fun – Bless Your Heart

Bachelor Finale

March 26, 2024 Shanny

It’s the finale BBs!!! Let me tell you that I have been avoiding social media since last night trying not to spoil it for myself! Anyway, let’s dive in!

We are in Tulum, Mexico to meet Joey‘s family. There’s his mom, his dad, two sisters and a brother-in-law. Daisy meets the family first. She looks so cute in a pretty red dress. Daisy tells Joey’s sisters that she loves Joey and would say yes to a proposal. Then Daisy is talking with Joey‘s mom and they’re both crying and Daisy says I’m so sure and confident in him. Joey‘s mom says she would be honored to be Daisy‘s mother-in-law which is really sweet!

Next, on the same day, Kelsey goes to meet Joey‘s parents and family which is unusual. I thought that they would do these on different days, but apparently not. So, Kelsey comes in and she looks beautiful. She has the best hair! When Joey’s sisters ask Kelsey, are you ready for an engagement? Kelsey says I think so. They tell Joey what Kelsey says and he’s concerned about it, because she didn’t say yes for sure.

The next day there’s a date with Daisy, the final date, and they go on a spiritual journey with a shaman. Daisy is all in her head worried that it’s not going to be her at the end. That night during the nighttime portion of their date, Daisy tells Joey she loves him.

Next is Kelsey‘s date with Joey. They have a spa day and everything is pretty normal. Kelsey says that she’s fully aware that Daisy is still in the picture and she’s worried about it because she knows how great Daisy is and she knows that Daisy and Joey have a really good connection.

So then we come to proposal day. Daisy goes to see Kelsey after they’re both all dressed up and Daisy tells Kelsey that her date with Joey just felt off, and she knows that it’s not her and she wants to step aside and let Joey and Kelsey be happy.

The next shot is of both of the girls riding together in the SUV!!! Presumably going to see Joey! They’re holding hands and supporting each other and it’s just amazing because this whole show is so often seen as a competition, especially between the women and it’s not. It’s just supposed to be about finding the right person for the bachelor or the bachelorette.

Daisy goes to Joey first. She says I love you but the thing is you’re not going to choose me and I’m going to do what’s best for me and I’m going to go. They talk for a little bit more and he says can I walk you out and she says no this is something I need to do on my own. So she walks out by herself. Daisy goes to Kelsey and they hug and Daisy says I know your mom is looking down on this moment and she’s going to be so happy! Daisy is a queen!!!

Then Kelsey walks up to Joey by the beach and he proposes and it’s beautiful and she says yes and they’re crying and it’s really sweet.

Then we cut back to LA for After the Final Rose. Daisy comes out onto the stage looking amazing. She joins Joey on stage and she’s so poised and positive and they have nothing but the nicest things to say to each other and about each other. Then Daisy leaves and Kelsey joins Joey on stage and she is wearing a similar dress to what Daisy is wearing. They are very happy and Joey says how lucky he is. It’s very sweet.

Daisy comes back out on stage and Kelsey joins her. They hold hands and support each other again, talking about their futures.

Next they announce the next bachelorette is ….. Jenn!!! I’m so excited for her! She’s the first Asian bachelorette and she’s so cute and witty and I think she’s going to have a fun season!

Jesse said Jenn’s season won’t air until July. I’m wondering if we will have a Golden Bachelorette first?? And that’s it for now BBs! xo 🌹

fun, pop culture, tv

Golden Bachelor Finale

December 1, 2023 Shanny

BBs! I can’t believe we are at the finale so soon!!! We are still in Costa Rica with GERRY and Leslie and Teresa. We start out with GERRY and Leslie where GERRY told Leslie he thinks she’s the one in the fantasy suites. That could be problematic later if she’s not the one.

GERRY‘s daughters and granddaughters are in Costa Rica to meet Leslie and Teresa. Teresa goes first. She meets the daughters and granddaughters and chats with the daughters. They really like Teresa which is good for Teresa. Then Teresa has her last date with GERRY.

