Gold Stars

[Kaycee]

I think we are missing someone very special in this thread, and that is ourselves.

We have each and every one of us taken the initiative to make ourselves better and I think the top gold medal should go to ourselves, for insistance and perserverance in beginning a new life that has probably been fraught with more pitfalls than each of us imagined. But we still pick up ourselves and keep on going.

We are all stars in our own rights.

Catherine

[Rachel--24]

I just want to say that this thread makes me happy. Let's keep this going.

Yeah....this thread is a very happy thread. Thanks for starting it Laura.

I just have to say that every single person who has struggled right along with me, offered support and encouragement, shared laughter and tears, experiences and wisdom....every last one of you has given me strength and determination. One BIG gold star for all the people who make Rachelville a place for "healing" and comfort. Without you guys I would be lost....

I cant possibly list all of you and I dont wanna leave anyone unmentioned but just know you are all in my heart.

Thanks for being there.

We are all stars in our own rights.

Well said Catherine!

[lovegrov]

"Lovegrov, aka Richard. For always jumping in with a definitive answer on ingredients. I have appreciated your posts so much."

Thank you, although I can't claim to always be definitive. Sometimes all I can do is give my opinion.

As you've been gluten-free longer and you stay on lists the questions get repetitive and some of the the answers seemingly obvious, but us "veterans" must look back and remember when we had no clue at all. I got great help from the Internet, but I wish I had then the info we have now. Life would have been simpler. So I feel that folks who have been doing this for a while should pay back. You see it here and you see it a great deal on the delphi forum.

I'm sorry to go off-topic, but I also have to say that my online communities have been so incredibly helpful in non-celiac and non-editing (my other big community) ways since January 2005. Thanks so much.

richard

[dlp252]

I too am afraid of forgetting someone, but have to say that I have really been helped by so many here. Of course, by ALL the posters on the OMG/Rachelville thread for their support, friendship and laughter and my goodness, to Rachel--24, who has practically given me all her doctors, lol.

But there are others who probably wouldn't have any idea they've helped me: Nini, Tarnalberry, Vyderscope, Penguin and so many many more who have regularly answered most of my newbie questions.

I'm so sorry if I've forgotten anyone!!! Thanks to all who help!

[Canadian Karen]

I'm sorry to go off-topic, but I also have to say that my online communities have been so incredibly helpful in non-celiac and non-editing (my other big community) ways since January 2005. Thanks so much.

richard

I was thinking of you the other day, Richard, knowing that January is coming up. Said a prayer for you! You hold a special place in my heart!

Hugs.

Karen

[Guest Robbin]

This is indeed a very wonderful, happy thread!!!

I wish to thank-Celia (the sunshine girl) -Judy ( my flower girl) -Rinne (Ms. Stylin) -Rachel (the research scientist) -Susan (our funny girl)-Lollie ( Inspirational sweetness), Laurie (Lorka -whirlwind chef!) you are such wonderful, supportive friends and I honestly don't know what I would do without you!

When I was a newbie, I was so thankful too for the help and support in those scary first weeks from Nini, Karen, Lynne, Ursula, Patti, mommagoose, Vincent, Tiffany, Steve, Armetta, and celiac3270. You were all so helpful to me and continue to be an inspiration.

Andrea-you are a kind person and it shows in all you post to everyone, thank you for being you.

Bev, you are funny, kind, and it is a pleasure to know you and have your insight on here. What a great cheerleader you are.

Penguin, what can I say? I miss you kiddo and your threads on Hate, hate and Love, love were brilliant.

Anyone I missed, it was not intentional--you are all a great group of people and it is an honor to know you.

[tarnalberry]

I can't post names, 'cause I'll forget someone and add five more posts saying "oh god, I forgot this person", and feel really guilty about it. Really, it's everyone. We all learn so much from each other, and we stick with each other through the good days and the bad and the eh-whatevers.

gold stars for everyone. well, whatever color star you want!

[Nantzie]

Wow! There are so many people who have helped me. Either directly by answering a questions, or indirectly when I was pouring through the archives. There are people who make me laugh, people who are just plain nice, and people who are fellow information junkies.

Have you ever been a part of a big group where you just feel at home? Whether it's a period of your school or college life, your place of worship, your family, your neighborhood or an expanded group of friends. The whole group wouldn't be the same without everyone in it.

I love this place. And everyone in it.

Hugs to everybody!!!

