Do you come in like a Lion or a Lamb? (Roll call)

[Phoebe]

Welcome to DOL finest trendy spot!! Share with us who are you! There are no rules except tell us if your more like a lion or a lamb (be careful, I may not have rules but Admin does!!).

I just turned 39 and live in the Midwest - the best! I am remarried and have three kids, age 7,2, and 7 months. I also have an 8 year old chocolate lab. My divorce became final in January 2001, however I had a lot of post divorce issues to work through. I still have to communicate with my ex, 11 more years to go: eek: Thank goodness that DOL keep me in line!

My hobbies are dogs, quotefalls (puzzle), and baking. I am more like a lioness than a lamb. My growl is worse than my bite!:D

And you???

[zirelda]

40 YO female in Colorado. 5 years post divorce but I don't remember the exact date. I do remember there were two though. Was reminded today why I divorced when my ex called. Thinking about remarriage.

Definitely more in the lamb catagory although I can butt heads like a mountain goat when I need to.

[ghead1]

Lamb, definitely. But I can put on my lionskin if needed! Actually, if we had a third choice, I'd be the wolf in sheep's clothing :rolleyes:

F46, from CA. Married 17 years next month (!). Flirted with divorce, returned to sanity and decided if he was willing to stay with me, I oughta recognize a good thing. 2 stepchildren: SD20 and SS 24. 2 dogs, 6 cats. Work full time, and well-cared for by mr ghead.

Love to read, garden, birdwatch, hike, and listen to music (as well as sing).

[magic-cat]

I come in like a cat, but go out as a panda. Except every few weeks when I come in like a gazelle and go out like a circus clown. Now and then it's the polar bear/field mouse combo, but the weather has to be just right, and I definitely won't do the "in like a belly button, out like a light" unless I get paid.

Hope this answers all your questions.

[OneMoreTry]

I definitely fall into the lamb category. :)

I am a (recently turned) 37 year old female from the suburbs of Cleveland Ohio. I have been married for almost 7 years (as of next month) and found DOL fairly recently as my husband and I have run into some problems. Happily with the great advice I receive here on DOL, marriage counseling, and a true commitment to make this work we seem to be on our way to healing and growing. I also have a great 12 (almost 13) year old stepson who lives with us full time. In addition we have two dogs that are totally spoiled and help to keep our lives full of laughter and fun!!

I definitely prefer the warmer weather outdoor activities that include hiking, swimming, jet skiing. Cleveland winters do not allow for too much outdoor activity (unless you are a fan of cold weather sports), therefore, I tend to spend my winters reading and strangely addicted to reality television. :o

[ghead1]

good news OMT!

[OnSolidPath]

Considering the lunch I ate...I think I'd have to say today I'm waddling in plus that old cliche "If it walks like a Duck, talks like a Duck--it must be a Duck" seems fitting.;)

I'm pretty much, what you see, is what you get. What you've got here behind this screen --is a soon to be 50 year young Female, been around the block a time or three, have 4 great kids, all in various stages of their mostly young adult lives. Two mutts, one *kick me* size and one *ride me* size.

Not always the most PC person, but, I do believe I mean well.

[SeptMorn]

Congrats OSP on your promotion to "Member" :)

Sometimes I am a lion, sometimes I am a lamb. It depends on the day of the week ;)

[OnSolidPath]

Cool! how'd that happen?

The grins seem to be disabled. So I'll "do it" the old fashioned way. <bg>

[Tuffy]

:) I always start out as a lamb and only become a lion when I need to.

Seriously, I'm pretty quiet and mild when I first met people and then I do change but not to a lion, more like a ....ewe?


But, 44 year old female. 2 kids, one preteen one a wannabee teen. 4 cats. Dreaming of a nice dog to chase the cats around. Right now hating my job as I had to write someone up today and I don't like doing that (and then she had the nerve to lie right to me :eek: )

Anyway, divorce has been final since May 2005. My ex and I get along ok. I've decided I need to either get a second job or get better at budgeting money.

