cereality

Damn did not realize/remember that Layla was such a chunky baby like her brother. I've hesitated to say it but something doesn't look right bc when she puts brother and sister side by side, they are nearly the same length though with a 2.5 year age difference and apparently the same weight too?? Somehow I wouldn't be so willing to dismiss it as oh Layla just has tiny parents, of course she'll be tiny. Uh Zade has the same parents. Nor would I be willing to say oh yeah Zade is just an aberration for that family - UNTIL they conclude that Lalya is actually fine. IDK when I look at her my thought has always been - has that heart issue completely resolved? Kids with heart issues are different than adults, the body uses up more energy bc of the heart and that energy could come at the expense of growth. And it's doing her no favors that her energy sources are doritos, cheetos, cake pops, soda, and the occasional plate of PBJ and avocado when Carlin feels judged on social media. They've also said that she fell off her growth chart and needed testing for thyroid and other things - which they delayed for a few months bc it "hurt Carlin's mama heart" [WTF??] - code for oh but we have Nathan's wedding, Katie's 11 wedding showers and dress shopping trips, Evan's family vacation, we can't skip an hour of that to deal with our baby. They had said back then that the dr just want to follow some stuff. Part of me wonders if they do follow up with drs as prescribed. Bc since they we see a lot more of them running both kids to any random dr. - not a set pediatrician. Hell who knows maybe the pediatrician judged when she saw Layla gnawing on chicken nuggets on the exam table and they were like - that's it, these drs. just judge our parenting - we'll just go someplace else when we need a quick prescription. Ultimately though the dr doesn't live with you, if they say we want to check this kid every three months and you don't bring her in - nothing they can do. And given their understanding of medical things - who even knows if they understand anything the dr told them about Layla, her heart, her growth etc.

Wow has anyone read that Reddit thread. Beyond the usual stuff of them being judgy, anti Christmas, anti adoption Confederates - the poster says that there were incest and sibling molestation cases at church (not the Bates but members of that church). As to the Bates she says that within the last few years an older Bates boy had been texting a girl as a get to know you and then at church he touched her without her consent. Whatever it was was inappropriate enough that she told, it gets discussed with Kelly, and Kelly chuckles it off as “he’s just like his dad.” I’m thinking this wasn’t a pat on the arm or shoulder . . . . I have a feeling these ppl aren’t any less disgusting than the Duggars - it doesn’t have to be CP to be disgusting and inappropriate.

Evan did say AT THIS POINT we're pursuing neurology and the 5 day EEG - as if they hadn't been pursuing it thus far because they were relying on cardiology? And said he's calling the drs to see if they could do anything sooner like refer out to Mayo/CC [IDK why he thinks major national places like that are faster] bc things are booking out locally. So yeah you called it. They clearly didn't book a fall appt in the summer when this was mentioned. And I've said it before and I'll say it again, who wants anything to be wrong? I realize she wants answers but shouldn't the fact that it's NOT her heart be a relief? Same way that I didn't understand when they got in the car early on after having an episode at the neuro office and the neuro said it looks like it could be seizures and they were GIDDY. Like OMG we're SOOO happy, he said it's a seizure. Again I understand the search for answers but doesn't everyone want a dr to be like - uh you stubbed your toe in a funny way and that caused this weirdo thing, don't worry when your toe heals, you'll be fine? Don't mind me I have a scary cardiology appt this week and you best believe I won't be going in there face full of makeup w/ my videographer and picking up Sbux on the way while making sarcastic comments about how every drs appt is such a let down. I will say though there's a shot of her standing up when they are taking her blood pressure and she closes her eyes - first thought is is she dizzy? Is it for camera effect. Bc if she is dizzy say something to the dr/nurse?? And re the Cash and Carry she posted saying Warden has been by her side all day to make sure she's ok. Uh isn't that why she has a headship? I realize he needed to film + take selfies with the customers and is walking around like a douchebag tourist w/ a camera around his neck BUT Mr. I Quit My Job to Take Care of My Wife can neither stay with his wife for 4 hrs nor ask the dr questions effectively enough so that his FIL doesn't need to show up at the appt? And @ginger90 - as much as they were like oh Gil can ask questions and MAKE drs. do stuff, lol he probably sat there and said "thanks doc" bc when cardiology says we've done x tests, these are the only tests indicated and signs off you can't MAKE THEM do anything.

