So did I, and was somewhat surprised, and definitely saddened by it...because she presents the aura of being so much "over" this on a day-to-day basis. This little snippet of insight, and the fact that when I wanted her to look for something in her wedding pictures, she wouldn't because she said she wasn't "ready" to see them yet, is the only indication she's given us lately of her internal struggles. They wrote a song about her, did you know? It's called "My Darling Clamentine"!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> I guess she really IS a daddy's girl.......

Superficially, the meeting went OK. However, Biodad is not the first person to misjudge Neaksis' book by its cover, and because she wasn't looking their way, and not obviously listening either, he mistakenly assumed <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> that she wasn't paying any attention while he and DS#1 fell far enough behind that Biodad thought he could secretly slip him a "gift" pocketknife. Biodad knows very well that DS#1 is not allowed to have any knives, because he's acted violently with them before, and threatened his younger sister with one. But his urge to subvert Neaksis' authority, to "put one over" on her and be cleverer than we are, was so great that he was willing to ignore the fact that he might very well be endangering his own children. However, the pleasure of catching him in the act, and making him give it back while Neaksis watched, was almost worth him being such a jerk. Besides, he's exposed himself for the untrustworthy man he's choosing to be, and it makes it easier to impose rules that even the kids can understand the reasons for. He's got his own brand of "fog," and it's very heavy, indeed. It makes me sad, because when he was a Christian he was a thoroughly-delightful person to be around, and so full of hopes and dreams for a happy future. Now he's the father of 4 illegitimate children by 2 different females, and has another partner on the string...so I guess #5 could very well be along soon. This from a man who so strongly felt the bitter sting of being a "b*s***d" himself (his own word, not mine). Gargamel Granny had 4 children by 4 different men, so I guess the apple isn't falling too far from the tree. I'm so sorry for him, but ultimately the safety of the children is our priority.

I'll try and come back later, but my break is over and I'm at Job X, so I don't have quite the freedom that I do at my "home" job. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

t&l

I'll have to get somebody to scan them, and then we'll post the picture of the "roofer." Give me a few days, since I don't know who the "lucky" person with the scanner will be! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

t&l

SS - thank you for your prayers. With time I expect/hope that God will again become the third occupant of our, um. marital time, and....no one else.

Mom, call me about the septic I have bad news and bad news and bad news, and good news and good news.

1. The county agrees that we are going to have to get an evaporation system.
2. As we well know, this is far more expensive.
3. It is also really big and ugly.
4. They will be able to utilize the same tanks and pumps, shaving about $10,000 off the final cost.
5. They will be able to continue installing it even if it begins to rain.

This undoubtedly makes M.E. responsible also, and we'd better get the legal stuff started quickly. Ack! So many lawyers!

oh, c**p

Just what we needed, another $30,000 worth of bad news. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I'd go back to bed and hide, but I have to leave for work. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Well Neak & t&l ...... Aussie is OK, well lets rephrase it, he was NOT the soldier evac'ed to a medical unit... hes somewhere we think in the mountains, position unknown, living like Lawrence of Arabia <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Neak thats bad news ...wont they let you use septic tanks & a leach drain?

In another life - code for younger & fitter - I helped Aussie dig out a whole system by hand and put it in.

Fun ???? NOT

Would they let you install a closed environmental system? we do that on the farms a bit here & in the metro areas near the rivers.
Its way too much info isn't it?? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
Maybe I could find info for you & let you know site address.....you might get something cheaper by a lot if the county allows it.

Reading Aussies 'Complete works of Runyard Kipling" ,,, womens day & womens weekly boring this week ..lol

He likes this one as he's highlighted it ...

If your officer's dead and the sergeants look white,
Remember it's ruin to run from a fight:
So take open order, lie down, and sit tight,
And wait for supports like a soldier.
Wait, wait, wait like a soldier . . .

When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.
Go, go, go like a soldier,

HOW reassuring .......

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

You're right. That does not sound fun. Dig diggety dig. Yuck. I'd love to take a look at what other options there are, even though the county is likely to be stinky about it. We do have really bad soil here, but that's typical for the area.

So glad A2 is ok. When he gets back you can slice up the Kipling and feed it to him. (Or put it somewhere else. I don't care if it's a classic.)

Typical Dervish day today. "Mommy, Mommy, I holding a 'pider in my hand!" "That's nice, Dervish. I'm glad you like spiders. Go put it back where you found it before it gets squished."

A few minutes later...

"Anty, Anty, I holding a 'pider in my hand! Wanna see?" She didn't have much choice, as he immediately bent down and released it on the floor at our feet. My eyes bulged. "Is that...is that...?" 'Anty' cheerfully said, "How nice, Dervish. You let it go so I could..." STOMP "...step on it for you. That was a black widow."

