Birdie07

WATCH WATCH WATCH. I agree with pp about that. I never NEVER knew the time. I was always at the FD asking for the time. I think if I stayed longer THEY would of bought me one to stop asking. Hahaha! OH I also brought a glade plug in to make it smell nice. And slippers for the hotel room. Sand follows you everywhere and it woulda been nice to keep it off your barefeet and not into bed with you and your new DH!!

Ugh my day sucked too! The little 6 month old girl I watched has this rattle which is 50 years old (which I didn't know I thought they were joking) anyways it's metal rabbit and has sharp ears and she sliced her finger open and proceeded to gush blood. I had to call in an Aunt to help stop it. I think it needs stitches but the dad didn't. But I'm pretty sure when the bandaid comes off they're gonna realize it. I hate when Kids get hurt on my watch it makes me look like it's my fault. But hey the rattle got the trash!!!!! Suckie days SUCK!!!!!

Daaaaaaaaamn ETAI hit enter before I was done) I love the leopard shoes and the gold and like blue green lingerie. Now I want it where did you get it?? I have some like the pink kind and I hate doing the stupid garter belt thinger. GRR!! You look gorgeous and good luck on the 6 month wait. I tried to get my DH to do it but his friends told him his sex life "Changed" when they did it so my DH freaked and said no way. Wimp! Your pics turned out great! I wanna see a pic of his face when he gets it!!!!

First, about how I liked the book. It was really hard for me to get into. Then when I cracked the whip I read it really fast. I did like it but it was really sad. And now to J's questions 1.) In Susie's Heaven, she is surrounded by things that bring her peace. What would your Heaven be like? Is it surprising that in Susie's inward, personal version of the hereafter there is no God or larger being that presides? I think my heaven would be a cottage by the ocean with books and swinging on the front porch with family and loved ones. And no I wasn't suprised there was no God in her heaven. 2.) Why does Ruth become Susie's main connection to Earth? Was it accidental that Susie touched Ruth on her way up to Heaven, or was Ruth actually chosen to be Susie's emotional conduit? I don't know if I think it was intentional that she touched Ruth 3.) Rape is one of the most alienating experiences imaginable. Susie's rape ends in murder and changes her family and friends forever. Alienation is transferred, in a sense, to Susie's parents and siblings. How do they each experience loneliness and solitude after Susie's death? Since none of them actually knew that Susie was raped I too found it not necessary for the plot. But I think each of them found lonelies and solitude but in the end they found solace in each other. 4.) Why does the author include details about Mr. Harvey's childhood and his memories of his mother? By giving him a human side, does Sebold get us closer to understanding his motivation? Sebold explained in an interview about the novel that murderers "are not animals but men," and that is what makes them so frightening. Do you agree? I don't know why she did that but even with the details of childhood I didn't sympathize with him. I think no matter how rough your experiences are as a child nothing gives you the right to do something like that to someone else. 5.) Discuss the way in which guilt manifests itself in the various characters - Jack, Abigail, Lindsay, Mr. Harvey, Len Fenerman. That would be a long answer hahaha 6.) "Pushing on the inbetween" is how Susie describes her efforts to connect with those she has left behind on Earth. Have you ever felt as though someone was trying to communicate with you from "the inbetween"? Uh no? 7.) Does Buckley really see Susie, or does he make up a version of his sister as a way of understanding, and not being too emotionally damaged by, her death? How do you explain tragedy to a child? Do you think Susie's parents do a good job of helping Buckley comprehend the loss of his sister? I think he does see her. It depends on the childs age on how to explain and I think his Dad did a good job with the monopoly board. 8.) Susie is killed just as she was beginning to see her mother and father as real people, not just as parents. Watching her parents' relationship change in the wake of her death, she begins to understand how they react to the world and to each other. How does this newfound understanding affect Susie? 9.) Can Abigail's choice to leave her family be justified? I guess you could say it was grief. But I think that she should of been there for her children and husband. 10.) Why does Abigail leave her dead daughter's photo outside the Chicago Airport on her way back to her family? For some reason I don't remember that. huh? 11.) Susie observes that "The living deserve attention, too." She watches her sister, Lindsay, being neglected as those around her focus all their attention on grieving for Susie. Jack refuses to allow Buckley to use Susie's clothes in his garden. When is it time to let go? I think to a point she's right. I think letting go is hard to do but with other children involved being strong and being there for them is important and it's not forgetting your loss. 12.) Susie's Heaven seems to have different stages, and climbing to the next stage of Heaven requires her to remove herself from what happens on Earth. What is this process like for Susie? I think when she meets the other victims and she has the moments with Ray she is learning to let go. 13.) In The Lovely Bones, adult relationships (Abigail and Jack, Ray's parents) are dysfunctional and troubled, whereas the young relationships (Lindsay and Samuel, Ray and Susie, Ray and Ruth) all seem to have depth, maturity, and potential. What is the author saying about young love? About the trials and tribulations of married life? That young love is innocent and pure. I think Abigail still loved Jack but she didn't know how to deal with it. 14.) Is Jack Salmon allowing himself to be swallowed up by his grief? Is there a point where he should have let go? How does his grief process affect his family? Is there something admirable about holding on so tightly to Susie's memory and not denying his profound sadness? I think yes he did get swallowed up. I don't know if it's admirable but very sad. 15.) Ray and Susie's final physical experience (via Ruth's body) seems to act almost as an exorcism that sweeps away, if only temporarily, Susie's memory of her rape. What is the significance of this act for Susie, and does it serve to counterbalance the violent act that ended Susie's life? I think so. She got to see how beautiful it can be with someone she loved and have that to remember in heaven instead of her rape. 16.) Alice Sebold seems to be saying that out of tragedy comes healing. Susie's family fractures and comes back together, a town learns to find strength in each other. Do you agree that good can come of great trauma? Yes I do.

Yay. I finished it last night. I'll post my thoughts this evening. And those who didn't give a book suggestion the first time you can email me one so we can get the next book. And yeah so far no guys in the group. Haha.

YAY! I'm excited for you girl!!! Congrats on the decision!

My hubby loves the Sweet Tea from McD's. Now I'm southern raised all my life (alabama, texas) But I hate sweet tea or iced tea. But now I do LOVE LONG ISLAND ICE TEA! Give me one right now please!!!

I played music during our pictures. It was nice. So if you want to do that. Otherwise sounds good.

I walked down to somewhere over the rainbow by the really long named Hawaiian dude. We used the CD player. It was perfect. I also had other music play at different parts. Sounded great!

Thanks! I had to say they do take everything out. We didn't want the paper the judge held and they took it out. It was really hard to do but they did it. Michael took about 1500 pics I think? We spent hours narrowing them down!

oh no look what I started. OOPS!

So I was just wondering...March was the first time I did a siggy contest. But does anyone win or we just do it to do it? It is a contest hahahah. But I just thought it so I thought I'd ask....now off to look for pretty flowers!

Quote: Originally Posted by DougsGirl BTW--Cali, I want to change my book suggestion for next time. I had 2nd thoughts about my old book and I think it might be too dull. I'll email you my new suggestion. Thanks I think it would be easier if everyone emailed ([email protected]) or pmed me letting me know. It's easier to keep track that way and doesn't interrupt the thread with book suggestions flying everywhere. Hahah. Plus if any one else wants to join just let me know. BTW. I still havent finished the book. I'm reading right now trying to finish before I read to many spoilers. HAAHA

Ok..So Monday is official discussion starting day. Juji can post the questions here this weekend. Then on Monday everyone can start posting their thoughts or questions. I figure we'll give it a week maybe and then pick our next book. Anyone who still wants to join is welcome. Also send me your new book suggestions or if you want to submit the same book just let me know.

Me and FI want to do this but we have no idea what to tattoo. We wanted to engrave "Deal" on the inside of our bands but his ring is tungston and you can't engrave it. So maybe tattooing that on our fingers? Post pics if any you guys do it!

I didn't know you were in STL. We should have lunch. Hahah both got married in the same place. Same number of guests. Congratulations. You looked beautiful in your pics.

I also brought my own vases I purchased and my own sand. I also brought my own words for the sand ceremony. And no the sand ceremony doesn't cost extra.

I had a civil ceremony.

I didn't have the religious ceremony but I remember asking Chandlyn if I could bring my own vows and she said yes.

ok so do ben and Aaron dont count as one of the 6? I dont think ben would?

I totally need this thread. My hubbie is graduating in april and he needs a certain number of new patients. So his cousin and friend came to stay with us so they can get treated by DH. The friend is fine but his cousin annoys me to no end. First I have to work and everynight this week they have been playing guitar hero till 4 AM!!! We have a one bdrm apartment. Have they no manners. And his laugh is so annoying and loud. Uh guitar hero is not funny? So then he sleeps all day and stays up all night. God go to bed. Second hes been here since saturday and he has yet to shower! EW GROSS! He's a spoiled little brat. He has to talk to his mom everyday. He actually came to our wedding but when we got back to the states he became a complete a-hole. When we were in CO. for christmas he let our nephew fall asleep on him and we wanted to watch a movie. So I (the nanny childcare girl for 12 years) was like go put him in bed it will wake him up. He's like no its fine. We start the movie and hes like can you turn it down. I got so pissed I left the room. WTF! Listen to me I told you to put him in bed. Oh and he eats like a cow. We've been making dinner and he takes all the food. He has to be first to get it. There was barely any left for the rest. And he eats mac and cheese EVERYDAY in his dorms at home. Sheesh. He's so sarcastic and I am too but his is rude sarcastic. If he says one more time I"m abusive to my DH b/c I jokingly slap his arm I 'm gonna Bitch slap HIS face. Ok vent over. Thanks. *Sigh*

Ok what you don't know about me 1. I entered a contest in high school for the whole state. I won first place (I was in 9th grade contestants were 9-12) My story was published. 2. I'm one of seven kids 3. I want kids more than anything but have some fertility problems so it's gonna take a while. I actually cry about this frequently especially when I watch a baby story and stuff on TLC. Or when I see how easy it is for other people to get pregnant. Sometimes at work (I"m a nanny) and she's sleeping, I cry b/c I wish I was at home with mine. 4. I was a nanny for an NBA basketball player with the Dallas Mavericks. 5. We already have plans to adopt children from Africa. I told my DH before we were married I would do it with or without him. thankfully he loved the idea.

I agree with previous posts. I got married on a Tuesday and arrived on a Friday. Saturday counts as a business day. I only saw 3 other weddings well just the brides and some groom and groosmen who looked late hahah.

Haha it was fun to use. I don't care about the little numbers. I don't understand how to use it all. Like making the background not black or white but oh well. I think it turned out good for my first time.

I can't save it as a jpg I had to copy screen and save it in paint. I didn't purchase. When I try to export I can't. oh well.