Tarnished

Now where is that darn laugh button?

To tell the truth I have found that there are many many people on the forums who employ bad spelling and grammar. The fact that Jim108 decides to put his name at the end of each of his comments, though confusing at times, is just his own way of posting. Considering some of the almost unreadable posts I have seen, his way of posting is not so bad. It gives his posts their own character.

Can we please get the thread back on topic? Or should I request a mod to close it?

There are many factors that keep us from sleeping close. 1. He can't get comfy with me snuggling on his left side, but if I am on his right side he does this middle of the night elbow to the face thing, so left side it is. 2. We both steal the covers, so we both have our own blankets and too many blankets too close together can get overwhelming. 3. The biggest reason of all, we have two dogs, one 115 lbs and the other 70 lbs that sleep right between us. Even if we put them on the sides of the bed they will inevitably during the night get up so that they can lie down right between us. This also causes us to lie at the edges of our King sized bed, thus as far away as possible while sleeping in the same bed. We actually have to lock them out of the room when we do want to cuddle.

1) Job Opportunities c) Women and men have about the same job opportunities 2) Employment Wages b) Women receive slightly less pay than men do 3) Interest Opportunities c) Women are accepted in interest groups about as often as men are 4) Political Opportunities b) Women have slightly fewer political opportunities than men 5) Representation in Higher Education c) Women and men are represented about the same in higher education 6) Educational Opportunities c) Women and men have about the same educational opportunities 7) Religious Authority Opportunities b) Women have slightly fewer opportunities to be a religious authority than men 8) Sexualization in Media e) Women are significantly more sexualized in the media than men 9) Health c) Women and men are similar in health 10) Feminism d) Feminism is slightly affective at guaranteeing equality for women 11) Military Service b) Women are slightly less accepted in the military than men 12) Representation in Authority b) Women are slightly underrepresented in authority positions 13) What best represents the basis for your opinions on the position of women in American culture a) Word of mouth/popular opinion b) Political activists c) Scientific journals/polls d) Personal experience (all the above) Female Yes ________________________ This survey really all depends on what country you are talking about with it. My answers are based on how things are in the US.

I am very thankful to everyone's comments on this. I have read quite a few comments that help me sort things out a little bit better in my own head. Sometimes when I am "discussing" things with my brother it becomes difficult to gather all the thoughts running through my head dealing with the subjuct into a coheasive argument. There were a few posters that I hoped to see respond to this question and I am thankful to them for responding. I am actually quite grateful to this website in general as it brings up topics that we sometimes discuss as a family, and gives me insights on things that I would not have thought of. Thank you all again.

I don't think he was digging his heels in, he likes to argue and he likes to create arguments. He will argue the sky is green just to get people arguing it. He will actually bring up a topic that he doesn't even believe just to get a "discussion" going. The problem is that he pushes his arguments so much that it is effecting my father's beliefs in what is right.

Recently my brother came out to visit, during his visit he decided to start an argument about the omnipotence of God. He argued that since God must follow rules then he is not all powerful, because if he was all powerful then he would not have to follow rules. And if he was all powerful then he wouldn’t let bad things happen on earth he could instead make everything perfect and wonderful. He arued that since God allows bad things to happen that he must be a wicked God. To tell the truth his argument was not the best, but he blocked any argument I or my family brought up against him. It was aggravating and afterward I found myself wondering how others would have argued against him. One reason I am asking this is because lately my father has been talking to my brother and has been bringing up arguments my brother has brought up, and as some of these topics have shown up on the forums we have had some great answers to give them. I am hoping to benefit from the knowledge that others can bring to this topic.

I have to agree with you there. And they squish the internal organs. Though I love my corset for what it does for my figure, I do have to say that everytime I wear it I am so happy to get out of it.

I have to wonder why the co-director feels so saddened that this girl does not share his opinion. As he said, religious beliefs have no politics in the Miss California family. So why should someone share his same religious belief, for that matter why should someone's religious belief matter in their placing in Miss California? The matter comes down to the question asked. Hilton asked a political question that would result in a political and religious based answer, if he did not want the posibility of an answer he did not agree with then he should never have asked the question. If he feels that the answer was out of line, then he should look at the question that prompted the answer. Because the very nature of same sex marriage goes against certain religion's beliefs there really can not be a "politically correct" answer, you are going to offend someone no matter what. Holding your personal beliefs as a standard that the entire world should live up to is unrealistic. Everyone is going to have their own view on things, it is just the way people work. I definately applaud this girl for being willing to express her personal belief and opinion on the matter, no matter what the consequences.

