Twinky

Rather hoped the guy in white would produce a rabbit out of that dish, he looked so like a magician with a magic wand. (Love the trainers under the traditional white dress!) The black-dressed guy could've done so serious fire eating. Was this a military funeral??? (guys at end)

mmm aaa errr mmm isn't the US American something in South Africa next to Eye-rak on the dark side of the moon? Oh no, wait, that's where she has been living. (Probably not applying for the job as Hillary Clinton's foreign secretary if HC should get so far.)

The advances for western women have been tremendous but still need to move forward some. When my mother got married in 1948 she had to leave her job as they did not employ married women in permanent posts. Nonetheless she was retained by the same business for the next five years as a "temporary clerk" doing much the same job. Her employer? The railways, pretty much a nationalized organisation, not sure if it was at that time or became so later. Rising above a Clerk's job would have been unheard of. WW1 was very good for women - it was after that that women were granted the vote because of their contribution to the war effort. WW2 was also very good for women. That was when they had to do "responsible" jobs that had hitherto been thought only capable of being done by men and the glass ceiling began to crack. Would be it equality - if men were kept in cages and taken out only to service women? If men could be sold and beaten up like some prostitutes? If men were subjected to the treatment that they subjected and sometimes still subject women to? If men had to go around wrapped in shrouds (burkhas) and were beaten if they did not? Would women stoop so low? Would men put up with what they had inflcited on women?

Well, these cats, or one of them, is coming along reasonably well. I can get within 2 feet of her and she is not scared. She loves to sit and watch me and has taken up residence under the dining chairs where she can see out but not always be seen. She has played with me occasionally and will chase a "tail" attached to a stick. Recently she has started squeaking at me (such a pathetic little voice for a ful-grown cat!) if she wants something (like food). I have now evicted the cats from the sink unit and cleaned it out thoroughly. Tillie doesn't mind, she prefers the dining chairs. Tallie hates it and keeps breaking back into the sink unit. She squeezed under the kickboard and wriggled between the base and the loose back of the unit. Evicted again and put the kickboard back. But... My cats were funny today. Or rather, Tillie was. I sat down to breakfast and Tillie squeaked at me wanting to eat, so I fed her, she squeaked again so I gave her milk, and she wouldn’t stop squeaking. She kept running to the sink unit. Meanwhile I had been looking for Tallie, who had gone AWOL and was most disgruntled at being evicted from the sink unit. Would you believe it, she had pried the door open and got back in! So I poked her out again, hissing furiously and she shot across the room, upsetting Tillie, who also started rushing around but soon settled. Hissing Sid cowered behind the couch, glaring. I have put my heavy sewing machine in front of the sink unit doors now. I think it shows real hope for Tillie. From being initially the more scared and running (literally) up walls, she is now fairly settled and each day getting a little calmer. She still gets scared and cannot be handled, but every day shows improvement. Unfortunately, I think at this rate Tallie is destined for a short life and she will die of misery or cowardice in a dark hole somewhere, and be happy doing that. I think I may have to confine her to the kittening cage where she cannot run away and will be forced to observe life. She is getting more and more terrified even though I have just left her completely alone in the sink unit where she can neither see nor be seen. Please, anyone, any comments?

I like the one with the art gallery. I don't think I will see paintings quite the same again. What a fun idea, linking one painting to the next. Could be a great kids' activity with any random picture book. The first adwasn't so memorable, had forgotten what it was about by the time I'd typed this and had to go back and look.

Oh, I don't know. Can't be a copy. TWI would never allow such a beat-up old truck as is shown in the first photo. (Tongue in cheek.) Think I'd be looking elsewhere for training...

Wow, Bramble, what a truly wicked person you are. Not. Fancy giving consideration to your children! Fancy taking care of your finances! And refusing to go to a class!!! Clear to see you are not the right material at all. I am glad you got out, your marriage survived and your kids got a better start in life than the wooden spoon just because they existed. Life is probably soooo much more enjoyable for you now and you can make your own decisions, Godly or otherwise, according to what you want and need to achieve.

