Questions Bipolar Version #8

Nammu · May 30, 2021, 12:51 PM

The lilac bush. The house I grew up in had a long row of lilac bushes separating our yard from the yard next door. They were started by the guy who owned the property before us. They were grand and the fragrance! Oh the fragrance was wonderful. I was forever cutting blooms off to bring in the house.

Do you have fond memories of the house that you grew up in. The house you spent your formative years?

BeyondtheRainbow · May 30, 2021, 09:53 PM

The house itself, not so much. My father liked to start remodeling projects but 5-10 years later it wouldn't be done. So I grew up without wallboard or flooring (covering) in the kitchen, no tile on the kitchen counters (gross, just plywood that didn't come clean), etc. Not surprisingly he died a hoarder.

I do remember things from my childhood that are good. We grew and canned/froze almost all of our vegetables and that was hard work but good memories. We had fun playing with neighbords and cousins. I just grew up in a yucky house (and some rooms were ok although the house overall needed a lot of work).

What pizza toppings do you like?

mssweatypalms · May 30, 2021, 11:01 PM

I absolutely love green bell peppers, onions, fresh tomatoes, and olives. Sometimes, I make my own four-cheese pizza with lots of blue cheese.

Do you like surprises?

~Christina · May 31, 2021, 01:43 AM

Oooooo I do not like surprises. I feel like I need to prepare myself for X event or even a day.

My husband is a fly by the seat of his pants.. Hes game for last minute things. Especially when we go to Florida to see the kids.. One minute we are just hanging out then one of his boys says " hey lets go do X" I'm mentally like Oh no I cant go do that for reasons ABC.. For a variety of reasons I seldom go with him when he sees his sons. My Daughter has Bipolar also and I'm more than happy to stay in a lousy hotel waiting for her to get off work so we can hang out.

If you could be an animal... what would you be and why?

buddha1too · May 31, 2021, 07:19 AM

I tend to be too obsessed with canines, & it's pretty mundane, but I'd be a dog. I know they live realtively short lives (by human standards) but, in a good home, at least, they lead fruitful lives. The connection between dogs & their owners is almost symbiotic. Their noses are 500 times more sensitive than the nose of a human (which is great until your human farts, I guess

). When I take my dog out for a walk, I always let him stop & sniff as much as he sees fit. It's his tour of the world, not mine.

I don't know how to do it, but I'd love to post a picture of my BIg Papi. He's a 6 pound Chihuahua mix who thinks it's OK to charge pitbulls & other big dogs. He's a real "tough guy." Our last two dogs were German shepherds, so having a lapdog is a big change for us.

While I'm obsessing, what is your favorite breed of dog (or would a pound puppy be OK)? What is it about this dog that appeals to you? In your mind, what are the pros & cons of dog ownership?

*Beth* · May 31, 2021, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddha1too

... When I take my dog out for a walk, I always let him stop & sniff as much as he sees fit. It's his tour of the world, not mine.

...

That is commendable. I feel so sorry for dogs when their owners don't allow them to stop and sniff while on walks.

Nammu · May 31, 2021, 10:20 AM

Oh, favorite breed? There’s sooooo many. Most are larger breeds. Massives, the working dog group and most of the herding dogs. But I’d go with a mut from a shelter. Less likely to have inherited physical illnesses. My dog growing up was half old English sheepdog and half English setter, she looked just like a bearded collie. Smart, so smart. I’d take a bigger dog.

Did you have a pet growing up?

Soupe du jour · May 31, 2021, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nammu

Oh, favorite breed? There’s sooooo many. Most are larger breeds. Massives, the working dog group and most of the herding dogs. But I’d go with a mut from a shelter. Less likely to have inherited physical illnesses. My dog growing up was half old English sheepdog and half English setter, she looked just like a bearded collie. Smart, so smart. I’d take a bigger dog.

Did you have a pet growing up?

Yes. The main pet for me was my cat T.C. ("Top Cat"). I had him from about age 7 or 8 years old (he was 2 when we got him) and he lived until maybe my sophomore year of college. He was my kitty love. We also had two dogs earlier on, but we never thought of them as pets. They were my dad's hunting dogs and they lived outside. Frankly, it was good my dad never replaced them. The male was given away at one point (to a better home), and the female ended up treated a little less lovingly than she should have been. I was just 10 or 11 when she passed away from cancer. It's sad looking back at her. My dad was not a good owner. I love him, but he is/was just an OK parent. Not a lot more. My sister and brother-in-law have a dog and two cats. The cats are spoiled (inside the house) and the dog is outside, slightly neglected. They shouldn't have gotten a dog. I hope when it passes that they'll not replace it, but they might anyway. Sadly, that's too often the reality. Not so different than people who should never have had kids.

Were/are you closer to your mom or dad?

*Beth* · May 31, 2021, 01:00 PM

Until I was 5 years old I was closer to my dad. Then my parents divorced. My mother developed severe mental and physical illnesses and remarried a monster. But, I seldom saw my dad. So I'll say I was closer to my mom, especially in her senior years.

What kind of driver are you?

~Christina · May 31, 2021, 07:50 PM

My Dad He was my world

BeyondtheRainbow · May 31, 2021, 08:25 PM

An anxious one. I drove a lot for work (home health in a very rural area) so I'm practiced but I don't like doing it much and I'm always afraid of accidents or tickets. I think I'm a good driver not the anxiety keeps me from being a great one.

Have you ever been on a cruise?

Polibeth · Jun 01, 2021, 03:59 AM

No - I would never go on a cruise.

Did you play a sport growing up?

Soupe du jour · Jun 01, 2021, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polibeth

No - I would never go on a cruise.

