Community Chat

[Cakers3]

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@Stars in my eyes wrote:

I've been reading on  and off for years.  One of the first threads I read was a thread for widows.  Two posters went on it and accused the woman who  started that thread of not being a widow because she had never married.  That was their startingg point.  They reached heights of cruelty that lefft me in shock.  That could never happen now.  Change can be good.

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@Stars in my eyes  Bobbie Sue's thread? I know there were two widow threads but I did not read them; just a skim through once in a bit.

Bobbie Sue took some "hits" from time to time. I emailed offline with her for a time before she passed away.

[Cakers3]

I joined in 2007and  also had the sign up changed to 2010 with the upgrade at the time. Post counts dropped too.

It was a mess, too. Real names were showing up and some of us had nics belonging to other posters and accounts that were not ours!!! I closed my

account immediately and opened a new one after a few weeks when things straightened out.

The biggest issue was politics and once you disagreed that was the end of it for some posters, and that went for both sides. Some threads would be removed but there were no regular mods back then.

Some had each other's log in and password info so there would be 24/7 constant attacks since "shifts" were taken. Seriously.

I made many friends offline when we could share emails. So many good people; some are still in touch, some drifted away, some passed away, and even a few I tussled with actually became good friends later on.

[Cakers3]

Overall the changes are good or not depending upon how one views the forum and learns to just take things as they are.

Not always easy.

Good support systems most times, too.

[Cakers3]

Oh and I remember our Friday night "parties". Those were fun and easy with no drama.

[SandySparkles]

@Cakers3 Welcome!🥰 My jaw dropped as I read your post!😮 Several posters have shared stories about  the "good ole ' days", but none were quite as concerning as this information.😁 I woud have been beside myself then with worry knowing that people had access to ALL that information.😊

It is interesting that all these years later, politics STILL polarize the Forums. I wish those conversations could remain civil because I actually ENJOY discussing events affecting our country AND the world. Perhaps one day...🤔

There are a few posters I would LOVE❤ to meet in person after having communicated with them here through the years.😊

I believe what you say regarding "shifts", because I see a version of it now!👍 

THANK you SO much for caring to share your story this evening! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!🤗

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

[SandySparkles]

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@Cakers3 wrote:

Overall the changes are good or not depending upon how one views the forum and learns to just take things as they are.

Not always easy.

Good support systems most times, too.

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@Cakers3 Welcome back!🥰  I WHOLEHEARTEDLY concur! I like the Forums as they are today, and the moderation in place.👍 I do however, think it is sad when I see a poster so bullied, that they leave and come under another nic. As you said, it is not always easy for some.😊

THANK you for revisiting and sharing your perspective this evening!🤗

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

[Kitty Galore]

I don't recall exactly but it was when the forum first started , maybe 2005 ?  Anyone know what year it started ?  In fact it was when the old fourum was here before they overhauled it to this new one .  The year registered is only for this newer forum .

[SandySparkles]

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@Kitty Galore wrote:

I don't recall exactly but it was when the forum first started , maybe 2005 ?  Anyone know what year it started ?  In fact it was when the old fourum was here before they overhauled it to this new one .  The year registered is only for this newer forum .

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@Kitty Galore Welcome!🥰  WOW! The stories you could tell... If you wrote a book I would buy it because it would be a Forum BLOCKBUSTER!!😁

THANK you SO much for caring to share today!🤗

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

[SandySparkles]

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@Coastalcarolina wrote:

I first posted in 2017.  It was the pet forums.  My sweet little pup was very sick.  There wasn't anyone I could talk with that could understand my pain.  I came here looking for like hearted people who prayed for her.

 I tried to be kind and helpful when posting. I also liked to kid around sometimes on different topics.  There was only one person that I unfortunately got into an argument with.  I apologized and decided that was not who I am.

But lately, it has become very uncomfortable at times reading some of the posts here.  I know that our words hold a great deal of power.  So I am trying to remember not to get involved if it goes awry.  There is this old saying that says "if you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch".  So I do.😂

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@Coastalcarolina Welcome!🥰  My apologies for the late response, but I missed your post initially.😊 I think it is WONDERFUL that you took the high road, and always try to be kind because it never benefits anyone to engage when discourse becomes contentious, with no end of a peaceful resolution in sight. Words have a TREMENDOUS amount of power, and can cut as deep as a dagger! 🥰 Some posts have become more ascerbic, but THANKFULLY most remain positive, and civil💝! 

I LOVE❤  your old saying!😂😂

THANK you SO much for caring to share your perspective!🤗

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

[SandySparkles]

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@Shihtzursqmom wrote:
I don’t remember when I first joined but it was probably around 2007/08 I’m not sure how I found the forums I enjoyed posting and even exchanged emails with a couple friends I made here
I posted for several years until one day a topic I was posting on turned really toxic
I remember getting so angry at one poster for attacking my friends and I and the horrible things she was saying even cursing then it occurred to me why am letting this stranger get me so upset
I don’t know anything about her life or what she might be going through nor does she know me

I decided I was spending way too much time on the computer I left I forgot about the forums until last year I saw the forums and blog and decided to check it out again
I had forgotten all my old information and had to start all over
The forums has definitely changed
Haddon9 I remember the crafts I didn’t really participate but I made cards and did scrapbooks also

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@Shihtzursqmom Welcome!🥰 My apologies for this late response but I have missed a few posts!❤ I am SO sorry you had that unfortunate experience!😔 Unfortunately, yours is a familiar story I am learning. I think it was WISE for you to take a break if it was that toxic for you, but am happy you returned to once again ENJOY the Forums!🤞😁

THANK you SO much for caring to share your perspective!🤗

~~~All we need is LOVE💖