New to Ebay

So, I have been trying to choose a diaper bag. I don't know why I was having such a hard time with it, but I just couldn't find one! Then I saw a Vera Bradley bag at the BX that I really liked. It was just a tote bag, but it got me to researching them online and I saw that she had baby bags.




I wanted to see one in person so I could get a feel for the size, pockets,etc. So, I found a retailer in Shreveport that sells them and I went in. Well, when I got there they also sold Lug bags.



I really liked the compartments and some of the really "smart" ideas of the Luk Tuk Tuk bag, but I liked the look of the VB bag better and the kind of softness to it. Plus they were the same price (around $100) so I was really torn! (I have never spent more than I think $40-$50 on a purse/bag in my ENTIRE life, but I really like them!!!!!) I wanted both bags but can't justify spending that much! So, I came home and looked online for them. I found the Lug bag on Amazon for $75.00, but I couldn't find the VB bag for much cheaper in the pattern I wanted, until I found a website that linked you to Ebay where a whole bunch of them were sold. For some of you, you might say, well Duh, you should have checked there first, but I have never bought anything on Ebay before. I am really new to the online shopping world. I have never really bought anything before online until I have found a few things for the baby on there from various sites. So, they were starting out at $54.95, which is like half price, so I set up a Ebay account and put in a bid on a bag that had like 10 hrs left on the auction. Well, I was outbid right away and I decided to kind of watch this one auction and see what happens with it to kind of learn how people do it. So, there were 2 people bidding on it and it ended up selling for $62.00. So, I bid on one yesterday. It was between me and another person and we bid it up a few bucks over the course of the day, then in the last 4 minutes is when the excitement started. I had been the high bidder all day, but then I was outbid, so I raised my max bid a little bit, but was outbid automotically which means their max bid was higher than mine, so I raised mine up a little bit and it made me the high bidder, then I was outbid again and in the last 13 seconds I raised my max bid up to $75 which was enough to beat their max bid which was I think $72 and changed the bid to $73 and I won in the end. It was such a thrill and it is kind of funny but my heart was racing and my hands were shaking in those last few moments to see if my bid was high enough. I told myself that I wouldn't go over $70,but in those last few seconds I offered $75 which ended up only costing me $3 more dollars than I wanted to spend and if I would have waited for another auction I probably gotten it cheaper more like the $62. With S&H it cost $80 which it would have cost me about $110 if I would have bought it in the store so it is still quite a bit of savings. Darrin was there in the final moments of my victory and hopes I do not get addicted to auction style online shopping or online shopping in general! haha I am far from it because I do not buy anything that I would not have purchased in the store or things I don't need or (really want). I am actually kind of proud of myself for thinking to check online and get a better deal. If you got one for cheaper, please do no burst my bubble, but if you have any tips for getting the best online deals, please share!!!!

6 more to go???

It has been forever since I posted a picture of me! Please pay no attention to my hair.. which now means that you are probably looking at my hair that looks really dark and has that crappy underneath ponytail hair sticking out all over the place.





So I am at 34 weeks and hopefully only have 6 or so weeks left to go before I have this baby. As much as I think I want the pregnancy to be over, I really can't complain too much about being pregnant. Aside from heartburn, which I have been given the OK to take Zantac for when I need it I really don't have that many bad symptoms. My back does not hurt yet, I am not totally swollen at the end of the day, I can sleep pretty well once I get into a comfortable position. I know all of this can change and probably will before it is all over, I feel pretty lucky so far. Also, I think I just need to enjoy this time of relaxation and preparation because when he gets here, I know it will be a whole different story. But one that I am really excited to start.

My Dr. has been seeing me every 2 weeks since the first of December andI will go back again Feb. 1st. I know they want to make sure everything is still ok, but it seems a little silly to have to go that often up to now. All they do is check my urine, put me on the scale, check my blood pressure and the fetal heartbeat. Then that is about it. I guess if there was a problem I would want to know about it right away, but it just seems a little often. Now at my next appt, she will start the pelvic exams. I am not sure what to expect there but I guess I will find out next Tuesday.

