Talking Hearts

Talking Hearts couple's edition cards prompts:

What do people admire about you? What do you admire about yourself?

If we could plan a day trip this weekend, where would we go?

Talking Hearts

Admiration

Denise: I think people admire my large family and how well we appear to be doing. Having 7 children, 30 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Really nothing to do with me. I had two of the seven and the others are all bonus children, and most of the grandchildren are bonus also. I do work on those relationships, however. Which isn't always easy.

What I admire about myself is my being happy, joyous and free most of the time in my life thanks to my recovery.

John: My sense of humor, organization, promptness. I'm always on time.

Weekend day trip plan

Denise: I would love to take a motorcycle trip to the places we have pointed out wanting to go. Then make stops along the way to water, and lunch spots we haven't visited before.

Even though John is in a boot, I am hopeful that before summers end will be able to go on this or a similar trip. It may have to be by car, and that would be okay too.

John: I would like to take a trip to the cafe by McGregor for a weekend day trip.

Talking Hearts couple's edition cards prompts:

How do you think your parents' relationship affected what you look for in a partner?

What's the most spontaneous thing we've ever done as a couple?

Talking Hearts

Parents affect

Denise: My mother married an alcoholic, and a welder. My dad was in the Navy and would do one-armed pushups with kids on his back. My first and now current husband fit much of this criterion.

They were/are strong, in the service, and the current one is a welder too. All loved family and children as my dad did! Two grew up with Native American family and community.

John: Similarities to personalities - easy to talk to, everyone likes her Then he added. And they are monkeys!

Denise: John will often use humor when he is embarrassed or uncomfortable as with this question. I could tell he didn't like being aware of similarities with his mother, his ex-wife and me.

Spontaneity

Denise: Short notice for date night. A movie, a meal out, a drive or ride on motorcycles. A visit to the daughter's family. It doesn't happen often as John likes to plan ahead.

John: Date nights are sometimes spontaneous.

Denise: The ones he prefers, especially if they include the DQ.

Talking Hearts couple's edition cards prompts:

What are you most looking forward to in the future?

Was there ever a time you didn't make it to the bathroom?

Talking Hearts

The future we are looking forward to

Denise: I like the happily ever after future. Only in my 70s, I can see that things happen and it is always something. Me having a healed broken arm that can cause problems. John with a broken ankle. So, it is even more important to stay in today. Enjoy the little things. The things that make me laugh.

For example, the last question. I'm in my 70s and when I hit 70 it was automatically assumed I was incontinent. I guess I still have that to look forward to that. Maybe I will die before it happens for me. That would be okay too. I have more friends and family in heaven/everlasting happy place that I am not afraid to go there.

John: Living my dream.

Didn't make it to the bathroom?

Denise: Of course! More as I've aged, but I have always tried to hold it longer than I should. And then I like to laugh, and on occasion, kegels or not, it doesn't work to hold it for one more second as I am rushing to the bathroom.

I haven't had any embarrassing times where it has shown through my clothing. I have tossed a pair of panties in the trash when I just barely made it to the bathroom. Okay twice I did that.

I started to think recently that having a bathroom right next to my office and bedroom has me a bit spoiled, as I don't have to go far to get to a bathroom, unlike in a big box store.

John: He couldn't think of anything except that it may have happened when he was drinking before he quit drinking.

Denise: It was probably a few times when drinking, he was just in a blackout and couldn't remember it.

Author's Note: I had a busy morning, and our 12-year-old granddaughter was here and was happy to ask grandpa the questions so I could get this published before noon.

Of course, I had already answered the questions myself and there were questions that John wouldn't answer with the granddaughter.