Let's see if I can summarize this...
I have been spinning since Mother's Day 1981. The girl who started me spinning sent me flowers on the 10th anniversary. I sent her flowers on the 25th anniversary. Spinning has led to so many positive aspects of my life. Because of my need to be with other spinners I learned databases on the computer in the DOS days to organize guilds and conference stuff. Because of my drive to learn I set out on the COE in Handspinning adventure. Achieving that gave me the courage to go back to school and get a BS at 40 years old. Because of spinning, I learned to talk in front of huge groups, organize meetings and events and motivate others. I could go on and on.
Spinning ties the things I love together--the colors of my roses, the flies I tie to fish with, the hats I give away on long hikes in the Sierra, the connection to people all over the world. It opens doors.
Oh yes, I was an angora breeder for 15 years, a parrot breeder for another 15, a rose breeder now. I have a husband, two grown offspring, two cocker spaniels, one cat, 11 birds, about 200 roses, countless spinning wheels, looms, charkhas, spindles and misc collections of things. I spin, dye, weave, crochet, knit, knot, embroider and other needlework, turn wood, fly fish, golf, hike, collect wine and love to cook. Little ever sits on the back burner. Oh yeah, I am a self employed software consultant, developer, webmaster, dba and trainer.