[poolman]

I am like Tuffy and more like a lamb until backed into a corner and then I turn into a charging lion.

M45, S18 and D13 two cats and one 100lb golden retriever that will never get 10' away from me. If I go to the kitchen, he follows. He patiently waits outside the bathroom to see where we're going next. If I go to bed, he sleeps right where I'll step on him.

[mumsie]

F 44 recently wed to one fantastic guy and mom to D16, D12, wicked stepmom to SD18 and SS15. Found DOL almost 6 years ago when I was gearing up for the fight of my life and learned I had no idea what really lay ahead.

Time has helped put a lot of things into perspective and while it has sometimes been a rough road, I'm grateful for the experiences that make me appreciate the everyday joy in my life. I'm so very blessed in so many ways.

Free time is something I don't have much of these days, but when I find some nothing makes me happier than filling the house with food food and good friends.

[moogg]

depends on what the subject is...

33 year old mom of one fabulous six year old girl. seperated May 04. Came as utter shock when x walked out. (not that we were without problems, but to stand in front of me one night and announce our marriage was over..wowzers)


WOW, have I learned a lot since then!

disengage, feed the yak, etc. etc.

Trying to focus on my daughter and finding something to do every day that I am passionate about but can also pay the bills.

[cherryblossom]

I've always been a lion. I can't help it. I was born that way.:D

Single mom, youngish, with two boys, both older (no more babies! Thank God.:) My career is considered professional, it better be considering how much college cost me.:eek: But, I enjoy what I do.

Just received my Master's degree and I'm pleased as punch!

Oh, and I LOVE being independent and not having to rely on a man's salary to afford ANYTHING! I'm finally the captain of my own ship, baby, and I'm lovin' it!

I have a variety of interests, they include: traveling/sight-seeing (trips to Vegas are a favorite), LOVE to read (a variety of subjects), aromatherapy, movies, candles, soap-making, natural activities (such as hiking) amusement parks, health clubbing, collecting recipes, baking, browsing catalogues (and sometimes even buying. ;)

[2ndWind]

Formerly *** (but the handle was too short). F 52, reside on the Left Coast. A lamb initially but have a lot of dormant lion. Came upon DOL last fall and have found it to be interesting and helpful. Married in '82, divorced in '04; just in the past year or so have begun to feel "normal" again. S 24, D 20 (and one cute black cat).

[Booktender]

I'm always a lamb unless someone hurts me or someone I care about. Then put up yer dukes!:eek:

Fear the wrath of Booktender!

OK, stats

F, 47, AZ, Librarian. Ex has wanted to be a woman since childhood. He has an unfortunate habit of marrying women without revealing this and then being angry/suicidal when they choose to move on. He prefers women. In fact, he seems to prefer women who prefer women as, post change, he will be a woman interested in woman. Myself I prefer men who prefer women. If you feel dizzy, that's ok.

No kids, 1 former stepson (The Lad), 2 cats (Miss Birdie and Mr. Trout).

Due to my unique situation, I no longer post on "weirdest divorce story" type threads. I've gone pro and can not post for awards or renumeration of any kind on this board. I will, however, post for exhibition purposes.

The rest can be divined from my partial list of honorifics below.

[standingstill]

F-just turned 41 last month. Was married once before way too young; have a wonderful 22-S from that marriage. Am currently married almost 16 yrs and have 15-D. Not too sure this marriage will make it much longer. I think we are reaching past "too much water under the bridge" and will soon reach flood levels. I'm even more "midwest" than Phoebe. I've been around DOL a long time, working on marriage, working on separation, back to working on marriage. :confused:

[standingstill]

Oh, and I'm mostly a lamb until I get sheparded into a corner.

[WrongAgain]

Baaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

[Tiddly]

Your remarriage or his?

