My current relationship is (mostly) happily married. I kid, I kid. We are happily married for 8 years, with our 9th anniversary a month away!
Prior to getting married, we were together 7 years. Yep, add it up kiddos, that’s almost 16 years together! Whoa!!
That makes me sound really old.
Dennis & I have been dating since I was 18 & have lived together since I was 20. It wasn’t all rainbows & kittens, but 16 years later, we work together well & rarely argue. Not sure if it’s time or Zoloft I should thank for that – haha.
We met through one of my best friends, Heather. We’ve had more than our fair share of bumps in our journey, but it’s for sure made us a better couple.
Dennis is a great guy…he’s got a short fuse, which he’s working on & he talks too much, which gets annoying – but we’ve never passed a stranded motorist w/o him stopping to help. He’s never said no, even if he’s mad, at helping a family member. Short fuses & talking don’t even rate with a heart as big as his!
So I’d say I’m a pretty lucky girl & I can’t wait to be celebrating our next 16 years together!
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Day 2 – Where you’d like to be in 10 years
10 years is a long time away and I can tell you, the last 10 years would not necessarily be what I had wished for. Ten years ago, I had no children, lived in Florida, my dad was still alive and Dennis & I were planning a wedding 1200 miles away.
10 years ago I wanted a great wedding, children – 5 children to be exact w/easy waterbirths, a beautiful home with lots of land, two new vehicles, no debt and my dad moving back to Ohio.
What I got was a beautiful wedding, 2 beautiful daughters after 2 high-risk pregnancies & 8 blood clots after the use of a lot of fertility drugs, a beautiful home – no yard, one new vehicle & one small truck and my dad passed away. I’m not even going to mention the bills & debt..ugh..
My next 10 years…my longings have changed. I’ll be 44, Cadence will be 16 & Bryleigh will be 12. I want to be healthy and I want my children & Dennis to be healthy. I want Dennis & I to have a stronger relationship than ever before & the things in between…well God has a plan for all that too – so I’ll just follow His path & know He lays it with love. But I will say – if God wanted to make me a SAHM – I wouldn’t be mad…jus’ sayin..
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Day 3 - What is your view on drugs & alcohol
This subject is pretty familiar to me. My dad was a drug addict & alcoholic. I have a lot of good memories from my childhood, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t remember the fights and him stealing money for his habit. The time I was sick at school, left @ 10, walked home & was locked out of the house b/c he was at the bar.
He smoked pot, snorted coke, took pain pills & drank like a fish. I remember making him Black Velvet & 7-up drinks when I was 9…
He finally got clean when I was 12. But it was a long road. We were all very proud of him. Today, I can’t even watch those Intervention shows. It breaks my heart.
My mom worked hard to support us because my dad couldn’t. I respect her so much for that.
In my family, pot is the drug of choice. Today there are still family members who smoke. I tried it once & almost choked to death. It’s not something I have any yearning for.. Dennis smoked when he was younger – but thankfully has no desire to do so either.
While I don’t like smoking pot, I can see how relaxation & good feelings you get from it can be addicting. When I was in the hospital for my hernia, they gave me diludid. Most amazing medicine ever! I loved the feeling it gave me.
When it comes to drinking, I drink occasionally. When I say occasionally, I mean every 4 or 5 years! First, I hate the taste of beer, which leaves liquor as my choice of drinks. It’s not cheap and I have no desire to spend that much $ on alcohol. Also, when I drink, I get tired after a glass. Doesn’t leave much for me to enjoy afterwards because I just want to go to bed.
But if I drink a lot in a short amount of time, I get drunk.
I’ve probably only ever been drunk 5 times in my life. Now that I’m on Coumadin, I have to be cautious of what I eat & drink, so it makes drinking more of a hassle than an enjoyment.
I guess I should be happy because with the addiction in my family, I could have easily gone the other way.
My views are to not judge anyone b/c I know how hard the path to recovery is. I’m just thankful I didn’t follow the path my dad was on.
