What do you like about your life?

[Heidi]

I was thinking this morning about how CMW and I don't live in a big villa like many of our friends; we don't have 1.5 beautiful little half American, half-Swiss-Italian children; we don't own a car or even an electric clothes dryer. But we chose this life and we like it.

What I like about my life:
- I like that I somehow managed to wait out my own choice to remain alone until when/if I met another human bean who shares my worldview and works hard to practice it.
- I like that my circle of friends is small and real and very diverse, both in "real" life and at DU.
- I like that my cat is snoring nearby.
- I like that I have an American nephew who is still young enough to envision me as a beautiful, kind stranger who sends him 50-packs of Lunar Licks (sweet/sour lollipops) and allows his parents to worry about the dental repercussions.
- I like that I have two lovely teenage Swiss goddaughters who learned English from me when they were little and are now appreciating the fact that, if you speak English, you can communicate with just about any guy you meet, wherever you go. ;)
- I like that my cat pajamas (exactly like RetroLounge's cowboy pajamas, except mine have cats printed all over them) are clean and sweet-smelling and waiting for me to jump into them tonight.

YOUR TURN.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

1. i like my gf a lot

i like that grad school is really easy for me

my baby brother thinks i am beautiful

[Heidi]

2. I think you're beautiful, too.

And I'm not surprised that grad school is coming easily to you. Are you surprised that isn't not so hard for you?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

13. yeah if someone told me it would be so easy i would have gone back earlier

but everyone else seemed to be struggling and i didnt want that in my life

[IndianaJones]

6. its bad enough that foreigners are wrecking the curve...do you have to brag about it? nt.,

[La Lioness Priyanka]

14. yes nt

[Heidi]

15. She's not a foreigner anymore!

I think Pri has US citizenship. :shrug:

[IndianaJones]

17. wtf?? nt.

[DarkTirade]

3. I am not only out of the rut I've been in for a couple of years...

but I'm out of the STATE I've been in for almost 20 years. I'm now in a place that has four seasons, scenery, culture, and the sun is no longer my enemy. Now the sun is just a provider of light and warmth, not an evil thing that burns your skin within moments of stepping outdoors. You can walk outside without breaking into a sweat. And when you do sweat here, it's not so ridiculously humid that the sweat refuses to evaporate.

[Heidi]

4. I grew up in Oklahoma, so I know exactly what you mean about the sun, heat and humidity.

I'm glad you're enjoying the change you've chosen, DarkTirade. :hug:

[rockymountaindem]

5. I like that the biggest problem in my life right now is boredom

If that's all I've got to worry about, then I must be doing alright otherwise.

[Heidi]

9. You'll hate me for saying this,

but I trulytrulytruly believe that boredom is a lifestyle choice. When I'm bored, it's a sure sign that I need to get off of my fat, lazy a$$ and do something that challenges my mind, spirit and/or body. That's a large part of why I'm starting Italian classes at the university in Lugano in the spring. I'm scared sh!tless of the prospect of being the only native English speaker in a classroom, but I'll have to hustle to survive and I need that stimulation. :hi:

[rockymountaindem]

35. I'm in grad school

and I'm afraid that if I do anything that isn't school-oriented, I'll suddenly find myself overloaded with no way to get out. Of course, considering there's nothing going on between Thursday evening and Monday evening probably means I've got a lot of time. Still, I've always been very conscious of keeping my schedule clear in case of academic emergency.

The main problem is not that I've got a shortage of work, but that I've only recently moved to Boston and all my friends are either back in Toronto or scattered to the four winds from the old days in Colorado. I keep wondering when I'm going to make friends in Boston, but unfortunately I'm kind of in the middle between the older grad students (who are all a few years older than me) and the undergrads who seem to think I'm some kind of father figure even though I'm basically the same age as them. Plus I can't escape the feeling that I don't *need* more friends, because I have plenty... they're just hundreds of miles away.

[hfojvt]

49. I like to see

my non-cursive way of typing a$$ catching on.

I already speak Italian


Ti amo anchio.


