Conference turris::womannotes-v3

How did you get a name like that?

Jones was my wife's maiden name.  Christie was my "maiden" name.
When we married we had both our names legally changed to Jones-Christie.
The only other couple I know personally who have done the same are
Peter and Mary Sprunger-Froese.

Why are you in a wheelchair?

Basically, I picked the wrong parents.  It has to do with recessive genes.
It's called SMA or spinal muscular atrophy, juvenile type.  Most doctors
won't recognize the name.  It's pretty rare.  It has a profound effect
on the motor nerves, especially the ones to the arms and legs.  It also
produces scoliosis, or curvature of the spine.

Do you have feeling?

All the sensory nerves are 100%.  And, yes, I'm ticklish.

How do you have sex?

Very well, thank you.  As Sally Jesse Raphael said, "Just because some
parts don't work doesn't mean other parts don't work."

Wanna race?

Got one, thanks.  Caucasian.

    it doesn't hurt; it doesn't itch...well, maybe a little when i
    don't put medication on it; it isn't contagious; don't know what
    causes it; basically it makes me more self-conscious than i usually
    am and does nothing more than that.

    Six feet 1/4 inches tall in bare feet,
    (6'4" when I wear FMPs).
    
    The weather is fine up here, thank you for your concern.
    
    No, I do not play basketball.  Do you play miniature golf?
    
        :^)     Margaret

    1) [snide]	  Oh, about this long.
       [normal]	  Since high school. It would probably take me six to eight
    		  years to re-grow it.
    
    2) [snide]	  No, are you?
    
    3) [snide]	  <varies> "'murrican", "Bored", "Hungry", etc.
       [normal]	  Californian.
       [friendly] Half Texan, Half Japanese, native Californian. You?
       [angry]	  Tired of stupid questions.
    
    1) How long have you been growing your hair?
    
    2) Are you American Indian?
    
    3) Well then, what are you?
    
    	-- Charles

    Years ago folks used to ask me "How's Liz?"  and I was really bored
    with the question.  Nowadays, only folks over 40 or so even think of
    the question.  Last evening, I was at a table of such folks and, to
    break the ice, I introduced myself as "Eddie Fisher."  It was a hit
    got the conversation started with a bunch of total strangers.
    
    Normally just,
    ed

    The nickname Grins came out of noting back in the dark ages.  My tongue
    in cheek comments were frequently taken as a straight comment, and I
    started to add the "grins," signoff to those notes which were meant
    to be taken humorously.  It stuck.  Now it's a nickname.
    
    grins,
    Marge

Series I:

1 - yes                     [are you married?]

2 - since 1974              [how long?]

3 - none                    [how many children?]

4 - no                      [is there some problem?]

5 - oh, but I do            [just don't like kids, huh?]

Series II:

1 - because he had other plans   [why isn't Rick here?]

2 - because we're not joined at the hip  [then why are you here?]


  Annie

    
    Yes, commuting into London is sheer hell.
    No, I haven't got used to it over time.
    It's still as awful every day, and I plan to stop doing it soon.
    And no, I don't do it for love of the job. I do it because it's
    a necessity right now.
    
    Yes, I have put on weight. I have no comment to make, no excuses
    to add, and I'm not going to grovel or feel embaressed because you
    noticed.
    
    And yes, I have stopped smoking. Please don't go on about it, because
    I've only just stopped and talking about it a lot still makes me
    want a cigarette.
    
    I still live in the same house, and have the same boyfriend, as
    last time I saw you. We now have two cats, however.
    
    'gail
    
    
    

    Yes, Polly is my REAL name. 
    
    I don't drink because I was raised in a religion where it wasn't
    allowed and, when the religous reason was no longer important, I
    couldn't think of any reason to start.
    
    I'm not practicing law full-time because I can't afford to (contrary to
    popular opinion most attorneys don't rake in the big bucks until
    they've been in practice a long time); I don't want to -- I find it too
    isolating -- and I LOVE my "other" career.
    
