Will You Accept this Rose? Vol 4

This season's Bachey has had it's share of ups & downs (mostly downs), but I'm glad I watched! There were times when I wanted to shake some sense into Ashley, and other times when I was proud of the person she blossomed into, despite the constant invasion of privacy and inevitable criticism from the public.

Two weeks ago, Ashley went to each of the guy's hometowns to meet their families, and ultimately she decided to let Ames go. I was sad to see him go, but understood that their relationship had moved into the "friend zone" for Ashley. I was most confused by Constantine because from the very beginning there had been zero connection between him and Ashley.

That's why I wasn't surprised when Constantine eliminated himself in this week's episode. You could tell that he was unsure of how he felt about Ashley and wanted to be honest with both himself and Ashley about where their relationship stood. I respected his decision and I'm sure any other guy in Constantine's shoes may have accepted the fantasy suite invitation before bailing. {PS - I'll be going home next month and am determined to meet Constantine at his restaurant...wish me luck!}

On a side note, back to the hometowns...don't you wonder what exactly JP's ex-girlfriend did to hurt him so much? His family was very concerned with him getting hurt again, more so than just not wanting the normal trauma that goes along with a breakup. Thoughts please!

Back to this week, what was up with the return of Ryan? I've heard rumors that he will be the next Bachelor and if that's the case, I won't be watching! I did feel bad that he had to go through rejection again, but he has to be crazy if he thought he stood a chance with Ashley. Even last night, you could tell how disinterested she was. I also found his twitching, fidgeting, rocking back and forth and the look in his eye kinda disturbing.

Between the two remaining guys, I think it's obvious who the winner is. While Ben has captured Ashley's heart and she seems truly happy with him, it pales in comparison to Ashley's happiness when she is with JP. She is unable to contain herself around JP and each look they share is filled with love and passion.

I'd be so surprised if it's not JP proposing next week.

What are your final thoughts on the Bachelorette? Who would you choose and who would you have sent packing?

Personally, I love JP and can relate to why he has made it so far. Ben, not so much. I really liked him at the beginning, but he is too sensitive for my taste. Not very "manly" if you will (which is fine, just not for me). What guy has to be asked twice to put suntan lotion all over a hot girl? Apparently, Ben does.

Will You Accept this Rose? Vol 3

We're halfway there! Ashley has whittled the potential suitors down to 6, and in less than a month we will know the identity of the final man standing (season finale airs on August 1)!

This season has had its ups & downs for me. Sometimes Ashley's complaining and self-sabotage is too much to handle on a Monday night. But like most of America, I keep watching. This week's episode was no different. We all knew the drama that was about to unfold because ABC sucked us in 2 weeks ago, only to let us down by making us wait another week for the dreaded return of Bentley.

Was it worth it? Not in my opinion. Here are the fatal flaws I saw in the Bentley/Ashley reunion:

1. Ashley's immediate desire to wrap her arms around Bentley and forcing that kiss. I bet she feels stupid now.
2. Both Ashley and Bentley's ability to say a lot of words without really saying anything at all.
3. The fact that Ashley actually thought Bentley returned because of her and not because the producers begged him to come back. I'm no genius, but I'm thinking he wanted a free vacation?!
4. Her after the meeting interview...there is no way that she went from still wanting to be with Bentley to seeing him to absolutely hating his guts and dropping the F-bomb 20 times. That was obviously filmed after the fact, and I'm thinking the producers realized how much America can't stand Ashley and they wanted to try to redeem her likability to the audience.

Thoughts on the return of Bentley?

I will say that I'm happy that the gloomy fog the show has been under since Bentley's departure has finally been lifted. Ashley does seem much happier and it appears that she is willing to give the guys a chance now. Unfortunately for Ashley, she still spent the majority of the episode talking about the "Bentley situation" so it still seemed like she wasn't really over it.

This post is long enough already so I'm not going to recap the show, but I will tell you my ranking of the guys after this week's episode.

#6 - Ryan P.

I really can't stand this guy! I hope that he does not become the next Bachelor.

#5 - Lucas

Bottom line is that he and Ashley have nothing in common. He seems nice enough, but he really lost his temper after hearing Ashley's confession at the cocktail party. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something off about him.

#4 - Constantine

I think it's pretty clear that he's unsure of how he feels for Ashley (which is completely normal considering he's known the girl for like 10 days). I appreciate the fact that he isn't trying to make something of nothing or leading her on in any way.

