In all my years following this show, this is one of the few times Kate looks genuinely pretty to me. Her hair is a toned down blond, straight but with some body, her makeup muted, and she's dressed in a cozy grey sweater, albeit it cut a little tight. She looks her age, but not in a bad way. She is capable of looking very classy, pleasant and approachable, but she usually misses the mark by a mile.
Seemingly out of the blue, at least the way the kids seem to paint it, Kate wants them to clean out the entire house and sort out what can go to a yard sale. Only a few kids are around, and most are complaining about this task. Did they get a warning? Were there parameters set up? Because an open-ended project like this would naturally set even the most obedient of children off.
Oh my god the crap these children have! Plastic, plastic, plastic everywhere, four or five of everything. Doll houses, toy guns, books galore. Enough toys to cover a basement floor. It's insanity. I bet none of these toys got played with more than 20 minutes in their lifetime.
Kylie Jenner, I mean Mady, says something somewhat profound for a teenager, in that when you get rid of your old stuff, all you do is just replace it with new stuff. Now your new stuff is your old stuff, and you'll be getting rid of that too soon, so you might as well just hang onto your old stuff. I think she should expand on this idea and write it in an essay. It would make a good senior thesis. I'm serious. Consumerism and excess are one of the biggest black holes of modern life, and it's getting worse by the year. I'm somewhat proud of Mady for noticing at her young age.
Hannah, Alexis and Mady are being the biggest babies of all the kids about this. Whining and whining about how today was supposed to be Shoka's birthday cake, not cleaning the basement, and Kate promised this would be fun and it's not. While it's annoying Kate seems to have sprung this project on them without warning, their unchecked snotty attitudes about it are completely unacceptable, but instead of just laying down the law, Kate in typical fashion engages with them, which just makes the whining worse. They have eight capable people here, if they would all just shush and get down to business even with all the crap everywhere, I bet they could finish up this clean-out in under 60 minutes, maybe less. A project like this would take all day with only two or three kids handling it, so there are some great advantages of having a whole lot of kids in your family when projects like this come along. In many instances, you should be doing way less work than an average sized family, which is a nice perk.
Joel put a bunch of books I guess they're holding onto on a bookshelf, only he stacks them facing out, one on top of the other, instead of vertically so you can see their titles.
This incident is a glimpse at the very mean streak Kate has, and the potential long-term damage it could do to kids. Instead of just asking him nicely to restack the books correctly, she pulls them all out dramatically in a big messy pile, and then condescendingly asks Joel how he sees books stacked in a library and does the way he stacked them look like the library? I'm sure Joel knew exactly what he was doing and was just doing something dumb like kids tend to do, there is no reason to make him feel badly about it. Why not laugh about it, share a giggle between mother and son over a funny brain fart, instead of making him feel badly about himself? Joel's chagrined quiet little, 'I guess you're right,' says everything about how Kate spoke to him made him feel.
There's an incredibly long segment about baking a birthday cake and wrapping presents for Shoka. I don't know why these dogs are so boring to me. I think because we've never seen or heard about them doing anything but standing there being a dog. Also, they make Kate's Instagram even more boring than it already is.
The screaming and arguing these kids are doing, almost always from the girls, is utterly unacceptable and near constant, and Kate does nothing at all to try to stop it. Eventually after what feels like hours Kate intervenes and requires complete silence. Well, sheesh the solution to kids bickering and hollering is not total silence. Good grief. How about, speak to each other with respect and with our inside voices?
Kate tries to show off for the cameras and goes to spontaneously hug Cara as they're just hanging out in the kitchen. Cara, as expected, blows Kate off. Kate, you're not that family.
By the way, everyone should see Lady Bird. I saw it opening weekend and was riveted by the real and raw dialogue. An imperfect daughter and a really imperfect mother navigate the daughter's senior year of high school into going away to college. It's like Boyhood only with girls and mostly unlikable characters. You have to be okay with watching a movie where you really don't much like anyone, but if you can get past that, you will be rewarded.
I've seen all the contenders for best picture this year, and that film deserves its spot in the crowd, though it won't win. Three Billboards should win, but The Shape of Water will win.
In a surprisingly revealing conversation, the children say on the couch that they really don't hug Kate much, maybe just at bedtime. Only Aaden admits perhaps he might hug her if she's going away, or if he's on his way to school. Right, because, no surprise Kate likely doesn't derive much from that kind of tactile and loving touch so she doesn't bother to give it to her children even if they would benefit. It'd be interesting to hear what a child psychologist would say about this, but it seems to me only one hug a day is very much on the low side for the kind of physical touch a child needs, though probably matters more when they're younger. Which begs the question how far back does this one-hug-a-day rationing go? Because if you've got a four-year-old whose only touch from a parent all day is one hug at night, that is very, very concerning. There's been a lot of interesting studies on this, with hugging and positive touching directly linked to a child's normal development. Researchers have found a huge boost to a child's normal development once they get a good 20 minutes a day of hugs, and loving, appropriate touching (like cuddling up together and sharing a book or talking). One hug at bed time is likely not going to cut it.
The kids want to try the dog cake because that's just how kids are. Hehe, the boys love it, and Kate jokes they'll eat anything. It looks like the girls are spitting it out though. Blech.
I'm just about the biggest dog lover on the planet, but this segment is mind-numbing. And what's pretty funny about the whole thing is Shoka is barely in it! He only appears at the end, outside of course, to collect his cake. Where was he this whole time, chained up to the barn? Sadly that's not a joke. I will never understand people who keep "outdoor" dogs. It makes no sense to me. I'd sooner understand an "outdoor" child you never let inside except maybe on special occasions, and even then only in the laundry room or basement. Huh?
Kate spins a tall tale about how she's always loved and looked after animals. Even once nursing baby squirrels back to health with a bottle. Heh, and I got a bridge to sell ya! A true animal or dog lover is unlikely to go dog-less for the years and years she did. I think she got the dogs because it was a good episode idea, TLC was paying, and it helps pad her instagram. More than likely, she screamed her head off and ran away when she saw a nest of baby squirrels. She then says and she's always looking after babies. What does babies have to do with being an animal lover? Sometimes her throw away comments are so telling, in that she's actually equating a human being to something like a squirrel. Point being, babies, even children, I think she processes more like cute objects, or a lesser species, not human beings. This would be typical narcissistic behavior, there is no normal bond with offspring. Oh, they can put on a hell of a good show engaging with their little successors, but there is no "there" there.
Very tellingly, the long segment ends when it's dark out, Kate goes back inside, shuts the front door, and Shoka remains outside to wander around in the dark all by himself on his birthday. I hate her. That is all.
Why does she do this? The same weekend they're sorting out the entire house, Kate planned Many and Cara's birthday party. There is something wrong with her. I think she purposely over schedules herself to cause stress and get attention and sympathy and perhaps even to watch the kids fall into a tailspin. There's no other reason to do something so ridiculous.
The family arrives at Skyzone for the party, which is basically a big indoor trampoline gym. We have these here and I've been there though haven't really participated. These sort of indoor fun zones were just becoming popular when I was a kid, popping up on every corner, and there was an amazing one called Adventure Quest near where I lived that was just awesome. It had everything from cargo nets and tunnels to a zip line. I tried to find it online to see if it's still around, but no such luck. They can be on the expensive side, but they often run deal days or have coupons, and they are simply a blast and also a good safe workout for kids. I think this was a good choice that pleases both ages of the kids.
I find it so interesting to watch these episodes through the lens of Collin is "dead." Here he rolls up to Skyzone separate from the family, Kate explaining he was with a friend that weekend. I find that odd since it seems the kids so rarely go off on their own like that. Weekends are for crowding on the floor in her bedroom I gather. But sure enough there he is with two apparently younger friends, both girls incidentally. The thought crossed my mind ten is probably pushing it to be interested in having sleepovers with girls or for most parents to find it appropriate, so that's interesting. He has a huge smile on his face and immediately runs to Mady and gives her a big bear hug. Nothing about this interaction seems strange or off, he just seems like such a normal kid with normal bonds with a favorite sibling. As I've said a hundred times, the idea he is so disturbed he needs to be banished from the family home for years now is simply impossible to believe. It's getting to the point where I refuse to believe it, and rather firmly believe it's Kate who can't or won't handle him, not Collin himself who can't be handled by the average decent parent. In other words, it's Kate, not him.
Mady and Collin have been favorites of each other since his toddlerhood, and we don't talk enough about how removal of one sibling from the home damages the other siblings left behind. Mady puts on a tough exterior and would likely never admit this, but she is being robbed of her relationship with Collin, the shared experiences and growing-up memories are being actively stolen from her. The damage to her as well could be irreparable.
On a side note, I think it's very interesting, and wonderful, that in California, they have such respect for the nature of sibling relationships that they have even carved out a rare exception to adoption based on sibling bonds. In other words, if one sibling is about to be adopted by a family and another sibling they are bonded with isn't (that second sibling might be living with another family, or perhaps a parent, or is too old to want to be adopted, etc.), the siblings can assert a "sibling exception" and get a judge to deny the adoption on the grounds that it is not in the best interest of the siblings and their close ties. Granted, it is a hard burden to prove, but at least a statement in the law has been made about sibling relationships.
Kate says doing a birthday party at a place like this is not her thing but this is what the twins wanted, and that's why she did it, because she no longer has control over how things will be. They are fourteen years old! It seems to me any kid old enough to speak is old enough to have some say in his birthday party, within reason. It's their party. It's supposed to be about their birthday, not the parents' ego or desires. Yeesh!
Why are Kate and her girls, left boobie and rightie, front and center bouncing away? Go away, it's not your party. Go stand with the other uncool parents and butt out.
Mady says Kate sometimes writes them off as "teenagers" to which Mady explains she's often acting like she is not because she's being a teenager but because Kate is being unfair. I buy that. We've seen Kate do many things to the kids that are fundamentally unfair, and being a teen has nothing to do with the greater point. So, rock on, Mady.
It's annoying the way Kate exaggerates. They had just done the "world's most stressfulist" (the f?) construction on the house. She's clearly never done some real work to a house. All they did was move around some bedrooms, painted some walls and barely did any decorating at all to make a bedroom a bedroom. What a martyr.
This episode is really another disorganized hodgepodge of random stuff. None of these little stories have anything to do with the other, which is lazy writing. The quality of post-production on this series took a massive dive once it became just Kate Plus 8. It really is like they didn't care anymore, and were just making filler to kill time and collect a pay check. Now the family is at a studio, doing a photoshoot. Kate says most families do periodic photoshoots like them. Um, I would venture to say that's not true at all. Many families can't afford periodic photoshoots, at least not real ones. Most photoshoots in a studio as they have done are very expensive. Even doing them at JCPenney isn't the cheapest thing to blow your money on. I would venture to say many families just take photos of the family with their phone and be done with it, which again puts her very out of touch with the real world.
They have an entire rack of clothes set up for different outfit changes, which is a dead giveaway this is a production photoshoot of some kind. Could Kate just be honest and say this is an official TLC (or some other official) photoshoot that's wrapped up in production's overhead, and not something she arranged and paid for? What nerve she has talking about the expensive things she thinks many families do when she likely isn't paying a dime out of pocket for this.
The little Dionnes are pros at this, especially the boys, who just get on with it and get this over with. Why is Kate the only one I can hear directing this whole thing? She has no idea what she's talking about. She's posing them awkwardly and most of the photos are terrible and unoriginal.
Predictably, Kate is starting to lose it and is yelling and snapping at the kids over stupid things. The only thing worse than a boring photoshoot is your mom nagging you on a boring photoshoot. Why is everyone else in the room hidden from camera? We never see even a glimpse of the photographer, and the part where Kate looks at the photos on a computer make it look like she's talking to a ghost when clearly she's talking either to a photographer or editor. The only person on camera has their face blurred. That is so odd, why would the photographers not want to be part of this? I can't even speculate the reasons for this strange situation!
There's some interesting little details to notice in the extraneous filler shots they show while Kate is blah blahing on the couch. In one, one of the boys has what appears to be a gift bag and is holding a large box, which from a distance looks like maybe a Lego set. What was that, the bribe for all this? Also in the background is some chick packing up craft services. Lots of waters and some foil dishes. So, this was clearly not a one- or two-hour event but rather warranted a full meal or at least a big snack. Sigh.
Kate heads to a local radio station to promote the yard sale. Oh that's totally a normal thing to do, go on the radio as a guest to peddle your old crappy junk. Heh. Kate knows the station from when she was on it to promote a 5k she ran in some years back, back when running was still shiny and interested her. Now Running's gone off to the black hole, taken off its tennis shoes and found a seat right between Aunt Jodie and Beth. Get comfortable, Running.
Kate laments that her biggest 1 percent problem is she has so much stuff it's filled her mansion to the brim and now she must get rid of it. Poor thing!
The yard sale money will go to the Animal Rescue League. Kate tells a story that is alarmingly short on details, that Shoka jumped the fence and so ARL found him and kept him overnight, and she didn't worry about him because they were looking after him.
So....many...questions! How did Shoka jump the fence and why? Was he bored, restless? Where was the rest of the family when this happened? Did this happen at night, or why else would they keep him overnight? Do you not bring your damn dog inside at night even, you shrew? And if she didn't worry about him, is she implying she knew ARL had him but she waited until the next day to get him? Next time he's going to get hit by a car before he's "rescued." What is her plan to ensure this never happens again? This story is such insanity for anyone who has even a shred of compassion toward animals.
Nothing happens over the next five minutes except Kate complaining how much she has to do to get ready for this yard sale, which will be an outdoor sale at what looks like a park. Why aren't they doing this at the family home like normal people? They have plenty of space for it. Having it off site just makes everything so much harder. Oh, lord, please do not ever buy or sell old car seats. It's incredibly dangerous and in some circumstances illegal, such if they've ever been in a crash no matter how small. Throw them out.
Collin, who has proven to be an absolute sweetheart and one of the most likable of all these children, happily stacks books, remarking that he's excited as he's never done a yard sale before. He has a perpetual good sense of humor and positive attitude, in the face of an incredible amount of negativity around him. He is a good kid, and this long absence that is still not over will forever be disturbing to many viewers.
The editors kill some time by showing clips of old Halloween episodes, which they loosely tie into some Halloween decorations they are dumping. Heh, that was a stretch. I often picture these poor editors in their dark editing bays, putting these episodes together and coming up with a run time of maybe 35, 38 minutes .... and saying to themselves, all righty, we've got 6-8 more minutes we've got to come up with somehow, now what?
You can just guess the kind of sound bytes Kate offers about this thing. She felt prepared but unprepared, exhausted but knew she had to go through with it. She should just tape these little soliloquies and play them over and over for anything she is asked to talk about, it's always the same generic drivel.
Kate goes over to the garage sale site so early it's still dark out. Given this is summer in the northeast, that must have been very early. Mercifully, she let the kids stay home and sleep longer with "someone" staying home with them. Someone? I.e. the nanny? Why not just say the nanny? Good grief.
Kate's pissed Cara is selling some sort of magazine or poster Kate got for her last year from England. Imported from England? Geez, that's not spoiled at all. That's such a great example, ask the kids to give up things they still may have some attachment to and do it with a great attitude but when Kate doesn't want to let something go, she is permitted to stomp and hold her breath. Silly double standard. After all this getting up early, there is little organization or order to the tables, it's all just piles of junk. Wonder if any of Jon's old stuff made the cut.