    No, She's not my sister.  She's my daughter.  Yes, I'm old enough to be
    her mother.  Yes, I was very  young (19) when I had her.
    
    Yes, 18 years is a long time to "stay divorced".  Yes, I was only
    married a short while, although it seemed like a loooonnnngggg time
    then. Yes, I think I mayget married  someday. 
                               

    No, I am not conceited. No, that is not a picture of me on my office
    wall.  Yes, I really do have an identical twin sister.  Yes, that
    really is her in the picture.
    
    I really don't know anything else {do you like being twins?]
    

    Yes, I am really a Private Detective (sometimes)
    Yes, I even have a Pictire Id to prove it
    Yes, sometimes I do indeed carry a firearm
    No, I dont carry a big bore as an extention of my manlyhood
    Yes, I do even have some of those neet little gadgets.
    No, I dont break into peoples houses for "clues".
    No, I do not enjoy watching a woman cheat on her "ole man", or V-V.
    (Usually the addition to the above answer) I usually get the pics I
    need and scoot, why?  are you a pervert or something?
    No, I don't normally break the law by having "neet car chases" in the
    dead of the night.. why?  are you interrested in racing?
    No, I don't make a whole lot of money, but it has always been a dream
    of mine, dont you dream?  
    
    Yes, Mel doesn't really like the idea, but "allows it".
    Yes, I still smoke, whats it to ya?
    No, I am not Misoganistic... are you?
    
    
    Gesh!  I conld go on forever!  what a great IDEA!
    
    

    
    
    1. they are all my own
    2. five, four adopted and one 'home grown'
    3. no I'm not a saint or anything special
    4. he regards them just like any older brother would his younger siblings
    5. no
    6. and because he doesn't like going to parties where he doesn't know
       people but has no problem with my going
    
    
    
    
    1. how many of your kids are 'your own' ?
    2. how many children do you have?
    3. the next one is more of a statement than a question, it goes
       something to the effect of 'you must be such a wonderful person
       to have taken in all those poor children.' :-) (NOPE)
    4. how does your oldest or your 'own' child feel about having all
       those adopted brothers and sisters?
    5. various questions like "don't your children thankyou every day
       for taking them in" or "don't you have x or y or z problem with
       children of a different race.
    6. Why isn't Don here?
    
    Bonnie

    1. No, I'm black.
    2. Both of my parents are.
    3. That's how the genes work! I guess somewhere back in slavery days a
    couple of masters raped my great-great-great-grandmothers. It was a
    pretty standard occurance. Keep in mind, it only takes 1/32 of ancestry
    to be black by law. I didn't make the rules, I just accept them. I
    don't need to deny anything.
    
    
    
    1.) Um, uh, are you Hispanic?
    2.) Is one of your parents, um uh, "coloured"?
    3.) But gee, you're so light? How did THAT happen???

	When are you getting married?
	-- August 24, 1991.

	Really?  Why so long?
	-- Lots of reasons.

	Like what?
	-- First of all, we're getting minimal parental financial help.
	   Second of all, I live and work in NH, he lives and works in CT.

	So when are you moving down there?
	-- Hopefully, I'm not.

	You mean, *he's* moving?!?
	-- Hopefully.

	blah, blah, blah.  This part of the conversation generally gets trickier
	with people who have more "traditional" viewpoints.

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

	What kind of Indian are you?
	-- Choctaw.


	Sue
	

re: Sue
On my birthday! How special!
	Mez

    You're not really that old.  You mean you're 37?
    
    Never. After 10.5 years, if it didn't take, it never will. You ever
    getting married again?
    
    On foot. The bus. If it's far enough, by plane. Friends, if their going
    in my direction and they offer. I rarely ask. If you don't have a car
    or driver's license, how do you get around?
    
    No, I never want to be tied down to anyone , ever again, except my
    kids.    Why don't you have a "girlfriend" "SO"
    
    Phil

	Yes, I earned every one of them.

