NJRach

Amen to that Toodles. You nailed it. I never thought what Christmas would be like if it was left up to the men. It is a truly horrifying thought to ponder (as I sit half-dead on the sofa watching the Gilmore Girls and trying to shake off the stress of entertaining, cooking, cleaning, shopping and pressing family members into service the last ten days).

I just watched the show - how freakin stoopid are these two? They go into the orphanage, look around and declare that they'd like to adopt one of the kids, and maybe Jessa can have one too. Adoptions from Guatemala stopped in 2008. I get it that US people probably don't know that, as the rules change frequently for different countries. But if they are LIVING in Guatemala and supposedly connecting with people and visiting an orphanage, then they should have been able to figure that out pretty easily. Some of the kids at the orphanage are probably the ones who got caught up in the process when it was shut down. If they'd sat down and talked intelligently to the woman who runs the place, they would have known. But instead they run around like they are at the local SPCA. Did they dole out candy and soccer balls? I had to fast forward afterward as I was so annoyed, so I didn't see if they did that. The only reason I watched this trainwreck is that my son is adopted from Guatemala and I love to see the scenery and people. I'd be willing to bet that all the hospitable and friendly looking people they film are probably doing it because it's a well-paid gig, and they are hiding whatever they feel about these two bozos. I think Jill and Derrick are the typical Americans, who probably seem very clueless and goofy to the locals.

This episode was insufferable. Robyn is in it for all she can get. Meri is fat, aging and bitter. I can't stand watching her with that weird, measured way of speaking, the bad make-up job and every sentence starting with the word "I." Christine and Janelle are so laid back and laugh with each other - they are the only reason I watch the show.

We'll know in a few hours. I noticed with the molestation and Ashley Madison stories, they first appeared on Radaronline or similar sites, then made their way up the food chain, probably as the others verified the facts. It only took a few hours to make it to CNN. So we will know shortly....

I just remembered something, wasn't the non-family victim of Josh's teenage molestation pressing charges? I can't imagine that on top of all this. Plus the legal expenses.

So of the 3 adult children who have attempted to step out and start their own lives, we have an unemployed perv with 4 kids and a wife certified to teach Sunday School, a pregnant and uneducated daughter with a husband who works on the compound, and a college educated son-in-law who is living off of others money on a voluntourism gig with his wife with questionable midwife skills. If that is the outcome of the first three to step out, I shudder to think how the other 16 will fare.

Good idea. And he can also hang out with Mommy and Daddy all day.

Anna. NO. Just NO. Don't do it. I am thinking having recently moved aaaaaand given birth a month ago aaand lost the TV show aaaaand Jill/Derrick escaping has turned her into a spineless zombie.

As for Anna moving in with her parents, isn't there an extra trailer on the lot? The one that she and Joshie stayed in when they visited, in an old episode. Heck, if one of the other family members is using it, she could probably buy her own used camper and park it on the lot.. Get a garden hose to connect the water, and an extension cord. Maybe Esther can kick in her used camping supplies. Then Anna needs to squeeze Joshie for some child support, and she's all set. As for Joshie's future career prospects, I'm sure he will be on Boob's payroll soon. He'll be cleaning the toilets of the compound alongside Bin. OMG I am the same age as Boob and MeChelle. If I was taking stock of my adult children right now and created what they have, I think I would fall apart. Or go barf. Or drink myself into oblivion. Or all the above.

I think Josh is a sex addict, like David Duchovny. I think all the business of sweeping his troubles under the rug only encouraged him, as he thought he was above getting caught. But I really hope this all doesn't end in a really bad way, like suicide. There are so many people taking their lives every day. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, especially Anna and the kids.

Why are dopey Duggar topics all over the Yahoo newsfeed? Today there's the one about Boob nixing the spinoff, another that says Boob and Michelle celebrate their 31st annoversary (WTF? that is news?), and then there's the one saying the Duggars are heartbroken over their show's cancellation. Oh wait, there's one more, saying their 31st anniversary post caused surprise amongst fans. I am starting to wonder if they are paying Yahoo for these news "stories." Seems like the work of a paid PR person, and they are desperately trying to keep their brand going.

I would be very, very afraid to take Izzy to El Salvador for an extended period. There are a lot of hazards - non-potable water, parasites, and they could find themselves with a sick baby and a long ride to a qualified doctor. Central American countries have a infant mortality rates much higher than ours. [snip]

Finally I found a pic of Derrick from his previous life, when he looked with-it and worldly. I cannot figure out what the heck happened to him. It's more than orthodontic work. He now has the look of a beaten down fundie puppet. Here is the link (I can't seem to post the actual photo) https://www.facebook.com/269181913180625/photos/ms.c.eJw9jskNADEIAztaYQhX~;42tAoHnyB6DO3ASZgJnjs~_LNdOUFMOmN4fnYw~;OkBCZ3IqPbr99fhzUfQxL7dkyOqfhLOb14~_6dmPvZfab9t~;Zi7icXa~;tKhPLdfvsYMPM~-.bps.a.685304391568373.1073741893.269181913180625/771149912983820/?type=1&theater Compare that to the recent photo of him above. He has also acquired a crazy look in his eyes. I always wondered which Duggar would write the tell-all book. Now I'm sure it will be Derrick, after he breaks free.

The couple moving to Tanzania - was it me or did she look not up for the challenge? She looked and sounded like a girl scout mom from the 'burbs. I had to laugh when she was talking about an open floor plan and how she was disappointed with the size of the sitting room. You're in Tanzania, for heaven sakes. Her husband was a bit more realistic - he kept talking about SECURITY. And how do you just open a safari? And run it from a room in your house? Then they were in the open vehicle driving through their safari, with a 2 year old sitting on the edge of the car. The whole thing just seemed so fake.

You guys are right - I have to laugh at the thought of the printing presses. Nowadays it's a computer hooked up to a fancy printer. I wonder if the family is getting food stamps and other benefits, like health ins, from NY state? I think that state has better benefits than some of the ones they are currently in. Maybe they use NY as their home. Otherwise how do they pay their bills? Campsites are $40 a night at least, if they are staying at a campsite. If not, are they parking the stinkbus in church parking lots and mooching off the water and electric. Even if they do that, there is still the sewer tank to dump somewhere. Sewage for 13 is a lot. Unless they dump it Jim-Bob style in Gil Bates's driveway. Also I am trying to figure out what they food bill must be for 13 people, or 14 (that's counting tubby David twice). It must be over $1,500 per month. Plus with the tiny RV refrigerator, they have to shop a lot and buy convenience food. Camping isn't cheap. From our experience, you are buying propane, extra ice, firewood and lots of prepared food. And then there is gas for the stinkbus. That must cost a few hundred a month. Auto insurance (which I sincerely hope they aren't dumb enough to go without) Besides lack of money and space, there there are other oddities. I saw on the blog that there is a tow behind car they drag around. It looks like it only seats 6 max. WTF? Do half of them go out and leave the other 6 with Nurie? Or if they all have to go somewhere, do they unhook everything and drive the entire stinkbus? The whole situation is wacky. And then there's poor paralyzed Amy. Is it me or does Jill seem disconnected from it all? If it was my sister, I think I'd take a week or two here and there and pitch in. Especially if both my husband and I were unemployed. Jill seems like she's delegated everything to the hordes of volunteers who are beating on the door, waiting to shower Amy and family with casseroles, daycare, homeschooling and nursing care.