19 Questions and Counting

[kokapetl]

JimChelle consulted the specialist to see if there was anything that they themselves could do to increase their fertility. No fertility drugs or invasive procedures, just a bunch of vitamin horse pills, and an elliptical machine. 

Edited June 1, 2017 by Kokapetl

[louannems]

Who the hell needs help"increasing fertility" when you've got 19 kids!

[Mollie]

6 hours ago, Kokapetl said:

JimChelle consulted the specialist to see if there was anything that they themselves could do to increase their fertility. No fertility drugs or invasive procedures, just a bunch of vitamin horse pills, and an elliptical machine. 

I don't think we really know what fertility assistance she received and I don't believe she tells the truth about anything.  And, we don't know what conversations went on with the doctor outside of the filming.  It was a few years ago, so obviously the assistance didn't work and for that I am grateful.  

[RazzleberryPie]

Somebody fill in the details, but didn't she have to switch OB/GYNs, because she was so high risk, her first one (or maybe the hospital), didn't want to keep seeing her as a patient?

[Sew Sumi]

7 hours ago, Kokapetl said:

JimChelle consulted the specialist to see if there was anything that they themselves could do to increase their fertility. No fertility drugs or invasive procedures, just a bunch of vitamin horse pills, and an elliptical machine. 

She was also tested for menopause and was shown to be perimenopausal. I'm sure she's completed The Change by now.

[RazzleberryPie]

7 minutes ago, Sew Sumi said:

She was also tested for menopause and was shown to be perimenopausal. I'm sure she's completed The Change by now.

That was all so bizarre, not that she tested to be perimeopausal in her mid to late 40s, but that they seemed so clueless as to why she was having trouble sustaining a healthy pregnancy. Besides her body being worn out, I can't figure out why they couldn't understand it is God's natural design for women to stop producing children at a certain point, and she was at that point. 

I can't decide if all the 'we're still counting' was Jim Bob thinking their audience/gravy train was too stupid to know that at some point, you stop counting, so he was just going to keep saying that even if he and Michelle were in their 80s, or if he was trying to humor Michelle, who was about to crack a the though of not being able to count on, or if they're both just idiots who thought they could take some vitamins and have 10 more kids.

After the whole ordeal with Josie and Jubilee, I can't fathom how they thought actively trying for more would be a wise choice.

[Mollie]

18 minutes ago, RazzleberryPie said:

That was all so bizarre, not that she tested to be perimeopausal in her mid to late 40s, but that they seemed so clueless as to why she was having trouble sustaining a healthy pregnancy. Besides her body being worn out, I can't figure out why they couldn't understand it is God's natural design for women to stop producing children at a certain point, and she was at that point. 

I can't decide if all the 'we're still counting' was Jim Bob thinking their audience/gravy train was too stupid to know that at some point, you stop counting, so he was just going to keep saying that even if he and Michelle were in their 80s, or if he was trying to humor Michelle, who was about to crack a the though of not being able to count on, or if they're both just idiots who thought they could take some vitamins and have 10 more kids.

After the whole ordeal with Josie and Jubilee, I can't fathom how they thought actively trying for more would be a wise choice.

The fertility doctor told Michelle that her chances of conceiving 'naturally' at age 47 are less than five per cent, and that her risk of a baby with down syndrome is 'one in four or five.'

Michelle will be 51-years-old in September and it wouldn't surprise me if she hasn't given up on "catching another baby" [her words exactly!]

We've all heard of the extraordinary cases of women giving birth in their 60s, conceiving through IVF with donor eggs.  I wouldn't put it past Michelle to try something like that.  She's obsessed with being pregnant and giving birth.  She should have sought out a pregnancy addiction specialist about ten years/kids ago.
 

[xwordfanatik]

After the whole ordeal with Josie and Jubilee, I can't fathom how they thought actively trying for more would be a wise choice.

@RazzleberryPie, I feel the same way.  MeChelle and Boob are truly nuts!  

[Mollie]

31 minutes ago, xwordfanatik said:

After the whole ordeal with Josie and Jubilee, I can't fathom how they thought actively trying for more would be a wise choice.

@RazzleberryPie, I feel the same way.  MeChelle and Boob are truly nuts!  

