BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!

Subject: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Áine
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:08 PM

No, Dear Hubby and I are still together (and happier than we've ever been in the past 14 years!!) -- Today, I signed the papers selling my (deceased) parents' house . . . yes, the house I grew up in (for the most part, but that's another story). I didn't make any 'real' money out of the deal; but, I feel an immense sense of freedom from some very bad memories and the weight of the past that has hung on my shoulders for *&%#4@ years.

Yes, it is the FINAL break with my past -- and the wonderful thing is -- I DON'T FEEL GUILTY AT ALL!!. And the major reason why I'm not burdened with those Dickensonian chains is the love and support I've received from all you wonderful 'Catters over the last few years.

You've all helped me 'grow up', as it were, and face this strange, ever-changing world with a new soul and a strong heart, and enough courage to take on anything. 'Thank you' just doesn't cover how I feel about the folks here, so -- Let's have the best virtual I've Finally Cut The Feckin' Apron Strings' party the world has ever seen!!

I'm FREE, damn it, and it's time to dance on the grave of the past -- So, who's gonna bring the beer? ;-)

Let's Roll, Mudcatters!!, Áine

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: CapriUni
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:16 PM

YaY Aine!!! Here's to dropping old burdens!

The only beer I drink is ginger beer. So I'll bring that, okay?

And of course, the Chocolate!!!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:17 PM

Aine, I'm new here (but having loads of fun), and so don't know your story, but shaking the dirt of the past off one's feet & forging bravely ahead is a recurrent theme in my own life lately, so congratulations, and all the best!

(I sold the first house my husband & I owned last year, after renting it to a series of tenants good & bad, and while it was at a $$$ loss, I can at least relate to the sense of a weight being lifted off your shoulders---at that point, I'd have paid them to take it just so I wouldn't have to think about it any longer!!!)

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:17 PM

Beer? Aine, this calls for champagne. I too am dancing - just sold my home of 21 years after agonizing over all the implications. I signed the papers without a single doubt or regret. I am moving on.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: GUEST,chordstrangler
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:18 PM

Well done Aine...We are proud of you. Love M.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:21 PM

Hey!! Hey!! That's Da Way!!

You're a scrapper, TGG, and bustin out all over!!

Congratulations!!!

A.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:24 PM

We shall sing Joy to the rafters
Dance Oregon-trail-like ruts in the floor
Wrap her up in our quilt made of Love
And celebrate her freedom while we stomp out the past!!

Oh, Joy, Joy, Joy!! Darlin', you don't know HOW much this lghtens m'heart!!! GOOD for you!!!!!

LUVYAkat!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Morticia
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:27 PM

Dancing a happy little freedom jig here in your honour,Aine.I'm a ways behind you on this issue but catching up, I hope.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: MMario
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:28 PM

a sense of freedom from bad memories

THAT alone would be worth hoisting a glass or two!

Slainte!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:28 PM

Took me too long and I missed yours, Sins, before I hit submit. GOOD for you, too! Glad the signing went off okay!! If all this rubs off, there's hope for me, too, eh?**BG**

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: GUEST,SharonA on vacation, checkin' in
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:32 PM

I'm with Desdemona; I don't know the history behind all this, but cutting the apron strings without guilt CAIN'T be bad!!! Congratulations... and let freedom ring!!!!!

A virtual glass of champagne has been drunk in your honor. (...and you should see the way them drunken glasses carry on!)

Sharon

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:35 PM

YAYYY, Aine! I know the feeling--I was executor for my mom's estate and while it didn't have any Real Propery (just personal) and not a lot of Old Baggage, the settling up got pretty acrimonious at times...........I'll bring the Mumms, jeroboams of it!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Giac
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 06:35 PM

It's been more than 30 years since I cut the shackles, but I sure remember how good it felt! Happy for you Áine, and you, Sins. Few things drag one down like a houseful of bad memories.

Mary - doing a happy dance and toasting your futures.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: JenEllen
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 07:11 PM

Oh goils! Such good news!

Aine, from one red-headed texan wenchlette to another, I am so very proud of you!!! With the past dealt with and done, y'all can give full attention to your futures. Wonderful.

Sins, does this mean that the felines will have to move too? Or did you write the cats into the fine print? (dammit, she says, I knew I forgot somethin') I am equally proud of you, and endlessly happy to know you are getting a new start.

You women have got your dancing from up here in the mountain snow, and as part of my Secret Santa, I got a big ol' jug of lime juice and a super secret margarita recipe. You gals party like you've ditched a house, an' I'll pour!

Love you all the way to the sky,
~Jen

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 07:23 PM

Congrates. I went through selling a house that was owned by my late wife, Judy, so I know the absolute joy you feel. There are times in life when is not only time but appropriate to move on. Yeah, crack open a bottle of bubbly stuff and you're allowed to go out in the yard, do the "eagle rock" and howl at the moon.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: breezy
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 07:28 PM

no more night sweats with the worry!Thats how it had affected me, especially the moonlit flit of tenants from , then back to S Africa.The fewer the chains the lesser the burden.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 07:36 PM

Congratulations! I don't know all the implications, but if you feel this good, it can't be bad. I'll hoist a glass to your you and your future and wish you all the best 'cuz you deserve it.

