If my expectations were high I would be dissapointed huh?<P>When he came home I asked him if we could go to the room. I just wanted to be alone with him. Actually I wanted to jump his bones, but well, had to show some reserve.He-He.<P>I didnt have too much to say and he was quiet, so he left the room. We really didnt talk much. I was hoping for more of the same stuff from this afternoon, but nothing happened. I fell asleep on the couch while he studied. He woke me up and we went to bed. And he assumed his standard position. That is ALL the way over to the other side, back facing me and his arms curled up. <P>Last Sat night, when I went to bed, and he knew I was hurting he was actually laying on his back!! Isnt funny how perceptive we become to their body language?<P>Today I just feel kinda numb. Dont know what to think really. I am ready for this night mare to be over!!<P>I take my coffe like this..20oz hazelnut mocha, a triple shot, with low-fat milk and whipping cream.<P>But when I'm at home I settle for black too.<BR> <BR>Dara

PS. What do ya do for a living?

I'm so sorry that your night went like that. I was afraid that it would play out like that. I know when I see the littlest bit of hope I perk right up only to be shot down quickly and painfully.<P>When I read "he assumed the standard position" I started getting a little persperation on my brow. Then I read the next sentence. Again, sorry.<P>I can relate to the numb feeling. Last night when I went out for my walk I literally spoke outloud the whole time praying. I felt so relived by the time I returned. Then she opened her mouth and my heart started beating outside my chest again.<P>I too am ready for this nightmare to end.<P>I am an Estimator for a commercial cabinets/wood trim company. After three years in the Army I began working in the cabinet business. I've been in sales, management, designing, drafting, and know estimating. For someone with no education I make pretty good money.<P>Love, Bill<P>(((((((((((HUGS FOR BOTH OF US)))))))))))))<P>------------------<BR>-There are none so blind as those who refuse to see!-

No, I was not actually shot down from my hope. I know he meant what he said. He was actually getting a little choked up on the phone yesterday.<P>I was just hoping for more of it! But I still have that hope. But hell! He is reenlisting to get him through school. NCOIC in Madigan's ER is a good buddy of his. Told him he can work 7pm-3am five nights a week. Then he can cont. with his eduacation.<P>I asked him last night what if you do decide that you miss me and want to give it a go? I will be stuck in SA and up here in the military for 2 years. He said that he waited a long time for me to come around, two years shouldnt bee too long for me if he wants to give us a try.<P>Thats a hell of a long time to wait. He said that if I have truely "come around", it wont be too long. And he says he does not believe that I have. He still thinks that I am just jealous, and have no real love for him.<P>On the bright side I can get my finances in order. He agreed to pay off the big card, the one that has 4.5K on it. The one that has this 2K computer on it and his Tag Heuer watch on it. (Another thousand.) And I will live rent free. <P>But this house is needy alot of updates though. No central air (IN TX!!) old outdated kitchen and green shag carpet. BLECH!!<P>Give me something to do though huh? I need to learn how to lay Pergo, drywall (fam. room has brown paneling), wallpaper and put in new trim all over. Maybe he wont want me back when I morph into Bob Villa. LOL.<P>Dara

Green shag is awesome . I remember growing up we had orange shag in one of the bedrooms along with that dark brown paneling all over . We needed extra lights just to be able to see it was so dark. We remodeled and you would have thought it was a new house. Had to buy sun glasses those lights were so darn bright.<P>Anyway, when is the move to SA? Do the kids know of the move? Does he plan on visiting?<P>1st make sure you get AC. We spent 3 years at Fort Sill in south Oklahoma and it tends to get a little warm. <P>So what do really think of the two year deal? I don't know that I could do that. I mean there is a big reward if it works but everyone, including the kids, will have changes so much. <P>Glad your getting finances straight. Watch youself in these dealings. Make sure you and the kids can comfortable (w/o AC) survive.<P>Right now, on a scale of 1(D)-10(Married) what do you feel in your heart are your chances of staying married?<P>FYI I'm a 2<P>Bill

