Old Dog

As a few of you know, I had a wee heart fart a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't enough to kill me, but it was enough to make me sit up and take stock of a lot of things. The first thing? My CERB community cares about its members. I can't tell you how many messages I had from people wishing me well, how many people texted, how many people actually took time out of their busy lives to come up and see me while I was in hospital. I know that some want to remain anonymous, so out of respect for them, I will just let everyone know that I truly value each and every one of you that made my little hospital visit a lot less painful. I was released last Monday and have been taking life a day at a time since. There have been hurdles - but my week was made all the more pleasant by attending the social for a few hours on Thursday. Again, the outpouring of well wishes and that feeling of community was spiritually healing - and it validated my membership here and my sense of belonging within our community. Catching up with friends, old and new is good for the heart - it may not replace the list of prescriptions that I have added to my daily regimen, but what it did for the other aspect of the heart - the part that feels and cares and loves, well that was well medicated. I have been smiling for days and everyone here is responsible for that. I will be taking a little time away in the next month or so; I need to spend time with my biological family while I recover. I just hope you all realize that you can and do make a difference in people's lives. I am living proof! Take care everybody... see ya soon!

Thanks Angela!!!! It was so much fun - I really needed a night out like this!!!

Congrats my friend!!

Thanks to everyone for all of the lovely thoughts and well wishes... I really appreciate it. I got home today and MUST say that my CERB buddies made my life so much easier when I was in the hospital. At least one person from this community dropped by EVERY day that I was in - sometimes there were quite a few in at the same time!!! You only get one shot at this life - cherish every moment and live each day to the fullest!!! Love to all of you!!! Paul

Happppppy burfday!!! xoxoxoxox

less than three weeks!!!

I LOVE Dorinda!!! Well... for a thousand reasons.....

Happppppy burfday gorgeous!!! Miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxox

As long as you post the picture you have in your signature, you could type with your toes in the dark and I would read what you have to say....

Meg.... it seems only 1000 posts ago, I started a thread congratulating you on your 4000th posts... but you have outdone yourself: Congrats gorgeous!!! xoxo

Have yourself a great one!!!

No need for sorries RG... It's nice to think that we can appreciate one another by recognizing the efforts and contributions that people have made, and as Phaedrus said, not just in the threads but in chat and in the social groups. We have tried on a number of occasions and unfortunately it has turned ugly on more than once. It would be wonderful to think that we are all on the same page, but frankly that's not the way the world works. Different people, different agendas, different goals and different paths - we have proven over the years that the valued member/provider awards are no guarantee of fairness or for that matter member retention. This by no means is a slight against past winners and nominees - many of us have felt a sense of pride for the efforts that we have made on the board and for the recognition we have received from our peers - but when that sense of accomplishment is sullied by people who have an axe to grind or want to nominate phantom members (who actually won!) then the whole process seems futile. As I have said we have other alternatives that might be explored... and that might just be something we want to throw out there... Other than electing/selecting a valued member/sp award winner, what could we do to honour our valued members?

It was SUPPOSED to be out next Monday or Tuesday in trade/paperback but.... A Dance With Dragons: A Song Of Ice And Fire: Book Five by George R.r. Martin Random House Publishing Group | March 26, 2013 | Trade Paperback ...is now what is being posted on Chapters as of tonight.

I am inclined to agree. It starts off with the best of intentions and then feelings get hurt, games get played and emotions begin to boil over. That being said, it would be nice to have some recognition for folks that have made a positive impact on the board. Stratified "levels" for membership time, posts contributed, and dare I say it, nominations and comments left. In the end, it would not grant you any more or any less privileges on the board, but it would be nice to see "achievement" icons - kind of like Olympic medals only naughtier.

Cato... couldn't agree more. My daughter's friend warned both of us to "not get attached emotionally to any character." I was cruising through book three and said... WTF??? and then WTF???? and then holy schmidt, WTF???? It takes a really talented author to kill his cast of characters willynilly and still keep you rapt in the series.

Nice little link from TotalProSports... Lovely athletes from all over the world that competed at London 2012... http://www.totalprosports.com/2012/07/18/30-gorgeous-female-olympians-to-watch-at-the-2012-summer-olympics/ the list includes our own Canadian soccer player Lauren Sesselman....

... failing all else, you could sell a kidney, preferably your own.