Hi SIHW,

I Still haven't read your story. Sorry. I appreciate it so much when folks take the time to read mine, it's the least I could do.

Thanks for stopping by.

And Keep your Stick to Yourself! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

(and I'll keep mine to myself)

Fair enough? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

-AD

it's Ok I know your busy being a social butterfly <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />




awwww but it's fun.....especially when you twitch....hehehe <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

hey what state is the land your thinking of selling....i've been thinking of buying some land and building me a house.

"I recieved my first wrong number phone message on my new land-line phone. The lady had a pleasant voice, but she was looking for "Robert", and unfortunately, I'm not "Robert". But, if she calls again, and I'm home, I'll engage her in conversation, whoever she is. LOL. "

Did she sound good-looking? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I think even *I* could be "Robert" under the right conditions! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

-ol' 2long

2Long,

She sounded gorgeous

...and now that I think of it, she left her name,
...but not her number,
...but it was an unusual name, one that maybe I can look up.

Probably "Robert" is her grandson.

But a man can dream, can't he. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

And speaking of dreams, I better go lay myself down and let some happen. Tomorrow is a big day!

G'night, all.

-AD

Hello Engineer AD,

I've been reading your thread over the last few days that I've been back here. I remember your name (the original one you mentioned somewhere in this thread) from when I was here back in '01.

I'm sorry you've been living with this situation all these years now. I have been too.

Just wanted to let you know that I'm reading (since lately you thought no one was), and also that I thought your e-mail correspondence with the DNA lab guy was perfectly civil and reasonable. That guy sounded wacky when he suddenly flipped and decided to cancel your test.

Have they processed the refund to your credit card yet? I hope they can do that as fast as they charged it originally.

When you get the garment back, are you going to try to find another lab to test it? Maybe you can find a local lab that you can deal with in person? A place with an office that looks like a flourishing business?

ewon

Ewon,

Wow! Only 2 posts and I got one of them on my thread!
Thanks.

Are we "oldtimers" now? I can't say I remember your story. I started posting about 4 years ago. I moved out of the new house about 4 years after W first moved out of the old house into an apartment. You know, I can't really say that I regret the 3 years of false recovery since I had 2.5 years living with my child, which I would not have had if we had D'ed back then.

No, I don't think I can do anything with the garment (if they acutally return it). I think that garment been through too much for me to have confidence in a test on it now, but I do have a spare saved away - that I could send to a different lab. Actually, I no longer think it matters very much. I was excited by the opportunity to use this DNA technology, but after waiting a month for results, I don't want to go through that again. There is a very advanced DNA lab in our city - who could do all the work onsite - founded by a graduate from the same U from which I graduated. But, I don't think they have a walk-in storefront type business, but take orders from somewhere in the medical industry.

My main reason for asking the garment back - is that it would be creepy to have it in some guy's file cabinet out there.

My credit card company is a bit slow to show activity online. Purchases (and even on-line payments) take 3 or 4 days to show up - so I need to wait til Friday at least to have any hope of seeing it. It's not huge money, but it would help to have it back.

Ewon, have you had some experience with this kind of testing?

-AD

Probably I won't be online much today - gotta work hard - and tonight's the big night I have my daughter overnight.

-AD

SIHW,

You asked:


It's in 'Bama - about 50 miles NE of B-ham. There seems to be some development going on in the area, but I haven't been there in 20 years.

If you're from California, you could get it for what seems like nothin' to you, and seems like a good price to me. We'd both be happy.

-AD

Hi MB Junkies!

I received another email from Dr. DNA-guy.

It sounds like the guy is willing to hurt himself (lose $$$) just to "punish" me for asking him to do what his web site said he would do.

It's not the way I would do business, but I guess it works for him.

I didn't want to debate with him any more, so I just said "Ok, refund and return."

-AD

================== From DNA-guy to AD =====================
Your test is done but I would rather refund your money then put up with your inability to understand the testing process. I did not drop the ball, your test is complete and I was in the process of writing the report when I received your distrubing email using the BBB as a threat. This is a infidelity test, not a rape case and not paternity test. I have to prioritize my time and panty testing is done when I have time late at night. As far as I am concerned you no longer are a client, I have returned your money and I will return your samples.. I do not need your recommendation, my business will thrive without your approval. It is unfortunate that all you had to do is call instead of sending me an email threat, as you can see I do not like threat.