So per Reddit - Evan makes it sound like they haven't scheduled the 5 day EEG but will be asking for Mayo/CC referrals. IDK if it works that way for all the reasons noted above. Maybe in normal times that would've been fine but in these pandemic/post-pandemic times healthcare is way slower due to higher demand. Also unclear why Evan goes on about how Carlin was SO disappointed re the lack of answers from cardiology. IIRC didn't the cardiologist say/imply to them up front that they didn't think it was the heart, but they'd do these 2 tests as a rule out? I really question what the drs. are saying and what they're understanding here. Also interesting that Evan acknowledges he could do a better job as a husband but he's so non confrontational that he doesn't want to seem like he's telling drs. what to do. But apparently Gil has no problem with that so he came along. Uh asking questions and understanding the plan isn't telling drs. what to do -- and as if you could even do that. I'm pretty sure your dining room science education doesn't qualify you to tell an MD what to do. How on earth will these 2 manage Layla's heart issue? They seem to understand nothing. Though IDK I don't work in medicine, maybe this is what the average American is like? [Though IDK I feel like with the internet even the avg person w/ decent reading skills has gotten better at reading about something the dr told them and asking follow up questions.]

I assume this is from today's video, which I refuse to watch. But am confused - the 5 day EEG is booked out pretty far. Ok understandable but they said before she'd do in it October. Did they not grab an appt? They've been talking about this for at least one to two months now. When they knew two months ago that this may be needed and it's booked out until Oct., why not grab an appt then? They could even run by the dr that they wanted to schedule far out just to have it on the books for 2022 and if it turns out it was not needed, they'd cancel - what dr would say no? Even now they say it's booked out - uh ok but have you grabbed the first appt you can for Dec/Jan or will you in Dec. come back and say oh can't get an appt? Even if they want to go to Mayo/Cleveland, it's not like they'll magically get in faster there + those places will want this test too and frankly may refuse to see her until this test is done since high end specialists often want patients coming in with a package of testing done and ready to review. AND Mayo/CC may say - she's stable, we aren't going to upset our schedule to get her in for this test ASAP so when it's done in 2-3 mos, call us then for an appt.

She owns 3 rental properties in SD I believe. I assume at least 1 or maybe 2 were bought a long time ago by her parents using her child acting earnings [Ca. has rules on what parents can do w/ a child actor's earnings and real estate is one of the allowed things]. Given that those would have been bought pretty cheap relative to today, could be paid off or refinanced at like 2% - compared to what SD rents look like today -- I think she has cash coming in every month from those. Granted it's HER cash but I'm guessing Law sees it as OUR MONEY.

I do remember that. They consulted w/ a US surgeon like within a day. So I do wonder if they raised some eyebrows if they felt that Evan/Carlin were futzing around with a potentially serious issue and G&K don't have the money, clout, or sense to step in and guide the process if Evan can't. In that sense Katie is lucky. If she runs into more severe clotting disorders or whatever blood incompatibility Josie has w/ babies or if her kid needs a NICU like Zach and Josie's kids did -- they are headed to UPenn ASAP. Even if everything is fine and normal, she's already said she's going to deliver at the big health system in south jersey w/ an epidural. So unlike many of the sisters it's not about rolling the dice with creepy Dr. Vick for the first baby until some problem presents itself. And WOW I just checked the Whit bday post and Whit REALLY went thru and responded to every person besides Tiff. In a normal family I'd say they're so petty bc they all have far far too much idle time given that they don't work and/or work = re-selling barrettes they buy off Amazon or doing makeup at a wedding twice a month [and I do think the core of Whit/Erin/Carlin/Josie/Katie's rifts are a product of idle hands]. BUT with Tiff I do have a feeling there's some racial thing there. Who knows what. It could be anything from referring to her as Lawson's Chinese wife to making remarks about how Asian their babies will look to saying stuff about how her parents aren't her REAL parents to simply just not treating her as one of them/not talking to her that much at events bc she's "different." I have noticed before how bored Law/Tiff are in Nashville. Like he'll take her out to a botanical garden or decent restaurant in Nashville and she'll be like - well I guess it's nice to get out. Like she seems lonely. His family is only 3 hrs away, neither of them works and they really don't ever kill time by saying - hey lets jump in the car and go visit your family. They were noticeably absent at some event recently - maybe Nathan/Esther's baby shower or Lydia's shower - and I remember thinking wow they'd really be bored all weekend rather than just drive 3 hrs and be with his family. In fact I think they see her family more than his even though they're across the country. I don't think whatever is going on with Whit has anything to do w/ the Erin rift though - bc when Law/Tiff do hang out with family - we've seen them at Erin's house + Carlin's house, so it's not a matter of taking sides. Hope this isn't the start of cutting them out completely for Whit bc her older two kids genuinely seem to love Uncle Law.

