Good-bye Old Friend

Back in November, Bath and Body Works brought out the best smelling soap of all time. I foolishly only bought one bottle and by the time I figured out I was hopelessly addicted to the stuff, they had sold out. I checked back regularly through the whole Christmas season to no avail. So it was with heavy heart that I lathered up my hands with the last small bit of Frosted Orange Spice today. Good-bye old friend. Everyone start fasting and praying that B&BW will bring her back again this fall.

Update: Sara saved the day! I am the Ebay queen--why didn't I think of checking there? More Frosted Orange Spice is on its way to my door. I don't want to do the math on what I'm paying per bottle (with shipping) compared to what I paid the first time around but I'm getting it!

Jake is Getting Down to Business

To begin with, I was proud of Jake for not screwing around and just sending home all the milk-toast girls. I like Jake--he is growing on me--but he has got to stop crying through half the show and the rose ceremony. He has got to be a man.

I like Gia. The hide and seek game on their date was a bury my head in the pillow moment but I liked their conversation and I think she is a good match for him. I liked that they actually talked about high school and real life which is rare for this show:


I, for one, was not surprised that he didn't give a rose to either girl on the two-on-one date. Andy Baldwin (from a couple seasons ago) came up with that trick and I loved it. I loved how when Jake came back from saying good-bye to Ella, Kathryn (ie. Carrie Underwood look-alike) was sitting at the table with a big smile. She wiped it off her face pretty quickly as he told her she was going home too. I think Kathryn could have stayed if she didn't lecture Jake on the log about how he wasn't giving her any attention. Um, hello girls--you have the rest of your lives to lecture your man after you're married--don't do it know when you are still trying to snag him. Sheesh:


As for Ali, I have decided she looks and sounds just like Jessica Simpson. She is getting meaner by the show. I still like her when she is having one-on-one time with Jake because she actually talks to him (unlike Ashleigh who was just rubbing herself all over him--awkward!) but at the same time, Ali needs to quit worrying about Vienna sausage and just focus on Jake. They all do:


The death nail for Jessie (who isn't cute anyway) was when she spent all of her alone time at the cocktail party bagging on Vienna. By the way, when Jessie walked down the stairs to leave after she was eliminated, I think she looked like a prostitute in that super short black dress with the straps hanging down. Just saying....


I'm totally skipping around but when Ashleigh left, I was so embarrased for her. She reminds me of Kyra Sedgewick but not as pretty. Ashleigh needs to read my post about leaving with dignity. Don't cry! Don't say what a mistake he is making--newsflash! He didn't pick you so obviously you aren't the right one for him. Quit bagging on Vienna. I'm so tired of it. Yes, Vienna bugs but I'm tired of the girls talking about her nonstop:


As for Corrie, she is okay. Her lowest moment was when she asked Jake if she makes him nervous...giggle giggle. I loved how he said no! She is cute enough but doesn't have what it takes to get the final rose.

I think we all know it will come down the Ali, Tenley, Gia and Vienna. Then Vienna will be gone. Then Ali will be cut--then Gia and Tenley and then Tenley will get the final rose. What are your predictions?

Bachelor Post on its Way

Due to some issues with my DVR, (certain man shows were recorded during the Bachelor time slot) the Bachelor did not get recorded tonight. I will be watching it on Hulu tomorrow and reporting tomorrow night. Please forgive the delay. Collect your thoughts and be prepared to share!

What I Learned From My Trip to Visit Ashley

1. A good book is always better than another Redbook magazine with all the same tired articles. Thanks to my blogging friend Jill's virtual bookshelf--I found this book, which I absolutely loved. I laughed so hard at times that the people on the plane around me kept staring.

2. Any meal without children is an absolute delight. There was so much good food, I can't possibly talk about all of it. For more in depth reporting on what we ate, see Ashley's blog. The only problem is that when I'm pregnant I'm always ravenous. But as soon as I start eating, I get full quickly. An hour later, I'm ravenous again. Small frequent meals are the answer but that doesn't gel with the way I roll on vacation. Ashley and I believe in huge binge fest meals (with bread baskets or chips and salsa!) between shopping and being pampered. This did not do good things for my stomach.




