Sorry I've been MIA in the email. Try [email]greengablesmb@yahoo.com.[/email] I'll send you my other emails. thanks.

For everyone else, HI!

Guess what? I'm dating a really nice guy. He doesn't like when I say "dating" though becuase he thinks we're beyond that stage. LOL. It's all semantics. [color:"blue"] [/color]

That's great GG!!!
I think of you often, glad for the update.
So, did you meet him at your new job? And how is that going btw?

I'm happy for you. Keep us updated concerning the guy you're "being seen with".

Karona

Hi, Karona, I’ve thought about you and the others as well. Just haven’t really had the time until recently do even stop in. The BF (oh, my, I guess he is a BD) is something special. Least ways I think he is.

I do get a little scared every once in a while. I worry about being trapped in a bad situation again. I’m skittish, as BF says. I’m also surprised to find how much more I think about my marriage now than I did before BF. I think it’s because I’m overlaying memories of stuff that happened with X with new memories.

For example, BF and I come from opposite sides of the political spectrum. We recently had political debate. I got the worst of it, but I never felt badly about me. I never felt attacked. I couldn’t help but remember the many arguments X and I had about politics and current events. I felt like X was out to “win” the argument and I always felt attacked.

The BF has also helped me grow though he doesn’t know it. I still have a tendency to appease X. Since I don’t want to let the X interfere with my relationship with BF, I tend to stand up to X more.

Poor X is having a hard time with me dating and the fact that the children have met BF. I keep tight tabs on the amount of time BF spends with the girls. If I break my heart over him fine, but I won’t let the girls break their hearts. LOL. However, I am trying to gently introduce him more into our family life. I don’t want to find out a year from now that there’s a problem between him and my kids.

BF is very respectful of my boundaries. The whole thing is new to me.

The girls seem to enjoy the idea of mommy dating. Probably because this mommy doesn’t let it interfere with her time with them. The biggest concern so far is what if mommy gets married and daddy gets married and they get married on the same day and we have to be flower girls in two places?

My older daughter has some attention issues that we’re working through with the school. The good news is she’s bright, happy again, and basically well adjusted. The bad news is we’re heading for puberty at breakneck speed, and the sulks have started.

My younger daughter is growing up so fast. The Easter bunny brought these little clutch wallet/purses. YD says “Oh, these are so HOT! When daddy and I were at the mall, I noticed all the big girls had these.” YD is almost 7; what will I do when she’s 14?

My dog is becoming really nice. My job is great. Busy and fun and I’m learning tons, and I don’t have to write. I didn’t realize how much I hated writing for work until I didn’t have to do it.

Great to see another of us "old timers" whose M's ended, moving on into a happy, new relationship.

What is the appropriate terminology for "more than dating"? And what do you call him/her other than "boyfriend" or "girlfriend"? That still sounds funny to me when you're over 40 (or 50, as in my case!). "Significant other" implies living together without being married. "Fiance" is okay if you're engaged. "Friend" sounds so coy.

Whatever he is and whatever you're doing with him ( <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />), I'm happy for you.

GG, See what happens when you drop in for a visit, you remember how many friends you have online.

Hi GG!! And Newly!! And Karona!! And LetsTry!!! (waving) It's good to see you and see your happy update. Isn't it amazing? I remember when I was here, I was SURE my world was ending...I just could not imagine ever being happy and satisfied with my life--or moving on!

So...the BF is "more than dating" huh?? I had that same thing! He wasn't just my boyfriend, because that sounds so high school...but we weren't engaged (fiance) or living together (lover, or SO)...so what IS that!!!???

I think we need to invent a new word. A word for people who are seriously dating, over 40, and exclusively seeing each other but not quite engaged. Hmmmm....

How about if we call them an Exclusive?

"Hi, I'd like you to me (name). He's my Exclusive."

heehee <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />



FNCJ

Hey GG! I've been thinking of you lately & figured (hoped) things were going well for you.

SOOO glad to hear you have a SO, loved one, sweetheart, lover, boyfriend...in your life!

Me nada. But that's OK, love will come when it comes.

