1. What I'd say: Next time it came up, I'd say, "I made a note of your suggestion. Once the baby's born we'll see how it goes." Or something like that. After that I'd say something like, "I think I'm familiar with your opinion on this. Let's talk about something else."

2. What's going on: Well if you don't know, Becky, no one else will be able to figure it out!

Just trying to get in your sister's head -- and completely apart from anything I know about you -- I can think of one friend I've had whose house was messy beyond all reason, whose kids seemed undernourished, and who always seemed a little off-kilter in conversation, like she hadn't quite mastered social skills 101. (A mutual friend's mom once described the poor woman as "slovenly.") She was a sweet lady and at times had some very smart things to say about homemaking and parenting (she was especially well-read on breastfeeding) but she was a person to whom I would be tempted to apply the phrase "Marginal Life Skills." (Just based on your posts here -- and your upcoming PhD -- and I would say that you have a lot more going on upstairs!)

Did your sister visit you on a really bad house day? Are you extremely introverted and perhaps she interprets this as being socially backwards?

Not that it would make much more sense if these were true -- just trying to puzzle through it using my own limited experience!

Shaun
www.homeschoolblogger.com/shaunms