bachelorette recap: the final rose plus the guys tell all!

Let’s just be clear, guys really have no idea how to gossip. Sunday night’s tell-all episode was about as vanilla as they come. William was reminded that roasting Ashley was a stupid decision (ya think?). Ryan was forced to watch himself and see just how irritating he is (water heater conversation and all).

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bachelorette recap: a trip to fiji narrows it down to 2!

Ashley and the final three guys, Ben, Constantine and JP, head to Fiji!

I find it interesting that the final three guys are comprised of the two shaggiest and the baldest. Also, O-M-G! Ryan has returned to Fiji, no doubt to explain the benefits of high efficiency air conditioning. I predict this will not go well. Ashley is all, “Whoa! What are you doing here?” He asks for another shot and tells her he’ll be on the island for a few days, no pressure. I’m confident he's just auditioning for the next season of The Bachelor.

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bachelorette recap: ashley narrows it down to three!

Ashley and the four remaining guys head home where Ashley gets to meet each of their families. Finally, the shoe’s on the other foot as the guys put Ashley in the hot seat!

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bachelorette recap: taiwan tanks for ryan and lukas.

The six remaining guys and Ashley travel to Taiwan, where two more men will be sent home. The four surviving fellas will get to take Ashley to visit their home towns and meet their families. Ashley says she’s, “looking for an emotional and physical connection,” and wants to make sure this is in place before she meets anyone’s family. I wonder how long it will be before she starts pining for Bentley again?

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bachelorette recap: bentley's return ends the "dot, dot, dot"

For the past two weeks we've been seeing teasers of Bentley's return. Would he come back for good? Was he just looking for one last minute of fame while he awaits the call to be the star of the next Bachelor? I know I am not alone when I say that I was really hoping that once Ashley saw him she would finally get a clue and wash her hands of this jerk. From the get-go it didn't look good - after saying "hello", she immediately fell into his arms and kissed him. He tried to skirt the issue of the "dot dot dot" by saying "he thinks he knows where she is at" and asking if she's been having a good time since he left. Ashley "gets it" and says, "so this is a period, not a dot dot dot," and the heavens open up to a chorus of "Hallelujah!" To hear her say, "he is such a player, he disrespected me to the core" was music to my ears.

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bachelorette recap - will ashley ever get over bentley?

Ashley and the 11 remaining guys fly from Phuket to Chiang Mai. Perhaps a change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered?

The guys are given a private villa and Nick wants to take their relationship "to the next level". JP is ready to make babies. Seriously. While Ashley still has no clue about what a dog Bentley was (and still is). Yet, she thinks she is ready to fall in love.

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bachelorette recap: why you shouldn't date a man named after a car.

After a week that left Bachelorette fans wondering why the heck the producers of the show would cast a creep like Bentley and left Ashley in a puddle of her own tears, I think we can all agree on the following dating tips:

Don’t fall for a guy named after a car. Also, if a guy wears a mask, don’t ask him to take it off, just show him the door.

This week Ashley is down to 12 fellas and off to Phuket, Thailand (*snicker*) for a “fresh start”. When the bachelors are informed that they are going to Thailand they rejoice like they have been given SuperBowl tickets. They are told there will be two one-on-one dates and one group date.

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Parenthood: TV Drama or Reality TV?

When I heard there was a new TV drama starting up called "Parenthood" all I really thought was "oh, cool, Lauren Graham from Gilmore Girls is back on TV, I'll have to check it out!". I actually managed to catch the first episode (total fluke) and as the plot was laid out, it became apparent that one of the story lines was going to be about a family "coming to grips" (see me doing air quotes with my fingers sarcastically) with their son being diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. I was tempted to turn it off and never watch it again, my feeling being that I ride this Autism roller coaster every damn day and I don't need to watch it during my time to relax. But the siren song of Lauren Graham lured me in (and the ever sexy Peter Krause) so I decided to give it a few shows before I made the call.

Funny enough, the character with Asperger Syndrome is named Max. Go figure. I've been asked if I see any similarities between what is being portrayed on the show and my personal experience. Our Max was diagnosed with Autism at 32 months old, so we are really living a different reality. The Max on the show is quite high functioning whereas we really have no idea where our Max will end up on the spectrum. I certainly have high hopes for my little guy, but only time will tell. What did hit home is how overwhelming it is when you first start out. Everyone has advice, well meaning parents tell you what you should do, what doctor you should see, have you tried this diet or this B12 shot? Read this book? Seen that documentary? You are bombarded from all directions and you haven't even asked for help yet. It's completely nuts and when I look back on the last year and a half I wonder how I managed to stay out of the funny farm (I'm guessing it was full and my family just didn't have the heart to tell me).

