ocean / eyes !

You go, girl! I’m putting down money that you probably have one of the best looking flats around with all that IKEA furniture building. Do you want to come build mine? I’ve been staring at this book shelf in the box for about a week and a half now wonder if it will ever build itself. Aw, congrats on the little one! Are you expecting or did you already have the little angel? Well, I never for a second thought that I could unpack all on my own. No help, all by myself but girl power, boo. Got to get those things done. How’s it all coming along?

Thank you, thank you! At this point, I’m pretty sure my apartment looks like I was sponsored by IKEA, but I just don’t have the patience to go to many different stores, you know? There are so many options in every store, that I just get too overwhelmed. Unless this book shelf came from Hogwarts or some almost-extinct witch village, I highly doubt it’ll build itself so I’d love to come and help out! Thanks so much, Nathalie! I’m six months along, so I’ve still got a trimester until my babygirl is here. The waiting game is real! Is your home all done now? Every single box unpacked and everything in the right place? This is definitely not an easy task! We stan girl power over here. I always think I’m done, and then I remember something else I want to do. I think I need to realize that I don’t need to even change the knobs on the baby’s dresser just to keep myself occupied. 

My apartment might be a damn mess, but I heard whispering in the staircase about a rodeo in town. Now, I’m not one that normally eavesdrops, but I couldn’t help but listen! I have bags and boxes scattered everywhere but I put on my best cowboy boots and run on down. If you want to find me, I’ll probably be grubbing or shopping. Oh, right, I’m Jeanine for those who might not know me. Let’s hang, let’s talk, be my friend. Too pushy? 

Girl, the bags and boxes can wait, you came in town just at the right time! If there is one thing that the people of Bayview know how to do well except from being super friendly, is how to host events and have fun. Grubbing or shopping? We are going to become very good friends, I’m sure of it now. Very nice to meet you, Jeanine! I’m Romee. Let’s hang out?

Am I the only one who’s as excited about the rodeo as I am, because I bought a pair of cowboy boots to exactly match my hair? And I’ll admit the oversized sunglasses I also found don’t really scream western flick, but more of New York minute. In my defense, one, they were cute, and two, they were on sale. So if you hear someone belting out Hoedown Throwdown… that wasn’t me. Does anyone still remember that song? Asking for a friend.

You and me both! I can’t go on the mechanical bull or anything, but I’m super excited to put on some themed outfits and eat a bunch of delicious food! Your cowboy boots and sunglasses are absolute goals, never apologize for getting something cute that was on sale -- it’s almost begging you to buy it. Hoedown Throwdown? Girl, I had that song as my ringtone when I was fourteen. I know all the lyrics by heart and, of course, the choreography. Did I just stumble upon another Hannah Montana fan?

I can completely understand that, there were so many things that I tried to do when pregnant that I realized… nope, not going to happen. Your mobility suffers so much the bigger and rounder that you get! Oh, absolutely, that was always my favorite part, having a little snack and giving directions and orders. You’re very welcome! It’s such a relief when everything comes together and you realize that you have one less thing to worry about as you go along. Oh my gosh, yeah, getting in that cage, being underwater… sure, the sharks were CGI, but there was still a lot of water stuff that was scary and real. I think so, it sort of takes over your brain and just kicks you into automatic. They say push and that’s exactly what you have to do. So much of it really is instinct.

I know, right? The other day I was in the middle of a conversation and I genuinely had to pause for a few seconds and pull myself together, because talking made me breathless. That’s definitely something I’ve never experienced before. I can only imagine how hilarious it would be to try and paint my nails when I’m nine months along. Move away boys, Mrs. Holt-Sudeikis is in charge now. Definitely! I like organizing and having everything neat and tidy so getting things done motivates me even more. Being underwater and also having to remember what you should do and how to act seems like the ultimate multitasking challenge to me. Yeah, I get what you mean. I really hope I can keep my composure and not start saying weird puns during childbirth to lighten up the mood. Because I’m that kind of person. 

You are a brave person putting IKEA furniture together, I do not think I ever could even if I needed done super quickly.  As long as you do not have any screws or nails laying around you should be good.  Gosh, I would have to say directing, producing, and writing.  Three different outlets I never thought I would actually do.  How are you, Romee?  I have not seen you since I got back into town.  

The best? That’s really humble of you to say.  I don’t know about super easy, maybe you’ll see that you made a major mistake and whatever you built won’t open or break within a week. Not that I wish you that. Be a father, I wasn’t sure at all I would be good at it.

