Well, i have lived by myself for since July 1, and I like it right now. I had one bout of loneliness in the fall, around September/October, when there was nothing to do for a couple of weeks, but i'm excited about the future right now.<P>1) I can travel when and where I want to.<BR>2) I am leaving for disney for a week with my kids tomorrow and don't have to listen to tons of complaining and fear of flying.<BR>3) I have trips planned for the next several months, without having to coordinate with 3 other schedules.<BR>4) I don't have to listen to someone complain and be disappointed for secret, unfulfilled expectations that I didn't have a clue about.<P>Right now, the only part i am missing is<BR>it would be nice to travel and explore with someone to share fun times and memories. Yes, Nashville reminded me of what my life was like before kids, when X wasn't afraid of travelling and wasn't obsessive compulsive about visiting the gymn for 2+ hours daily, and could leave home without feeling mentally scared. I don't mind taking the kids traveling either, its just different with them, but we still get to explore new places. <BR>In the end, its not the day to day activities and schedules i remember or plan for, that just happens anyway. its the trips, outside the daily routine activities that i value and remember. its the different places and unique events that i remember. and that doesn't include the same event, each year to observe the subtle changes from one year to the next, X's favorite idea of exploring. <P>So i'm back to traveling, got a week sailing and snorkeling in the Caribbean in March, and then a week with kids in April I'm not sure where to go with yet.<P>I have a trip in May, and then summer starts and I have to plan where to take the kids for two weeks, that one is a lot harder, there are so many good choices! Plus, my dad wants to go sailing for a week in the summer, and i get to show him that I can take the boat out by myself, so he can let me take friends sailing without him!
<P>Well, its time for fun, I've spent too many hours working for a stinkin' company that doesn't value employees and hard work, and hates granting vacations, and living with someone scared to do new and different.<P><B> let the trips begin! </B><P>tom<P>