Re: Re: Theme Day - my hobby

[Guest guest]

Thank you - you've given me something to think about there. Yes, it sounds right, about the acorn etc. You can sort of see how things have developed as you look back in your life, can't you.... Love Chris

Re: Theme Day> - my hobby> > > Back in 2000 after being away from it for 10 years> , I got back into> coin collecting (collected for 10 years before I> got married in 1990).> I used to love it, but by spring of 2002 I thought> I had MS and maybe> alzheimers and dropped out of the hobby> altogether. Didn't care about> it, didn't give me pleasure anymore and to much to> deal with. I was> focused on trying to survive.> > A couple of months ago got a little bit back into> it . Looked over my> collection I hadn't looked at it much in 3 years> and I felt the spark> of interest coming back. I had my kids collecting> before I dropped> out. I'll see if I can't get at least one of them> back into it with me.> > Over the last 10 years I didn't have the energy to> build and fix> things around the house, but I have been going> like gang busters> making improvements and have been cleaning the> basement so my daughter> can have her room down there (already finished is> crammed full of> stuff) and we can take back the dinning room in> the back of the house> that she has been using for a bedroom. I've put> about 10 hours into> cleaning the basement over the last 3 weeks, half> way done. Our front> room is crammed with giant computer table/hutch,> treadmill, dinning> room set and it all almost touches each other and> I'm tired of it. I> can't wait to move the computer and treadmill to> the dinning room> (never used it for that) We have a little house> which we outgrew years> ago, but I think we can make the house work for us> a few more years> now until the kids are out on their own (daughter> 15, son 12). > > I feel real good about the fact I can get up and> do stuff and not have> to just watch the house fall apart anymore. Still> have to get up to> where I can bike ride again, maybe next year.> > Chris> > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Thank you - you've given me something to think about there. Yes, it sounds right, about the acorn etc. You can sort of see how things have developed as you look back in your life, can't you.... Love Chris

Re: Theme Day> - my hobby> > > Back in 2000 after being away from it for 10 years> , I got back into> coin collecting (collected for 10 years before I> got married in 1990).> I used to love it, but by spring of 2002 I thought> I had MS and maybe> alzheimers and dropped out of the hobby> altogether. Didn't care about> it, didn't give me pleasure anymore and to much to> deal with. I was> focused on trying to survive.> > A couple of months ago got a little bit back into> it . Looked over my> collection I hadn't looked at it much in 3 years> and I felt the spark> of interest coming back. I had my kids collecting> before I dropped> out. I'll see if I can't get at least one of them> back into it with me.> > Over the last 10 years I didn't have the energy to> build and fix> things around the house, but I have been going> like gang busters> making improvements and have been cleaning the> basement so my daughter> can have her room down there (already finished is> crammed full of> stuff) and we can take back the dinning room in> the back of the house> that she has been using for a bedroom. I've put> about 10 hours into> cleaning the basement over the last 3 weeks, half> way done. Our front> room is crammed with giant computer table/hutch,> treadmill, dinning> room set and it all almost touches each other and> I'm tired of it. I> can't wait to move the computer and treadmill to> the dinning room> (never used it for that) We have a little house> which we outgrew years> ago, but I think we can make the house work for us> a few more years> now until the kids are out on their own (daughter> 15, son 12). > > I feel real good about the fact I can get up and> do stuff and not have> to just watch the house fall apart anymore. Still> have to get up to> where I can bike ride again, maybe next year.> > Chris> > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Oh thanks for telling me Chris. I'll pass that on to my husband. He collect English coins for the main part. I'm sure he'll be interested in what you're collecting too.

Love Chris

Re: Theme Day - my hobby> > > Back in 2000 after being away from it for 10 years , I got back into> coin collecting (collected for 10 years before I got married in 1990).> I used to love it, but by spring of 2002 I thought I had MS and maybe> alzheimers and dropped out of the hobby altogether. Didn't care about> it, didn't give me pleasure anymore and to much to deal with. I was> focused on trying to survive.> > A couple of months ago got a little bit back into it . Looked over my> collection I hadn't looked at it much in 3 years and I felt the spark> of interest coming back. I had my kids collecting before I dropped> out. I'll see if I can't get at least one of them back into itwith me.> > Over the last 10 years I didn't have the energy to build and fix> things around the house, but I have been going like gang busters> making improvements and have been cleaning the basement so my daughter> can have her room down there (already finished is crammed full of> stuff) and we can take back the dinning room in the back of the house> that she has been using for a bedroom. I've put about 10 hours into> cleaning the basement over the last 3 weeks, half way done. Our front> room is crammed with giant computer table/hutch, treadmill, dinning> room set and it all almost touches each other and I'm tired of it. I> can't wait to move the computer and treadmill to the dinning room> (never used it for that) We have a little house which we outgrew years> ago, but I think we can make the house work for us a few more years> now until the kids are out on their own (daughter 15, son 12). > > I feel real good about the fact I can get up and do stuff and not have> to just watch the house fall apart anymore. Still have to get up to> where I can bike ride again, maybe next year.> > Chris> > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Oh thanks for telling me Chris. I'll pass that on to my husband. He collect English coins for the main part. I'm sure he'll be interested in what you're collecting too.

