Well, how the hell are ya?

[Phillycat]

A couple of weeks ago, I logged on to DU for the first time in a very long time. I just wanted to look around a little, see who I remembered was posting from before, and who was new. I remembered how much I loved this place, and I started mulling over the idea of coming back. My reasons for leaving no longer exist in my life.

It's been over a year and a half since I logged on, and even longer since I posted. For those of you who don't know who I am, there was a bunch of drama that went on, which I am not and will not go into here, or ever. I am done with all of it, it's in the past.

For those of you who do know who I am, I would like to repeat that last part. Did you ever get tired of being afraid, of stressing over something that's so old, so dead, that it's a nonissue at this point? Can we all let it go? I can promise that I will. And if anyone PM's me to get the "inside scoop", I will not answer them. I am not interested in any of that old stuff anymore.

For the record:
1. My name is Catherine.
2. I live in Philadelphia.
3. I'm 33.
4. My AA sobriety date is October 10th, 2003.
5. I am a different person than I was back then.
6. If you remember me from before, you might not remember who you think you remember.
7. I still love Prince, Stevie Wonder, and bad WB teen dramedies.
8. I no longer have anything to hide.
9. I used to post here under another name, catpower2000.
10. I missed so many of you.
11. I hate this administration. ITMFA!

I would like to apologize to anyone who I hurt on purpose or inadvertently. I have no grudge against anyone. If you want to be mean, go ahead and be mean. I won't say a word. Get it all out. Then hopefully we can all move on and I can start talking about music and sports again, like I want to. Peace to all.

*mods, I was never banned from DU. I stopped posting of my own accord. Check with Skinner.

How've you all been? :hi: I think the funniest thing would be if this thread sank like a stone...

EDITED TO ADD: pic!

[progmom]

1. JANESEZ!!!!!!!!

I was just reading an old thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=2168793 and missing you. How the heck are you??

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Phillycat]

3. I am fantastic!

I missed you too. :hug: :hug:

My life is truly beyond my wildest dreams. I work for Penn and go to school there, too. (I have a 4.0! W00t!) I am still with my boyfriend Devin. We are leaving for Ireland for 9 days tomorrow!! I've never been out of the country before, so this will be amazing. I love being back in Philly and enjoying all this amazing city has to offer. Moving back here is the best decision I ever made, except getting sober.

What's new with you?? :)

Love,
Cat

[progmom]

8. I am so happy to hear that.

Some big changes in my life, some of which you can read about in my journal...others which I will let you know in more detail sometime soon.

I am really really glad you came back. You really were missed. A ton. :hug:

[taterguy]

2. I'm annoyed that my town doesn't have a decent AA chapter

[Phillycat]

6. I'm very sorry to hear that.

I got sober in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and it was very small and cozy AA. When I moved back home to Philly, at first I didn't like the AA here, and I had to travel further afield to find meetings I liked. It was tough for awhile, but I finally found several meetings where I feel really comfortable. Is there any way you can go to the next town over or something? Good luck to you. :hug:

[taterguy]

31. The short answer to your question is no

The thing that bugs me about the local AA is that everyone relies on cars for transportation. Going to a different city in the immediate area would yeild the same thing

[asthmaticeog]

4. Good god, how nice to see you again!

Welcome back!

[Phillycat]

9. Thank you!

It's wonderful to see you too. :hug:

[asthmaticeog]

42. So post a music thread already!

:P

[Magrittes Pipe]

5. Well if that ain't a....

Welcome back.

I do like to be mean, though. It keeps me from bottling up negativity inside. Unless you're a real fuckwad, then the negativity builds regardless of my meanness. And whatnot. Goddamned fuckwads.

Don't recall you being a fuckwad, though. So all's roses.

[Phillycat]

10. Didn't you get married or something?

LOL! I think I missed some stuff...

Stupid fuckwads! Cockslaps! Etc! ;-)

[Magrittes Pipe]

12. Indeed. It was the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life...

...not to do so sooner. ;)

[Phillycat]

14. Mazel tov, kiddo!

I will have to get to know her, toot sweet!

[Magrittes Pipe]

54. You remember dolo amber, don't you?

That's her.

[Phillycat]

55. No shit! Wow!

I'm gonna need some kind of a chart...;-)

[Magrittes Pipe]

56. Why look at a chart...

...when you can look at the stars instead?

[XNASA]

7. Always an honor.

Welcome back.

