Hey Sheryl,

Thanks for popping in. I think you're right about people being chased from the board....old and new, who are just unwilling to put up with the flack. I know first hand what it feels like to have someone try to run me off.....but I'm kind of stubborn and I'm not the type to take my ball and go home. I too, appreciate the presence of K and cerri....and quite a few more who have a calming and influencial effect of the board.

<small>[ July 16, 2003, 11:04 PM: Message edited by: star*fish ]</small>

Sheryl,

I think part of why I get away with being such a Harley hard a** (poor Bill and Joyce.... there's a phrase to make good genteel folk wince in pain... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> ) is that for well over a year I rarely if ever ventured out of my hiding place at P's thread. And, because of the sheer staying power of that thread... and the continuity of the soap story there.... it attracted a lot of readers and lurkers. Posters started to seek me out.

Believe me, I've been beaten up pretty badly too, the worst being my assertion that there's no such thing as a modified Plan B <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> (there's not) .... and that put me back in hiding for a while!! LOL Even now, I don't really go looking for threads or posters, I really don't have the time and the little I do have I prefer to use discussing concepts with people who are open, rather than those who want to debate.

If I hung out at EN, where if I'm not mistaken is the place you were most often(?), I'm sure I'd be taking a thrashing on a regular basis too. Spitting in the wind as you say (and when you live on top of a sandy rocky windy hill.... that phrase takes on new meaning!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> ) I figure if I want to put myself in the path of verbal snarliness.... I have teenagers more than willing to the job. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

Ever thought about doing more posting at some of the other boards? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

C

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by new_beginning:
[QB]Cerri, you are truly an authority, and K, people still meet in dark corners to discuss whether or not you're the real-live Steve Harley (besides being a prolific writer and all-around-good-guy)... [QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">And I would add, for a while, some were wondering if Cerri was the real-live Jenn! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <ok, HoFS stalking out of the way> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

HoFS

Sheryl:

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">K, people still meet in dark corners to discuss whether or not you're the real-live Steve Harley (besides being a prolific writer and all-around-good-guy)...</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Not true in the least---I've got way more hair than Steve... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

And at times, I feel like I'm spittin' in the wind too. I have taken some time in the last 6 months to post my good, detailed, "rule-based" approach (like I used to)---and half of those haven't even gotten a response from the poster.

I really should have made templates for the various situations, so I could just cut and paste in a "you're a loud obnoxious lout of a husband, and you need to work on Lovebusters 101" post in the appropriate place... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Hi again Guys! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Starfish -- you remind me of me in the mid-years (I can't believe I've been around here for nearly 4 years!). Oh, and please don't be insulted <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> , I'm a pretty good egg.

I was all over the forums, posted very often(mostly because for the last few years I was unemployed and living in a different country, away from my family, and the internet was the way I stayed connected to people), and I also wasn't easily run'd-off (think "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"). But I have definately spent more time away from this forum over the last year than ever before. And for the most part, all of my close MB-buds have left altogether.

Thanks for welcoming me to this thread!

Cerri -- First, I agree about Plan B, and have said it at least a dozen times. I am nothing if not black-and-white (but I'm getting less rigid in my declining years! LOL)... and lets face it, the point of MB is... this is a PLAN. Follow the plan, or don't, but don't say you are when you aren't. (Was that convoluted, or what?)

You asked if I'd posted elsewhere on the site, and... yes, all over the place! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Lately, I've been getting mixed up in the controversial posts, and I know I shouldn't... why I do it, I don't know! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> I guess it's to exercise my reasoning skills -- or maybe I'm just itching for a fight or something <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> .

What I know is this: the concepts do work, even on good marriages. My husband and I have been separated by distance (*not* by our own choice - long immigration story that is working itself through as I write) and we still POJA everything, are 100% honest about what's going on, and are every bit as much in love as we were the day I had to leave... I know this because we tell each other every single day, no matter what. Nobody said this would be easy, but it's worth everything we put into it.

I use the Plan A principles on everyone I know (or try to) even though they weren't written for my children, or my parents, or friends. All of life is about being truly authentic to yourself, treating others the way you want to be treated, and creating a safe haven for those you love. What's not to love about this?

HOFS -- Hee hee... ya know, when I read what you wrote, I realized that you're probably right... I bet there are rumblings about Cerri being Jenn.

K,

Yeah, okay, s'what you SAY (!!!) you aren't balding. What I want is PROOF. Send lock of hair to new_beginning, care of Nutsville. I'll be waiting. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

Don't laugh, but I used to have templates, no kidding. Well, you probably knew that, because I helped NSR do welcomes to new builders. One of the last ones I posted got the "Harley-ite" response: Quit being a "Harley-ite" and find some compassion. Me! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> Compassion? I'm a ball of the stuff. Oh well...

Nice chatting at ya, K. Hope all is well in Tractorland.

edited to add: I haven't always been compassionate in my responses... sometimes I just get ticked and write something biting. That's my shadow side, as my psychoanalyst mother tells me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" />

<small>[ July 17, 2003, 04:18 PM: Message edited by: new_beginning ]</small>

Ahhh, tractorland... You'd be very proud of me---I've spread 75 tons of crushed limestone on our driveway over a couple of mornings this week (before work), and it looks really good. There's nothing better on a beautiful summer morning than a hot cup of coffee, the birds chirping, and the wafting of diesel exhaust... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

My daughter's birthday was yesterday (turned 9). We now have two parakeets to go with the menagerie. And eldest son's B-day is tomorrow (he turns 13-a "teen-ager"). As I like to say, "sex once every four years, whether you need it or not". But I missed my last portion... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Somebody asked you to find compassion?? Egad---you drip the stuff... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Hey, I 'spose you noticed that I was editing while you wrote... me and my overly-honest self couldn't live with saying I am a ball of compassion... when I know for a fact I've been snotty sometimes. <very embarrassed grin> And then YOU go writing I drip the stuff! Are you a good pal, or what? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Oh, and K... I'm very proud of you! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Have fun with your critters (human and otherwise! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> )... and most of all... keep your WONDERFUL sense of joy and strength... you inspire me, seriously!!!!

As long as I don't inspire you to seriousness...

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

As always, God bless you and yours...