Love Chris

Re: Theme Day - my hobby> > > Back in 2000 after being away from it for 10 years , I got back into> coin collecting (collected for 10 years before I got married in 1990).> I used to love it, but by spring of 2002 I thought I had MS and maybe> alzheimers and dropped out of the hobby altogether. Didn't care about> it, didn't give me pleasure anymore and to much to deal with. I was> focused on trying to survive.> > A couple of months ago got a little bit back into it . Looked over my> collection I hadn't looked at it much in 3 years and I felt the spark> of interest coming back. I had my kids collecting before I dropped> out. I'll see if I can't get at least one of them back into itwith me.> > Over the last 10 years I didn't have the energy to build and fix> things around the house, but I have been going like gang busters> making improvements and have been cleaning the basement so my daughter> can have her room down there (already finished is crammed full of> stuff) and we can take back the dinning room in the back of the house> that she has been using for a bedroom. I've put about 10 hours into> cleaning the basement over the last 3 weeks, half way done. Our front> room is crammed with giant computer table/hutch, treadmill, dinning> room set and it all almost touches each other and I'm tired of it. I> can't wait to move the computer and treadmill to the dinning room> (never used it for that) We have a little house which we outgrew years> ago, but I think we can make the house work for us a few more years> now until the kids are out on their own (daughter 15, son 12). > > I feel real good about the fact I can get up and do stuff and not have> to just watch the house fall apart anymore. Still have to get up to> where I can bike ride again, maybe next year.> > Chris> > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Oh thanks for telling me Chris. I'll pass that on to my husband. He collect English coins for the main part. I'm sure he'll be interested in what you're collecting too.

Love Chris

Re: Theme Day - my hobby> > > Back in 2000 after being away from it for 10 years , I got back into> coin collecting (collected for 10 years before I got married in 1990).> I used to love it, but by spring of 2002 I thought I had MS and maybe> alzheimers and dropped out of the hobby altogether. Didn't care about> it, didn't give me pleasure anymore and to much to deal with. I was> focused on trying to survive.> > A couple of months ago got a little bit back into it . Looked over my> collection I hadn't looked at it much in 3 years and I felt the spark> of interest coming back. I had my kids collecting before I dropped> out. I'll see if I can't get at least one of them back into itwith me.> > Over the last 10 years I didn't have the energy to build and fix> things around the house, but I have been going like gang busters> making improvements and have been cleaning the basement so my daughter> can have her room down there (already finished is crammed full of> stuff) and we can take back the dinning room in the back of the house> that she has been using for a bedroom. I've put about 10 hours into> cleaning the basement over the last 3 weeks, half way done. Our front> room is crammed with giant computer table/hutch, treadmill, dinning> room set and it all almost touches each other and I'm tired of it. I> can't wait to move the computer and treadmill to the dinning room> (never used it for that) We have a little house which we outgrew years> ago, but I think we can make the house work for us a few more years> now until the kids are out on their own (daughter 15, son 12). > > I feel real good about the fact I can get up and do stuff and not have> to just watch the house fall apart anymore. Still have to get up to> where I can bike ride again, maybe next year.> > Chris> > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Way to go Chris... isn't it something when that spark starts to try to warm you up? And getting the house back in shape too, that's awesome!

You'll let us know if that new found dining room ends up being your coin room, won't you!!! heheheheh

Topper ()

On Sun, 04 Sep 2005 01:48:34 -0000 "" writes:

