Kinda Nervous Newbie

**cmae** · 01-30-2009, 12:30 AM

Hello.
Well, to start, I am new to all of this - forums, threads, all that jazz. Before now, the internet has been my tool for searching for info, recipes, sending and receiving email, and the occasional game or two.

How did you hear about frugal village? I googled "crock pot deli chicken"

as everyone does at one time or another, and the top result was one from Frugal Village. It seems like the start of a "girl meets site" lovestory.

What interests you here? Everything that I've seen so far - reading through the "25 Things About Me" threads I've found that I have at least one thing in common with almost everyone who posted: I thought that was kinda neat! In the last few years I've lost contact with a number of my friends (due to differing interests and my non-stop and unconventional schedule), so I really liked that I may have found others that I can relate to.

What will you contribute? I am a sort of "handiwoman" - I love the sense of accomplishment setting and achieving a task or goal can bring, so I will be able to encourage others to meet their goals, knowing how wonderful it feels to get there. I am also a great listener and I am just generally interested in people: I like to get to know others' stories and just what events brought them to where they are. I have also been told that I am older than my age and that I have an "old soul". So, despite my age (20s) I can still offer a lot from my life experiences.

Do you know any other members here? Not yet, but I hope that won't last for long!! From what I've seen, most everyone seems very welcoming and supportive, so I look forward to getting to know everyone soon.

How many kids? Ages? So far: 2 stepkids. DSD is 11 (will be 12 in July) but in so many ways she is so much older than her age, both mentally, emotionally, and physically. Once in a while, though, you get a glimpse of the young girl she still is. DSS is 7 (will be 8 Feb 25!!) and is one of the sweetest little boys I have ever had the pleasure to know. He tries to be so strong, but every once in a while (actually, quite often) that facade falls and you see what a sweet, caring and sensitive little boy he is.

Tell us about yourself. I don't know... I never pictured myself where I am now. Right out of high school, I got engaged (high school sweetheart) and had my whole life kind of planned out - get married, have a bunch of kids, and have a happy relatively quiet life. I was going to school to (eventually) become an accountant, whne I stopped and realized, "This isn't me". I wanted more out of life, I wanted adventure, I wanted to know what else I could be doing. I also felt that the plan that I was "looking forward to" wasn't really mine. I didn't want to marry someone with my heart only half in what should have been both of our dreams. Scary though it was, I (gently) broke off my engagement, moved (stayed in same city, but had been planning to move "back home"; our future home was only about 1.5 miles from my parents' farm), quit school (yikes, I know) and let me tell you, everyone I knew thought I had had some kind of a breakdown. But after the sensationalism died down, each person I talked to (family and friends) said that they understood why I changed direction: it didn't seem like my life.

Now I am with a wonderful man who encourages me to dream as big as I can, and I encourage him to do the same. He has two wonderful children who I love more than anyone could understand - I fell in love with them the first time I saw them. We have also been trying to conceive, but have hit some roadblocks, so we've got to hit these hurdles first. I've always wanted my own biological children, though and I will have them eventually!!

I am the Owner/Operator of a Protections Company, which I run with my man... we will be married (that's a given!), but we are waiting until the kids live with us fulltime, as they have been wanting to for quite some time already. "My man" (as I will call him from now on: or "DH" for all intents and purposes), was hit by an SUV last May and is still severely "broken", as he calls it.

So between taking care of him and trying to run the business I am often left frazzled and drained. This has taken a toll on my health - I have gained a lot of weight in the past little while and have been sick more than I ever have been before. I am focusing on my physical well-being now and trying to find ways to decrease my stress. When I am better and feel better about myself, then we will again actively try for more kids

.

I still try to be everything to everyone and sometimes I end up losing myself - I'm working on that!!!