There are a lot of people lined up to buy their piles of junk. The whole family, especially Kate, seems so very impressed and flattered by this turnout, but garage sale people are pretty intense that I've seen, you might find a line like this at any sale of this size, doesn't matter if the family is famous. Tip: call your garage sale an "estate sale" and your turnout will double. Semantics. I've stopped by garage sales if there's one within walking distance in the neighborhood and if I'm not there as soon as it opens, there's likely nothing good left. (That's why I prefer the app OfferUp for second hand stuff I'm interested in. If I want something and the seller commits to selling it to me, we can work out me picking it up any time. I don't have to be there at 7 a.m.)
Just to make things really hard, they also are selling baked goods and other foods too. It's highly unlikely such a thing like this is permitted on this scale without a permit, but Kate is not one to think of anything like that because she's stupid. They also have a grab bag stand, for 2 bucks you get a brown paper bag of most likely crap. Permits and other regulations aside to sell things like this, I do like the way this involves the kids and gets them engaged and excited about this event. It is probably boring for a kid to stand around watching the adults sell off old blenders and party decorations. The kids love it.
"How much for everything?" a young woman asks, who dolled herself up early and big time for her on camera debut. Hair curled and the whole nine yards. She had a line, so I say give that gal a SAG card. Garage sale people. How much for it all is not an uncommon question with that strange lot.
What's the point of post-production blurring some of the info on the yard sale sign? The sale is already over with. Not like you need to protect the location or something. Weird.
I think Kate is right, and I hate saying that, that it's just easier not to price anything. If people want something, have them suggest a fair price and be done with it. Makes it faster and easier. Plus it's for charity, so it's kind of like, whatever you want to give, 20 bucks or whatever, and take a few items you think are fair to take for that. Kate tends to make things overly complicated, so this no-price hassle free sale is out of character.
Twenty-five bucks plus a selfie with Kate, one gentleman offers for the crap he has collected. Mister, that is quite a bargain. Back in the day at speaking engagements those photos were a pretty penny plus you were expected to contribute to the "donation basket" being passed around so the family could keep their electricity on, and you didn't get any garage sale items with it.
You know how when you become a teenager suddenly your parents' jokes sound really stupid and Mom and Dad become just overall embarrassing? That's Kate, only you don't have to be a teenager to find her jokes so dumb and the woman embarrassing. I just want to cover my eyes when I watch her interact with the general public. But, I give her a tiny bit of credit for being upbeat throughout this sale and engaging with each and every buyer as they approach her, trying to have a bit of a conversation with them, at least from what we can tell. She must have been mentally exhausted but she did it.
Kate pats herself on the back again for donating to this dog shelter, plus, helping the needy, she practically says. She is so perched atop her throne, heh. You don't have to be poor to go to a garage sale! Is that what she thinks this demographic is? Some people just like a good bargain. Some people believe in reusing as much as possible before ever buying new. Some people think it's just fun to look through other people's stuff for treasure. I'm all of that and that's why I often buy used things (though as I said, usually through other venues like OfferUp). Some of these people are also here to get on camera, like 5 a.m. hair-curl chick, and quite frankly there's probably a few lookie loos who just want to see Kate and the whole TLC spectacle. Fair enough. There's nothing wrong with shopping at garage sales because you can't afford things otherwise of course and many people do, but for Kate to think that her garage sale is such a wonderful gift she bestowed on the poor and needy of Wernersville is just hilarious, since there is no evidence that's who attended.
I think it's funny that Kate has no idea how she sounds. She was shocked to meet so many good wonderful people at the sale. Who does Kate think usually attends yard sales for pity sake, murderers and rapists? Somebody's gonna turn up missing after this and be found in a shallow grave six weeks later? Sheesh! I'm glad to hear the commoners so impressed her with their decorum and generally clean criminal backgrounds.
"Do you remember me?" a woman says in a kind of creepy way, real quiet-like. "Your girls are beautiful," she goes on to say breathily. I think this woman just has a naturally breathy voice, but it sounds like the beginning of a bad horror movie. It's Kelly, an old coworker. Despite the breathy voice, she seems really sweet. Kelly seems to have a kid there exactly the younger kids' age--huh. And Kate says she lives nearby. Why not get together with this woman? Make friends with her, and the girls can make friends with her daughter. This was a golden opportunity to exchange numbers and rekindle something that would benefit everyone, but Kate being Kate not only doesn't think of it but I don't think even wants to. Kind of sad.
Kate is so unbelievably shocked to run into people she knows at this sale. If she got out more, she would realize that most people run into people they know all the time, especially in smaller towns but even in big ones. In the town I grew up in it would be rare not to see someone you know when you leave the house. In Los Angeles, I see someone I know out and about probably every other week. Even in a city that size.
I'm not sure who Kate is trying to convince here emphasizing how supportive everyone is and how kind to them and how much they love them. Like, I don't expect people to come to your garage sale and be rude and start engaging you in a moral debate over exploiting your children on television. That would just be odd and inappropriate in front of the children. This was a yard sale, not a meet and greet, and I would expect most people to come and buy something and leave like normal polite people. This sampling in no way represents the general public opinion about how these children have grown up, nor does it prove all her neighbors love her and have no issue with her (contrary to various reports especially from back at the house before this one) so I don't know who Kate is trying to fool.
They made just over $1100 for the animal rescue charity. I think that's pretty good for one morning, and it will certainly be a help to a fine charity. Well done, Wernersville.
In memory of Golly Gee, whose thoughtful perspective and steadfast optimism has been a treasured part of this blog. We toast you, Golly.
I've seen all the contenders for best picture this year, and that film deserves its spot in the crowd, though it won't win. Three Billboards should win, but The Shape of Water will win.
In a surprisingly revealing conversation, the children say on the couch that they really don't hug Kate much, maybe just at bedtime. Only Aaden admits perhaps he might hug her if she's going away, or if he's on his way to school. Right, because, no surprise Kate likely doesn't derive much from that kind of tactile and loving touch so she doesn't bother to give it to her children even if they would benefit. It'd be interesting to hear what a child psychologist would say about this, but it seems to me only one hug a day is very much on the low side for the kind of physical touch a child needs, though probably matters more when they're younger. Which begs the question how far back does this one-hug-a-day rationing go? Because if you've got a four-year-old whose only touch from a parent all day is one hug at night, that is very, very concerning. There's been a lot of interesting studies on this, with hugging and positive touching directly linked to a child's normal development. Researchers have found a huge boost to a child's normal development once they get a good 20 minutes a day of hugs, and loving, appropriate touching (like cuddling up together and sharing a book or talking). One hug at bed time is likely not going to cut it.
The kids want to try the dog cake because that's just how kids are. Hehe, the boys love it, and Kate jokes they'll eat anything. It looks like the girls are spitting it out though. Blech.
I'm just about the biggest dog lover on the planet, but this segment is mind-numbing. And what's pretty funny about the whole thing is Shoka is barely in it! He only appears at the end, outside of course, to collect his cake. Where was he this whole time, chained up to the barn? Sadly that's not a joke. I will never understand people who keep "outdoor" dogs. It makes no sense to me. I'd sooner understand an "outdoor" child you never let inside except maybe on special occasions, and even then only in the laundry room or basement. Huh?
Kate spins a tall tale about how she's always loved and looked after animals. Even once nursing baby squirrels back to health with a bottle. Heh, and I got a bridge to sell ya! A true animal or dog lover is unlikely to go dog-less for the years and years she did. I think she got the dogs because it was a good episode idea, TLC was paying, and it helps pad her instagram. More than likely, she screamed her head off and ran away when she saw a nest of baby squirrels. She then says and she's always looking after babies. What does babies have to do with being an animal lover? Sometimes her throw away comments are so telling, in that she's actually equating a human being to something like a squirrel. Point being, babies, even children, I think she processes more like cute objects, or a lesser species, not human beings. This would be typical narcissistic behavior, there is no normal bond with offspring. Oh, they can put on a hell of a good show engaging with their little successors, but there is no "there" there.
Very tellingly, the long segment ends when it's dark out, Kate goes back inside, shuts the front door, and Shoka remains outside to wander around in the dark all by himself on his birthday. I hate her. That is all.
Why does she do this? The same weekend they're sorting out the entire house, Kate planned Many and Cara's birthday party. There is something wrong with her. I think she purposely over schedules herself to cause stress and get attention and sympathy and perhaps even to watch the kids fall into a tailspin. There's no other reason to do something so ridiculous.
The family arrives at Skyzone for the party, which is basically a big indoor trampoline gym. We have these here and I've been there though haven't really participated. These sort of indoor fun zones were just becoming popular when I was a kid, popping up on every corner, and there was an amazing one called Adventure Quest near where I lived that was just awesome. It had everything from cargo nets and tunnels to a zip line. I tried to find it online to see if it's still around, but no such luck. They can be on the expensive side, but they often run deal days or have coupons, and they are simply a blast and also a good safe workout for kids. I think this was a good choice that pleases both ages of the kids.
I find it so interesting to watch these episodes through the lens of Collin is "dead." Here he rolls up to Skyzone separate from the family, Kate explaining he was with a friend that weekend. I find that odd since it seems the kids so rarely go off on their own like that. Weekends are for crowding on the floor in her bedroom I gather. But sure enough there he is with two apparently younger friends, both girls incidentally. The thought crossed my mind ten is probably pushing it to be interested in having sleepovers with girls or for most parents to find it appropriate, so that's interesting. He has a huge smile on his face and immediately runs to Mady and gives her a big bear hug. Nothing about this interaction seems strange or off, he just seems like such a normal kid with normal bonds with a favorite sibling. As I've said a hundred times, the idea he is so disturbed he needs to be banished from the family home for years now is simply impossible to believe. It's getting to the point where I refuse to believe it, and rather firmly believe it's Kate who can't or won't handle him, not Collin himself who can't be handled by the average decent parent. In other words, it's Kate, not him.
Mady and Collin have been favorites of each other since his toddlerhood, and we don't talk enough about how removal of one sibling from the home damages the other siblings left behind. Mady puts on a tough exterior and would likely never admit this, but she is being robbed of her relationship with Collin, the shared experiences and growing-up memories are being actively stolen from her. The damage to her as well could be irreparable.
On a side note, I think it's very interesting, and wonderful, that in California, they have such respect for the nature of sibling relationships that they have even carved out a rare exception to adoption based on sibling bonds. In other words, if one sibling is about to be adopted by a family and another sibling they are bonded with isn't (that second sibling might be living with another family, or perhaps a parent, or is too old to want to be adopted, etc.), the siblings can assert a "sibling exception" and get a judge to deny the adoption on the grounds that it is not in the best interest of the siblings and their close ties. Granted, it is a hard burden to prove, but at least a statement in the law has been made about sibling relationships.
Kate says doing a birthday party at a place like this is not her thing but this is what the twins wanted, and that's why she did it, because she no longer has control over how things will be. They are fourteen years old! It seems to me any kid old enough to speak is old enough to have some say in his birthday party, within reason. It's their party. It's supposed to be about their birthday, not the parents' ego or desires. Yeesh!
Why are Kate and her girls, left boobie and rightie, front and center bouncing away? Go away, it's not your party. Go stand with the other uncool parents and butt out.
Mady says Kate sometimes writes them off as "teenagers" to which Mady explains she's often acting like she is not because she's being a teenager but because Kate is being unfair. I buy that. We've seen Kate do many things to the kids that are fundamentally unfair, and being a teen has nothing to do with the greater point. So, rock on, Mady.
It's annoying the way Kate exaggerates. They had just done the "world's most stressfulist" (the f?) construction on the house. She's clearly never done some real work to a house. All they did was move around some bedrooms, painted some walls and barely did any decorating at all to make a bedroom a bedroom. What a martyr.
This episode is really another disorganized hodgepodge of random stuff. None of these little stories have anything to do with the other, which is lazy writing. The quality of post-production on this series took a massive dive once it became just Kate Plus 8. It really is like they didn't care anymore, and were just making filler to kill time and collect a pay check. Now the family is at a studio, doing a photoshoot. Kate says most families do periodic photoshoots like them. Um, I would venture to say that's not true at all. Many families can't afford periodic photoshoots, at least not real ones. Most photoshoots in a studio as they have done are very expensive. Even doing them at JCPenney isn't the cheapest thing to blow your money on. I would venture to say many families just take photos of the family with their phone and be done with it, which again puts her very out of touch with the real world.
They have an entire rack of clothes set up for different outfit changes, which is a dead giveaway this is a production photoshoot of some kind. Could Kate just be honest and say this is an official TLC (or some other official) photoshoot that's wrapped up in production's overhead, and not something she arranged and paid for? What nerve she has talking about the expensive things she thinks many families do when she likely isn't paying a dime out of pocket for this.
The little Dionnes are pros at this, especially the boys, who just get on with it and get this over with. Why is Kate the only one I can hear directing this whole thing? She has no idea what she's talking about. She's posing them awkwardly and most of the photos are terrible and unoriginal.
Predictably, Kate is starting to lose it and is yelling and snapping at the kids over stupid things. The only thing worse than a boring photoshoot is your mom nagging you on a boring photoshoot. Why is everyone else in the room hidden from camera? We never see even a glimpse of the photographer, and the part where Kate looks at the photos on a computer make it look like she's talking to a ghost when clearly she's talking either to a photographer or editor. The only person on camera has their face blurred. That is so odd, why would the photographers not want to be part of this? I can't even speculate the reasons for this strange situation!
There's some interesting little details to notice in the extraneous filler shots they show while Kate is blah blahing on the couch. In one, one of the boys has what appears to be a gift bag and is holding a large box, which from a distance looks like maybe a Lego set. What was that, the bribe for all this? Also in the background is some chick packing up craft services. Lots of waters and some foil dishes. So, this was clearly not a one- or two-hour event but rather warranted a full meal or at least a big snack. Sigh.
Kate heads to a local radio station to promote the yard sale. Oh that's totally a normal thing to do, go on the radio as a guest to peddle your old crappy junk. Heh. Kate knows the station from when she was on it to promote a 5k she ran in some years back, back when running was still shiny and interested her. Now Running's gone off to the black hole, taken off its tennis shoes and found a seat right between Aunt Jodie and Beth. Get comfortable, Running.
Kate laments that her biggest 1 percent problem is she has so much stuff it's filled her mansion to the brim and now she must get rid of it. Poor thing!
The yard sale money will go to the Animal Rescue League. Kate tells a story that is alarmingly short on details, that Shoka jumped the fence and so ARL found him and kept him overnight, and she didn't worry about him because they were looking after him.
So....many...questions! How did Shoka jump the fence and why? Was he bored, restless? Where was the rest of the family when this happened? Did this happen at night, or why else would they keep him overnight? Do you not bring your damn dog inside at night even, you shrew? And if she didn't worry about him, is she implying she knew ARL had him but she waited until the next day to get him? Next time he's going to get hit by a car before he's "rescued." What is her plan to ensure this never happens again? This story is such insanity for anyone who has even a shred of compassion toward animals.
Nothing happens over the next five minutes except Kate complaining how much she has to do to get ready for this yard sale, which will be an outdoor sale at what looks like a park. Why aren't they doing this at the family home like normal people? They have plenty of space for it. Having it off site just makes everything so much harder. Oh, lord, please do not ever buy or sell old car seats. It's incredibly dangerous and in some circumstances illegal, such if they've ever been in a crash no matter how small. Throw them out.