I remember someone emailing me the "Welcome to Holland" poem, thinking it would help me get perspective on having a child with special needs. After I read the poem, all I could think was "Fuck Holland, them and their wooden shoes". I still feel that way today, especially now that I have a neurotypical child. Raising a child with Autism sucks. It really does. It is heartbreaking and painful, it eats away at you and breaks you down. It tests every single one of your relationships to the fullest extent possible - be it your spouse, your best friend, parents, siblings, employer, whatever - nothing is left untouched. I've had some people suggest to me that I love Max just the way he is and that they are sure I wouldn't change him for the world. That's complete bullshit. Yes, I do love him the way he is, but if I could wave a magic wand and make him not Autistic I would do it in a hot second. Life is hard for us as Max's parents, but it is way harder for Max. I wish more than anyone can understand that I could lift this blanket of Autism off of my little boy and let his full sunshine light the world.

Back to the show though - because that's where we started. I like it, and I'll keep watching. Not for Lauren Graham or sexy Peter Krause, but for Max's mom "Kristina". I see a lot of my experience in her. She feels woefully inadequate on all fronts, can't seem to make anyone happy, and has lost her identity somewhere in the shuffle. She's doing her best to keep her head above water and keep on keepin' on. I feel for her, and I'm rooting for her. Telling her it will get better, hoping for myself that it gets better too. Next time you watch this show and you get to turn it off after the hour is up, remember that for a lot of families, this isn't a TV Drama, it's our personal Reality Show, and we don't get to turn it off, and we don't win a million smackers for getting through it.

Jon & Kate Plus 8: Live Blog!

I know, I'm a glutton for punishment. I just can't resist. Come join in on the fun at 9pm EST for the Jon & Hate (I mean Kate) Plus 8 live blog. Let's see if she can get any meaner!
****************

• 8:28 PM: FickleFeline 32 minutes and counting. Max is still up...we haven't had dinner yet. Kate would not be impressed.


• 8:29 PM: FickleFeline


• 8:29 PM: FickleFeline This one's for you Chris!


• 8:30 PM: FickleFeline


• 8:31 PM: FickleFeline We should start a "Save Hannah" campaign. She is too good for her family.


• 8:33 PM: FickleFeline


• 8:33 PM: FickleFeline lmao....


• 8:58 PM: FickleFeline Holy crap...American Chopper cross promo? TLC! You guys are assholes!


• 8:59 PM: FickleFeline Jon gets a bike so he can escape from the madhouse!


• 9:00 PM: FickleFeline Oh boy


• 9:00 PM: FickleFeline American Chopper on Jon & Kate...didn't we just do this on American Chopper?


• 9:01 PM: FickleFeline All I want to see is the little kids play...


• 9:01 PM: FickleFeline TLC you are about to lose my business.


• 9:01 PM: FickleFeline There is Jon, all my his lonesome. There is Kate, stretching out on the couch.


• 9:02 PM: FickleFeline Jon wearing a muscle shirt. Love it.


• 9:02 PM: FickleFeline I think Kate's water bottle is full of vodka.


• 9:04 PM: FickleFeline I think Jon is slipping these guys "save me" messages.


• 9:06 PM: FickleFeline I am really strugging here...this show really sucks now.


• 9:06 PM: FickleFeline Kate is a wench. Jon is miserable, the kids are background noise.


• 9:09 PM: FickleFeline omg - the kids get a moment in the spotlight


• 9:09 PM: FickleFeline and the dogs...call the spca!


• 9:10 PM: FickleFeline Big hairy dude is playing with the kids with glitter.


• 9:11 PM: FickleFeline omg...the dogs...eating food...that is on the floor. Shoot - isn't that what dogs do? I'm with Jon.


• 9:13 PM: FickleFeline Lowes commercial...


• 9:13 PM: FickleFeline not much different than the entire show...one long big commericial...sigh TLC you are killing me!


• 9:15 PM: FickleFeline The dude from Big Lebowski is narrating the Coleman commercial...


• 9:16 PM: FickleFeline omg...the duggers...uber breeders extraordinaire


• 9:16 PM: FickleFeline Jon is at the shop...happy to be away from his family.


• 9:17 PM: FickleFeline Jon is getting yelled at again


• 9:17 PM: FickleFeline he's used to it...


• 9:17 PM: FickleFeline Jon looks like he is in grade 8 shop class.


• 9:18 PM: FickleFeline The guys continue to abuse Jon...he doesn't even notice, he's so used to being beaten down.


