h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I apologize for not being around much. Not only has my online time been cut down significantly, but I've been in a bit of a funk lately. I've been frequenting a pregnancy after miscarriage website where I can vent all I want, to people who understand, and that's helped me tremendously as I approach my due date. Obsessing over trying to conceive isn't something most people understand or want to hear about either. I don't like burdening my friends here with all of that, as I know how wearying it can be to hear someone harp on negatively all the time. Be glad I found that other website, as I'm sparing all of you!

That being said, I've had a wonderful week, which has made me feel a lot better, and I'm now focussing on what I have, as opposed to what I've lost.

TJ's birthday was Dontbry, and since it was his 40th, I wanted to do something special for him. On Doobry we went on a dinner cruise from LI to the Statue of Liberty. It was a beautiful night, and it turned into a very special time for us. Dontbry I spent most of the day cooking and baking, making TJ's day a bit out of the ordinary by preparing some of his favorite foods. Sodit was the 4th of July, and we went to Jones Beach to sit on the sand and watch the fireworks. Again, it was a very special time, and we had a few hours afterwards to walk on the boardwalk. Sadly, we both had to w**k the next day, but the 6th was our third anniversary, so we took that day off. TJ surprised me with a beautiful sapphire ring he bought me in Barbados to match the earrings he got me in March. At the time, he said the earrings were for my birthday (which is in October), and since we decided we weren't getting each other anniversary gifts, because our night out was going to be so expensive, he said the ring is for Christmas. At this rate, I should be getting my 50th birthday present next year!

I had gotten us tickets to see Spamalot on Broadway. They're very hard to get, and I searched their website for hours trying to get us good seats. The first good ones available at the time just so happened to be on our anniversary, so I figured it was fate. After a lot of research, I also found us a lovely French restaurant that we went to before the show. Spamalot was very, very funny! TJ had never been to a Broadway show before, and he really loved it! Afterwards, we went to BB King's blues club for a drink. It was a very romantic, wonderful day. That's when my attitude changed. I've been so very blessed, and I'm a very, very lucky woman, and I shouldn't forget it.

Shea, it's so good to see you on here.

Glad for your sake that you've had an attitude adjustment... Although, you needn't feel bad about burdening your friends with your baby cravings, although I'm glad you've found a group of women in similar circumstances who really understand what you're going through. If you feel bad about doing it on here though, you're welcome to do it privately. You have my emails and my IM, feel free to use them any time.

TJ is really a wonder, and I'm sure you both appreciate each other so much more because it took so long for you to find each other.

It's funny you should mention "Spamalot," Shea. I've been reading "The Greedy bastard diary," by Eric Idle, in which he discusses a coast-to-coast tour he took, and then his adventures trying to get "Spamalot" written and produced. It sounds like a fun show, from all accounts.

I once wrote a song called "Take me to a Broadway Show," which I sang for a church benefit concert. It's funny, though, that I've never actually seen any shows on Broadway .

Wait a minute, I've topic-drifted away from your main point, Shea.

Thanks Lady Scott, I know you're there if I need you.

Don't worry, Paul. I was so filled with how great "Spamalot" was that I had to share with everyone ... my Journal Entry just got a bit out of hand!

One of the funniest parts of the show was something that they played with a bit during the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," where the subtitles were taken over by Finnish nonsense. In the Playbill there was a section with a whole "fake" Finnish play ... cast listings and all. There were also two covers to the souvenier program, one for "Spamalot" and one for this Finnish play. Sure enough, the play started with the narrator explaining about King Arthur, and ended his speech with, "... and now to England." Then the Finnish fish-slapping dance number began, with a rousing rendition of "Finland, Finland, Finland!" The narrator came back out to shout, "I said *England*!" The dancers said, "Oh!" and sheepishly left the stage. Very funny stuff.

Just like the credits at the beginning of the movie, where they substiutued fake swedish and then latin american, with dialog about moose and lamas.

Um, do you really lamas, Ms Rambling?
I don't think a moose would be into Tibetan religious practices.

Moose are very versitile. :D

Versatile, or just perverse?

