Real Reality

Fox is offering a new dating/reality show for "average" (read: fat) people. It is a cross between the Bachelor and the Biggest Loser. It is called Big Love.

Ah Fox, you caught me once in your web of "Love Cruise."

Never again. Never again.

Weekend Update

Not too exciting of a weekend. For the last month or so I have been walking around with updated to-do lists that never get any shorter. This weekend I was able to knock a few things off my list.

I got a car wash, and vacuumed--the Lady's seat was filled with crushed goldfish and the floor mats were full of sand from last summer, needless to say the car needed a little TLC.

I went to a career seminar hosted by the CT-Mom's Group I am a part of. It actually was pretty beneficial. I didn't realize that I should be networking so much. Since most of you know that I don't really like to talk to anyone I guess this is something I have to work on. However, I will let you all know that I am looking for any freelance or part time work right now and something full time after baby number two. If you know anyone who needs a writer/editor/proofreader or an experienced Title Examiner or photographer--I am your girl.

The taxes are done and we are getting a refund. I was stunned to find out how little I actually made last year. However, I have been busy with the title work and between that and temping I think we have almost outpaced last years total.

The Wild Man came over for a quick visit yesterday. I would like to eat him as a sandwich with a side of Claussen sandwich stackers, which I am eating like candy. Yes, I realize it is a pregnancy cliche--but they are yummy and he is super cute.

I am almost up to date on sending out all baby/wedding gifts. I hope to have this knocked off the list by next week.

The bathrooms, alas, are still a work in progress.

I feel like I can never quite catch up. There is always another load of laundry, another title, another diaper to change, another bill to pay. I do long sometimes for those Sunday's where I woke up at 10 and sat on the couch until 11 pm watching hours of mindless TV that did not include Arthur or Bob the Builder.

Why You Shouldn't Take Adult Education Classes

In an effort to better myself and to take better photos that may lead to more biz for The Bean and The Bear Photography, I signed up for an Adult Education Class that teaches you the more advanced settings on your camera and the basics of Photoshop.

Sounds good right? Yeah, not so much.

The class is on Tuesday nights from 7-10, so right there I am in for a long night and am forced to miss the Biggest Loser. To top it off, the class is about thirty minutes from my house. Granted, I signed up with my Bean and Bear partner, and she was the one who found the course so at least I have someone in the class I can whisper with when things start to get out of control.

This is the problem with Adult Education:

1. The teacher is almost always a professional, who isn't really skilled in actual teaching. We spent the first class looking at pictures this guy took and talking about his history. Hey buddy--can we fire up the computers please? And what about my camera? I am super psyched you have a sweet lens on your camera, but since it isn't the same make or model as mine, how is that helping me?

2. There are crazy people out there with expensive cameras and no idea what is going on in general around them. Case in point, one lady who insists on asking thirty-five questions every ten minutes and who is less computer savvy then the Lady. This is the same lady who asked if Photoshop was only for Mac's, after the guy specifically told her you could get it for any type of computer. She also writes down every type of lens or gadget that the "professor" mentions. How about just learning about the stuff you have in your bag and letting the rest of us get some information as well.

3. You are forced to take photos of a dog named BJ on a cold Tuesday night in a field covered in goose poo. Oh, Beej, I am not sure if I will ever forget you eating all that goose poo while I clicked away, frame after frame.

4. It takes 45 minutes for everyone to download their photos onto the computer and then the "professor" insists you just watch him use Photoshop. I mean really, the class is only 5 weeks long and after two weeks, we have yet to use the software.

5. At ten to ten, with everyone yawning and feigning interest in the gradient feature the the prof is applying to the background of the Beej, he asks what time it is, then proceeds to talk for an additional 20 minutes, show us photos that he has taken and answer 12-45 of the crazy camera lady's questions. This puts me in my car at 10:30pm, not to get home until 11, with not one bit of Photoshop training.

UGH.

As much as I love to take photos the assignments that this guy has given me have been less then convenient for me. The Lady does not like to stand in front of a window for back lighting shots and I had to convince my husband to jump in the middle of my kitchen for ten minutes so I could get the mid-air shot. Let's just say these photos are less than flattering.

This week, I have to take photos of train tracks. Sweet. Can't wait to spend two hours doing the assignment and then no time actually looking at or adjusting the photos in Photoshop. Three more weeks. . . I will let you know if my photos improve.

