happyout

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Posts by happyout

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  74

  my take...

  by teejay in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ... on the watchtower society.

  i am not one who will ever bother to waste my time heaping praise on the jw religion as though it were some kind of improvement on society.

  i have no qualms in saying that it was, is, and always will be a dangerous religion ?

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  happyout

  TJ,

  As usual, you and I think alike on this subject. I believe there are negative consequences from being raised a witness, like not having my college degree, but I can't say beyond a doubt that I would have gotten it had I not been a witness. And if I turned out anything like my cousins, I would have have at least one child out of wedlock, done some experimenting with drugs, and had at least one failed marriage behind me (if I ever got married).

  I was raised a witness, and it kept me from teenage sex, wild parties, and really bad association. Again, would I have done those same things without being a witness? Don't know, but the examples of my family say I would have had a far tougher life than I do.

  I also can never emphasize enough how strong of a woman my mom is, and how much that shaped me. She dealt with very advers circumstances with grace, love, and optimism, and taught me that I should not depend on anyone but myself. There is no one I admire more than her, she is a woman of honor and principle. Would she be that way if she weren't a witness? I don't know. But I can (in my more generous moments) give at least partial credit to the org, because NONE of her siblings has accomplished what she has.

  Great post, my deep thinking brother.

  Smooches,

  Happyout
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  51

  What is the best book you've read lately?

  by little1 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  for education or just for fun?

  usually i read for self-improvement-always trying to figure out why i am the way i am and stop it!

  but sometimes i read just for fun.

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  happyout

  I mostly read for relaxation, so fluff books for me.

  I have read everything by J.D Robb, and love that series. Eve Dallas is a cop set in a futuristic society (but not too far in the future)

  I have read Catherine Coulter's FBI series, they are always entertaining.

  I also love the Kay Hooper FBI series, they contain a wonderful amount of supernatural and mystery that I love.

  Janet Evanovich writes a series of number books about Stephanie Plum, a bail enforcment agent, that is completely hysterical. Talk about laugh out loud funny!!

  I used to love the alphabet series by Sue Grafton, too, but the last two books have been a huge disappointment.

  Other favorite authors: Lisa Gardner, Iris Johansen, Lisa Gardner, Kyle Mills, Harlan Coben,

  I have read James Patterson's books, but only enjoyed the series with the Midnight Murder Club so far.

  I am currently reading another James Patterson book, can't remember the name, but it's slow going for me.

  I read two books recommended by Oprah, and didn't like either one. I'm obviously not deep enough for her

  I enjoyed The Da Vinci Code, except I think he kind of wussed out at the end. He really didn't have much of a choice, he had kind of painted himself in a corner. I enjoyed all of his other books, too. I think people make too much of Da Vinci Code, it's a work of fiction mixed with some facts.

  Happyout - a bookworm her entire life
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  16

  Am I doing what's needed??

  by Dawn in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this question would seem funny to non-jw's - but i bet some of you x-jw's will understand.. i look at the world around me and see so much need.

  i look at my own life and see so much blessings and wealth.

  i give to charity - but i always think - "is it enough?

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  happyout

  Dawn,

  This is really weird, just last night I asked my husband if he felt guilty because of the things we have that others don't have. He didn't really get it, he says we work, it's not like anything is given to us. But, I look at people who are hungry, poor, and struggling, and I wonder why. It's not like those people are lazy, sometimes it's as random as where they were born that seems to predetermine their lot in life. I, too give to charity, and I just told my 4 year old son that next year we are going to a mission to help feed people who don't have enough food, and take toys to their children. He didn't fully understand, but he did offer to give the toys he doesn't play with anymore, so I think it's a good start. I just want to make sure that I don't slip into the "take everyting for granted" mode that seems to come so easily to the middle class.

  I don't know if we feel this way as a remnant of our JW upbringing, but I do know I would rather care enough to question it than not.

  You're obviously a caring person, as long as you don't let your concern and caring overshadow your good fortune, you'll be fine.

  Happyout
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  Can we help Utopian Reformist?

  by acsot in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  with all the tragedy ur's been through, i was wondering if we could pull together and help him out a bit, sort of like what was done for vicki boer some time ago.

  i am hoping to send him a "christmas gift" of a bit of money, by way of international money order and if others could do so also then maybe he'll have a few pleasant memories for this season.

  his address is on his post where he updates us with what's been happening.. of course, i could be way behind on this and many of you may have already sent him something, but i was just thinking that a group effort would lift his spirits a tiny bit.. thoughts?

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  happyout

  I think this is a great idea. I know that there was a collection taken up for flowers for Talia's memorial service, but I am not sure if anyone has directly contributed to Mario. I don't have a lot, but I am more than willing to give some to help him at this tragic time.