[zuzuzu]

F 49 as of last week. Two incredible daughters, 21 and 11. Currently engaged to a younger man (trying to cover as many thread topics as possible!). I feel stronger, more at peace, and more secure than I ever have before. Exploring a new career as a mediatior (another thread covered!!). Live on the east coast and looking forward to spring.

I am a sheep in wolf's clothing..... Only in recent years have I learned that it is OK to be weak or ignorant about some things, but that I am still a strong, capable and smart person. I can accept that I really, really like having someone to help me at times and just comfort me. So now the sheep can look like a sheep without being afraid that I look like I'm just waiting for someone to come along and gobble me up!!!

[Theo!]

M35, proud father of a beautiful 8 year old girl. My X moved out of state shortly after the divorce and our daughter now lives with me throughout the school year and with her mother during breaks. I'm not a big "father's rights" kind of guy, but I do tend to take it a little personally when fathers are treated as second-class parents. This also extends to advertisements for cleaning and cooking products that call out "Moms! New and Improved!". If someone makes a laundry detergent with a competent father in the commercial, I'll buy it for life.

I'm a Web Designer by day, and now that I've fulfilled my New Year's Resolution to start my own business, I also have the dubious distinction of being a Web Designer by night. It's off to a good start!

[standingstill]

Your remarriage or his?

Were you asking me?

[RealTime]

Pheebs --

"Do you come in like a Lion or a Lamb?"

That's kinda personal, don't you think?

[standingstill]

Pheebs --

"Do you come in like a Lion or a Lamb?"

That's kinda personal, don't you think?

And Lord knows, we NEVER get personal around here! <tongue in cheek>:D

[Tiddly]

hey Wrong Again!!!!!

[Tiddly]

oooooooooooofps!! I'm 52, F, from the SOUTH and I'm a LION hear me ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR LOL

Been on DOL for about 10 plus years.................now that's pretty sad eh? I'm still single and just about to be done raising my chickadees when the caboose finishes school. She's 18.

Glad to be here!

[OneMoreTry]

good news OMT!

Thanks ghead! A lot of the credit is given to many DOLers (you definitely being one of them!) who have helped me tremendously - both in advice given and the ability to help me see "my" contributions to some of my marital challenges. Just even reading of others experiences and problem solving techniques has been a tremendous help to me. I think I'll be hanging around for a while!! :)

[ghead1]

OMT, it is amazing on DOL. While I enjoy posts by nearly everyone, responses from a certain few posters to some of my dilemmas really gave me a whole new way of looking at things. Oddly enough, it was the tough posts (that made me cringe at the time) that did the most good.

Weatherman, Loft King, willowtree, and Stariondad would be surprised to know that, I'm sure; but having them unanimously tell me I needed to look inside for solutions (as well as the problem) was the key turning point in my marriage. From what I've seen, being open to such a concept is key to really getting some good out of DOL.

There is plenty of support and hugs, even some backpatting, but even better is the unstinting honesty offered to (mostly) strangers.

[RealTime]

standstill --

I mean, I like the little woolies as much, if not more, than the next guy. In every Irish family, there was always an uncle who was a shepherd and never married. Possibly I'm a throwback.

However how else could a question like this be answered?

"March isn't the only thing that comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." -- Author unknown (at least to me)

[WrongAgain]

Hi Tiddly!

[OnSolidPath]

Where's Poppy? LoneRanger? Allalone? SingleDad? Anyone ever hear from NoDullard anymore--hope all is well with her.

[willowtree]

Pheebs --

"Do you come in like a Lion or a Lamb?"

That's kinda personal, don't you think?

My thoughts exactly, RT!

Lessee.... me, I'm a far less "Junior Member" than Admin would have you all know. Still rankling over that! :mad:

Not really... but my history has made me what I am today. And for that - the history of my first marriage to a... well, hard to describe. Loud, narcissistic, drug-addicted habitually-lying "nice guy"... 4.5 years post-divorce I can even look back and call him a nice guy. Because he is, when you're not married to him! And it was as much my fault for allowing the marriage to devolve into the total dysfunction it ended up as, as it was his.

