Randomness

So we tried the passionfruit! Why did I forget to get more on this weeks grocery delivery? It is yum. Kinda tastes like gewy/gooey mango with a bit of crunch as you eat the seeds. You cut it in half and scoop it out. All three f us gave it a  yum. Mr. Huckleberry would,too, I bet. We'll have to let the little guy taste it next time.

Christmas Party at Luna Park Follow Up. So, this is the real deal. Cool park on the harbor--a la the end of the boardwalk in OC. We bought Muffin some FAIRY FLOSS, did I mention this already, what they call cotton candy, on the way out. One of the first people I meet asks if I am pregnant. Nice. I have lost weight especially in the middle, was wearing SUCK ME IN UNDERWEAR and a black dress. I think I might have seen that skinny biatch in a commercial the other day. Oh well, I'll take my Renaissance body (thanks, mom for that one)with this face and my manners over her skinny, okay looking mean girl grown up self any day. The worst was she did not apologize. Seth was wonderful and later told me I turned very red. Even worse that she did not apologize as she had to have seen that or maybe she is one of my favorite kind of biatches in the world--the narcisstic kind. You all know one. We all know some of the same ones, but we aren't going to name names here! Wouldn't matter, they still wouldn't see it. even if they read it. Ha ha ha ha. Kinda like a Mrs.or Mr. Always Right. I'll go into that another day.

Party on: Some were dressed as flappers and 1920's men with hats and suits, others just dressed up in their "smart casual". They had waiters with trays as you entered like 5 or 6 each side with drinks. Bar food, apps kind of. Live band, I met another wife who burned me up the whole time. Better than being alone, I guess. She was nice, just intense and with party noise and the fact that she speaks Australian I had to listen very intently. Then, our babysitting time was up and we got the train home. we did try to ride the ferris wheel first but it was just taking too long, tho the line was short. The Man offered for us to walk across the Sydney Harbor bridge. I declined. No, thanks. Besides that I was blistering (not hot, not mad, literally, a blister cause my shoes were made for standing not walkin.  I DO NOT LIKE HEIGHTS. The walking area is caged. I AM not a WILD ANimAL! Well, I am, but not that wild. He must have really wanted to put me over the edge (hahaha) with height and claustrophobia issues! So, while not opposed to walking and exercise, God knows I need to have as much as I can so BIATCHES like the one tonight don't call me pregnant.... I had to stick with  my no. The other thing about that dealio. The Man says I missed talking to some of the nicest people. Oh well, hearing about the possums in my new friends house was interesting. Thanks for putting that one in my head. She lives in the 'hood we are moving to..and she had a possum in her house and he pooped in her shower!. I was grossed out this summer by the baby possum swimming in our "pooool" on vacation. The Muffin of great memory was talking about that a couple weeks ago...("And Daniel got it out with a net.") Couple more things: I already had a big A Headache and I am realizing I am often getting awful headaches in social situations. Is that a symptom of SOCIAL ANXIETY or just STRESS? Even wedding day, migraine from hell. Not fun. Wish I could have a do over.

DEAR HIGHER POWER, IF you help me get my waist back I promise not to be a skinny biatch..If I still get headaches, I will seek help, if it is not just self conciousness that is not helped by random skinny biatches who don't know basic manners....The End.

Oh yeah...THAT Woman, says, "Oh, it does take a while doesn't it?" If I were not all shades of red and seeing red this is what I WISH I had said back to her, this is what I told my MAGIC MIRROR on the wall,who daily says I am the fairest of them all: " Actually, I was already overweight and have been for some time. But I can lose weight, you can't change BIATCH." (thanks, to THE MAN for that one,  it's a spin off on one of his lines). TA DA! I am going to start saying what I think. Eff it!

I will end this by saying the babysitter had Huckleberry baby asleep in his crib, Muffin on the couch (better than not asleep and we had no expectations for her to be asleep), cleaned up the toys and did the dirty dishes we left in the sink. I can't wait to have her again. 'Sides she kissed the Huck as soon as she picked him up the night before 'cause as all of you who know him, know, he is a squeezable one.


IKEA
Our Saturday adventure is a trip to IKEA. It's like all the others, except it is attached to a mall and the prices, they are Australian good, and they have a Family Club or something for discounts. I have never noted that before in MD/VA Stateside. Also, no wonderful cinnamon buns or soft served ice cream. We did have lunch there. Fountain sodas with "FREE REFILL". No ice. This was all pretty uneventful except Muffin could not be checked in to the play area because not yet potty trained and she played hard and unfairly in the kids set up rooms. She entered a tent and 3 little girls scrambled out. Ikes. I am thinking her monster might have invaded her body of late. Quite a handful. We got a few things, like a bathtub for the baby, a playmat for them both, a stool because I am dying lifting the girl up to the sink to wash up.  We picked out some stuff and will go back next weekend to order as they deliver the next day and we need it delivered to the new house.


