I wonder if it would scare the newbies if they still listed our join dates. I miss a locale and that date. H got me into CC when son was looking at schools but he dropped out when son was done. Nice to see others around longer than me ('06) and with older kids as well- although I’m probably older than they are. But- there have been Medicare related cafe threads.
Don’t know how I missed this thread. Thanks @VeryHappy. I joined CC right after our son was accepted to prep school looking for a community we didn’t have at home. I didn’t venture beyond the prep forums for years where I made some fabulous and, in a couple of cases, sure-to-be-lifelong friends. Several of us have met IRL, and one acted in loco parentis for us while our son was across the country in CT. I am forever grateful to her and count her as one of my dearest friends. I also picked up a virtual son in @skieurope who began his prep journey the same year as our kiddo and who often wondered if his mother was messing with him under my username. (Ignorance is bliss, ski. 
We miss you.)
Once our son went to USMA, I thought I’d switch over to serviceacademyforums.com, but quickly realized that my herd is here. I keep saying that it’s time to leave, but I’ve found that CC often feels more like family than blood family, and I just can’t look away. I’m here almost every day to listen to the chatter, get some perspective, occasionally add a thought, brag, get something off my chest, miscellaneously ramble (thanks, @SevenDad), consider how much/when to retire, and down a few in Sinner’s Alley. Pretty much any topic I’m interested in tuning in to is right here explored by distinct and familiar voices I think of as friends.
This community no longer feels virtual to me at all. I’m kidding myself if I think I’m leaving anytime soon or have better things to do. From coffee in the morning to martinis in the evening, CC is by my side. I appreciate you all. Cheers!
You are serving martinis? Bombay Sapphire with a twist, please.
I sometimes ask one of my kids something as a fact check and they’ll give me an answer then ask, “Why do you want to know?”
“Umm, for a friend.”
“Oh, those friends.” They definitely find the fact that I consider CC a community of friends amusing.
I’ve met a couple of CC friends IRL at college events. It was fun to match a face with an on-line persona.
Our son used to roll his eyes every time I referenced CC saying, “Mom! You know every one of those people is some form of pasty-skinned old guy in a dirty wife-beater holed up in a dank basement, right?” Until one of those “losers” came to his rescue early in his boarding school years. “What’s that, son? I can’t hear you. You’re mumbling.”
I husband makes a little fun of my CC friends. He knows I get lots of valuable information here though.
We stopped by for a short visit with @marian and her husband when we were in San Diego, and seeing they are “normal people” made him feel good too.
@1214mom - People keep calling me Marian :(. But a relief to know your husband found us to be normal ;).
OOps… @Marilyn, I am so sorry. I know your name is Marilyn.
Hope you found us normal too. We were talking within the last couple of days about how nice it was that you invited us to visit while we were there.
I wish we could plan another trip… hopefully soon.
I am sure I have mentioned this before, but hey, I am old and can’t remember anything! When my husband and I are having a discussion with more than one opinion, he will say, “what do your friends on CC say,” or “post on CC and see what people say.”
I was supposed to be at that luncheon in NYC but I think it snowed or something. Instead, another CCer and I had lunch more local to where we both live.
I’ve met way more than a handful of you all IRL. My DD gave private college tours to several CC families when they were looking at undergrad schools (and she appreciated the nice dinners you took her to in return).
My kid’s first private instrument teacher in college was a member of CC. In fact, we found DDs college by me posting a query about colleges in CA. Carolyn answered, and gave me a list of choices…one of which was THE school.
It’s been almost two months since my regularly scheduled lunch with a CC member. We have found some real gem restaurants located between where we live…and nearby to each if us. I sure hope we can resume that someday…
Oh, I also miss Pizza Girl. We had a few private conversations before she was banned. I always enjoyed her perspectives—she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind.
I’m a newbie: 2011.
I thought the TOS prohibited discussion of individual members, but there are many names I remember who no longer seem to post. It is a bit of a loss every time I realize there is someone who I no longer hear from. I wish there were a way to get updates on why someone was banned or left.
DH and both sons have come to appreciate the info I get on CC. And my sister loves to lurk in the Book Club discussions. (Thanks, @Mary13! You have an even broader audience than you know!)