Collin, who has proven to be an absolute sweetheart and one of the most likable of all these children, happily stacks books, remarking that he's excited as he's never done a yard sale before. He has a perpetual good sense of humor and positive attitude, in the face of an incredible amount of negativity around him. He is a good kid, and this long absence that is still not over will forever be disturbing to many viewers.
The editors kill some time by showing clips of old Halloween episodes, which they loosely tie into some Halloween decorations they are dumping. Heh, that was a stretch. I often picture these poor editors in their dark editing bays, putting these episodes together and coming up with a run time of maybe 35, 38 minutes .... and saying to themselves, all righty, we've got 6-8 more minutes we've got to come up with somehow, now what?
You can just guess the kind of sound bytes Kate offers about this thing. She felt prepared but unprepared, exhausted but knew she had to go through with it. She should just tape these little soliloquies and play them over and over for anything she is asked to talk about, it's always the same generic drivel.
Kate goes over to the garage sale site so early it's still dark out. Given this is summer in the northeast, that must have been very early. Mercifully, she let the kids stay home and sleep longer with "someone" staying home with them. Someone? I.e. the nanny? Why not just say the nanny? Good grief.
Kate's pissed Cara is selling some sort of magazine or poster Kate got for her last year from England. Imported from England? Geez, that's not spoiled at all. That's such a great example, ask the kids to give up things they still may have some attachment to and do it with a great attitude but when Kate doesn't want to let something go, she is permitted to stomp and hold her breath. Silly double standard. After all this getting up early, there is little organization or order to the tables, it's all just piles of junk. Wonder if any of Jon's old stuff made the cut.
There are a lot of people lined up to buy their piles of junk. The whole family, especially Kate, seems so very impressed and flattered by this turnout, but garage sale people are pretty intense that I've seen, you might find a line like this at any sale of this size, doesn't matter if the family is famous. Tip: call your garage sale an "estate sale" and your turnout will double. Semantics. I've stopped by garage sales if there's one within walking distance in the neighborhood and if I'm not there as soon as it opens, there's likely nothing good left. (That's why I prefer the app OfferUp for second hand stuff I'm interested in. If I want something and the seller commits to selling it to me, we can work out me picking it up any time. I don't have to be there at 7 a.m.)
Just to make things really hard, they also are selling baked goods and other foods too. It's highly unlikely such a thing like this is permitted on this scale without a permit, but Kate is not one to think of anything like that because she's stupid. They also have a grab bag stand, for 2 bucks you get a brown paper bag of most likely crap. Permits and other regulations aside to sell things like this, I do like the way this involves the kids and gets them engaged and excited about this event. It is probably boring for a kid to stand around watching the adults sell off old blenders and party decorations. The kids love it.
"How much for everything?" a young woman asks, who dolled herself up early and big time for her on camera debut. Hair curled and the whole nine yards. She had a line, so I say give that gal a SAG card. Garage sale people. How much for it all is not an uncommon question with that strange lot.
What's the point of post-production blurring some of the info on the yard sale sign? The sale is already over with. Not like you need to protect the location or something. Weird.
I think Kate is right, and I hate saying that, that it's just easier not to price anything. If people want something, have them suggest a fair price and be done with it. Makes it faster and easier. Plus it's for charity, so it's kind of like, whatever you want to give, 20 bucks or whatever, and take a few items you think are fair to take for that. Kate tends to make things overly complicated, so this no-price hassle free sale is out of character.
Twenty-five bucks plus a selfie with Kate, one gentleman offers for the crap he has collected. Mister, that is quite a bargain. Back in the day at speaking engagements those photos were a pretty penny plus you were expected to contribute to the "donation basket" being passed around so the family could keep their electricity on, and you didn't get any garage sale items with it.
You know how when you become a teenager suddenly your parents' jokes sound really stupid and Mom and Dad become just overall embarrassing? That's Kate, only you don't have to be a teenager to find her jokes so dumb and the woman embarrassing. I just want to cover my eyes when I watch her interact with the general public. But, I give her a tiny bit of credit for being upbeat throughout this sale and engaging with each and every buyer as they approach her, trying to have a bit of a conversation with them, at least from what we can tell. She must have been mentally exhausted but she did it.
Kate pats herself on the back again for donating to this dog shelter, plus, helping the needy, she practically says. She is so perched atop her throne, heh. You don't have to be poor to go to a garage sale! Is that what she thinks this demographic is? Some people just like a good bargain. Some people believe in reusing as much as possible before ever buying new. Some people think it's just fun to look through other people's stuff for treasure. I'm all of that and that's why I often buy used things (though as I said, usually through other venues like OfferUp). Some of these people are also here to get on camera, like 5 a.m. hair-curl chick, and quite frankly there's probably a few lookie loos who just want to see Kate and the whole TLC spectacle. Fair enough. There's nothing wrong with shopping at garage sales because you can't afford things otherwise of course and many people do, but for Kate to think that her garage sale is such a wonderful gift she bestowed on the poor and needy of Wernersville is just hilarious, since there is no evidence that's who attended.
I think it's funny that Kate has no idea how she sounds. She was shocked to meet so many good wonderful people at the sale. Who does Kate think usually attends yard sales for pity sake, murderers and rapists? Somebody's gonna turn up missing after this and be found in a shallow grave six weeks later? Sheesh! I'm glad to hear the commoners so impressed her with their decorum and generally clean criminal backgrounds.
"Do you remember me?" a woman says in a kind of creepy way, real quiet-like. "Your girls are beautiful," she goes on to say breathily. I think this woman just has a naturally breathy voice, but it sounds like the beginning of a bad horror movie. It's Kelly, an old coworker. Despite the breathy voice, she seems really sweet. Kelly seems to have a kid there exactly the younger kids' age--huh. And Kate says she lives nearby. Why not get together with this woman? Make friends with her, and the girls can make friends with her daughter. This was a golden opportunity to exchange numbers and rekindle something that would benefit everyone, but Kate being Kate not only doesn't think of it but I don't think even wants to. Kind of sad.
Kate is so unbelievably shocked to run into people she knows at this sale. If she got out more, she would realize that most people run into people they know all the time, especially in smaller towns but even in big ones. In the town I grew up in it would be rare not to see someone you know when you leave the house. In Los Angeles, I see someone I know out and about probably every other week. Even in a city that size.
I'm not sure who Kate is trying to convince here emphasizing how supportive everyone is and how kind to them and how much they love them. Like, I don't expect people to come to your garage sale and be rude and start engaging you in a moral debate over exploiting your children on television. That would just be odd and inappropriate in front of the children. This was a yard sale, not a meet and greet, and I would expect most people to come and buy something and leave like normal polite people. This sampling in no way represents the general public opinion about how these children have grown up, nor does it prove all her neighbors love her and have no issue with her (contrary to various reports especially from back at the house before this one) so I don't know who Kate is trying to fool.
They made just over $1100 for the animal rescue charity. I think that's pretty good for one morning, and it will certainly be a help to a fine charity. Well done, Wernersville.
In memory of Golly Gee, whose thoughtful perspective and steadfast optimism has been a treasured part of this blog. We toast you, Golly.
1105 sediments (sic) from readers:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 1105 Newer› Newest»Oh sh&%. I snorted my coke.
I love me some Brandi.
^^^^^^^^^^^
Brandi is a big old bowl of cray cray. She was made for reality tv shows.
I hope she and Omarosa have a huge cat fight.
N.C.'s younger brother just got committed involuntarily.
Now they're getting it?
Oy.
https://nypost.com/2018/02/17/school-shooters-brother-committed-to-mental-facility/
Now that Z.C., younger brother of N.C., has been put on a psyche hold under Florida's Baker Act, guess what, he can no longer buy a weapon! You don't need any more legislation, he cannot buy it. Thank God.
All school shootings are upsetting but this one is just beyond, beyond the pale. All the tools were readily available to stop N.C. and we didn't. It's unforgivable. We don't even need to have a discussion about what new laws to pass on this one, the laws already there were plenty to stop him. Everyone should be united in their outrage at the inaction here.
Brandi is a big old bowl of cray cray. She was made for reality tv shows.
I hope she and Omarosa have a huge cat fight.
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She's cray, but like, the hard-working, savvy, smart kind of cray. I love watching that kind of cray square off versus the likes of Kate's kind of cray--stupid, lazy, mediocre. Because the sharp cray always wins, and it's funny.
I don’t think people’s rights to own a gun should be taken away, but there should be safeguards (ie: background checks for all purchases). How does this prevent someone’s right to own a gun? They will still have the freedom to protect themselves, if they are law abiding. It’s just common sense - no one is trying to take people’s guns away at all.
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My understanding of the stats is that most people are completely fine with somebody who was put on a psyche hold never getting a weapon, pro and anti gun people alike. That should have been N.C.!
The problem here is making sure when people are having psychotic breaks, the cops actually PUT THEM ON THE HOLD.
The failed bill about mental impairments/illness wouldn't have helped this situation either because no one would take charge of N.C. and get him committed. That doesn't help EITHER because nobody would do something about this kid.
In everything I have read about why Congress doesn't act, many people believe it has little to do with the NRA and everything to do with Congress being scared off from opening the door to a "slippery slope."
After all if stats show most people are fine with it who cares about the NRA? They can get their money elsewhere, there's plenty of different donors out there. Once you have one regulation here, it's easy to add a second, a third, a fourth, and so on. It's going to be a matter of everyone coming together and vowing that this won't be a slippery slope or open the door to regulations most people don't want. Unfortunately when one side is so willing to flat out lie about their stats (18 school shootings this year anyone?), the trust breaks down from the other side and no one trusts that side not to turn this into one big slippery slope into no guns at all. Unfortunately the mantra "we don't want to take away YOUR guns" is not credible in light of this context. I would argue, yes they do, or at the very least, they can't be trusted to keep to their promises. Back to the drawing board and figure out how to rebuild this trust, and it starts with not lying about school shootings that were actually suicides.
God, this is sick.
Even Milo has to admit that 2 years isn't temporary and there is no reason to believe that he will be returning any time soon.
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She doesn't have to admit anything, nor will she. I think that in her mind, if Collin ever existed, he's just away at an all-seasons camp. Wasn't Kate wonderful to do this for him? He must be her favorite child. Lucky kid to have such a fantastic mom.
Ok, but not all these shootings were school shooting. If ppl want to get hung on on how stats are compiled, and take the conversation there, well then I guess you’re fine with how things are.
Even if there was a background check required to buy this gun ( which there wasn’t), there wouldn’t have been a criminal record that came up. Maybe that’s the problem - even if you have background checks, what are they looking for? In Canada, it takes 6 to 8 weeks, mandatory safety course, extensive questionnaire (work history, relationships, etc), and 2 character witnesses. And once you’ve purchased a gun, a criminal background check is automatically conducted daily until your permit expires. Again - run by federal govt. Would that have stopped him?
Anyways, something is wrong, as this does not happen anywhere else. This issue is multi layered - it’s guns, mental health, social norms, etc.
Even if there was a background check required to buy this gun ( which there wasn’t), there wouldn’t have been a criminal record that came up.
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That is because for some reason beyond my comprehension, of the dozens of times N.C. committed a crime including assault, threats, and stalking, authorities did not take the action they were well within their rights to take.
We can talk about preventing the mentally ill from accessing weapons all we want but if authorities aren't willing to help identify those mentally ill who should not have weapons, laws won't help much.
They just let this go!
I see quite an incredible irony to sweet little Collin being locked up for two years, and yet we can't even put a psychotic gunman on a 72 hour hold.
We can talk about preventing the mentally ill from accessing weapons all we want but if authorities aren't willing to help identify those mentally ill who should not have weapons, laws won't help much.
They just let this go!
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Yes - it’s shitty all this was missed. But, ANYONE could buy this gun without a background check. That’s fucked up.
Yes - it’s shitty all this was missed. But, ANYONE could buy this gun without a background check. That’s fucked up.
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NO! That's fundamentally not true. According to research done by the MY Times, this particular gun in Florida requires a check on one's felony record, domestic violence record, and whether one has a commitment to a mental institution. This gun is only responsible for only 3 percent of crimes, which is why there is no 3 day waiting period, which would not have made a difference for N.C. anyway since he had it a full year.
Of course N.C. SHOULD have had a felony record, a DV record, and a commitment to a mental institution, but no one would act.
Hence the outrage. He should not have had this gun as he had all of those problems on his background but nobody would ever make it officially and on his record. The misinformation out there is very disappointing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/us/ar15-mass-shootings-guns.html
I think the outrage is that this has happened again. That’s fine - everyone seems to be ok with the price of freedom.
Also, I would appreciate that if you’re going to copy a paragraph from one of my posts, you actually post my entire comment. Just trying to have a discussion here.
I think the outrage is that this has happened again. That’s fine - everyone seems to be ok with the price of freedom.
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The outrage is over the fact that we never even needed to have an endless debate about what we SHOULD change. We had IN PLACE everything needed to stop this guy. Short of tattooing on his forehead on 2-14-18 I'm gonna shoot up my school, we knew he was gonna do this. For God sake, the school had put out a warning don't let him on campus with a backpack!.
It really should make people pause and give serious to consideration to how equipped authorities are to handle any more regulations. They can't even seem to enforce what's already on the books.
I really don't understand why everyone involved in passing the buck on the FBI reports hasn't stepped down already.
Obviously we will go in circles on what laws should or shouldn't pass--but if something can be prevented by what's already there, why aren't people up in arms? I'm very suspicious of all this, I think it's mostly agenda driven, and little if anything comes from a sincere desire to examine what went wrong here and why.
I agree that many ppl dropped the ball in regards to this. Everyone should definitely be taking your govt to task over this.
I think there are many different conversations that have to happen simultaneously. Ppl say it’s not guns - it’s mental health; it’s not guns - it’s security. It’s all of those things. Is this the event that will mark the beginning of those conversations? I don’t know. You would think that more ppl would have been willing to have it after 20 1st graders were murdered 5 years ago.
No, that is where your outrage, it is not “the” outrage. Many many people are outraged over the lack of gun control many many people are outraged over the lack of gun control in this country. Just because that doesn’t outrage you doesn’t mean the outrage isn’t real. Please speak for yourself and not on behalf you f th entire nation.
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Why does this outrage people when but for law enforcement deciding to just look the other way, he never would have gotten it his gun, per current laws?
That's like saying I'm outraged we don't make cocaine illegal, when it's already illegal. Makes no sense.
Also, I agree it’s agenda driven. How is murder political? I think more ppl should be outraged listening to politicians carefully talking about this and how it supports their agenda. And it’s ALL of them.
. You would think that more ppl would have been willing to have it after 20 1st graders were murdered 5 years ago.
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There was an incredibly in depth discussion about Newtown at the time and a bill that was presented to congress. The fact that the former president couldn't bring people together on it and utterly failed to pass it doesn't mean the conversation never happened. I'm struggling to understand why people keep saying the conversation doesn't happen. It does happen, in great depth, then and now. Just because you don't get what you want doesn't mean people aren't willing to discuss it.
You should read the Newtown report, it's huge but will be helpful to have an understanding of the role his mental health played in the incidents and the kind of treatment he received since he was in grade school. No one should speak about gun control before digesting that.
When are we going to have the conversation about why our FBI is dicking around on Russia and the election rabbit hole and not protecting our kids from known violent psychopaths?