The Biggest Loser Update

I never commented on last week's episode. I finally got a chance to watch it on Monday night this week and to be quite honest with you, the only thing I remember is the fact that Cathy went home.

Oh, wait all the contestants went home for a week. Did you see the size of Ron's other son? Ginormous, and the mom is like a tiny little bean pole. Hey Ron--nice effort on the half marathon though--really way to power through it.

Then there was the cookie challenge. I feel a little bit bad for Tara because she got screwed out of $10,000 because someone ate a cookie, but she should recognize that she is the biggest threat.

Speaking of that, lets get to this weeks episode. Tara--do you have a target on your back?

Geez, how many times did we have to hear that? I do applaud her for pulling a car filled with 257 extra pounds across the finish line first and I do kind of feel bad that she has yet to hit the 100lb lost mark, but I am tired of her whining.

Which brings me to the point that everyone cries entirely too much on this show!

So, Aubrey got saved last week by Cathy-who looks great btw (I saw her on the Today show) and whose other daughters are also losing weight-but this week she couldn't be saved. I was actually glad that they showed her having trouble at home. I think it is much more realistic that people leave the ranch and gain back at least some of the weight. I do hope she can put herself back on the list and get moving again, but we will see at the finale.

Its Been a While

So, I was gently reminded yesterday that it had been 10 days since my last post.

Honestly, I feel like I got nothing. I have been busy, which has been great, but between working and the Lady and trying to fit in some serious tv time, I have been neglecting my Three Bean readers. For that I apologize.

The Lady has been demanding time on the "puter" so I am limited to when I can actually sit down and pound out what you all have been so desperately craving. I will say not much is new except the Lady has an uncanny ability to find my underwear and wear it around her head. I think she thinks they are some sort of necklace.

I promise, I will come up with something worth reading!

Playdate

Here are some pics from yesterday's playdate on LI.

Too cute.

The Lady plays the drums!

Three little ladies.

Biggest Loser Update

I am sorry I never updated last week's episode. After all the build up of the to be continued. . . I actually missed the first twenty minutes of the show because we were up at the in-laws picking up the Lady.

I did gather that Mike lost the weight needed to keep everyone around for an extra week.

Oh, but sparks did fly. Fillipe lost it on Jillian, which was kind of fun to watch. I do love how Sione has his back.

I did find it odd that they just left and started to work out with Bob, but in all honesty who cares?

I don't know why everyone is always up Bob's ass anyway, Jillian has trained the winner for the last two seasons and they seem to be able to keep off the weight.

What I have decided about this season's cast is that they aren't really "getting it." Not only did we have the overeating, drink fest that was the 24 hours of luxury, but everyone is still crying and making excuses--please just work out. How is it that after how many weeks that people are actually putting on weight?

Tara--you are super annoying. Laura--you will relapse and gain all the weight back when you get home. Ron--seriously, you are still over 3 bills, I know your knees hurt and you are kind of old, but really you should be dropping bigger numbers. Mandy--thank goodness you stepped it up and did the right thing by going home last week, I will not miss your tears. Kristen--you still have major lbs to lose you and your mom better get on the ball because Ron isn't dropping much and I am not sure that alliance you created is actually going to help you. Mike--thank goodness you are working your ass off. Tongan cousins--just suck it up and work out with Jillian, enough is enough. Aubrey--you too need to stop crying and just step it up a bit, you are looking good. Helen--you are actually doing really well and I really like you and I am happy that you are reaching your weight loss goals and I hope that you can maintain it and go far in the competition. Jillian--stop with the bull and just train these people.

I think I covered just about everyone.

I am taking a class for the next 5 weeks on Tuesday nights, so I will have to TiVo the BL, which is probably a good thing because I can fast forward through all the recaps. I will try to update by Wednesday though, I know how much you are all looking forward to it!

Looks like the contestants go home this week. Did you see how big Ron's other son is? He is only 16. That kid better start taking after his brother or he is very quickly going to end up with the physique of his father.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you out there celebrating.

I am jealous that the cold sweet deliciousness of a many a beer may grace the throats of my fine readers today.

I am eagerly anticipating the first night home from the hospital when I will drink down a frothy Guinness to "help" with my milk production and freely combine with the pain killers I will request.