• 9:18 PM: FickleFeline lmao - "I haven't had time to do something I enjoyed"


• 9:20 PM: FickleFeline Kate takes the hairy dude to the spa...this is really stretching it.


• 9:20 PM: FickleFeline The preview of next week...looks...I don't know...they are all getting their own play houses...maybe Hannah can move out.


• 9:20 PM: FickleFeline Cake Boss! Rulz0rs!


• 9:22 PM: FickleFeline lol...tlc families big and small...TLC likes their dwarves for sure


• 9:23 PM: FickleFeline Kate is bitter she didn't get a bike...


• 9:23 PM: FickleFeline or maybe she does


• 9:23 PM: FickleFeline a pink bike...lame


• 9:23 PM: FickleFeline Kate "squeak squeak squeak ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WOW!!!"


• 9:26 PM: FickleFeline Kate digs the hairy dude


• 9:26 PM: FickleFeline I think she is going to get him a Kate haircut


• 9:26 PM: FickleFeline the helmet...washed, combed, curled, shelacked


• 9:28 PM: FickleFeline Kate seriously has the hots for hairy guy...oh, his name is Mikey. Poor Mikey. He is a good sport.


• 9:29 PM: FickleFeline Awh, requisite charity spot...see we aren't completely self-absorbed assholes all the time


• 9:29 PM: FickleFeline Kate is giving her pink scooter to charity. Jon is keeping his bike.


• 9:30 PM: FickleFeline Jon is happy to have made some friends. Now he has someone to drink with, besides, you know, those college girls


• 9:30 PM: FickleFeline And we're out...rerun...back to the days of happy happy Jon and Kate before they moved.


• 9:30 PM: FickleFeline Good night!

Jon & Kate Plus 8: Live Blog!

Last week's post about the Jon & Kate Plus 8 Season Premiere was so popular, I thought that I should try live blogging it this week. Scott suggested I try the Scribblelive App, so I'm going to test it out this week. No promises if this post goes sideways...

• 8:37 PM: Fickle Feline Feel free to join in and add your own snark. J & K haters and lovers welcome!


• 8:39 PM: Fickle Feline Hey everyone, I'm going to be live blogging Jon & Kate Plus 8 tonight...assuming my own little beasts decide to stay asleep...here's hoping!


• 8:40 PM: Fickle Feline omg - this rerun of last week's show is killing me. Jon is the king of subtle digs...he REALLY doesn't like Kate.


• 8:44 PM: Fickle Feline How was peanut butter birthday cake a good idea? Did Kate get all the parents to sign waivers before the party that if your kid keels over from an allergic reaction, tough luck?? And don't you dare take the camera off my kids for wee Johnny who is turning blue on the ground...
  
  


• 8:45 PM: Fickle Feline I bet Jon was wishing there was a piñata in Kate's likeness...and vice versa I'm sure!


• 8:48 PM: Fickle Feline Awh...they were pretty cute as babies...even I gotta give 'em that!


• 8:50 PM: Fickle Feline I think Kate's hair has become more helmet-esque each season. Pretty soon she'll just be getting it done and shelacking it.


• 8:52 PM: Fickle Feline I was thinking that I should start a Jon & Kate drinking game...every time Jon makes a passive-aggressive remark, you take a drink. Every time Kate makes an aggressive-aggressive remark you take a drink. Wait...we'll all be completely hosed by the 1st commercial...suggestions for a more moderate version of this game??


• 8:54 PM: Fickle Feline That Cake Boss show looks pretty good...


• 8:54 PM: Fickle Feline Jon looks completely fried...and REALLY tan.


• 8:54 PM: Fickle Feline Kate is really really really into her kids. She does everything for her kids...


• 8:55 PM: Fickle Feline And Jon loves his kids too...


• 8:55 PM: Fickle Feline And they both do everything for their kids....


• 8:56 PM: Fickle Feline But it is clear that Jon doesn't give a rat's ass about Kate.


• 8:56 PM: Fickle Feline And Kate wouldn't piss on Jon if he was on fire!


• 8:56 PM: Fickle Feline Oh the tears...Kate! That's not playing fair...and your mascara might run!


• 8:58 PM: Fickle Feline I wonder what the divorce rate statistics are for parents of multiples who have a tv show?


• 9:00 PM: Fickle Feline Oh...here we go - giddyup


• 9:00 PM: Fickle Feline Jon goes snowboarding with his "friends"...


• 9:00 PM: Fickle Feline Can't wait to meet them!


• 9:01 PM: Fickle Feline Kate: "my kids my kids my kids my kids...my kids my kids..."


