One of the best things about getting through this mess is when the luck changes, the luck changes.<P>We were gone for a few days. We drove up to see a friend of ours who offered my husband a job and spent four days seeing his operation and making decisions.<P>My husband has been offered an opportunity to work in another area of our state. We will be moving sometime in late March or early April up north, deep into the forests and lake country of Minnesota.<P>This opportunity is a change for us, a new beginning, a change of venue, attitude and a fresh start.<P>Since we are only three hours from our current home, our kids can come and spend weekends with us. Mom can come up from Florida and sit on the deck overlooking the lake and do her crossword puzzles. I can write and work on my lawsuit. I can work or even take a class.<P>The area we are moving to is a big resort area so summers will be busy and fun and winters will be isolated and snowed in...just the way I like them. The change will be good for us and I can't wait.<P>I'm not going to sell my house in the city because I love it and intend to return to it someday. So, in the meantime, I will rent it out. We plan to do this for at least a year, perhaps two. Perhaps indefinitely. We'll see.<P>At any rate, with the court issue at bay until mid-March, and the new opportunity for my husband, we have two new wonderful things happening in our lives and I just wanted to take a moment and tell you about them. And to thank you for your good wishes.<P>Natasha and Boris Badanov<BR>Frostbite Falls, Minnesota <P>=^^=

Catnip,<P>I was wondering about your house when you mentioned moving. I know that you didn't want to lose your house. I pray that within a few months all of this will change to your benefit. Get the child support set, your h gets a new job, and you move to somewhere that she doesn't know. Moving is hard, I know. But what a beautiful place it sounds like. Time to leave the old behind, and start new. I am praying for you. What great news you have had in this last week. You must be floating on air. Congratulations on everything, and God bless you and your family.<P>babstr.

This is the best I have felt in nearly three years. It took such a long time to get here and we are just beginning. Anything can happen, I know, but I am savoring the moment until...whatever happens next.<P>As far as the house we own and are in right now; the bank owns it because the business loan is tied to it. But our former distributors are taking care of the bank for us. This process will take ten years, which means I can't sell it for ten years. I wouldn't want to anyway. <P>I appreciate what the distributors are doing, however, it is the least they can do...they now own our product line and our business and are making lots and lots of money off my husband's patent without having to pay for the business. <P>Under the circumstances, it is the best deal we could come up with given our less than optimum situation. We lacked options, but the patents are directly connected with my husband's name and he is valuable to the distributors for many, many reasons.<P>I am grateful.<P>Catnip =^^=

congratulations catnip! i am so happy for you and your husband. this will be a wonderful opportunity for you both. and maybe all that time holed up in the winters will do you some good too, if you catch my drift. you are such a nice person and deserve to have things go your way for a change. it is nice when good things happen to good people. if only it worked for the bad people...<P>anyway, you will be in my prayers. though i am not jealous about minnesota. i would freeze to death.<P>love, happy_girl

Dear, dear Catnip,<P>I envy you both the new beginning and the isolation of winter! As far as I am concerned, God's finest creations were mountains and forests. There is a peace and tranquility that descends over you when you are in an isolated beautiful spot like either one of these. Your head clears and you see the world as, I guess, it was meant to be seen.<P>I am glad that you are not worrying about the "what next" because life will always throw us an interesting curve. But, I think that we have seen about the worst of it so it should be smooth sailing from now on.<P>It was also a revelation to me in one of your other posts that you have suffered such despair all these months. You have always managed to keep so upbeat and to be such an encouraging and lifesaving buoy to all of us who come to this forum. I have always had great respect and admiration for your eloquence and grace while delivering "upfront and honest" assessments of our situations. <P>But to have done these selfless acts during times when you were not sure if you were going to survive makes them all the more special.<P>You are a survivor, Catnip, and definitely a winner. I have a feeling that this is only the tip of the iceberg of happinesss for you. You've earned it -- enjoy it!<P>Love, heavenly<p>[This message has been edited by heavenlybody26 (edited January 26, 2001).]

catnip, youre on a roll girl you go. That sounds so exciting It is great feeling to come here and hear good news is happening maybe it will be contagious. If your new place doesnt have a hottub try to get one it is so cool to sit out under the stars with tons of snow all around.We just got one this past fall kinda chilly on the toes though. Iam very happy for you guys you deserve it.with love flowerseed<P>------------------<BR>`Look ahead or you will find yourself behind.

Catnip it sounds like a dream come true!<P>I am truly happy for both of you.<P>You've come a long way baby, good luck, and God Bless.<P> Debi<P>------------------<BR>Imagine....

This is really great, I don't know if you saw my other message to you under "Catnip, Where are you", but I am a tad envious. I would just love to pick up and start over for several reasons other than the obvious.<P>But you won't be just across the river anymore, more like over the river and through the woods and over several lakes. Where is this exactly - Northwest, Northeast, near Brainerd, near Duluth, beyond ?<P>I'm hangin' in there, but I am really dreading February and fear I may just collapse from all the anxiety I am holding in.<P>Best wishes and lots of hugs to you Catnip.<P>Carrie

Heavenly: I would love it if you'd join me for stimulating conversation over coffee on my deck under the stars. Yearning for normalcy has become a crusade and as an incurable optimist I keep thinking, "Well, they can't KILL me...they can do anything else, but they can't do that." So I forge ahead, eager to see what's in store for us.<P>Carrie: You'll be just two or three hours away...maybe not just across the river anymore, but accessable nonetheless. At least you have somewhere to go if you ever find you just have to get away for a while.<P>Flowerseed and Gem: I am really looking forward to this positive change for us. I have fantasies about making this new home into a little retreat center and wanting everyone to come and visit. Sometimes just knowing there is a place to go is enough.<P>Happy Girl and Babstr: Now that you two have bonded, wouldn't it be fun to get together? I'm not saying Minnesota is a halfway point between Ohio and Arizona, but it isn't out of the realm of possibilities.<P>You're all such a great group and have become my second family. When I was away for a few days, the first thing I did when I got home was to get on the board and see how everyone was doing. I keep thinking how marvelous this technology is and how were it not for the computer age and Steve Harley, none of us would have ever known each other.<P>It's so much fun to share something good instead of the tragedies. <P>Catnip =^^=<P>

catnip,<BR>I can't resist a hearty CONGRADULATIONS!! You know, I'm due to see my inlaws in northern MN this fall! Hate to say too much in such a "public" place... do you still have my email?<P>Lovely news!<BR>Jenny, (obviously not doing a good job weaning myself from the board! )<BR>

Jenny! Are you kidding! You would be my first guest of honor...you were my first friend here two years ago...yes, I still have your e-mail..I will contact you later tonight and we'll make plans. This is so exciting!<P>Love<P>Catnip =^^=