Ladybug

Tigra; Sorry you seem to be so offended. You say, "You are dismissing an entire group of people, essentially saying our opinions on trust and relationships are of less value simply because we aren't married." Go back and read. I never said don't listen to A L L single people. I did say, don't listen to T H E single people who are shocked that another person might have a say in what you do... I also never said that the opinions of the E N T I R E group of single people on trust and relationships are of less value. What I did say was that for M A N Y, the lifestyle and way of thinking is different. I also don't think that your opinion is worthless, but your reading comprehension skills certainly are!

Tigra, my post was not directed at you personally, or at any one single person - personally. (I'm only guessing that you're single since it seemed to get your hackles up). It was, however, about single people in general. For many, the lifestyle and way of thinking is different from that of married couples. And that's not even to say there is anything wrong with it - it's just a matter of fact.

My husband directed me to this thread because we can both understand your dilema. Yes, some women are insecure, but that insecurity was taught to them. Don't forget that the people we are today is simply a reflection of the many life experiences that have led us to this point. Be glad that you have either had MOSTLY positive life experiences, OR you've been strong enough to cope and keep up a high level of confidence and self esteem. Maybe you have ALWAYS been trustworthy in the past, and you believe that this is not your problem. This creates a new problem because the whole idea of marriage is "two become one." That whole "for better or for worse" idea comes into play. Your wife may have experiences from her past that you are unaware of. Her worries about loosing you sound like a classic case of an "abandonment issue." Fear of abandonment can be created by soooooooo many different kinds of life experiences that many people don't even think about it: loss of loved one due to death, divorce, moving, changing schools; loss of a friend or boyfriend who chooses to walk away; abuse as a child (physical, mental, emotional).... the list is far too long for this post. No, I'm not a psychologist, I'm an abandonment survivor. My husband and I have agreed to an idea that we both live by: "IF I CAN'T TELL MY SPOUSE ABOUT IT, I CAN'T DO IT!" If this old friend is truly a friend, then she wouldn't want to do anything to hurt your marriage. If you respect your marriage, then you would never consider keeping secret friends and correspondences away from your wife. Don't listen to the single people of this world who are so shocked that another person might have a say in what you do, who you see, where you go... They haven't made the commitment you have. You're on a different life level. To the married people who say they still hang out with friends of the opposite sex, I say be careful. Hanging out with FRIENDS at the dropzone or FRIENDS at a local bar or FRIENDS anywhere is one thing. Keeping a friendship with ONE friend of the opposite sex (and by that I mean corresponding or seeing this person on a one-to-one basis), and keeping this friendship a secret, is just asking for trouble. Be realistic - most of the people who end up having affairs once called that other person "just a friend." Try to reconnect with your wife. You've already said that in other areas, your marriage is strong. Focus on that. Tell her that your old flame/friend has contacted you and you'd like them to meet. But in the long run, your wife must be the most important woman in your life. (Don't tell your mother I said that ). Oh yeah, by the way, my husband was my high school flame. We went our separate ways after high school. Me to college, him to the Army. We remained "friends" for 8 years (the occassional letter or phone call), but it didn't take the slightest effort to turn an old dead flame into a raging fireworks show after a chance face-to-face meeting. Good luck to you both. Dawn

Believe he's guilty, but think he's got enough money to buy an innocent. Weird tho - heard the other day that they're bringing his anatomy into the case. If he truley bleaches himself, it's possible that a certain part of his anatomy has rings of unbleached areas. Supposedly the child has told his lawyers about the rings. If it's true - it could be his downfall. Ick!

Blphfphfphfpfhpfhfphfph!

Loved the escalator idea. People thought I was crazy at te mall (including my husband), but I had a good time riding the escalators. Also, thanks for all the advice from the rest of you about the Deland class with Scott. I've decided to do something similar when I get back in the air. My hubby is going to video my landings and my own instructors are going to critique each of them before each new trip up. I figure I can squeeze in five jumps in a day. This saves the travel time and money, babysitter money, eating out while on the road money... Heck, I'll be able to jump all weekend on the money we save elsewhere. Hahahaha - are you reading this Honey? Been at the dropzone watching others land. They make it look so easy. I can do this.

I had so much trouble finding contacts that I could wear at all, that I'm afraid I've accepted these without much question. They do have a tendancy to turn at odd times, and they are at their worst when I'm reading for long periods of time. For this I prefer my glasses.

I do wear glasses (sometimes), but I jump with contacts. Because of my astigmatism, the contacts are warped to fit my oddly shaped eyes. If the contact turns even a little - it makes my vision blur and warps my sense of distance. Now that you mention it - this could definitely be a part of the problem.