#3 - Ames

I really do like this guy. He is pretty tall, huh? It doesn't seem like he would be. I still don't think he and Ashley are a perfect match, but overall he's interesting, funny, and sincere.

#2 - Ben

I can't tell Ben & Constantine apart. Wasn't it funny when they were on the dragon boat team together? I think they've got a little bromance going on :) But anyway, he's cute and I think most people hate his style, but I kinda like it. As for Ashley, if anyone were to beat J.P., I'd give it to Ben.

#1 - J.P.

I would bet my bellbottoms that J.P. is the final man standing. There are some things you just can't edit, and one of those would be the very real connection he has with Ashley. In my opinion, he is light years ahead of the other contenders. Any time she talks about J.P., it's like how a normal person would talk about their significant other...like he hung the moon. And they are so much more affectionate than she is with anyone else. Like they can't keep their hands off each other!

Hello, handsome!

YUMMY!

(J.P. in NY on June 25)

Next week is a rerun, but on July 11 we'll be treated to an exclusive interview with Emily Maynard. She and Brad finally confirmed that they have broken up. Duh.

Now, let me know your thoughts! (Laur - I'm talking to you!)

Thursday's Thoughts

I'm so happy that tomorrow is payday. I really wasn't sure if I was going to make it. One can consist on fruit roll ups and dried mango slices for only so long (partially kidding, but not really)!

Here's a bunch of random thoughts I've had this week:

• C & I don't really watch sports (other than football), but we always get obsessed with the NBA finals! Even though Dallas beat the Lakers I was really rooting for them when they played against the Miami Heat! I thought Dirk really deserved the trophy so I'm glad his team was able to pull together and take down the big 3. Plus, I'm on the "let's hate LeBron (and Bosh and Chalmers and Haslem...basically EVERYONE on Miami)" wagon so I wasn't disappointed to see him (them) lose. Another reason I was happy? I made a bet with my friend Tim from work and since he was on the losing end, he had to buy me Jamba Juice!

• I wanted to kill Ashley on this week's episode of The Bachelorette. It was sad (in a pathetic way) to see that she couldn't move past Bentley. I feel like the producers and Chris Harrison should have intervened and let her see the footage of Bentley talking about his lack of interest in her. I know it's a "reality show" and she needs to find out things for herself, but at the same time, the longer this goes on the more idiotic she looks. I'm concerned that Bentley comes back. Why? I read an interview with Chris that said the only reason he would be back would be because Ashley asked for him to be brought back. Hello??! Don't you think that would be a good time to say, "Ashley, honey, he's just not that into you...."

• White Collar is back! And Burn Notice returns on June 23!

• Francesca's is doing an amazing promotion right now. Simply like them on Facebook to receive a code for 50% off a single item (use before June 30). If you take advantage of the free shipping offer until June 19, you could save a lot of money and get a great deal.

• Last Saturday, I reached 400 miles on my bike! Actually, by the end of this weekend I should be at 500. It's amazing how much I love my bike and I can't imagine not having it. I can't believe I will reach 500 miles before 6 weeks!! Every long ride I take, I wonder if I can do it...then I do, and I feel so great!

Source: etsy.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

• I took advantage of Living Social's recent deal for 2 movie tickets for $9. So glad I did! Movies are expensive. C really wants to see Super 8, and I really want to see Green Lantern. I'm thinking I will win. I did buy the deal after all....

I believe that's all I have for today! If I'm not back tomorrow, I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

And just for laughs:

Source: thedailydigi.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

ps: pinterest is the best.

Will You Accept this Rose? Vol 2

I'm sorry for those of you that don't watch the show and will be bored by this post! Please feel free to skip it and come back another day.

As sad as this may seem (and believe me, I'm slightly embarrassed to be admitting this), C & I are addicted to The Bachelorette. I know I've talked about the show a couple of times on here, but I'm holding back so much! I know that many of you don't watch or think it's stupid and scripted, which it probably is, but that doesn't keep us from tuning in every Monday. We were practically in tears after the last episode because it will be a whole week until the next one! (I actually think C may be more into the show than I am!)

Of course this week, everyone is focused on how William made Ashley cry and how Bentley is...well, Bentley. But really, let's think about this...

Ashley knew what she was getting into by agreeing to do a roast. I think it's a horrible idea from the very beginning! She couldn't honestly expect everyone to be nice at a roast, right?! You have to be pretty confident and able to make fun of yourself if you agree to do something like this, and once again, Ashley has proven that she has low self-esteem and she made it such a bigger deal than it should have been. Yes, William's jokes weren't necessarily funny, but I don't think he stepped out of line at all. It would only make sense to hit upon the fact that there were other potential bachelorette candidates out there, Ashley would have to be stupid to not think so.