Not to mention the fact that Michelle was 47 years old!!!!! and already had 19 kids.

[xwordfanatik]

9 minutes ago, Mollie said:

Not to mention the fact that Michelle was 47 years old!!!!! and already had 19 kids.

Like someone said upthread, she's addicted to being pregnant.  Myself, I thank God for birth control.  I have one daughter and she's wonderful, but to go through that ordeal over & over & over, no thank you!

[momofsquid]

Here's one: can anyone with understanding of fundie ways explain the insistence on the word "countenance" rather than "face"? And I imagine "countenance" is only used in certain contexts, correct? Surely they wouldn't say "Go wash your countenance." It must have some implication of the presentation of ones person rather than the anatomical structure at the front of the head. Am I getting warm here? 

[Albanyguy]

15 minutes ago, momofsquid said:

Here's one: can anyone with understanding of fundie ways explain the insistence on the word "countenance" rather than "face"? And I imagine "countenance" is only used in certain contexts, correct? Surely they wouldn't say "Go wash your countenance." It must have some implication of the presentation of ones person rather than the anatomical structure at the front of the head. Am I getting warm here? 

Very warm. I think they use "countenance" to mean "the face that you present to the world". Your face must always be calm and you must always be smiling, to reflect the joy and serenity that you find in God's love. Your "countenance" is an outward symbol of how special you are and it will encourage other people to follow your Godly example. That's why there's such emphasis (for women, anyway) on always "keeping sweet" and dressing modestly so that all attention is focused on your countenance.

I'd make a terrible fundie. I have a small vertical wrinkle permanently embedded between my eyes. It's not unsightly, but it does tend to give me a stern look and people often think I'm worried or upset when I'm perfectly happy and cheerful. I'd never be able to pull off the constant joyful countenance. On the other hand, people love talking to me because I always look like I'm concentrating hard on what they're saying, even if I'm not really paying attention at all.

[DangerousMinds]

Surely one could display a joyful "countenance" without pounds of bad makeup?

[momofsquid]

2 hours ago, Albanyguy said:

Very warm. I think they use "countenance" to mean "the face that you present to the world". Your face must always be calm and you must always be smiling, to reflect the joy and serenity that you find in God's love. Your "countenance" is an outward symbol of how special you are and it will encourage other people to follow your Godly example. That's why there's such emphasis (for women, anyway) on always "keeping sweet" and dressing modestly so that all attention is focused on your countenance.

I'd make a terrible fundie. I have a small vertical wrinkle permanently embedded between my eyes. It's not unsightly, but it does tend to give me a stern look and people often think I'm worried or upset when I'm perfectly happy and cheerful. I'd never be able to pull off the constant joyful countenance. On the other hand, people love talking to me because I always look like I'm concentrating hard on what they're saying, even if I'm not really paying attention at all.

So countenance is more about facial expression more than the face. My resting bitch face would send me straight to hell. Thanks for the explanation.

[Jynnan tonnix]

2 hours ago, DangerousMinds said:

Surely one could display a joyful "countenance" without pounds of bad makeup?

Somehow that brings up images of the Joker...

[GeeGolly]

I always thought focusing on their "countenance" was their excuse for the amount of make-up they wear and how much attention they pay to their hair, which many might argue are immodest. Using the word countenance might distract someone from the fact that most modest folks don't tend to focus so much on their looks to draw the attention of others.

[LilJen]

King James Bible-speak.

[twinkietwin94]

Yeah Michelle talks about countenance and all I can think is "I can't see past the rat's nest on your head to see your countenance lady" if she'd stuck with the makeover then maybe people would see her countenance

[Arwen Evenstar]

Considering that groups like the Amish think vanity is such a huge sin, you would think the Duggs and their ilk would have followed suit.  Caking on makeup and spending hours working on your hair, and posting selfies every day when you are preaching against vanity seems very hypocritical.

[Sew Sumi]

Especially hypocritical given what Jessa apparently said at her "modesty" speech yesterday. She railed against legalism, and talked about having a pretty package on the outside, but ugly on the inside. Two things that have not changed about her since she became Mrs. Seewald. She still adheres to Gothard rules, such as skirts-only, and is as vain as ever. 

http://www.inquisitr.com/4320103/jessa-duggar-talks-fixer-upper-at-ohio-modesty-event/

[DangerousMinds]

Terrible article. The writer doesn't seem to know exactly what was or wasn't discussed.

