Monday, August 14, 2017

Recap: Kate Plus 8 "The Room Project": Mind NOT blown

Catching up on some more old recaps! You can review the discussion thread of this episode here. Enjoy! 

It's interesting to watch The Room Project, which aired over two and a half years ago (sorry for my tardiest recap yet!), from the perspective of now. Things are so different today, with Collin gone, the chickens gone. But, so much remains the same. There's still the same amount of bickering and yelling and overall stress whenever they do anything.

I hate people who drop pronouns when they speak. This is Kate: Got back from summer vacation, put kids back in school. No, it's we got back from summer vacation. I put kids back in school. Grr! And there's that odd, stilted language again. You put kids back in school, like you might put away the pool toys for the summer? Not, "the kids started back up with school?" Strange.

For some reason Kate has the kids lined up on the stairs to lecture them, only she more seems to be lecturing the producers about what's happening, and she calls all the nasty acne on her face shingles. That's not shingles, it's acne. She needs to get a better doctor, as "stress"-related shingles has been thoroughly debunked much like no doctor anymore thinks ulcers are caused by stress (they are caused by a bacteria called h.pylori). Shingles is caused by a virus, not stress. Kate always has some weird stuff going on with her skin, I'm guessing she's the type who never washes her face before bed out of laziness. The kids look really bored.

Spoiled Mady and Cara are demanding their own rooms and have been for a while. In a family of eight kids, usually you tell your kids, "too bad." Not Kate though, she's going to make it happen. After all she's got to maintain some kind of leverage or at any time they could quit wanting to film anymore.

There's a TV and VCR in the boys room. I personally think kids should not have TV's in their room, and for that matter adults shouldn't either if they can stomach it. Not only is it a huge time suck and a distraction, but virtually every study concludes that it interferes with a good rest. Naturally, Kate is moving the boys' room to, you guessed it, the basement. Heh, you can't make this stuff up. They show a 3D rendering of the entire layout of the house, which I find extremely reckless. I guess she's never heard of cases like Elizabeth Smart or JonBenet Ramsey, where criminals get to know the layout of the house first before striking.

Mady is hysterical over something, wiping tears from her cheeks. I can't quite make out what the problem is. It's something about Kate warning them that cameras were coming up to their room and a dispute over when or who would clean up. In any case, it should be illegal to film your child when they are this upset. In California, it is. By law, a set teacher would have shut down production, and made sure the child was comforted and mentally stable before filming resumes. All Kate can say is people should feel sorry for her having to deal with Mady. Right, Kate, all the sympathy should be on you. Asshat.

Kate's one of those who has to remind you every five minutes they're sick. She has shingles. Yes, we heard you the first time, duchess. Kate's really loving her pink-hued French tip dated manicure she got. She's waving her fingers so close to the camera her hand is starting to look double the size of her head. Perspective, ya gotta think about that when you're on camera.

I would say I can't believe the way the kids mouth off to Kate, but I've seen it so much in the two years since this episode I've almost gotten used to it.

Kate is still trying to sell some kind of B.S. that having kids this age is so much harder than when they were infants, plus, she's a single parent. Heh. Single parenthood was her choice, by the way. The younger girls are very adamant about not moving, though I can't quite figure out why they are so against it. It is very noticeable to me that I never see the boys stomping around like this the way the girls do, refusing to go along with the plan the adults have decided for them. And therein lies the problem, the girls think they get to tell an adult what to do and what decisions to make. And that's one reason why, sorry to say, Kate has failed as a parent. She has instilled no sense of authority or respect in her.

The kids are ungrateful, Kate tells the camera. Her kids are ungrateful, it's true, but it's not fair to tell the public that, especially when you are the root cause of it. If you have an ungrateful child, you work on in privately with them, and perhaps with their teachers and therapists. You don't tell the world about your problems.

Mady is still hysterical, what the hell? She is red faced and sobbing. Could Kate be a good mother just once, once, and shut down filming until Mady gets a hold of herself? She is repugnant. The true nature of why Mady is so upset is becoming clearer. She is troubled that the younger girls don't want to move, and she offers to cancel the whole thing if it's going to make them this upset. That's nice of her, actually. I've said all along there is a kind soul in Mady, and I think it genuinely does upset her that her younger siblings are so ticked off about this move.

Kate says she should have just remodeled her own bedroom and be done with it. It's rare I agree with her, but I think she's right. There is nothing about these kids that suggest they deserve a new room. Or, give the boys their own room, as they behave and are grateful. And when the girls earn it, someday they can have theirs, too. I remember getting my own room at about age 13, and I don't remember having any negative feelings about it. It was pure excitement, and I loved it, even though there were downsides, like it was smaller than my old room (which I shared). I'm not saying that to propose I was some kind of perfect child, far from it, but I was raised to be appreciative, and when you are raised as such, it doesn't really cross your mind to look a gift horse in the mouth.

The conflict escalates to getting a little grabby and physical, and now Leah is sobbing, too. What a mess.

Kate makes a ridiculous comment that everyone's lives are stressed and that only the strong survive. Let me explain something to her. Stress is something that, barring mental health issues, you choose to invoke to react to your situation. You can choose to deal with a lot on your plate or difficult problems by being "stressed," or you can choose to be calm, rational, and low key about it.


A lot of potential stress triggers are also avoidable, so you can also plan ahead to mitigate stress. So no, not everyone lives in a constant state of stress. I don't, even though objectively, you might say there are things in my life that could be "stressful." For instance, the dozen child abuse cases I work on Monday through Friday and often weekends, too. I don't feel stressed about them in the slightest, however, because I don't approach them from such a negative emotional place. I think if I did let myself feel overwhelmed, I wouldn't be able to handle them as well. As for Kate's comment only the strong survive, realize she's talking about switching around a couple of bedrooms! Survive?? So dramatic.

They check out the basement where the boys' room will be. Thank goodness it has some big long windows, which makes me think this is a ground level "basement." Much less like a prison. It's going to need a lot of work, right now it houses Kate's storage of a fuckety billion BBQ sauce bottles and cleaning products fit for the apocalypse, and her freezers. Remember when she was bragging about all of those freezers? Wasn't that on her blog somewhere? Lol, I remember what fun we had snarking on her back when blogging was her flavor of the month. I guess if North Korea really does go nuclear this family is going to be eating a heck of a lot of BBQ chicken.

Because they're going to paint anyway, Kate lets the kids graffiti the walls with paint samples. That is really neat, though she has to suck the fun out of it by shouting orders at them and making them wear huge plastic smocks like they're about to go on Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls. Don't they have old painting clothes they could wear, the kind you just toss after it gets dirty?

Collin is as talkative and happy as I've ever seen him, thrilled with how he painted his name on the wall so colorfully and also painted a crying smiley face who doesn't want him to leave the room. Aw. Collin goes around and says goodbye to all of the murals they painted, and then the room. Double aw. This, Kate, is why people keep asking, "where's Collin?" We like the kid.

Mady has speckles of paint all over her feet somehow, and leaves the room, getting some drips on the hallway floor. On the one hand, you just want a strangle a kid for doing that. On the other hand, Mady is sorry, and because they noticed it right away, Kate was able to rub the paint right off. No harm. Kate opened the door when she allowed them to paint. Any time you do that, one should just assume paint will get somewhere it shouldn't be.

Some random painters are now in one of the rooms, and they painted a sample of the purple paint Kate chose. Heh, it's Barney purple now that it's on the wall, and Kate freaks out about how dark it looks. What do we do?!

Pick another color, the painter says calmly and rationally. Right, because, you just pick another color. What else can you do? He doesn't seem stressed in the slightest about any of this. I'm sure he's dealt with hundreds of people who don't like the color now that it's on the walls, which is why he painted a sample for her. I'm not a fan of various busy colors she has scattered throughout the house. It looks way too childish and dated. I notice she has evergreen in one random room, and I have a feeling the girls are going to outgrow the purple fast. More contractors are in the basement refinishing the boys' room, and it quickly looks really, really good. They've done wood paneling from the floor to halfway up, and above the wood, a very sleek slate blue paint. It looks so good I'm sure Kate had nothing to do with designing it. Kate gets the contractor to agree to cut some two-by-fours for her for a pumpkin bulls eye game. Huh? What does this have to do with remodeling the basement? Charge her extra, buddy! She awkwardly flirts with him, promising hugs and kisses. Ew. His expression is also, "ew." He suggests maybe just hugs? Heh!

I guess I didn't catch on it is Halloween time until they start carving pumpkins. Kate figures this is a good time to do it since they're stuck at home due to construction.

That's a weird comment. Number one, they always seem to be stuck at home, so I don't know why this would be any different. Number two, it's often better to leave when construction is going on. The house is a wreck and often not very livable, and the contractors usually want you out of their hair anyway. They'll call you if they need you. I wonder if these contractors got annoyed at the nine people in and out of the workspace constantly the whole time.

I have no idea why Kate is having a meltdown over the downstairs bathroom being messy, which it barely is. And why she would choose to have this meltdown now when everyone is elbow deep in pumpkin carving and can't come address the issue without cleaning themselves up first? Kate should have checked the bathroom before they started carving pumpkins. She makes a rule that "it's not mine" doesn't work anymore and if you see something messy, clean it up. In theory, yes, but in this family, that will only result in the boys doing all the work and the girls doing nothing, because they will take advantage of that.

Some of the kids are really getting antsy on the couch, closing their eyes or picking at toenails. They're two years younger than they are now, and at that age endless sit-down conversations about things they did weeks ago has to start getting really tiresome. I've always wondered how long these interviews really take door to door, but realistically, it has to be at least a few hours if not much more.

Next up they play a pumpkin bullseye game, where you have to throw little sugar pumpkins at a big bullseye spray painted sloppily on some plywood. Kate has no idea how she came up with this great idea, she says innocently. I bet I know. Cherry Crest Farm in Paradise, a mere 50 miles from her home. They were doing the pumpkin bullseye game as far back as 2014. Gotch-ya!

Wouldn't this game be much more fun if they were allowed to have some friends over, instead of having to play it with Mommy, who is a perpetual nag? Recently the kids seem to spend a bit more time with friends, and I suspect that's more because Kate really can't stop them. But even in this episode, they are well old enough to be spending most of their free time with kids their age. They just weren't old enough to tell Kate to piss off. Yet.

Lol, the pumpkins aren't smashing. They're just hitting the plywood like a basketball and bouncing off. It's making everyone agitated. Two problems here. First, I'm betting the pumpkins need to be overripe to smash easily or maybe even carved already. A sugar pumpkin you buy fresh from the store is like a rock, and you could drop it without a problem. Second, plywood is way too thin and flexible, too much give. Even something prone to smashing could bounce right off without injury. Kate really wasn't paying attention in Physics.

The twins have a lot of nerve complaining that the sextuplets are competitive and annoying. These twins are outrageously competitive themselves, and even at almost 17 now, are still trying to stack the deck in their favor whenever they play a game, to ensure they win. Two words come to mind: grow up.

Eventually after repeated hits the pumpkins start smashing, and the kids start having fun. That's a relief. Smashing good fun, says Kate. Dork.

The kids are experiencing a problem of the one percent in that they have to sleep on air mattresses and they can't find their stuff while they wait for the remodeling to finish. We meander down a little side thread in that the kids play instruments and are excited to show them off. That sounds like a short-lived endeavor, I never remember hearing about those again. The boys feed the chickens and the family cooks dinner. Maybe it's better to kill time showing old clips after all, as all this whole lot of nothing is mind-numbing.

Kate explains the way they've survived all of this over time (all of what??? She never says) .... and I almost think she is going to say by love and leaning on each other. But no, Heir Kate says it's routine! The schedule! that gets them through. Quick march! Sigh.


A couple chicken fingers and a small side salad. I guess this was back when Kate could ration their food Oliver! style. At least give them a nice honey mustard dipping sauce for the chicken. Come on!

Furniture shopping. I'm in the middle of that myself, trying to furnish a house that's double the size of any apartment I've ever lived in is quite an undertaking. It was fun at first but you get to the point where you just want a chair to sit in, any chair, and you just don't give a darn anymore. I think it's nice actually Kate takes the kids with her to do the shopping, as certainly it would be infinitely easier to shop without them. Oh, so it's the kids who are estranged from Jon who went on the shopping trip--the twins, Collin and Alexis. Collin is cute, he loves all the patterned rockers you might see at grandma's. Kate teases him, saying he's 60 years early for that. I don't mind that kind of banter with your kid, it's cute. I wish Kate would be light-hearted and fun like this with her children all or at least most of the time. I think she would find herself with much calmer, happier children. Life's short, so better to make a joke than to be a shrew, I say.

Kate's taste in furniture is 1999 at best. Her house is, to be frank, awful. It needs a remodel and to be redecorated, it's so dated. It looks to me like she kept most of the decor from the previous owners, and cheaped out on hiring a real designer for the rest, relying on Pinterest instead. Big mistake. Huge. If you know you're not going to redecorate for a very long time, then it's a good idea to buy more timeless, traditional pieces. Going with the trend of the year means you're setting yourself up to need a redo within the decade, and that's a waste of money. You can't take the no class out of that girl.

They're doing something I learned not to do furniture shopping. Don't walk into the store blind trying to find your vision. Look online first and try to know exactly what you want and what store to find it at. We've avoided a whole lot of up-selling and misdirection this way. Incidentally, the couch we just picked out, which is one of the most competitively priced yet best reviewed couches you can find (Pacific Beach designs, if you're interested), was conveniently hidden at the back of the store. They don't want you to buy that good couch, and they won't steer you that way if you go in cold. That's for smart people who find it online.

The big reveal is finally here. This woman makes my blood pressure go up, I can't imagine what she does to her own children This should be a purely happy moment, full of anticipation and excitement. Instead Kate takes it upon herself to lecture them firmly and in my view very nastily about how they need to keep these rooms nice and organized and pick up after themselves.

