Hello everyone, I've been milling about the boomer site, thanks to Dotsie's invitation. I've been spending some time getting used to the site and the various icons. Now it's time to reach out and shake hands with all of you. You can see from my profile that I am an artist, author, and also educated as a social worker. I am so pleased to see a site dedicated to baby boomers. I read here that some of you have Westhighland White Terriers. I have one named Gracie and one named Annie. Is it possible to love pets too much? I also ride a horse named Shadow on the weekends. I am currently working on a book about my breast cancer experience. My book about surviving an abusive childhood was published via print-on-demand. Other than animals, my favorite activities are reading and writing, as well as watercolors. I also love to bake! I look forward to getting to know everyone here. Love and Light, Lynn

Hi there Lynn, I guess I'm one of the sites animal nuts, probably a little more than most. NO, you absolutely can't love an animal too much.
I am also the Chef, honorary however and have posted many recipes. It sounds by your bio like you will be a welcomed addition and fit in perfectly. This is a warm, loving, giving and some time argumentative (strong personalities) yet always supporting place. Happy to meet ya!!

Thank you!

Welcome Lynn. I've been a member only a couple of months, but feel so connected to the wonderful women in this group. It's wonderful - and sad - to hear all the stories.
My story is I'm a breast cancer survivor - just out of treatment a couple of months. I've toyed with writing a book about my experiences. I never found one that mirrored what I went thru and wanted to reach out to others that may feel alone thru the process.
Glad to have you with us!

Welcome to the group Lynne.

Love an animal too much? Never. I have an American Eskimo at home named Jack. He's so much a part of our family he even has his own personality.

We're always looking for more cooking ideas, so I think you'll fit in quite well.

I'm sorry for your abusive past, but writing about it really helps to work through it. Good for you.

I hope you'll come back and visit us often.

Lynn, welcome to our boomer haven!

Dogs, horses, breast cancer survivor, abuse and baking...so much in common with the women in here. So glad you've chosen to join us!

Hi Lynn,
Welcome an animal lover yes, I love them and am a crafter. Watercolors sound neat. YOu will love it here.
Maggie

Elsie, I used to live in Orange County, CA. I was in property management. In other words, if residents had a complaint, I was the one they complained to. The jobs were high stress and low pay. 10 years ago, my husband and I arranged to move to the mid west because we could no longer afford the rents in CA, even with two jobs and a rent reduction. We certainly couldn't afford a house there. What with earthquakes, fires, floods, mudslides, and riots in CA, I feel much more secure in the midwest. Perhaps if I had not been responsible for evacuating residents during those disasters I would have felt safer in CA. I miss the ocean, the weather, the diversity, the opportunities, the flowers all year round! I'm sorry to hear about your cancer experience. I am one year post treatment. Love and Light, Lynn

Nancy, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your pet. If we didn't have Westies we would have Yorkies. We had a Sheltie for 12 years and we had to put her to sleep Feb 2004. If it weren't for the 2 Westies keeping me company, well, I'd be lost. Love and Light, Lynn

Thanks to all of you for the welcomes! Lynn

A warm welcome to you Lynn.
Glad your milling days are over. I think we all do the same thing at first. Confronting violence against women is a mission we share here in the forums as well.
Many of us are also survivors. Some like yourself have written about it, others, for their own personal reasons choose not to. I am interested in reading your book and will check this out further. A book about breast cancer is another one we can't do without. Good luck with it.

I have a little dog so rightly named Buddy.Can't love him enough is right! I am afraid? of horses unless there's a fence between us.I haven't baked a cake since my oldest was eight(24 yrs ago). I showed her one time and she now makes a wedding cake as the gift for whoever's wedding she attends. They tell her what they want and she provides.

Glad you came along and look forward to reading your already interesting posts.

chickadee

Welcome Lynn3! We are always glad to have more boomers join here. I doubt it will take long for you to see why this is the most frequented place on the internet. For boomers, that is. We are all addicted to each other's friendships and if we have to go a couple of days without checking in, we have withdrawals!