Damn these family rifts are really something. Carlin on IG going on about how they have SUCH a busy few weeks coming up [say the jobless people] - "one of my FAMILY MEMBERS is getting married so we have a lot of fun events coming up." Uh Carlin he's your BROTHER. It's ok to say he's your brother even though he is in the Josie camp now and you and Josie are sworn enemies for whatever reason. It's the same way how she went to their wedding shower and said "we have to go to A wedding shower" - as if it was some old coworker's shower that you were politely attending but you really see the person once every five years. And given the timing of Gil suddenly going to Carlin's drs. appt after all this time - I was left thinking - I wonder if she had an episode at the Clark parents or if this even came up in conversation in front of them and Evan/Carlin were like - oh drs. don't do anything for us anyway and the Clark parents raised an eyebrow at Gil/Kelly. For as heinous as the Clarks are, the type of family that has the means to buy their 18 yr old a luxury car + house are not the type of parents that skimped on their kids' healthcare. And given that they live in south jersey, you know if anything came up with their kids [or say Katie runs into a high risk pregnancy esp w subsequent kids as is the case with the Bates girls], you know they'd be off to UPenn in about 2 seconds. It's the ivy league health system 20 min away - so they prob don't get how G&K are sitting around while their daughter goes dr. to dr w/ no answers.

But how can they bc OMG it's the cash and carry this weekend and Trace's wedding next weekend. Don't drs. realize how busy they are?? At one point in her video she says that it's gotten embarrassing for her to have these episodes publicly so if she feels them coming on she begs Evan to take her to the car ASAP but often they can't get there. Uh it's not like you have a job, why not stay home more. Do you REALLY need to run from Sbux to Target to Walmart to nails as if it's a full time job? If she is embarrassed, I wonder if she disagrees with her headship filming things and putting them into videos as much as he has but can't say much about it. After all her headship quit his job for her and now needs to make a living and she can't deny him the YT content even if she's "embarrassed." I always hate to question anyone's health issues but the way they've acted, now that she consistently takes the line of - having episodes but doesn't mention it bc she gets so emotional - I do wonder if it's more like -- we've noticed it doesn't up our YT hits the way it used to so no need to share. Maybe on meds though recovery isn't taking a day? Bc in the last few weeks of running around, the only day she was off IG almost all day was when she was traveling back from NJ. Maybe there was an episode there but she was in the airport/on planes/at her inlaws/driving home at like midnight/and cooing at Layla putting on a midnight fashion show when they got home?? Hardly what she'd do after an episode, right? @Notabug - agree that Mayo very likely would NOT allow filming inside exam rooms. I go to one of the big east coast academic health systems for cardiology and while I've seen no stated policy, I cannot imagine any dr or nurse there not shutting it down immediately if you started filming. And true esp these days given how backed up health systems are, I'm sure they'd look at all her testing, maybe asking for more testing to be done locally or at Vanderbilt, then maybe do a video consult and THEN IF there was something more Mayo wanted to do, they'd call her in to Minnesota. That's a whole lot of things that don't film well for YT until you MAYBE get to Minnesota - where you can film outside in the snow, the hotel etc.