I have an idea. If someone is being messy and disrespectful of their space, address it with that child individually, and when it happens. The kids look at her in a daze, as why wouldn't they, as they have done nothing wrong. They haven't even seen the new rooms yet to mess them up. And I have another newsflash for Kate. Her children are teens and pre-teens. She will spend the better part of the next six years telling them to clean up after themselves, if it's that important to her. That's just part of having kids this age, and it's probably caused by a number of reasons. They don't have a concept that you pay for the space you live in, or understand what money is even worth, which often motives older people to keep it nice and protect your investment, they have many other more important things on their mind like school and friends, they could be just going through a slob stage or lazy stage, or very likely, they are modeling adults who are messy, like Kate herself, who (it's all on film) lives in a very cluttered and disorganized home where nothing seems to have its place. Kids also don't have enough life experience to understand why a mess is such a big problem (it gets harder to clean up the more it sets, it makes the rest of your life feel chaotic, you can't find things in the rubble, it's embarrassing when guests come over, etc.). Bottom line, messiness is normal in a child, and most outgrow it with help and encouragement, and most of all, patience and some compassion for their emotional development. There will be plenty of time to lecture them on this point, can they just have some calm and peace for once?

For once the boys get to go first, which is nice. Their room is, clean, I guess, and they're very appreciative. It has the wood paneling and trim everywhere as we saw before, and cool cubbies below each of the three windows. They're cute, Joel says he was so excited it was like that feeling when you're on a rollercoaster. Collin say his stomach did a U-turn, heh! What are they, 11 here? That is the best age ever.

No boys in girls room and no girls in boys? Seems like they're a little old for such a strict rule. Couldn't the rule just be, knock first?

The room is pretty bare, though, even though the boys adore it. There is nothing in there but the beds and a few pieces of ugly furniture. I hope they get to hang some cool stuff on the walls at some point. Other shows have had designers come in and do a really cool remodel of a kids' room. Check out Chip and Joanne Gaines' and what they did to a boys' room.


The vintage clock and fan, the bar, the live baits sign, the canoe acting as a window box, and the center area with some seating and a coffee table, all take a room from "meh" to marvelous. The Gaines room is the difference between kids saying, wow, thanks, it's nice, to MIND BLOWN.

I'm glad the boys appreciate this, that's benevolent of them, but it could have been so, so much more on the same or similar budget, too. What a shame.

The younger girls' room is sadly, just as uneventful. There is literally nothing in there but three beds, two dressers, and these rather dumb white boxes to store girl stuff that will end up mostly collecting dust within a year or two. Kate is so proud of the oddest things, it gets embarrassing.

So really, this wasn't a remodel or reboot even at all. Nothing cool came out of it. It was painting a few walls, and moving some furniture around. There's a Yiddish word for that, where you just move things around, fuss with things, only to be right back to where you started. Darn it, what is that?

The girls are getting lectured again? Wtf, they're not doing anything wrong but being happy about their new rooms!

Finally Mady and Cara's room. I see now, we started with the least important group, the boys, and are building up to the real stars of the show, the twins. If it's possible, the twins' rooms are even less interesting than the others. There is nothing going on there. I feel like these look very different than the twins' rooms we saw in later years. Please tell me a designer took pity on what we're seeing here and came in and did something real finally. Hm.

Kids never appreciate things, says Kate. That's not true at all. Not never, anyway, so don't say that! First of all, her boys have proven to be very appreciative of much of what she does for them. Furthermore, an adult usually must teach a child to feel and act appreciative, it often does not come naturally. So if her kids are ungrateful, that's her fault. She is the one who doesn't appreciate things, as she actually complains with a straight face that their mansion is feeling smaller and smaller the older the kids get. Well, then, toss some of their stuff, and get rid of your own piles of clutter. You'd be amazed how huge the house becomes.

No little kids in our rooms! Cara gripes. Cara, stop being eight years old. Until next time.

482 sediments (sic) from readers:

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foxy said... 1

I would never be able to live in that family. It is amazing that those kids have not completely broken down. I think this is one reason she keeps them cloistered and away from real people and families. They must think this is how it is. Sad really. I am one of twelve kids and we had 3 or 4 to a room. Having our room would never have happened.

Layla said... 2

What a random episode. It's pretty clear that, even 2 years ago, they were having a hard time filling the whole 42 minutes or whatever to make a whole episode. So they throw in some random, mundane activities and Kate rambles on about nothing. It was time, even way back them, for them to take a break. They're boring.

Layla said... 3

It worked!! I am now on Blogger! I have a profile and everything. The pic is the older of our two Aussies. He's giving me his "you really need to give me a treat right now" look. I'm feeling proud of myself right now, It only took me 6 years to get this done!

Dmasy said... 4

Layla, Congratulations. Your dog is a beauty.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 5


What a random episode. It's pretty clear that, even 2 years ago, they were having a hard time filling the whole 42 minutes or whatever to make a whole episode. So they throw in some random, mundane activities and Kate rambles on about nothing. It was time, even way back them, for them to take a break. They're boring.


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What I can't work out is why on earth didn't they fork the money in the budget and have a designer come in and give them something special? Surely they could have made it up somewhere else in the budget, and it would have paid off in higher ratings.

The "reveal" of the room was humiliating. I'm not saying a kid should have a 5 star upgrade, far from it, but if you're going to make an EPISODE about it, do it for the viewers so that it's interesting.

Here's the blog post Pioneer Woman did when her girls had their room redone.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/life-and-style/girls-bedroom-by-novogratz/

Notice, too, how instead of saying negative things about her children to her readers, she talks about how the girls put up with so much living so far away from everyone on a ranch, and they pitch in and help out wherever they can, and they DESERVE this nice room.

Pioneer Woman is just a nice person. Kate is not.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 6

I would never be able to live in that family. It is amazing that those kids have not completely broken down.

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Well, I think Collin did.

Day after day, the nagging and negativity and yelling at them for no god damn reason? Eventually it catches up. In droves.

It is really, really awful to live with such an emotional vortex. They will either become just like her, or want out and far, far away.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 7

Considering what's happening in Charlotte VA and New York, is it appropriate to have a nazi symbol on your blog? Seriously we know you support Trump but a nazi emblem?

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It's a historic antique calendar, and it's a play on how regimented Kate insists the family be.

I don't know what's appropriate or inappropriate in light of this or that. I don't worry about things like that when I'm writing recaps, I'd go nuts. I'm fully confident though that it will not contribute a single thing to anything going on in this world.

Uh, Not said... 8

I don't know what's appropriate or inappropriate in light of this or that. I don't worry about things like that when I'm writing recaps, I'd go nuts. I'm fully confident though that it will not contribute a single thing to anything going on in this world.
********
Yeah, you made it quite obvious that you don't know what is inappropriate. Hint: Nazi jokes at this particular time are not appropriate. Tone deaf much?

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 9


I don't know what's appropriate or inappropriate in light of this or that. I don't worry about things like that when I'm writing recaps, I'd go nuts. I'm fully confident though that it will not contribute a single thing to anything going on in this world.
********
Yeah, you made it quite obvious that you don't know what is inappropriate. Hint: Nazi jokes at this particular time are not appropriate. Tone deaf much?


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It's your opinion Nazi jokes are not appropriate. I happen to think the Nazi jokes that are strictly about being very regimented and rule based are fine--my opinion, my recap, my blog. But I certainly don't subscribe to the view that one should completely alter anything and everything they write to coincide with current events. I am not a willow in the wind trying to twist and turn to react to this and that.

I wrote the part of the recap last week, days before anything ever happened in the news, by the way, so it was never even a factor.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 10

Sorry, it's not coming down. I don't play that way. The Hitler video has been on this blog for five years and no one complained or asked me to take it down.

http://www.realitytvkids.com/2012/03/no-more-booby-guard.html?m=1

I happen to think there's nothing wrong with laughing about bad things, that it's even a good thing. Laughter at the absurd or terrible is one way some human beings process them. See the fine film Life is Beautiful, which was showered with awards. If you haven't seen it, it's about a guy who makes a concentration camp into one big joke. Shutting things away not daring to breathe a word out of fear it's not P.C. is how people don't learn from past mistakes. Just my view.

Layla said... 11

Thanks, Dmasy! He's a big, furry, cuddly, ray of sunshine. Aussies are just the best dogs ever! No offense to other breeds.

Admin, I agree about having someone come in and help with decorating the kids' rooms. If they're going to bother to do them--and make such a big deal about it--why not make them look really nice? The kids have been working their little hineys off since infancy--they deserve nice rooms. But the rooms are better than the rest of the house, which is awful. With all that money, you'd think Kate would use some of it to give herself--and the kids--a beautiful environment to live in. But I guess if it looked good, people wouldn't buy her "piecing and patching" story. So it stays drab and shabby.

I'm off to watch a late-night movie with the boys. We're torn between either Hot Fuzz or Tucker and Dale Vs Evil. We love both! They are both available on Netflix right now, and if anyone here is looking for something scary and funny and really good all at the same time, those two fit the bill.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 12

Oh, and you're I KNOW YOUR SUPPORT TRUMP BUT comment, is way, way out of line.

There is not a single damn thing that suggests that there is a shred of anything about Trump that supports white supremacists (how many times must he denounce it before the far left is happy? A hundred good enough? And could we please expect more of our leaders rather than to just sit around making speeches denouncing things like so many have wasted the bulk of their time doing before?), and the insinuation that any one voter would have anything to do with this is frankly, absurdly offensive and uncalled for. You don't know me nor do you get to order me as to what should be on this blog.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 13

You did hear the guy has schizophrenia, right? This had nothing to do with any one view and everything to do with mental illness. He could have killed people in the name of Allah, Bob Marley, or the trolls, that really wasn't the point when mental illness is involved. Grow up.

Has anyone here said anything to hurt your sensibilities about how soft certain politicians have been on the DANGEROUSLY mentally ill in recent decades? Thinking that they should all be mixed in with everyone else and out of institutions where they can't hurt anyone?

Oh, you can bet I feel strongly about what we should be doing with the dangerously mentally ill. I could say blood is on your side's hands, but I didn't go there, did I? Nobody ever does, and WE SHOULD.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 14


Yes, your opinion, your recap and your blog. And some of the readers at your blog disagree with something in your recap on your blog and have the right to state their opinion.

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I was ordered to delete it. That goes far beyond just stating your opinion.

Literally the post was "DELETE IT."

That's not discourse, that's orders. One person's offenses doesn't get to dictate everyone's, as our fine Supreme Court has stated.

CC said... 15

Nazi jokes at this particular time are not appropriate. Tone deaf much?
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I don't have a problem with someone being offended by nazi jokes. But why just now? If you feel that way about nazi jokes, why wouldn't you feel that way all the time? I don't see why "now" would make it any more offensive.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 16

------
I don't have a problem with someone being offended by nazi jokes. But why just now? If you feel that way about nazi jokes, why wouldn't you feel that way all the time? I don't see why "now" would make it any more offensive.


$$$

That's what I'm trying to understand. Where was the offense at the Hitler video. Unfortunately by immediately invoking Trump in their protest, they outed themselves as merely still kicking wounds (still, really??) over Trump and not genuinely concerned over Nazism. My OH is Jewish by the way, and can tell the best nazi jokes. His great uncle was thrown out of a moving train to save his life. I am not ignorant to history.

AuntieAnn said... 17

Admin wrote,

She's waving her fingers so close to the camera her hand is starting to look double the size of her head.

====

Since you're under fire admin, here's another shot... those ain't fingers they're talons and they ARE twice the size of her head. Man-talons.

I remember trying to force myself to watch this episode but it was futile. A person can only take so much. Thanks for having the fortitude to watch and recap it. I do remember Collin's sad smiley face. I wish Kate had not traded in her children's lives for all the material gain, but she did and in the long run I have to for once agree with her. He definitely WILL be better off being separated from this debacle and his mother.



....I'll hijack this thread briefly to say thank you again to All of you for your kind words and condolensces. I wish there was a way to personally respond to each of you. You've lifted my spirits with your comments and at the same time caused me to regret not staying in touch if only for a short post. I feel like a runaway kid who left home without a note. That said, I will let each of you know when you post that I have read your comments and you will get a response from my glitter station no matter how long it takes.

Back to the thread topic discussion :o)

FlimsyFlamsy said... 18

Admin,thanks for this unexpected bonus recap! I guffawed at the Niagara Falls poncho line.

But, sigh, reading about sweet C and his excitement about his new room was so darn sad. He hasn't been in that room -- or that house -- for more than a year. Perhaps TFW was telegraphic his fate when she said they were running out of room. She is a horrible mother.

FlimsyFlamsy said... 19

AuntieAnne (#17), I was hoping our detasseling conversation yesterday might bring you back! Instead of a carrot, we were dangling an ear of corn.

FlimsyFlamsy said... 20

Oops -- I keep adding an "e" to Auntie Ann's name. I blame the pretzels. Oh, and, of course, Jon.

Mel said... 21

Auntie Ann...a runaway kid without a note...yes, that's how it was. But we're so happy that you came back!! Kinda like the prodigal son, much rejoicing upon the return of a beloved person.

Admin, some things are so ridiculous that I wouldn't even respond, delete without even reading.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 22

A former teacher of James Alex Fields Jr. has spoken out and said the man has been obsessed since he was a child, for almost a decade, a decade before Trump was ever a breath on anyone's lips. His teacher basically called him a nutjob. The school called him a "known issue." But of course their hands were tied because they're not allowed to do anything about kids like this. Let's discuss how our schools handle kids showing violent mental illness as they grow older, or don't handle. How many kids now have killed one or more people where we well KNEW when they were a child they had problems? Newtown, anyone? I read hundreds of pages of the investigation and was shocked at how aware the school system was of how nuts he was.

In other news, the FBI just arrested Jerry Drake Varnell in a terrorism investigation. Varnell almost executed a bomb plot. He's also schizophrenic (SURPRISE), and his mother says he believes he can spin gold, in additional to his extreme views on government (this one hates all government, not just some of it). He has a violent past but was out on probation.

No amount of help from their schools helped them, and the criminal justice system has deemed them fit to be put back into society to harm you. They need to be LOCKED UP. Unless you're willing to do that, you'll be back here ranting again on a Gosselin blog about Hitler calendars of all things the next time this happens. Shaking my head. Maybe someday you'll want to discuss these issues like a grown up and better yet contribute something to the world.

RoxyHelen said... 23

Admin, I think there are a few episodes you missed out on recapping from when the kids were even younger. Maybe if you get the chance, you could do one of those, it would be such a throw back. I don't remember which ones except for one called 8 movie makers(I remember the title because all I could think of was 8 money makers).

I vaguely remember a bit of this episode. It was boring. The more I think about it, the more likely it seems that poor Collin had some kind of nervous breakdown because of the hellish place he was living in.