[Phillycat]

11. Thank you, darlin'

I missed you! :hug:

[Misunderestimator]

13. Welcome back to DU, Janesez!

Great post! More power to you. :hug:

[Phillycat]

16. Thank you!

It's good to be back. Coming clean and moving on...letting go of old hurts and fears...it's empowering shit, you know? :hug: Great to see you, darlin'!

[WritingIsMyReligion]

15. Heya...I never knew you--joined 7 months ago--but welcome back!

I've been told that some things have changed from the "good old days," and some things haven't, but c'est la vie. ;)

For my record:

1. You can call me WIMR
2. Yes, I am only a freshman in high school
3. Yes, I am an insane Mainer
4. Yes, I do write.
5. I also enjoy politics (obviously!), history, objective comparative religious studies (say that three times fast!), and getting into heated flamewars from time to time in GD or Religion/Theology.
6. Despite my fascination with the mechanisms of religion, I am a skeptic, an agnostic/nontraditional spiritualist-pantheist who has a deep disgust for the vast majority of organized religions
7. I'd like to consider myself a musician someday--I play clarinet, piano, and baritone saxophone.
8. I am a jazz-o-phile ;)
9. I'm known 'round these parts for being the young, determined, blazing upstart with a brain in her head, who just needs a place as ridiculous as the Lounge to blow off steam.

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[Phillycat]

17. Wow! Hi, WIMR!

Aren't you a pistol. :) We need all the young, smart, sassy minds we can get on our side, as I'm sure you know. Thanks for the welcome back and I look forward to getting to know you better. :hi:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

18. In person I'm actually quite inconspicuous--I'm a fairly strong introvert.

Only when I'm in familiar, comfortable settings--or online :D :evilgrin:--do I actually open up to the fiery side of me, which is most easily expressed through writing.

;)

:hi:

[tigereye]

19. I remember you

but not anything negative... if that's any consolation!

welcome back!

[Phillycat]

22. Thank you!

Good to see you. :)

[Shine]

20. Well, hey there, janesez!

How nice to read your post. Welcome back! :hi:

I am relatively new to DU, having just joined last Sept, so I haven't "met" you before. I'll look forward to seeing more of you, hopefully. Until then....

Greetings and best wishes to you, from the sunny Santa Cruz mountains! :hi:

[Phillycat]

24. Ooh, sunny Santa Cruz...

that sounds nice. Although it's 82 and sunny in Philly right now, so I guess I don't have too much to complain about. :)

Thanks for the good wishes. I appreciate the warm welcome. :hi:

[johnnie]

21. Welcome back

I don't remember anything bad going on, but I have been out of every loop ever made. :hi:

[Phillycat]

25. It's better that way.

I have serious plans to be out of the loop forever. :hi:

Thanks!

[FarLeftRage]

23. You were gone longer than I was...

I wondered what happened to you and now I know.

Thanks for the post and welcome back.

[Phillycat]

26. Thanks for the welcome!

"No matter how far I get out...they PULL! ME! BACK! IN!" ;-)

[eyesroll]

27. JANESEZ!!!!

Welcome back!

:hi:

[Phillycat]

28. Ha ha! It's very exciting, isn't it?

Missed you, girl! :hug:

[eyesroll]

29. Ditto...

:hug:

I'm glad things are going well in your life...I've got few complaints myself, except for the fact that nobody seems to sell bathroom accessories that are three-year-old-proof. But that's about it. :D

[Phillycat]

30. Couldn't you just encase everything in bubble wrap?

Or encase the KID in bubble wrap? With eye and nose holes? Is that frowned upon?? :D

[jpgray]

32. Welcome back

This thread has successfully worked my memories of you up from nothing to a state of extreme vagueness. :P I do remember you though!

[Phillycat]

34. LOL!

Exactly what I was going for! Extreme vagueness. :D

Thanks for the welcome. ;-)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. My dear janesez......

You and I haven't crosssed paths until now, I think....

I am fairly new to DU, and the Lounge.....Joined Feb 2005.

Now this place has my heart! I love it here.....

VERY liberal California girl......some girl! (I'm 62!)

I look forward to getting to know you a lot better.....

And, WELCOME HOME!

:hi:

[Phillycat]

35. My goodness, thanks!

Aren't you kind? Your warm manner reminds me of an old poster from 'round these parts, Crewleader. I wonder if she's still around. Anyway, I too look forward to getting to know you better! Between the East Coast and the West Coast, we gotta take this country back, don't you think?

Nice to meet you! See you soon! :hi:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

45. Peg's always like that.

Calls everyone "my dear" and yet it NEVER seems fake or contrived.

