A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

I know there is a Susan Boyle thread ... but I wanted to invite you to comment on a different take:

I think Susan Boyle is Everywoman, and she reminds me that I, too, have talents that can be hidden under a blanket of "I'm too old," "Nobody wants to hear from/see me." She tells me that I can start again at any age (or shape!! LOL!), and pursue my talents -- even if Simon never looks at me with a goofy smile, chin cupped in hands.

I am a writer, an inspirational speaker, an award-winning print and broadcast reporter, a well-reviewed actress, a singer, a maker of quilts & teddy bears, and I drive a mean motor home.

What gifts are hidden under YOUR blankets?

Soos, you underestimate yourself. You're the pioneer woman I so admire. No way could I survive under the conditions you take for granted every day. I huff and puff just walking from my rig to the office. You talk about cutting wood for your wood fire like it was nothing while I just plug an electric heater in. You seem pretty isolated out there - what would happen if you fell and hurt yourself? You are truly the independent woman many of us wish we were. I salute you with my Flamingo wine glass.

retiredhappy wrote:Soos, you underestimate yourself. You're the pioneer woman I so admire. No way could I survive under the conditions you take for granted every day. I huff and puff just walking from my rig to the office. You talk about cutting wood for your wood fire like it was nothing while I just plug an electric heater in. You seem pretty isolated out there - what would happen if you fell and hurt yourself? You are truly the independent woman many of us wish we were. I salute you with my Flamingo wine glass.

And Karen, what is under YOUR blanket?

Spent my younger years working to support a child and my mom, who lived with me. Now the kid is in her 40's and I'm trying to do things just for me, kind of a 2nd childhood. I'm smart and have a quirky sense of humor and am a loyal friend.

retiredhappy wrote:Spent my younger years working to support a child and my mom, who lived with me. Now the kid is in her 40's and I'm trying to do things just for me, kind of a 2nd childhood. I'm smart and have a quirky sense of humor and am a loyal friend.

Good for you - it's finally your time, eh? Again - GOOD FOR YOU!
Too often, women are caring so hard for someone else, they forget to care for themselves.

Michelle

I really don't know. I've spent my entire life as an attorney. I know what I am professionally but I don't know ME. I'm in the process of merging my practice so I can step down to PT. Then, I want to find out. Getting my rv is part of that process. I want to see what else the world has to offer me. I have lots of interests - sewing, quilting, skiing (not in quite a few years though, but I did love it), sailing, photography, boating. My latest interest is poker - I am hooked and want to really learn the game. Heck, I wanna go to poker camp!

So I'm hoping this year will start my own personal voyage of discovery. We'll see where it takes me.

I love photography, I love just being some places - and soaking in the sights and sounds around me. I like to observe and make connections. I have trained dogs for over thirty years. I love living with cats and dogs - even though I always hurt because their lives are shorted than mine. I am a teacher, throughout everything I have done - Teaching is the foundation....Believing in the potential of another to grow and learn and encouraging others to believe in themselves. I no longer have a singing voice and I grieve some that I can not sing anymore....too many years of singing in the wrong register as a learning tool for students. In my heart I am an artist that is afraid to create. I am working on that area now that I no longer have the excuse of 70 hour a week jobs. The one place I was very successful was in the creativity I brought to my classroom and to my staff when I was director.

Tina, be an artist..for yourself. I taught myself how to play the piano. It was atrocious, but I loved playing and never played for anyone else but myself. I can't hold a note to save my life but I sing anyway. Again in private for my own enjoyment. sometimes I sing Moon River and it is so good I sing it twice.

I've thought and thought on this topic - it's a good one - but one that isn't really so easy to answer.

I'm good at seeing and fixing problems. I can diagnose what's wrong with something and the steps needed to fix it - in a home, in a business, in a friendship (but not always in my own relationships and friendships). I'm blunt and to the point - usually in a good way - if the other people can take it. I speak my mind and there's usually no question what side I'm on. But that works two ways- as I respect other people's opinions and ways - and once I let someone know how I think, what I'm feeling - I'm done with it. I love to debate - but don't judge people poorly for being on the other side (in most cases).

I'm a mean fundraiser for charities I believe in - a committed and dedicated and loyal person to my friends and my causes.

And, like Sparkle, I can't carry a tune and used to keep my singing to in a car alone, etc, but since I started traveling, I decided to hell with it - if I want to sing along somewhere I do - bad voice and all - which is how I managed to sing (with someone else) at karaoke, now more than once. It's fun - no matter how bad I am

You ladies are fabulous. Thank you for sharing yourselves ... there are so many talents. I have always envied those who have a gift with people. With me, tact is a second language ... and I speak it with a heavy accent. LOL. I have always loved photography but don't have an eye for it. Some of you on this forum take breathtaking pictues. And I admire your curiosity. My late DH always wondered what was up this or that canyon, down that trail, and I'd think, "Oh, more trees and rocks." I wished I had his zest for life, and it's so unfair that he was robbed of it.

Interesting topic !
I'm not good at anything - I'm OK at lots of stuff but would love to find something I'm good at and something I love. I'm trying to do that on this journey, but so far I'm just flopping around like a fish on the dock. I'm hoping that if I keep looking I'll find it !!

I guess I am a Jill of all trades. I can fix a bit of plumbing, a bit of electrical, do some carpentry and until cars became computers could do minor work on them. Not sure I would dare even change oil now. Once built my own cabin but did not plumb it or install electic wiring. Put in a wood stove for heat and cooking and chopped firewood. Had a well and a septic so with a portapotty got along fine.
I love photography and camera usually goes everywhere with me. Started obedience training of my mother's dog when I was in the 6th grade and went on to putting Champion title on my Kuvasz and, recently, Rally Novice on my rescued Golden Retriever.
I am a sucker for dumped animals so have ended up with 5 cats.
My mother always said she was part gypsy as she loved to travel. I have inherited the trait but have not had much chance to indulge it. But plan to change that soon.

Mollysmom wrote:so far I'm just flopping around like a fish on the dock.

What a visual image that is Trudy. More power to your flopping!
I just edited this because I thought of something about Trudy. Look how she has grown in strength and confidence. When you started Rving Trudy you were a nervous wreck and look at you now...hear you roar! Way to go. You're not flopping, you're swimming upstream with the Salmon!

I'm probably the best at being a good prayer warrior!!!!!
It seems like when ever any family or friends need prayer they call or e-mail me-- & say--- please pray for me!!!!
And I play one heck of a mean washboard!!!!!!!!!
And I love to cause LAUGHTER & I love to laugh!!!
I try really hard to help those around me see the humor in things------- instead of the stress!!!!
And I have gotten really really good at putting on weight------- & I don't need to be called "Olive Oil" any more as the name doesn't fit me any more!!!!!