	No, I my children were 5 years per-mature.

	My birth certificate.

	Why should I?

	It is not a battle axe, really.  It is a labrys (I am not sure
		of the spelling), the double axe, symbol of the Goddess
		on the isle of Krete during the Minoan Civilization.

	No, you talk funny.  I am a Lowell area native and this is how
		we pronouce our a's and r's.  Around here you have the
		funny accent not me.

	To keep the carpetbaggers out.  We like it this way.
	


	Is that your real hair color?

	You're not old enough to have children that old!

	Where did your last name come from?  You don't look Jewish!

	Are you getting married again?

	What is that symbol you use when you sign your name in notes?	

	Why don't you pronouce your a's and r's like the rest of us?

	Why is Massachustts soooo f**ked up?

    Q: When is your baby due?
    A: In a couple more weeks.
    
    Q: Do you know what you're having?
    A: Yes, A baby.
    
    Q: Have you and Steve gotten married?
    A: No
    
    Q: Do you plan on it?
    A: Why, is that a prerequisite?
    
    Lori B.

    1.  Yes, they are.
    2.  Yes, they were intentional.
    3.  Yes, they were.
    4.  You've gotta have your head together.
    5.  That's right!
    6.  I guess it just never occurred to me that he wasn't a man.
    7.  All the time:)
    8.  You just have to learn how to listen.
    9.  He had a massive strok at 34 and was totally paralyzed from
    the eyes down.  He could feel everything and move nothing, yet his
    mind was totally intact.
                 
    1.  You mean they're all *yours*? (Referring to my 7 children.)
    2.  You mean you *wanted* that many? (Ibid)            
    3.  You mean you had the last two kids at home?        
    4.  Weren't you scared?  (See question 3)              
    5.  You mean you didn't meet your husband until *after* he was in
    a wheelchair?                                          
    6.  How could you date someone who's "handicapped?"    
    7.  Can he, well, I mean, you know, do you, well, uh, um, have *sex*?
    8.  How can you understand what he says?  I mean he whispers so
    softly that it's almost impossible to understand him...
    9.  How did he end up in a wheelchair in the first place?
    
    Well, that should take care of *those* questions once and for all!
    Whew!  What a load off my mind;)
    
    Barb
    

    
    1.  So, how's married life?
    	*Just fine thanks...not much different.
    
    2.  (with puzzled look) not different?
    	*No, we lived together for a year and a half first.
    
    3.  So, when are we going to see little Chaisson's running around?
    	*About 4-5 years, I'm only 22 and don't know what I want for
    	*a career first.  I'm not bringing kids into the world until
    	*I've* grown up and decided what I want to do with my life.
    
    4.  How can you stay so skinny?
    	*I prefer to say thin thanks and it's just my metabolism,
    	*I don't try.
    
    5.  Where's Cary?
    	*At home.
    	
    6.  And he lets you go out without him?  
    	*Yes, we don't own each other.
    
    7.  You're married!  You shouldn't be looking at other men! What
    	would Cary say!
    	*I'm married, not blind nor dead.  Cary realizes that.  He 
    	*notices attractive women, I notice attractive men...we'd
    	*worry about each other if we didn't.
    
    8.  You drive a truck?
    	*Yup!
    
    			JJ
    

    1. Yes, it's my natural color.
    
    2. 38
    
    3. Just lucky, I guess.
    
    4. I'd love one!
    
    5. Champagne's good!   

Of late, one of the following exchanges has been popular ...

[1 ]	So, what'd you do to yourself? (Heard ~10 times a day first week back)

[1a] Nothing, I'm just looking for sympathy.
[1b] Fa down go boom.
[1c] {Can't repeat due to connection with unannounced product, but hilarious}
[1d] Hit sand while bicycling downhill at 20 mph and fractured my pelvis...


[2 ]	Down to one crutch, I see! (Usually called from behind down the hall)

[2a] You can count!
[2b] Nah, the other one's a stealth crutch.