So many questions. If Gil is going to an appointment, why a cardiologist appointment? Didn't Carlin herself say that the cardiologist thinks it's NOT her heart but he'd order a stress test and vascular ultrasound any way - likely bc E&C said they wanted it? So then doesn't this likely turn out as one of those appts where they say - sorry we don't know what it is, but it isn't her heart? I wonder if this really is a - bring in an "adult" guns blazing to accuse the drs of doing nothing here/demanding answers. I feel like a neuro appt would make far more sense if she wanted to bring someone, as she is taking neuro meds and still needs the in hospital test. It may make sense to talk about what to do to prevent these episodes or lessen them, are any of these medicine side effects etc. If the dr starts to get into lifestyle issues, maybe it'd make sense to have a parent there who'd be honest [though Gil - honest IDK - but normal parents are] who could say - well actually dr. she does stay up until 2 am regularly, consumes multiple Starbucks per day, they eat mostly fast food and snacks, and are constantly shuttling btwn here and Nashville and jumping on the next flight to anywhere. And my most important question - does Evan feel castrated here because he should. I know that's mean and I know there is NOTHING wrong with bringing a parent to an appt even when you are married. But in THIS family? Come on after they hand the daughters off to the headship, the only time they show up is when Kelly shows up in the delivery room to stare at her daughter's vag as she pushes out a grandkid. The headship is the genius who is supposed to take care of their innocent, dumb daughter. But reality is this headship is no smarter or better than John, so he prob feels better having an "adult" coming along to an appointment. They are just SOOO uneducated that I feel like ANYTHING drs explain - even in plain English - goes right over their heads, they can't think of any follow up questions to ask, they walk out of there dismayed [drs. are doing nothing, or some sarcastic, another day/another test] and then turn back to what they know - the Lord. The Lord is leading us to do [insert what dr said to do which they don't understand but it's ok bc the Lord led them there not the dr]. John admitted all of this in the video they did re Alyssa's two procedures, though "luckily" in Alyssa's case she had something very defined, where drs. could say it is this type of arrhythmia, this is what we do to cure it [whether you understand or not]. At this point why not just go to Mayo??

IDK if she’s said but I can’t imagine her not attending. She and Trace have always been close (and John seems to like Trace too) though I guess Josie has taken over that sister bestie spot for him bc that’s who his fiancé is close with. It was different w Law - flying to SD + hotel in SD for at least 2 nights for a brother she isn’t close with. Here they’ll drive as the main part of HCAV season is over so John can take time off + 2 nights in suburban Knox hotels are not nearly SD prices. They could crash w family but they tend to avoid that chaos esp when John is with them.

Parents of the year right there. And rough couple days for Layla. On Sunday some dude has an arm in her crotch. On Monday she falls asleep during her only real meal of the day. Let's be real most meals consist of Doritos/Cheetos/Fritos/cake pops/maybe a banana thrown in for breakfast and then some sort of dinner. And kudos on that dinner - I guess they feel like they cooked bc there's some ground beef on the paper plate. But otherwise, I'm pretty sure those beans are right out of a can, can't be bothered w/ shredded cheese so here's a pre cut cheese slice, and can't be bothered heating up a tortilla so here's a few Tostitos. Carlin/Evan - most people's mama and daddy hearts aren't warmed by a kid falling asleep at dinner. Most parents think - damn I knew I should've gotten dinner on the table earlier. There's a reason people feed their kids dinner by 5-6 pm - even if the kid isn't going to bed immediately after, they can run around and play after dinner until they tire themselves out. But you don't want to sit a kid down to dinner when they're already that tired bc they don't eat. Oh and morons your kid is known to be in a slow growth/undersized/falling off the growth curve camp -- so maybe don't give her opportunities to skip meals esp. when you are providing a meal that isn't a bag of chips. As much as she has friction with Josie, she may want to check out what Josie does for dinner. Even though Josie does a lot of quick 20-30 min meals, lots of crockpot etc. - her kids seem to get meat + rice/veggies at every dinner. @judyjudyjudy - for as much money as these people waste, they have no dining table/kitchen table. I'm guessing the kid is fed in a high chair and/or sitting on the couch. Carlin has def shown herself plopping on the couch with her chips and soda for dinner before - or even with a regular plate.

More importantly what parent allows it?? Not saying that in front of others at church they'd curse this pastor out or anything but if a parent sees an interaction going somewhere they don't like, even if it is meant to be innocent - isn't that when one of you says - hey I got her, so where do y'all want to go for lunch?? But nope Carlin and Evan can both be heard being loud in the background [IDK if they know how to be anything but LOUD] playing along with - no lunch for Layla, OMG Layla just said yes blah blah. Uh? Are you not seeing this happen in front of you and NEITHER of you thinks ok let me grab my kid back?