Here's to life!

And to our noble selves -- there's damned few of us left.

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 08:08 PM

Aw rats......Out with the Cub Scouts and I missed the start of the party......but I can catch up!!!

Aine my dear, I know what this must mean to you and dance on that grave til the cows come home!!!! What the hell time do cows come home? Whatever it is, may there be dancing in the streets, singing in the salon, and necking in the parlor.......I'll be in the parlor BTW.

Sins love......Moving on is exactly right and moving forward or backward makes no difference because the motion is all that matters!! Come on and sit here with me in the parlor!!!

My honest and most sincere congratulations to you both....Exciting times!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: John Routledge
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 09:02 PM

Emotional baggage is far more difficult to get rid of than physical baggage. It also holds you back even more.

Well done Aine - enjoy your journey forward.

Cheers with virtual non-alcoholic champagne!! Geordie John

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: alison
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 09:08 PM

congratulations both of you

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 09:36 PM

Spaw - the parlor is in the "Four and Twenty Blackbirds" thread. As usual, you are all screwed up.I wouldn't go in there right now. The Queen lost count and is screaming "Off with their heads" while Micca is trying to herd the flamingoes out the door. Total chaos. Come out in the woods and have a little bubbly with us. By the way, when are the Wenchette auditions? Or do you have to be a member of the clique to get in? Got to go...Aine is starting a Hank Williams sing around..."Take these chains from my heart and set me free..."

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 09:44 PM

Followed closely by "Why can't I free your doubtful mind, and melt your cold, cold heart...?"

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 10:00 PM

Put it out on the Wenchnet!! Spaw is setting up auditions "Mudcat Spaw and the Wenchettes"!!! LOL. He'll play mountain dulcimer and Kat, Jen and Aine will boogie in front in special T-shirts promoting the Temple of the Golden Globes and singing a new song called "Round, Round, Round, Come Around" followed by their own adaptation of "It's What's Up Front that Counts".

A

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: JennieG
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 10:59 PM

Goodonya!! been there and done that too. It's a great feeling when all is settled and you can kiss the past goodbye. I am just about to brew an industrial strength coffee (the only way to drink the stuff IMHO) and I will toast you in caffeine.
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 11:19 PM

Auditions? Somebody say auditions? Where? When? Can I? Can I? I is a good Wrenchette, I is........(is that a 1/2" drive or 3/8"?) Oh, you said "Wench", not "wrench".......nevah mind.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 11:25 PM

Congratulations, Áine. Had much the same thing this year, without the "burdens." But I'm glad you're free. Can I have a raincheck, and have the celebratory drink with you in March when I'm down at the NTIF? I'm sure ol' Jed Marum would be pleased to help, and Guinneschik as well. Nollaig Shona duit, a chara.
Seamus

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 01:20 AM

Congratulations Aine, I know almost nothing of the path your life has taken, but I sure know that feeling of sudden freedom. It's marvelous, and I'm very happy for you.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 01:51 AM

Sorcha! You are definitely part of the Wench Net! Sins, you, too, Bat Goddess, come'on, ya'll, kick yer heels and party hardy!!

And, we'll also sing this one, just for the guys, "Size doesn't matter" by our own Beloved Bert!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 01:58 AM

Goodto know it's possible. I still have a few bits hanging on, but soon.... soon!!!

Congratulations, go live for the future now, it's the 0ic*-+9 undiscovered country and is infinitely better than living the past. (Music link there......) and Max(imus Gluteous tthe cat) just sat on the keyboard, so he's happy for you too.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 01:58 AM

(kat, what the hell you doing still up?--grin) My back hurts too bad to sleep.

R U Telling Me I is a WenchNet??? wow, man, like wow. Khul. WenchNet--that is whut I throw out to catch wenches, no? NO? awwwww, guess I'll settle for being a Wrenchett. I can still do High Kicks and toe touches....

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 06:37 AM

Another Wench checking it to lift a glass for both Aine and Sinsull - cheers for moving on! I know how good it is!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: PeteBoom
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 08:10 AM

Better late then never - Here's a bottle of Talisker, 10 yr old single malt - I'm not fergettin' the Irish, Mick - here's a bottle of Bushmill's single malt - try it, you'll like it. REALLY. (I now prefer it over Jameson's, next step is convincing Bill to carry it at the Office...)

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 09:28 AM

HOLD IT RIGHT THERE, WENCHES, WENCHETTES, AND OTHER ASSORTED LADIES!!!! It seems to me that any gathering of such import, and to celebrate such an auspicious and life changing event should include a visit to the temple for instruction and practice in the ancient and noble fertility rites. I would be willing to work overtime to accomplish this, purely from the sense of civic responsibility. Once this is done you could then go about the festivities with no need to concern yourself with doing this later. Waddyasay, eh?LOL.

