Thursday Reality TV and The Shred day 3

I’m sitting here blogging while watching Project Runway. My cousin got me started (aka addicted) to this show 2 summers ago.

Today has been pretty uneventful except for paying some bills.  Yeah, I know, exciting, right?!  Sorry about that.  I’m hoping that things will pick up soon, but until then……..

There is no baseball for me tonight….the San Francisco Giants played a day game.  Thank goodness because there is just too much on TV on Thursdays.  And, yes, they won!! But barely…..they are in contention to be in the playoffs but they just barely beat the Chicago Cubs, a team who is over 16 games behind.

I watched about an hour of the Oakland Raiders pre-season game.  I never, and I mean never, watch pre-season anything, but there was nothing on and I was just making dinner, so…..

Started my night watching Big Brother.  It is my secret (well not so much so anymore!) summer guilty pleasure.  I am so happy that Rachel is gone.  But at the same time the 2 women left are ridiculous and don’t deserve to be there (especially Kathy).  I think this will be a guys year on this show.  Brendon is a moron and a wuss whom I lost ALL respect for with his whimpering girly talk the past few days.  How embarrassing and unmanly!  I don’t care about his looks if he’s gonna go all girly-man on me.  Geez, get a grip guy!!  Who will be the next to go??  Hopefully Ragan, Britney or Kathy.  I dislike all 3 of them.  And this whole Saboteur is bleh, in my opinion.

SYTYCD finale is on tonight.  C’mon FOX enough with the 2 hour finales!  Just tell me who won and move on.  So, I watched part of the first hour and moved on.  I’m sure I’ll read about it later.  All 3 of the finalists were excellent.  I will be happy whichever one wins it.

At 10pm Bethenny Getting Married? Outtakes will be on and I will watch that and the last half hour of Project Runway.  Then I will watch the re-air of Real Housewives of DC.  So, what does everyone think of this newest franchise of the Real Housewives?  I actually don’t like it–bordering on hating it.  Actually it’s the ladies I can’t stand–starting with Michaele and almost tied at the top with her is Stacie and Lynda (she’s a rude, arrogant snob!).  Followed a little farther behind is Catherine (Cat).  Honestly, the ONLY housewife I like is Mary!!  Wish the show could be about just her and her family! haha  I will give this show a chance, but so far I’m not sold on it.

So, what did everyone think about Kenny being the one to go home this week on Top Chef??  I am shocked!!  Amanda should have been the one to go home.  She actually should have gone home a while back.  What the hell??  I am not liking most of the contestants this year.  Kenny was my favorite since the first episode.  So, my new fave is Kevin……and, grudgingly, perhaps Angelo.  But it really kills me to say that because he’s so arrogant.  But that’s a chef for you!!

I got up this morning and exercised–The Shred Day 3.  I felt great afterward and can’t understand why I keep taking time off from exercising because I always feel so good when I’m done.

As for what I ate today:

breakfast: shredded wheat and 1% milk with a whole wheat english muffin and 2 pats of butter

snack: Venti sugar-free Cinnamon Dolce Latte

lunch: tuna sandwich on rye bread.  and grilled eggplant and crookneck squash with a diet Snapple (Trop-i-Rocka–thanks again, Bret Michaels)

dinner: 1 turkey burger (2.25 oz), grilled eggplant and squash, and whole grain pasta w/ fresh grated Parmesan Cheese.

Yesterday I only ended up drinking 1 cup of that 2 cups of water at the end of the night….so I was a little short of my goal.  For today I’ve had had 7 cups of water, so I think it’s safe to say I’ll meet my 8 cups today!! (fingers crossed).

Well, that’s it for now.  It’s almost TGIF….

Tuesday Wrap-Up, RealityTV, & a Book Review

I haven’t been very good at logging my food & everything else this week so far.  Today I haven’t written anything down but it’s pretty easy so here goes:

Sleep:

Last night I slept a total of 7 1/2 hrs, which is a lot for me lately!!  Too bad it wasn’t all at once.  I slept for 6 hrs, was awake for about 45 min’s and then slept again for 1 1/2 hrs.  At least I got over 7 hrs of sleep!  If it’s going to take baby steps to get back on track, then I’ll take it!