And to add to the list of their parenting issues - why on earth is some dude at church [is this their pastor bestie?] holding Layla at all, let alone like that - with an arm between her legs?? I'm not saying there's anything in particular wrong with this dude, but this child is nearly 3 yrs old, not 3 months old. Don't people with kids start paying attention to who is holding them/how and also start discouraging them from being held by strange men? I mean she's nearly 3 - they all carry her around way too much as it is probably bc she's so small for her age, but it's one thing for her parents or grandparents to carry her and another to encourage her to be carried by other random guys. Is Carlin not friends with the Duggar family? Does she not get what happened with bestie Joy? Again - I'm not accusing this stranger of anything, I'm just suggesting that parents start to get a clue as kids move into toddlerhood. Not all guys are good guys even if they are godly church guys, so why does this child need SO much interaction with strangers in a physical way? Frankly the guys I know are super careful with this stuff just bc of optics - like if they really love kids, they're happy to talk to a child, play a game, draw a picture etc. but they won't pick up someone else's child - absent some emergency like the kid falls down and needs help ASAP and the parents aren't around.

Katie says that Trav is an online sales rep for some company and thus works from home. I think he may have the sweet spot of - I get earnings from the family school bc daddy has agreed to pay me a % as an adult family member but I can't be there daily bc I'm working this other "job" and meanwhile the job is probably some super part time 10 hr/wk gig. Leaving him all the time in the world to sit home with Katie. Even when they're not on random road trips, much like Carlin and Evan their days are spent running to get Chick Fil A or ice cream or donuts or whatever - things that people with jobs aren't doing at 2 pm bc their random donut craving waits until work is over. Now I don't see this lasting forever. I feel like daddy may be giving him some leeway because he just "graduated" and got married to a wife who wasn't adjusting well at all initially and now has a pregnant wife, but I can see say by next school year, he's a full time music teacher or something at that school. Katie is likely going to split her time with Josie and Carlin, as we've seen her do every time. If Josie is going camping this weekend, Katie will be with Carlin until Sunday and then a few days with Josie before leaving. Hell no one has work Monday so it's not like they have to drive back on Sunday. She did the same thing last time - Josie was going to Fla or someplace later in the week of Katie's visit so initially Katie spent 100% of her time with Josie and then when Josie left it was exclusively Carlin. Seems like Katie doesn't even stay with G&K when she visits - she splits her time with the 2 sisters she acknowledges. She prob visits her parents some and while there maybe she runs into Michael if Michael has made an effort to come to G&K to see her.

Sure Carlin is full of $hit re her episodes and BSB, but Josie is full of it too re her fab influencer life, her business which re-sells barrettes and hats and has her doing fundie wedding make up, and her creepy as hell ugly husband who discussed his 2 year old’s virginity. None of these people are great which makes it funnier that they have a pecking order amongst each other and think they’re better than each other.

I mean Alyssa is right in that sibling relationships shift as you get older bc geography, careers, spouses, whether you have anything in common as grownups. But these girls have taken it to a different level of absurdity. I think this is what happens when you drill into kids' heads that their siblings are to be their BEST friends + you don't expose your kids to the world so they are under-developed emotionally. You have grown 25-30 yr old women playing the - YOU'RE not my best friend anymore, SO-AND-SO is my new best friend. You know the things kids do at age 4. I mean at Katie's wedding, Erin posted a pic and congratulated Travis and welcomed him to the family - made NO mention of HER SISTER, the bride - didn't even tag her?? I mean what 30 yr old plays these games?? But clearly she's hurt by whatever went down w BSB and the sides taken. Josie and Carlin don't interact to the point that they go to the same church, constantly post from church, and have never once posted any pic sitting near each other or even the cousins interacting; Josie never even acknowledged the episode Carlin had AT CHURCH. I honestly think beyond BSB there are some jealousy and superiority issues between Carlin and Josie re money/houses/success - as in Carlin is jealous of what Josie has and Josie has a superiority complex about how they're better off. Josie and Tori hang out somewhat regularly bc we've seen pics of Kade/Kolter on Josie's IG before. OTOH Carlin and Tori NEVER hang out. To the point that a few yrs ago Carlin posted a video where Kade was over at her house - bc G&K/Addie/Ellie/Callie were over and they must've been watching him so they brought him - and Carlin literally asks him - do you know who I am, I am Aunt Carlin. And then later thanks him for coming over. Not the kind of thing you do with a kid you see regularly. I mean I highly doubt Aunt Josie or Aunt Erin have to introduce themselves to Kade. And sick or not Layla was out at the store with Evan and they're headed to church tonight - no rest for those kids ever.