Yes!

I'm glad we've got that straightened out, now.

Or elks we'd be on the horns of a dilemma.

Not that I caribout such things.

Dearest Shea, big .

Great to hear from you. Believe it or not, but I had three children when I was 23 and after that lost four. That was dreadful so I can share your sadness.

Thank goodness for TJ, and your love for one another. and great that you had a wonderful birthday.anniversary, Christmas altogether!1. the trip sounds very romantic. I do not know the play at all, and was interested to hear Paul's account of the book that he had just read.
Incidentally, did you get my posting telling you how much I loved the pictures of the rose garden that TJ had made his Mum and how lovely the pictures were and that I had printed them?

I cannot believe that it is three years since your wedding. That is really when we first met. You have shared so many beautiful times with us, and I still hope that we shall have our clam chowder and walk along the board walk. I have fortunately, taken an upturn after being mightily down. So will write and tell you about all the wonderful things which have happened.

In the meantime, my fondest to you both and take care of yourself. You are very special . Much affection to your other half.

Your loving

Christiane
Also Ran1

I second AR1's post.

Hi dear Paul,

Nice to hear from you - albeit indirectly.

Keep well,

Christiane
Also Ran1

AR1, did you keep the 3 children that you had when you were 23? Were they triplets?

Of course my dear. I got married at 21 - and as a good Catholic practised the rhythm method! which I can guarantee does NOT work - well certainly not in my case!! I had three children under the age of two years and eight months!! Two boys sixteen months apart and then my daughter.

But thank goodness I did, because I never managed to have another live birth again. As I said to Shea I had four miscarriages - from three months to six months. and it was traumatic. That is why I started doing Yoga, to try and become serene again and get over the dreadful loss of the little ones - three of which were boys.

I remarried and then brought up two step children - and I consider them my own. They are as special to me as my own. and they all love one another which is great. I always consider that I have five children.

Thank you for your gentle interest.

Christiane
Also Ran1

Of all the things that must hurt in life, having a string of miscarriages must be close to the top of the list.

The website I mentioned in my first post has women that post there who have had miscarriages. Some multiple times. I'm amazed that they come through it as strong as they do. But I suppose you have to keep going, and that makes one stronger.

I posted photos from our anniversary and TJ's dinner cruise. They're called 2005 Our Anniversary 07/06, and 2005 Terry's Birthday 07/02:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sheathesarcastic/my_photos

It's so wonderful to hear from you again, AR1! I didn't know you had so many losses. I'm so sorry. Society tends to keep mum about miscarriages, and I don't think that most people realize how devastating they can be. I'm glad you were able to find peace with Yoga.

I got your posting about the rose garden, AR1. We're going back to Ohio next month for our niece's wedding, and I hope to take photos of the gardens in their splendor! My mother in law said that all the bushes did well except for one (which was new and didn't look too well to start with). I'm really looking forward to seeing them next summer, as they always do better the second year!

I can't believe it's been three years as well. Every time I read a posting that you make here, I remember the lovely wedding card that you sent to us, AR1. It always makes me smile to think of how kind you were to me so quickly. Every time I go to Jones Beach and walk on the boardwalk, I think of you and our promise of clam chowder. Maybe by the time you make it here, they'll have rebuilt the restaurant there so we can eat in luxury (as opposed to barefoot on the boardwalk!).

We have a lovely day planned tomorrow. My oldest (as in knowing the longest, not oldest ) friend and her husband have been staying with us all week. They're in town from Massachusetts conducting some business for his mother. This means that they've been leaving first thing in the morning and coming back in the evening. I leave for work in the afternoon and come back in the early morning. I haven't seen them once, and they've been with us for 4 days! They're staying over an extra day so we can visit for a few hours tomorrow before they head home. After that, my folks are coming over for a BBQ, and then we're going to Heckscher Park (a nearby beach) for a free concert by the Long Island Philharmonic and fireworks afterwards.

Oh, and more news! We're getting a new car next week! It's a red Ford Escape Hybrid.

ooo new car smell

What is Ford trying to escape from?

the hybrid obvasly