Buzz, Your Girlfriend! Woof! (or a Christmas month)

Okay, so I've failed at updating the blog.  Things got busy over the holidays with the boyfriend in town and then Christmas going on, so here's a quick (or not so quick) recap.

Christmas really started for me with the arrival of Scott the weekend before Christmas.  We spent the next 6 days having a little Christmas of our own.  We kicked things off with a nice dinner and off to the square to look at Christmas lights and take pictures.

Above may be the only actual good photo we took.

Sunday we woke up and exchanged Christmas gifts, and then made a gingerbread house.

The side of the house may just have candy shoved on the side of it.  Then we ordered a large cheese pizza to watch Home Alone together.  These are new Christmas traditions that I look forward to doing again.

Another tradition I continued is dressing up my cat Peewee for Christmas. This year he was the angriest  reindeer of all:

For early Christmas, my grandmother decided to do something new this year.....We each received the same sock monkey pjs.  I've never laughed so much seeing my family all dressed up in the same clothes:

The entire Cathey Clan

These aren't so flattering, but I love seeing my cousins and my brother.

My brother got my mom, dad, and I all a forever lazy.  Apparently figure flattering gifts were on my list this year.....

It really was a great Christmas.  My parents got me the red kitchen aid mixer I've been wanting since college.  It's a lot of fun to get together with everyone.  As I get older, I really do realized how much I love my family.  I hope you had a Merry Christmas too!  I can't believe 2012 is almost here!

Baseball Winter Meetings

Since Sunday, I've been in Dallas for Baseball Winter Meetings.  It's one of my favorite parts about my job honestly.   I get to do what I do best, meet and interact with my clients.

This year was my second one to attend.  It's 2.5 long days on my feet, but it can be a lot of fun.  MiLB workers are a lot of fun when they get together.  My favorite part of the trade show is wondering around grabbing food from all the vendors.  The dip n dots are by far one of my favorite booth.  It was also pretty cool seeing the sets of Sports Center and MLB Network filming while I was there.

This year was extra fun because my boyfriend was there.  I actually met him in September of last year at my very first trade show ever.  I was nervous and had no clue what I was doing.   If you ask him, he attempted to talk to me, and I ignored him.  Any by ignore him, I mean he thought I was a terrible bitch.  In December at my first Winter Meetings, I had a lot fun getting to meet my clients face to face, but I was still shy.  At the Gala I spent a lot of time sitting at a table with my manager and his friends.  24 year old me with a group of 55+ older guys.  Scott luckily decided to come say Hi to me.  We bumped into each other again later that night and ended up talking for 5 hours in a hotel lobby.  After we had many conversation of him informing me that he "wasn't hitting on me" and I may have drunkenly informed him that I was getting new boobs in January, I had to leave.  Me being hard headed, declined his offer of walking me to my car, but I did think "it's too bad he wasn't hitting on me"  We very much clicked, and 9 months of thousands of text messages and facebook messages later....we saw each other again.  You never really know how things are going to work out, so it was very fun being together a year later.

This year's Gala took place at the Texas Rangers stadium.  It was my first time to ever go into a MLB ball park.  It was really cool to check out the locker rooms and actually get to walk on the field.  Despite not really going to many baseball games, I really enjoying working with baseball teams.

Scott and I on Ranger's Field 

Ranger locker room.  It also included a poker table.  I also learned about taking the bat to the bone.  Which I may have picked up several times, and gotten several looks at from the Rangers Staff that said "PUT THAT DOWN" 

Rangers Field.  I really do need to make it to an actual game.

O Christmas Tree......

Last night I decided to put up my Christmas tree.  I'm going to be at Baseball Winter meetings next week, so I wanted to make sure it was up before then.  I have a great fake Christmas tree thanks to my mom.  It's a tall skinny tree that my apartment has the perfect corner for.

First I opened the box and I found the stand.  In pieces.

I had to google to figure out how to put this thing together.  I began regretting putting up my tree.  Finally I figured it out and inserted the bottom piece and began putting lights on it.  I was frustrated because it wouldn't stand up straight despite me using a wrench to tighten the screws and shoving a magazine under the stand to make it stead and straight.

After putting all the lights, I decided to try the middle piece to see if it would help steady the tree.  This is when I realize that my bottom piece currently in my stand was actually the middle piece.  Several expletives later and having serious issues getting the tree out of the stand, I actually put the correct bottom piece in the stand.   I then have to put lights on the bottom piece, and surprisingly the tree stands straight!  I added the second piece.

Then it came time for the top.  I add it and the lights and tada! the tree was up.  I was sweating tired and sore.

So I decided to put off ornaments and ribbon until Tonight.  It's not my prettiest tree, but it's up.  It's in a corner, so I totally have zero ornaments on the back side....

So let the Christmas season being.  I've even ordered my first gift.   (yes, ordered...No crazy crowds on Black Friday for me).

I do question a bit about Christmas.  It's an amazing time of the year with lights, trees, and family.  I do wonder what it's like to be a parent now having to put up the tree.  I'm telling you.....this tree business is no easy ordeal.  Here's finding a new tree on sale at the end of the season for next year......

I am a bad blogger

Life happens.  A lot of things have happened, but I never could come up with anything to blog about.  Go figure.  Here I go again trying this out.  So tonight, there's a list of what's been going on.  It's all probably random and out of order.

1.  Razorback football season was fun this year.  10-2.  Great season.  Two terrible losses.  A bowl game left to go.  This must mean it's practically Christmas.  Time Flies.

2.  Date #3.  I reached my goal.  I went on date number three who just so happens to be my boyfriend.  He lives in Virginia.  Sometimes life will surprise you.  I'm happy, and I don't think dating is so scary.

3.  I've never been so stressed out about work, but slowly I'm learning that's just part of growing up.

4.  Running.  Yeah....um I've hit a wall.  2 miles is a good day.  Getting to the gym is a good day in general.

5.  I ate half a pie at Thanksgiving.  We're not talking a small pie.  We're talking a big chocolate peanut butter pie that i like to call heaven.  Worth every pound it put on me.

6.  It's almost Christmas.  Which means it's Almost 2012.  So weird,  2011 is going by alarmingly fast.

Hopefully I'll return to blogging again.  I am among the living.  Hopefully I'll be back to entertaining my one reader again.

There's No Crying in Baseball

And I'm back.  After just 8 days in the office during the month of September, I am finally home for a spell.  I'm not going to lie.  I'm way excited to be home for a while.  It's fall so that means leaves will be changing colors, boots are almost acceptable to wear, and pumpkin bread!

During my many travels, I received a phone call from my boss asking me what I thought about taking on some more work.  I attempted to be a team player and said sure.  This extra work has been dumped on me this week, and I'm not going to like....I hate it.  It's more administrative work than anything else, and I'm basically taking half of one person's work load.  No we aren't down sizing.  The lady is still there.  She just decided to dump her work on me.  Joy.

I've been training this week in addition to playing catch up from being out of the office for so long.  Needless to say it's all been overwhelming to see my work load more than doubt, and I have no clue how to keep everything organized.

Today during my training session, I broke down in tears.  Boy do I feel stupid.  As a girl, I cry from time to time.  A sad movie, a bad day, whatever....but it's usually in the comfort of my own apartment when I'm alone.  To cry at work is well quite embarrassing.  Thankfully my boss wasn't there and most people had gone home, so not too many people witnessed my 5 minute cry fest.

I don't want work to think I can't handle it, but I know I'm much more capable than the stupid admin tasks they are giving.  These aren't exactly the new projects I had in mind when my boss told me he was looking forward to giving me more in depth projects.

Just like in baseball (I just so happen to sell baseball caps) there's no crying at work.  I'm a girl;  work can deal with it.  In the meantime, I do feel stupid.

The Terminal

No this isn't about the Tom Hanks movie that i've really never seen, this about my current life.

I've been on the go a lot lately, and I've seen quite a few airports.  I even spent 6 hours inside Fresno's airport.  Today, I've had had the joy of spending 5 and a half hours in the Memphis airport with another 6 and a half hours to go.

You can do a lot of good people watching in airports.  I'm sure I was interesting to watch this morning once I discovered my flight was no longer delayed but in fact canceled.  Upon getting booked on a 8pm flight out of Memphis I began to cry.  It was silly, I know, but I had hoped to be home before 11am today.  I also woke up at 4:30 this morning for my first flight from Pensacola to Memphis.  The Memphis airport is the current temperature of a meat locker.  Tired, Cold, and Delayed is never a fun thing.  So here I am paying for my $8 internet connection in order to have a little entertainment for the time remaining.

Have I mentioned that I could've driven home from here in the amount of time I'm stuck at the airport?  Thanks to the $250 rental car fee, I'm stuck in Memphis enjoying my whopping $12 in meal vouchers for the day.