I also think that Kelton simply is NOT interested in anyone on her side at all - except Bobby but they were besties before marriage - and I don't think he takes one for the team on any issue when it comes to Josie. He doesn't want to hang out with Trav which means he isn't wasting time or money flying to NJ for a long weekend, when he could hang out with his side of the family or use that time/money to go on a weekend vacation with Josie and his kids. He likely doesn't stop Josie from going, but as anyone with two young kids will tell you - you're only going to travel alone with two kids to visit your sister so many times. It is much easier to do these things if your spouse is on board so he helps with the travel, helps with the kids while you're there, and generally has an enjoyable time too [or at least acts like he's not miserable]. So that basically means Josie and Katie can hang out when Katie visits Tenn. But then given the Josie/Carlin rift for whatever reasons, Katie is splitting her time between Josie and Carlin as the three of them won't hang together. It limits the amount of Josie/Katie time. So then in true Bates fashion, Josie drops Katie and proclaims Lydia has her new bestie as she and Katie drift apart. And I know people LOVE Kelton bc he's soooo successful but the dude is a douchebag who needs to get over himself. Dude you're a plumber who bought a plumbing franchise even though you act like you started your own business from the ground up. I mean good for you, you ARE successful and you work hard and make money and that's great but the attitude. He really believes that he is better than EVERYONE and Josie has that tendency too so the two of them have a superiority complex - as a plumber and weekend wedding make up artist?? Nothing wrong with those professions but imagine if they had real education and $ and were a doctor and lawyer couple - they'd never speak to anyone again. I just think that in a family so huge, where you are cut from the same religious conservative cloth, if you have ZERO relationships with anyone in the family after all these years when there are so many members to choose from - it's you dude. Even John who doesn't like all the hoopla still seems to enjoy guy-ing it up and throwing the football around with Jackson etc. when he's in Tenn. Even though he's saddled w/ Kelton as his bestie, Bobby genuinely seems to like hanging with Zach. Like everyone has friends within the family except for Kelton??

Sounds like the ear infection was when they first got to NJ - as she said her ears were hurting on the flight over. So it sounds like land in NJ, cheesesteaks etc. until midnight the first night, then nails etc. the next day [where Layla has some kind of ear plugs/cotton in her ear] THEN take the kid to urgent care in NJ [nails were first bc the kid's nails are already pink at the appt], and then continue on with Ocean City blah blah. The kids were sick the weekend before they left. Guess it was already an ear infection then/was escalating but they didn't think to take her in in Tenn bc they assumed it was just a cold? And of course they aren't home. Back to Evan's parents' house. I get it they landed in Nashville but dear God don't they ever get tired of being in others' homes/living out of suitcases. I would have just landed and done the 3 hr drive home immediately and been done - instead of piddling away the rest of the week w/ his parents and then going home.

The cash and carry is 11 days away. Between now and then she could sit her ass down at home, rest, eat 3 real meals per day with no Sbux or Sonic; not that that necessarily prevents anything but it can’t hurt. But nah 11 days means at least a trip to Nashville and some other made up running around. At least she won’t have anything to do for the wedding except attend since Lydia is Josie’s bestie so no way are they including Carlin in anything leading up to the wedding; she’ll show up like any other guest except with a douchy husband carrying a mic-ed up camera.

Hmm - why so quiet all of a sudden? Per Katie/Trav, Evan/Carlin left sometime during the day today; I assume it was during the day bc they had already left by the time Katie/Trav were taking Jeb/Jud to the beach and you usually go to the beach by mid day. Evan/Carlin are the worst type of houseguests - lol. You ask them to come for a weekend, their idea of weekend = 5 days. I don't think Katie/Trav mind as I think they both like having buffers around, and Evan and Trav actually get along so it isn't like an awkward brother in law interaction for 5 days. But Jesus Evan/Carlin talk about over-staying. I mean as much as I think Trav doesn't mind them, he did say in the car today that they're exhausted and have done so much stuff in the last 4 days - bc of course that's how it is with houseguests. But yeah with a mid morning/afternoon flight that is only 2 hrs - they're STILL quiet at 8 pm? Hmm . . . . Guess we can look forward to them popping back on at some point being like guys we've been SOOOOO busy [being houseguests?], you can't imagine how much we have to do now - get the mail, unpack the suitcases, a load of laundry etc. And per Lydia, Trace/Lydia's wedding is 19 days away - so the hoopla begins again for these two in 2.5 wks and between now and then there's a Cash and Carry. Talk about a packed schedule - who could hold down a job with this much obligation? Lol