Back in 2000 after being away from it for 10 years , I got back intocoin collecting (collected for 10 years before I got married in 1990).I used to love it, but by spring of 2002 I thought I had MS and maybealzheimers and dropped out of the hobby altogether. Didn't care aboutit, didn't give me pleasure anymore and to much to deal with. I wasfocused on trying to survive.A couple of months ago got a little bit back into it . Looked over mycollection I hadn't looked at it much in 3 years and I felt the sparkof interest coming back. I had my kids collecting before I droppedout. I'll see if I can't get at least one of them back into it with me.Over the last 10 years I didn't have the energy to build and fixthings around the house, but I have been going like gang bustersmaking improvements and have been cleaning the basement so my daughtercan have her room down there (already finished is crammed full ofstuff) and we can take back the dinning room in the back of the housethat she has been using for a bedroom. I've put about 10 hours intocleaning the basement over the last 3 weeks, half way done. Our frontroom is crammed with giant computer table/hutch, treadmill, dinningroom set and it all almost touches each other and I'm tired of it. Ican't wait to move the computer and treadmill to the dinning room(never used it for that) We have a little house which we outgrew yearsago, but I think we can make the house work for us a few more yearsnow until the kids are out on their own (daughter 15, son 12). I feel real good about the fact I can get up and do stuff and not haveto just watch the house fall apart anymore. Still have to get up towhere I can bike ride again, maybe next year.Chris

[Guest guest]

Way to go Chris... isn't it something when that spark starts to try to warm you up? And getting the house back in shape too, that's awesome!

You'll let us know if that new found dining room ends up being your coin room, won't you!!! heheheheh

Topper ()

On Sun, 04 Sep 2005 01:48:34 -0000 "" writes:

Back in 2000 after being away from it for 10 years , I got back intocoin collecting (collected for 10 years before I got married in 1990).I used to love it, but by spring of 2002 I thought I had MS and maybealzheimers and dropped out of the hobby altogether. Didn't care aboutit, didn't give me pleasure anymore and to much to deal with. I wasfocused on trying to survive.A couple of months ago got a little bit back into it . Looked over mycollection I hadn't looked at it much in 3 years and I felt the sparkof interest coming back. I had my kids collecting before I droppedout. I'll see if I can't get at least one of them back into it with me.Over the last 10 years I didn't have the energy to build and fixthings around the house, but I have been going like gang bustersmaking improvements and have been cleaning the basement so my daughtercan have her room down there (already finished is crammed full ofstuff) and we can take back the dinning room in the back of the housethat she has been using for a bedroom. I've put about 10 hours intocleaning the basement over the last 3 weeks, half way done. Our frontroom is crammed with giant computer table/hutch, treadmill, dinningroom set and it all almost touches each other and I'm tired of it. Ican't wait to move the computer and treadmill to the dinning room(never used it for that) We have a little house which we outgrew yearsago, but I think we can make the house work for us a few more yearsnow until the kids are out on their own (daughter 15, son 12). I feel real good about the fact I can get up and do stuff and not haveto just watch the house fall apart anymore. Still have to get up towhere I can bike ride again, maybe next year.Chris

[Guest guest]

Way to go Chris... isn't it something when that spark starts to try to warm you up? And getting the house back in shape too, that's awesome!

You'll let us know if that new found dining room ends up being your coin room, won't you!!! heheheheh

Topper ()

On Sun, 04 Sep 2005 01:48:34 -0000 "" writes:

Back in 2000 after being away from it for 10 years , I got back intocoin collecting (collected for 10 years before I got married in 1990).I used to love it, but by spring of 2002 I thought I had MS and maybealzheimers and dropped out of the hobby altogether. Didn't care aboutit, didn't give me pleasure anymore and to much to deal with. I wasfocused on trying to survive.A couple of months ago got a little bit back into it . Looked over mycollection I hadn't looked at it much in 3 years and I felt the sparkof interest coming back. I had my kids collecting before I droppedout. I'll see if I can't get at least one of them back into it with me.Over the last 10 years I didn't have the energy to build and fixthings around the house, but I have been going like gang bustersmaking improvements and have been cleaning the basement so my daughtercan have her room down there (already finished is crammed full ofstuff) and we can take back the dinning room in the back of the housethat she has been using for a bedroom. I've put about 10 hours intocleaning the basement over the last 3 weeks, half way done. Our frontroom is crammed with giant computer table/hutch, treadmill, dinningroom set and it all almost touches each other and I'm tired of it. Ican't wait to move the computer and treadmill to the dinning room(never used it for that) We have a little house which we outgrew yearsago, but I think we can make the house work for us a few more yearsnow until the kids are out on their own (daughter 15, son 12). I feel real good about the fact I can get up and do stuff and not haveto just watch the house fall apart anymore. Still have to get up towhere I can bike ride again, maybe next year.Chris

[Guest guest]

I like that idea, , that we have a reason to be... maybe not to change the whole world, but to contribute to our lineage in some way... if I'm understanding it right.... what we do affects those that come after us....

