Lady -

It's kind of crazy. Whenever someone close to me is pregnant, I count the months. I don't expect a good outcome. It's kind of sad really. Seems like months of worry. Then when the child is born, I relax and enjoy.

Not me!! I always switch to worrying about crib death. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> And then after the danger period for crib death passes, there are accidents, and.......... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Honestly, I swear I have a PhD in worrywart! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

What a sad obstetric history you have, Lady Clueless. I'm glad you were able to find God's presence in the darkness, and that your losses worked in your heart just the opposite that Flard's losses worked in his. In spite of the pain you've survived, you're much more fortunate right now than he is, because you know you aren't in this by yourself...and as far as he's concerned, he is, which makes him a lonely (and somewhat prickly) person. Self-reliance can be overrated, in my opinion, and personally I don't know how people make it through life without the strength of God upon which to lean. How blessed you are that He drew you back to Himself.

Your spelling of "amniocentesis" was correct except for a single letter, which is very good. I see it misspelled often enough in charts to know that spelling it right doesn't come naturally to everyone. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Nowadays, we wouldn't leave someone with a dead fetus pregnant for that long after diagnosis, for fear of infection and blood-clotting pathologies. Nor would you necessarily be monitored, and you certainly wouldn't have to lie on your back. Interesting that you got an epidural, though, because back then it wasn't very common for laboring women to get it. I don't remember even having heard of a labor epidural at that point in my career, although the fact that we always lived in small towns and I worked in small, rural hospitals may have had a lot to do with that.

AW--you asked about veterans and comfort with hugging, etc. I'm too sleepy to go back and hunt the exact quote. HP's family is not physically affectionate with each other. My family is. He doesn't seem to have any reluctance towards being hugged or touched; when the kids were little he cuddled them and kissed them a lot, although that waned as they grew older and would be quite uncommon now, I think. What do you think, girls? When's the last time your dad gave you a hug? He hugs the biograndkids; not much with the adopted ones, unless one of them hugs him first, in which case he pats them stiffly in an amusingly-German fashion.<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> His barriers are much more of an emotional nature, and while Viet Nam probably didn't help ( <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />), I'm not willing to say that he'd have been an awful lot different if he hadn't gone, either. What you're describing with Aussie is much more open, and stronger, than anything I've observed in HP over the years. Maybe it will fade if he quits going back!!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Cafeteria's open and my fat cells are whining. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

t&l

LC that must have been horrific, its hard to even imagine but then it was not that long ago when dying in childbirth was not uncommon for mother & child.
I suspect we take things so much for granted these days.
But your grown children or growing children seem to be even more special I have found. NOTHING is guaranteed, or promised in this life though we sometimes expect it and rage at God when it does not happen as we wish.

I’m not sure you ever truly accept the death of a child. Its simply the pain of loss and failure and guilt are less intense or maybe you grow so used tot eh depth of it that it no longer paralyses you.

When Aussies Great Aunt -96 - was very very close – only hours - to dying some years ago, she mourned the death of her little boy all those decades ago all over again. SHE WANTED to go to him right away .
I can so understand that now. I can’t explain it though, just FEEL it.

*******************************************************
Neak, talk abou the Dervish!!
I get home from work, start dinner, start doing the washing, folding clothes and catch movement out of the side of my eye. Little Lisa was running in & out of the lounge room and kitchen ..I thought what is going on?
Mike was giggling gooing like crazy so I went over to check ... she was running into the pantry taking handfuls of COCOA pops - choc puffed rice - and running over to MIKEY and then dropping them on the floor for the dog to lick up, laughing like the insane ....they were EVERYWHERE!!!
Lisa! what are you doing?... 'nothing' - small voice
Then why is your nothing making a big mess all over the floor? CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH
'Cause'
Well can you please stop and not do that anymore honey?
'why'
Because its makes a mess and it is not good to feed the dog in the house
'why'
Well its not somethign you should do darling
'why'
Because I said so!!! Hey I'm a tired working mum..I can only keep calm for so long!!!
'ok' skips off to play with her new doll - Mikey! More combined giggles & gooing <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
Give me strength!!

I end up sweeping the passage way, the kitchen, the sun room, and lift the dogs mat ..... millions of them!! Cripes do they breed?????????

Had a sudden urge to cry "I want MY mummy" !!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

*************************************************

Thats strange tl..Aussies family is not very 'touchy' either, though his brother has become a big wuzz since his kids were born last 18 months or so...completely changed him ..hes gets tears in his eyes having to go to work & leave his babies the big girl <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Isn't that cute!!!!

His sister is very clinical though very happy to show emotion, just very clinical about things. SHe had a number of miscarriages before her 2 boys were born and admits to it not meaning much to her at all. Though Catholic she is a science type - maths - and views those sort of things in a scientific manner. Way more than my sister does. Training perhaps.
Well tl I hope it is a short term issue for Aussie, but I do wonder at times. As for going back to THAT PLACE Rudyard Kipling has put it so well…..