Eating:

Breakfast:  1/2 cup Shredded Wheat, 1/2 cup 1% milk, 1/2 cup blueberries

Snack:  Venti sugar-free Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Lunch:  1 cup of watermelon, 1 Klondike bar (I know, not good–but I wasn’t really that hungry and ice cream sounded soooo good!)

Snack:  2 Wasa crackers, 1 wedge Laughing Cow cheese

Dinner:  Herb & Gorgonzola Frittata, 1 bottle of Snapple diet Trop-A-Rocka

Dessert:  It’s It (another ice cream sandwich…what can I say??)

Water:

So far I’ve had 4 cups of water and I’m still drinking…..I’m hoping to get to 7-8 cups by bedtime

Exercise:

**crickets**

I only ran once last week but it was a good workout.  The heat has been so bad the past couple of days (Sunday and Monday were both over 100*F.  Today was in the high 90′s.  I really need to start getting up early in the morning to workout otherwise I won’t do it since it’s so hot.  Let’s see what happens tomorrow morning….I really need some motivation!!

As for Tuesday night TV, I am watching the San Francisco Giants get beat by the LA Dodgers.  I’m so NOT happy right now…..I had to change the channel to Hell’s Kitchen.  I watched part of Losing It With Jillian.  Later on I’ll be watching The Hills, The City and Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D List.

Last night I watched Real Housewives of NJ.  What is up with Danielle?  She is the craziest person on TV (well, she’s tied with Kelly from Real Housewives of NY).  But the difference between Danielle and Kelly, I think, is that Kelly is crazy cuckoo and needs to go see a psychiatrist but I don’t think she’s dangerous; whereas Danielle is off-her-rocker, she’s-gonna-snap-at-any-moment, scary crazy.

Both Kelly and Danielle live in their own little worlds, which don’t even come close to reality…..but Danielle is the one I think I would be afraid to be anywhere near at any time!!  Neither one should be on a reality show or anywhere on TV or the public eye.  Hopefully Bravo does what’s best for those two and let’s them out of their contract so they can get the help they desperately need!!

I have been trying to watch The Bachelorette this season since Ali is from the Bay Area.  I’ve never seen this show before this season, but to be honest, I cannot believe people watch it.  Has anyone on the show that matched up ever actually marry each other?? And if so, how many?? It HAS to be a very low number.

This seasons bachelorette, Ali, is a little dim, I think.  She’s very cute and all, but not so bright.  And, as for the guys, I am so NOT impressed!!  I have honestly found this show to be one of the most boring reality shows that I’ve ever seen!!  I’ll see it through to the end, but this is one girl who will not waste another Monday night watching this sham of a show!!  And, I can’t imagine watching the Bachelor where it’s a house full of women.  That would have to be the biggest catfight every single week.  I don’t think I could take it!! haha

I finished reading Lipstick Jungle this weekend.  It started off really slow and took a while for me to warm up to it.  The warm up, however, was lukewarm at best!!  Ms Bushnell has managed to have her characters appear in 3 books:  Four Blondes, Trading Up (which I’m still trying to read) and Lipstick Jungle.  What’s the matter, couldn’t she come up with any original characters??

If the characters were really interesting, then it would be okay.  However, they were cliched Hollywood or wealthy types and I was very disappointed to see them rehashed!!

After reading 3 Candace Bushnell books (Sex & The City, Four Blondes, & Lipstick Jungle), I find her writing sub-par and amateurish at best.  I’m so disappointed considering all of the hype around her and the fact that I am a HUGE Sex & The City TV show and movie fan.  But then, she didn’t write any of those, now, did she??  Thank goodness for that!!

After I finish reading Trading Up (so far just as boring as the others with forgettable characters) I will read The Carrie Diaries.  Luckily I didn’t buy any of these books, but  checked them out of the library.  I’m on a long list for the Carrie Diaries at the local library and it should be my turn in about a month or so…..

I started reading The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella last night.  It’s okay so far but at least it’s more entertaining than what I’ve been reading!!

