Reliving my Youth
Lately I've been feeling like revisiting hobbies of mine from my teens and 20's etc. Hobbies and activities I enjoyed before marriage and children. I have shown dogs in obedience, after training them. Traveled around the country competing and enjoyed it very much. But before that I owned horses and competed in Western pleasure, games and then upped my game and learned English riding, dressage and jumping. But as I said, I put all that away when children and a husband came along.
Anyway, now I'm feeling like I really should get back to my bucket list, especially with my diagnosis, therefore I'm hunting around to lease a horse and ride much of this summer. Also, I have my eye on a German Shepherd puppy who was born two days ago. I'd get her this mid-summer and when she's six months old, start training for competition.
Does anyone think this is crazy? My family does for sure but they don't understand what it's like to face a dx like ours. Anyway, just thought I'd share my feelings and see if anyone else has acted on them in a similar way. If so, tell me more, please.
Thanks so much -
Amy aka "crazy Nana"
Btw, I developed a huge crush on George Strait - so maybe I am a little crazy, to have a crush at 62.
Comments
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Amy - we all have to find our NEW normal. I think it's great that you're reaching out to both horses & dogs to help you get through the troublesome days.
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No,not crazy at all! Doing what you want and love is what's important. Whether you're getting back to something you enjoyed doing long ago or trying something new, if it makes you happy, do it!
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Go for the puppy!! I showed my Aussie before Ca inobedience and agility. Tons of fun!!
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Absolutely, do the things you love and/or have always wanted to do!!! One thing positive that we can MAKE out of this is that we can truly and purposefully LIVE now!
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I say if you're strong and healthy enough to handle two large animals at age 62, go for it.
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Do what you love. Since diagnosis I've amassed a bunch of new farm animal friends. I do keep an escape plan in mind, in the event I could not care for them in the future. The donkey and pony could, could, go back to the rescue. I have made provisional plans for them in that event. Do what makes you happy.
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I recently bought several jigsaw puzzles for fun and a digital camera. I had a few years of photo classes in high school and plan to get back into it. I say do what you like and be fun, silly, whatever.
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It sounds like you're trying to bring more joy into your life which is wonderful! My only suggestion would be to have a plan for care of the puppy in case circumstances change (which is a good thing to do regardless of age or health status when you commit to raising an animal that could live for 10+ years). Many good breeders welcome their dogs back at any time, or maybe a family member would love to have a well-trained shepherd? Congratulations and good luck!
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AmyQ, I read your post yesterday with such joy! My foray into the world of bc was only one of a cluster of unusually difficult things that happened in my life that year, but once I got past it, I did the same thing. I put on a backpack and took a month long solo trip in SE Asia to start (I had earned a free airline ticket through frequent flyer miles and went as far as those miles would take me). After that, I traveled more extensively, ended up moving to Europe for a number of years, went back to school to get another masters degree and got married (to a wonderful man I met in my travels). It's never too late to reconnect to ourselves. Go big or go home!
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And let's not forget learning new things! I've always loved the fiber arts and gravitated toward the obscure and ancient (nålbinding, lucet). I took some knitting classes in January and am now addicted to knitting and high end yarn. I also now understand why nålbinding and lucet fell out of favor 😆.
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I have GOT to start working on my stash,which is overflowing a closet and a dresser
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irwells,
I had a good sized stash from nålbinding and lucet. Of course, I have been buying up lots of new yarn too and am thinking of turning my small third bedroom in to a little knitting and fiber arts studio.
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I find myself reliving my youth in another way: I have been searching the internet for information and stories about the Brooklyn neighborhoods—Brownsville & E. Flatbush—of my childhood & adolescence. I search Wikipedia to find out what’s happened to my old grade school, jr. high and high schools, and use Google Maps street view to explore what those neighborhoods look like now. I read blogs about the old neighborhoods (and even a book or two, but it dealt with the kids long before I lived there—some as far back as my parents’ heyday). And I have begun to reconnect with classmates—one actually came up to me at a concert I was doing in Madison, WI and asked me for my autograph. I joked that was fine as long as it wasn’t on the bottom of a check, and he said “no, I want you to sign your picture.” I gasped as he pulled my HS yearbook out of his backpack—since he didn’t have glasses or receding gray hair in high school, I hadn’t recognized him. We’ve been e-mailing along with some other classmates and mulling over holding a reunion. None of us live in Brooklyn any more, so we’re thinking South Florida.
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Oh good...I'm not entirely off my rocker. It's so nice to hear from you andyour hobbies, similar activities or to just receive your support. I'm going riding on Monday so Memorial weekend is the official start of AmyQ redo...
Please continue to add your activities or hobbies at this stage of your health and life. I love hearing about them.
Amy
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So an update on reliving my youth - I just secured this handsome devil for as long as I'm able...a 12 year old Morgan, Quarter, Draft horse mix. His name is Chevy and our first introductions went very well. He's a big guy but very kind and gentle. I hope we have many years together.
So for all of you wanting to get back to old hobbies, sports or just try something new...just do it.
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Amy, I'm so happy you have found Chevy. Your family obviously hasn't a clue about what this means to a 'horse girl'. And wonderful you will be getting a dog.
Horses came back into my life again (after 45 years). Means the world to me.
Liz
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Amy, I'm so happy you have found Chevy. Your family obviously hasn't a clue about what this means to a 'horse girl'. And wonderful you will be getting a dog.
Horses came back into my life again (after 45 years). Means the world to me.
Liz
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Cowgirl, it's been 30 years for me but have always had the horse and barn smells in my blood. Thank you
Amy
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congrats AmyQ!
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