1st Edition

Today my son suggested I start a Blog & of course I had no idea how to do that.  His instructions seem easy enough but time will tell.  My 2011 theme is to try things that bring me out of my comfort zone.  I hope to take you along on my journey although it's hard to believe anyone would be interested in the life of a 58 year old divorced empty-nester such as me.   So I'll give you a little background & if you can relate, great!  Please come along on my adventures.

Married three times does not define me, but it is part of my life.  I have three remarkable children who are all married & thriving.  You'll probably hear a lot of bragging about them & I'm not the least bit ashamed to say all the great & wonderful things I can think of about each one.   My oldest son with his fabulous bride have given me three grandchildren.  My daughter & her amazing husband have even given me four grandchildren.  My youngest son is finishing college with the support of his beautiful wife & I suspect one day there will be more grandchildren!  There may also be a bit of bragging about them from time to time.  My cup runneth over.

I grew up in New York State not too far from Brooklyn where I started this crazy life.  I didn't stay too long in NY though having moved to Boston, New London, Panama City, Groton, Silver Spring & finally the place I've lived the longest & enjoyed the most Williamsburg.  I raised my children with their father until we divorced in 2000.  If you are looking for the juicy, gory details you will be disappointed.  This will be about my new adventures & not about going on with self-pitying stories.  Beside my children were really my world anyway.  I did work outside the home & managed to create a pretty good career while raising three of the best kids ever!!  (There’s that bragging thing I was talking about)  It's nice when you not only love them but like them too.

Now I'm still working at my career with the same company for the last 22 years, but can't seem to get use to the empty nest.  The kids have been out & on their own for many years, but I still miss them.  And so the reason for the 2011 theme & this new blog.  I want to share my adventures with anyone who might feel the same way...plus it will give me something to do!!

Over my Christmas vacation, I decided the first thing I should attempt is firing a gun.  That might not seem like a big deal to you, but let me say it is the last thing I ever thought I'd do.  I've always been afraid of guns.  I grew up without a father so I didn't know about the "manly" side of life.  Guns were never part of my world.  When my kids were younger, they actually went to a firing range with trusted friends to get a short lesson.  It seems the boys still have interest in this sort of activity & I asked one of them to teach me.  Yes, I who has always been afraid & honestly quite anti-gun went to a firing range to see what it was like.  Could I overcome my fear?  That was the real question.  At this tender young-at-heart age, could I change my mind about guns or at least touch one?  It really surprised me when my son so carefully went over gun safety, parts of the gun, how it worked & was very sensitive to not push me into the next step of actually holding & firing the gun, unless I was ready.  He really looked out for me both physically & mentally because he knew this would be difficult for me.  So I felt I was in good & trusted hands which enabled me to take the next steps.  I watched.  Okay, then I held the gun & even took some shots at the targets.  My son was so wonderful & was a great teacher.  It was a different feeling after raising him & teaching him, now the table was turned.  Here I was being taught by my son.  I hope I was as gentle & caring with him as he was with me.  He's a very good son. 

So, what happened?  He said I was a natural!!  Was that just some buttering up hoping to get Mom to buy him lunch?  Nope.  I actually shot a hole inside the previous hole I made. The whole thing was sooo exhilarating & empowering.  The adrenalin was flowing through every part of my body.  I couldn't get enough of it & probably would have stayed much longer if it had been possible. WOWEE! I actually shot a gun & liked it!  I tried two different sized Glocks & a small Sig.  All I can say is unbelievable.  Who knew?!!  That was not enough so when I got home, I went to a local firing range & took an all day class.  It was excellent & other than getting my index finger caught in the slide, I did pretty darn good.  Don't worry, it only bled for two days. So now I have a certificate of completion & I can apply for a concealed pistol permit if I so desire.  I don't think I'll really be doing that, but I may go back on Tuesday night's since it is "Lady's Night". 

My first adventure completed. Check. But still on the list to continue.  I'll let you know how that works.

Some other things on the list..........learn to wind surf, learn to ride a motorcycle, learn how to use this hi-tech Droid Fascinate phone I just got, travel by myself, explore different religions and I may attempt more or change my list at any time.  No rules.  Just whatever strikes my fance on any given day.  Afterall, I'm young at heart and still trying to figure out who I wannabe!!