I just skimmed the comments and someone mentioned on the last thread that Kate didn't like that Aaden had glasses and so she probably doesn't want to admit if Collin has special needs. I for one remember Kate lamenting Aaden was not completely normal because he had glasses. Am I the only one who remembers that? I think I remember being shocked by her phrasing.

RoxyHelen said... 24

AuntieAnn, I am so sorry for to hear about your husband! It is nice to see you back here!

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 25



Admin, I think there are a few episodes you missed out on recapping from when the kids were even younger. Maybe if you get the chance, you could do one of those, it would be such a throw back. I don't remember which ones except for one called 8 movie makers(I remember the title because all I could think of was 8 money makers).


&&&&

I think I'm down to just a few left I haven't recapped, and it's on the to do list. Treehouse & Chicks, The Finale, Cleaning House, Kate's Most Memorable Moments, Mother's Day Surprise, The Big FOUR Oh!, Birthday 11, 8 Movie Makers.

If you click on "recaps" to the right I've listed them all out. Let me know if you see anything else I missed!

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 26

By the way a couple lost recaps were because they disappeared from my DVR and I couldn't find a clean copy anywhere on Youtube. It looks like TLCgo has been putting ALL the Kate Plus 8 episodes up, even old ones. That makes it so much easier.

GollyGee said... 27


The younger girls' room is sadly, just as uneventful. There is literally nothing in there but three beds, two dressers, and these rather dumb white boxes to store girl stuff that will end up mostly collecting dust within a year or two. Kate is so proud of the oddest things, it gets embarrassing.

*************

If H, L and A are all in the same room, then WHY does their mother only have 2 dressers and the plastic boxes stand? Does H and L have one each and A has to fend for herself?

She is so freaking weird. Nothing on the walls, sterile, very minimal everything. IMO, huge sign of mental illness.

Then her room the way it looks would qualify for Horders.

One extreme to another!

FlimsyFlamsy said... 28

Admin (#25), it's sweet that you're so diligent about getting these recaps done for us. Especially knowing how busy you are with the new pad. And hopefully it's a distraction from some of the dismal things you deal with at work.

Yikes, that sounded suck-up-ish.
Don't worry -- I won't be asking you what you're making for dinner tonight!

Dmasy said... 29

Flimsy, if I got locked in a room with you and Auntie Ann and some rumspringa, I would probably laugh myself to death. Thanks for the big smiles.

Admin, thanks for a recap that reminds me that I actually did see this particular show.

FlimsyFlamsy said... 30

Dmasy (#29), awww, thanks for my half of the compliment! I'll let Auntie Ann respond to her half, if she can be torn away from her crepe paper and felt...

Jane said... 31

Lovely to see you back amongst blog buddies, Auntie Ann!

The past months must have been so difficult for you and your family, my sympathies to you.

Layla said... 32

Auntie Ann (17),
Your comment about man-talons reminds me of that Seinfeld episode about man hands. Jerry was creeped out by the fact that the woman he was dating had "man hands". That was the funniest episode! Now I have to find it online and watch it again.

Admin, thank you for suffering through these awful shows to give us a recap! I couldn't stomach them, that's for sure. Instead, I got to watch "Tucker and Dale Vs Evil" on Netflix with my boys, and laughed myself silly (again). Hillbillies, frat boys/sorority girls, a remote mountain cabin, a wood chipper, a chainsaw...what could go wrong? Tonight is going to be "Hot Fuzz", which is another of our favorites. Funny/scary British movie, starring the guy from Sean of the Dead. Good times.

Formerly Duped said... 33

I remember that episode. It was FULL of crying, shrieking, complaining.

Kate and Cara showed true colors in the pumpkin smashing and no one enjoyed the 'traditional' pumpkin carving.

Blowing In The Wind said... 34

Yikes, that sounded suck-up-ish.
Don't worry -- I won't be asking you what you're making for dinner tonight!

----------------

Ask Gladys. She's the designated, official window-peerer.

FlimsyFlamsy said... 35

Jane (#31), nice to see you posting!

NJGal51 said... 36

GollyGee....She is so freaking weird. Nothing on the walls, sterile, very minimal everything. IMO, huge sign of mental illness.
========
I hate to say this, but I don't have much on my walls and nothing on the walls in our bedroom. We never did put much on the walls but I think we got out of the habit after being stationed at Presidio SF and going through the Loma Prieta earthquake. I'm not mentally ill.....at least I don't think I am.

Jane said... 37

FlimsyFlamsy said... 35
Jane (#31), nice to see you posting!

............

Life's been hectic plus I was doing quite a bit of traveling. It's good to be here. :)

Nicky said... 38

When I saw this recap, I went back and watched the episode. Excruciating. A few things I noticed:

- Even though the walls were going to be painted over, by painting pics all over them, they just made the job harder for the painter. That drip, the thickness of the paint from the drawings, would make uneven walls. The painter most likely had to sand everything off before starting. Hopefully he charged her more for that. Dolt.

- Bets on her insisting on TLC buying air mattresses for all the kids - why wouldn't they just place their regular mattresses on the floor? Totally unnecessary expense IMO. And correct me if I'm wrong, but in the last episode for the bday party, weren't they unpacking new air mattresses for the girls?

- Admin - agree on the decor. Kate has no style at all. It is very 90's.

- Wasn't this supposed to be the new "laid back" Kate? Kids at that age aren't usually into the small details of noticing things out of place. I would drive myself crazy if I told my boys to pick up their clothes every time they were on the floor next to the hamper. That's why doors were made. My boys will clean up once they get sick of how messy their room is. And if they don't, that's when I will insist they do it.

- If the kids have been doing all these chores for all these years, wouldn't they have been "trained" to be tidy in the first place? This is why no amount of yelling and nagging will get you what you want. We've seen this time and time again. Not sure why her fans think she's such a great parent. Her own room is a pigsty and extremely cluttered - why would she expect different from her kids?

- There's no flipping way she moved all that furniture in by herself, and that's fine. Just don't act like you were slaving away by yourself to do it. I think she was annoyed at all the construction because she couldn't go back to bed after bus drop off with contractors in her house.

- I think she thought that she could squeeze out another episode at some point by re-doing her room. Guess she shouldn't have built the lesbian deck!

- Poor, poor, stressed Kate! I'm sure many of your fans can relate to a renovation in their million dollar house, while not having to work a regular job.

- Just UGH.

Susan1956 said... 39

Nicky said... 38

I think she was annoyed at all the construction because she couldn't go back to bed after bus drop off with contractors in her house.
**********************
Yep. Nobody interferes with Khate's sleep/naps. I think when it became clear that she was only going to get 3 episodes during the last (hopefully final) season, she knew she was going to have to make a few cuts in her expenses--like nanny services. Hence, all her bitching and moaning about no babysitter, no assistant, etc. all the way back in October at the time of the haunted barn episode. She was already anticipating the lack of childcare during school breaks and the summer, so no naps for her. Because God forbid, the kids start to become more independent without someone watching over them or horrors! get an extra snack or pick up the phone and call Jon.

Formerly Duped said... 40

TFW was flirting embarrassingly with the contractors.
-the white trinket boxes were too high for the girls to reach
-I think she mentioned Collin liking boxer shorts again in public, in the furniture store
-she put weird labels on things with painters' tape and signs: Hannah looked at her oddly


That's about all I remember other than the general nastiness in the family dynamics.

GollyGee said... 41

Jacob Roloff: Little People, Big World is SO FAKE!

Jacob Roloff is not a huge fan of Little People, Big World. We know that because he's made it ridiculously, astoundingly clear ever since he quit the show.

Jacob dislikes his family's show so much that after he quit, he also cut contact with his parents and his siblings for a long time.

Thankfully, he's mended his relationships with the rest of the Roloffs -- he's said as much, and we know it for sure thanks to his adorable presence at Molly's wedding last weekend.

But still, his hatred for the show remains.

In some new excerpts from his very first book, Verbing, he explains some of the issues he has with Little People, Big World.

In one section, he writes "The first few years of doing this show were pretty alright, just a few (dozen) extra people around the house and farm."

"The actual filming in that beginning period was subject to the events unfolding, that is, something happened then the cameras came running."

But then, "After the few first years of testing the waters, the whole process did a sort of flip where events became subject to the filming, that is, became more orchestrated than spontaneous, in a weird indistinguishable mix."

"That phase went on for a while, too, until turning into the dominantly orchestrated ordeal it is today."

This part isn't really anything we haven't heard before -- we know his main issue with the show is that he believes it's too staged.

He feels so strongly about the issue that in a rant he made on Instagram last year, he even said that "The family that is filmed is not my family."

They are the Roloff Characters and I have scarcely anything in common with them, nor do I want to be a character myself."

But in these new excerpts from Jacob's book, he delves a little deeper into the issue.

"Chief and simply, it forced me to grow up faster than normal (whatever a normal rate may be)," he writes.

"Doing on the fly interviews and formal ones alike forced me to answer certain questions about myself, my family and my life that I normally might not have wondered about for some years."

Sounds pretty tough, right? Especially when you think about how young Jacob was when he was on the show.

"One the one hand," he explains, "I'm stuck in front of a lens, symbolizing the millions of people that watch(ed) our show, left to my own devices of coping and getting attention that usually panned out great for The Brass in L.A."

"On the other hand, instantly, it forced me to evolve mentally way faster than I would have, I think, under circumstances of less pressure."

So it sounds like he's coming to terms with the whole thing -- and thank goodness, right?

And Jacob is only 20 years old, so he has plenty of time to process how weird it must have been to grow up on a reality show.

https://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2017/08/jacob-roloff-little-people-big-world-is-so-fake/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=JacobRoloffBookExcerpts

GollyGee said... 42

The painting scene was stupid and pointless. Why couldn't the kids each paint canvases to hang on the walls in their new rooms?

*****************

Because that is the way she rolls. She thrives on causing confusion, anxiety, extra unnecessary mundane work for whoever is helping her.

I hope the painters, carpenters charged her extra good for having to correct the work.

Why have the trinket boxes so high that they can't reach them? But she puts the kleenex box where the little can reach it and do some real damage and she retaliates.

Viscous cycle.

ncgirl said... 43

"I for one remember Kate lamenting Aaden was not completely normal because he had glasses. Am I the only one who remembers that?"

Oh, yes, classic Kate not being thankful for healthy children. There have been children with physical disabilities in other multiple families. One of the mothers, the Hayes woman, handled her child with cerebral palsy so well. Kate would have gone ballistic. Even an Outdaughtered daughter had to have eye surgery and now wears glasses at age 2.

Speaking of pumpkin carving, didn't they do that in a Jon and Kate show? The tups were small, and Kate was freaking out over the mess. She's still making pumpking carving fun all these years later. lol

JoyinVirginia said... 44

Thanks for the recap admin. A serious question: WHY did ANYONE EVER find this show interesting? Why did anyone ever think The Former Mrs Jon Gosselin would be a watchable tv personality?

Tucker's Mom said... 45

Because that is the way she rolls. She thrives on causing confusion, anxiety, extra unnecessary mundane work for whoever is helping her.

^^^^^
And dual realities for the kids. There's one reality when the cameras aren't rolling and an entirely different reality when they are.
Those kids go from Norman Rockwell to Orphan Annie.

FlimsyFlamsy said... 46

ncgirl (#44), TFW's lack of gratitude for...well, just about everything, is one of her most prominent personality traits. That's why it's so tone deaf when she points that out as some sort of character defect in her kids. Heifer, who do you think they learned it from?

MamaC said... 47

Oh wow LOL......latest Duggar gossip http://www.mommypage.com/08/2017/did-derick-dillard-move-pregnant-jill-home-to-stop-her-el-salvadorian-affair-new-photos-of-baby-samuel-pose-more-questions-than-answers/ape_shrd/?utm_source=ape_shrd

Sheepless In Seattle said... 48

I hope the painters, carpenters charged her extra good for having to correct the work.

--------------

Don't you mean charged TLC extra for having to do what she wanted them to do? Kate certainly didn't pay for the work, so why would she care?

JoyinVirginia said... 49

OT: its the anniversary of a special day. Here is an example of what one determined person can accomplish. One housewife, listening to her children, saved Jockeys Ridge sand dunes in Nags Head, North Carolina.

https://www.ncdcr.gov/blog/2016/08/15/jockey-ridges-patron-saint-carolista-baum

"On August 15, 1973, Carolista Fletcher Baum placed herself in the path of a bulldozer removing sand from Jockey’s Ridge and refused to move. The driver cut off the engine and talked with Baum, who, after some time, left the dune unscathed. When the operator left, Baum took the distributor cap so the machine would not start.

Baum received word of the bulldozer from her three children who long had climbed the dune for the spectacular views it offered.

Though local groups had talked about protecting the large dune from encroaching development for years, Baum was the driving force that made the idea a reality. She helped form the People to People to Preserve Jockey’s Ridge after her dramatic protest, raising money and organizing petition drives to capture the attention of state and local lawmakers.

She even drove to Raleigh every day for three weeks to keep the dune in the minds of legislators.

In 1973, the Division of Parks and Recreation issued a report in favor of preserving Jockey’s Ridge as a state park, and a year later the dune was declared a National Natural Landmark. When the General Assembly appropriated funds to create the park in 1975, the preservation of the dune was secured for generations to come."

Dmasy said... 50

OT: Has anyone seen the movie "Glass Castle" yet? I read the book by Jeannette Walls several years ago. Incredibly moving true story of dysfunctional parents and children who survive their peripatetic lifestyle.

I re-loaded the book onto my Kindle. I think I will read it again. Reviews of the movie are mostly very positive. Apparently Woody Harrelson gives an award winning performance.

Has anyone else read the book? Seen the movie?

Thanks.

Sheepless In Seattle said... 51

GollyGee....She is so freaking weird. Nothing on the walls, sterile, very minimal everything. IMO, huge sign of mental illness.
========
I hate to say this, but I don't have much on my walls and nothing on the walls in our bedroom. We never did put much on the walls but I think we got out of the habit after being stationed at Presidio SF and going through the Loma Prieta earthquake. I'm not mentally ill.....at least I don't think I am.

----------

LOL! Some people prefer "less is more" when they decorate a home. Kids' rooms don't have to have every single wall space taken up by posters and pictures and whatever. I prefer the clean uncluttered look, and I wouldn't say that I'm mentally ill...at least not most of the time. Maybe Kate just likes the rooms that way. Not everyone has the same taste in home decor and I really don't think it's a sign of mental illness.

