Who Saw This Coming?

(Whoa! Is my spine gonna look like that??)

Just like when Justin helped with Scully's Halloween costume, he helped with this project.

I had my genetic screening done last week. It's an ultrasound and blood work. I got to see the baby for a good 45 minutes. We must have woken baby up because he/she was in the correct position for the tests for about 5 minutes, then got the hiccups and rolled over about a thousand times (probably looking for a good, comfy spot to chill). The tech kept jiggling my stomach and I had to make sure she wasn't giving him/her shaken baby syndrome. She assured me she wasn't.

Once baby found the best position, he/she stayed there. So I got some good photos of thumb sucking, general spazzing out, and probably giving us the bird (lots of hand gestures, it's really hard to tell). It was awesome to see what life is like inside someone like me. I'm crazy in the head but apparently, that hasn't scared baby away.

Justin wants to find out who the baby is. I say no way, we'll find out soon enough. All of our friends are very much against this (except Elsa) but at this point, I'm just happy knowing there's a little one inside of me and the surprise it'll be in 6 months. (Oh crap! 6 months!!!)

Oh, for those interested, here are the deets:

Due Mid-June (I could give you the date, but honestly, it's a guesstimate, so who really knows, right?)
13 weeks right this moment.
No morning sickness (please don't hate me)
No weight gain...yet
Still wearing most of my clothes.
No unusual cravings/aversions except: no salad/dressing, no chicken, loving grilled cheese, baked potatoes and did you really think I'd give up bean burritos? Baby LOVES him/her some beans!
No uber exhaustion. I still go to bed at 9pm. Nothing new.

Honestly, up until recently, I thought I somehow cheated on the pregnancy test. But I've got the pictures to prove otherwise.

We've told a few people early on. Some of them were a little surprised we said anything so soon. I realize there's the change of miscarriage, but honestly, it was our choice to share. There are no rules about when to announce. Now, telling my boss, that might take a little more time. Maybe I'll wait until I'm seven months. Then it'll be so obvious I won't have to say anything.

I hope not to make this a baby blog, but updates and general information relating to baby will appear. So I need your help. I need a baby blog name. Something I can call baby until he/she appears and is officially named. Something like JJ (Justin/Jessi junior), or spazzoid, you know, terms of endearment.

Too Much for One Day

I was so busy yesterday, I didn't blog. Seriously busy from the moment I woke up til my head hit the pillow. That busy.

I had a Doctors appointment up "north" and since we were down one car and Justin had client meetings all morning, I had to take the bus. But first, I had to get some work done. TPT is awesome! If you ever get an opportunity to work here, do it. They let me work at home in the morning, no problems. Finished some shows, got on the bus and made my way up north.

Justin picked me up after my appointment and we headed down "south" to pick up Paveena for a shopping date. She doesn't have her license yet, so she has to rely on others to take her places. She should learn the bus route!

We left Justin at her house and we headed to Mall of America. FYI: walk just one lap around the place and it's one mile. Do it with lots of bags in your hand and count it as two. Just kidding. But seriously, that place is huge and it reminds me of the fact that I don't like to go there.

We were on the look-out for a nice cashmere scarf for her husband's birthday. After so many freaking stores (on the first level only) we finally found one at Bloomingdale's. The best part of this find was Paveena asking me, "Does this LOOK expensive?" Knowing her husband likes to find expensive looking goods but pay half the price, I knew exactly why she was asking. "It looks very nice." And it did. And he'd be a rotten husband if he told her he didn't like it.

We had dinner at D'Amico and Sons. It was ok. I think it tries a little too hard to be unique.

On our way home we stopped off at our Realtor's house to sign a document for a house we are considering (at this point, waiting again for the bank to consider our offer-should be another post, really). I missed "The Office" and my usual bedtime routine, but once I was home, I was out within 10 minutes.

It was just one of those days with too much to do, and not enough time. Is it just me, or is everyday starting to feel like that?