P.S. - if you bicycle, wear a helmet. My head is unscathed; the foam liner in 
my helmet broke in four places. Think about it.

    
    Q.	How do you pronounce your name?
    
    A.	Poshusta.  It's a traditional Bohemian name.
    
    	'Oh, just like it's spelled'
    
    Q.	Can you spell it?
    
    A.	Yup!	...thinking...can you  
    
    	'Would you spell it for me?'
    
    
    Q.	Do you have a work phone number?
    
    A.	Yup!  Do you?  
    
    	'Could I have it?'
    
    	'NO!'	
    
    
    Q.	You don't own a T.V. ?
    
    A.	Never have and, may, never will!
    
    	'What do you do watch?'
    
    	'The RADIO'
    
    
    Q.	You've never been married?
    
    A.	No not yet.
    
    	'Why not?'
    
    	'I'm not old enough!'  
    
    
    Q.	What do you do for a living?
    
    A.	I'm a PROFESSIONAL.  
    
    	"What do you do in your spare time?'
    
    	'Blah...blah...blah...blah...blah...blah...blah... ad infinitum!'
    
    
    
    							Kelly

    Different answers I give to the same questions:

    The answers:

    [1a] 55 
    [1b] Old enough 
    [1c] 21

    [2a] How is 55 supposed to look? 
    [2b] I'm really 84. 
    [2c] I'm really 17.

    [3a] Yes, that's why I wear these damn things. 
    [3b] If I can't, I'll ask you to repeat. 
    [3c] Yes, but I'll understand you better if you take your hands away 
         from your mouth.

    [4a] Not enough to quit this job. 
    [4b] Seven million dollars. I work here because I love this place. 
    [4c] I wish you were right!


    The questions:

    [1] How old are you?

    [2] You don't look 55!

    [3] (Refering to my hearing aids) Can you hear me ok?

    [4] A real author! You must have gotten rich writing those books.

    
    Bruce

    Q:  How come a nice girl like you s'not married.
    
    A:  Just lucky, I quess.
    

    And now there's a brand new set:

    A1. 9-1/2 hours

    A2. I finished two novels.

    A3. 'til September.

    A4. Very carefully

    A5. Its not all mine. The lighter strands are woven in. We couldn't
    find a perfect match; I like it this way.

    A6. Yes.

    A7. Far less than it was worth.
    
                                
    Repeat now with feeling:

    How long did it take you to have your hair done like that?
    A1. 9-1/2 hours

    You have so much PATIENCE!
    A2. I finished two novels.

    How long will it stay that way?
    A3. 'til September.

    Can you wash it?
    A4. Very carefully

    How'd you get all those colors? Is your hair streaked?
    A5. Its not all mine. The lighter strands are woven in. We couldn't
    find a perfect match; I like it this way.

    Can I touch it?
    A6. Yes.

    How much did you pay for it?
    A7. Far less than it was worth.

    Do you know you'd be so pretty, *if you lost weight* ?
    
    Thank you. Do you know, you'd be so nice if you had a brain.
    
    dee

	I love the high.



	Why do you sneeze so much?  Can't you stop?

	_pegga a a hoo y

		15 is the record (I think) but who's counting

    Q  You're soooo thin...you must be very careful about what you eat?
    A  I do have some meat on my bones, ya know, even if I look this thin
    in  my clothes.  And no--I eat like a horse and eat whatever I please.
    
    Q  Then you must exercise like crazy!
    A  NO--I hate exercise for its own sake.
    
    Q  Ohhhhhhh, I HATE you!  Just kidding...
    A  Yeah, lady [usually a stranger]?  Well I think YOU have a MAJOR
    problem with body image and you should lay off the cream puffs and
    either buy a Jane Fonda tape or go into therapy IMMEDIATELY!!!!!
    
