I usually stay out of these kind of posts. But you can't give the pm'ers the satisfaction that they scared you away from "their" forums. So go ahead and surf around any forums on CC, I know I do and I need lots of practice in both areas, cookies and cakes. 
Just ignore and maybe report to the mods. Keep your chin up. 
you know this reminds me of someone on CC a few years ago (can't remember the name) but they didn't have ANY photos except one that their 5 yr. old daughter decorated and they were giving advice in the forums and everyone jumped on her because they thought she didn't know what she was talking about and asked her if she had anymore cake photos of cakes she had done, maybe even some with this "elaborate" technique she was trying to explain and she was like sure.......check out my website and gave the addy.......and I kid you not these cakes were insanely complicated and PERFECT!!! I wish I could remember her screen name........I laughed for weeks over that one!! You can't judge a book by it's cover or by it's posted pics! Most of the super-great decorators on here don't have the time to invest in uploading EVERY cake they've EVER made. Besides with your focus being on cookies (selling original custom cutters and such) you would imagine more of your pics would be OF COOKIES!!
Gemini - So sorry you're going through this. I tend to hold onto things and overanalyze situations too. But the fact of the matter is that the good and the positive on CC (especially over here in the cookie corner) FAR outweigh the negativity. Please don't go! For our sake and yours.
You know the place on a person's profile, where you can click on "buddy"... well, there's also an "ignore" button. I'd be clicking that a.s.a.p. I always wondered why we would want to put someone in the "ignore" category - now I know. 
As they say "Time heals all wounds."
hugs.
Gemini - I'm late seeing your post because I wasn't able to access CC yesterday. As you can see, you are loved and respected on CC - especially here in our little "cookie corner" (that was a cute way to put it, SweetDreamsAT 
). You are one of the top decorators, you inspire all of us, and you are always here to help and advise fellow cookiers. I have looked at other forums and have been surprised by some of the comments I have read, but I always come back to the cookie gallery. I have only read positive, funny, helpful things here. I'm sorry that you had a bad experience, but please don't let that be the determining factor for leaving us. I'm sensitive as well and can imagine how you're feeling, but after reading these posts, just know that we all would really miss you.
Have a good day
You CAN'T leave! MOST of your cookies are in my favs!!!
You rock and I cannot believe anyone would ever send nasty PMs to you. Did they happen to be new members? I know there has been an influx of people signing up lately just to bash, don't ask me why anyone would think it was a fun thing to do...
But please, you can't be afraid to give advice or opinions here. While some might take offense, it's likely the majority of us agree but haven't had the b*#@ to voice it ourselves.
I don't know which post you are referring to, but take it all with a grain of salt. There are THOUSANDS of CCers, don't leave because of a few meanies. 
Wow, I was out sick yesterday and came back to all these supportive and wonderful replies! I will admit that maybe I was too sensitive and I read too much into the PM's that were sent. I haven't talked about it much on here, but my dad has been diagnosed with an aggresive and treatment-resistant leukemia. We got some discouraging news recently from his doctors about his condition, and it left me in an emotionally vulnerable state. I'm starting to get back on an even keel, and can honestly say that leaving CC would create a huge hole in my life! I don't remember any of the threads in the cookie forum turning nasty, so I will just stick "close to home". And I might just put that "ignore" button to good use!
Thanks eveybody for yanking me out of my self-pitying mood.
Gemini - I am so very sorry to hear about your father and I wish you the best during this difficult time.
I am glad to see that you are not leaving CC as I feel it is a supportive network. Having something positive to talk about be it your designs, enjoying others', helping newbies or the excitement of learning a new hint or technique can be a nice escape when times are tough. I consider CC to be my little therapy sometimes! Some women do 'retail therapy', I do 'CC therapy'!
Hugs to you with all you have been through! You will be in my thoughts.
~ Tracy
Gemini, first, sorry about your Dad's situation. I can sympathize with you, really. Second, I just can't believe that people can get mean on a cake/cookie forum. What is going on??? I tell my husband about stuff like this and he just is amazed. It's like people are just waiting to take something the wrong way so they can spew (spelling) all this poison that is bottled up inside them. I just wish they could know what is really important in life (I think you know what I mean with your Dad being sick). It is really a shame that people are so caught up with themselves (it's not about them all the time) and feel the need to make other's feel bad so they can feel good. I recommend reading a really good book called A New Earth by Ekhart Tolle. It is very inspirational and has helped me look at life differently. Another good one is The Four Agreements (can't remember author). Ok, enought of the self help books. Gemini, please don't leave. You are too much of a good thing here and I would be a bad thing for our little community not to have you around. Also, it would validate the mean person. We don't validate mean people here!
