Jars, that's wonderful!

I have been very lurkery this year, but I am still here. Really, the only notable things about this year are (a) being sober for every single day and night of 2016 (VERY GOOD), and (b) my beloved father's dementia has progressed at an appallingly fast rate, and he is in a nursing home (GOOD in that he is getting very good care. But otherwise JUST FUCKING AWFUL.)

Oh, and we got a kitten, in November of last year, but honestly, the paucity of notable occurrances for 2016 paired with the amount of cheer she's brought to me since we got her inclines me to put her in the VERY GOOD 2016 column.

Her name is Tiny Jingles, long may she reign.

It's so nice to see all the wonderful people here that I miss! I know I still see a lot of you on other platforms, but I always feel like the interactions are different there and I miss having you here.

Jars, 31 weeks! I think I congratulated you elsewhere, but I'm so happy for your and your wonderful DH.

A baby archeologist! Congratulations, Jars and Boston Guy, and lucky wee one! 2017 will definitely be something marvelously new and different for all of you.

Jars, congratulations! And yay for Tiny Jingles, Strix!

Hi, all. I'm pretty lurky here, mostly because I have zero time at work to even look at email most of the time. And my job has devolved into permanent stress and on-my-feet-ness, which is really draining.

It's a little startling to realize I'm coming up on two years since the big Eviction-Separation-StartingOver that was Jan. 2015. My life is not at all easier now than it was then, but it's so, so much better to be living it on my terms. The kids are good, Franny the dog is a huge love, and I'm trying to discipline myself into writing again. Couldn't ask for much more, except maybe some local friends to go to the movies with or whatever, and I'm working on that.

What sj said about interactions being different here than elsewhere is very much true -- I just said in an email to Bev this morning that the intimacy of this place is very special. It's always like coming home to that rambling but comfortable house where everyone is usually cozily tucked into random nooks and corners, talking, but gets together in the big ballroom once in a while to get crazy and tackle-hug. I miss it.

Fred: That is quite a year. Enjoy your vacation!

Jars: Congratulations, Mama! So very exciting!

Yeah, pretty much barely lurker status here. FB has kind of killed my board activity as I keep up with so many B.orgers there. I do miss the board, though. We are still in NC and really loving it (despite HB2 and Trump nonsense). My youngest (3) started preschool in Aug (sob) and my oldest (6) is now in first grade. Having some difficulty accepting that I have no babies and no more will be coming. Also enjoying watching my babies become actual people with interests and talents and annoyances (lol). DW is in a local band and really loves it. I started a new job and it's a good fit with a great group of people. It's a good life.

{{{Buffistae}}}

Yay lurkers! Stick around! We love to see your pixels!

We are still in NC and really loving it (despite HB2 and Trump nonsense).

Let me express my gratitude that you are DW are contributing to the blue tint I see in NC these days.

Ha! A good friend told me as we were leaving California, "You go turn that purple state blue!" Doing our damndest! I will say that Raleigh is super progressive. We've made lots of liberal friends and have been warmly embraced by our community as a two-mom family. I hear Charlotte and Asheville are the same. It's the rural areas you have to look out for...

Jars! Wow, that is so exciting!

A fully sober 2016 is wonderful, Strix! I'm so happy for you.

It's so great to hear from all of you that are not here so much, especially when you can say that the big changes are working out.

It's always the rural areas you have to watch out for.

It's always like coming home to that rambling but comfortable house where everyone is usually cozily tucked into random nooks and corners, talking, but gets together in the big ballroom once in a while to get crazy and tackle-hug. I miss it.

Very well said. If I weren't on my phone I would COMM it.

So good to hear everyone's news. Congrats to Jars and DH. Strix, why have we not seen this kitten? Pics, or Tiny Jingles didn't happen. juliana, I have got to get back out to SF and see y'all, I must meet Peanut!

I am here more than I have been, largely because my boss has told me I can't be on FB at all during my work day. So I delete the app from my phone every Sunday and reinstall it every Weds, because I am weak. But I'm also sneaky and need to vent and talk to folks during the day (colleagues are mostly Honduran y no hablo español), so here I am!

How I am wil have to wait, break is ending.

It's always like coming home to that rambling but comfortable house where everyone is usually cozily tucked into random nooks and corners, talking, but gets together in the big ballroom once in a while to get crazy and tackle-hug. I miss it.

Agree that it should be in COMM and so it shall be.