Reality TV and Reading

I haven’t been reading much the last few days…..I was hoping to be done with Trading Up by now.  Actually I really wasn’t in the mood to read it (it wasn’t holding my interest) so I switched over to Lipstick Jungle.  It’s okay so far, I’m about half done with it.  I never did see the short-lived series so I don’t have anything to compare it to, which is a good thing.

As for TV shows:  So You Think You Can Dance has been a snore so far.  Actually that’s not really fair since I haven’t really been watching it much, so I’ll re-phrase and say that what I’ve seen so far isn’t that inspiring.

I love Bethenny Getting Married?.  It’s a fun reality show compared to all of the Real Housewives drama.  But, truth be told, I am a huge Bethenny fan!!

I’m loving Top Chef so far!!  But I haven’t found a season or episode of this series that I haven’t liked.  I watch any season/episode Bravo re-airs.  I’m not liking Angelo so far, but I’m really liking Kenny!

My favorite on Real Housewives of New Jersey has now left the show so I’m not a happy girl.  Dina Manzo always tried to rise above the fracas and not be a diva.  I hope she comes back.  I’ve come to like Caroline, Jacqueline is okay (although I really dislike her daughter…can you say brat?!), Teresa is just too over the top for me (can any one person be any more gaudy in their taste…ugh!), and then there’s Danielle.  I have no words.  She (along with her white trash friends) need to go far away from this show.  And, I never ever want to see any of them on, or near, a stripper pole again.  Especially Kim G and her white g-string undies.  That was just too gross for words!!!  Luckily, it seemed that Danielle wasn’t in this weeks episode much, so I’m hoping her storyline gets reduced drastically!

I’m really liking Losing It with Jillian.  Anything that has to do with Biggest Loser, Jillian Michael’s or Bob Harper I will watch.  It’s a great show which focuses on one family a week.  With Jillian, Bob and the Biggest Loser leading the way, maybe this country can and will overcome the obesity problem that affects too many people!!!

I’m loving The Hills and The City.  I don’t want The Hills to end.  And the best part……we haven’t had to see Speidi at all! I have not missed them–not even a little.  Their storyline was tired a long time ago when they moved in together.  So glad they are gone.  And, MTV, hopefully you won’t be bringing them back.

Since I watched The Hills/The City, I missed Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List this week.  Usually I plan my TV watching better.  It was the beauty pageant episode.  I really  have to see that!! haha

I’m loving The Next Food Network Star this season.  I have a couple of favorites and feel like the worst of the cooks have gone home.  Well, they still have a few left but the very worst are gone.  Buh-bye……..And, I really like how they added Giada D as a mentor.  She is my favorite Celebrity chef on the Food Network.

Work of Art (on Bravo) is another new reality show I”m watching.  It’s just okay so far.  I love art and they are pretty talented, but the show kind of drags…..same old Bravo formula.  Unfortunately, sometimes it just doesn’t translate.  But I will still watch til the end.

Oh, I have a new reality show obsession:  Cupcake Wars.  Has anyone else seen this show on the Food Network?!  I truly am obsessed and the show makes me want to run to my kitchen and make cupcakes.

And that leaves one other reality show that hasn’t started yet but, like millions of others, I eagerly anticipate it’s premiere every summer:  Big Brother.  I started watching this show during season 7 All-Stars (summer of 2006).  I actually know one of the contestants:  Danielle Reyes, who was originally on season 3 (which I never saw).

I feel like I’m forgetting a show, but I’m exhausted right now and can no longer think straight.  So it’s off to bed for me.  Good night!!

The Weekend is here!!

Boy, did this week fly by!!  I didn’t realize I hadn’t posted anything since Tuesday night.

Last night I went for a run.  I wasn’t going to, but the weather was perfect so I just had to!!  I was planning on running 3 miles but there were so many people at the park that it was hard to get the whole mile in around that trail.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to see people out there exercising, but all at the same time??  It makes it a little difficult.  So, I ended up running 2.5 miles—which isn’t bad.

I also watched the first part (of three parts) of Real Housewives of New York reunion.  This was a stressful season and this part of the reunion was too.  Afterward was the premiere of Bethenny Getting Married? .  What a nice departure from the craziness that was RHONY!!  I laughed throughout the episode….Bethenny is hilarious!!

Last night I made some “no-bake” cookies.  They are simple to make (yes, really, no baking!!).

