ME TOO, CRAIG!! THANKS.

Well, this is making me sad. I don't like posts like this.

Who to start w/first. Oh, that you be YOU, AMN!! Since we have met several times, we are definitely "friends". That won't change.

Now, Sally and Craig~~ Altho we haven't personally met, I want you both to know that I consider you both "cyber" friends and if it were geographically possible, I would be bothering you both in person.

I met Sal here and Craig first on another board. I know it's not the same as having friends that are actively and physically in your lives. Those are precious, but I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers that people/or past friend's remember just how special you guys all are.

take care and stepping off my soapbox now!

Relax, dingbat, I know that I'm stuck with you. And us cyber people are a posse, we'll stick together through thick and thin.

My thing is that, at times, I practically torture myself over some of my friendships and there is just no reason. I need to let go of that stuff, the only one it hurts is me. My expectations tend to be unrealistic sometimes and then I go all cattywampus.

The other thing about this is that I'm in the detestable habit of making myself too vulnerable to being used. A good example is a friend/neighbor... scratch that... a neighbor with whom I have a fond and successful acquaintance. It finally struck me, after way too long, that the only time I hear from her is when she wants something from me. I enjoy her company very much but will no longer be accommodating her whims. It's that simple, I need to reconnoiter, regroup, and rebuild. I was safe and protected for a long time. I have let my guard down lately and it isn't right for me.

I'm even feeling guilty for not making my annual visit to some friends this winter. The reality is that I can't manage in their split-level home. It's not my fault! It's theirs. If they'd had the decency to buy a home where I could operate, we wouldn't be having this problem now, would we?

This is a personal survival mechanism for me. It's just easier, the hard part is letting go of the emotional dependency. I need my old self to get back on duty.

I'm not sure what to say either, Sal. Friendships can be skittish things. My niece and I were talking about this stuff the other night, she was lamenting some changes in her own friendships. She then quoted to me something I had apparently once told her, "Time culls friendships". Yikes, practically prophetic.

We all change, grow, advance, develop new interests, add new people, etc. all our lives. There isn't really room to lay blame on anyone, it kind of just happens. Sal, are there what I call "Christmas Card Friends" out there? Ones you could enjoy a reacquainted, catch-up kind of relationship? Maybe look up old school mates, I just had lunch in August with a gal I hadn't seen since high school and we had a blast. We now email a few times a month. It's fun.

givers and takers.
some of us are born givers. we attract the takers. if the time comes that we need to be given to...well..the takers just back off or disapear.

not just health problems cause this.

my dearest friend went *poof.

i was there for her when her husband left her. he has pd.(dx age 40) he decided that he wanted to find his first love before it was to late. she came for holidays. i changed up some traditions, becasue i knew she needed me. changed my workout times..my work schedule to be there for her.

then when my grandson was abandoned and i started raising him...*poof she was gone. when i need the support and friendship...the taker couldn't give.

i think the best friendships are made up of the givers. sometimes we have a hard time recieving...even in the worst of times. but with your group of giver friends...you don't have to have a wall up. we understand.

so cindy..yep..be leary...be on your guard..but keep being you...and hand over the chocolate!

Aw, Yappy, I shant abandon who I am, it cannot be done. Here, eat this and don't ask for more, I got nothin' left to give!

Well, if nobody wants the chocolate??? I'll take it!!

YUM. that was great. but not good for the figure.

get your own dm. cin was bribing the yappy mod.

<---monkey throws sumpin' at dm

Why curious I think you look down right purty... Sally your a sweetheart,
pretty inside and out. Cindy,you are a giver,look what you did for yappys
figure. Daisymae,now stop your crying,and eat some chocolate,AND
wow someone tell me who that handsome gent is,geez Sal,I think
he just might be more handsome then TS!!! Hot Dang!! Hugs to all Sue

Daisy? (munching on some of the chocolates) What do you think that wall is made out of?

I bet you could ram it.

Here. I will hold the chocolates for you while you try!