  Happyout
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  48

  If you love me, wish me a HAPPY BIRTHDAY

  by LDH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have a picture but i don't know how to post it?!?!?.

  my hubby and daughter bought me great gifts, and the three year old helped me blow out the candles and open the packages.. i am eating dicicco's pizza, my b'day dinner of choice!.

  lisa

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  happyout

  Lisa,

  As one of your long time admirer's, I am embarassed that this is so late, but:

  Happy Birthday!!!

  Happyout
• 
  40

  Diets, exercise and misery

  by Mulan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well, it's getting near to the time that i determined to begin a weight loss program again.

  (after the holidays).

  i am really sick of diets, and hate the idea of it all, but i have to do something.

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  happyout

  I don't know if you have this kind of program where you are, but it worked WONDERS for me.

  My problems were

  1) no time to exercise, unless I wanted to get up at 5 or do it right before bed. Neither of those worked for me on a regular basis.

  2) My eating habits weren't bad, so there was little if anything I could cut out. I also drank lots of water.

  3) I was gaining weight, slowly but steadily.

  So, I went to this diet place in my city. It's not cheap, but it works wonders. They give you a vitamin B12 shot daily, along with a B complex. You take a water pill, and two potassium pills daily. You have the option of taking an appetite suppresant, but it's not required. You do a modified fast the first three days, then eat regular food according to the menu they give you. If you reach a plateau (which we often do) then you can fast for a day or two to re-energize your body.

  I started this program at the end of August, and I have lost over 40 pounds. I still don't exercise, at least not regularly, but I feel a lot better, and am back down to a size 8.

  Unfortunately, it's not a national company, there is only this one location with that name. However, if you call weight loss places in your area, you can ask them what their program is and go from there.

  As I mentioned, it's not cheap, but it has been great, and I am successfully weaning myself without gaining any weight. I think I should be totally off the program in the next 2 months, and can go back as necessary if I choose to.

  Good luck, I really feel for you.

  Happyout
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  25

  I Love It When The Words Are Wrong..

  by Englishman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  my old boss was forever going on about us being careful "not to set any presidents".. hl's friend's ex-hubby needs some surgery on his knee to have "his cartridge removed".

  she's signed an affy-david as part of the divorce process.

  meanwhile he spends his time in night clubs watching the cadbury.. jenny, the pub's landlady, took the quiz a couple of weeks back and questioned us about "far from the maddening crowd".

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  happyout

  I overheard a proud mother tell someone her child was going to attend a hysterical black college (should be historical, for those outside the US)

  Another lady was bragging to my brother about how smart her relative was, she said he had a photogenic memory.

  Does anyone remember the Damon Wayans character on In Living Colour that used to assassinate the english language??

  Happyout
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  12

  Baby Girl

  by teejay in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was enjoying a rousing conversation with a funny, sexy lady.

  then tragedy struck.

  my cell phone started acting up.

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  happyout

  Hey,

  So sorry that your day ended with such sadness, and my sympathies to the poor mother and her baby.

  No one would hold it against you for not calling back, and besides, phones haven't stopped working, so call again when you can.

  Much love,

  Happyout - sending TJ a big hug (((( ))))

  PS I hardly ever log on during weekends, I'm glad I saw this now.
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  71

  My sad news

  by Fe2O3Girl in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as some of you on the board knew i was expecting a baby, i feel i should let you know that things have not worked out for us.. when i went for the 20 week ultrasound scan last thursday, severe problems were found with our baby's internal development.

  only one kidney was detected, and it was very enlarged and polycystic.

  there was no long term hope for the baby at all; if it survived to full term it could only live for hours at most.

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  happyout

  Fe203Girl,

  I am so sad to welcome you to the ranks of what I call "Angel Mommys". I lost my beloved first born when I was 8 months. The doctor's were never able to tell me why.

  It hurt more than anything I can ever explain at first. What helped was joining a support group, and talking to people who had been through the same thing. While I don't know exactly what I believe in terms of heaven, I do believe that she is with me in a spiritual sense, and that on some level, I will see her again. I hope that you can develop a sense of your son's spirit that will bring some peace to you.

  Much love, and if there is anything you want to share with someone who has been there, please feel free to PM me. I will do my best to be there for you.

  ((((((((( ))))))))

  Happyout
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  15

  Eva is America's Next Top Model!!!

  by happyout in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  ok, fine, so i'm a reality tv addict.

  i love this show!!!.

  and i am thrilled that little "diva eva" pulled it out over snooty, poor me amanda, and stuck up i am a real nubian princess yaya.. i might have to put eva on as my avatar .

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  happyout

  I started diggin Nicole when she went red, for some reason, I tend to love red hair. I used to like Tocarra too (hope I spelled that right), but she just got beaten down and lost her spark.

  Yeah, my girl Eva is headed for some big things!

  Ok, confess, what other reality shows are we addicted to (or is that another thread?).

  Amazing Race

  The Apprentice (last season was better, though)

  Wife Swap

  Trading Spouses

  American Idol (coming soon)

  Yes, I watch entirely too much TV, and take it from me, don't get TiVo. If you're not an addict, you will be after that.

  Happyout - loving her new avatar!