Gardening really helps me a lot, organizing and reorganizing things in my home, getting into new tv series, playing with my dogs and taking care of things that I have been putting off. I used to really enjoy cooking but havent since I kicked him out because it just reminds me too much of him and I don't know how to cook for just one person anymore. I will get back to it though in time. I also used to horseback ride and am excited to get back to it, my ex was allergic to horses so that was forbidden.

I enjoy several things...

Fishing on a quiet lake where there are no phones, computers or people.

Creating puppets and making them really classy

Writing plays for the puppets. I haven't done this since I took sick. I hope I can get back into it this winter.

Growing plants in my greenhouse and sharing the veggies with others who are on dialysis also.

My long haired chihuahua and giving her puppies to those who need a companion and can't afford one. Also my short haired 2# male that has appointed himself my personal body guard and protector.

My rooster who crows in the mornings and reminds me all is right with the world, no matter how bad it gets, as long as I can hear him crow.

Helping to make life better for others who are struggling to live and find life again amongst so much sickness and death

My husband who reminds me I am still alive when the Dr's gave up on me so many times, and who is my advocate when the medical staff do things that we know will eventually kill me a lot sooner.

There are more but don't want you to all have to read long replies from me for a change. LOL

Walks help me out a lot. The fresh air, moving scenery, nature and exercise is so wonderful. Sometimes, I'll even take a walk to the park so I can enjoy the peace and write in my journal. (Writing is another great escape for me.)

I also play video games. It's not something I see women take a great interest in, but for me it's more than just a fun hobby. In video games, I get to be somebody else for a while. Somebody with powers, weapon expertise, magic, whatever! It's awesome.

Hmm, movie marathons too. I'm a weirdo who likes to watch the Star Wars movies [but not the prequels, gross] and the Bourne movies in order. Other series too, of course. I enjoy sitting back with my favourite films while I eat comfort food. :)

I write poetry every chance I can. Whenever I get a creative spark, I get right to it! I have a variety of poems that I express my feelings through.

Lastly: my boyfriend. He always knows what I need when I'm crestfallen or angry. He's also the only real friend I have anymore. Having that single friend has made all the difference, though.

I love gardening,
cooking,
dancing,
watching
UConn women's
basketball. . .

and the last couple
years, learning all
aspects of
video production.

writing writing writing!! I just finished a novel, and am in the process of starting another one (while working at getting the first one published).

painting. I LOVE to paint! I usually do this one when my kids are at their dad's, and I can take over my kitchen island, and not cook for a few days. I'm also a midnight painter..

paranormal investigations. I love ghosts, and love to going to investigate haunted locations. I have equipment too, so it's fun to play with it all...

Pinterest. I spend a TON of time, online on Pinterest. my description of Pinterest is:

take every beautiful and cool page from every magazine you'd like to own, coat the pages in crack, and stuff them in your computer, and you have Pinterest.

Any kind of spiritual healing modality, or kooky weird process to make my time on this earth more magical and interesting....

there are so many cool things and hobbies and loveliness on this planet.. so glad that I can enjoy them in relative peacefulness, now that my crazy ex is out of my hair!

Like Rachel, writing has been of the most help. Journaling daily, especially here, is totally cathartic. I say, journaling HERE, on ds, because I get so much good feedback from my friends.

Before I found ds, I started making jewelry. I did it to keep myself busy when my son was living with my ex just after I moved out, but have continued. I like the creative aspect of it, and I make a little extra money doing it.

I grew an organic herb garden this year, first time ever, it turned out well and I LOVE having my own herbs to cook with.

I read, I LOVE to read. I have 5 books on my nightstand at any given moment, and 3 in my car to read at lunch, LOL.

I think the most fulfilling thing that has happened is the spiritual (NOT religious) path that my life has taken. It has opened me up to so many possibilities. I have become trained in Reiki. But learning how we are all connected, gaining understanding of the way we can create our own realities, has helped me more than anything to manifest the wonderful life I have now. If you had told me 5 years ago, that I would be here, now, I wouldn't have believed it.

Big hugs...

I enjoy reading,
sewing - not clothes, I don't know the first thing about sewing clothing, but I enjoy making hand bags and soft furnishings...I've already covered 2 lounge suites, all my dining room chairs and an antique nursing chair...
photography...I LOVE taking pictures, especially candid shots of small children, or photographing animals, bugs, flowers..I'm pretty good at it too, considering I only have a regular point and shoot camera. (wow..6 months ago I would never have even thought that my photo's were any good!!!)
I also love gardening...but my husband destroyed my garden :(( When I'm free I'm going to have the most amazing garden ever!!!!
I'm a pretty good cook too, love baking and cooking and my food even tastes good!!! LOL
Taking long walks on the beach or just sitting on a rock and staring at the ocean...
I also love to write and as a child I dreamed of having my books published....I don't know what happened to the books I wrote as a child...maybe one day when I'm free I might persue that dream again. My daughter has written a whole bunch of books and the first thing I'm going to do for her when I'm free is find a publisher who will publish them.....they're really good and she really is very talented!
I also love to draw and would love to learn how to paint too.

It is so neat that when we are allowed to "shine" and do what it is WE like to do, there are so many talented and creative people on here.

:)

Flying...it's my hobby and my social networking.

I have gotten back into running a yoga since my break-up. They both help relieve the stress and anxiety.

I have also been spending a lot of time reconnecting with friends and family which has been a blessing. It's so helpful and reassuring to have their support and love. I had somewhat isolated myself from them during my relationship in order to avoid having to talk about what was going on.

My ex criticized me saying that I loved animals more than people, which is not true, but I do love animals and think that's part of what makes me me, so that has motivated me to look into some animal rescue organizations and volunteer opportunities. I will be good to get outside of myself by helping others. I also used to be involved with a recovery ministry at my church which I left partially due to my relationship, so I'm thinking about getting back into that. I have a whole new perspective and understanding to offer now that I have experienced on-going emotional abuse.

I've started going back to church more regularly and am going to get back into a bible study group. The group that I was in broke up earlier this year, and I have really missed that weekly connection and learning opportunity.

I also make jewelry, but I haven't been motivated to get back into my workshop for a while. I want to sign up for another jewelry fabrication class which will keep me active and working on projects. It's such a good outlet for me. I just tune everything else out and get lost for awhile when I'm working on a project.

I've enjoyed reading about everyone else's hobbies and interests!

I enjoy fishing, camping and geocaching. If you don't know what geocachiing is, you should look it up. It's like a world wide treasure hunt, and my kids LOVE it too!

I enjoy playing cards with my mom and sister and we get together almost every weekend at my mom's house and all the kids fish and/or play while we play cards. (Phase 10, Crazy Gin are our faves).

It was hard to do those things before I left my ex without some sort of "permission". I love being able to just be myself!

I love reading. I recently finished the Hunger Games books. Great mindless entertainment.

Right after my breakup I spent a lot of time on Facebook. It helped pass the time. I pretty much avoid it like the plague now.

I have also enjoyed reading about everyone's interests and it helps me to realize that I need to develop some interests. Vegging out on the couch is non- productive to getting in a better mind frame or helping my already low self esteem.
I at the least need to work on my diet, keep some healthier food around and exercise, even if it's just walking a bit after work.
I really have no one to fish, camp or do these type of activities with so for now I need to concentrate on activities I can do alone.
Tigertales, I once got to help fly a small plane that a friend of my mothers had. It was so awesome.
I love helicopters and old planes, the ones with the shark faces painted on or other things.
I was suppossed to go with a friend to a big airplane musuem in Ohio or Iowa, can't remember where, and I did not take off work to do it. I wish I had.