DUE DATE!

Tomorrow is one of our favorite fan's official due date!

The bantering will resume next Monday... Until then, let's pray for Saucy ... and try to predict when the baby will be born! 20 cool points to the reader who gets the closest! (Sorry, we are unemployed and broke and cannot afford real prizes.)

Ramblings

Loki: I must admit that I am a little nervous to start blogging again. I usually just jot down any random thought that I think may be of some use to this blog. I dont expect all my ideas to make it to print. If it is retarded than Stella shoots me down. She isnt really nice about it either but I have come to expect it. I dont let it hurt my feelings....usually. Now I have to be on guard because instead of telling me I am boring and dumb she just posts it. I guess I could delete it but its already out there... people have already seen it. I am exposed. As all of you know, Stella hasnt been in the mood to post. I expect that too. We get a few good ones in and then she is done. She is without a doubt the better writer and funnier but she is quality over quantity. I think that we should post whatever we want as often as we can. Why not? Some people blog daily... about their grocery tab or how they watered the plants today. At least we try to come up with some sort of subject matter.

I will have to say that posting will still be slow for awhile since Stella is now sick. I guess the bug that Blue ohad was passed along. Stella was texting me things during her sickness and didnt even realize she had text me. It wasnt drunk texting, it was throw up texting. It is really rough. Big T and I had it last week too and it was NOT fun. I would rather have a bleeding throat than deal with throwing up all the time. Gak.

Well the holidays are over now...and somehow I have managed to find places for the 100 new toys Blue got!  I guess we still have New Years Eve but that hasnt been exciting to me since I started acting my age. I have no plans and I am sure I will do whatever it is I do every night. I wonder if I will ever stay up past midnight again. I can force myself to stay awake... I just know that the baby wakes up bright and early every morning at 6 and I cant fall asleep on the bed again while she plays on her own. (Shhh dont tell Big T!) haha It was only for like 5 minutes..and she was fine. I kept dreaming that I was getting up and picking her up...then I would realize I was just dreaming so I would try and wake myself up...only to realize I was still dreaming. This happend like 4 times before I finally did wake up and Blue was no longer playing at the bed post... but crawled into the living room by herself. Where she was reaching up to the side tables trying to get my cup of diet coke from the night before.

In other news: LOKI won the Biggest Loser contest. Woot woot. I only lost 9.5lbs but thats not too shabby for a month. (not biggest loser style but oh well) Everyone else sort of gave up so it wasnt much of a fight. I am quite positive Stella could beat me when she wants to...she can be a machine when so driven. I also know that it was in my favor that Stella was not motivated as she turned to baking. This distracted my other competition. I did not have to resist the urge of snacking on Stella's delicious creations. (Trust me.. I tried making cookies the other day and it was an absolute disaster) Somehow I did not get the baking gene. I can cook but I can NOT bake to save my life. I guess Blue will have to go to Nana's after school to get some fresh cookies. Anyway  I am going to continue on with the dieting ...Ive got a pretty good system of just eating healthy...and watching my portions... and exercising. (DUH thats what you gotta do!) It has helped that I have been able to spend most days playing on the Kinect for a few hours a day. Stella got me the dancing game for Christmas and it is super fun. Once she has gotten rid of the nasty bug she needs to come play with me. It is teaching me some "swagga moves"..I tried to get Big T to play with me but he seemed content to just watch me try to dance. He can make fun of me all he wants but I have seen him try to dance and it is super funny. Please note...that none of you should ever see him dance...because he only does so when extremely intoxicated and it is not a sight to see.

Tell me... did anyone spike your egg nog this season?

Deep Thoughts

And now... deep thoughts by Loki...

After reading Saucy and Curls' banter it got me thinking about the physical traits we want to change. I am sure everyone wants to change something and we are forever insecure about something. We have blogged about this before I am sure...but it makes me nervous raising a daughter. How can I not pass on my insecurities or expose her to such negativity in the first place? I think I have been pretty secure about my looks (doesnt mean I love them all the time) but I know that binging and purging or never eating is the answer. I dont self-loathe. I havent ever been to that point..although I can totally relate to how some girls get sucked into it.(Actually I do remember in the 7th grade skipping lunches and trying to "lose" weight. ...It didnt last long though, thankfully)  Girls and young girls at that (okay I certainly sound my age now) are constantly bombarded with images of "perfection" and the constant need to be thin or pretty to be worthy. When really your self worth should not come from how you look. I have watched countless cosmetic surgery shows and the latest "Bridalplasty" which I have mentioned before... but it just amazes me that we can say "okay God I dont like what you gave me...I am going to change it".  I am not saying I disagree with it, and I certainly find those shows entertaining... but almost in the "I can't believe what I am seeing". Okay this blog took off in a totally different direction than I thought. I was going to say if money was no option what plastic surgery would you partake in? Also why do I find "Intervention" so fascinating when they have a bulimic or anorexic girl on there? Are you looking forward to the new show about weird addictions? I am. There is a girl who eats toilet paper and another who likes to eat laundry detergent (wouldnt that be poisoneous though?). They also showed an older gal sucking on her thumb and some other girl who can only sleep with her blow dryer on in bed with her. It's like a snuggly bear only its a blow dryer! Sometimes I think I should rip the TV off the wall and just live life without the TV. I think I may watch too much of it. In fact maybe I should get rid of all modern technology. We can have dinner by candlelight... that I prepared in an iron pot above the fire, We can then retail our day and tell stories while roasting marshmellows on the said fire. We shall go to bed early because how many stories can you really tell each other. It gets dark pretty early so I would guess we would be in bed by 8:00pm. Now that would be crazy.

Merry Christmas!!!

The Cake Eater

Loki: Why am I so tired today? Yes, Stella. I started the post with a question as usual. It is only 9:30 and I am about to fall asleep like an old grandpa in my recliner and start snoring. I am usually always tired at the end of a fun-filled day...But tonight, I feel worn out! I had help watching the babe today since we were at Nana's. Blue was busy playing with the bazillion toys most of the day, and then later she just followed Bella around and tried to mimic her making high pitched screams at one another for fun. The only thing unusual  about today was that I made a cake. Yes, I myself made a cake for my darling husband who is turning 30. It is going to be a surprise even though he does not like cake. But there should be a celebration even if I have to shove it down his throat! Anyway, back to the cake. I, of course, have watched Stella many times make her wonderous cakes and have assisted on many occasions. (But as she said, mostly I just clean up.) But today I was solo.  Err...with some help from Nana and of course, Stella screaming in the background "Oh my gosh!" before swiftly taking over whatever I was doing.

