Important update
I am having a hard time formulating what I want to say here. I am not often at a loss for words lol.
I guess I will get the hard part out first. It is time for me to step away from admin and moderating SI. Ugh, this has been a very difficult decision to make. I have not taken it lightly.
In 2020 I lost my mom at the young age of 70 to cancer. HT lost his mom just 1 1/2 years later to complications of Covid. Our children were grown and we realized that if we continued working and paying the mortgage and all of the things we tend to buy and not need, we could very well miss out on the opportunity to see and do the things we want to when and if we were to retire. We didn’t want to get stuck in a rut only to retire and perhaps not have the health to enjoy it. We took a huge leap, sold our house, and most of our belongings. We have been traveling full time for over a year now. We took 6 months off work completely and now I am a medical traveler. We stay in one area 14 weeks at a time. Still traveling, just at a slower pace.
The whole point in our lifestyle is to be able to enjoy life at its fullest. Slow down, experience the beauty that we live in and be in the moment. I began to realize that I couldn’t get all in with that as long as I kept coming here and holding on to this part of my past.
I can not emphasize enough just how much SI means to me. I came here desperate to try to save my marriage. What I found here was something short of a miracle and I will always say that SI saved me and my marriage. I had no idea what to expect from a forum. At the time I joined, forums were still fairly new. The accountability, compassion, and direction I got here have been profound. I have become a better person and I attribute much of that to this site. I was lost when I got here. I didn’t understand what "the work" meant, just that I was willing to figure it out.
I have stayed for well over a decade to pay that forward. I have also stayed to make sure I stay accountable and on the path that we so carefully plotted before us. I think at some time, it is healthy to also let go.
Letting go is difficult. I think I keep holding on as a commitment to my very dear friend DeeplyScared. I know she would want me to do what is best for both HT and me. She would celebrate in our new stage of life. Knowing that is what is helping me move forward.
I wish each and every one of you peace, happiness, and healing whatever path you choose to take.
I will continue to pop in every now and then. For now, I am here until the end of the week.
Looks like I was not at a loss of words after all!!
35 comments posted: Tuesday, May 28th, 2024
Trouble selling my house
Is anyone else out there trying to sell a house?
Man, 6 months ago I could have never anticipated selling my house would be so difficult.
Late July/early August last year, HT and I decided to take a huge leap and sell the house, all of its belongings, but a trailer and hit the road. We are very close to being empty nesters and we needed some change after both of losing our moms, me working healthcare during a pandemic, and some other issues I can’t really go into here. We have been so excited. I started selling off things in garage sales, Craigslist, EBay, and OfferUp. We fixed up some things that needed some repair. We went to an RV road show and picked out the trailer we want.
Once we got all of our ducks in a row, it was the first week of November. Interest rates were up, sales were down, and the holidays were here. I think we had maybe 4 showings and had to drop the price of our house twice. In our imaginary timeline, we would have ideally closed in a sale by the end of this month. I have only had 4 more showings since the beginning of the year. No offers in sight. I am at a stand still. I can’t sell anymore stuff until I know I have sold the house because I have to live here. I can’t buy the trailer until the house is sold either. There is literally no more I can do until we get that sale. It’s a waiting game and I am impatient.
I am so eager to start this new chapter. I am obsessed with Redfin and Zillow and watching other houses around me that have been on the market for shorter periods of time being sold. I keep trying to listen what the universe is trying to tell me. Up until this moment me and the universe have been vibing pretty well.
Come on universe! Help this girl out!
29 comments posted: Tuesday, January 17th, 2023
Unexpected diagnosis
This is going to be long so I apologize in advance.
To start, HT and I are in the process of liquidating our home to start a new chapter in our life of traveling. We have been thinking out our belongings through garage sales and selling online. We have been doing minor repairs to improve the appeal of the house and we should be ready to have it on the market by the end of next week. We are trying to get it going before the holidays so that we can sell it in a timely manner. This has been our plan for several months now.
