tonto

I was in twi for 10 years (age 20-30) before going into the family corps, so I have a few observations as a single adult, a married wife of a twig coordinator, and as a mom. Kids were a rarity when I first got involved (1974)...and after I got married there was only one couple in our twig who had kids. Sadly, they would put their kids to bed and leave them home alone (thank God nothing ever happened to them) when we would run a class, etc. I remember feeling clueless as to how to accomodate kids into the twi schedule, and for all the "leaders" meetings we attended in the early years, I don't remember any useful suggestions about what to do for/with the kids except they weren't supposed to interrupt the "teaching of the Word". By the time we moved out of that area and had a child, there were many people with young kids. That didn't stop the constant meetings. It seemed that for awhile there we had branch meetings every Sunday morning in a H o liday I nn, so we had to dress up and haul all the baby stuff to this crappy meeting room. The only way to keep my son quiet was to nurse him constantly, so I would sit there in a dressy blouse and skirt with my breast stuck in his mouth, covered by a receiving blanket. (Oral fixation, anyone?) He would eventually get tired of that and want to move (go figure), so I would end up in the lobby with other moms. I hated it. I felt so torn because on one hand I just wanted to be home hanging out with my son, but on the other hand on some level I resented him because he was keeping me from "hearing the Word". I just want to vomit typing that. He got the short end of the stick because twi took up so much time...rushing to cook and clean and get him bathed, dressed, and ready for bed before running a class in our home. Rushing through reading bedtime stories...lots of guilt on my part. He was four by the time we went into the family corps. In some ways it was fun for him...always had playmates, rural setting with pigs and sheep, coming to work with me when I worked on grounds...catching baby frogs. We had to leave our kids behind for a month each year...two weeks when we'd leave for lightbearers and almost two weeks for LEAD. We all left our kids in the care of other parents while we were gone. He seemed to handle it pretty well, but who really knows? And as if there weren't already enough demands on your time as a parent, you get to take care of someone else's kids while the parents are away. I can't imagine that the kids thrived in that setting. Don't know if that's what you're looking for...

And T-Bone, Hitchin' was b i tc#in with you, my love. You helped keep me safe...thanks again. Sorry for the derail.

Oldies, Dooj pretty much summed it up as far as twi not being worthy of blame if they had at least attempted to transport us in a safe manner. Point is, it really was cheapness on TWI's part in having us hitch. Like I said before, Vic's priorities: Power/Glory Money "Little Vic" His let his life tell the story.

As far as hitching to LEAD is concerned...the excuse that it was to teach us to believe God was an afterthought. We were required to hitch because they didn't want to spend the dough to transport us there. Money money money money money money money money money....THAT's what spoke to the black hearts of Vic and company. It's still speaking loud and clear to the pathetic "leaders" of TWI. Those in power today sold out a long time ago. Vic's priorities? In order: Power/Glory Money "Little Vic"

The 15% was strongly suggested even in the last half of the 70's. StrangeTom I wish I had exact names and dates, but this was long before the Okie took the throne. We burned most of the SNS teaching tapes and Way rags for Uncle Harry day, so I can't help you there.

I've always hate-hate-hated it when someone is giving me a pitch. After we had been out of twi for a couple of years I was contacted by another ex-twi person who had gotten into A mway. Back in waydaze she had been a wonderful, warm-hearted person. She bought into this money-making scheme wholeheartedly. I guess she figured she had one heck of a warm market with all the ex-twits. In what would be our last conversation I told her that I would love to hear about her life and her family and I would be happy to tell her all about mine, but I had no interest in A mway...not then and not ever, and if she was interested in friendship...I was there, but I wouldn't be a client. Never heard from her again... This whole topic makes me wonder...was there a higher proportion of people with "user" mentality drawn to twi? I know the world is full of users, but still...

I loved the poem, and the only part I objected to was the "speeding bullet" part...that part is simply not true, but it was funny.

Rufus.

David, shouldn't your big post at least include something about pickin'? :)

And I beg forgiveness as well, but GO MAVS!!! Any rain you Floridians want to send this way? It's hot and muggy here, and no rain in sight. TomStrangeness...are these things at the top of your "lift list"?

