Hubba Hubba

1. 76

   raisingmeposted 14 years ago

   I am new here and new to hubs and already it has changed my life for the better.  For the past six years, since my husband's first stroke I have been his sole caregiver.  We've had to sell our home and move into a townhouse as I could no longer keep things up on my own.  Three of our children were attending university and the youngest was still in high school.  Just prior to my husband's first stroke I had experienced a thrill of freedom, freedom to create the last third of my life in any manner I chose with my raising a family almost behind me I felt free to fly.  It was not to be. 
   
   In the 2 and a bit days I have been on this hub I can feel the tingling sense of freedom returning.  I feel free to create again, to create a future for myself - the best kind of future of all - one where I can contribute to others.  The last two mornings I've jumped out of bed and look forward to what the day holds for me.  I appreciate HubPages more than I can express.  THIS IS FUN!!!!
   
   I would love to hear how "Hubbing" has changed your life.

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      Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      so happy to hear your feeling positive!! welcome to hubpages, and I have to say, for me...its freedom too!!

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      1. 76

         raisingmeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you.  Having recently clawed myself out of the pit of despair it is wonderful to have my natural state back.  This Hub is really helping me maintain that state.

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      lorlie6posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Greetings to you and welcome!  It is wonderful to hear such enthusiasm.
      Enjoy!
      

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2. 55

   wrenfrost56posted 14 years ago

   Welcome to HP, it's always good to read feel good threads and hearing of the new found freedom and creativity you have found here is great. Hubpages has allowed me a platform and flexability for my writing, that would otherwise have eluded me. The community here (by and large) is also very supportive, they have really helped boost my confidence and keep me motivated.

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   1. 76

      raisingmeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for been supportive.  I am very grateful for it.  Don't know how you got the smiley face on here but if I did know I would grin right back at ya!

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3. 79

   mega1posted 14 years ago

   I am also a caregiver and stuck at home most days - with only one day off.  I have time to do this now, and it is very lucky for me that there is HubPages which makes it so easy for me to publish my writing and get feedback!  I know exactly what you say is true for me too, meeting people here and talking about many subjects has inspired me.  People are mostly kind and generous with their help and I still, after 8 months, look forward to my time online here.
   
   Welcome aboard!

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   1. 76

      raisingmeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you so much for your reply.  I have one day off too - Wednesdays and it has been my goal to actually get out of the house on Wednesdays but I find I fall asleep instead!  I would really like to stay in touch with you - this role in life is fortunately not understood by the majority of people - it is thankfully not real to them.   It is wonderful to be creating again rather than being solely on operate and maintain!
      
      Hugs to you - caregivers need hugs too!!!!

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4. 65

   IFD1253posted 14 years ago

   I kind of know what you mean!!  I am off work with a broke foot for a few weeks.  I had little to do but watch baseball and surf the web.  At least that was the case until a friend of mine brought me to this site. 
   
   It's felt great to get my creative juices flowing again!!  I look forward to writing, reading, and responding every morning when I wake up and every night before I go to bed!!  I even saw one of my hubs appear on a Google search (way cool!!).
   
   I hope you have a great experience on here!  It's a pretty cool place.

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5. 60

   JulesGeromeposted 14 years ago

   Hasn't change my life at all. My life is real and is out there. For me HP is a kind of break time between chores.

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6. 58

   calpol25posted 14 years ago

   Welcome to hub pages, its good to keep positive honey xxx
   
   Hub pages has changed my life too, its freedom and most of all its like your second family here as when we make real friends here they mean the world to you. xx

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7. 89

   IzzyMposted 14 years ago

   Me too....Hubpages has changed my life around! My friends hardly see me these days as I am nearly always online, or if I'm out, the laptop comes with me. I only frequent bars that have a wi-fi so I can connect!
   BUT, I'm making money, not just on hubpages but through freelancing that hubpages gave me the confidence to try. My life is turned around. I was unemployed for 2 years and this has been a great confidence booster for me. I feel I've got my life back!

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      travelespressoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      WOW!!!  That's impressive.  Good for you.

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8. 60

   JulesGeromeposted 14 years ago

   Why all you people think Internet life is better or more interesting than real life ? Why you spent so much time here ? Crazy !

