Darby

Hi ... I'm Darby. I was born in California and moved to Oklahoma in 8th grade. After graduation I moved with my parents to Iowa, where they're originally from. I attended 3 years at Iowa State University ... then blew my degree to "follow a guy". DOH! I moved to South Carolina in 1985 and joined the Marine Corps in 1987. Divorced a Marine, then married another Marine. We've been married 30 years now. We have an amazingly independent daughter who's 17. Yes! I had her at 39 years old. She's my miracle baby. They told me I couldn't have children, which was fine by me. After getting out of the Marines, we moved to Camp Lejuene, NC (my hubby was still a Marine) ... and I opened 3 consecutive Nail Salon ... of which I LOVED! After finding out I was 5 weeks pregnant on 9-11 (yes, "THAT" 9-11) ... I was considered a high risk pregnancy and had to quit work for bed rest. My gals were able to keep my Salon running for 2 years without me, but ultimately ... I had to close my Salon. I wasn't returning to work. My girls just couldn't pay the bills without me. My husband got out of the Marines after 15 years. It's a very long story as to why he didn't retire, but it had to due with my health. He took a job in Charleston, SC and we've been here ever since. I hate it here! lol. The people are friendly, but the landscape is ugly with terribly hot and humid summers. My condition doesn't tolerate heat well. I hide from it all summer long. You can put on more clothes in the cold, but ya can't take off enough ... legally ... to cool down here is the low country. My daughter will be 18 in May and has made it very clear she's leaving home ... and I'd like to do the same. Hopefully by then my VA disability claim for PTSD, depression, anxiety (1st gulf war) will be approved by then. INCOME! I want to live the nomadic life! #vanlife. Camping with the seasons as so many if you do! Bob calls it "itchy feet"! Ima gettin' 'em! I loved camping as a kid and all the cool stuff and gadgets that goes with it. I will have a hard time selling off my "stuff" ... as I love some of it so much! But I have to weigh freedom against "stuff". Worrying over the bills isn't something I care to continue. Bottom line is: "? I want to LIVE before I DIE! ?" Thanks to Bob ... I'm going to chase that dream and make it come TRUE! Hugs to all, Darby