This morning while watching my flight slowly get delayed later and later, I heard a noise coming from the other side of the chair.  It honestly sounded a little bit like Darth Vader while he was breathing.  I finally realized that this noise was not in fact Darth Vader also pissed off at our delayed flight, but a mother using a breast pump.  When did this become ok?!?!!  I wanted to throw up a little bit.  The thought of being a cow and milked is disgusting to me.  I hope I don't see the day where I find it ok to whip out a boob and milk myself.  Now don't get me wrong, I like my boobs (as I should considering how much I paid to have great boobs) but there is a time and place for them to be out of a t-shirt, but sitting in an airport waiting area is not one of those times.  Seriously go to the bathroom.  The noise is creepy.    Don't tell me that the whole child birthing and breast feeding thing is an amazing and beautiful process.  That's a lie.  All lies.  It's gross and really creepy.

I have a long afternoon ahead of me.  If you have any ways of entertaining one's self while stuck in an airport, please let me know.

Frustrations

1.  I suck at running outside.  The weather is amazing right now, so I'm attempting to run outside instead of a treadmill.  Except for 2 other times, this is the first time I've really ever run outside.  They say it gets easier.  I'm not sure....Can't I run races on a treadmill?

2.  I'm in the mood the bake.  I'm also in the mood to eat the entire pan of cookies, pumpkin bread, or cake, thus I'm not allowing myself to bake.  I'm also attempting to watch what I eat, so maybe that's why I want dessert.

3.  I want a cat.  I've been informed by several guys that if I get a cat then I can kiss ever having sex goodbye.  Seriously, it's just a cat.  

4.  I'm obsessed with a purple skirt from J.Crew.  They are sold out online.  Arkansas has no J.Crew.  Get with the program Arkansas!

5.  Victoria's Secret's bras are the most ridiculous things ever.  I love that store, but ever since I got the new boobs I'm pretty sure I've attempted to buy bras in like 5 different sizes.  I have no clue what I'm doing.

6.  I'm really bad at saying no.  I may not want to date you, but I probably want to be friends with you.  You keep asking me out, and I don't necessarily say yes, but I've yet to tell you no because I feel bad.

7.  I hate packing, and I'm traveling a lot.  Maybe I'll get over procrastinating and actually get good at it.

Good Things:

1.  Fall weather is here.  It's amazing.  It may not be here to stay, but I'm loving it.

2.  Football is back, and nothing makes me happier than watching football on a Saturday.

3.  I'm getting to travel and see a lot of cool things.  (I'll try not to think about the fact I gain 5 pounds every time I travel)

4.  It's time to have a little fun in life, and I can't wait.

And here's a fun tidbit to leave you with.  It comes from a little gem of a show called Bachelor Pad.  This week, the contestants play the Nearlywed Game and have to answer questions about their partners.  Asking one guy (who sounds like Kermit the Frog) what do exes miss most about your partner.  He answered:  "Her Teeth"  His partner and girlfriend of 6 months answered: "Her Boobs"

How does one miss someone's teeth?!  If you aren't watching the train wreck, start.  You'll laugh a ton.

Unapproachable

It's recently been brought to my attention that I am unapproachable.

I've always thought that I come across as friendly, but maybe that has changed post college life.  I was told by a friend who first met me in a work setting that I seemed unapproachable.  Actually let me be honest, he said I seemed like a bitch.  A couple of months later, we met again (after I've had a few drinks), and we got along great.  We're good friends now which is how I got the story that originally I seemed like one of those girls that thought she was better than other people.  That really makes me laugh.  I don't see myself that way at all.  I think personally I'm a big dork.  I'm really awkward.

Fast forward to this weekend where I have dinner with another friend who informs me that he's surprised I'm so talkative and funny.  Apparently he also thought I kept to myself and had no desire to make friends.   In my defense, he always saw me at the gym, and when I'm running on the treadmill I'm in the zone.   Actually, I'm really making deals with myself to run another mile.

I realize this post is stupid, but I just find it surprising when you see yourself one way and learn that others view you differently.  I think this makes me great for reality TV.  Ben's rumored to be the next Bachelor; I seriously should have signed up.  There's always next time...

An Update and Things That Make Me Laugh

I've been slacking in the blog world lately.  I've spent the past week in California meeting with MiLB teams.  Basically my life has been filled with talking about hats, airplanes, hotel rooms, and being trapped in a car with an old sales rep.  Overall, I survived my week in California.  Someday I'll visit there again, but I know for a fact I have zero desire to move there (unless it's to be on The Bachelor)

On a totally different subject......Facebook has been quite the source of entertainment since my Freshmen year of college.  It's changed a lot since I first signed up in 2004.  I keep a lot of random people from high school or people I've met in college that are just entertaining from their constant life drama or just the fact their status updates are ridiculous (ex.. baby talk).  I've really been laughing at pictures people post on facebook.  I would call them out, but that's just wrong.

My favorite type of person to laugh at is "i believe i'm so hot that i need to take a picture of myself to make a profile pic"  There's seriously a girl who will take 50 pics a week with her cellphone of herself in a mirror for facebook.  I mean kudos to her if she loves herself that much.  It also makes me laugh when people take photos of just themselves in a pretty setting.  I mean why do you want that picture of a pretty setting with you in it?  I just imagine going into their house and looking in all of their picture frames to find that person by itself in every picture.  Also another pet peeve/laughing moment is the girl who has officially taken 500 pictures of her and her boyfriend.  I think their dating life consists of her dressing up, and then deciding that the couple needs a picture.  Wait...did I say picture?  I meant pictures.  Why just have one photo with the one you love in a Monday morning outfit when you can have 30 of him holding you, of you sitting in his lap, of you kissing his cheek, of you looking at the camera.  That girl is really going to love wedding pictures.

I guess I should say I'm not big into taking photos.  My profile pics come the old fashion way....cropping my best friends out of the picture because I like my hair.  I fully believe pictures are great.  They are a great way of reliving memories, but I just want my memories to involve other people.  Do I really need 452 pictures of me in the bathroom mirror?  That's a memory you'll always remember...that tuesday when you had great hair.

No, This Isn't A Date

I have two thoughts to share.

I feel like as a girl we've all been there when a guy we aren't particularly into asks us out for a meal.   Because we aren't interested, we assume that it's just a friends thing.  And boy are we wrong.  Yes, this recently happened to me.  I thought why not have a meal with a friend.  During the meal, he made several suggestions of things we should do together.  That's when I ultimately realized that I was being a cougar and on a date with a kid.  Ok, so he was 22, but in my book that's practically a baby.

Girls and Guys can be friends.  I have lots of guy friends that I love, and I wouldn't find it at all weird if they asked me to have dinner.  Those relationships have been built over time, and they are good friends.  If this is someone new that you haven't been around much.....he's not asking to hang out as friends.  It's a date.  Think about it, why else would a guy you barely know offer to hang out doing a date like activity if it wasn't a date?  As much as we can hope that it's not a date, you know it is.  I personally like to throw out the word friend during the meal as much as possible and make up guys I'm potentially interested in to set some things straight.  I could be interested in someone.  Ok, that "could be" is a lie;  I'm usually interested in someone even if it's just a guy I flirt with to get free tea, but that is a different story.

While you may want to debate my theory, don't.  Seriously if a guy asks you to lunch, brunch, dinner, and he isn't one of your good guy friends.....the boy is asking you out on a date.  Maybe with more hanging out in a group setting and throwing out the word "friend" over time will help develop that into a friendship.  Until then, watch out because you're going on a date whether you like to admit it or not.

My second thought is random....How do they grow seedless watermelons if they don't have seeds?

Grilled Pizza

Last week I was determined.  I was going to cut back on eating out, and I was going to cook for myself.  I'd recently read some blog about grilling a pizza.  I thought that it sounded good, and I was going to try it.

I bought pizza crust in a bag that all you do is add warm water and let it rise for 5 minutes.  I assembled all of ingredients (fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, pizza sauce, pesto, and basil) and I grabbed my dough and headed out to my grill located at my apartment pool.

Well, let me say that I've never used a grill.  Thankfully we have gas grills, so I thought it'd be easy.  After a good 10 minutes, I finally got it lighted and going.  I watched the grill slowly heat up.  All the blogs said the grill needed to be hot, so I waited until it reached 400 degrees.  and then I went to pick up my pizza dough off my plate to throw in the grill.  It was stuck, and my grill temperature dropped.  So I quickly shut the lid, and tried to get my dough ready again.  I divided it in half and decided to go with two rectangle shaped pizzas.  I then threw the dough on the grill and shut the lid.  I waited three minutes.  I opened to check on my dough, and let's just say the dough was slightly charred on the bottom.  I quickly used my spatula, and flipped them where I quickly dumped my pizza sauce, cheese, and tomatoes and shut the lid again.  I was concerned about it burning so I turned off one of the burners hoping the cheese would melt.

One minute later I was scared of burning them, so I removed both pizzas from the grill.  I will say this: the non burned parts were really good, and I will try to grill a pizza again.

