Hi everyone,<BR>I did something fun today and kinda surprised myself. <P>Ya'll know I'm a Home Depot junky. It used to be kind of a necessary "evil" in that I couldn't go there without getting all bummed out about my ex. It's been getting easier, but nothing really monumental would happen that would make me take notice of my progress. Today was different.<P>I went there to get my pinestraw and topsoil, nothing major. For some reason, maybe it was the weather, I don't know, but I was actually HAPPY going there. Not only that, I even flirted with a couple of guys while I was wandering around the plant aisles! Petted someone's jack russell terrier, and chatted with some toddlers running around. It's amazing. You smile and people smile back. Not a new concept, but I think I've finally found my smile again and it is nice.<P>I've got a little secret ladies, this time of year (at least in Atlanta) is the time to head to Home Depot. Especially on weekends. Usually the men who are attached are with their girlfriends/wives. The unattached ones sometimes have their children with them. Plus, you get an idea of what kind of "workin' guy" they are. <P>Hey guys, what would you think if you saw a woman throwing 40 lb bags of topsoil into a pickup truck? In this town, I'm guessing some would think<P>a) I'm lesbian<P>or<P>b) I'm too strong, and I might hurt them <P>Had lots of fun playing in the dirt too. It is in the 70's and not a cloud in the sky here.<P>

good for you.<BR>things are looking up.<BR>eventually you just have to say i"m done with this.<BR>You sond very upbeat.

looking ahead,<BR>It has been a very,very long time coming. My ex and I separated in June 1998, and I went to hell and back trying to save my marriage. He divorced me in May 1999. So, I've been divorced now for about a year and a half. It has only been in the past few months that I've even started to crawl out of my hole.

YOU GO GIRL!!! Life is is to precious to waste time. SMILE SMILE SMILE!!!

TheStudent,<P>Must be the season of home improvement and smiling! <P>I bought a fixer-upper home on auction last Tuesday. Lost a little sleep the first night wondering how will I ever do this being single and all!<P>We don't have a Home Depot here but did stop at a Country General Store today. Told my married, pregnant, 24 year old daughter, who was with me how I had read THIS the place for me to check out the guys". <P>I think I'm about to meet a whole new world of contractors, heating & air people, electricians etc. My low budget remodeling project could be great therapy or drive me further into madness, LOL!<P>So happy to hear you had a wonderful day, it feels great doesn't it?<P>Ragamuffin

TS,<P>Do I sense you coming out a little bit in some sort of way? <P>I have known your secret for a while (home depot) and yes, its a prime spot to meet a guy . Be careful though because many men in there are married and don't wear rings due to their occupation, so don't just assume!!!!!!!!<P>Be happy TS, you deserve it too<BR>Dana<BR>

TS,<P>Damn, I guess I need to hang out at the Home Depot...LOL<P>If I saw a woman loading pine straw in her truck, I'd say, cool, now there's a woman that has it going on!!<P>Glad to hear you're comming around.<P>Bill

Hi, Hi, Hi!! <P>Glad you had a HAPPY SUNDAY!<P> Sheryl

DanaB,<BR>I know what you mean about no ring. I'm not there to do any SERIOUS shopping, but it is nice to be around people (men and women) who are all not 25 yrs. old. There have been a few guys in my classes that seem interested, but I know they have no idea how old I am, and I'm not into casual, just for fun, kinda dating. Or really any dating. Still, fun to look and know I'm not totally DEAD in that dept.<P>Ragamuffin,<BR>Me and my ex restored an old house in FL, but we did most of the work ourselves. Wanna talk plaster, refinishing wood floors, plumbing? I used to design air-conditioning and plumbing before I got my undergrad degree. Hard work on a house will definately get your mind off of things!<P>Discover2000,<BR>Thanks. At first it felt kinda wierd to be smiling again. Had a black cloud following me around for so long. <P>Bill,<BR>My tip? Go on a busy day when you need to wait in line. It is nice just to chat with other people sometimes.