There are other signs of that...

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 52

Clean and uncluttered looks better I agree, but I would say the pic I posted of the Gaines design looks very clean and uncluttered while still feeling professionally designed.

Do something to make it feel homey. Whether that's art or a cool sign or a fan, canoe, extra seating area, bar, whatever. The cubby holes below the windows were a small start but that was it. She did nothing to these rooms but shuffle things around. It's too bad.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 53

I was there when the children's room was redesigned at the home I nannied in. It was simple. They added some lovely long red curtains and bed spreads, painted a cool beach themed mural, added a surf board, and the furniture looked like what you might find at a Hawaiian beach house. It wasn't even that expensive. The kids were in heaven. I remember them covering my eyes to show me it. So cute!

Sherry Baby said... 54

Do something to make it feel homey. Whether that's art or a cool sign or a fan, canoe, extra seating area, bar, whatever

_____________
Yes, and you can always add things later. Start with somewhat of a blank canvas, and as the kids grow and develop interests, they can get creative and put up posters, bring in comfy chairs and whatever.

FlimsyFlamsy said... 55

Sherry Baby (#55), your comment about kids developing their individual interests reminded me of when TFW took the kids shopping, and actually had to ask J whether or not he liked basketball.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 56

They moved from one cell block to another and were tricked into being excited over it.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 57

Personally, I find it the epitome of classlessness to sit around critiquing another person's home. You have confused class with snobbery. As long as the home suits the people living in it, who gives a shit if the paint and furniture look dated? Not everyone aspires to a whom that looks professionally designed and many people do not feel compelled to re-do their home decor every decade on the off chance that they might invite some jerk over who snubs their nose.

$$$$

But no one sat around critiquing anyone else's home. That would be strange and inappropriate. What was critiqued was a family who chose to make an entire hour long episode about the remodel of their home. Do you honestly think it's fair to say no one should comment about the decor when that's the whole point of the episode? Comments were made about Kates home only, which she made public, right down to the blueprints. Nobody said anything about how you or anyone else lives. Live in squalor for all I care. It's not my business. Unless you want make an episode about it.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 58

I guess Kates rule about filming in the rooms went by the wayside. I guess she couldn't get the free remodel without going along. From Kate's interview with Oprah: "We don't film in the kids' room. It's a rule. They need their privacy."

Formerly Duped said... 59

I agree about no filming in bedrooms. I also think she should keep her remarks about underwear- she mentioned Collin's preferences, and that the younger girls leave them on the floor- left unsaid.
Her kids' privacy seems to mean nothing to her.I gather Mady was so upset because someone said her room was very untidy.Kate chucked out a laundry basket and a satchel of school books.

FlimsyFlamsy said... 60

Admin (#59), and shouldn't "privacy" also include stopping filming when your child is sobbing?

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 61


ncgirl (#44), TFW's lack of gratitude for...well, just about everything, is one of her most prominent personality traits. That's why it's so tone deaf when she points that out as some sort of character defect in her kids. Heifer, who do you think they learned it from?

&&&&

It was almost fascinating at the end of the episode to watch her lament that the kids just don't appreciate this whole remodel, and minutes later she was launching into how the house is just getting too small for the family and getting smaller.

Speechless.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 62

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/08/take-them-down-all-of-them.html

&&&&

Vanessa, I share his opinion 100%, that all Robert E. Lee statutes should come down. All of them.

I also think those that have a different opinion does not automatically mean they are "racist." There is a very compelling slippery slope argument, as you can find misdeeds, even very serious ones, in nearly every past leader who has a statue. It doesn't persuade me when it comes to Robert E. Lee statues, but it's a compelling argument nonetheless. Somewhere along the way people decided that they get to dictate what the national opinion will be, and frankly, it's arrogant. People need to start reading Supreme Court cases to have an understanding of the opinions that the people of this country are allowed to have, and why it's important to allow all opinions through the sieve, even ones you detest (see Nazi Germany if you don't understand why we shouldn't barrel through one "correct" opinion in this country, as the left seems intent on doing). The Supreme Court has even allowed through that sickening Westboro baptist church to protest military funerals. The decision was a whopping 8 to 1. I want to THROW UP. I can still hate Westboro with every fiber of my being (they even protested my own church once), but it doesn't mean I think they should be silenced. The two are not mutually exclusive, by our own law. Please don't assume that because someone does not want to shut down an entire body of opinions, that they share those opinions. By that logic, our entire Supreme Court is racist.

Sue said... 63

She is troubled that the younger girls don't want to move, and she offers to cancel the whole thing if it's going to make them this upset. That's nice of her, actually. I've said all along there is a kind soul in Mady, and I think it genuinely does upset her that her younger siblings are so ticked off about this move.

Just one person's opinion but I think Mady was upset because she wanted to change rooms and have a room of her own and the younger girls were not bending to her will right away. When she said something like "fine then we won't change" it wasn't because of their feelings but rather because she wasn't getting her way. That's my take on it anyway.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 64

Maybe it's time we not have statues to people at all, even good people. Everyone is human and everyone has flaws, sometimes big flaws. Once you start idolizing people, whether it's a politician, a reality star, a celeb, a historical figure, you can lose sight of objectivity. Maybe it's time we read about historical people in history books, their good qualities and their bad, instead of taking a selfie with their statue at some building.

Vanessa said... 65

My original comment was in response to yours about Trump admin. The link about the statues is just one of the ones I shared.

kris said... 66

Kate should have let the kids decide how their rooms would be decorated and what colors it would be. Kate could have narrowed it down to a couple/few colors and let them have the final decision. Then give each of them a wall of their own to express who they are. It's their room. Kate may think it's tacky what they do to it but it's ok, close the door. It's their space.

My son loves the Golden State Warriors Basketball Team and when we moved into our new house last year, we completely renovated it. I let him pick the paint colors for his room. So yes, he is now the proud owner of a bedroom that is blue and yellow. Did it use to make me want to cringe every time I walk in there? Yes. Is it his space? Yes. Does it make HIM happy? Yes. So then it's ok, I got over it. The walls are decorated with cool sports stuff that he's collected over the years (and stuff I've collected and given to him) all reflecting his favorite sports teams. He's got a big corkboard that is covered in cutouts of his favorite sport stars that he cut out of Sports Illustrated. I mean, his room is SO him. So that makes me happy. He's almost 12 and his room looks like a 12 year old boys room. He loves it and one day, he'll tire of the color and I'll gladly paint it, lol. Kids feel secure when they feel like they have something that is theirs and IMO, their room should be that.

Formerly Duped said... 67

Mady and Cara could have had their own rooms up there- Kate showed the guest room, and she said ' they couldn't separate." They also had a bathroom to share. Nice little private area with a separate staircase- not sure why this room swap was necessary. Leah said their old room was great because they were so close, and also near to "Mommy." I noticed H and L share a closet and dresser, but L and A shared the bunkbeds and H had her own single- maybe that accommodates the headaches.Their new room didn't look that much bigger.Or Hannah could have had that 'guestroom.'

Nicky said... 68

I agree with you Admin, regarding statues. When people attach their being to a symbol, whether it be a statue or to a politician in a certain office, no righteous outcome can be had by anyone. I've said it before here - how did who you vote for become who a person is? I won't pretend to know what it feels like fo be anything other than what I am - a middle class white woman. But I can empathize and understand what all the opposition is about.
Yes, those hateful people have the freedom to spout the garbage they do. But this isn't about statues at all. I don't know the US's history regarding all of this - just bits and pieces here and there. We don't learn specifically about that in Canada, just as you don't learn about our specifics here. We have our own sordid past regarding First Nations, and still have not made it right to this day. I am heartsick for your country. This is a terrible thing to watch.

Sad but true said... 69

On the strength of no press, no tweets, and a handful of extremely mediocre IG posts, K8's IG followers have been creeping up at the rate of 250-300 per day since the last episode aired. If this is not clear evidence of buying followers, I don't know what would be.

Gigi Be said... 70

I always loathed those red checkered curtains in the kitchen/ sitting room area. The decor in general is tacky in my opinion. I wonder if Kate has ever pitched a remodel episode?. She got a new deck, appliances, and a new kitchen after all.
Admin, yes you are right, the remodel of the bedrooms were average at best. You would expect better for reality tv and all the hoopla

foxy said... 71

InTouch has an article about the "torture" Kate doles out to her kids. I wonder if people will start listening now that so many are speaking out against the way she treats those kids.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 72

to this day. I am heartsick for your country. This is a terrible thing to watch.

$$$

The media has money to make. It's in their best interest to make it seem like there is a great upheaval happening everywhere. The reality is a couple fringe groups get bussed in and cause problems, and the only death that occurred was the result of a completely unrelated issue with severe mental illness that could have happened anywhere to anyone.

Hundreds of confederate statues are going down around the country with little to no fanfare. Even most confederate groups have been very cooperative and understanding about it. The Daughters of the Confederacy here just said they are absolutely fine with removing a confederate statue here in Hollywood, they are happy to comply with that request no questions asked. Their cooperation and reasonableness won't get reported by CNN because that's not interesting, and far, far too peaceful. It doesn't fit the narrative that all such groups must have as their only motivation racial bigotry.

FlimsyFlamsy said... 73

Kris (#68), I loved the story about your son's room! You seem so pleased to have made him happy, and that's something that TFW doesn't really ever display or convey. I've said it before: I don't think she experiences joy as a mother. She loves the things it's brought her: money, fame, attention, pity, etc. But motherhood itself? She's just not that into it.

RoxyHelen said... 74

The rule about not filming the kids rooms lasted about 3-4 years(well 5 but 2 years they didn't film at all so I don't count those). Until the tups were 4, when they moved into the new house, they even had fixed cameras installed in the bedrooms and filmed in there freely. After they moved in the new house, the new rule showed up, imo to hide that Jon slept in the spare bedroom that was allegedly Hannah's(keep in mind that it's just my speculation), maybe even do damage control and show they respect the kids' privacy (wasn't it around that time that relatives started to speak up and people wised up about the kids and their rights?). Once they started filming again after the 2 yrs hiatus, they started showing the rooms again because I suppose there was nothing to hide anymore. Until the new england stuff when, to the best of my recollection they showed the girls' rooms and any other rooms in the house except for the boys' (and here's why I am willing to believe that Kate segregated Collin). There was something to hide again.

kris said... 75

Thanks FlimsyFlamsy! :)

Anonymous said... 76

As a Canadian, I too am sick about what is happening in the U.S. I just don't understand how the first amendment can be used to protect Nazis; they are an evil that cannot be tolerated. I say that as an outsider I know, but I had relatives who fought and died in WW2 to wipe this scourge from the face of the earth.

bm

Layla said... 77

KRIS (68).
Kudos to you for letting your son express himself. I had to do the same thing when one of my sons decided to decorate his room in a Hawaiian/tiki kind of motif. It made me cringe, but he loved it. After a few years, however, he decided to go with something different, and I was so glad he did! He's such a well-rounded, happy guy now, and I think that being allowed to be creative and express himself helped him become the person he is now. If so, then it was worth it. Sometimes being a good mom means gritting our teeth, putting on a smile, and giving them free rein to do what makes them happy.

OT, but Natalee Holloway's father received information about where her body may have been buried. Human remains have been found right where the tip indicated. Maybe, finally, the mystery of her disappearance has been solved. I hope so, for her family's sake.

Formerly Duped said... 78

My son wanted to grow his hair long to cut and donate to Locks of Love. Great thing to do- he did it twice- but I hated the look.I felt I had to explain his appearance to every teacher, neighbor, stranger! Then I realized he was doing something very important to him and for others.
He is now a 'crew-cut' guy with a great job and his own apartment. So what if I didn't like the long hair and beanie look lol. I am very proud of him.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 79

Robert E. Lee's direct descendant grandson said he's just fine with removing his grandfather's statues. It's simply not true that the right, or confederate descendants, or anyone who is not a radical leftie, is being unreasonable and racist. I'm shocked some of the mainstream media is reporting this, as they like to pretend everyone is in the middle of a racist riot. Not so. In fact almost all removals of statues have gone down peacefully and successfully with support from all sides. America is strong and united in doing what's right. A few fringe groups that have always been around are not going to change that. Social media helps make them look bigger than they are but they can't stop what's happening.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 80


Yes but what has your President said??

$$$

Your president too. Or are you one of those not my president whiners. I assume you saw what he said. You seem to be paying close attention. He pointed out it's a slippery slope and that there are monuments of many slave owners no one wants taken down, and he condemned several times radical groups. He's allowed to have a frankly reasonable opinion it's a slippery slope just as I am allowed to have mine that it's not all that slippery. It's a complicated issue and even far left commenters admit that. God knows how we got to the point where everyone wants everyone to think the same, like robots. That's scary.

ncgirl said... 81

"InTouch has an article about the "torture" Kate doles out to her kids."

Yeah, it came out 2 days ago. It lists the past abuse allegations.

http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/kate-gosselin-child-abuse-139357

NJGal51 said... 82

My son's room went from sports guys to wrestling guys to Baywatch babes. He laughs about it now but back in the day he did love him some Pam Anderson.

Rainbowsandunicorns said... 83


OT, but Natalee Holloway's father received information about where her body may have been buried. Human remains have been found right where the tip indicated. Maybe, finally, the mystery of her disappearance has been solved. I hope so, for her family's sake.

-----
-----
I hope so, too. I just read the online story, but I have a feeling that this will turn out to be another Amelia Earhart wild goose chase.

Rainbowsandunicorns said... 84

After they moved in the new house, the new rule showed up, imo to hide that Jon slept in the spare bedroom that was allegedly Hannah's(keep in mind that it's just my speculation),

-----
-----

I didn't know that there was a spare room. I thought speculation was that he slept in the garage apartment.

Rainbowsandunicorns said... 85



But no one sat around critiquing anyone else's home. That would be strange and inappropriate. What was critiqued was a family who chose to make an entire hour long episode about the remodel of their home.

-----
-----

Actually, yes, a poster did criticize the kids' rooms as being cold and sterile, which prompted the comments about allowing them to decorate the rooms as their individual interests grew.