Stella: Aha! What a revelation you must be having learning that I was right all along. Making a cake is a TON of work. Who knew it took hours upon hours to make/frost/decorate one simple little cake and then even longer to clean it all up? So what's wrong? You didn't like standing on your feet all day working? I do feel bad that Loki tried to bribe me with truffles & a magazine and I didn't even help her that much. But she said she wanted the cake to look like she made it herself so I didn't want to interfere. (Except when I heard Nana trying to tell her how to make fondant all wrong!) So I wrapped up the candy and put it under the tree for Bella from Aunt Loki. I did enjoy the magazine and found a gorgeous ad of this farmer man named Joshua modeling jeans and tore it off to tack up on my wall. Yes, that's how desperate I have become. Sometimes at night I will talk to him like he's real.

Loki: Oh my gosh! You are insane. Please dont start decorating your room like a young teenage girl in love with the Hansons. You can get a little obsessed. Fun fact: Stella decorated her room with a collage of boys when she was in high school...even the ceiling. I was just trying to cheer you up as I knew coming over there on Wednesday that Verucka(? i dont know how to spell that name) was visiting that day and I was trying to make her go away. I said that I wanted to decorate the cake...and I was hoping some of your skills rubbed off on me and Big T would be impressed. I did not say I wished the cake to look like a 3rd grader did it. Big T was mighty pleased and he said it was a lot better than he could do (how's that for a compliment)...and that he will even eat a piece since I made it. It better be as good as yours. Im sorry I dont know of any hot young single men for you to salivate over. Maybe you should try a dating website... I mean you said you were desperate. Or you could just wait until your 10 year reunion and maybe the nerd in high school turned out to be the best looking older man?! Isn't that what mom always said? That the dorks were always better looking after 10 years and that the popular good looking ones always end up like losers? Perhaps there is a feller who always had a crush on you...but was too chicken to speak to you back then, Now he has a brilliant job and makes tons of money and he is going to ride in a limo to the reunion and sweep you off your feet! Im saying reunion because I just got invited to mine. Im old. It isnt until July..I told Big T that if I were pregnant we wouldnt have to go. Hows that for bribery.

Stella: Actually I was just joking about the picture. I don't think hanging random men on my wall would be a good thing for Bella to see. I have a fever today. So does my little one. But just so you know, I made a real honest effort to come up with something to write about.

Loki: Well thanks for the effort. We are sickly today as well. We came home from my nephews birthday party at Chuckee Cheese.. I fed Baby Blue some food from the salad bar...you know eggs, ham, olives, and bits of pizza (along with her normal baby food). We got home and poor Blue vomited all over Big T. She continued to upchuck for the rest of the night every 20 minutes. I realize that Bella recently got sick in the middle of the night... but Blue got sick EVERY 20 minutes until about 4 am. She slept in our bed last night...a first since she has been 3 months old. She tosses and turns like a maniac. Every time she moved she would wake up to cough and throw up. I would have just enough time to heave her over my shoulder so she could vomit all over me...and off the side of the bed onto a clump of towels. I changed about 3 times before giving up... her in just a diaper and me in just some underwear. She would puke and then pass out again the poor baby. I would soothe her and she would be all feverish and clammy... when she felt normal again I would lay her in between us and I would once again try to drift off to sleep. I would get about 5 minutes until this whole process began again. I got up at about 2am to do some research because I didnt know if it was okay for her to be puking so much so often. Apparently it is.  Yowzer. Not to worry...she woke up fresh and happy at 5:30. Big T got up with her this time and let me sleep in a bit. I have no idea how but he slept straight through most of the night... only to wake up once to hand me a towel so I could wipe off some puke that was dripping down both our bellies. I dont know if it was just a bug or something not settling in Baby Blue's tummy but whatever it was, it is hopefully over. We are both running some small fevers today and I feel like I am sick, although I think that is just from lack of sleep. Blue is now taking a 3rd nap today. Stella just texted me that terrorists are now poisoning salad bars. I doubt the salad bar at Chuckee Cheese is a big target but who knows. 

Why target salad bars?

Brighter Tomorrow

Loki: Do you feel like we were just upstaged by the other set of bantering sisters? At least they have a fresh new perspective. The hardest part about this gig is coming up with subject material that is interesting and I tell you I do not have any hidden secrets to discuss.

Stella: SAD= Seasonal affective disorder. As the days become shorter, and the weather colder, there is an increase in vegetative depressive symptoms. Individuals eat more, crave carbohydrates, sleep more, experience chronic fatigue and gain weight. In pronounced cases, significant social withdrawal occurs as well. Some have described the pattern as a hibernation during the winter months.


This is why I do not want to blog.

And to answer your question: No. I enjoyed it. I wish they would take over for awhile so I don't have to be pressured to. I just sound like a big, fat hermit crab all the time anyway because I am not interested in anything you want to write or talk about. But then you pressure me to write something and I hear mom telling me in her overly-nice-motherly voice that makes me want to scratch out my eyeballs "to be nice to your sister & just write something because everyone will enjoy it" and all that comes out are gripes and complaints. It's not my fault. It's just that most of the time I find everything you write so difficult to read. In my head it sounds like this, "Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah BLAH!" Sorry. I guess you can't help it that I don't find you interesting. You're just like 3 years behind me. Yes, I had a kid that did all of those things already like walking & cooing and I already stayed home to be a full-time mom with her for 2 years. Yes, I once had a husband who wasn't ever around and now I am a BEAR! What more do you want me to say about it? I could drone on and on if it pleases you, but I'm just not in the mood. If I had something bright and uplifting and cheery to write about- then I would! So it's just better to say NOTHING and go back to hibernating.

Loki: I think people will hit the "stella needs a break" comment so much it will break. You need to cheer up. Cheer up I say. It is the holidays, time for rejoicing. So what if I just took a nap and ate a humongous sandwich from Jersey Mikes. ( I cheated...so what) . It is hibernation in my house right now. You are in a sour mood my sister. But please do not blame it on me. My subject material for whatever blog I happen to sprout is just an idea. We can talk about whatever you would like instead. I dont mean to bore you with my mundane homely life. I guess if we were still working at the horrid place we could talk about how many deserts they are bringing up to the office, how they made us decorate the whole office with old stale ornaments. How there is no holiday cheer. How that agent just took a handful of the good candy. We would be discussing our love of canned popcorn. How silent it is in our office. We would be discussing our big bonus that we just got (I somehow feel responsible for you not receiving one this year...perhaps I can give you my unemployment for a week). How Poodles just got a new perfume and it smells like a skunk, she overly douses herself in it after coming back from her lunch break...where she spent an hour in her car chain smoking with the windows rolled up. How PR is an alcoholic and her shaking hands have now turned into full body convulsions. How Sparky sliced his bald head open while "shaving", even though we all know no hair grows there anymore. He know is walking around the office in a baret.  Okay so now dont you feel better about my lam-o mom posts?