[Sew Sumi]

The description of "ugly on the inside" via the Fixer Upper metaphor was especially painful. 

Edited June 26, 2017 by Sew Sumi
I typed "The" twice. Duh!

[Arwen Evenstar]

10 minutes ago, Sew Sumi said:

The description of "ugly on the inside" via the Fixer Upper metaphor was especially painful. 

Jessa IS ugly on the inside. Smug, full of herself, vain, vapid, and believes herself superior to others.

[Sew Sumi]

Yup. I elaborated about that on the Seewald thread. 

[Gardencrown]

oops, wrong thread!

Edited August 4, 2017 by Gardencrown

[luvmylabs]

This has probably already been asked so sorry!  We know that the girls always have chaperones when they are courting.  What about the guys?  Is it JB's responsibility to provide a chaperone for someone like Joseph or is it the responsibility of the girl's family?  I hardly watch anymore.  Only good thing is Jinger's advancement into wearing pants and shorts and not getting pregnant on her wedding night.

[kokapetl]

1 hour ago, luvmylabs said:

This has probably already been asked so sorry!  We know that the girls always have chaperones when they are courting.  What about the guys?  Is it JB's responsibility to provide a chaperone for someone like Joseph or is it the responsibility of the girl's family?  I hardly watch anymore.  Only good thing is Jinger's advancement into wearing pants and shorts and not getting pregnant on her wedding night.

It's unclear. I'm sure the producers request a Duggar to be a chaperone for anything they film. 

[Temperance]

Who is Pickles?

[Obsidian]

1 hour ago, Temperance said:

Who is Pickles?

Whoever she is, she runs a Facebook page called 'Life is not all pickles and hairspray' about the Duggars.

[MamaMax]

On 6/25/2017 at 11:13 PM, Arwen Evenstar said:

Considering that groups like the Amish think vanity is such a huge sin, you would think the Duggs and their ilk would have followed suit.  Caking on makeup and spending hours working on your hair, and posting selfies every day when you are preaching against vanity seems very hypocritical.

Well, the loophole is that they are supposed to be "an encouragement" to others, so they need to look nice and make their lives seem just ducky. 

 

"Join our cult! We're pretty and fun and NOT WEIRD and really super HAPPY, REALLY!"

[Rabbittron]

On 9/16/2017 at 9:18 AM, Kokapetl said:

It's unclear. I'm sure the producers request a Duggar to be a chaperone for anything they film. 

In their cult the girl's father has to supply the chaperone if that family believes in a chaperone most of the fundies I know do not believe in having a chaperone. 

[MsJamieDornan]

With all the new sexual harassment and abuse claims going on in Hollywood lately and all the outrage (as it should be ) that is going along with it, will this keep Josh off the show for good ? And, possibly Boob and MEchelle ?

Finally, this is all being taken seriously and even people that knew about some of the abuse in Hollywood and didn't speak up are being dragged in and blamed. Hence, my question about Boob and the idiot?

I think all 3 of them should never appear again. They need to know how serious what he did to his sisters was.

Edited November 5, 2017 by MsJamieDornan

[doodlebug]

13 hours ago, MsJamieDornan said:

With a the new sexual harassment and abuse claims going on in Hollywood lately and all the outrage (as it should be ) that is going along with it, will this keep Josh off the show for good ? And, possibly Boob and MEchelle ?

Finally, this is all being taken seriously and even people that knew about some of the abuse in Hollywood and didn't speak up are being dragged in and blamed. Hence, my question about Boob and the idiot?

I think all 3 of them should never appear again. They need to know how serious what he did to his sisters was.

It'd be nice to think so, of course, JB and M have rationalized the whole thing into being typical teen curiosity; so I don't think their attitudes will change.

Alas, I am not looking forward to Derick's inevitable tweet about Kevin Spacey's statement that he 'chooses' to live as a gay man and the implication in his statement that gay men are prone to fondling teens when they get drunk. 

[Triple P]

5 hours ago, doodlebug said:

 

Alas, I am not looking forward to Derick's inevitable tweet about Kevin Spacey's statement that he 'chooses' to live as a gay man and the implication in his statement that gay men are prone to fondling teens when they get drunk. 