... geez... now I made myself kinda sad... I don't have kids and at 48 not likely to... but I can still imagine that I've done something in my lifetime that has been of value.

Topper ()

On Sun, 4 Sep 2005 03:46:25 -0700 (PDT) writes:

Has anyone here read 'The Soul's Code' by Hillman? In this book (I will try to paraphrase andprecis!) he puts forward the theory that the humansoul is rather like an acorn. As an acorn carries thegenetic information to enable it to grow into an oaktree so the new born soul of an infant carries all theinformation needed to allow the individual to reachinto his/her potential. The need to 'be' something ordo something is written in our DNA. Whatever hindersor blocks us cannot destroy the code that is pullingus toward our 'destiny'. Illness and circumstance willcloud the vision but not blank it out.I love this theory and have thought about it a lotover the past few years. During the months that I washousebound and miserable, fearing the future withoutan income, all I could turn to were the dreams that Ihad as a child and adolescent. I still have to earn aliving but I am reconnected to that which makes me ME.I wonder how much that lack of connection contributedto the illness? I have even wondered if somehow myillness was almost necessary to make me take time outto re-evaluate the way I spend my time.Whatever any you feel about this, I don't think thatthis new viewpoint is doing me any harm!

[Guest guest]

I like that idea, , that we have a reason to be... maybe not to change the whole world, but to contribute to our lineage in some way... if I'm understanding it right.... what we do affects those that come after us....

... geez... now I made myself kinda sad... I don't have kids and at 48 not likely to... but I can still imagine that I've done something in my lifetime that has been of value.

Topper ()

On Sun, 4 Sep 2005 03:46:25 -0700 (PDT) writes:

Has anyone here read 'The Soul's Code' by Hillman? In this book (I will try to paraphrase andprecis!) he puts forward the theory that the humansoul is rather like an acorn. As an acorn carries thegenetic information to enable it to grow into an oaktree so the new born soul of an infant carries all theinformation needed to allow the individual to reachinto his/her potential. The need to 'be' something ordo something is written in our DNA. Whatever hindersor blocks us cannot destroy the code that is pullingus toward our 'destiny'. Illness and circumstance willcloud the vision but not blank it out.I love this theory and have thought about it a lotover the past few years. During the months that I washousebound and miserable, fearing the future withoutan income, all I could turn to were the dreams that Ihad as a child and adolescent. I still have to earn aliving but I am reconnected to that which makes me ME.I wonder how much that lack of connection contributedto the illness? I have even wondered if somehow myillness was almost necessary to make me take time outto re-evaluate the way I spend my time.Whatever any you feel about this, I don't think thatthis new viewpoint is doing me any harm!

[Guest guest]

I like that idea, , that we have a reason to be... maybe not to change the whole world, but to contribute to our lineage in some way... if I'm understanding it right.... what we do affects those that come after us....

... geez... now I made myself kinda sad... I don't have kids and at 48 not likely to... but I can still imagine that I've done something in my lifetime that has been of value.

Topper ()

On Sun, 4 Sep 2005 03:46:25 -0700 (PDT) writes:

Has anyone here read 'The Soul's Code' by Hillman? In this book (I will try to paraphrase andprecis!) he puts forward the theory that the humansoul is rather like an acorn. As an acorn carries thegenetic information to enable it to grow into an oaktree so the new born soul of an infant carries all theinformation needed to allow the individual to reachinto his/her potential. The need to 'be' something ordo something is written in our DNA. Whatever hindersor blocks us cannot destroy the code that is pullingus toward our 'destiny'. Illness and circumstance willcloud the vision but not blank it out.I love this theory and have thought about it a lotover the past few years. During the months that I washousebound and miserable, fearing the future withoutan income, all I could turn to were the dreams that Ihad as a child and adolescent. I still have to earn aliving but I am reconnected to that which makes me ME.I wonder how much that lack of connection contributedto the illness? I have even wondered if somehow myillness was almost necessary to make me take time outto re-evaluate the way I spend my time.Whatever any you feel about this, I don't think thatthis new viewpoint is doing me any harm!

[Guest guest]

I haven't known you long , but I sure as heck KNOW that you've done something of value!!!!!! And I'm VERY grateful for it! Love Chris:-))))

Re: Re: Theme Day - my hobby

I like that idea, , that we have a reason to be... maybe not to change the whole world, but to contribute to our lineage in some way... if I'm understanding it right.... what we do affects those that come after us....

... geez... now I made myself kinda sad... I don't have kids and at 48 not likely to... but I can still imagine that I've done something in my lifetime that has been of value.

