Posts by Isabel Hitchings

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  • Hard News: When the Weather is the News,

    With the heatpump at full crack we have the lounge all the way up to 18C though with four people shut in here the odds of someone just walking out into the snow are increasing rapidly. I am studiously ignoring the children and their father (who is attempting to do actual work) sniping at each other. Our driveway shovelling equipment is at school where we left it after last weekend's working bee. I think we shall bundle up and go for a stomp around the block shortly just for the sake of not being in here.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Hard News: Friday Fun with Brickface,

    Attachment

    Nifty.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Hard News: How much speech does it take?,

    When we lost a family member to suicide two years ago the beautiful funeral service we had was tremendously healing - to deny grieving families that would be unbelievably cruel and damaging.

    I do think we need to talk about how suicide affects those left behind. I'm not sure if it would affect suicide rates but it would, at least, help those who are grieving and struggling to come to terms with it. I am still furiously angry about how this person's choice has affected my children. They have been hurt in ways that will be with them for the rest of their lives and my mama-heart struggles to forgive. I know how much she loved my kids and I do wonder if knowing what this would do to them might have given her pause.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Up Front: How About Now?, in reply to Emma Hart,

    Srsly, same-sex wedding photos always make me cry, and I make no apology for that.

    The attached video was a complete sniffle-fest. I am especially touched by the older couples who have waited decades for this.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Southerly: Things to be Grateful For: A…,

    We've just come inside for a hot chocolate break after having walked down to the park for a frolic and built half a snowperson in the front yard. The kids are so delighted by the snow and by their father not going to work that they are failing to be upset about cancelling a much anticipated legofest with friends. I do rather wish we had a fireplace though.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Up Front: How About Now?,

    When, at the tender age of nine, I lost my faith and quit Sunday school (I went with a friend with, I suspect, the main purpose of giving my atheist parents a couple of hours off) they begged me to come back and be in the Christmas play.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Up Front: How About Now?, in reply to Lilith __,

    Blokes I’ve known who’d rather not bother than wear one…have been the ones with foreskins. Is it only coincidence?

    I don't think I've personally encountered anyone who would rather not bother but I seem to recall those without having more technical difficulties than those with. Obviously we need a larger sample group.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Up Front: How About Now?, in reply to Lilith __,

    You can love each other like crazy and still not be able to make it work.

    Ain't that the truth.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Up Front: How About Now?, in reply to BenWilson,

    Natural Family Planning probably is effective when done properly. Abstinence is, too. But no method is really effective when doing it properly becomes difficult, either because natural urges are too strong, or the system or equipment is too tricky. I’ve personally had quite a high failure rate with condoms.

    Done properly the effectiveness is in the high ninety percents but it does take both self-control and good communication (not that those are bad things in a relationship). Because of Reasons, NFP and barrier methods have often been the only options suitable for us (and we've generally taken a combined approach over periods of abstinence). It's possible I'm odd but I found knowing exactly what my body was doing and why was pretty cool. I don't want to be an evangelist for the cause but, likewise, I'd hate to see people dismissing something that could work for them due to bad publicity.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Up Front: How About Now?, in reply to Lilith __,

    ’ve always wondered if the Love Capsule was less bothersome to circumcised men than to un-. Without getting unduly personal, I’d love to know if that’s the case!

    From what I've seen it's more that it presents a different set of difficulties.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

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