They of course haven't confirmed it on the show or anything, but based on how they post every time they take a piss on social media, it seems fairly obvious that they do nothing for/with Michael. I mean they'll door dash either a Starbucks coffee or chick fila and it goes on IG immediately to show how kind, generous and close they are. Same with FaceTime calls w/ Katie or Alyssa - Carlin has to post a screen shot to show she spoke to them. We've never seen either of these gestures w/ Michaela, nor them going out to hang out with her or even hanging at her house - and she unlike Tori has and uses social media. I do think Brandon probably gets it and doesn't want her wife to be used. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Brandon is the one who has encouraged her to do things other than serving her family - like her sewing business. I mean she watches Josie's kids 1 day/wk and you better believe Josie would be happy to dump them off 2-3 days/wk for her barrette business, but Michaela has said she babysits for another family a few days/wk. That family is not related to the Bates, so my guess is that's a paid gig. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Brandon realizes that her sisters would just use her, so if you love kids and want to be with kids all day - why not go do that for some family that values you? I also wouldn't be surprised if Brandon suggested that she stand back and not volunteer to watch dingbat Carlin [when it was speculated that Evan may work] bc again they'd expect her to do it bc she's childless but she still wouldn't be in their special circle. So yeah do the family thing 1 day/wk w/ Josie's kids, but then the rest of the time work for another family, sewing etc.

100% guaranteed that no one calls Michael just to say hi, no one door dashes her coffee or lunch just because, no one who knows that she had a fertility dr appt would make it a point to meet up with her in the days after to see if she wanted to talk or if she didn't just take her out for a few hours as a distraction. I'm fairly certain they only call her when it's like uh you're still watching my kids every Monday right [Josie]; or I'm headed to Katie's 11th dress shopping trip to Florida, you'll watch my kids right [Carlin]; or we want to go outlet mall shopping but don't want to watch our own kids please come [Kelly; Carlin; Whit; Alyssa]; OMG I'm soo overwhelmed with 2 kids maybe it's postpartum [Josie] - cue Michaela showing up with homemade dinner + banana bread. I feel like Michaela is the only one of the kids who is TRULY fundie in her beliefs [Erin is in a performative way, Tori might be but not as much as M]. Like I really think she took it completely seriously when she was taught to put others in front of herself. So she instinctively just does that. That being said she's now 32 and not an idiot, so certainly she must have noticed that while she's always ready to drop everything to babysit someone's kids or run them a home cooked dinner, absolutely no one offers to do anything for her. She is on social media, so clearly she sees that the other sisters are proclaiming each other besties and door dashing each other coffee or whatever and no one has once done that for her, even say when they know she's had a whole series of fertility drs appts and must be stressed/sad. That's where her insecurities and low self esteem come in. I feel like in normal friendships/family relationships once people notice they are being used and no one really cares about them, they step back a little. They'll say no to babysitting or setting up some party when asked even if they aren't busy bc it's like - you know what do it without me once and see how hard it is. But being insecure about not being a mom you KNOW she rationalizes it as - of course they aren't here to help me, what would I need help with, I don't even have kids to take care of, they're the ones who need help, they're mothers. She tells herself that and keeps herself useful bc she knows she'll be 100% forgotten if she isn't useful to them. She's denying the reality that even if she had a kid tomorrow, guess what NONE of the sisters would help her bc they are users. Like Carlin or Josie would stop woo-hooing long enough to babysit her kid? Like Erin or Tori wouldn't have the excuse of - sorry I already have my hands full with my own litter? Please.