Cheerfulness:•Happiness is a state of mind or feeling characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy. A variety of biological, psychological, religious, and philosophical approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its source

Ah it is Christmas this week...Cheer up Stella! Please tell Stella something to cheer her up!

Racism Reversed

Saucy: I spent a majority of my junior high/high school years wishing I was black…. or African American. I wanted to be black so badly and resented the white skin God had blessed me with. My mother was the only one who knew this secret wish of mine, and as you can imagine she did not understand. After all, throughout school you learn about how mistreated blacks were and how they were always the minority and what not. I confused my mother, and when she informed Curls of my desire, she was confused as well. Why would I want to be black? Whites are the dominant, most envied race. So why you may ask, did I want to be black for a good portion of my life? Let’s start with basketball. I played basketball for about 7 years, and that is when it all began. No matter what team it was, if you put your best white player and best black player against each other, the black girl will win. She will naturally be more athletic. And when I played school ball, the coaches thought it would be amusing to play me as a post player (the person that's supposed to be tall so they can stand under the bball goal to get rebounds.) So you can only guess who I was trying to out-jump and rebound against?? Black girls. Since I wanted to be a star at basketball for several years, of course that is when my dreams of being black began.

It all escalated from there. The older I got, I started branching out in the music area. Instead of just country, I started listening to Beyonce, Ciara, Ashanti, and other black artists. Well, I always wanted to have a beautiful voice, and no one can belt it out better than the black girls. And not only that, but they have RHYTHM!!!! Hello, I had to watch these music videos of perfect hip and belly movement and rhythm to the music, and I can barely clap my hands and sing at the same time. So that was that.

And when I got into high school my upper lip became a huge insecurity for me. I don’t know who else but me notices this, but whenever I smile, my upper lip vanishes. I probably shouldn’t have revealed this because now whenever you all see me and I smile you will have your eyes glued to my upper lip waiting for it to disappear ….. So I have this lip that goes away and black girls have huge plump lips. They will never need lip injections. So there you have it! Another physical trait to envy! Not to mention their butts. Even Choc Chip will agree with me that they have junk in the trunk that is envied by many.

Curls: Resented the white skin??? Hahahahahaha!! That's funny! I hate to burst your "I'm a cracker so I can't dance" bubble, but I have seen you move. And there are some dark-skinned sisters out there who wouldn't be able to hold a candle to your jigginess. I've only known 1 AA in my whole life. Her name was Patty, and she always made me laugh so hard I thought I would throw up. I mean uncontrollable hysterical face numbing laughter. It was painful. Saucy dear, if you had lips like a black girl then dad would make fun of you. He'd want to throw you up against the wall to see if you'd stick to it. And let me just say all those singers you mentioned are soiled doves. Or ho dogs as Choc Chip would say :) You should have better role models for yourself....Let's see....how about...hmmm...geez....I can't think of ONE entertainment superstar that I would want to mimic.....Maybe Carrie Underwood...but then again she was on the cover of that ho dog magazine Cosmo girl or whatever. Bad witness!!!! But who am I to judge?? Ok. Back to the original topic. If I had the grand opportunity to swap my ethnicity I would definitely be Asian. They are so cute!!! I've decided that Asian would be be preferable because I could never find cute junior girl clothes when I was 11-16. I got all of my height and "body mass" waaayyyy before all the other girls in school and had to shop in the WOMEN'S DEPARTMENT! I was mortified!! And I forbid our mother to ever use the word B-R-A. We had a code word..."Thingymajig". I would go to school and see all these perfectly fashionable Asian girls with there long luxurious straight black hair and wished I could be Asian too. They are always smarter than everyone else. A stereotype? Yes. But is it true? YES!! There was a girl named Ho (Haha! For real) in my algebra class who had the prettiest hair ever!! She was different than most Asians at the high school. She laughed and smiled a lot. If it wasn't for Eyes of Blue I would never have made a good grade in that blasted class. Asians are smart, thin, and controlled. EVERYTHING THAT MATTERS IN LIFE PEOPLE!!! And I really like Japanese food too. Orange chicken is my Favorite!! And Mulan is my favorite Disney movie!! Da foo do foo da Oiy Oiy.

Saucy: See! Take Patty for example! She was HILARIOUS! Black people are funnier than me too! All this talk of why I USED to want to be black is causing me to want to be black again….. But I think “Redneck Romeo” would prefer I stay white. Mandisa is not a soiled dove. She was on American Idol (if any of you can remember) and she is black and she could really sing. She didn’t become very successful, but that was because her choice of music. (she is heard on klove) Hows THAT for a role model? I am confused as to why you want to be Asian. I already have a physical Asian trait. I forgot to mention that when I smile, my eyes disappear along with my lips! My whole face just turns featureless and moosh! I do agree that they have good healthy hair though. But then you would be obligated to give me pedicures for the rest of your life! Hm... sounds good to me =) You should start practicing! They are also extremely smart. I think every valedictorian speaker at graduations is Asian. But I would much rather excel in athletics and skills than academics. Therefore, I will remain pro-black. This isn't to say I envy EVERY trait of black people. Like their smell. I do not, and never will envy their smell. Black people stink. And Choc Chip will be appalled that I actually wrote that, but I'm not trying to be racist in any way. But it's a fact. I still remember a few years back me and Curls took a shopping trip to Penn Square Mall. Well, while riding up the escalator Curls sneered her nose at me and quietly whispered "it stinks" and all I said was "all black people stink" (knowing that the reason for the uncomfortable smell was the black woman right behind us.) Well, Curls face turns into a horrified expression and right when we exited the escalator she darts off and leaves me. She sprinted to the other side of the mall! I’m surprised I found her! And to this day I’m quite confident the black woman did NOT hear my comment. Curls is convinced otherwise.

Curls: I suppose bantering is all about giving your honest opinion. Our readers today shall fail to be disappointed in Saucy's EXTREMELY honest description of a certain race's "scent". And yes darling. Mother will be horrified. We'll never get to be guest banterers again. And I hope only white people read this!!! Sheesh! I DO recall that lovely outing to the mall. And here is my recollection (People tell me I have a great memory). So Saucy and I are going down the escalator. I am in front of Saucy facing her (so I see a black woman right behind her) We are just yada yada -ing and I, with my overly sensitive hound dog nose, pick up on an unpleasant aroma. I say "What stinks?" This innocent question sparks something in Little Saucy's uncontentedly white brain and she just looks at me and blurts out with an inquisitive expression on her face (very LOUDLY if I might add) "HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED HOW BLACK PEOPLE STINK??!!" I promise you that poor lady heard you unless she was hearing impaired. Which it would stink to be deaf but at least you don't have to listen to silly little chicken honky girls telling you they think you stink like a cow. That was a major run on sentence. Oh well. This is recreational. Not english class. So yes, THAT is the true story of how it went down. And Mandisa is successful! You are automatically a success when you are recognized by just one name :) You know Saucy, It's a good thing you aren't Asian because you would never be able to give birth naturally. Asian women are just too narrow. Although after the baby is born they probably look like they were never pregnant to begin with.