    Nancy

    Same as Bonnie's #6 in .12 -- except substitute "Bob" for "Don"

    1.  Where are you from 
    1a. Where did you come from before you came to Nashua
    2.  Are you Australian, Irish, Scottish, English - No  I'm American.
    2a. But you have have an accent (my response: so do you!)
    2b. How did you get that accent/or where does that accent come from
    3.  Why did you come here    
    4.  Is that your son (I'd better get braces on my teeth so I will
    look several years younger) - my SO is younger but not THAT much
    5.  Would you like to have a permanent job

The rest of me is pretty too.

    ref 220.31 forgot the answers
    
    Suppose my mind was on the weekend
    
    1.  Where are you from
        Nashua
    1a. Where did you come from/or how did you get here
        England   by airplane
    2.  Are you Australian, Irish, Scottish, English
        No I'm American
    2a. You have an accent
        So do you
    2b. Where does that accent come from
        My mouth (can't get too technical when responding to such
        a daft question)
    3.  Why did you come here 
        Why do you want to know
    4.  Is that your son 
        No - SO
    5.	Would you like to have a permanent job
        The pets certainly can't pay the mortgage
    
    vb
        

    
    1.  What nationality are you?
        Well, ethnically I am Chinese. (But in reality, I am pretty
        much American.)
    
    2.  Wow, you don't have any accents, how do you manage that?
        Very well, thankyou. (How do you manage to pick up the
    	dreadful Massachusetts accent yourself?)
    
    3.	Are you Mrs. Mac Kay? (Are you sure you are not Chan or Lee?)
    	Yeah. (Is there anything wrong? The last time I looked at the
    	marriage license it was Mac Kay!)
    
    4.  Are you Joanna Mac Kay mother? (Oh my god, I don't know
    	the kid is half Oriental...)
    	(NO, I just happen to like paying her bills!)
    
    5. 	Oh, you work outside your home? (Geez, poor kid...)
    	Yes, I am not a home person.
    	(I am glad my daughter has a decent role model....)
    
    6.  So, should I put the account in your husband's name?
    	No, the insurance coverage is in my name. 
    	(You can try, but JH won't pay you...)
    
    
    Eva.
    	

    No my husband forgave me
    
    
    
    
    Is your son adopted?
    
    
    
    
    This was something I ran into a lot with our 2nd son, first adopted
    child. I never used that answer however, because people were generally
    older and well meaning, or honestly interested in adoption..
    
    but boy I was tempted!
    
    Bj

    1a  What nationality are you?
    	American.
    1b  No, I mean what nationality?
    	American.
    1c  No, I mean like Irish? Italian? Hispanic?
    	I know. I'm American.
    1d  I mean where did your ancestors come from?
    	Oh. Why didn't you ask that in the first place? My maternal
    	ancestors are from Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
    	My paternal ancestors are from Armenia.
    1e  Armenia?  Where's that?
    	Right next to Georgia.
    [puzzled look]
    
    2   Why do you take your glasses off when you read?
    	Because I'm nearsighted.
    
    3   When are you moving to Minneapolis?
    	As soon as I'm rich enough to move.
    
    4   When are you getting married?
    	When I find someone whom I would like to marry and who would
    	also like to marry me.
    
    5   You're an adult and you still read comic books?
    	Sure. Don't you read the comic section in the newspaper?
    	What's the difference?
    
    6   Is it raining out?
    	No, it's pouring liquid sunshine.
    
    --- jerry

    Have you read all those books?
    
    	Hell no. Who wants a library full of books you've already read?
    
    --- jerry

    When are you going to settle down and get married?
    
    Why, so I can be as miserable as all of the married people I know?

    RE: .38 - Here are 25 more answers for you (personally, I use answer
    number 25 ALL the time :-)...)
    