Oh wait, we're not allowed to have THAT conversation because oops, the gun control lobby were the same ones pursuing Russia relentlessly.
An inconvenient, and embarrassing, truth.
When are we going to have the conversation about why our FBI is dicking around on Russia and the election rabbit hole and not protecting our kids from known violent psychopaths?
Oh wait, we're not allowed to have THAT conversation because oops, the gun control lobby were the same ones pursuing Russia relentlessly.
An inconvenient, and embarrassing, truth.
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So the govt can’t deal with all those issues simultaneously? I find that hard to believe. If that’s the case, then everyone in the govt is inept. I actually did read the Newtown report a couple years ago. Yes, mental health was a major issue. That was a combination of not getting the right help, and sadly, I think, a parent who thought she was doing the right thing, and not trusting experts to help her.
If it was up to the previous president to fix it, and he failed, then it will be interesting to see how your current president will solve the problem.
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So the govt can’t deal with all those issues simultaneously? I find that hard to believe. If that’s the case, then everyone in the govt is inept
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Nope, apparently they cannot do both.
They are inept. That had a specific and credible threat on Jan 8. They never even referred it to local investigators. They admit they fucked up. That's "inept."
We can put in the most restrictive laws we can come up with. Officials are still going to f up making a simple follow up call.
Of THW’s last 4 IG posts, two did t even break 100 comments and the las two haven’t broken 120 comments. Her likes are still in the “thousands” but most of them are bought and paid for bots. Could it be that people are getting tired of her same old/same old bullshit! One can only hope.
“Didn’t” and “last”....one shouldn’t post while drinking mimosas!
I'm tackling the next recap and for the heck of it I wanted to see if Golly Gee had posted on it. Sure enough she had, and I had forgotten that she had shared her dad was as abusive as Kate. Many people seem to have found each other in Gosselin land who have been abused in the past.
Be forewarned, this may bring a tear to your eye. Here is her post, from 2-2015, may that little dog's tail hanging by a thread be a symbol of hope for the future:
"redbirdsings said... 103
All this talk about the loveys and stuffed animals brought back a memory that I haven't thought about in years. I had a stand up stuffed animal that was a light tanned dog named Sam that was smiling and his tongue was sticking out. I LOVED that dog. He had a gold colored chain for a collar. I was about 10 or 11.
My dad went berserk one day and threatened to cut Sam's tongue out and then decided on his tail. I was crying, begging, pleading for him not to do it. He loved the state of despair I was in, just like kate. The more I begged, cried and pleaded the worse he was. He always carried a pocket knife and he cut his tail off.
Well, he thought he did. It hung on for YEARS with one or two threads
being moved around and place to place. I still have it, I hope in my things somewhere. He went berserk before Sam and got a huge knife and cut my beautiful elephant ear plant that was in my room, a couple of years before that. My great aunt had given it to me and I took care of it. I didn't do anything to provoke him to do things like this. I have often thought that he and TFW have similarities, but didn't realize it till all about the talk of the stuffed animals. I am not upset about it being on the blog. I am glad. It helped me remember, so I could deal with it.
IIRC, TFW was on such a high tormenting Colin's lovey, I remember her jumping up and down. Does anyone remember this? I watched a clip of worse moments and it was swiffered. I could try to find it.
Yes, ITA that TFW had a ton of anger built up against Jody and took it and dumped it on poor Colin. Seeing little Mady stand next to Colin, crying and had her arm around him begging her mother not to throw the lovey away was HEARTBREAKING!
Why didn't that Crew Daddy swing that camera around "by accident" and knock that witch out!!!! How does that CD sleep at night?"
Oh yes, redbirdsings/Golly Gee's post brought a tear to my eye. I'm already feeling melancholy because it's the anniversary of our son's dying this weekend.
How can some parents be so cruel? I was a lucky one, my dad was wonderful to me & my sister. I can't imagine life otherwise.
Admin, I don't remember that post from Redbird at all. How sad. I am glad she found this blog.
Jolie Jacquelyn (#24), I am so sorry to hear about that painful anniversary. I hope you have many wonderful memories that help you smile through the tears. I always enjoy your posts, and I'm glad you came back up from under the veranda.
Admin, thanks for posting that old comment from GollyGee. I didn't remember it. What a strong spirit she must have had to survive such misery, and still move forward with a positive attitude and a heart for helping others.
@Admin Im not sure how accurate this source is but according to this report,Minnesota sets record for firearms and has a low crime rate.Take a look at this http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/02/15/reality-check-gun-permit-background-checks/
I really don't understand why everyone involved in passing the buck on the FBI reports hasn't stepped down already.
^^^^
If Strzok and Page are still drawing paychecks, what can we expect from the FBI?
What does it take to weed out incompetent people?
One of my sons was talking about the problems with gun violence yesterday, and contrasting our issues here in the US with Switzerland. There is very little gun violence there, and guns are very prevalent. Nobody bats and eye when they see someone carrying a gun on their person in a local store or on the bus. Maybe the lack of prevalence of guns here in the US is part of our problem. In the US, you can pretty safely assume that if you pull a gun in a store or a school, nobody else will have one. The gun in a shooter's hand given him (or her) all the power, and power can be intoxicating. In Switzerland, you can't make that same assumption. If you walk into a store and pull out a gun, it's likely that someone else will also have one. You won't have the rush of power that you would here in the US, which (I think) is a large part of the reason people do these things. That feeling of power, control, and the rush of adrenaline. These shooters tend to write abut their plans for shootings, and seem to get a rush from the anticipation of what they are about to do. If you take that anticipation away and replace it with some measure of fear that they might themselves be taken out--would so many people be motivated to commit shootings?
I'm just musing here, trying to make some sense of the situation in this country. In other countries, respect for guns is taught at an early age. Young kids go to the shooting range with their parents. In the US, a young kid gets their hands on a gun without being taught the proper respect for that gun, and what do they feel? Powerful? Frightened? Awed? Those feelings carry over into the teen years and adulthood. Is it any wonder that we have this problem and so many other countries do not?
One of my sons was talking about the problems with gun violence yesterday, and contrasting our issues here in the US with Switzerland. There is very little gun violence there, and guns are very prevalent. Nobody bats and eye when they see someone carrying a gun on their person in a local store or on the bus. Maybe the lack of prevalence of guns here in the US is part of our problem. In the US, you can pretty safely assume that if you pull a gun in a store or a school, nobody else will have one.
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I was very hesitant to be supportive of armed security at schools because it doesn't seem right children should have to learn around weapons, but now I'm coming around. It is to the point where I'm not sure anything will stop someone with a gun unless they know the area they are entering is heavily armed and ready to shoot back.
I don't think kids would be as affected as I once thought--kids are around armed people in many other scenarios and seem fine with it, including airports and around law enforcement. My friend is an art teacher, and she posted on FB that she has spent the better part of three days trying to explain to her students that no, there were not EIGHTEEN school shootings this year and that no they do not need to be afraid to come to school. She says they don't believe her, and she's LIVID at that study going out there. This is where that study has caused real and true harm in the name of their agenda--I think she should contact them directly and let them know her story of what they did to her classroom. In any case, she can't reason with the students, so maybe an armed guard will make them feel safe.
Every day I go to a courthouse with people carrying guns everywhere. There is an armed officer in every courtroom. For all the high stakes happening there, incidents are few and far between. Once in a blue moon, someone will storm out of court--big deal. Once every five years or so someone will rush the judge, but are quickly arrested--not a big deal. There was only one somewhat major incident that prompted an evacuation 18 years ago--it was a standoff, nobody was hurt and law enforcement promptly quarantined the building. It was just a threat, and all bluster. 18 years ago!
This is the problem with stuff like this, is I cannot PROVE to you there are no incidents because people are armed there. I can't prove a negative. I can't prove what was prevented, it's all what ifs. But I can make a reasonable inference that the tight security there has everything to do with why it's so safe there.
I have never felt so grateful that I get to work within feet of an armed man or woman every day. I will never die in a shooting, not if they can help it.
Layla said... 29
One of my sons was talking about the problems with gun violence yesterday, and contrasting our issues here in the US with Switzerland.
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Thank your for that information. It highlights the fact that this type of violence is very much a cultural issue.
I do believe at this point, we must harden the soft targets such as schools. There needs to perimeter hardening and armed guards, even, yes, teachers.
I'm sorry if that offends some people and again-never touched a gun in my life-but this is reality.
Laying down in front of the White House isn't going to do shit.
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/02/15/reality-check-gun-permit-background-checks/
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Yes James the stat does check out. They are directly linking it to the new open carry laws there. I guess if you know if you try anything you'll get shot up, that is a huge deterrent.
This just proves what people have been trying to explain for some time now, it's not the guns themselves causing violence, as millions of people walk around with guns and never hurt anyone. They are the mechanism, but not the cause. If people continue to talk about the mechanism and what to do about the mechanism, we will continue to churn in circles and more people will continue to die. I'm tired of talking about the mechanism. I want to talk about CAUSES. Our kids need us to start talking about solutions.
It's like saying box cutters caused 9-11, and if only box cutters were banned from sale, 911 never would have happened. But for some reason people refuse to see that's the same thing as saying guns kill people.
^^^^^^^^^^^
Thank your for that information. It highlights the fact that this type of violence is very much a cultural issue.
I do believe at this point, we must harden the soft targets such as schools. There needs to perimeter hardening and armed guards, even, yes, teachers.
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It's pretty simple, we are a country built on freedom, and in the past couples decades or so there was a big lobby to give the seriously mentally ill the same freedom. We stopped locking them up. Switzerland has some of the highest involuntary mental health hold rates in the world--of course nobody talks about THAT stat. Gee, ya think that might have something to do with it? They have simply removed the danger from the public. Simple.
This is why we have homeless everywhere now, most of whom are mentally ill, this is why we have more crime and more shootings. To the "price of freedom" people I say right back to you, you CHOSE this because you wanted the severe mentally ill to go free without treatment and without ensuring they are safe.
There are very few school shootings that involve a shooter of sound mind and body. Most have been mentally ill, many diagnosed mentally ill, many had engaged in at least some treatment. Anyone going on and on about gun control is doing a huge disservice to the real problems here and more people will die while you go on and on.
Where did the shutting down of psychiatric facilities go off the rails? I remember an enormous facility where I grew up, and my mother always joked that she was going to wind up in Byberry with us kids driving her nuts!
Homelessness, omg. It is rampant in Philadelphia now. I don't remember it ever being this bad.
Walking out of a hotel in Rittenhouse Square was like running the gauntlet.
I don't know how N.C. managed to graduate H.S. or advance grades at all.
It's a fascinating and complicated history of ping ponging between the state and feds about who is paying for what. It goes back until at least the 60s, when JFK was pushing for the mentally ill to be allowed to be treated in the community instead of institutions. The problem is at the time those diagnosed with things like Down Syndrome were treated the same as a psychopathic killer and at the time institutions were horror houses so of course JFK didn't want people in them. But in the process of making sure someone with DS could be released to be a fully functioning member of society, the killers got the same privilege. Over the past four decades there has been a steady trickle of less and less institutionalism until now we hardly do it at all.
It's different than the 60s, now that we know we can provide in patient treatment that is humane and comfortable, we should go back to it.
An article I read yesterday stated that all but one of the recent school shooters grew up in a household without a father. Americans place so little value on marriage these days, and it's detrimental to the kids. I know there are instances where divorce is definitely warranted, but I have seen too many couples spilt for trivial reasons, with little regard to the impact on the kids. One woman I know who recently divorced because she found marriage "boring and limiting" brushed off questions about her 3 kids, saying. "People get divorced all the time. The kids just have to learn to deal with it." Kids need stability, and taking that away is bound to have a strong impact on the people they become. In the US, we don't value family stability enough, we don't teach proper respect for weapons, and then when things happen we wonder what went wrong.
Layla said... 35
An article I read yesterday stated that all but one of the recent school shooters grew up in a household without a father. Americans place so little value on marriage these days, and it's detrimental to the kids.
^^^^^^^^^
This is what's actually made me physically sick and angry at Kate Gosselin. From how she treated Jon in front of the kids to acting like his fathering the children wasn't necessary and in fact, a bad thing.
My God, she couldn't be more wrong.
Her constant bad mouthing of Jon could not have been more evil and abusive to her kids.
I bet there's a good chance Collin could have been kept at home and his problems addressed without institutionalizing him, but oh no, Kate "won" the allegiance game and scored with having half of her kids cut Jon out of their lives, and she loves it.
In America today, the family unit is under attack. Religion (Christianity), morality and the worst attacks are now upon white males, who are apparently evil, violent rapists.
I consider myself fairly liberal, but the way people are being attacked today for simply not agreeing, or trying to live according to their religious beliefs is making me change my position/stance on certain things.
Also, could the media stop putting this killer's face on tv every 2 seconds?
Jeezuz, what's next? The cover of Rolling Stone?
This guys could still legally get this gun - to ignore that huge fact is simply irresponsible.
This guys could still legally get this gun - to ignore that huge fact is simply irresponsible.
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Only because due to the pressure from many groups to soften the way we deal with criminals and the mentally ill, was he never arrested or placed on a hold. 39 9-1-1 calls due to his violent behavior. No arrest or restraining order request after he harassed students. It's irresponsible to ignore that pesky fact.
Only because due to the pressure from many groups to soften the way we deal with criminals and the mentally ill, was he never arrested or placed on a hold. 39 9-1-1 calls due to his violent behavior. No arrest or restraining order request after he harassed students. It's irresponsible to ignore that pesky fact.
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None of your most recent shooters had criminal records. To say that anyone who wants to can buy a military grade weapon is possible in your country, is irresponsible to the safety of everyone in your society.
None of your most recent shooters had criminal records. To say that anyone who wants to can buy a military grade weapon is possible in your country, is irresponsible to the safety of everyone in your society.
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That's my whole point, N.C. SHOULD have had a criminal record after the domestic violence he engaged in and the 39 phone calls about his behavior. The authorities never prosecuted. The FBI also probably had plenty to arrest him for intent a month ago, but never followed up on the report. There was also plenty of information to put him on a Baker hold which would also bar him from owning the firearm, that course of action was declined.
He SHOULD have had a criminal record, barring him from purchasing weapons. He SHOULD have been put on a mental health hold, barring him from purchasing weapons.
People need to start taking responsibility for this. All the liberal love everybody treat everybody with love don't lock up anyone or be mean to them, has backfired and big time. It's resulted in murders. What's funny to me is that people want the very same reforms that they are either too misinformed or too stupid to understanding were already in place---but N.C. was never put on the correct path to make sure those laws applied to the likes of him.
Also, could the media stop putting this killer's face on tv every 2 seconds?
Jeezuz, what's next? The cover of Rolling Stone?
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They like this one for some reason, maybe the crazy eyes.
Covering it the way they do, all that does is show other killers out there that you'll be a rock star once you do this. This will happen again and soon because of this one, sad to say.
No one is bringing politics into this discussion except for you. Why should any civilian have access to a military style weapon?? You keep talking around that point endlessly.
No one is bringing politics into this discussion except for you. Why should any civilian have access to a military style weapon?? You keep talking around that point endlessly.
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The whole thing is political, you can't avoid it.