With anything there have been some roadblocks along the way. Our youngest child who has BPD (with significant other) moved back in because they procrastinated to look for a new apartment. Once again they are procrastinating and I think until just recently they didn’t believe us that this was happening. We are trying to help the best we can, but I feel it’s time for us to make a separation for Everyone’s mental health. My youngest needs to learn to take care of themself and learn to get back up without our help. Unfortunately with BPD also comes the fear of abandonment so it puts a stressful twist on all of this. We are dealing with that the best we can while continuing to move forward with our plans.
Part of this process has been making routine doctor appointments to get prescriptions and health records to date. On Friday I had an eye exam. I have been having increased trouble with reading vision and expected her to change my prescription. I have had poor eyesight since I was young. I am no stranger to the eye exam so when she started asking me questions I don’t usually get asked I knew something was different about this appointment. She was examining my retina scan quite closely and even double checked to make sure they were indeed mine. It turns out I have Myopic Macular Degeneration. This is different than age related macular degeneration in the fact that it is caused by my severe near sightedness. As of now there is no cure, however with supplements and good cardiovascular health it can slow down the process.
From what I have read online the typical timeline is approximately 10 years from onset. I don’t know exactly when my onset was but if I count from today, I will be blind by the time I reach 60 years old. It could be sooner than that that I will have to stop driving. It is also possible that time could be kind and it could take longer. It is hard to say, but I do know there has definitely been change in my vision this year.
Like I said, I have already had bad eyes, but it’s another thing to come to the realization that my vision has a definitive shelf life. I am trying to look on the bright side. HT and I have already begun the process of making these plans to see the world. I am more motivated than ever now to travel and see the wonders out there while I still can. There is so much I haven’t seen yet and I think that when we are traveling it will mean just that much more when we are out there.
Fortunately, the career path I have chosen is perfect for someone in my situation. Occupational Therapy is one of the recommendations made when you start to lose vision. I can see myself getting involved in low vision clinics and working with others in my position.
I honestly don’t know what the future holds for me, but I do know that I will definitely start having a different perspective than I have in the past.
22 comments posted: Sunday, October 30th, 2022
Saddened to announce another veteran loss
Pippin reached out to us to inform us and the SI community that another SI veteran has passed. Here is part of her message to us.
Maia passed away in her sleep on Thursday morning. She was in her early 50s and it was unexpected. I know she would welcome prayers of support for her husband, and her children, grandchildren, mother and sister, all of whom are struggling in different and profound ways. If people would like to leave supportive messages for her husband, I will collect them and send them later, at a time it might be helpful to him
I want to thank Pippin for reaching out to us. I have posted this in the Wayward Forum as this was her "home". Maia has been a member here since 2005. She has touched the lives of many struggling members that have followed in her footsteps. She was always kind and compassionate in her posts. I imagine she must have been similar IRL.
She will be missed.
27 comments posted: Sunday, February 20th, 2022
Texas G2G (no longer) is on!
It looks like there is enough interest to get our Texas G2G back on vaccinated style! I figure I will put this out early to give people some time to marinate the idea.
With the exception of last year, this has been an annual events for several years. For those unfamiliar with our G2G’s, it is a 3 day event. We have a meet and greet at our home on Friday evening with a lot of food, drinks, and laughter. Saturday we will go on some sort of excursion. In the past we have done the fair, a party boat, a train ride, and the botanical gardens. On Sunday we have a large brunch before everyone heads out their separate ways. It’s an amazing time. Being in a group of people that understand you like no one else is priceless. HT and I have made some amazing friends along the way through these G2G’s. I encourage you to try one if you have never been to one. 
We are looking at the weekend of October 22nd through the 24th.
We are huge Halloween fans and have the house decorated to the nines!
The location is North Texas. DFW airport for those interested in flying in. I will give hotel info via pm at a later time. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
We are fully vaccinated here.
I am looking forward to seeing many of my old friends and hope we can make some new ones too.