I’m usually never cocky, so I think it’s just my excitement talking right now. Well, hopefully that won’t happen because I’ll be putting my newborn in that crib. I’ll have to double check everything, in order to put my mind at ease. I shouldn’t make a very bad first impression to my own daughter, should I? How did fatherhood turn out for you? Any tips? At this point, I need all the advice I can get.   

I never understood those horror stories, to be honest. IKEA is super easy to build, and they give all the tools you need to succeed? To be fair, I did buy all my IKEA stuff in Europe; it might be different in the USA. I’ll give you a medal out of food. Acting, maybe? I don’t know. Those questions are super hard, Romee, but I heard you talking about a crib. Are you expecting a baby?

I know, right? They provide the screws and all the thingies you need to put them on, so all you have to do is just follow the instructions. As you can probably tell I’m still an amateur when it comes to the names of the tools and the terms, but I’m getting there. Oh, fascinating! Have you travelled a lot? A medal out of food is the best medal there can be! Hahah I tend to ask weird questions that can’t get a yes/no type of reply, that’s for sure. Correct, indeed I am. I’m expecting a little girl and I’m both ecstatic and afraid. Is that normal?

Thanks, Romee! A good sign or everyone felt the need to make me feel good… Also, a good sign if they are caring for me? I don’t know. Glad you do! But you don’t adore me enough to take my side… That’s true! I think they got lots of money without Dodger too but I’ll make a mental note for it next time. How far are you in? Like when are you expecting the beautiful mini-Romee? Life’s good here. Spending lots of time with my girlfriend and our dogs so, no complaints.

I think these are all good signs! If the guys teased you a little afterwards, just assume that they were a bit jealous. Who knows? It might actually be true. Oh come on now, don’t be such a baby. Yeah! Thankfully everything went very well and the gala was successful! I don’t know when will be the next time I fit into a fancy dress, so I’m happy it happened now. Mini-Romee will come early December so she’s going to be a full-in winter baby. Do you think I’ll be ready by then? Not gonna lie, I’m getting a little anxious. Sounds like you are having a lovely time! Has Bayview’s most eligible bachelor settled down? Or was it Henry? I’m not sure, I’m fairly new and I’m trying to keep up with the gossip.

You do deserve a medal because Ikea furniture can be tough to build. So congratulations! However, you might receive a lot of requests now that we know how good you are. Like, next time I need some help to build something, you’ll be the first person I’ll call. I would say… hiding things. I know it sounds terrible but I figured several years ago that I’m way better with secrets than I thought I would be.

I know, right? I’m ready to accept my medal anytime. Thank you very much! Oh yeah, I didn’t think about that. I don’t mind, though. I like keeping busy and helping out. As long as there are treats around, because these pregnancy cravings are real. I think I’m gonna earn the nickname ‘Romee the builder’ from now on and I’m not even sorry for it. Hiding things? That’s so interesting. What happened several years ago that made you realize you had such a skill? Did you have to hide something from your mom?

To be completely honest, I usually do have something like that at the ready at all times, it is just the idea I was moving into town so I figured I did not need it with it being such a simple town from what I know of it after coming to visit my boyfriend a couple times I have visited.  Thank you, it was just a lucky encounter I had at one of the boutiques here in town before heading to the spa after finding the dress I wore.  I was pleased and I will definitely be going back and I can definitely give you the information if you want it.  It is nice to meet you, Romee, how are you and did you have fun Friday night?  

I’ll have to agree with you there, definitely. I’ve only just started on unpacking – I admittedly spent a day or two on the couch binging television and drinking soup. So it was more Netflix and reading than unpacking. I would generally say I’m a fiction guy, just because I find novels and their character development do something for me in terms of, I don’t know, thinking about acting and roles differently. But I tend to read anything that looks interesting enough, non-fiction and all included. Oh, awesome, yeah, Percy Jackson brings back memories. I’ve been considering wearing gloves, but I can’t find good work gloves that are exactly my size, and then I end up clusier than I started out. Pleasure to meet you, Romee. Are you down at the beach or in the suburbs? Hey, we can be neighbors when it comes to pasttimes, you know? 

You deserved a good rest, I’m sure. What did you binge watch? Unpacking can wait, it’s not like your things are going somewhere, right? Except if you are expecting a visit from family and/or friends. Then, I’d say you have to hurry up in order to save yourself from all the judgemental looks. I get it, I bet when you are an actor you often think about playing the scenes when reading a book. It’s been a while since Percy Jackson, huh? I’m always going to love anything related to Greek mythology. What’s your size? Maybe we can order some for you online. I’m in the suburbs! Pasttime neighbors sounds like a great idea to me. Except from the cold, are you enjoying Bayview so far?