Be safe. Have a great day.

Happy (Belated) Birthday

Happy Birthday to the Wild Man's mom.

I didn't get a chance to get online yesterday (no access at the temp job) so I was unable to send the electronic shout out to my sister.

I hope you had a great day. Thanks for reading. I love you!

Baby News

I had a busy week. I worked out of the house for two whole days! In between I made the trip up to MA to visit the newest member of the family, celebrated the Wild Man's moms b-day and picked up my little sister from college, updates and BL recap to come.



Congrats to Bunny's Mom and to the Bunny for the arrival of the newest member of their family. I am calling this guy the Mad Man, even though these shots of him are nothing but totally sweet.

Check out more baby photos on thebeanandthebearphotography.blogspot.com

Here is a pic of the Lady from her trip in Fla.

We were able to get out this weekend for a few playdates and some sun. The weather warmed up for a few days, but the rest of the week looks like rain and cold. Ugh. Good thing we are pretty busy.

I am working two days this week through the temp agency and in-between I will be making a trip up to MA to visit the Lady's newest little cousin, a boy, set to arrive tomorrow at some point. I will keep you updated on all our happenings.

Mommy Mind Melt?

The Wild Man's mom is also having a baby. That baby is due a few short weeks after my own, so we are super psyched that the kids will once again be close in age.

I haven't had too many mommy mind melts so far this pregnancy, but the Wild Man's mom called me this morning on her way to the airport to see if I could drive to her house to make sure the garage was closed.

The Lady was having a leisurely breakfast and my brother was bored at home, so he offered to take the trip down 95 and check it out.

Fortunately, the garage door was closed all was safe and secure, but that feeling of forgetting something, that feeling that you have lost all sense of yourself to this alien being invading your body is pervasive.

Hopefully next time it won't be the stove!

The Biggest Loser Update

WTF? A to be continued. . .

I guess they are trying to create drama this season since it seems to be lacking a bit.

I was convinced that Mike was going to lose enough to save both teams when I saw that he was weighing in at 9:57 p.m., certainly not enough time to do a double team elimination, but then they blindsided me with the continuation. OH BL? Why do you torture me? It is bad enough you cut away at the last second during the weigh in, was it necessary to fill me with hope that the sweet, young, generous Mike (he gave away a year's worth of groceries!) was going to lose more then he needed and save everyone in the house.

UGH. I guess I have to wait until next week where it looks like Filipe loses it on Jillian. Can't wait, finally some fireworks!

Speaking of Jillian--thank goodness she finally called out Laura. She is such a waste of space. I am getting tired of her half-assing it all the time. I am glad she got called the weakest link I think she needs the wake up call.

I thought the challenge was a good one, at least they were put to work to do something good for the community. It was much better than watching them bike for 24 hours straight.

Looking forward to next week. Hopefully, everyone will be safe. . .

Almost Forgot. . .

So, after a long day flying home, I was super psyched to watch some TiVo when I got home, when much to my chagrin we realized that at some point the power went out here and the TV never reset.

Oh, the TiVo did its job, but since the cable box wasn't on bypass, it only recorded hours and hours of blank screens. Ugh. Luckily, Lost replays the previous weeks episode the next week, and I know I can watch most shows on the computer, but it isn't the same.

The worst part about it was that I missed the first part of the Top Chef finale and when I rescheduled it to record again, the guide effed me and instead of part I of the finale I got an old episode of West Wing. Blast you--you infernal cable guide!

Anyway, I saw enough headlines to know who made the final three, but I have yet to watch the entire finale. I am hoping that the third time was the charm and that the Lady naps soon!

Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes

One of my goals has been to try and get some extra income into our household. It was tough last year, considering that most of my work is in the housing industry and we all know how well that part of our economy has been doing.

However, due to the lower interest rates I have seen an upswing in my part-time work. The great thing about it is that I can do it from home, the bad thing is I never know when the work will dry up. Because of that and because I recognize that I will eventually have to go back to work. I signed up at a Temp agency last fall. I had only one assignment in November and then nothing else until last week.

I got a call when we were still in FL, that the same company needed a proofreader for four days over a two week period. I realize that to those of you who actually go to work each day that a schedule like that is probably pretty ideal, however for someone who hasn't worked in an office setting since 2002, it is always a little daunting. Not only do I have to make sure I can get someone to take care of the Lady, but I actually have to worry about sitting at a desk and trying to make myself look busy.