NJGal51 said... 86

Thanks for the link to the article ncgirl. Even though it's a rehash of what's been published before it's always good to see it and hope that it will open more eyes. I guess it's time for her to do a new IG post showing their happy, happy, nothing wrong in Gosselinland life!

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 87


Actually, yes, a poster did criticize the kids' rooms as being cold and sterile, which prompted the comments about allowing them to decorate the rooms as their individual interests grew.


$$$

The other poster acted like any random house was being criticized. That wasn't the case. A house whose decoration was the entire point of the episode certainly must be fair game. As for decorating it as their interests grow, that doesn't make sense to me---why can't they have decorations NOW? They can always change them later. There was nothing about that room that told me it belonged to them. If you're going to go to the trouble, at least try to give it a small personal touch. A kid should feel like something really belongs to them. It's important. See the Pioneer Woman's girls room.

foxy said... 88

On the room makeover episode one of the girls said they only have one set of sheets per bed and they get washed once a month. With all the money the kids earn you would think she would take in a sale at Target and spring for an extra set for them. M & C got all new bedding including throw pillows. Washing sheets once a month is really gross as far as I am concerned.

FlimsyFlamsy said... 89

foxy (#89), but you can bet The Duchess has more than one set of sheets for herself.

Sad but true said... 90

foxy said... 89

Sheets only washed once a month?! That is really gross, you'd think a nurse would know better than that. Especially with kids. Yuck.

I mean, WTF does she DO all day? How hard would it be to have the kids strip their own beds once a week before school; she could run 4 sets (at least) at a time in her washer, so that's two loads. (And she has TWO washers, right?) Then the kids make their own beds when they come home. At the ages of 13 and 16, please don't tell me these kids don't know how to make a bed. If they're not up to doing that much, then their training in basic life skills has been seriously neglected.

GollyGee said... 91

Since they are 13 years old, maybe one day they will be home and their mother gone from the hose for a couple of hours and they can wash the sheets themselves and she would never know it.

If they take a shower at night and get in their bed they have to lay on sheets and a pillowcase that is 3 and a half weeks dirty?

That defeats the purpose of that shower.

What a mentally, sick, horrible mother.

Over And Out said... 92

A kid should feel like something really belongs to them. It's important. See the Pioneer Woman's girls room.

((((

Not everyone has the same taste in room decor. Not everyone likes Pioneer Woman or her rooms. In fact, some can't even stand to watch Pioneer Woman cook.

Commenting for a friend! LOL!

LOL reminds me of LOM. Did Milo disclose the physician's decision on treatment?

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 93


Not everyone has the same taste in room decor. Not everyone likes Pioneer Woman or her rooms. In fact, some can't even stand to watch Pioneer Woman cook.

Commenting for a friend! LOL!


&&&&

I didn't show her room to say the DECOR should be just like hers (her decor isn't my style either, that's not the point), but rather to show how personal the room was to her girls. The point is not what decor they have. For instance, there was a knitting corner for one of the girls, because she loves to knit. Making a room personal to the child is not a "style", it's just nice.

Kate had no decor at all, nothing personal at all. Put something tacky in there, I don't care, as long as it meant something to the boys. For all the work these children have done for her, her D for effort remodel was embarrassing. She didn't give them a nice room. She merely SWITCHED their rooms (and as someone else said, they're not sure they followed exactly what was the point of switching) Painting walls and buying a dresser is piddly.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 94

LOL reminds me of LOM. Did Milo disclose the physician's decision on treatment?

&&&&

Let's hope it's not Dr. Kevorkian on duty....

I kid, Milo.

RoxyHelen said... 95

Rainbowsandunicorns said... 85

After they moved in the new house, the new rule showed up, imo to hide that Jon slept in the spare bedroom that was allegedly Hannah's(keep in mind that it's just my speculation),

-----
-----

I didn't know that there was a spare room. I thought speculation was that he slept in the garage apartment.
-----------

The room Hannah allegedly had to herself.

FlimsyFlamsy said... 96

Soon we'll get a back-to-school post from TFW, where she'll say how much she's going to miss her kids. Yet why do I suspect she's counting the minutes until they go back? No shame in that -- having 7 kids to entertain all summer is a pretty big undertaking. But why claim she'll miss them? To make herself look like the kind, caring, attentive mother she's proven again and again that she isn't?

Formerly Duped said... 97

I'm not sure the kids do all those chores on the chore chart- except for the camera. I think the boys maybe do the lunch duty now, but they all seem so resistant to anything Kate says I doubt they still ( ever were?) as regimented as she would have us believe. Her stocked basement shelves were neat, in the recent episode where they went to Costco to compare it to ten years ago, but the garage was a mess, as seen I think in the Halloween episode or one of the new three. When they were cleaning the basement for the yard sale there was a lot of crying, shouting and kids just sitting there complaining. I think the not-a-housekeeper does it all, and the kids might have become as lazy as Kate.there is a lot of talk of messy rooms and we saw Kate's and the house in general. It's no favor not to teach your kids laundry, basic cooking, other everyday life skills nor should a parent do it after a certain age.Kate is just too lazy.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 98

Protestors being told to shut up and go away have found an unlikely alley in the ACLU, which, although under fire for it, is standing behind their defense of ALL people's First Amendment rights. No matter whether their opinion is very unpopular or even denounced repeatedly by the president.

"But we cannot stand by silently as the government repudiates the principles we have fought for -- and won -- in the courts when it violates clearly established First Amendment rights."

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/16/politics/aclu-free-speech-white-supremacy/index.html

The ACLU of all organizations gets why it's so important there not simply be one universal opinion in this country that everyone must conform to.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 99


I'm not sure the kids do all those chores on the chore chart- except for the camera. I think the boys maybe do the lunch duty now, but they all seem so resistant to anything Kate says I doubt they still (

&&&&

There was too much in the Room Project to recap EVERYTHING, but there was a rather odd exchange between Kate and the boys that I didn't recap and maybe I should have.

The boys come into the kitchen and Kate says did you feed the chickens? The boys say yes.

Kate says, did you REALLY feed them?

The boys say yes.

REALLY feed them? What does she mean? Has their been occasions when the children have claimed to take care of the chickens but didn't??

It's one thing to lie about not cleaning the toilets, but if there have been incidents of lying about caring for the chickens, that's very concerning.

Formerly Duped said... 100

I think Collin was the chicken boss. The other two boys are sweet but seem a little less dependable. Also in the yard sale episode Collin cleaned the entire shed on his own. This time i think Kate was trying to prove without HER routines during construction the whole house (and coop !) would go awry- she said the chickens were not laying the usual no. of eggs or something.But maybe the chickens have been forgotten at times and that may be why they got rid of them- too much work, especially without Collin.

Sue said... 101

Milo's updates on Lites Out Man accompanied by a picture of him standing there in a walking boot (shouldn't he have crutches if it's broken and shouldn't he have a cast?). The injury seems to be to his right side...his truck was hit on the driver's side so I would have thought that the injuries would have been to his left side from hitting the door but I don't know maybe he hit the center console. And not it's a "run away" garbage truck as opposed to a garbage truck running a stop sign. Kate still has not "liked" or commented on the updates.

So we are starting from the bottom & working our way up! Broken bone in his ankle and lots of bruising...So this fashionable boot he will be using. Next apt. he gets his swollen wrist and shoulder checked. Gradually hoping he gets back on his feet. This is the same leg he broke in 3 places a couple of yrs ago. He's being called the #Survivor. Not every day you expect to be hit by a #RunAway garbage truck and live to tell it. #AccidentsHappen #TimeAndUnforseenOccurrences # YourHealthIsWealth #CountYourBlessings

They did routine xrays in ER. Sent him home w/army in a sling...put lidocaine wrap on his wrist w/instructions to see an orthopedic surgeon for follow up. Appts. This Thurs & Fri.

Tucker's Mom said... 102

FlimsyFlamsy said... 98
Soon we'll get a back-to-school post from TFW, where she'll say how much she's going to miss her kids
^^^^^
And how it takes her the entire month of August to get her kids ready to go back to school.
Well, with 7 kids, it might take less time.

Tucker's Mom said... 103

Just like she did when the "Daddy Don't Go" video did the rounds. She made up some BS story about how the kids all put on a "Welcome Home Mommy" concert when the tups got home. Yeah right. I bet what REALLY happened is she spanked them until they "happied up".
*****
Robert's accounts of Kate's comings and goings when she was flitting about the country with Steve were so sad.
Those kids nary got any affection as Kate whirled in, repacked her bags and left again.
She didn't even give those kids a backwards glance.

Tucker's Mom said... 104

Kate had no decor at all, nothing personal at all
^^^^^
I think Kate has no decorating sense whatsoever, but that's one thing.
What's sad is those kids' rooms have always been totally void of warmth.
I remember seeing mattresses on the floor in the Etown house.
WTH with that?
I had posters and horses plastered all over my walls and doors.
And trophies and a piggy bank and keepsakes...
I loved my room ;-)

Sue said... 105

And not it's a "run away" garbage truck as opposed to a garbage truck running a stop sign. Kate still has not "liked" or commented on the updates.

That should read "And NOW it's a "run away".......

Tucker's Mom said... 106

At the ages of 13 and 16, please don't tell me these kids don't know how to make a bed. If they're not up to doing that much, then their training in basic life skills has been seriously neglected.
^^^
The kids have grown up with domestic help all of their lives.
Remember when Kate couldn't even be bothered to teach them how to tie their shoes?

Tucker's Mom said... 107

FlimsyFlamsy said... 90
foxy (#89), but you can bet The Duchess has more than one set of sheets for herself.
^^^^
Kate's entire bedroom gives me the willies. From the dated walls to the clutter and trash, to the same bedding for years now.
It never changes!
We allow our dogs on the bed, but I insist on a cover sheet which gets de-haired daily and changed every few days.

I really think Kate lets bedding and clothes get way too dirty.

Tucker's Mom said... 108

Washing sheets once a month is really gross as far as I am concerned.
^^^
It's nasty.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 109

I really doubt the county would have a run away garbage truck, the lawsuits they're exposing themselves to would be astronomical. And this negligence would have made news. Sorry Milo calling BS on this one.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 110


Huge "huuuuge" difference between protesting and Nazis, KKK and White supremacists chanting "Jews will not replace" us carrying weapons and semi automatics and knives. Its hate speech and hate crimes. But please, keep on defending your position and not allowing others to be posted, in their entirety.

)$$$

Granting any credibility to racist groups is reprehensible, but what do you think of the far left group Antifa? Not hate speech? Innocent in all this? Where is your outrage toward them? Can't we at least agree both sides have been very violent? I mean it's all on film.

Tucker's Mom said... 111

My son loves the Golden State Warriors Basketball Team and when we moved into our new house last year, we completely renovated it. I let him pick the paint colors for his room. So yes, he is now the proud owner of a bedroom that is blue and yellow. Did it use to make me want to cringe every time I walk in there? Yes. Is it his space? Yes. Does it make HIM happy? Yes. So then it's ok, I got over it. The walls are decorated with cool sports stuff that he's collected over the years (and stuff I've collected and given to him) all reflecting his favorite sports teams. He's got a big corkboard that is covered in cutouts of his favorite sport stars that he cut out of Sports Illustrated. I mean, his room is SO him. So that makes me happy. He's almost 12 and his room looks like a 12 year old boys room. He loves it and one day, he'll tire of the color and I'll gladly paint it, lol. Kids feel secure when they feel like they have something that is theirs and IMO, their room should be that.
^^^
I love it, kris!
You don't need to be a HGTV decorator to give your kids a great room.
The fact that 3 children occupy one bedroom, it it is void of anything personal is really creepy and sad.
The thing is, I can't imagine that it never occurred to the kids to put things up on their walls and doors. Can't imagine!
Which makes me think it's Kate's rule that nothing goes up.

Tucker's Mom said... 112

It was almost fascinating at the end of the episode to watch her lament that the kids just don't appreciate this whole remodel, and minutes later she was launching into how the house is just getting too small for the family and getting smaller.

Speechless.
^^^
Kate is clueless and tone deaf. She never fails to feel sorry for herself.
That house is enormous.
Big.
HUGE.

Tucker's Mom said... 113

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 59
I guess Kates rule about filming in the rooms went by the wayside. I guess she couldn't get the free remodel without going along. From Kate's interview with Oprah: "We don't film in the kids' room. It's a rule. They need their privacy."
^^^
Kate is a lying liar who lies.
It's actually scary to watch her lie with those dead eyes. She feels nothing as she looks someone in the eye and lies for her own benefit.

Layla said... 114

Admin (94)
The only point of the whole room project was to have TLC pay for refinishing the basement room for the boys. And for new bedroom furniture for all the kids (most of it did look like it was new). It appears that Kate never spends her own money on the house if she can help it--just like she never spends her own money on the kids if she can get someone else to do it. As soon as the show came back, she was busy grifting home repairs. Unfortunately for her, ratings went down so fast that she didn't get all the things she wanted for free. She claims to have paid for the deck (at a greatly reduced rate, I'm sure, in exchange for advertising for the deck company). And she also mentioned a new roof. She complained many years ago about the roof leaking. Why wait years and years to have it replaced? Answer: because you want someone else to pay for it. That's probably why she hasn't redecorated the rest of the house--she was holding out on an episode so she could get it for free. Even some new curtains and paint would be a huge improvement. The furniture is the same stuff she got for free from Lane almost 10 years ago. But if she has to pay for the replacements, then there won't be any replacements.

Tucker's Mom said... 115

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 111
I really doubt the county would have a run away garbage truck, the lawsuits they're exposing themselves to would be astronomical. And this negligence would have made news. Sorry Milo calling BS on this one.
^^^
Yeah, me too. WTH is a "runaway truck" anyway?

Tucker's Mom said... 116

Huge "huuuuge" difference between protesting and Nazis, KKK and White supremacists chanting "Jews will not replace" us carrying weapons and semi automatics and knives. Its hate speech and hate crimes. But please, keep on defending your position and not allowing others to be posted, in their entirety.

^^^^^^
Hate speech is a crime now? Were the KKK and white supremacists yelling "FIRE!" in a movie theater?

Admin, I followed the Westboro Baptist Church case and was initially appalled by the decision that allows them to continue their hateful protests.
However, it eventually gave me a deeper appreciation of our 1st amendment rights and wow, what a great country we live in.
No, trolls, not the hate speech, but the freedom to speak without arrest, injury or even death.