Meanwhile, back in LA, why is Barb in the audience?? She is Peter‘s mom! And Peter’s season was years ago, so why is she still here? Go get a hobby Barb!!!

Now it’s time for Leslie‘s day. Leslie tells the family after she meets them that GERRY said the F word during the fantasy suites!!! GERRY says it had an! Not a question mark!!! Which was really funny!!! Leslie chats with the granddaughters and they love her, so do the daughters. But then GERRY and Leslie‘s goodbye is very awkward and he seems really stiff, which is strange, so she can tell that something is up.

It’s time for Leslie‘s last date with Gerry. Leslie says you weren’t yourself and GERRY says the pressure is getting to me. Leslie pulls out a gift she has for him. She made him a scrapbook of their memories so far and left a lot of room to make future memories. It was really sweet and really masculine and well done and he loves it! Then Leslie says I love you very much. GERRY says he can feel it, be happy and the whole vibe is totally different. GERRY says he has a tough decision to make and he leaves.

Leslie tells the camera “I’m definitely not confident now”.

GERRY goes back to talk to Leslie knowing that she has questions about his behavior. GERRY says he’s fallen in love with Teresa and Leslie says well then everything you told me the other night was a lie. Leslie is sobbing. It’s so sad she says you made me think you chose me, but nobody chooses me. My heart is just breaking for her! She’s just sobbing and won’t stop and it’s terrible.

Then Leslie is live in LA looking amazing!!! GERRY comes out. Leslie says she knew for sure she was the one because of what GERRY said to her in the fantasy suites. GERRY apologizes profusely. Then Leslie says I don’t know if I accept your apology, but I want you to be happy.

We go back to Costa Rica for Teresa‘s proposal where GERRY gets down on one knee and asks her to marry him. She says yes, of course. The ring is beautiful! Apparently her first husband never got down on one knee because they were just 18 years old and I guess he didn’t know that that was what you do, so this is the first time a man’s ever gotten down on one needs to propose to her. GERRY and Teresa come out on stage in LA and we find out that they are getting married January 4 on ABC!!!

And that’s that BBs!!! Until Joey’s season!!! I sure hope they do a Golden Bachelorette!!! xo 🌹

fun, pop culture, tv

Golden Bachelor Week 8

November 18, 2023 Shanny

It’s Fantasy Suites week BBs!!! We are in Costa Rica this week. It’s beautiful!!! We have two women left- Leslie and Teresa.

First GERRY goes on a date with Leslie. They go repelling down a cliff next to a waterfall. It’s beautiful!! They drop 170 feet! Leslie is super scared of heights and is pretty terrified to be doing this but GERRY makes her feel safe. They both make it down to the bottom where they go swimming.

That night over fake dinner GERRY says “you haven’t asked me any hard questions in a while” So Leslie asks him when’s the last time he had sex! Then they talk about till death do us part and what that means for them. Leslie has been married twice so she’s never had till death to us part like GERRY has with his wife. They go to the fantasy suite. The next morning they wake up together and they say they talked until 3 AM and didn’t get much sleep. Wink wink!

Teresa‘s date is next. She and GERRY go horseback riding. She notices that GERRY is being quiet the whole time they’re on the horses and not speaking much to her. When they stop to sit and chat on a bench, GERRY tells Teresa he’s having a hard time with this whole process of being with Leslie one day, and Teresa the next day and compartmentalizing everything. Teresa is very understanding about the whole thing.

That night at fake dinner they get down to basics and GERRY asked Teresa about her job, which is in stocks and securities. Which is kind of surprising, considering she’s such a ditz! They go to the fantasy suite and the next morning GERRY says all the trepidation and questions he had about Teresa were gone within about an hour of them chatting overnight. GERRY also says that last night he told Teresa he loves her. It’s time for GERRY to go, and Teresa walks him out in this tiny little black bodysuit with her rear end hanging out of it! lol

And that’s the end of the episode! We won’t find out until November 30 who he picks. They shortened the season, which I don’t like because I really enjoy this Golden Bachelor! I can’t wait to see who he picks!