Lots of love,
Susan
Gemini, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. You're such a huge supporter here on CC, let us be here for you! If Peeverly recommends a book, I'd second it! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
When you sign up to CC, I think the words are something like, a place for support and advice. says nothing about critique and mean-spirit-ness. You hang with us over there at the cookie lunch table, let the mean girls have their own section!
My passion for the past two years has been decorating cookies. I usually spend most of my CC time in the cookie forum or viewing the cookie pictures. But there was a topic in a different forum that I commented on, much to my regret. I've recieved more than one nasty PM as a result, and am incredibly bummed because of it. I didn't respond to the PM's and maybe I should've. Now I'm wondering if I should leave CC and just have my photos deleted. I LOVE seeing all the beautiful cookies, and reading all the tips and hints for making such works of art. But I can't seem to get past the nasty PM's. If you've received something similar, how did you put it behind you? Am I just obsessing (I'm good at that!). Should I just restrict myself to the cookie forum so no one can accuse me of not knowing actual cake decorating because I don't have a lot of cake pictures posted? So-o-o bummed!
I haven't read this entire thread, only this post so that's what I'll address. First of all, it's sugar, it's fun. Don't let anyone take your passion away from you!! Second, if people feel the need to flex their muscles behind the scenes in nasty PMs, take it to Heath and Jackie immediately. They have the ability to look at each and every PM sent on this site and the power to remove troublemakers if need be. Once upon a time I stood up against a troublemaker in a thread on this site and actually received a threat of physical violence against me by one of their lackies in a PM!! 
Needless to say I went to Jackie and she resolved the situation. (Come to think of it, I haven't seen either of those troublemakers here on CC since...) 
So don't let the weanies get you down. If they were truly "big" people they'd spew their nonsense in public, but you'll notice they have to hide in private messages so the world won't see who they are and what they are really all about. 
Cheer up kiddo!! 
I too, have read the Ekhart Tolle book - and highly reccomend it to anyone!.. its good for your soul!
And Im so happy to read your sticking with us cookiers!! I admire your cookies so much and have always seen you be nothing but helpful and supportive! And thats just what us Newbies to the site needs! IN LIFE AND here in our little Cookie Universe!
My prayer list is long these days - but never to long for additions ... My prayers are with you and your family as you go thrugh your struggles ...
Gemini, I am so sorry to hear about your father. I will be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
Sometimes when we are going to tough times it's nice to have something like baking/decorating to keep our minds (and hands) occupied.
Wow, bobwonderbuns, getting threatened? That kinda makes me realize how minor my complaint is! I know I let it get to me. Then, when I thought about leaving CC, I got even more depressed. That was when I knew I couldn't let a few thoughtless words make me do something I would regret. I guess you're stuck with me!
As for my dad...it's still incredibly hard to know he doesn't have a lot of time. If his condition goes from chronic to acute, as the doctors think it might, he's down to months. I will check to see if the library has the books mentioned. I already have a Bible, so that's taken care of! Honestly, without faith, I don't know how a person gets thru the bad times. It's pretty easy when everything is sunshine and roses!
Gemini......I am soooo sorry to hear about your dad. The best advice I can give you is to not take one second for granted. Don't go off of how long they give your dad. Sometimes they are way off (in both directions) The biggest regret of my life is waiting for my dad to drive home from Arkansas when he was diagnosed with cancer and not going there to see him. He passed away two days before he was supposed to come home. They told us he had 6 months to 2 years. He passed away two months after they said that. But my DD's great grandfather lived for three years and they gave him six months. Cherish every moment. Make sure he knows how much you love him. I refused to talk to my dad about him dying because I knew he would make it. When he passed away I was absolutely crushed and there were so many things I needed to talk to him about and I couldn't. I know it's hard, but try to think of everything you want to talk to him about and everything you want him to know. I know it's hard to do, I had people telling me that and I didn't listen and regret every bit of it. Sorry if this is too personal to put on the forum, but I didn't want to PM you in case you weren't reading them any more .
