QUIT ANSWERING ME SO I CAN QUIT ANSWERING YOU!!!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Was that an apology? I guess contrition is in the eye of the beholder! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

t&l

oh yes ..the nappy saga ..... fun isn't it - you know if it was men ....they'd be holding who can write their names contests or wee further than the others <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

then go boast about it! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Let's be fair. If women had equipment which allowed them to engage in such competitions I can't say that we wouldn't succumb to the temptation ourselves. It's hard to work up a good contest, though, when all you can do is make a puddle straight down at/on your own feet. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Interesting idea, though. What would women compete with (and over), if we had the same mindset that so many men bring to their body parts? Breast implants don't count. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

t&l

I finally got around to posting a few more trip pictures. It takes a LONG time to upload when you've got dial-up. It also means I can't hear what happened to Neak till I get offline...and I don't know about you guys, but I'm really curious to know what happened.


Necklace of dog, porpoise, and human teeth

I'm sure they all died peacefully and naturally--and above all, in comfort--after which tranquil demise their teeth were respectfully and gently extracted to make this decorative piece of jewelry! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />


Shark-tooth Sword

The teeth on this thing were set in 4 rows--2 pointing forwards, and 2 pointing backwards--so that no matter whether the sword was being thrust in or pulled out, something was slicing while something else was tearing. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I realize a guy with a machine gun is more dangerous, but still, it had to be pretty intimidating to see a large, angry warrior coming at you with one of these things in his hand! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

t&l

What a lovely afternoon she had attended by 3 small children without entertainment to distract them during a long afternoon of watching <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> their mom get a variety of intimate examinations involving machinery and fingers and unfortunate body fluids. I hear she made somewhat of a mess of the Drs' office table when pressure was applied to her uterus from inside and outside simultaneously. Glad I wasn't doing cleanup after THAT exam! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> She can tell you her own details, and the VERY special contributions the Dervish made to his mother's gynecological evaluation. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I was going to tell you about the letter I got today from a voice from the past, but I'm too sleepy and am going to bed before I actually ooze off onto the floor.

Maybe in the morning, when coherence returns to slumberland... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Hey! No big tease and off to bed stuff! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

After a threat like THAT, we might want to consider doing all future posts in Braille, so that folks who want to read what's been said without running the risk of being struck blind by an unexpectedly-nude thought could still close their eyes and just do the conversations with their fingertips. Masks (opaque) are sold on the feminine hygiene products aisle. Right next to the Braille instructional books. We want you to always feel safe here, you know and protected from random outbursts of TMI! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

t&l's zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's

Honestly, the whining of some people. Ambien makes the typewriter keys dance back and forth which makes typing somewhat difficult...for some reason. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Just briefly, I got a card from a couple that I cared for somewhere around 8-9 years ago when they had premie quadruplets that all died over a period of 4-5 days. I'd take care of her a lot while she was in the hospital trying to save the pregnancy and became so very fond of them. I visited them a few years back, and since then they've adopted two daughters, but the son they were supposed to have been given last month was take back by the birth mother, leaving them with the responsibility to fulfill their part of the contract and pay over $5,000 for her care even though she's still got the baby. Nice, nice people--them, not the Biomom. Couldn't ask to know nicer folk. Every year we write to each other at Christmas, and I got her letter today. In it, she thanked me for giving her a copy of Neak's book and praised it with these words: "First off, I wanted to thank you so much for the signed copy of your daughter's book. What an honor and privilege to have an actual signed copy of such an amazing piece of work. The book was unbelievable--your daughter is so incredibly talented. Please tell her both Paul and I read it and enjoyed it very, very much. Again, many thanks to you and your daughter for thinking of us."

I was glad to show it to Neak this afternoon after she came back from the hospital. Neak loves hearing that people have enjoyed what she's writtien, and I figured it looked like she'd had a day when she could use a good uplifting compliment, and it made her smile. Especially where she said the book was unbelievable, which can be interpreted 2 ways, only one of them complimentary to the author. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Neak can pick the one she wants.

t&l

UNBELIEVABLY WONDERFUL, of course.

Maybe my pasty complexion did look like it needed a little cheering. But even the best day can be improved by a nice round of effusive compliments!

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

[quote]I'll copy this over to Mom's thread, too.

My first stop this morning was the OB/GYN's office. In some ways it was hard to be surrounded by hordes of pregnant women, but I tried not to look too much. We didn't have to wait a terribly long time, because they were almost ready to close up for lunch.

I will have to take a picture of the Dervish with his hat. AJ got it for him the other day, and he has not taken it off even to sleep. It is like a multicolored jester hat, but made out of felt. He loves it, but those three prongs coming out the back are one of the most ridiculous things I have seen. So in each place I mention his name, picture this little kid with three brightly colored horns sticking up at least eight inches out of his head.

Dr. B needed to do a bimanual exam, and sent the kids out into the hallway while she poked and prodded me. While I was half nekkid and spread out, the Dervish opened the door from the hallway. "Hi Mama! I want to see!" <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

The Dr. thought it was either an infection starting up, or that I had maybe retained something after the delivery. She prescribed antibiotics for over the weekend, and set up a sonogram at the hospital only a 1/2 hour from then.

The sonogram lady was clever enough to put me into a gown. We had the only printer for the whole radiology department, apparently, because there she was trying to concentrate on the procedure while the Dervish scampered around waving OTHER PEOPLE'S pictures! "Look at dis one! And dis one!"