Until then BBs!!! xo 🌹

fun, pop culture, tv

Golden Bachelor Week 7

November 10, 2023 Shanny

BBs!!! It’s the Women Tell All episode!!! This used to be one of my favorites until all the women quit telling all and just fought with each other. But the Golden Ladies have brought it back baby!!!

But first, we’re back at the Rose ceremony with Teresa and Faith waiting to see who gets the last rose. But then they cut to the women tell all! Daggummit ABC!!!

After introductions, the ladies talk about what gave Susan such bad gas!!! Was it guacamole or meatballs? Then Kris Jenner sends a video to Jesse and shouts out Susan who is in tears over the shout out and video.

Joan is in the hot seat. She left the show to go home to be with her daughter and newborn granddaughter because her daughter was having some serious postpartum depression. Glad to report that both daughter and baby are healthy and doing well now. Joan feels good about the possibility of finding love again so that’s really good.

Ellen is next in the hot seat. They talk about her break up with GERRY and then about her dear friend Roberta, who died of stage four cancer before the show was able to premiere, so she never got to see Ellen on the show. Everyone’s in tears. Then Roberta‘s daughter is in the audience as a surprise for Ellen! It’s so sweet and of course I’m crying.

GERRY comes out and all the women are thanking him for giving them hope again and it’s so sweet. All of the women are talking about how they are not invisible, and they are not washed up and finished with life and that they’re all so hopeful to find love again, and I really really love that. I REALLY hope ABC does a Golden Bachelorette and continues this franchise!!!

Back to the rose ceremony. Teresa gets the last Rose! I can’t believe Faith is going home!!! Noooooooo!!! So confused!!!! Then we cut back to LA and Faith is on stage with GERRY. They’re both crying as they talk about their break up.

Finally, we have bloopers and they’re really cute and funny and it’s a good way to end the show. Next week we are in Costa Rica for fantasy suites and the finale. I can’t wait! Until then BBs!!! xo 🌹

fun, pop culture, tv

Golden Bachelor Week 6

November 5, 2023 Shanny

It’s Hometowns week BBs!!! One of my favorite episodes!!!

First up, we have Teresa from Shrewsbury, New Jersey. We meet her daughter, her sisters, son-in-law, and grandkids. GERRY sits down with her grandsons for a chat. Teresa’s family is very welcoming to GERRY and they all just love him. Later after Teresa introduces GERRY to her family, they go to the seaside boardwalk and ride a Ferris wheel (just Teresa and GERRY). Teresa says she’s in love with GERRY. Gerry tells the camera later that he’s in love with Teresa!

Next, we go to Benton city Washington to see Faith. Faith has horses and lives out in the country and she takes GERRY on a ride on one of her horses. Then later GERRY meets her family and is talking with her son who asks if GERRY is in love with Faith. GERRY says he’s in love with her. Faith’s sister asks GERRY if Faith’s heart is safe with him. Later, when everybody’s back together in the living room, GERRY tells Faith he loves her in front of everyone and Faith says I love you too, and they kiss. It’s very sweet!

Finally, we go to Minneapolis to see Leslie. Leslie has three kids (two sons and one daughter), three grandkids, and her brother is there as well. Her grandkids are so cute!!! They are talking with GERRY and her little granddaughter has a lisp and says what are your intentions with grandma?? It’s so cute! They are hugging Gerry. GERRY asks Leslie’s brother for his blessing. Leslie says to GERRY I’m in love with you and GERRY says to her that he loves her! So now he’s saying he loves all three of these women!!!

Rose Ceremony

Leslie gets the first rose. Then, before he can give the second rose GERRY starts to cry and leaves the room saying he needs a minute. He’s so upset and he says he may get sick.

