Thread: What do you like ?

Originally Posted by Alekto

hello hello!
You are people after my own heart! enjoying life and what it gives them, and bearly giving much thought about whatever is not so good....

My first loves are my Pirate (Neevie), and my husband - the order depends on how badly they behave. My 4 sisters, though they are far.
I also love reading, anything sci-fy and fantasy.
Lately I love gardening, we moved into this house we're in just under 2 years ago, because we lived in a flat and I had been starved of gardening for too long - yesterday I spent my day digging from 10AM till 4PM (ended up with a bit of a red nose actually, although it wasn't so sunny) - any flowers or vegetables a bit funny looking I'll want to grow them - doesn't mean I'm any good at it, last year the only thing I managed to harvest was a teacup full of tiny unripened tomatoes, in october. This year I have good hope, I have 3 kinds of funny looking French pumpkins (I'm french, though I have been in the UK for 17 years now - every time I go to France to visit my family I bring back some funny seeds), 3 types of tomatoes, one purple, and two Ukrainian ones (my husband is Ukrainian) - French provence peas, and a whole lot of different sorts of Ukrainian radishes. OK don't get me started on gardening... not normally the best topic to talk about to keep people awake.
I don't have children - don't want any, although I love my nieces and nephew I'm really happy to leave the responsibility of raising them to my sisters.
I also tend to feed anything that comes through my garden - we have a least weasle coming to visit from time to time, I put some of Neevie's dry food on the window to see if it will eat them - didn't so far. I names him Basil-the-Weasle. I have to name my 4 legged visitors, it's a tradition. I had a hedgehog last year called Samson-le-Herisson (herisson = hedgehog in french)
I love going to visit our Ukrainian family in the summer - they also have a big garden I can "roll around in the mud" in... It's usually warm in the summer there, about 30 to 38 degrees celcius in general, and really good soil, so pretty much anything grows! the house is near a river where we go swimming.... just ideal back-to-basics kind of life, lovely.
I also love cooking, but then the cleaning after is daunting so I just don't do it so often. I love mess... my husband doesn't....
mmm gardening, cooking, reading... I'm only 42 so I'll add kick boxing and dancing - which I do like, even though it doesn't really reach the level of "love".

Another reader, and of the fiction kind to ! that is so reassuring ! lol Oh Alekto how I envy you ! You love gardening, i really really would love to be able to find gardening as exciting as you do. I have a garden, well its supposed to be one !! lol And you are so adventurous with your growing, and veggies that I have never heard of it must be exciting to see what your seeds are going to grow up to be ! So if you are ever at a loose end my garden is at your disposal !! lol I dont know anything about soil but it does grow weeds very well !!! lol Dont dismiss this offer after all I know you go to the Ukraine to do gardens !! lol

So you are a european family, french and ukrainian how wonderful, so how did you meet hubby ? I have to say I have never visited either country but would love you to tell me more. Your parent in laws sound as if they have a wonderful home how lucky you are to have the best of both worlds.

I know many people who have chosen not to have children but like you they enjoy their neices and nephews, and lets face it you can hand them back to their parents anytime you like !! lol

So you are another feeder of everything furry ! I am beginning to get the impression we are all like minded ! We just cant abide seeing a furrbie and not being able to make life easier for them. I love the names you pick and learned something new today I didnt know herisson was the french for hedgehog ! lol

Im with you on the cooking, i love it to but hate doing the washing up !! lol i am more of a baker now, cakes disappear very quickly when my family comes around !! lol

And you just throw in kick boxing and dancing ! You must be very fit to ! How on earth did you get into kick boxing ? Dancing in my youth but not so much now, unless you peeked through my window late at night when i have some music on, although it only passes as my dancing !!! lol

Thanks Alekto for posting I have enjoyed reading your post so much and now I know more about you its so nice of you to share with me, new friends are so lovely. x

I love this site for giving us a place come together from all over the world to share the love for our Maine Coons.

My husband and I live in Arizona but I am still a Colorado girl at heart and spend as much time as possible in Colorado during the summer when Phoenix reaches 110F. (Happily Buzz and Baxter like traveling in the car so it will be easy to take them when we drive.) My daughters, granddaughters, parents, sister, two brothers, nieces and nephews live in Colorado. My step daughter, husband and baby grandson live in Nebraska. We would be lonely in Arizona but happily everyone loves to visit AZ in the winter so our guest rooms are usually filled with family and friends.