THE MALL (which includes IKEA, mentioned above)
So, we happen to hit the mall on a day that Dora is there to visit as a meet and greet. Muffin was so excited and I got a fabulous picture of the girls together. Wish we got Huck,too. He loves his sisters Dora pillowcase, looks like he is kissing her, and loves her little Dora doll. If anyone sees the corresponding Diego...pick one up for us. I asked Santa to bring him a doll...and as many of us know, his Dad liked dolls and G.I.Joe's and such as a young buck,too.

Things that were different:

Wonderful family restrooms. I mean, automatic door so you don't have to hold a door whilst (new favorite written word, don't know why) pushing the PRAM. All these sink and diaper stations with paper to cover the changing area like those potty seat covers. I will take a picture one day, really. Several rooms with curtains for nursing. A gated play area with toys for toddlers. A television. An adult rest room. The Man says all it is missing is beer! So, the lady next door to me was just laughing at me/with me...I had no clue that the counters were dipped like little u's for the baby to lay in while changing them. I had the boy up on the high part. Made so much sense once I saw it all in action.

People use shopping carts throughout the mall and take them into the parking garage. You can park for three hours free and get one extra hour validated by movie theater if you have seen a flick.

There is a butcher, a seafood store and a two grocery stores attached to the mall, but only Target and Ikea as big box stores. Not any of the department stores. Sort of strange looking to go from clothing stores, shoe stores, raw meat...

Target-- Sort of small and you know it wasn't a happy shopping trip with two kids in a double stroller thru small spaces, a toddler that wants to stay in the toy aisles, etc. and a man who doesn't really like to shop and is HOT. 

We did get a toy to keep the baby in, sort of like the exersaucer, and it was on sale! We got some coloring books, because I have not been able to find them. "Capunzel" and Australian Xmas colring book with Santa riding on a kangaroo. I wanted to buy construction paper...but the pack was $24. Not super sized. A normal pack of Crayola construction paper. Who asked for paper from Santa? Yup, Muffin only asked for pencils and paper. Hope he brings it and hope he gets a better price. A new movie,since we only have Nemo and Capunzel. We got Beauty and the Beast for a little variety. Though I did just download a season of Superwhy to add to her season of Dora and The Wonder Pets. We can hook the ipad up to the tv and its just like having it DVR'd.

Doesn't seem as nice as our Target, but I really did not get much opportunity to scope it all out.

Last thing, on Target. Damn it. Target has the cozy coupe for like 100 bucks. Yes, I just ordered it for $129 free shipping and yes, no way we could guarantee they'd still have it when we can get back there without kids, so I guess, I'll toss it up to I paid for the shipping and I already told myself I spend twice for twice the use..both kids can use it. But I think we will sell it before we return and get the little Miss a pink one and little Master a red when we return. But she may be too big for it by then anyhow.

COSTCO
 No parking. Not kidding. The Man parked behind the store...everyone was doing it...after several parking garage attempts. I stayed in the car with napping bambinos. He came out with a book/toy for kids, sunscreen, Heinz ketchup, and that's all I remember. Said you could not even get thru the food areas. But we have heard they have Kirkland baby wipes and may try it one day when they first open in the morning. Complete chaos.

 Huckleberry wants a cracker! So I thought I'd swept up all her crumbs, but I did not see the ones behind the curtain. My boy spotted that food as if he is being starved and was munching on some Ritz crackers. He so wants more food. I still need to look up introducing him to meats, milk, etc. I just don't know if the baby food here I can do...lamb, tuna...I got a couple ones with chicken. But I haven't tried them yet. H-berry was without cold for several days and now has it again and is just getting his appetite back again.

Who's Counting?Yes, the Muffin. Well, she has been counting, but she noted that we have lived in the "little house", the "PINK HOUSE", this apartment and the house with the pool. That's four houses daddy. Broke my heart a little. Not for her wonderful natural smartness, but the little miss is def. feeling the changes. Might be contributing to her terrorizing us. Just kidding. When she is good she is sooo good and when she is difficult, oh so difficult.

Talked to a sister today, speaking of counting. We have officially been here a month. I said 23 months to go. It brings tears to my eyes just writing that. 


Still on counting. The Man is celebrating 4 decades today and we are having SUSHI delivered. Muffin and I made brownies...and got him a nice bottle of wine and some moisturizer with sunscreen and antiaging ingredients (tho he has beautiful skin). Happy Birthday to my husband. I have known of  you for most of those years and been in some sort of relationship you for over half that number. Happy Bday, baby! Love you!

Things to know for your trip to OZ:

-Uni- not one, Bill, ha ha ha...Uni is university. Example in a sentence: Erin attends Maryland Uni. Sounds funny, huh?
- The right lane is the fast lane, tho you will feel like it is the slow lane and it is the pass lane. Hard to reverse all of your thinking.
-Though there seems to be a lack of cured bacon yumminess, they seem to add bacon flavor to lots of things, like, potatoe chips, cheetos, etc.  Found a chip brand called "Smith's" that seems pretty good. But you all know I don't generally buy chips unless we are having company--chips is another lips to hips that I avoid having in the house. Also, the little Muffin lubbbs chips and hard to keep her out of them when we have them.