And that, BBs, is the end of the show! What a cliffhanger! I can’t believe they left us without knowing which one he sends home, either Teresa or Faith! I have to think it’s Teresa since he did not tell Teresa that he loves her. He just told the camera he loves her so maybe that’s what’s going on. I don’t know BBs, but we will find out next week! xo 🌹

fun, pop culture, tv

Golden Bachelor Week 5

October 27, 2023 Shanny

BBs!!! It’s week 5 and there are only 6 women left! This season has flown by entirely too fast! Jesse comes in to the room and tells the ladies that only three ladies get to go to hometowns!

Faith 1-1

Faith gets the one on one date this week and GERRY picks her up in a convertible SUV and they drive out to get into a helicopter. They take a helicopter tour all around Los Angeles and then out over the water. Then they land the helicopter on a yacht in the water! It’s pretty amazing! On the yacht they get out of the helicopter and go cuddle up on a sofa to chat. Faith opens up to GERRY that she was a homeless teen. And that she didn’t have parents(need more clarification on that). Faith gets the Rose and that means that she’s going to hometowns. They make out in a hot tub on the yacht. Later, Faith goes back to the mansion and shares all about her date with the girls. Everyone’s very excited to hear about it except for Leslie who is very emotional.

Group Date

Next is a group date at the Santa Monica pier. The women all are having so much fun on the rides and playing Midway games like ring toss and the one where you shoot the water from the gun into the clown’s mouth. It looks like they’re all having a ball!!! Then they get one on one time with GERRY. Teresa tells GERRY she’s falling in love with him. Next up is Leslie who tells GERRY the same thing. GERRY says to Leslie “you’re my girl”. Then Ellen tells him that she’s falling in love with him too!!! So you know GERRY is overwhelmed. The women are all so supportive of each other. They comfort each other when they’re all talking about how it’s been so long since they have been in love or told a man that they were falling in love with him.

Then it comes time to give out the group date Rose. GERRY is sitting with all the ladies and he says he cannot give it out. He says he needs another day for clarity.

So the next day is the Rose ceremony. Leslie and Teresa get roses. And I don’t know who told Teresa that her dress was a good idea but it wasn’t! Her boobs look like they’re about to fall right out of it!!! It’s very emotional when GERRY is handing out the roses. He’s already crying before he gets to the last Rose.

Going home tonight are: Ellen, Susan and Sandra. Gerry walks Ellen out. They are both in tears. GERRY says it was the hardest decision to send Ellen home. You can tell Ellen is just trying to stay strong for the cameras and for GERRY, and she’s trying really hard not to break down into sobs. But she says it’s really hard as she’s in the car going home.

Next week looks absolutely heart wrenching! I don’t know how I’m going to get through it with dry eyes! Until then BBs!!! xo 🌹

fun, pop culture, tv

Golden Bachelor Week 4!

October 20, 2023 Shanny

Well, BBs, we are halfway through the season already! I can’t believe it!

This week we start out with Trista coming to the mansion to meet the women and drop off a date card. It’s a group date card and they’re all going to play pickleball, much to Ellen‘s delight! When the women get to the Pickleball courts, Joey and Trista are there. Joey helps the women practice for a Pickleball tournament. During practice, April fakes twisting her ankle to cozy up to Gerry. She admits it with a wink! Clever girl!

Then the tournament happens. The camera work is hilarious and so dramatic. Every time a ball goes awry, into the crowd or into the face or the belly of one of the players, they really milk it! It’s just so dramatic and funny! The women are all very competitive. Ellen and Kathy win.

We find out that Sandra is missing her daughter’s wedding this week! After the tournament GERRY and Sandra FaceTime her daughter! It’s very sweet watching them trying to figure out how to FaceTime!

Kathy is so mean!!! Teresa tries to chat with Kathy and apologize for upsetting Kathy last week and Kathy tells her to zip it! She is so mean to her!! Then GERRY talks to Kathy and Teresa separately, and GERRY is not happy at all with Kathy and her treatment of poor little Teresa.

Sandra gets the group date rose because she’s missing her daughter’s wedding and giving up so much to be there.