How far away from BYU-ID are you? There are many people who will come down on the weekends to Utah, so if your family is from Utah there is the ability to come down and visit them on weekends. Truthfully though going off to college is an important thing. It allows you to become your own person and get a clearer idea about becoming an adult. Though I am sure you are worried about your family, they will be ok without you, and going to college is something that I think everyone should experience. It is a part of your life that you will never forget and will allow you to forge friendships that you will always remember. I was very homesick when I went out to college, I grew up in IL and went out to BYU-ID, however by the time I returned home for Christmas I was speaking of college as home and thinking of IL as my second home. I would say go off to college and if things are just terrible after a semester or two then you can always return and change your plans. But at least give it a try.

I love Vash, especially since he resembles my hubby. Vash all the way!

I agree with you, which is part of why we keep our dogs inside, if the dog is right there with you, walking up to be petted and loved, it is difficult to forget to interact with it. The problem I see though is that there are many people who get pets just to have a pet and don't really look into what is involved in owning one. This often results in the pet being neglected because the owner doesn't really know how to take care of the animal. It is not a malicious behavior but rather a stupid behavior. The person did not do their homework and is taking the lazy route, but the problem is that they are dealing with a living, breathing creature.

Different people come from different backgrounds, and some people will never change. Sometimes they do though. For example, my grandparents were farmers they lived by the rule that all animals stay outside. Because of this they did not allow any pets inside their house until just a few years ago when my grandma bought a Maltese. However this was after many years of my mother talking to them about the way they treated their dogs. Many, many years. Unfortunately people often tend to live the way they were taught, and if they grew up with parents that insisted that their dogs stay outside then chances are that is how they are going to treat their dog. My husband grew up that way and when we got married I told him that when we got a dog it would be inside because that is how I was raised. He was a bit resistant but when I was firm on it he gave in. I also have worked as a groomer and I have seen things that would make an animal lover sick. But the truth of the matter is, if the animal is not yours and the owner is not technically breaking the law there is really little you can do. However, if you are especially worried about it you could express your concern for the dog's health and then offer to help out, such as give it walks or refill it's water if you notice that it has turned green. Yes it is not your responsibility but it sounds like your neighbors are a bit lazy when it comes to keeping a pet.

I know where you are coming from. My husband and I have been struggling for almost 9 years now to have children. I know how difficult it is to go to church on Sunday and see the children, most of our married life we have been called to the Primary, or Nursery. I know what it is like to have sisters come up and ask why we have not had children yet, or other members make comments. And last August my younger sister, six years younger than me, had the first grandchild for my parents. It is difficult, but there is hope. There is the option of adoption, and I am sure that if we do not have children in this life then we will be able to raise children in the next (as in during the millenium). From your post it sounds like you are afraid to pray for guidance on whether you and your husband should move to Colorado, which gives you the opportunity to go back to school. If I am incorrect on this please let me know. If I am correct then here is my opinion. From my experiences Jesus and our Heavenly Father love us, and they want the best for us. I see my husband and my struggles with infertility to be a test from Heavenly Father to see how we will do. It is a difficult trial, it really is, but I believe that if we are faithful that he will bless us. It may not be the particular blessing we were looking for, but he will bless us. Even in this potential move, he wants the best for you and your husband. Pray about it without fear, and take some time to listen. Meditate on the scriptures and on your prayers, don't say them and get up right away, wait and listen. Sometimes we don't immediately get an answer, sometimes we don't get an answer we recognize, sometimes it comes through what happens rather than what we feel. I wish you the best in everything and hope that you are able to find solace and comfort.

Let’s see, what are some of the ones we have used in the past… Exclamatory Oaths: Oh my stars and garters! That frosts my cake/case! Darn it all! Dag nabbit! Dog gone it! (which turns into “Dog Vomit”) which can also be said, “Dog gone it all!” Oh my goodness! Oh my golly gosh! Frell off! (from Farscape – used much like the “F” word) POed (for being angry) used as – “He got me so POed!” Fornication! (also used like the “F” word) Screw it! (which I thought was one of the worst swears growing up) Mild Oaths: I feel blargley today.

My brother and I had a conversation about this today. He asked us what we would do with the left over eggs and sperm after we are done having kids through Invetro Fertilization. He had done a paper on the subject and discovered that most of the time the embryos that are created in the petri dishes that are unused are destroyed, his argument was that if they are going to be destroyed then why not donate them to embryonic stem cell research. The question comes down to when the spirit first enters the embryo. This of course brought up miscarriages and abortions for a good reason (such as both mother and baby dying). Truthfully if the embryos are going to be destroyed anyway, then why not donate them to stem cell research. Without stem cell research my husband would not have had his bone marrow transplant when he had cancer this last time.