[This message edited by SI Staff at 7:25 AM, June 5th (Saturday)]
29 comments posted: Sunday, May 30th, 2021
Still learning perspective
The tendrils of infidelity can sometimes seem never ending.
I often tell people when they arrive that they have no idea how much infidelity will impact their lives. There is no way of understanding how easily it creeps into every aspect of your life. It is never about just you or your spouse. It can touch everything and I am still learning and experiencing that more than 10 years later.
This isn’t about me directly, but I have been affected by it because this is about my boss. Someone I have worked with for a very long time. Someone that I have cared about and respected.
It became obvious last year that something was going on. She had stopped working in her office and was only in our building maybe 4-6 hours any given day. She always left by 2:30 and most days didn’t come in until 10. Communication has never been her strong point but it was becoming worse and worse over the latter part of the year (2019). Earlier this year she announced that she could no longer work in our building. She would continue to be our supervisor but she would do it remotely.
Well, when you are a hammer everything looks like a nail. I knew from that moment she had had an affair. Turns out it was someone else in our building. Word gets out and then the drama. To try to save her face she accused him of sexual harassment. Now of course, this has to go higher up the chain. She eventually transferred to another building and he has also changed positions.
I am in healthcare and as a team we have to communicate well with each other regarding coordination times with patients and information (HIPAA approved). When she transferred out, it was necessary to remove her from the app we use. Unfortunately no one gave her a heads up when it was done so her last communication to us as a team was her lashing out at us via text. We had planned a last hurrah g2g and she told us “don’t bother”.
She has recently taken a new position with a new company and asked if I wanted to be part of her team. I gave it a lot of thought but honestly it makes me nervous to put my career in the hands of someone that is willing to throw a person under the bus to save face (ie her AP, who is an asshole but never deserved a sexual harassment label that could end his career). It makes me nervous and when I expressed some hesitation, her first question was “is it me?”. It makes me really nervous that when I expressed that it was in part, instead of getting understanding I got anger.
Had she come to me and said “look, I know I let you guys down as a team this last year. I know I was distracted and my choices affected each of you. I want you to know that I am working on myself. I want you on my team and I want to show you that I am doing better” I wouldn’t even be writing this post. Unfortunately what I got in return was defensiveness and anger.
I am hoping that one day she will be able to look back and see that her actions had an impact on entire team of people. Every time she wasn’t there because she was with the OM, us managing ourselves because she was distracted. Taking advantage of friendships and then throwing a grenade at it when confronted with her behavior. And tearing an amazing team apart all because of her crappy decisions.
I have chosen not to leave with her but I know of at least one team member that will. She will not take responsibility for that. When I confronted her, the last thing she told me was that I was not in her life.
Long story, even longer this whole thing has led me to do some introspection. I have been able to own that I wasn’t a good employee, friend, mother, and wife during my affair. Now that I am on the outside looking in, I have an even better perspective on that. I see what the distraction and the defensiveness looks like. I can see how those tendrils of infidelity weave through every part of life and how big of a circle of people they entrap.
I am also a bit proud of myself. I can see how I’ve grown through this experience. I was willing to lose the friendship for the right reasons. I stayed true to who I am and didn’t let the “people pleaser” in me make compromises that could potentially be unhealthy for me. I also give a lot of credit to HT for being an amazing sounding board through this. I trust in myself to make good decisions and I love HT and I together as a team.
I did share this site with her, however I am not sure she is ready. I do wish her well. I have a pretty great new boss. It’s so crazy to see the contrast of someone focused on the job and someone who isn’t.
When we are knee deep in our own crap it is so hard to see what a piss poor job we are doing. When someone tries to tell us all we can do is yell back and say look at all this crap! It’s all over me! Someday, when you get out of the crap you realize how much you flung on others to get it off of you.
24 comments posted: Saturday, November 14th, 2020
6th Annual Dallas Fort Worth G2G?
Hey everyone!
For the past 5 years now, HT and I have thrown a G2G her in North Texas in October. It’s a great time. We have done things like the County Fair, a party boat, and Escape Room. G2G’s are an amazing experience. There is nothing quite like meeting people that have a unique understanding of your experiences. It’s cathartic and you have the opportunity to make some new life long friends.
