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Date Posted: 17:10:53 03/04/01 Sun
Author: Hammie
Subject: Come meet Julie Ann in here >>>>>>>
In reply to: Hammie 's message, "Here I am, back from my latest travels...." on 17:08:59 03/04/01 Sun

Hammie: Hi Julie Anne. How's it goin', lass?

Julie Anne: Well Hammie - let's just say that having you visit whilst I'm on bedrest has been an - um, interesting - event! To be truthful, I'm rather tired of being pregnant (and my DH is rather tired of having to do everything) so I'm looking forward to the bairn's arrival. And no Hammie, you can't go to the hospital with us!

Hammie: Don't worry - I don't go near medical facilities in case they mistake me for a runaway lab subject.

Hammie: So I made pretty good time from Janice M's house in Minnesota to here. Normally I hang around with the Hosers for a while after the interview is over, as you'll find out, but Janice just wouldn't let me tag along to Europe. Actually, I think Janice's DH was a wee bit jealous of me so I didn't push the issue. Anyway, tell me...where in the world are we, Julie Anne?

Julie Anne: Well Hammie you did make good time for such a journey - Minnesota to Wisconsin being not too far to travel. Hopefully, you'll take some time to see the sights of our beautiful snow covered state capital, Madison, during your stay. We'll have to call on Mia or Sassy however to escort you safely around town since I can't leave the sofa at the moment! I also must take this moment to correct your pronunciation Hammie - you are in the state of WIS-consin not WES-consin. You must be careful of how you say that Hammie - people have been known to be rapidly escorted across state lines for that sacrilegious pronunciation!

Hammie: And do I also have to pronounce it WisCANsin like you guys too? hehehehe Just teasing you, lass. How long have you lived here and what is the best and the worst thing you can say about the weather?

Julie Anne: I'm a cheesehead born and bred Hammie. I've been in Madison all my life - except for the summer I spent in Ecuador with the AFS after high school. In terms of weather, well - what can I say about weather in Wisconsin? It snows (and snows and sleets and freezing rains) a lot in the winter, springs are cold and muddy, and our summers are generally hot and humid. But then there's fall - beautiful fall. People come from all over to see our leaves turn colors. For me fall is the best time of year in Wisconsin. Of course, there are all those leaves to rake - care to come back in fall and help out Hammie?

Hammie: Unfortunately, that's a situation where size really does matter and I'd just be in the way. Happy raking to you and yours though! And just who do you choose to share your space with here? Do they have two legs or four legs, or do you have a variety?

Julie Anne: At the moment Hammie, it's just the DH Dan and I knocking around in this house. We're a no pet household - though he's trying to convince me that a cat would be a good idea. Perhaps, especially since the annoying SIL ( I have two) is allergic to cats and would then never come to visit. Hmmmm, let me think on that one Hammie.....

Hammie: Trust your instincts, Julie Ann. No cats, okay?

Hammie: So, you're....um...in the family way, I see. And just so the Hosers reading this know...she's already pregnant and I never touched her....the night is young, however. hehehehehe Tell us a bit about the moment you knew for sure that you were pregnant. Were you surprised, excited, scared....what?

Julie Anne: Well, let's just say I thought the home test was lying to me. The little blue lines were awfully faint. So I took two more - just to be sure. We'd just started trying the month before and I was sure it couldn't have worked THAT fast. But here I am, 35 weeks later with a big belly to show for it! I think the word to best describe my feeling would be shocked. And the DH was terrified - actually, he still is! Something to do with being the youngest in the family, having the first grandchild, and being 40!

Hammie: Don't worry about the DH, he'll catch on real quick. *g* So tell us Julie Anne, do you know what type of rodent ... uh, baby... you're having? Are you planning on naming it after someone in the Books, or perhaps.... after me?

Julie Anne: No we don't Hammie. We've had three ultrasounds and debated each time if we wanted to find out. Each time we decided to wait. I think I'm having a wee lassie but I don't know that for sure. Whatever we have - lad or lass - I'm afraid that the babe will be as stubborn as it's mother! In terms of names, Hammie, I'm sorry but I couldn't foist your moniker on to a child of mine - no offense. A wee lassie will end up being Faith Anne and a wee lad will either be Leo Thomas or Erik Thomas - we can't decide. I wanted to name a wee lad Ian Thomas but the DH can't pronounce Ian so I had to give it up. The idea for Faith came from the books but it also seems very appropriate given all of the problems we've had and all of the prayers being offered for us.

