Today's adventure...
I have to tell you about my friend, Claudia.
Back at the beginning of the year, I joined a meetup group for hiking in my area. I was tired of doing things alone when I exercised in the forest, and it was obvious from the internet site that this group hiked often. When I started participating in the hikes, I realized I found a way to connect with others who also don't like hiking alone.... especially since this is mountain lion and rattlesnake country. And it's been lots of fun!
Shortly after the X got arrested and I realized that divorce was coming, I received an email from someone I didn't know. Claudia had moved to the area, knowing nobody, and was trying to find someone through the meetup group who liked to hike and mountain bike. Our first adventure together was funny. She asked questions on my life as I dragged her and her mountain bike out on one of the NASTIEST trails. She was so game to jump right in and I loved it that I had found someone to do this stuff with as it was part of the training for my 50 mile mountain bike race and in the thick of mountain lion country. As we rode downhill, I talked about the X, his alcohol addiction, as well as the area, and she talked about her husband, how he was overseas in the Navy, and how long she was going to be here, etc. And then as we climbed the toughest hill and our conversation lessened because we were out of breath, I stopped at one point and said "this is where I heard voices the last time I did the race, but no one was there". She LAUGHED and said "never tell a psychologist that you're hearing voices," LOL! Yep, that's what she does for a living! We made a connection with each other right away!
Since that ride, we've gotten together every weekend, sometimes during the week too... she's introduced me to groups like a knitting/crocheting club that I didn't know existed... she's shown me there are lots of ways to get out among people and enjoy myself without being part of a couple and to grow instead of sitting indoors moping about what happened.... She's helped me deal with the emotions that overwhelm me from time to time... She's been my lifesaver this year, and I'm really going to miss her when she moves on (her job here is only until July and then she moves to Nevada).
So, today I'm going to have an adventure... a food adventure! As I've said before, I'm a HORRIBLE cook, and part of the reason I've been overweight is because I'm fussy with food and used to generally only eating fattening stuff over and over. But part of my "new beginning" is to EXPLORE food. So tonite I'm having dinner with Claudia and her husband who is in town for a few weeks, and I have NO IDEA what we're having for the meal.... but the company will be AWESOME!
Back at the beginning of the year, I joined a meetup group for hiking in my area. I was tired of doing things alone when I exercised in the forest, and it was obvious from the internet site that this group hiked often. When I started participating in the hikes, I realized I found a way to connect with others who also don't like hiking alone.... especially since this is mountain lion and rattlesnake country. And it's been lots of fun!
Shortly after the X got arrested and I realized that divorce was coming, I received an email from someone I didn't know. Claudia had moved to the area, knowing nobody, and was trying to find someone through the meetup group who liked to hike and mountain bike. Our first adventure together was funny. She asked questions on my life as I dragged her and her mountain bike out on one of the NASTIEST trails. She was so game to jump right in and I loved it that I had found someone to do this stuff with as it was part of the training for my 50 mile mountain bike race and in the thick of mountain lion country. As we rode downhill, I talked about the X, his alcohol addiction, as well as the area, and she talked about her husband, how he was overseas in the Navy, and how long she was going to be here, etc. And then as we climbed the toughest hill and our conversation lessened because we were out of breath, I stopped at one point and said "this is where I heard voices the last time I did the race, but no one was there". She LAUGHED and said "never tell a psychologist that you're hearing voices," LOL! Yep, that's what she does for a living! We made a connection with each other right away!
Since that ride, we've gotten together every weekend, sometimes during the week too... she's introduced me to groups like a knitting/crocheting club that I didn't know existed... she's shown me there are lots of ways to get out among people and enjoy myself without being part of a couple and to grow instead of sitting indoors moping about what happened.... She's helped me deal with the emotions that overwhelm me from time to time... She's been my lifesaver this year, and I'm really going to miss her when she moves on (her job here is only until July and then she moves to Nevada).
So, today I'm going to have an adventure... a food adventure! As I've said before, I'm a HORRIBLE cook, and part of the reason I've been overweight is because I'm fussy with food and used to generally only eating fattening stuff over and over. But part of my "new beginning" is to EXPLORE food. So tonite I'm having dinner with Claudia and her husband who is in town for a few weeks, and I have NO IDEA what we're having for the meal.... but the company will be AWESOME!
Replies
I think you have made a lifelong friend. No matter where she lives you two will stay in touch. It\'s so wonderful you have this friend to help you with your \"new beginning\" and show you different ways to live and make friends.
What a great positive entry! I feel the same way about my Triathlon Training partner - we just clicked. And just as in your friendship it was through outdoor activity - being we are in the tropics it was through open ocean water swimming. A blast!
And she could not only keep up she kicked my butt regularly. Thanks for the positive post.
I loved reading this. Have some fun with the Exploring food!! There are such awesome foods available to us, and eating healthy doesn\'t have to be boring or nasty. In fact it can be positively wonderful!!!
It is all a matter of experimenting with flavours and textures etc, and finding interesting combinations.
I hope you have some fun with it.