I will send the sample back, you will need to sign for the package, I do not want you saying I never returned it. It WILL NOT be discrete it will read Genetic Identity and have my name Dr. Robert Archer, Ph.D. on it.
=================== End =====================================

I replied to him...

================ from AD to DNA-guy =======================
Dr. Archer,

Please send the package as you have described. ZZZZ ZZZZZ in our shipping and receiving department will sign for it. I will tell him to expect it.

Thank you,

-AD
============================================================

Oh yes, I forgot to say...

Today at lunch I was home. The woman called again for "Robert". I told her that unfortunately, I was not "Robert", but she can call anytime.

OK, I didn't tell her that, but I wish I had. I did say that I just moved in and nobody else had called yet and thanked her for calling.

<AD grins stupidly> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

She sounded pleasant, but I'm guessing a little on the young side. It's hard to tell.

My main task at lunch today was accomplished.

I put DD's bed (now PINK) back together, with new sheets, quilt, curtains on the windows etc. The room is still rather bare, but it really looks like a little girl belongs there.

And she will be there TONIGHT!

<AD smiles proudly> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-AD

Now I see that I'm not the only one complaining about this guy.

I should have checked more carefully before I ordered the test.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff108895.htm

=AD

HI AD *waving*

Sorry I've fallen behind on my reading, but tried to datch up last nite and 2day.

Sounds like my luck with the DNA thing, only mine was with a sucky PI.

Sorry your luck was so bad, butI suggest that you try again or you might regret it!!! Not that it will matter to you, but it will matter to you as far as WW is concerned, not DD (from what I gather)!!!

jls

Hi Seagull,

<starts to wave, but notices that nobody is around, shrugs, leaves a note.>

The dissapointing thing is that for almost a month I've been checking that email box repeatedly every hour or so - waiting on the edge of my chair for the results. I know the results. OK.

I think the DNA-guy is a jerk, and possibly a complete fraudster, so it's just as well that he says he's refunding me. I wouldn't be surprised if the refund never materializes.

UPDATE:

DD4 is here! Asleep already <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.

She's a little sick with a cold and just gravitated to the bed rather early. At least we made some cookies together and had a little interaction time. But, it was a very short evening for me.

Backing up a little. I took off early from work - to be sure that I beat WW to the preschool - but also to have a bit more time with DD.

W came by on her way home (as I had agreed). She really liked DD's room - was a little envious that I had done it up so nicely. She asked how much the curtains cost etc. She's afraid that it will be a competition. WW also brought the photos of DD that I mentioned. They were fantastic! She paid almost 1/4 of her monthly CS on them. She said that when they were taking them, people were coming out of the woodwork and oooo-ing and ah-ing about how pretty DD is. (maybe I'll post one on photobucket) WW left after about 25 minutes.

As I say, it was a short evening.

On the positive side, DD completely accepts her room - seems to like it - just crawled in bed on her own initiative.

I called WW to tell her DD was asleep already and would not be calling her to say goodnight. WW was OK with that, but asked that if she woke, I would call.

That's it.

-AD

Thanks for the note AD,

Sounds great! Lovely little D, she is 4, right? Fantastic age! Y'know, I just really don't get it. You sound like such a great dad! My H is a pretty good dad, just not interactive and doesn't relate well to me OR kids, but he tries and I know how much he loves them. That is another thing that makes me careful and unwilling to end our M. How UNFAIR to make anyone a "part-time" dad when they want to be there for their kids! I really understand the guys here who will take all kinds of bad treatment and stay M, for their kids and to be near them! So glad that i am a Mom, for this reason (and a good one, to boot), for I would "get" the kids. Sorry, I agree to the unfairness, but glad for me that I am on the "right" side in this case.

AD, sounds like you are doing a great job with D and dealing with WW. I agree with some of the others that you should be a little more removed, but really do understand (my S is 7).

