That black lab is gorgeous, reminds me so much of my sweet Jimmer!

As kids my sister, who is 2yrs younger than me, always had the more dominant personality and animals were her thing. So I never really thought about having pets when I got out on my own. Then 4 years ago my ex moved in with me. Only a couple of weeks here and he had to have his dog with him. So Max, a skinny golden retriever moved in with us. Next thing I knew there were snake cages in my bedroom. I was introduced to Angel the ball python and Conda, a 10+ ft green anaconda. Then a guy at work with us posted a free kitten sign and Blue moved in. Next he inherited a 55 gallon aquarium when his uncle passed and then came a couple dozen fish. And we were a happy little family for about a year when it was decided he needed a huntin' buddy. The fun really started when we brought home that black lab pup we named Jimmer. I can't even count the shoes, purses and misc objects that bonehead destroyed, but we loved him. Next thing I knew my other sister needed someone to watch her iguana Spike til she could get another apartment, he's been here close to 2 years and she's had 4 different addresses. We went to a few reptile shows to get food and supplies for the snakes and added Baby, a red tailed boa constrictor, Camo, Biggun' and Ol' One Eye the firebelly toads and finally Tickety a baby reticulated python. I never in a million years would have thought I'd be living in my own zoo or could love a snake. But I do. Three weeks ago the ex left taking Jimmer the lab and my favorite snake, Tickety. And I miss those critters. He will be back to get the other snakes and it's going to break my heart, I can't believe how fond of them I've become. He has gifted me with Max saying no woman should be alone without at least a good dog to protect her. I'm glad to have Max, but sad for him too, knowing he feels just as abandoned by the jerk as I do. I truly love all these furry or scaley or amphibeous babies and I can't ever again imagine myself without the love of my pets.

At 41 I don't feel as old as my peers either. I've always attributed it to the fact that I haven't been able to have a baby. Spent a long time feeling like my life was on hold waiting to start the Mommy thing. Now I have to accept that it probably won't ever happen. Now while I'm coming to terms with not having anyone to teach life's important lessons or carry on my genes or go looking for my tombstone some day in the far off future, my peers are becoming grandparents! It seems totally impossible and unreal. How can the kids I went to school with be called Grampy and Mawmaw? Sometimes I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. I have found a few advantages to my plight. Even though I might have to color my hair, I get a lot of compliments on my breasts. Just as perky as I was in my late 20's. And a lot of guys seem relieved to not have to worry about dealing with the kids I never had. Gotta look for the bright side of whatever your situation is. Hoping to find a slightly older man myself next time around. Want someone with more wisdom, tired of being the only responsible party in my relationships. Younger guys are a lot of fun at first but then they're just a lot of work and frustration.

Definately songs for all the exes, (3 who I truly love and always will and one who was very special to me but I was too young to understand love.) I only broke up 3 weeks ago. Everything is still a reminder. He still doesn't have all his stuff out yet. Still feeding his snakes. Still getting his mail. Currently grocery shopping is the worst, loved cooking for him, got teary eyed in the store when the pork tenderloins were on sale and he wasn't here anymore for one of his favorites. Ended up buying myself a bunch of Stouffer's frozen dinners. No sense in cooking when there's nobody here to tell me how good it is.

I found nothing to agree with in all that victorian nonsense. Personally I need more sex than I've found any man can handle, but I won't quit searching for my virile Mr. Right!

As a matter of fact I did not stop, I was enjoying myself and needed the release. Besides, I know I'm good at it, people always end up following me. Too bad it's about the only one I know, lol, I'm just not a barfly.

I know that true love and adoration for a lifetime can exist. My parents are about to celebrate their 42nd anniversary. They are not the glamorous couple of movies and fairytales. They are getting gray and wrinkled together. My dad has developed this funny turkey waddle on his neck and my mom still thinks of him as the sexiest man on the planet. I've seen them go thru losing all of their parents and saw the support they were to each other. I saw my Dad's depression when forced into retirement just as market problems depleted his 401k and over 40 years of savings. I watched as they grumped and grumbled at each other but never lost sight of a lifetime of love and figuring out how to cope with life's setbacks together as a team. I've seen them tease each other with wicked wit and inside jokes. They don't do overt public displays of affection yet the affection they share is appearant to anyone they come across. They have total trust in each other. If Mom stays out visiting her sisters or shopping all night my dad never accuses her of anything inappropriate. If Dad goes out with the boys, (a rare occasion indeed), Mom doesn't think a thing of it. There has always been an understanding between them, first betrayal is the last betrayal. It's just a fact that what they have is precious to both of them. Every now and then I even catch one of those looks between them when their eyes just sparkle with the joy they share in each other's presence. They are happy to have made a lifetime commitment to each other, and who can blame me for wanting that, too?

March 5th, please. Going thru an awful transition and could use a little insight

Grass Lake, MI

illness

combs

What's that damn dog next door barkin at now?

$money$

Only the Lonely

race

picking the marshmellows out of her Lucky Charms

cowboys

heart of gold

yard

nope, that would be Kix! blech