Hi Bill,<P>I dont like green carpet Sam I Am!! I'll get a heat pump/AC installed asap. I want the house to be bright and open. If its real bright than I cant see the mess from the little ones!!<P>When were you at FT. Sill? I was there from 93-95, lived on post, on Snow rd in Artillary village. Snow rd is the first intersect running through post as you enter.<P>Right now my chances? Hell I dont know, this is why I feel so numb!! Dont know what to think. Just plain tired of thinking. I want to take life as it comes. Live alittle ya know?<P>the movers come June 26-27th. Yeah the kids know. I have candy coated it for them. Remionding them how much their grandma's will spoil them. And Sea World/ Splashtown/Fiesta Texas too. Plus we will live only a mile away from where I used to board my horse as a girl. I plan on getting them a horse. So hell they are thrilled. <P>Him visit? I dont know. He'll be in school and be a slave to the Army. We'll see.<P>Its nice talking to ya. To talk to someone going through the same crap I am in, and finding a reason to laugh! I havent ever posted here too much because I feel to entangled with my own life to help others. To think about something else, and to talk to you is very enjoyable.<P>Dara

I don't like green carpet sam I am<BR>You do not like it on the floor<BR>But would you like on the door<P>How about green carpet on every wall<BR>Floor to ceiling in the hall<P>You'll like green someday you'll see<BR>The best part of it is that it's free <P><BR>Fort Sill 89-92, lived on Flemming Road. Those were the days. Our duplex was on the back side of the golf course. Remember it had that walking track around. Oh the memories I left in Oklahoma. We use to go to Wichita Falls, Texas all the time for country music concerts. We go to that mountain north of Fort Sill for picnics. Life was so simple then.<P>I also find comfort in visiting with you. Your advice has been great. The biggest thing is just knowing that you are there and you will listen. With you I feel safe and I know that you won't "candy coat" anything for me. I need reality and honesty. Thank you so much for your support. Did you read the joke about Neil Armstrong? "want to share a laugh" If not read it, I really got a kick out of it.<P>Bill<P><p>[This message has been edited by LostHusband (edited April 25, 2001).]

Ha! <BR>A poet too? It's a wonder she doesn't want you.<P>Yes I read the Neil Armstrong thing. Funny as hell. Doesnt it feel sooo good to laugh? How long have you been living this night mare? Me, since January 10th. Over four months of it being my every thought.<P>I found a couple of reasons to smile today, incuding your poetry. To know that there is also someone out there who is going through all the same crap as me. Living with your spouse throughthis is hell. <P>Life was good for me too back in OK. I remember going to a Martina Mcbride concert on the fourht of July in 94. Her singing "Let freedom ring." My favorite song at the time. Drives back home to SA (8hrs!!) every other weekend. Thinking living in housing was the "good life". We were quite poor at the time. My waitressing job at Ryan's steakhouse. Memories.<P>Witchita Falls is beautiful. I remember mostly the bridge. And losing my damm dog during a picnic there. The lights on the boats at night. OK stop it Dara. Dont get emotional and sentimental!<P>I think I'm gonna go for a drive to Tacoma now. There is something right now quite strange going on. Its a really big orange ball in the sky that makes you squint. Does anyone know what it is? We saw something like it before the winter rains came. I forgot though!!<P>Maybe buy myself a 10$ expresso too. JK. ONly 4$.<P>Thanks Bill. <P>Be back in a bit!!<P>((((((Bill)))))

Can somebody please tell me why they keep hurting us????????

It does feel good to laugh. I came to work today feeling really bad, as you could see from my first posts. Thank you for pulling up my boot straps and cheering me up. Today no matter what the b*tch does I will have a smile.<P>She told me about 2 months ago . Says I should of saw a year ago. Blinded by my own happiness, I guess. After year 5 we seperated for 6 months and she filed for divorce. I kissed her [censored] for 5 months and 29 days. Then one day I asked her best friend to go to a x-mas party with me. She called Lisa and asked if it was OK. After the party we went out for drinks. Lisa walked into the bar, looking fine. She obviously knew what she was doing. We got into an arguement. I tried to pull her out of the bar to talk outside. Someone grabbed me I swang. We went outside. We faught about her coming out knowing I was going to be there, I took my date home, went over to Lisa's and 7 years/one more kid later here I am. I feel like that Garth Brooks song "The Dance" was written for me. If I had known the pain that this would bring I never would have married. Then I wouldn't have my three angels.<P>Let me see we saw Vince Gill, Mary Chapen-Carpentar, Clint Black, Billy Dean, Reba, Garth, Alan Jackson and many others. Last year we saw Michael Peterson here in Kansas. I love that song When the Bartender Cries. He is fine and I'm not even gay . Martina's parents live by my mom and she has met her a couple of times.<P>"Whatever you say" is my favorite Martina song. The vocals are awesome.<P>We to were very poor at the time but we did more fun/family activities then. We were just two kids with a kid enjoying the world.<P>A big orange ball in the sky, run. I think I saw a movie about that once. <P>Where else did the military take you guys? We only went to Fort Sill. I went to a couple other places alone (Basic, AIT, & PLDC). Then we moved back to my home town of Dodge City, Kansas or as I like to refer to it "Little Mexico". From there moved to north/central Kansas. Now live in a huge town of 350 people. Great for the kids though.<P>Well I better do a little work today. I think they pay me to do that. Sometimes. I'll check back later this afternoon.<P>Thanks for the hug, I needed it.<P>Here's one ((((DARA)))) back at ya.<P>Hope you didn't get a speeding ticket and spill that expresso.<P>Talk to ya later!!<P>Bill<P><BR>

