[The Duggalos: Jinger and the Holy Goalie]

1 hour ago, Christina87 said:

I agree with all this! And we know Jeremy doesn't have a problem with Jinger wearing pants. He said something right after they started courting like, "I love that Jinger wears dresses, but I'd be happy if she wore pants, too." We've known his views on this from the very beginning. I'm sure Jeremy truly doesn't care what she wears (as long as it's modest), and knew he would win brownie points with the fans by making that view known. I do wonder, though: what would happen if Jinger wanted to wear a crop top, or get a nose ring? What if she wanted to stop exercising, eat a lot, and gain weight? I do believe that Jeremy is encouraging / forcing Jinger to stay thin. I think Jinger is on board with the diet, but not necessarily the exercise, since she didn't grow up exercising...but I digresss. 

But isn't most of that true for many couples including non Evangelicals? To be honest, I like fit men and if my partner stopped looking after himself and became lazy and overweight, I wouldn't be happy at all. (The situation would be different if this happened because of health reasons of course.) A friend of mine married a guy who was totally into working out and had a great body. Shortly after their marriage he turned into a couch potato and gained a lot of weight, my friend was furious and told him so and "forced" him to start exercising again. IMO Jeremy isn't "forcing" Jinger to stay thin, she probably knows that he prefers thinner women and tries to look good to him. I would do the same and would expect the same of my partner. The same with piercings. I don't like them at all and if my husband suddenly wanted one, I would be against it (especially in the face) and I also wouldn't get one if my partner disliked them. Don't we all want to be attractive for our partner and want to stay attracted to them? I think all of that is normal but maybe I'm a controlling woman myself ;).

As far as Felicity's future goes, I have higher hopes for her than the other Duggar grandchildren because of the women in Jeremy's family. His mom and sister went to university as far as I remember and the sister looks as if she lives an independent life. So, I think (or hope to be more exact) that they want Felicity to be an educated Christian woman. They also talked about Felicity following in her dad's foot steps which would include team sports and exposure to all kinds of different people which would also broaden her horizon quite a lot. Hopefully I won't be disappointed...

[Jill, Derick & the Kids: Moving On!!]

I just conversed 1800 sq ft into meters and was surprised that in the US 167 m2 is considered a small house! The typical German house has 150 m2 and I see many new houses with only about 135 m2. Maybe that's why Jill's house didn't seem small to me, I just didn't like the floor plan. And she should really take out the huge chair and maybe put in a smaller chest of drawers in the boys' room.

I also didn't think her house was too cluttered for a normal day. However, if I wanted to take a video to broadcast my brand new house to the world, I would have tidied it up and probably cleaned for a week.

[The Duggalos: Jinger and the Holy Goalie]

At least here in central Europe the brown leather shoes are in trend right now. My 25 year old brother who is all about fashion and style just bought a new pair. First I teased him about it but now I see a lot oft young career oriented men wearing them.

[Jill, Derick & the Kids: Moving On!!]

I absolutely don't have a problem with there not being a TV. As far as I know the offical recommendation is no screen time under the age of three. I'm also happy to hear from parents whose kids aren't put in front of the TV, computer or cellphone.

The biggest WTF for me was the fact that they don't have a hall. Where do they put their coats, shoes, umbrella etc? I would hate it if people went into my living room wearing their "street shoes" especially with little kids around. I know no one living in a house without a hallway.

The boys' room is just sad. I don't think babies need the fancy nurseries you see all over social media or even their own room but the boys are no longer babies and should have space for themselves! Their room has no loving touch at all. Leaving the size difference out of it, it just seems like they put much more effort into the office than the boys' room. Where do the boys play with their lego or put up  a playmobil castle for example? All kids I know have things they like to keep up for some time because they keep playing with it for a couple days or even weeks.

[The Duggalos: Jinger and the Holy Goalie]

2 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

True, but notice how everything is centered around Jeremy's interests. Soccer games, men's clothing stores, shmoozing with the higher-ups at GCC. It doesn't seem like they do many Jinger-related activities or at least their social media isn't reflecting it. 

