My doctor (endocrinologist) solved this for me a few weeks ago...after years of annoyance. He said I'm storing it in my tissue during the day (i.e. fluid retention from not having the smallest girth) and that when I lie down, I remove it. He said to put my feet up as much as possible during the day.

From what I know about fluid retention... salt is also bad. So.... I try to put my feet up during the day, lower my salt intake and not drink too much after about 8.30pm.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 9:03 PM on July 16, 2008

For the love of god, don't get a bugaboo. They're gorgeous and light and handle beautifully but are cumbersome. If you ever want to collapse it, it goes in to two enormous pieces that don't fit in to many taxi/car boots....and the quality is no longer what it was. We got one for ToddlerTaff because it was so highly recommended.

I, rather controversially, believe that lots of bugaboo owners suffer from some kind of cognitive dissonance. After paying so much, it's hard... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 2:45 AM on July 12, 2008

Anti-depressants perhaps? I mean, are you on them? Sorry to hear this anyway, possum. Hope your bits get back to normal soon. See a doctor if you can cope with the embarrassment factor.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 8:09 PM on July 10, 2008

Oooooh, I'm in Australia so it would have to be an online store... unless it was in Sydders.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:16 AM on July 10, 2008

Phunniemee, that's great google advice. Thanks. I had found the doll you found... perfect but for the hair.

K8T did well... but is correct. That hair is appalling!

I'll have a google-squizz using your suggestion... but if anyone else cares to help, I'd be eternally grateful.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:39 AM on July 10, 2008

K8T, so far I can't improve on your bad-haired suggestion..... oh God, ToddlerTaff is doomed!
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 4:18 AM on July 10, 2008

Some antidepressants have this as a side-effect. Sounds exactly like breast milk.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 11:46 PM on July 4, 2008

It's not that nontraditional anymore possum.

You should try a specific pregnancy forum. I don't know the American specific ones, but in Australia there is birth.com and they have American and Canadian members. Lesbian families have very similar issues, so perhaps look in to one of their subsections.

Best of luck... hope that is of some help.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 9:02 PM on July 3, 2008

Peekaboo is the game of choice for us. And animals. Any animal. We have a toy Tigger that we treat like it's a baby and pretend to feed it, pretend to put shoes on it... actually we DO put a pair of toddlertaff's shoes on Tigger.

Putting a silk scarf over her head and loudly asking.... "Where's toddlertaff? Has anyone seen Toddlertaff?" makes her collapse in to fits of giggles.

Another failsafe for lots of 18 months olds is a bubble... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 2:58 AM on July 2, 2008

Oh... should add... 18month olds can generally open jars and bottles if the lid is not really tightly put on. Be warned!
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:01 AM on July 2, 2008

Our vet told usto apply fortnightly for ticks. And Iamabot is also a correctbot.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 2:46 AM on July 2, 2008

Thank you gorgeous folk. I appreciate all the tips and that nobody mocked my ignorance. I'm going to try most of your suggestions.

The only thing that I have to add is that San Pellegrino appears to be a VERY fizzy drink to me. That may be my spurious digestive system at the moment.... but it's the one most commonly available in cafes here, and the one I have the most trouble with. But no longer!


You're all fabulous and I'm sorry I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 2:58 AM on July 1, 2008

John???? Things might change when she has kids. If she doesn't already. I suggest you keep writing her thoughtful and sincere Christmas and birthday cards without expecting anything in return.... yet. There are lots of years of mistrust for her to get over. She's a project is the best way to think of it. It's going to take some time. Lots of time.

When she has her first child, send flowers and gifts and show her that you're going to be the best uncle ever. Lots of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:01 AM on June 30, 2008

I find your language a bit confusing.

That said, I'm sure the people that can help you will want to know where this woman is.

Best of luck to her.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 4:55 AM on June 28, 2008

The food sucked, Dad kept saying "We're having such a good time", Mum and Dad fought, we had to fish and I hate fish, my sisters and I fought all the time, it wasn't always safe to swim because of sharks and currents and aptitudes and all the books we took with us were read in the first few days.

Sand got everywhere, the toilet broke and we were all too embarrassed to go over the side. We got sunburned and bitten by sandflies and there was no tv, no radio,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 11:58 PM on June 27, 2008

These are the folk you want. Myer and David Jones sell everything and can be on the pricey side. Freedom is vaguely like a more upmarket Ikea (don't think they do flatpacks though)with stock to suit all price ranges. Have a look at the site. They do gift cards and they're a good store for homewares.