breakingslowly,<P>I think that my wife gets pleasure from hurting me. I probably shouldn't say that. More than likely it is some type of defense mechanism. They hurt us so that they don't feel their own pain. They know when we hurt they are in control. It really sucks. My wife can break me down with one word and she knows it. I have given her that power. But interestingly, when I don't let her see me break down from that one word, I get a bunch of different reactions. Some good and some bad, but all different.<P>Don't know anything about your story, but if you feel half the pain I do, I feel very sorry for you.<P>Try to keep your chin up and always remember to take care of yourself mentally and physically. I mean that. I have to force myself to eat everyday.<P>Take Care knowing your among those who accept you for who you are.<P>Bill<P>------------------<BR>-There are none so blind as those who refuse to see!-

I hope you don't mind me breaking into your little chat here, but I finally got around to reading this topic and I might be able to offer a few insights...<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lost Husband<BR><B>Since her decision to split our "love" life has been amazing. But that's where my question is. Saturday night she initiated sex and after some pretty intense moments in "the sack" we embraced in a passionate kiss. After all was done and we were back in bed she said something like "Sex is so great since we've taken the emotion out of it, right".<P>What the hell does that mean?<P>Is she really true that she could feel no emotion? Is she trying to justify to herself that there is no emotion? Does she feel guilty that we are having sex?<P>That statement really hurts when she says it and she says it enough that I believe that she is trying to coinvince herself that there is no emotion. I just can not understand that.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B>You made a good point about her pushing me away knowing what that makes me feel like. Does she enjoy the power that she holds? It sure seems like it.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Bill, I don't think your wife is getting off on exercising her "power". I think she is struggling for freedom.<P>As Dara pointed out, your proposed letter to your wife comes off as attacking and controlling. I suspect that your wife has been chafing under an increasing burden of emotional obligation for a long time (whether you have placed that burden on her or she has taken it upon herself) and she is savoring the relief of having declared emotional bankruptcy.<P>Can you imagine everything you do being colored by the nagging awareness that you <I>have</I> to do something or you <I>ought</I> to do something? Good sex is a paradoxical mixture of selfishness and selflessness, where you both abandon yourself to pleasure and seek to give your partner pleasure. It takes a mature perspective to realize that selfishness and selflessness are <I>not</I> mutually exclusive.<P>Bill, it looks like your wife has decided to abdicate her responsibilities to anyone except herself, and that has finally allowed her to give herself up to her own pleasure.<P>I think you are correct that your wife is trying to convince herself that there is no emotion. It is very difficult to be controlled unless you <I>allow</I> yourself to be controlled, and most control is achieved via the manipulation of fear, shame, and guilt. Your wife may have buried those feelings in order to escape the perception of being controlled, but those are feelings that cannot be easily discarded. Bankruptcy has a price, and payment cannot be deferred forever.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B>This morning as she leaves for "on-call" she says "have a nice day" and walks down stairs. After 12 years of a kiss every morning, now it's have a nice day, bull&&&&. So anyway I follow her down and ask what going on. She acts stupid for a moment and then says "Things are going to change". I say "I thought we were going to support and comfort each other until our split at the end of May". She says "Changes are going to happen". I say "well then I guess changes will happen on my side as well". I tell her to enjoy driving our new van today because it's the last time you will be able to. The end of that and here I am.<P>Now I just know that tonight when I get home that she'll have taken her wedding ring off, again (she knows that taking her ring off really hurts me). She was suppose to start sleeping on the couch a week ago and hasn't yet. Do I kick her to the couch tonight?</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Bill, I really don't understand what you are trying to accomplish with your wife. Are you trying to drive her away or woo her back? If I knew I had only a month to go before something like Plan B was forced on me, I know <I>I</I> would give Plan A my best shot. Kicking your wife out of bed and taking offense at every little thing she does or says doesn't look like either Plan A <I>or</I> Plan B. Both of those plans involve drawing boundaries that communicate unconditional love while making it clear that your spouse will not be permitted to control and manipulate <I>you</I>.<P>Plan A is about <I>giving</I> to your spouse without regard to whether your gift is accepted or rejected. Plan B is about holding your spouse <I>responsible</I> for his or her own actions. <I>Punishing</I> your wife for rejecting you is not going to do anybody any good. That's controlling behavior.<P>Incidentally, I thought your wife's comment that "changes are going to happen" was very telling. Use of the passive voice indicates her refusal to accept responsibility for actions that she clearly intends to initiate herself.<BR>