I found DOL when I when I was at the end of my rope, but too scared to jump. DOL talked me into trusting that even though I wasn't sure what was below, letting go had to be better than hanging onto that rope. <note: there was ground, and it was soft!> Like ghead, it was the tough advice that got me through. But all the hugs did NOT hurt!

I have two daughters, who really suffered in their teenage family life, mostly because I was so involved in trying to control their father, and he was so busy trying not to get controlled, that we didn't have time to notice who they were....

To my great joy, they are lovely adult women now, and to my even greater joy, they are both self-sufficient! :D And to add to my joyful family, I now have a wonderful husband. Kind, gentle, patient, funny as hell, nice butt, and totally incapable of household repairs. But he is my contentment.

He came with four grown kids. We've been lucky in that we have been able to merge families pretty easily... mostly because they were all grown when we met, and none of the kids lived with us. I'm not so sure it would have been so smooth otherwise. But I adore my steps, we just married one off, another is hinting that he may be proposing soon... and I'm jumping up and down in anticipation of the pitter patter of little feet.

Speaking of.... (you guys forgot how much I could blab, huh???) my very greatest joy is my grandson Matty. 6 years old, cute as heck, smarter than the average bear, and finally finding out how to self-discipline. The best times are following his mind down pathways I forgot existed...

[CheroCreek]

Baaaaaaaaa

[Phoebe]

Realtime, at least I don't ask questions like what size shoes you wear or what brand name undies you wear. :eek:

You can trot like a fox on here, no need to hear you say if you are like a lion or a lamb, we can figure you out just as the same!!! :p

[standingstill]

RT-- I'm shocked! Shocked I say! (not really though) I always suspected the answer was widely known and yet seldom discussed within the Irish community! Seeing as how my maternal ancestors surname was indeed Shepard, I don't think I can continue this conversation without revealing family skeletons well left in the closet.

[RealTime]

standingstill -- There's a line in the movie "the Departed" delivered by Matt Damon:

"I'm f------- Irish. I'll put up with anything forever."

When I look back on my marriage, maybe it's true.

It's not exactly Daniel Patrick Moynihan. "If you don't know that this world is going to break your heart, then you don't know what it means to be Irish."

[OnSolidPath]

RT-- Shame on you! You've made my mind wander...dang I can't believe it's been FOREVER since...well, you know...

Need to find a lion!

[standingstill]

That sounds a lot like me.:(

[jazzy]

Never been called a lion or a lamb, but I have been called a bulldog :)

Loft is the lion, being a Leo and all. We do butt heads from time to time lol

Married Loft July 25, 1998, held the Ohiofest July 1999 at our place, been members of DOL since 1997.

Me: 45F, Mom to 3 sons, have a grandson and granddaughter
Loft: 46M, Dad to son and daughter, grandson due March 24

We live in Ohio, near Cleveland, follow the GBPackers, and UFC. Big Martial Artists family: Loft, middle son and myself all teach, youngest son and grandson take classes.

We have 5 mini schnauzers and one black cat I think that's it for now.

[Nodramaplz]

Fabulous @ 50 lol need I say more?

[Anglolala]

Hi, I am a 42 y.o. female living in London, England. I have two children - girl 11 and boy 13. My son is soon to move to live with his father, which I am struggling with at the moment. I have been separated/divorced for around 9 years. I have lurked a lot here and post now and then. When my ex husband first left me, I felt that this was the only place which understood what I was going through and for that I will always be grateful.

[Anglolala]

Sorry forgot to say - LION one moment, lamb the next.

[poppy]

Poppy is in the house. Hadn't been on DOL for a few months, logged on and found .... this new stuff. Still on Left Coast.

Suspect I'll be a junior member for quite a while. Glad to be called a junior anything these days. :)

[Lindsay]

Female, living my last year of the fab 50's <gulp>, and been here at HS...SS since the first month of it's inception, along with Blue, Harmony, and at that time, about 10 others! I'm married, and the mother of two wonderful adult children - a daughter who is a teacher and son who is an immunologist working on his PhD.