If you want an Australian to do something in person for you like Tawita suggested, I could help. Email me if you like.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 5:52 PM on June 27, 2008

Um.... you eat rotis with your hands, don't you? So perhaps you're touching your bits without removing the spice properly... inadvertently. Perhaps. Either that or you're barking mad. Probably it's the hands on your bits though.

Apparently water isn't enough to remove the burn factor from your hands.... lots of soap and vigorous towel rubbing after is probably called for. Then do your wee wee.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:04 AM on June 26, 2008

Ok, if you eat roti with a knife and fork then you deserve painful bits! Seriously... that's not how you enjoy roti, possum! Tear a bit off and fold it in to a V shape and use it to scoop up the sauce of your curry.

I don't have much more to add.... except that I know that only certain people get smelly urine from eating asparagus, or red urine from eating beetroot.... not sure if it's the same people or not.... as it's not the case for me. I thought they were a bit... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 4:38 AM on June 26, 2008

A quick googly google just revealed this.... your individual metabolism?
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 4:42 AM on June 26, 2008

Dooce used something amazing for paper on her walls.

dooce's website


Have a look at what she did in the link here. I'm going to get me some. She says they're very strong.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 12:08 AM on June 23, 2008

That's funny. I bought a bedsheet in India 10 years ago. I turned it in to a quilt and it still stinks. Many washes and airings and treatments and dry cleaning later, it's not better. I decided last weekend, after my visiting sister told me it smelled like a dog, that I would get rid of it. It's a shame as it looks gorgeous.

The bedsheet doesn't smell chemically.... more musty... and it's never left.

At the same time I was given a whole bunch... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 8:43 PM on June 17, 2008

For the sake of my credibility... such that it is... I should add that I've remembered it wasn't chloroform... the chemical was formaldehyde. How embarrassment!
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 12:04 AM on June 23, 2008

I studied a tiny, tiny, tiny bit of Japanese in high school. Sounds like it's Japanese to me. But that was many years ago and I only listened to a few minutes. Can't help with anything else.... but it might narrow your google searching.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 12:02 AM on June 23, 2008

For the love of all things romantic, possum.... wash your bed linen! In really hot water with good deteregent and lots of yummy fabric softener.

All men all around the world have smellier pillow cases than they realise (it's true!). Even if you just lend her a pillow to get comfy on the couch/floor while watching the movie... it's important they're clean and scrumptious smelling.

Even if you only give her the 5cent tour.. she'lll see your bedroom... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 12:37 AM on June 21, 2008

I'm gargantuan and I feel it when I'm lying on my tummy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 8:45 PM on June 17, 2008

MrTaff is Tibetan but grew up in India. He makes superdooper chai heaps.

Depending on your quantities of liquid... he'd put about 1-2 cardamom pods in... no bay leaf, no cloves. I agree that the cloves are far too much.

Basically, I'd keep to ginger, cardamom and cinnamon.... which is what MrTaff does.

He gets hot water in a saucepan, adds the spices and tea and sugar, and adds the milk just at the very end or it boils... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:37 AM on June 17, 2008

Oh.... crush the cardamom pods too, by the way. I think someone else said that. And the ginger.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:39 AM on June 17, 2008

Lovie, chai isn't a science. It's like... um... pasta.

There are a million ways to make it.... and if you like the outcome... it's a success.

Or, actually... if MsPreggersJoshnunn likes it, it's a success.

MrTaff is saying that each pod has about 10-12 seeds in it... and in a saucepan that takes about 600ml... he adds 3-4 pods...

I've no idea what the bay leaf adds... sounds a bit wanky to me.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 5:26 AM on June 17, 2008

TaffDad has those because he has dangerously low blood pressure. A sideaffect of his Parkinsons disease. He walks funny because of the Parkinsons and wears the flesh coloured compression stockings to stop himself from fainting.... he also wears odd shoes because his feet get really really hot in the stockings (he lives in Australia, you can imagine the discomfort) and he has trouble putting normal shoes on....

To someone who didn't know.. he could look like he has... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:48 AM on June 17, 2008

It must be Pertwee or Baker, or you're wasting your time.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 2:54 AM on June 16, 2008

Your smile is on us.


But that may be colloquial Australian.... for something to be "on" someone.