All in good fun Sparky, all in good fun. No offence taken. Thanks for all of the wonderful advice guys. I'm not giving up, I'm just waiting out my recovery. I'll be back on that horse, uh, I mean - airplain, again soon. Dawn

I jumped the sabre 190 because my husband and I rent. Someone larger had already rented the 250 he usually flies, so he wanted to jump the 220 I usually fly. One of my instructors felt that I was ready - In retrospect, I'm not so sure. At 26 jumps, I'm not interrested in downsizing like so many skydivers, I want something big and comfortable, something that doesn't respond too quickly, nice for landing. I'm not interrested in swooping or learning highly technical landings. I just want to stand it up comfortably. I look forward to some level of comfort when I've finally been able to purchase my gear and I'm used to landing the same thing every time. In the sabre's defense. My landing was exceptionally hard because someone was in my blind spot, and I didn't see him coming in under me. He stole my air and I plumeted. Not a good landing for a relative newbie. I'll be sure to land away from the regular traffic in the future.

On my last jump I used a sabre 190 - since I weigh 185 I'm going to assume my wing loading was too high. I don't care to use that canopy again. Usually I'm jumping a Dolphin 210 or 220 (I hope that's the canopy name and not the container name). I'm guilty of looking at where my feet are about to touch when I'm preparing to land. I've also started to lift my legs like we were instructed to do during tandom landings. I know this is wrong, I tell myself not to do it, but I end up doing it just the same. I like the idea of videotaping my landings. I'm getting a lot of advice from the ground, but what they're telling me doesn't jibe with what I'm experiencing - a video would certainly help. Thanks, Dawn

I am getting progressively worse at landing. I stood it up three times during AFF, and I've gone steadily downhill ever since. I can slide it in ok, but one instructor keeps stressing that I need to stand it up or plf. I'd rather slide it in than PLF. I've got 26 jumps now, I'm licensed, and I'm worried that I'm getting worse- not better - at landing. Sometimes I flare too high and get dumped - that hurts, but last time I tried to flare lower and ended up landing on my bum. I bruised my tailbone badly and haven't been able to jump for the last few weeks. Now I'm starting to get the landing jitters. Any advice? Dawn

hi Kelly, Welcome to the forums. Maybe one day your hubby will decide to give it a once in a lifetime try too. My husband and I started together last summer. It was his dream to be a regular and my dream to do it once, now I'm hooked and look forward to Saturdays when we can go hang out at the dropzone. If your dropzone is anything like ours, you will soon realize that you've found a second family. Now my husband and I jump several times a month. It's nice to have something so exciting that we love to do together. Blue skies, Dawn

I've only got 15 jumps and I'm still not sleeping. I have managed to relax a little on the plane though. Good luck through AFF, and if you can't sleep now, wait till you're planning to go out of the plane all yourself!! Dawn

Some of you seem a little confused. I have been teacher in the public school system for the last eight years, and this is a daily problem that teachers deal with. 1. The underwear was visible to begin with, and the student was told to lift the shirt for "confirmation" of the dress code violation. 2. Drop pants (you know, the pants 15 sizes too large that hang completely below the boy's bottom, with the crotch of the pants hanging near the student's knees) are not allowed in the school. 3. Students are informed of the school rules on the first day of every new school year. One point emphazised is the dress code. Schools that will require a parent to bring a belt, supply a piece of rope, or in this case - use duct tape - warn the students of the consequences from the start. 4. The students CHOOSE to risk embarassment when they CHOOSE to break the rules. 5. Parents of daughters - don't get yourselves too wound up. These kind of drop pants are not worn by girls. The hip hugger pants is the female issue, and if the young lady is wearing a shirt long enough to cover her hips - then there isn't a problem. 6. The problems with girls occur when they break the dress code by wearing a combination of hip hugger pants and a short shirt that exposes the midriff. These girls then complicate the problem (when in high school) by wearing thong underwear that is extremely visible when they sit down. 7. Why is this a problem? None of the boys within viewing distance can focus on the lesson at hand. 8. Parents need to be aware of the school's dress codes and punishments. These can be found in the student handbook sent home on the first day of school - every year - every school. If not a handbook, then a pamphlet, flyer etc. If you didn't get one, it wasn't because one wasn't sent home. ***** Most importantly, teach your children to follow the rules, and support the people enforcing them. Everyone will get along better in the long run. Dawn

Head down and feet dry yes. If only we could have kept the 50' pine from slapping the back of our house and tearing up the framework for our back porch. Could have been worse. Hate to use good jump money for repairs. Dawn edit for grammar

Hi everybody, I'm brand new to the sport and happy to be here. Just wanted to say hello and let you know that one more skydiver is reading all of your posts and finding it very entertaining. I've jumped 13 times in the last three months and can't wait to get into the air again. The people I work with think I'm crazy, and I don't care. I have weekly bruises on the insides of my arms and thighs (my student harness is too big and beats the hell out of me on opening). Can't wait to get my own rig! Take care and blue skies! Dawn

The staff is friendly and well-tatooed. Although most of the skydivers are men, there are enough women around to make a female newcomer feel welcome. Both staff and member skydivers are excited about sharing their experiences with potential skydivers, students, and each other. It isn't hard to find a beer after hours, just don't put yours down once you've got it. Come ready to jump until you're broke. We do :-)