Soooo, I’m looking to see who is interested this year. 
Here’s what we have in store.
When: October 11th-13th.
What: Friday meet and greet at our house.
Lots of great food and drinks. October is also pretty
special to us as we have our home decorated to the
nines for Halloween!
Saturday we will work out details as I figure out how
many people we are looking at. Usually a group activity
then dinner and drinks out for the night.
Sunday brunch before everyone goes their separate
ways home.
We have had some come from as close as 30 minutes away to as far as Canada! We have a hotel close by and as time approaches I will give out details.
We would love to see some of our old friends and look forward to meeting some new ones.
So who is in?
For sure:
WOES and HT
MadeofScars
traicionada
punky
lieshurt
UnlovedAndBroked
maise and ChanceAtLife35
TX1995
FollowtheRiver
BraveSirRobin and Timespiral
Thinking hard about it:
Unhinged
BR and WH5
josiep
Iwasyoungonce
Arfaj
jjct
[This message edited by SI Staff at 2:24 PM, August 31st (Saturday)]
55 comments posted: Sunday, July 28th, 2019
5th annual Dallas/Fort Worth g2g
I know this seems early, but I wanted to make sure that you guys knew we would definitely be hosting it again this year. I wanted to make sure that those of you planning to come had plenty of opportunity to plan for it. 
I can’t believe that this is our 5th year hosting.
When: October 12th-14th (changed from 19-21st)
Where: Dallas/Fort Worth area
We typically do a meet and greet at our home the first night. Our plans for Saturday will include some picnicking in a really beautiful area, some sight seeing and then later some dinner and drinks. Then Sunday morning brunch, of course.
For those interested that haven’t been to a g2g, let me tell you that they are a blast. Since we hold ours in October, our house is quite festive for Halloween. Each year we add something new to our display.
The weather is usually pretty pleasant here in October.
Let me know if you are interested or have any questions. I feel like it’s been much too long since I’ve seen so many of my SI friends. I miss you all and look forward to seeing you again soon. I also look forward to making some new friends.
For Sure:
HoldingTogether
WalkinOnEggshelz
lieshurt
MadeofScars
traicionada
Maybe:
Chrysalis123
sparkysable
Jeaniegirl
Lionne
WastedTime12
Maybe a maybe:
Tred
[This message edited by SI Staff at 8:38 PM, September 8th (Saturday)]
46 comments posted: Saturday, July 7th, 2018
Happy Birthday Trying2Survive1!!!!!!!!!!
3 comments posted: Saturday, May 19th, 2018
Happy Birthday Lionne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Filling in for BrokenRoad 
)
5 comments posted: Friday, May 18th, 2018
Virtual Christmas Card Exchange
It's November. For those of you that have been here for awhile and frequent Fun and Games, may be wondering about the annual Christmas Card Exchange.
I have to say with a very heavy heart that the Card Exchange is not going to happen this year. As we close in on the anniversary of our dear friend, Deeply Scared's passing, it was too much for MangledHeart to take on.
The Christmas Card Exchange was very special to Deeply Scared. Christmas was her favorite holiday. The Card Exchange brought joy to so many people struggling through the holidays. It is the Card Exchange that helped me get the nerve to meet SI members in person and allowed me to call Deeply Scared my friend. I have been so grateful that this tradition existed.
For those of you that are new, Deeply Scared organized an exchange of cards that would get mailed to their headquarters. The cards would then be sorted and labeled by "elves". Deeply Scared would mail them out and days later dozens of glitter-filled Christmas cards would arrive in your mail box.
It is magical!
I am a sucker for tradition. This particular tradition is one that I hold near and dear to my heart. I want to carry it on this year virtually. I hope that others will join me in sending some virtual holiday cheer. Just knowing that others are there and care can help so many of our members through this difficult season.