Why should civilians have GOOD weapons? Because our founding fathers decided ages ago the government/military shouldn't be the only people to have good weapons. Countries like North Korea, fascist Italy and Nazi Germany only allow the government to have weapons and that went very poorly, the people couldn't rise up. Some of us understand based on reading that history that the government may not always be good, that some day we may need a coup against a corrupt government and when we do the constitution guarantees we'll have the means to do that. I know a coup sounds silly in a country as great as the USA but it's the principle behind it, the country IS great because you have the option and means to have a coup, even if you never have to exercise it.
On another note, if the U.S. didn't regularly return violent criminals and the mentally ill to the streets to hurt people again, I'm guessing you would see a whole lot less interest in owning guns from the general public. That said most people agree including me you don't need to make high grade automatic weapons legal, and many aren't anyway. But a BB gun isn't going to cut it either. There's a balance, and since N.C.'s gun is only responsible for 3 percent of shootings, I think we're barking up the wrong anecdotal tree.
We’ll have to agree to disagree. I’m sure the same conversation will be had after the next shooting. That’s were we differ - and “great country” is subjective, I guess. Hopefully something will change because of this.
This is false. He could have legally purchased a gun from a private seller. No background check required.
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But he DIDN't purchase privately, he purchased on the up and up at a dealer called Sunrise Tactical Supply in Florida. Because he wasn't arrested or put on a hold, he sailed through the background check at Sunrise.
The idea that if he was denied a gun on the public market he would have then sought out a private seller is pure and simple speculation. He would have had to find a private seller and that specific gun and jump through all the hoops of looking for this gun in the private sector. There is a very good chance he might not of followed through. Regardless, had he been charged with domestic violence as he SHOULD have been, he would have been required to turn in all his weapons, regardless where they were purchased.
Again we are back to common denominator on this that would have prevented everything, N.C. never having been arrested or put on a hold.
We’ll have to agree to disagree. I’m sure the same conversation will be had after the next shooting. That’s were we differ - and “great country” is subjective, I guess. Hopefully something will change because of this.
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And that's why the anti-gun people are never going to be heard. Because they don't see what would be so great about this place that you'd be willing to protect it with even a weapon. It is because they thought that incarcerating people and putting people on holds made this country NOT so great that we got into this mess in the first place.
The "this is not a great country" folks might want to stop and think about where the sentiment got us.
Also, I don't throw my whole country into the trash because one disturbed psychopath killed a lot of kids and the laws perfectible capable of stopping him couldn't stop him because people wouldn't use the tools already available to them to stop him. He is a disturbed psychopath who had something go wrong in his brain, not representative of the millions of great people here or what a great place this is to live with the kind of opportunities I've pounced on that most people in the rest of the world could only dream about.
They like this one for some reason, maybe the crazy eyes.
Covering it the way they do, all that does is show other killers out there that you'll be a rock star once you do this. This will happen again and soon because of this one, sad to say.
^^^^
I remember after the Virginia Tech shooting, the media swore not to put the shooter's photo out there or even say his name.
In fact, I recall he's Asian, but have no clue what his name is, and he killed more than N.C.
He also used hand guns.
For some reason, school shootings get people to sit up and notice gun violence and get all worked up about the AR-15, when youth are dying weekly from hand guns and a complete lack of regard for human life.
But, care about inner-city black youths annihilating each other with guns and killing innocents at the wrong place at the wrong time?
Crickets.
Aw, bad day, Katie?
kateplusmy8 I love quotes! This one by R C Allen is my new favorite (mind you, I have a new favorite quote nearly daily!) I can identify with this quote 1,000%! It's so wonderful that I see this positive 'quitting is not an option' attitude forming in my kids! 'Life is tough but we are tougher!' is something I also say often to them! I print and laminate my favorite quotes and hang them throughout the house! This one is next... #LoveInspirationalQuotes
The quote is:
You may see me struggle but you will never see me quit.
thechrisritchey Oh I’ve definitely seen that side of you!!! Never a quitter FOR SURE!!! 😉
kateplusmy8@thechrisritchey Hi! I miss you SO much!!! How are you??! Miss my 'steakhouse team' -- such good memories!😘 @msruthiemakeup
msruthiemakeup@kateplusmy8 For Sure!!🙏🏻😘😘😘
miloandjack2016 Ah YES...this is the @kateplusmy8 I know and have always admired! ❤ I share your love of inspirational quotes...I may get down, but words to inspire are always found! I may cry at nite...but tomorrow is a NEW DAY to wake up w/a joyful spirit.
I wonder what today's struggle was. Having the kids still at home at the end of a 5-day weekend? She's such a tool.
You may see me struggle but you will never see me quit.
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I'm cold!
I've got no hand washing materials!
I don't want to eat a moose dog!!
If you don't leave right now with me, you're not a Gosselin!
Pretty sure she called it quits on her marriage.
Pretty sure she called it quits with her blog and Twitter.
Good grief, Milo, will you STFU? I don't think even her fans buy what you're peddling here. She CHOSE the single-mom-of-8 branding, it's not like it just happened to her.
miloandjack2016 You have taken on tremendous challenges as a single Mom of 8 over the yrs. Being in the public/media eye you often were assailed w/false negative accusations. I've admired your ability to focus on what was important...your kids! And straight ahead you have walked in your integrity! #HoldYourHeadHigh. #StrugglesHaveNeverWeakenedYou @kateplusmy8! You always get stronger. Your kids are blessed to have your example to follow! ❤
Let us not have 8 raging narcissists surnamed Gosselin in the next generation, please.
She doesn't quit trying to exploit her children.
She doesn't quit trying to alienate the children from Jon.
So instead of being productive, she's throwing inspirational quotes at the children. Is she Stuart Smalley from Saturday Night Live? "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!"
Tucker's Mom (#51), and worst of all, she quit on her SON.
kateplusmy8@thechrisritchey Hi! I miss you SO much!!! How are you??! Miss my 'steakhouse team' -- such good memories!😘 @msruthiemakeup
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Poor thing, it looks like she’s not getting together with her NY “friends” any more. I guess if TLC isn’t picking up the tab neither is TFW. I wonder if guncle Ronnie is still in the picture.
Poor thing, it looks like she’s not getting together with her NY “friends” any more. I guess if TLC isn’t picking up the tab neither is TFW. I wonder if guncle Ronnie is still in the picture.
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Fair weather friend. When TLC isn't picking up the tab she isn't going to spend a dime of her own money nurturing a friendship that's not free and convenient.
It's been almost 10 years since the divorce, I'm shocked any of her fans are still pulling the single mom card now.
Kate quit on her parents, siblings, Nala, all her chickens, her son C, being a nurse, camping in Alaska, and her website.
(mind you, I have a new favorite quote nearly daily!) I
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Cute. Just like a 14 year old girl.
You may see me struggle but you will never see me quit.
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Does she really not understand all the times she quit?
Yes, that great liberal Ronald Reagan should take responsibility.
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Most mental institution were completely emptied before he ever took office. That started long before Reagan. I don't know that anyone would be a responsible politician if they didn't close down empty buildings if people refuse to fill them.
Sad but true said... 50
Aw, bad day, Katie?
kateplusmy8 I love quotes! This one by R C Allen is my new favorite (mind you, I have a new favorite quote nearly daily!) I can identify with this quote 1,000%! It's so wonderful that I see this positive 'quitting is not an option' attitude forming in my kids! 'Life is tough but we are tougher!' is something I also say often to them! I print and laminate my favorite quotes and hang them throughout the house! This one is next... #LoveInspirationalQuotes
The quote is:
You may see me struggle but you will never see me quit.
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Sorry but #IDoNotLoveInspirationalQuotes
I find these "inspirational" quotes tiresome. Instagram is full of these trite platitudes.
She says that she often tells the kids, "'Life is tough but we are tougher!" Maybe it's me, but I don't find that particularly "inspirational". Just like the quote she posted - "You may see me struggle but you will never see me quit." - it reeks of her "woe is me, my life is so difficult, it's such a struggle, and I do it all alone attitude.
Plus, as so many of my fellow posters have already pointed out, what a joke for her to claim never to quit. Her record sure as hell demonstrates quite the opposite. She quits at almost everything. In fact, I can't even think of one single thing she's successfully followed through on in her 40 plus years of life. You know, other than masterminding getting pregnant with multiples, exploiting her children, destroying her marriage and family, and ruining their lives.
She says that she often tells the kids, "'Life is tough but we are tougher!" Maybe it's me, but I don't find that particularly "inspirational". Just like the quote she posted - "You may see me struggle but you will never see me quit." - it reeks of her "woe is me, my life is so difficult, it's such a struggle, and I do it all alone attitude.
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I agree, I'm not sure I particularly like the sentiment. The sort of things she says she teaches her children are often just so off base, even concerning. Yes there are aspects of their lives that are tough no doubt. Collin is gone from the home for years, and they had their privacy robbed of them for much of their lives.
But, why focus on all the bad things you can't do much about? The kids can't bring Collin back, only Kate can, and the kids can't get their childhoods back. And in the grand scheme of things, life could be so much worse.
I quite like the sentiment that when you feel your life is tough, first remember there is always someone who has it much worse than you, and second, go out and do something productive that helps someone else. Whether it's visiting a sick friend or volunteering or just taking someone lonely out to lunch.
It's a one percenter going around saying her life is tough when her life has been all charmed. Unless she wants to share what exactly about her life has been tough in the slightest, I'm not buying it. I would be concerned she has depression if that's what she thinks about the life in front of her and the framework these kids are seeing the world through.
"And straight ahead you have walked in your integrity!"
Does Milo know what integrity means?
"And straight ahead you have walked in your integrity!"
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No easy feat with a big stick up her ass, right Milo?
Such a trooper, that Kate.
And I think TFW's "life is tough" lament was just a wee bit tone deaf on a holiday weekend when many mothers of teenagers in Florida were burying their children.
Some of her fans really need to learn the fine art of punctuation.
Xxxx_xxx I like that my hubby had work accident now used wheelchair I care for him it is a struggle but I will never quit
Admin (#62), even worse than not being an example of keeping a positive attitude, TFW has modeled victim behavior for her children since they were toddlers. Look at her childish meltdown on the plane to Utah. Then her allegedly unbearable migraine that kept her away from the tups' ski lessons (even though she was miraculously well enough to drag herself to the spa). How about her pouty-teenager tantrums in Alaska (thanks, Kelsey O #57). If she behaved that badly in front of the gracious Palins, and with cameras rolling, can you imagine how miserable she is behind closed doors?
FlimsyFlamsy said... 65
And I think TFW's "life is tough" lament was just a wee bit tone deaf on a holiday weekend when many mothers of teenagers in Florida were burying their children.
^^^^^^
Completely tone deaf.
#SuperFunSuperSandy!
Sorry but #IDoNotLoveInspirationalQuotes
I find these "inspirational" quotes tiresome. Instagram is full of these trite platitudes.
^^^^^^^
Bumper-sticker wisdom; as deep as Kate herself.
No easy feat with a big stick up her ass, right Milo?
Such a trooper, that Kate.
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LOL!!! I thought that stick was surgically removed. Is there another one stuck up there? You know, multiples!
Did she struggle through all of those free trips? Does she struggle having to figure out which of the three cars to use? Does she struggle having to decide which pool boy to use for her heated swimming pool and spa? Does she struggle having been to first class hotels and restaurants? NOBU! Does she struggle with her "mine all mine" house?
That woman is so ungrateful, and just downright disgusting. She should be ashamed of herself. She has eight healthy kids, and all she can do is whine. Something is seriously wrong there. I wonder if she ever had that psych evaluation.
That woman is so ungrateful, and just downright disgusting. She should be ashamed of herself. She has eight healthy kids, and all she can do is whine. Something is seriously wrong there. I wonder if she ever had that psych evaluation.
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Ungrateful is a good word. Un-freaking-gratful.
She doesn't pay any attention to what's happening in the world or cares but as someone pointed out, 17 families this weekend can't hug their loved ones anymore. No matter what you think the solution is, everyone agrees this has to stop. And Kate is struggling in her mansion and with 8 healthy kids. The hell???
She doesn't pay any attention to what's happening in the world or cares but as someone pointed out, 17 families this weekend can't hug their loved ones anymore. No matter what you think the solution is, everyone agrees this has to stop. And Kate is struggling in her mansion and with 8 healthy kids. The hell???
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And then along comes Milo, another clueless wonder: Between the struggles its good to wiggle in a giggle...This comes from my #CornyJoke #LitesOutMan...How does God clean the ocean? Answer: With his MERMAIDS? :-) waa waa waa...#DrumRoll. #ShareWithYourKids. :-)
I remember after the Virginia Tech shooting, the media swore not to put the shooter's photo out there or even say his name.
In fact, I recall he's Asian, but have no clue what his name is, and he killed more than N.C.
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YES. For awhile there the media seemed to be on board with at least trying not to give the names and faces of the gunmen attention. They've slipped up though on this one for some reason, they're just going bananas over it.
I suspect it's just clicks of couse. You don't want to be the only outlet not showing his face because then you won't get the hits. Pathetic.
What?! No pictures of the fur, feather and fin babies from TFW on National Love Your Pet Day? Maybe now that it’s been mentioned she’ll remember. Maybe pictures off all the above pets will help her to break 100 comments.
Some of her fans really need to learn the fine art of punctuation.
Xxxx_xxx I like that my hubby had work accident now used wheelchair I care for him it is a struggle but I will never quit
February 20, 2018 at 5:21 AM
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LOL! She likes that her husband had work accident?
Well, it's 75 degrees here in the NorthEast and snow is on the board for tomorrow! Witch hazel tree is full of yellow blossoms yet our shovels are still out on the back porch. Crazy.
And then along comes Milo, another clueless wonder: Between the struggles its good to wiggle in a giggle...This comes from my #CornyJoke #LitesOutMan...How does God clean the ocean? Answer: With his MERMAIDS? :-) waa waa waa...#DrumRoll. #ShareWithYourKids. :-)
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Clueless wonder? Too funny! It sounds like it doesn't take much to amuse LOM. What a strange bunch they are.
If Kate were to "quit", what would that look like? Would she quit making the kids sacrifice their childhoods to keep her in the lifestyle she has become accustomed to? Will she get a job, start providing for herself and them the way other parents do? I can't even imagine it. Maybe she'd stop grifting shamelessly and start paying for things she can obviously afford, but is too greedy to part with her cash. Will she clean her own house, do her own cooking and laundry and errands and take care of her own family instead of spending the kids' money to hire others to do it? At some point the kids are going to want to have their own lives and won't want to give up their freedom in order to support her. But she claims she'll never quit, so they'll never hear the end of it if they fail to provide for her. Poor kids.
I don't post here often, but I do enjoy this blog, with so many intelligent, insightful discussions, differing opinions, compassionate bloggers and a sense of community. It is so often injected with humor. That, of course, excludes the resident troll. There is so much anger and hatred in that person's posts and it saddens me.
I was teaching Shakespeare this week and came across this passage from "As You Like It." It really describes Kate:
"All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts..."
Kate has had her entrances and exists, but doesn't really know what part she wants to play. Is it the affluent celebrity with fans who envy that lifestyle, or is she the single, struggling mom of eight who has bills in her purse that she can't pay, all the while living in an upscale house with a pool, cars, and kids in private school?
I don't think that she knows who or what she is and actually does struggle in the sense that she needs to find her own identity. What a frustrating life that must be. This is a 40-something woman who often comes across as a middle-school kid. She needs to get her act together, but I just cannot see that happening. Poor Jon, the ex from hell, gets blamed for all the bad things in her life. Whatever goes wrong, it is his fault. He is the quintessential scapegoat.