Fortunately it was a male. It's brown sploitch contrasted lovlily with the pink and white stripes of her socks. She's probably still wearing it around on the bottom of her foot.

Then there was the time when he was close to 2 and I leaped to catch the front of his shirt just as he started to fall headfirst and backward out a screen onto the concrete 6 feet below. Don't get me started on the Peanut Butter Incident.

I would be more worried about the Neaklet being a Dervish #2, but I believe God's promise that he will not send us more than we are able to bear.

Hi everybody--Missed you all while I was gone, but I've been busy wallowing in the Slough of Despond for the past couple of days. I think I'm climbing back out again, but still have to shake off all the Debris of Despair before I'm fit for human company again. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Maybe it will be you-know after my pt. delivers and I can try and see if words will come out of my fingertips tonight. I am very tired of being me. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Glad you are back <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

When is your trip to hawaii?

Considering that the Slough of Despond, where I accumulated all that Debris, involved a defective septic tank, you'd better all hope I shake every last bit of it off before I try to rejoin the party again. If I could've posted last night, I'd have given more detail (this may be interpreted as "I would've whined more freely"), because it really galls my soul, chafes my hide, and gets my goat that somebody who works as much and earns as much as I do, should be so doggone poor. I was already simmmering somewhere near a full rolling boil over everything anyway, and this was my poor camel's last straw. First his back broke, and then he fell right into the septic...and if you think I have Debris, you don't even want to smell him!!<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I'd cancel the trip to HI, but I've already got 3 non-transferable, non-refundable tickets, and a 90-yr. old man who might not live to make another trip...so I don't really feel like cancelling is the right answer. We're supposed to leave on the morning of the 26th. I think they'll have to pick me up at work and go straight to the airport. Maybe I can sleep on the way. And I'm sure the septic problem will be right there in the back yard when we get home, too. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Actually, being able to cope with this (even if some days are marginal) is part of the lessons I've learned in the Saga, but my break is over and I've got to use my magic fingers for something besides typing. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Neak, if you read this, you're online. Either post the pictures, or be busy thinking up an excuse why you couldn't!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Please? You're only pregnant, with an elderly grandfather to care for, and 3 other children, 2 of whom are being homeschooled, and one of whom is the Dervish. What else could you possibly have to do besides post pictures for me? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

t&l

10-10-05

Original post from 10/6 lost due to technological incompetence. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Thanks,
I enjoy reading your thoughts.
Sometimes I wonder if there is a whole team assigned to us.

Neak -
Here's one you can frame and put up by your mom's computer.

THE COMPUTER SWALLOWED GRANDMA

The computer swallowed grandma.
Yes, honestly its true.
She pressed 'control' and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.

It devoured her completely,
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus
Or been eaten by a worm.

I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the Internet,
But nothing did I find.

In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found 'online.'

So, if inside your 'Inbox,'
My Grandma you should see,
Please 'Copy', 'Scan' and 'Paste' her
And send her back to me!

Unknown

SS

Lady C,
I hope that your H will get it (actually, I hope that T&L's H will get it too) but I worry that his good attitude will only last a short time. How is it going this week?

CSUE,
I still owe you an answer, and I might even get to it today. Sometimes I take so long that the person no longer even remembers they asked - sorry.

SS

CSue said:
Believe it or not I worry less than I used to. I am a reformed control freak....I just forget I'm reformed sometimes.

Tell us about your reform. Is this a recovery from an A thing, or did it just come about as part of your normal growth and devolopment?

Life is so much more peaceful once I decided to stop tyring to control everything and just them them play out naturally. Who am I to get in the way of someone else's lessons...

I see you've figured out one of the keys to raising children. LET THEM LEARN THEIR LESSONS.

I will say that sometimes it is hard to know when to exercise compassion, and when to let them learn. God is good at it, I am learning.

I just forget this sometimes still. Especially with this YS. He has soooooo many lessons ahead of him, but we do see signs of him learning. Just curious, at what age do your children think that YOU AS A PARENT KNOW SOMETHING!

It was explained to me once (by my dad??) that if the child runs out in the street, you grab him so that they don't get hit by a car and killed.

It's hard for dead people to learn life's lessions.

If they want to go out side without their gloves, and play in the snow, you tell them to put the gloves on, then let them learn if they won't do it.

As far as when they think you know something.
It depends.

My 16,17,18 year old boys would ask me for advice on fixing cars, and they would follow assembly instructions very well. They also listened well in wilderness survival MB class. However, they didn't listen very well about coming in early on school nights, getting enough sleep, and some other things.
Sigh.

They begin to loose it somewhere between 14 and 16 - lost it all by 17. Begin to get it back about 19 to 21. Sooner if they leave home early and pay their own way. Later if YOU are paying for their support away from home.


In middle school according to my boys....I'm getting dumber, as they get smarter???