Christmas Tree 2008

We took a family trip up north (Justin laughs at me when I say that. We weren't that far north.) to pick out our Christmas tree over the weekend. It was cold (seven degrees) and we really should have been bundled up like the little ones. We won't make that mistake again.

Trying to warm my hands.


Bundled Baby


We picked out a tree, time to chop.


Justin gives it a go and finishes what we all started.


A very pregnant Heather.


The family on a hay ride. The snow really started getting thick.


Mother and Father-in-Law.


Jake and his drunk bundled baby.


Aren't we cute all cold and frozen? That's Justin's "it's colder than a witches tit" face.


No silly car in the driveway. Just a subie, all covered in snow.

Extra

Dudes, someone came to my blog looking for "Min Pin Leg Warmers". Seriously, that is cracking me up today!

Maybe there's a market for it? I do know how to sew and I do have a min pin. I wonder...

What Buyers Aren't Looking For

We are still looking for a house. It's very frustrating for numerous reasons but, what really ticks me off are the descriptions and photos online.

(in all caps of course)
"Adorable paint!"
Seriously? Paint is adorable? It's just a color. Sometimes the choice of color is NICE, but never adorable. Adults shouldn't try to sell something to another adult using the word "adorable".

"Subject to bank approval!"
Ok, why is there an exclamation point on something that can take 2 months? Wow! Really? I need the banks approval??!? No way!! I understand that since the bank now owns the house, that they are quick to respond. Not in ANY of my cases; I've been waiting for banks since June. You don't see any exclamation points here.

A 660 sq. foot house, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
(again with the caps)
"Great for a small family..." Do you mean little people or a single person with a dog or cat? What small family wants a 1 bedroom house, when at this price range, can get way more square footage with additional bedrooms? They should fire their listing agent.

With all these great descriptions, let's take a look at their quality photos.



Ok, if the place was clean, this shot wouldn't be too bad. A view into the kitchen and then the other hall. This looks like it could be the living room. But if you look closlier, I think it's someone's bedroom. Notice legs on the bed to the right and all the bags of clothes on the left. I don't need a bedroom attached to the kitchen. Thanks, but no thanks.



What the heck is this? I'm going to assume it's a room maybe for Hansel and Gretel. I could have used another angle of the kitchen or a shot from the kitchen to the living room or something else! What a waste.



Remember the 1 bedroom house? This must be where the rest of the "small" family can sleep because doesn't that look comfy? Why am I looking at the couch? Why am I not looking at the whole room maybe from the doorway? I know the decorations are eye catching (like the rest of the house), but I want to experience the whole room and all it's hideous glory!

And the winner of worst quality AND most pointless photo:


So please, listing agents, work on your descriptions and take a photo class. I want to buy a house. I need to buy a house. But you're making it difficult.
lemon

Gah!

Only one week in and I miss a day. But with good reason! Sunday's are my "do not do anything" day and that includes getting on the computer. Actually, I'm glad December is the month to do this challenge because there is ALWAYS something going on. Including things on my "do not do anything" day. (So I'm going to label this post as Sunday to keep up with everyone else. I know it's cheating, but I'm only cheating myself, right?)

But I don't want to talk about Sunday until I can unload the photos to show all the fun we had picking out our Christmas tree when it was seven degrees at 10 am, kids. Seven! I really don't want my blog to become a weather report for all of my non-Minnesota readers, but for a newbie like me, these temps are killing us. Justin actually said he'd like to move back to (wait for it...) Salt Lake! Not Las Vegas, but Salt Lake City! This cold must have knocked the sense out of him because he was itching to leave SLC the moment he got there.

Maybe we just need to be winterized and then we'll survive and live happily ever after.

Nowthen Minnesota

Yes, I'm actually on the computer on the weekend. It's hard for me to believe too. Anyway...

Tonight, we had dinner in a town called Nowthen. I'm not kidding. Nowthen was the name of this super small Minnesota town. I had the Nowthen Melt (turkey, ham, cream cheese with dijon mustard, pannini style) and it was good. There's not much in Nowthen. But I do recommend the Nowthen Melt.