At the moment I'm getting ready for a regional show in the gallery where I sell my work. I have a group of five naked ladies who need some kind of finish before Sat., seven or so more pieces that must be glazed & fired by Sat. Yet here I sit. Guess I'm hoping inspiration will find me here in front of the computer. Actually I'm headed off to the studio to finish (cross my fingers) my work.

You have my email & I'd love to hear from you.

It might not have been easy or quick, but you did manage to get out of a bad situation. Don't you think you would recognize a situation like that before you were "trapped"? I think you would!

Hi....miss you....miss the kingdom.....when Sauron poofed, it sort of died....is resurrectable if there are any others who want us to do so....ever hear from hypatia?....glad things are going well for you....have changed jobs twice in last 8 months....happier at work than I've been in long time....miss friends from old job, though....all is going ok.

Nams, we should plan a road trip to your next show. You are likely within 3-4 hours of me, and perhaps I can convince GG to join me.
GG, I just got an email from Wish this week too. Must be something in the air.

CJ, I love the Exclusive. It's perfect. And happy belated b-day.

Cinderella, What happened to Sauron? Is he okay? Oh, my. I've been away too long. I'm glad to hear you like your new job. Is the Diplomat still in the picture?

Nams, I've been thinking of you. How about polka dots for the naked ladies? I have no idea what kind of naked ladies you make, but sometimes I feel a little dotty.

AFS, fancy you chiming in! I like to think I'd know a bad situation. I just keep waiting for it to develop. LOL.

Wow! Look at us success stories! I think one reason I love this board so much is we've come out of the darkness into the light.

Newly, Three to four hour ride? Be sure you're coming to the area for other stuff too. It's very sweet of you to consider such a trip & this next show which starts in May would be a good one. There are lots of artists & we all have to be juried in so the variety & quality of work is great.

I do happen to live in a touristy area so I could show you some sites. The offer is open.

GG-Polka dotted ladies? I dunno. My plan is to give them a satin, honey color finish. I finished all the glazing & my work is in the kiln as we speak. Let the kiln gods do what they may. Please be kind, kiln gods, & look favorably upon my work. Pretty please.

Tomorrow evening I'll see the results...

Well, as I said, I haven't seen what kind of figures you do. Polka dots would work for some kinds, but for most, I suppose satiny honey finishes are the best.

GG, I'm sure polka dotted ladies would be perfect in lots of cases. You're a sweetheart to make the suggestion. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What I'm going for is beauty in five different female forms. One very thin with small breasts & little behind, one pregnant, one older with less...perk...than she once had, another full & voluptuous. I want the viewer to see beauty in all of them & want to touch them. I'm hoping the satiny honey finsh will do just that. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Congrats to your new found happiness. I wondered what happened to you as I havent seen you around for quite some time.

Yes Cinderella, please tell us what happened to Sauron as I also wondered about that.

Lady at work calls my BF (UGHHH) my sweetheart, I like that term much better than BF

I suggested "exclusive" last night. He cringed. He suggested SO. I cringed. We decided simply on "Other." Although he is more my sweetheart. LOL.

How are you, D?

I've really missed you all, but work has me busy and I'm not supposed to use the internet for personal business. Got to go to church.

I hope I didn't insult your suggestion of dotty ladies GG. It was nice of you to offer up an idea. Then are done & at the gallery to be accepted or rejected. I'll know on Mon. I'm helping the juror view the work.

So which guy is your sweetheart? As I remember there were two in the picture last time we were in contact.

Also, what happened to the MBer we spoke about?

I like the term sweetheart, kinda lightens up a situation in which people are wondering just what's up with you two.

I'm glad to hear you like your job & especially glad to know you have someone to love in your life. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Which one am I with? The right one, naturally!

The other one calls once in a while and we're friendly, but that's it. I'm sending you an email.

I worked w/ a woman who called the Diplomat, who is still in the picture, my 'sweetie' - she was always eager to hear about 'sweetie'.

I have no idea what happened to Sauron. One day, he was there. The next day, he was gone. W/ no name or e-mail address, I just had to accept it w/ no explanation.

What about Hypatia? What happened to her? Do you know?

The last I heard, Hypatia was getting a divorce and moving back home. I haven't heard from her in a while.