Topper ()

[Guest guest]

I haven't known you long , but I sure as heck KNOW that you've done something of value!!!!!! And I'm VERY grateful for it! Love Chris:-))))

Re: Re: Theme Day - my hobby

I like that idea, , that we have a reason to be... maybe not to change the whole world, but to contribute to our lineage in some way... if I'm understanding it right.... what we do affects those that come after us....

... geez... now I made myself kinda sad... I don't have kids and at 48 not likely to... but I can still imagine that I've done something in my lifetime that has been of value.

Topper ()

[Guest guest]

I haven't known you long , but I sure as heck KNOW that you've done something of value!!!!!! And I'm VERY grateful for it! Love Chris:-))))

Re: Re: Theme Day - my hobby

I like that idea, , that we have a reason to be... maybe not to change the whole world, but to contribute to our lineage in some way... if I'm understanding it right.... what we do affects those that come after us....

... geez... now I made myself kinda sad... I don't have kids and at 48 not likely to... but I can still imagine that I've done something in my lifetime that has been of value.

Topper ()

[Guest guest]

Sounds like you were up to exciting things Chris!!!! Especially the bit about the meteroid! Love Chris:-)))

Re: Theme Day - my hobby

yeah it's sad that our interests can go right out the window.I have a 500 pound safe I keep my collection in I didn't mentionsitting a few feet from the computer, actually sits next to thedinning hutch and table. My wife loved when I bought that a few yearsago, but we covered with autumn themed picnic table cover helps it. Idon't look forward to moving it to the back of the house. It's aboutthe size of a washing machine and also holds my comic book collection.I have to patch the dry wall in that room down stairs. It got messedup during the heavy rains of the terrible 93 flooding here in St.Louis. A month after that happened, had a bad car accident andpreceded to really go down hill after that for years. I pulled junkaway from the hole last week and want to fix it before I stack stuffup against it (can't believe was 12 years ago). Thought about doingit today, but no I decided I don't get vacations, I'm going to be lazytoday.I used to be very heavily into astronomy until 15 years ago. I builta 10 inch reflector over 90% complete. Still have to buy the mirrorstoo, but they cost 3 times more now ($400) than when I startedbuilding it. Been itching to complete it, but $400!!!I dabbled in astrophotography back then and when I was cleaning thebasement found a real good photo of Mars on slide film I'd like tohave printed. I have a nice pic of Halleys comet, I may post on mysite if it scans good (I change the pic every month). I found thatcomet 2 1/2 months before it could be seen with the naked eye (Jan 1st1986, just after midnight, Halley couldn't be seen by naked eye untilmid March). Once saw a 13 hours old moon (record is 10 hours, If youdon't know where exactly to look you won't find it). I used to justkeep all my telescopes and equipment in my station wagon and couldjust take off to dark skies on a whim which was all the time. (onetime a meteroid landed 100 - 200 yards from me, made a loud dull roarsound and it glowed all the way to the ground). This was all BEFORE,I got married.Chris> Way to go Chris... isn't it something when that spark starts to try to> warm you up? And getting the house back in shape too, that's awesome!> > You'll let us know if that new found dining room ends up being your coin> room, won't you!!! heheheheh> > Topper ()> > On Sun, 04 Sep 2005 01:48:34 -0000 ""> <chrisgj@s...> writes:> Back in 2000 after being away from it for 10 years , I got back into> coin collecting (collected for 10 years before I got married in 1990).> I used to love it, but by spring of 2002 I thought I had MS and maybe> alzheimers and dropped out of the hobby altogether. Didn't care about> it, didn't give me pleasure anymore and to much to deal with. I was> focused on trying to survive.> > A couple of months ago got a little bit back into it . Looked over my> collection I hadn't looked at it much in 3 years and I felt the spark> of interest coming back. I had my kids collecting before I dropped> out. I'll see if I can't get at least one of them back into it with me.> > Over the last 10 years I didn't have the energy to build and fix> things around the house, but I have been going like gang busters> making improvements and have been cleaning the basement so my daughter> can have her room down there (already finished is crammed full of> stuff) and we can take back the dinning room in the back of the house> that she has been using for a bedroom. I've put about 10 hours into> cleaning the basement over the last 3 weeks, half way done. Our front> room is crammed with giant computer table/hutch, treadmill, dinning> room set and it all almost touches each other and I'm tired of it. I> can't wait to move the computer and treadmill to the dinning room> (never used it for that) We have a little house which we outgrew years> ago, but I think we can make the house work for us a few more years> now until the kids are out on their own (daughter 15, son 12). > > I feel real good about the fact I can get up and do stuff and not have> to just watch the house fall apart anymore. Still have to get up to> where I can bike ride again, maybe next year.> > Chris