Then there is Milo, the cheerleader, court jester and enabler. I still haven't figured out what role she or he plays on Kate's stage. Production manager or stick remover?
That woman is so ungrateful, and just downright disgusting. She should be ashamed of herself.
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She reminds me of those people on My 600lb Life. They lay there, they have people waiting on them literally hand and foot, they cry about their situation, get paid generously by some network that gives them the help they need (read exploit) and then order three pizzas for a bedtime snack. Then they whine about not losing weight.
That is greed, not need and Kate is no different from them.
Formerly Duped...My oldest daughter lives on the south shore and I spent the day with her and the grand babies today. We spent a couple of hours at Nantasket Beach and it was gorgeous. The place was packed with people of all ages enjoying the day outside. Lots of dogs running around and even a family walking a pig. It was great. Back to reality tomorrow.
Admin (47) stated:
"The idea that if he was denied a gun on the public market he would have then sought out a private seller is pure and simple speculation. He would have had to find a private seller and that specific gun and jump through all the hoops of looking for this gun in the private sector. There is a very good chance he might not of followed through."
Ummmm, isn't that the exact argument you stated would be the reason that attempting to close the loop-holes in the background checks would not work? That the person would just go to the black market for the gun? Now suddenly you think the guy would not have bothered to go to the black market for the gun? It seems like you want it both ways....
I am not the resident troll, just a Canadian trying to understand your country's gun culture. It seems after the assault-weapon ban expired, the number of mass shootings has gone up 200%.... but I'm sure that's just a coincidence. I really hope the kids from Florida continue with their passion and logic regarding guns. It will save lives in the future!
https://www.scpr.org/news/2018/02/21/80986/whittier-school-shooting-plot-thwarted-authorities/
A potentially huge shooting was avoided near where I live. The police found extensive weapons. They arrested the owner of the weapons, and they arrested the kid who made the threat. Who knows how many lives they saved by taking swift action. This isn’t rocket science people. I’m so comforted to know if you see something say something actually works in Los Angeles. Thank you sheriffs. So proud I get to work with those guys every day.
I don't think that she knows who or what she is and actually does struggle in the sense that she needs to find her own identity. What a frustrating life that must be.
$$$
You’re right. You’re right. I think a lot of stupid things she does come from having no identity.
I am not the resident troll, just a Canadian trying to understand your country's gun culture. It seems after the assault-weapon ban expired, the number of mass shootings has gone up 200%.... but I'm sure that's just a coincidence. I really hope the kids from Florida continue with their passion and logic regarding guns. It will save lives in the future!
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I grew up miles from Canada, and spent my summers there. Canada has a pretty solid gun culture themselves. Hunting and shooting are huge sports in Canada. Canada's population dwarfs the US (we have 289 million more people here), and many people live in rural areas. Of course this leaves far less opportunities for the deranged to shoot up a big school. Canada also locks up their mentally ill (they have three stages of 'lock up' that go on months), so there's that. I didn't know Canadians were so bad at math!
Polls show most people are just fine with reasonable gun control, including me. Stats also show that most politicians are only getting nominal amounts from the NRA, so it's a myth the NRA has any control here. Three grand from the NRA is chump change, nobody needs that at this level. Trump has come to the table and said he's just fine with a number of measures including better background checks and banning bump stocks, let's do it. For some reason that gets ignored, guess that doesn't fit the anti-Trump narrative. Marches don't help. Town halls don't help especially when CNN feeds the kids questions and then calls the kids liars when they out them for it. People who call the cops on something they see and the cops actually doing their JOBS helps (see Whittier yesterday). Leaders who say let's restrict this and that and then actually get it done helps.
Regarding background checks in the US, as I'm curious. What are they checking for? Is it just a criminal background check? And I know people are saying "better" background checks, but what does that entail?
Another Canadian here - here, it takes 60 to 90 days. You have to get 2 non family references. If you are married or divorced, your spouse (or ex-spouse) is notified you applied for a gun permit. Once you have a permit and in the system, the gov't runs a criminal check on you everyday while you have an active permit. Seems reasonable to me, but is this something Americans would find intrusive?
The other day after school, while waiting for the bus, 2 boys my kids go to school with got into a little argument. My kids overheard one boy say to the other that he was going to beat him up tomorrow and bring a gun to school. They didn't tell me about it right away, but I could tell something was bothering them. My oldest told me what happened, while my younger one started crying because he was terrified about what he heard. I called the principal yesterday morning, and told him what happened. While I was quite certain that the boy who said this wasn't serious about doing that, it needed to be addressed. Because I don't know if this family has guns in their household, and what is really going on in this kid's head. I'm comforted by the fact that he most likely wouldn't have had an AR-15, it's still concerning.
I think we all know it isn't just one thing that causes these tragedies to happen. Accessibility to weapons, mental health, and what ppl are exposed to, are all factors. This kid has issues - my oldest has mentioned many times in the past about how "weird" this kid is, in that he acts inappropriately, and has trouble fitting in socially. He says no one hates this kid, or bullies him, he just says that he's "different" from the other kids. I don't know his background, or if he has had any other issues at school. He might be a good kid going through some personal issues, or maybe has mental health issues that he's dealing with. Hopefully he gets help, as I believe stating you're going to bring a gun to school should be a huge red flag for his parents.
While I won't be able to know any details about any discipline regarding this kid (privacy laws), I have still left another message with the principal to let me know what steps were taken.
Ugh - that our kids need to deal with this kind of shit is horrible.
She reminds me of those people on My 600lb Life. They lay there, they have people waiting on them literally hand and foot, they cry about their situation, get paid generously by some network that gives them the help they need (read exploit) and then order three pizzas for a bedtime snack. Then they whine about not losing weight.
That is greed, not need and Kate is no different from them.
-------------
Auntie, I watched last night's new episode and had the very same thoughts. This one, Lisa, blamed everyone for all her trials and tribulations in life, and her weight problem, wanting constant attention, stuffing her mouth 24/7, and she had a total melt-down, hysterical screaming episode in the hospital. The doctor wanted no part of it. He had given her every opportunity to get help, diet program, hospitalization, psych therapy, but then had to dismiss her as a patient, and her home with no surgery. What a piece of work she was. I never saw legs like the one on her. It seemed she was quite happy to have everyone take care of her and really didn't want to lose weight. I think that one was over 700 pounds.
Ashley Marie
Grandedanger93
@Kateplusmy8
Kate,
How do u feel on the school shooting in Florida? Also how do you have time to update your twitters, facebooks and Instagram, if you have so many kids, and where did the puppies names come from?
-------------------
This reminds me of "On The Case" with Paula Zahn. "How do you feel when you learned your brother was mutilated and thrown into a ditch? Tell me what was going through your head."
"That must have been a terrible experience for you. What were you feeling when you sat through the court trials?" I like the show, but can't stand to listen to her ridiculous questions and interviews.
Sheesh!
capecodmama: ...and now it's snowing! Glad you had a nice day in yesterday's heatwave!
I notice you did not address my first comment about whether or not someone would go to the black market to buy a gun if they failed a background check. You have stated over and over that people who want a gun would find a way to get one, but this particular shooter probably (sorry, you said "chances are") would not bother.
As for guns in Canada - are you seriously equating hunting in Canada and the gun culture in the US?? That is absurd! And I am pretty sure there are plenty of hunters in the US. The hunting population are not the problem in the US and they certainly are not a problem in Canada. They obtain their firearms legally and are regularly checked via multiple and frequent background checks.
As for the NRA, I'm sorry but $50 million is not chump change! (number is courtesy of the NRA itself!). It is mind boggling that you think they are only giving $3000 to Republican candidates. Your country will continue to have these mass shootings because your elected leaders continue to take money in exchange for not doing what the mass majority of Americans actually are in favor of.
If you think you can trust Trump to follow through on what he said about what he will do, well good luck to you. He has already denied saying he wants to arm teachers with guns. Just last night in his so called "listening session", he stated a few times that teachers should have guns. This guy changes his mind based on the last person he spoke to.
As for Canada "locking up" the mentally ill - - not in my province. The provincial govt closed down those facilities decades ago. We have a lot of mentally ill people living on the streets, but they don't have access to purchasing guns! I can't think of the last time a mentally disturbed person was involved in a shooting here. And we treat their mental illness with the single-payer healthcare system we have, but that is another issue for another day.
Blowing in the Wind (89)
Someone really asked how Kate feels about the school shooting in Florida? HA! I can answer that one (since Kate never will): Kate doesn't care. Unless, of course, she can somehow exploit the incident to get herself on TV. That doesn't seem likely, so she's oblivious. It's right up there with "SuperFun (Hurricane) Sandy" and "that 9/11 bombing or whatever".
Nicky & Looking in....
I agree with both of you, but I don't think you nor I will ever change the minds of those who don't agree with us.
The more I watch the news the more I'm thankful we live in Canada, even though we are far from perfect.
...and damn we lost the women's Olympic hockey game to the USA last night!!!
To the person who said armed people on campus won't help because Parkland was armed and this still happened, WHOOPS, you're wrong-- turns out, the Resource Officer who was SUPPOSED to be on campus, trained and ready to respond to a school shooting ran away like a coward, never going inside to do his sworn duty. He has stepped down in disgrace. Thankfully, the vast majority of armed guards are brave and run into danger, not away from it. They got terribly unlucky popping a coward like this one. So, armed guards may very well have stopped N.C. had they actually had a decent one in there.
So now we have to figure out who trained him what his training was who hired this dolt, what the hell went wrong HERE???
God, could anything have gone more wrong in regards to this shooting? It's like a perfect storm of incompetence. One right after another adults failed these kids.
As for the NRA, I'm sorry but $50 million is not chump change! (number is courtesy of the NRA itself!).
&&&
Have you seen the breakdown of what they are giving to INDIVIDUALS? For most INDIVIDUAL politicians, they're getting a couple grand tops from the organization. A couple grand, as you may or may not know, can buy you some postage stamps and maybe keep the lights on for a couple weeks at campaign headquarters and that's about it. You don't need the donation.
Yes, there are a handful getting a lot (some reports of which are suspect, as they would be in violation of campaign finance laws), but it's a handful. Most are getting nominal amounts.
It's not the NRA.
As for Canada "locking up" the mentally ill - - not in my province. The provincial govt closed down those facilities decades ago. We have a lot of mentally ill people living on the streets, but they don't have access to purchasing guns! I can't think of the last time a mentally disturbed person was involved in a shooting here. And we treat their mental illness with the single-payer healthcare system we have, but that is another issue for another day.
****
I don't know what your province is, but Canada absolutely locks up their mentally ill. Some are even put in isolation if they are a danger to others. There are hundreds of articles about various mentally unstable Canadians in the system. Your laws allow much longer holds than the US allows.
I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I think it's a very good thing. You can't possibly treat someone during a 72 hour hold like we have here. You can on a three month Canadian hold.
Do you consider hospitalizing a mentally ill person so they can be treated as 'locking them up'? I live in BC and there are no institutions for the mentally ill that are not health care facilities, but they do often receive treatment at a hospital under the direction of a physician. There certainly are times that the patient is there against their will, but they are there to receive treatment not punishment. When you say 'lock up', to me that insinuates punishment not medical treatment.
Do you consider hospitalizing a mentally ill person so they can be treated as 'locking them up'? I live in BC and there are no institutions for the mentally ill that are not health care facilities, but they do often receive treatment at a hospital under the direction of a physician. There certainly are times that the patient is there against their will, but they are there to receive treatment not punishment. When you say 'lock up', to me that insinuates punishment not medical treatment.
&&&&
I'm using the term loosely. I'm referring to voluntary treatment versus involuntary holds. If you can't leave even if you wanted to, it's involuntary.
It's nearly impossible to put someone on any kind of meaningful mental health hold in the US. It's easy to do so, and done frequently, in Canada, for as long as several months.
capecodmama: ...and now it's snowing! Glad you had a nice day in yesterday's heatwave!
(((((((((((((((
This is crazy. Saturday night and Sunday we had four inches of snow. On Tuesday, it was 76 degrees and on Wednesday it was 82, shorts and flip flops. Now it's back to the 30s.
A bit of weather humor. A friend posted on Facebook this morning: I England they drive on the left side of the road, in Michigan we drive on what is left of the road. Pothole time.
thuvia...thanks for my laugh of the day. That was good and so true. I feel like it's constantly "bob and weave" when I drive. People are all over the road trying to avoid potholes that it looks like they're driving under the influence.
Three more charges of child abuse were filed against the Turpin parents, and a charge of felony assault was filed against the mother. Those two will never be free again. They deserve to be locked up for the rest of their lives.
Who has flies in their house in the middle of winter?
kateplusmy8 Almost 14 and they STILL do this! I looked up after hearing them say 'oh there's a fly!' Leah grabbed the fly swatter and without any discussion, Hannah immediately turned herself into the step stool and Leah hopped up! 😂😂 #TwoPeasInAPod #WorkingTogether #LoveMyKids❤️❤️
miloandjack2016 Gosselin #Teamwork! You taught them well. @kateplusmy8 Surprised Alexis didn't jump in to save it? LOL.
kateplusmy8@miloandjack2016 she wasn't nearby, thank goodness...😉
kaycee_keith1997_OMG they used to be each other security blankets when they were toddlers! I have the episode of when you guys went to Utah and Leah cried for her Hannah on the ski slope!! #BeenAFanSinceDayOne @kateplusmy8
kateplusmy8@kaycee_keith1997_ they still are😍!
miloandjack2016@kateplusmy8 Ha.. Lil keeper of all things living! Alexis is so special!! ❤
This post has over 10K likes and 150 comments in two hours? Methinks someone's upping the ante on purchases, 10K in two hours is unheard-of on her timeline.
Methinks you’re right Sad But True especially since most of the comments are either “WOW 14 already I remember them when they were babies” and “Are there going to be new episodes...when will the show be back on...miss seeing you”, etc. I wonder if she thinks she’s fooling anyone but the dedicated sheeple.
s said... 104
Who has flies in their house in the middle of winter?
++++++++++++
It happens,especially with the mild weather we've been having. There was one in my car that was driving me nuts. I just noticed one in the house. Same fly?? I don't know since they all look alike. Gotta get that guy tomorrow.
Today the first episode of the 8th season of Valerie Bertinelli's cooking show aired. And Kate Gosselin watched her daughters kill a fly. Who's mediocre now, Schmoopy?
But, but, but TFW had over 17K “likes” in 14 hours Flimsy so how can she be mediocre! Oh, wait.....does it count as a real “like” or comment if you’ve bought them?
Valerie Bertinelli is also a judge on the kid's baking competition with Duff. She’s very personable and she’s great with the kids. Yeah, TFW is mediocrity at its finest.
FlimsyFlamsy said (108)
And Kate Gosselin watched her daughters kill a fly.
***************
Yes, but they used teamwork! Isn't that special and rare? Surely people will want to watch it, right? Somebody come film it!
It happens,especially with the mild weather we've been having. There was one in my car that was driving me nuts. I just noticed one in the house. Same fly?? I don't know since they all look alike. Gotta get that guy tomorrow.
----------------
Oh yes, those little rascals are the gifts that keep multiplying all year around...inside, outside, wherever. They don't care about seasons!