Oh Qtpie, I am so sorry to hear that. While it sounds like it was the right thing for the two of you to do it still is a terrible thing to have to go through. If you ever need to talk, please feel free to message me. I have not gone through a divorce but I am a good listener. And I have chocolate I can share, seriously a stack of European chocolate on top of my fridge, dark, milk chocolate, and dark with orange. Like breezygirl said you are wanted by Heavenly Father, he loves you and wants the best for you. Turn to him in this time of trial and he will help you. Besides him, please know that Faded and I worry and wonder about you, we keep you in our prayers. As I said above if you ever need to talk send me a message. I know we can only help through this virtual world here but we do care about you. *Gives you a big hug*

If you plan to wear your dress to the temple some day then they will require sleeves of some sort or a little jacket. As for modest dresses for getting married in the chapel, I am not really sure that they have a standard. Yes, it might take a little bit of work, and creative thinking, but yes I do. There are actually quite a few good ideas out there on how to have a cheap but good wedding. My advice would be to ask around the ward, especially in Relief Society and find out what skills people have. For example, my brother is getting married in June of this year. My mother has asked a sister in one of our old wards to make the cake (this sister did my sister's flowers when she got married), my mom is having another family from the ward we grew up in take care of the catering. Now these things cost my mom money, but if you explain your situation and discuss price with them I am sure they would be willing to find a good solution that can be pretty but not pricey. One of the things my mom has done as well is go to Salvation Army, Good Will, (or if you are out in the west) Deseret Industries and has found things that she could tweak a little to work for decorations. My mom also has made all the bouquets and flowers for my wedding, part of my sister's wedding and she already has the flowers ready for my brother's wedding. She goes to craft stores and finds the silk flowers on sale in the colors she needs and then with a few supplies (like the green floral tape and a bouquet handle) she creates bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages. For invitations my family has used pictures taken with a digital camera of the happy couple and with a little Power Point magic has been able to create some wonderful invitations that can be printed out at Walmart or Sam's Club. Another thing we have done for the receptions is to create a power point of pictures of the couple growing up and put it to music, then at the reception have it showing either on a TV or projected onto a white wall. There are ways of making weddings cheap, you just have to look for them. And from some advice my mom has given me, if you come to a situation where you just don't know how to be creative with it, sit down and have a prayer asking to be inspired and then go back to your project and see what ideas come to you. Thankfully there are some great resources out there for weddings and we don't have to go the way my mother did for her wedding where she made her own silk flowers, and then made the bouquet from them. Good luck with it all, and Congratulations!!

I don't know if it can be held in the chapel or not, I would ask your Bishop about it. As for who can marry you, it has to be a leader of a recognized religious order, or a justice of the peace. Ironically my husband and I were talking about this last night, we were on the subject of people who get married by Elvis in Las Vegas, and I asked him if Elvis had to be certified in some way, and he said that they have to either be a justice of the peace or a leader of a recognized religious group, yes our church counts as one. However, as I am guessing that your "former" bishop was released from his calling I am not sure if he would still be eligible, you would probably have to check with him. In that case it is a matter of the law recognizing your marriage as performed by a legal authority.

There is a family in our ward where the husband lost his job and they were given the inspiration to move to Utah. It is sad to see them go, but I hope they will be blessed by listening to the promptings of the Lord.

I went on Easter egg hunts every year growing up, and have even done some as an adult, in our family we just made a tradition of holding our hunts a day early so that we don't take away from the sacredness of the Sabbath, luckily for us the Easter Bunny was willing to come out to visit us one day early. He always pounded his foot against the side of the house to tell us that we could come out of our rooms to look for eggs and candy. Then he ran for his life because my dad was out to catch him. Makes me wonder now why he was willing to come early with my dad after him all the time. Ah well good times.

I have to admit that often online I act much like how I am in real life, in general quiet, shy and pretty good at keeping the thoughts in my head there. There have been many times when I have written responses to people on other websites and then at the last moment deleted the entire thing because I felt that it didn't need to be said after all. This site is actually the first place I have not used my regular handle, mostly for anonymity sake. Because I tend to use the same screen name wherever I go you could easily google it and find out just who I am. What I have found by using a different screen name here is that I screen my comments less. I have actually found myself speaking up more than I usually would because of it. However, based on the fact that I don't want people knowing who I am in real life I don't plan to ever show a real picture of myself, or give any concise details on where I live, or who I am. However, regarding my story I have been completely honest about it all. That is the great thing about the anonymity I can share things about myself that I would otherwise tell no one and not worry that it will negatively impact my life.

From what I have heard, having never gone on a mission myself, when you get home you are quite a bit shell-shocked. Your schedule is broken, you are focusing on different things, and you are not as busy as before. Also many return missionaries are preparing themselves or are leaving immediately for college. I think this can very likely cause them to get distracted. I don't think they mean to forget to stay in touch, but with the way life goes sometimes it just happens.

I am always of the opinion that chocolate is good. And while peeps are nice not everyone likes them. Healthier, hmm...you could always pick up cheap stuffed rabbits and have each rabbit with a little collection of carrots. If you do bring candy (which I always loved as a child) I would suggest not bringing too much as the parents may not appreciate sugar highs. Great idea though!!