Really? I can’t put IKEA furniture together to save my life, in fact I even had to take some furniture back to IKEA just so they could show me how to do it! I am more than happy to go down the road and buy you a medal for that,because I have never really heard of anyone saying that they’re good at putting IKEA furniture together! It is a real horror story, but I am more than happy to offer my service if you need anymore help putting things together for your future bubba! Me? Probably breathing underwater for as long as I could back in my first acting job? It was insane how long I could stay underwater without needing to go up and grab some air!

For real? Damn girl, if I only knew, I would have saved you the trip! At least you were brave enough to go and ask for help, though. I’d have been too shy to do that and would end up watching Youtube tutorials on how to build a shelf at three in the morning. Hey, if you still want to get me that medal, I’ll accept it with the utmost pride. You are too sweet! The only thing I should probably do now is a bit of shopping. I go on a complete spree every time I go by myself, so your presence might actually hold me back a bit. Oh, you were playing a mermaid, right? I’ve watched a few clips and you were so cute! Can you still hold your breath underwater for a long time? That’s definitely a skill to put in your CV, you know.

As a fellow self proclaimed IKEA furniture expert, I want to give you a high five, Romee. But you’ve got the crib up, that’s fantastic! I bet it looks amazing, and 100% deserves that happy dance, maybe even two if you’re feeling ambitious. Does that mean you have the whole nursery together now, or still have some more left to do? Let me know if you ever need a hand with anything. I felt the same way when I installed a light fixture and it actually worked. Something about home projects just makes you feel so accomplished, honestly.

High fives all around, Bill! Not gonna lie, it looks suspiciously good so I wonder if I’ve done something wrong. I guess we’ll have to wait and see, because if I try it out now it’ll break for sure. I still have to put together a drawer along with a little changing table thingy and then I’ll be pretty much done, I think. Somehow whenever you feel like you’ve completed a project, something new always comes up. Maybe with the help of an original Swede the rest of my IKEA furniture will be even easier to build. We can make a homemade pizza after our semi-hard work, since you didn’t get to enjoy one when you came back from your trip. What do you say? Dylan is definitely invited if she’s with you, of course. A light fixture, huh? Those are not easy to make so you definitely deserved all the praise. I know, right? At this point, even mopping feels like a success to me.

Oh no, if you were putting together a crib, you absolutely deserve every last bit of praise! They’re tough, I know that my job when my husband was putting them together was to just sit back and supervise, since there was no way that I was going to be much help. So congratulations on getting it put together! Does that mean that you’ve been assembling a nursery? Oh geez, that’s tough… I mean, a lot of tough scenes with acting, sure, different meals I’ve cooked – but child birth probably ranks up there pretty high.

I had to do it sooner rather than later, before my belly starts obstructing my every move. If it turns out I put the screws on the wrong way or something of the short, will you please tell Jason to pay me a visit? You’ll have to come too, of course, and then we’ll be able to supervise together over tea and biscuits. Ah, thank you very much! That’s right! I want to have everything done and in place as early as possible, so I won’t stress over anything at the last minute. I bet filming 47 meters down couldn’t have been easy...and you were so brilliant in it! Uh- child birth. Does it come as naturally as they say? I’m afraid I’ll get so overwhelmed and won’t know what to do!

We all regret things in our life, don’t we? But I’m glad to have helped out a bit even if I embarrass myself while doing it. What?! You wouldn’t even back me up publicly? That’s mean Romee. That’s…. a smart idea. I’ll run it by Katie to see if she allows dogs to steal the show. That’s sweet! How’s the pregnancy going by the way?

We surely do. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, I think you did pretty amazing! A lot of people were cheering for you so that’s always a good sign, right? I just don’t like taking sides, that’s all! You know how much I adore you, that’s never changing. I hope all this sucking up will remind you how good of a friend I am. I know, right? Whenever you want people to donate money you always have to bring dogs and babies. It’s the golden rule. The pregnancy is going pretty good, I can’t complain. I’m becoming too eager to meet my little girl. What about you? How’s life? 

Piece of advice to all of you lovely men and women of Bayview, do not move into to a city you have only visited a few times the week of a gala where you have to dress to impress.  Because two things will happen.  One you will be scrambling all around town for the perfect dress cause your fashion designer friends cannot get you the dress you want in time.  And two you have to find a spa to have a needed spa day after unpacking the last few days to make sure the house is ready when your three little princesses come into town for the first time.  Hi, I am Blake, and if I look like a total mess tonight you now know why.  

@townofbayview​