How happy are you?

[440 4 speed]

We are happy. Life takes us down many paths. In my case I was homeless, living on the street twice. Addicted. Living in the bush with no power or water but a dog and a AR-15. Had two serious nervous breakdowns. Started getting my **** together in my mid thirties. Met current wife at that time, together 31 years now. Always worked, saved some money. We are far from rich but we are blessed, which I think is better. Wife survived stage three cancer and been clear since 2018. We have a modest place in Mexico. We have amazing friends, not lots of friends.
My only regret is that now at age 65 the finish line is much closer than the starting line. Since wife’s diagnosis we are determined to lead a good, full, grateful life. Some people get up, go to work, have supper and go to sleep. Repeat endlessly. That is not us. We are happy.
Picture of Linda and me at the ballgame in Mazatlan two weeks ago. I’m wearing a vintage MOPAR shirt.View attachment 1960085

Did you get a manicure? Had to ask, because you look younger. Sure wouldn’t mind being near where you, but mobility gets in the way.
Glad you are enjoying life.

 

[440 4 speed]

My wife can drive a stick too. Passed her driver's license test with one and when the cop mentioned that she handled a stick like she had been driving for years. She said that she almost admitted she had been lol. And she would be fine with me hanging guitars too but don't have any anymore.

She also had her real estate license until the market went someone flat last time (now?) and decided to not renew it. Her first husband started working for Pasadena Honda while he was still in high school and stayed with it until he retired.

She said lots of bikes were always around but never really learned how to ride but was an excellent passenger and her son and daughter grew up in the BMX world. You should hear some of the stories about her and her cousin stealing the family car back in the mid 60's. Her cousin is older and was a bad influence lol

I would use the term borrow, because they brought it back.

 

[Sahara]

Did you get a manicure? Had to ask, because you look younger. Sure wouldn’t mind being near where you, but mobility gets in the way.
Glad you are enjoying life.

Thank you for that. We both actually aged a lot when Linda was diagnosed with stage three cancer. It was a hard fight for a year. I lost thirty pounds and aged at least a decade from the stress. Wife handled it with grace and dignity, including losing all her hair.
One of the hardest things was this: So January 6 2017 we are having morning coffee. The hospital clinics have just opened after the holidays. The phone rings, and Linda answers it. She goes white as a ghost. She has cancer, and it is bad. So she fights it hard for a full year; two surgeries, chemo, then radiation. Because we live in a northern community all of this involves long distance travel, then recovery at home. As a side note, because I had to monitor her but couldn’t really sit beside her 24/7 I started back working on my Wannabee, which I hadn’t touched in about a decade. It’s also when I joined this site. Anyway…
She fights it hard. It isn’t easy but it is the constant threat of this hanging over your head that wears you down as cancer doesn’t sleep or take vacations. It is always growing.
Then the first week of January the phone rings. All is good, you are free of cancer.
There is this sort of numbness, followed by survivors guilt. There were five women with the same cancer, same stage. Some younger. Three died. She has this guilt thing, like “Why did I live but not them?” She is still coming to terms with that.
So because she works front line in the health system she has become a strong advocate for patients and also a wealth of advice and support.
This whole journey changed our lives. It can always come back.
So we live our lives as full as we can. We are grateful for every day on this planet and try not to just piss our time away.

 

[dadsbee]

Glad, but not so glad, that someone else understands my signature line! Amazing what can make you work on a car....

 

[dadsbee]

I'm just gonna throw this out there.... life is an absolute challenge and despite what it takes to plow through it, the other choices aren't for the weak at heart and if you're there I feel for you. Lost a Daughter to Ewing's as many know, after a 6 year fight for her life. #1 Son had a "cue ball" removed from his Thyroid a couple years ago with no real follow up and now has a growth in his mouth that's keeping him from sleeping at night at the ripe age of 42. I don't sleep either, but I do put one foot in front of the other and keep myself busy. That might certainly change if I lose a 2nd child...

 

[Richard Cranium]

No words Wayne other than I’ll say a prayer for your son tonight.

 

[Cranky]

It is. When I bought this house, it was bank-owned, vacant for 3 years, and completely broke down. Even my friends who watched me remodel foreclosure houses for 20 years, and some of them were real rough, thought I was nuts. It took a good while, but I have it dialed in now.

One of these days, if I can get them together, I'll post up some before and after pics.

Cool looking!!

 

[Hey-O]

I'm just gonna throw this out there.... life is an absolute challenge and despite what it takes to plow through it, the other choices aren't for the weak at heart and if you're there I feel for you. Lost a Daughter to Ewing's as many know, after a 6 year fight for her life. #1 Son had a "cue ball" removed from his Thyroid a couple years ago with no real follow up and now has a growth in his mouth that's keeping him from sleeping at night at the ripe age of 42. I don't sleep either, but I do put one foot in front of the other and keep myself busy. That might certainly change if I lose a 2nd child...

My thoughts are with you and your family. You know what I'm thinking!

 

[Cranky]

My thoughts are with you and your family. You know what I'm thinking!

I've lost two daughters.....well, they are still alive but in their eyes, I'm the one that's dead however I have two stepdaughters that think the world of me. And I will also pray for @dadsbee and family.

 

[F4R/T]

I will admit I didn’t say anything because it leaves me speechless ,just know that because I didn’t or don’t it doesn’t fall on deaf ears. I’m sure many others are like this. It has to be the worst feeling, our family and friends are what make us complete. God Bless all of those in need . I do believe in miracles and God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.(So they say)
Cranky I feel for you as well..
Just be sure to try your best to enjoy Christmas with you friends and family. Sadly we do have a time clock to punch sometime..I wish you all the best sincerely .

 

[themechanic]

When I'm unhappy I still have joy.

Joy and happiness are distinct yet related positive emotions, with key differences in duration, source, and depth. Happiness is typically short-term, spontaneous, and linked to external factors such as achievements, material gains, or pleasurable experiences like eating ice cream or spending time with loved ones It is often described as a fleeting emotional state that arises in response to specif… Joy vs Happiness Difference

 

[Cranky]

When I'm unhappy I still have joy.

Joy and happiness are distinct yet related positive emotions, with key differences in duration, source, and depth. Happiness is typically short-term, spontaneous, and linked to external factors such as achievements, material gains, or pleasurable experiences like eating ice cream or spending time with loved ones It is often described as a fleeting emotional state that arises in response to specif… Joy vs Happiness Difference

AI generated garbage? But I understand. Unhappy when I smash my thumb with a hammer then my wife walks in and immediately I turn into joy

 

[TN Mopar]

Pretty darn happy
A Granddaughter and waffles
It don't get much better than that

 

[F4R/T]

I’m happy I’ve come to the point in my life I know what matters... I still get cranky but who doesn’t .. lol

 

[themechanic]

AI generated garbage? But I understand. Unhappy when I smash my thumb with a hammer then my wife walks in and immediately I turn into joy

It's actually AI generated from sources like Psychology Today and the New York Times. But at least you understand the difference.

 

[Cranky]

It's actually AI generated from sources like Psychology Today and the New York Times. But at least you understand the difference.

I've read PT somewhat years ago....NYT.....read it too but won't no more lol

 

[Richard Cranium]

Pretty darn happy
A Granddaughter and waffles
It don't get much better than that

View attachment 1962540

The Unibomber lives!

 

[Sahara]

I’m O.K. with only being happy.