• 9:01 PM: Fickle Feline Look at all the people who want her autograph...I can't imagine wanting her autograph


• 9:02 PM: Fickle Feline I love that she acts like she cares, but she isn't even looking at her fans...


• 9:02 PM: Fickle Feline I just figured out why Jon has that funky tan - that's a snowboarding tan from his goggles! Makes so much more sense now!


• 9:03 PM: Fickle Feline Jon - passive aggressive remark #3a: "We're not moms. Nor do we try to be"


• 9:04 PM: Fickle Feline Hey - if you're watching, jump in...you KNOW you have something to say about this...


• 9:05 PM: Fickle Feline I love that Kate's hair is "perfect" when she wakes up in the morning...see, the shelack is working!


• 9:05 PM: Fickle Feline Do you think she runs lines with them every night before bed??


• 9:05 PM: Fickle Feline And sponsored by Ragu?? Is Ragu organic??


• 9:06 PM: Fickle Feline I thought they lived on 100% organic food for $200 a week...


• 9:07 PM: Fickle Feline I have yet to figure out how the hell they manage that...$200 per week...10 mouths...that's $20 per person...per week. Ummm....I can maybe see $20 per person per day!


• 9:08 PM: Fickle Feline I gotta scrape the whole bunny down...I seriously have to watch Cake Boss.


• 9:08 PM: Fickle Feline Awh, now it's Kate's birthday...and Jon was away? What a jerk!!


• 9:09 PM: Fickle Feline She has to make her own bday cake? How unfair. I am sure some bakery would have given her a cake.


• 9:09 PM: Fickle Feline "It just happened to fall on Kate's birthday"...right Jon


• 9:10 PM: Fickle Feline I'm sure that broke his heart...missing her birthday to go snowboarding on his own for 5 days. He looks super interested in this whole disabled athletes bit.


• 9:10 PM: Fickle Feline He's just happy there is only one kid to work with and not 8.


• 9:11 PM: Fickle Feline Back to Kate, doing a "whole lot of nothing". Cue music...and the bus! Surprise!


• 9:11 PM: Fickle Feline "oh my. There IS a bus!"


• 9:12 PM: Fickle Feline Kate is not a very good actress...


• 9:12 PM: Fickle Feline As IF she didn't know exactly what was going to happen. Gimme a break.


• 9:13 PM: Fickle Feline And back to Jon on the mountain with the disabled kids. Is this supposed to make us like him more?


• 9:15 PM: Fickle Feline I would kill for 5 days by myself...no offense meant to my husband, kids, etc...


• 9:16 PM: Fickle Feline TLC really likes little people, eh?


• 9:16 PM: Fickle Feline and we're back...


• 9:17 PM: Fickle Feline I wonder if Jon and Tracy went for drinks after their day on the slopes?


• 9:17 PM: Fickle Feline So, Kate obviously got a chance to change her clothes, because she looks pretty glammed up for cake making.


• 9:18 PM: Fickle Feline More cake!!!


• 9:18 PM: Fickle Feline This season of J&K+8 is sponsored by CAKE


• 9:19 PM: Fickle Feline I love how Kate's voice goes all high when she is fake-excited.


• 9:19 PM: Fickle Feline I wonder if those cakes taste any good?


• 9:20 PM: Fickle Feline As if Kate cares about what kind of mess her kids make when they aren't at home. What.ever.


• 9:21 PM: Fickle Feline Duff meet Kate..."reality" tv heaven!!


• 9:21 PM: Fickle Feline giant blue mountain of goodness


• 9:22 PM: Fickle Feline is it just me, or is Maddie...really gd annoying?


• 9:22 PM: Fickle Feline And there's Jon on the black diamonds...


• 9:22 PM: Fickle Feline I wonder if we'll get one frame of Jon & Kate together on this show...anyone willing to bet on it?


• 9:23 PM: Fickle Feline Wow...Honda ad overlaid on top of the kids going down a slide.


• 9:23 PM: Fickle Feline These kids are being used I tell ya!!


• 9:24 PM: Fickle Feline Though, I'd probably watermark all my kid pics for the next 10 years with a Honda logo for a new CR-V.


• 9:24 PM: Fickle Feline Heck, I'd probably give my kids a second middle name of Honda


• 9:24 PM: Kath Can I ask why Kate's face looks so f'd up? Is it just me?


• 9:24 PM: Fickle Feline She is downright ORANGE!


• 9:25 PM: Fickle Feline She has more makeup on her mug than those cakes have icing.


• 9:25 PM: Kath Her hair is driving me insane too. Am I being too brutal?


• 9:26 PM: Fickle Feline @Kath, it's a friggin' helmet...


• 9:26 PM: Fickle Feline holy shit - a frame with them together!!