We still don't have a name picked out for this little guy. We have it narrowed down to 3 but of those 3 I don't know which one I want to choose. Actually of those names I am not sure I am really in love with any of them. I did not think it would be this hard for us to come up with a name, but I am really struggling with it! Maybe when we see him we will just know. I didn't have any trouble coming up with names for our lovely Foxy and Maddie and I think those names fit them pretty well don't you think?


Foxy Jo


Maddie May

2010 Survey

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before? Got Pregnant.

2.Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I think I made one to lose x number of pounds before Robin's wedding. I made it about half way there. I guess my resolution for 2011 is to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight before Lisa's wedding??

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Stacie had Abraham, Maria had Jason, Traci had Brayden.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes, Darrin's Grandpa Olson passed away last spring.

5. What countries did you visit? None. I pretty much did not go anywhere besides Iowa and Kansas.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? I had a really good 2010 but it will be nice to have my baby in my arms instead of in my belly!

7. What dates froom 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? June 26th when Darrin and I went to Natchitoches, LA for our 2nd anniversary and his 32nd birthday. I had never stayed in a Bed and Breakfast before. I also remember it because I was a couple days late. Then June 30th when I found out I was pregnant.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I don't feel like I acheived much. I worked, carried a baby for 30 weeks. The real achievement will be in March. Darrin and I made some financial achievements that are helping me to be able to stay home with the baby.

9. What was your biggest failure? Once again as in # 8, I don't feel like I failed much. I didn't get down to my goal weight before Robin's wedding, but I don't think I really failed at anything..

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had one of the healthiest years of my life. I have been rarely sick since we have moved to Louisiana. I think it had more to do with my job.. not teaching.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Bedroom furniture! We needed it and now can't live without a King sized bed!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Darrin, he is a great husband and has been really supportive of me during my pregnancy.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Not really anyone. Ok, maybe CBS for taking Maggie, Harry and Dave from the Early Show. I was looking forward to watching them while not working outside the house and now they have new people who I don't really like! :(

14. Where did most of your money go? Paying for the house and utilities, insurance and taxes.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Finding out I was pregnant and preparing for the baby.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010? I like "Free" by Zach Brown Band and "The house that Built me" by Miranda Lambert

17. Compared to this time last year are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? Happier, definitely Fatter, and maybe richer.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Worked harder finding new friends down here. Exercise.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Watched less TV.

20. How did you spend Christmas? We went to Chanute for Christmas and New Years. We got to see all of our family and we wern't rushed. It was great!

21. Did you fall in love in 2010? Fell more in love with Darrin and started my love for baby Olson.

22. What was your favorite TV program? I like reality TV like Big Brother, Hells Kitchen, Biggest Loser. Sitcoms- Two and a half men, King of Queens.. There are to many to mention.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I don't think I hate anyone.

24. What was the best book you read? I read a few books, but nothing really stands out too much.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? I still can't play anthing and my taste in music hasn't changed.

26. What did you want and get? New bedroom furniture, laptop,and of course baby on the way!

27. What did you want and not get? A good tan, good garden. Ours produced some stuff, but no tomatoes! :(

28. What was your favorite film of this year? I liked "Life as we Know It".

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I worked and did not do anything special on the actual day, but on St. Patty's day (2 days later, we went out with Mark and Bridgett to Fat Daddy's). I turned 27.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I don't really know! It was a great year!

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? Just whatever fits!

32. What kept you sane? Probably Darrin and my Family.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Harry Smith from the Early Show. I just love him... he is so nice!

34. What political issue stirred you the most? I don't really get into politics too much. I just wish we could get along!

35. Who did you miss the most? My family in Kansas!

36. Who was the best new person you met? I can't really think of anyone this year, but in 2009 it was Rhonda who was my work Buddy.

37. Tell a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010. -- You never know what is going to happen so cherish every day.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "Life's not the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away."- George Straight.... I have a feeling this might be my song again next year.. It is just so true!