A Little Story...About Bob and Diane

It was the summer of 1964 and Diane had just turned fourteen.  Her older sister had started dating a bad boy from the next town over and she was head over heels in love!  It was a hot  day in Northern Minnesota and the mosquitos were thick. Diane looked out the window and saw her sister Sandy standing in the yard with her new boyfriend, and another boy that she'd never seen before.

He was tall and thin, with slicked back brown hair.  He leaned against a 1950 Ford, a lit cigarette in his hand.  Diane quietly left the house and walked up to the lovebirds.  She snuck glances at the strange boy and noticed how cute he was; she hoped that her sister would introduce them.

Sandy went into the house to get permission to go to town with the boys and when she came back Diane was surprised to learn that she'd gotten the go ahead but she had to bring....her little sister.  That's when she learned the young man's name.

Bob thought that Diane was a kid and sat in the front seat with Sandy in the middle. Poor Diane sat in the backseat all by herself, listening to them laugh and carry on like she wasn't even there.  A few weeks later Bob left for basic training....and then Vietnam.

Diane saw Bob again three years later at Sandy's wedding to the bad boy from the next town over. The young girl from the back seat had grown up and he noticed her now.   Six months later they were married.

And that's how my parents met.....

Linking up with MamaKat for Writing Prompt Thursday

Bachelor Sean: BFF

ABC was nice enough to do a bit of a recap of all three ladies and their interactions with Sean.  I think I've figured out that some people don't start watching this show until it's down to the final three.

Lindsay is the first one to spend the day with Sean.  Last week she told him that she was falling in love and she is now prepared to tell him that she really is falling in love. They take a open-air motorcycle taxi thing to a market. Lindsay is in culture shock!  Sean convinces her to eat some deep fried bugs and then labels her adventurous.  I think this is a test to see if she'll eat gross things and is the kiss of death in Sean's relationships.  Look what happened to Des after she drank goats milk!   Sean says that he feels like they are high school sweethearts.  I don't know about you, but i made some shitty choices in high school.  Lindsay is the best friend that Sean has been looking for! YAY for best friends!

Sean takes Lindsay to Monkey Beach and they feed adorable little monkeys.  I was afraid this was going to be another test to get Lindsay to do something crazy. Sean tells us that Lindsay has it all and he takes her to dinner at a float park.  They are surrounded my floats made by temples for a parade.  Lindsay is about to finally tell Sean how she feels when the solid gold dancers come out and do a performance for them. Lindsay tells Sean that she's open to moving to Dallas and having his babies, she's excited for their life together to start...right after he's done appearing on Dancing with the Stars as a Faux-Celebrity. 

Lindsay get the fantasy suite card and races Sean to the room. Finally, she gets to tell him how she feels.

AshLee is in LOVE with Sean.  Her love for him is overwhelming and she's filled with joy.   Sean takes her on a boat ride that again, makes her step out of her comfort zone. He forces her to jump into the water and swim into a very dark cave while she says Oh My God ten times.  She is terrified.  Very, Very terrified.  She is also a back seat swimmer and questions whether or not Sean is going the right way.  They make it through and arrive in a beautiful lagoon.  AshLee tells us that it felt good to completely let go.  I call bullshit and I'm annoyed by her freakishly small calves.

Every single part of AshLee's being wants to be engaged. She tells Sean that she takes being engaged very seriously but she married her high school boyfriend at 17, so what's that all about?  Sean tries to find out why she's still single by telling her why he still is.  He explains that he was chasing his career.  She doesn't answer the question and instead reads the over night date card.  She tells him that she's a classy broad and that she doesn't want him crossing her boundaries.  Then she tells him what kind and size of ring she wants.   Sean also possesses magical powers and has healed her broken heart.

Sean meets up with Catherine on the beach and then leads her to a boat to sail around and drink wine.  I think this date is to make up for trying to freeze her to death in Canada.  Sean wonders if they have the same life goals. Catherine tells Sean that she can really be herself with him, they both agree that they compliment each other. They go snorkeling and then kiss in the rain.   They have dinner and Sean tells us that Catherine gets him more than anyone and he can see himself married to her.

He asks her where she sees them in 5 years and she says, married with a child and happy. He gives her the fantasy suite card and she's nervous about it.  He explains that he just wants to spend time alone with her.  She really, really wants to be with Sean.  I'm thinking Sean must be feeling really moist by now.  BECAUSE they swim in a pool together.

We see Sean getting ready for the rose ceremony and the camera has settled on his unzipped pants.  I cover my eyes!!  Sean has a talk with Chris and says he never pictured sending this person home.  Chris says this is the toughest week to go home.  I disagree.  Being left at the column thingy and told you are not the one is the toughest.  This is the week that the Bachelorette is chosen but GOOD LUCK with this one ABC.

Each woman has left Sean a final video message.  Lindsay and Catherine's are sweet and carefree, reminding him of their dates.  AshLee's message is the one you send right before you cook the bunny.