I am grateful for everything in my life - even the bad - as I wouldn't be who or where I am without the "growing" experiences.

I have lived in São Paulo and Rio Brasil and Bogota Colombia. My ex worked for an international company. One of our daughters was born in São Paulo and the other in Rio. I returned to the US after eight years leaving my ex and our Old English Sheepdog behind. I loved the chance to live in other countries and travel to many unusual places while we were there and wouldn't have changed a thing other than (in a perfect world)... the ending of my marriage.

That may have been too much info! The biggest joy in my life is my husband, family (especially the grandchildren) Buzz and Baxter and our friends. I love golfing, reading, computers, DIY projects (when I have time), entertaining and traveling (except I miss the boys). We've had many special animal friends throughout the years - dogs, horses, turtles, rabbits, birds and of course, kitties. My husband and I import granite, sinks, faucets and other kitchen and bath products. Our business has been good to us and we are thankful every day as we took most of our retirement money, my husband quit his job and we decided to just go for it at 52! Who does that?!!! Gives me the shakes now as I think of the risk but at the time I knew this new adventure would be interesting wherever it took us.

I am now 61 - how did THAT happen??? My granddaughter asked me when she was six after noticing a few wrinkles, if I knew I was getting them and if I thought I would be around much longer!!! Out if the mouth of babes but such a good laugh! My other granddaughter at four observed that my elbows were kind of crunchy!

I think that about does it from me - can't really think of anyway to follow up that last piece of info! I look forward to my visits here and the sharing. Blessings to you all.

Thanksgiving 2013. Christmas in Colorado 2013. Buzz and Baxter 6 months.

Kim, Just one question - who is that in the picture with Buzz and Baxter?

Originally Posted by KimAZ

I love this site for giving us a place come together from all over the world to share the love for our Maine Coons.

My husband and I live in Arizona but I am still a Colorado girl at heart and spend as much time as possible in Colorado during the summer when Phoenix reaches 110F. (Happily Buzz and Baxter like traveling in the car so it will be easy to take them when we drive.) My daughters, granddaughters, parents, sister, two brothers, nieces and nephews live in Colorado. My step daughter, husband and baby grandson live in Nebraska. We would be lonely in Arizona but happily everyone loves to visit AZ in the winter so our guest rooms are usually filled with family and friends.

I am grateful for everything in my life - even the bad - as I wouldn't be who or where I am without the "growing" experiences.

I have lived in São Paulo and Rio Brasil and Bogota Colombia. My ex worked for an international company. One of our daughters was born in São Paulo and the other in Rio. I returned to the US after eight years leaving my ex and our Old English Sheepdog behind. I loved the chance to live in other countries and travel to many unusual places while we were there and wouldn't have changed a thing other than (in a perfect world)... the ending of my marriage.

That may have been too much info! The biggest joy in my life is my husband, family (especially the grandchildren) Buzz and Baxter and our friends. I love golfing, reading, computers, DIY projects (when I have time), entertaining and traveling (except I miss the boys). We've had many special animal friends throughout the years - dogs, horses, turtles, rabbits, birds and of course, kitties. My husband and I import granite, sinks, faucets and other kitchen and bath products. Our business has been good to us and we are thankful every day as we took most of our retirement money, my husband quit his job and we decided to just go for it at 52! Who does that?!!! Gives me the shakes now as I think of the risk but at the time I knew this new adventure would be interesting wherever it took us.

I am now 61 - how did THAT happen??? My granddaughter asked me when she was six after noticing a few wrinkles, if I knew I was getting them and if I thought I would be around much longer!!! Out if the mouth of babes but such a good laugh! My other granddaughter at four observed that my elbows were kind of crunchy!

I think that about does it from me - can't really think of anyway to follow up that last piece of info! I look forward to my visits here and the sharing. Blessings to you all.

Thanksgiving 2013. Christmas in Colorado 2013. Buzz and Baxter 6 months.

KimAZ ok I have to say this first there is no way in this world you look 61 not a chance ! I take it that is you in the pictures with hubby ! I want to know exactly what you eat in your diet and what else you do to keep you looking so young lol. if you had not said your age and I looked at those pics I would be saying 40'ish. Seriously ! Oh and by the way your babies are just gorgeous.