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Day 4 – Your views on Religion
Dennis & I were both born and raised Catholic. My parents & grandparents were Catholic. I was baptized, made my 1st Communion, my Confirmation, was married in the Catholic Church, was given the sacrament of the sick when I was in the hospital with my blood clots and have had both girls baptized.
We attended Mass every Saturday or Sunday – Dennis went to Catholic school his whole life. I went for K & 1st grade.
A few years ago, I yearned for more. I wanted to be closer to God and learn more. I had a hard time learning at the Catholic Church. No matter how hard I tried – I just couldn’t pay attention.
We attended Cedar Creek when my sister praised it. I loved it right away. Dennis took a little longer – but he came around & also enjoys it. We both volunteered for the Church – me as in the Welcome Center & office – Dennis at the car care clinic.
While both girls have been baptized Catholic, I have had them Dedicated as well at Cedar Creek. If either or both girls prefer to be Catholic when they are adults (or even before), they will have made their sacraments and during CCD classes, will learn more about the Catholic religion. They can attend Church with my grandma or his mom if they choose, but I want to make sure I don’t hold them back from whatever will help them become closer to God.
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Day 5 – A time when you thought about ending your own life
I can’t say I’ve ever really thought, “I’m going to kill myself”. It just hasn’t been something I wanted to do. Maybe I think too highly of myself? HA!
Sometimes when I’m sad, I think about how I don’t want to deal with the sadness or problem anymore – but I’ve never really considered suicide.
I’m happy I don’t have feelings or thoughts of suicide. My mom’s dad killed himself when she was 18.
When I was told to get on an anti-anxiety med by the heart dr., I panicked b/c I know one of the side effects CAN BE thoughts of suicide. With the a family history of depression & suicide, I did not want to take the medicine & bawled when she suggested it.
I’m happy I listened to her, she told me how important it was for me to take them and talked about my concerns. They have helped me tremendously. I wish I had looked into this long ago.
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Day 6 – Thirty interesting facts about me..
1. I am addicted to chapstick – but only the menthol kind
2. I lived in Albuquerque, NM when I was 4 for almost a year
3. I had 8 blood clots in my left leg, the longest was 2 ft long, when I was pregnant w/Cadence
4. I lived in FL for 2 yrs from 00-02
5. For our honeymoon, we drove to Sanibel Island, FL, then Arcadia, Fl, then Daytona Beach, FL, then Blue Ridge Mountains, NC, then Washington, DC, then NYC, NY, then Buffalo, NY. It took us 2 wks. We loved it!
6. I saw MC Hammer in concert when I was 11
7. I flew on a Delta flight from Detroit, MI to Ft. Myers, FL by myself when I was 6 (what was my mother thinking?!)
8. I went to Disney World & Sea World w/my great-grandparents when I was 6
9. I wanted to grow up to be Daisy Duke when I was younger
10. I used to call my dad, Honey instead of dad b/c that’s what my mom called him
11. I got suspended for the first time in my whole life on my b/day my senior year – that vice principal was evil!
12. My favorite pizza topping is black olives
13. I’m learning to speak & write in Mohawk – which is VERY difficult and after a few weeks, can only say about 5 words properly!
14. I’m fairly certain my cousin Aaron saved my life (or at least saved me from horrible injuries) when we were about 10. I was falling down a mountainside & he caught me
15. 5 is my favorite #
16. I’ve never broken any bones or had any stitches (knock on wood!) – but I did have 12 staples when my hernia was repaired
17. I (thankfully) never had to wear braces
18. I saw NKOTB when I was 12 & again when I was 32
19. I prefer dark cloudy days over sunny ones
20. I fostered 102 dogs in about a year
21. I worked at an ENT office while we lived in Fl – it was the best job I’ve EVER had!
22. I’m Irish, German & Mohawk Indian
23. The first time I got pregnant I was 23 & miscarried @ 12 wks
24. My heart went into a-fib on New Year’s Eve 2010
25. However, after stress tests, echos & nuclear tests – I was told I have the heart of a 20 yr old
26. I don’t like any sports…
27. I’m germophobic & the older I get – the worse it gets
28. I hate the smell of pencils
29. I miss Whitney horribly & think of her almost every day
30. I’m terrified of riding a motorcycle
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Day 7 – Your zodiac sign & how it fits your personality
Scorpio…I think it fits me pretty well, but most of them do in some way or another. They’re kind of generic & can be twisted to be anything anyone is. When I was a teenager I read my horoscope every day. Now I see the nonsense in those magazine horoscopes but I wasn’t hurting anything reading them – it was kind of fun as a kid, anyway.