But what would Jinger want to do? The way she grew up, I don't think she has a favorite sport activity or interest in art, nature whatever. Jeremy, however, has different interests and hobbies, so I don't think that it's strange that they do these things. Personally, I don't believe Jeremy would say no if Jinger wanted to go to a museum, arts show, the zoo, etc. Maybe it takes a little bit more time, meeting more and different people for Jinger to develop her own interests. And as a female soccer fan myself I think she very much enjoyed visiting the soccer games or watching her husband play.

[The Duggalos: Jinger and the Holy Goalie]

As someone who lives in a soccer country I know many kids with customized soccer jerseys. At least here a jersey like that isn't something special.

I hope they really let Felicity play soccer when she is a little bit older. I would love to see her run around in little shorts and a jersey surrounded by other little kids and have fun like any "normal" child.

[Sweet Fellowship: Duggars and Friends (aka the Bates Family and Other Featured Families Thread)]

Maybe rules are different where they live but why don't they just put up a fence or plant some bushes? I mean I don't care about what my neighbors do in their backyard but I prefer to have privacy myself, so I have a hedge around my property. Oh, and what about curtains in your kitchen room window? No one is forcing you to look!!

Oh, and please never come to Europe, Steve. You would probably go blind seeing so many women bathing topless or totally nude.

 

[Jill, Derick & the Kids: Moving On!!]

4 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I believe that with regards to taking pictures or filming events with a cell phone that the venue sets the tone.  In my Catholic church we revere the sanctuary and would never allow phones out during a service with the exception of baptisms.  Even then it would be one friend or family member taking pictures at specific moments which did not interfere with the ceremony.  A paid wedding photographer or videographer would also be given a certain leeway, but again there are points in our service where no photography would happen as a sign of respect.  Looking at the Cross Church facility it looks more like an auditorium than a traditional church sanctuary.  I can see where people would feel that it was permissible to film the service especially if no one says anything during a regular Sunday service.  

I'm also Catholic and church going people know these rules but there are a lot of people who only go to church on special occasions like weddings or baptisms and have no idea how to behave (at least here in Germany). It was funny (or sad, depending on your perspective 😉 ) at the last wedding I attended the priest started mass with telling the wedding guests that the couple spent a lot of money on a wedding photographer / videographer and that therefore no one else needs to take pictures and all cellphones should be turned off now. I thought it was embarrassing that grown up people apparently need to be told how to behave in a place of worship. However our priest regularly has someone recording parts of mass like when a special music act is invited or it's easter / christmas etc. and puts it up on our parish's facebook / instagram account or our youtube channel :). It all started when our priest invited a band who are his friends to play during a mass for young people one Saturday evening and they invited him to sing at the end. He sang "O happy day", normally we only sing in German or Latin during mass, and one of the band's family members recorded it. It was such a hit in our parish that the youtube channel started (German catholic church isn't normally very spontaneous) . Looking at this video or others on "our" channel, I realized that the Duggars would probably faint seeing so many sinfully dressed women in church (especially when they wear a miniskirt like in the video or a traditional dirndl (link) while singing a song for St. Mary) lol. They probably think it's a sin to dress like that but fine to take photos during a funeral, in our German interpretation of Catholicism women it's the other way around. I have never seen people taking cellphone pictures during a funeral. To me that's absolutely disrespectful and something I hope to never experience in real life.

[The Duggalos: Jinger and the Holy Goalie]

In Germany pregnant women are still discouraged from coloring their hair and you are advised to use plant based hair dye or henna instead. You should also be careful with nail polish or hair removal cream as far as I know. At least that's what I was told as I'm pregnant right now and my two friends who have been breast feeding for about a year now are still not using any of these products. I have accepted that my grey hairs will be visible for at least a year and a half ;). However, what I really miss are my colored toe nails in sandals or flip flops now that summer is finally here. But, better safe than sorry.

I don't think Jinger is pregnant and I hope that they wait till they are settled in LA. If I had the choice, I wouldn't want to be pregnant while moving and building a new life in a different city with a totally different mentality and far away from close family and friends.

[The Duggalos: Jinger and the Holy Goalie]

I don't think her being thinner than before has to have something to do with Jeremy's preference. Two of my friends lost a lot of weight after giving birth and it took them ages to get back to their normal weight. They didn't want to loose the pregnancy weight so rapidly but breastfeeding, lack of appetite because of the lack of sleep, all the stress of a baby just made them underweight. And I can tell you, the comments from other people weren't nice at all.

