Try These!

Ok, so I love a great home remedy/idea that I can easily try or use myself.  I thought I would share a few that I find to be tried and true.

1) Shampoo with Tide laundry detergent to wash away a bad hair dye job.  Doesn't exactly make your hair soft and lush, but it will wash away any colour you aren't happy with.
                                                                                                                 

2) Run your sink plugs (what are they called?) through the dishwasher to clean them.  

                                                    

3) Put vinegar in a sandwich baggie and hang it around your shower head for 30mins to clean away dirt and grim.  

                                                      

4) To bring the shine back to your stainless steel, scrub with warm water and baking soda.  

                                                      

5) Wash ball caps in the dishwasher to prevent the brim from losing it's shape.

                                                           

6) Use a cupcake liner to stop your kiddies from dripping their popsicles everywhere.

                                                                  

7) Use baby powder to remove sand from sticking to baby feet, toes and hands (or anywhere really).

                                                                

8) Crumpled newspaper (instead of papertowels) and windex cleans mirrors, with long lasting effects.

                                                                  

9) Let a lemon sit in your garbage disposal for a few hours then turn it on with running water.  This will freshen up the smell.

                                                                  

10) Place a damp sponge in the microwave for 1 min.  It will loosen any splatter and make it easy to just wipe away clean.

                                                                

11) Put dryer sheets in your undie drawers to keep them smelling fresh.  I also place them in my bins that hold winter hats/mitts, sweaters... any place that you want to keep fresh.  

                                                                   

12) Use playdoh to pick up broken glass.

                                                                   

13) Wipe baby oil on your faucets and sinks to eliminate water stains.  Drips just roll off.

                                                  

14) Wash the blender by adding a few drops of dish soap, add warm water and blend!  Save your fingers around those tricky blades.  Rinse and dry.

                                                                        

15) Use a straw to travel with necklaces.  No knots!

                                                                      

16) Wash kids toys in the dishwasher.  This works great after sniffles and snot!

                                                   

17) Use boiling hot water to remove salt stains from rugs and shoes.

                                                    

18) Pour baby powder onto wooden floors to help stop squeaking boards.  Wipe away excess.

                                                                

19) Stick a hook on the back of baby's highchair to hang bibs for easy grabbing.

                                                    

                                                           

Week 8 - Hometowns Here We Come!

Zzzzz... oh, sorry, did I nod off?  ...probably because with the lack of any backstabbing, name calling or snarky patronizing comments I've become slightly bored.  

Oh how I miss the Olivia, Leah and Lace's of the show.  Everyone left is just too nice. 

It's gross.

What's that?  Hometowns are this week?  Well hells yah!!  There's always bound to be some crazy with hometowns!!  Wonder who has the nutty family this season!!?  (oh please oh please oh please let there be a family full of scary freaks!!)

Famous last words... 

Hometown #1... Amanda and Ben met up on the beach so he could finally be introduced to his new ready-made family.  No pressure... Daddy.

We also learn during this date that Ben runs like this:

Must have been the short shorts.  Who wears short shorts? Ben wears short shorts.  

Witness  the faces of every parent, or non-parent, as a child wails in the backseat of the car on the way home after a long day.  #bestdateever

If I'm being critical, which I totally am, I just don't feel the chemistry with Banda - ooohh, that's good.  Well now I hope they do get together so I can use Banda more!  But I am doubtful since their chemistry is lame.

Hometown #2... 
Lauren's date is in Portland, the land of the roses.  Well, there you have it.  

To top it off she takes him to the one place you could NEVER take a child (sorry Amanda)... they enter the Whiskey Library as Ben salivates and falls even more for Lauren.  Well played Lauren, well played.

Look how he's always touching her and the way he looks at her.  

As far as I'm concerned she's in the lead with JoJo  a close second... Banda could be a distant third, but doubtful, and to be honest, I tend to forget the other girl's name - you know, what's her name... the one that is always smiling and has "no roots."

On to meet Lauren's family (please be crazy, please be crazy)... 

OK!!  GAME OVER!  Are you kidding me??

Ben got emotional and broke down in front of Lauren's sister over his feelings for her.  

Man tears.  Real man tears.  I. cannot. even.  