• 9:26 PM: Kath I can't believe they're cross-promoting TLC shows now. Sad.


• 9:26 PM: Fickle Feline Well, they gotta pay the bills.... (wink)


• 9:27 PM: Kath Kat, that's b/c the whole "split up" fiasco happened after these episodes were taped.


• 9:27 PM: Fickle Feline I think they are officially split up, and so technically whatever Jon did wasn't cheating, but Kate is super pissed that he got caught and ruined the fairytale.


• 9:27 PM: Kath Publicity stunt galore. It worked - 10M viewers last week! And despite my skepticism, I'm watching too, lol.


• 9:28 PM: Fickle Feline It's like a trainwreck...I just can't look away.


• 9:29 PM: Kath I know, me too. I wonder if they'll do the "thing" at the end, with Jon and Kate and their supposed dislike for one another.


• 9:29 PM: Fickle Feline Gawd I hope so.


• 9:29 PM: Fickle Feline Cut to screaming kids hopped up on sugar.


• 9:29 PM: Fickle Feline Do those kids come with a mute button?


• 9:29 PM: Kath Better be. We just lost an hour of our lives!


• 9:30 PM: Kath Half an hour?


• 9:30 PM: Fickle Feline Oh snap...


• 9:30 PM: Fickle Feline really TLC?


• 9:30 PM: Fickle Feline What a rip...


• 9:30 PM: Kath Man, oh man. Oh wait - there's more!


• 9:30 PM: Fickle Feline Oh man - Maddie is wedged in between them...cannot. touch. Kate....


• 9:31 PM: Fickle Feline Second Half, let's GOoooooooooooooo!


• 9:31 PM: Fickle Feline Oh man, Kate took Maddie??


• 9:31 PM: Kath Not a fan of Maddy, BTW.


• 9:31 PM: Fickle Feline She is a brat.


• 9:32 PM: Fickle Feline And not as cute as her twin sister...


• 9:32 PM: Kath Totally. A mini-version of Kate.


• 9:32 PM: Fickle Feline Yes! Check out how her arms are always crossed!


• 9:33 PM: Fickle Feline Jon: "Kate's in California" (what he really means: thank god...I can't stand her)


• 9:33 PM: Fickle Feline Listen to Jon justify we never see him and Kate together..."we're really busy"...uh yeah


• 9:33 PM: Kath I love the subtitles, lol!


• 9:34 PM: Fickle Feline Hah! Do we really need those at this point?


• 9:34 PM: Fickle Feline Well, maybe for Aaden.


• 9:34 PM: Fickle Feline Missing one kid is easier...means...not having Maddie around is a JOY


• 9:35 PM: Kath Is it just me, or are the kids a bit boring this season?


• 9:35 PM: Fickle Feline They are boring because they have too much space...they aren't on top of eachother anymore driving eachother bonkers


• 9:35 PM: Fickle Feline Electric cars, jebus...spoiled!!


• 9:35 PM: Fickle Feline those poor dogs.


• 9:36 PM: Kath Yes, you're right. The chaos is missing, which was key to the show. Oh god, listen to me.


• 9:36 PM: Kath I feel so sorry for Cara.


• 9:37 PM: Fickle Feline Yeah


• 9:37 PM: Fickle Feline she is kind of stuck with all those monsters...


• 9:38 PM: Kath Okay,Kat - hubby is changing the channel b/c he can't stand it anymore. I'm outta here. Have fun with the rest of this blog, and letting me bust in!


• 9:38 PM: Fickle Feline Scott has left the building...


• 9:38 PM: Fickle Feline He can't handle it...lol.


• 9:39 PM: Fickle Feline I think Hannah needs to be rescued. She is my favourite. Little mama.


• 9:39 PM: Fickle Feline "we allowed you guys to film for 1 full day"


• 9:39 PM: Fickle Feline nice


• 9:40 PM: Fickle Feline What is with Jon taking the kids on these massive hikes?


• 9:40 PM: Fickle Feline They are going to traumatize the wildlife.


• 9:40 PM: Fickle Feline But I do love when they all get sticks and beat eachother...that's the good stuff.


• 9:41 PM: Fickle Feline Kid #1 screaming...Alexis...shocker.


• 9:41 PM: Fickle Feline Oh man...bit through her lip...that's no good.


• 9:42 PM: Fickle Feline She looks okay...


• 9:42 PM: Fickle Feline She's probably just psyched to get to be alone for once.


• 9:42 PM: Fickle Feline Can you imagine living with 9 other people?


• 9:42 PM: Fickle Feline There's Maddie again...damn that kid is annoying. She DOES take after her mom....