Next up is a one on one date with Leslie. GERRY pulls up on an ATV. They go off riding on their own respective ATVs. The whole time GERRY keeps looking back to make sure Leslie is doing OK, which is very sweet. After their ride they stop and chat and we find out that Leslie has been by herself without a partner for 22 years! Then they get into the hot tub. Of course there’s a hot tub in the middle of a field!!! And they make out. Leslie gets the rose.

Back at the house, the ladies are playing Never Have I Ever with ice cream instead of alcohol, which is really cute. Poor Sandra is lactose intolerant, so after their game, she gets sick and has to take to the bed. Thankfully she has the Rose from the group date.

Cocktail Party

GERRY gives Susan a large rose quartz for her empathy and kindness, and tells her that she reminds him of his late wife, Toni. It brings Susan to tears. That’s really sweet and they are kissing when we see that Kathy is spying on them! Peeking out of a window when she should be just visiting with the other ladies.

Next, Ellen tells GERRY when they are having some alone time that she’s falling in love with him and it makes both of them very emotional. It’s very sweet. Then Nancy sits down with GERRY and says you’re more passionate with the others. He says he cannot disagree so they realize that it’s time for her to go home. She leaves and GERRY is in tears.

The rose ceremony is next and Kathy I think knows she’s going home because of her treatment of Teresa. Sure enough, Kathy and April are sent home. I really like all the women who are left. Thank goodness Kathy ‘s not there anymore. She’s so mean and just mean spirited and nasty!!! April was nice but I didn’t really see a connection with her and GERRY. So I’m really happy with who he has left and hopefully, whoever he picks, they’ll stay together for the rest of their lives!

During the credits it was really cute. April is sageing the house and just waving sage all through the house and blessing the house and all the ladies are coughing and trying to fan the air cause the smoke is so thick!!! Eventually the smoke detector goes off and they have to open the windows. It’s really funny and cute!

Until next week. XO. 🌹

fun, pop culture, tv

Golden Bachelor Week 3

October 14, 2023October 15, 2023 Shanny

Well BBs, it took 3 weeks but the drama is here! And surprise, surprise Kathy is at the center. But we will get to that in a moment.

We start with a Group Date. It’s a talent show hosted by Catelyn Bristow! The winner gets a one on one with GERRY. Poor Joan is so scared to go up on stage. She says she has no talent. But then she writes a poem and recites it on stage, and is so cute! Leslie dances. She is really great and is very flexible – especially at her age! Joan wins dinner with GERRY but it’s fake dinner of course! They go to dinner and Joan gets the Rose. The next morning. Joan gets a text from her daughter who just had a baby and had a difficult birth. Joan decides it’s time to go home and be with her daughter. It’s so sad because she really doesn’t want to leave GERRY and GERRY does not want her to leave either because they had such a good time the night before. GERRY comes to the mansion and Joan tells him that she’s leaving. GERRY cries.

Meanwhile, fashion designer Michael Costello goes to the mansion and gets Ellen and takes her to pick out a beautiful gown. GERRY picks Ellen up in a limousine, and they go to a hillside to chat, where GERRY gives her diamond earrings! They are beautiful! Then GERRY and Ellen get in a hot air balloon and go for a ride and make out. Ellen, of course gets the rose. GERRY says he can really be himself with Ellen, so that’s a good sign for her.

The next day, there’s a cocktail party at the mansion. While all the ladies are sitting in the group Teresa says something about GERRY making the hard decisions. April says if there’s an intimate moment, have respect for GERRY and yourself and keep your mouth shut! Teresa then asks April about it, April then says go talk to Kathy. Well, Kathy tells GERRY when they have alone time that she’s had a rough day at the house. She says she’s had daggers all day and looks to be on the verge of tears. GERRY gives her a rose. It’s a pity rose, though you can tell. Kathy is quite the actress!!!

Teresa pulls Kathy to chat. Kathy says Teresa made her feel like Kathy has no chance and Teresa says I’m just being honest. Kathy says I don’t buy it! Next thing you know, Teresa‘s in tears. All the ladies are talking about the drama. GERRY stops in Teresa‘s room and chats about it with her. GERRY tells her to let it go.