Jump right in, post all you want, anywhere you want, and don't hestiate to ask for help if you need it. Just remember...I'm the cute, funny one. K?

Hugs, JJ

Hi Chickadee, thanks for the warm welcome. I see from your profile that we were born in the same year, and what a good year that was! It's okay to be scared of horses because that are fearsome creatures. I started riding again to regain composure and confidence after the breast cancer experience. Even though Shadow is not my own horse, we have bonded, and I attribute this 18 year-old mare to being a part of my post-cancer therapy. Most of my interests involve being at home, but horseback riding gets me out and about, and away from myself. If only I could get my 2 terriers to go with! Love and Light, Lynn

Hi JJ, yes, you are funny! What kind of analyst are you? Psycho? or Financial? Good combination: humor and analysis! Lynn

Welcome Lynn329 - does that mean you are like a CIA agent or something? Curious about your name. I've added your book to the Boomer Books page - it looks fascinating. Welcome!

honey, not only am I a financial analyst dealing in millions of dollars daily, but I'm dead broke all the time, and my banker calls me the Lee Ioccoa of checkbooks...anybody who can keep checks from bouncing with no moola in the bank, well now, that's pure genius, am I right?

JJ

Hi Lynn,

Welcome to the boomers! I don't think there are any among us who don't love our animals. Read some of the posts about Sammy the parrot for a hoot! My hubby and I also have a parrot. His name is Lenny and he keeps us laughing. He is a sweet, loving, little guy and my favorite thing is when he sits on my shoulder with his head under my neck and says "are you my buddy?" Then he says "gimme a kiss!" Of course, then all in good fun he pulls on my earring (gently) and shouts "STOP THAT!" What a nutso! We had a basset hound for many years, but had to have him euthanized two years ago at Thanksgiving. Not ready for a dog just yet. We will know when the time is right. Personally, I adore cats as well, so when we get out of this darn apartment that is the first thing I will obtain for my new house! Again, welcome and glad you are here.

MrsMuzz...I don't recall reading you have a parrot. What a sweet bird you have! I love hearing all about this. Tell us more! What kind?

JJ

Hi Dian, thanks for putting my book on the boomer page, which I will check out. You said my book sounds fascinating. Dare I say?: It is fascinating! Especially if the reader can relate to a dysfunctional family, and most of us can. However, my birth family crossed the line of dysfunction into deviance. Finally, the desire to share a message of hope for survival became greater than the shame of the secrets I was keeping and the fear for repurcussions for revealing them. What fascinates me is the number of women (and men) who tell me I wrote their story for them. That is too sad and stunning that so many people can relate. Oh well, I didn't mean to get on a tangent, but my book is about my life, and my book took on a life of its own. I feel okay about talking about it here because so many of you are writers. What I could use is a good dose of the humor I find here! I am challenged in the jokes department. I don't get a joke until a day or so after everyone else has had a good laugh! She who laughs last...What is that phrase? Love and Light, Lynn

My screen name: a CIA agent? Funny. 3/29 is my birthday. JJ: are you saying you are a financial analyst who doesn't balance her own check book? I can see I am going to have a hard time deciphering when you are serious, or not. MrsM: I didn't realize parrots had so much personality. Sounds like the bird is a crack-up! I live in an apartment with 2 dogs. We moved in last week because we are in between jobs and our house has sold. The managment company wanted a $400.00 non-refundable deposit for the pets. If it's non-refundable, then it is not a deposit! Fortunately, my dogs are little angels not about to vandalize the place. Lynn

She who laughs last, doesn't have a bladder dragging the ground...teehee....I mean, I laugh, I go to the bathroom...can you relate? Ladies? You here yet? You laugh, cough, heaven forbid sneeze, and it's all over, am I right?

