Just popping in to say a so long planned for "HI!"

A longing towards this place, throbbing constantly in my heart, and a Gatch dream (yep ... I still have them! ) including Gatch members and many of you Gatchamania friends ... even those whose faces I don't know how they are but to whom I've contributed imaginary ones as if I've knew them so clearly!) got me popping in to tell you that you're all still present in my thoughts!

Some time ago, EW has kindly contacted me to check on me, due to my long absence, and I've told her to send my regards. Knowing her, and thanking her heartily, I'm sure that she did so and I excuse myself for disappearing so abruptly! I also have to excuse myself again, knowing that I'd have to make my absence felt once again after this post, as RL is not permitting this so loved "me" time at the moment.

I don't know if I've told you that my son has broken his arm once again and he's still in a full cast, from just below the armpit up till the palm of his hand, like a glove, from the 1st of May. This time he's got wires running along both of his bones for support and, hopefully, next Wednesday everything will be taken off. The thing is that next Wednesday will be just in the middle of his annual exams, and between his low morale, blistered fingers out of the heavy cast which is suffocating him in the very hot weather around here, and the fact that I had to arrange things with the hospital so as he'd be able to sit for two of his exams falling on the same day of the appointment and be at the hospital in time at the same time since hours almost collide, I'm crossing fingers that everything goes well.

To top things up, my Dad has become very feeble, lately, and I'm very worried as he wants to live alone but is crippling abruptly, falling and hurting himself frequently. Tomorrow, my brothers and I are going to meet to talk to him in person so as he'd consider the option of going to a home ... something which I know will hurt his dignity and which breaks my heart. But, I myself am so tired that I can't help him more than I've done up till now and, at least, for once us siblings have come together to sort things out. This is all happening whilst my cake decorating work is booming, my exertions on my health are backfiring and when our favourite season is beginning ... let's just hope for the best!

Having said the above, and not wishing to annoy you any more, I so hope that all of you are doing well and I send the best of my wishes your way for some lovely holidays! I know that many of you ... especially TJ ... might be soon starting their adventures abroad and at Comic Con, so I really wish you to enjoy these days!

EW ... I so hope that you're feeling better.

Do take care of yourselves and hope to be able to join you soon. Lots of hugs .....

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

Your "EW's about to bug you!" sensor must have gone off! I actually was going to email you today to see what's going on with you. Anyway, I'll keep you in my thoughts as you ride out this rough patch RL threw at you.

And thanks for the well wishes you sent me!

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

GM,

Good luck with your son's arm and his exams. Exams are enough stress without adding the arm.

I hope your father understands you have his best interest at heart, but its still not easy for any of you.

Take care.

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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers so far...

Wow! Lots going on! Hugs to you, Marie. We'll be here when you are able to come back to us!

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There is no problem that cannot be solved with time, patience, and a judicious amount of high explosives.

Marie, it sounds like RL has swamped you, much like it has me. like you I never seem to have as much time to get over here as I would like. At the moment it is about once a week and hopefully after next week it will be more frequent while I am on summer break.

I hope your son's exams go well for him and the cast can come off so he can start to enjoy his summer break. Shudders as I imagine wires running up my arm to hold the bones in place.)

Sorry to hear about your father although I am very happy to hear your brothers and you have similar feelings about how to deal with you father this time. Hopefully that will make things much easier for you.

Finally - what do you mean "annoy" us any more. You coming here to let us know how things are in your life is certainly NOT annoying us.

I hope to see you back here for longer than a quick drop-by posting in the near future.

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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

I'm sorry I missed you, Marie, as I have been away for a few weeks. I'm so sorry to hear that your son's arm is in a cast again! I know how active he is, and I can imagine how this is hampering his daily activities!

I will keep you and your father in my thoughts, and I hope he is able to find a care solution that is right for him.

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