The rose ceremony is tense.  All of the ladies look amazing and AshLee brought out the big guns, her poor straps are straining to hold up her  boobs.  Lindsay gets the first rose.  Then....stressful music plays for 1 minute and 10 seconds (yes, i timed it) while Sean looks like he's passing another kidney stone.  He looks at the ceiling, he looks at the floor, he stars at the rose....and then says the name:  Catherine.

AshLee is glaring at Sean.  She walks away, toward the waiting SUV.  The girls look at each other and say, 'She didn't say goodbye.' Well, duh!  In the words of Tierra, she's not here to make friends!  She doesn't want to talk to Sean or hear his explanation.  She gets in the vehicle and it drives away while Sean sits on a bench with his head in his hands.

She says very little in her getaway car interview.  She mutters something about being a reject and she turns from the camera and cries.

Next week: The Women Tell All!  

10 Happy List Things to Smile About in February!

I'm linking up with Emmy Mom for 10 Things to Smile About in February AND Ricki at Art @ Home because this is also a Happy List. We had a great month and I really can't believe that it's almost over.



1.  Mallory is devouring all kinds of reading material.  A whole wide world has opened up to her....and an atlas.

2.  Coffee with my kid.  He had a lot he needed to get off from his mind.

3.Stacks of Magazines because I have a problem and can't stop buying them.  Better Homes and Gardens wins for best cover because I put Martha Stewart back and grabbed theirs instead.  I bought that one on top because it said BEER on it.  Who am I, Homer Simpson?

4. Funny stickers on cars that aren't political.

5.  Good Quotes.

6.  Being funky and cool like my daughter!

7.  Looking at old pictures of the kids.  This was taken during the 'I can only crawl backwards' phase.

8.  Staples Dollar Section

9.  No Risk, Guilt-Free Pancakes.  Made with Cottage Cheese.  No joke!

10. Jennifer Lawrence. She's a great actress and someone I'd love to have a beer with.  BEER!

 

Never fear.....my Bachelor re-cap will be here this afternoon!

Bachelor Sean Drinking Game: Week Eight

Welcome to week 8, episode 9 of The Bachelor!

Week Eight Drinking Game!

Take a small sip of your drink when someone says:

• Journey
• Amazing
• Wife
• Chemistry
• Forever
• Future
• Engaged
• Crazy
• Ring





source

Take a small sip of your drink when:

• Sean's shirt is missing
• Someone kisses Sean
• Someone kisses Sean in water
• Someone cries
• AshLee cries
• AshLee is scared
• AshLee throws her arms in the air like she just don't care
• Someone tells Sean that they love him
• Someone acts surprised to get the Fantasy Suite Card
• Someone accepts the Fantasy Suite Card

Finish your drink when:

• Chris Harrison announces that this is the final rose tonight

A Good American by Alex George

In the early 1900's my great grandparents moved to Northern Minnesota from Sweden.  I've always wanted to know what would bring a newly married couple to America to start a brand new life.  As it is there are very few pictures and even fewer documents.  Just old stories and a couple acres of land that are still the family today.

A Good American by Alex George is about a young newly married and pregnant couple that run away from Germany to America to start a new life and be a family. They find themselves in a German settlement in Missouri that accidentally becomes their home for the rest of their lives.

The narrator of this story is Jette and Frederick's grandson.  He tells their story and then his own.  Spanning over a hundred years, there are hard times and good times, love, loss and tragedy and a plot twist at the end that I didn't see coming. You will want to immediately re-read the book with the information you have just learned.  Mostly, you will want to loan your copy of this book to a friend so you can discuss it with them.

Join me and my friends at the BlogHer Book Club where we'll be discussing A Good American all this month.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Hello Kitty Smash Books

I've spent a lot of time crafting this year.  It started out because I had to for the Valentine's parties I was throwing for the kids' classes and then it was because I challenged myself with the Smash Book.  It was kind of amazing that once I started doing it....I started wanting to do it more.

The more I crafted and completed little projects, the more peace I felt in general.  I remember this feeling.

Being creative and making beautiful things feeds my soul in a way that nothing else can.  It also keeps my hands and mind busy so I can't dwell on things or put chocolate in my mouth!

Knitting is the best diet ever!  Have you ever tried to snack while knitting?  It's impossible.

Mini Me is watching me like a hawk.  She wants to cook, read and craft like me. We are much alike sometimes it scares me!

Imagine our delight and surprise to find that Michael's has a new line of Smash Books that are perfect just for her.  Hello Kitty!

This one is supposed to be a travel journal but she liked the stripes.  So many fun accessories and tapes.

I gave her a few left over pictures from my January Smash Book Pages and she got to work.  Now, she's bugging me to order more pictures!

What do you do to bring out your creative side?  Does it bring you peace?

Disclaimer: I was not paid by Michael's or the Smash Book people to blog about this.  I just wanted to brag on my daughter a little bit.  However, I am available to be a spokes model for your products.  Call me....