3. The Mostess knows food. I met the Mostess through blogging and she is a riot. I thoroughly enjoyed our meal together at Tamarine--a tasty upscale Vietnamese place. I felt a tiny bit of guilt that as I was enjoying the delicious shrimp puffs on Sam's birthday, he was at home on with the kids eating McDonald's. The guilt passed though.




4. I can no longer trust Pottery Barn Kids for name ideas. At first, I was thrilled to see this name on the wall since it is one we are considering for our new baby:


All three of my kids' names are in the current catalog so I assumed that PBK and I were on the same page when it came to taste in names. Then I stumbled onto this name (what the?) and I realized one of us is horribly out of touch. Please tell me it's them:


5. I love artsy movies. Ashley and I both really enjoyed An Education. We saw it at an old theatre by Stanford, where you have to valet park to see a movie. Crazy. Don't you think the main character, David, looks exactly like Sam?


6. I appreciate fine malls and outdoor shopping areas more than musuems or sightseeing. Just a sad fact about me folks. I ain't proud of it.


7. The TJ Maxx and More in the Bay Area has way more selection and better stuff than ours. I ended up having to borrow a suitcase from Ashley just to get all my wares home. Aren't those cake plates cute? And I love my new pillows!




8. The only time I missed my kids was when I went into a really cool Lego store that Luke would love. The minute we left, I was glad I didn't have my kids again.


9. The first rule for massage therapists should be to shut your yapper. Mine talked the ENTIRE hour. It was the worst. And I had to beg her to push harder. I like massages to almost hurt so I know they are doing something.


10. Pedicures are God's gift to women. I could get one every day. The bad news is I came home with an ingrown toenail as a result of the lady cutting my toenail too short.


11. Turns out I am too good for Chili's. Our food was cold, bland and disgusting. It was our only bad meal of the trip. There's a reason I hadn't been there in four years. For good chain food, I'm sticking to Chevy's and CPK.

That's it. I've already decided to come down next summer as well. It was just too fun, too relaxing and too hard to come back to real life. Thanks to the husbands for making it all possible!

Jake is Growing on Me

Boo Yeah! I for one, was so happy to see Elizabeth sent packing tonight. I LOVE how Jake saw right through her game. She is beautiful--no doubt about it. In fact, Sam walked in as she was doing her exit interview and remarked if we ever get a nanny, he hopes she looks like that. Noted. We'll get a nanny that looks like Mrs. Doubtfire.

I love how Elizabeth kept acting like Jake was pressuring her to kiss him. That wasn't it at all. He was just tired of her game. She is arrogant and a tease and she used it to her advantage. I was so happy he saw through it and got rid of her. I think her bit in the comedy club didn't help her cause either.

Next, we have to talk about poor poor crazy Michelle. She just wants a husband so bad but is one of those girls who doesn't realize that she has to be fun and interesting and not just serious and desperate. I loved that Jake had the guts to send her home tonight when she was fishing for him to beg her to stay. That girl needs a therapist and I hope she can get the help she needs.

I don't quite have Vienna sausage figured out. She was kind of growing on me on the date but the women obviously hate her. She must be really bad in the house off-camera and we're not seeing it.


She does seem really ditsy and braggy when Jake isn't around, which would get old fast. I don't know what to do with her. I can't possibly see Jake picking her in the end.

Ali seems to be getting a little more confrontational and mean with every episode. I still like her but I think she might be a little too much for Jake. I was impressed with Ella and of course we all knew her kid was going to show up on the date.

I felt so bad for her when she had to say good-bye to her little boy again. She seems like a classy lady and I hope she finds love. She reminds me of the widow from Jason Mesnick's season. I just think that she seems a little too old for Jake--I know she's younger--but you know what I mean. Speaking of Jason Mesnick, I just ran across a picture of him--I'm so glad that little tiny man is no longer our bachelor.