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      calpol25posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Because we can escape from the hardships and troubles of day to day life and chill here on the internet, we can also be our real selves here too as we are restricted in the real world. Lol

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      IzzyMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      To have a life offline, you need money to go out and socialise. Can't do that if you are unemployed, or disabled. This life is great here online

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         calpol25posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I agree Izzy lol We cant all afford the grand life, well i cant anyways and I would not want it either because of the friends I have made here are more important to me than money lol

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         1. 89

            IzzyMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Oh!
            I wouldn't go THAT far! LOL
            Friends are fine, money is better (IMO) but I love the writing we can do here - more than forums or making friends

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            1. 58

               calpol25posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Well i suppose but the friends i have made here i would miss the laughs that we have together lol

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               1. 89

                  IzzyMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Yeah you are right, friends are important, and it's nice to be able to chill out on the forums

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                     calpol25posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Yeah there is no pressure on us here and we can be ourselves lol

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   3. 76

      raisingmeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Realities Jules are created by agreement.  And it seems that many would agree that this is a wonderful arena to play in.  For me, being shut in a good deal of the time, the majority of the time in fact, caring for a man whom I love dearly and who has suffered, among other things, two major strokes I no longer have the luxury of being out and about in "real life".  My real life is right here right now and there are days I would not wish some of the hell we have been through on the lowest of the low lives.  The internet is a means of connecting with real people in the real world and I for one am very grateful for it and extremely appreciated of the Hub Pages.  Best of all, it is creative and it is fun....it is uplifting!

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      Lisa HWposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think most people who enjoy an "Internet life" necessarily think it's better than "real life".  I think, instead, it's just having a little "extra thing" to enjoy, that's just for them and nobody else.  Besides, people sometimes earn a little extra income from writing as a hobby (which they'd  probably enjoy doing even if they didn't earn anything).
      
      raisingme, welcome to HubPages.  I know two people in my "real" life who are the spouses of stroke victims.  Both stroke victims have actually come really, really, far along in their progress.  One has some "leftover" trouble walking too far in places like shopping malls; but otherwise, he does the stuff he always did.
      
      Besides, all other things aside, sometimes it's just good to give your mind a break from the stresses and worries, and let it take a "rest" by thinking about other things. 
      
      (I'm here for kind of the opposite reason you are - grown kids, have time to write, enjoy writing, don't mind the earnings, and don't be plan to be out socializing 24 hours a day/7 days a week.    At some point, there's that spare time - and tv stinks. 

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      1. 76

         raisingmeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         That two - my nest officially emptied about two weeks ago when my youngest moved out on her own.  The other three have graduated university and are well launched.  The youngest is working towards her diploma in Interior Design.  And, I found out last weekend that my daughter who has been cancer free for a year and a half is due with my first grandchild on November 4th.  So excited! 
         
         And this is definitely more fun that watching yet another "reality" show on the box!  And, not only is there the writing, and the potential to make some $$$, there are wonderful people such as yourself to connect with - by the tips of my fingers.  I'm delighted to be here and thank you for your kind encouragement.

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9. 80

   H.C Porterposted 14 years ago

   I have been changed for the better due to hub pages as well. At first it was a way to release some emotionally draining, troublesome experiences I have lived through so I could begin to cope and deal with them little by little. Without me realizing it, I began to believe in myself again and with the kindness of others here, began to think further ahead than tomorrow.
   I have made some friends and have some followers that are truly supportive, and with their belief in me-I push myself to continue to strive to be better.
   I am very different than I was 6 months ago-and my new found focus is bettering my life in all aspects-not just writing, but being a mother, a daughter, a sister and a wife.

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   1. 76

      raisingmeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Yes, Yes.  That is exactly the potential I see for participating in this hub for many of us, myself included.  Willy isn't the only one that needs freeing and Nemo isn't the only one who needs finding.  This is just a great platform and I am looking forward to a wonderful future here with like spirited people such as yourself.

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10. 92

    habeeposted 14 years ago

    Welcome to HP, Raisingme! Hope you enjoy your stay!

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11. 83

    Rafiniposted 14 years ago

    Hello & Welcome to HubPages Raisingme! 
    
    I'm with you on this one - discovering HubPages has returned me to me while reminding me of who I really am deep inside.  Its been a wonderful journey so far and I don't ever want it to end.

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12. 0

    Home Girlposted 14 years ago

    My husband had a stroke too in 2006. My life changed drastically, though it's still old me in the mirror, so I guess I am still the same... What's the matter with those men? They just can't stay healthy! Just to piss us off they have to get sick!
    Hubpages are part of my life too. Laugh helps.

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    1. 76

       raisingmeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Have you read Jill Bolte Taylor's book, "My Stroke of Insight".  It's a must read!  Laughing helps A LOT!!!!  And pissed.....I understand pissed!
       
       Hugs to Home Girl!

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