Tucker's Mom said... 117

Granting any credibility to racist groups is reprehensible, but what do you think of the far left group Antifa? Not hate speech? Innocent in all this? Where is your outrage toward them? Can't we at least agree both sides have been very violent? I mean it's all on film.
August 17, 2017 at 8:34 AM
^^^^
Whether it's Berkely or Portland or Charlottesville, there's one common denominator in every violent and destructive protest, and that's ANTIFA.

Tucker's Mom said... 118

Answer: because you want someone else to pay for it. That's probably why she hasn't redecorated the rest of the house--she was holding out on an episode so she could get it for free
^^^
I'm surprised that Kate didn't wrangle a master en suite redo out of TLC.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 119


Fight FIRE with FIRE. I sure as hell wish the Jews during the Holocaust had raised arms AGAINST racism, purging "non pure races" against the Final Solution

$$$

Ok. But surely you can understand why someone would observe all the violence and conclude both sides bear some fault.

It gets to the point where you can't even tell who started it. You also have to be careful that the more violent you are the more you make the other side look like victims. Their call, but be careful.

At least you acknowledge the far left has been extremely violent. Some won't. That's a really good start.

Layla said... 120

Tucker's Mom (109-110)

You'd think she'd at least have duvet covers, which can be removed and washed. Our dogs are always jumping up on the bed, so I bought two duvet covers so that I always have one on the bed while the other is being washed. Her comforter must be nasty! She also mentioned years ago that she made the kids re-use towels "hygienically" to keep her laundry under control. Considering that she only feels the need to wash sheets once a month, I'd guess those towels get pretty nasty by the time she decides to do something about it.

Dmasy said... 121

My siblings and I grew up in a big old farmhouse. The girls shared upstairs and over-sized bedrooms. It was an un-heated upstairs -- just the beautiful iron grates that allowed heat to rise from the downstairs. (Indiana has cold Winters!)

I remember one year when I was about 10-12. The sister I shared with and I didn't agree on decorating or neatness. I'll just claim that I was the neat one and she was the untidy one. My story!

We drew a chalk outline on the linoleum floor. Her side. My side. And, a common walkway to the tiny closet and the entry door. Mom did refuse to allow us to hang a separating curtain across the room. Probably because there wasn't a structural way to span the room.

We adhered fiercely to the chalk boundaries. She had a pet turtle living in a smelly plastic habitat on her side of the room. One day Hamlet escaped and made his slow progress to my sanctuary side. I watched him crawl over the line. I knew I would demand that my sister beg and plead and promise something "valuable" for me to allow her to cross over to collect the turtle.

Well...I might have been the neater sister, but I guess I wasn't the nicer one.

JustMissy said... 122

All this talk about room decorating and lack of personal items brought something to mind. Have you ever seen a drawing on the fridge or some other kids artwork anywhere in that house? Something on display that shows the kids creativity? I may be wrong, but I honestly don't remember seeing that. Anyone with kids in school or preschool knows that you are flooded with art projects daily and kids like you to display it prominently - it makes them proud and happy. And wasn't this the episode where she complained about the boys room stinking like boys and that they never flush the toilet? All the episodes blend together with her whining and complaining.

Layla said... 123

Tucker's Mom (120)
I'm sure she tried to pitch lots of home remodeling projects out of TLC, but they said no. She probably had a long list of things for them to remodel/build/redecorate for her. She's used to getting whatever she wants from them. TLC, of course, needed to nip that in the bud or they'd be paying for the same for all of their "talent".

kris said... 124

Dmasy #122 - Ha-ha! I can just picture it!

jolie Jacquelyn said... 125

Dmasy said... 51
OT: Has anyone seen the movie "Glass Castle" yet? I read the book by Jeannette Walls several years ago. Incredibly moving true story of dysfunctional parents and children who survive their peripatetic lifestyle.

I re-loaded the book onto my Kindle. I think I will read it again. Reviews of the movie are mostly very positive. Apparently Woody Harrelson gives an award winning performance.

Has anyone else read the book? Seen the movie?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I read the book Dmasy & couldn't put it down! Right from the first paragraph I was hooked. It's the true story of a grossly dysfunctional family where the children basically raised themselves. The fact they lived to adulthood, let alone lived to be successful, is amazing.

I saw the mother interviewed & she has no regrets - it's still all about her & only her.

I haven't seen the movie yet, but intend to.

Dmasy said... 126

jolie (127) -- I am going to the movie tomorrow. Going with two lady friends. I re-loaded the book onto my Kindle. I hope to have the time to read through some parts again this evening. I might want to re-read the entirety after the movie. I hope you get to see the movie soon.

Tucker's Mom said... 127

We adhered fiercely to the chalk boundaries. She had a pet turtle living in a smelly plastic habitat on her side of the room. One day Hamlet escaped and made his slow progress to my sanctuary side. I watched him crawl over the line. I knew I would demand that my sister beg and plead and promise something "valuable" for me to allow her to cross over to collect the turtle.

Well...I might have been the neater sister, but I guess I wasn't the nicer one.

^^^
That's a great story!
I was a SLOB. My brother was so neat and his room so clean. He vacuumed every week.
I would have vacuumed if there wasn't clothing all over my floor.

I'm a neatnik now ;-)


But, yeah, my poor mother!

RoxyHelen said... 128

JustMissy said... 124

All this talk about room decorating and lack of personal items brought something to mind. Have you ever seen a drawing on the fridge or some other kids artwork anywhere in that house? Something on display that shows the kids creativity? I may be wrong, but I honestly don't remember seeing that.

-------------

Back when the kids were little, Kate said they throw most of that stuff away because with 8 kids they'd be overrun by all the junk(not her exact words but that was the gist of it) so that could be an explanation.

Blowing In The Wind said... 129

I would bet that any projects go right into the trash can, just like she did with that woman's homemade crafts plaque as detailed in Robert's book.

Gigi Be said... 130

Soon we'll get a back-to-school post from TFW, where she'll say how much she's going to miss her kids
---/-------
Whatever will she do without TLC this year? No paid for backpacks, lunch boxes, clothing, while filming the "stress" of sending 7 teens to school.Maybe that's the real reason why she said she needed the laugh last week. The mediocre life gets her down.

Gigi Be said... 131

foxy (#89), but you can bet The Duchess has more than one set of sheets for herself.

And hopefully with the game show episode some of the kids were able to use some of those sheets even though they weren't nearly enough. There weren't a lot of them but hopefully some can be used as extras. Twin size is way cheaper than Kate's king sized. It's easy to find a good sale and get twin as low as twenty bucks or less.

Tucker's Mom said... 132

Whatever will she do without TLC this year? No paid for backpacks, lunch boxes, clothing, while filming the "stress" of sending 7 teens to school.Maybe that's the real reason why she said she needed the laugh last week. The mediocre life gets her down.

^^^^^^
Awaiting the very sad photo of 7 kids going off to their first day of school.

Had Jon come out of his hidey hole yet?

Very odd that he's awol on social media.

FYI said... 133

Granting any credibility to racist groups is reprehensible, but what do you think of the far left group Antifa? Not hate speech? Innocent in all this? Where is your outrage toward them? Can't we at least agree both sides have been very violent? I mean it's all on film.
------------

But isn't that what you and YOUR president are doing? You're giving the white supremacists credibility by attacking those that opposed their racist attitude.

I have a friend who lives in Charlottesville. The white supremacist demonstration had nothing to do with the removal of a statue. It was an excuse to demonstrate and put forth their hateful agenda. They already had a small rally there back in July, but they decided to rally their supporters to come back because they knew it would make national news.

I do agree that Antifa can be violent, but that doesn't dismiss the fact that the white supremacists came to Charlottesville armed to the hilt. If it was supposed to be a "peaceful" rally about removing a statue, why did they feel it necessary to arm themselves with rifles and guns and to have armed security protect them?

If there was no rally scheduled, there would have been no reason for the counter protests or attacks. YOUR president seems to forget that, as do you.

It's the same old argument--don't condemn the instigators, condemn those who acted against the instigators.

I said it once before, and I'll say it again, Admin. you are Trump's Milo.

And I doubt you'll print this whole comment, as you only cherry pick the statements that benefit YOUR agenda.

Goodbye, I'm done.

BTW, read your idol's latest tweets. He's promoting a fake news story about General Pershing. He says he need to have "facts" before he says anything regarding Charlottesville, but apparently he doesn't need them when referring to what is now happening in Barcelona.

Blowing In The Wind said... 134

OT for admin because I thought she'd get a chuckle out of it.

I was listening to headline news today and a report came up about a woman who purchased some 5,000 dollars worth of designer clothing from Macys. She was running a scam of sorts, taking the clothing home, removing the tags and somehow fastening the tags from the new clothing on old clothing in her closet (apparently some worn and dirty) and returned them to the store and got a full refund for her used clothing. She kept the newly purchased clothing. So she got $5,000 cash for her used items and new clothing for free.

Her defense attorney said it was Macy's fault because they have a lenient return policy.

foxy said... 135

Gigi 133...the sheets on the game show were red and King Size. They were HERS and not for the kids. She is so disgusting and hateful.

Tiger Lily said... 136

Tucker's 134 . . . . Maybe Collin is living with Jon? This might explain his "everything is good" comment and the reason why he has been quiet on social media.

Formerly Duped said... 137

Tiger Lily said... 137
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That would be nice, but Jon has posted a few pics of the 4 kids who see him- no Collin. And where would he go to school?

Tucker's Mom said... 138

Tiger Lily said... 137
Tucker's 134 . . . . Maybe Collin is living with Jon? This might explain his "everything is good" comment and the reason why he has been quiet on social media.
^^^
That would be great. Unless Collin is incarcerated, I can't imagine any place not getting him back home after an entire year.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 139


But isn't that what you and YOUR president are doing? You're giving the white supremacists credibility by attacking those that opposed their racist attitude.

$$$
Your president.

Antifa has given them plenty of credibility by behaving in exactly the same manner they condemn. When will they start taking responsibility?

Heroes And Villains said... 140

Nice, huh?

"A Democratic Missouri state senator from University City posted, then quickly deleted, a comment on Facebook saying she hoped President Donald Trump would be assassinated.

As a result of Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal’s comment, the U.S. Secret Service’s St. Louis field office is investigating and both Sen. Claire McCaskill and the chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party have called on her to resign."

She's not resigning. Says she made the comment because she is frustrated. Such immaturity. So much hatred.

RonnieandMaggie said... 141

I am pretty sure this moment has been discussed on this blog before: When will we see a picture of Zorro on Shoka's head. Here it is:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BX18yzpBMK3/?taken-by=zorrothebird

zorrothebird"Take me to the kitchen, I need some birdseed..." (this is safe for all animals involved! We wouldn't do it if it wasn't). #GiddyUp #ZorrotheBird #ShokatheGSD

GollyGee said... 142

Blowing In The Wind said... 131
I would bet that any projects go right into the trash can, just like she did with that woman's homemade crafts plaque as detailed in Robert's book.

*****************

It is wonderful that Robert rescued them out of her trash. They have a good home at his mother's house sitting on her piano.

Reminds me from years ago the mental hospital in Romania? and the children that were in there. So horrible. There was a young girl, in horrible condition, screaming, running around.

People in America started adopting these kids. They showed an update of the young girl. It was at Christmas and she had on a red sweater and was at the piano playing with her family!

Beauty from ashes!

IIRC, this was on 20/20 years ago.

Tucker's Mom said... 143

RonnieandMaggie said... 141
I am pretty sure this moment has been discussed on this blog before: When will we see a picture of Zorro on Shoka's head. Here it is:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BX18yzpBMK3/?taken-by=zorrothebird

zorrothebird"Take me to the kitchen, I need some birdseed..." (this is safe for all animals involved! We wouldn't do it if it wasn't). #GiddyUp #ZorrotheBird #ShokatheGSD
^^^^
OMG, why? Kate is such a child.

Sheepless In Seattle said... 144

zorrothebird"Take me to the kitchen, I need some birdseed..." (this is safe for all animals involved! We wouldn't do it if it wasn't). #GiddyUp #ZorrotheBird #ShokatheGSD

That is NEVER safe, never ever safe, and I don't care how docile and friendly the dog is. She is so stupid, careless and totally clueless. Idiot. She shouldn't even have a fish as a pet.

GollyGee said... 145

That is NEVER safe, never ever safe, and I don't care how docile and friendly the dog is. She is so stupid, careless and totally clueless. Idiot. She shouldn't even have a fish as a pet.

***************

This is so unacceptable. You do not do this! Shoka could attack him and Zorro will not be in this world again.

She is what almost 45 years old?

She is mentally 12 and a half, at best.

Sheepless In Seattle said... 146


This is so unacceptable. You do not do this! Shoka could attack him and Zorro will not be in this world again.

-----------

KATE! Stop it. Milo, if you read here, tell Kate that this is not safe and isn't cute.

What can happen is that the bird gets spooked and bites the dog. The dog retaliates and attacks the bird, and no more Zorro. I have a little rescue here whose leg had to be amputated because of a dog bite. Sweet little thing who has gone through so much, learning to perch with one leg.

Stop it, Kate. Your lack of knowledge about birds drives me crazy.

GollyGee said... 147

She treats the dogs, bird and the kids all the same as circus animals.

This is safe for all involved! We wouldn't do it if it wasn't! Giddy Up!

Kate code speak for:

I need another TLC check! Filming is safe for all involved! We will do this, even though it isn't.
The kids always #GiddyUp after being #Happied Up

GollyGee said... 148

I am beginning to wonder if Zorro has fallen into the curse of the 437th
Pink iPhone?

I don't see how that bird is still alive in that house! Him being thrown into that fake sham cake she was making for the tups birthday. He was traumatized when she was acting crazy and running water on him under the sink. Many times, the bird experts on this blog have basically said, what the heck is she doing?

She shouldn't be in charge of taking care of a cactus.

She could easily replace him. But the question is...how many times has she done it? Long gaps between posts. Wonder if she borrows or rents a Zorro double?