Lauren then calls Ben 'her person'.  Ok, time to break out the LaurBen... not sure that one will stick.. I'm trying it out.  Maybe Bauren?  It's got to be better than when her dad calls her LoLo... ugh. Seriously, ugh.

Hometown #3 is that girl that is just so freaking happy... I mean, who is this happy all the time?  I'm willing to bet she dreams in cartoon.

So she wanted to show him where "she grew up as a person"... as opposed to what?  I'm confused.  

Also, she wants to make out with him in their 'toy house kitchen' if he chooses her. Always good to have goals.  She is a 6 yr old with boobs.

At the toy factory...  did this just happen?  The producers really went all out on this one.  Cue the kiss, the music, the clapping workers who had nothing better to do... the Richard Gere reenactment was all too much for me.  I wonder how they talk the Bachelor and his lady into this stuff?

Later, the happiest woman on the planet, Caila, opens up to "daddy" and "mommy" confessing her love for Ben, saying this is what she's been looking for all her life.

Daddy's prediction:

In the end she held back from telling Ben how she really felt.  That could end up being her demise... that and the fact that she's totally forgettable, to me anyway.

Time for JoJo's hometown and if her hometown doesn't bring the crazy I'm gonna give up!  I need some crazy back!  Bring back the crazy!!

Ok, Hometown #4... JoJo returns home and gets some roses and an unexpected letter from her ex professing his love for her.

Ahhhh... ok whew.  I can breathe again.  Yay crazy JoJo ex-guy.  THANK YOU.

I really needed that.  

Well DAMN!  that only lasted a whole minute.  Turns out JoJo is the "happiest she's EVER BEEN with Ben".  She's totally into it.  She's excited.  So much for crazy ex-guy drama.

Oh hell now, wait a minute... 

There's still hope... enter Matt and Ben, the brothers.  Very brotherly brothers.  

Turns out the brothers are very protective and slightly scary.  Like no one would find the body kinda scary.  Brothers are not fans of Ben.  Something tells me any guy would have a hard time getting past brothers.

JoJo keeps it real admitting she's falling in love and is afraid of getting hurt.  She talks with her mom about how there are three other girls involved, a fact that seemed to genuinely shock her mother.   Mama's solution, bring out the bottle!

Mama likie her drinkie.

Then her brothers go into a speech where they constantly remind her that she is their sister, they love her as her brothers because she is their sister and as their sister they need to protect her as her brothers because she is their sister.  It goes on for a while like this.   And then they repeat most of it to Ben.  

Yah, ok, we got it.  Family be tight.  Brothers be scary.

No idea if Ben won over the brothers Grimm, but he did win over JoJo.  They are awesome.

At the rose ceremony Banda is completely blindsided - and I mean, holy blindside!!  

I did not see that coming.  

I suppose it's time I get to know Caila better since... well... she's still here, shockingly. 
She could wind up being another Catherine (Sean's season) and come out of nowhere for the final rose ... but I doubt it.

Anyway, goodbye to Banda - guess it's a good thing that didn't go viral.  Sigh.

I'm going to just take a moment and say my goodbyes... Until next week!

~xo KP

Recapping all the tear-filled, hot tubbin’ seasons of the Bachelor and Bachelorette.

Enjoy!

Season 1 - Alex Michel

Our very first Bachelor gave his final rose to Amanda Marsh.  While he didn't propose to her they did manage to last for several months following the show, only to break up.  Alex's runner-up was Trista, who we all know went on to become the Bachelorette and have a successful match, but we'll get to that.

Season Two: Aaron Buerge

Yet another failed relationship, Aaron chose Helene Eksterowicz, he did propose and they later split.  Aaron is now married to an elementary school psychologist and the two have a young daughter.

Season Three: Andrew Firestone

Andrew proposed to Jen Schefft who actually moved to be with him in California.  They split ways later and Andrew went on to marry a model and the couple have 3 kids.

Season Four: Bob Guiney

We all loved Bob as a contestant vying for the heart of Trista Rehn on her season of The Bachelorette.  His humour and wit won him the heart of Estella Gardinier in the finale, but they quickly split.  Bob married soap star Rebecca Budig in 2004, they divorced in 2010. 