Things I will do differently:
Don't heat up the grill so hot.  I think I'll only leave one burner on, and good the pizzas on the side the grill isn't on.

I'll check on the pizzas after a minute.

I'll also remove the pizzas to flip and add toppings instead of doing it while they are on the grill.  Hopefully this will leave the pizzas time to cook and the cheese to melt.

I may also do a little more research.  Pictures are absent due to the slightly charred look to my pizzas.

Life Lessons from The Bachelor Pad

So, I've gotten used to watching trash tv on Monday nights, and I rather like.  With no bachelor/ette to watch this week, I was given this little gem of a show to watch in which I learned some valuable life lessons.

1.  Tiaras are only from prom queens, homecoming queens, and actual royalty.  You should never wear one for a realty tv show to play the spoiled princess.

2.  Getting engaged on a reality tv show will most likely not work in your favor.  You'll most likely have to fight for 250k later as you rehash the break up for a week.

3.  If a guy tells you he will protect you like 50 times, then he is an idiot and probably has a tattoo, and is probably named Kasey with a K.  Stay far, far away from this loser.

4.  When asked to do any kind of challenge on reality tv, it's best to wear a bikini.

5.  While you think your spray on tan makes you look natural, it does not look natural against anyone else that has a natural tan.

6.  William from The Bachelorette is a dbag.  He's no longer charming or cute.

7.  Dentist Blake from The Bachelorette must have given up being a dentist to star on reality tv shows.

8.  Ames from The Bachelorette is still "unique" and gets no air time on tv because he's boring.  Let's be honest.....why is he even on this drama filled show?

9.  Everything can easily become drama filled when you add booze to a mix of 18 kids in a room.

10.  I love you more than peanut butter cookies is just a ridiculous statement.

11.  Parents must sit back and watch their lovely children on this show and want to cry.  Or maybe they are proud their kids have turned into fame whores ready to do anything for some attention.

I'm not ashamed.  I fully plan on watching this entire season.  Week one had the guys willing to have blue legs and not feeling their nether regions in order to be on their way to win 250k.  They may want to rethink that.  Especially on this show.

In the meantime....

Last weekend wasn't pretty.  I threw myself a big ol' pity party.  That's how I roll, but like Annie says, "The sun will come out tomorrow".  And you know what?  It did.

Work has gotten busy, my running has improved, and life isn't so bad.  No funny stories, but that's ok.  The Bachelorette ended this week.  Bachelor Pad may be my solution to new trash TV on Mondays, and I found out that my brother and I both want to appear on The Bachelor.  (Mind you not on the same season).  Football starts in less than a month, and all next month I won't have a full week in the office.

Don't worry; I'm sure I'll make something seem more dramatic than it really is and have stories to share soon.  Until then, enjoy your day.  That is if you can in this heat.  Today it was 90 degrees when I went to lunch, and it actually felt nice compared to the 110 degree weather the day before.  Hello summer.

The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose

Well Let's see if these two love birds are more awkward than Brad and Emily were.

First they bring out Ben to twist the knife in his hear a little bit.  Ben has let his hair grow out and parts it down the middle.  Oh he really must have a thing for 90s hair.  Chris makes everyone and Ben rewatch Ben proposing to Ashley and her saying No.  This is just cruel.  I'm sure he feels like an idiot as he sits there and watches himself get dumped again.  I just hope he doesn't apologize for being blunt and pissed at Ashley.  I'm glad to hear Ben say he WAS in love with her.  He seems like a nice guy.

They bring out Ashley with super dark brown hair.  She always likes to changer her appearance for these things.  She is sporting her engagement ring.  Ben asks her when did she know that she was going to pick JP.  She dances around the question with "you just have to follow her heart" and doesn't answer him.  Basically Ben, she used you for sex.  She's as bad as Brad.  She's a bitch.  She says she hopes they can be friends.

Ashley and Chris are now alone.  JP is "a really good kisser".  JP comes out and they make out for the cameras.  "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me"  They make out some more.

They make us watch them watching their proposal.  They do seem all smiles.  Much less awkward than Emily and Brad.  They make out some more.  "complete fairytale"

Sister Bitch tries to make up for being a bitch.  She says she fully supports him now and is on "Team Cupcake"

Ashley is finishing school (she's taking forever to graduate) and is moving to NYC and getting a place together.   No surprise that they haven't set a date for a wedding.

Chris doesn't want them to leave empty handed.  JP says he's not, but Chris sends them to Fiji anyways.  Well let the games begin....When will this train wreck end?  Will they get married?  Hmmmm I'm not so sure.

I hope everyone enjoyed watching this train wreck.  I love trash tv.

The Bachelorette, The Final Rose

No time for a pity party tonight because tonight this train wreck comes to an end.  I can't wait to see Ashley cry.  Should we take bets how long it will be before they are no longer together?  The episode is prefaced as "the episode we've all been waiting for as Ashley faces the biggest moment of her life"  Picking a husband on a tv show is a big deal.  Let's watch Ashley make out with two guys and then the next day agree to marry one of them.

Ashley is so confident in these two guys.  I think I'd be rather confused if I was dating two guys at once.  Ashley calls Ben unique.  Uh oh.  What did we learned with Ames?  Ben will not get the final rose.  It's ok Ben, if you are reading this I'm willing to date you.

Ashley doesn't seem to fit in with her family.  Her brother is in thug chains and her sister is in all black, with black dyed hair with tons of tattoos.  I think she may be the one that broke up Sandra Bullock and that gross tattoo guy she married.
Ashley is for sure ready to get engaged, but she doesn't have her mind made up.  Really?  REALLY?  I mean come on! I think if you can't decide between what guy you want to get engaged to then maybe you shouldn't be getting engaged.

First up we have JP to meet the fam.  He's a good boy and brings wine.  He's also being daring by going with white loafers.
Mom "You look like a nice gentleman"   Brother Elliot is for sure mean mugging as JP is talking.  Mom welcomes JP to the family as they all sit down for lunch.  With wine.  This makes me want a vacation.
Sister asks "Ashley is smitten. Are You smitten?"  She also decides to get awkward and ask: "Ashley does he make you laugh?"  Sister is kind of a bitch.  She tells Ashley that he's not the one.  Mom disagrees and says "She's OK with him"  hahahaha nothing says romance like your parents saying you seem ok with your boyfriend.  Ashley is a "bit too much for him"  Nothing like sisterly love.

Did her family like Brad?  I don't remember and we all know how well that ended.  All signs still point to JP because her family doesn't like him and her "heart is broken" and she can't decide to go with "her heart or her head"  Heart says JP and her head says Ben is more practical.

Brother is now rocking a couple of shell necklaces.  JP and Sister sit down to talk, and she straight says that she's skeptical of their relationship and that she just doesn't see the two of them together.  If she was a really wanting to be a sister then she should've told her sister that finding love on tv is a terrible idea.  Making people laugh is apparently a big deal to her sister.  Sister calls out JP for being old, and wants to know why he hasn't find someone.   Wow sister is a huge bitch.  I hate that question.  I hope I don't get that as I'm 30 and still single.  Sister says she hasn't seen a connection, and then throws it in JP's face that Ashley seemed happier when she brought Brad home.

JP is pissed.  I don't blame him.  This meet the family is scary.  Maybe I don't want to meet anyone's family.  JP gets whiney and says "It isn't fair"  Ashley says she needs the approval of other people.  This makes me laugh.  No joke.  She fishes for compliments like nobody's business.

"If she doesn't want to be with me, then i'm definitely not proposing."  Well, I would hope he's smarter than that.  I like to think that every guy feels that way.

Ashley thinks it's time for a sisterly talk before Ben comes over.  Her sister says "rational person" so much.  Sister throws Bentley in her face.  Ashley then tells her sister that she's crazy if she's judging her with how she felt when she brought Brad home.  Point Ashley.  Ashley then cries and calls her sister a bitch.  This makes me glad I don't have a sister.  Sister once again calls herself a "rational person" as she vents to mom.  She like Ashley, can't drop the freaking Bentley thing.  I would like to say that 90% of people have been wrong before when it comes to talking about "the one".

Now Ben gets to meet the fam.  He too bring wine.  Ashley's brother and sister continue to wear weird stupid necklaces.  Ben's sister and mom go into town to have tea.  Seriously....Ben....give me a call.  I feel like Ashley is being too much to put on a show for her sister.  Apparently she needs Ben to stand and talk in his "dog voice" for her family.  Can I slap Ashley?  Hers is annoying as all get out.  You can tell she likes to perform.  Ashley likes to use the word "smitten" a lot.

Ben sits down with big sis.  Ben just feels right with Ashley, and sis says that Ashley is being herself.  Obviously Big Sis is approving of Ben when he states he's in love with Ashley.  Ben talks about laughter and it being unforced.  Sister is big on laughter.  Ben is ready to propose.  Surprise, surprise.  Ben pulls out chair for Ashley's Mom.  Ben leaves and Ashley's family loves him, yet Ashley basically says her sister's opinion doesn't mean much.