Other random thoughts: Does it seem like there are a lot of helicopter rides this time around? Just checking. Also, I think it is trashy that the flight attendant (I can't even remember her name!) has such a dirty mouth. And I kind of hate it when the girls throw other girls under the bus in front of Jake. That has to be a turn-off.

Finally, I'm convinced Tenley is the one. Could she be any sweeter and cuter? She's perfect for Jake. What do you all think?

Public service notice: one of my readers tipped me off to this new Bachelor spin-off show that is coming to ABC later in the summer. It is called Bachelor Pad and basically has a big brother format. All of the contestants will be former bachelors/bachelorettes and contestants from former shows.

Can you even imagine the debauchery and sleaze that we are going to witness? Chris Harrison has already signed on to host and I honestly can't believe he is going to be associated with it. Will I watch? You better believe it--especially if Matt (the British bachelor) joins the show! For more info, go here.

Happy Birthday Sam!

Today is Sam's 35th birthday and he has promised to leave me if I do another blog post about him. So I won't say anything nice about him. I will simply say that I am leaving him with the kids today, on his birthday, to go down and visit my sister in California. It was the only weekend that worked for both of us and he encouraged me to go. I don't think I would have been quite as nice if the tables were turned. (Kind of reminds me or when I turned 30 and he took me to NYC for my birthday and while there, we reflected that when he turned 30, I took him to Chili's.)

Anyway, I have a really good track record for making gorgeous cakes. See here. I'm kind of a one-trick pony so it will not surprise you that this was Sam's birthday cake:


This cake topper reminded me of a very funny picture I have of Sam from our newlywed days. I won't embarrass him or I by posting it--this is a family blog after all--but I do think it looks like Sam. When Ryan saw the cake this afternoon, he kept pointing at it and saying "Dada." So I guess I did well.

Sam also threatened me to not put a picture of him on the blog--but this one really doesn't count:


Yes, the cake has a large portion with no nuts--that is for Luke. We are fancy like that.

So as I said, I'm leaving today for a little slice of paradise. Ashley and I are going to eat and shop our way across the bay area. If you want to read more about our plans--go here. I'll be sure to give you a full report when I return. We will definitely be slumming at all of our favorite chain restaurants that our husbands are too good for.

I'm hoping that by leaving for the weekend, I'll actually be excited to see these three when I return!


Happy Birthday Sam--muscle man! (If the rest of you really want to know more about Sam--go to my birthday tribute post to him from last year.)

There for the Wrong Reasons

Let's get right down to business. Is anyone surprised that Rozlyn turned out to be the one having the inappropriate relationship with the staffer? I didn't think so. Could she have been more transparent the night of the group date when she came bouncing into the cabana wearing nothing but a wet string bikini and begging for one-on-one time with Jake. Her voice-overs were all about how competitive she is and how once she gets that rose, she was just going to sit back and play hard to get.

I really hoped Jake would see through it but of course, he was sucked in by that nasty forced kiss and even gave her the rose that night. I don't feel sorry for him. She was a floozy and he fell for her just like every other guy would. Good riddance.


I know so many of you love Elizabeth. I just don't see it. Yes, she's pretty but she drives me crazy. She reads him that dumb little note about how he can't kiss her until he knows she is the last girl standing (implying she has such high morals) and then later that evening she completely taunts him during the fireworks--"you want to kiss me don't you? giggle giggle....so manipulative. Does anyone else want to smack her?

And Michelle--Cookoo for cocoa puffs. I'm sure the producers have told Jake he has to keep her around at least a couple more shows for entertainment value.

Finally, the bikinis--when Ashleigh H. changed into a bikini to break into Gia's alone time, I just cringed. Speaking of bikinis, did anyone else notice when Jake came to pick up the first group of women for the group date, how three of the women who were staying back were wearing bikinis just sitting on the couch. Could you be a little more obvious girls? As I write this, I can hear my husband saying "Hate the game, not the player" but these women need to learn how to hold a little something back.

I love Ali. I love Tenley. I'm guessing they will be the final two. They are both classy and cute. I can't wait for next week when the girls start attacking each other! Stay tuned.