Here’s what google says about Scopios:
Scorpio Strength Keywords:
- Loyal
- Passionate
- Resourceful
- Observant
- Dynamic
Scorpio Weakness Keywords:
- Jealous
- Obsessive
- Suspicious
- Manipulative
- Unyielding
Scorpios are fiercely independent. They are able to accomplish anything they put their mind to and they won't give up. They are perfectly suited to being on their own. They are not social butterflies like some other zodiac signs and some actually prefer to live on their own that way there is never any issue of who controls what at home, they like to be in control.
Relationships with Scorpio are always complicated, just like the person, their relationships are a series of extremes, they can even be downright moody for no apparent reason. Scorpios are known for their possessiveness and jealousy but on the other hand, they are extremely loyal. Scorpios have an excellent memory and combined with an inability to let things go, they can hold a grudge against someone who did them harm forever, in fact a Scorpio rarely if never forgives and forgets.
On the other hand, they will always remember a kind gesture forever and repay it. Their truthful and shocking sense of humor if different than that of any other zodiac sign and the Scorpio makes an amazing, powerful interesting friend that can be trusted.
Scorpio is the astrology sign of extremes and intensity. Scorpios are very deep, intense people, there is always more than meets the eye. They present a cool, detached and unemotional air to the world yet lying underneath is tremendous power, extreme strength, intense passion and a strong will and a persistent drive. Scorpios have a very penetrative mind, do not be surprised if they ask questions, they are trying to delve deeper and figure things out and survey the situation. They always want to know why, where and any other possible detail they can possibly know. Scorpio's are very weary of the games that other people try to play and they are very aware of it. Scorpios tend to dominate and control anyone that lets them, or anyone that they find weak. The person that a Scorpio respects and holds close to them is treated with amazing kindness, loyalty and generosity. On the outside, a Scorpio has great secretiveness and mystery. This magnetically draws people to them. They are known to be controlling and too ambitious but only because they need control for this makes them feel safe
Scorpio woman is very emotional, very demanding and very demonstrative. She is full of flair and intrigue, a fascinating woman. She may not show it, but she wants a close committed relationship. In order for this, the man has to be trusted, has to be affectionate and never try to control her. She is very possessive but the Scorpio woman is so full of mystery, sensuality and passion that most men do not mind being possessed by her.
I read the above to Dennis & he said "YES! That is you!" Hopefully, that was a good yes!
Here’s what google says about Scopios:
Scorpio Strength Keywords:
- Loyal
- Passionate
- Resourceful
- Observant
- Dynamic
Scorpio Weakness Keywords:
- Jealous
- Obsessive
- Suspicious
- Manipulative
- Unyielding
Scorpios are fiercely independent. They are able to accomplish anything they put their mind to and they won't give up. They are perfectly suited to being on their own. They are not social butterflies like some other zodiac signs and some actually prefer to live on their own that way there is never any issue of who controls what at home, they like to be in control.
Relationships with Scorpio are always complicated, just like the person, their relationships are a series of extremes, they can even be downright moody for no apparent reason. Scorpios are known for their possessiveness and jealousy but on the other hand, they are extremely loyal. Scorpios have an excellent memory and combined with an inability to let things go, they can hold a grudge against someone who did them harm forever, in fact a Scorpio rarely if never forgives and forgets.
On the other hand, they will always remember a kind gesture forever and repay it. Their truthful and shocking sense of humor if different than that of any other zodiac sign and the Scorpio makes an amazing, powerful interesting friend that can be trusted.
