Happy New Year to the Biden Brigade!!

[gateley]

Wow! This is the first time I've even opened my laptop in months, and there is mail waiting for me here, as well as over 2000 unread in my mac mailbox! But I wanted to come here first to check in, and it makes me feel grounded "talking" to you.

In a nutshell, I've been REALLY sick (Hep C) and the treatment almost killed me, I swear. And the absolutely worst happened -- Nero died. I can't even talk about it yet, but the combo of debilitating treatment (essentially chemo) and the heartbreak of losing Nero, I was MIA emotionally and physically but made an effort today to come in and say hey. I miss you!

I wish you the most wonderful of New Years, and happiness and love for all!

xxx,

ME

PS -- I feel better already -- you guys are GOOD!

[PatSeg]

1. Wow

We weren't sure if we'd ever hear from you again. I so sorry to hear you've had such a rough time. It is good that you were with family at such a difficult time. I am sorry to hear about Nero. I'm sure you're not sad to see the backside of 2008.

I'm so glad you're starting to feel better and look forward to hearing from you on a more regular basis.

[gateley]

3. Yes, very glad to see the backside of 2008. And last night I lay in bed thinking

thank God I'm in Seattle for this New Year.

I've been tooling around DU a bit today, and it gets the juices flowing. There is so much that has gone on that I'm unaware of and it's like slapping me in the face and waking me up.

And I'm not kidding -- it feels SO GOOD to be with you guys again!!

[PatSeg]

5. Its good to hear you're glad to be

back in Seattle. Sometimes moves "back home" backfire on some people and I was afraid that might have happened to you.

DU still has its episodes where all the sane folks stay out of the main forums, but it appears to have settled down some. It got really ugly there for a while.

48% and Debi have been sneaking off to Facebook lately, but they haven't completely forsaken their Biden-Buddies!

[AspenRose]

2. Oh, we're so glad to see you!

:hug: I'm so sorry about your ordeals. Happy New Year to you. :hug:

[gateley]

4. And the happiest New Year to you, too! I just told tsegat that

I feel SO GOOD being back here with you guys -- I love you gobs! :hug:

[Muttocracy]

6. you're here!!!! now to read the rest of your message...

oh, what an awful end to a difficult year! I'm glad you're well enough to check in.

We're here when you need to talk!

:grouphug:

[CrispyQ]

7. Oh Gately, we're so glad to hear from you!

We've missed you!

I'm so sorry to hear about dear Nero! :hug: But I'm glad that you are feeling better.

My greatest hope is that 2009 is a better year for everyone! :grouphug:

[livvy]

8. You have made my day! I have been really worried about you!

I am so glad you're ok. We've been trying to figure out how to get in touch with you. If you have a Facebook account you'll find a message from me. You may also be getting some snail mail from a couple of us.

I'm glad you are feeling better, and I'm so sorry about Nero.

Stay well, please! And don't go disappearing again, unless you tell one of us you are going to disappear.

And that goes for all of you, here...no disappearing without prior notice!

I'd better stop. I'm starting to sound like my mother.

Welcome home! Happy New Year! I missed you!

[PatSeg]

9. I agree

Absolutely NO disappearing without prior warning allowed!!! Meanwhile, we all should update any contact info we might have shared with others - save us a lot of grief later.

[livvy]

10. Maybe we should each give someone some info...

like home phone or a relative's phone or email or something. :shrug:

I know...we can all just send our info to Joe. He'll give it to Jill, and she'll keep track of us! :rofl:

[Muttocracy]

11. well, disturbances in the group do disrupt our normal Biden programming :-)

[livvy]

12. Good point. { :>)}

[AspenRose]

13. Some of us are on Facebook

We've been kicking around the idea for a JBSG group over there....

[livvy]

14. I just reactivated my account there.

I'm still trying to figure out how it all works, how to set privacy levels, find people, etc.

I like the idea of a JBSG group.

[Eurobabe]

22. I spend more time on FB these days

That way I can spy on my kids too. :rofl:

(J/k)

[elleng]

15. Welcome Home, (((gateley!)))

Its GREAT to hear from you! You may notice that there have been gazilions of messages asking about and for you, so we'll breathe better knowing that you're back!

E

[Froward69]

16. WE were all worried about you

check in or call once and a while, young lady!!! shheesh!!!


do not let it happen again!!!! :rant: :pals:

[Muttocracy]

17. Hey gateley, it just occurred to me - do you have health insurance?

on top of everything else, are you facing a financial nightmare? :(

[ellacott]

18. Happy New Year Gately!!

It's so good seeing your fonts. I'm sorry to hear about your health and about Nero.

I hope 2009 is a great year for you. You deserve it. :)

[Eurobabe]

19. I pm'd you

Glad to see you back. Hope 2009 is kinder to you. :grouphug:

[jillan]

20. Gateley!!!! I am sooooooooooooo happy to see you!

I'm so sorry that you went through all that.


A big hug for you.


Here's to hoping that the new year brings you good health and much happiness.

[WheelWalker]

21. Your post is welcome, indeed,

though a message of loss is never born without sorrow. May your path be lighted in the passing of your good friend, Nero, as the gift of love freely given embraces yet another turn of the Wheel. Blessings, friend.