• 9:44 PM: Fickle Feline 17 minutes to go...will Jon & Kate reconcile? Any takers?


• 9:44 PM: Fickle Feline I'm thinking no....probably not.


• 9:45 PM: Fickle Feline Will we meet Jon's girlfriend or see his bachelor pad?


• 9:45 PM: Fickle Feline Or maybe they've renovated the barn for him?


• 9:45 PM: Fickle Feline Kate seems to be wearing that purple shirt a lot.


• 9:46 PM: Fickle Feline Also, is she orange on your tv? Is it her or do I need to adjust my colour settings??


• 9:47 PM: Fickle Feline Jon gives Alexis a coffee in place of a popcicle...


• 9:47 PM: Fickle Feline typical dad...


• 9:47 PM: Fickle Feline These subtitles are overkill.


• 9:48 PM: Fickle Feline Kids are bitching about Alexis's coffee...can't wait to hear what they think about Maddie getting to go away with Kate. But maybe they are just happy to get a break from the tyrants.


• 9:48 PM: Fickle Feline Kate...bitching about how 8 year olds eat. Gimme a break...she's 8!


• 9:49 PM: Fickle Feline Looks like Jon has about 20 guys helping him with the swing set. For all the complaining he does about setting it up, it seems a bit ... uh... "fake" ??? lmao.


• 9:49 PM: Fickle Feline Glad they got some token shots of him with a hammer though.


• 9:50 PM: Fickle Feline Kate and Maddie go to buy the other kids some plastic crap


• 9:50 PM: Fickle Feline I bet she is like the president...she doesn't even travel with a wallet or money...no need, everyone just gives her stuff....


• 9:51 PM: Fickle Feline Maddie really is mini Kate "you didn't tell me this!!" Mini-kate: "me neither!"


• 9:51 PM: Fickle Feline I want to strangle them both...


• 9:52 PM: Fickle Feline Hmmm...these wii commercials are making me feel very lazy.


• 9:52 PM: Fickle Feline Sun Chips - are they organic??


• 9:52 PM: Fickle Feline Sarah Snow would NOT approve. First Ragu, now Sun Chips. Le sigh. How the mighty have fallen.


• 9:53 PM: Fickle Feline Graduates crunchy snacks...organic? They look like fake food to me...or cheesies for babies.


• 9:53 PM: Fickle Feline I mean, not that, uh, I have never given my baby cheesies.


• 9:54 PM: Fickle Feline 2nd baby gets everything older kid gets, you just cut it up really small. That's what everyone does, right?


• 9:54 PM: Fickle Feline 6 minutes to go and no sighting of Jon's girlfriend...


• 9:55 PM: Fickle Feline And where is this body guard we have heard so much about?


• 9:55 PM: Fickle Feline There is Jon putting up the swing set "alone" again.


• 9:55 PM: Fickle Feline Love it...Aiden broke the toilet.


• 9:56 PM: Fickle Feline Boys will be boys...


• 9:56 PM: Fickle Feline I think Scott broke our toilet lid the same way! Except he isn't 5 years old...


• 9:56 PM: Fickle Feline so what's his excuse?


• 9:57 PM: Fickle Feline Kate: "I can't believe she's 8 and a half, almost 9". (She really means "I can't believe I have to live with this kid for another 9 years")


• 9:58 PM: Fickle Feline Play set is up! Good job Jon (and your crew of 20). Kids are happy.


• 9:58 PM: Fickle Feline Those poor dogs...sliding on their hyneys...


• 9:58 PM: Fickle Feline Someone needs to rescue those dogs.


• 9:59 PM: Fickle Feline Anyone notice that this show is somewhat lacking in content? They have somehow managed to make a show of Kate and Maddie doing sweet-f-a in Cali, and Jon putting up a swing set.


• 10:00 PM: Fickle Feline Is your love cup filled? That's right up there with your passion bucket is overflowing...


• 10:00 PM: Fickle Feline and we are done. And I feel somewhat empty.


• 10:00 PM: Fickle Feline Like I just had a diet coke, when what I really wanted was a glass of wine.


• 10:01 PM: Fickle Feline Oh well. Good night folks - let's try this again next week :-)

The Jon & Kate Reality TV Drama.

I used to like the show Jon & Kate Plus Eight. Watching the daily chaos of this crazy family with eight kids made me feel somewhat calmer about my life. I've since realized that Max = 5 kids all on his own, so we're really not that far behind on the stress metre. At the end of last season, it was pretty clear that things were not going so well in the Gosselin household. The body language between Jon and Kate made it obvious that these two people were no longer on the same page, or sleeping in the same bed.