Some people also commented that they should do their part and that at least Jill and Derick went and did missionary work. I am happy about every hardcore religious person who isn't going the missionary route. We can see what happened in Brazil, now that Evangelicals took over, and I have even met American missionaries in my part of Germany! I mean I am happy about American tourists but you can keep your crazy hardcore religious people on the other side of the pond! I am really happy being on the wrong path with my Catholic faith and I don't think a lot of Germany are open to their ideas. I don't know how much community work Jinger and Jeremy are doing but I am sure they could do more. Maybe it's me being raised as a Catholic in a country with amazing, beautifully and expansively decorated churches and houses for priests, but I don't mind priests having a nice house and nice clothes. They are not monks or nuns promising poverty. As long as he does his job and doesn't expect his parish to pay for their additional stuff, they can do what they want IMO.

[The Duggalos: Jinger and the Holy Goalie]

I also don't get why it makes you shallow to dye your hair. I haven't done it in the last year because of financial reasons and now because of my pregnancy but almost every woman I know dyes their hair. It's totally common at least here in Germany. The color isn't what I would have chosen but I like that she wants to try different styles and seems to be open to a more modern lifestyle than she is used to. I also don't think that we should assume that Jeremy asked her to do it or that a boob job must follow soon. I know many "fake" blondes in my life and no one has had a boob job to go along with it.

[The Duggalos: Jinger and the Holy Goalie]

21 hours ago, truebluesmoky said:

It’s sitting weird for the photo, but I think Jinger’s hair looks pretty, especially when you compare it to Jill’s. It looks shiny and healthy and styled, and she has some kind of barrette or Bobby pin in it, pulling some of it under up top.

I agree. Her hair would be my dream hair. It's shiny, healthy, has nice highlights and I love the curls at the end. To me there is huge difference between Jinger's hair and Jill's.

[Jill, Derick & the Kids: Moving On!!]

13 hours ago, sleepysuzy said:

America starts formal education early by global standards. I think it is far too early to worry about this generation's education, except Anna's kids. If they get plenty of time to play and someone reads to them daily,  at this stage they are okay.

That's very true. In my country children learn the ABC, reading, plus and minus etc. in 1st grade in primary school. Here a kindergarten has a curriculum developed by the state government but it has more to do with kids developing personal and action competence (?), learning how to learn and how to deal with changes and difficulties. They are doing lots of arts and crafts, learn about their environment (e.g. forest days or weeks, tending to a garden), do science and literacy projects and so on. I liked this article about the difference between American and German Kindergarten parentmap.com

[The Duggalos: Jinger and the Holy Goalie]

9 hours ago, Oldernowiser said:

There is zero doubt in my mind that Jeremy saved all that crap as a monument to his brilliant soccer career.

Is anything ever just about Jinger? I realize she’s the photographer but it’s all baby, Jeremy, or Jeremy with baby, with an occasional requisite nod to Duggar 1.0.

But isn't it normal to save that stuff? My brother has played soccer for over 20 years, however never professionally, and our mom saved his soccer shoes and jerseys over the years until he was a young adult and responsible for things like that. I only did ballet for two years and my mom still kept my ballet shoes and first ballet dress. I actually think it's a very nice idea of Jinger to use these pieces and turn them into a blanket. Personally, I find nothing to criticize about that gesture.

[Jessa, Ben and Their Brood: Making a (Diaper) Mountain out of a Mold House]

People like the Duggars make me happy that homeschooling is forbidden in my country and that every child has to be taught the same curriculum. I actually work at a catholic school but we have to teach e.g. sex ed and evolution the same way as public schools, we use the same school books, write the same exams etc. I don't even want to imagine how different the Duggar's lives could have been if they had had the chance to get a good education, spend lots of time with "normal" people and so on. In my opinion it's wrong that parents can isolate and indoctrinate their children in such a way. It's nice to see Spurgeon, Henry and the other Duggar children act like regular kids but I get sad and angry when I think about their future.