Ben busts out a bright pink shirt, blue swim trunk and a fedora.  He looks goofy, but if she can wear backless see through shirts then he can wear 90s surfer's clothes.  To our surprise Ashley has "planned" a helicopter ride to their destination.  Bachelor Brad was a big fan of helicopters.  Constantine rode in a helicopter.  He went home.  Ben looks like Constantine....Will he go home?

They are about to get "really dirty" in a healing mud bath.  Mud is apparently sexy when you're "lubing each other up with mud"  HAHAHAHA.   seriously?  Ashley wishes she could reach lower.  I don't want to get in that mud bath they've been in.  There's nothing like making out in dirty water of mud.

Ben prepares for the night by chilling wine by the bed and has a tiny dessert for them to share.  What a way to tell someone you love them...in bed?  So romantic..  Come on ABC, couldn't you have sprung for a suite?  They have "serious romantic things to talk about".    Ben is looking at Ashley with is Bedroom eyes.  He's so dressed up compared to Ashley in her jorts and flowy tank.  Ben tells Ashley that he's asked her family for their permission to propose.  He tells her he loves her.  She just half smiles and kisses him.  That was Ashley's perfect date.  Hearing I love you, kissing, dessert, and sex?

JP also is celebrating being on the beach with color.  They are drinking Fiji water in Fiji.  I find that amusing.  They discuss how do they explain being "us".  JP looks like he's going to cry as Ashley interrogates him.  Ashley wants to start a new life with JP but not just fit into his.  She's once again fishing for some compliments.  JP says "I'm madly in love with you".  Once again Ashley responds by kissing JP.  On the side of the check?  I will say he was direct about it;  Ben said it by "I told your family I was in love with you"

JP gives Ashley a photo album and a letter.  Ewww he says "I love you Baby"  JP says it's"love or nothing"  I almost expect him to start singing the boy band song by Otown I think "All or Nothing"

Ashley journals about her decision.  She then walks on the beach and stands by a tree as she thinks about her decision.  ABC then shows Ashley making out with both of the guys.  She sees Ben as a lover....

Ben showers while being filmed.  He then goes to pick out a ring.  Does he get to keep the ring if she says no?

JP gets to pick out a ring too.  The producers make us think he's not going to propose.  He's wearing terrible mandals.  Both guys are then forced to look at the rings and look thoughtfully at it.

Ashley puts on more make up over her heavily made up face.

In dramatic fashion, the boys must fly to their dentist.  Ashley thinks it's appropriate to get engaged in a wedding dress.

We find out that Ashley is going to break Ben's heart.  I hope she doesn't let him get down on one knee. That dress is not flattering at all on Ashley.  As Ben walks towards Ashley, she's giving him a terrible face.  Ben talks about a new addition to the family after his dad died.  He's making me so sad for him.  "Well you don't have a ring on your finger"  Awkward face from Ashley as she fights tears.  Ben talks and doesn't let Ashley go first.  He gets down on a knee and asks Ashley to marry him.  She pulls him back up and says that she's sorry.  She wants to talk things through.  Ben's pissed and rightfully so.  Ashley keeps trying to hold onto his arm, but he keeps his distance.  He tells her to not sugar coat it.  What did she expect?  Go Ben for telling her like it is.  Ashley is having a hard time with the break up.  Hmmmm sorry that you dated two guys and had to break up with one.  Does she not know how this works?

Ashley waves to the airplane JP is in.  Ashley is ready to "take a leap of faith" with JP.  Ashley doesn't want to take any chances and hold the rose as JP walks towards her.  She reaches out and kisses him but she makes him walk towards her.  Shouldn't she offer him the rose instead of forcing him to talk?  JP wants to "take a leap of faith".  Apparently they are good for each other.  What a bitch....She tells him he's going to have wrinkles when he's older because he smiles all the time.  If she's been so in love with him for so long....then why did she sleep with Ben?  He's waited for forever to hear her say I love you.  Apparently forever is a couple of months.  He gets down on a knee and says "will you marry me"  Damn she gets a rock.  Enter cheesy 80s love music as they replay their whole romance trying to leave out the fact she boned Ben just a week earlier.

JP wins points for saying "when you said I think my husband is in this room and and thinking what the f--- is she thinking"

Well kids, that's a wrap.  Will they live happily ever after?  Will Ben be the next bachelor?  Will anyone nominate me for the show?  Only time will tell...

The Bachelorette, Men Tell All

What better way to start off your week than to watch what happened behind the scenes with everyone's favorite train wreck?  I'm guessing there are going to be upset guys, there will be Bentley, and there will be Mr. Sunshine.  If he's the next Bachelor....gag.  Don't sign me up for that show.

It looks like Chris Harrison has started using more hair gel.  He, too, digs 90s boy band hair.  Chris mentions that William and Ashley's date was one of the most romantic dates ever.  Ummm pretending to get married on a first day?  That's not romantic...that's just crazy.

We find out Ashley and JP's first one on one date ended up with her falling asleep and him not being able to work on DVD players.  I'm sorry but I need a guy that can fix those kinds of things.

They give us a sneak peak of The Bachelor Pad.  Everyone looks like they just cry.  I can say that's not a train wreck I'll be watching.  Though it does feature Crazy Michelle from the last Bachelor and we find out that Blake is a player.  What fun!

Bentley doesn't show.  The men agree he was crap.  Ames realizes the word unique is not a word to describe a boyfriend.

Overall I was bored.  I spent a lot of time texting with a friend instead.  After my current weekend, I wasn't really in the mood to watch this train wreck.  Yes, I'm having a big pity party for myself.  It happens.

Fat Jeans

Now let me preface this post by saying that I know I'm not fat.  Two years ago I weighed 138 pounds, and I was invited to a high school friend's wedding.  I didn't have a job or a boyfriend so I was determined to be skinny.  The wedding rolled around and I weighed in at 111 pounds.  I'm just under 5'4'' so it was small almost too small.  111 pounds is not a maintainable weight for anyone.  I went from a size 6 to a 0.  I got rid of all my size 6's and bought my not very there ass size 0 jeans.  I now have a job, and my body has gotten used to exercise.  I typically run 2-4 miles a day, but I don't watch what I eat.  I have a big time sweet tooth.  Thus I've slowly started gaining wait back.  12 more pounds to be exact.

It's summer so I've been avoiding wearing jeans.  We've had jeans week at work yet I choose to dress up.  Summer is great for wearing light weight dresses to the office.  Light weight dresses that are flowy and don't involve zippers and buttoning at my waist.  Yes it is hot, but the real reason I haven't worn my jeans is that I'm terrified they won't zip.  I have two pairs of jeans.  I did finally give in tonight and try on a pair.  Amazingly they zipped, but I sure didn't like what I saw.  They were dunlap jeans.  That's right, my stomach had done lapped over those jeans.

So as I see it I have two options.  One kid myself that I'm still a size 0 and wear the same jeans that I've been wearing and hope that I can control my eating and lost 5-7 pounds.  The problem with this is that I'm going to look like a girl trying to squeeze herself into too small of pants.  Besides let's be honest....too tight jeans are miserable.  I also remember a girl from high school that was several years older than me.  She for sure bought the wrong size clothes, and it showed.  I think she would have actually looked smaller had she bought clothes she could fit into which leads me to my second option:

Buy jeans a bigger size.  It won't kill me, I know.  A part of me thinks it's just the start of letting myself get back to my old weight again.  I have a very good guy friend that tells me all the time that I'm being ridiculous when it comes to my weight.  He's right.  I really am.  A size 2 isn't fat, and in the long run I will look much better in jeans that fit than my current "dunlap" jeans.  At this point, I'm going to wait it out.  It's been 95 degrees or higher for weeks now, and there aren't any signs of things cooling down.  Until then it's dresses, skirts, and some shorts.  I'll revisit this issue once temps drop.  If that ever happens.

The Bachelorette, Episode 9

Ah it's come time for this train wreck to stop in Fiji for the last one on one dates.  What mother doesn't love to watch her child forgo their separate rooms to shack up on national tv?

We find out quickly that Fiji is the "ultimate place to fall in love"  I'm confused... is it Fiji or is it Phucket?! I have no idea where i'm supposed to find the ultimate place to fall in love and get engaged?

Ashley once again is wearing some crap from Forever 21.  Should we even be surprised by the shiny mini skirt?  I love the recaps each week because we get a trip back through Ashley's choices in see-through shirts.

Recap of the season:
Ben F: "is finally ready to open up again"
Contstantine: looks like Ben F with muscles.
JP: real life dating includes ordering Chinese.  Physically everything she's looking for....wait...isn't that Constantine?

Horror music plays as Mr. Smiley Ryan walks to her hotel room.  Homeboy doesn't want to take no for an answer.  He wants to give this more time.......Ummm buddy boy the show only has one more episode.    He also states something about the "most magical moment"  shoot me now.