Louis L'Amour wrote (in "The Walking Drum") that a man only needs to be able to say two things in any language. He needs to be able to ask for food, and he needs to be able to tell a woman that he loves her. If he can only say one thing, it is better to be able to tell a woman that he loves her, because if he does that, she will probably feed him.

I have read that 'anchio' means 'always'

[Heidi]

51. You're invited for dinner anytime, friend.

Ti amo anchio. <-- I speak that much Italian already.

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. My family (including kittehs)

[Heidi]

10. RIGHT ON!

And family is more than "blood" relations, I think. The kittehs are proof. :hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. You bet :^D

[GalleryGod]

8. FREEDOM

to finish my "Bucket List" :woohoo:

[Heidi]

11. What the heck is a "Bucket List"?

And thank you for the insidious George Michael earworm. :rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqRAwzcQrpE

[GalleryGod]

18. Things to do on Earth before...

you "kick the bucket":smoke:

[Heidi]

20. Oh, well alrighty then!

My list is looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong!

P.S. :*

[GalleryGod]

25. P.S. I met Doctor Gonzo, Hunter Thompson , in 1975

He was covering Jimmy Carter's embroyonic campaign for Rolling Stone.:hippie:

[Heidi]

39. I am

_impressed_. Will send you a PM sometime about a "field trip" my young reporters and I entertained when I was a managing editor in Colorado. :w00t:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. My dear Heidi...

What a lovely thread, sweetie...

What I like about my life:

That I am married to a wonderful guy who treasures me, as I do him...I love my daughters, my sil and my prospective sil, and my two gorgeous grandsons...

I like the fact that I have many friends, both 'real life' and here on DU. Many of them have made major contributions to my maturity and have helped me find the gifts I didn't know I had.

I like my home that my husband and I built and that shelters us and allows us to be more fully realized people. I have a room of my own, and this has contributed majorly to my growth.

I am grateful for the opportunity to write poetry! I am astonished at my seeming ability to do so, and so happy that my friends take the time to tell me what they think about it.

There is more I could say...but I will stop here. These are the major things in my life that I like.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express myself...:loveya:

[Heidi]

65. What a great list, Peggy!

Yes, you do have many friends. :hug: :loveya:

:*

[CaliforniaPeggy]

67. Thanks, Heidi!

I am among the luckiest of women!

:loveya: :hug: :* back atcha...

[Droopy]

19. I like that I have finally found decent employment with benefits

I like my medication, without which I would be unrecognizeable to you all here.

I like that I've lost 43 pounds since August.

I like my little condo. It's inexpensive and perfect for me.

I like being a truck driver. I'm proud of that.

I like my family.

I like my pick up truck which is paid for.

I like my collection of DVDs and CDs.

I like my home town. I've been all over the U.S. and Canada and no place feels quite like it does here.

[Heidi]

21. I like that

you're my friend. :hug:

[Droopy]

26. Thank you, Heidi. I like that, too.

:hug:

[Shakespeare]

22. I'm feeling extra-content this morning anyway, so:

I like where I live, and that it's a cool, sunny, brilliant day.

I like my job and my boss.

I like that my family, though physically far apart, is loving and close.

I like that I have a boyfriend who adores me and treats me better than I've ever been treated before.

I like that I have two big, fat, hairy cats stretched out on either side of me (as I sit on the couch typing on my laptop) keeping me warm and feeling loved.

I like how I look and feel.

I like that my sister, who I've been texting with all morning, is also my best friend.

I like being aware and thankful for how very lucky I am, and hope never to take that for granted.

[Heidi]

42. You and I like a lot of the same things.

I miss my faraway family, but they never _feel_ distant. My chubby, hairy boy cat sends you head butts and toe bites, Shakespeare. :hug:

[bridgit]

23. I like that my life with hubby is lived...

from within small elegant movements making small elegant circles that shave really very little ice but still leave pretty little patterns.

Of course I like that Tim is here with us. I like that after these so many years, he is coming around after his 'rescue' frame of mind. It made me sad that I couldn't help him quicker, but I like that he's happier now.

