your health insurance premiums are up to date and you have enough for deductables because you may need it.
Also be sure your will is in order.

I'm a dreamer myself.....and I believe that opportunities come around for a reason, and should be taken. Think of how you will feel, through out the rest of your life, if you did not take this one. Sure you would go through your day to day life with DH and his kids, but the resentment would be brewing under you, and that would not be good, or fair, to anyone. Ithink it's great that this has presented itself to you, and if I was you, I just could not imagine missing it. Would you do the same for DH if it was one of his dreams, coming into focus?? " A first marriage is like buying your first home, sometimes you just gotta start small"~ Me.

I don't see why not!

I think that if you really want to do this, go for it. Otherwise, you'll grow old and look back: "Damn! I wish I HAD gone to put my head in the lion's mouth!"

And by then it'll be too late.

Go for it, girl! I wish I had the balls to do that.

is supportive and awesome and still would not like if I wanted to go work with big cats. The "dangerous" factor alone is enough reason.

his resistance roots elswhere....sounds like it to me too, as he is worried about, what was it , "horny acrobats"??? Yeah right, that's a BIG issue, LOL " A first marriage is like buying your first home, sometimes you just gotta start small"~ Me.

Don't you have a child? What about her? I don't know ages of your kid(s) or how happy you are in your marriage, and I think those factors would weigh in on my opinion. I have been through 6 month separations with my ex-husband because of the military, and you'd be surprised how long 6 months really is and how it changes the relationship, at least for ahwile. There quite a lengthy readjustment period when you return too. So really, it depends on your priorities, what you value and what risks you are willing to live with. I'm all for following your dreams, but once you're married, it does change the considerations you have to take in when doing so. So how do you feel about your marriage, and what about any children you may have? I definitely agree that your husband's response is selfish and insecure. But he was probably speaking out of anger or irritation and not accurately expressing all his concerns with the issue.

"Nobody will ever win the battle of the sexes. There's too much fraternizing with the enemy"

All big decisions in a marriage should have both people agreeing to it----one "no" and it is a "no" go.

Secondly, leaving a man for 6 months is NOT a good idea. It could destroy your marriage. He may find, among other things, some "horny hussie" for companionship on one of those long lonely evenings.

You're playing with fire.

"To Thine Own Self Be True" William Shakesphere
and your husband is trying to stand in your way? Selfish. I can't believe he is objecting to only 6 months. You're not asking him and his kids to move, to leave their home-just a little time for yourself to follow a dream.

Go for it-let us know...

most importantly, coming to a decision together, on a honest level, not shadowed by insecurity, or selfishness on either side. It should be discussed fairly, before it is a go, or, vetoed. If your marriage is strong already, and their is time for "visits" between you for the 6 month period, then it stands a better chance of you going. If you go, and have to worry about him cheating on a long lonely night, then it's time to re think a lot of things, I guess. Has he known this was a dream of yours all along?? It would be great if you could find some common ground with this. It is a great opportunity for you, but it is important that your DH can handle it. " A first marriage is like buying your first home, sometimes you just gotta start small"~ Me.

I somehow think that if your DH had some golden opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream (even if it was longer than 6 mos) he would expect you to happily support him...

and sit and watch his mamma for him while he was gone!

I say go for it, KK! You only get these chances once in a lifetime.

And stay away from those acrobats. And clowns. ((shudder))

"Of course things worked out nicely for Carol Brady...she had a live-in maid and Mike's first wife was DEAD!"

If you don't take a chance and do this, you will be wondering about "what could have been"! This has been a life long dream of yours - do NOT pass it up.
I asked MY DH what his response would be, and he is sooooo amazing, he said he would NOT let me pass on such an amazing opportunity. If your DH (or anyone out there) truely, truely loves you he would support you. He sounds like he's being the selfish one, IMO.

The facts: (sorry to get all Sherlock Holmes on you)

You want to do this because it's been a dream of yours.

Your H is opposed to it.

Chel Bell is probably right that his resistance might have some insecurity-based element (not cool, but it's there).

Six months is a really long time to be away, and it's not unreasonable for your H to be opposed to it, even if part of that might not be for a very nice reason.