Bachelor Sean: Torn Between Four Lovers

Programming Note: Sean Tells All is on from 8-9pm MST

The hometown dates are usually the make or break part of The Bachelor relationship.  Things can be all honkey dory but then you meet the family and adding that piece of the puzzle is illuminating.  For example, my first meeting with iKeith's family was terrible!  Based on that experience, I should have run far, far away and found someone else to date.  Sean seems to be very keen on the fact that you don't just marry a lovely lady with skinny calves and nice hair, you also marry her family.

Sean travels to Houston to meet AshLee's parents and her little dog Bailey.  AshLee has previously stepped out of her comfort zone (while wearing a blindfold) and professed her love for Sean after only knowing him for 7 weeks.  One week later, she's ready to marry him and prepare her womb for Sean's sperm.  AshLee's parents seem very nice and they love their daughter so much.  They are worried about her abandonment issues.  Heck! I'm worried about what happens if Sean doesn't pick her in the end.  Sean tells AshLee's Dad that he's crazy about her and that he'd like his blessing to propose if he decides that she's the girl for him.  AshLee thinks everything is magical.

Next Sean goes to Seattle to see Catherine and her Mom, Grandma and two sisters. But first they catch some fish at the Pike Place Market. These two definitely have fun together and she's a good match for his adventurous side.  Catherine gives Sean some tips for meeting her family and instructs him to touch her Grandmother's hand to his forehead.   This goes over well and soon he's in the kitchen wearing a frilly apron and helping prepare food.  Catherine tells her sisters that she wants to try this out, in reference to being with Sean.  The Sisters reveal to Sean that they don't really see Catherine having kids and that she bails when the going gets tough.  I thought they were going to tell Sean that she is a lesbian.

Sean tells Catherine's Mom that he thinks the world of her, but he doesn't say he's crazy about her. He asks for her blessing to propose to Catherine and she talks around the question and doesn't give him an answer.  Sean is now doubting the relationship. UT OH!

Lindsay's family lives in Fort Leonardwood and it's a small town.  Her Dad is a two star General and Sean is nervous because he doesn't know if he's supposed to call him Sir, General or Mark.  I was hoping that he's apply what he learned in Seattle and touch his hand to his forehead.   Lindsay and Sean walk around, drink beer and eat cupcakes.  Then she puts him through a boot camp but still doesn't share protocol about what he should call her Dad.

Lindsay's Mom and Dad are very nice, warm and welcoming.  Sean has a great conversation with both of them and when he asks Lindsay's Dad for his blessing he tells him that he has never been asked a tougher question and gives him the authority to make the decision, as long as Lindsay says yes.   At the end of the day, General Dad gives Sean a set of dog tags.  He'd make a great addition to their family!

Desiree meets Sean on a hiking trail in L.A.  She wants to experience a normal Saturday together so they clean her apartment and make dinner for her family. There is a knock at the door and they are expecting Desiree's Mom, Dad and brother Nate.  But it's not them, it's an old boyfriend that has been trying to get ahold of Des and is surprised to see a camera crew in her apartment. He says he loves her and when Sean tries to prevent him from getting too close to Des, the guy puts his hands on Sean!  Sean warns him not to do that and looks like he's going to deck the guy!  Then Des has something to tell Sean.  BaZINGA! It's all a joke and this guy is an actor!

Desiree's family finally arrive and her parents are very nice but her brother is an asshat that tells Sean that he doesn't think he's into his sister and that he's just a playboy taking advantage of a situation.  There is awkward tension when they return to dinner and Sean abruptly leaves without anyone eating their dinner. Des is really disappointed and hopes that Nate didn't ruin things for her.

The Rose Ceremony beings and Sean is obviously upset about what he's about to do.  He's getting ready to give out the first rose when Des asks to speak to him.  She apologizing for her brother and tries to make things better.  He tells her it's okay.

He gives AshLee a rose and then one for Lindsay.  Chris Harrison comes out to tell us that this is the final rose tonight because we're bad at math. Sean stands there...at a crossroads and then he puts down the rose and walks away.  We see him leaning against a wall, in agony and/or trying to pass a kidney stone.  He walks to the deliberation room and stares at Catherine and Desiree's pictures.  He tells us that he can see his wife with both of them.  What does he mean?  He can see his wife being friends with them?  Finally, he's made a choice.

The final rose goes to........Catherine.  I'm shocked!  I thought for sure that Des was going to be the last girl standing.  I thought they had an amazing crazy connection.  My final prediction is that AshLee and Lindsay are the final two.  What do you think?

Next week: a romantic getaway to Thailand!  I think I'm going to make a party out of it and order in my favorite Thai food.

Bachelor Sean Drinking Game: Episode 8

Welcome to week 7, episode 8 of The Bachelor!

Week Seven Drinking Game!

Take a small sip of your drink when someone says:

• Journey
• Amazing
• Wife
• Chemistry
• Forever
• Future
• Engaged
• Crazy





source

Take a small sip of your drink when:

• Sean's shirt is missing
• Someone kisses Sean
• Someone kisses Sean in front of a car
• Someone cries
• Someone's family is less than thrilled to meet Sean
• Someone tells Sean that they love him
• Someone plays a joke on Sean
• Someone leaves in the minivan of shame

These are the Days

We sat down on the couch together and opened the book.  Pinkalious has a Playdate.