I am glad that we are not all white. How boring would that be? I was convinced that when I grew up I was going to marry a good-looking mexican man. Goldenboy is good looking and tan. That's as close as it gets to Mexican.
Saucy: Mexican Cowboy wasn’t it? Or Mexican Rancher? Well Anyways, It’s obvious you and I have separate memories of that day, because the lady did NOT hear me. You just ran off like a chicken. And even if she did hear me, she knows it’s true. I wasn’t TRYING to offend anyone or be mean. I was simply stating the facts. I wouldn’t be offended if I was riding an escalator right behind a black girl and she said “have you ever noticed white girls aint got no lips or hips!” I would just hang my head in disappointment, knowing she has only stated the truth. I wouldn’t mind being Hispanic or Latina like Jennifer Lopez, she’s real purdy….. I wouldn’t mind being Indian like Pocahontas either. She can run really fast, and she uses resources from the earth, and she had beautiful long hair too! I guess I can wish and wish my unpigmented skin away, but if will forever and ever remain.

TELL US: IF YOU WEREN’T WHITE, WHICH RACE WOULD YOU BE??

Baby Countdown!

No post today, but just wanted to say only 17 days to go for Saucy & baby err... Meatballs!!! hahah. It may seem like a long time, but at least you don't look like this poor girl, who is apparently birthing a whale.

My Angel

Loki: I am just sitting here holding my Baby Blue while she snuggles against my chest, thumb in her mouth and my shirt collar in her mouth. I haven't "accomplished" much today around the house. I have not even opened the computer to look for employment options... But right now, I don't ever want to leave here. I don't need to have a corporate office overlooking the city. I don't need a business card or be able to travel on trips to wonderful cities, only to sit and listen to some speaker talk about some other silly "new" thing that we need to do to make our profit margin larger. I know that not everyone can stay home with their kids, nor does everyone want to, (for which I cannot understand.) But this is the life I imagined for myself. I know that this will not last forever. At some point, I will need to get another job. I know that Baby Blue will grow up and continue to become independent. I just don't want to think about such times right now. I am trying to enjoy every moment I have right now and the fun things she is learning to do. Like how she crawls everywhere, but will randomly stand up in the middle of the floor like she is just going to take off in a dead sprint. She usually gets a few steps in, falls down, and crawls a few more... only to stand up again. I like how she pulls my shirt up to get to the nursing... How she has to be sitting up or smashing her whole entire face into my boobs to nurse. I have no idea how she even breathes...but that's what she likes! I love how I can start singing anything, and she will immediately smile at me and start swaying, (which is her dancing.) I love how she blabbers all day like she is just talking my head off, and then will randomly scream "DA DA DA!" I love that she throws herself backwards on the couch as a game we play... or how she crawls to a pillow and lay down on it, and she just laughs and laughs. She chases the dog around the house and loves to attack him. She crawls into the kitchen, where she stands up and pushes her highchair around. I love how we say "no" she will look up and stop doing what she is doing for just a split second... until she continues on. If that "NO" was to something she was putting into her mouth, she will stop and hand it over and it sounds like she says, "here". These are just a few examples of what I love about her right now at 9 months.... I wouldn't get to enjoy these moments as much if I were busy working or driving to one grandma's house or the other to pick her up..  Just in time to get home and make dinner... and then bath and before you know it, it's bed time and she is asleep. I was not given this child to only see her 3 days a week. While I feel sorry for Big T most of the time, I just cannot make myself feel bad about being unemployed.

NanaBess:  I LOVED reading this and am so glad to "guest banter" today.  It thrills my heart and soul to read how much you enjoy staying home with the wee one.  I am not going to encourage you to get out there and work.  After the message in church yesterday, I think we Americans are far too rich and could get by with much less.  Sure, it is nice to have lots of STUFF.. but really, the only stuff you need is clothing and shelter and food, and we all have plenty of that.  You have that without your job or even a "part time job".  I lived so many years going from pay check to pay check, and I do remember going without much and even just wanting to "have enough to pay the bills".  God was so good to provide, and we never went without food or shelter and eventually, we had extra money for this or that.  I pray for Big T and his "thinking". :)  That God will change his priority and get on board with having Mommy home to take care of Baby Blue is PRICELESS (and go without those energy drinks and fast food for a while.) It can be done with Big T's help and support. YOU can do it LOKI! 

Loki: Yes, as mentioned before, it is not my wish to get a job. I would gladly stay home and never think about getting a job until maybe I didn't have a wee one to watch all the time. Big T will occasionally remark about having a housewife and of course, I get excited and think that he is okay with me not finding employment, but then out of nowhere we will get in arguments about it because I am not trying "hard enough" to find a job.. Sigh, It is never ending discussion. Do I please myself or my husband? I love this life... I don't need things. I have always said this... Big T was raised differently, and 'things' have always been important. It is still amazing to me how much your childhood can shape your life. Yes, good sermon yesterday and of course, I wished my husband would have heard it as well. When I do look for a job I am all about how much it pays..and haven't found too many that I think are good enough for me... so maybe I just need to get one whatever the pay?? Big T  has been so busy he hasn't been home except to sleep in the last 5 weeks...until today. It's nice having a day together... I made waffles for the baby and him (I did not partake...and had my egg beaters instead..gak) and then him and Blue snuggled on the couch for 45 minutes. It was sweet. He is even tolerating my ipod music today because it makes Blue dance. Okay on to play the Kinect some more (Gma Mod- it is essentially a Wii...but for XBOX and you do not have to use a control) ..Did I mention that I am going to win this biggest loser?

Nana Bess:  Yes.. you are going to win!  It has not been a very good effort over here.  Stella quit the first week and didn't even try and is baking Christmas cookies and toffee bars and buying egg nog and ice cream.  Yes, yes, tis the season to be jolly!  What were we thinking trying to diet during this season?  I did good the first week and lost 3 and 1/2 pounds!  THEN, went a day or two without exercising and started to eat bread... and a cookie or a piece of peanut brittle here or there and today I stepped on the Wi and it said, "You gained 1.3 lbs this week!"  :(  ah boo!  And although Computer man lost 7 the first week, I have witnessed him munching down on the available sweets - he has NO self control!  This should be an easy win for you.. but all it will take is for Stella to engage in January... (or whenever she kicks in) and then LOOK OUT.. we shall all do MUCH better!  Hum... I just thought I could step on the treadmill and walk a bit today... I have a book to read to pass the time.  OH.. did I tell you Stella is at this moment reading "The Hunger Games?" ha/ha.. (yes, I shoved the book in her face earlier when she complained of having nothing to do today)...