GnomeDePlume,<P>Thank you for taking the time to respond. You offer some really good insight. I want my family in tact. I am trying the plan A and we are in counselling. For what, I don't know, but we still go. <P>My head is so cluttered that I can't really think straight. That's why I post here, I get honest answers, based in reality, that I can't see when I'm at home. Hell I can't see them anywhere until someone points them out. Thank you for that.<P>Yes, she is trying to escape responsibility. She has always said she is not a quitter and that she is a perfectionist. Now in the face of reality, if she accepts any blame, she will no longer be able to say that. She has blamed everything on me. I am not a bad person. I am a very loving husband and a great father. Only one person that I know would disagree with any of that and she would say "You are a great husband to someone who wants to be married".<P>So the train will stay on course "A" for another month then we will have to see what the results of the crash are (FOG or FOREVER).<P>Again, thank you. I really needed some help today and I got it. For that I am forever your and others debt.<P>Bill<P>PS. Counselling Session tomorrow. Crying time. Pray for me.<BR>

Hi Bill,<P>Just read Gnome's response to you. This man is very insightful. I have taken his advice, when I can understand it!!LOL. <P>No offense, Gnome. You are able to articulate on a very sophisticated level. Oh wow. I think I surpassed my 6 letter word standard. I would hate to play Scrabble with you Gnome. <P>Well Bill. It's only been two months for ya. Take that letter and shred it. Really. Its OK to have those feelings. That is the point of this board. Share them with us not her. Dont threaten her anymore. She does have the inherent right to be an a$$. Do you notice <BR>she seems to be displaying her internal struggles a bit more now? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the clock is ticking, you are loving her, and she cant stand leaving you. Not with the unconditional love you have been showing her. Dont give her a "reason" from your own actions, to walk out easy.<P>And when your feeling down and fratrated do what I do. Run some poor innocent soul down on the road. NO!! Just Kidding. See you smiled didnt ya? Come talk to us. Remember we have your best interests in mind. No one here (in there right mind) is going to tell you to let her leave;she doesnt deserve you. Thats the EASY way. And you know about the hard way. Its a long, lonely road, but in the end it is the better path.<P>Where have we been? Ft. Hood, Ft. Sam, Ft. Sill, and here Ft. Lewis. Plus add in Kuwait, Korea, Egypt, Panama. Of course I didnt go to the latter.<P>BTW, I've only had one speeding ticket. Have always been able to charm my way out of the rest. Was driving his car and honestly didnt feel the speed I was going. I was off in lala land, trying to get to the bank in a hurry after I found out he did not make our mortgage payment before he left to visit his family in SA last December. I had also noticed the strange smell of perfume not belonging to me in his car. This was before I even knew.<BR> <BR>I am afraid of waiting two years and losing sight of the "prize" in the end. Two years is a hell of a long time to be alone waiting for an answer from him. Limbo land so to speak. We'll see.<P>Dara<BR>