[Guest guest]

Sounds like you were up to exciting things Chris!!!! Especially the bit about the meteroid! Love Chris:-)))

Re: Theme Day - my hobby

yeah it's sad that our interests can go right out the window.I have a 500 pound safe I keep my collection in I didn't mentionsitting a few feet from the computer, actually sits next to thedinning hutch and table. My wife loved when I bought that a few yearsago, but we covered with autumn themed picnic table cover helps it. Idon't look forward to moving it to the back of the house. It's aboutthe size of a washing machine and also holds my comic book collection.I have to patch the dry wall in that room down stairs. It got messedup during the heavy rains of the terrible 93 flooding here in St.Louis. A month after that happened, had a bad car accident andpreceded to really go down hill after that for years. I pulled junkaway from the hole last week and want to fix it before I stack stuffup against it (can't believe was 12 years ago). Thought about doingit today, but no I decided I don't get vacations, I'm going to be lazytoday.I used to be very heavily into astronomy until 15 years ago. I builta 10 inch reflector over 90% complete. Still have to buy the mirrorstoo, but they cost 3 times more now ($400) than when I startedbuilding it. Been itching to complete it, but $400!!!I dabbled in astrophotography back then and when I was cleaning thebasement found a real good photo of Mars on slide film I'd like tohave printed. I have a nice pic of Halleys comet, I may post on mysite if it scans good (I change the pic every month). I found thatcomet 2 1/2 months before it could be seen with the naked eye (Jan 1st1986, just after midnight, Halley couldn't be seen by naked eye untilmid March). Once saw a 13 hours old moon (record is 10 hours, If youdon't know where exactly to look you won't find it). I used to justkeep all my telescopes and equipment in my station wagon and couldjust take off to dark skies on a whim which was all the time. (onetime a meteroid landed 100 - 200 yards from me, made a loud dull roarsound and it glowed all the way to the ground). This was all BEFORE,I got married.Chris> Way to go Chris... isn't it something when that spark starts to try to> warm you up? And getting the house back in shape too, that's awesome!> > You'll let us know if that new found dining room ends up being your coin> room, won't you!!! heheheheh> > Topper ()> > On Sun, 04 Sep 2005 01:48:34 -0000 ""> <chrisgj@s...> writes:> Back in 2000 after being away from it for 10 years , I got back into> coin collecting (collected for 10 years before I got married in 1990).> I used to love it, but by spring of 2002 I thought I had MS and maybe> alzheimers and dropped out of the hobby altogether. Didn't care about> it, didn't give me pleasure anymore and to much to deal with. I was> focused on trying to survive.> > A couple of months ago got a little bit back into it . Looked over my> collection I hadn't looked at it much in 3 years and I felt the spark> of interest coming back. I had my kids collecting before I dropped> out. I'll see if I can't get at least one of them back into it with me.> > Over the last 10 years I didn't have the energy to build and fix> things around the house, but I have been going like gang busters> making improvements and have been cleaning the basement so my daughter> can have her room down there (already finished is crammed full of> stuff) and we can take back the dinning room in the back of the house> that she has been using for a bedroom. I've put about 10 hours into> cleaning the basement over the last 3 weeks, half way done. Our front> room is crammed with giant computer table/hutch, treadmill, dinning> room set and it all almost touches each other and I'm tired of it. I> can't wait to move the computer and treadmill to the dinning room> (never used it for that) We have a little house which we outgrew years> ago, but I think we can make the house work for us a few more years> now until the kids are out on their own (daughter 15, son 12). > > I feel real good about the fact I can get up and do stuff and not have> to just watch the house fall apart anymore. Still have to get up to> where I can bike ride again, maybe next year.> > Chris

[Guest guest]

You made me think about me.... I used to have my camping and fishing gear in my car or truck or car (depending on which year it was). From the first fishing day in spring until the water was too cold to be out on in the fall... My canoe was usually up on top, ready for a quicky after work. I got teased all the time for that... that canoe with me all the time. I was always out fishing, either from shore or the canoe, depending on how much time I had.

Camping, too... every weekend. I was the cat lady a few years. I had three cats and all three of them came with me camping AND fishing. The two white cats rode on my shoulders. My gear was in a back pack and the little tortie I carried in my arms. We all hiked down to the boat launch and the cats jumped right into the canoe. I had rugs for them to lay on, and a rug thrown over the front of the canoe for shade. You should have seen those three when I caught a fish!!! They all did their very best to protect me from the evil monster that had jumped into the boat, sometimes the fish were as big as the littlest kitty!! heheheheh

Good days for me then....