Loki: Yay, I am very excited that she is reading the Hunger Games. I wonder what she will think about the ending! How funny we all have such different opionions. I am about Eclipsed out... I've re-watched the movie, or had it playing in the background every day it seems like. I have listened to both commentaries too. I have had plenty to do today!! Somehow I always have things to do.... It would be hard for me too to not partake in Stella's baking... I am still confused why she quit. Oh well, thats 10 bucks for me. :) I lost 4 lbs the first week and I bet I matched that last week. I need to weigh on the Wii again or maybe just wait until the ending. Batman says he is going to give me a run for my money... We will see. I am beginning to think this banter is turning into a snooze as Stella would say....but I cant think of anything humorous to say at the moment....I just applied to be someone's personal assistant! (probably not the best job for me...but it advertised as a stay at home...so we will see)

Nana Bess:  When you say a personal assistant I can't help of think of Elaine and Mr. Pitts! ha/ha (for all you Seinfeld lovers out there!)... she had to go shopping for him and buy him white knee socks.  It made for a very funny show... I can't see you doing that with Baby Blue.. ha/ha... Yeah, I am sure Stella will lable this banter boring, but it was fun doing it anyway.  I am glad you are having a nice day with Big T and enjoying staying home.  God will open the door for the perfect part time job.. I am praying! :)  Oh, and I didn't see Batman turning down Gma Old Fashion's tin of candy after lunch yesterday...But he is dying to start playing basketball again.. so maybe he is thinking all the exercise will pay off?  hum.... well, time for me to hit the treadmill...
What would you make your personal assistant do?

Party On

Loki: Please party on without me. This is my thought. I wish I could go to a party or event and just show up instead of being in charge of the decor.. or the food... or have some part of planning. I like the improptu parties better, such as our Eclipse party. That was easy and fun. Well, maybe we should ask Stella, since she is the one who did most of it. If you can't tell, I just got a call about one of my friend's graduation party. I was actually contemplating whether or not I even was going to show up... and thinking of an excuse to not go. Can't I just take the graduate out by herself? She is my one friend, so I have to make some sort of effort. I figured that I could stop by the party for a brief period and then leave. Besides, I don't exactly know what kind of "party" this is... It is during the day, but there is going to be a keg there. So, can I bring my baby? I never know when I am 'that woman' dragging her kid along because I have a sick fascination with being with her 24/7, and this ruins the atmosphere for everyone else because there is a baby there. But I don't want to part with her... It's going to kill me when she goes to school~! haha. Anyway, now I have to be in charge of decor! Thankfully because we have put on so many parties in the past, I have tons of decor that is already made that will fit this occassion... But the girl that I am planning this with still wants to go shopping and get even more stuff.

Not to mention, I always get asked about the cake. You know, because I have a wonderfully talented sister who does cakes....The thing they don't know is that it is pulling teeth trying to get her to make one anymore! I know that when I ask her to do a cake for me, she really doesn't want to do it. If I talk her into at all, then she is only doing it for me. You would think that I would run out of reasons to need a cake... That or figure out how to just make them myself. I even promise to be her little assistant when she is making one exclusively for my benefit... which is pretty degrading to me, as she has no problem bossing me around like a red headed step child.

Stella: I enjoyed reading this. Perhaps you should just carry on. I don't know what to say except do not bring your baby to a keg party. By the way, does graduating college after 10 years really warrant a party? I do not do anything degrading to you in the kitchen when you try to assist me. You say you want to help so I tell you to do the only things that you could do that would also be beneficial to me. Maybe if you knew simple things about baking, (such as you use powdered sugar to make frosting- a new discovery of Loki's who has never baked before in her life,) then I could give you other chores or things to do. But since you haven't the slightest idea of how to do anything that requires skill or knowledge about cakes/baking, I have to ask you to clean up, wipe things down or put things away. Plus, if you weren't there to do those things then I would have to do them myself as well. You don't quite realize how much work it is.. how big of a mess you make & have to clean up... and the extensive amount of time involved. I'm worn out just thinking about it, which means "no." I do not want to make an ugly yellow, blue & silver graduation cake for you. Go to the Walmart bakery and just pay $20. If I am going to spend all that time slaving away it has to be for someone I love or at least an interesting idea that appeals to me. The same thing applies to decorating, which is not as time-consuming, but a lot of thought goes into it. I think I get way less stressed at doing decor as I enjoy making things & don't have to do it all in one setting (like when trying to finish a cake by a specific time.) The Eclipse party was certainly very easy & not stressful at all- just gathering things that said 'Twilight' to me from around the house & using what others already had. (Spent maybe $3 on some paper streamers and that's about it!) Now Bella's birthday party is a whole other story...  And once again, I'm not going to put a lot of thought into doing something for someone I don't even know or like...  I don't think this is rude or mean of me. There is no rule that says I have to do things for everyone just because I have the talent to do them. But if I do happen to like you, there are creative & good things ahead!

Loki: But you do know my graduating friend, AND you like her! We laugh about her together as she is rather silly. It took me 6 years to graduate as well, and I got a dinner out of it. That was all I wanted too...maybe if she was becoming a Dr. then it'd be more special, but this is sort of her birthday too... Since it falls a few days away and she has always had big birthday parties...(You know like you do in junior high/ high school.) Well maybe not you...or I ,for that matter. Let me re-phrase that again. She has parties like I did in college. There, that is better. You attended my birthday party at that creepy apartment I lived in. (Please let's not say anything else about that party...I was referencing it to show you that my friend likes to invite every friend and relative she has to her birthday parties...still at age 27.)

Back to the cake...you don't have to make it if you don't want to. Obviously. I was just volunteering to help you. If I could, I would make the cake... roll out all the fondant and then let you create. Or I would just learn to do it myself. However, I am pretty sure my creativity only consists of drawing hearts and stars...now that would not be a very original cake.

Stella: Yes, I had to share my graduation with my younger brother & we only did a dinner as well. But that's okay. Not to mention, our father wasn't even proud of our degrees. But in all honesty, neither am I. It took a lot of time and work.. And was way more difficult to finish after having a baby. (Think about going back to school right now Loki. I'm pretty sure you used to gripe at me for telling you it was hard to go to school & have a baby, but you never understood.) Anyway.. of course, I graduated with honors for having such brillant grades & doing such marvelous work. But still, I don't feel the need to use or do anything with my degree. Lack of ambition in life? Perhaps. Maybe it's just contentment. By the way, I wish I could elaborate on this party of yours. It is not a good memory for me.