You are getting dumber - that's why you can drive, they can't. You have money, they don't. And you can vote, and they can't. At that age, they know everything, so if they had the power too, they would solve the worlds problems, and what would the rest of us do? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

So SS, with 8 children....at what age (their age, that is) did you start to appear intelligent again to them?

19 to 21. By 23 they listen well and give respect again. Nearly all the time. Almost.

Do your older children think you're wise? Do they listen at times?

They listen pretty well now. It is good also to be careful not to give advice too often. It makes it seem less valueable. Reserve it for the big things. The adult version of running out in the street.
Affairs
Financial ruin
Spirital ruin
Marriage troubles - more than the average
Things that would result in bodily harm (your mother will kill you if she finds out !!!)


Ok back to the grindstone..
My 2nd son said "if you put your nose to the grindstone, you'll get a sore nose, and it's hard to work with a sore nose."

Be careful.

Now I can't remember when your Dad was coming/going. Hope the visit is a good one. Win/Win.

SS

I was going to be more chatty this afternoon, but have spent a surprising amount of time trying to find a place to stay on this trip to HI. I think I've finally done it,though, and have rooms for the 3 of us for 6 nights for $330 total. How cool is that? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> The only downside is that this is somebody who knew us when we lived there. Hopefully just my dad, and not someobdy with an endless supply of Little Susan stories! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> At least there are no interested juveniles to be listening to them, either being amused or getting new ideas. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Neaksis decided she'd had an epiphany about demons and temptation a week or so ago. Once she compared notes with Neak, she was sure of it. She noticed that Granny Gargamel, in her letter, managed to stab her knife into a number of very sore spots that Neaksis had over this situation...things that hurt, or bothered her, that she hadn't told anybody else, or even said out loud. So she asked Neak if she'd noticed A-related similar things from the "original" Gargamel, and Neak said that yes, Gargamel often said things about her A with AJ that hit Neak where she felt most vulnerable, even though she wasn't talking about her fears and wounds to anybody, and didn't think anybody knew.

Well, news flash!!!!!!!!! Your tempter knows what bothers [/b]you[/b]. And they also know what other human being is willing to hear their voice, and carry out their suggestions that will work against you, and cause you pain. Temptation isn't necessarily a one-size-fits-all kind of experience. Custom-fitted, individually-designed, just-for-you...

Doesn't that make you feel special? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> Gotta get ready for work. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Just putting this back on page one so I can find it easier <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I just got re-caught up again on the saga.

Love,
Jen

Hi there Sweetie!! I've been thinking about you a lot lately, as I dash madly from pillar to post, and saying to myself over and over that I really need to call you...but I kept putting it off because there are so few minutes OR phones at either pillar or post, so I'm glad you're back in the "neighborhood" again. How's school? Or hasn't it started yet? ThatIdiotFlard is busy doing science stuff,as usual, and is finally going to get those WISDOM teeth pulled. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> Scary thought, isn't it, considering how dumb he's being lately even with them right inside his very own head!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Love you,

t&l

P.S. Thank you for rescuing me from oblivion, obscurity, and the page 3 doldrums! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I was starting to get depressed. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Speak of the devil, Gell, and he calls me on the phone! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> We had an interesting mumble, rather than an actual "talk," since it seems that it's hard to speak with clarity when your mouth is full of bloody cotton swabs. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> By the time he got done describing how that one tooth that's been so much trouble had to be cut in half, then gouged out with a chisel, I was VERY glad I was an obstetrical nurse, safely located at the other end of the body--far, far away from so much yec-c-c-ch. Dentists of the world, I salute you. Glad I'm not one OF you, though!!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

t&l

T&L - One of my favorite books is "This Present Darkness" by Frank Perrotti, I think. It gives a GREAT description of how demons can influence a person. And he gives an excellent picture of each demon - like the demon of despair, sitting in your bedroom, drooling as you fall into sadness.

I read the book years ago, and still think about it.

Very close - Frank Peretti. I really enjoyed both "This Present Darkness" and "Piercing the Darkness", but the biggest thing I disagreed with him on was the poor little good angels getting beat up because of lack of 'prayer cover'. I understand the point he was trying to make, and even agreed with the point - prayer for others unleashes God's power in a special way - but in my books the good angels never get beat up, they just have to retreat to a safe distance to watch and weep.

Many times the picture pops into my mind of a little yellow house, worn-but-cute on the outside, and filled with writhing, jostling demons laughing as they watch the terrible, life-shattering scene playing out inside the bedroom. When it does I try to turn my thoughts instead to what was happening at the same time in another house. The queen size bed, one side empty, a soft dark head resting on tear-stained pillows, and the massive angel bending near, keeping sleepless vigil through the long and lonely night.

Oh Neak, you give me goose bumps.