Oh, it was also five degrees in Nowthen. Five degrees kids. But I've found that once you get lower than 20 degrees, you can't really tell the difference between 20 and five.

Justin's Aunt and Uncle live there. That's where we parked the Silly Car for the winter. We got it washed, dried, covered and stored until April or May of next year.

Have fun Silly Car in Nowthen. Try the melt!

Leg Warmers Anyone?

If you're like me, you buy gifts for your pet during the Holiday's. She's part of the family and loves to get anything new. I could whip out a toy she hasn't seen in a year and she's totally happy and thrilled to have it back in her life.

But if you're not sure what to get your furry friends for Christmas, here are a few inexpensive suggestions:

For your cat, here's a simple tutorial (from craftershock) to make cat-nip toys. Looks easy and super cute! What a great way to use up felt scraps.

Don't forget your dogs legs when it's 10 degrees out. These leg warmers can go from your tot, to your dog. I suggest a wash between uses, though.

You can't go wrong with homemade dog treats! Here's an easy recipe from sugarlaws. (Tons of other human recipes too!)

Not necessarily for the dog, but it could make your life a little easier on walks: the dog leash bag.

Or just give them the gift of love and life (by making sure they are fed and not eating tree tinsel. Do they still make that stuff? No? Good, then Merry Christmas furry ones!).

Pooder

It was bound to happen. But once you have something in your life for so long, it's hard to think of the time that might come when they aren't. Belle (of the Marshlands) joined our family my Freshman year of High School (more like, the end of my Freshman year of High School). She was the cutest Min Pin ever! We got her around 9 weeks old and she was tiny (palm of your hand tiny) and was terrified of us. But she eventually warmed up to my mom (of course) and then the rest of us.

We taught her tricks like how to talk; something Scully can't do. She escaped our back yard too many times. One time, she took her kids with her. They must have needed a family adventure, to a house down the street because that's how far a dog will get with 3 puppies following their mom. I'm sure it was a cute site. But it was even cuter when we got them all home and safe again.

Like all Min Pins, she loved blankets and anyone who had one. She also loved her bed as long as there was a blanket in it.

She died wrapped up in her bed, all cuddled up, her favorite way. She was 15 years old. Scully remembers her when she came to visit Las Vegas and wrote this to her:

Hey Belle,

It was a good visit while you were here. I think the last time I saw you I was still kinda annoying huh? I've grown up, but I'm not as old as you are. You're like a Grandma! But you are my Grandma because you were so sweet to me. You only growled at me a few times. And you even played with me for a minute, after I bugged you all day. Even though you didn't share the blanket, I still like you. So until we meet again, take care old lady!

Your annoying little friend,
Scully

Names

Seriously, Saxby Chambliss? It sounds like some French powder you only wear on special occasions. Or, better yet, a bottle of perfume or wine. I'm not saying he's special or anything, just a U.S Senator, but the name sounds like top billing at a Broadway show.

We're totally naming our first born Saxby Chambliss Foell. It could totally work for a boy or girl. Or better yet, a new puppy. I hope Justin agrees with me. (Like my subtle hint for a new min pin? Scully needs a friend her size.)

On Black Friday, I headed out at 5:30 with my in-laws to get a few items. We went to the usual places, Target, Circuit Shitty, Ulta, and Fleet Farm. Actually, it's Mills Fleet Farm and in Wisconsin, it's Mills Farm Fleet. These Midwesterners are nuts for their Fleet Farm or Farm Fleet or the farming place where you can get a composting toilet and a bag of cashews. It's hard to describe. It's a cross between Wal-Mart (booooo, but with way better lighting and it doesn't smell), Lowes, and PetsMart. The only reason why I say Wal-Mart, they have all the weird clothing you would think was a good idea at the time, but later on, not so much. You need Vikings gear? Fleet Farm is your place for the ugliest Vikings gear out there.