Nika,the pictures of Gonzo are great...I showed T-Bone and he agrees he's one great-looking cat, but he keeps reminding me that it might be too much with our dogs...especially our alpha dog. Our daughter's room would be a safe haven for him up to a point, but I'm afraid it would be too much right now. I'm feeling the force, believe me...I think T-Bone's not feeling it to quite the same degree. I'm praying for little Gonzo to find a great, loving home soon. Linda, your doggies and Princess LardAss sound like they have a great relationship. Aren't pets amazing?

Chas, I'd like to hear what the bride has to say for herself when she returns from the honeymoon...if there was a honeymoon. It sounds like a horrible day. You must be a very patient person.

Hope you have a fun day!

Nika, you don't know how much I want to say "we'll take him". Our daughter has wanted a cat for awhile, but we have our two big dogs plus our son's huge dog living with us. I've told her when her brother moves out and takes his dog, we'll consider introducing the right cat to our two goons. Problem is, after he finishes college this summer he plans to travel for awhile so guess who gets to doggie sit? Good thing I'm crazy about her. And him. Gonzo sounds like he has a wonderful temperment. Is he still an outside kitty? Is he litterbox trained?

I gave up smoking stuff when I took PFnAL in 1974...it was already being frowned on by "leadership" even then. To be honest, I was ready to give it up...I was tired of the muchies and the paranoia that went along with it.

George, every time I hear James McMurtry's "Childish Things" I think of you (in a good way). He's more in the Americana catagory than country & western, but to clear the palate of all the horrible 90's twit lyrics, I'm going to type the lyrics to his song: Childish Things Aunt Clara kept her Bible right next to the phone in case she needed a quote while she talked to someone In my memory she smiles while the blessing is said and visions of freeze tag dance in my head She says I'll grow up big if I eat all my roast I'll still believe in heaven but I won't believe in ghosts anymore I'll put away childish things Every other weekend at the age of thirteen with my fishing pole and my Field and Stream Ridin' back home on the Trailways bus I looked out the window 'Til I saw too much And I called my parents by their own first names I played in the alley but I didn't play the game anymore I put away childish things chorus: The wolves howl all night long They won't stop and they won't go home Beneath my window they run Probably it'll be alright If I keep it all locked up tight and wait 'til daylight comes Now my boy goes like a house on fire he'll never burn out and he'll never retire And I remember when I used to think like that when I was young and the world was flat But I'm forty some years old now and man I don't care all I want now just a comfortable chair And to sell all my stock and live on the coast I don't believe in heaven but i still believe in ghosts

Dooj, those are so beautiful...just like your daughters. Congrats, proud mama!

Kevlar, the fact that these people refuse to research the organization makes me wonder about the kind of people attracted to the current TWI. People who say what happened in the past doesn't matter...ranting about forgiveness...what kind of airheads are these? The information is at their fingertips. I sure wish we had these resources years ago...

Come on down Jonny. Here's some of the lyrics from a Lyle Lovett song to welcome you: You say you're not from Texas Man as if I couldn't tell You think you pull your boots on right And wear your hat so well So pardon me my laughter 'Cause I sure do understand Even Moses got excited When he saw the promised land That's right you're not from Texas That's right you're not from Texas That's right you're not from Texas But Texas wants you anyway And Jonny, you'll be close to the Cadillac Ranch...I couldn't get the link to post, but take a peek: www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/TXAMAcadillac.html.

Happy Birthday Jonny!!

I'd rather eat dog vomit.

Where in the h ell are those guys? Call them back to ya'lls 9th corps tread.

Chris is my favorite and I think he'll win. IMHO Elliot should be 2nd (what a voice). Although I love Taylor and enjoy his style and voice, I think his longsuit is as an entertainer. (I can't believe I just said LONGSUIT). Katherine should be Broadway bound...didn't someone here already say that? She reminds me of Catherine Zeta Jones.

Hey Dot, I'm also a winter. Now that I have so much grey, I wonder if I'm a hard winter.

HA! Great picture. That guy in the blue shirt looks a little like Randy Quaid, and the guy with half his face hidden looks a little like my son. Drinking with the stars...