So you are an all rounder, you have travelled, and lived life to the full and starting a new business, I know what a stress that can be, I started mine in my 40's and it was a complete diversification for me to, and wondering if you are doing the right thing. I am so glad it worked out for you both, now if I need advise on a new bathroom suite I know where to come !! lol

My grandaughter is only 16 months so I have all the 'from the mouths of babes' one liners to come, but yours seem to be well versed already ! It did make me laugh.

So you live in Arizona, you know that is one of the states I would have loved to visit because there seems to be a lot of history there, unfortunately now I only travel up north in my own we country ! lol Have been to America, but it was when Sarah was younger and you have guessed it, Florida !! lol Rio must be a facinating place to live, just seems so lively to me, (well what I have seen of it on tv). Columbia I can is a country I know very little about, perhaps you could share stories about you time there and in other countries to I would love to hear about them.

I know what you mean about the bad times shaping the people we become and you are right, sometimes I just wish they hadnt been so bad ! lol Family to is very important to us all I think. I divorced many years ago and vowed I would never marry again !! lol but I have a beautiful daughter and grand daughter, and a son in law and they all mean so much to me to. Besides all the animals that we have need loads and loads of love to so there is plenty to go around !

So you are a sporty person, well that will account for the fact you look so young ! Golf, ah the sport of kings ! My younger brother golfs but I never have had the inclination to pick up a club I have to say !! lol Reading, now you didnt elaborate there ! lol and computers how on earth do you fit it all in !! lol DIY well I have to say have done a bit of that myself....................least said soonest mended !!! lol

Aw thank you so much for posting KimAZ its great to get to know you better, and like yourself I love my visits to this forum and getting to know new friends who are like minded. x

After tomorrow I am hoping to be able to start thinking about taking up more hobbies again,although to start with have ordered a nice long hot summer to just laze & enjoy,at 63 & after working at the local vets for 40 years I am retiring & a day later at 66 hubby is joining me..... I am going to do an odd Saturday morning to help cover sickness & hols but that is it.
I too have had all sorts of animals here,started with dogs & moggie but when daughter came along gerbils,guinea pigs,rabbits & goldfish joined us & in the middle of it all a horse too now with child well & truly fledged we are left with our five MC's to keep us company & am really looking forward to having more quality time with them,we do show two of them & have made lots of friends doing that,have made friends with forum members & have met up with them & now looking forward to going & staying with one of them plus another coming to visit us again {guess what we talk about a lot of the time} used to do a lot of knitting but when you are getting called back into work all times of the day & night for emergencies plus run a home everything else seems to drop by the wayside,not that I haven't enjoyed my work but have to say that the last couple of years have been a lot easier as our out of hours work has been taken over by another surgery,it is rather nice knowing that you won't be got out of a snug warm pit at 2am on a blowy wet freezing night but going to be even nicer not having to have an alarm clock running our life . I do like walking so hoping to do more of that {as long as there is a coffee shop on route} hubby has his allotment & no doubt will spend even longer trying to make us live the good life. Daughter lives up on the Welsh/Shropshire border & except for the week we helped move her up there the weather has always been anti towards us so this year if forecast is good we are going to put all cats in car {she has a big cat pen} & just head off so we can do & see the things that are that much nicer when the sun shines on you......
Watch this space who is to say what will happen in the next year,I find at this stage of life you can't think the world is your oyster but hopefully we will still discover a small pearl or two along the next step of our route but as long as it includes a MC furry or two,three,four,five I will be a happy contented person......x