A man that's too good to be lost you,
A man that is 'andled an' made --
A man that will pay what 'e cost you
In learnin' the others their trade -- parade!

Back to the Army again, sergeant,
Back to the Army again.
'Oo said I knew when the troopship was due?
I'm back to the Army again!

Of course I would tell you what the Army could go & do but that apparently is considered treason now according to the new laws passed on Friday. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Anyway as far as his dislike of being touched, well the vow was for in sickness and not just when things are going ok and I feel good! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I'll have to keep thinking and working and asking questions on that one ...anyone got a comment or idea ???????

AW, did you hear or see the metorite? I heard about it in the news.

I saw a shooting star last night. Does that count?

Oh yes I did hear it though didn't realise it till later!!

I thought it was a jet landing at the airport - very faint ... stop laughing you lot... how was I too know!! its in the air you hear sound..its a plane right!!

I wasn't paying much attention - folding washing at the time.

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

LC, I read your baby story...very sad but glad you found God again in it.

Neak, I agree with B. Let it go and go NC! She is not worth one bit of ink.

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Good thing you didn't say it already, then, isn't it? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Sigh. I would say none of you understand how badly I want to so kindly just tell her how life really is. To mess with her mind, just a little bit! But you do understand, so I can't say that.

You have convinced me of what I need to do, but oh I still wanna!

Well, some good news and some interesting news. I FINALLY got to talk to the attorney. He is going to draft a letter to Gargamel at no extra charge, bless his sweet heart. In response to her certified letter, he is going to spell out that we are not personally liable for the corporate monies, that the corporation has no money at this time, and she will be paid additional funds only when/if the corporation has more money.

It's pretty much the same thing he had me tell her, but a little sterner, fancier, and coming straight from the legal offices.

Also, I asked him about the legal ramifications of personal payments just to help, but admitting no legal responsibility. He said that to protect us, everything should be done through the corporation, i.e. us giving the corporation a loan, and then the corporation issues a check. Once the corporation receives its settlement and finishes shutting down, that will no longer be an option. *sob*

When she gets this, followed immediately by my NC4Me letter, I expect things to briefly get ugly. (Noooo. Not her...) I promise to come here and complain, maybe even until you're sick of hearing from me, rather than say to her any of the many things I already want to, never mind the inspiration that would strike me at the moment.

Countdown to Freedom......10........9.........

This was probably not the exact phrasing Mom was thinking of using when she asked me to post this, but
Dad took a better picture of the truck than she did.

Mom may kill me for this, since we won't have a lot of time to practice, but if any of you live close enough to Escalon, CA to come to our Christmas program, please feel free to join us.

Escalon Seventh-day Adventist Church
2189 Jackson Avenue
Escalon, CA

The kids are doing a pageant, and most of them, including the Dervish, will be singing solos. Awwwwwwwwww.

Refreshments will be served.

Oops, silly me. You can either pick a random date and time and hope somebody might be there,

or........

you could come Friday, December 16, at 5:00 pm.


Of the two choices, the second option sounds like the more likely to me.

Just so we're all clear on this, this is not one of those fancy pageants that comes on freeview every year, complete with gorgeous angels flying above the audience. This is an adorably cheesy little church program where you sit close to the piano and sing loudly whether you can sing or not, and then hold both hands over your mouth during the play to keep from laughing out loud at the children.

It's my favorite kind. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, but in the unlikely event that anybody takes you up on your invite, at the "likely" time specified, they'll have to actually listen to primitive music and juvenile emoting, to say nothing of the snickering going on amongst the adults. If it's awe they're looking for, they probably won't find it there. Aw-w-w-w-w is a possibility, especially if the Dervish can stop fidgeting long enough to "sing" his song...bearing in mind that at least so far he couldn't carry a tune in a basket if his fingers were nailed to the handles! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> That reminds me of the whole Chirper Choir story. Lucky for you, Neak, I don't have time to tell it right now. Let's just say that Dervish's singing strongly resembles Neak, the early years, both in tone and volume. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Tl

aussie emailed me the following to fwd to you lol .......


Oh I dont know thunder girl <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> seein kids prance around singing whatever couldn't be worse than seeing blokes prance around singing [email]cr@p[/email] <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

could even be dare I say it cute ..the kids anyway!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

*****************************************************

Rested, tested, ready to go ..waiitng for the night & working helo <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />



sentiment of the week.... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

We're the Battling [email]B@stards[/email] of Afghanistan,
No mama, no papa, no working plan,
No aunts, no uncles, no cousins, no nieces,
No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces,
And nobody gives a God damn

Ooops

I dont think I was supposed to send the bit after the *** thingies.

oh well ..... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> too late now.

LOL, that is just so classically Man!

OMG neak....

what have you done with the dervish...apparently hes been 'timed out" hehehhehehe lol <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />


Neak you have it, it was SOOOO typical man wasn't it ..lol ..yep I'm ready now so lets go ... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I particularly like the 'thunder girl' comment .. ROTFLMAO hhaahahahahahahahhahaha <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />
so brave especially as he will be out of contact for some weeks ... AGAIN.