Hammie: Well, if it can't be Hammie then those would all be real nice names. I have lots of kids myself. How many do you think you'd like to have?

Julie Anne: I'd love to have more kids - if my husband can be the one who's pregnant! Seriously, after all of the complications I've had with this one - I'm just not sure that this body was made out for pregnancy. Adoption however is something we just might be exploring in a year or two.

Hammie: Diapers....hand wash or disposable?

Julie Anne: I hate to be non-PC but disposable is the way for this lallygal to go. And you've gotta have the Diaper Genie so your whole house doesna smell of baby piss.

Hammie: I know what you mean. You should have smelled some of the cages people tried to make me live in. That's why I travel.

Hammie: Umm...since you seem to have this procreation thing down-pat...could it be that you are my Creator?

Julie Anne: Hammie, that honor would have to be given to someone of higher (or is that lower) power than I!

Hammie: Definitely higher. Well, why don't we let the other Hosers decide....got any favourite pictures you want to show off?

Julie Anne: Och, Hammie I take lousy pictures! Once the bairn is here (if I can find someone with a scanner) I'll send along some pics of the wee one.

Hammie: Sounds good to me. So let's talk a bit about Lallybroch. Have you gotten used to our new home yet and how long have you been hanging out there? How did you find us anyway?

Julie Anne: For me the strangest thing about the new home is remembering to look at the top of the message to see who it's from. Other than that it's pretty hunky dory. I think I've been at the 'broch for about two years - I wasna smart enough to make note of my first visit so I could have a "Lallyversary". I was one of the ones who found my way home through the Companion.

Hammie: And how long ago did you find The Books? Did you buy them yourself or did someone hose you?

Julie Anne: Let's see Hammie. I would have to say that it was kind of a combination. I purchased Outlander through a book of the month club because it looked interesting. I was still in college though and didna have the time to read it right away. My roommate saw the book, read it, and told me I HAD to read it. She read me some excerpts - the ones I remember for sure have to do with the wedding night and Claire fixing Jamie's hand. So instead of studying for finals, I read the book. I then of course was anxiously waiting for Dragonfly to confirm if Claire really was pregnant at the end of the book! And then I had to wait for Voyager to find out if Jamie was really dead. And then waiting for Drums...... and now waiting for Fiery Cross - that's a lot of waiting Hammie! Almost as bad as waiting for this bairn!!!

Hammie: Yeah, but at least at the end of 9 months you know your bairn is on it's way. Fiery Cross? Well, who knows how long that baby's still gonna take! Have you done QOTD yet?

Julie Anne: Yes, I've done QOTD twice now. The first time I don't think I had a theme - but I had Memorial Day during my week and did a neat scene from when Roger and Bree visit Culloden and see the gravestones. The second time my theme was the relationship between Jamie and Old Ian. I went from their boyhood through adulthood. DG does such a good job with that relationship. That time I had Thanksgiving in the middle of my week - what is it with me and holidays? I got married on Halloween, the bairn's due on April 1st (not that we'll probably make it that far) and both my QOTD's have covered hols? Hmmmmm..........

Hammie: Yeah, an April Fool's baby that's gonna fool you and come early! Do you consider yourself a grown up?

Julie Anne: Sometimes. But since I teach middle school (6-7-8 grade, ages 11 to 14) it's probably better that I don't always feel or act that way. But I'll be a mommy soon - so maybe I'll have to do that final stage. My mother keeps reminding me that children never really quite grow up - as long as you have a mom or dad to call when things are bad you can still revert back to the five year old that we all truly are deep down inside and hope that they can make it all better. Wow, maybe I really DON'T want this baby to be born yet - I'm not sure that I'm ready for a lifetime of parenthood.

Hammie: I have a feeling you'll enjoy seeing things from a parent's point of view, but just remember that if it ever gets to be too much, you can always call your mom. *g*

Hammie: Do you like to dance?

Julie Anne: Um, pass. Let's just say that any dancing I do had best be done in the privacy of my own home.