JJ

Dian, is that all your work at Hands of Hope? Or do you have a company? I am having fun checking out everyone's sites. I'm looking for a web site designer that does include e commerce for my books, art, etc. Thank you all for welcoming me! I feel like I am mingling at a party in some very fine company. Cheers! Lynn

Lynn, I believe this is the night that sleep won't come and you'll be milling around again. We're all in bed and your reading and reading and reading, post after post after post....
Took me a week to wind down after my first post

You ARE at a fine company...or at least keeping FINE company, am I right girls?

Oh and I am NEVER serious. Life is serious enough, no need in me adding to it. Oh and I embellish things a tad too...just a tad. (teehee...)

balance your checkbook? you mean your SUPPOSE to do that? Next you'll be telling me I'm suppose to have money in the account before I write a check...good grief!

JJ

Mrsmuzz has been keeping secrets about her parrot, you need to add some of his/her antics to Sammies posts. Lynn329 if you can tell when our JJ is serious (NOT) or kidding (MOST all the time) then you're a better person that most of us. She's a hoot.... Since we have another Lynn on the Boomers the 329 will be a great way to know whos who. Lynn definitely do read about Sammie under PETS, you won't believe the things these birds are capable of....Went to look at a Grey last night, slapped my self and kept saying, NO, no, NO! I am sooo weak and would love to have one but my check book is like JJ's, EMPTY and I already take care of more pets than the average bear....

Welcome Lynn.
I thought I was the cute one
Louisa

Welcome Lynn,

I have also published a book of essays and poetry on my dysfunctional family, emotional and sexual abuse, and happy things too, like the love my husband gives me, and my wonderful grandchildren.

Welcome to the site, you will love it here.

Sherri

Welcome Lynn329. I'm a 6-year survivor of breast cancer and am working on the final edit of the book I've written about my experiences.

After reading all that I forget what I was going to say!

Lynn, isn't it funny how we think we are the only ones to experience something and when we dare open our mouths we learn the rest of the world is right there with us...if they are honest. That's the main reason for this site...so women won't feel alone with their stories. I believe sharing our stories heals us and those who listen.

JJ, don't even try running with that bladder!

Sherri, Meridith, Dotsie, and the other cute ones: to everyone, thanks again for the welcome. So many women with so many shared experiences. We are truly cohorts in time. Love and Light, Lynn

I just noticed this thread...duh. Let me add the welcome sign too! So glad to hear from another author/survivor. You're gonna love it here!

Hi Dianne, I've already checked out your web site, which is great for education and information. I'm going to email directly to you soon. Thanks for the welcome! It's 9 degrees here in Kansas City. I ride a horse named Shadow on Sundays, and I'm not going to let a little cold weather stop me. At least I'll be under the roof of the arena, where it should warm up into the 20s. Lynn

My daughter has a girlfriend who lives in Missouri, but I don't know where.
Louisa

Hi Lynn-welcome! (I've been absent for a bit). Nice to see you here!
I too have Westies, and a Scottie, and a cat, and fish, and....much to my husband's groaning, soon to add another Westie to the family. (teehee)

Welcome, welcome, welcome! Dana

Hooray for you Dana. Another pet finding a good home always is reason to rejoice.

Hi Lynn!

How many Lynn's do we have now?

My family is looking for a female sheltie. We love them. They are bright and loving.

Ihave not been on the boards too much and I missed your intro.

My husband is from south central Kansas so I have spent alot of time in the midwest. His town had a population of 300. I believe it has dwindled some more.

My husband is also a cancer survivor-15 months-pnacreatic cancer. The caregiver's expereince is strong enough for me. I pray I am blessed with good health and his cancer stays at bay.

Tell us more about yourself.

Lynn

Hello Dana, I'd have another Westie if I could...I have to know when to stop! And Lynn, Shelties are great pets. One of the reasons I chose Westies when my Sheltie was getting old is because I'd been allergie to the Sheltie fur for years. The Westies have a different kind of fur, which is more like hair, and they don't shed so much. Lynn, I'm glad to hear your husband has survived cancer. I look forward to conversing with all of you! Love and Light, Lynn