Kevin/Jonny, when I was in rez I never heard your name mentioned (but then, I wouldn't if you 'd been M&A'd) but on behalf of International Corps, thank you for what you did. I know for departing IWC from in rez, they flew rejects out pronto and oncharged it to the home country. All bought at max rates, probably, no advance purchase fares because of the suddenness of departure. In my home country, the rejects were expected to refund their fares if at all possible to the home country. As if anybody who has been in rez has any much money left to refund air fares. Me, I got M&A'd in the home country after graduation. A fairly brave US resident phoned me to say he'd heard that not only had I been kicked out but had been M&A'd as well. First I knew of it. Reasons: 1. Confronting *leadership* (male) in a very minor way and being beaten down for not being a good follower. 2. Following leadership in their example. When they saw it reflected back, it proved *I* was totally out there and full of DS because *my* behavior was wrong. This was part of an ongoing pattern and became the last straw for them. 3. Using my brain to solve a problem, without asking permission (I think that was the last but one straw). 4. (Quite probably the real reason) being a female. Especially being an intelligent and educated one.

I have thieves!!! I was out a little later than usual last night. Got home to find that the cardboard box in which I keep my cat things had had the catnip leaves box pulled out, the sealable plastic bag had been pulled out of the packet, and the corners of the plasic bag had been seriously nibbled. Catnip leaves were sprinkled all over the little mat at the foot of the stairs and Tillie had a wild excited interested look about her. I sat quietly in the room (after sweeping up the catnip) and she kept prowling about, exploring, even to the point of licking the mat!!! She didn't mind being quite visible and lost much fear of me as long as I sat still. The packet is now in a cupboard that I don't think they can get into. Plastic probably isn't the best garnish for Go-Cat. Tallie isn't interested in catnip or much of anything and is still resident in the sink unit. I'm kicking her out in another week or two if she hasn't emerged voluntarily. And putting the kickboards back underneath the units. It would be nice if eventually they decided to sleep at the foot of my bed. But so far they haven't been allowed that far into the house.

If only... But to pack the hours in the day that would mean they made us get up at 4 or 5 am. Which they did on snow shoveling days.

My best friend recently completed her training as a Methodist minister. From time to time during her training (of several years) she told me what she was doing/studying/undergoing. She had to produce esays from time to time and they spent a lot of time "thinking things through" in practical application. From time to time they were interviewed by a panel connected with the school (and perhaps the Methodist church) just to see where their thinking was at, and to offer guidance and direction. There was no attempt at teaching Greek or Hebrew or any other language. It all seemed very wishy washy to me and not focused and not challenging enough. There wasn't much focus on outreach, more on taking care of the existing congregation's needs. But she is strong in compassion and love for people. I think I have a better overall concept of the scriptures and have read more thoroughly (but some of that is just "me", not just TWI taking me to unusual places in the OT) - but she has much more "heart" and love and compassion for people (part of that is her own personality). Would I "buy" the Corps product again? Not this one. There are some good bits that I like to retain: enthusiasm and willingness to act. The worse bits I'm still trying to shed. I might consider buying some other product from another organisation that wasn't so focused on its own self-righteousness.

We may (only may) be making just a tad progress. Either I forgot to put food down last night or they were particularly hungry. This morning Tillie (the Terrified) kept sticking her nose out. She ran towards one food bowl, saw me, ran off to hide; later ran to another food bowl, saw me, ran off; then she sat under a stool in the lounge part of my through kitchen and just sat watching me. (I've never seen so much of her before). I stayed in the kitchen, took care not to move suddenly, didn't look at her (except out of the corners of my eyes) and at times deliberately turned my back on her (to be non-threatening). When I put some food down she gobbled it down and even slunk into the kitchen part to have a munch at the other bowl of food there as well. I let her know that I could see her but didn't approach and stayed as far away as I could. She knew I was watching but became comfortable eating. She also drank both dishes of cat milk while I watched. The other one, Tallie the Tiny, is still in the sink unit and did not emerge. She's the one who is generally less skittish. So maybe I will try the hunger trick again. Not feed them much at night so they come out and watch me in the morning. It was so nice having Tillie sit under the stool watching me. Almost like having a normal cat with a normal housecat family life.

