Would you dare?

I am a complete blog stalker....well, ok, I like to peruse decorating and cooking blogs, and some of them are just serious eye candy. I admit, sometimes they make me want to redo my entire house, if I'm not careful. Some of these people are so amazingly creative!!!! But some of the ideas, although I love them, I don't ever see myself actually doing...... for example.....

(courtesy the haystack needle)

Could you stencil right onto your wood staircase?

What does that say about me that I could never!??

Does it mean I'm afraid to try new things? Does it mean that I'm safe? I have to be honest, though....if you had an ALL wood staircase, or a back staircase....this idea would be darling.

What would yours say? Mine would probably read:

DON'T FALL ON YOUR FACE or......

NO WHINING, I MEAN IT......

The Bachelor.....

So, this last week I was in Palm Springs, but don't worry, you know the girls hurried back to the hotel as fast as our little legs could carry us to watch WOMEN TELL ALL!!!! Although, I really missed my Tivo, fast forward button......and had to hear the peanut gallery (our husbands) make fun of our beloved show the entire time with sarcastic remarks about each girl.

You know who my hubby's favorite was? CRAZY daisy Elizabeth. Nice.



And all I can say is....SO CLASSY, Rozlyn. You are my idea of pure class. And I hope you know I'm totally kidding. Cute new haircut.....but looks like your attitude has NOT improved one bit. And to insult Chris like that? In front of everyone? Wow, I think that took some serious...well, the word I'm looking for here is "balls" but you're not a guy...so how does that work?

And Michelle? Doesn't looks like you have mellowed out much. You are still looking for a husband and want babies, we KNOW!

Alli and Jake's exchange broke my heart a little. You can tell she has feelings for the boy. I really think she is our next Bachelorette.....I support that!

Vienna or Tenley? Who's it gonna be???????

really, .....her?

What does everyone think of the final two?

Tenley vs. Vienna.......

Good vs. Evil......

woman vs. girl.......

brunette vs. blondie.....

divorcee vs. hmmm....elopee? (is that a word? hope you know what I'm referring to.....Vienna ran away and got married once?)...

normal (somewhat) vs. totally abnormal....

natural vs. plastic....

sweet vs. awkwardly NOT...I could go on and on. How could Jake possibly end up with two very very different girls? They are like night and day! Black and white! Sweet and sour! Ok...enough with the opposites....

Whatcha gonna do, Jake? You've obviously been gettin' a lot of action lately, that's for sure. Fantasy Suite is your new best friend. I thought the most classic line of the evening was when Tenley was explaining her "morals" to Jake, right before she ran off for a night of passion with him in the romantic Fantasy Suite. "Yes, Tenley...that's what I love about you....your morals, I respect you so much..." and then "Yes, Jake, that is so important and it's what makes me sooooooooo special...." right before...well, you know. (Insert ME rolling my eyes...)

I seriously could not believe how much making-out took place on this weeks episode. Jake was in a lip lock every time I looked at the screen. And ha ha ha ha....did you notice that during their "date", Gia kept licking her lips???!!!!!! She was rubbing them with her fingers, licking them and puckering them the entire time he was talking to her. I was laughing SO hard.

However, Gia gets the award for most GRACEFUL exit EVER on the Bachelor. What a classy, classy speech she gave Jake when he walked her to the limo. I actually got a little tear in my eye. She proved to be very classy and sweet.

Was I surprised Jake didn't bring Alli back? No. I knew he had his sights set on the others before she even called. Just made for good drama. Too late, Alli. Vienna has her claws in him tight.

And what is with him asking Vienna her "ring preference?" Blaaaaahhhhh....that was so cheezy. I wanted to jump up and scream, REALLY?!?!?!?!????!!!!! HER!?!?!!!!!!! I mean, really....her? Her??? What am I NOT seeing? I don't see what he sees in her. She seems so immature and fake to me. But hey, she has amazing boobs. And she was "smokin' hot" (thanks, Jake) in her little evening-get up during their "special night"........

Can't wait to see the end.......and the "Women Tell All"...can't wait to see psycho Michelle again, wow, have I missed her! I wonder if she's married yet......

P.S. Can anyone guess who the next Bachelorette will be? After last night's episode, I think it will be either Alli or Tenley (can you tell that I think Vienna will win?)

my little pots.....

You know how when you look forever and ever for a "certain something" to fill a "certain space" in your home....but you just can't find the perfect thing? When we built our home, I wanted plenty of windows in my kitchen, because I don't think you can ever have enough natural light in a kitchen....so I put a few smaller windows in between my cabinets and they have the cutest little windowsills.....but I've been looking for a long time for something to set on the windowsills that wouldn't fall off....they are quite narrow.

