One benefit of having been divorced and remarried to a divorcee is the amount of time we spend kid free. While it sucks when our kids are with their other parents, it’s given us a lot of time to learn how to be just the 2 of us. To put a positive spin on it for my wife, I call it empty nest practice. We have one about to leave for their freshman year, the next 3 years from now and the last 3 years after that. By that point, we’ll be well experienced in having an empty house and how to manage our time for and with each other.
Damn, the Alaska child is a cool nickname. Does she walk around with a sockeye in a fish bowl and a bald eagle on her shoulder? All I get called is stupid o'l nick.
Yep. Had her 1st daughter at 27 and that daughter had fraternal twins a couple of years ago, at 23. So yes, I give her grief about being a grandma at 51.
You love your kids, that is what this thread tells me, and you will miss seeing them every day. I had both of mine move out within one week 3 years ago, was crushed for months......the oldest graduated and moved back in while he saves money - which is fine, and the youngest is still away in Utah graduating in May. Everytime I drive him to the airport to send him back I cry - it is just normal - I miss em, love being a dad, that is what I feel I was born to be, but I understand it is natural and they have to move on when appropriate. I have made some peace with it, but I call all the time or text and he is playing on the college soccer team so will be going up for quite a few games. Still not as cool as having everyone under 1 roof. It is still home, but not the same. DD
The coach has been trying for 3 years to get him to play, he put together his own intramural team and they beat the university team in the finals. He has one year left and decided he has a light schedule and is going to play - so has been training up there all summer - I can't wait to get record a few of their matches. DD
So you went and did it so I'm now going to ask the question: Can someone who's actually cooked sockeye tell me how to do it? We eat Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead (trout) quite often, but we just cannot get it right with sockeye. Always ends up too dry and overcooking salmon is a crime against food. DM me if you're concerned about diverting this excellent thread.
well with the OP's indulgence . . . she gave us about 50 lbs last year and we've settled into using it mostly in stir fries and curries. I agree it's got a completely different texture than store-bought farmed salmon. A couple of times I've done some on the grill with a cajun rub (our favorite way to eat fish) and it's turned out pretty well. We've also smoked a bunch which always turns out awesome. believe it or not she's on her second summer crewing on a boat . . . she was a school teacher before that but got burnt out on it, now guides trips off the boat in Prince William Sound
Still, it is ok to hurt, it should hurt - your life changed in the snap of a finger, while they are excited we are sad......we just spent around 20 years raising them and our lives being all about them, getting them to this point and now they get to go off and experience it without us. That is our job, but it is going to hurt, and we put on a happy face as we don't want them to know how much we hurt. You have to rediscover your life with your spouse - many people divorce at this point, fortunately, my wife and I made it through, we started hitting up small towns in Texas and wineries.....basically dating each other again, super fun. I have so many friends who divorced at this moment and are not happier being single.....so all that work you put into your kids, put some of that into your relationship. You and your kids will be fine, keep loving them, and making it ok to come home and they will keep coming home. This reminds me....I need to go see my dad. DD