HS...SS has been an experience for me. I fell in and out of love here, kept on reading and realized my marriage had a lot more good than bad and decided to stick it out. 10 years later we're fine, happy, and growing old together. Thanks HS...SS for teaching me that.

I came in like a Lamb. It took about 2 months to screw up the courage to post anything at all, and in time, became the original Sanctimonious B***h of a Lion, put my life back in order and once again I'm a lamb. I like me better this way.

I've been to a few "fests", made a lot of good friends, and stay in touch with quite a few of them. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time on my hands to be around much because I'm the president of a basset hound rescue that rescues dogs between Little Rock and Oklahoma City and it takes up about 26 hours a day of my time. Some day, some time, some where, I really need to get a life! But I do make time for my two beautiful granddaughters 9, and 16!

[Tiddly]

Hi Poppy!! glad to see you!!!

[whereami]

I am a F35 with 2 children in the Southeastern US. I have been lurking for a long time but can't seem to take the plunge and really file for divorce. I always come up with some reason why I have to wait just a little bit longer.
:confused:

[Tuffy]

Hello Where, welcome to the wonderful world of posting.

Really if you aren't ready, you aren't ready. You need to be sure of what you are doing.

[willowtree]

Hi whereami! Welcome.

Maybe it would help if you started a thread and said why you thought you weren't ready? Or if you don't want to be on the spot that's OK, too.

[steamy]

whereami is a great handle!!! No one has the same story , but someone and often many, usually can share an insight , outcome and best of all, some times just a needed hug. (((whereami)))

[onangelswings]

I would love to believe I'm a lamb, but if you ask my children they'd probably say....lion.

F48, remarried. We're the Brady Bunch plus one.

Him, D24, D23, S17, D4, grandbaby due in July
Me, D24, D22, S11, D4

I will FINALLY, (yes I'm shouting from the rooftop) complete my bachelor's degree this Spring. I'll be the sixth one in this family to graduate from college.

Besides attending college, we're spectators at S17 hockey, S11 soccer, basketball, baseball, D4 swimming and gymnastics. All of that and occasionally rescuing the stranded or heartbroken young adult daughter keeps us pretty busy.

[steamy]

I'm a lion in sheeps clothing. Actually the lawyer is the lion, but I look good in fleece. Divorced officially 10/1/2003. Stilllllllll in court over money. Really boring rehashing it, but next commando date is 6/2. Trying to settle but in every offer I will get more in court.

In grad school, working at a gourmet shop in catering, volunteer CASA/GAL in juvenile court, 3 horses, 1 dog, 1 cat, 3 sons. I am involve with Equine assisted learning and psychotherapy. Alimoney till May '09 and counting...So is he!!!

[4Wardmarch]

Really boring rehashing it, but next commando date is 6/2.

Hey Steamer! June 2nd is good luck! That's my birthday! :p

[SoSorry]

Wow, look at this. Quite a change.

Mid-50's female executive, with 2 daughters and a son in the Chicago suburbs. DIvorced in 2000. Chose SoSorry as a handle because I was so sorry I married him. We don't have any more divorce issues. Peek in every couple months.

[lizzie]

Divorced 11, almost 12 years from a jerk who continued to sue me. I think the last time in 2004.

I've been able to regain balance without all the stupid lawsuits.

My two older children are grown - one is in graduate school and one is happily married with a baby girl born last summer and very self-sufficient (I think I may just have to hit him up for a loan) and is a graphic designer.

My two former little boys are now half-grown men! They are turning into absolutely fabulous human beings without even a touch of snarly teenagerhood.

My husband is still as wonderful as ever. The second time around I married someone who was the perfect match for me. We really don't have to work at our marriage. It takes care of itself. I remember so well trying so hard to fix my marriage. I feel for those who are still in that mode. Mine wasn't worth fixing and would never have been even bearable much less a healthy relationship.