    1. You haven't asked yet.
    
    2. Mel Gibson is taken.
    
    3. What? And spoil my great sex life?
    
    4. I look awful in white.
    
    5. Because I love hearing this question.
    
    6. Just lucky, I guess.
    
    7. It gives my mother something to live for.
    
    8. My fiance' is awaiting his parole.
    
    9.  I'm still hoping for a shot at Miss America.
    
    10. Do you know how hard it is to get TWO tickets to "The Phantom of the
        Opera?".
    
    11. I'm waiting until I get to be your age.
    
    12.  It didn't seem worth a blood test.
    
    13. I already have enough laundry to do, thank-you.
    
    14. Because I think it would take all the spontaneity out of dating.
    
    15. My co-op board doesn't allow husbands.
    
    16. I'd have to forfeit my billion-dollar trust fund.
    
    17. They just opened a great singles bar on my block.
    
    18. I wouldn't want my parents to drop dead from sheer happiness.
    
    19. I guess it just goes to prove that you can't trust those
        voodoo-doll rituals.
    
    20. What? And lose all the money I've invested in running personal ads?
    
    21. We really want to, but my boyfriend's wife just won't go for it.
    
    22. I don't want to have to support another person on my paycheck.
    
    23. Why aren't you thin?
    
    24. I'm married to my career, although recently, we have been
        considering a trail separation.
    
    25. BONUS REPLY FOR SINGLE MOTHERS: Because having a husband and a
        child would be redundant.

    Q) What kind of an accent do you have?
    
    A) I don't know, but my mother's family has lived in central Mass.
       since 1645, and I grew up here, so maybe this is the way people
       are supposed to talk around here.
    
    Q) Are you two sisters?
    
    A) No.  She's my daughter.
    
    Q) My god, how young were you when she was born?
    
    A) 24
    
    Q) Oh, well how old is she anyway?
    
    A) 16
    
    Response Usually by men in their 20's, while stepping backwards)
        Oh!  I'm sorry!  I thought she was older!    :-)
    
    
    Q) So, are you still roommates with your ex-husband?
    
    A) Yes.
    
    Q) How's that working out, anyway?
    
    A) Fine.
    
    Q) How do you stay so thin when you eat all the time?
    
    A) Metabolism I guess, and I *don't* eat all the time!
    
    Q) So, when are you going to try to get out of the secretarial field?
    
    A)  I don't know.  Maybe never.  I'm a very lazy and unmotivated
        person, in some ways.
    
    
    Lorna
    
    

    I didn't.

Question 1 (my name):
	1a) Do you prefer Diana or D?
		I have no preference...my friends often call my D, but I
		think the name "Diana" is prettier.
	1b) Why don't you like Diane?
		I do, but it isn't my name, so don't call me it.
	1c) Why don't you like Di?
		Because it sounds like a curse, because I don't like the
		associations with the princess, or because NONE OF YOUR
		BUSINESS, just don't call me it (if I'm in a bad mood.)
	1d) Can I call you Dbang?
		Sure.  It's kinda silly but I don't mind.

Question 2 (my brother):
	2a) Why is Daniel black?
		Because his father is black.
	2b) But you aren't black...?
		Both my parents are white.
	2c) ??????
		He's adopted.  ("Duh" when I'm feeling snide.)
	2d) Why did your parents adopt a black child?
		They adopted a young, able, healthy male baby, who just
		happens to have dark skin.  (Or "None of your F&*(ing
		business"...)

D!

    re: Lorna
    
    I get the skinny one all the time....
    
    How do you stay so skinny? 
    
    It's not so much that I mind the question, it's just that there is no
    answer. (Metabolism for me, too.  Any weight I do put on goes to my
    thighs, never my arms or chest which are rail thin.)
    
    I can see someone screaming back...
    I don't know, why are you so fat?
    
    Lisa

    Q.  Where are you from?
    
    A.	Somewhere else.

    re .44:  or another answer to "Where are you from?"
    
    My mother.

    WHat a cute little girl you have there.... What is her name?
    
    
    
    HIS NAME IS JESSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    REK

    They - "Is that your son?"
    
