The Bachelor -Week 4

I really want to go to Park City, Utah now. It is beautiful there. Ben and Rachel's one-on-one date was really awkward. They don't seem to have the chemistry that should be there. The best part of their date is the only time she actually talked to him (at the end of the date). I really wonder what exactly a Fashion Sales Rep does. She sells...fashion?
For the group date, I was pretty excited that he made them ride horses and them go fly fishing with waders. Lindzi was the only one who looked comfortable on a horse. I'm a little confused by how Courtney suddenly had a hat on for the fly fishing part of the date. They don't take purses, so where was she keeping this hat up until then? Also, I have to quote some of Courtney's terrible things she says. They speak for themselves, so I don't even have to comment on them. She says, "Kaci is cute and she's sweet...and she's kinda annoying" and later also says "she thinks she's so cute." Also, her claim of "I'm a nice person. I just want to rip her head off and verbally assault her" and "she should watch herself." You know, all the things nice people say. She also walks around saying "winning" so the girls know that she is winning this thing that is a game to her. This erks the girls since they are there to find their future life partner. I think it's strange that Courtney caught a fish and no one else (including Ben, whose idea this was) caught one. One girl who was sure not to catch a fish was Samantha, who looked miserable on the fishing trip. I don't think she and Ben go together. I agree with his decision to send her home.

After fishing notes: Blakely's hat was cute. But then again, I like anything gray. In his conversation with Samantha, she looked like she was concentrating very hard on looking like Marilyn Monroe and not really listening to him. When he told her, they should end it, she seemed not react at all. It was like she was thinking, "Wait, what did he just say? I wasn't listening." When he was alone with Courtney, I just wasn't buying her act of being insecure. I think she just did that to get the rose. She seems evil like that. She doesn't look him in the eye when she's talking to him. It just goes to show that she's not being honest.

I keep wondering what Jennifer's natural hair color is. Anyone have any guesses? I'm really glad he gave her a rose after making her repel down a big dark hole and then dropping her so she falls into water (ok, so he did too), but still. Speaking of hair color, does Blakely travel everywhere with a complete hair dye kit? Is that her profession? I'm pretty sure it's not. I'd be more likely to believe she is a professional stomper. Seriously, did you see the girl stomp?!? She's been doing it for a while!

There seems to be fewer relationships this season than all the others. It appears that he has no relationship has formed with (he hasn't gotten to know) Elyse, Nicki, Casey S., Monica, Samantha and the mystery brunette. For most of these names, as you read them, you may have no idea who these girls are. That is because they have had no camera time yet. In fact, I had to rewind and find out some of there names because I didn't even know that yet, and I still couldn't find the brunette's name. I liked Ben & Ashley better than him and any of the girls on this episode. He and Ashley were just so cute together. And they weren't awkward at all. This season is filled with awkward moments.

Clay Walker was a nice touch for this "country" themed episode. I like Clay Walker and I'm kind of impressed that Ben knows who he is. I think when Jennifer said "I really feel like we connected" when they were dancing in front of Clay Walker, she was talking about Clay Walker. Same thing when she said "I really like this guy." Again, she was talking about Clay Walker. Eh, I don't blame her. I couldn't help but notice she had reapplied some makeup after swimming in the cave. That's nice that the Bachelor producers let them do that so they don't have to be on TV with no make-up on, but again, where do they keep this stuff (without carrying purses)?

I liked Casey S, until she stirred up all that drama with Emily & Courtney. She was kind of egging Courtney on with her mean comments about Emily. I'm disappointed in her. Besides, she forgot to wear pants to the rose ceremony.

And to sum up all my random jibber jabber up:
Girls I think he should probably just go ahead and send home: Rachel, Courtney (I'm really tired of her weird mouth mannerism and evilness), & Elyse
Girls I think he should keep: Lindzi, Jennifer, the mystery brunette (you know the one who nobody knows her name. You may not even remember her- or thought "Wait, who is that girl? Has she been here the whole time?" Hint: she wore a blue dress to the rose ceremony.)
Girls who just need to suck it up and be tougher (aka Girls who got really whiny): Kacie B. & Emily

Rings, rings, & more rings!

It is really hard to stick to one plan when there are so many pretty rings out there! Here are just a few for example:

My ring

So this is my "placeholder," which I have grown to love, so it seems hard to be able to give this up someday.

Since I love this so much, we were thinking about having the real thing look just like it. It's classic and very simple. I imagined the wedding band to look something like this:

or this:

 A simple wedding band, the old fashioned kind. (Tons of these can be found at Bluenile.com).

More About the Engagement!