There are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ in all walks of life (nuns among them) - so glad that the Christ in her could reach out and touch your troubled soul. We never know who we will reach or what seeds we plant as we speak with the tenderness and compassion of God our Father and his son the Lord Jesus Christ. Some of those seeds take a long time to germinate and to start to come to fruition. She planted, another watered. You are getting there, that's what matters.

My German's not up to it - is it actually powdered or reduced red wine, or just something with red wine? I love long hikes in the bush. Out for 7-14 days with nothing except what I can carry on my back. But there are times I'd fancy sitting outside my tent enjoying the sunset and a glass of red. You can get powdered fruit juice drinks ... how I'd love a wine drink. Wishful thinking though. I'd be better learning the Cana trick... (LOL)

Trust and Obey: You are quite right. I knew that place had addled my brain. It's worst than I thought That is quite a lot of money left over... For only ten in rez WC that's $40,000; how many HQ staff does that pay for? I could find some quite useful things to do with $4,000 now. I'm sure my spiritual partners could have found lots of useful things to do with it at the time.

Your car emailed you ... LOL! First ding - first scratch anyway - we picked up a brand new car (won it!!), took it out for a ride, parked up and went for a stroll for 1/2 hour, came back... and somebody had put a scratch on one of the doors. Huh. Still goes really well after quite a few years now though. ENJOY THE NEW TOY . Sounds like it wants to enjoy you too. Does it send emails saying, "Wish you were here"?

At the time I was in, the Corps sponsorship actually was the "pocket money" paid to Corps each month. We got $30 to pay for personal stuff - stamps (to write to sponsors), stationery, laundry, candy, personal hygiene, etc, not to mention gifts/blessing others. There would have been a very small amount left over from what they returned to us and that would go towards the cost of food, housing us, heating the dorm, utilities, etc. I believe (not sure) that we had to find sponsorship of $1500 per block, 3 blocks a year = $4500. Less 12 x $30 = $3600 which gives $900 for other stuff. So actually there was no "profit" from Corps sponsorship. It was all the stuff you contributed afterwards that brought in the money: your own ABS and that of others that you recruited.

Okay - no separation. Yes, THW, they can use a litter tray and were very good when they first arrived. They shared one and I realised they needed one each when one poo'd in the bath. So there is one in the bath - which they both share... (huh?) - that is if they use the tray not the bath. I have moved the one under the stairs a bit to give a bit more room so maybe that will encourage her a bit. I wonder if this defecation in inappropriate places is a part of "marking" the territory, or just plain regression. If regression, perhaps I can pick up from where they regress to and things will come right. Twin human babies might be easier to deal with... Pond - born to show what giving birth is like ?????? Wild!!!!!

Thanks, folks, for your encouragement and funny stories. I really would prefer a "pet" cat before a year but only time will tell. Tiillie is still in the corner and Tallie is still under the sink unit. Looks from what you have all said that I am in for a very long haul. I spent a completely idle day on Sat, lay on my couch and read three (yes 3) novels. Late in the evening one emerged but only because nature called. She was terrified and completely froze when she saw me. She has since messed in her bed (which was in an area where she used to like to hide) and in the other bed. I have put the litter tray in the same area where the beds were and now she doesn't want to use that. There is also a litter tray in my bath and occasionally they use that and occasionally - the bath. (Definitely a case of opening the eyes before the morning shower - ugh.) Neither of them will play with things though Tillie pricked an ear when hearing a tinkling ball. Man, these two are so different from Twinkletoes (Twinky). He knocked on the door as a stray at age about 6 weeks. He is now 12 or 13. He has his daft moments and is scared of cars (why??) and has a mega voice on him (a touch of the Siamese, I think), had an irrational fear of men and fled from my partner every time until they got to live together and now he follows the partner around all the time (they both live in another country). He investigates everything. Twinkle is a bit of a bendy toy and you can position her on your lap and she will just stay like that. She is incurious but loves catching small critters. She squeaks rather than miaows but purrs well. Now the two new ones - care for nothing. But they do investigate the house when I am not there. Trying to escape, I think. Should I separate them - if I can catch either of them?? Or would the separation add to their anxiety levels? Pond your cat sounds amazing, LOL!

