The Bachelor: Montana Edition

In the words of Chris Harrison, "Welcome back, ladies".  It looks like we are headed to Montana for tonight's Bachelor.  Montana looks really beautiful from that itty bitty airplane on which Sean is arriving.  Oh my, the plane just landed on the water.

Lindsay just found out she's going on the one-on-one date.  She cried a little.  Of course, all of the other girls are jealous.

Enter helicopter.

Montana is absolutely gorgeous! I need to add that I would be throwing up from fear if I was in that helicopter.

Sean told Lindsay that he likes her because she isn't high maintenance.  For the record, I'm pretty sure that's why Brian Murray fell in love with me too.

Now Sean and Lindsay are in a lovely lodge looking building.  There is a fire.  Quite romantic.  He likes her a lot by the looks of these kisses.  And Lindsay gets the first rose of the night.  She thinks the night is over, but she is wrong.  There is a concert going on down the street just for them.  So they dance in front of everybody.  I don't know which is worse...that helicopter ride or dancing in front of everybody.  She's obviously a cooler cat than I am.

Back at the girl's house, the group date card has just been delivered.  The girls who have their names on the card are relieved because everybody knows they don't want to go on the upcoming two-on-one date where somebody WILL go home.

Group date time! The girls are instructed about a relay race including a canoe race, hay, sawing logs, and milking goats.  You have to be kidding me.  So the competition begins.  Those canoes are all over the place. Oh, bless their hearts.  Now they are milking the goat.  And the goat just kicked over the milk they worked so hard to get.  That would SO be my luck.  And now Desiree is drinking the milk.  Grody!!!

So the blue team are the losers and off they go back to the house.  The red teams wins and gets to hang around with Sean for the evening.  Lucky them.  Apparently, drinking goat milk makes one lucky.

Sean just invited the blue team to come back to the party.  Oh, those red girls are going to be so mad! They just drank goat's milk for crying out loud to win the time with him!!! And now the others get to come back.  Big mistake Sean.

Addendum: Drinking goat's milk does not in fact make one lucky.

Oh, they are mad!

And now, Tierra is headed that way too.  And she wasn't even part of the blue or red team.  What is she doing? That girl is cray cray.  Bless her heart.  If those other girl's see her, she is dead meat.

So now she's questioning why she is having to go on a two-on-one date.  She thinks she deserves all of his time.  But unfortunately, that just isn't what she signed up for!  Lucky for her, none of the other girls saw her. I bet she had some goat's milk before she went over there.

Now, the game of "It's my turn, no it's my turn" begins.  The girls are stealing him away left and right.

My viewing partner, Max, is very asleep right now.  He's totally over all of this drama.

Daniella cries to Sean, but she gets the rose.

Now it's finally time for the date with Tierra and Jackie.  They are going horse back riding.  I'm very afraid that Jackie is going to try to talk to Sean about Tierra.  He doesn't like that kind of thing.  Oh no, I was right.  She's talking.  About Tierra.  To Sean.  I really think that's a mistake.  See: Kacie B.

There is awkward silence at dinner.  Now Tierra is spending some alone time with Sean.  I think he will send Jackie home.  I was right.  Poor Jackie.  Tierra is very happy.  Fireworks.  Of course.

So it's the night of the rose ceremony.  Sean reassures Desiree.  Tierra storms out of the room so she doesn't have to be around the other girls.  She says she wants to fight them all.  Two girls decide to confront her.  This could be bad.  Sean walked by and saw Tierra fussing at Robyn.  So he's going to talk to her.  She tells him she's not a drama person at all and that all of the other girls are attacking her.

Sean asks Lesley for specific information about Tierra.  She tells him the truth without being too ugly.  He really put her in a difficult situation.

Sean is very frustrated.  Time for the roses.  Selma gets a rose.  Katherine, Lesley, AshLee, Sarah, and Desiree all get roses.  Goodbye Robyn.

*It's a two episode week for Bachelor.  More drama tomorrow night.  Bring it on.

Little Red Is Gone

A few weeks ago, we had to say goodbye to a long time member of our family.  Little Red. 

I bought Little Red brand spankin' new in 1998 when my new, full-time teaching paycheck was burning a hole in my pocket.  She was bright red and shiny.  She thought she was so fancy with her spoiler and sun roof.  Her two doors (she would have NEVER had four doors) were her pride and joy. 