RonnieandMaggie said... 149

Of course Milo is crowing about what a great dog Shoka is while trying to elicit a response from K8.
miloandjack2016Haha...hey @zorrothebird riding in style at the favor of Shokies going the extra mile! And doing it w/a smile! @kateplusmy8
miloandjack2016What a "smooch of a pooch" Shokaman is! ❤ He really has developed a calm manner hasn't he? When did you realize these two could be buds? @kateplusmy8

Wowser said... 150

I agree with the comments about TFW being so ungrateful. When she was walking up the hill to the house after hanging the lights on the barn fence during the Halloween episode, she was bitching to Jamie about how much she hates doing all this stuff with "no help"....after Jamie and her kids were killing themselves in the kitchen and elsewhere with party preparation. I don't know how Jamie remains her friend or refrains from punching her in the face when she makes those comments.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 151

Can you show me where Antifa showed up carrying loaded guns? I don't call that "behaving in exactly the same manner".

$$$$

Sure. Here they are in Arizona, heavily armed. All on film. Mostly airsoft but very intimidating nonetheless. Terrorists. When will there be acknowledgment of this hypocrisy? Or will it always be pay no attention to the man behind the curtain?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CpSmW_wTaPM

MikeB said... 152

The "This is safe" comment is nothing more than a disclaimer. She knows it isn't safe, knows the viewers are going to be concerned for the bird, yet tries to portray herself as an expert who has the situation all under control. She's deluding herself.

That bird could easily make an unexpected move and the dog would instinctively defend itself, particularly if the bird got in the dog's face. I've got quite a few dogs and know even the best of friends will snap at each other. The disparity in size would be fatal for Zorro if Shoka bit it.

Layla said... 153

Wowser (150),

She cannot get over the fact that she has "no help"--it's crazy! If it's such a big deal, why not hire help? She has made many millions off those kids, there is no reason for her not to hire the help she needs. Or maybe it's a dig at TLC--perhaps she thinks they should provide people to do all the work for her. She definitely expected it in the past--remember the RV episode when she made a big show of stuffing bags under the RV, then pretended to break a nail? Her comment--"We need to stop playing 'we're filming a TV show' and get some real work done here because I'm really done"--says it all. In her opinion, the crew was there to do the "real" work for her. Filming the show (you know, their real jobs) was secondary to doing the work she wanted them to do. I wonder if TLC decided that the crew was not going to be her personal work force. She'd do the work herself (and bitch constantly about it) rather than part with any of her cash to hire help. The funny part is, viewers got pretty sick of all her complaining, and TLC probably didn't appreciate the digs at them. Her out-of-control resentment may have been a factor in them deciding to take a break from filming. She needed to learn a lesson in appreciation.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 154


The monuments are part of History. I don't understand all this craziness. Not one black person or white person protesting has ever o

$$$

Conzoleeza Rice said she is very concerned. She worries that if we erase all traces of the Civil War, we will stop discussing it with our children and they won't know and learn. Personally I don't think it's that big of a deal to remove the statues and that there are better ways to prompt discussion, but I see her point. The whole removal movement was barreled through by Black Lives Matter who has become The Only Opinion That Matters and everyone else is racist. They can't even fathom why there might be good reasons not to do what they want, or even that many blacks don't even agree with them. Frankly, this could have been done in a much more collaborative and peaceful manner had they chosen to. Not impressed. I do have very vivid memories of visiting D.C. For the first time and seeing Robert E Lee at Arlington and everything I learned by actually going in person to Civil War sites, graves and monuments. So much so I became a Civil War buff and wrote a historical novel about unrest in Missouri and Kansas during the war. Would I have developed the same interests without all those little Civil War trips I did as a child?? I don't know.

NJGal51 said... 155

The "This is safe" comment is nothing more than a disclaimer. She knows it isn't safe, knows the viewers are going to be concerned for the bird, yet tries to portray herself as an expert who has the situation all under control. She's deluding herself.
========
And that's exactly why she put it on Zorro's IG page and not her own. It's not safe, she knows it and she gets less hits on Zorro's page.

Milo professes to be such an animal lover so she should know that this isn't safe and rather than blathering on and on about how great it is she should be calling TFW out on in.

Formerly Duped said... 156

I think a good compromise was to put these statues in a Civil War museum. I agree we cannot let this period of history be forgotten, since the Holocaust impact is already staring to fade as concentration camp inmates are dying.We cant sweep history under the rug just by removing it. I also remember touring the battle sites and seeing the statues, memorials, houses with cannon holes, reenactment etc at Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Appomattox and others.

Wowser said... 157

Admin 153- I'm not sure if my earlier post went through but I'm agreeing with you in regards to history being erased and statues coming down etc. it's history! No black person in the last century has been a slave and no white person has been a slave owner. A black man I saw on a newscast yesterday made a good point. He thinks all of this is crazy. He said "I'm wearing a cotton shirt. The cotton industry was built on the backs of black slave cotton pickers..should we all stop wearing cotton shirts now too?"
My question is...with all the violence happening consistently every day, is our attention being drawn away from something more important that we are missing?? Things that make you go hmmmmmmm

GollyGee said... 158

I think that TFW is trying to cram down our throats a harmonious utopia at Gosselinland Manor.

The bird will ride on top of the dog's head.

And a little child named Katie Irene will lead them all.

Layla said... 159

MikeB (152)
Of course she knows it isn't safe, She's hoping to stir up controversy and get a mention somewhere online. Years ago, every questionable move she made became a trending story. She can't accept that she's old news and keeps up with her lame attempts to get attention.

jamesvader1194 said... 160

I hate to try and get into the political discussion but screw it,i can't hold back over how insane this country is going.@Admin even Charles Barkley stated this in this article “I’m 54 years old. I’ve never thought about those statues a day in my life. If you ask most black people, they haven’t thought a day in their lives about those stupid statues.”And no its not just civil war statues,some of them are seriously suggesting to take down statues of our founding fathers because you know they were racist for having slaves. http://www.bizpacreview.com/2017/08/18/charles-barkley-thing-two-say-statue-busting-antifa-not-going-like-526759

Confused said... 161

Are there people here (on this blog) who are saying statues and monuments should be taken down? I am truly confused.

Confused said... 162

I see why I'm confused.

Admin, your comments~~~
=
Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 64
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/08/take-them-down-all-of-them.html

&&&&

Vanessa, I share his opinion 100%, that all Robert E. Lee statutes should come down. All of them.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 66
Maybe it's time we not have statues to people at all, even good people. Everyone is human and everyone has flaws, sometimes big flaws. Once you start idolizing people, whether it's a politician, a reality star, a celeb, a historical figure, you can lose sight of objectivity. Maybe it's time we read about historical people in history books, their good qualities and their bad, instead of taking a selfie with their statue at some building.
---

~~~seem to be contradicting your comment #154.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 163


~~~seem to be contradicting your comment #154.


$$

How so? There's no question in my mind statues celebrating Robert E Lee should come down because it is causing more harm than good and it's not worth it, and even his ancestors and many historical groups are fine with it. I suggested that perhaps statues in general aren't necessarily the best way to honor people because it encourages idol worship and because all people have flaws. But picking and choosing who is worthy of idol worship and who isn't starts to get really dicey and as many leaders and academics have pointed out, a slippery slope. We can stop pretending this issue is cut and dry because it obviously isn't even to the academics.

Take 'Em Down said... 164

Wowser said... 157
No black person in the last century has been a slave and no white person has been a slave owner.
****************
When the century mark hits on the Holocaust, should Germany start erecting statues of Hitler because by then no one will be left who actually was murdered under his rule?

Museums, monuments such as the VietNam Memorial, etc. are perfectly lovely places to explore history. One doesn't need a statue of Robert E. Lee in the town square to learn about the Civil War.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 165


Don't worry about the Holocaust-groups of people argue it never happened. (Ridiculous). My point is -this country FIGHTS with each other about EVERYTHING and I find it pathetically disheartening and sad for our futures. The very groups that tout love trumps hate are hateful in their own defenses of what THEY think is right. It's hate all around and THAT'S what's going to destroy this country.


%%%%


Agree completely. Until all sides acknowledge how hateful, violent, nasty, and intolerant they have been, we will get nowhere. As long as one side continues to operate under the delusion they've done nothing wrong and in fact is dowright bullying the other into admitting they are completely innocent in all this, we will get nowhere.

Neither side here is coming up roses. Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 166


Museums, monuments such as the VietNam Memorial, etc. are perfectly lovely places to explore history. One doesn't need a statue of Robert E. Lee in the town square to learn about the Civil War.


&&&&

Yes, I think that works. I also don't mind monuments that feature more of a moment in time and anonymous, every day people. Austin has a lovely one on the capital of nameless pioneers. The Iwo Jima memorial is another nice one. If you make up something controversial about that, that's really a stretch!

The danger is in monuments to any one person in that they become idols. I don't think pre-existing ones all need to come down, but we should carefully consider the new ones we put up.

Joe Paterno and Bill Cosby both recently had monuments to them put up then taken down--proving the point you may be an idol with skeletons in your closet.

Tucker's Mom said... 167

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 165

Don't worry about the Holocaust-groups of people argue it never happened. (Ridiculous). My point is -this country FIGHTS with each other about EVERYTHING and I find it pathetically disheartening and sad for our futures. The very groups that tout love trumps hate are hateful in their own defenses of what THEY think is right. It's hate all around and THAT'S what's going to destroy this country.


%%%%


Agree completely.
^^^^^
Identity politics and tribalism where character assassination is a way of life.
I want to throw up just writing something I would not have been able to decode a year ago.

Sheepless In Seattle said... 168


Milo professes to be such an animal lover so she should know that this isn't safe and rather than blathering on and on about how great it is she should be calling TFW out on in.

----------

I don't have IG or any social media, but I wish I could post a picture of a bird that was attacked by a dog, a friendly dog that turned on a bird when the bird was spooked. Poor little thing had to learn to perch on one leg.

I don't think that Milo has any clue about parrots. Of course, Milo would still defend Kate, saying that Kate knows exactly what she is doing, she knows her pets, ad nauseam. Kate's been lucky so far. She keeps this up, and Zorro could very well be history. I've seen it happen.

Fleecing The Sheeple said... 169

”And no its not just civil war statues,some of them are seriously suggesting to take down statues of our founding fathers because you know they were racist for having slaves." http://www.bizpacreview.com/2017/08/18/charles-barkley-thing-two-say-statue-busting-antifa-not-going-like-526759

==============

So what should be done about Washington and Jefferson on Mt. Rushmore? Plant explosives and bring them down?

Of course, FDR could stay. Right, Kate?

jolie Jacquelyn said... 170

Dmasy, what did you think of The Glass Castle? Did you get a chance to reread parts of the book beforehand? I read that the movie isn't quite as good as the book, but I'd still like to see it.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 171

I seem to remember The Glass Castle being a recommendation here some time ago. I also have had it recommended by coworkers, as it's in part about hoarding, and we often see hoarding cases.

I've had it on my Kindle for a year, but haven't read it yet. The family has been reported to be extremely pleased with the movie.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 172



So what should be done about Washington and Jefferson on Mt. Rushmore? Plant explosives and bring them down?

Of course, FDR could stay. Right, Kate?


&&&&

Ha, I remember her arguing with her own children that was FDR.

Which proves the point monuments aren't really all that educating after all.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 173



As a Canadian, I too am sick about what is happening in the U.S. I just don't understand how the first amendment can be used to protect Nazis; they are an evil that cannot be tolerated.


&&&&


The U.S. has since its inception subscribed to the belief that the government should not tell people what to say and think and believe and if the government starts doing that, it's tyranny all over again. Part of that is letting through speech that is reprehensible, because what is reprehensible one day may not be the next, and you can't start picking and choosing for fear you could get it wrong. For example, at one time it was heinous to say you did not believe in God. But, we allowed the free speech begrudgingly, and now there are more atheists than ever as science has allowed for a lot more explanations of things that once only religion could provide. Now, it's okay to be an atheist and you usually don't encounter much trouble over it. There will always be speech that will always be wrong, but again, for much of it it's too hard to tell whether it really is wrong in that moment so some of it that truly is wrong is going to have to slip through.

There is also a belief that free speech must be out in the open to promote free discussion of government and a check on them.

Free speech is the very antithesis of the Nazis, but ironically, to be the antithesis of the Nazies, you also have to let them speak or you're doing exactly what they did.

And yeah, you're gonna hear things that make you sick. And you're going to want to throw up over groups like Westboro. But, better to have it all out on the open than behind closed doors, in secret, where you don't know it's happening until it's on your doorstep. I would rather know people think this way, than not.

It really gets to the point where if you have a problem with the first amendment and how our courts view it, maybe this is the wrong country for you. It's not going to change, and countries that don't subscribe to this view have time and time again imposed very hostile dictatorships on their citizens. Remember, you have as much free speech to disagree with what you're hearing as they do to say it.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 174

Uh oh, they did a survey that really isn't supporting the Black Lives Matter movement to take down all the statues.

Turns out, more than half of African Americans and more than half of liberals are fine if they stay (Maybe they would like to use it to start a conversation with their children about it, or who knows, because it would be pretty rare for a black person themselves to be racist and lord knows a liberal can't ever be racist, so it can't be THAT.) And a HUGE number of blacks said they actually really didnt' feel strongly about the issue one way or the other! LOL!!!!

And that's the problem when a group like Black Lives Matter acting as if they speak for everyone. In fact, they are speaking for a small minority, not the majority. In fact, a huge portion of the people they claim to represent don't find this issue all that interesting or important to them AT ALL. (I mean, it is just a pile of metal, so, I get it, who the F cares? These people are probably more concerned with making sure they can feed their children and make rent and have a job to go to--get a grip and start talking about real issues)

They're not listening to their own people, who are, majority rules, saying they would prefer to keep the monuments or that they simply don't care. They're going to alienate nearly everyone right down the line until all that's left is those terrorists Antifa, and then they're really screwed. Time to be a grown up.

https://today.yougov.com/news/2017/08/16/trumps-domestic-crisis-charlottesville-and-white-n/?belboon=031b3908984b04d39400589a,4711850,subid=38395X1559799Xd2ccc2d55fc6b829d86d5be3b431067a&pdl.rlid=203577

RealTime Mom said... 175

I can not believe it- the one time I want to think of Kate Gosselin and her stupid ass antics to take my mind off of reality and what are you guys talking about--REALITY!
I just want to go back to a peaceful world, where Kate acts like she's such a wonderful mother and takes great care of her kids with her wonderful husband Jon, who she thanks God every day for. And who by the way is broke, so if you could leave a blessing in that basket, that would be great! thanks!(Dream over!)