Season Five: Jesse Palmer

Jesse, who we can all remember as the guy who forgot a name during the first rose ceremony, gave his final rose to Jessica Bowlin.  They broke up soon after.  This Toronto born pro football quarterback is now living in Orlando.

Season Six: Byron Velvick

The hair... oh that hair.  Byron chose Mary Delgado and the explosive relationship lasted 5 years.  During this time Delgado was arrested on charges of battery.  The couple broke up in 2009.

Season Seven: Charlie O'Connell

Charlie... I loved Charlie's season of The Bachelor because he really did his best to 'keep it real'.  He had dressed down rose ceremonies, met the women in pubs and had a great sense of humour.  Chuckie chose Sarah Brice and they maintained an on-again-off-again relationship for a few years, finally calling it quits in 2010. 

Season Eight: Travis Stork

The Doctor is in!  Dr. Stork chose Sarah Stone, which one would have thought would be a good choice since she only lived a few blocks from him in Nashville.  Unfortunately, the close proximity proved to not be a helping factor as the two broke up shortly after the show finale.

The good doctor later married Dr. Charlotte Brown.

Season Nine: Lorenzo Borghese

The 'prince' tried to find his princess on his season of The Bachelor, choosing Jennifer Wilson but yet again, they couple split shortly after the show aired.  Borghese kept trying his luck on tv, appearing on Celebrity Big Brother UK. 

Season 10: Andy Baldwin

This naval officer got down on one knee for Tessa Horstone in the finale, but they called off the engagement less than a year later. 

After the show he briefly dated Donald Trump's ex-wife, Marla Maples.

Seasons 11 and 15: Brad Womack

This is NOT Brad Womack. 

The man we all love to hate... Brad Womack.  Brad is best known for rejecting both finale women.  While I applaud him for this move, he became one of the most hated Bachelor's in the franchise history.  During his stint as The Bachelor season 15 he proposed to southern belle, Emily Maynard.  They didn't last and he has gone back to working with his brothers... still searching for love.

Season 12: Matt Grant

I have to admit, I missed this season.  I cannot fathom, for the life of me, what I could possibly have been doing to have missed a full season of The Bachelor, but alas, I did.  So I did some digging and here's what I know.  He proposed to Shayne Lamas, they broke up. 

Season 13: Jason Mesnick

Jason, the dad, who we first met on Jillian's season, wasn't the most attractive Bachelor, but did have the best heart.  He chose Melissa, who we all loved, but then broke her heart on TV and chose Molly, his runner up.  The two married on national TV for all us to enjoy and have a daughter together... plus Ty, Jason's son.

Season 14: Jake Pavelka

Jake.  Well, Jake chose so very, very wrong.  I will never understand how Jake could have chosen Vienna Girardi over Tenley Molzahn.  Vienna later made a fool of herself during the couple's bitter breakup, which, thankfully, was broadcast.

Jake has been accused of constantly trying to hang on desperately to his 15-minutes of fame.

Season 16: Ben Flajnik

Ben was first introduced to us as the heartbroken runner-up from Ashley Hebert's season of The Bachelorette.  He got naked in the ocean with contestant Courtney Robertson during his Bachelor season, and eventually picked the "mean girl" in the finale.  The couple are no longer together. 

Flajnik was reportedly dating Kris Jenner for a time and is now with girlfriend, Stephanie Winn.

Season 17: Sean Lowe

Sean was adorable on Emily Maynard's Bachelorette season and so it was no surprise when he became the next Bachelor.  He proposed to Catherine Giudici, who seemed to come out of nowhere for the final rose.  They since had a tv wedding and are living in Seattle, expecting their first child.

Season 18: Juan Pablo Galavais

Brad who?  It's true, Brad Womack WAS the most hated Bachelor... until Juan Pablo!  We couldn't have known what a douche JP was based on his minimal air-time during Desiree's season.  He seemed adorable, charming and sweet on The Bachelorette.  Not so.  Just ask Andi Dorfman.

JP chose Nikki Ferrell in the finale and while they tried, not all "es ok".

