RHBH

OK, now you know, I am one of those women.  I admit it.  I am addicted to watch Real Housewives.  I'm not proud of it.  I am also a fan of  Downton Abbey, if that makes any difference.  Don't judge me. Reality TV addiction is a tough thing to kick. 

All in all, I didn't think this season was RHBH's best.  It just didn't seem to have much continuity to it and it felt more staged than usual.  
But that certainly didn't stop me from watching it...

If I had to choose one housewife that I could be out of any of the RH shows, it would be Yolanda for a number of reasons.  First of all, I have often wondered what it would feel like to be one of those amazon women that everyone gawks at when she walks into a room.  Yo wears her clothes beautifully and definitely has no problem wearing the same thing two or three times (white jeans) when she knows she looks good.  

Another reason I wouldn't mind being Yo is because I am green with envy of her Hollywood lifestyle and home.  I adore her garden and her refrigerator that could fit a family of six.

And lastly, I want to be Yo because I could be as rude as I want and defend myself by telling everyone that I am like that because I am foreign.  Works for her.

The reason why I wouldn't want to be Yo is the fact she has lousy taste in men and waits on "my love" hand and foot.  That would get exhausting. If David Foster were married to me, he would consider it boot camp and move on to wife #8.

I felt Taylor was a bit of a nonentity this season.  Not a lot happening with her except she was drinking too much and lost track of  Kennedy's whereabouts for a day.  I think she was putting that "drinking thing" on so she would have some kind of story line.  
My bet is she will be gone next season faster than you can say "Jillzarin."

I tried to find a photo of Brandi "stirring the pot" or a cauldron, whichever you prefer.  She just loved to toss an oral grenade into a circle of housewives and then back off and watch everybody blow up at each other.  Just when I thought that Brandi couldn't get any worse, she drops the bomb shell that she thinks Kyle secretly wants Kim to fail in her attempts at sobriety.  OUCH!

Another point about Brandi.  Is it just me or does anyone else think that Lisa, Ken and Brandi make an odd threesome?  The 3 of them get a real kick out of each other and their menage trois.   To me, it gives me the creeps.  I'd rather kiss Giggy than Ken any day.

The best thing that happened to Lee Ann Rimes and her tarnished public image is Brandi.  She should write her a thank you note.

Oh, poor Kim.  She was definitely "on something" in Paris.  No question about that.  For being an addict, she sure takes a lot of medication.  She tries so hard to have Kyle like her as much as she likes Faye, which is a mystery in itself. 
I think it's time for Kim to leave the show and tend to her own personal issues.  After seeing her counsel Taylor, she may be able to do commercials for the Betty Ford Clinic.

The reason Kyle and Lisa were having problems this season is because I think they were both vying for the title of the Grand Dame of RHBH.
  

Mauricio certainly got more than his share of camera time this season.  And I think he kind of  liked it.

Kyle wants the viewers to see a calm, assured, loving wife, sister, overpriced boutique owner, and mother.  I think the camera loses focus though, and shows her as someone who feeds on attention and the spotlight.

Lisa was a much more affable person the first season.  But I think she got a whiff of fame and decided to create drama which brings on more camera time.  The renewal of the vows was the most  ridiculous circus and waste of time I've yet to see on a RH show.  And believe me, I have watched them all.

Last but not least...
the couple that gives a whole new meaning to
AWOL

Is anybody shocked that these two are getting divorced?  The other housewives just couldn't believe it!?!  Doesn't say much for the intelligence of the rest of the crew.

How about that last scene that Paul and Adrienne appeared in together?  He was decked out in body paint hanging off a pathetic tree limb and she was snarling at him to get down.
Just another day in Maloof paradise.

Adrienne is now rocking Rod Stewart's son's world.  
Lucky him.

Every time Faye and Marissa were on the screen, I couldn't help but think of Cinderella's ugly step sisters.  Whenever they were at a party and a camera was in sight, they made a run for it and landed front and center in front of the lens.  These two bimbos didn't care that they had nothing to do with the argument - they put themselves smack dab in the middle of it.  It almost looked like they were auditioning... hmmmm.