So basically, she was hotter than a two dollar pistol.

Then time marches on.

I married Brian, and it wasn't long until Little Red got a new driver.  Through the years, we bought several new cars for me to drive.  Little Red stayed the course.  I'm sure Brian never envisioned himself in a bright red, two door Honda Civic for the last decade, but he didn't complain.  Eventually, her air conditioner stopped working, and the driver side door handle broke off.  Bless her heart though, she was still running,  and Brian was still driving her.  But then it happened. 

We had an opportunity to replace her with a car with working air conditioning, four doors, and amazingly enough, a door handle.  As much as Brian loved sweating through 90 degree summer temperatures while wearing a jacket and tie, he thought the opportunity was too good to pass up. 

Goodbye Little Red.



I probably should have picked up that smashed McDonald's cup before taking the picture.  Oh well!



I was sad to see her go, but we actually just donated her to a family that we know who was in need of a car.  So I still get to see her occasionally. 

And her memory will live on forever. 

(Instrumental music playing)

100th and 101st Day!

This week has been very exciting so far.  It started on Sunday with lunch at Arby's where we promptly spent $20 for three french fries and two ounces of roast beef to share between the four of us.  But the company was nice.

Parker and Claire went to the dentist this morning.  I'm happy to report that they are both in the "No Cavity" Club! I'm so thankful that they have never had any cavities.  I didn't either until I married Brian.  My tooth troubles started two days after we got married.  Literally.  I totally blame him.
(Someday I'll tell you the whole story.)

 The Pinewood Derby car is well underway.  It's final reveal will be Thursday night at the race.  

 Monday, we celebrated the 100th day of school!

 

 We made some mighty fine 100 year olds if I do say so myself.

 This little old man can barely stand up bless his heart.

 Lots of fun 100 day activities

 He seriously put on these glasses, looked at me, and said, "Call me".

 That made today the 101st day of school, and this lady has never turned down an opportunity to celebrate! So we had ourselves a little Dalmatian Celebration! 

(Get it? 101 Dalamatians)

 We had some fun activities with the number 101.  We also made dog ears with 50 spots on one ear and 51 spots on the other ear.  They all looked so cute, but I could have done without the expected barking and howling.  

Tomorrow, I will be in a workshop all day.  I guess they will have to celebrate "Mrs. Murray's Not Here" Day.  

And I leave you with this...

You know I love me some ponies, but what's even better? Ponies wearing sweaters.

If that doesn't make you smile, then you must be a sad, sad person.

*Bachelor News ~ Two girls went home, everybody still dislikes Tierra, Sean likes everybody, and more drama is promised for next week.  So, in other words, the usual.

Catching Up From Last Weekend

Last Saturday, we went to Wallabies for Chloe's birthday party.  

Chloe's little sister, Ava Grace

Strawberry Shortcake theme!

Claire was trying to make Chloe smile ~ this picture makes me laugh!

A little more successful in this one

 On Sunday, we went to lunch with the Mike, Karen, & the Watkins family.

Wendy and Karen

 We ran some errands and did a little shopping on our day off for MLK Jr. birthday.  Claire has been asking for a birdhouse, so we picked one up at Hobby Lobby to paint.  Parker got in on the painting too.

 I don't know about you, but if I was a bird, I would definitely want to live here!

Today, we are out of school due to an ice storm.  Yay for (another) extra day off!

Unfortunately, Phoebe has been sick all day.  Claire "took her to the doctor".  She didn't get a lot of answers and may have to "take her to the hospital" later.  I'm uncertain how she will get there with all of the ice though.  Anyway, one of the doctor's recommendations was to wrap her totally in white.  So this is what I found in the bathroom.

 She's in a basket with a white blanket and toilet paper covering her.

 We'll keep our fingers crossed that the "white treatment" improves her condition.

Looking forward to the rest of the weekend!

The Bachelor Week 3

I'm a little behind with this post! I typed out my notes as I watched The Bachelor the other night, but I was too tired to post them Monday night and too busy Tuesday night.  So here we are on Wednesday night, two nights behind.  Better late than never I guess.  If you have no interest in The Bachelor, stop reading.  If you continue, prepare for lack of sentence structure as you try to decode my notes from the show.

