B Lee Davis

Im not vegan but once in a while my wife and I prepare a vegan meal.  We usually substitute smoked mushrooms for meat.  We think portabellas slow smoked on the grill are as good as steak.  Try marinating with kelp or other seaweed for marine flavor before smoking.

My wife and I have been married over 24v years.  Most of it has been happy.  Like all couples we have had our moments of conflict.  She had a daughter and I had three sons so we came into marriage with a lot of baggage.  We decided any two people who love each other and want to be happy can be.  It really is a choice but both have to agree.  We share probably 60% of the same interests.  That helps but we allow each other time to pursue our non common interests as well.  We decided on a division of chores early on that really helps.  When she works out side the homed I do 45-50% of household chores.  When  she stays home she does 90+%.  That way in the evening we have free time together.  My ex used to play all day and then when I got home from work expected me to help 50-50 with chores.  I never had time for me and we never had fun timed together.  It was a recipe for disaster.  

We are not wealthy but live well below our means.  We have the household account for all essentials Where we deposit all of our wages minus bonuses.  She has her account that she spends the money from her side jobs and I have my account from my side jobs that I spend how I want.  If we want to do something fun we look at household account and if we can take some money and then we each contribute from our own accounts.  I think it is important to have both joint and private money.  In our case she pays the bills etc.  from the household account.  If we are short which is rare we may have to dip into our spending money.  Neither of use make large expenditures even from our personal accounts without discussing it together.  We have never vetoed each other but occasionally after talking about it we decide it might not be a good idea or we even agree to help each other.

Decide on division of labor, finances, and use of free time.  Allow each to grow in separate ways as well.  Be willing to compromise.   If you both choose to be happy you can be!!!

Stand by your values and dont cave for anyone.  If I was 30 years younger and single I would be very  interested.  I know they are getting hard to find but there are still good Christian men out there.  I spent 39 months at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls 25 years ago  Oregon is a beautiful place especially if your family is there.  You are on the right track and will be blessed if you stand firm.  Patience!  God always answers our prayers just not always when and how we wish.  I will never regret waiting for marriage even though it was not a popular idea way back then and I know it must be even harder now with the way the world around us thinks.  I pray your search will be fruitful and the right young gentleman will sweep you off your feet.

We have central heat in the front of our house but have the 400 watt infared panel heaters in the back bedrooms and office.  They do not really heat the room but give the illusion of warming the room.  It you sit in front of the one at the desk you can be comfortable in a 55 degree room.  We put them at the head the beds angled down at the bed and you are warm in bed but the room is still cold when you get up.  They use a lot less power to keep you comfortable in a given space but are not for actually heating an area.  We turn them off when not needed and they heat up in about 3-4 minutes when needed.

Don't give up!  23 years ago some mutual friends introduced me to my wife.  She wasn't exactly what I wanted but she was exactly what I needed.  I couldn't be happier.  Sometimes those close to you know you better than you know your self or they can just see things clearer.