Bless Your Heart

Living out loud in the Carolinas

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Vacation Consultant 🛳️ Color Street Stylist 💅
Mom to 3 pups 🐾
Lover of all things sparkly🪩 Ally 🌈

March 2026
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  • Golden Bachelor Week 2

    It’s the first week of dates BBs and I’m so excited! I wish ABC would let us see 2 hours of Gerry and his ladies, but we will soldier on!

    The ladies all move into the mansion and they are so cute picking rooms and who’s on the top bunks! Bunk beds for senior ladies??? Really ABC?!? Poor gals climbing up and down all night long!

    Theresa gets the first 1-1 date. Susan does T’s hair for her date and it’s so sweet! Gerry picks Theresa up in a convertible and they hit the highway! The wind instantly blows out all of Susan’s work out of Theresa’s hair! Whomp whomp! They go to an old fashioned diner and bond over both of them marrying, then losing, their high school sweethearts. Then a flash mob erupts and everyone’s dancing and singing to “Don’t Stop Believing” and it’s v cute! Gerry gives T the rose in front of the flash mob and she’s so cute accepting it because she’s so excited!

    Group Date

    For the first group date G & his ladies are having a romance novel cover photo shoot. All the ladies race to grab costumes. Natascha snags the outfit Leslie wants and Leslie pouts about it the rest of the day! Nancy wears a wedding gown and gets overtaken by emotions and memories of her husband who died. G pulls Nancy aside to talk about it and they bond and Nancy feels so much better. When G & Leslie are chatting, Leslie shows G she also wears two hearing aids. V cute! Nancy gets the group date rose.

    The next day is Gerry’s birthday! G pulls up to the mansion in shorts and a casual outfit. He walks through the empty mansion then out to the back where all the women jump out and yell “Surprise!”. They have a fun party and he gets to chat (seemingly) with all the ladies. Faith is pouting about that it’s been SOOO long since she got the first impression rose and she’s hardly spent any time with G since then. Lawd woman! It’s just the first week!

    Rose Ceremony

    Kathy gets the last rose (dang). Going home: Natascha, Jeanie, and Peggy (who? I have never seen this woman in my life!). I feel so bad for Gerry because he feels so bad having to send women home! But Jeanie has a fabulous attitude about the whole thing. She says she now knows there really ARE good guys out there and it’s possible to find love in your 70s! Way to go Jeanie!

    At the credits, Natascha tells the camera that they need to do the rose ceremony in chairs! Bunch of women in their 60s, 70s, and beyond need chairs! I hear ya Natascha!

    That’s it for this week BBs! Until next week! xo 🌹

  • The Golden Bachelor Premiere

    BBs- to say I’ve been looking forward to this show is such an understatement! I’m so excited to have finally seen the premiere and get to discuss the national treasure that is Gerry Turner, 71, from Indiana!

    We start with Gerry (pronounced Gary) getting ready for his first night as the Golden Bachelor. He’s putting on his tuxedo and his hearing aids (SO CUTE) and he has a photo of his late wife there near him. So sweet! Gerry looks so handsome!

    He arrives at the mansion and gets a wee pep talk from Jesse. Then the limos arrive! They really sped up the arrivals for this episode! Edith is the first out of the limo and she brings two confetti cannons with her that they pop. Cute! Theresa shoots her shot and kisses him on the lips immediately! Just a peck though. April’s got her boobs all out for him. Faith rides in on a motorcycle then later plays her guitar for him! She is out here doing the most, BBs!

    At one point during the night Gerry has a dance party with all the ladies. He’s got some moves! The women all seem pretty supportive of each other, which is refreshing to see!

    It’s Theresa’s 70th birthday so G brings her a cupcake with lit candles and they share a big kiss! But it’s Motorcycle Faith who gets the first impression rose, and a big kiss from G too.

    Rose Ceremony

    Ellen gets the first rose and Susan gets the last rose. Patty (mother of former bachelor Matt James) is sent home! Also going home: Anna, Pamela, Maria, Renee, and Sylvia.

    Jimmy Kimmel’s Aunt Chippy crashes the party and falls asleep on the sofa during the rose ceremony. Who could blame her?? What a long night it is! She’s hilarious!

    I’m so excited for this season and really hope he falls in love with a good woman and that they stay together!!!

    Until next week BBs, xo 🌹

  • Bachelorette Week 9- Finale

    BBs this season has FLOWN and it’s already time for the Finale! We start with Charity experiencing acid reflux because of Aaron! Aaron, who flew in to Fiji on his own to surprise Charity. C & A sit and chat and C invites A to dinner that night. Later, at Fake Dinner, they chat and make out.

