It can be a small form of mental therapy to unload on people who don’t know you personally, even if it’s just to get your worries off your chest for a little while. Releasing that angst can help, in a small way, to settle you and enable you to pick your chin up and face the world and life.
You/We are not alone. I tell myself this quite often. Especially when I’m trapped under the covers between two handsome young men. 
You’ll find that’s not a certainty–humans are masters of adapting and adjusting and you’ll find things you can enjoy on your own terms once you’ve processed the grief of losing the boat dream.
I’m currently home after an 8 day stay in the hospital which included a pretty invasive left leg surgery. Right now I’m hanging out waiting for the next surgery. IRL people keep bringing me some great food and treats and here at HO everybody has been very supportive and just losing myself in the community has been nice.
Of course, no one has brought me what I really want–a pack of cigarettes 
But I’ll take that as a sign that they really do want me to stick around for the long run rather than just be happy this week 
Ouch! Sorry to hear this, but glad you’ve had IRL and virtual support. Hope recovery is quick!
Now that’s a great perspective on life 
A girl can dream, can’t she? 
Thank you very much. Having been out of the US continuously since July 2009, I’ve lost a lot of contact with friends and society in general. I’ve contacted some people only to find out they have changed their email addresses, etc. It’s hard to make new friends at 60 years old…especially in a city like Las Vegas,
As for your 2 adorable gentleman, my sister’s nearly 19 year old cat, “Coco” wakes me nearly every morning to change her water…if I don’t, she won’t stop meowing…and I swear that she has learned how to say my name! Unfortunately Coco seems to be in the beginning stages of dementia and is also becoming incontinent. I nag my sister to keep Coco’s cat box clean and that seems to be helping the second part. Coco is cute and I do like her, but I’m MUCH MORE of a dog person than a cat one.
Coco’s a cutie. And she obviously knows an easy mark when she meets one and wants an early morning drink
LOL, that first picture freaked me out a little at first because his face looks very similar to the guy in my avatar and he is on top of what looks like one of my bedspreads. I thought, “what the heck, the bitch stole my picture.” Then I remembered that he died before I had that bedspread.
Whew . . . I’d hate to think @LindaWhit was a homewrecker 
Coco is gorgeous, and she looks amazing for 19 cat years!
We care. And, although we may not have met in person that doesn’t make us strangers. This is a fine group with kind, helpful people and great moderators. Retro- you’re one of the best.
LOL! Nope, that’s my Finnegan (Murphy in the other picture is the new kid in town). And that’s actually a sofa cover I fold up on the back of the couch when I’m home and it gets folded down to cover the cushions when I’m not here. (Because buff orange cats and berry red sofa don’t mix.) Although Finn will worm his way under that tucked in cover to nap the day away in the middle of winter when I’ve turned the heat down when I’m at work. 
Remember the best and forget the rest. You gave her a good home.
I quit smoking (tobacco) in 2012, and today, for some reason, I walked out of one of my own doctor’s appointments gripped with the desire for one of my beloved Marlboro 100s. Something’s afoot.
The grip is strong. I’m only on day 15, but forget the pack . . . I’d take just one cigarette. Kind of a bummer that you’re not the only person I know who still has that occasional craving 10+ years later
I’m sure if I actually smoked a cigarette, I would find it unpleasant. But I don’t mind walking past a smoker on the street every so often.
I partake in the occasional cigarette (2 at ladies night Monday), but thankfully I’ve reached the point where it doesn’t make me want to smoke ALL the time anymore, and I absolutely despise the smell out of context, e.g. walking to a Berlin bakery in the morning behind someone smoking 
But booze & tobacco are a happy couple, even to this 99% former smoker, even tho they pretty much do taste like ass now (even menthol, which is about all I can muster), and the nicotine buzz is rather disappointing each time.
One of the Jammys junior is going in for surgery on Friday. Trying to project calm and optimism in spite of my own guts churning and heart pounding. I’d feel less stressed if it was me.
Best wishes for junior 
And hoping jammy can keep all calm and optimistic 
Thank you. Everyone here should be much less stressed by tomorrow afternoon.