The first day of my assignment, I walked into a desk full of work, that lasted until about 2:30 p.m. after that it was a pretty slow. I try to use my time wisely. I edited an essay for my sister at school, I made the mother of all to-do lists, a menu for the week, as well as the beginnings of what I hope will actually be an effective and accurate household budget. Since, I had no access to a computer, I was forced to fill my to-do list with the most basic--Do laundry, to the most dreaded--clean bathrooms.

Thursday, was much slower, I revised the list. I updated the menu, I brought a book, which I am hoping to finish sometime this year.

The one thing I did like about the day was that it did have some structure to it. Even in the down time, I was able to pause for a minute and try to figure out what to do in order to make my life more organized, less stressful, and above all more balanced. I think that I am ready to go back to work (maybe not full-time, or in an office. . .) but I am ready for a different part of my mind to be active. To think about a specific problem or task rather than try to remember the last time the Lady pooped. And even though not that many people talked to me, it was nice to converse with adults. The best part of the whole week was that on Thursday, I actually went out to lunch with my husband, who only works like a quarter of a mile down the road. I think that was the first time in a really long, long, long, time that we had been out in public, together and alone.

I am hoping that I get more assignments in the future, not only because it gives me the extra income we need, and that it gives me experience in the field that I eventually want to return to, but that it does give me a break from mommy mode and allows me to separate Bean from Momma!

The Biggest Loser Update

I know the next episode is tomorrow but better late. . .

So last week was a two night special due to the President's address. I hope everyone stayed up and watched.

The teams were divided last week and that brought out a lot of emotion in everyone including Bob. I know he is super sensitive and all into spirituality and yoga, but the guy was super upset about the breakup of his team. It is funny that all the drama this season comes from the fact that everyone loves each other too much.

I know that last season I complained that there was too much game play, that this should be a show about getting people healthy and that game play should be secondary, however this season it is virtually non-existent. While last season it made for great TV--Vicky, Heba do I dare say I miss your trickery?--I will admit that I sometimes do like this kind of touchy, feely TV. I am routing for everyone and am genuinely disappointed when one contestant has to leave.

That being said, can we please, please do something to help Ron? Knee braces? Back support? Orthopedic shoes? Something so the poor guy can drop a bit more weight, his body is starting to fold over on itself. For a three-hundred plus pound guy his waist is the smallest part of his body it is like looking at some sort of fun house hourglass, and frankly it frightens me.

So Dane got booted. He will do fine at home, in fact it looks like he ran a marathon with his super skinny wife. But I have some news out of LA today, that says in fact he did not run that entire marathon within the six hour time period and he definitely didn't run it in 3:53. Oh, the magic of TV. I guess the producers want us to believe that we really can do it at home.

I have to give props to Tara because she works her ass off, but stop the crying, the martyrdom, and the whining. I have had enough.

Stay tuned for this weeks update. . .

I'm Back

Sorry for the delay folks but it has been a busy two weeks. Here is a short recap:

The Lady got upgraded to a suite at the Ritz Carleton, she peed on the floor in that room too! We spent the rest of our days sunning at the pool. She didn't love the sand at the ocean though, which she will just have to suck up because I am planning on spending a lot of time at the beach before baby number two this summer.

The trip home was a nightmare. It included:

The Lady peeing through her diaper on me after we got through security. Luckily we had her pj pants from the night before, but lets just say the outfit wasn't super cute.

The Lady throwing a container of peaches in light syrup on the floor of first class and smearing yogurt on the window. Both of these things I had to clean up with my sweatshirt (the one hiding my pee-stained shirt) until the flight attendant could come around with that hot towel. Since we were sitting in the first row, I had no access to my bag filled with wipes until well after take-off.

The Lady taking a poop in first class and me having to change her in that tiny airplane bathroom.

The Lady screaming for fifteen minutes before finally falling asleep with only fifteen minutes left in the flight.

Needless to say, next time I will ride in the back of the bus as long as the Lady has her own seat and I can strap her in.

On a positive note Jared from the Subway ads was also sitting in first class. I like to think that even after all that money he's made from being fat and then eating Subway sandwiches that he still had to listen to the Lady scream.