Loki: Nothing having to do with me and ages 18-19 are good years or memories for anyone. I am proud of my college degree...and I would be more proud if I could find a job that would allow me to use it. You know so that I made more money than my husband, who has no schooling at all. I think it is crap that I suffered through college and he did not... yet he makes more than me (way more so now as I dont get paid very much to rock a baby to sleep). I wish I wouldve just went to a 2 year tech school and got certified in something specific...  Speaking of rocking a baby...Baby Blue is fighting sleep once more. I must get her out and rock. I would also like to mention that I have to start over yet again on training her to not get up in the middle of the night to nurse.(I allowed it for a week when she was sick...)  She practically yelled at me last night from 2am-3am. Sheesh. Yes yes I know this has nothing to do with party planning but I cannot help that this motherhood seeps into everything. I would like to mention that the girl that roped me into helping with this party wanted me to come and help set up the day before. THE DAY BEFORE. I told her no. There is no need to decorate with a few paper balls and table cloths the day before. She is obviously an ameteur.

What are you an ameteur at?

New Connections

Loki: It seems odd to me that although neither of us are working right now we run out of time to blog. I guess when we were forced to sit in front of a computer for 9 hours a day...and we ran out of work to do, we could always think of blogs to right about. Now days our days are consisting of mostly motherhood. And while I think it is ok to talk about our precious offspring every now and then, I dont think you want to hear every detail... like how Stella fed my child refried beans in the hope that it would later show up in her diaper...or how my child will no longer nurse like a normal baby. She will lay down for about 1 minute and then she wants to nurse sitting up...preferably while looking at whoever else is in the room.

Stella: Hello? How did you not write about how that precious baby took her first 2 steps last week already? TO ME! Hehhehe! Hooray! I can just hear you now telling Big T all about how if you hadn't been at home you wouldn't have been able to see such a thing and doesn't he appreciate the fact that you are home with the baby now getting to enjoy her? haha. I bet even that did not convince him to stop nagging you to get a job. I think my life at home is definitely more exciting than sitting at a computer all day. Which is why I don't want to even take time to sit down at one and waste my time! Bella and I went on an "adventure" today (as she called it) through the creek and the fields. I told the Cougar last week that she should respond to your 400 blog posts, but she couldn't awake her Prince Charming.

Loki: Oh how fun! I love playing in the creek, and Bella is at a fun age right now. OH yes how could I not have mentioned the walking!! We tried to get her to do it again last night but she went limp leg on us. Her legs were tired from all that walking with aunt Stella! I try to avoid any topic having to do with getting another job. We just fight. But yes, I had that same thought... she would have been with my MIL if I was at work...and think what that would've done me! Well, what else is there to talk about today? I've recently made some contact with some old friends. I was just thinking how odd it is how people come in and out of your life. Some of these people were really close to me at one point in my life and now I have nothing to do with them. I guess this happens a lot when you are younger and now that I am older I am starting to see the impact certain people made on my life or that it is a good thing they are no longer apart of mine. Or even how I could've broken up with Big T and then where would I be!? I'm sure Stella will appreciate the seriousness of this post... or perhaps she can write a jig about it. I did only ask one question though so i am getting better at my rants.

Stella: I am at a loss for words... I don't even know what to say first. I'm quite happy with my small pool of friends. Who needs a ton of friends just for the sake of saying "I have a ton of friends?!" Not me. I think there is even a verse about not having too many friends... I should look it up to back up my point, but not right now. Why did you name this  blog New Connections? Isn't that the name of a glee group? You always come up with weird titles. I usually change them, but lately I've just grown tired and weary of correcting you. I recently deleted a whole bunch of people from facebook. I decided if I wouldn't even say hi to them or acknowledge them at a store or if I ran into them, then I don't need to be friends with them online and letting them see all my personal photos/info etc. Speaking of facebook, I'm personally really tired of seeing everyone's profile picture as a cartoon. I refuse to participate. I'm thinking of putting on my status "To support world hunger, everyone change their profile picture to their favorite food" or "Let's support the March of the Dimes, everyone put up a baby picture of themselves." Just to see if anyone listens to me. (Although the baby picture one would probably actually be entertaining.)

Loki: I just name the blogs the first thing that comes to mind. I figure you will change it anyway so not a lot of thought would go into it. I guess it wouldn't be NEW connections, but OLD connections. I don't really want to be "friends" with these people I used to be friends with either. We will email back and forth for awhile and then just follow each other on status updates. It is a rather weird "connected" world we are living in. I think it is kinda self-centered. KINDA? haha I don't really care that someone is tired of wating in the waiting room at the dr. office, or hates their job, or just ate a really great piece of pizza. Also, I don't really dig the 500 happy birthdays that everyone gets on their birthday. I try to not do the facebook birthday...unless I would really call you and tell you happy birthday. I need to delete some people from my facebook too. I have some people on there that I am not even sure who they are. How do these people know me?

Stella: Yes, if I look on there more than once a day than I just get annoyed. But when we were at work it was the only exciting thing to do there. I think it'd be best to only check once a week or so from now on. Look at me. I've turned into an old lady. You know what else is annoying about fb today? Everyone putting numbers up on fb and then writing big gushy messages to them as their status updates. Ah! No more fb this week! So when was the last time you made a NEW friend? Hmm.. The last "new" friend for me would have to be ChaCha. And now I won't ever see her again since quitting our job.. Plus I really suck at keeping in touch with people to begin with.

Loki: Yes, I haven't made too many "new" friends either. I suppose I have made one... Big T is friends with her husband and he practically shoved her down my throat to be friends with her. I like her well enough...but I am not calling her to discuss my day. It's hard enough to keep the friendships I have...which is not many. I do consider my sister and my mother my friends... so now I have to go hide under a pillow because that just sounds lame.

Tell us why you're lame.

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The Inner Workings of TMC

Stella: The Man Child is back by popular demand to discuss the important matter of furniture. Except he has nothing to say about furniture, he says as I read this out loud to him. Therefore, I have asked him to share with us something that he does have knowledge of... which is stacking boxes. Stacking boxes is an important job for the young man child.... It teaches him valuable life tools. Oh wait, he just said that he won't discuss his profession with me either, which leaves me nothing else to discuss but his love life or lack thereof.
So, TMC how's the search for your future wifey going?

TMC: I'm going to kill Stella. (He says to me snickering to himself while I transcribe this for him... This is followed by more laughter & then some head scratching. He starts looking up and down at his phone a few times, texting someone... but I can't see who because he angles it away from my view as always. Then he peers down to see what I am typing. He laughs at what he sees and then begins to text some more. He pretends that I am not looking directly at him or waiting for his response. The smirk remains on his face the whole time... Ah this is getting boring.. more texting and a scratch on his nose... now rubbing his teeth. Ew, I saw a line of spit stick to his fingers. He turns his head completely away from me now to look as if he's watching a repeat of SNL on the t.v. but that doesn't last long. He quickly tries to see what I'm typing about him..) STOP! (This is the one other word he has said thus far as I wait for him to narrate to me his reply. He scoots away from me and glances back & forth from the tv to the computer as he knows I am still rambling away about his every move.)