The bonus is that, even though I didn't have a real adult job until I 1998, I have a job that I absolutely adore working to save the world, something I always wanted to do.

Life is good

[OnSolidPath]

Lizzie congrats on the job--

The bonus is that, even though I didn't have a real adult job until I 1998, I have a job that I absolutely adore working to save the world, something I always wanted to do.

That is my goal. When I retire I want to become an activist of sorts. Maybe to help make ammends for all the years I've spent in the construction industry doing my part to pave the planet. Boy is my boss going to be pissed.

[lizzie]

Lizzie congrats on the job--



That is my goal. When I retire I want to become an activist of sorts. Maybe to help make ammends for all the years I've spent in the construction industry doing my part to pave the planet. Boy is my boss going to be pissed.

You know the problem with activists. They mean well but they really don't pick the right things to be active about. For instance, there are people who complain constantly about dust coming off a refinery near their homes. The dust is certainly annoying, and I see their point, but there are carcinogenic chemicals coming off the refinery that will kill them if they have too much exposure. Also, there is no law against dust. So, they call EPA and complain and EPA can't do anything about it, and they think EPA isn't doing anything, when what it's really doing is forcing the refinery to stop emitting the nasty stuff and charging them millions of dollars in fines and projects designed to help the people who live nearby. But until it's all settled, they don't know about it.

[OnSolidPath]

there is no law against dust.

There is in my state. We allow dust to escape our jobsites and it's called
"fugitive dust" some fairly hefty fines go along with it. But, I understand what you are saying.

Being a good pisces I want to save our oceans.

[sofasiren2]

Here! (wtf, my message is too short?) -- okay then, I'm here now, wasn't here yesterday, might be here tomorrow, might not.

[Babelicious]

You know, I always considered myself a lamb until the SOB punched my daughter. Hard to believe that roar was comin' from me!

Left the ex on September 3rd, 2006 and haven't looked back. Negotiated the divorce settlement myself. I didn't get everything a lawyer would have asked for but then again, I didn't have to pay a lawyer either so I actually saved myself a ton of money. Heck, I'm still paying my attorney from my divorce in 1998 but he will be paid in full in 5 months. :)

I'm living on my own for the first time in my life and both kids are with me full-time. S22 graduated from college in December. He's substitute teaching now while applying for a permanent position. Blondie is a loving 16 year old and thriving now that we're out of that insane situation. I'll hate myself forever for not leaving sooner, before she got hurt. :(

It's great to see so many friendly "faces" here. My best to all.

[Rocky]

Hey, Babe! Health problems are still with me, so I've been laying low.

Just wanted you to know that I'm comin' back to PA! Mr. W and I are moving north of you in the mountains. I'm not sure when the physical move will take place. Send me an email or call. I've been very disorganized with things and can't find your phone number. It's only been since November. :D

[ejmuller]

Hey Babe SOO good to see you here! And very glad to hear that things are going so well for you. Don't beat yourself up about the past. Leave it in the past and continue to move forward.

[Babelicious]

Thanks, EJ. My job is to take care of and protect my kids. I didn't do such a good job this time and that hurts.

[ejmuller]

Honey, don't be so hard on yourself!! Remember, 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing. We can all look back at stuff and think we should have, could have, would have. But that way lies madness. Life does not come with an instruction manual - we do the best we can with what we have and know at the time. The important thing is you are doing great now - that is what counts most.

[Tiddly]

So happy to see you here Babe! I'm so happy you're finally FREE....it's a great feeling isn't it? I'm so happy for you and your children!!!! Hugs...

You're one of the ones who helped me survive and I'll never forget you as long as I live! Hugs!!!

[Babelicious]

Tids, you're the best!

Yes, freedom from abuse, insanity and infidelity is a wonderful thing. I didn't realize how much it was taking out of me until I got away. I just hope I never forget the lessons I've learned.

EJ, you're a wise woman.