We :loveya: her to pieces!

;)

[greatauntoftriplets]

36. Welcome back....

I remember you well under both incarnations. It is great that your life is headed in the right direction. Enjoy Ireland...I love the place.

[Phillycat]

38. I remember you well, as well!

How are the triplets?

I am looking forward to Ireland - this is my first trip out of the country, and first trip to Europe. First time using a passport, only second time on a plane...it's big stuff. :)

Thanks for the welcome. :)

[greatauntoftriplets]

40. The triplets are BIG...

now 5 years old and looking forward to kindergarten in the fall.

:D

[HEyHEY]

37. I remember you! Where's my ten bucks!

[Phillycat]

39. DAMMIT!

I was hoping you'd forgotten about that! ;-)

[HEyHEY]

41. Nope! And it's a good thing, cause I need it

There's a sale on penny candy at the corner store

[underpants]

43. HELLLLLLO!

Guess what happened 8 1/2 months ago







I quit smoking too. Rarely drink anymore.

GREAT to see you back. With a pic like that there is no way this thread is sinking like a stone :P

:hi:

[Phillycat]

44. OH MY GOD I AM DYING SHE IS SO CUTE

Are you trying to kill me with the cuteness?????????????? I can't stand it, I just can't stand it. What's her name? How is baby and mama? Are you getting any sleep yet? God, I missed you. :hug: to infinity.

GOOD FOR YOU with the smoking! BF and I are quitting when we get back from Ireland. We're patching up! I quit for a few months last year, then school kicked my ass. I'm ready to try again.

I simply cannot stop looking at that gorgeous child. You must just melt with love every time you see that sweet face. *dies*

[underpants]

46. Everyone is doing great

Her name is Josephine 8 1/2 old. Doesn't smoke either. 18 pounds. Sleeps through the night. Took to spoonfeeding straight off. She is already standing on her own and "cruising" (moving around by holding onto the furniture). Momma is doing much better but the C-section still hurts from time to time.

This is from the same batch of Christmas pics. Check her right hand.



I quit with the patch too. After 22 years of Marlboro Reds. My running has improved 100 fold since then. After the first 10 days it really was no big deal. I HIGHLY recommend Orbit Citrusmint or and Citrusmint and Sweetmint mixture--- YUM!

Check my journal (man has DU upgraded since you have been gone) the whole pregnancy is on there including the truck wreck a month before she was born. The truck still won't start.

The election SUCKED. My wife and I ran a call center at a Fireman's union office. SUCKED does not describe it appropriately. It was a total fix in my opinion and I have no apprehension saying so here or elsewhere.

Josie was conceived on that night or there about birthday is July 29.

Yeah she is quite the cutie. She has two teeth in the bottom of her mouth and she kills me with every smile. She LOVES Poppa.

Great to have you back.

[Phillycat]

52. Josephine is an awesome name

I love all those old fashioned names. I'm very glad to hear she hasn't taken up smoking yet. It would really interfere with her meth use, of course.

HA! Already giving the finger to Chimpy, is she? You're teaching her well, my son...

Oh god, did the election suck. I was here in Philly, which was like a Kerry rally. Seriously, it was like nobody else was even running. I canvassed my neighborhood for 5 hours and tried to get out the vote as much as possible. We were pretty much just making sure people got out to vote, because everyone was voting for Kerry if we could get them to the polls. Of course PA went for Kerry and I was glad we did our part. Was the election rigged? MOTHERFUCKING RIGHT it was. What the fuck else could have possibly happened in Ohio? Virginia was sketchy too, you all have an awful lot of good liberals down there and I'm surprised it went for Chimpy with as much as it did. Surprised as in Diebold surprised. UGH.

All my love to you and your family, my dear. I'm so glad to be back. :hug:

[Left Is Write]

47. Welcome back!

[Phillycat]

48. Why, thank you!

:hi:

[Wapsie B]

49. Pretty frigg'n good!

Thanks for asking!!

:hi:

[Phillycat]

50. Awesome!

Good to see ya. :hi:

[Wapsie B]

68. Good to see you!

:)

[Midlodemocrat]

51. Welcome back, janesez!

Sounds like things are going well for you!

:bounce:


Isn't underbaby the cutest thing on the durned planet?

[Phillycat]

53. It makes my ovaries ache with longing, she's so cute!

Thanks for the welcome! :hi: :bounce:

[Richardo]

57. janesez!