[The Duggalos: Jinger and the Holy Goalie]

I like the house a lot. I had to chuckle when I read about a lack of color. Where I live their walls would be considered almost colorful. Here a lot of houses have mostly white walls. I also only have light grey and light brown walls in some rooms, the rest of the walls are white. I also love, love, love modern Scandinavian designs, so my house is definitely closer in style to their house than the other American homes I have seen myself. Staged or not, I would move in immediately. I also really like Felicity's room. I hate the nurseries with bright colors, comic characters etc. There are three things I would change however. I hate the white/grey tile floor, Jeremy's office is too much for me (heavy, dark furniture in a small room doesn't fit IMO) and I don't like the old bathtub and shower.
I'm shocked by the price. In my area you wouldn't get a two bedroom apartment for 200.000 Euro.

[Jill, Derick & the Kids: Moving On!!]

I have to admit that regarding the kids' bedroom and office I would do the same. I mean I would have bought a bigger house if I had known I needed two bedrooms for the kids and one office. However, if it weren't possible I would have put the boys in one room and used the other one as an office. As a student you need a room to study in peace (at least I did) and I don't consider that as selfish but necessary. I also like it when children close in age share a room in the early years. I did the same with my sister and my parents had a big house and everyone I know who has kids does the same still in this day and age. I don't like Derick at all and I am weirded out by almost everything they do but this is one aspect of their life where I am totally on their side.

[Sweet Fellowship: Duggars and Friends (aka the Bates Family and Other Featured Families Thread)]

On 4/20/2019 at 7:02 PM, Heathen said:

I went back and looked. I really think it's just dirt and hair and the usual carpet detritus that gets vacuumed up long before the carpet looks like that. 

She's barefoot on that carpet. Gross. 

Looking at that picture and watching the video makes me happy about my "no street shoes" rule in my house. Being barefoot on that carpet is gross!
Thanks for the link to the video! I don't know why all the comments on youtube are so enthusiastic about her style. The kitchen looks strange, the couch is too big and I think it's too cluttered for my taste. However, it's a small house for five people!

[Jill, Derick & the Kids: Moving On!!]

Unfortunately I'm another person with oily hair which looks greasy quickly. I also have to deal with very sensitive skin, so I'm not supposed to wash my hair every day. I hated how it looked on the second day and I felt so uncomfortable. However, I found the perfect solution for my hair. Originally I wanted to cut back on my plastic use, so I switched to using a shampoo bar (like a soap bar) and I use apple vinegar as a conditioner. First I was very skeptical but after a week my hair changed. I can now wash my hair every second day without it being greasy at all. During holidays I have also managed to wash it only every third day. It's awesome (and good for the environment)! Shampoo soap bars are getting very popular here but of course I don't know how it is in North America.
 

I think Jill's hair could look amazing if it was cut a lot shorter (by a professional) and treated well. Long hair needs a lot of care and I don't get how you could want it at that length and then do nothing with it. I mean the FLDS women at least did elaborate (but IMO ugly) styles with their "crowning glory", so the hair length made a little bit of sense. The Duggars preach about women and their long hair and then do nothing with it.

[Jill, Derick & the Kids: Moving On!!]

2 hours ago, Totally said:

I was coming to say this  

I’m busy planting bee attracting plants and flowers to bring more bees to my tiny part if the world

Same here. Everyone I know (here in Germany) is changing their garden to make it  more attractive to bees and insects which our earth so desperately needs. And here someone posts proudly about killing a bee. I will never understand how people can be so careless with our environment. I just changed a part of my lawn from grass to a flower meadow to bring more bees and insects into my garden and I can't wait to see all the colorful flowers and to listen to all the bees flying around this summer.

[Jill, Derick & the Kids: Moving On!!]

13 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

Welcome out of Lurkdom! Surprisingly fast food joints use mostly paper and restaurants use Styrofoam. Sadly in my area Styrofoam can't be recycled. Are you not in the US?

Thank you! No, I live in Europe but watched the Duggars when I lived in North America a couple years ago. In Europe single-use plastics will be banned by 2021 and everyone around me is trying to reduce the use of plastic as much as possible. I haven't seen a meal like this in a very long time.

[Jill, Derick & the Kids: Moving On!!]

19 hours ago, QuinnInND said:

Ugh. 