Ok, time for my favorite topic- my engagement to the most amazing guy I know!!! I told him a long time ago that I wanted us to pick out rings together. This threw a curve ball in his plan since he wanted it to be a complete surprise. Since we had not gone to look at rings yet, I did not see this coming. My mom was dropping hints pretty hard, but I was so sure I would know when it was coming, that I was completely blind to them. I even heard him say to his family "it's a surprise" when they were discussing plans for dinner with his family. Love is blind, right? So we planned on having a big dinner at my new house right before Christmas. Both his and my family were invited. I didn't think anything of it because I thought the get together was for Christmas (and because my family kept asking if they could come see my house). He wanted the proposal to be a complete surprise, which was not easy. We are both big on family, so he wanted both our families there. In order to make sure everyone would make it a priority to come, he told them what the special occasion was. That meant several people knew. In fact, everyone knew but me. I found out after the proposal that my parents had known for a month and were able to keep it a secret! His parents had known since August! With something that causes so much excitement, I am very proud of them for being able to honor his wish to surprise me. So he proposed at night, in front of my new house (which we picked out together and had planned on it being our house someday), in front of our Christmas lights. Have I mentioned that I love Christmas lights? And that Christmas is my favorite time of the year? And that it is the most romantic time of the year? And that he wanted our families to be there? Needless to say, he did a great job! In case you were wondering, my answer was "Yes! Of course!"

The whole thing was magical. This Pinterest picture pretty much sums it up:

via

So what about the ring you may be thinking...He proposed with a "placeholder" so we can pick out our rings together but he could still surprise me with the proposal. Man, this guy is smart. ;)

So the fun begins!! From the ring to the planning to the dress to...everything. So this decorating blog becomes a "decorating my wedding" blog for a time. Enjoy!

Bachelor Episode 3

Episode 3:
Shawntel is back! I liked her from Brad's season (up until her crematoria tour). She seems down-to-earth and easy-going (as long as you can handle her strange and creepy profession). I don't think all the girls should be so hard on her. She's just trying to find love, like the rest of the girls.

Favorites: Lindzi & Kacie B.
Girls I think he should send home: Jaclyn, Courtney, & Erika (they are not very nice)

By the way, does anybody know what a leap list is?

Bachelor Update

Episode 2:
Favorites: same as last episode (Lindzi the horse girl & Kacie B.)
Girls I really hope go home: just Courtney

Bachelor Matchmaker:
I feel pretty bad about listing the British girl as one of my least favorite last time and then she cried and took it really hard when Ben sent her home. Poor girl. She probably goes through this a lot. Where is Ryan from Ashley's season when you need him? Quick, somebody introduce Ryan and this poor girl. I created a little picture grouping to illustrate my point.  (Although it's really their personalities that go together so well).

Also, I wish he hadn't sent home the Kentucky Derby girl. I know I sort of dissed her hat choice, but I didn't want her to go home. Don't get me wrong, I love a good derby hat, but this just wasn't the right time for it. He should have kept her over the girl with the crazy cackle (aka Monica). But...since he sent her home, I think she and Brad would make a great couple. (See below). They are really cute together, right? I hope Chris Harrison will have figured out all this by the time the next season of Bachelor Pad airs.

Left Behind...

My fiance is skiing with his family. I was not able to take off work, so he is sending me pictures so I can feel like I am there (soft of). This picture is from Angel Fire, NM. I had to share it because the sky looks incredible. I see where they got the name.

Bachelor News

Ok. I have to post my two cents about The Bachelor. I watched last season, so I really want Ben to find love since he seems to want it so bad. Is it just me or were the first twenty minutes just Chris Harrison humiliating Ben for being dumped??

My favorites so far are Lindzi (the horse girl) & Kacie because she's corny, like Ben. Most Annoying Top Two: British girl & the model. I feel sorry for the poor sap who dates the model because she probably can't love anyone as much as her self.

That Jenna girl is crazy. Who would read her blog for love advice??? I'm guessing she has been broken up with more times than she spray tanned for this show.

P.S. A little advice to girls who think derby hats are a good thing. Yes, for the Kentucky Derby and avoiding wrinkles, they are good. However, men see them as more an obnoxious fashion faux pas. Only girls are impressed by them. He probably does not even remember her face. Although then again, that was probably her thinking behind it, by the looks of the dress. She was probably trying to avert his eyes elsewhere.

What's New in My Life

January 2, 2012

I had abandoned my decorating after a LOT of exciting things have happened. I moved!! And . . .
GOT ENGAGED!!!!!!!!! :)  YAY!!!! I am not the type of girl that plans her wedding since the age of 5, so anyone know any wedding websites???

On the decor side, I no longer feel as if I have to decorate or improve every room of my living quarters because I love my beautiful new house, just the way it is. Perhaps I will just post before and after pictures. Or... <warning> it might become an array of random pics of decorative things that inspire my creativity. I will try not to do that. Promise :).

...So more about the engagement!!!!! I will post pictures as soon as I get them from my family!