Things in your life now

PERSONAL QUESTION TIME
We have a couple here with an area code the same as where we lived prior to moving east. I was thinking about how we have almost lived here as long as we did there. Are we different here than we were there?
Besides changing and growing as a person, getting older and wiser, what interests have you aquired since moving to where you are now and operating your B&B?
Example: Now we live in winter snow, so we have taken up snow shoeing, or Now we live near an estuary and marsh so have taken up birdwatching, or Now we live in a small town so we have run for office, or Now I am a member of a writers group.
Can you see a difference in your interests and involvement? Partially this will be due to age (perhaps you had kids in school prior and now you don't) or because your hours are now drastically restrained on weekends...etc
Have you picked up any of the local culture? This is one I really want to hear about. NASCAR. COLLEGE SPORTS. or other regional activities that are unique to where you now live.

I think I'm doing less now, involved in fewer outside activities. Like a turtle, I've pulled in my head. Not because of the business, because I don't need/want a lot of outside distractions.
What I do more of now, that I stopped doing a lot of for 30 years or so, is photography. There is just so much natural beauty here that I'm always taking pix.

Before I was involved up to my eyeballs in the elementary school. I was a Room Mother for someone and field trip chaperone every year I had someone in K-5. I was in PTA in Middle School.I was hip deep in kids and working 70 hours a week between the 2 jobs, canning in the Fall with stuff from U-Pick. We camped and took vacations and I did very little for me.
Now: I am beyond eyeballs involved in my City and the civic organizations in it and in tourism in my State. We no longer travel - DH is no longer able but I am now content where I am. DH is now immersed in his painting (he can no longer build muzzleloader rifles nor shoot in competition) and we are involved in the motorcycle event.
DH NEVER watched or listened to a basketball game that our daughter was not playing in and I had absolutely NO interest in sports other that watching the 2-legged animals in whatever sport they were in. NOW: we both watch or listen to the football and basketball games of WVU and of our local high school (radio). Now I teach knitting at the Library - 2 classes on Wednesdays. I play in the Community Band. All of these things are things I do because I want to - they make me feel alive!
Today for instance: I voted some for Shinnston, created tickets and tent cards for the Kiwanis Pancake breakfast fundraiser and took them to businesses in town to sell them, did a training session rerun for poll workers only to find out that the scarce party guy cannot work it after all so am scouring for a replacement, got my stove fixed (YEA!), DH thought i had my keys and locked me out (good thing I gave a house key to my City Manager long ago), and tomorrow will be at City Hall all day for early voting. I love it!!! I will spend the rest of the day voting Readers Digest.

Madeleine said:

I think I'm doing less now, involved in fewer outside activities. Like a turtle, I've pulled in my head. Not because of the business, because I don't need/want a lot of outside distractions.
What I do more of now, that I stopped doing a lot of for 30 years or so, is photography. There is just so much natural beauty here that I'm always taking pix..

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

I think I'm doing less now, involved in fewer outside activities. Like a turtle, I've pulled in my head. Not because of the business, because I don't need/want a lot of outside distractions.
What I do more of now, that I stopped doing a lot of for 30 years or so, is photography. There is just so much natural beauty here that I'm always taking pix.

Click to expand...

Do you think you see it differently? When you are able to get out it is a real treat now, and you can also see it through different eyes? (I hope you can make up one of those photos books that they have online everywhere, it is fun to flip through the photos too. I know I am online with most of mine, but I did make one up from our last vacation and it is a special book now).
You know the saying, those who live near the beach never go to the beach, etc. So when we can be out there, it is extra special. I think so, I think this business has allowed me to appreciate the little things like freedom more.
I just found this one that I didn't add to the book, but really liked.
http://twitpic.com/8fbd59

Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

I think I'm doing less now, involved in fewer outside activities. Like a turtle, I've pulled in my head. Not because of the business, because I don't need/want a lot of outside distractions.
What I do more of now, that I stopped doing a lot of for 30 years or so, is photography. There is just so much natural beauty here that I'm always taking pix..

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

I think I'm doing less now, involved in fewer outside activities. Like a turtle, I've pulled in my head. Not because of the business, because I don't need/want a lot of outside distractions.
What I do more of now, that I stopped doing a lot of for 30 years or so, is photography. There is just so much natural beauty here that I'm always taking pix.

Click to expand...

Do you think you see it differently? When you are able to get out it is a real treat now, and you can also see it through different eyes? (I hope you can make up one of those photos books that they have online everywhere, it is fun to flip through the photos too. I know I am online with most of mine, but I did make one up from our last vacation and it is a special book now).
You know the saying, those who live near the beach never go to the beach, etc. So when we can be out there, it is extra special. I think so, I think this business has allowed me to appreciate the little things like freedom more.
I just found this one that I didn't add to the book, but really liked.
http://twitpic.com/8fbd59
.

Click to expand...

Frankly, I'd like to just go for a walk without the camera once in awhile! Always afraid I'm going to miss something.
Walking on the beach today kept seeing a seagull laying on the sand. I'd take out the camera, it would fly off. We figured its leg or foot was broken and that's why it wasn't standing. When it stood, the one leg flopped around. I finally put the camera away and said to the bird, hands in the air, 'Look, I put the camera away, I'm not gonna take a picture, you're ok.' It was the only time the dopey bird didn't get up and fly away. But, I promised, no pictures.

I do more now as I gain in local contacts but I decide very carefully what I want to get involved in.
1- Harrogate at christmas works to put on amazing xmas lights and improve our christmas offering and this year is working to put a christmas market together which will hopefully become a big event over the years as we have over 200 acres of parkland to put it on and hopefully will build into a big tourist draw like York which will bring revenue to me and the town.
2- Harrogate Food and Drink - this will create a food and drink festival in a quiet time of the year ie money for the town and me. Also is creating a trade union for the food and drink industry which will make it easier for outside groups to deal with them ie me and for us to work with them on issues that affect us all such as trade recycling, tourism and conference trade.
3- Commercial Street retailors group - this is the nearest street with shops on to me and the route in which my guests walk to town. I over the years have made friends with most of the owners and believe in shopping local and getting my guests to do the same.
4- Accommodation Harrogate - trade association for independent accommodation providers in Harrogate district. Finally they have realised that they have to move to do more advertising even though initally we weren't set up to do so (finally !!!!) I have finally got shot of the last boring old farts off the committee so I am hoping to be able to push them along a bit but we will see!

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I would have to say that I'm essentially the same type of individual, but having the B&B caused me to be stressed out to find the time that I needed for my family and my interests. The nature of the business changed how I spent my time. This city, in this part of the country, did not change the core of me as a person. I've always been passionate about what I feel is important in my life.
I lived in Colorado and skiied the Rockies. I've lived in California and visited the beaches. I've lived in the Southwest and enjoyed Western dancing and music halls. Who knows what's next?
There are some pursuits/vocations that I'd like to get more involved in, but I think that it would be easier and more enjoyable if I had someone in my life who shared those interests.