I expected her to read the sight words that she knows and maybe sound out a few other words but what happened next blew me away.

She read the entire book. 

This girl continues to amaze me every single day.

Later that night, she grabbed my phone and said she wanted to text her Aunt Bobbi. And that's when I found out she can spell too.

This is such a fun time!  Watching her and her brother learn to read and write.

Alex lost another tooth last week and he wrote the tooth fairy a note.  iKeith helped with the formatting but Alex sounded out all of the words himself.

These are the days that I'm cherishing and soaking up like sun on a hot Colorado day.

I'm ready to start our family book club!

Last Minute Valentine's Day Crafts

A few weeks ago, I learned that one of my children's classrooms didn't have a party planner for their Valentine's Party.  Even though I was planning Mallory's party (with the help of several awesome Mommies) I took the challenge.

Heck yeah!  I can plan two Valentine's Day Parties that are on the same day and 3 hours apart.

You know me....I can't back down from a challenge.  Or Wine.

The thing is, you could do it too.  You just have to be organized and own a calendar and a list.

One thing I did was decorate some water bottles.  Michaels sent me an email last week with the project idea and I knew I had to do it.  Plus, I had also just viewed that horrible picture about moldy juice boxes on facebook! GROSS!

I love how they turned out.  Please note that if you wait until the Saturday before Valentine's Day to buy your decorative paper, it will be sold out.   Luckily, I had picked up a little pack of paper at the Target Dollar Spot.  TARGET FOR THE WIN!

Another little project that I made this month was a picture frame.  I love conversation hearts but my family doesn't.  I found myself with this giant bag and knew I couldn't eat them all.  Well....I mean, I Could.  But No.  I decided to glue those suckers to a $1 picture from from Michaels.  If I were to do this craft again....I'd paint the frame first.  Bygones.

I feel like I got my crafting MoJo back!!

Thank you Mom who dropped out of planning the Valentine Party!

Bachelor Sean: Crazy

AshLee gets the first one-on-one on the island of St. Croix. Sean really likes her because she is sweet and has a big heart.  They take a catamaran to a private island where they play in the water and lay on the sand. Later they have an ocean front dinner and AshLee tells Sean her deep dark secret.  She got married when she was 17 because she wasn't getting along with her parents.   Sean doesn't care because he's crazy about her.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...the girls are talking shit about Tierra and remarking on the fact that she didn't want to sleep with any of them so she's sleeping on a cot in the hallway.  Also, Tierra gets her date card, learns that she's going to be exploring the city and then complains about the heat and bugs.

Tierra's date with Sean goes well....he carries her purse, buys her drinks to keep her cool and buys her an infinity bracelet which means he'll love her forever!  They also bought Des some soap.

They dance with a parade that comes down the street and get snow cones, because Tierra is hot and gross. Sean asks her about how things are going in the house. She says the girls are jealous and that she wouldn't change a thing because she's not going to see these girls much longer.  Tierra feels a distance from Sean and she blames whichever girl threw her under the bus on their date and talked shit about her.

Sean decides that Tierra probably isn't nice to the other girls but he doesn't care because he's crazy about her!

It's 4:42am and Sean is walking through the girl's suite with a flashlight and a camera.  In real life, this would get you shot and/or 911 called on your ass.  Sean is waking up the girls and taking their pictures so that he can see what they look like without make up.  He gives them five minutes to get ready.  Lindsay doesn't have time to shave her pits.

They jeep to the other end of the island so that they can be the first people to see the sun come up in the USA.  Then they drink mimosas and drive to a sugar mill.  They have lunch and cocktails and then drive to a tree house.  This is a new game by ABC to see which girls can survive drunk driving with Sean.

Catherine gets to tell her sob story.  Her Dad lives in China and tried to kill himself in front of her.  She's worried about telling Sean but he doesn't care because he's crazy about her!   Lindsay gets the rose because she doesn't have a sob story.

Lesley got the last date and Sean tells us that he likes her but he doesn't like her like her. Blah Blah Blah...no affection, no eye contact.   The End.

Que....The Tierra Show.

Sean flew his sister in to help him figure things out and she reminds him not to end up with THAT girl. THAT girl that no one else likes.  All of the bachelors end up with THAT girl and that is the families worst fear.  He explains that he's crazy about THAT girl and that he's going to go get her right now to prove that it's all going to be okay.

Meanwhile, Tierra has confronted AshLee about throwing her under the bus.  She says that it's backfired and she's not going to sabotage her relationship with Sean.  She throws a low blow and tells AshLee that when she's 32 she's going to have a family and kids and not be sitting around gossiping with 20 year olds. Then she walks off.

AshLee goes to talk to the other girls and Tierra walks in to say that she didn't say any of the things that AshLee says.  Then they fight some more and AshLee says she's rude, doesn't say good morning, ignores her and that her eyebrow is out of control.  Tierra says she can't control her eyebrow and that they can't take her sparkle away and runs to her cot to pretend cry.