Scorpio is the astrology sign of extremes and intensity. Scorpios are very deep, intense people, there is always more than meets the eye. They present a cool, detached and unemotional air to the world yet lying underneath is tremendous power, extreme strength, intense passion and a strong will and a persistent drive. Scorpios have a very penetrative mind, do not be surprised if they ask questions, they are trying to delve deeper and figure things out and survey the situation. They always want to know why, where and any other possible detail they can possibly know. Scorpio's are very weary of the games that other people try to play and they are very aware of it. Scorpios tend to dominate and control anyone that lets them, or anyone that they find weak. The person that a Scorpio respects and holds close to them is treated with amazing kindness, loyalty and generosity. On the outside, a Scorpio has great secretiveness and mystery. This magnetically draws people to them. They are known to be controlling and too ambitious but only because they need control for this makes them feel safe
Scorpio woman is very emotional, very demanding and very demonstrative. She is full of flair and intrigue, a fascinating woman. She may not show it, but she wants a close committed relationship. In order for this, the man has to be trusted, has to be affectionate and never try to control her. She is very possessive but the Scorpio woman is so full of mystery, sensuality and passion that most men do not mind being possessed by her.
I read the above to Dennis & he said "YES! That is you!" Hopefully, that was a good yes!
Day 8 – A moment you felt most satisfied with your life
I cannot pinpoint one, single moment when I was most satisfied with my life. I was satisfied when I finally graduated Lake (to be out of there was an amazing feeling!), again when I started at Shawnee State University (I was a college girl!), again when Dennis & I moved in together (this was serious!), when we married (finally, after SEVEN LONG YEARS!), at the birth of our children (I’d been praying for them for so long)…I don’t think I can say one was when I was most satisfied.
Each moment has been wonderful, but AFTER the satisfying feeling, “wow, I’m married…now I want kids..had kids..now I want to watch them grow and learn things”…each time I feel satisfied, I crave the next satisfaction.
I can truly say, I love my life. I think my most satisfying moment is yet to come..when I’m in my late 90’s and surrounded by my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – then I’ll be satisfied.
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Day 9 – How you hope your future will be
I want my future to be filled with my family. My husband, children, sister, brother, cousins, etc. I love spending time with all of them. I would like to start having family dinners twice a month. I want to be able to travel more, maybe have another kid or two (adoption??)…
I want to be at a job I enjoy more…I would be thrilled to be debt free and live on 5 acres of land…
This question is similar to Day 2 – so for more details – head back there.
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Day 10 – Discuss your first love & first kiss
This question is quite a memory jogger. My first kiss was sooo many years ago..I was 11 or 12, maybe. A boy my dad thought was a ‘good kid’. He probably was – it was a long time ago and honestly, not as special as I would have liked or for that matter, one I remember vividly. I don’t remember where we were or how it happened…
My first love…again, it’s not an amazing flashback like they have in movies. It was a ‘normal, awkward – I’m 15, I really believe we’ll get married and have lots of children’ kind of love. He was almost 2 years older than me, went to a different school, had a license and a car and was an amazing kisser.
I loved talking to him for hours on the phone and spending hours together watching movies…or making out.. We were together almost a year, which in teenage time is an eternity! HA!
It was a regular teenage relationship and when it was over, I was heartbroken. I remember talking to him before I left to go babysit one evening. He said, I have to talk to you. I knew what was going to happen and I said, just tell me. He said he had to go to his dad’s & he would call me later.
I cried so hard and brought my friend Val with me to babysit. I was heartbroken and knew what was going to happen. He was going to break my heart without a doubt.
By the end of the night, I had cried a lot and Val was a great friend and listened and made me laugh.
He never called me that night. As a matter of fact, it was two days later and by then, I was already over what was going to happen. When he told me it was just too hard because he was turning 17 and could go out whenever he wanted and blah, blah, blah - I didn’t even shed a tear. I simply listened to his excuses and said good-bye.
I was proud of myself for never letting him know how he broke my heart.
I’m too proud (stubborn?) to let someone else win and so until Dennis, I never deeply cared for anyone else I dated. I liked the other guys I dated…enjoyed my time with them but made sure to never give my whole heart again. A little bitter – probably – thankfully I’m happy with how my life has turned out.