VS

BREAKING NEWS.... Rambo filed a suit against Yo's ex and Lisa's bff, Mohamed.  According to sources, Sly has accused Mo of some shoddy contractor work on his 2009 mansion.  (Wait, lemme get a tissue).  Mo swung back with a restraining order against Sly accusing him of threatening to blow his head off. 

I smell reality show!!


 Happy Friday!

Help me!!!!

 

Thanks for introducing me, Oprah

On Sunday mornings, I usually turn on  Oprah's Super Soul Sunday while I get ready for church. The show focuses on "my girl" interviewing authors that have written inspirational books.   

In March, Oprah's guest was Doctor Brene Brown, who is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work.  Doctor Brown has spent years researching the relationship between vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame.  She has written three books, her latest being Daring Greatly, which I ordered within minutes of the show's ending.
  
 Dr . Brown by far wins the prize for the most interesting and provocative guest in this series.  She has a way of articulating the most common and elementary emotions that we all experience and administering great wisdom in every day language.  Dr. Brown presents herself as an unpretentious woman who possesses doubts and vulnerability sprinkled with a generous dose of humor. 

By the end of the interview, I wanted to call her up and ask her over for happy hour.  I would even let her bring her buddy, Oprah, along.

The highlight of the entire interview conversation was when Oprah asked Dr. Brown to read a page from her book.    

*****

The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto

Above all else, I want you to know that you are loved and lovable. You will learn this from my words and actions--the lessons on love are in how I treat you and how I treat myself.

I want you to engage with the world from a place of worthiness. You will learn that you are worthy of love, belonging, and joy every time you see me practice self-compassion and embrace my own imperfections.

We will practice courage in our family by showing up, letting ourselves be seen, and honoring vulnerability. We will share our stories of struggle and strength. There will always be room in our home for both.

We will teach you compassion by practicing compassion with ourselves first; then with each other. We will set and respect boundaries; we will honor hard work, hope, and perseverance. Rest and play will be family values, as well as family practices.

You will learn accountability and respect by watching me make mistakes and make amends, and by watching how I ask for what I need and talk about how I feel.

I want you to know joy, so together we will practice gratitude.

I want you to feel joy, so together we will learn how to be vulnerable.

When uncertainty and scarcity visit, you will be able to draw from the spirit that is a part of our everyday life.

Together we will cry and face fear and grief. I will want to take away your pain, but instead I will sit with you and teach you how to feel it.

We will laugh and sing and dance and create. We will always have permission to be ourselves with each other. No matter what, you will always belong here.

As you begin your Wholehearted journey, the greatest gift that I can give to you is to live and love with my whole heart and to dare greatly.

I will not teach or love or show you anything perfectly, but I will let you see me, and I will always hold sacred the gift of seeing you. Truly, deeply, seeing you.

*****

I was late for Mass that Sunday because I had to re-apply my "waterproof" mascara.

Happy Tuesday!

Flower Power

Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend.  #1 came home Saturday evening and we went to one of our favorite restaurants in town, Cavalli's.  It was even nice enough to eat al fresco.

Later that evening, we had wicked overnight "funder whitening" storms as my girls used to call them.  Sunday we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Capital Grille in Dallas before our girl headed back to school to study.  At least that's what she told us...

A couple of weeks ago, I went to my favorite Texas nursery, Calloways, to stock up on flowers for my pots.  As always, I was premature with my planting and we had a freeze three days after these photos were taken.  I bundled my pots up in warm blankets for two evenings and they survived.  Oh happy day!  

Here are a few pictures I took at Calloways while I was picking out my flowers.

Love the color of these begonias, but I never have much luck with them.  

Aren't these lillies gorgeous?

Love the two purples together.

More begonias that don't like me.

Great prices on orchids.  They're not too crazy about me either.

And here are my creations that I spent two nights giving life support to....

Hope your Tuesday is filled with fresh flowers!