Sean shows up to get Tierra and finds her sobbing.  She explains that this is so hard and AshLee is out to get her.  Sean tells her to wait and he wanders around outside like a lost puppy.  When he goes back in he tells Tierra that he can't take the crazy anymore and it's time for her to leave.

He escorts her to the waiting minivan of shame and Tierra can't believe that he's doing this to her.  She's just really glad that she still has her sparkle and her infinity bracelet.  Her crazy eyebrow and weird forehead dent agree.  Sean's sister is pleased to hear that THAT girl is gone.

The girls arrive for the rose ceremony and they don't know that Tierra is gone.  Sean comes out and announces that he knows who is going home and he'll see them at the rose ceremony. And that is when he send Lesley home.  Catherine takes this really hard and questions if she is the right girl for Sean.

Next week....The Hometown Dates!  Some families...aren't happy to see Sean.

And then there were four!!

AshLee, 32 from Houston.  6 flags date.  Likes to be blindfolded.
Lindsay, 24 teacher from Missouri.  Wore wedding dress. Helicopter one on one date. Likes to suck face.
Catherine, 26 from Seattle. small enough to sit on Seans lap. Fairy tale 1 on 1
Desiree, 26 from LA. 2nd one on one date, hit it off with Sean, prank was played on her. First one to see Sean's house. Can milk a goat. No gag reflex. Got a second 1 on 1.

Tierra, 24 from Denver. Instant connection with Sean, got first first impression rose, not here to make friends. Pushed herself up down the stairs. Likes to punch walls. Could get engaged anytime she wants. fakes hypothermia. 
Lesley M, 25 from D.C. Had connection with Sean at photo shoot. World Record holder for longest on-screen kiss.
Daniella, 24 from San Fran. cries for roses
Sarah, 26 from LA.  Has one arm, first one on one date, fell 35 stories.
Selma, 29 from San Diego. Rock climbing date. Has big guns.  Won't do THAT.
Jackie, 25 from FL. two on one date
Robyn, 24 from Houston. Did gymnastics and fell.
Kristy, 25 Model from WI.  Won the harlequin romance contest.
Amanda, 26 model from CA.  Off her meds.
Leslie H, from LA.  Asked Sean about liking black girls. Pretty Woman Date.
Taryn, 30 from OR.
Kacie, 25 from Ben's Season.  Out of the friend zone.  Convinced Katie to leave the show. Talks poop about others, goes home in a mini van.

Bachelor Sean Drinking Game Week 6

Welcome to week 6, episode 7 of The Bachelor!  Have you recovered from last weeks double feature? I'm glad that the show has moved the show to a tropical location.  It's my belief that you can not fall in love when you are cold.  Cold Feet, Cold Heart.

Week Six Drinking Game!

Take a small sip of your drink when someone says:

• Journey
• Amazing
• Wife
• Chemistry
• Forever
• Future
• Engaged





source

source

Take a small sip of your drink when:

• Tierra is inconsiderate
• Sean's shirt is missing
• Tierra's eyebrow hurts someone's feelings
• Sean feeds Tierra
• Someone kisses Sean
• Someone kisses Sean on the beach
• Someone complains to Sean about Tierra
• Someone cries
• Tierra cries
• A production assistant removes someone's luggage from the house hotel
• Someone leaves in the minivan of shame

source

Valentines for Classmates

I had so much fun making the kids' Valentines for their classmates this year!  Last year,  we just  bought Cars Valentines and attached a small piece of candy to it.  I also tortured my son and made him write his name on all 20 of those little cards.  We were both in tears when we were done.

This year both kids are in school and there are numerous allergies in their classrooms.  I decided against candy and instead went with bubbles. Because I've never heard of anyone being allergic to soap.  Target had bags of 24 bubbles for $3 a bag, card stock and Martha Stewart ribbon was on sale at Michaels and it just took about an hour and a half to put everything together.  

Mallory decided to help with the glueing.  

They both turned out great!  And I was able to make all 42 of them for $12.

If your kid needs a box to put the valentines in....click here! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Smash Your Year: January

I'm so excited to share my Smash Book pages with you today. I can't wait to document my entire year...one month at a time. If you think you don't have time for this project, I'm here to tell you that is not true. It took me longer to edit the pictures than it did to put it together.

I've been picking up the goodies to use on my pages at Target and Michaels through the month and there is still more I want to get. The nice thing is that these accessories are under $5 and won't break my craft budget.

My friend Jessica who accepted my Smash Your Year Challenge  (click here to see her pages) gave me a super cute Thirty-One zippered pouch for Christmas.  I was thrilled to discover that my Smash Book fits into it perfectly!  Through the month, I collected pictures and my fun Smash Book Accessories so that when I was ready to put this thing together...I would have everything in one place.

In case you missed it...How to Print Your Instagram Photos.

Can you tell that I love Downton Abbey?

I stacked the pictures from my Whole Foods Cooking Class so I can lift one up.  I really like this technique and will probably use it every month.

