Crap! Just lost a question someone asked me so I am not sure if it was you or not. Yes I do have a black cat.

Hi,

Just did a search based on age because of all the new members and am sending a "hello!" off to people in the old as dirt (like me!) crowd. 

You are most definitely not alone!  What you described sounds very common.  You will not be judged here.  People are very welcoming.  I hope we can help.