Give me your phone# and I'll call and ask for Robert. Or just prank you! How easily amused some of us are, huh?!

jls

JLS,

Well I'd better not hand out my phone number to the MB ladies. At least I can claim innocence on the wrong numbers. I like being innocent!

I'm glad your H is a good Dad. I hope he learns to be a good and faithful H too.

I'm glad to be a part-time Dad when the alternative is to be no dad at all - or a no-time dad. I'm having to push really hard to get my visitation. But, I think W is starting to give up and let them go forward.

Tell me something about horses and ponys when you get a chance. I've got 3 acres. I could fence off 1+ acres of well-watered bottom land which grows grass rather vigorously. Should I be seeding it with something now - just in case I want to make a little pasture next year? What is the minimum kind of shelter that I would have to provide? I don't want to start with a huge stable with all the finest amenities - just a little lean-to and a place to lock up the saddle. Heck, I can keep the saddle in the house. Assume I know nothing, but be gentle with my ignorance. OK?

UPDATE:

W is NOT innocent!
W had told me that if DD wakes, anytime, to call her and let her talk ... so, I called - at 1:45am - when DD woke up and had some water. W's phone was busy. Most likely, she was gabbing with OM. There is an off chance that it was her Mom (8 time-zones East of us), but I don't think so.

I took DD home a little after 8am. Officially, if I were on the court plan, it woudl be 7am - but flexiblity is also part of the court plan and WW had said that I shouldn't snatch DD from teh bed and stuff her in the car just to meet a deadline. So 8:15 was OK.

DD did have a fever last night - and went to sleep quite early - without her bath even (she always has a bath at night).

I felt bad taking DD back home unwashed, with unbrushed hair. Next week, I'll have a hairbrush. LOL - and some of that special "vapor bath" - that's really good for the kiddo's when they have a cold.

All-in-all, it was a good start to the overnight visitation process.

As we drove to WW's place this morning, DD was saying "I don't like Mom's white bed". I wondered what she meant, but realized that she was talking about her bed at Mom's house. I don't know why she already calls it "Mom's white bed." I understand that to mean that, if I was in a contest, I won with the freshly painted pink bed and assesories. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

BTW, DD's bed at her Mom's house is a very nice Basset brand canopy bed - trimmed out nicely. From a $$$ standpoint, it would be much more expensive than my little IKEA european toddler bed - which our Chech friends gave us when they moved back to Prague. I think it's just the novelty factor that appeals to her right now.

-AD

Hi AD,

What you need now(if I may say so being the Mom to two girls) is some stuffed animals that she can relate to being with you at your place.How about a huge stuffed bear or other animal(Elephant? Alligator?).Also some crafts like stickers,coloring books,new crayon or colored pencil set,etc.

Also,I don't know if your DD is into this yet but American Girl is an amazing conglomerate of girlie stuff: bedding,clothing,light's,clocks,books,DOLLS(like "Bitty Baby" for younger girls),there's a magazine too,etc.Lots of truly cool things for girls.My girls love it still after being involved for years.It's really supportive too and empowers girls with great feedback and ideas.They also have a book out about D and I read though it.It was really good.

Check out the website if you like:

www.americangirl.com

Hope your DD is feeling better soon~

O

O'girl,

W, DD and I visited the American Girl store in Manhatten (sp?) the week before Christmas. It was crazy! I got out of there as quickly as possible!

She has some stuffed toys at my house - familiar ones that her Mom brought over. WW gets the credit for that. She has a huge rabbit - which is dressed in some of her old PJ's - and other smaller creatures. She has so many of those kind of things that 1/10 of her stuffed toys would be enough.

I want to get some puzzles and things like that. I'm taking it one week at a time. Don't worry. I'll be spending some time this weekend (not my weekend) adding to the room setup.

And also, she may be a girl - and a girl with a pink bed <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> - but she still needs to learn some regular non-princess stuff. I don't want to go overboard with the girly stuff. I hope I don't offend by saying so, but I found the AmericanGirl store a little oppressive, to be honest. Perhaps it was just the Christmas rush that I found oppresive. I didn't enjoy FAO Shwartz the Sunday before Christmas either.