Otherwise I'm stumped.
But I do know the issues around dentures and plates are about confidence in their strength and looking natural.... if anyone wants to use those thoughts as inspiration.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 1:39 AM on June 14, 2008

Good quality. Good looking. Good Value.


??
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 1:40 AM on June 14, 2008

You're probably paranoid but it is certainly considered an increased risk for Sudden Infant Death syndrome in babies.... so it's not completely irrational. That said, I wouldn't worry about my health, but I'd move out because I'm passionately anti-smoking. Can't stand the smell.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 4:46 AM on June 13, 2008

I don't agree with chabonjabon. MrTaff is Tibetan. We all know what is happening currently in Tibet to Tibetans. He doesn't hate Chinese people. We even eat yum cha (dim sum for the Americans) frequently! He has many Chinese friends. He is angry with the Chinese government, not any Chinese individuals. Considering it's happening to his family/countrymen in Tibet as we speak... I'd take a leaf from his book.

She's immature, that's all.

But all... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:11 AM on June 11, 2008

OOh, what happened?
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 4:08 AM on June 10, 2008

Is it possible someone hacked your ebay account and forgot to change the postal address to their own address?
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 4:01 AM on June 10, 2008

Could a mutual friend have done it as a bit of a juvenile joke?
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:38 AM on June 8, 2008

It's a little bit made up... but what about Kin Partnername?

I'd quite like to be Kin Taff.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:15 AM on June 7, 2008

"BTW, because of these biases on the part of your "moderators", I took my eyeballs elsewhere months ago."

Um......Then why are you still here, and why do you care any more?

Your blog isn't very nice to read and makes the writer sound a wee bit deranged.

You're taking this all a bit too personally.

Why not have a cup of tea and a lie down?
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 2:38 AM on June 6, 2008

Second trimester of pregnancy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 8:35 PM on June 5, 2008

Hey wonderful folk, thank you for all your thoughts and links. I'll have a look and "best" them over the next little while. I guess I should clarify.... I have no intention of lecturing other parents about the television watching of their own children. I'm worried that I might be called to account for my extreme reaction. And I believe I should be.

It's well known in mother's group that I don't let toddlertaff near televisions that are turned on. Yesterday's... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:53 PM on June 3, 2008

I've only ever watched those extreme makeover type shows (late night insomnia... not something I would normally do, I swear)..... so not much evidence based stuff really.... just anecdote.... and the surgeons on those shows say that nothing other than surgery will get rid of the skin. But they have a vested interest in performing the surgery so that may not be correct.

Good on you for losing the weight though. Sorry I couldn't relay happier news. Hope someone else comes... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 1:39 AM on June 3, 2008

Perfume by Patrick Suskind
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 1:10 AM on June 3, 2008

MrTaff is Tibetan. He frequently says things to ToddlerTaff like "Shoes Daddy" or "Eat Daddy"(in Tibetan of course). I understand it's a familial shorthand for "Get your shoes for Daddy" or "Eat your dinner for Daddy". I wonder if some other people do the same thing but it's translated from their original language in to an odd form of English.


Might I add that ToddlerTaff still doesn't comply... but that may be more... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 4:00 AM on May 20, 2008

Hey there again..... the ultrasound showed a single foetus with an acceptable heart rate. And a source for the bleeding/oozyyuckystuff. Now we cross everything for a happy nuchal translucency in a few weeks. Thanks for everything, everyone. T.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 9:53 PM on May 19, 2008

I'm a "ripper" kind of a chick. From time to time I do the "bonza" thing, but it's usually tongue in cheek... not that every one always realises that.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 4:15 AM on May 14, 2008

Move to Australia. All Megans all called Meeeegan here. We're such an uncouth bunch.

And we're lots of fun.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 4:12 AM on May 14, 2008

Orgasm. Alone or with friends....
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:35 AM on May 14, 2008

Both of my ivf pregnancies have not been able to be dated that specifically!
It's just not possible. Even when you know when conception happened because it was done in a petri dish.

Vaginal ultrasounds are frequently done really early... i.e. before 12 weeks.
Some women might consider them to be invasive. After a pap smear, I consider them a walk in the park... so to speak.

Good luck with all of this.
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:50 AM on May 5, 2008

Oh, and she might be "showing" because she's got crampy windy farty stuff happening. My pregnancy book says this is common.... ("What to Expect When You're Expecting").
posted to Ask Metafilter by taff at 3:58 AM on May 5, 2008