Nancy

[2kids4me]

I cant begin to tell you how this forum has helped me - I too would forget someone! It seems that no matter what issue you struggle with or deal with - someone here will post and say "me too" or I know what that's like -and they really do.

I always felt alone in dealing with multiple issues and each time a new diagnosis came up - some family member or friend or the doctor would suggest joining a support group - so which one would I choose - do I attend the diabetes group, the autism one, the kawsaki one?....sometimes I would reply - well, if you know of a support group for parents of a diabetic celiac who has a sibling with hypothyroidism, celiac, Aspergers, allergies and heart damage from Kawasaki - sign me up. Oh and find me one where the parent has multiple medical issues too.

Now I know where to send anyone like that - HERE.

This has been a Godsend in so many ways, had me laughing, crying and feeling a part of it all. Found excellent resources and lots of smart and empathetic souls.

THANK YOU

[jkmunchkin]

Patti and mamaw definitely earn gold stars from me, plus they're local gals!

Also, Jillian and mookie (Stef), though we don't see her around as much these days. One day I WILL have a fudgie eating contest with those New York girls!

Also Armetta and everyone else who generously sponsored me in my walk for Celiac disease. They're openness to reach out to someone they don't even know really touched me.

You all are fabulous, I could go on, and on....

- Lauren

Awwww, thanks!!! Fudgie contest.... BRING IT ON!!! LOL!!

There are so many people on this board that have helped me tremendously. Without this site I think I'd be eating dirt and worms. Worms are gluten free right?

There are so many people that deserve gold stars. I think I need to give a special one to Canadian Karen. She has such an amazing sense of humor, and always knows how to make me laugh. I'll never be able to look at Altoids the same.

[Canadian Karen]

Awwww, thanks!!! Fudgie contest.... BRING IT ON!!! LOL!!

There are so many people on this board that have helped me tremendously. Without this site I think I'd be eating dirt and worms. Worms are gluten free right?

There are so many people that deserve gold stars. I think I need to give a special one to Canadian Karen. She has such an amazing sense of humor, and always knows how to make me laugh. I'll never be able to look at Altoids the same.

Aww shucks, I'm sitting here blushing! Thanks Jillian....

Laughter truly is the best medicine, I am a firm believer of that.

I get a great sense of satisfaction knowing that I somehow brightened someone's day. That's what makes the world go around!

Hugs to all,

Karen

[evie]

I am so glad this thread was started!! About 6 weeks after my diagnosis and as a VERY sick Celiac my daughter got me checked into this forum and I have been getting better ever since. I have learned so much from so many of you folks, so many generous people who are celiac too and soo generous with your knowledge. Much of it from experience and some from your research ( the fantastic scientificness). Some I learned from no longer post here, anyway I do not see them but there are so many I will not post any names, might leave someone out. In my early days I had many questions here that nearly always got an answer from someone, you took the time to help me out. I want to give a HUGE thank you to you all for helping me as well as so many other people and I am so glad I have made so many new internet friends.

I will do my best to help when I have info I can pass on to someone needing help too. Many hugs xxx evie

[Rusla]

To everyone on this list; without you I would have been no where at all. I would have been lost, if not for all of you. Your support means everything and has meant everything to me. All of you are the most wonderful people. I will not mention names because I would likely miss someone and then I would feel like a bum. Just know that in just over a month it marks my one year gluten-free and all of you helped me through it whether you knew or not.

Hogs and gluten-free Quiches to all!

[melie]

Hi Y'all!

I have not posted much but I read the boards every day and get so much info and inspiration from you all! I am so new at all of this, and this disease can be so isolating and depressing at times, and I am so thankful to have found a place where people UNDERSTAND!!!!

Yay us!

As Rusla said, each of you is helping someone whether you know it or not! I'm just trying to let you know, and tell you that I am grateful to you all.

Melie

[Green12]

I guess I still consider myself a newbie because I don't think I have been here all that long. I just remember when I did stumble on to this board, which I didn't even know existed, it was like a godsend! There were a handful of people, who probably don't even realize, that answered my posts like Jenvan, Rusla, Jerseyangel (Patti ) Ursula, Rachel, tarnalbery, Vincent, Carriefaith, Canadian Karen, and so many others, that they really made a difference, either with a simple welcome, an answer to a question, or just to offer a kind word of support, to share their experience, or a heartfelt "good luck" with finding an answer.

