Hi all!

Hi all!

I hope that this message of mine is finding you all well! I’ve been telling myself to contact you many a time during my absence, but as always I’d find myself immerged in doing something else, which would be enough to make me postpone my wish of doing so! This notwithstanding, please know that each and every one of you is always present in my heart and mind!

Another excuse of mine, if I can call it so, is that I have always felt reluctant and uncomfortable, and somewhat disrespectful, to just pop in without having the chance to read all the wonderful, and ongoing contributions of yours, hence without being able to leave any related feedback, and also without giving any contributions of mine in return! Ah … I’m such a complicated person!

Warm memories of all of you have driven me to make a small comeback today, but I have to say that the generous pokings of TJ and Electricwhite have also helped a lot! I know that Electricwhite has also so kindly opened a thread in which she delivered a message for me and, whilst thanking her again for this altruistic gesture, I also wish to thank all of you for your kind comments, which I read enthusiastically! That’s why I’ll try to make it possible for me to peek in more regularly! If I couldn’t join in as much as I did in the past, I’d make it a point of being present every now and then other than being totally absent! There has been a wise someone who has told me that peeking in whenever I could, and communicating randomly, wouldn’t be disrespectful towards you others, at all!

Moreover, I’m back to that part of my life when the wish of writing down something and expressing myself is most overwhelming! I’m also seeing that poetry is in the air! Not being able to do much work myself, I’m quite happy to catch up with the lovely fics I know I will find piling up! … not leaving up the long, unread threads! It might take a while but, hopefully, I’d have a better schedule commencing next October, with my two kids back to school and with a fixed timetable for their sports sessions, even though these sessions are going to become thrice a week per child instead of the regular two, all falling on different days! These I have to fit in in my already tight agenda, hoping that I’d have enough energy left! I’m already panicking, though, my being aware of the cumulative homework my kids are going to be given this year, the mass of homework given always being an issue here, and because I still have to fit in taking care of my Dad on those days per week which I try to dedicate to him!

One thing I’m sure of … just the thought of joining you, or taking one small glimpse of what’s going on here, instantly makes me smile … and, I cannot wait to jot down something myself! Now, I'm literally terrified (even in a good way!) at seeing the amount of my unread posts glaring down at me! Only God knows what I have missed, apart from the random updates, during my absence ....

to all!

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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!

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!

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Eagle Whisperer

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 ...

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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!

Hello Gatchamarie!

Nice to hear from you, and do try to make some time for yourself also!

In the meantime, a big hug!

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They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally, they became heroes -- Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan.

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!

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The world looks less difficult when standing next to a close friend.

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?

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“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury

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!

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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!

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.

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"The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing." -- Blaise Pascal