I think Chel Bell is also right when she says that you guys have to come to a decision together, on an honest level. Even if you feel strongly that you should be allowed to do this, leaving for six months will put a lot of strain on your marriage -- and even more if he's not on board for it. After all, everyone imagine how you would feel if your spouse announced he/she was going to do this. I, for one, would be pretty dismayed.

Now for the personal story: In my first marriage, I got a great opportunity that I couldn't pass up, but it meant my being gone for a month. My then-H was opposed to it, but I decided I was going to do it anyway. That was about 9 months before we split up. I think that trip (which I don't regret, BTW) was the final nail in the coffin for him -- I think he held on to his resentment deep inside and decided to "punish me" with the silent treatment because he saw me as abandoning the relationship for a month. Now, he was an a**hole, and very insecure, but my point is, if you don't come to an honest, mutual understanding about this, your marriage might never be the same.

I would love for you to go, but if you want to keep your marriage, I suggest you work together to find a way to make it work for both of you.

BB

- You are not second best, you are not second class. Do not ever let anyone make you feel that way. (2Bloved)

Can I come with??? I've always wanted to do the acrobat stuff but I must admit I am not as flexible as I was when younger. Such a bummer. I wonder if there is a school for that. I do agree with the other ladies and say go for it! Take a hiatus from teaching and explore the option. You can always come back and teach or better yet go somewhere else and teach if it came to that. This is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am so envious. Blessings and Safety to you. My only other thought is that you MUST keep in touch with us even if you won't be having any step issues to deal with while gone. Good Luck!!!

Anyone can take the easy way out and blame others. BUT it takes a a person of character to take a look at one's self and actions and own responsibility for their part. ~ ME ~ }:-P

"To Thine Own Self Be True" William Shakesphere

a chance to do it again. Living on the Gulf was my dream. I did it for a year-came back because of responsibilites with my parents. And if I ever get the freedom to do it again, I will in a New York Minute! Not as exciting, not as daring as your dream, but just as real.

Have you considered taking your DH to a psychic to ease his fears? One particular poster on here seems to think that's a good way to guide your life.

"To Thine Own Self Be True" William Shakesphere
Looking for work-I never looked "outside the box"!

Why couldn't I be more creative in life? There's so much more to life besides sitting behind a desk, plugging away day after day.

"To Thine Own Self Be True" William Shakesphere
let me know. I've been so confused, and so upset over my situaiton, there are so many times I wanted to call one of those they have on tv, but money is so tight I couldn't afford it.

So if you find one, and think they're really good, let me know. I've managed to save up a few dollars, and knowing, just knowing what my future holds would be so worth it.

there are a TON of psychic's on Myspace!!!! " A first marriage is like buying your first home, sometimes you just gotta start small"~ Me.

"To Thine Own Self Be True" William Shakesphere

Imagine! I would be able to find out if my Mom's gonna heal up ok, and then I would be able to plan my move back to the coast!

I think if I had to do it all over again I would go to school for marine biology and get a job at Sea World training and performing with the killer whales.

I don't know; maybe it's because I'm more cognizant of it now that I am on the west coast. I never could sit through one of those Shamu shows without crying. And if I ever get to see a humpback whale in action, well I would be able to die a happy person.

Sorry...don't mean to sound corny.

SHAMU :UNRATED!!! LOL " A first marriage is like buying your first home, sometimes you just gotta start small"~ Me.

Hey KK let me know when you go and I'll meet up with you. I'm pretty good with horses. I've always wanted to wear that little costume the stunt riders wear. Hope they make them in a size 10.

I was out ALL day long with my son and am just getting bck now and checking back on things since early this morning...

you girls have lost your minds! And of course I mean that in the sweetest of ways You have me laughing out loud.

Rodeo clowns? That was the best!

But still, I say - GO FOR IT, KK!! Your DH will appreciate you all the more when he doesnt have you around to take you for granted like he's been doing in recent months.

"Of course things worked out nicely for Carol Brady...she had a live-in maid and Mike's first wife was DEAD!"

"To Thine Own Self Be True" William Shakesphere

was talking about grow wild. Isn't Mother Nature amazing! Perhaps I should be a botanist...