Special thanks and to all my partners in scientificness in the OMG thread , past and present, Rachel, Donna, Andrea, Dingo Girl Susie, rinne, mia mia, Patti, Beverly, Mango, Carla, Laura, Chelse, Floridian, Vincent, evie, Cissie, Robbin, nikki UK, Fiddle Faddle, Judy, Calicat, Molly, Dani, anyone else I am forgetting, anyone and everyone who just stopped through to anyone and everyone who has stayed the course....thanks for the humor and the support, the persistance and perseverance to keep fighting to find the answers for better health for us all.

And Rachel, truly and inspiration as many others have stated, thank you for sharing your experiences and for reaching out to others who are in the same boat, giving us all hope as we share, and ride along side, in your journey.

Patti you are right, this does feel like the Academy Awards

[happygirl]

So I was sitting at Johns Hopkins today-had a big app't, plus had a CT scan, blood work, etc. I had time to think and I thought about how we all owe Scott (admin) ANOTHER round of thanks. Even though my "issues" are now beyond Celiac, I would not have learned so much about myself, my body, my health, the medical profession, and the fact that I need to be my best advocate (well, me and my mom! ha!) for my health.

So, Scott most certainly gets a big gold star for giving me---and all of us----our lives back, even if it is beyond "just Celiac."

[Mtndog]

What a great idea for a thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So many peope to thank....when I first came on I was subsisting on peanut butter (no lie).

Richard (lovegrov), Kaiti and celiac3270, Candian Karen- jumped right in with all they could do to help me.

And Karen al ways made me laugh my butt of while doing it.

MommaGoose who taught me NOT to let celiac control me.

Tarnalberry who was always so good at helping me trouble shoot and problem solve!

Then- people who have grown to feel like sisters- Lynne, Armetta, Judy, DingBat girl patti, JulieM, Rachel, Jen van

Nisla- For always cracking me up! And having a newbie survival kit. How rocking is that?

This is worse than the academy awards because there is now some guy (looks like Richard aka tricticus Toxicum) dragging me off stage with a staff.

Honestly- you all get gold, silver or platinum stars. And respect and admiration.

[Guhlia]

Judy and Patti... You two give me such inspiration. Lovegrov, Tarnalberry, Vydorscope, Ursula... I can always count on one of the four of you having an answer to my questions. There are so many others that I can't even begin to name everyone. At some point, sometime, almost everyone on this forum has given me useful advice, posted a question that I learned from via the answers, or made me laugh... Thank you to all!

[Mtndog]

Oh... and i LOVE Rusla's way with words (fish flapping in her panties)

[lonewolf]

I'd leave out too many names if I tried, so I'll just say thank you to all the people who have done scientific type research that has saved me precious time. And I love all the laughter and fun. I'm pretty reserved, so it's fun to come on here and read about how wild and crazy some of you are!

[CarlaB]

I'd leave out too many names if I tried, so I'll just say thank you to all the people who have done scientific type research that has saved me precious time. And I love all the laughter and fun. I'm pretty reserved, so it's fun to come on here and read about how wild and crazy some of you are!

We're all talk!!!

[TriticusToxicum]

This is worse than the academy awards because there is now some guy (looks like Richard aka tricticus Toxicum) dragging me off stage with a staff.

Honestly- you all get gold, silver or platinum stars. And respect and admiration.

I didn't get the HOOK-MAN memo.

I don't think this award show needs one. The more people that are lauded the better! Gold stars to everyone! A nice round of applause for all the Rachevillians.

BTW - you forgot to say "...You like me, you REALLY LIKE ME!" (Sally Fields)

[jerseyangel]

BTW - you forgot to say "...You like me, you REALLY LIKE ME!" (Sally Fields)

Richard--

You, hands down, deserve the gold star for day-brightening!

[Mtndog]

Absolutely!

Oh yeah "You like me....you really like me"

[TriticusToxicum]

Richard--

You, hands down, deserve the gold star for day-brightening!

...you like me, YOU REALLY LIKE ME!

I'd like to take a moment and thank and pass out stars to some of the more frequent victims of my silliness - without you all I'd be a mime trapped in a box ...To Carla B for continuing to open up the links I post (even after the feet )...MtnDog (my long lost sister (?)) for helping track down Trigger (or Champ?)...DingoGirl for being goofier than even i am...All the 40-Something's (ish's too) for a good beat-down once in a while ...all the naughty knitters...nikkiUK because she likes Ren & Stimpy too ...jerseyAngel for being LOST with me...anybody who has ever frisked the wookie...and to everybody else I forgot to mention I'm sorry

Keep up the good work!

Carry on!