I feel like for the first time we've seen Whit eye rolling at Carlin a bit this year. I think like all of these girls always do she jumped into -- OMG MY NEW BESTIE mode -- super fast once they pushed Erin out last fall/winter to show just how close they were and how much she wanted to own BSB with just Carlin, and then it took a few months to realize who Carlin REALLY is. Loud and "fun" may have seemed ok when there were 3 of them and Carlin's own sister could roll her eyes/tell her to pipe down occasionally, but a SIL who is DYING to be loved by her inlaws can't do that so much. I noticed it too when Carlin was BEGGING them to go out on a double date and Whit was coming up with every excuse in the book. Also noticed it when Zach/Whit bought the new house but were living with G&K during construction, one day they finished at the store and Whit was like - oh it's early we have so much to do, I'm heading to the house to paint window sills. And Carlin was like - oh I'll come too. Carlin being Carlin it's not like she'd help paint or even be quiet, she was all loud woohooo party, stepped in paint and then trekked it onto the new wood floors and Z&W looked like they wanted to kill her. I assume Whit was pissed generally when they bought the house bc you know they wanted to be celebrated for their second home and here was Carlin crying and whining and having anxiety all the time re OMG what if we NEVER get a house [during the hottest housing market we've ever seen w/ my husband being a student]. Now with the addition of Evan to the boutique there's another loud obnoxious person to deal with, though not that they could say no to him joining BSB given that he HAD TO quit his job to take care of his wife. It's possible Z has clued her in that Carlin has attention issues and if you give her an inch, she'll take a mile. When they were temporarily living at G&K's house and Carlin would be all -- woohoo party, we'll stay until 2 am playing board games here -- that was one thing and a temporary situation. Z probably does not want that happening in HIS home and he knows with his sister, if they don't set boundaries, her and Evan will be over every night hanging until midnight - when Z is like uh I'd like to sleep with my wife now, go home.

Gil and Kelly are boors and they raised boorish children. I'm sorry but in what universe is it ok to show up to someone else's house [this is the Clark parents' house] for a party YOUR SIDE wants and not help?? Gil, Kelly, John, Jeb/Jud, Michaela ALL parked themselves in the shade under the patio umbrella and were stuffing themselves full of pizza [uh party is about to start - you'll be fed in like 20 min], while ALL the people doing party prep except for Addie are from the Clark side. [Excuse me after the food is all set up Carlin DID walk by the tables and drop confetti on them to decorate.] And Carlin [and Evan I'm sure] is running around videoing this $hit with Carlin screaming "go Mama Clark WOOHOOO." WTF. If these people weren't her son's inlaws, Mama Clark's inner Jersey girl was about to come out with a middle finger when Carlin woo-hooed. And how do these morons not realize this party is for THEIR SIDE? There are like 15 ppl there max - the only Clarks were Travis' parents, his brother, sister and their spouses. The rest are Bates who've flown in for this. You know if Katie hadn't made a big deal about a gender reveal, they would have simply announced to his family at dinner one night - hey it's a girl. Or if Katie/Trav wanted to do something, THEY would do it at their own home - like have the whole family over, be responsible for cooking/ordering out + cleaning up, and decide whatever they wanted to do for the reveal. But bc they needed a party, I bet it was like - oh our house isn't finished yet, can we do it at your house. I bet when they went out to dinner with the Clarks after Ocean City on Thursday night, the Clarks asked about what else is needed for the party - and guaranteed Carlin and Katie were like oh no you don't have to do anything, we'll do it all blah blah. And then this afternoon rolls around, the Bates side is too busy shilling hair products and having girl time - so Mama Clark and her side are running around setting up tables, finishing food prep, picking up food, building that damn balloon arch. And now that the party is over, how much do you want to bet G&K, Carlin/Evan, John have kicked up their feet on the Clarks' furniture or just left - rather than gathering all the trash and taking it out, putting dishes in the dishwasher, folding up the tables and carrying them to the garage etc. Obviously the Clarks have money and do nice gatherings with decent food, but they should learn sooner rather than later that with these boors it isn't necessary. Seriously just pick up 5-10 pizzas and a few bottles of soda and be done with it. And it doesn't even have to be good NJ pizza, Dominos is fine for these fools. I mean G&K's idea of hosting is Little Caesars or forcing Michaela to cook - they don't need nice parties. While I'm no fan of the Clarks, their reaction to G&K, Carlin etc. seems very similar to what we saw of Bobby's parents early on. They also have some $ and do things in a nice, orderly, hospitable way. And then they met the utter loud-mouth chaos that is the Bates and seemed disgusted . . . . Fast forward 4 yrs later - I think they have almost nothing to do with the Bates - maybe a 15 min courtesy visit if they visit Bobby/Tori which they don't all that often it seems.