[unrecoverable text]

Very good to hear from you Gatchamarie, glad to see you popping in whenever you can find the time, and I'm sure everyone here will be glad to hear from you, however briefly it may be.

Don't be so rough on yourself. Friends like to hear from you and they understand if you're incredibly busy and don't have time to read every thread and comment. Especially if you communicate and let them know that you're very busy! Also be sure to take care of yourself, too. Women in particular have a habit of forgetting that part while they take care of everyone else. Looking forward to seeing you around!

Gatchamarie, it is wonderful to hear from you and thank you for letting us know how you have been. Real life has a way of taking over everything and before you know it weeks even month have passed. In saying that, I hope you have scheduled some time just for you, amongs everthing else, even if it is only to take a few deep breaths.

Thanks guys! I so appreciate your understanding! I'm just one who likes to recoil in oneself other than annoying others with my own health or real life issues, which seem not wanting to let go, lately, when everyone else is already immerged in their own! On the contrary, I love to hear about my friends'' problems and help whenever I can, so I know how much sincere your words are! I promise I'll try to be more open ...

Welcome back Marie! It is great to hear from you again. I have been bad in that unfortunately, I have been very busy with my own life changing situations to not be able to stay in contact with you through email, although I have constantly thought about you and the kind words you have relayed when we do talk. Look after your family and your health but remember there also needs to be time for yourself. I completely understand the lack of time to catch up on threads after being away for so long. Don't feel you need to catch up on everything but do join in where you can. Hope to see you around more in the next few months and perhaps a little of your creative written work that sounds like it wants to emerge. Muses have a tendency to do that, don't they, disappear for a while and then come back with a vengeance.

Hello Gatchamarie! Nice to hear from you, and do try to make some time for yourself also! In the meantime, a big hug!

Welcome back, Marie! I'm not sure what else I can say that hasn't already been said, but personally, I'd hope to catch you lurking around more regularly and making a comment here and there, then to have you disappear completely and feel overwhelmed trying to catch up. As for sharing what's going on in your life, if you're not comfortable doing it, that's okay. If you are, you'll find others here going through similar issues. The cliche Misery Loves Company may seem depressing, but in reality sharing things and talking with others going through those issues too, can help. Anyway, glad you are back, and hope you don't disappear and stay away to long again.

Glad to have you back with us, Gatchamarie. Life does get busy sometimes, but I hope you are able to still carve some little bit out for yourself every now and then. Like CWW said, it is common for women to neglect themselves during these busy times. Anyway, hope to see, hear, and read, from you soon!

Hi Gatchamarie: I can't keep up with everything on these boards either, but I read what I can and comment where I can and I trust that this is enough. I like knowing that when I've had a rough day - like when my Spectra oven catches fire!! - there are warm and welcoming people here. But I never worry that folks who don't comment are mad at me or whatever - I just figure that everyone is busy like me. Hugs & don't be too hard on yourself. You have lots of friends here who love you.

Hooray! You finally did it! See, no huge meteorites crashed down on your head, and none will if you end up doing more lurking than you'd like. Just don't deprive your spirit so much, okay?

I'm glad to see you posting here again, Marie, even if it is only briefly. It's good to see that you are still thinking of us and dropping in from time to time. In the meantime, we are also thinking of you. Hoping your life calms down somewhat soon!

Many sincere thanks to all, guys! Your comments are most heartwarming ... plus, they're making me also realise how much of an a**hole I am!! I'm realising, even in real life, since I admit I'm still going through a rather rough and emotional period from last year onwards, or so, that by bottling things up I'm tending to push people away rather than the contrary! This I do unintentionally ... more the "I don't want to annoy you more with my problems!" thing than the "I don't give a damn about your friendship/help!" thing, when friendship and communication are really things that I truly and indeed cherish! I've been brought up hearing myself being told not to let anyone else know about any mishaps, and to smile always, whatever the case, over and over again! ... I'm still learning that this attitude sometimes backfires because others can see it as a lack of trust! And, I don't know why I do this when it comes to myself when I always advise the contrary to people I care about and to whom I'm always ready to give help! CD ... please, do not excuse yourself! I know well enough about what kind of a rough period you've been going through yourself, and I so hope that things have eventually calmed down a bit for you, too! As to my health ... well, the daily pain is growing stronger as time passes by, with not much more new medications left to try! ... that's the only thing I can say! Regarding the muse ... yes, after a long period of deep reflection, that's what's expected! KT1972, Daniella, and Amethyst ... I'm really willing to follow your advise! LW ... thanks a lot for your caring words! LOL ... I'm the one who needs to thank and not you! ... but, message received! Jublike ... I happened to have just read about your Spectra oven incident! Yikes! At least, all's well that ends well, and next time make sure to keep away from Spectra! K2P2 and CW ... you're right about what you're saying about women! That's another thing that's overwhelming me since I have my own limits but I tend to not rest before I satisfy the exigencies of each and every other important member of my family first! EW and TJ ... can't thank you enough! (rubbing where the pokings still hurt!!) Can't deny that I've literally taken the good advice, but I think that I've said more than enough, now! ... really! (have a few earplugs at hand in case anyone of you needs any!) Must admit that I feel much better, though! More to all!

Marie, I've got one problem with what you just said:

Originally posted by gatchamarie ... plus, they're making me also realise how much of an a**hole I am!!

If that were true, you wouldn't care about others, and others certainly wouldn't care about you! While I won't deny that I'm glad you've realized that acting Condor-ish through this time in your life wasn't the best tactic, I simply can't sit back and let you belittle yourself by calling yourself things that aren't true! Do I make myself clear, young lady?

EW brings up a good point. As much as I admire the Condor's stoicism, ultimately that behavior led to his demise. Learning to reach out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

EW and Jublike ... Message received as clear as possible! Really ... again, million thanks for your sincere care and friendship! The term I called myself with I wrote because it took me some time to open my eyes and see that there are truly people like you who are willing to reach out to me unconditionally, also! And, I didn't even have to search so far! You don't even know how much this means to me! Now, nuff said and on with the fun ...