I canoed a little that first summer after I got nuked... that was the summer I did my solar greenhouse.. that was the last BIG thing I did.. that was 15 years ago. Five years later I lost that house. As each job downsized and I was laid off, the next job was less responsibility, less physical.. less pay.. until I couldn't get work at all. It's hard to get a job when you go to the interview on crutches.

sigh

I'm inventing again, creating again... just a smaller scale now.... I'm coming back.... I'm coming back.

Topper ()

On Tue, 06 Sep 2005 03:11:28 -0000 "" writes:

yeah it's sad that our interests can go right out the window.I have a 500 pound safe I keep my collection in I didn't mentionsitting a few feet from the computer, actually sits next to thedinning hutch and table. My wife loved when I bought that a few yearsago, but we covered with autumn themed picnic table cover helps it. Idon't look forward to moving it to the back of the house. It's aboutthe size of a washing machine and also holds my comic book collection.I have to patch the dry wall in that room down stairs. It got messedup during the heavy rains of the terrible 93 flooding here in St.Louis. A month after that happened, had a bad car accident andpreceded to really go down hill after that for years. I pulled junkaway from the hole last week and want to fix it before I stack stuffup against it (can't believe was 12 years ago). Thought about doingit today, but no I decided I don't get vacations, I'm going to be lazytoday.I used to be very heavily into astronomy until 15 years ago. I builta 10 inch reflector over 90% complete. Still have to buy the mirrorstoo, but they cost 3 times more now ($400) than when I startedbuilding it. Been itching to complete it, but $400!!!I dabbled in astrophotography back then and when I was cleaning thebasement found a real good photo of Mars on slide film I'd like tohave printed. I have a nice pic of Halleys comet, I may post on mysite if it scans good (I change the pic every month). I found thatcomet 2 1/2 months before it could be seen with the naked eye (Jan 1st1986, just after midnight, Halley couldn't be seen by naked eye untilmid March). Once saw a 13 hours old moon (record is 10 hours, If youdon't know where exactly to look you won't find it). I used to justkeep all my telescopes and equipment in my station wagon and couldjust take off to dark skies on a whim which was all the time. (onetime a meteroid landed 100 - 200 yards from me, made a loud dull roarsound and it glowed all the way to the ground). This was all BEFORE,I got married.Chris

[Guest guest]

Awww.. thanks, Chris...

*blush*

Topper ()

On Tue, 6 Sep 2005 09:43:34 +0100 "" writes:

I haven't known you long , but I sure as heck KNOW that you've done something of value!!!!!! And I'm VERY grateful for it! Love Chris:-))))

[Guest guest]

Oh, wow, that part didn't register in my brain when I read your post, Chris....... you want to be a consultant for the book I'm writing? It involves meteorites!!! hehehehehe

Topper ()

< snip >

I dabbled in astrophotography back then and when I was cleaning thebasement found a real good photo of Mars on slide film I'd like tohave printed. I have a nice pic of Halleys comet, I may post on mysite if it scans good (I change the pic every month). I found thatcomet 2 1/2 months before it could be seen with the naked eye (Jan 1st1986, just after midnight, Halley couldn't be seen by naked eye untilmid March). Once saw a 13 hours old moon (record is 10 hours, If youdon't know where exactly to look you won't find it). I used to justkeep all my telescopes and equipment in my station wagon and couldjust take off to dark skies on a whim which was all the time. (onetime a meteroid landed 100 - 200 yards from me, made a loud dull roarsound and it glowed all the way to the ground). This was all BEFORE,I got married.Chris

[Guest guest]

I don't like that you are feeling that way, . You help so many of us every day! You give us hope and educate and encourage us SEVERAL times a day! You are a treasure! You can surround yourself with "family" whether or not they are blood relatives. You have created a loving family by helping all of us and we call care about you. Sometimes having family you choose is much better anyway!

Blessings,

Re: Re: Theme Day - my hobby

I like that idea, , that we have a reason to be... maybe not to change the whole world, but to contribute to our lineage in some way... if I'm understanding it right.... what we do affects those that come after us....

... geez... now I made myself kinda sad... I don't have kids and at 48 not likely to... but I can still imagine that I've done something in my lifetime that has been of value.

Topper ()

[Guest guest]

I don't like that you are feeling that way, . You help so many of us every day! You give us hope and educate and encourage us SEVERAL times a day! You are a treasure! You can surround yourself with "family" whether or not they are blood relatives. You have created a loving family by helping all of us and we call care about you. Sometimes having family you choose is much better anyway!