As for Bentley, I don't want to give him more credit than he deserves. He's a douchebag, plain and simple. But Ashley isn't an innocent victim. She was aware of the possibility that he was there for other reasons, but she kept him around. I understand giving someone the benefit of the doubt, but her desperation every time Bentley came around was pathetic. I can't see how she couldn't read his body language when she was hanging all over him. HE'S JUST NOT INTO YOU and I really think she knew all along, but was lying to herself. I do feel badly for her, but it could have been a lot worse! She knew him all of a couple weeks and hadn't even had an individual date with him.

I was upset that the dynamic of the show changed so quickly once Bentley left. It's just so sad to see Ashley crying over a guy that could care less about her and in turn, making all the other guys that are left feel like second best. I know that if I were the guy that gets the final rose, I would definitely have some problems watching the show now and some doubts would start creeping in. Ashley's borderline obsession with Bentley really is impossible to understand.

Now, for my regular thoughts on this week's episode:

• There was nothing memorable about Ben C. and his date with Ashley. There doesn't seem to be a lot of chemistry there.
• Roasting a bachelorette has to be the worst idea ever. It was terrible! I was cringing the whole time and wishing that it would be over.
• William running away from Ashley after the roast was so childish and immature. Just reinforces the fact that he is a kid in adult form.
• It may have seemed like J.P.'s date with Ashley was ruined because she was so upset about Bentley leaving, but I think it turned out to be a good thing. Their date was so real and Ashley really opened up to J.P. It wasn't like they had Bellagio fountains or a private concert to focus on, it was really all about the two of them. It was very much like a normal couple's night in.
• I loved Ben F.'s bowtie! And doesn't it look like he and Constantine could be brothers?

Like I said, C is also obsessed with the show, and today he sent me his bachelorette look-a-likes and I thought it was funny so I had to share!

(C named Bentley "Satan")

Thoughts on this week's episode??

Will You Accept this Rose? Vol 1

Ashley is looking for love...

on this season of The Bachelorette!

I'll just be honest with you.

I stopped watching The Bachelor after Andrew Firestone.

I only watched the first season of The Bachelorette with Trista.

But for some reason, I'm excited about this season.

I know that many of you were less than thrilled

that Ashley was chosen as the new bachelorette.

I did watch the last 4 episodes of last season with

bachelor Brad, so I do know a little bit about Ashley.

I think she was LUCKY to be eliminated by Brad.

Who in their right mind would want to be with him?

We mainly watched the show last season just to

see how d-baggy Brad was and to make fun of him.

But anywayyyyy....

I thought I'd share my thoughts about the guys that

stood out to me last night, and who I think

Ashley should keep around and get rid of....

ps - I DO NOT read spoilers so don't tell me

what Reality Steve is saying please.

On first impression, my favorite guys are:

J.P. - I thought their time alone was cute,

and the cupcake connection was funny.

Loved Ben F. from the first minute he was on,

talking about his parents and his winery.

I thought it was awesome that he brought

wine (that he made) to share with Ashley.

I also liked Constantine's gimmick of

tying dental floss on Ashley's finger.

Plus, he is from Cumming, GA (woot woot)

so I want to support him :)

Total duds in my book:

Jeff (the mask guy)...like the concept of getting

to know a person without the face,

but thought it might have been slightly creepy.

Bentley...what a JERK.

Ashley, he isn't even attractive!!!

From the previews, he seems to cause her

a lot of heartbreak. But honestly, she was

warned, and I think that messed with her head.

From first impression, I also liked William,

but changed my mind as soon as he said

he wants to "be a kid" forever....

that's never a good thing to hear.

Others that stood out to me,

but I don't really feel one way or the other about them...

West - liked his opening gimmick of giving Ashley a broken compass

Ben C. - thought his idea of using signs to get Ashley's attention was cute

Ames - this guy seems nice! (and looks like a combination

of Harry Connick Jr. & Brendan Fraser)

Ryan P. - got the first impression rose, but from my first

impression it seemed like he just talked about himself

and his success the entire time with Ashley

And finally, does anyone else think that Ryan P.

looks like Robert Buckley?

Ashley seems to think that everything and everyone is

GREAT!,

AMAZING!,

SWEET!!

Let me know your thoughts on the premiere

and who you think is going to go far

and who needs to go far away!

click here for ashley's blog

and here for chris harrison's blog

and all pics from abc,

except last which is from google