Thanks, folks, for continuing to add to the poll votes. It's really interesting that there is a large percentage of people who have been out for over 20 years. One person says he or she is still in and several others haven't been out for too long. Please note for anyone who hasn't voted yet that YOU CAN GIVE MORE THAN ONE RESPONSE TO SOME QUESTIONS (eg what did you do when you left) because people surely did many of those things, concurrently or consecutively). For myself, I don't feel half so alone or weird, knowing that so many of you have been through exactly the same things that I did.

Sorry wrong forum

Sorry wrong forum

Thanks, all, for your replies. I'm obviously in for a longer haul than I had expected. I've had them two weeks and have just started my third course of antibiotics. Tillie bit me badly on the first day (she escaped and I recaptured her; she fought like crazy). There is nothing of Twinkle in my house, she has never been here, and after all this time (8 months) I doubt my furniture smells much of her. I have tried the thing with catnip. Tillie perked up a bit but Tallie is not interested. I offer them kitty treats which are ignored and pushed away. I also tried with some Feliway which is supposed to give off calming scents but they ran away from that. I am not sure if it would be good to separate them and keep them in separate rooms, in case their fear is feeding the other's fear. Would they calm down if separated? (Do I want to risk another infection attempting that? I got them as a pair because the Cats Protection place thought that the slightly less scared one would be good for the terrified one.) Sometimes they huddle up together and sometimes they are at opposite ends of the room. Also I have wondered about borrowing a happy settled female cat from somebody to see if she would settle them. What do you think? Or might the bringing together cause more stress? Or the later separation from a loan "mother" cause more distress? I would hate for them to be cage cats forever or worse, put down; I want them to be whole and happy and able to come and go in my garden whenever they want. But it will be a long time before they are allowed out. Let 'em out now, they would be fox dinner tonight. Or maybe not. Thanks again.

I have just acquired from Cats Protection two 14 month old cats. They are from the same litter. They were born in captivity – their (domesticated) mother was brought in as uncontrollable and gave birth to a litter of 6 a couple of days later. Four of the kittens were re-homed at about 3 months and are nice affectionate cats, but the mother cat viciously protected the remaining two and they have never been handled. Mother has now been re-homed successfully and is a nice affectionate cat. The kittens however are real scaredy-pants. They hide in or under anything they can. One’s favourite place is in a corner behind a cabinet. I can see her (Tillie) but not easily reach her. A radiator hangs on the wall and if I try to touch her she squeezes under it and is almost inaccessible. She is in utter terror if touched. The other (Tallie) is also skittish but a bit more submissive. She lives in or under the sink unit. She can be stroked on her head and back but doesn’t like it and as soon as possible departs the area. She took an entire flight of 14 or more stairs at a single bound the other day, so keen was she to escape being touched. Neither makes any sound and if you look at them they just stare back, completely unblinking, eyes wide. They can stare in terror for 20 mins or more. These animals have never been hurt, injured (except spayed), threatened or maltreated in any way except by their own mother, who has taught them completely irrational fear. I feed them x2 a day and empty their litter trays. It would be nice to have a little more “fellowship” with them. In our mighty history of abuse here at the Café, does anyone have any suggestions of dealing with feline abuse? At the moment, I make sure they know that I know where they are, talk to them (get them used to my voice), touch Tallie if she will let me, and generally try to be non-threatening. But I feel if I don’t handle them they will never get used to it. Suggestions greatly welcomed. (PS Twinkle my other cat who went missing is now resident with my mother, who doesn’t want any more cats because they are too much of a tie. Hahaha. She loves Twinkle too much and was desperately miserable when Twinkle went missing.)

Actually I DID put mine on my CV. I thought about it really carefully and decided my CV looked a bit skinny (especially in the "lost years" after they kicked me out and before I came to my senses). I do believe that's what got me the interview for the job where I am now, with a Christian person in charge of the office. But in between times, he had obviously checked out TWI and before making me the job offer asked what |I thought of The Way now. I think my answer was quite sufficient to convince him I wuldn't be having anything to do with that weird organization any more and he promptly offered me the job. I don't have the paper any more and was told to send it back to HQ which I did. Was that right or wrong? Was so confused then I really didn't know which way was up. I am not sure if it will be going on my next CV.