    The next day is the Rose Ceremony. Joey gets there first, then Dotun, then Aaron. When Joey sees Aaron his eyes BUG OUT!!! Joey is SO confused about Aaron! He was expecting Xavier! Meanwhile my eyes are bugging out over Dotun’s too short and MUCH too tight pants. My word! Joey gets the first rose then Charity takes Aaron out to “chat” but then sends him home. Dotun gets the last rose.

    Joey meets Charity’s family first and the family (Mom, Dad, & sister Mia) LOVE Joey!!! I mean they LOVE him! Dotun meets the fam the next day and it’s a totally different vibe. Mom says Dotun is familiar and easy. Charity wants Mom to tell C what to do, who to pick, who Mom likes best but Mom says C knows in her heart who she needs to pick.

    Charity then has the last dates with both of them (separately). Which aren’t really dates but more just hanging out on the couch. Joey gives C the poem from New Orleans in a frame. Dotun gives C a bunch of little gifties.

    Then the men pick out rings.

    Joey arrives first to the proposal site. Whomp womp. If you’ve ever watched The Bachelor you know this means he isn’t the one. Charity lets him down and it’s so heartbreaking. Joey’s crying, C’s crying, I’m crying, You’re crying!!! He’s such a sweet gentleman and graciously bows out. C walks him to the van and he leaves in tears.

    Back in LA, Charity comes out on stage with Joey and J’s eyes are all red. They have a bittersweet reunion.

    Dotun proposes back in Fiji and of course Charity says yes. We’re all crying again! In LA, Jesse tells us that Charity will be on Dancing with the Stars AND that they are sending C & D to Greece!

    Joey is named the new Bachelor and they pick a girl out of the audience to date him!

    The Golden Bachelor AND Bachelor in Paradise start at the end of September! Until then BBs! xo 🌹

  • Bachelorette Week 8- Men Tell All

    But DO they tell all??? BBs, Jesse looks at the camera with the dead eyes of a doomed hostage and says “They’re here to spill the tea- and I’m thirsty!” Same Jesse, same.

    I can’t help but notice none of the men are wearing socks with their suits! Bizarre to me. So we dive in to the “tea” and we start off with some guy I swear to you that I’ve never seen before in my life- Peter. He talks about how all the guys used FP as a sort of hashtag to pick on him. The FP stands for F*(% Peter. Look, I can’t be keeping up with what these guys do in the time between when the show wraps and Men Tell All! Especially when it’s this silly.

    Not much else happens in the first few minutes. Brayden is there with is dangly earrings and we find out that he goes to Paradise. SHOCKER!!! They then show a clip of Brayden in Paradise with a girl complimenting his earrings before they make out. So wait, they’ve already shot Paradise?!? When will it air??? I have questions ABC!!!

    Xavier goes up to the hot seat next and says he “put his foot in his mouth” when he told Charity he cheated on his ex. Multiple times. Dude, that’s not putting your foot in your mouth! Charity comes out on stage and states that X should have told her about his infidelities way before the Fantasy Suites Fake Dinner! YEP. Charity does not suffer fools y’all and I love that for her! Charity asks X why did he tell her he loved her as she was putting him in the car to leave and he spews a bunch of bologna! Then he gives her a rose he knit. Cute rose, but dude- you blew it and you know it!

    Tanner is so sweet- I wish C had had more time with him. Sean invites himself up to sit next to Charity onstage! Too funny when Jesse calls him on it! Des, Trista, and DeAnna (previous Bachelorettes) come out on stage to give Charity advice. Nice to see that Trista and Des have successful marriages!

    After a preview of Charity’s finale we get to meet Gerry (pronounced Gary), the first Golden Bachelor! I am SO excited for his show!!! Gerry is from Indiana and I was so not prepared for him to tell the story of marrying his high school sweetheart, having 43 happy years with her, then losing her to a sudden infection less than a month after they move into their dream house! My HEART! He was crying talking about it. He has 2 daughters and 2 granddaughters who encouraged him to sign up for the Golden Bachelor. I can’t wait to see his journey and I sure do hope he finds real love again. Gerry doesn’t even know what an Instagram influencer is so you KNOW he’s here for the right reasons!

    Until Charity’s finale, xo 🌹

  • 50th Birthday Mountain Girls’ Weekend!!!

    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!!!

    My mountain scene
    Morgan and Lauren’s paintings
    Michelle’s turned into a beach scene
    Jennifer’s mountain scene
    Sara’s feature’s a splatter effect

    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.

    Me in the family birthday hat!

    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!!! 💜

  • 50th Birthday Mountain Celebration!!!

    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!

    Sara & Gigi
    Marc, Joey, & Jacob

    CSP, Lauren, & Morgan
    Me, Morgan, & Lauren

    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.

    Betty helping CSP play poker

    Next thing we knew it was time for bed. It was a wonderful birthday surrounded by my favorite people!!!

  • Bachelorette Week 7- Fantasy Suites

    BBs this week is Fantasy Suites and boy has this season just flown by! It’s like it’s been on fast forward for weeks!