It is good to know that ABC didn't leave him stranded in Taiwan.  Ryan rehashes their date and states he didn't see their break up coming.  He's 31 years old, and he couldn't just leave it where it was.  So Ryan decided to be 3rd grade about it all and calls up our BFF Chris Harrison to find out where Ashley is.  Chris apparently gives out his number to just anyone.  If I get on the show, I'll call up Chris too and if the bachelor is someplace cool....I'll ask to be flown back.  He's classy and hands her a hotel room key, and says he's there for a couple of days.  She should come see him if she wants to.  He looks like he's going to jump on the couch again.

Ashley decides to rock a bikini top and weird long white skirt for her date with Ben F.  They have a "really nice boat" to hang out on for the day.  They get festive and add flowers behind their ears and drink out of pineapple cups.  They are smart and put on sunscreen.  Ashley tells Ben that she wants him to put sunscreen on everything.  Ummm....He was even trying to be a gentleman and said just her back would do.  He awkwardly is grabbing her boobs.  She then straddles Ben F to rub sunscreen on his chest.  Who the hell does that?!  I know what they'll be doing when the camera shuts off.

The two go snorkeling together while holding hands and holding their life jackets in the other hand.  Ben wants to say the L word so bad.  Don't go there buddy.  Ben decides to make Ashley happy by sporting a see through shirt.  Maybe they are a match made in see through shirt heaven.  Dinner is complete with a fruity cocktail with an umbrella in it.  Ben tells Ashley that he's fully committed to her.  He once again dances around the love word.  He dances around it and says instead that he's "on his way to the 'i love you' thing"  Ashley hopes that tonight "Ben shows her how he feels"  Showing her how he feels apparently means hold her in the pool and making out with a dramatic carry her from the pool while making out moment.  Ashley is "really falling in love with him"

Ashley finds a nice midriff bearing shirt for a little awkward running towards Constantine.  He admits to having an Euro mullet.  She surprises him with a bachelor Brad style helicopter ride.  Ashley's perfect date includes " a greek god to my left and floating over blue water".

Ryan is then shown watching Ashley's helicopter fly away.

Constantine is like a kid in a candy store.  They then take a "leap of faith" together into the water under a waterfall.  It'd be great if then she realized Constantine didn't know how to swim, but he does.  So They swim around and he carries her on his back.  They have a picnic of fresh coconut by the water.  Ashley asks how many homes he looked at before he bought one.  He states 108, but Ashley isn't happy with that answer.  This date got awkward.  I think we know who is going home.

Dinner is under a tikki hut.  Constantine brings up Ben when discussing the wine.  Don't go there.  Don't talk about your twin.  He says that if the two of them fall in love then there's nothing he can do about it.  This date is awkward.  Ashley says a ton that they don't have much time.  Constantine says he kisses and hold people's hands without thinking about it, but he can't do it with her.  This date just keeps getting worse.  Constantine is logical and admits that tv dating may not be the most legit of situations.  He's honest and says he wouldn't feel comfortable enough to ask for her dad to marry her.  He's a real person and says that he knows what the fantasy suite means and he says he won't take her up on that.  Way to go Constantine.  Way to be realistic and honest and not whoring yourself out.  Ashley is then left at the table alone.  She's shocked "he didn't want to give it the time to see if it's there"  Ummm didn't you more or less spend the entire date saying that there wasn't enough time?

"what if i end up all alone and this was for nothing?"  Be glad Dentist.  Who wants an engagement that never works out?

Luckily for Ashley, Mr. Sunshine is there waiting to be a back up.  Fearful that she could be left alone, she thinks he may not be so bad.  He looks like he wants to jump on a couch when she knocks on his door.  She states he was exactly what he wanted when he stepped out of the limo.  I thought Constantine was her perfect type?  Oh wait is she talking about personalities?  because one can find out so much from an introduction......  Ashley uses a lot of flattery.  "you're one of the best guys i've ever met in my life"  She turns him down because she's found what she's wanted in two people.  Ryan is really stumped by the fact he's just been dumped a second time.  Lesson learned here...once you get dumped; don't fly to Fiji to win that person over.  He is missing someone to hold hands with someone through it all.  No couch jumping today for Ryan.  Keep telling yourself "it will happen"  It will Mr. Smiley just not on a reality tv show.

Ashley has a great see through midriff shirt for her date with JP.  They hop on small plane and take off.  I like the cheesiness... "it'll be the high point of every date we've ever been on"  and they're on a plane....
Fiji is "magical".
"I loved your family.  They were so great"
"They adored you.  My dad said you'd be a welcome addition"  really?  His mom didn't seem to like her.  JP is "ready for the end".  They awkwardly stand in knee deep water and talk.  Ashley really digs guys picking her up in bodies of water.  Seriously, how many times does she want guys to pick her up in water?

The two have dinner in the middle of the jungle.  Good thing Ashley wore heels for the trek.
"I get you and you get me" JP is starting to sound like Barney.  Ashley tells JP that she gave up two guys last night.  JP thinks he's the only one left.  Sorry JP, that's not how this show works.  JP is at least relieved to hear it's not Bentley that came back.  She tells JP to not worry about her having another boyfriend.  Ashely starts fishing for compliments and tells him not to hold back.  I think she wants to hear that she wants to hear the Love word.  "I want you"  she seems happy with that answer.  They then go to the fantasy suite.  Ashley goes off to change and comes out in a white see through shirt and panties showing through.  Apparently girls really do use the "I need to change" line.

Ashley then sits down with BFF Christ Harrison to apparently recap everything.  Ben and Ashley's relationship is light and fun.  Ashley can't describe her relationship with JP.  Ashley says she was fighting for her relationship with Constantine.  Good life lesson there.  As a girl, don't fight for a guy.  Let him fight for you.  Ashley also says it was harder to say goodbye to Ryan than it was Constantine.  Mainly because Constantine dumped her.  Ashley wants to have a rose ceremony despite the fact there are two roses and two guys.  To fill time ABC films Ashley sitting around and looks off in the distance.

Ben looks sad that his twin is gone.  Maybe they were separated at birth.  Ben's shorter hair is a mess but he can pull it off.  Ben and JP accept their roses.  No surprise there.

Sunday is Men Tell All.  I'm not going to lie.  This ought to be entertaining.  And next Monday we find out which guy Ashley picks and which guy I'll be dating.  I don't mind taking her leftovers.

Context Clues

Context clues are words or phrases in a sentence that help the reader figure out the meaning of an unknown word. Antonyms, synonyms, stated examples, contrasts and restatements all function as context clues


We studied context clues growing up in English class.  Sometimes context clues can give you hints about what's going to happen in a book.  Sometimes context clues can be found in simple conversations with friends.


The Bachelorette, Ashley, used the word to unique to describe bachelor Ames.  Had he been listening, he wouldn't have been so shocked when he did not receive a rose.  A girl would not call a potential love interest unique.


Today a guy friend of mine that I've been interested in for quite some time used the word Buddy to refer.  If I were on The Bachelor, I would not be receiving a rose this week after hearing that in a conversation.  


There are also other words that one should be on the look out for.  If your friends are trying to set you up on a blind date and the use the words "sweet"  "nice" or "interesting"....save yourself the time and don't agree to it.


Other words to avoid: "friend" "great personality" and "pal"


I'm sure there are many others.  Today hearing Buddy gave me the hint I should've taken a long time ago.  No more worrying about that one.

The Bachelorette, Episode 8 aka Meet the Family

I don't know about you, but I'm quite looking forward to seeing what kind of weird families these guys have.  I've only met one guy's parents and that was before we were technically dating.  I'm pretty sure they didn't like me.  I can't imagine having to meet 4 different families, but I'm sure Ashely will do it in style with see-through or backless shirts from Forever 21.  Because nothing says let me date your sun, by wearing interesting outfits.

Ashley does some voice overs and uses the word Love to describe Ben C.  She loves his long hair.  No joke...I bet she likes Constantine's too.  She mentions again that Constantine is sexy and exactly what she's looking for physically in a man.  Lucky for Ben C, that works for him too.  She describes Ames as unique. HAHAHA.  He's in the friend zone.  No girl ever describes a guy she's actually into as unique.  They show JP being a weakling and failing to pick her up in the rain.  I like JP, but honestly he's getting far too whiney for my taste.

Ashley's off to visit Constantine's family first in Cumming, GA.  I sure hope his family has great accents.  Ashely is "happy as a clam" to see him.  She keeps welcoming him home.  I find this weird.  Why would she welcome someone to their home?  He's sporting a chain under his t-shirt.  I'm sorry guys, but this is a no.  Just say no to necklaces, earrings (unless you're a rapper or pro athlete), and bracelets.