Dara,<P>Yes I did Smile and LOL!<P>Did your charm include the display of any body parts?<P>I to only have one speeding ticket. I had my story all ready. A female cop got out of the car, scratched herself down low, flexed her bi-ceps, and the spit on the pavement. She intimidated me so I just took the ticket quietly.<P>Well I must sign off for the evening. Time to go to the cheery place called home. Kiss [censored] all night, get rejected, cry inside, pray, and toss the night away. I don’t mean to bring our fun conversation of the day down.<P>Green Carpet! He he he<P>Thank you so much for today. I really needed a friend and you were there. I’ll be back in the morning. Then have counseling from 1-2 (cst) I’ll probably need some cheering up after that. Please pray for me tonight.<P>Well that’s about enough of the sad crap. OK let me give you some advice:<P>1. If that expresso cup had a warning on it you can’t sue them for it being too hot . <P>2. Turn your air conditioner way down tonight and wear four sweatshirts to bed. They will keep you padded when those elbows start flying . <P>3. Reconsider the green carpet . If you start partying, the puke stains will blend in well.<P>4. Reconsider the central air in Texas. Being hot has it’s advantages. If the house is cool you’ll have no excuse for wearing your bikini or bra around all day.<P>You have a great sense of humor don’t let that get lost in this mess. As with all nightmare’s, eventually they end and we can go on with life. <P>Have a great evening. I know that if my starts to turn sour I’m just going thing (green carpet, green carpet, shag, shag) and a smile will come to my face.<P>Love, Bill<BR><P>------------------<BR>-There are none so blind as those who refuse to see!-

No my charm did not include the display of any body parts ya dope!!<P>Actually one ticket I skated out of was due to the fact that I disconnected some wire thingy under the car that a very shady man in a dark alley told me would extend the life of my waruntee. But it not only took out my odometer but my speedometer as well. Honestly officer!! Drive it yourself! I was just gauging my speed on that red Corvette down yonder.<P>LOL It worked!!<P>Tomorrow responsibility is back. Oh man back to work for me, giving infections oops I meant injections and emena's.<BR>Its been fun today. I needed a laugh desperatly. Forgot how funny life can be. you really got off to the green shag carpet thing huh? Well thanks alot buddy. I will have to live with it. And thanks to you I'll never look at it the same either!! Hide the puke good Lord. <P>Enjoy your night. And remember...dont look at the counseling as a means to save your marraige. Only you can do that. Look at it as a way to grow yourself. I look forward to hearing from ya tomorrow. I work late so you prob wont hear from me. <P>Keep up the good fight!!<P>Dara

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Learning as I go:<BR><B>No offense, Gnome. You are able to articulate on a very sophisticated level. Oh wow. I think I surpassed my 6 letter word standard. I would hate to play Scrabble with you Gnome.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>After reading this, I went back and read my post again. Would you believe, I had no idea I used some of those words? I just pick the first appropriate word that comes to mind.<P>It's no wonder that when I talk to kids they just kind of stare at me funny...<BR>

Well this is how my night went.<P>Ran home (30 miles away) picked up kids, took kids to soccer practice (another 30 miles) and library. Ran back home to take one kid to basketball practice. Wife wasn't there yet so I coached. Had a good time.<P>Walk in the door of the house and she starts in on everyone in her path. We all make it through OK. She was going to make supper but ended up on the phone so I cooked. Then I headed out the door for a walk. She followed. Here are some tidbits of conversation:<P>Her: We need to understand that things are going to change and you have to respect that<BR>Me: I do understand and things will change for me and you must respect that<P>We talked on for a little while and I basically came to the conclusion that as long as she wants something its OK but if I want something I must ask. I can do that. We had some more idle chit chat and then out of no where:<P>Her: You know that I'm only here doing my time<BR>Me: Lisa don't say that<BR>Her: I am just fulfilling my obligation to<BR>Me: (Interupted her) You can't say that, you are fulfilling no obligation, your obligation lies a lot higher, you made vows in front of God. You are fulfulling no obligation.<P>Her: I hate to say this But Revenge is Sweet.<BR>Me: What<BR>Her: How does it feel<BR>Me: Lisa, in our last month there is no reason to be hurtful<P>I started to feel my heart beat out of my chest and that tear come to my eye when I thought "green shag carpet". I smile appeared on my face, thanks Dara. <P>The rest of evening she pretty much avoided me but it wasn't too bad.<P>Have counselling in about 3 hours. That's always interesting.<P>Bill<P>------------------<BR>-There are none so blind as those who refuse to see!-