Congrats, a chara.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 09:32 AM

I'm pickin a tune - "This old house is a gettin' . . . ." and wishing you both the best!

Spaw - out here the cows "come home" exactly at 6 AM and 6 PM for milking time. LOL -

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Áine
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 09:33 AM

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and congrats! I can't figure out which is the best Christmas present I'll receive this year . . . getting shed of some long standing 'baggage', or hearing from so many of my Mudcat friends with their warm wishes. Naw, I know which is the best -- YOU ALL win hands down! '-)

Thanks for coming to my freedom party -- and I'm so happy that I got to share it with Sinsull! Spread the joy, folks!

And a wee note to all those prospective Wenches who have recently joined the Wenchnet -- you all have to bring your own leather bodices and thigh-high boots (feather boas are optional) -- I have the concession for the vaseline, kat is providing the fire extinguishers, Jen is bringing the chocolate chip cookies, and Jackie is bringing the batteries. We are in need of some olive oil, blindfolds, a large plastic sheet, and some rubber gloves. Come on Wenches -- let's party!!!! ;-)

I love you 'Cats - have a great holiday and give yourselves a big hug for me (the Wenches will be providing the snogs, don't ya know!)

-- Áine

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Cappuccino
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 09:41 AM

Excellent - hope your New Year is fresh and exciting.

- Ian B

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Amos
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 11:10 AM

There's ol Mick for ye -- start talking wenches and he goes into that Fertility Rites mantra. Hope springs eternal, Mick!! Keep on plugging!! LOL!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 11:11 AM

Congratulations Aine! Onward and upward!

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 11:57 AM

Sorch you are more than welcome as a Wenchette.....I like a wench that knows a wrench too! Although my overall prefersnce would be for ones with a knowledge of cranks. But a tool is a tool I suppose........except for those who cannot remember whether to stuff their thong in the front or back, in which case it looks about like a 4 mm socket.

Aine, also please include on your "Equipment List" a pair of white socks...........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 12:00 PM

!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!

Happy New Year, Happy New Life, Happy Happy!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Guessed
Date: 20 Dec 01 - 11:17 AM

Yea the only time I could relax in my Mother's company and do things for her without waiting for the "Yes but I'd rather you did **tasks 2-5**" (having already done No1.) was when she was in a coma. Not such bad memories but it does reveal how "duty" can weigh on you.
How does the situation affect your vision of the next generation?

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Amos
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 10:47 AM

I dunno about the next generation, but it would do wonders if the currently parenting generation would learn to say "Good!" and "Thanks" before they start in with the "Yes, But....".

A.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: Wesley S
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 04:17 PM

Congrats Aine - I can relate to your relief. We went through something similar with my moms house earlier this year. It's great to have the albatross removed from around your neck. Here's wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas. May your mandolin come alive in your fingers this year and tell tales of love, mischief, passion and joy.

And if you need a tuxedoed doorman for your wenchnet gathering just PM me. No charge.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: kendall
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 04:28 PM

SINSULL here with an update. As of today, I have an apartment within a mile of the Captain's residence and possibly a car. Kendall will have to give you a blow by blow description of me trying to convince the agents that despite my unemployment and, oh yes, five cats, I am the ideal tenant. All this with him chuckling audibly in the background. We did have fun. And he is behaving admirably...no drinking and driving and no shooting birds and squirrels out of the trees after the neighbors have gone to bed. He says he can't wait for me to leave but he doesn't really mean it.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: gnu
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 04:46 PM

I'll bring the beer as soon as I dump the house my x and I shared for thirteen years. I know a bit of what you feel, first house and all. Some good times, some bad times. Only thing is, I didn't want to sell. Family considerations made it so. However, I've been trying to sell it for what I thought - sentimentally (mentally ?) - it was worth, given that it is an ideal location for raising kids... for 7 months. Sentimantality ain't worth the taxes, the power, the water and sewer, etc, bills. Can't wait til I'm free !

Sinsull... that's great ! I don't really know Kendall's area, but it must be a bit of a change from your last abode. Hope your cats did a few favours for your last landlord before you vacated.

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 07:39 PM

sins dear, when you move try not to hang with the old fart too much although he can probably get you one of the 'Gordon Bok Fans" real cheap......Bok too, I imagine.

Glad to hear the news Luv.....How exciting this is gonna' be! Karen is okay with it because she hasn't seen Maine either and hopefully.........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 01 - 07:44 PM

Sins.....BTW, the package arrived and the boys were overjoyed, as were Mom and Dad. Let me know when you're back in NYC and we'll talk.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: I'm Free! Help Me Celebrate!
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 12:56 AM

Dead Puppys arn't much fun

..............But a dead parent is a reason to riot!!!