Do you own any pets? Yes, my third baby (DOB: Oct 31/07) is my little boy Monkey (full name: Roger "Monkey" Mooks, so when we're feeling formal, we call him "Mr. Mooks"). He is a Chiweenie (cross between chihuahua and weiner dog or dachshund) and was the answer to my prayers. I had just had a miscarriage and was pretty devastated, when I saw him listed in an ad on a free site for my area. He was the only one out of the litter that had survived and I knew we were meant to be together. Apparently he isn't the cutest dog alive, but I wouldn't know - to me he is the most beautiful little guy I could ask for. It really hurts my feelings when my MIL says what an ugly dog he is. I don't think so and I hate to hear it. Actually, I think she is the only one who has said this... Anyway, I'll post some pics one of these days so you can decide for yourself.

Occupation? Owner/Operator of Protections Company. We do security and special events (music festivals, concerts, beer gardens, etc) so we pretty well travel around all summer. I will be starting classes soon, though, to become a psychologist.

Married or single? With the man I will marry

. For all intents and purposes, I call him my husband. I really believe that we were meant to be together. Not only do I love him, but I also like him! He always laughs when I tell him this. It is a spin on something my mom would tell us kids when we were fighting: we weren't allowed to say that we "hated" each other. We didn't have to like each other, but we always had to love each other, no matter what.

Interests and hobbies? I enjoy a whole gamut of things: crafts, crocheting, cross-stitch, jewelry-making, cooking, baking, reading, writing, music (playing, listening, singing), photography, movies, a couple select TV shows, playing games with my family, playing with the dog, and kicking around on the net. I also have a "mind for prices" and consider bargain hunting and getting the best deal to be both a skill and a hobby. I like all kinds of things, I'm sure there are more, but these are the things that jump to mind. I am also at a point in my life that has me re-discovering my spirituality, which isn't really a hobby, but instead is something I just wanted to say that I am becoming involved in.

Finally, I'd like to say that I am very excited about the Village and I look forward to making many new friends of all different types, from all different backgrounds. I know that there is a lot that we can learn from each other, but I look forward to seeing just what!

Ciao for now!
Carla

**madhen** · 01-30-2009, 12:34 AM

Greetings, Carla, and welcome! Sounds like you will fit right in! I think you'll like it here!

**guest002** · 01-30-2009, 12:43 AM

Welcome!

**nvmommyx6** · 01-30-2009, 12:50 AM

to FV, jump right in and dont be nervous!!!

**homesteadmamma** · 01-30-2009, 01:09 AM

Hi and welcome to the village from another Canadian.

**Sara Noel** · 01-30-2009, 01:38 AM

to frugal village.

**mamamia** · 01-30-2009, 01:58 AM

Hi Carla and welcome to FV! It's always nice to see new people join in and have a chance to get to know them. You sure have alot of great interests, and I already see you as being a great fellow villager here! (and that's just from your 1st post)

So don't be nervous, and try to remember

that you're always among friends here

I really look forward to "seeing" more of you!

Theresa

**Michelle** · 01-30-2009, 06:38 AM

to Frugal Village, Carla.

Great introduction!

**jacqueline** · 01-30-2009, 06:52 AM

Carla

Glad to have you--can't wait to see your posts. FV sounds like a place you are going to love. We are a friendly bunch

If you like making goals and succeeding you may want to check out some of the challenges--you can still jump in and participate. If there's something you can't figure out, don't be shy to ask about it--there's always someone willing to help out.
Again welcome, welcome

**SweetPea** · 01-30-2009, 07:30 AM

to the Village!

**moonbeam** · 01-30-2009, 11:23 AM

Hi Carla, and welcome. I am new here too. I'm trying to remember where Grand Prairie is. I have a bunch of cousins in High Prairie, but I haven't been there in a good 30 years.

**Debbie-cat** · 01-30-2009, 11:31 AM

Hi and welcome Carla!

QM · 01-30-2009, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by moonbeam

Hi Carla, and welcome. I am new here too. I'm trying to remember where Grand Prairie is. I have a bunch of cousins in High Prairie, but I haven't been there in a good 30 years.

Maybe you're cousins, and you just don't know it!

Hi and welcome to Frugal Village from Ontario. It's always nice to have another Canadian!