Hey Student,<P> What would I think if I was at Home Depot,and saw a woman throwing 40 lb bags of topsoil into a pickup truck?<P> Well,.........what else?....<BR> <BR> I'd be thinking that I'd have to get her over to help with my yardwork! <P><BR> ~~Murph

Hey TS,<P>Damn it, this thing lost my post to you from yesterday.<P>Welcome to the world of the living. Have fun chatting with folks. I have a blast!<P>TS, you are a great person and don't loose sight of that. Glad to hear you are coming out. You deserve it.<P>My hedges up front need a trimmin in case you care Home Depot Girl.<P>Coming to Nville?<P>Zippy

Dear TS,<P>When you work with your hands, it is always healing....Who knows, by the end of this week, you could well be whistling and doing a little dance as you home improve?<P>Good to hear.<P>weep

TS:<P>I just have to ask...is your pickup new, shiny, dirt free and pretentious, or is it a little beat up and covered in mud?<P>I don't know what it is for me, but a wmoan driving a pickup that's covered in mud is a real turn on Obviously not something you see too often in 'yuppieville' where I'm from!<P>Never thought about looking for women checking me out while at Depot. May have to start watching for that next time I'm there <P><P>------------------<BR>JH93

Murphy,<BR>The Northwest is awesome for gardening. I look at the plant catalogs and have little NW rainforest garden fantasies. You guys can grow roses like noone else, and your Hydrangeas are to die for. Your front yard would look like a botanical garden if I got my hands on it. Ready for that?<P>Medic,<BR>I think I am coming to Nville. At least for one night. Looking forward to kicking your b*tt in laser tag (if we end up doing that).<P>Oh, would you prefer your hedges be "groomed" by hand (i.e. pruning shears), with manual hedge shears, or by mechanical hedge shears? Personally, I prefer hand pruning because it looks more natural. I hope I don't offend you, but there is nothing worse than "lollipop" plants covering the landscape. Those poor, mercilessly sheared things. I call them "bushes in bondage" LOL <P>Jayhawk,<BR>My truck is VERY unpretentious. Lots of scratches in the bed. I got into a little fender bender a couple of years ago (first one in 13 yrs!!) and pounded it out myself and looks it. At least the front corner still holds a headlight (albeit skewed a little). The ends of the front bumper are missing. It is kind of a medal of honour among engineers to keep the junkiest car possible running for as long as possible. Mine has 140,000 miles. My old Subaru had over 200,000 and was still running great when I gave it to charity. Anyway, I HATE spending money on cars. If I were a billionare, I'd feel the same way. You know Sam Walton (of Walmart fame) drove a pickup truck his whole life?

Hey! As we all know, teachers make no money, so I need a second job. I actually applied for one at the HD last week! (This may help in more ways than one! )

gsd,<BR>If I needed a second job, the HD would be high on my list, along with a plant nursery or at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. I already give the ABG some of my time for free.<P>

TS,<P>Well, this is sounding good. She is back to Home Depot and she is shopping folks. Yeah, it is happening at our Home Depot also. In fact ours is open 24 hours now.<P>Do you suppose that HD people realize what an advertising bonanza they have on their hands.<P>TS, it is so good to hear you talking about life and such.<P>God Bless,<P>JL

Hi Student!!<P>I, too, love Home Depot. Last time I went in there one of the young guys that worked there tried to chat me up. I am 45 years old and thought it was kind of cute, but, like you, I'm not ready for dating yet either. But yeah, it's nice to be noticed every now and then.<P>I too, am just beginning to feel like myself again after the devastation called divorce. My H walked out and left me for the OW in Jan of 97. Was finally divorced (he finalized it) in May 99 also. I am finally beginning to see the positives in being single and in being free from all the BS that he hung on me for so long. I had no idea how demoralizing his lack of love, respect, consideration, kindness and participation in our marriage was for me until the burden of his shabby treatment was lifted from me. Welcome back to the land of the happy and free!! We are finally getting past the bad stuff and finding out what we are really made of. And it is GOOD!!<p>[This message has been edited by Lady M (edited October 02, 2000).]

Lady M,<BR>ANOTHER Home Depot junky? Cool!! See guys, there are lots of do-it-yourself babes out there <P>Yes, it does feel GOOD. The daily stresses that would have sent me into a major tailspin just 6 mos ago have no affect on me. <P>JL,<BR>I'm so glad you stuck around to see the good stuff (Finally, huh?). Somehow you managed to see through all my pain and hang with me during some of my worst times. I am eternally grateful.

Oh TS, Medic and I are gonna kick your butt in lazer tag...we're already planning the statagies Look forward to seeing you there.<P>Bill