My in-laws went there for Cartwright gear. WTH? I don't know either. Apparently, this is the last year the Minnesota Gophers are playing at an indoor stadium (the Metrodome). They are getting their own and it's outdoors. So mil is hooking fil up with cold weather gear so he can freeze while watching his Alma Mater. Sounds like fun to me. Apparently, you can only get this gear at Fleet Farm. I'm sure the farmer's have other sources for Cartwright gear but I have no idea.

Surprisingly, I did pick up a few things (not clothing), mostly because they were really good deals. Some I can't say because they are gifts but I got Scully the softest dog sweater for $3! And since she looks so pretty in it, it was worth it.

But I still like to "Save big money with My Nards".

Call It What You Will, It's a Post

It's a Christmas miracle! I got my Burda magazine yesterday, December 1st. I normally get it at the end of the month. And there are some awesome items that are calling my name to be made.

Justin admits he's Passive Aggressive. I'm here to tell you, he is. And in honor of his personality trait (I know who from), I found this site that you might enjoy. I think it's hilarious because I think we all have some passive aggressiveness towards people.

Cause I'm a Sucker That's Why

My first 30-day challenge starts today. I'm dumb. But, I needed a way to keep up with blogging/journaling/telling no one about crap in my life because it's good therapy. (I really need an anonymous blog for the real stuff.)

I got all of my purse supplies out of storage and had good intentions of working on some new things over the Holiday weekend. But food, shopping, and napping got in the way. But, I'm still hopeful.

Time to get crafty because people!!! We have like three weeks til Christmas. Three!!! Then life will be boring again, but with snow on the ground.

Storage

We have officially packed up Summer in the Foell house. The older Foell's did it months ago because they are pros. Justin and I were in denial until this weekend when we realized we couldn't wear our sandals, shorts and tanks for the next 5 months. So off to the storage unit they went. In their place we pulled out our "Winter" coats. (Which really are Las Vegas Winter coats. Actually, I have a nice Winter coat, I just have to layer to make it suitable for Minnesota. And Justin's is from Old Navy. And after he wore it once in Kansas City, he deemed it suitable for a Minnesota Winter. We'll see. Good thing his new job barely requires him to get dressed.)

Oh, yeah, Justin got a job. Working from home, telemarketing.

I kid! Telecommuting. Computer stuff. Website stuff. He's excited. I'm excited he's home to entertain Scully and let her out as necessary instead of kenneling her. We were mean parents. It also means that we can go down to one car and put the Silly Car in storage, where it will not see snow, ice, or salt. (Although it has totally seen ice, the Silly Car does well heating up quick for being, like 16 years old. But still, family rule: Silly Car sees NO snow.)

Something else that made it out of storage: my purse supplies! I had a request from a friend who wants some goods. So I thought, it's been a very long time since I updated my etsy shop. I think it's time to get my ass in gear. Plus, I've got the time, so why not. And since many buy homemade items for Christmas, I'll keep prices very low during this crap-tacular economic downturn so you get what you want. Speaking of, if you want something specific, just let me know.

How weird is this? My Grandpa's 80th Birthday is Wednesday. His Mother-in-Law (my Great-Grandma) is 91. WTH? Things would have been so different if he had married her instead of my granny. I told him this, but I don't think he was impressed with my observation or my math skills.

Apparently, I'm on a "one post a week" rut right now. But there's so much to talk about. Maybe after Thanksgiving, I'll ramp up the posts. Who cares, right? Most people come here looking for this post anyway.
Lime

Oh, before I go, if you're looking for a great movie to see this Holiday weekend, check out Slumdog Millionaire. It was beyond great. It got great reviews here in Minneapolis and everyone I was with agreed. If you see it, let me know what you think. We loved it. Rotten Tomatoes agrees with me.

Not Warm and Fuzzy

It was 23 degrees on my way to work this morning. And I forgot my gloves. Actually, they were in the dryer because we helped Justin's dad rake up all the leaves on Saturday. Talk about manual labor!

My gloves, they were dirty.

The weather, it's cold.