Season 19: Chris Soules

This good looking farmer with the dolphin-like laugh proposed to Whitney Bischoff.  Prince Farmer couldn't keep the relationship going... being in Iowa and all.  They are, reportedly, still friends and he is "enjoying" the single life.  He told Jimmy Kimmel recently that he's been checking out the contestants on this season of The Bachelor with Ben Higgins.  Look out ladies, he's on the prowl.

JIMMY KIMMEL really loves the show.

Let’s move on now to the ladies.

BACHELORETTES

Trista Sutter

The Godmother of the franchise, as Chris Harrison so eloquently called her at the recent wedding of Jade and Tanner, Trista was our very first Bachelorette. 

Her final two came down to Charlie and Ryan.  She ultimately chose Ryan, the sweet, soft spoken, poem writing firefighter and the two have been in love ever since.  They wed in a grand televised event and have two children.  They are the first couple to marry from the show, and have been married 13 years.

Meredith Phillips

Meredith was on Bob Guiney’s season and went on to become the 2^nd Bachelorette.  She chose Ian McKee in the finale of her season, but the two called it quits shortly after.  She went on to marry her high school sweetheart, Michael Broady.  Most recently, Meredith has been chatting about her struggles with alcoholism.

Jen Schefft

This bachelorette hailed from the Firestone season and chose Jerry Ferris.  She turned down his proposal on the first ever live finale.  She is now married to Joe Waterman and have 2 daughters.

DeAnna Pappas

DeAnna, this feisty lil vixen was so much fun to watch.  First of all, she was rejected by Brad Womack in a finale that went down in Bachelor history books as the only time a Bachelor rejected BOTH finalists.  In her season she oddly chose the skater boy, Jesse Csincsak.  Needless to say, it did not last.  No surprise there.  She did, however, go on to marry Michael Stagliano’s twin brother, Stephen, and they two have a daughter with another baby on the way.  

Jillian Harris

Canadian girl and hot dog theorist, Jillian Harris didn’t find love with Jason Mesnick so she tried her hand at being the Bachelorette.  She fell in love, and chose the very tall and hilarious, Ed Swiderski.  She broke off that engagement after rumours of cheating and has since found happiness with her current boyfriend Justin Pasutto.  Her wit, humour and smile were absolutely infectious and really showcased Canadians in a great light… and Kaitlyn eventually goes on to continue that trend.

Ali Fedotowsky

Poor Ali was an early fan favourite in Jake’s season of the Bachelor, but had to remove herself from the show due to personal reasons.  She was broken over it so producers brought her back for another chance at love, this time as the Bachelorette.  She found love, or something, with Roberto Martinez.  They got engaged, planned a wedding and then split.  She is now with her fiance Kevin Manno and they are expecting a baby.

Ashley Hebert

Ashley didn’t find love with Brad Womack but she did find a lasting love in J.P. Rosenbaum on her season of the Bachelorette.  They married, yes on tv, and now have a baby boy, Ford… or Fordy, as they call him. 

Emily Maynard

This southern belle, as mentioned above, didn’t make it long term with Brad Womack, but she did try again on her season of The Bachelorette.  She chose the unlikely Jef Holm, they split, to no one’s surprise. 

On a happier note, she is currently married to Tyler Johnson, whom she met at church, and they have since had a son together, Jennings Tyler.

Desiree Hartsock

Desiree fell in love with Brooks, but he left and she was heartbroken.  She then realized what was right in front of her the whole time and gave her final rose to Chris Siegfried.  The two were married on January 18, 2015 and just bought their first house in Seattle.  They are adorable.

Andi Dorfman

Andi was on Juan Pablo’s season and really gave him an earful.  A thrashing of an earful.  It was awesome.  Needless to say she removed herself from that season but became a favourite among women watching everywhere.  She got a second chance at love as the Bachelorette and ended up with Josh Murray.  He proposed to her in the season finale and it all looked promising.  But then they broke up. 

Kaitlyn Bristowe

Poor Kaitlyn had to win over the men before ever even getting started because Producers pitted her against Britt Nilsson for Bachelorette.  The men got to decide who would stay and who would go.  Kaitlyn won.  She did a great job running the show and had good times, especially with runner-up Nick Viall, but ultimately chose Shawn Booth.  The two are currently engaged and going strong from what I can tell on Instagram.

I'm just going to take a moment and say my goodbyes...

Until next week ~xo KP