Blessings,

Re: Re: Theme Day - my hobby

I like that idea, , that we have a reason to be... maybe not to change the whole world, but to contribute to our lineage in some way... if I'm understanding it right.... what we do affects those that come after us....

... geez... now I made myself kinda sad... I don't have kids and at 48 not likely to... but I can still imagine that I've done something in my lifetime that has been of value.

Topper ()

[Guest guest]

I don't like that you are feeling that way, . You help so many of us every day! You give us hope and educate and encourage us SEVERAL times a day! You are a treasure! You can surround yourself with "family" whether or not they are blood relatives. You have created a loving family by helping all of us and we call care about you. Sometimes having family you choose is much better anyway!

Blessings,

Re: Re: Theme Day - my hobby

I like that idea, , that we have a reason to be... maybe not to change the whole world, but to contribute to our lineage in some way... if I'm understanding it right.... what we do affects those that come after us....

... geez... now I made myself kinda sad... I don't have kids and at 48 not likely to... but I can still imagine that I've done something in my lifetime that has been of value.

Topper ()

[Guest guest]

Thanks ... That's exactly why I refer to us here as family... drawn together as we are, I feel closer to you guys that I do some of my family members.....

You guys being here for me is what keeps me going when I'm having a bad day... cuz I know there is always someone here to talk to....

.... and it helps me to remember how lost I was before.... How wonderful things are now, compared to then... that it's worth the fight to work at getting better.

I get asked every once in a while why I'm still here... and I started this group more than 2 1/2 years ago, our website was just renewed by our benefactor for another two years.... I don't see myself every giving up, on me, or anyone else.... I keep learning new things all the time... I still have a dream, the clinic..... I want to make that dream come true.

Yep... today is a good day --- even if it's so hot I'm working up a sweat just sitting here!!! hehehehehe

Topper ()

On Tue, 6 Sep 2005 11:23:58 -0500 " Pifer-Stone" writes:

I don't like that you are feeling that way, . You help so many of us every day! You give us hope and educate and encourage us SEVERAL times a day! You are a treasure! You can surround yourself with "family" whether or not they are blood relatives. You have created a loving family by helping all of us and we call care about you. Sometimes having family you choose is much better anyway!

Blessings,

[Guest guest]

Thanks ... That's exactly why I refer to us here as family... drawn together as we are, I feel closer to you guys that I do some of my family members.....

You guys being here for me is what keeps me going when I'm having a bad day... cuz I know there is always someone here to talk to....

.... and it helps me to remember how lost I was before.... How wonderful things are now, compared to then... that it's worth the fight to work at getting better.

I get asked every once in a while why I'm still here... and I started this group more than 2 1/2 years ago, our website was just renewed by our benefactor for another two years.... I don't see myself every giving up, on me, or anyone else.... I keep learning new things all the time... I still have a dream, the clinic..... I want to make that dream come true.

Yep... today is a good day --- even if it's so hot I'm working up a sweat just sitting here!!! hehehehehe

Topper ()

On Tue, 6 Sep 2005 11:23:58 -0500 " Pifer-Stone" writes:

I don't like that you are feeling that way, . You help so many of us every day! You give us hope and educate and encourage us SEVERAL times a day! You are a treasure! You can surround yourself with "family" whether or not they are blood relatives. You have created a loving family by helping all of us and we call care about you. Sometimes having family you choose is much better anyway!

Blessings,

[Guest guest]

Thanks ... That's exactly why I refer to us here as family... drawn together as we are, I feel closer to you guys that I do some of my family members.....

You guys being here for me is what keeps me going when I'm having a bad day... cuz I know there is always someone here to talk to....

.... and it helps me to remember how lost I was before.... How wonderful things are now, compared to then... that it's worth the fight to work at getting better.

I get asked every once in a while why I'm still here... and I started this group more than 2 1/2 years ago, our website was just renewed by our benefactor for another two years.... I don't see myself every giving up, on me, or anyone else.... I keep learning new things all the time... I still have a dream, the clinic..... I want to make that dream come true.

Yep... today is a good day --- even if it's so hot I'm working up a sweat just sitting here!!! hehehehehe

Topper ()

On Tue, 6 Sep 2005 11:23:58 -0500 " Pifer-Stone" writes:

I don't like that you are feeling that way, . You help so many of us every day! You give us hope and educate and encourage us SEVERAL times a day! You are a treasure! You can surround yourself with "family" whether or not they are blood relatives. You have created a loving family by helping all of us and we call care about you. Sometimes having family you choose is much better anyway!

Blessings,