Ashely makes a mean pb&j.  Constantine is a Greek who owns an Italian restaurant.  Ashley attempts to be funny by putting Constantine on her pizza.  Ummm.  lame.  Constantine also spouts some lame lines while making salad. Constantine's family goes all out with a Welcome Home sign and balloons.

They sit down to lamb.  I'd be so screwed on this date.  I'd have to explain that I don't eat anything at the table.  I'd be drunk from the wine due to only pushing the food around.  Mom sits Ashley down and asks if Ashley is down to relocating.  Uh Oh...overbearing mother that doesn't want her son to move away.  Dad and son sit down for a heart to heart.  Ashley gives false hope to the family and informs them that she's moving in.  They are going to hate her if she dumps him.

Then it's like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and the Greeks come out to throw down.  Including dancing.  We all know how much Ashley loves to dance.  Then some family member throws cash at people.  Can I come over Constantine?

Next up we have Ame's hometown in Chads Ford, PA.  He busts out a plaid shirt and runs over to greet her.  Seriously.  that's awkward.  "This is like home to me" Ames...no shit....it is your home.  They jump right in to meet the family members.  Brother Jim looks way old.  Once he starts losing his hair, it's not going to be pretty.  Sister sits Ashley down for a heart to heart.  She too has the large forehead.

"he's like an onion and you've got to keep peeling ogre"  HAHA  Apparently he's like Shrek.  We find out that two of Ames's fathers (dad and step dad) have passed away.  Seriously ABC is great about finding bachelors with a sob story.  She also has to sit down with Mom.  This is a rough first meet the fam.  They compare love to a marathon.  Apparently she's missing the romance.

Ames and Sister sit down to have a heart to heart.  She's honest and tells him to step up his game.  Ames takes her on the most romantic picnic in all of the world under a magnolia tree.  We find out Ames wasn't smart in boarding school.  She doesn't seem all that into him.  Ames says "they have the most amazing kiss ever" and then they go around the grounds on a buggy and carriage.  What is he?   Amish?

Off to Sonoma, CA, we see Ben C and once again Ashley runs towards a guy.  She says he screams sexy.  Off they go for a picnic at the winery and to taste his wine.  "Am I about to taste your wine today? " the mature self that I am giggled at that.  They use big ass wine glasses to sample the wine.  Nothing like getting wasted before meeting the fam.  They have a picnic under a cabin porch.  Ben's sweet.  He's only brought one girl home.  I like his look.  He may be my new favorite now that JP is whiney.

Ashley's smart and bring flowers for his mother.  I'd be nervous bringing wine to a family that makes wine for a living.  They have both water and wine glasses on the table.  How many families actually bust out several glasses for a typical meal?  The sister apparently signed him up for the show. (Who is going to sign me up for the show?)  Mom busts out pictures of the kids when they are young.  This really turns into a sob fest when mom and son sit down and talk about Dad.  We didn't see much interaction between Ashley and the fam.  He says the L word on his voice over.  He's going to end up broken hearted at the end of this.  He can also call me.

Off now to visit JP in Long Island.  "I didn't sleep a wink last night"  JP takes Ashley to go roller skating.  This would be a terrible idea for me.  She talks in a baby voice to him.  Then the lights dim and cheesy music plays as a disco ball turns.  They do awkward turns and couple skating.  They even try dancing.  And making out. Ashley apparently used to be a figure skater and then JP takes a tumble.  Which "was a cute fall"  They go classy and drink wine out of paper cups at the skating rink.  JP doesn't have any deaths in the family so he tells his sob story of how his last relationship failed.  Nothing like a great date than talking about the exes.

JP says he's on a high with her and bummed when she's not around.  He's sweet, but a bit much.  JP is willing to risk it all to fall in love.  They sit down to a family meal.  JP is by far the cutest child out of his family.  Once again it'd be a meal of food I wouldn't eat.  Mom informs JP that she doesn't want to see his heart broken.  She also asks if he's in love with her.  His vague answer says there are signs leading to it.  Mom sits down with Ashley and informs her that JP looks as her with love in his eyes.  Ashley sounds like she's talking to a pre-schooler as she describes her feelings for Jp to his Mom.  She's smitten with him.  Mom then busts out a gigantic picture from his bar mitzvah.  He for sure has a kirk cameron look going for him.  He had a sweet mullet at 13.

Ashley sits down with her bff/therapist Chris Harrison.  Chris brings up the B word...Bentley.  She digs Constantine's family.  She doesn't really dig Ames.  They show boring clips from their date.  She's so sending him home.  Ben C's date was perfect.  She fell in love with JP's family.  Even his crazy mom.

The dress tonight with the lace back gets back to Ashley's true fashion sense of Forever 21.  She surprisingly left all her backless shirts at home for the home dates.  It looks like Ben C has gotten a hair cut.

Ben with the new hair gets a rose first.  They keep showing awkward Ames.
JP gets the second rose and is beaming.  How many guys beam?
And last but not least, Constantine gets the final rose.

Ames the ogre goes home tonight.  He looks shocked and surprised.  Like he's really not sure what to do as he looks from side to side.   He wants to sit down with Ash and talk it out.  Ashley tries to soften the blow, and Ames kind of blubbers but is so nice to her for him to just have gotten his heart broken.  "He's going to remember every second of it for the rest of his life"  ummm really?  He tries not to cry on camera.  He really does seem like a nice guy.  He wonders what it was.  I totally called it.  She said the word unique.  You don't use that word to describe a boyfriend.  I hope you find love, too, Ames.

It's back to world traveling and Ashely and the boys are off to Fiji.  I wonder how many time "I'm falling for so and so" will be said next week.  They show fake drama between JP and Ashley, but I'm betting we'll be disappointed.  And apparently there will be an unexpected guest.  Two more weeks people.  Let the madness continue!

The South

I love being from the South.  I have an accent, and I like it.  Put me around some Southerners and my accent gets thicker.

I gave up Sweet Tea two years ago, and I don't actually miss it at all.  Shocking, I know.  Today I laughed as I went to Dixie Cafe.  Let's discuss the demographic dining while I was there....I was the only person under the age of 60 enjoying a home cooked meal.  I was looking at the menu debating on which vegetable I wanted with my chicken tenders and I spied Mac and Cheese.  I've totally ordered it with my chicken tenders before.  It just made me laugh and think only in the South is that considered a veggie.

Things like that make me love the South even more.

Things I'm not good at.

There are a lot of things I'm good at, and I'm sure there are lots of things you are good at as well.  Lately I realized I have some flaws.  Shocking, I know....

1.  I can't say no to getting frozen yogurt.  Ice cream in general is my weakness.  Thanks to TCBY moving in down the street from me, I've put on a good five pounds.  I totally think about getting it almost every day.  This week I've limited myself to once.  It's only Wednesday.  Small victories.

2.  Cooking.  It's not that i'm a terrible cook; it's the fact that I don't cook for myself.  Tonight I reheated a frozen lasagna, and that's the closest I've come to cooking for myself in weeks.  I've eaten a lot of take out. A lot.

3.  Letting things go.  Once I get an idea in my head, I'm bound and determined to do it.  I don't like to be told no.

4.  Painting my fingernails.  I've stopped biting my fingernails, and I've started painting them instead.  It never fails that they look like crap before the end of the day.

5.  Making friends.  I have friends, and I have made efforts to make new ones lately.  It's great when I'm hanging out by the pool, but it's time to take some steps to find some friends that I can call on the week days.

Don't worry there are plenty of other things I can add to the list, but why be a downer?  I'm going to stop there, and enjoy my night.  You should, too.

The Bachelorette, Episode 7

After taking a week off, I'm ready to continue on this train wreck as Ashley searches for true love in foreign countries.  Apparently this tv show has become a great travel brochure for "the perfect places to fall in love".

Tonight we're in Taiwan. It's apparently the hidden jewel of Asia.  This surprises me.  I know about Taiwan  due to the fact it's stamped on 90% of any household product.

Chris Harrison plays history channel and tells us it's the 100th anniversary of Taiwan, and explains the rules again.  This is getting old;  Hasn't this show been on forever?  If you don't know how it works, you've been living in a cave for years.

JP doesn't want other guys to go on dates with Ashley.  He's become one of those people on the show.  I'm sorry JP, you are ridiculously cute, but that's how this game goes.

Constantine gets the one on one date.  JP is crushed and is ready to propose. They start the romantic date on an awkward steam engine ride.  Ashley things going to tiny villages is a perfect places to wear sky high heels, backless shirt, and skin tight jeans.  I mean to each their own, but Ashely sure seems to shop at Forever 21 far too much.  Trendy is her middle name.  He "holds her hand and touches her leg and the date is off to a great start".

Seriously; how does she walk her jeans?  It's a love lantern festival.  Luckily it just so happens there's a lantern for our lovely couple waiting for them.  They write their love wishes.

Meanwhile, the home boys back at the hotel get the next date card.  Ben gets a one-on-one date.  Ryan still doesn't get a one-on-one date.  Mr. Sunshine is starting to lose his sun.  And is growing some terrible hair/facial hair combo.

