Ah Chatty, it would be so nice if your kids could read this. It's really sweet. For some my joy of empty nest freedom may be difficult to understand. To begin with my parents required me to be grown up at 10..In many ways shoving me into the role of being their keepers. Hard to believe but it's so true due to their divorce and bad habits. They were 1st to admit, I raised them more than they did me. I threw myself so totally into my sons growing up, w/ all their overlapping activities, providing them with (looking back) too many options as far as attention, activities and "toys" Little & BIG boy. LOL If something didn't revolve around my parents or children I didn't take time to do it. So, now with my folks gone and kids grown, I'm taking time to do me stuff..the near death moments I had in 05 have put urgeny on my catching up w/ put off experiences for me. I even love working outside the home.