Phew! What a busy time I've had of it. Got my shop, got my helpers, got my spouse, got my house, got myself preggers, (with a little help from the love of my life), got connected, made a club, (panting hard), and even managed to squeeze in some meals and bathroom breaks. Now it's time to open up my shop for all those anxious customers!
The day dawned and we headed over to Magnolia Promenade where Croft's Creations was ready to go. For some reason the customers and my helpers thought it would be cool to chat and hang around outside the cafe! NOT COOL!
Meanwhile I'd noticed some of my rivals had decided to make an appearance. Checking out the competition, or just really wanting to shop? Time will tell I guess. I'm normally a really nice, laid back and very mannerly person, but when the "alien" showed up, no matter how sweet she seemed, I knew I had to take steps. This could not be allowed!! Suppose my customers got wind of an alien in my store? Business would surely drop off fast! I tried being kind and asking her if she would mind shopping at that lovely store across the street. After all, she was rather sweet and pretty and I really wanted to like her and be a friend. Rules were rules though.
After several references of her parentage and llamas, she finally was angry enough that we became enemies. Still, even with all that, (and my struggling to be mean and angry with her), it took quite awhile and me demanding she leave before she finally got ticked off enough to take off. My business was saved, but my heart was heavy. How can I do such nasty things to someone I actually liked?
Maybe I was just hormonal? After all, I was due to have that baby any day now. My biggest fear was going into labor in the shop and having the baby there instead of at home where I had her nursery all ready. I decided I needed a bit of a break, (pregnant ladies have to pee a LOT), so went downstairs, leaving the upstairs bathroom free for customer use. Lo and behold who should I see taking his leisurely rest in my sitting room but Jason Masterson!! OMG! Not again. I really wasn't ready for another confrontation at this point in my life, so I decided to just be friendly and see what was up. Let's look at this logically. His money would spend just as well as anyone elses, right? (Note to self: make employee/family break area off limits to customers!)
My schmoozing with him apparently worked really well because pretty soon I was checking him out, (for shopping. Not for his gorgeous looks. I'm married. Remember self, you are married. It doesn't matter if he's cute.) I couldn't help but notice that annoying alien person was back. Ah well, as I said, her money will spend just as well as anyone elses. Maybe someone else can deal with her on a customer basis. I sure blew that chance!
Jason was delighted with her purchases and said he'd bring his whole family over to shop! Oh no! We're not supposed to be friends!
Merchandise was flying out the doors. My baked goods? Not so much. Plus, it seems there was way too much stuff in the way. Once I sold off some of the clutter I decided I'd renovate a bit and not restock some of those items. After all, it was supposed to be a bakery, not a small appliances shop! Lots of customers, lots of cash, lots of work. By the end of the day my "little shop" was worth over $200,000. I could sell if I wish but boy do I need those perks!
Of course, leave it to me, my fears were justified. Don panicked hard when we found out I actually WAS in labor! No wonder I'd been aching so bad all day!
I had set a bassinet up upstairs, thinking I could just as well have the baby there, but unfortunately giving birth in a retail store is not allowed! I was whisked off to the hospital where I faced that looooong lonely walk to the delivery room.
Don continued to panic, which had me quite puzzled and a bit annoyed. After all, he wasn't doing any of the work, and besides, there in her little baby bed was our darling girl, Dongelina.
I got up to go see my little princess while Don just carried on! What on earth was he all in a tizzy about? Surprise!!! I had twins!! LaraLou was born so quickly after Dongelina I hadn't even noticed! Now what do I do? I guess, just love them both. It wasn't in my game plan, but hey, twice blest.
When the Watcher saw this she was not happy! Somethings had to change and fast.
Good ol' Watcher! Now I'll always be able to tell them apart! Dongelina got pink and purple and Lara got teal and green! Oh, and from now on they are Lina and Lara. Dongelina is just too big a mouthful.
Happy sigh! We love our little ladies! Before too long we were already best friends with both of them. Don seemed to favor little Lara a bit, she was more the whiz kid and athletic type, just like him, while I seemed to pay more attention to my artistic heir, Lina.
Oh, here's a pic of our happy home. We're well set up for those girls! What a challenge they are going to be. Notice my cleverness in choosing THIS lot for my home? Play areas on two sides AND the biggest lot right next door where hopefully, my heir will reside, beating out that smart aleck Jason so HIS mansion will never be the biggest and best.
Days passed while we all worked hard on our skills. I had a job in culinary and was working on mixology skills for my hoped for promotion. It seemed just yesterday that I gave birth but we got the notice it was time for the girls' birthdays so we went to the nursery to watch it happen. First up was first born, little Lina. Isn't she a cutie?
Next Little Lara made her debut. She looks just like her sister except for different hair styles.
I think the girls got the best of both of us. Here's the heir.
After a quick trip to the dresser, both girls got busy right away on their homework. They didn't need to have it done till Monday but this will free their time up for other things, and that A in school is all important to their future.
Time for me to go to work. I guess I'll chat with you some more after the holidays! May yours be blest!