Time to wake up, realize Kate dumped Jon long ago, took up with the hired help, and did whatever she could to keep that gravy train going! I have never met a more determined woman than she is...Wow! I am only half kidding when I say, lets go back to talking about drivel!(btw, 'I'm in Boston, so please pray for a peaceful protest tomorrow) Thank you all for a very entertaining blog, as I say I love reading, don't post much, but I do love your posts.Goodnight!

Dmasy said... 176

jolie (173) -- OT. Glass Castle. SPOILERS.

Anytime a movie is made from a successful book there are bound to be compromises. There is a consolidation of events from the book. You will recognize the details of two stories twined together to make one revealing scene.

The book has such a delicate balance. Jeanette's words masterfully switch from the wide-eyed wonder of a child who adores her father to an adult who recognizes the depravation and danger of her childhood. The movie tries to capture that subtle "thru the eyes of..." But, it cannot be conveyed as skillfully on the screen as it was with her writing.

The parents are well played by the actors. But, they are given a "softer" personality. Her mother is portrayed as a childlike, optimistic dreamer in the movie. In the book you recognize that she is a self-absorbed narcissist who has babies she never intends to care for.

Jeanette is frightfully young in some of her stories. The burn accident occurred when she is 3 years old. The excellent child actresses who play her part are always older than Jeanette was at the time. In the movie she is probably 6 or 7 when she is burned. That age difference makes all of the tragic events less startling. Much of the real physical danger of her childhood is morphed into a more mental destruction.

I was with 2 friends. One had read the book and one hadn't. The lady without the background of the book was the most moved by the movie. Having read the book provided some valuable insight but probably diluted a very good movie.

What you do understand is that a child who has the DNA of a brilliant-alcoholic man and an artistic-dreamer mother can overcome a harsh and deprived childhood to become an amazing woman.

Jolie, I am re-reading the book. I think I also want to read some reviews of the movie to see if my impressions match other viewers.

Let me know what you think, please.

foxy said... 177

When Kate was at Mt. Rushmore she was reading from the pamphlet while they were looking at the faces and said, "yep, it's FDR". So I guess she can't read correctly or comprehend what she is reading.

Formerly Duped said... 178

RealTime Mom said... 178
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm in Metrowest, near Boston. I agree, let's hope this is a peaceful protest. Boston can get rowdy but the mayor says they are prepared for dealing with violence.

Jamesvader1194 said... 179

Fleecing The Sheeple 172 Believe it or not.Vice news actually wrote an article suggesting that.But they got backlash over it because that was the day a terrorist attack happen and they had to change the article to lets get rid of Mount Rushmore. Here is what they originally had.http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user5/imageroot/2017/08/12/rushmore%202.png

Sad but true said... 180

A new IG. Finally, Mak gets some press.

kateplusmy8 Maks new game... pull the horse! (Remember this horse? It was the 'fake Nanuq' in the crate a few weeks ago!) #Kids❤️ #Dogs❤️ #LaughterIsTheBestMedicine💊

Layla said... 181

Oh dear, I just read an article about an Alabama woman who is pregnant with sextuplets. She has an 8-year-old son and 5-year-old twin boys. They wanted "just one more", took fertility drugs, and viola! Sextuplets!
They've already been in touch with TLC.

Kate complains about how the house seems smaller and smaller, but she just needs to wait a bit longer for extra space. She's now down to 7 kids, and M&C will be off to college in 2 years. then there will only be 5--there will be room to spare. Her grumbling, of course, always has a purpose. Just like her complaints about not having help is an attempt to get TLC to provide her with domestic help, her complaints about lack of space are probably meant to pressure them into building an addition to her house. On their budget, of course, not hers. She's never satisfied with what they are willing to provide. No wonder they are taking a break.

foxy said... 182

I wonder how Kate would adapt to my childhood home. Three bedrooms, ONE bathroom, 12 kids and 2 parents. My mother was a stay at home mom until the youngest was in the 4th grade. Everybody did a little so nobody had to do a l ot and it worked out really well. We all were lucky enough to get college educations and appreciate what we had and not worry about what we didn't have.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 183


I wonder how Kate would adapt to my childhood home. Three bedrooms, ONE bathroom, 12 kids and 2 parents. My mother was a stay at home mom until the youngest was in the 4th grade. Everybody did a little so nobody had to do a l ot and it worked out really well. We all were lucky enough to get college educations and appreciate what we had and not worry about what we didn't have.


&&&&

Not as many kids! But also a three bedroom, one bath.

You know, growing up, it didn't cross my mind it was small, or that it was hard to share a bathroom with everyone. Or that we should live much more lavishly. I never heard my parents complain the house wasn't enough. We spent a lot of time outside or out and about in general. The house was mostly for eating and sleeping with our busy lives, and maybe watching the latest episode of Seinfeld, and it was plenty adequate for that.

You only get used to things being another way when you start experiencing it. The difference between Kate and those who are grateful, though, is that you appreciate the bounty you are blessed with in adulthood, and always appreciate your more humble roots.

swimgirl said... 184

Layla said... 183
Oh dear, I just read an article about an Alabama woman who is pregnant with sextuplets. She has an 8-year-old son and 5-year-old twin boys. They wanted "just one more", took fertility drugs, and viola! Sextuplets!
They've already been in touch with TLC.
*************************
Here's a link to the story. http://www.gadsdentimes.com/news/20170817/albertvilles-eric-and-courtney-waldrop-expecting-sextuplets-have-three-including-twins-already

They have a facebook page set up and fundraisers have begun. The parents say that God has a plan for them and they titled their page God's Divine Nine-Miracles in the Making - Waldrop Sextuplets. BTW, she's only 13 weeks pregnant.

Gigi Be said... 185

I grew up in a small two flat in the city. It was my sister and I and my parents. Two bedrooms and 1 bath. Tiny kitchen and living room. Only 2 teeny tiny closets in the whole place. My mom, sister and I shared one closet while my dad had the other. We had a decent size basement that always referred to as the dungeon because it was always dark, damp, and smelly. My sister and I had most of our toys there and we entertained ourselves very well. i became fed up as a teen because I wanted my own room and own closet space. But we were always struggling financially so moving wasn't an option at the time. My dad told me a story of his mom who was one of seven kids. His aunt and uncle shared a room. They had a small sheet that would separate both beds so that they could have privacy. Some of his other aunts and uncles slept on the couch. Dad wanted me to feel thankful for what I had. It was hard for me to understand at the time. At age 17, my parents got a little financial miracle and they bought a comfortable sized home in the burbs. I finally had gotten my life long wish,my own room.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 186


I always loathed those red checkered curtains in the kitchen/ sitting room area. The decor in general is tacky in my opinion. I wonder if Kate has ever pitched a remodel episode?. She got a new deck, appliances, and a new kitchen after all.


&&&&


Red checkered curtains circa 1998. A lovely relic.

I would say I'm sure she's pitched a remodel episode, but maybe not. I'm not sure she even knows how dated her house is. Style and panache are not her thing.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 187

. My dad told me a story of his mom who was one of seven kids. His aunt and uncle shared a room. They had a small sheet that would separate both beds so that they could have privacy. Some of his other aunts and uncles slept on the couch. Dad wanted me to feel thankful for what I had. It was hard for me to understand at the time. At age 17, my parents got a little financial miracle and they bought a comfortable sized home in the burbs. I finally had gotten my life long wish,my own room.

&&&


Yep. And people still live like this today. In Los Angeles, it's not uncommon to see eight, nine, ten or more people sharing a home. Two or three nuclear families, possibly related, and a tenant or two who is maybe a friend or cousin. When her drivel airs in neighborhoods like that, I really have to wonder.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 188


What you do understand is that a child who has the DNA of a brilliant-alcoholic man and an artistic-dreamer mother can overcome a harsh and deprived childhood to become an amazing woman.

&&&

The nature nurture thing is fascinating when it comes to child abuse. Some children come out of it very damaged, and end up abusers themselves or with otherwise sad lives. Others thrive. Go on to be very good people, get an education and a job and become good parents.

The same thing will happen to the Gosselins being raised by a narcissist. Some will be very damaged from it. Others will overcome it.

Susan1956 said... 189

swimgirl said... 187

Layla said... 183
Oh dear, I just read an article about an Alabama woman who is pregnant with sextuplets. She has an 8-year-old son and 5-year-old twin boys. They wanted "just one more", took fertility drugs, and viola! Sextuplets!
They've already been in touch with TLC.
*************************
Here's a link to the story. http://www.gadsdentimes.com/news/20170817/albertvilles-eric-and-courtney-waldrop-expecting-sextuplets-have-three-including-twins-already

They have a facebook page set up and fundraisers have begun. The parents say that God has a plan for them and they titled their page God's Divine Nine-Miracles in the Making - Waldrop Sextuplets. BTW, she's only 13 weeks pregnant.
**********************************
Well, I for one hope TLC takes a good hard look at their program schedule and passes. I think the fundraisers and donations are kind of a necessity and I'm sure the family will be able to get free diapers, formula, etc. from various companies. But for those expectant HOM couples who think they can put their lives on TV as a way to pay for the children's care and expenses, need to get out of that mindset & remember that there are thousands of large families, with and without HOM's, all over the US who support their children without being on TV every week. And those families' lives are quite ordinary, happy, and fulfilled. McCaughey septuplets, anyone?

The Waldrop father owns his own business for heaven's sake. Make sure it's being managed appropriately, get rid of any outstanding debt, talk to a financial planner and get ready. Sheesh.

Sherry Baby said... 190

When Kate was at Mt. Rushmore she was reading from the pamphlet while they were looking at the faces and said, "yep, it's FDR". So I guess she can't read correctly or comprehend what she is reading.

________________

Here's what was mind-boggling about that whole thing. You look at Mt. Rushmore. You can see that it's not FDR. I mean, it's big enough. Hadn't she ever seen one single photograph of FDR to know what he looked like? I know he and Teddy were something like fifth cousins but there was no physical resemblance between the two!

Susan1956 said... 191

Susan1956 said... 192

I just want to make it clear that I have nothing against the Waldrop family & was expressing my frustration re: HOM parents who seek to monetize their family circumstances. To be absolutely fair, I think (hope) we will never see again the lengths to which Jon and Khate took it. Although one has to blame TLC also as they encouraged her to come up with 'lists' of activities, etc. she wanted to do as a/for the family.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 192


Here's what was mind-boggling about that whole thing. You look at Mt. Rushmore. You can see that it's not FDR. I mean, it's big enough. Hadn't she ever seen one single photograph of FDR to know what he looked like? I


&&&&


I think, or maybe hope, she knows of the two men and of the difference between the two. I think she just had a brain fart/mix up in her mind and thought FDR was the initials of big game shooting Teddy. In other words she knew that was Teddy, but mixed up his initials. I noticed it's hard for information like that to really stick hard to her so you wouldn't ever mix that up, and she gets confused and mixed up easily.

Sherry Baby said... 193

Teddy. In other words she knew that was Teddy, but mixed up his initials. I noticed it's hard for information like that to really stick hard to her so you wouldn't ever mix that up, and she gets confused and mixed up easily.

________________

What were Teddy's initials? I really doubt that she knew that, or else I'm not understanding exactly what you mean. Did he have a middle name? I'm too lazy to look it up. I know he was a junior, but I can't remember ever hearing a middle name or him being referred to by initials, unless it was TRJ (Teddy Junior).

Too many Margaritas tonight.

GollyGee said... 194

foxy said... 180
When Kate was at Mt. Rushmore she was reading from the pamphlet while they were looking at the faces and said, "yep, it's FDR". So I guess she can't read correctly or comprehend what she is reading.

*************************

She kept on and on about it being FDR and I think that when she read the pamphlet and it said, Teddy Roosevelt, I think she didn't want to admit that she made a mistake to the kids and the world and just said, yep, FDR.

She would rather lie than admit she was wrong.

I checked and Teddy doesn't have a middle name.

foxy said... 195

Golly Gee 197....that is just it. Where would she get the initials FDR from the name Teddy Roosevelt. And he did not have a middle name. It was like she was proving she was correct in "knowing" it was FDR.

Tucker's Mom said... 196

I think, or maybe hope, she knows of the two men and of the difference between the two. I think she just had a brain fart/mix up in her mind and thought FDR was the initials of big game shooting Teddy. In other words she knew that was Teddy, but mixed up his initials.
^^^^
I think you're being too kind ;-)
I don't think Kate could name 1/10 of our U.S. Presidents. I think she's politically clueless, and that takes some serious effort in this day and age.

Tucker's Mom said... 197

I think, or maybe hope, she knows of the two men and of the difference between the two. I think she just had a brain fart/mix up in her mind and thought FDR was the initials of big game shooting Teddy. In other words she knew that was Teddy, but mixed up his initials.
^^^^^
The cycle continues. Kate wanted to be like another HOM family and now, Jon and Kate have spawned more crazy women who roll the dice with extremely dangerous pregnancies.

Hey, crazy people! A woman's uterus is not a clown car! It is only built for one and any more than that is very risky!

Tucker's Mom said... 198

The same thing will happen to the Gosselins being raised by a narcissist. Some will be very damaged from it. Others will overcome it.
^^^^
My money is on the kids who have a loving relationship with their father. The other 4 are at extremely high risk.

Tucker's Mom said... 199

I would say I'm sure she's pitched a remodel episode, but maybe not. I'm not sure she even knows how dated her house is. Style and panache are not her thing.
^^^^
I don't think Kate has a clue how dated her house is and I don't think she cares.
For as much as TLC has tried to make her Sally Homemaker, she's not someone who takes pride in her home.
It's become more and more of a disaster area over the years.

Tucker's Mom said... 200

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said... 186

I wonder how Kate would adapt to my childhood home. Three bedrooms, ONE bathroom, 12 kids and 2 parents. My mother was a stay at home mom until the youngest was in the 4th grade. Everybody did a little so nobody had to do a l ot and it worked out really well. We all were lucky enough to get college educations and appreciate what we had and not worry about what we didn't have.


&&&&

Not as many kids! But also a three bedroom, one bath.
^^^^
Another 3 BR, 1 Bath home here!
It was a nice ranch home on about half an acre and we were living large in the whole scheme of things.
All of my family lived in the city in row homes, so a single house was quite the upward move.
I did hate having one bathroom and remember having to "hold it" many times while frantically knocking!

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