Constantine apparently has a big family.  I hope we see his home.  I want to know if his family has terrible hair cuts too.  Physically he's exactly what Ashley is attracted to.  So yes, she has a thing for 90s hair.  They zoom in on his  sweet bracelets that I wore in junior high because Jennifer Aniston wore them.  Yes, he loves the 90s.  I give props to Constantine for saying if he falls in love.  Had he been a girl, he would have already word vomited out the L word.  They release their love wish lantern, and music awkwardly plays as they make out.  Ashley saw some things "she loves in Constantine"  She will use the L word to describe things.  He's getting a rose, I bet.

Ben meets Ashley on a cliff where she's sporting a long tank, short jeans, and shockingly tennis shoes .  They are exploring the park in sweet helmets and on a moped.  Ben says "they are going places"
Adventurous sounding music play as they ride around.  Ben is ridiculously cheesy.  Of course they find a great bridge to walk around and make out.

Home boys receive another date card.  Sunshine is nervous. Lucas, Ames, and JP are on the group date. Mr. Sunshine is finally getting his one-on-one.  He may explode he's so excited.  I can't believe he didn't jump on the couch.

Woah.  Ben is the first to say he's "falling in love with Ashley"  He's going to word vomit out the L word.  They have big ass glasses of wine.  I think Ashley insults the wine guy by saying it's like his wine.  Ben plays confident and says he'll share more about wine on the home town date next week.  He dances around basically telling Ashley he loves her.  He's word vomiting left and right.  I dig the color of Ashley's dinner dress.  Ashley likes the word vomit and they have awkward kisses then move to making out by a fire.   Oh...I don't like the bottom of her dress.  Another Forever 21 dress.

The next morning, Ben is still on his date with Ashley.  JP is crushed, and the other guys are disappointed.  Hello Shacker!  He comes in looking sheepish.  I'm sure Ashley's mom is so proud...They say they didn't share a room.  Somehow that's doubtful to me.  I like Ben; he's rocking a seersucker blazer.

On the group date, Ashley has an exciting day planned of taking fake wedding photos.  In the real world, these guys would take off running.  This is reality TV, so they aren't.

Lucas is rocking a Chinese MuMu, Ames is in an amazing 70s blue tux, and JP comes out in and a little bit too big black tux.  Ames and Lucas aren't happy with their outfit choices.  Ashley wants to know if they are going to look cute in wedding photos.  That's what I think when I meet a guy....will he look good in wedding photos.

Lucas is a bit stiff and isn't a great smiler.  Their kiss is awkward during the photo, and JP looks like he's about to fight.  He doesn't understand the concept of the show.
Ames and Ashley are literally kissing in a Tree.
Ashley in a terrible 80s dress and tiara and JP take their wedding photos.  JP isn't into it, and just wants ashley to himself.  Once again he doesn't understand the concept of how this show works.

Ashley is surprised the guys didn't have as much fun as she thought they would.  Ummm what kind of dates does she go on typically?  I don't know of any guys that would find that date fun.  I do like her green dress.  Lucas says he felt foolish watching her in a beautiful white dress with JP.  Beautiful isn't a word I'd use to describe that white wedding dress.  Lucas misses the simple life of being married.  They make out, but I'm not 100% sure she's that into him.

Ames shows off family photos. He came prepared.  We find out he was unpopular until he was 16.  He probably started fake tanning then.  He's kind of like a giggly school girl when he talks to her.  I do give him a thumbs up for his nantucket red pants.  I may dig preppy clothes....

JP basically says he's not doing great with being on the show.  He throws out there that Ben got an overnight dates.  He was fishing for an answer.  He seems like the jealous type, but he's cute.  He gets the rose from Ashley.  It's official, we're meeting JP's family next week.  And they make out.  I can't say I've ever made out with multiple guys in one night.  That may have just made my bucket list.

Mr. Sunshine runs to great Ashley on their first date.  She's wearing one of those split back shirts from Forever 21, that I just don't get.  I'm surprised she's in flats and not in wedges or heels.  Ryan talks 90 to nothing about how excited he is.  Ashley says the word "amazing" several times as they watch people praying to different gods.  Mr. Sunshine finds it so romantic and intimate.  I'm not so sure that's what I'd called the experience.  They make wishes to the match making god and basically take a crap shot to see if it comes true.  Sadly, their wishes won't come true.  Awkward....
The date continues on to some steps to watch people do Tai Chi.  This date would be so boring for me.  Mr. Sunshine is talking a crap ton of nonsense about Tai Chi.  Ashley admits she doesn't feel that romantic connection there.  This date is awkward.  Ashley has a terrible fake smile on.  She's now trying to figure out how to break it off with Mr. Sunshine without him pulling a scary upset fit on her.  He seems the type, admit it.
It "exceeds all of Mr. Sunshine's expectations".  They sit down to a picnic.  More awkward faces from Ashley.  He asks her what she does for the environment.  Ashley admits she's a rebel for throwing away a plastic bottle.  Ryan gives her a lesson on water heaters.  Ashley attempts to look interested, but is failing.  Ryan informs her, he can't wait for her to meet his family.  Cue awkward face and sad music.  Ashley cries and informs him that "she's her perfect guy, but is not feeling a connection"  Mr. Sunshine's face is crumbling.  Oh dear, he's trying not to cry.  Well, the match making gods were correct in not granting his love wish.  He 'didn't see this coming'...I did.  He should've looked at her face.  He sits down a spell and has a good cry.  It's ok buddy; There's someone out there that will enjoy jumping on couches with you.  Ryan wants real never ending love.  I do too, but I also know love most likely isn't found on a reality TV dating show.  The make him hail a cab back to the hotel.

Ashley's BFF/Therapist, Chris Harrison sits Ashley down for a little chat.  Ashley informs Chris that she doesn't want a cocktail party because she's made up her decision.  Obviously Ashley doesn't understand the fun of an open bar.  The producers must hate this because cocktail parties end up with drunken contestants and fun drama.

Lucas is worried, and I think he should be.  I'm pretty positive that he is going home and that he knows it.  Chris tries to help the guy's ego by telling them that this was a tough decision as Ashley looks over a bridge and walks by.

Constantine, Ben, and Ames all get a rose.  Lucas gives a cute scrunched nose look to Ashley. JP informs Ames that he did not expect that.  Ames did not like to hear that.  Lucas is a true Southern gentleman and goes out with class.  Ashley doubts her decision, but at least she hasn't said the name Bentley tonight.  Next week, we meet the families. Hopefully it will be interesting.

Chris Harrison gives a Bachelor update as informs America that sometimes the engagements on this show don't work out.....ummm no crap.  Emily, aka Barbie, has gotten even smaller.  I didn't know that was possible.  She gets out of the limo crying.  Emily will always be in love with Brad....Really?  I don't think so otherwise you two would be married.  It sounds as if Bachelor Brad was a cheater and couldn't really handle being in a relationship.  Well, what a shocker.  Another bachelor relationship is officially over.  If they bring her back as the Bachelorette, shoot me now.

Egos and Pool Parties

This past weekend I spent 10 hours at my apartment pool.  They were having a pool party, and I am amazed by how many people were out there.  I made new friends, and I had a lot of fun.  I was told today that I "was working the crowd" by my neighbor whatever that means.

Sneak-a-Date boy came over to talk to me.  I can't say it was welcomed.  He's a nice guy, but I'm not interested other than being friends.  He mentioned that he had texted me earlier this week about hanging out, and I said I didn't get one.  This honestly should have been hint number one to this guy that I'm not so into him.  Had I been interested, I obviously would've replied with a quickness.  I'm not good with being subtle. (apparently just ask half the people at my apartment complex that saw me flirting this past weekend)

He said it was right after we had gotten back from fireworks.  I said something to the affect of oh yeah;  I must have been asleep and I'm pretty terrible about responding to texts the next day if I don't do it immediately.  (lies, all lies)  Sneak-a-Date boy (not sure why i'm calling him a boy.  He's 35) then informed me that he would like to cook dinner for me and asked me what I'd like to eat.  I was honest and informed him that I'm picky like a 10 year old.  I said I didn't eat seafood or red meat.  He then believe suggested cooking some chicken dish.  He asked when would be a good time, and I said he could just let me know.  I believe then I got in the pool to avoid him.

He attempted to talk to me several times over the day.  I was nice but not overly friendly.  During this time one of my new friends came out and talked to me for a while.  I also met some other people to talk with.  By the end of the night, it as a great day.  I forgot my earbuds at the pool and went to look for them.  I ran into a new friend and sat down and talked with him.  We discussed sneak-a-date boy asking me out, and I informed him I wanted to get out of it (yes that was a hint to the new friend to help me out)  We laughed about it.  While sitting in the pool chair, I got a text that said, "I'll leave you alone;  I can see that you aren't interested"
Later I replied, "sorry, but I'm interested in someone right now."
his response "i've noticed, and you'll be disappointed...."