My friend recently found one happily flying around in her refrigerator. She cleaned out the fridge, threw all the food away and sanitized it. The refrigerator, not the fly. I'm not sure if she used a Q-Tip, though.
Such a fascinating story Kate, but I want to know more! I'm on the edge of my chair! Did it land anywhere else other than the wall? Did NanooNanoo see it and bark?! How long do you think it's been in the house? How old do you think it was? How many times did Leah have to swat at it before she killed It? What happened after that...did you flush it or put it in the trash? Did you bury it next to the fish? Will you write about it on your blog? Will it be in the next episode? Oh please let us know soon. I won't sleep until you do.
Geez.
AuniteAnn (112)
if you want to know more, you'll have to wait and see the episode!
Someone commented about the tups being each other's "security blankets" when they were toddlers, and TFW responded, "They still are!"
So, Mommie Dearest, who is C's security blanket now? And who is the security blanket for 7 siblings who've experienced the loss of their beloved sibling, and seem to be expected to pretend to he never existed?
And TFW doesn't realize the subtext of her children turning to each other for security their whole lives: they know they can't turn to her.
L using H as a step stool is a cute and funny visual. But we know these kids were raised in a pack, and spent a large part of their daily baby/toddler life holed up in their basement without adult attention, support and/or guidance. We all witnessed the "penalty of severeness" warning, when TFW harshly instructed her children to NEVER enter her bedroom. Faced with that kind of parenting, of course they learned to look to each other for security and comfort.
Tucker's Mom said.
I do believe at this point, we must harden the soft targets such as schools. There needs to perimeter hardening and armed guards, even, yes, teachers.
I'm sorry if that offends some people and again-never touched a gun in my life-but this is reality.
Laying down in front of the White House isn't going to do shit.
====
I agree. The laws are there but only work if they're diligently enforced and if borders and airports have tight security why not schools? Is there anyone more iimportant in our life than our children and their safety.
I happen to like guns because I like target shooting at the shooting range. I don't hunt although in younger days I've shot gophers on the farm as a necessity (they ruin crops). There is a handgun in my house, licensed, trigger-locked and in a safe that's almost as expensive as the gun. I doubt I would ever use it on a human being, even if I could get to it on time, load it and aim. I would probably be in a dead faint if someone broke into my home. That's what kind of scaredy-cat I am.
AuntieAnn said... 112
Your imitation of miloandjack is spot on! ROFL!
In that Instagram pic, where are the girls standing? It looks like a tight dead end hallway with four(?) doors. I never watched the episodes and I've never been able to figure out the layout of that house.
Also, it looks like there's a note on the door behind Leah.
No, it not “reality” that teachers need to be armed. It is your opinion. It goes well beyond being offensive — it is dangerous and downright stupid. And good luck getting the teachers unions to agree to arm all teachers.
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It's reality. What we have in place now is dangerous and stupid. Kids are getting killed, and I'm not willing to wait around while we try to tinker away at legislation here and there to pass laws psychopaths aren't going to follow anyway. We need a solution now.
We have armed guards and security at so many other places--stadiums, airports, courthouses, federal and state buildings. Why is it not "dangerous and stupid" there? Are you suggesting that teachers, those who want to, are not perfectly capable and smart enough to receive proper weapon training including proper securing of the weapon?
Just for some context, in my courtroom there is a lockbox mounted to the wall next to lock up where the criminals wait. When the deputy goes into lockup for whatever reason his gun is secured in lockup so the criminal can't grab it. Schools could have a similar lockbox when the gun is not in use. This is a good comparison because we have children in the court all day long. All.day.long. The lockbox is heavy duty and secure and mounted up high. No child has ever gotten into it, ever. I also think doors should have lock-down devises on them like ours do. In an emergency, you push the devise down and no one can release it except law enforcement. It is very, very, VERY safe where I work because guards and doors are armed and ready to go. It would be a 5 second run to my armed door, plenty of time in most shootings to secure it and survive.
It has been said over and over again that only teachers who WANT to be armed will be armed. If you are not comfortable with it, you don't gotta do it. So what's the problem now?
I happen to like guns because I like target shooting at the shooting range. I don't hunt although in younger days I've shot gophers on the farm as a necessity (they ruin crops).
&&&
AuntieAnn get your gun! The porch has always been armed in the event of an emergency, the lockbox is bolted to the side paneling.
By the way I think we talked about this before but has anyone read We Need to Talk about Kevin? It's about a school shooting (sort of, you have to read it) from the family's perspective, raising a deranged child.
By the way I think we talked about this before but has anyone read We Need to Talk about Kevin?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes, excellent and chilling book, and I liked the movie, although some didn't.
AuntieAnn get your gun! The porch has always been armed in the event of an emergency, the lockbox is bolted to the side paneling.
====
Don't worry I'll keep them thar varmints at bay.
Layla (113) Maybe I'll wait for her book to get published - "I Just Want You to Shoo". She can dedicate it to Collin.
Sad but true - Holy cow. I didn't realize it, but that does sound like Gladys. HA!
Yes, we have discussed "We Need to Talk About Kevin" here. Chilling book. Well written. The movie is very confusing if you have not read the book.
According to an online article titled "Can Miss Crabtree Pack Heat", in the Washington Examiner dated 2/16/18, a 2013 NBC News investigation found 18 states allow armed adults on school property with certain conditions.
Alabama, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
Had no idea about Massachusetts. According to the article the condition for Massachusetts is it has to be approved by the school board or principal.
AuntieAnn (#124), I think you flatter TFW by thinking she'd dedicate a book to C. And if she did, she'd probably have to refer to one of her previous books to confirm the correct spelling. It'd be easier for her to write: "To the one with the big head who was hardest to love."
Formerly Duped said... 123
By the way I think we talked about this before but has anyone read We Need to Talk about Kevin?
OMG, yes. What a terrifying read that was. I haven't yet been able to bring myself to watch the movie, though it's bookmarked on numerous streaming sites.
Just watched the closing ceremonies. South Korea did a great job hosting these olympics IMO. You would think with 7 kids being 1/4 Korean this would be an opportunity to learn something about part of their heritage. Instead they are playing board games and catching flies. She’s so pathetic. And yes, they may have been watching the games but she does nothing to engage her “fans” or share some excitement except boring pics of Nunu. Yawn!
Just watched the closing ceremonies. South Korea did a great job hosting these olympics IMO. You would think with 7 kids being 1/4 Korean this would be an opportunity to learn something about part of their heritage. Instead they are playing board games and catching flies. She’s so pathetic.
&&&
I was wondering if she mentioned the Olympics at all! I didn't get a chance to watch as much as I would have liked to, for some reason I had difficulty figuring out the schedule to catch things when I wanted to without having it spoiled by seeing the results, and real life was busy, but from what I did see, NBC was doing their usual constant culture pieces, from food to landscape to people. Always great pieces, informative. The kids would have loved it.
"To the one with the big head who was hardest to love."
====
Kate has NO idea how much it hurts a child to be criticized about something that they cannot change (big head). Those kind of things stick in the mind and he'll probably always be somewhat self conscious of his "big head", which looks perfectly normal to me BTW. Even it if was noticeable, why on earth would a mother say such a thing? She's insensitive and oblivious to others feelings. Horrible narc.
Layla (113) Maybe I'll wait for her book to get published - "I Just Want You to Shoo". She can dedicate it to Collin.
----------------
As in "Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me?"
AuntieAnn get your gun! The porch has always been armed in the event of an emergency, the lockbox is bolted to the side paneling.
---------------
"Take it on the run, on the run, on the run..."
Just don't trip in those Crocs and muumuu!
Auntie (130), it is a sad scenario when the best option is that...
"She's insensitive and oblivious to other feelings."
The second option would be that she is totally aware of the damage her statements can do and she relishes in lashing out in such an unkind way.
It has been my observation that deeply unhappy and dis-satisfied people often try to make those around them feel sad and defeated.
LOL Blowing - You thought of Yankee Doodle Dandy while I thought of Annie Get Your Gun (Ethel Merman version).
LOL Blowing - You thought of Yankee Doodle Dandy while I thought of Annie Get Your Gun (Ethel Merman version).
---------
Over there, over there, send the word, send the word over there (that Auntie's coming!) :)
Joy-Anna Duggar had her baby boy 3 days ago. He is Gideon Martyn Forsyth. Man those Duggars are like really multiplying.
foxy said... 136
Interesting how the People announcement came 3 days after the actual birth but on the day of the show's premiere. I wonder when we'll find out that the Duggars are planning their "blessings" around TLC's calendar.
My SIL said that LCDS has spring break March 2-12 this year. I wonder if we'll hear of any filming sightings.
Layla said... 138
My SIL said that LCDS has spring break March 2-12 this year. I wonder if we'll hear of any filming sightings.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
You're right. I just checked the calendar out of curiosity and Spring Break starts this Friday, March 2nd and classes don't resume until Tuesday, March 13th. That's a long break, eleven days. Hopefully, the kids won't be filming during their break. And, hopefully the shrew has something planned for them other than sitting around in the house for a week and a half.
Former Lurker (#139), if there are no cameras, and no paycheck, and no TV network doing the planning and picking up the tab, I doubt there will be much spring-break fun at Ms. Gosselin's Home for Exploited Children.
Over there, over there, send the word, send the word over there (that Auntie's coming!) :)
====
lol! I'll ride up to the porch sitting backwards on my horse, shooting my pearl-handle revolvers over my shoulders...just for effect.
FlimsyFlamsy (#140), Yes we all know better by now. Sadly, she rarely (if ever) does anything with them unless TLC arranges it, pays for it, and pays her. I'm just hoping that at least H gets to spend time at Jon's house.
Also, since she never does anything interesting, I wonder if she ever lets the kids do things with their friends. They're certainly old enough at this age. You know, normal things like most families with kids often have a friend or two join them when they go to the movies, or ice skating, the mall, dinner, etc. Or, just go to a friend's house for pizza and to hang out. I sure hope she doesn't keep them as isolated as she always has.
Former Lurker (#142), I share your hope that the G kids have active social lives away from the compound.
I would guess, for the most part, that TFW welcomes the chance to have fewer kids around her, and would facilitate their outside activities. But I also suspect she sometimes guilts the kids into staying home with her when it suits her. I think she digs having that kind of control. Remember...she's in charge, and that's never gonna change.
Sad but true #137....further gossip on the latest Duggar birth. Gideon weighed in at 10 lbs 3 oz and was delivered at 36 weeks. Those babies are huge that the Duggar girls deliver.
AuntieAnn said... 130
"To the one with the big head who was hardest to love."
====
Kate has NO idea how much it hurts a child to be criticized about something that they cannot change (big head).
^^^^^^^^
I remember being chastised for my sloppy handwriting...in grade school. I tried just as hard as the other girls to write beautifully, but my handwriting never came out like theirs.
It was so hurtful, to this day, I'm ashamed of my handwriting and should have written many more personal notes than I have.
So, yeah, those criticisms stay with you all your life and it's the worst when you really can't do anything to change.
I saw Kate got a blurb in Yahoo yesterday. Seems that 2 girls swatting a fly is pretty riveting stuff!
Comments as usual, were scathing.
I didn't see the Yahoo story, Tucker's, but InTouch ran a bit too. I wonder if it's TLC or Kate pushing to get these nothingburger pieces in the tabs---to drum up some interest in future episodes? All these stories really generate, for the most part, is disgust at K8.
http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/kate-gosselin-leah-hannah-grown-up-154671
No way on earth was that baby born at 36 weeks weighing 10 pounds plus. They think we were all born yesterday.
Dmasy said... 133
The second option would be that she is totally aware of the damage her statements can do and she relishes in lashing out in such an unkind way.
====
If she takes any pleasure out of humiliating her kids the way she humiliated Jon, the only word that comes to mind is "perverse". She chops off heads so she'll look taller, as my dad used to say.
Tucker's Mom said... 146
I saw Kate got a blurb in Yahoo yesterday. Seems that 2 girls swatting a fly is pretty riveting stuff!
Comments as usual, were scathing.
========
It’s got to be riveting because she’s gotten over 21K likes on it! LOL...I wonder how many of them are actually real. It seems she’s upped her game in order to appear relevant but she’s fooling no one but herself and a handful of sheeple.
I remember the time Jon was giving the 3 boys their bath when they were really young & saying that Collin's hair was like dog fur. I don't think he said it in a mean way but just as an opinion to the camera guy. But I wondered if Collin would have seen that episode later at some point & would've been upset by it.
I remember the time Jon was giving the 3 boys their bath when they were really young & saying that Collin's hair was like dog fur. I don't think he said it in a mean way but just as an opinion to the camera guy. But I wondered if Collin would have seen that episode later at some point & would've been upset by it.
Oh, both Jon and Kate made fun of most of the kids, Joel's lisp. Mady's teeth, Alexis being wild, Cara being homely, Aaden needing to man up, Leah being small, yes, Collin's head....except Hannie- then.
As seen on Twitter. No idea if this person actually knows anything.
Meghan Kearney @MeghanKearney15
5h5 hours ago
@Kateplusmy8 #failedcollinasamother #7outof8ain'tbadifyourkate. Saw Collin missing, hes in a health institution thats specializes in everything from acne and sinuitis to brain tumors and autism. Kate youre a disgrace!
@MeghanKearney15
5h5 hours ago
@Kateplusmy8 can't even invite collin to his own birthday party???? He's in the same state as you for heavens sake.
Sad but true said... 154
As seen on Twitter. No idea if this person actually knows anything.
Meghan Kearney @MeghanKearney15
5h5 hours ago
@Kateplusmy8 #failedcollinasamother #7outof8ain'tbadifyourkate. Saw Collin missing, hes in a health institution thats specializes in everything from acne and sinuitis to brain tumors and autism. Kate youre a disgrace!
@MeghanKearney15
5h5 hours ago
@Kateplusmy8 can't even invite collin to his own birthday party???? He's in the same state as you for heavens sake.
^^^^^^^^^
OK, I went all stalker mode. Meghan Kearney played field hockey. Goes or went to University of Scranton.
Looks like she graduated in '15.
Horizon Field Hockey Club Alum:
http://horizonfhc.com/Page.asp?n=80149&org=HORIZONFHC.COM
http://athletics.scranton.edu/sports/fh/2015-16/bios/kearney_meghan_gvuu
Just sayin', she's a real person from the same general area of PA who has a lengthy history playing field hockey.
So, there's the connection.
It would appear she knows where Collin is...
Also...a "health institution" WTH? For 2 YEARS? How do you institutionalize a child for 2 years?
I just don't understand.
Former Lurker 144....Awfully big for four weeks early. Do they think we're stupid.
Tucker's Mom said... 156
Yeah, I gotta say, I never bought the whole "he's at a specialized boarding school" line. I honestly don't know what sort of "institution" he's in, but I have a feeling it's the kind with a lot of locked doors and reinforced windows.
What a relief that baby was born 4 weeks early. That would be quite a fete to deliver him at home with a midwife. Maybe he was born in a hospital.
Sad but true said... 147
I didn't see the Yahoo story, Tucker's, but InTouch ran a bit too. I wonder if it's TLC or Kate pushing to get these nothingburger pieces in the tabs---to drum up some interest in future episodes? All these stories really generate, for the most part, is disgust at K8.
http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/kate-gosselin-leah-hannah-grown-up-154671
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At the end of that article, there's another one that I think we missed. Who writes this drivel?:
http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/kate-gosselin-kids-dogs-kiss-154576
capecodmama said... 157
Former Lurker 144....Awfully big for four weeks early. Do they think we're stupid.