    Me   - "Justin and/or Joe are my grandsons"
    
    They - "You don't look that old"
    
    Me   - "You are a very nice person"
    

    Questions asked of my daughter,
    
    Q.  Where did you get those green eyes?
    
    A.  I was born with them.
    
    Q.  What are you?
    
    A.  An American. 
    
    Q. I mean what are your parents?
    
    A.  They are Americans too. 
    
    Q.  Do you parents have green eyes?
    
    A.  No, they both have brown.
    
    Q.  Oh! so you are adopted?
    
    A.  No.
    
    She really drags this on without volunteering any information.  She
    said it was really fun when she was away at college where no one really
    knew her.
    
    +pat+
    

At a new pediatrician's office this weekend:

1) "Which one of you is the mother?"
  We both are.

2) "Which one of you is the biological/real/natural mother?"
  We'd rather not say.

3) (angrily)"It's not *really* important, is it?"
  No, it's not.  (In other words, *we* don't think so, why is it so important
  to *you*?)


But, we do answer to people who strike us as nice, or who we think won't 
discriminate against the non-biological parent.  Therefore, since I consider
you folks to be this way (and most of you know this stuff anyway, *because* I
like you all so much), here are the answers: 

1) "Which one of you is the mother?"
  We both are.
2) "Which one of you is the biological mother?" (or did you adopt?)
  I gave birth to Evan.  

3) How did you decide who would get pregnant?
  Actually, we are planning to take turns.  I went first because I am older.
  I am currently 31 and Michele/Shellie is 29.

4) So when is Michele going to get pregnant?
  We don't know yet.  We were planning to start trying already, but then
  she was laid off from her job (non-DEC).  Now she has started a new job, 
  but she recently hit her head and has a concussion, so we are playing it 
  by ear for now.

5) How *did* you get pregnant?
  Artifical/Alternative Insemination with an anonymous donor.

6) How long did it take?
  A year.  I was infertile.  It finally took minor surgery to find the 
  problem and correct it, and then I got pregnant right away.

7) Did insurance pay for it?
  Mostly no.  We had been using an HMO which paid for all but the sperm,
  but the doctor was mean, so we switched to another HMO which said that
  they paid for infertility work.  However, after 2 inseminations they 
  said they wouldn't pay for it anymore because we weren't using my
  "husband's" sperm.

8) How much did it cost?
  At the time it cost us about $300 each month.  Now it costs $350.

9) Aren't you worried about your son being gay?
  What's to worry about?  There's nothing wrong with being gay.  He either
  is or he isn't, or he's bi.

10) Don't you think he needs a male role model?
  I think he has lots of them.  He has Mr. Rogers and Dr. Huxtable and he has
  our male friends, straight and gay.  He will have male teachers in school
  and if he is interested in sports then he will probably have male coaches.
  No, I'm not too worried about it.

11) Are you worried that the other kids will tease him?
  A little.  I didn't like being teased, and I don't think other kids like it
  either.  If the other kids know that both of his parents are female, and
  if they choose to tease him because of it, then it won't be much different
  than one of his friends being teased because his/her parents are of two 
  different races.  What I plan to do is to build his self-confidence, to make
  sure he is around other kids whose parents are like his (so he will not feel 
  that he is alone), to help him be proud of who he is and who his parents are.
  I will never forget Cathy Thrasher, in my 5th grade class.  Her father was
  black, and her mother white, and when we asked her about it, she told us
  this truth with *PRIDE*.  With that attitude, no one *dared* give her a
  hard time about it, and she became one of the most popular students in the
  class.  I hope that my preparations will help Evan in the same way.

12) Does it bother you when I ask these questions?
  Only because I've had to answer them so many times before, often asked by
  less kind people.  I would rather that you ask the question and educate 
  yourself than be uninformed.  And maybe this way you'll be a little more
  tolerant with me when I ask questions of your life.  :-)

    
    re:.49
    thanks for entering that! (we have friends in a similar situation and
    i believe their answers would be similar to yours)
    
    
    p.s. should i put one in? well, yes, maybe i should...
    
    a) only if they're *good*
    
    
    
    
    q) does it actually *mean* anything when conductors wave their
       arms about?