-AD

Ad,

I didn't realize you had more stuff already.I went by your statement that the "room was rather bare" in yesterdays' post.

Anyway,so you were a bit overwhelmed in the AG store? LOL.I can imagine being the week before the years busiest and most popular holiday.I guess I'm not sure what you mean by "oppressive" but I have never been a big fan of FAO either.It's lost it's appeal and I think they went belly up didn't they(chapter 11)? Oh well.Their toys were always quite pricey.

As a parent we have the ability to insipire our kids in every facet of life.Afterall,my girls may love girlie AG still BUT,my youngest plays baseball,one of her best friends is a boy,as well as my oldest DD and they are both proficient Chess players.They prefer "sporty" like clothing and are not allowed to(and don't want to) wear any kind of makeup and are not into that at all.They are getting A's in Math and other subjects and love sports.No wasting their lives hanging out at the local mall for them! LOL <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm not worried about you but I thought I would just offer some suggestions.I'm sure you'll do alright.

O

P.S Sorry if I sounded like I was bragging but...I was! LOL

Hi AD. Hope you don't mind some more toy advice!

I think it's a wonderful idea to trick out your daughtr's room -- there are all kinds of things you can get her that aren't princessy at all, are kinda girlish, and are downright feminine. You're right, why not combine? I have 3 girls and we have always encouraged them to follow their hearts in regard to "who they are" -- they play in the mud, climb trees, catch bugs, wear litle plastic tiaras, love to dress up, and even perform science experiments! What an oxymoron in traditional Femininity! I know your daughter is still young yet but presenting her with a myriad different toys will only stimulate her brain and encourage her to be more creative.

Does she play well alone? I was at Wal-Mart back in the $0.88 toy section and found a bunch of plastic dinosaurs, different kinds (bronty, t-Rex, etc) that were about 4-5 inches tall and brightly (well, somewhat realistically) colored. I bought a few of them for each child and let me tell you, they were a hit I neve imagined! I don't know if it's their size or color or what, but my girls can play for hours with them, alone or with a sis. The neat thing is, I had an opportunity to have a learning experience with them -- we talked about Dinos -- but they are also expressing themselves through play. Obviously, you could use any animal or creature, just don't OD on the Barbies, lol!

I mentioned Science experiments -- my kids love them. I see that you are an engineer and wonder if this might appeal to you as well, this sharing and teaching of knowledge (My H is, and he loves participating). They can be simple and easy for a child her age to comprehend. We've raised caterpillars into butterflies and then released them, tried gardening, bred Betta & guppy fish, started a fossil collection, etc etc etc. You can just see their little minds exploding with this wealth of knowledge; it is amazing.

You probably have these already, but books books books! Goodnight Moon, Guess How Much I Love You, and a host of others we can toss out if you need suggestions. You can also find some great ones at your city-wide library reduction sale for a dollar each or so and they are wonderful for kiddos! Check your city's library's website for dates, etc. Even better if you live in or near a large, metropolitan area! I buy some of my best books here, and now our house is overrun with them! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Octobergirls' suggestion about an art tools was a fantastic one! Maybe you could set up a small table or easel in her room or in a separate area with things that O'girl suggested -- colored pencils, crayons, stickers, etc. We've also added to that with construction paper, age-appropriate scissors, scrap fabric, tape, pipe-cleaners, post-its, glitter pens, popsicle sticks, stick glue, etc. You can find anything in the Wal-Mart craft section.

One more thing -- just bought my almost-3-year-old DD a remote control dump truck -- she loves it, and is really learning hand-eye coordination. Plus, she loves to terrorize the household animal life with it, LOL!

Before I go, let me also toss out that for times when you are on a work deadline, etc, and would need for her to entertain herself for a few hours while are working on SolidWorks or whatever (these things do and will happen on your watch, occassionally) there are some wonderful kids' software you can buy for her (Jump-Start Toddlers, for one).

Including a few links in case you have time and would like any more ideas. Discovery Store for Preschoolers does have some nice stuff, you just sometimes have to search for it. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Insect Lore Web page
Discovery Store Preschooler's Web Page

Best wishes,


StillLovingHim