We think Scully doesn't really like the cold. Only when there is snow on the ground, which totally makes sense, because then you can SEE the cold and justify it. Until then, she pounces on the door frantically, until someone lets her in. We should probably keep clothes on her.

I got the bottom of my foot lasered (totally not a word, but I have no other way to describe it) last week. Think of it as someone stabbing a McDonald's straw through your heel as fast as they can. The thick straws, and it shoots up to your knee. It was that painful. I hobbled out of the office thinking, I can't wait for child birth! Then I called Justin and cried to him the pain that I had paid a co-pay for. He did feel bad, but I don't think as bad as I wanted him to feel. I wanted a grilled cheese when I got home. That's how much comfort I needed.

I didn't get one.

When we first moved here, there was one thing we were really going to miss about living in the West, SouthWest Airlines. Guess what? They'll begin service from MSP in March! Just in time to take Justin to Chi-town for St. Patties day and for his Birthday! He's totally excited because 1) it's not NWA and 2) it's St. Patrick's Day and 3)it's cheap! Now we can continue with our easy flying all over the US for less! So all of my Vegas friends, you can totally come out to the tundra with no excuses.
shrimp

SmartyPants

You don't expect to get political propaganda from an 8 year-old, but that's what we got on Sunday when my Brother-in-law came over with his kids. We all knew who they were voting for just by the signs in their yard. That's cool. Whatever floats your boat. I have never felt strongly enough to support someone with signs in my yard.

Unless it's a Miller Lite sign.

But when an 8 year-old tells you she "hates!" the new president because he "kills babies!" a swift smack across the face is in order. BUT, that's not what happened (more like eye rolling). Instead we told her it doesn't matter who won, we have to support him now that he is our President.

I doubt that worked.

Justin's getting all upset with the state of our health care system. I'm just upset because my car door was frozen shut the other morning. I'm all about the important things in life.

Oh! Ya! It's like freezing temps now! Justin and I are such wimps. Scully, surprisingly, still likes to be outside. We did get her a new coat, but all the treats she gets from *someone who shall remain nameless*, has left her a little sausage. So the coat has to go back for the bigger size. But seriously, it's freaking freezing here people. And it's only November. Ok, positive thoughts. I lived in Utah, not as cold but it did get cold there. Damn my 5 years in the desert heat!

On the housing front: Yet another offer on a cute little starter home. And we're doing ANOTHER offer on a different home tomorrow. The reason? They are both short sales and since our last offer on a short sale took about 2 months, we figured, we'd for sure get one or the other. So why not two offers. Don't think I'm rich or anything. Cause I'm not.

Tomorrow is our company arts/craft/bake sale. Guess what I'm selling? Ha! Nope! I made homemade caramels (courtesy of my mil's recipe), the standard chocolate chip cookies (which is the best recipe I've EVER found for thick chewy ones), and my yummy chocolate chip-pumpkin squares. I just hope I don't eat everything on the way to work tomorrow.

I'll close this with a short story of our nephew. He's three and hilarious. Justin took him yesterday to pick up his older sister (who is 5) from kindergarten. She gets in the car and says, "I can spell my name backwards!" She then proceeds to explain that she can spell all sorts of words backwards. The stop sign, Justin's name, etc. Her little brother then asks, "Can you spell 'shut up' backwards?"
Strawberry

If that's not funny enough for you, go to about 2:30 in this video.

Really? Seriously?

Why do people insist on sitting next to me on the bus when there are about 15 empty seats around? Especially towards the end of the route? Just move over and take up your own room. It's easy and I won't get offended.

And, AND! Why does it always smell like crap? People, we all have to use the bus, crap at home.

Oh, AND! Please don't lean forward to talk on the phone. You're basically in my ear, I can hear everything you're telling your friend. About how you don't play girls like that. You know, man? I'm fo real!

Shave the Alamo!

We like to think our costumes were a success. Justin did say all weekend that he thought it was the best idea yet. I do have to agree, even though some people at the party were like, "Sweeny Todd? Never seen it."