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I think you're referring to Foxy's comment.
I don't follow the Duggars except what I read here. Is that the daughter we talked about months ago when she announced her pregnancy but the photos made her appear further along than she claimed?
Former Lurker said... 160
Again, I think someone is making a concerted effort to keep her name out there in the absence of new episodes. This must be her "full-time job" now, LOL. You know it's a slow news day if they're resorting to Kate Gosselin's Instagram.
I think that TFW is behind the articles. She puts the IG posts up hoping for rude comments and then tips off whomever it is that’s writing the articles. Bad publicity is better than no publicity. The articles really don’t generate that much interest from anyone.
At the end of that article, there's another one that I think we missed. Who writes this drivel?:
http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/kate-gosselin-kids-dogs-kiss-154576
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Total content farm. Write enough to get a click and make the search engines and move on to the next article. What a sad state a huge chunk of the news has come to.
"I remember being chastised for my sloppy handwriting...in grade school"
I had lousy handwriting too, and it was the only bad grade I got. I was so glad when I got old enough not to be graded on it. I mainly type things now.
Somebody on another board said Amy Roloff said Little People, Big World comes back in April for 11 episodes. The Duggars show premiered last night. I haven't seen any ratings yet. They were holding around a million last season.
ncgirl (#165), the Duggar and Roloff gravy trains keep chugging along -- courtships, engagements, marriages, and babies. And then there's Katie Irene with a dead fly.
Monday's Duggar "premiere" only brought in 998,000 viewers, with an 0.27 share.
BTW, TLC is calling this Season 7 of Counting On. The first season debuted in late 2015, I guess they're just pulling season designations out of their asses at this point.
ncgirl said (165)
Are these the right ratings?
http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/monday-cable-ratings-feb-26-2018/
Susan1956 said... 168
I couldn't find Counting On there, this is the site I use:
http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-2-26-2018.html
People online has a story about the Waldrop sextuplets, with accompanying video courtesy of TLC. Anyone surprised that TLC swooped in so fast? According to the story, TLC will air a documentary about them this fall. And of course, even though the story doesn't say it, TLC will exploit every moment of these babies' lives for as long as there is an audience to watch them. Kate better come up with something more compelling than swatting flies and kissing dogs if she wants to stay in the running.
I certainly hope the world is getting sick of the Duggars and their mass breeding. Know what I'd like to see? I would like to see this bunch support all those kids without a TV show. They've been feeding off of TLC for so long that it's doubtful that any of them know how to do any sort of real work. They can't possibly think TLC will be paying their way for as long as they continue to pop out new offspring, can they? At some point it has to end. John David and Jana seem like they could fend for themselves. The others? Not so much.
Yes - it’s shitty all this was missed. But, ANYONE could buy this gun without a background check. That’s fucked up.
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Had the shooter's background check been rejected, he would still have been able to legally buy one at a gun show or private sale. There are online sites like gunbroker and armslist where you can buy guns, too.
FlimsyFlamsy said... 166
ncgirl (#165), the Duggar and Roloff gravy trains keep chugging along -- courtships, engagements, marriages, and babies. And then there's Katie Irene with a dead fly.
^^^^^^
LOL, that says it all ;-)
I was curious if there was any other chatter about the Duggar kid's "premature" baby and turns out throughout her pregnancy people have been pointing out that her belly has always looked much further along than she should be.
Is this the same kid who moved her wedding up? LOl!
People online has a story about the Waldrop sextuplets, with accompanying video courtesy of TLC. Anyone surprised that TLC swooped in so fast? According to the story, TLC will air a documentary about them this fall. And of course, even though the story doesn't say it, TLC will exploit every moment of these babies' lives for as long as there is an audience to watch them. Kate better come up with something more compelling than swatting flies and kissing dogs if she wants to stay in the running.
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Oh, sheesh. I was wondering about that when I read the birth announcement, if TLC was drooling and how long it would take them to pounce all over it. Looks like it didn't take long!
. You know it's a slow news day if they're resorting to Kate Gosselin's Instagram.
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...and flies!
Layla said... 170
People online has a story about the Waldrop sextuplets, with accompanying video courtesy of TLC. Anyone surprised that TLC swooped in so fast?
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The TLC announcement of their new acquisition came just two days after the birth. Which means TLC (or whatever production company) was probably already in this family's home well before that date. Apparently, all the babies are now home (after approximately 9 weeks in the hospital) as of about a week ago.
I won't be watching.
So, a Duggar has her baby a month early and he's HUGE...but, nothing to see here, right?
Wearing pants ain't the only thing changing with the Duggar women ;-)
Joy-Anna got married on May 26th 2017 and had her baby on February 23rd, 2018 (I had to look it up). So it seems that all the scandal was for nothing. It's a big baby--I wonder if she had preeclampsia. It seems that she did have him in a hospital, so maybe there was something going on.
998,000 seems awfully low for a Duggar show. Still, K+8 hasn't been able to pull in an audience like that in years.
Tizzie said... 180
After following the news coverage of the Turpin family, it seems more likely that C was also removed from the home by CPS because some of the things that Kate did to him are similar to what was done to the Turpin children.
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If this were true, though, why/how would she still have ANY of the kids living with her? And, if true, it seems to me that that would certainly result in Jon gaining more say in what's happening with his children, which doesn't seem to have happened. And it should result in TLC cutting her off completely.
I hate to say it, but until one of the kids or Collin one day talks, we're never going to know.
Tucker's Mom said... 178
The baby is actually more or less on time if she got pregnant on the honeymoon. I've read that the happy newlyweds went on and on about how excited they were to be alone in Switzerland. So the film crew (you gotta figure at least 4 people, likely more) is invisible now? Just one of the signs you've been on reality TV too long.
The baby is actually more or less on time if she got pregnant on the honeymoon.
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Well my math is mad and reproduction is about as confusing as it can be, but isn't full term pregnancy really TEN months even though we all sort of call it 9? A full term pregnancy therefore would not be 36 weeks from the honeymoon....which is according to online, how long ago it was.
I was checking out the TLC Facebook page and there is a video with all the TLC "regulars" dancing. All except the Gosselins and the Duggars, and we know the Duggars have a strict no dancing policy. The Gs? Hmmmmm...
There is a new dating show they are doing, and that makes me think of Kate saying that if someone has an "avenue" for her to date, she's all in. I suspect she knew that TLC had this new show in the works and she wanted to be on it. Anything to get her face on TV. It looks like TLC ignored all her obvious hints and went with women who seemed more likeable. Good for them.
I don't buy the idea that Collin was put in some specialized treatment program. First, in order to get insurance to pay for it (or the county or whatever) he would need a specific diagnosis that meets their guidelines. That kind of treatment is expensive and someone has to justify the expense. Kate said his diagnosis was "fluid", which would mean they don't have anything specific or it's something that changes. I doubt that anyone is going to pick up the tab for expensive, years-long inpatient treatment unless he has been definitively diagnosed with something severe. Octomom has an autistic child who is barely functional and he is still in the home. But Collin is sent away? How does that work?
Instead of Kate worrying about whether someone has an "avenue" for her to date, she should be more concerned with finding an "avenue" for reuniting her son with his family before it's too late to re-form familial bonds. What happens when/if he ages out of his program? Is he just cut loose on his own? How could she do this to him?
I don't buy the idea that Collin was put in some specialized treatment program. First, in order to get insurance to pay for it (or the county or whatever) he would need a specific diagnosis that meets their guidelines. That kind of treatment is expensive and someone has to justify the expense. Kate said his diagnosis was "fluid", which would mean they don't have anything specific or it's something that changes. I doubt that anyone is going to pick up the tab for expensive, years-long inpatient treatment unless he has been definitively diagnosed with something severe. Octomom has an autistic child who is barely functional and he is still in the home. But Collin is sent away? How does that work?
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I agree with all this, and that agencies are going to play the ping pong game of who is paying until the cow's come home.
But there is one scenario that ticks more boxes than any others (though admittedly, not ALL of them) and that is that Collin has been removed from Kate's home, against her wishes, by a judge.
Once he's a foster kid, the federal funds take over and who's paying what becomes much more simple.
I still do think with the right attorney or advocate Kate could finagle a way for the school district to pay....she's crafty like that.
Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 183
You can use an online calculator (there are many choices). If you put in a date from the last week in May (when they got married), you end up with a full-term baby last week.
Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 186
How could he become a foster kid with a living, reasonably stable, biological parent living a short distance away? And not even to CONSULT with the other parent about it? How on earth could that happen?
And I'm sure Mommy checked out every conceivable angle to pay as little out of her pocket as possible for his care. Her priorities have been all too clear for a very long time.
You can use an online calculator (there are many choices). If you put in a date from the last week in May (when they got married), you end up with a full-term baby last week.
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It's not calculated like that though, it's not calculated from the date you had sex and conceived the baby. Most women don't even know that.
Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 187
You are offered an option of the first day of last period OR likely date of conception (I think most people find it easier to remember when they had sex, or at least that was true for me, LOL).
Here, give it a whirl:
https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy-due-date-calculator
Well my math is mad and reproduction is about as confusing as it can be, but isn't full term pregnancy really TEN months even though we all sort of call it 9? A full term pregnancy therefore would not be 36 weeks from the honeymoon....which is according to online, how long ago it was.
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It's simple quantum physics, Admin. You know...time-space reality and all that. TLC and the Duggs can expand OR condense the duration of pregnancies as perceived by high/low ratings.
Or not. lol
How could he become a foster kid with a living, reasonably stable, biological parent living a short distance away? And not even to CONSULT with the other parent about it? How on earth could that happen?
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That shouldn't happen, and that's one of the holes in my theory. It's kind of like the Kennedy assassination, no single scenario makes sense.
To plug that hole one of the only explanations is Jon is lying to deflect even more questions that he sees are private. It doesn't matter how much Kate doesn't want to tell him what is going on. The county will tell him what is going on, once they take his child. They are obligated to by law.
I have teens, so it's been quite a few years but I remember my OB doctor calculating my due date as 40 weeks from my last period (the first day of my last period). Pregnancy is calculated at 40 weeks, but I was told that that the baby is considered full term at 36 weeks. My pregnancies never went beyond 38 and a half weeks.
If the Duggar daughter was married on May 26, 2017 and had her baby on February 23, 2018 that's 39 weeks between those two dates. But, if the due date is calculated as 40 weeks from the last period, her due date would have probably been about two weeks later than that. If she got pregnant shortly after the wedding, then she probably delivered around her 38th week, which is pretty common from what I've read and heard.
Do all these Duggar girls get pregnant on their honeymoons or shortly thereafter? What's the rush, especially when they're so young? To each his own, but I personally think having a couple of years as a young married couple without kids yet is a great thing.
If the Duggar daughter was married on May 26, 2017 and had her baby on February 23, 2018 that's 39 weeks between those two dates. But, if the due date is calculated as 40 weeks from the last period, her due date would have probably been about two weeks later than that. If she got pregnant shortly after the wedding, then she probably delivered around her 38th week, which is pretty common from what I've read and heard.
Do all these Duggar girls get pregnant on their honeymoons or shortly thereafter? What's the rush, especially when they're so young?
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They don't believe in birth control apparently, so even if they wanted to wait they run the risk of getting pregnant.
It's unusual for even a young woman to get pregnant on their first try, though does happen--it's suspicious that they weren't at least having sex BEFORE the wedding or even conceived the baby before then. It's also suspicious that the baby at the very least was on the earlier side, yet TEN POUNDS. Fat babies are usually term or later. Usually, there are exceptions.
I do not care when they conceived this kid, but if something is fishy here, it just goes yet again to their hypocrisy.
I think Joy Anna may have had some kind of medi complication. She had the baby in the hospital, although the family apparently tried to hide that fact. The story I read said that Amy Duggar posted an IG photo of Joy-Anna and the baby in a hospital bed, then shortly afterward deleted it. The Duggars are strongly in favor of home births, so there must have been a compelling reason why Joy-Anna delivered in a hospital. She appears to be very small, so maybe the fact that the baby was so big convinced her doctors that she needed to deliver in a hospital. Maybe she was induced so that she could deliver before the baby got too big, or maybe she needed a C-section. Didn't one of her sisters have C-sections? I suspect that the size of the baby made it necessary to deliver early.
Oh, I BIG TIME get a sense that those Duggars see something shameful about having to resort to an actual doctor delivering the kid. It's like some bizarre extension of their natural no birth control no family planning 17th century mindset. I also get the sense it is irritating to them to have to admit they resorted to modern medical care, because it rather conflicts with their delusional God will take care of everything mindset--except when he doesn't, and you end up in the hospital and then modern man saved your life. Do they ever hate admitting that sometimes God has to be bypassed.
I can't stand pregnancy/birth shamers. Good lord, who cares as long as the baby is healthy.
Ten plus pounds. Holy cow. Thankfully mine were only 7 something. I can't even imagine over ten pounds.
I remember we talked about it when she made her pregnancy announcement last summer. Here's the August 30th People article we discussed:
http://people.com/tv/joy-anna-duggar-pregnant-first-child/
As we talked about back then, she looks so much further along than just three months. Looking at that pic at the end of the article, I would have guessed she was in her fifth month.
Trump wants to take away your guns AND your video games!
Wow!
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Not quite. Trump wants to take away guns from the mentally ill, which is just basic common sense, but for some reason, the anti-gun lobby refuses to agree to common sense provisions.
Trump also never said he wants to take video games, he merely remarked that some video games, and movies, are terribly violent. It is true some are, and it is true that some school shooters played violent video games and watched violent movies. N.C. was reported to play violent video games for hours on end. Seems like we should keep an open dialogue on that topic, at the very least. Of course oddly enough, it is always lack of gun control blamed for school shootings, and not all the violence out there readily consumed by deranged young men. Couldn't you just as easily attribute it to that? Odd how that works.
Oh the irony if Trump is finally the president to pass common sense gun control laws. Lol, that is just going to kill the Trump haters. They won't be able to stand it. Forget saving kids' lives with some common sense, it's all about the real topic at hand, hating Trump.
Trump's willingness to come to the table on gun control and play ball also puts a huge hole in the theory that the NRA controls the right.
B.S., no they don't. Total myth. Fear of a slippery slope, coming from people who are mostly lawyers and think in those terms, is behind the reluctance to mess with gun laws, nothing more, nothing less. Polls SHOW that most of us on the right are just fine with some reasonable gun control, always have been. Since Trump isn't thinking like a regular politician/lawyer nor does he feel particularly loyal to any party, it's kept him more open minded on issues like this and he's falling more in line with the "average" righty the polls are talking to.
It's going to be fun to watch some of his haters eat crow on this one, and for such a good cause too.
Ten plus pounds. Holy cow. Thankfully mine were only 7 something. I can't even imagine over ten pounds.
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I was 11 pounds and it was mostly water weight because my mom was diabetic. This is what happens to diabetics' babies. I look really mutant in my first few hours pics lol.
It's simple quantum physics, Admin. You know...time-space reality and all that. TLC and the Duggs can expand OR condense the duration of pregnancies as perceived by high/low ratings.
Or not. lol
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It's amazing our ancestors managed to get pregnant without some big mathematical logarithm, because it really is quantum physics. But I'm sure with God's help the Duggars can have a pregnancy of any length of their choosing.
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