Welcome back! :hi:

[Phillycat]

58. Darling! *swoons*

I missed you madly! And who is that furry face in your sigline? I'm in love! :hi:

[Richardo]

67. Meet my virtual on-line Beagle

To make up for the one I don't have IRL.

[EstimatedProphet]

59. It has been a long time!

Welcome back!

[Phillycat]

60. Thank you!

I'm so glad so many of you are around still. Great to see you! :hi:

[Blue_Tires]

61. welcome back!

[Phillycat]

62. Thank you!

:hi:

[leftofthedial]

63. welcome back

and congratulations on your "new" life.

:hi:

[Phillycat]

65. Hey thanks!

:hi:

[RandomKoolzip]

64. Hi there!

Welcome back. I don't think we had any significant conversations or anything, but I do remember you as being cool. So welcome back (again).

[Phillycat]

66. Thanks!

I think we talked mostly about music, which is basically what I want to talk about now, too. :hi:

[MadHound]

69. Hey, I remember you! Good to see you again.

Glad to see that things are working out well for you, and glad to have you back here.

[Phillycat]

77. I remember you too, it's good to see you too!

Thank you, and I'm glad to be back! :hi:

[arwalden]

70. Good To See You Again!!

:hi:

(And aren't you just as cute as a button?! Nice photo!)

[Phillycat]

79. You too!!

Missed you bunches, and your duck.

(goodness, thanks! I've always wanted to post a photo here, and now I can. :) )

[Sugar Smack]

71. Hi, janesez. I don't even know you and I already like you!

I must have logged in about the same time you were logging out. I've been on this site since March of last year. Ah, so you had some bad jams. That's what youth is for. Let me introduce myself, then!

1. I'm 36 years old.
2. I live in Chapel Hill, NC (and so am vehemently opposed to "red state" broadbrushing).
3. I'm loonier than a canary in the Passat winds.
4. My cat is PRECIOUS!!!
a. Her name is Sophie
b. She's a tabby
c. She has a crush on Luke Perry (I know this from watching Melrose reruns).
5. I think Prince is like a god.
6. I'm into art, writing and reading.
a. You can click on my journal if you want to find out ;)
7. I'm neither a voyeur nor an exhibitionist. Okay, I'm socially a bit of both.

Welcome back! It's so good to meet you. :hi:

[Phillycat]

80. Well shucks, with a welcome like that, I already like you too!

You sound like a lovely person, and I am looking forward to getting to know you and your cat!

Thanks for the warm welcome, darlin'. I'm so happy to meet you!

(and yes. Prince is a GOD.)

[jane_pippin]

72. Nice to meet you--Welcome back!

:hi:

[Phillycat]

81. Thank you!

And...nice name. ;-)

[billyskank]

73. Welcome back

I never knew you, although I have been here a while myself. :hi:

[Phillycat]

83. Well, we'll have to remedy that right quick, won't we?

Looking forward to getting to know you! :hi: Thanks.

[GOPisEvil]

74. Howdy.

Nice to see you again. :hi:

[Phillycat]

84. Hey you too, hon!

It's great to be back. :hi:

[Beware the Beast Man]

75. Hello prodigal daughter!

:hi:

[Phillycat]

85. Hey dude!

It's awesome to see you! How's your lovely wife? :hi:

[dolo amber]

76. Hi janesez...it's very nice to see you back

:hi:

[Phillycat]

87. Nice to be seen!

Congratulations on your marriage! Got your hands full, there. ;-)

:hi:

[Blue_Tires]

78. ttt n/t

[killerbush]

82. Welcome back Catherine, now please get rid of the hat!!!

[Phillycat]

88. LOL!

Like Popeye said, "I yam what I yam." The Red Sox come with the package. Do you think you can ever forgive me?? *begs*

[nutsnberries]

86. hi (and i like the cap!)

i remember your name. has it really been that long?
i don't remember any bad stuff, but then again, i miss most stuff.
:hi: take care.

[Phillycat]

89. I plan to miss most stuff from now on too!

It's really the best way.

Yeah, I think it's been almost two years since I posted anything, and a year and a half since I logged in. Give or take.

Thanks for the welcome. :hi:

[Bassic]

90. Well, I wasn't here back then

But :hi: all the same :)

[Phillycat]

91. Thanks!

:hi: back!

[dr.strangelove]

92. Janesez! - Welcome Back

I remember a few interactions we had, other than your support of the red sox, I remember only good things about you. I'm glad you came back.

The Lounge is a better place now. Lots of fun times to be had by all.
Glad you are back and I look forward to the Yankees beating the red sox often this season.