Stella: So... That was definitely interesting. I can see why all of the fans love to hear your perspective on things. Let's continue this stimulating conversation. Are you sure you don't have any thoughts on furniture??? Popsicles? Stevie Wonder?

TMC: He's blind, they're good, and I don't care. (Speak, I urge him... ) Well ,the search is ongoing. I have many prospects. None of which I shall share with the family, which means they aren't really prospects at all. (Alas, he talks!) I don't really go anywhere but home... And work... And there are no good looking girls there. So the place is very bad hunting grounds. I think I need to go to school, but I do not really wish to go. The only reason I would go is for the ladies. Instead I think I will go to my best friend's party in a few weeks... just to try to meet some women that are actually college age. (Well, he's gone back to texting now... more scratching...So time for my reply.)

Stella: A party, eh? Parties are not the place to meet women. Any woman of good stature will be at home baking blueberry pies while reading the Bible... not going to parties. Indeed this is what I spend all of my time doing... Okay, maybe not when I was 19. And I'm not really a big fan of pie either.

TMC: I don't like pie myself. (He states to me, as he pushes his glasses up and caresses his chin hairs methodically moving from one side to the other... He chuckles at my description of him... lounging on the couch beside me snuggled up in a white blanket... white beanie, black t-shirt and sweat pants...) Thanks for telling everyone what I'm wearing. I'm sure they're all dying to know what great fashion sense I have. (Well, what else was I supposed to say as I sit here waiting for you to say something instead of being glued to the tv/phone?)

Stella: Hey, these are the things ladies are looking for. A man who can dress himself & groom himself & pick up after himself. So far you have not met any of these qualifications. We haven't even discussed your lack of skills yet...

TMC: No, no.... don't write that! Shut up! (Then he gestures to my face that he's doing to strangle me!) Stop it, I'll talk.. I'll talk. Just erase that. Where would you like me to meet girls, Stella? Where do you think I should go? I do not have any skills. My skill is unloading boxes, which will someday get me the job I want to make a living... to support a family. Which is my goal in life. Now, my second goal (which is also part of the first goal) is looking for a woman. Now I would like this woman... (...he can't concentrate to finish this thought as Britney Spears is on SNL now.. He still just stares at me as he has completely lost his train of thought.) No, we are not putting that in there! Take that out! (Then he gestures at me again that he's going to grab me..) I'm going to hurt you! Ugh! (He gives up on trying to convince me to erase that last bit..) Back to my train of thought, I would like this woman to be pretty... with good values.. fun to hang out with... the complete package! Now do you know of any who might fit this description? Also, bear in mind I also prefer a woman who is shorter than me, which will doom my children to shortness, but I don't want a mate that is taller than me. (Okay, I added in the word mate myself because I think it's funny...) I also don't mind a woman who is a little older.

Stella: Whoa, whoa. Slow down there fella. You will definitely need to re-vamp that criteria. You will most likely end up with a woman at least 3 years your junior. I don't know why but I like when people say things like that... "he's 3 years my senior..." Anyhow, your prospective match that is out there lurking in the world somewhere is bound to be at least a few years younger than you. Younger women will find you more appealing and maybe even funny. You should try to work whatever magic you have on them... they will be more naive and will delight in having found someone "older." hahah

TMC: So what? I should go stalk the highschools??? Nope. I just haven't met the right girl yet. That is all. And I believe that almost everyone believes I am funny. Because guess what? I am funny. I am also (he waves his arm to make his point... and chuckles as he strokes his chin hairs again) a very handsome man. I also hate this inner monologue you are doing... (he instructed me as he continues to pet his face.) I've been total multiple times that I am much cuter than my brother... And I have nothing to add to that.. I just wanted to say that. (He says this last part with a sweeping of his hand... grabs the phone again but all the while still looking down to see what I am saying about him...)

Stella: Is that Halle Berry now? She looks nasty. Oh wait, we aren't writing everything I say out loud on here. So back to business. We must come up with a few more skills for you. What else can you do? Numbchucks? Remodel a bathroom? Install brake pads?

TMC: Yes, I can do that. So suck it! I am very skilled at numbchucks as well as I went through a ninja phase in my childhood. ie, Ninja Turtles, Three Ninjas... And as far as remodeling bathrooms, I have a father that I am sure could help me. I bring many things to the table... (He crosses his arm and begins to talk poetically about himself.) I am very skilled in the art of music trivia... movie quotes.. and other things about movies etc etc.. I have what they refer to as "entertainment value." (Yes, still using the retarded poet voice...) I am very entertaining. Let's just put it that way. So... What other things do I need? Cute, entertaining. What woman wouldn't die to have this? I also have a tattoo... (He laughs at this one and looks down to admire his ink.)

Stella: Wow, well that just says it all. I am afraid I have nothing else to add that wouldn't be insulting or detrimental to your self esteem. Thank you for joining us TMC and if you would like I could take a vote with the fans to see if they would prefer your name to be changed from The Man Child to The Unicorn. Hahah. (Which is a male Twilight lovers per Loki) TMC is already shaking his head and saying no as he reads this idea. He is quite embarrassed by both titles. I bid you ado. Now let's turn the tv back up so we can actually hear what they're saying now. Goodnight & have a pleasant tomorrow.

You know whose a man? Me.... I'm a man.

Billy Goat

Loki: Are all babies billy goats? What I mean is that I know babies like to stick things in their mouths... and so I was prepared for that. However, Baby Blue has a knack for finding paper...any paper material and quickly shoving the whole thing in her mouth. I frequently find her with wads of chewed up paper in her chipmunk cheeks. My fingers have become quite familiar with her little mouth...she still gets a good bite out of my fingers most of the time too. Sometimes I wonder if I should just let her have it for crying out loud, whats the harm? I mean I understand that she could choke if she chose to swallow said wad but she never does. Okay calm down, I was just asking. Im not going to really let her walk around with chunks of paper in her mouth but it reminds me how you want to make your child happy...but safe. So she cant always have her way. I am quite certain this lesson shall be repeated throughout her life.

Also I would like to mention that I vacuum my house once a day... and I have no idea where all this paper comes from... I didnt know it was so readily available here. Now we are on to the Christmas tree chewing. No she doesnt actually chew on the tree...but she grabs the little "cherrie bulbs" off of the tree and chews on those. Oh and one more... she chews on cords alot too. I let her because I dont see the harm. I mean as long as they are not plugged in? Big T FREAKS out whenver she is around cords because I guess he heard of an accident with a baby and cords... chewing through one and dying. Yikes. Anyway I guess I just wonder how lax I can be. I dont want to freak out about little silly things...like Aunt Stella letting the baby suck on her candy cane yesterday.