I like sleeping in a cooler room, but with my bed warm and toasty...and it is!

I like that we operate our own business. I can be hard work, but its our work; and I like that.

I like very much the likely notion that dems will be taking back governance of this nation for the foreseeable future.

I do like the one (1) hetero couple that we know they're young, smart, talented, and tolerant. The both of them from other countries, new citizens (and yes they actually wanted to be Americans; she, from Peru; and he from Poland.

I like that all the rest of our friends are G&L, all-of-them.

I like that our grandchildren are learning Chinese and Japanese already traveling the world at very young ages. Sunny just got back from Thailand where she was able to experience the land at 13.

I like cooking in my kitchen.

But I love hubby and Tim.

[Heidi]

44. I love

that you're my MultiPass gf. I also love Tim, and if I knew hubby, I'd prolly luv him, too. :hug: :loveya:

[Xipe Totec]

24. When You Learn To Find a Smile

Consider this my answer to your question.

ENRIQUE GONZALEZ MARTINEZ
Mexican Diplomat and Poet
(1871-1952)

(humbly translated by yours truly)

http://palabravirtual.com/index.php?ir=ver_poema1.php&pid=378


When you learn to find a smile
in the subtle drops that exude
from porous rocks in the mist,
or from the sun, the birds, and the breeze;

When nothing to your eyes remains lifeless,
or amorphous, or colorless, or distant,
and you grasp life and the mysteries
of silence, shadows and death.

When you can cast your gaze at the different
paths of the cosmos, and your effort
becomes a potent microscope
that discovers invisible universes;

Only then in a blazing bonfire
of infinite and superhuman love,
like St. Francis of Assisi, will make brothers
of the tree, the jungle and the beast.

And you will feel in the immense multitude
of beings and things your own self;
and will become fear itself at the abyss
and will become pride itself upon the summit.

Your love will shake the defiling pollen
that stains the very whiteness of the lily,
you will bless the sandy seashores
and cherish the flight of insects;

And you will kiss the briar thorns
And the silky petals of the dahlias…
And piously cast off your sandals
to keep from hurting the stones along your path.

[XemaSab]

38. That is BEAUTIFUL...

Thank you for sharing! :)

[Heidi]

45. Thank you for this.

Absolutely beautiful. :hug:

:loveya:

[terrya]

27. I like...

That I'm sitting here at my computer, in a warm apartment, while it's cold and blustery outside. There are people who would consider this a luxury.

I like that I have a loving family that I'll have the pleasure of spending Christmas with in a few weeks.

I like that I have the best, most wonderful, boyfriend. I never, still, dared dream that I could have found such an amazing man.

I like that I have good friends.

I like that I get to talk to said good friends here on DU. :hug:

[Heidi]

52. I like that you and Doug found one another.

But that doesn't negate the crush I have on both of you. :loveya:

[supernova]

28. I like my

... little home that keeps me safe and sane. It isn't large so housework doesn't take a lot of time.

... car that is relatively new and is paid for, is reliable and gets me where I need to go.

... beautiful yard where I can observe all kinds of animals, wild and domestic

... niece and nephews who light up my life in immeasurable ways.

... writing that keeps me sane.

... friends who let me be myself.

... upcoming holidays. It's always a new chance to hope for a better future.

[neweurope]

29. Hello Heidi! What a beautiful thread :)

So here's what I like about my life:

I like that I have absolute freedom in daily life now that I can't work anymore, and that I don't have bosses I have to fight every step of the way anymore;

I like very much that our two old horses are still enjoying life so much and I'm grateful for the joy they give me;

I like that I've been appointed aunt-in-honour to the adorable dachshund of my girlfriend;

I like the fact that I've been asked to be witness at the marriage of two very dear young friends of mine ("maid of honour" *giggle*);

I like it that even though I'm in constant pain and often very weak I still can manage my 368 flower pots;

I like it that I have few, but very, very dear and reliable friends;

I like it that right now outside six lanterns with large candles are burning as they will till candlemas and that the few passers-by regard that as solace in the darkness as it is meant;

I like it that a woman who I'd thought would never do it just said "thank you so much" to me...