Playing Cupid

Sam and I rarely go on dates. We just go out and sometimes we go out with other couples. But last night, we went on a "double date." What made it a date? The other couple was not married and it was a blind date for them. Sam set it up all on his own.

Sam knew the girl, Jessica through work--she is an attorney at another firm and we've known the guy, Brady forever. Brady was Sam's roommate while Sam and I were dating and he would put up with us in all of our mushy, romantic glory. Brady is one of the cutest guys ever and it is a mystery to me why he is still single. Jessica is darling too and we had a great time. I promised them I would embarrass them by doing a post about our date.


We started the evening at Goodwood BBQ (I know--Sam and I have an addiction to the place) and then went bowling! I suggested a movie but Sam insisted that was no way for them to get to know each other. With our luck, it turned out to be Disco Night...which really brought in a classy crowd. I came in with the low score both games but I was less concerned about that than I was with how chubby I looked wielding the ball.

Was it a love connection? Time will tell. I haven't set people up in awhile but I used to do it all the time. Why do I do it when it rarely works? Because I believe in love, and I love the idea of getting people together. Sam and I were set up by one of our good friends--Amy Bagley and we will love her forever. In fact, we told her we would name a child after her--but since we're having another boy--it doesn't look good.

Don't forget to watch Bachelor tomorrow night when they reveal which trampy girl is sleeping with a member of the film crew. I can't wait.

2009--The Year in Pictures

Wow. I can't believe how many kind comments I got about my new dark hair. I can never predict which posts will generate a lot of comments but so far it seems my hair, my pregnancy and the Bachelor are all hot topics! I have such an awesome group of women (and a few men) who read my blog.

Last night, I spent two hours online making a Snapfish photo book. Have I told you how much I love Snapfish? In two hours, I can make a bound book of the highlights of our year--so much easier than scrapbooking.

The funny thing was, as I was uploading my photos into this book, I was just overwhelmed with what a great year we had--and really it was just an average year for us. In fact, we seemed to have more disappointments and financial stress this year than in years past and yet, seeing the year in pictures, made me realize how blessed I am. Maybe I'm just getting older and starting to appreciate what I have more.

It was also a year of great sadness as our good friends lost their baby girl. Watching them go through that really put a lot of things in perspective for me.

So I wanted to share with you a snapshot of our year.

January came and I was in a funk. Only now a year later, I understand what was darkening my life but I didn't when I was living it. I'm so glad things are better this January (even fat and with bad hair--I'm once again walking in the light!)


February was still a downer but Valentines always helps. Sammie was in a Fashion show at La Caille and also did a princess day with Grandma and her cousin Kate.


In March, things began to look up. I had my birthday and accompanied Sam on a work trip to Washington D.C.


March was also girl scout cookie season and oh how I love the thin mints. Once again, Sam got carried away and ordered an entire case and we are still eating them.

April brought Easter with the famous matching sweater vests.


Also in April, Sam and his dad built this bad boy in the backyard.


In May, Sam and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary in Kauai. It was such a fun trip and so good for us to get away without the kids.


June was full of swimming lessons, BBQs, and all the things that makes summer great.


In July, my mom built a float for my kids and their cousins to ride on in a Fourth of July parade (yes, she is the energizer bunny!)


Also in July, we took our annual trip to Sun Valley, ID.


August was family pictures in the blazing heat. Sam was in a worse mood than the kids. He doesn't do well with heat.


We also took our kids to Lagoon for the first time in August.


September was back to school and all of the newness that goes with it. I love September.


October was the Halloween season and we did a bazillion activities to celebrate Halloween! These are Ashley's cute boys in their "Where the Wild Things Are" costumes.


November was Thanksgiving and we announced I was pregnant with baby #4. It was also when Sam started a new job that he loves.


Finally, December was Christmas craziness and we found out #4 is a boy.


I'm excited to see what 2010 brings--a new baby, decent health insurance (and dental!) some exciting home improvement projects (stay tuned!) and hopefully more of the same.