I miss Deeply Scared with all of my heart. I will do what is necessary to pick up the Exchange next year. I want to give a special shout out to our regular elves that have put much love and effort to making this happen each year.
MangledHeart (huge hugs), Inconnu, TrustedHer, lieshurt, MadeofScars, HoldingTogether. I know you all are missing this as much as I am. There have been other members that have traveled to have the honor of elf throughout the years. I thank you all too! A round of shots feels appropriate.
With much love to my SI family. Happy Holidays!
WOES
67 comments posted: Saturday, November 11th, 2017
North Texas g2g - Photos start on Pg 4
It's that time folks!
Starting to think about hosting our 4th annual (although I know North Texas has had plenty of g2gs prior) DFW g2g!
This year we are going back to the State Fair!
When: October 20th-22 2017
Where: North Texas/DFW
Friday: Meet and greet at our house. HT will be smoking up some delicious meats again with all the fixings.
Saturday: State Fair/ Dinner and drinks
Sunday: Brunch
We have had a lot of fun in the past. Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and hopefully meeting some new ones too.
For those that are new to this one, we love Halloween and we go all out. Our home is very festive for this g2g.
Who's in?
For Sure:
WOES and HT
lieshurt
MadeofScars
traicionada
WH5 and BrokenRoad
UnlovedAndBroked
Tred and Sand
persevere
woundedby2
Maybe:
sparkysable
devotedman
WastedTime12
Loukas
[This message edited by SI Staff at 7:25 PM, September 14th (Thursday)]
75 comments posted: Wednesday, July 12th, 2017
Dallas/Fort Worth g2g in October
It's time to start planning the annual DFW G2G!
HT and I are happy to host again. We are looking at October 7-9th.
Friday- Meet and greet at our house. We will have plenty of food and beverages and great company!
Saturday-Open for suggestions.
1. State Fair
2. Escape Room (groups get together to figure out
clues to escape a room).
3. Party Boat (only if there is a big turn out). This
was tons of fun last year!
4. Train ride from Grapevine to downtown Fort
Worth. Stockyards, dining, shopping,
entertainment.
Saturday Night- food and drinks out
Sunday-brunch and coffee
Let me know who is interested and thoughts about an activity Saturday.
For Sure:
HT
WOES
DS and MH
lieshurt 
UnlovedAndUnbroked
traicionada
MadeofScars
WastedTime12
JJCT
inconnu+1
devotedman
Maybe:
EmbraceTheChange
StrongHeart
eyenight
Threnody
Lucky2HaveMe
For those that haven't been here in October, the weather is usually ideal and HT and I are pretty festive with Halloween. We always have a great time! Here's a sneak peak!
[This message edited by WalkinOnEggshelz at 5:22 PM, September 22nd (Thursday)]
88 comments posted: Saturday, July 30th, 2016
Dallas/Fort Worth October G2G - pics start on pg 5
Alright guys! It's time to start talking about the Texas October G2G. Last year we did the State Fair. A few of us locals we're having some drinks recently and we started throwing out some ideas. I wanted to get some opinions before putting anything in stone. We are looking at the same weekend as last year. October 16-18th.
1. We can return to the State Fair
Good food, beer, entertainment
2. With all the rain, the lakes are gonna be full! We can rent a
a party barge and grill out on the lake.
3. There is a train that runs from Grapevine to downtown Fort Worth. We could take it over, head downtown and hit some local food and bars there then take the train back.
Just a few different ideas. Of course the cost will be dependent on how many people come along. Always open to suggestions! We plan on doing a meet and greet at our place the first night.
For Sure:
WOES
HT
Made of Scars
JJCT
traicionada
sparkysable
Tred and Sand Away
TrustGone
gonegirl
UnlovedAndBroked
cantaccept
devotedman
slater13
LonelyLucas
WastedTime12
lieshurt
Maybe"s:
DS and MH
ItHappened2Me2
persevere
[This message edited by WalkinOnEggshelz at 6:37 PM, September 30th (Wednesday)]
117 comments posted: Saturday, May 30th, 2015
