Oh Talina,
I am so sorry you are feeling this way! I hope by writing it out, it makes you feel a bit better :)

I really wish I had a magic wand to make it all better for you, I really do!

All I do right now is give you lots and lots of interent hugs ((((hugs)))).

Janelles last blog post..This is your song

Ok...I will read through the comments when I am done posting this so forgive me if I am repeating what other say....

I think as we get older our "friendships" with people change and develop differently. I know that since I have had kids my friendships with people are completely different then they were pre-child. I am thankful that thru social networking sites and blogging that I am able to keep in touch with people because otherwise I will admit---I probably wouldnt have a clue what was going on with at least half the people I keep in touch with now. I try really hard to not just be a social networking friend and actually talk to people via messages or comments or phone calls/emails. When a good friend has something going on I try my best to be there and celebrate with them or be there to help them thru the hard time--whatever applies.

I know I have not been a great friend to alot of people. I can look back a situations and know I could have been a better friend here and there. But live and learn right?

I was REALLY hurt on my last birthday. It was like a punch in the gut how little people cared. (Loooong story) But what I took from the situation was this--- I am SO thankful to know who my real friends are. I would rather be surrounded by loving people who really care about me then a bunch of fakes who are just around because it is the fun thing to do at the time.

As for the family stuff...sorry no way to sweeten up how I feel about that...IT IS COMPLETE BULLSHIT. Im so sorry but there is just no excuse for family-blood relatives- to treat your special moments like they are not important. You and Nathan are having a baby. This is a beautiful and wonderful gift that deserves celebrating. For family members to not even be bothered with that- FUCK THEM! I know if this post was public and they saw I said that they would be pissed but truth is--they would only be pissed because they would know it was the truth right in their face.

I love you. I am so very thankful for growing up with you and being in group together so that we could be so close. I am thankful that you included me in this post. I think you and Nathan are absolutly perfect for each other and I am so thankful that you have found such a sweet guy to spend your life with. Plus, he is so lucky to have you. I mean-lets face it- he was quite the nerd! LOL!!! (Just kidding Nathan-Love you!) Really, you two having this wonderful baby brought in your life is wonderful. We werent even sure you could have a child and here you are. You are going to be wonderful parents.

Nobody is perfect and people are going to hurt us along the way. Dont let it jade you or silence you in your blogs. You are who you are and one of the most beautiful things about you is that you have never been afraid to speak your mind.

I LOVE YOU.

Heidi Simpsons last blog post..Making it all worth pushing him out....

BIG BIG HUGS TO YOU, TALINA!! AND RUB THAT BELLY AND SEND TATER SOME HUGS TOO.

People are so weird. It's always surprising to me the people who truly show interest in my life when BIG things happen.

EMBRACE THOSE WHO DO DECIDE TO JOURNEY WITH YOU AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.

A few years back Ryan and I lost our first baby (about half way through the pregnancy...we had to do the birth and everything), and the people who decided to show up and love on us were NOT the ones we would have expected. But you know, screw everyone else and we felt totally honored by the ones who were there and showed some love. My best friends have yet to meet River and neither has one of River's grandfathers. To be honest, Ryan's dad didn't even come to our wedding because his band, The Moonshine Express, had a gig at a Moose Lodge. I guess they're pretty famous with the Moose Lodge Circuit in Virginia, and the drive to GA (where the wedding was) was too far. Who knows?!! But the people who came...well, I'm totally grateful for them.

Back off of me and yes, back to you...this is "your" blog. It's inspiring to see you be so honest and open with your life. Even with our blog, we hide things. We're working on that. It's a great way to lay it all out there. I wish I had bigger balls. You might have just given me the courage to do so.

Screw everyone else. That's their shit to carry not yours. Just be your wonderful self and love on that baby. I know I'm excited to actually get to meet you soon. Hang in there! The Farm will be so refreshing! How long after Tater gets here are you planning to stay? We went and saw Pamela this week, and it was so good to be back there.

Kari Jenkinss last blog post..My Green Lunch

i, too, am honored to be on this list. i understand your concern about being too open. if you post everything on a blog, it doesn't give people a reason to call or visit 'cause they already know everything but not everyone is like that. and some people feel like they are a part of your life through the blog because they get to read what your daily life is like.

it is amazing though how friends and family can drop in and out of your life. i have the opposite problem. i'm friends (or thought i was) with a couple that used to work at the station who just had a baby. i found out through a friend a few weeks ago that she was even pregnant. so this is really a shock. i really want to send them a gift card and tell them congrats but i'm still a little hurt that they didn't even tell me. but i guess the blame's on my end, too. i could've picked up a phone and called her.