I'm also decorating the cover.  I saw this picture on pinterest and it is my inspiration.  I'll be adding to it each month and my goal is to have it complete at the end of the year.   Follow my Journaling Board on Pinterest.

Are you joining us in the Smash Book Challenge?  Please put a link to your post in the comments!  We want to see your pages.

More Pages:

February Smash Your Year
March Smash Your Year
April Smash Your Year

More coming....I promise!

February Goals

I'm a big fan of making goals.  I believe looking at your goals on a month to month basis really helps keep you on track.



January Goals Revisited

[  ] Lose 6 pounds.  Lost 2.6
[X] Start exercise program. Done
[X] Read 3 Books.  Done...read 4.


February Goals:

[  ]Lose 4 pounds
[X]Make Bread
[X]Post Smash Your Life pages
[X]Read 3 Books
[X]Write in my food journal
[  ]Run 10 times

February is a short month!  I hope I can get these all done.

Do you have any goals for February?



I leave you with dear Mallory. She's bored. Maybe she should make some goals....

Bachelor Sean: I Will Do Anything For Love

I did it!  I managed to sip ONE glass of wine during The Bachelor: Two Nights is Too Much.

The ladies and Sean left Whitefish in their review mirror and headed to beautiful Lake Louise Canada.  They are staying at the Fairmont Hotel Lake Louise and it has an amazing blue freezing cold lake in front of it.

Catherine gets the first date card and it says, Let's Find a Fairy Tale Ending.  She is taken to the top of a mountain that is currently under a blizzard warning.  Sean pulls up in a giant snow bus (trying to over compensate for something buddy?) and takes her on a the ride of her life. They are having a great time together, playing with the CB and then sledding and drinking hot chocolate in the freezing cold.  When it's over, Sean looks like Snow Miser.

They get warmed up and he takes her to the fairy tale portion of the evening.  A horse drawn carriage to a castle made out of ice blocks just for them.  They snuggle in front of a fire and based on the look of his face, I think he is truly smitten with this girl!   Catherine gets the rose.

The group date takes 8 girls to the other side of the lake to Bare Our Souls.  To get there they have to canoe and Selma's dark side comes out because she wants the canoe being occupied by Sean and Lesley to be eaten by sharks.  Me thinks Selma isn't here for the right reasons.  Poor Sarah is struggling to paddle with one arm.

They get to their destination and see a first aid tent.  It's becoming clear that ABC is more interested in killing off the ladies one at a time instead of sending them home in pricey limos.  They discover that they are going to Polar Bear Plunge!  All of the girls decided to do it.... reluctantly, except for Selma.  This is wear we discover that she is the smartest one of the entire group!  That and she doesn't want to risk her hair getting wet.

Lesley tells us that she is willing to get hypothermia for Sean and then jumps up and down to keep warm because it is freezing cold and she is about to jump into a glacier fed lake in her bikini.   The girls all run to the edge and jump in while Selma breaks into song.  I would do anything for love, but I won't do that, I won't do that.   Fourteen icy breasts and one dick run out of the frigid water and try to get warm with tin foil blankets.

It becomes obvious almost immediately that Tierra is in distress.  The EMT and lifeguard are trying to warm her but she appears to be passing out.  They wrap her up and take her a car to drive her to the hotel.  Please note that they didn't take her to a hospital.  Due to socialized medicine,  i'm guessing they couldn't get her an appointment.  They give her some coffee and a sandwich and try to bring the feeling back in her feet.

Sean visits Tierra in her room where is sporting freshly applied make up and an oxygen tank.   She bats her eyes at him and he tells her he's glad she didn't die is okay. Meanwhile, the other girls think that Tierra faked hypothermia for attention.   Lesley thinks she writing an ebook titled How to Fake an Injury 101 and calls her a Tierra-ist! They are also glad that she won't be at the after party because they can spend more time watching Sean make out with everyone.

But the joke is on them because Tierra hobbles over to the party and plays the victim of frostbite.  Sean gives her more undivided attention but kisses Sarah like she's his grandma after she shows him pictures of her family.  Lesley gets the rose for helping Sean turn the corner and restoring his faith in The Bachelor process.

He's feeling so good about the way things are going that he decides to put one girl out of her misery immediately instead of letting her vacation in Canada for two more days.  He pulls Sarah out of the room and tells her that it's time for her to go home.  She says she's blindsided but she shouldn't have been surprised.  He has eaten her face off one time!

Desiree gets another one on one date when Daniella hasn't got a single one yet.  The date card says Don't be Scared...to Fall in Love.  This can only mean one thing.  Another death trap.  Poor Des doesn't have the proper gear and is now hiking and repelling down a mountain in snow boots.   The reward is a picnic in a meadow.  YAY!   Sean and Des climb a tree and yell **** Canada!  They might have said hello, I'm not really sure.

They have their evening time in a teepee and this is when Desiree tells her sob story.  She was poor as a kid and they lived in a tent a few times.  But don't feel badly for her...they had love.  Lots and lots of love.  Des remarks that she shared her tent story and now she's falling in love in a teepee.  Des gets the rose.

