I considered just slinking back into an existing thread and posting like I haven’t been MIA for months, but it seemed rude.
For those of you wondering (and no, it’s not my ego talking; I did a search to see what nasty things y’all were saying behind my back…then I remembered what board this is and how lovely y’all are), yes, I took an unannounced hiatus for a while. I had a few things on my mind, including a divorce, a move, starting nursing school and holding my new sweetie’s hand for emergency surgery…all during one week in September. I decided The Universe was shaking me up a bit to pay attention to “real life” (note: it can be pretty awesome when you pay attention!) and maybe spend a little less time on message boards and their attendant drama. Since I’m so terrible at self-restraint, “a little less time” really called for quitting cold turkey for some time.
I do sincerely apologize for not saying good-bye, but it was an ugly time on the Dope and I didn’t want to field accusations of attention whoring. I’m so sorry if I left conversations incomplete or friendships a bit bruised. I really needed to be selfish and focus on me for a bit.
I’m through my first year of nursing school now, so I have a lot of new information to bore you all with! I have the most wonderful fiance in the universe, and I’ve never been so happy in my life. My daughter is doing well after a rough couple of months with the divorce thing and getting excited about kindergarten in the fall. My ex and I are getting along SO much better now that we’re not living together…it’s really been the best divorce ever! Son is doing awesomely at DeVry’s Advantage Academy in high school/college and couldn’t be happier.
Sounds like you’ve been having a rough time, but I’m glad to hear things are looking up for you again. I’ve been thinking about your little one, I remember when she was a 24-week premie!
We missed you! Every so often a zombie thread would get revived and I wouldn’t realize it and I’d see you in it and think, hey, WhyNot is back! And it would be a cruel lie.
I did, I did! I missed so many of you. Heck, I even missed the new Dopers I haven’t met yet!
Good point, Wilbo523. I guess I didn’t express that well - I feared a “bye, y’all” thread would keep me pulled in defending myself when what I needed to do was walk away. Now, I’m quite happy to embrace the attention whore label. Let me know when you need some attention and I’ll return the favor.
Very happy to have you back, WhyNot. I wondered what happened and I hope your life is a rolling along more smoothly than it was when you left. Maybe I was reading the wrong threads but I thought of you as an asset to the board and someone who could be counted on for a sound, sensible perspective on things.
You don’t know me either, but strangely enough just a few days ago I was wondering what happened to you. You were always one to offer very grounded and astute advice.
Actually, some stuff has happened, although whether you missed it or not is unknown. Q.E.D. and LiveOnAPlane passed away, and possibly others as outlined in the memorial thread.