Originally Posted by jckkerrison

After tomorrow I am hoping to be able to start thinking about taking up more hobbies again,although to start with have ordered a nice long hot summer to just laze & enjoy,at 63 & after working at the local vets for 40 years I am retiring & a day later at 66 hubby is joining me..... I am going to do an odd Saturday morning to help cover sickness & hols but that is it.
I too have had all sorts of animals here,started with dogs & moggie but when daughter came along gerbils,guinea pigs,rabbits & goldfish joined us & in the middle of it all a horse too now with child well & truly fledged we are left with our five MC's to keep us company & am really looking forward to having more quality time with them,we do show two of them & have made lots of friends doing that,have made friends with forum members & have met up with them & now looking forward to going & staying with one of them plus another coming to visit us again {guess what we talk about a lot of the time} used to do a lot of knitting but when you are getting called back into work all times of the day & night for emergencies plus run a home everything else seems to drop by the wayside,not that I haven't enjoyed my work but have to say that the last couple of years have been a lot easier as our out of hours work has been taken over by another surgery,it is rather nice knowing that you won't be got out of a snug warm pit at 2am on a blowy wet freezing night but going to be even nicer not having to have an alarm clock running our life . I do like walking so hoping to do more of that {as long as there is a coffee shop on route} hubby has his allotment & no doubt will spend even longer trying to make us live the good life. Daughter lives up on the Welsh/Shropshire border & except for the week we helped move her up there the weather has always been anti towards us so this year if forecast is good we are going to put all cats in car {she has a big cat pen} & just head off so we can do & see the things that are that much nicer when the sun shines on you......
Watch this space who is to say what will happen in the next year,I find at this stage of life you can't think the world is your oyster but hopefully we will still discover a small pearl or two along the next step of our route but as long as it includes a MC furry or two,three,four,five I will be a happy contented person......x

Aw you seem to have earned your retirement jckkerrison and I hope it is a happy one for you x. 40 years in the vets is truly wonderful and I bet you have seen some sorry cases as well as some miraculous ones. Can imagine getting up at all the wee hours to tend to sick animals, now its time to relax in your bed !! lol You certainly have had your share of animals. Am I reading right you have a mare in foal ? I can testify to how hard work that can be !! lol But superb when baby is born.

I can concur with the coffee shop stops with the walking, there is nothing better that to stop for a cuppa on a nice walk ! lol Is the allotment your hubby has nearby ? Should I be calling you Barbara and Tom !! lol

I hope the weather allows you to have your road trip this summer, I am holding out hope against hope that we have a decent summer this year so I can spend more time at the horses, not always riding (cos thats only 5%, 95% is looking after them lol). Your daughter lives in a lovely part of the country but I understand that the weather can be erratic, a little weather system of its own ! lol Does your daughter have MC's to ?

So does showing take you out and about alot ? I have only been to one cat show, that is where I saw a MC for the first time. It certainly left an impression thats for sure. Must make a point of going to more it was definitely somewhere I could spend a whole day without realising where the time went to !

So come on spill where you have booked your time in the sun !

You are definately the proof of the pudding that friends can be found on forums and though our animals and I am so pleased to hear that you have found friends this way. It just goes to show how you can meet like minded people through the internet that years ago you would never have had the chance to talk to and to meet.

Thanks so much for posting it has been so interesting to read about a bit of your life and how hard you have worked for all babies that have come into your life x

Jckkerrison - you retire tomorrow? Congrats! I will look forward to hearing about your next chapter. New hobbies, travel and time with your MC crew, what could be better? Btw, what is an allotment? Again. Cheers for a happy retirement!

Originally Posted by KimAZ

Jckkerrison - you retire tomorrow? Congrats! I will look forward to hearing about your next chapter. New hobbies, travel and time with your MC crew, what could be better? Btw, what is an allotment? Again. Cheers for a happy retirement!

An allotment is a patch of ground away from your house where you can grow your veggies etc,we have a couple of areas on the outskirts of our town that have been put aside for this type of thing & you rent your patch from the council,with food prices going up they have now got quite a long waiting list of people wanting to take one on,ideal as it means it gets the man of your life out of the way for a while & also gives him a break from you..... & yes we do have an annual fruit & veg show but OH has never entered he just goes round saying "well my carrots were bigger than those"etc,perhaps now he can give it a go.......
Sorry Chris my grammar weren't what it should have been,horsey days are over.....!!!!! Will let you know where I have been for sun once home,well hoping we get some,who knows nowadays.
We do travel a fair distance for shows although we do only Felis Brittanica, mostly it is between 2.5 & 3hrs to get to one but we have been known to be mad & travel further,I agree it is a good place to go along too & see the different breeds of cats & get to know about them,my Merlyn RIP & now Shimba always lay out of the pen & just love the attention they get,both of them have been good "sales reps" for their breed,when someone sees a 10kg + brown tabby glaring at them they can't believe that by giving it a scratch behind the ear it will become a quivering purring headbutting mess of jelly for them,just luv it....x