...really, a beautiful thread, Heidi. I could go on, you know, and just this morning I felt pretty down. We should all count our blessings more often :)

Is there a picture of this pajama? And how are Call Me Wesley and The Wiley And Excellent Cat Named Ginger?
:hug:

-------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[Heidi]

50. Hahahahahaha!

I'll photograph or scan my kitty pyjama for you. But not tonight. Tonight was raclette night and I'm in a cheese coma. Ufffffffff! :rofl:

Hi, friend! So good to see you! :* :loveya:

[neweurope]

55. Good to see you :)

But no scan, mind you, I want a picture of this pajama - filled, of course *g*

-------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[lizziegrace]

30. I like

hearing on the track at the back of my property whistle and rumble by

that my cat Widget "talks" to only one of his toys, a stuffed mouse he's managed to keep track of for 5 years now

that Lelapin actually wants to spend time with her mother

that she's grown up happy, smart, funny and in love with a Zombie ;)

that dear friends trust me with their joys, problems, hopes, dreams, poems and novels

that despite all the insanity, I have a job, benefits, a roof over my head and food. The rest is truly noise.

[RetroLounge]

31. What I like about my life

- I like the way my kids love unconditionally and are an example for me in that area...
- I like owning a bookstore.
- I like knowing that being alone will not kill me.
- I like knowing I had some time with my one-true-love and even though it's over that's more than some people have in their whole lives.
- I like discovering that there is no such thing as one-true-love and after time love can happen again.
- I like knowing I survived the past 2 years without drinking, drugging or dying.
- I like knowing that my DU friends are out there for me.
- I like knowing where my cowboy jammies are.
- I like that I am a writer.
- I like the way my dog Max likes to snuggle.
- I like the fact that in one year that idiot-son-of-an-asshole will be out of the white house.

RL

[lizziegrace]

36. ...

:hug:

[Heidi]

47. I like

that I have cat pajamas _exactly_ like your cowboy pajamas. :)

[hfojvt]

32. It's still going, and going.

Oh wait, that's what I hate about it. Think, think, think. Think, think, think.




I like it that my life came with a money back guarantee. If I am not fully satisfied, I can get a full refund.



:wtf: I LOST THE RECEIPT?? OW! OW! OOOOWWWWW!! :argh:

[Heidi]

43. I like

that you're one of my first and most treasured DU friends. No receipt, but then no receipt is necessary. :hug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

33. That I've found myself in the company of some most excellent folks

Every once in awhile, I think of what some of youse guys and my RL friends mean to me, and I wanna pull a Lou Grant from the final "Mary Tyler Moore" episode: "I cherish you people."

I like that I've somehow managed to have what I need and be reasonably happy without slogging through a lifetime of soul-destroying jobs.

And I like that, even though I never considered myself a Cat Person, about 4 1/2 years ago a kitteh who rivals The Wiley and Excellent Cat Named Ginger for excellentness wandered into my life, and my heart.

[Heidi]

48. *Ahem*

This is the part where I saw "I love" instead of "I like."

I :loveya: Oedi. And so does CMW. And so does your godkitten. :*

[Oeditpus Rex]

53. I had to stay within your parameters

:loveya: :hug: :hug: :hug:



:stoat:

[DS1]

34. I like being in walking distance of just about everything I need

[Heidi]

41. Same here,

and what I can't walk to, I don't mind taking the bus or ferry to get to. I kinda like the one thing that public transportation offers that private transportation doesn't offer: the opportunity to mix with other people, experience a few minutes of their lives, etc. :)

[HEyHEY]

37. Career

[Heidi]

40. Me, too.

I understand completely. My work is not my life, but I sure do love to work. :thumbsup:

[HEyHEY]

46. My work is my life... but I like it that way

[fizzgig]

54. excellent thread, heidi

good way to start my saturday :)

- i've found someone who loves me, treats me well, makes me laugh and doesn't think i'm a complete nut job

- i have a loving family who takes care of each other

- two kitties who always make me feel important and needed :D

- i have a job and a home

- my wonderful friends, both here and irl

i'm sure there's more, but i'm still on my first cup of coffee

:hug:

[Heidi]

66. Hi, sweetie!

You're pretty easy to love, you know, :hug: :loveya:

[EstimatedProphet]

56. Our lives right now are good

We are comfortable, we are doing the things in our lives that we want to do (for the most part, anyway) and we love each other.