Perhaps Spacey is too worldly for Derick and he will miss the news. Let us pray.

[MsJamieDornan]

7 hours ago, doodlebug said:

It'd be nice to think so, of course, JB and M have rationalized the whole thing into being typical teen curiosity; so I don't think their attitudes will change.

I was hoping TLC's attitude would change.

[GinnyMars]

Knock knock... Hi guys!

Although I find the Duggars fascinating, I'm not a regular follower of their adventures. Every once in a while, I'll hear about the latest nonsense and come here, and fall in a wormhole of comments for the rest of the afternoon... I'd like to follow them more closely, and I love the snark here, but you guys are so chatty, there's no way I could keep up on PTV! So my question is: do you have recommendations for some good blogs to follow? Ideally, a weekly feature with all the latest happenings in Duggar World, say? Thanks! :)

[GeeGolly]

On 11/13/2017 at 0:12 PM, GinnyMars said:

Knock knock... Hi guys!

Although I find the Duggars fascinating, I'm not a regular follower of their adventures. Every once in a while, I'll hear about the latest nonsense and come here, and fall in a wormhole of comments for the rest of the afternoon... I'd like to follow them more closely, and I love the snark here, but you guys are so chatty, there's no way I could keep up on PTV! So my question is: do you have recommendations for some good blogs to follow? Ideally, a weekly feature with all the latest happenings in Duggar World, say? Thanks! :)

There's a fan blog by Lily & Ellie, the Duggars have an FB page and the tabloids write stories monthly. There's also a snarky FB page called Pickles & Hairspray.

[kokapetl]

Facebook has seemingly classified Pickles and Hairspray as actually being a page about pickles.

[louannems]

The Duggars are also featured on Free Jinger, where every little nuance, and more, is discussed.

[GinnyMars]

Thanks, guys. Will check those out.

Edited December 10, 2017 by GinnyMars

[GinnyMars]

On 13/11/2017 at 6:12 PM, GinnyMars said:

do you have recommendations for some good blogs to follow? Ideally, a weekly feature with all the latest happenings in Duggar World, say?

My prayers have been answered! There's a new weekly round-up happening at https://duggargossip.tumblr.com/tagged/duggar-and-bates-weekly-update.
Also, a list of all the main fundie blogs on Tumblr if anyone if interested: http://keepingupwithfundies.tumblr.com/post/169075094707/what-fundie-blogs-other-than-this-one-should-i

[Westiepeach]

I do have a thought. (Yes, one thought - hush!) Thanks to insomnia I tend to solve the problems of the world in the middle of the night. You are all welcome.  

If, back in the day of protecting the girls from the boys (thanks, Josh!) by locking them in their rooms, wouldn’t that be a serious fire hazard? Was the room locked from the inside or the outside? Who had the key?

My inquiring mind needs to know. 

[kalamac]

I'm sure they think the same god that couldn't be arsed to stop their brother's wandering fingers would protect them from fire.

[kokapetl]

The girls aren’t locked in, other people are locked out. Like a bathroom. 

[Celia Rubenstein]

They should have just locked Josh in the prayer closet overnight and been done with it.

[Arwen Evenstar]

17 hours ago, Celia Rubenstein said:

They should have just locked Josh in the prayer closet overnight and been done with it.

He’d have too much fun playing with himself.

[DkNNy79]

I've never watched their show, but I do watch other shows on TLC so I see the commercials for their show and I know about them due to their stints in the news.

One of the clips shows the older D girls going to some random girl's 15th birthday party.  I guess the birthday girl's mother "hired" the D girls to talk at her daughter's birthday.  The D girls talked about their "dating" tips.  OMG, it was laughable.  What a lame birthday gift!

Another clip is of Ben first  asking JB and Michelle to court Jessa and then talking to Jessa herself.  So, cringeworthy!  I was embarrassed for all parties involved.

[Zella]

6 hours ago, DkNNy79 said:

Another clip is of Ben first  asking JB and Michelle to court Jessa and then talking to Jessa herself.  So, cringeworthy!  I was embarrassed for all parties involved.

I was never 100% sure if that was a re-enactment or if it was filmed in real time, but either way, it is oppressively awkward.