The PR machine started up full blast just in time for the start of Season 5. It appears that Jon has been partying with the younger set (and I'm not referring to his kids). Kate has been jet setting across America, promoting her book. I'm guessing that when they first appeared on Oprah about 4 years ago, they never imagined it would come to this. Sure, the $2 million mansion is nice. But what about their life? What about their marriage? I specifically remember a few years ago, Jon referring to their life events in "seasons". Kate got pissed, and basically told him that their life was not the show, and not to refer to the passage of time as Season XYZ. My how things change.

Jon is miserable. He hates the show. He probably hates Kate. Kate couldn't care less about how Jon feels. She loves her life, with Jon or without him. It appears that in five quick years, her priorities have completely shifted. To her credit, she shed some tears, commenting that parents of multiples have much higher divorce rates. But I don't think that the sextuplets are the root cause of the problem. I think fame is the problem. She loves it, he hates it. She loves it more than she loves him, and he hates her for it. I'm not sure I blame him.

I don't want to throw Kate completely under the bus here. I know how hard it is to provide for a family with exceptional needs (whether that be having a large number of children or one child who requires extremely expensive therapy). I know that she is trying to provide for them, that she wants to ensure they have wonderful childhood experiences. I can't even imagine having the stress of knowing you have 8 kids to help through college. But I think in the long run, her kids would prefer to have their mom and dad together and a life without paparazzi following their every move, even if it meant they didn't get to go on a bunch of trips, wear fancy clothes, and will have to take out studen loans. I guess we'll see how it turns out. Here's hoping that they find a place to meet in the middle.

America's Next Top Model: Lots of Skinny Girls Crying!

Based on the America's Next Top Model (ANTM) premiere, it looks like it is going to be an awesome season. We have a burn victim, a bootylicious Nascar driver's ex girlfriend, a snotty African, the requisite old chick (yes, 25 is downright elderly in modeling), a freaky-eyed girl, street preacher, and a bunch of skinny, tall waifs. And there were tears, oh yes, there were tears. As someone who has battled my weight since before I can remember, I LOVE seeing skinny girls cry. Love. It. Nothing is more entertaining to me. Except maybe if they are also ghetto-fabulous and have crazy green fluorescent coloured fake finger nails to boot. That is TV gold.

As always, it's really hard to say who will win, but my favourite is this week's photo winner, Freaky-Eyed-Allison. I think she could be very high fashion, the only challenge I can see is that she isn't really a Cover Girl material. I think her lipstick ad would look more like a teen horror flick poster. Especially since she has a weird nose bleed fetish (gross). The other model I like is Old-Chick-Celia. My favourite part of the night was when she and Snotty-African-Sandra almost got into it over who was going to sleep where. Thank goodness Street-Preacher-London stepped in and saved the day. She was right - Jesus wouldn't let her sleep on the floor for long.

Sexy Nigel Barker is back on the judging panel, as are snarky Paulina Porizkova and the two Jays. I am still trying to figure out how it is that Canadian Jay manages to get prettier each season. I think he must shellac his hair to get that ken doll effect. Tyra, of course, is as ridiculous as ever. Is it just me or does that pedestal she is standing on during judging get higher each season?

Next week features the model makeovers which means guaranteed tears as hair gets lopped off and weaves get pulled so tight that at least one girl will look like she got a bonus facelift. I can hardly wait.

American Idol: Wild Card Show.

This was by far my favourite show of the top 36. These singers brought their "A" games tonight and did themselves proud. I was thrilled to see Megan Joy Corkrey, Jasmine Murray, Matt Giraud and Anoop Desai make it through to the "top 13". While I am disappointed that Ju'Not Joyner didn't make it, I am relieved that the Tatiana torture is finally over. My dog that girl was annoying.

Now that the show is cast (we've got a blind dude, a Puerto Rican dude, Indian dude, big beefy white dude, and a metro-sexual dude, plus three more sweet crooning white dudes. The ladies include a soul sister, a diva/belter, teen rocker, teen R&B star, and Norah/Joni Jr. Makes for an interesting season. Sadly, Casey Carlson will not be gracing us with her cuteness.

Kanye West will be on next week's show - can't wait to see what that's all about. I'm sure it will be "amazing".

Sunday Morning Ramblings.

1. It's snowing out. I am so very tired of the snow.

2. Max is turning into a little boy right before our very eyes, and he is starting to calm down, and also interact with us a lot more. We're not sure if this is as a result of his therapy, or if he is just growing up a bit. Sometimes we wonder how much of his behaviour is a result of being Autistic vs. being 2 years old. As first time parents we don't really have a benchmark.