Stella: Yep. Your baby is just weird. A real weirdo. You should take her to the doctor. She might be one of those kids that craves nonfood items like chalk... Except it's paper. Not really. This is normal. Kids eat everything. I'm just glad mine never tried dirt or bugs...or worse poo....I think Bess has a horrendous story from my childhood about me exploring with my dirty diaper. I think I painted the crib with it or something. Ugh. I don't think I could've handled cleaning that up. I think I also liked to dump thing in general. i.e. Shampoo, powder etc. Right now I've just got a mess maker. The girl loves to put on 100 outfits a day... or  "move" and bring all of her clothes with her... or "pack" to go on a trip somewhere, which still involves emptying out half of her wardrobe. I have tried to put an end to this game by not allowing her to bring out more than 2 outfits at a time. But now she has switched the doll clothes (which is less stressful because you do not have to fold them all back up at the end.) Anyhow, I hear I was much like this as a child as well so maybe you should ask mother if you liked to eat paper as a youngster. Apparently I also liked to empty out my dresser onto the floor in a fit of rage when I would get in trouble and get sent to my room. I find that to be hilarious. What a monster. *By the way, Big T should be worried. I pick up at least 3-4 pieces of silverware off the floor every time I am at your house. Most of the time I don't even know why you would have a fork in the corner of the room... Maybe your child is secretly stashing food and eating when you're not looking. That's why she's so dang skinny. She's starving!

Loki: If you say one more thing about my child being hungry because she is skinny I am going to shoot you. She is lean...because her father is lean and I am (was) lean. I was a lean child too, just because Nana Bess wasnt feeding me enough does not mean I am not feeding Blue enough. Not everyone can have cream in their milk. haha I dont know what the deal is with silverware...I didnt realize there was an abundance left out at my house. You sure do like to exaggerate the state of my house on this blog. People are going to think I live in a hoarder house and call DHS on me to have my child taken away from the filth. I know my cleaning is not up to your standards but I am working on it. We cant all be overly obsessed about cleanlinedss. That is a disorder you know, called OCD. Perhaps you have that and should go to a doctor and get medication for it.  Ok rant over. I do find it funny that Bella behaves as a young Stella. This brings great joy to me. Once Baby Blue is old enough to throw a fit and become hysterical over a splinter in her foot, I am sure you will be laughing at me as well. I hate folding and putting clothes away the first time!

Stella: Oh I was just kidding. I love your little babe just the way she is. But for as many times as I had to hear how chubby & healthy my baby was you should have to hear about how skinny & teeny yours is. ("Your milk must have a lot of cream in it!" people would tell me. Lovely.) Have you told Big T that you "respect him" lately? We never published the blog that told that story. And it makes me laugh every time. "Hey honey, I just wanted to tell you that I respect you." "Uh... okay." hahahah

Loki: No, we didnt ever post that. Yes, it's true I was reading some marriage book that Bess gave me at the time and it said that men want respect. I wasn't sure how or if I was showing him this said respect...so I figured I would just tell him. He was quite confused by my text that suddently said "I respect you". When I asked him what I could do to show him respect  he said "do what I say, when I say it." He was joking of course. Respect make me first think of the song R-E-S-P-E-C-T...and then of old people. You know respect your elders.

Stella: You're a genius. The word "respect" makes you think of the song "Respect." This is just brillant.

Who do you R-E-S-P-E-C-T? Do you have that song in your head now??

Christmas Time in the City

Loki: I hate shopping with a moody sister. I was just trying to tag along yesterday but apparently I intruded on Stella and Bess' time together. It is rather hard trying to please everyone when all 3 of you have an agenda. I do forget sometimes that it slows the shopping down when I show up with my bundle of joy. I do remember lugging Bella around back in the day and thinking that I loved seeing her and being around her but that things would move more quickly had she not come. Although I dont think this happend until she was old enough to have an opinion on riding in or out of the cart. Not to mention that your entire day is focused around nap time. I really didnt have an agenda...just thought it was a nice reason to get out of the house. I relish in the opportunity to leave my house. :) I really love staying home but with me being out of work has meant that I cant go shopping whenever I feel like it. Of course it is Christmas shopping time so even if it isnt for myself, I enjoy it. I almost got everyone done in one day...and really only a couple of hours. I might finish up today...or maybe I should start looking for that job..eh?

Stella: I don't know what you are referring to. I am sure that I was quite pleasant all afternoon, even though we did have to do everything you wanted to do and exactly when you wanted and needed to do it. Sure, I had no problem not doing anything I had planned on doing since you decided you were invited to come dominate our plans for the day. Why wouldn't I be thrilled to get to spend extra time with you shopping for your family of in-laws? It's what every sister dreams of doing all day long. In fact, nothing brings me more holiday cheer. Oh well, the day is over with and has passed. Let's move forward. Speaking of Christmas, have I ever told you how much I love the Grinch? It is probably my favorite thing that comes on tv during the holiday season. We already watched it & read the book. They have little stuffed Grinches at Kohl's and I am thinking about buying one. (Only $5 for the Kohl's Cares program or whatever... They also have Max with a bone tied to his head.) I would have loved to play with the Grinch as a wee child... making him steal all the presents & what not.

                                                                                                                                     
Loki: Well no, I didnt realize you had a fascination with the Grinch. Maybe that is what you and Big T have in common. (Insert: We also went to stores that Bess wanted to go to as well. Not just me.) Anyway, moving on. I think it is funny because Big T has always had an aversion to Christmas and he would be grouchy about it... but now he is putting up Christmas lights as a job... and we were the first in our neighborhood to have them on and shining. He also wanted to make it a family time to put up the tree and decorate the house...the day after Thanksgiving. He is so excited this year...which is how it should be. I guess having a baby really changes your outlook on things. I am super excited about baby's first christmas...even though she wont remember it, I will. Did I tell you that I think Baby Blue is going to be getting so many toys and presents that I did not think it was necessary for me to buy her a bunch of things? (I know this is where we differ..) So we are only getting her 2 gifts and I am going to wrap some boxes for her to unwrap and play with too. Weird? Her birthday is 2 months away as well so she will have an abundance of things.

Stella: Yes, I was not a fan of the holidays as well until I had a baby, which made it way more fun. Well, her second Christmas was fun anyway. (The first one was spent hauling her around town all day and squeezing in nursing times as she was only 3 months. Not fun.) It's okay to only buy a few gifts when they are little or big even. I don't know why you think I would disagree with that. I just enjoy buying things for Bella. Especially if it's things that I would have wanted as a little girl. I only have 2 gifts for Bella right now as well and don't plan on buying her anymore.. (Mostly due to lack of funds though :( haha) But it should all be about Jesus anyway.  Bella has been playing non-stop with her Nativity set since we got it out. And so far, baby Jesus has not had to sleep in the bubble wrap.

Do you like holiday shopping?