installed extra cabinets and counters: one for me, which turned into a vaping station!.. and one for the kids. My sewing machine, embroidery machine, supplies, paints, ribbons, beads, clay, photographs, EVERYTHING and anything one could need.. it's in there. A real kid magnet.
Like many of you, I've struggled with some disabilities during my adult life. For some reason my bones and my muscles are breaking down. I've been diagnosed with more arthritises and muscle disorders than I care to recount. After spending nearly 15years trying to 'find out what's wrong with me' I've finally decided I need to move on to survive, and I'm attempting to accept these things. God and religion has played a big part in helping me to move on. A favorite quote of mine, hangs in my kitchen, and inspires me to continue living my life to the best of my ability. It's by Theodore Roosevelt and says "Do what you can, where you are, with what you have". That is my driving force... for without that thought, I would curl up and just feel sorry for myself. I've learned that does me no good. I don't know how I'll feel each day, nor what part of me may hurt, or if I'll even have the strength to do the most mundane things. Sometimes getting dressed, making myself something to eat, and keeping those that rely on me alive too.. those simple things can be a huge task. Then add in unbearable pain, and some days I struggle to keep going. Those are the hard days. What has that taught me..? Well, I've learned I must take EVERY bit of pleasure from the good moments, I must dive in head first, laugh loud, smile big, and enjoy the good moments in every single second for whatever feeling or joy or comfort or knowledge they may bring.. because I don't know what tomorrow holds for me.
PIF has helped me to do that, for this I am SO grateful. PIF and it's members allows me to find the joy, find the need, find the place I belong, and places that I can help. It has brought so much joy and love into my life, when I really needed it most. It's my own secret treasure.
But I digress..
Because I've moved around a lot, and met so many great people, I've been able to understand and see many different ways of living, different styles of thinking. For these reasons I love all the little things that make us human, and I consider myself lucky and blessed to be a part of this world. I look constantly for ways that I can add to the joy, and make this world a better place.
That's me in a nut shell.