3. Cameron is starting to eat finger foods. Her favourite so far is cheerios. Good call. I need to start weening her soon...but she hates formula and I hate pumping. Not sure what to do about this? I would also very much like to get her sleeping through the night, but we don't have the luxury of doing any "cry it out" with her because she will wake Max up.

4. My healthy eating isn't going so great so far this week. I need to get focused so I can squeeze my behind into my work clothes come May.

5. Tomorrow is the big day when Mabel's Labels will announce the winner of their BlogHer contest. It was very cool that my post made the Top 10 along with the following blogs:

Such The Spot

Prairie Mama

Who's The Boss

Mom of 3 Girls

Postcards From the Mothership

What's That Smell

Jolly Mom

Mommy Goggles

Meladramatic Mommy

I haven't heard anything yet, and since I'm guessing they need to contact the winner before they announce who she is, I'm thinking it isn't me. But that's okay - I knew going in that my chances were slim since I'm such a small blog and the majority of these blogs have huge followings. What's that saying? It was an honour just to be nominated...and thanks to those who voted for me!
6. I am really enjoying the show Dollhouse (bad acting and all), and I am bummed that the ratings are low and it will probably get cancelled. I hate it when I get invested in a show and it gets cancelled (Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip, anyone?).

7. I met for an hour with my MPP, Kevin Flynn on Friday. He is a good guy. I brought Max, and I think he charmed the pants off of Kevin. He also tore Kevin's office apart...Kevin didn't seem to mind, which earned him points with me. He's going to see what he can do for Max. I'll let you know if he has any success.

8. This past week I spoke with my Director at work (basically my boss's boss). I'll be back to work effective May 1st and talking about the details with her made it very real. Scott and I need to figure out how we are going to get Max to his therapy while we are both at work, and how we are going to manage pick-ups and drop-offs for both kids. I am kind of excited to start this next chapter, but also a little overwhelmed with how we are going to juggle everything without dropping too many balls.

9. We are making a lamb shoulder roast for dinner. I think we'll try this recipe. Commence "baa-ing" now.

10. Scott is up (it was his turn to sleep in today), so I am going back to bed for a bit.

Casey Carlson: When Pretty Young Things Can't Sing.

I'm a little late to the party this week, so instead of writing a whole rundown, I'm just going to write about everyone's favourite pretty young thing, Casey Carlson. Oy. Where do I begin?

Before you go thinking I'm hating on Casey Carlson because she is young, gorgeous, has the figure of a bikini model...(wait, she is a bikini model!), men of all ages salivate when they see her, she could be Mandy Moore's little sister, and she is just about as perky as can be, that is NOT why I am hating on her. I am actually dissing her because I am incredibly disappointed.

As Kara DioGuardi (who I love) aptly pointed out, Casey has the whole package. And while she isn't a fantastic singer, she can actually carry a tune in a bucket. She may not be the future Whitney Houston, but she could give Miley, Taylor, and Demi a run for their money. That is, if she had only picked the right song. Instead she picked the Police song "Every Little Thing She Has Is Magic". That's right up there with trying to sing Stevie Wonder, it just isn't done. For the life of me, I can't figure out why the producers of American Idol let her sing it. You'd think they'd want to keep her in the competition, for ratings if nothing else.

And the faces - my gawd! She looked like a show choir singer starring in an adult film. Looking at her, you'd think she'd be able to move, but nope, failing grade there as well. Jerky, awkward, and even squatting at points! And the winking, oh the winking. Could it get any worse? I guess we'll find out in a few weeks - I fully expect to see her in the wild card show, with a MUCH better song, hand picked by the producers. Book it, you heard it here first.

Vote for Katrina @ Fickle Feline 2.0 and send me to BlogHer in Chicago! My Rewards & Benefits of Blogging post made the Top 10 Finalists of the Mabel's Label's BlogHer Contest. So, please, vote for me! And ask your friends to vote for me too!! I am the smallest blog in this contest, so help me rock the vote!

Reality Check.

I am a big fan of reality television. I am currently watching The Biggest Loser and American Idol. Tomorrow, the latest season of Survivor kicks off, and I am ready. If inspired, I may even blog about each episode. I think this season is going to be a good one, and who can resist Peachy (Jeff Probst)?. In fact, I may even blog about American Idol (once they get down to the top 20). I love the new judge and I'm taking bets on how long it takes Paula to do something really wacky. And did I mention that America's Next Top Model starts up again in 3 weeks? 3 WEEKS! I can hardly contain myself. With the ups and downs of my reality as of late, I think I could use a pleasant distraction or four. Also...stay tuned for some very cool news coming tomorrow!