Rose Ceremony

There’s tension at the Rose ceremony, but Kathy is happy as a clam with her rose that she got from GERRY earlier in the evening. Teresa gets the last rose. Going home tonight are Christina (who I swear I’ve never seen before my life) and Edith(Noooooo! Not Edith!!! She’s my favorite!!!).

At the end of the rose ceremony, Teresa starts telling Kathy about GERRY coming to her room. Kathy says he came to your bedroom?? Teresa says yes and then she’s telling Kathy about how she was crying and Gary was comforting her. Kathy stops her and says “See Teresa. This is what I’m saying. You’ve got to keep this to yourself! zip it!” Kathy is so mean! Poor Teresa.

And that’s it for this week! Next week looks fun! There’s a pickle ball game and Ellen is thrilled because she’s a pickle ball champion! I’ve even got CSP watching Golden bachelor with me. He likes it way better than the regular bachelor or bachelorette because real feelings are involved, and the people are showing their real personalities!

So until next week, BBs! xo 🌹

birthday, fun, travel

50th Birthday Mountain Girls’ Weekend!!!

August 11, 2023 Shanny

Friday afternoon two of my besties joined Sara, Morgan, Lauren, and me in Valle Crucis for my 50th birthday celebration! We got Michelle and Jennifer settled in their rooms and spent a little time on the front porch then went across the street to do some shopping at Mast General Store. We came back and had a fantastic dinner of salad and shrimp & grits!!! My favorite dinner! My sister Sara cheffed it up and it was delicious! We all wore these gorgeous 1920s inspired headbands & Mardi Gras beads.

After dinner, the girls gave me my birthday present- a Silhouette Cameo 3!!!

Then we played bingo. A custom game made by Jennifer that was all about me!

Jennifer also brought a great variety of prizes for us all to win when we called bingo! After bingo we moved into the living room and played Scrawl. Laughed soooo hard!

Lo & Jennifer concentrating on their drawings

After Scrawl we went to bed- big day tomorrow!!!

Saturday morning we woke up and had a bit of breakfast then watched Grease 2– a classic! It was so fun singing along to all the songs in our PJs! Then we all showered and got ready. I walked out of my room to find the dining room transformed!!!

Sara & the girls turned the dining room into our own Paint & Sip!!! Paints, brushes, water cups, and canvases for us all! Sara pulled up a tutorial of a mountain scene on YouTube.

I love how all of our paintings came out different from each other’s! They are all beautiful!!!

After we painted we went into town for an early dinner at Basil’s. Cocktails were half price so I enjoyed a couple! They make their own pasta at Basil’s and we each got a pasta dish for dinner- soooo good! We asked the server to snap a group picture.

We all wore our beads and headbands again so we were all sparkly!

After dinner we went back to the house and played Never Have I Ever (the board game- not the drinking game) while the original Grease played in the background. We sang along again and had so much fun learning about each other’s poor life decisions! We went to sleep then woke up early Sunday morning to clean up and pack up to leave. We were on the road to home by 10:30 am! I had the best time with my favorite people! A wonderful way to celebrate 50 years!!! 💜

birthday, family, food, friends, fun

50th Birthday Mountain Celebration!!!

August 9, 2023 Shanny

Thursday I turned 50 years old!!!

I woke up in Valle Crucis and had some breakfast then got ready for the day. It was a rainy day in the mountains. CSP, Sara, Marc, Joey, Jacob, Mom, Morgan, Lauren, and I piled into our cars and drove into Boone to have lunch at one of our favorite mountain restaurants- Wild Craft Eatery. We were able to get a patio table!

After lunch CSP & I went to Starbucks for my free birthday drink, then to pick up a beautiful fruit tart from Harris Teeter. We met up with everyone back at the house. That night we had breakfast for dinner then Lauren schooled the boys in poker & blackjack while the rest of the girls watched a movie.