Hammie: How about dancing around issues...do you tend to do that or are you an upfront sort?

Julie Anne: Oh, Hammie - I think that upfront probably ought to be my middle name. I have a very hard time NOT coming out and telling people exactly what I think. Which is a talent (skill? handicap?) not always greatly appreciated in the teaching profession. It can also be a bit uncomfortable with the in-laws if you ken what I mean?

Hammie: Yeah, I can sorta see up your front, I mean I can see that you are an upfront sort.

Hammie: What's the best and the worst movie you've seen in the last few years?

Julie Anne: Movies? Those are the things that they play at a cinema? Oh - you mean the videos the DH and I rent MONTHS after a movie is done playing in a cinema!! We havena even done much of that lately. Well, let's see - I liked Mystery, Alaska (I think that's what it was called - local hockey team plays a NHL team) but couldn't get into Gladiator. I'd like to see What Women Want when it comes out on video and my students (knowing of my fondness for Harrison Ford) have been trying to convince me to rent What Lies Beneath. In terms of all time favorite movies - the ones you have to have on a desert island - I'd say Last of the Mohicans, American President, The Thomas Crowne Affair (Pierce Brosnan is Roake BTW!), and the entire Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Star Trek series.

Hammie: I could have made a great leading man in any one of those movies, don't you think? Oh, geez, are you choking on something, Hoser? Here, have some water.

Hammie: What's your favourite type of music to listen to and what CD, tape or album could you listen to over and over again?

Julie Anne: Hammie, I don't really have a "type" of music that I listen to - I'm kind of eclectic - just no heavy metal (sorry Judie!). I like Sting's Fields of Gold, Joshua Kadison's Painted Desert Serenade, Tracy Chapman's New Beginnings, Common Threads: Songs of the Eagles, Lorena McKennit, Enya, Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits (I have to play this one any time I have to write a paper or report!), and right now Don Henley's Inside Job - but only the Doug and Carol song from ER - Taking you Home - you know, the reunion scene song?!?

Hammie: Do I know it? You bet I do - Tippytoes plays it for me whenever I return.

Hammie: So where would we find you hanging out the most on the boards and how many times a day do you check in? What makes you come back time and time again?

Julie Anne: I probably would say I spend most of my time on the Social Board. When I'm not in school I'll check in daily, during the school year probably just several times a week. I like to go to the book board daily but just haven't had time lately. Same goes for Trivia - I was one of the Wedding Belles last year and I'm ashamed to say that I haven't played since. Coordinating wore me out! The Kirk and all of the lovely folk there have also been wonderful to me in the last few months. I keep coming back again and again and again because of all of the wonderful people here at the 'broch.

Hammie: Do you clean behind your refrigerator?

Julie Anne: You can clean behind your refrigerator?

Hammie: Well, I didn't think you could either until I watched Martha Stewart do hers.

Hammie: Do you ever buy the gossip magazines or do you just read the headlines when you're standing in line?

Julie Anne: If you mean the Enquirer et al - nope, I'm a headline reader only. If you mean things like People - that I subscribe to!

Hammie: Gabaldon aside, who is your favourite author?

Julie Anne: Oh, that's a tough one! I'm a voracious reader. I'd have to say that I like JD Robb, Lynn Kurland, Sharon Kaye Penman, Andrew Greeley, Jude Deveroux, LaVryle Spencer, LM Montgomery, Ann Rinaldi, JK Rowling, Madeleine L'Engle, Diana Palmer, Judith McNaught....shall I go on?

Hammie: Well, this has been a pleasure, Julie Anne. I've really enjoyed spending this time getting to know you better and I look forward to hanging out on the boards with you until I can make my way back here again. Take care and put your feet up, Hoser.

Julie Anne: Thanks for the visit Hammie! You haven't created too much havoc in the house - for which I thank you. Now, remember - you can't come to the hospital with me to deliver the bairn but you could stay here and do some housework. Or would you rather put together some baby paraphernalia? What do you think? Can the DH and I count on you?

Hammie: Well, sure you can - I'll start on the baby's cage, er...I mean room, right now! I'm thinking some wood shavings on the floor....maybe a nice decorative feeder....the diaper genie is gonna be a nice touch, that's for sure............

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