Mitzis last blog post..Head Games

And I forgot to say I wont share this with anyone.

Krystal McCarthys last blog post..Go Speed Racer

First of all... THis should be a public post. Ya its honest, but hell, its how you feel, and it's the truth.

Second... I know having my baby shower for Aidan was super special. And I wanted you to have that too. Granted we had to get creative in having it, it should still be special for you. Not to be mean but no one in your guys' family stepped up to do it. I feel that Ive known you long enough that I should just step up and do it. I mean I conceder you a part of my family, so why not? And I am more than thrilled to be the one you tell Miss Tater about when you talk about her shower!

Please dont let other peoples flakyness take away from tomorrow. Its for you and N to enjoy, it just shows you cares the most!

Krystal McCarthys last blog post..Go Speed Racer

BTW - Thank you for including me and always being so nice to me. :) I will certainly respect your privacy regarding this post and I want you to know that I don't think you've ever given out too much personal info on your blog. But I know that feeling of wanting to close up a bit that you are talking about. Remember, you always have private posts you can use and you can always just have a regular password for only those that you want to let in. Whatever you decide to do, you will have my support and respect, as always. Hang in there!

I am honored to be given the password to such a personal post - thanks :-)

I hope that you and Nathan know how genuinely happy that I am to be included in your life. I am so excited about Tater that there are times I can not contain myself! You and N are so warm, open and real... You two are so perfect for each other and so cute together... just IMAGINE what the mixing pot of genes will be! Nothing but fabulous!

I, too, am one of the nonRSVPers. Sorry. Just too far for me this weekend. But I do have another box loaded with many goodies ready to go :-)

I hope that you have lots of fun with the video chat with all who attend the shower.

Aw, I hate this feeling. I've had it myself so many times too and then I go through those same motions of feeling like I shouldn't be so open and stuff. What it has come down to so far is that I would find it too hard to change my personality and there are going to be rude/insensitive/nasty people no matter what, so there is no point in trying to hide from them. On the other hand, sometimes I think I am too sensitive too and take things personally when I shouldn't. I am thinking that people are just too wrapped up in their own lives these days to be bothered with such simple little things like manners and civilities and things like RSVP-ing. I don't think they mean to be so insensitive purposefully, but it still stings a bit when it happens. And these days with modern technology and lack of personal connections, it seems so easy for people to do to each other because they don't remember (or just plain don't consider) that it can and does hurt. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this right now. It is a happy time for you and N and I know people love you both and are very happy for you. Unfortunately each person on this planet thinks things should happen in their time - we've gotten too spoiled with our modern conveniences and out of practice with dealing with people (and I admit I am guilty of it too, I'm sure). So I totally understand where this is coming from and it is why sometimes I just want to go back to the days before I was even born when things were done a lot differently. The good news is that although people get dopey about this stuff, it honestly does NOT mean they don't care about you. Each person just stars in their own movie in their own mind and everyone else is just a supporting actor. That's the only good way I know how to describe it.

I'm so sorry you feel this way, Talina :( I really wanted to go, and RSVP'd as a maybe, but my work schedule has been insane and will be crazy the next couple weeks, since everyone wants shifts covered so they can get ready for finals. I'm sorry I can't make it. This is no reflection on my feelings towards you and your pregnancy! I've known you since 7th grade, and although we haven't had much contact the last few years I'm happy we reconnected, even if it's only on the internet. I'm so excited about little Tater! I hope you feel better after this post, and receiving so much support from those of us who truly care!

Megans last blog post..An Apology (sort of).

I'm one of the non-RSVP's and I apologize for that. I am very bad at them and my daughters constantly chide me for it. Feel free to join them.

Talina, you post way more about yourself than I ever could, but that's not saying it's wrong. I just can't do it, I'm probably "too" private. I know my blog could be MUCH more interesting if I weren't! Actually, it's what first drug me back here reading and reading. You've made me feel welcome and "at home" here and I appreciate that so much. It's great being a sort of honorary cybergrandma-to-be!

It's something to consider that maybe you make it too easy for everyone to keep up with what's going on with you guys. I'm reminded of the way my Dad acted when he and my Mom got divorced. He'd never had to find out for himself if his kids were doing okay, because Mom did that for him. When she stopped telling him about our daily lives, he had to start calling and talking directly to us. And us to him.