I whipped mine up in a few hours. I didn't hem it because, seriously, it's a Halloween costume. I used a burn out stretchy fabric for the bodice and just wore a black shirt underneath. The party was in the hosts garage so it was a bit too cold for me (still not getting use to Minnesota. I know, I know, the winters will be nothing compared to this) so I had my jacket on all night. Except for pictures.

Look at our brave pups "Saving the Alamo!" More like, "Protecting our Pumpkins!"



Davie "Skye" Crockett and (this is totally not politically correct but there was no other way around it) her enemy in real life "Scully" Mexican Soldier. Really she's supposed to be part of General Santa Ana's army, but we based the whole costume around her hat.

Scully ready for action with her bullets. Good thing we didn't give her a gun too.


Skye hated the hat. I guess it reminds her of the bunnies she's always chasing in the yard.




They both lost the war protecting our pumpkins. They were stolen and smashed down the street. Minnesota hoodlums.
grape

I Do Make Stuff

Halloween. We finished the costumes for Scully and Skye last night. But not before we had to break up a dog fight (apparently the 2nd one for the day). Not sure what's going on, but poor Scully had a bad day with Skye, ending up in her mouth again or shoved under the couch trying to hide from her. Skye can be mean sometimes.

But they looked so cute all dressed up! Scully loves Justin dressing her. Perhaps it's just her loving him paying attention to her? Who knows, but she just loves it.

Skye knows how to take the hat off. I'll have to make it tighter.

Justin actually did some hand sewing last night. That's how serious we are about Halloween people. Justin sewing.

I've got my costume cut out but not sewn. I suck, I know. The party is tomorrow, so I'll be up late sewing. I can't imagine it taking me long mostly because, it's a Halloween costume, I'm not going make it fancy and follow directions. It's not daily wear, it's not fashion. It's just an ugly dress (supposed to be ugly). I need to put more effort into my hair than this dress.

Photos of all Halloween participants coming soon.

Heather, I haven't forgotten about your prize. One half is done and ready to mail. The other half (the "I have to make it vegan?") is still in the works.
raspberry

Undecided

Sometimes, I want to click the "easy" button. I think life would be so much easier, don't you? This election, I definitely need the easy button. I don't favor one over the other. I get frustrated during debates with all their circle talking. I'm tired of all the campaigning. Back and forth. If only there were something that would help me pick a candidate. Something where I could see which candidate shares my views. Hmmmm.

Oh, wait.

I think I found something.

I love me some Public Radio! (booo, to all you who hate it)

If you need help deciding (cause we've only got like 2 weeks left), check this out. It's what I needed. Thanks MPR.

I'm not going to tell you which candidate shared my views. That's my right as an American not to tell. But you're welcome to tell me.

Four Canadian's

David Sedaris was awesome, as expected. The line to have my book signed, however, wasn't. Neither were the EXTREMELY annoying girls (probably my age, but so irritating like teens) in front of us for the ENTIRE 80 minutes. I only had one outlet for my frustration, a post-it note with my name on it which a woman gave me so David would know how to spell my name.

My post-it said:

Dear Lord! The people in front of me are FUCKING annoying! Please be my slave monkey and bitch slap them!

Monkey slave = a story he read that night.

He kept my post-it for his diary. No hitting on Justin this time. No witty comments. Maybe he felt really sorry for me because he had just met the super annoying girls. He only had to deal with them for 55 seconds. I had them for over 80 minutes.

One husband was short and fat and wore a 40x28 and apparently no pants are made for his size. They miss CBC. "I'm SOOOO going to tell David that you took one of his books back cause you didn't like it." "Echh, that's gross." "Ok, I've been standing here long enough to use my lip balm 4 times!"

And their laughs. Hideous, screeching, echoing, cat-like screaming. Oh the headache just thinking of it.

He did say something about people trying to be comedians after seeing one.

He started writing this in my book before we even spoke: "Dear Jessi, your story touched my heart. David Sedaris."

Maybe he knew. Probably not.