Someone's ego was a little bruised.  He wouldn't inform me why I would be disappointed.  Today at the pool, sneak-a-date boy completely ignored me.  I was nice to this guy, but now he completely ignores me.  Apparently I can't be just friends.  I'm 25, and I'm ok with being single.  It's fun to flirt with different people.  I'm not expecting marriage from guys I flirt with at the pool.  I'm just looking for new friends.

Apparently there's a little drama factor added to my apartment life.  It makes me laugh.  A lot.  It's 24 hours later, and I'm still laughing.  Sorry sneak-a-date boy;  I'm just not that into you.  Also, Congrats on being a new story in my life.  I can't say I've ever been asked on a date to only have the offer revoked by the end of the night.

FWB

There's a new movie coming out called Friends With Benefits, and earlier in the year a movie called No Strings Attached came out.  My parents went and saw No Strings Attached, and I wouldn't be surprised if they went to see Friends with Benefits.  The funniest part is my mom and her theories on these movies, "they'd be such cute movies if it weren't for all the screwing around or the use of the F-word"  I told my mom that was the entire concept of the movie and I almost let her know that some people refer to that as being F buddies.  Every time I now see this trailer, I just have to laugh and think "that movie would be so cute if it weren't for all that screwing around"

Parents are funny.

Being Bold

As a little girl, I was shy, but considering I grew up in a small town I lost the shyness as I got older.  That happens when 90% of the town knows your family.  I started going out to random camps on my own.  There I was pretty good at venturing out of my comfort zone and making friends.  Then came college, and I hung close to my high school friends for a while, but slowly I made friends with my honors business kids and sorority sisters and made some of my best friends.  After leaving college, I've become quite the recluse.  It's been really hard for me to make friends.

This weekend I branch out a bit and after living in my apartment complex for 11 months, I finally made an effort to get to know some of the other tenants.  I'm still the shy kid that is having issues including myself in conversations at the pool, but I'm working on it.  I want work on being bold and not being shy.  I'm 25, isn't that old enough to text a new friend to grab dinner?  Easier said than done, but I'm working on it.  I'm writing this out mainly to help push myself to do this.  Being a hermit isn't fun;  being around people is.

I may want to move away, but that shouldn't stop me from enjoying life here until I do.

Sneak-a-Date

Have you ever been invited to an activity by a guy to hang out with his friends to find out that by his friends really means just you?  That's what I like to call a sneak-a-date.  I feel as if I've had my fair share of sneak-a-dates.  I've probably had more sneak-a-dates than actual dates in my life.  In my opinion they are awkward.   Granted, my sneak-a-dates have yet to be with a guy that I've actually been interested in, because life doesn't work that way.  I may have different feelings if that were the case towards sneak-a-dates.

I feel like it's the guy taking the easy way out.  Be honest, just ask a girl out.  Don't let her think she's hanging out with a group of people to only find out that "group of people" is the two of you.  Sure it gets you one date, but odds aren't in your favor for date number two.  It makes me very suspicious of group hang outs.  If the tables were turned and I did that to a guy, I'm pretty sure he'd find me creepy.  Let's put an end to sneak-a-dates. If you want to ask a girl out, do it.  And if she tells you no, then it saves you your time and money.  It's a win win situation here.

And yes, last night I went on a sneak-a-date to watch fireworks with someone from my apartment complex.  Nice guy, but I'm not interested.  The group of friends turned out to be just the two of us.  Not quite what I pictured when I agreed to go.  Secretly I may have wished someone was going to be in attendance, but life doesn't work out that way.

Being Single isn't a Disease

For 98% of my life, I've been single.  I'm not a serial dater; heck it's been so long I'm not really sure what an actual date is at this point.  Honestly, 98% of the time I'm perfectly fine being single.  I enjoy hanging out with myself or with the girls.  I'm also not patient so I don't see myself as ever being good at the whole dating game.  I'm not good with games.

My biggest pet peeves are family events where I'm questioned about my job and if I have a boyfriend.  Thankfully I have a full time job so I actually have an answer to one of those questions.  "What's a girl like you doing still single?"  "I'm sure you're out dating all the time"  "Going to get married anytime soon?"  I despite all of those questions.  I get it;  I'm from the South and people tend to get married younger.  The fact I'm 25 and have yet to be in a serious relationship is weird to people (like my grandmother, parents, family friends, etc...), but honestly what's wrong with it.  When did being single get such a negative connotation?

A few months ago I got a facebook invite to a women's get together.  I only knew the hostess, but I've been thinking I should make more friends in the area.  I thought why not give this a try.  As I arrive at the get together, I realize all the women there are from the girl's community group and all of them are newly married.  They were still very nice to hang out with.  Then I met another girl named, Sarah.  Thinking back to the facebook invite list, I realize she wasn't on there.  It hit me....I'm 95% sure my name was added by accident.  I wasn't supposed to be invited to this newly wed girls night.  The topics mainly were lives with their new husbands.  They even brought up how they just don't hang out with single people anymore.  Once you're married things are different and you find yourself doing things more with couples than your single friends who "just don't understand"  I left that night and was told it was nice meeting me.  I was also told they'd let me know when they all got together again.  Either they haven't gotten together in the past 3 almost 4 months or.......they didn't invite the single person back.

My mom encourages me to join a church;  Find a Sunday school class full of singles.  That screams desperate city to me, and I have a feeling most people go to those things to meet people.  In my opinion, I'll meet someone.  I'm 25;  I'm bound to date at some point.  It's not a big deal.  I don't think i'm weird.  I just think I'm in a life stage that makes things a little difficult to meet people.  Do your single friends a favor next time, and don't ask them why they are single.  We don't appreciate that.

Expectations

I told a friend my expectations for the upcoming weekend and per their suggestion I realized perhaps I was setting my expectations too high.  The best thing is to set realistic expectations and anything else is just icing on the cake.  So my expectations are the following:

Have one meal with someone.  It can be anyone. It's a long weekend, and I'm excited for it.  Last week's 6 day work week made this week a long one.  I'm quite excited to spend the next 4 afternoons by the pool.  And hopefully meeting my expectation of a meal with a friend.  Any friend.

Paitence

Last week I traveled to Denver, Co for work Thursday-Saturday.  It wasn't the most exciting of trips, but I gave presentations, heard praise for my work by my boss (who i'm glad to know no longer questions hiring a girl who loves football to sell to baseball teams), and I got to hang out with my friend Shelby who I attended her wedding in Denver a month earlier.

As we were leaving on Saturday, I had packed my bag and taken it to the showroom floor because we were leaving after it ended.  After taking down the booth and loading up our salesman's car with our booth, I started looking around for my suitcase.  My boss had taken it down earlier while I was watching and helping out upstairs.  As I asked him about my suitcase, his face looked a bit worried and he didn't have an answer.  We called our sales rep to turn around and let us check out his car.  15 minutes later and unloading a van and a suv, the suitcase was still missing.  I'm trying to keep calm and not let my boss know that I am absolutely panicking on the inside.  In my head, i've calculated that my suitcase roughly contains about $1,000 worth of items from my chi, clarasonic, computer charger, tory birch flats, and my nice work clothes.  My boss and another guy go back upstairs to see if it was there.  This is about the time I realize that my bag does not have my name anywhere on it.  It has my grandpa's name and address.  He passed away two years ago and his has has been moved and is now an empty parking lot, so someone finding my bag and mailing to that address would do me zero good.
10 minutes later my boss comes down the escalator with a terrible look on his face.  He hasn't found it.  Then a sales rep sees it sitting outside the glass doors to the back loading dock.  Thankfully it was actually my bag and no one had taken anything from the bag.  I was so relieved.  Replacing the contents of the bag would have been time consuming and expensive.  Thankfully I managed to be patient and not panic.  I'm great at over re-acting so I'm really impressed with myself for not crying in front of my boss.

I'm not sure what that has to do with patience, but I wanted to share the story.

Tonight I made homemade salsa and I made cinnamon rolls to take to work for food day.  I cheated on the cinnamon rolls and made them using crescent rolls, but I did make the icing from scratch.  Last time on a food day, I picked up cakes from a local bakery, so I decided to show work that even though I don't cook that I can actually make decent food.

It's 4th of July weekend, and I have zero plans.  I have a whole list of things I'd like to make to celebrate the day including bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos and red velvet cupcakes, but I'm afraid I'd get stuck eating them all.  Perhaps I'll make new friends at the pool if I bribe them with food.  I'm excited for a long weekend;  Last week's 6 day work week about killed me.  This is much needed.

The one thing I'm learning to be patient about is waiting.  on a phone call.  or a text.  Boys are ridiculous, and I've turned into a terrible girly girl as I hope that one actually calls, but I will not give in and call first.  Nope.  I wont.  I don't think....