    We are in FIJI this week and it is absolutely stunning! Only 3 men left- Dotun, Joey, and Xavier.

    Xavier’s date is first. They go by boat to a private island. Fijian dancers perform for them and then dress Charity and X up in traditional Fijian outfits. They carry Charity over to X on a thatched platform like a queen. Then two elders teach X & C all about Fijian wedding rituals and customs.

    That night X tells Char he has fears and doubts and that he’s been unfaithful to his past girlfriends! Yikes! This is a HUGE issue for C! X then says “I don’t ever want to be unfaithful to you”. But he’s acting like it’s not a choice! Like he doesn’t have a say in the matter. It’s all v strange. Just be a grown man and keep it in your pants X!!! They keep talking and C is getting more and more angry because X won’t say he will be loyal. Charity then says she can’t give X the invitation to spend the night in the Fantasy Suite. WAY TO GO C!!! Char then walks X out to the car. BYE! I’m so disappointed in him!!!

    Joey’s date is next.

    Charity drives up to Joey in an ATV and the plan is to spend the day riding around in an ATV but they have technical difficulties with the ATV. So they hike to a waterfall instead and sit and chat. This gives Charity the chance to ask Joey about if he’s been his true self with her since Uncle Joe put doubt in her mind last week. They talk it out and Charity feels much better about it all.

    That night over Fake Dinner they tell each other they are in love with each other, then they go to the Fantasy Suite and spend the night. The next morning Charity and Joey wake up all smitten and happy.

    Dotun has the last date. Charity and Dotun ride jet skis to a sand bar on a private island. It’s stunning! That night they also tell each other they are in love with each other. Dotun just seems so perfect to Charity and she wonders if he’s too perfect. They retire to the Fantasy Suite and wake up the next morning happy.

    Later on, Charity is sunning by the pool when Aaron appears! He’s flown to Fiji to talk to Charity and tell her he loves her. They chat for a bit but then she steps away to collect herself and that’s where we end!

    Next week is Men Tell All! Until then BBs! xo 🌹

  • Bachelorette Week 6-Hometowns

    BBs it’s Hometowns! One of my favorite episodes because we get to see where these knucklehead men come from! I was up in the mountains last week celebrating my 50th birthday so you get a double dose of Bachelorette recaps today!

    First up is Aaron in Houston, TX.

    Today we are going to meet Mom, Dad, 2 brothers, and a SIL. Mom really likes Charity after their conversation. Dad even tells Aaron that Charity is a keeper! After meeting the fam, Char & Aaron go to his high school football field. It’s night and all the lights are on. Aaron has letter jackets for them and champagne. He tells C he’s falling in love with her as they dance to the same song they danced to on their first date. It’s v sweet and Charity is crying happy tears.

    Next is Joey in Collegeville, PA.

    Charity and Joey play tennis and Joey gets to show off his coaching skills. He’s v patient with her. Uncle Joe surprises them by appearing at the tennis courts. Uncle Joe was Joey’s mentor and tennis coach. Then we meet Joey’s family. Mom, Dad, 2 sisters, BIL, and Uncle Joe. While Char is chatting with one of the sisters, she confesses that she’s falling in love with Joey. Turns out Uncle Joe is super skeptical of the Bachelorette process. He even goes so far as to suggest to Charity that she may not know the real Joey! This is v concerning for C, as she had planned on telling Joey she’s falling in love with him. But instead, she leaves in tears and a v confused Joey is wondering if this is goodbye.

    Xavier in Cleveland, OH is next.

    X takes Charity to a knitting class. It’s v cute and sweet!!! Then it’s time to meet the fam. We meet X’s mom who is battling MS. X’s sister LOVES Charity after their chat. Xavier tells Char he’s falling in love with her.

    Last we have Dotun in Fresno, CA.

    Apparently Dotun’s parents are on their annual trip to Nigeria and can’t be there to meet Charity. Just as Charity and Dotun get settled in for dinner with his other family members (including a v cute Grandma), SURPRISE! Dotun’s parents arrive! His parents adore Charity and shower her with gifts. Afterwards, Dot & Char take a gorgeous classic Thunderbird to a drive in theatre where they watch home videos from their childhoods. It’s v sweet!

    Rose Ceremony

    We are back in LA for the rose ceremony. All the men are looking extra sharp in their suits and in some cases, tuxedos. Dotun get’s the first rose. Then Xavier, then Joey. Charity walks Aaron out and she’s v emotional, in tears. She’s questioning her decision.