Considering we children were all in our 30s and 40s at the time, it was quite hilarious. It wasn't that he didn't care - he always had and we knew that... but it took a while before the conversations were any longer than "You OK? Me too. Talk to you next week." If he'd had a window to our lives like your blog gives to yours, it might have taken us longer to learn to talk to each other.

I'd personally hate to see the blinds pulled on this window to your lives, but if it needs to be done for you to get what you need, then it deserves consideration.

And sometimes people are just plain inconsiderate when they really don't mean to be and may not even know it. I have certainly been guilty of this. I don't remember birthdays and anniversaries well (even with all the electronic reminders) and I'm often late with a congratulations. My daughters rarely miss an RSVP, they do thank you notes promptly, and have delighted me with some of the most wonderful surprise mother's day celebrations ever. They did not get their social genes from me, obviously. But they are slowly teaching me that it's important. (Actually, they are furiously teaching, I'm slowly learning.)

Michelle - what I wouldn't give to live only 40 minutes from any of my grandchildren!!!

Oh and I forgot to mention in my first comment, that while Colten's paternal grandparents live nearby but don't see him... they expect weekly or bi-weekly email updates/pictures! Lame, I know! Be prepared for things to change even more once the bun is out of the oven.

First, NO, I do not feel like you have been overly personal, any more than other bloggers out there, in your blogging about your personal life. You seem to know what to keep private and what can be talked about.

Second, lots of people these days don't even know what RSVP means, which is why they ignore it. Most of the people in my personal family think it means to only call if you aren't coming or participatiing. That could be part of the problem.

Another thing could be that people want to wait until after Tater is born to send a gift. Lots of people do that, especially when you are hundreds of miles away. Sort of like the old "out of sight, out of mind" thing. It might be that some people know they don't live in the area, and instead of attending a virtual shower or an acutual shower where the mother to be is absent physically, they may just be going to send a gift or a card.

There are lots of reasons why people today don't respond to an invitation. And not all of those reasons have to do with you personally.

And, girlie, those preggo hormones are making you feel the emotions more vividly. And with two more months to go, people may be waiting a little bit longer to respond.

When my daughter in law was pregnant for the first time, she and my son were in Texas and the rest of both sides of the family were in Georgia. I sent out baby shower invites in the mail. We did a gift drop-off at the local Mail Boxes Etc. I arranged with MBE to collect the gifts, and also left a shower gift registry there, so each person who left something could sign it. It worked really well. People had 2 weeks to drop off their gift. At the end of the two weeks, I went and paid the shipping. When she received the package, my son took pictures of her opening the gifts, and sent a copy to each person who sent something.

Anyway, I am sure that no one is dissing you and Tater.

Karens last blog post..We Have Arrived

Thanks Talina for including me in this blog. Unfortunately we know all too well the same feelings you have. I went through that big time when we moved to Colorado. Now that we are back in AZ, it's pretty sad that Colten's paternal grandparents haven't seen him in 4 months!! They live 40 minutes away and have time for their other 2 grandkids, golf outings, and weekend jaunts to Vegas or CA. On the other hand, my parents have a "doors always open" kind of philosphy so we see them quite a bit. You just need to lean on those that you know will always be there for you, sometimes it takes major life events to figure out who those people are. But stay focused on your relationship with N (tell him hi for me), staying active so you have a healthy labor/delivery and don't stress! Don't let them get to you right now, your baby girl doesn't need to reap the consequences of some idiots! All my best! Hugs

I'm glad you felt that I was in the group you can tust. I've been sick in bed for the last 3 days with the Stomache Flu and am still not feeling back to normal so I haven't been keeping up on your blogs.
I don't quite know what to tell you how to go about these people that are acting like this. I feel connected to you in alot of ways as far as going through some of the same shit you are like moving and not having anybody around and dealing with family members. Since I moved here, alot of people I thought where my " friends" haven't even made an effort to pick up the damn phone and ask how we are and half of them didn't even bother calling when I delivered Riley to say congrats. It hurt me. Some of my family didn't even seem excited that Riley was born. I'm not sure if it's just because they are upset that we moved or what.
So I've decided to say screw em. I mean if they don't want to be a part of our lives, I'm not gonna keep trying ya know! I find myself making time to call them and keep in touch and no effort is being made back.
I would suggest not stopping writing your personal blogs just because of a few jerks ya know. Don't let them get to you. I know it's hard especially since this is your 1st baby and you guys are excited and want to share it with the world !! Don't let others bring you down, family or not.

Well, darlin, just tell me when the virtual shower is.

witchypoos last blog post..This Thing On?