PS.....I'm glad you're staying on CC, your cookies are awesome (and I LOVE the kit)
I was reading this forum today and wanted to offer my prayers for your dad. I am sorry you have had some negative comments from some on here. I haven't read a lot of forums, but have read some that were so nasty that you just sat and thought well I am not going to comment on this because they may turn on me. Last weekend I was reading a forum that started out about cake and turned into a very nasty religion put down from non believers and I was just totally shocked. I love decorating cakes, cookies and candy. Seeing all the different pictures of them just gives me inspiration to do better at all of them. The comments on the forums should be positive or if you need to make a critisim let it be constructive as in the form of "you might consider doing this......". No one should question a person's ability. I have seen some great pictures on here from someone that was a beginner and I have seen some that you could tell they were beginners. No matter where anyone is in there decorating experience, they all need encouragement. It's ok to offer an opinion about decorating even if someone else thinks differently. Have you ever read the heated discussion about hot cake out of the oven put in the freezer vs. letting the cake cool before freezing? It really gets out of hand. As the saying goes, opinions are like *ss*oles, everyone has one.
Gemini......I'm so glad you're staying with us! I'm also sorry to hear about your father. I lost my dad 2 years ago this month and the only advice I can give you is to cherish and enjoy the time you have. Spend all the time you can with him and most of all let him know how much you love him. If you ever need a shoulder you know where I am.
Wow, bobwonderbuns, getting threatened? That kinda makes me realize how minor my complaint is! I know I let it get to me. Then, when I thought about leaving CC, I got even more depressed. That was when I knew I couldn't let a few thoughtless words make me do something I would regret. I guess you're stuck with me!
As for my dad...it's still incredibly hard to know he doesn't have a lot of time. If his condition goes from chronic to acute, as the doctors think it might, he's down to months. I will check to see if the library has the books mentioned. I already have a Bible, so that's taken care of! Honestly, without faith, I don't know how a person gets thru the bad times. It's pretty easy when everything is sunshine and roses!
Hey, mean words are mean words, whether they want to physically hurt you or emotionally hurt you -- either way they are aiming to hurt! 
I'll tell you a little secret, there is one individual who really hates me here on CC and from time to time she tries to start something. I'm nothing but nice and it pisses her off in the WORST way! But hey, that's what ya gotta do! Her issues aren't my issues! 
I, for one, am THRILLED you are staying. Your work is awesome and your comments in the threads are helpful and you're always sooo nice. It's a pleasure to be "stuck" with you!
There's quite a bit of stress going on in many people's lives right now, and many of the boards I belong to are having their share of just such postings.
Sorry about your dad, I have an idea what you're going through. My beloved mother in law is going through Alzheimer's.
Gemini, sorry to hear about your Dad... my prayers are with him and your family...
as for leaving or deleting your photos... don't even think about it!!! I don't "speak" myself a lot here, but you are a great supporter and many find your work inspiring...
Have a nice day and forget about mean people
Gemini - hugs to you. I'm glad you'll be able to spend time with your dad. Tell him what he has meant to you while you can. My dad passed away suddenly of a heart attack at 52 years old and I never got to tell him how much I appreciated him and wasn't able to say goodbye. I hope things go well for you. Have a safe trip.
I'll be thinking of you and your family Gemini - Extra hugs for the coming week.
We haven't heard from you lately Gemini, is everything okay?
I just wanted to add that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad.
As for leaving the board, please don't. You are an amazing decorator and I love looking at your work. There are always going to be people who are critical or pick fights on any board. Just ignore them. We think you're great.
I just got back home on the 21st from visiting my parents in Arizona. I wasn't anywhere near a computer, so I really missed CC! My dad's leukemia has definitely progressed from chronic to acute. When his oncologist asked him to come in for a meeting, my dad thought it was to say there was nothing else they could do for him. So while my mom kinda fell apart at the news, my dad was actually relieved. They're starting him on a new chemo drug today, as part of a trial study. We're hoping it will give him more time, and improve the quality of the time he has left. There is no cure, so he's still looking at having only months, but he feels good just knowing there is still something to try.
Thanks to everyone on CC who has lent their support thru kind words and thoughtful PM's. It's helped to make this difficult time a little more bearable!
Susan
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