hello, hello - you say goodbye - while I say hello!

[salin]

Greeting Loungies - I haven't been able to spend much time here for the better time of a year (work schedule - restricted access save on weekends and such) - just wanted to shout out a hello to those who make this place a community - recognizing that the names and community changes and shifts over time (that is, there are probably lots of folks here who make up a great community - that I have had little chance to interact with due to my schedule - and thanks to you for keeping this place a community) and that I hope that there are still some folks from my "lounge era" who are still around - if you read this - say hello - I miss you all and relish that I have a little bit of time to try to reconnect - if only for a moment.

:toast:

[GOPisEvil]

1. Hi there!

:hi: It's good to see you. :toast:

[salin]

2. megahugs!

always good to see you! :hug: How is homeownership going for you? (I think we both bought, as single owners, around the same time) - I like much of it - but sometimes... having to take time off from work to deal with a "house" emergency (when the furnace person can come to get it working again...) evens out the 'glee' of being a home owner.

[GOPisEvil]

6. Megahugs back!

The house is going ok. I'm looking into buying a new furnace/central air unit :scared:. Other than that, it's at least still standing and everything works.

But, there are some days I really hate being an owner, but most of the time, it's all good.

:hug:

[salin]

8. I completely hear you!

I don't have time for yard work - and grass grows real fast from April through October. More expensive than I thought to get a regular lawn service (the first year I had a friend's son do the lawn, but he was less than predictable). I would guess that the need for working central air would be pretty improtant down there (as it is in the humid midwest.)

Complaints aside - ya the upsides outweigh the downsides - esp since I still *know* I got a deal and pay much less than I would as a renter (lawn service included.)

Hoping that all is well with you! Guessing that today is a good day in Austin - as I am sure it was in Bloomington (though I was stuck here in Indy - more mixed- though increasingly dem receptive - reactions.)

[GOPisEvil]

10. Oh, I think most folks here in town are thrilled!

More happy if the Dems had done better here in the state, but things are changing. :)

My yard needs to be cut, too, but I've been blowing it off. It was mostly dead, then it got warm and rained, so it's growing again. x(

I hope everything in your life is going well, too. Life is pretty darned good overall. :)

[salin]

13. Things changed here - in a big way.

Ironically it was bush guys Mitch (now gov of Indiana) that fully turned large swaths of the state against him. We now have a dem majority in Congress, and have taken back control of the state house of reps. WooHoo - lots of happy (and some less than happy) folks here today.

You have better winter weather - and requisite yardwork. Our winters suck (though this one has been quite warm - but still too many frosty mornings for lawn growth) so no worries about yard work. Guess in someways it evens out :D

Life has been rewarding - but very stressful over the past couple of years. Sadly I don't see any let-up anytime soon.

[SOteric]

3. Hey. You look just like a woman who used to post here....

and Happy "Speaker Pelosi" Day to you. :toast: :pals:

[salin]

4. Wonderful "Speaker Pelosi" Day to you, as well...

wasn't it once said that we (or at least our written words) "resembled one another"? Does that mean I can consider you a DU sister of a sort? Very nice to see you again - thanks for chiming in! :toast: :hi: hug:

[SOteric]

7. Absolutely!

However, Mrs.Grumpy and I are said to resemble one another in some respects as well. So, it's a big family. :7 :hi:

[salin]

9. I *like* it... lets me claim two wonderful

women (the second by extension) as DU sisters. Heck Mrs. Grumpy lives not far from where I used to live/work - granted I was there more than a decade ago. What good company to be in with the two of you :D

[merh]

5. Hellllooooooooo

((((((((((salin))))))))))))

It's so good to see you :hi:

A belated Merry & a very wonderful Happy!! :hug: :loveya:

[salin]

12. Very mutual!

both the greetings and the new years wishes.

Btw - I gave the largest (in $) xmas present to my sister and family this year - didn't know how it would go over - but it was to the Habitat for Humanity Katrina (rebuilding) fund. I wanted to give the gift of giving - and to make a point - I let them think about the cost of going to the movies (a family of four) once a month for a year... and gave that in their honor.

I didn't know how well it would go over (I signed the explanation letter as "your eccentric aunt/sister") - and it seemed to not only go over well, but got members of the family to stop and think... what could they do... how could they now - long after the media attention is focused - do something that might help some individuals/families who are still in crises. That response (maybe growing their sense of responsibility to match innate compassion which they have) made the gift that much more meaningful to have given.

Not saying this for any kudos - just knew that you would appreciate the story - and the 'speading' the word and concern that we as a larger national community - still need to be concerned and step up to our sisters and brothers; that just because the media isn't daily telling the story *doesn't* mean that all is suddenly "back to normal."

Hugs to you mehr - it is great to see you!

[merh]

14. I adore you!!!

That is wonderful, that you shared the story, that you gave such a gift, that you remember, that you care so much.

You definitely made my night, made my Christmas, my New Year!!!

I love you, lady - :yourock:

:hug: :loveya:

[salin]

16. *blush*

just know that we grow (if we allow ourselves to do so) based on the people that we let in - and the other perspectives that we gain from those relationships. While I dont have much DU time - I do try to follow LBN on the weekends (and read backwards) and much of my ongoing awareness of the needs are due to the many items that you have brought to our community. It seemed important to do something, and to try to spread that need/desire to those closest to me.

The warm feelings are very mutual, Mehr. May this year bring much more healing to you, your community, and the whole gulf coast than the last year brought. :loveya:

[merh]

17. And all good wishes and blessings for you

and yours this year and all years ahead. :hug: :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. My dear salin!

Ah, I remember you!

We've had some lovely, meaningful conversations......

But it has been awhile!

Glad to see you're still around....

I'll be here till they pry my keyboard from my cold, dead fingers!

:hi:

[salin]

15. while I have had little time to "be" in the lounge, I have peeked

in from time to time - do enjoy seeing your serene photos. Some make me a wee bit nostalgic for living in NoCal - we just don't have any competitive scenery here in Indiana.

Thanks for the greetings :hi:

[graywarrior]

18. Hi Salin!!!

:hi:

[salin]

19. grand to see you - has been so long...

though while I haven't been in the lounge much - in my limited time, I believe that we have crossed similar paths in *gasp* gd or lbn! Always appreciate your input/insight into different issues and events :D :hi:

[graywarrior]

20. Same here!