And yippee! I found the perfect little pots at TJ Maxx (yeah, TJ Maxx! You're the best!)
They fit perfectly on the windowsill and aren't too big. And I can change what's in them often. They are so versatile, this is what they looked like during the holidays....

There is a darling little gift shop outside of our City Library in the main public area, and each week after storytime, I drag the kids inside to peruse the unique gifts, flowers and finds. Today, we found these cute little ivy plants and I am going to attempt to care for them in my little pots.

Aren't they cute? Did I mention they only ran me $3.99 a piece? Even better!

Now I can check one thing off of my mile long list of "certain somethings"...... next on my list? A picture collage in my front hallway. Yes, time to hang some pictures!

slipping through my fingers....

Sniff. sniff. Pass the Kleenex.....I am still a little weepy after last night's episode. I admit, I actually got teary eyed when Alli went home. Alli went right back to being my favorite, and then she just slipped away........after the home town dates, I thought she was a good fit for Jake. And then she broke his heart. Alli! Why?!?! Come back!!!!! Quit your job and come back to us! You told Jake you LOVE HIM! YOU LOVE HIM!!!!!

Sigh.

So now....who do I pull for? Gia is so sweet, and clearly gorgeous. But whether she's a good match for Jake? I can't decide. I don't think he meshed well with her family as well as he did with Tenley and Alli's families. It was almost mafia-esque...the way the older brother told Jake that he would hunt him down if he hurt Gia. Um...I have news for you, buddy, Jake can't choose all 4 girls in the end. Chances are, Gia will go home.

I honestly felt like Tenley "sang" and "danced" her way through her home town date. Her melodious voice never changed, and she added a little movement to it this time. Although the dancing was sweet, and clearly from her heart, it was a little awkward for me. The whole "Pachabel's Canon" eluded to the wedding march, and that was a little presumptuous. Blahhhh...... And I think Tenley is waaaaayyyy to fresh from her divorce. She is still raw, hurting, bitter.....which is normal, I'm not criticizing her. I just think she needs more time. I like Tenley's family, however....and I think she is going to be in the final two.

My sister, Joy, nailed it on the head when she said this: Vienna- Ughhhhh. Okay, question: From the way Vienna talks, were you not expecting a totally decked out mansion for her home? Were you not expecting expensive cars, and a million dollar lifestyle? I kinda was. (Thanks, Joy)......I was not expecting what I saw, either. And the emotional exchange on TV between Vienna and her dad, was so inappropriate for TV and just SO CHEEZY. "Oh my G-.....I just love you so much....Oh my G-".....duh. Get a room.

Jake, if you choose Vienna, I will join Gia's brother's in kicking your Texas butt.

Under The Table & Dreaming: Little Burlap Leaves and a Red Heart

Under The Table & Dreaming: Little Burlap Leaves and a Red Heart

Here's a cute idea for Valentines decor if you are sick of the whole "wreath idea".....this would really be cute for any occasion....easter, halloween......cute and simple....

Last night, this thought actually crossed my mind: Is Jake unstable himself? He MUST be if he has a thing for psychotic, roam through dark castles, stalk sleeping guys, perma grin, spoiled daddy's girl, bad brassy blonde haired..... VIENNA.

Holding back, Jake? Really? From what? A lifetime of never measuring up?Of marrying a "happy all the time" person and then finding out she's really the devil? Of having to constantly put out the fires that your spouse starts? Sounds like you'd better get RIGHT on that one......

I really, really liked Tenley last night. She could sing everything she says, and it would not sound any different. Her voice is melodious....sparkly.....she reminds me a little bit of Lumiere's girlfriend broom/maid in Beauty and the Beast. "ooooohh Lumiere!!!!" I really think she and Jake want the same things in life. And she seems the most emotionally stable. She doesn't assault the other girls, stalk Jake, or ask for reassurance all of the time.

Gia is still one of my favorites. She seems like she's been through a lot and she has a lot of chemistry with our dear Jake....lots and lots of it. But she seems a little too immature for him. I think she will be in the final two, however.

Ali has always been a pick of mine.....but after this episode, I don't think she will make it to the end. Even though they had a fun date, and there was lots of smooching....I don't think she is the happy "ray of sunsine" awesomeness that Jake is searching for. And I could tell she was really insincere when he was asking her about the drama in the house.

And well....'Vienna is, well..........Vienna.' (quote from Gia)