Long time lurker, first time poster but this photo made me so mad. The amount of plastic and styrofoam used for one meal for only two people is crazy!! I doubt these two recycle and they probably just put all of this crap in their trash. I also wonder that food places in the US still package their meals like this.

[Figure Skating]

Well, one of them didn't fall according to the rule book. This one kept his weight on his feet therefore didn't get a deduction. In addition to that his stumble happened after completing the element which didn't affect their scores that much.

I love the fact that V/M won every competition this year and just really hope they will be able to continue their momentum till the Olympic Games. IMO they are just way ahead of the rest of the field and in a class of their own. 

However I was so upset that H/D lost their bronze medal. It was so upsetting to see their devastated faces. They would have earned their world medal.

In pairs I really wanted S/M to win the gold. Their free program is so captivating. It's almost like an ice dance program with pair elements. Breathtaking!

[High Profile Scientologists: Tom, Travolta, and More!]

On 19.12.2016 at 7:47 AM, spiderpig said:

Isn't this a case of real life being lightyears more fascinating than fiction?

Didn't Germany refuse to acknowledge $cientology as a religion, and The Clams fought tooth and nail?

I think (have to research) Germany backed down for now...but it seems the handwriting is on the wall for The Clams.  If any country knows about strongarm tactics, it's Germany.

I think ridicule on the worldwide stage is the way to go with these fanatics.  They take themselves so seriously that they set themselves up for parody and derision.

As a German I find this show and this discussion really fascinating. Excuse me if I jump in here and answer this question. Germany doesn't acknowledge Scientology as a religion but as a commercial enterprise and treats it accordingly.

As a fact in my state (Bavaria) everyone who wants to work in the public sector has to answer the following questions:

Quote

1. Do you have a relation with organisations that use the technology of LRH? 2. Are you under the command of an organisation that uses the technology of LRH? 3. Did you, in the last 12 months, or do you take courses by organisations using the technology of LRH? 4. Do you support these organisations financially or ideologically? 5. Do you work according to the technology of LRH or were you instructed in the technology of LRH?

(translation by this website: Link )

So, if you write "yes" on any of these questions you are deemed unsuitable for such a job. I had to answer these questions when I worked for a pension fund and later as a teacher at public schools.

Scientology is also a topic in our obligatory school curriculum. In the religion education classes students learn about the danger of cults and Scientology is taken as an example. It's fascinating for me because I know not one German celebrity who is a Scientologist. It's considered a dangerous cult here and still Tom Cruise gets lots of positive attention, awards and acclaim.

BTW there is a really good German movie about Scientology based on a true story. It's called "Until nothing remains" (Bis nichts mehr bleibt) and you can watch it on youtube with English subtitles.

[Poldark: Now, Then, and Before (the Books, the Original Series, and the Remake)]

13 hours ago, CTrent29 said:

Was the only way Demelza going to forgive him was for him to make those negative comments about Elizabeth?  What a disgusting scene to watch.

I didn't hear any negative comments about Elizabeth? IMO Ross explained really well what he thought and how he realized that Elizabeth was a fantasy from the past and not what he wants and needs in the present. I liked it. Luckily because I didn't like him at all in the scenes beforehand. In contrast to Ross I adored Demelza during the whole episode. She rocks! For me season 2 was all about Demelza and I would watch a whole show about her. Eleonor Tomlinson is simply amazing and a joy to watch. Oh and how cute was Verity. I'm so happy that she got all that she wanted in the first season. Dwight/Caroline were nice but I'm just not that interested in them. Elizabeth made her bed and now she has to lie in it. No sympathy from me. I just feel bad for her poor son who now has to suffer because of his mother's mistakes.

34 minutes ago, Glade said:

I was surprised that Elizabeth wouldn't even apologize to Demelza or perhaps ask George to just let the shares purchase go, especially once she found out that it was Ross' gift to her.  But then apparently these people never get a life and stop feuding with each other.

Same here! I couldn't believe how Elizabeth acted in these scenes. Hopefully season 3 is finally about something else than this stupid feud between George and Ross.

They could totally use that show to promote tourism in GB. I'm not from GB (as you probably guessed from my many mistakes) and after watching Poldark I really want to spend a holiday in that area. All scenes especially the ones at the beach are shot so beautifully.