[Heidi]

70. It's obvious

from the photos you've posted of The Prophetess and yourself that you two are very much in love. :) I'm glad life is good for you two, EP. One for you --> :hug: and one for your beautiful wife --> :hug:

[Writer]

57. I should try:

- I like that I am able to find solutions to complicated problems.
- I like that, despite my having dealt with many poisonous people in my life, that I found a very good husband in Mr. Writer
- I like that I can write.
- I like that I can think critically.
- I like my cute, fluffy dog Pippin and his partner-in-crime, the cute, fluffy cat Gandalf.
- I like that I never resorted to narcotics or heavy drinking to ease an incredibly painful life.
- I like that I am able to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- I like rum.

~Writer~

[Heidi]

71. Writer,

I'm glad there's goodness in your life. :hug:

[LaraMN]

58. I am borderline orgasmic at having finished my wretched term paper.

It was *that* bad to write.

aside from that I like:

-My fabulously bizarre and kind-hearted children.
-The fact that I haven't "screwed up" the aforementioned little people, yet.
-I'm so happy that I finally live in a home that I own.
-I perversely love my absolutely decrepit minivan that is sixteen years old and by all accounts should have died already. It's positively hobbling it's way to school every day. I don't know HOW it is still running. I am insanely lucky that it has *almost* made it to January (when I can finally afford to replace it.)
-I love being in school, but I'm also happy that I've only got two semesters left.
-I like my internship. I think. I just started it last week.
-I like that the crazier life gets, the better I seem to function, overall(even though I swear a lot.)
-I like that I still have my parents, sister, and all my immediate family members in my life.
-I like that I have friends who are amazing, wonderful, good, good, funny, fabulous people.
-I like that I'm turning thirty in a couple of weeks. I've spent the last year freaking out intensely about it and now I've decided that I have no reason to be sorry. I like myself. I know what is good about me and what is less-than-stellar. I think I'm pretty much going to rule at being 30-something.:P

[Heidi]

72. LaraMN,

you are a light in the Lounge. :hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

59. Mine:

I love the woman I met and married. She's not only smart and wonderful, but also deeply respected by everyone she has to deal with.
I like that we managed together to get our own business going and growing and the independence it brings (although no one comes to our offices here and says, "We're just installing new IT stuff, so here's your iMac Pro ...")
I like where we live and the greenery of it around us. And I like my Kois who are now going into winter stasis.
I love our cat.

I'm still not sure what to think of the cat pajamas, though ...

[Heidi]

73. :-*

That is all. :loveya:

[Shine]

60. I like that despite life's challenges, I can always find something to be grateful for

Gratitude can get us through ANYTHING. :loveya:

:hi:

[femmocrat]

61. Great question....

I like that my sons are now grown up and settled into their careers. I'm so proud of them.
I like being an "empty nester" after years of kids coming home to roost. LOL
I like that I am looking forward to retirement... someday (even though I still enjoy working).

There's more, but don't want to bore you!

[Heidi]

74. I am rarely bored,

so no worries about that, femmocrat. :)

It sounds to me like your nest is full of love; I'll bet your sons are happy to come home to visit. :hug

[RFKHumphreyObama]

62. Great thread Heidi

-I like the fact that I have family and friends who love me and are concerned for my well-being
-I like the fact that for the first time in over a decade, we finally have a progressive and visionary government in office that will actually govern in the best interests of the nation and will seek to help and care for those less fortunate in our society
-I like the fact that I have a roof over my head, clothes and foods
-I like the fact that I can and have found solace in my religion and my God
-I like the fact that I have a wonderful and supportive Church community who have been there for me during some of my darkest hours. I also like the fact that we have a wonderful and compassionate Pastor who ministered to my mother during her illness, who agreed to allow a Hindu wedding ceremony to be performed in his Church and who has invited my father and I over to Christmas dinner because he knows we are going to be alone without my mother this year
-I like the fact that I have traveled extensively and have been privileged and fortunate enough to meet people from all sorts of diverse backgrounds and to have seen some breathtakingly wonderful places

