families are difficult.

This. My mom's complex and knows which buttons to push to gin up a fight (she installed most of them), and I know oh so well by now to just keep money out of the relationship. And yet, I let it sneak in and it bit me in the butt and I lost my cool. The tough part is that I love her so very much and she makes me nuts and I let her. Thanks for letting me vent here. I apologize if this has upset anyone.

Yeah, I only need but so much alone time--and with all the travel I do I get PLENTY. I'd love more people time!

I am very lucky (and, obvs, Bob is too) that we have similar needs for alone time and no weirdnesses about taking it. Of course, him having to travel for his job a couple of times a month makes it so we have no choice and, frankly, sometimes leads to more apart time then we really want.

I can see where it could get too long when it's not in your control, but god that sounds ideal.

Sometimes, I feel bad not going with Dan to PA to see Micah more often, but (a) the thought of a whole weekend in his ex's house or in a hotel room, interacting and no room to get away fills me with dread, and (2) these are the ONLY times he ever goes away by himself, and I desperately want two or three days here to myself.

I can camp out in a hotel room or take myself off for an afternoon or something as a short term fix - I don't have to be in my space. But one thing I have realized over the past number of years is that it is very hard for me to be comfortable for any length of time in someone else's space. So if I'm visiting a city or something, it's a lot more comfortable for me to stay in a hotel than with someone, even though it can get kind of pricy. I think it's having having that space of absolute retreat or something. On the flip side I quite like having people stay with me, though if it's for any real length of time it's helpful if there are some known or understood down times.

It's almost more of an obstacle for just normal socializing - I'd really much rather have friends come here or meet somewhere neutral than go over, and that can get kind of awkward.

Only upset on your behalf, Sox. I guess it's a little bit of that taking on the feelings of the folks around you, we can even do it over the internet! {{Sox}} But I know what you mean; it's entirely possible to be upset with someone, but still love them very, very much.

{{Sox}} You don't suck. Families, however, can suck.

thanks you guys.

Sometimes when I'm watching Deadliest Catch I think how great it would be to be in a relationship with one of those guys who is gone for months at a time. Except of course for the maybe not coming home part.

(I've also never lived alone in my entire adult life- I'm still a little bitter about that.)

I'm also a little nervous about the idea of getting married. I've lived alone for about 10 years now and I love it. I would have to have my own space in our home (an office, etc.) with my own TV and when the door is closed, he leaves me alone.

Photos of my balcony: [link]

The drifting was the biggest problem around here. If it wasn't for that, we all probably could have gone in to work today.

I'm also a little nervous about the idea of getting married. I've lived alone for about 10 years now and I love it. I would have to have my own space in our home (an office, etc.) with my own TV and when the door is closed, he leaves me alone.

That's what I do. D is downstairs, with the TV and his netbook, and I am upstairs in the office with my laptop (and streaming Netflix.)

It works out pretty well.