    Next up- Fantasy Suites! See you in a bit BBs!!! xo 🌹

  • Valle Crucis Family Trip 2023

    Last week CSP, Betty, and I went up to Valle Crucis, NC for a family getaway to celebrate my 50th birthday!!! We had a FULL house! My Mom, her dog Bea, stepdad, sister Sara, BIL Marc, nephews Jacob and Joey, their dog Gypsy, sister Morgan, her partner Lauren, their 2 dogs Copper and Penny, Uncle Bobby, cousin Zane, cousin Woody and his wife Kate (who live in Germany) were all there!!!

    The dogs LOVE it up in the mountains!

    Betty getting some lap time in with CSP by the fire
    Penny stole Morgan’s chair

    We put all our camp chairs in a circle around the fire pit and had a great time visiting with everyone. We made dinner over the fire – brats and veggie pouches night one and chicken with my mac & cheese night two. Night three we did spaghetti with meatballs over the fire. My BIL Marc is quite the chef and the food was amazing!

    Sara had decorated the house and it looked so beautiful!

    The first night after dinner they brought out my birthday cake! It was delicious!

    Sara hung fairy lights over my bed!

    At night after dinner we played games, including my favorite game- Scrawl.

    We laughed so hard playing Scrawl I cried off all my eyeliner!!! If you love games- go buy this now! It’s only $10 at Amazon. You will not be disappointed!!!

    Mom’s dog, Bea

    We got in a good bit of porch sitting time too- just visiting, relaxing, and enjoying the view. There was also giant Jenga and cornhole in the yard.

    Gypsy and Betty being good porch dogs
    Gypsy likes to stick her head through the porch railings
    The Original Mast General Store
    Betty likes going to the Mast store to shop!

    We arrived on Monday afternoon. Phoebe and Minnie were being cared for by CSP’s mom. Minnie doesn’t like to travel and Phoebe is so skittish. Wednesday Papa (stepdad) had to go back home to work. Then Thursday morning Uncle Bobby, Zane, Woody, and Kate left for home. We were able to get a group photo together thanks to the iPhone’s self timer!

    It was so good to spend time with family and escape the heat up in the mountains!

  • Bachelorette Week 5

    BBs! Charity’s season is FLYING by! I can’t believe we’re down to only 6 guys left and we haven’t even left the country!!! This week we are in New Orleans and I have a question- where is Jesse Palmer??? Didn’t see hide nor hair of him this week!!!

    Joey 1-1

    Joey and Charity take a horse drawn carriage through the city. They visit a tarot card reader and a street poet who writes an impromptu poem for Joey and Charity right there on the spot. That night Charity brings up interracial relationships when she and Joey are talking. Joey reassures Charity that he’s up for the challenge. Charity gives Joey the rose- meaning she will be meeting his family next week! Joey then tells Charity he’s falling in love with her.

    Sean & Tanner 2-1

    Sean is PISSED that he got a 2-1 instead of a 1-1. He’s fuming!!! Tanner just feels overlooked. Charity, Sean, & Tanner go on a tour of the bayou in a boat to spot gators. Sean is acting like this is a contest. Tanner is a bit more reserved. After the boat tour they have a crawfish boil. That night they meet back up with Charity and Sean is wearing his pants so short! And no socks! Bleh! Charity and Sean chat first, then she chats with Tanner. Tanner and Charity don’t seem to have much chemistry, and their kiss seems stiff and a bit forced. But maybe he would warm up more if they had more time together. Charity decides not to hand out a rose and send either one of them home!

    Dotun 1-1

    Charity and Dotun go on the Crescent City Classic Fun Run in tutus and boas! They are too cute!!! They get to meet a bunch of locals and have some beer along the way. That night over Fake Dinner, Dotun shares his fear of failure. He also tells Charity he’s falling in love with her. Charity gives Dotun the rose. When she’s speaking to the camera later she’s crying happy tears!

    Back at the hotel, Sean is whining about how insecure he’s feeling because he hasn’t gotten a 1-1, and how he’s gotten zero validation. Dotun comes home from his date with his rose and it upsets Sean SO MUCH that while Dotun is telling everyone about his date, Sean walks out pouting.

    Sean then goes to see Charity in her room. He complains to her “I haven’t gotten a 1-1. I haven’t gotten a rose before a rose ceremony”. Listen dude, Charity does not owe you a THING!!! Simmer down! Charity then tells Sean she just can’t “get there” with him and walks him out. BYE!!!

    Group Date

    Aaron, Tanner, and Xavier all join Charity for this group date. It’s not much of a date though- they just meet Charity at this big house then take turns chatting with her. Aaron gets a rose there. But Charity has another rose on the table. Charity says she can’t hand out the remaining rose right now.

    Later, Charity goes to Tanner’s room and breaks it off with him. He’s a complete gentleman about it, even though it’s evident he’s v sad. Charity walks him out.

    Then Charity meets up with Xavier and gives him the last rose. So that means Aaron, Joey, Dotun, and Xavier are moving on to home towns.

    Until then…. see you next week BBs!!! xo 🌹

March 2026
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22232425262728
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