Did you play a sport growing up?

No, I never liked playing sports. Instead, was serious about ballet. I got more intense exercise from ballet classes than probably all of the other girls got from sports. I took seven classes per week in ballet towards the end (and sometimes other forms of dance), most 1 1/2 hours each, and also practiced a lot at home.

What is your favorite way of expressing yourself?

mssweatypalms · Jun 02, 2021, 03:03 AM

These days, it's singing. I play the guitar and sing in my room.

Of all the places you visited, which would you recommend to your friends?

Soupe du jour · Jun 02, 2021, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mssweatypalms

These days, it's singing. I play the guitar and sing in my room.

Of all the places you visited, which would you recommend to your friends?

So many! I guess southern Portugal, southern Utah, or Costa Rica. France is obviously up there, too. And my husband's native city of Prague, in Czech Republic. I'd also say some parts of China, but probably after the above and only under certain circumstances.

What was it that you loved most about the favorite place(s) you've ever been?

Bipolarchic14 · Jun 02, 2021, 07:00 AM

I loved the scenic views the smell of the fresh sea air, the delicious food, the calming energy. What are you looking forward to this summer? Or for those in the southern hemisphere what are you looking forward to this winter.

MuddyBoots · Jun 02, 2021, 08:23 AM

Hiking. I'm determined to get back into good shape and cross off at least one 4k'er off the list.

Do you like to hike? What would be your ideal hike?

buddha1too · 08:50 AM

I'm not sure this qualifies as hiking, but I had a hypomanic spike about three years ago. Since I was waking up at about 2-3 in the morning, I started speed walking around the city because I had so much energy & the whole world is sleeping at that hour. For several months I was logging 50-60,000 steps a day on my Fitbit. It was quite the natural high...what with the hypo & the natural endorphins. It would have been far more picturesque if I'd been doing this in the Austrian Alps but, unfortunately, the "hiking" took place here in Michigan. Still felt mighty good...(Having written this, note that I no longer chase those hypo highs, as I know they can lead me into to dangerous territory.)

What are your favorite AND least favorite months? Explain why.

mssweatypalms · Jun 02, 2021, 11:39 PM

My least favorite months are January and April because they are the busiest. Renewing licenses, filing income tax returns, etc.

Favorite... hmm, maybe December? Christmas is both exciting and stressful, so I have mixed feelings about it.

If you won $100M, what's the first thing you would spend it on?

Soupe du jour · 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mssweatypalms

My least favorite months are January and April because they are the busiest. Renewing licenses, filing income tax returns, etc.

Favorite... hmm, maybe December? Christmas is both exciting and stressful, so I have mixed feelings about it.

If you won $100M, what's the first thing you would spend it on?

That's a lot of money, so my options would be beautifully wide. I guess maybe a bottle of champagne. As for big purchases, I would want to to travel in France asap and buy a house in my favorite part. I would also like my own house in Czech Republic, and travel to see my family in New Jersey more than I otherwise. Most of the rest of the money would be invested to ensure a very comfortable retirement for my husband and me.

Where is the next place you'd like to travel?

buddha1too · Jun 03, 2021, 03:43 AM

While travel isn't on the agenda right now (sweetie & I are semi-looking at new houses), I would love to get back to Dresden to visit my old friends. The older I get, the more my wander-lust diminishes. I've seen a fair chunk of the world...more than many people are able, so I'm grateful. Seeing old friends abroad is enough for me at the moment.

Pleasant scenario...You're on death row, just before you walk the "green mile." That last meal is mighty inviting, though (no calorie counting necessary). Whatcha gonna eat?

MuddyBoots · Jun 03, 2021, 05:29 AM

A giant mound of nachos with all the fixings and insanely hot sauce with a peanut butter banana milkshake

You have this magical ability to grow any plant whenever wherever. You could grow a lemon tree in Antarctica. What do you plant and where?

Soupe du jour · Jun 03, 2021, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapien

A giant mound of nachos with all the fixings and insanely hot sauce with a peanut butter banana milkshake

You have this magical ability to grow any plant whenever wherever. You could grow a lemon tree in Antarctica. What do you plant and where?

Medjool date palm. They are delicious fruit and I might be able to make money from them.

Favorite fruit?

buddha1too · Jun 03, 2021, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour

Favorite fruit?

Asparagus! OK, asparagus isn't a fruit, but it's like candy in my mouth. I shock it in boiling water for 2 minutes & then put it in an ice bath so it stays nice & crunchy. It's asparagus season here (Michigan is the #2 producer in the country), so I'm kind of obsessed at the moment. After finishing my crispy asparagus, I guess I would chase it down with my favorite fruit -- mandarin oranges (in the peel, of course).

While I'm drooling, it's interesting to note that Germans are obsessed with asparagus, too. They actually have a term for this -- Spargelkult (cult of asparagus). I actually enjoyed asparagus flavored ice cream when I lived there.

This will probably be too sad for anyone to jump at, but what was the loneliest day/week of your life? I was recalling what mine was this morning...that's all.

Soupe du jour · Jun 03, 2021, 11:43 AM

I love asparagus, too, but rarely eat it because Hubby says it makes his joints hurt. My dad always grew it. It surely came up in his garden this year even though he no longer lives at home. Nice it is a veggie that comes up for years. I might buy some green asparagus for the grill. All for me. As you surely know, they also eat the white kind.

Question is in the post above in buddha1too's post.

Menu

My Support Forums - Mental Health Support Groups

Get emotional support and friendship from others like you!

Our community offers: No spam. No trolls. No social media connections.

Questions Bipolar Version #8

My Support Forums