At the rose ceremony, Selma defies her mother and kisses Sean.  She says she had to bring the big guns but I think she's had the big guns out for 6 episodes.  Lindsay and Sean have a deep conversation where she reveals that she sleeps naked.  Finally, we learn that two girls are going home!

Say goodbye to Danella and Selma.  We'll miss you Selma.

And then there were six and Sean says these are the six for him!  Until next week when he has to send someone home.  Speaking of next week...they are going to St. Croix to thaw out.

Tierra is on instagram....@truly_tierra.

Tierra, 24 from Denver. Instant connection with Sean, got first first impression rose, not here to make friends. Pushed herself up down the stairs. Likes to punch walls. Could get engaged anytime she wants. fakes hypothermia. 
AshLee, 32 from Houston.  6 flags date.  Likes to be blindfolded.
Lindsay, 24 teacher from Missouri.  Wore wedding dress. Helicopter one on one date. Likes to suck face.
Catherine, 26 from Seattle. small enough to sit on Seans lap. Fairy tale 1 on 1
Desiree, 26 from LA. 2nd one on one date, hit it off with Sean, prank was played on her. First one to see Sean's house. Can milk a goat. No gag reflex. Got a second 1 on 1.
Lesley M, 25 from D.C. Had connection with Sean at photo shoot. World Record holder for longest on-screen kiss.

Daniella, 24 from San Fran. cries for roses
Sarah, 26 from LA.  Has one arm, first one on one date, fell 35 stories.
Selma, 29 from San Diego. Rock climbing date. Has big guns.  Won't do THAT.
Jackie, 25 from FL. two on one date
Robyn, 24 from Houston. Did gymnastics and fell.
Kristy, 25 Model from WI.  Won the harlequin romance contest.
Amanda, 26 model from CA.  Off her meds.
Leslie H, from LA.  Asked Sean about liking black girls. Pretty Woman Date.
Taryn, 30 from OR.
Kacie, 25 from Ben's Season.  Out of the friend zone.  Convinced Katie to leave the show. Talks poop about others, goes home in a mini van.

Bachelor Sean: Be Scared

Programming note: Part Two of The Bachelor is on an hour later. 

I don't know if it was the travel to Whitefish Montana or if Sean is getting tired from all of the kissing but this episode was kind of hard to watch.  They all seem to be in a funk and no one was braiding each others hair this week.

So...they moved on to Montana, giving the ladies one hour to pack.  Lindsay finds out that she gets the first one on one date and her card says Let Love Sour Soar. (sorry....typo, i'm leaving it in) They run across the yard to a helicopter and go on a lovely sight seeing tour.  Sean likes her because she isn't high maintenance.  She's also as dull as white bread.  We find out that she was a military brat and she moved around a lot.  Now, she'd like to settle down and have a family.  They want the same things and Lindsay gets the rose.  They move on to downtown Whitefish where the town as come out to hear a live concert by Sarah Darling.  She is darling and I like her scarf.

The group date card said, You Make My Heart Race. Eight of the girls are dressed up like Pizza Hut Lumberjacks (thanks Deb), split up into two teams and forced to race for Seans heart.  The events include canoeing 10 feet, dragging a hay bail, cutting wood, milking a goat and then drinking the warm thick milk.

The red team wastes valuable time trying to figure out which activity Sarah can do.  Several of these things would be difficult for a person with one arm to do but then again...the girl can somehow apply make up and do her hair.  She's got this!

The MVP here is Desiree from the red team!  She not only milked the goat like a pro, but she guzzled the milk.  If that didn't turn Sean on then I don't know what this guy wants!  The losing blue team drives away in the van of shame and the red team gets to have a private party with Sean.

But wait....Chris Harrison shows up at the hotel with a date card for the blue team!  It says come to the party!!  Heck yeah, it's on like donkey kong!  Oh no!  The red team doesn't know....and now they are made and Desiree demonstrated her lack of gag reflex for nothing!

Meanwhile, back at the hotel....Tierra-ble is writing in her burn book and hatches a plan to crash the party without anyone knowing because she is being forced to go on a two on one date with Jackie and she needs a head start.

The red team is angry and having a therapy session with each other while the blue team locks lips with Sean all over the restaurant.  There is lap sitting, there is crying and then....Daniella gets the rose for being the biggest crybaby.  Are you seeing a theme here?

The dreaded Love is a Wild Ride, two on one is as awkward as you'd expect.  They all go horse back riding and Jackie's horse doesn't want to walk with Tierra and her husband.  She looks ridiculous and feels left out.  When she gets some alone time with Sean she decides this is a good time to tell him that Tierra was flirting with someone at the airport on their way to Whitefish.

At dinner, Sean pulls Tierra aside to get to the bottom of this and instead he gets a sob story about an old boyfriend in and out of rehab that passed away.  (can someone fact check this?) This is exactly what Sean needs to hear to keep Tierra and send Jackie home.  Tierra-ble actress gets the rose.