Just got back from counselling and I don't feel as bad as I thought I would. For some reason no matter what she said, the smile stayed on my face. Of course a couple of things hit me wrong but I just thought "Green Shag" and kept smiling. (Dara, I don't know why that carpet thing struck me as so funny) The counsellor spent a lot of time on Lisa today. Like me, she doesn't understand where some of Lisa's ideas/beliefs/perceptions come from. I wanted to say FOG. <P>Sad thing while I was doing all my smiling, I could see that this was just pissing Lisa off. She told the counsellor "Knowing that I hurt him doesn't bother me a bit, sometimes I like it". This from the woman who gave birth to our children and who I have shared my life with. That's sad. I would love so much for this to all be over and us be together again. I just don't think the fog will lift in time. I will probably be blasted for this next statement but oh well. If our divorce goes through to the end there will not be a chance of me accepting her back into my life as a wife. Reality sucks.<P>Anyway I think we made some progress in stopping all of the agrueing. We looked at our schedules and found a couple days that I could do some things by myself without feeling guilty about leaving the kids. Know I just have to figure out what to do. No money and only a hand full of friends in the area. I'll figure out something. I do need some "me" time. I have really lost myself over the years. I used to be such a fun person all the time. I'm still fun at work but outside of that I'm not. Maybe it's because I am comfortable here at work and I'm not preparing for the attack.<P>Well anyway it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.<P>Bill<P>

Dara<BR>Did you have a good evening? Are your ribs sore or did you take my advice with the sweatshirts? How was your day at work? Do you get to work with any of that blood and gore? Both of my sisters are nurses. They both work at a cancer clinic. Sounds pretty depressing to me. <P>So does the hospital you work at ever offer 2 for 1 sales? Today and today only bring your whole family down to update your tetanus shots and we’ll through in a free enema. But wait there’s more not only will you get your injection for protection against infection and your relaxing enema, in conjunction with Bob’s Carpet Warehouse, the first 20 people will also receive free green shag carpet for every room in the house.<P>I really don’t know why that green shag carpet thing hit me funny. But whatever it was I’m glad it did. I really needed to laugh; I had forgotten how good it makes you feel. It’s not that bad the first time it needs vacuumed just use a lawnmower. You could even make some pretty cool patterns in it.<P>Anyway, I was pulled over 23 times as a teenager in my ’74 camaro and never received a ticket. First time I got pulled over as an adult in the family truckster, by the cop from hell, she wrote me up so fast I think she sprained her finger. 96 in a 60 it wasn’t pretty and neither was she.<P>In case you wonder I post between 7a-5p (cst). Right now I only post at work for obvious reasons. I might start coming in some on Friday evenings and the weekends. I do enjoy reading and responding. I guess maybe it takes my mind off some of my problems for a while and it’s nice to be able to VENT.<P>The only time I’ve ever been to Texas was at a family reunion when I was 14. That side of the family is full of partiers. So we’re at this really nice house in Fort Worth that has pool with a hot tub right next to it. My cousins and I walk by the pool sneak drinks and take them to the front of the house to drink them. Well after quite a while, I walk by the pool and my mom calls me over. Oh Crap, I think. She gives me the camera and asks me to go take a picture of something. I take the camera and walk away. Splash. Walked right into the hot tub camera and all. BUSTED! We had a good time and went to Six Flags.<P>Hopefully the girls and I will be going to Fort Worth in July. They are big time into baton twirling and the nationals are in Fort Worth this year. Going to have to wait and see how everything shakes out after separation. Last year we went to Cleveland for nationals and had a blast Sea world, Six Flags, and the Great Lakes. Good times by all.<P>So did you grow up in Texas? I grew up in Dodge City where the men are men and the cows are nervous. We had horses, as well. Mine was a Shetland pony named Sugar. We kept them at some stables a couple of blocks from our home. Every time I go back to DC, I go visit that cowboy that took care of the horses. He is 86 and is still doing the same thing. The whole town has grown around him and he doesn’t have a care in the world. When I go see them, I step out of the car, take a sniff at the air and sweet memories of childhood go dancing through my head.<P>Tell me about WA. When I head west I don’t make it past the mountains in Colorado. My company does a lot of work there and I make quite a few quick trips out there.<P>Well I guess this one is long enough. I anxiously await your reply. I will continue to fight the good fight until the deed is done and there is nothing left to fight. Hope you have an enjoyable evening. I’m going to make supper, go for a walk, do some reading, and watch ER. That’s about the only show that I watch with any regularity. It’s not the same without George and Julianna but still keeps my attention for an hour.<P>((((((((DARA)))))))<P>Bill<P><BR>------------------<BR>-There are none so blind as those who refuse to see!-<p>[This message has been edited by LostHusband (edited April 26, 2001).]