The worst was during the vaginal ultrasound. We chased the kids to the other side of the curtain, under protest. The first clue we had that any of them were back was when a little Dervish voice said, "Look, Mama, I see da blood on yer butt!!!" Ack! Go away, little kid! Didn't your mama teach you any manners?!?

While waiting in line at Wal Mart to drop off my prescription, he started chatting with the girl behind us, Heather. He showed her my hospital bracelet. "Look, my mama hafta see da docker..."

You may believe I changed that subject as quickly as I could.

So we'll see by how I am on Monday if I have to have the D&C or not. I'm hoping not, though a little nap sounds kinda nice after my adventure.

As can chocolates and flowers, cuddles, kissyfaces ... oh did I mention CHOCOLATES!!!!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />


Now just so you know I haven't got too mellow amd mummified -- mummified hehhehe - <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Spouse's Slam Army - Again
Friday, 9 December 2005

.... the wives of SAS soldiers held a second interview and told the national news sevices ...... [boy are WE popular right now - NOT <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />]

"The other spouses affected by the deployment had tolerated many military operations including Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Gulf War and now Afghanistan again, but they all agreed the organisation for this deployment was a shambles, Sarah [not her real name]said. "Nothing compares to the shambles of how this has been conducted," Sarah said. "It's been a case of Chinese whispers – we don't know what's happening. "It's basically been up in the air since the PM’s announcement in June."
At the time of the interview with the media, Sarah had not been personally contacted by anyone in the military with an offer of support stated Sarah. She had been visited by many other wives all feeling much the same way and struggling with the long term separation of their husbands over the last 5 years. Her husband - lets call him Ross - was given 6 hours notice before being deployed. She is unlikely to see her husband for 12 months.
When Ross was leaving, Sarah said his boss gave him his business card and said she could call him anytime – but she said that was little consolation and cold comfort to new parents.
The family also had planned to leave Australia to travel overseas next week – now mother and baby are going by themselves….. apparently being deployed into a war is not a valid reason for cancellation and refund of the prepaid holiday. The family had been saving and planning for this trip since her husbands return from Iraq 12 months ago."

I can't see why you're not popular...........

The sonogram tech, we'll call her Pam, was another person who could have used sensitivity training at that hospital. Here I was, in the same room where they did the formal sono to prounounce Dillon dead, and when she found out I had been almost 20 weeks, began to blather about how big he must have been, "because MY baby is 21 weeks, and I know how big HE is..."

I had not even noticed she was pregnant till she said that, and just went a little deeper into the Zone.

She was nice, and I wouldn't dream of complaining to the hospital. I'm sure she meant no harm at all; there was just a certain lack of tact in her approach.

sensitivity training ??????? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

whats "sensitivity" ?? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Oh you mean when I 'called' the Army Chief a lying SOB sack of [censored] I should have added 'Sir" ??? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> [Aussie once told me you could get away with ANYTHING as long as you said 'SIR']

SIGN ... Well I thought about saying it anyway. I refrained ... terrible good show of self restraint dont you think?

Neak You would have been impressed..I stood there and nodded and said nothing [ME saying nothing??]... of course I wanted to ... but then I thought well if I did "I" would become the focus point because of Aussie and not the issue.

Besides, 'Sarah' and the others were so angry I wouldn't have got a word in edge ways. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Though I am anxious about her going OS with the baby by herself. I'm trying to persaude her to ask a friend or get her mum across to go with her, even offered to pay her mums airfare from the East [then the girls said they would put $50 each in as well aren't they great!!] ... you have to understand she has NOTHING ...they just moved into this new Defence force rented home..nice with a pool etc ..but she has virtually nothing the poor kid.
Our rep on the family support org is seeing the PM's office to try and get the Army to buy the holiday & give it to some family under stress - maybe one of those who got hurt - so she can settle in here and feel safe with her new baby.

That poor girl. I hope the army can be shamed into doing something for her.

Neak says to say she's OK and will try to be online later...if she's allowed out of bed! Which, being interpreted, is: she's pasty white, subject to dizzy spells, and having what feel to her like heart palpitations even though she can't feel her carotid pulse speed up. In other words, she's just fine! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Oh good. I want my bedtime story.

Tell her I laughted hysterically at the Devish's actions in the doctor's office.

The Dervish wore that hat to church today. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> I told Neak she has to take a picture of him wearing the thing, and post it. Believe me, her description of it doesn't do it justice. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Speaking of kids going to church. I belong to a very, very conservative church. When my boys were teens they both had shaved heads and 10" tall spiked mohawks. I used to cringe a little when we walked into church.

neak

just you take it a bit easy ok?

GET better, stop running around... a few dishes in the sink will not cause the world to stop you know. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
I know with the dervish - why do kids go through the dervish stage [why do boys/men stay in it? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />] ah the unknown questions of life - it may seem impossible but a bit of dad time over the weekend wont hurt AJ, he'll like it and you'll get some rest.

Keeping busy is both a blessing and a drain on you I guess rigt now. big hugs dear [[[[[[neak]]]]]] <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, sweetie. Well, I am taking it easy....for me.

We just found out our heater is busted, probably from the power outage this morning. It worked before. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> But on the bright side, we will get to initiate our beautiful fireplace that we haven't used even once in 2 years.