I was craving something chocolate-y and didn’t have anything fitting that description in the house, except some cocoa powder, and remembered this recipe so I made them.  It only took about 5-10 minutes and then once you spoon them on the wax paper you have to let them set.  They are delicious!!

I have slowly gone through my house Spring Cleaning it and finally got to my beauty products and make-up.  Boy what I have accumulated!!  I dumped anything more than 2 years old (which was a lot!!) and most of what’s left was purchased within the last year (except the mascara, which I have always replaced after 3-4 months).  I had a lot of lipsticks….most of which were impulse purchases and free samples (Lancome).

From all of the cleaning I have an accumulation of stuff that needs to be donated.  Luckily, two charities are coming through my neighborhood next week so I will be getting this stuff ready to go.  Right now it’s in a pile in my office and I can’t wait for it to be cleared out.

I am in a minimalist state of mind right now and do not want, or like, any clutter in my house.  So I will be thrilled when this stuff is finally gone!!

I am so excited for the weekend.  Old Navy is having $2.00 tank tops on sale at 7am tomorrow.  I may stop in to see what type of tanks.  Then I will be hitting the garage sales around town.  A friend of mine is an awesome garage sale pro and someday I hope to be as good!!

A couple of years ago we found two Coach purses at a garage sale for $5.00 each.  We bought them both.  I have several Coach purses and the one she got was the same one I bought at the Coach outlet store the year before and the one I got was a basic black one, which was perfect because I needed a black purse.  Yes, I did check to make sure they were real…..and they were!!  Score!!!

Last summer one of my neighbors had a garage sale and I found a Matt Cain bobblehead for $2.00!!  Matt is a starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.  For non-baseball lovers:  Throughout the baseball season teams have whats called bobblehead days for different players on the team and if you’re one of the first of whatever the cutoff number is who show up that day for the game, you will get that bobblehead.  I have two other bobbleheads:  Randy Johnson and Brian Wilson, so it was nice to add to the collection.

My only other set plans this weekend are to read, enjoy the weather and watch baseball.

………wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

It’s Tuesday & Biggest Loser Finale is tonight!!

Last night around 10:15pm my electricity went out and when I called the electric company the recording said it was due to “damaged equipment” and it would either come back on or there would be updated info by 12:45am.  At 12:30am I called back and the automated system said on or update by 1:30am.  I was still up then so I called and the recording said on or update at 5:00am.  Okay, I give!! I blew out the candles and went to sleep.  I woke up at 7:15am and my livingroom and office lights were on.  Yay, electricity is back!!

I got up and ate breakfast:  1 cup of Shredded Wheat and 1 cup 1% milk.  I did some housework (it never ends!) including laundry.  Left to go run some errands and my mom called and invited me to lunch.  I had a cheeseburger and fries, but only ate half and took the rest home!!  It was  a nice enjoyable lunch and our server was super nice!!  Always take good care of your server if he or she is good!  They are sometimes few and far between nowadays!!

It had been overcast all morning and by the time we were leaving the restaurant the rain had just started.  The rest of the afternoon it rained, or poured–depending on which side of town you live on. It’s a perfect day to do housework…my house is looking shiny!

My mom called me a little while later to let me know my dad called her to let her know that one of my cousins was just diagnosed with cancer.  They think it was work related–something about paint fumes.  I am shocked and saddened….I hope they caught it in time.  So, my mom and I ended up on the phone forever and hung up just in time for the SFGiants game.

And, as for my dad calling my mom–my parents are divorced and have been for many many years!  I am one of those lucky people you never hear about who’s parents were able to set aside their problems and put the kids first!  My parents get along great!! My step-dad and dad also get along very well.  I know….when does that ever happen??

So, I never got a chance to do my workout today…..that’s as in Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  I feel bad about it so while I am watching the Biggest Loser finale I will be doing some ab work and lunges/push-ups/etc…

Never was able to watch Real Housewives of New Jersey last night since my electricity went out.  So, I need to play catch-up.  As for Biggest Loser, who do you want to win??  I don’t know because I love them all.  I hope Koli gets to the finals….although I love Daris too.  Honestly, this is the first season I will be super happy for whoever wins!!