Cathy Classics by Cathy Guisewite for November 16, 2014

At my point in life I want all my gifts to have expiration dates stamped on them. If it can’t be eaten or sipped in a few weeks, don’t gift if to me. I will accept gifts that need water and a vase. (and expire after a while) I am an adult and I don’t need gifts anyways. Pick up the tab for lunch once in a while…that’s good. Take the time to send me a nice card. You get the picture.

Omg, Cathy’s parents are too funny…everyone now has everything digital these days…but living without them does make a difference……I should know…….@ viperdude and Lightenup……was in Chile for awhile with Doctors Without Borders, did meet someone…..it didn’t work out…..oh well….then went to eastern Europe for awhile, helped about 25 hospitals in remote areas get better equipment, medicine etc…..then came home to Canada about 4 months ago…..just started at a local clinic…..no more ER’s for me……did lose about 30 pounds in Europe, too much stress, and not eating properly…not much you can do with what was available…I’m glad to be back what’s new with you guys?…..So good to see you guys!! :)

“Text messaging vacuum sweeper”? That’s a new one in my book …

Personally, I’m good with all the technology I use on a regular basis. Other than that, though, things often get ugly.

HI, MOM, and welcome back, K.F.G. Happy Sunday, “Cathy” Clan.

Yeah, I’m probably a grump about gifts too. I’m fortunate enough where I buy whatever I like, and I’m also going through that terrible time where I have to clean out houses and I realize that I have too much stuff. I’d much rather travel or have experiences with loved ones than get more stuff. I feel ungrateful sometimes when I’m hesitant to thank someone for a gift. (I still thank them)Hello Cathy clan! Welcome back, KFG (again)!! I am so happy that you came back to hang out with us again! :-) Sounds like you’ve had many adventures – how exciting! I’m sure it’s hard to tell us all your stories, but I hope you do as you think of them. I guess what’s up with us is that Aaron and Billy are no longer with us, but we don’t know why. 2 years ago in October, they suddenly stopped posting with no explanation. We all speculated for a long time what happened and we even tried to track them down, but without success. We still hope they will come back one day (and now that you have, maybe they will too!).I miss Susan Newman too, but we have a better idea what happened to her. She made a comment one day (not on Cathy) that upset someone and it got her flagged and kicked off. I hope she still reads though and finds a way to return too. There are others that we don’t hear a lot from (kittycatpawsare? AnonaMouse?), but maybe they still read and don’t comment. We have a lot of new friends though and it’s still a nice comic to post on.For me, my husband got a promotion at his job last winter, and we’ve moved to Spain for 3 years. We moved in July, so it’s still a new adventure for us. My kids are at an international school and we’re all creating exciting memories that I never thought would happen. My mom had a stroke last October, so I’ve been trying to deal with that long-distance along with my sister, which is a huge sad part of my life. I guess that’s most of it. GretchensMom will be by probably tomorrow, so she’ll update you too I"m sure.So good to hear from you and hope you come by every day! :-)

I’m hoping for a regular Kindle e-reader this year for Christmas. Hubby got me a Kindle Fire HD last year which I really, really love but it’s impossible to read on it outdoors — even in the shade.

Hi, rgcviper!

Dr. K.F.G.: OMG, girlfriend!!! Welcome back!!!!! It’s been well over 2 years since we last heard from you [I remember because you were already gone to Chile by the time our good friends Aaron and Dr. Billy mysteriously disappeared from here without a trace]. I was just thinking about you the other day because I was looking ahead to December on my calendar and saw your upcoming birthday marked on it. We’ve really missed you and it’s absolutely wonderful having you back here with us again!! Your surprise return has really made my day!!!!! ;-)

Hello and Happy Sunday, fellow “Cathy” friends. Hope everyone’s been having a really nice weekend so far despite the polar vortex’s chilly temps these days! :-)