The show started with Sean and Lesley going on a one on one date where they attempted and succeeded to set a new world record for the longest on screen kiss. Here were my thoughts:
Lesley seems young
Keep your tongue in your mouth for crying out loud
Awkward/nervous ~ bless her heart
Doesn't really look him in the eye
Hmmmm

Then there was a group date with twelve girls.  They played some pitiful beach volleyball.  I should add that they were way better than I would have been but still pitiful.  The losing team had to go back to the house and they were "super bummed out" and had some serious tears.  Desiree (Des) spent some time telling Sean that she "enjoys the beauty of life".  He seems to like her still.

Amanda talks to Sean while Desiree listens. Desiree thinks Amanda is creepy and dark. Tension between the two.  Oh no.

Kacie B. tells Sean about the drama between the other girls. I don't think that's a good idea, Kacie B. Don't you see that is putting you back in the friend spot? He doesn't seem happy that she's telling him. She says  she's "not a drama person".  He asks, "Why are you involving yourself?" I think Kacie B. might just be headed back home to Friendville.

(Sidenote: Max is beside me and he did a little doggy huff at the drama. For real.)

There is a big bang. Tierra fell down the stairs. Imagine that.  Cue ambulance. She doesn't want to go. She is adamant about it. Others think she's just trying to get attention. As one girl put it ~ "Clearly nothing really wrong with you little doll".  Sean is giving Tierra some of  Ashlee's time. Ashlee is not happy.  Oh no, she's not.

Finally Ashlee and Sean start their date.  They have Six Flags all to themselves. That is my kind of date. Please don't make me play beach volleyball or jump off a building. I'll take Six Flags any time! They are sharing the date with chronically ill kids. Sean seems so sweet about it and so kind to the young girls.

Enter Eli young band. Sean likes country music. As if I needed another reason to like him.

Now Ashley and Sean are alone. Adoption discussion. He tells her does want to adopt.  I'm crying listening to her adoption story. Now Sean's crying. Oh my. And Ashlee gets the rose. Dancing and kissing commence.

Party time. Sean has a surprise for Sarah. He brought Leo the dog to cheer her up since she didn't get a date this week. Awwww!

Alone time with Tierra. Desiree interrupts. Tierra goes and gets him back. Oh no. Oh no. Now Lesley steals him.  Desiree hates the game. Don't we all Desiree? Don't we all. Insanity!!!

Talking to Kacie. He's shooting straight. Two steps back for Kacie.

Rose ceremony time!
Oh the formality of it all.

First rose. Stop everything. He asks to talk to Kacie. He's sending her home. "Better off as friends" speech. As I predicted. Goodbye Kacie.

Ok, back to the roses. Tierra. Eyes rolling all around the room. Lesley H. Kathryn. Daniella. (I don't even know who Kathryn and Daniella are). Robin. (Don't know her either.) Selma. (Nope. No connection.) Sarah. (Sweetie pie.) Jackie. Amanda.
 Des. (Yes Des.) That was a close one for her.

Goodbye Taryn.
Goodbye Kristy.

Bless their hearts.

Previews showing roller derby. That cannot end well. Tierra causing more drama. Lots to look forward to!  Rock on!

SNOW!!!

 Snow Day! 

We got out of school early on Thursday and came home to wait for the coming snow.  It did not disappoint! In just a few hours, we had lots of snow.  

Gorgeous trees!

Snowball fights

Max loved the snow! He kept running and leaping into the air to try to catch the falling snowflakes.

Time to sled!

Catching the snowflakes on her tongue

 

Snow angels

 

He got me!

 

Making an itty bitty snowman

 

 After a long time of playing, we came inside to warm up.

 

 I made one of our favorites.  Yummy chicken noodle extravaganza!

 Friday morning, we enjoyed NOT going to school.  Then the kids were quickly back at it. They love the snow! 

My hot chocolate creation was delicious! We do hot chocolate right around here folks.

 Then we spent the rest of the day having fun inside.

Painting

 

My masterpiece

 

Going on a scavenger hunts for hidden animals all over the house.

 

 Playing games

 

 Snow Much Fun! 

(Sorry, I couldn't resist)