Tierra and Sean sit by a fire while fireworks go off all around them and Tierra acts like it's the first time she's ever seen fireworks before.

The rose ceremony is tense.  Tierra is giving every one the evil eye because they weren't paying attention to her and then stomps off because they are.  Meanwhile, Tierra wishes she was a fighter because she'd like to punch everyone.  Robyn decides to confront her and that's when Tierra has a fireside chat and tells them she doesn't care what they think and she's so over this and if she wanted to get engaged she could because guys are a dime a dozen.

There is a suggestion to give her a Xanax and send her home.  Sean walks in on Tierra going off on Robyn and pulls her aside to talk about it.  She explains that the girls are always attacking her and she doesn't understand why because she's a nice girl.

Sean asks a couple of the girls about Tierra and they are reluctant but explain that she is cold and unfriendly to them.  Sean is very frustrated.  Frustrated should have been a drinking word this week.

Chris announces to the girls that the happy, go lucky, confident guy is not here right now.  They think Sean has left the building!  But no, he's still there he's just frustrated and confused and doesn't know if any of these bitches are going to be his wife.

Say goodbye to Robyn.

Tierra, 24 from Denver. Instant connection with Sean, got first first impression rose, not here to make friends. Pushed herself down the stairs. Likes to punch walls.
AshLee, 32 from Houston.  6 flags date
Lindsay, 24 teacher from Missouri.  Wore wedding dress. Helicopter one on one date
Catherine, 26 from Seattle. small enough to sit on Seans lap.
Daniella, 24 from San Fran. cries for roses
Desiree, 26 from LA. 2nd one on one date, hit it off with Sean, prank was played on her. First one to see Sean's house. Can milk a goat. No gag reflex.
Sarah, 26 from LA.  Has one arm, first one on one date, fell 35 stories.
Lesley M, 25 from D.C. Had connection with Sean at photo shoot. World Record holder for longest on-screen kiss.
Selma, 29 from San Diego. Rock climbing date. 

Jackie, 25 from FL. two on one date
Robyn, 24 from Houston. Did gymnastics and fell.
Kristy, 25 Model from WI.  Won the harlequin romance contest.
Amanda, 26 model from CA.  Off her meds.
Leslie H, from LA.  Asked Sean about liking black girls. Pretty Woman Date.
Taryn, 30 from OR.
Kacie, 25 from Ben's Season.  Out of the friend zone.  Convinced Katie to leave the show. Talks poop about others, goes home in a mini van.

Bachelor Sean Drinking Game Week 5

Are you ready for a Bachelor Sean Marathon?  Do you have a fresh box of wine for the next two nights?  Can you take Wednesday off to go to AA with me?

Let's do this thing!

Week FIVE part ONE Drinking Game!

Take a small sip of your drink when someone says:

• Journey
• Amazing
• Wife
• Chemistry
• Forever
• Future
• Engaged







Source





Take a small sip of your drink when:

• Sean's shirt is missing
• The ladies leave California
• A country star you've never heard of before...sings
• Someone milks a goat
• Someone cuts wood
• Tierra is inconsiderate
• Someone kisses Sean
• Someone kisses Sean in a hot tub
• Chris Harrison explains how a two on one date works
• Someone goes home from a two on one date
• Someone complains to Sean about Tierra
• Someone cries
• Tierra cries
• A production assistant removes someone's luggage from the house hotel
• Someone leaves a date in an ambulance
• Someone leaves in the minivan of shame






source

Printing Instagram Pictures

I'm getting really excited to show you my SMASH YOUR YEAR journal pages that I made for January.  I knew that I wanted to use pictures in my pages but all of my best pictures tend to come from Instagram and they aren't the right size for printing.

Bummer, right?

Well....I have found a couple solutions.

FoxGram.com will log into your Instagram account for you and then let you select the photos that you want to print. 3inch by 3inch for .25 cents a piece or 4 by 4 for .45 cents.  Shipping is only .99 cents.  And If you like your instagram photo so much that you'd like to display it on your refrigerator...they have a magnet for $2.  I ordered my photos on Saturday and I had them 5 days later.

If you need to get your project done TODAY.  This next option is for you.  Download Printicular to your phone (iPhone and Android), select photos from Instagram, Facebook or your phone's albums and send them to Walgreens to be printed on 4 by 4 paper and available in ONE HOUR.  Each photo costs .39 cents and does not come with a pretty border.   The quality is not as good as FoxGram but you have your photos the same day.

This has nothing to do with printing your pictures but is more about sending postcards to your friends and family!  I love this idea so much!  Download the Postagram App, pic a picture from your Instagram feed and then send a postcard to your loved one.  Once they receive it, they can pop out the picture!  So cool!

Make sure you come back Thursday February 7th for the first installment the of SMASH YOUR YEAR challenge.  Jessica and I will be showing you our pages and we want to see yours too.

Disclaimer:  I have not been paid to talk about any of the apps I mentioned today.  I'm sharing what I've learned as a public service to the world.  Your welcome!