I have a lot to be grateful for, even though these past few years have been some of the darkest of my life, and it's worthwhile to remember what we do have and be grateful. Thank you Heidi:yourock:

[Heidi]

76. That's a lot to like,

my friend. I'm glad for you. :hug:

And, as you know, I think :yourock: , too!

[BarenakedLady]

63. I do need to focus on the good.

-I have three beautiful, healthy children who love me.
-I love my home (well I love the land). I enjoy seeing nature all around me.
-I have silly animals who think the sun rises and sets on me. They are always up for a snuggle.
-I have a supportive and loving extended family.
-My parents are still together and healthy.
-My Nana is 102 and I can't wait to see her later this month.
-School is going so well. I thought I'd never have another chance.
-I'm lucky to have been able to be a SAHM.
-I have people in my life that are very special to me, who I couldn't imagine being without.

[Heidi]

77. You're a gifted artist, too,

and I hope you enjoy doing something you do so well, gf. :hug: :loveya:

[easttexaslefty]

64. That I am still alive

and can sometimes feel joy again

[Heidi]

79. I'm glad

you're alive and here with us, easttexaslefty. Blow a kiss toward Oklahoma for me, wouldja? :pals:

[Danger Mouse]

68. oh man, being positive??

What I like:

- having a woman in my life who can put up with my anti-social behavior and dorkiness :P someone who loves me and laughs at my jokes and encourages and supports me in all things
- those members of my family that choose to acknowledge that i exist.
- having a roof over my head and a job
- involvement in the church and sunday school
- DU and my friends there, as well as my friends in 'real life' far away as so many of them are now...
- music and video games, both of which i would go nuts without.
- natural beauty in the world, the greatest saving grace of existence besides love
- love itself

[Breeze54]

69. I like you, Heidi...

;)

But right now I'm going through a difficult time.

Hmmmm ... will take some thinking...

Ok, the easy one's!

I like that my oldest son is back from Iraq and out of the military and working
a regular job, with his younger brother and they're on their feet and happy!!! :)

I like it that my 19 yr old is maturing and coming into his own and I see the
growth everyday and the more I see it, the more I relax. He got another promotion!

I like it that I wrestled my unreasonable landlord to my way of thinking and bought
us an additional month, past my lease, to allow me to find a new place.

I like it that it's going to snow tomorrow night and the holiday lights are going up!

I like it that I have a place to express myself, like here, at DU. ;)

:hug:

[Heidi]

78. Right backatcha,

gf. I'm sorry you're going through some difficulty; I hope the goodness in your life balances out the difficulty, at least a little. :hug:

:loveya:

[Richard Steele]

75. You wouldn't understand. No one ever really does- that's kinda what makes it so special. nm

[Heidi]

80. That's okay.

You're a DU treasure, dicksteele, and I'm glad there are good things in your life. :)

[Richard Steele]

81. Everything in my life is GREAT- the greatest EVER!

I just don't like to brag too much, for fear of JINXING it.

[Heidi]

82. !

:thumbsup:

[Inchworm]

83. I like that I can deal with myself

-I love kitties
_ love puppies
-I love bebbes
-I love a woman who loves me back
-I love beer
- I love independance
-I love you

I am drunk, thank you very much

~inchworm

[Heidi]

84. My friend,

:loveya:

:hug:

:*

[SarahB]

85. All the important stuff is settled.

I'm married to an amazing man. I have great children. My career is secure and I'm well paid. I continue to broaden my life and meet cool, fun, new people. There's things I'd like (buying a house again in the near future is a biggie), but in terms of big picture stuff, life is good.

[Heidi]

86. Hi, SaraBelle!

That's plenty to be grateful for. :hi: