Nottawayfer

I was sent WOW to Waco, Texas, in 1984. Alcohol was not served in bars past 12:00 midnight in that county. There was a blue law which prevented stores being open on Sundays. I believe it was originally due to religious reasons. Many stores were open anyway because the money they made outweighed the fines they had to pay. I still can't believe they would be fined; it seemed so petty even in the 80s. When I moved to Midland, Texas, I visited some friends in Lubbock. There was no alcohol available withint Lubbock city limites. All of the liquor stores were outside of the city limits all in a row on the same road. That was weird too.

We had a great time, but after 3 days of hoofing it around the island, we decided we wanted a relaxing vacation and decided against some of the things we wanted to see. One week is not enough to see th whole island....duh!! Anywhoo, we went to the Seahorse farm and got educated and had a close encounter with a sea horse They wrap it around your finger. Very cool! We went to the World Botanical Gardens, Hawaii Tropical Gardens, and Akaka Falls on the Hilo side. This side of the island is the rainy side, but they hadn't had rain for 2 days. The weather was absolutely beautiful!! The different terrains you see on the island vary so much from one altitude to the next. They have two mountains on the island over 13,000 feet. There are desolate areas with lava rock, then you see desert areas with cactus, and then you can see beautiful tropical green areas. This island is the youngest than the others, and there are few sandy beaches. Most of the beaches have huge lava rocks which you walk on. to get out to the water. We kayaked across the Kealakekua Bay to snorkel at the Captain Cook monument. That was quite the adventure. Neither of us had EVER kayaked before. We decided to go kayak so we could have more time. The boats with snorkel excursions only have 1.5 hours of snorkeling. I wanted more. Plus we would have had to pay $120 each for a boat ride. We rented a tandem kayak for $67. When we were kayaking across the bay, there were spinner dolphins playing all around....very cool! Poor hubby didn't have enough back support, so we has hurting while we were paddling our arses off. When you get there, you have to dock your kayak on the lava rock. It is hella slippery and was quite challenging maneuvering yourself and a huge kayak on the slippery rocks. We got in to the water, and it was the most beautiful snorkeling I've ever seen! Cozumel Mexico is supposed to be the best snorkeling and diving, but this bay had such a huge variety of fish and coral that nothing I've snorkeled in so far could compare. We went to the black sand beach and saw the sea turtles on the beach. The weather wasn't so great on that side. It was quite windy and the vog (volcano pollution) was unbelievable even on the Kona side of the island. We made it to the Punalu'u bakery on the way back and had a DELICIOUS malasadas (Portuguese donuts) with passion fruit icing on it which was absolute HEAVEN! We snorked twice at Honaunau, which was awesome too! There are two steps you enter the water from the huge lava rocks, so it was pretty easy, and the water is deeps, so you don't have to be concerned about smacking in to rocks or coral when you enter the water. It was kind of weird to set your beach chairs and towels out on the lava rocks. They aren't even. There were turtles and spinner dolphins at this location too. You have to keep your distance from them, but it is amazing and exciting to have a pod of dolphins swimming and jumping around you. We also went to a local beach which was sandy called Ho'okena. It was a nice relaxing day to bask in the sun and ocean. We just got back today after a redeye flight, but I will post some pictures in the next few days.

I had BCs in the 80s who wanted the believers to treat them like royalty. He had "businesses" (i.e., window washing, landscaping.....errr lawn mowing), and they NEVER had money. They always rented a house they couldn't afford. They had a yellow lab who they mated only for the money they could get from the puppies. I felt so sorry for the dog. Today, he is an artist. I ran across his website, where he sells his art for up to $7,000. Hmmmmmm........ This same couple had me watch their house during Corps Week and ROA. When I arrived, I was told it would be expected for me to pay for rent, electricity, etc., and I had a list of chores to finish before they got home. It's not like I didn't already have my own rent and electricity to pay. By the way, they borrowed money from me several months prior to Corps Week, and the money they owed me was to repay what I needed to pay for rent, etc. I was a pushover to leadership back then, but I was only 23. It would not happen today. The last I saw this couple was at the ROA in 1994. She had kids from a previous marriage, which they raised. Then they had a child together was at least 12 years younger than the others. This child was the "blessed" child from God because she had many miscarriages before getting pregnant with this child. This kid was running to the snack table in the Full Meal tent stealing food. They were too busy to pay attention to him until somone came up to them to tell them to stop letting him grab things without paying. Then they argued about who would take care of him. They liked gifts too. The wife planned for the Branch to buy her husband a gun. I was a TC at the time, and we were asked to take a "love offering" for the gun. I mentioned it at Twig, and took back pretty miniscule money. I was approached again later for more money. I told them I already asked and people gave what they wanted and I was not going to ask again. Another newbie put the remainder of the cost of the gun on his credit card. It was such a fake moment giving that gun to him. I wanted to puke.

We don't have kids, so it' sjust us. We already have our room, but we dont' get to pick it. We are renting my boss' time share. It is only $350 for the week. We don't plan to spend much time there anyway. Do either of you have an experience with any particular luaus? There are so many to choose from, and I don't have anyone to give me any reviews. My boss suggested one in Hilo, but we don't want to drive back at night or when we are tipsy. We will keep all our drinking to Kailua-Kona so we can walk home. We were going to do a snorkel tour with FairWinds, but it is $120 for a 4 hour trip. Only 1.5 hours is actual snorkel time. It is on Kealakua Bay (Captain Hook Monument). We found out we can rent kayaks and go across the bay ourselves, dock them, and snorkel. Does anyone have any experience with this? I want to spend the majority of my time face down fellowshipping with the fish, manta rays, and other critters.

We are going on vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii on Monday, 9/29. We will snorkel Captain Cook Monument and Honounou, site see volcanos, City of Refuge, Botanical Gardens, and take in a luau. We haven't been to this island and would appreciate any suggestion, especially if you feel it is a YOU HAVE TO DO THIS BEORE LEAVING. Restaurant suggestions will be appreciated too. We are staying in Kailua-Kona on the West side. It takes a at least 1.5 hours to drive to Hilo, so we will make a day of it. Any help is appreciated! Mahalo!

"Jesus was definitely a carpenter, because the blonde girl is giving me wood." I bet that comment is making Mr. Linder's blood pressure rise. I'd like to see the furry-eyed guy in the mankini on the next Talk Soup episode. His clergy dad might flip out though.

I'm surprised that link is still on YouTube. All the other links to it have been removed for copyright claims from The Way International. I'm sure WayGB is on patrol now. If you google "The Renewed Mind is the Key", that video is all over the internet, and people are laughing their @$$e$ off.

Unbelievable!!! They wanted to be famous, and now they're on TV!!! I'm sure TWI thinks it's devilish...mooooaahhhhhhhh!!!! I love Talk Soup, and I missed this one. LMAO!!!!! PIMP!!!! I bet TWI takes their videos offline now. They will probably try to sue the E! network for copyright infringement if they can. Does anyone know? I'm sure E! is very aware of those types of laws so maybe not. I love Joel McHale and Chelsea Handler! They are obnoxiously funny.

My therapy came from posting freely at GSC. Thank God there were people here willing to listen and let me vent. I experienced a lot of anger when I first left. I believe there is a normal and healthy period of anger in situations, but hanging on to that anger only hurts yourself. My exit was similar to a divorce. I ended up in a divorce care group every week for several months which helped me to learn that I could forgive even if the other party never said they were sorry. It was kind of weird for the other people in the group. I actually did go there for divorce care. I had been divorced for several years and had just gotten out of a crappy relationship, so I thought I needed some divorce care to try to learn to make better relationship decision in my future. It was a godsend.

I guess the term redneck is diversified in Texas. When I lived in Texas, I ran in to a guy from England who had adopted a partial Texas accent.

It doesn't log me off, but it never remembers me each time I come here.

I witnessed the crappy marriage of my parents. I witnessed my own first crappy marriage along with other crappy relationships. After the misery, I looked inward and reflected on what mistakes I made. It didn't matter what the other person did, they weren't around anymore. I wanted to know what I could do to change my situation. I wanted something different, but I had to change me first. My experience has been that men become clueless of what's happening because they do it for so long and don't hear the women complain. They also contribute the complaining to "I'll NEVER maker her happy." The women think complaining and bitching is communication. It's a terrible mix. The problem is that people have uncommunicated expectations of each other from the beginning. I've been with my husband for 5 years next month, and it is still wonderful. We started off talking and learning about each other BEFORE we decided to get married. We didn't hook up mainly because of sexual attraction, which is what dooms many relationships. We learned what makes the other feel loved, and we honored each other enough to carry it out for each other. And the thing that keeps it going: we still do honor each other enough to be sure to show the little things that makes the other feel loved. We didn't go our own way to our job and come home to soak in our own life. We want to live life TOGETHER. A lot of couples forget to do that. They may want to, but they lose track of what they originally wanted and then get comfortable in less than desirable habits. Then they want something different. I guess that's why they say marriage is commitment. If someone can't commit to living TOGETHER with their partner, then they should stay alone.

To become "de-Wayed", one has to first realize they were "Wayed". The environment you choose when you leave will have a huge effect on your realization of the need for "de-Waying". I tried offshoots when I first left because I wanted something familiar and comfortable. Once I realized they were not what I wanted, I hung out by myself for a few months. Then I decided to go to church. I went through many things in my mind. The trinity thing was really hard for me to see past. Then I went to an all-women small group with the church. Seeing people living life and being real about their convictions instead of quoting PFAL or something else really made an impression on me. We would read book and discuss them with HONESTY. We didn't always agree, and I found that is perfectly OK. I've become even more tolerant of other beliefs since my church experience. I don't cringe when someone says they worship a goddess. I don't cringe when someone says they are liberal. I can hear other things without thinking that I have THE answer, and I don't even have an urge to tell them "the truth". I am OK not knowing all the answers and never knowing all the answers too.

George, Please do tell what you've learned about yourself and relationships before making mass statements about marriage. I'm not saying you are a bad person. Maybe you still need some learning about your experience before you give advice about marriage or women. You do seem very jaded on those two subjects.

Seth, Don't listen to old curmudgeons. The right woman (and she IS out there) is worth waiting for. The RIGHT relationship is worth waiting for as well. I didn't find mine until I was 40, and it was well worth the wait. All of that crap I dealt with beforehand was just polishing me up to be ready for the amazing husband I have. Your heart to want to be better for yourself says VOLUMES about your chacter. Good luck to you!

What an awesome way to start my Saturday. I love stories like this. I bet the world would be a different place if we heard stuff like this more. YOU ROCK EXCIE!!

I couldn't get a response after I took the test. What does that mean? I got a message saying "Internet Explorer cannot display the web page." Maybe I answered to wacky???

So far so good. It looks like my boss has 65% of the vote. They will do absentee ballots later this week, but there aren't enough to give the other guy a chance. Right now my boss doesn't want me to sing the song because he's worried about my safety from this wacko. I said OK for now. I told him maybe I could get the local newspaper to print it. Thanks for your help! It was fun! The words were great for that tune!

OMG!!! David!!! Those lines will twist the knife!!! OUCH!!

Thanks!! I knew I could count on someone who had talent in this area. You guys are awesome!!!

ROFLMAO!!! Thank you so much Raf!! That was exceedingly abuandantly above what I even expected! This is going to ROCK!!!!

For those of you who don't know, I work for our County Assessor. He had an opponent this year who is an extremely disgruntled sociopathic ex employee. The voting ends tonight at 7:00 p.m. We are the same time as the Pacific Coast right now. The opponent used to make up stupid songs for people's birthdays. He actually made snide remarks about people in our office in them. I decided I am going to sing a song for him on his voicemail after he finds out he's not elected. I decided it will be to the tune of "Breaking Up is Hard To Do." That part of the song was "Becoming Assessor wasn't for you." Anyone who wants to chime in with some lines would be greatly appreciated. He made comments on his radio ad like he would abolish nepotism and get rid of corrosive ethics. He's really extreme in his allegations. I would like to reflect that in my song. I have to cook dinner now, but I will be thinking about this for the next hour. I appreciate it if you feel the urge to add something. Thanks.

"Officials have offered Anthony a partial immunity deal if she admits 3-year-old Caylee Marie died as a result of an accident. If she takes the deal, any information Anthony provides to law-enforcement could not be used against her in prosecution." WTF??? What if it was murder? I don't get why they are offering her immunity. They said the mother lives in her own world. Is she mentally ill?

It's sickening and disgusting. Anything done to that biyatchi won't do justice. Things like this make me wonder WTF????? If she didnt' want her, she could have given her up. Somehow that heinous of an act doesn't seem to be only about a mother who doesn't want her child.