The Life of Bon

Sunday, February 07, 2016

To market To market to buy a fat pig

It's been a wild and crazy week over here. So wild. So crazy. Do you want to hear how w&c it truly did get? I know you are just on the edge of your seats, tell us Bonnie, please tell us! Okay, okay but only because you insist.

At the beginning of the year we got into two markets for February 5-6 for Hey June. What is a market you may ask? A place to go to buy a fat pig? No no, it is where all these adorable and talented people set up a booth with their handmade items and then a bunch of people come to shop 60 or 70 some vendors at a time. Sometimes in the summer it's outside in a park. In the winter in Utah it is definitely definitely inside. Markets are a great way to sell our jewelry and meet other creative, inspiring people.

They are, however, a tad bit stressful. You have to have tons of inventory ready and you're pretty much setting up a little store for the weekend. We did our first two markets on two different weekends in December and our first one was so stressful I was certain I was going to keel over from a massive ulcer. Well, I didn't, and we lived to tell the tale so naturally I thought, sheesh that was so easy let's do two on the same weekend next time!

I mean. That's not really what I thought. But when we were accepted into two Valentine's markets for the weekend- one south of where we live and one north of where we live- we figured hey! Let's do it! Let's hustle the crap out of this jewelry and make a bunch of money so we can retire early and buy a a yacht. Or buy diapers and health insurance. All great options!

Both markets had set ups on Friday morning. That meant that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday were a frenzy of making jewelry, printing labels, pricing earrings etc etc etc in preparation for two markets. We had to figure out another booth display (in which we used a cooler filled with soda to prop up a staged fence which held all of our necklaces. Desperate times call for desperate measures- especially for a not-super visually creative person like myself) and bum a table off of my mom and make twice the inventory that we have had for other markets. This week was a blur. I remember little to nothing. It seems like maybe there was a time where I threw a diet coke at Greg's head. I can't say for sure. All I know is I take responsibility for nothing in my crazy-jewelry-making-getting-ready-for-markets-state. (For those truly concerned, the diet coke at Greg's head didn't actually happen. Or did it?)

Thursday was especially wild. I had 7 am meetings, then taught four classes in a row, went straight from school to a craft store to buy booth display crapola, went home and made jewelry and prepared booth stuff with Greg until 1 am. 7 am to 1 am. That's gross. No person should work that many hours. I barely got to see my Junebug and that was the worst part of the day because babies should get to be snuggled every day by their mama but you make sacrifices to one day live on a yacht, right?

Friday morning. Another bright, sunny day for us- thank you, Utah winter!

Friday morning we needed to be up at 7 to set up for the markets. Greg was to take his display North to Salt Lake and I would take mine South to Orem. June was coming with me so my mom could watch her. NATURALLY it snowed the night before because WINTER DOES WHAT IT WANTS so the roads were horrible, the windshield washer fluid wasn't working, we were slip sliding all over the roads, etc, etc, etc. If you think that we shoveled our driveway Friday morning you are a fool. The driveway is officially the last thing I care about I apologize in advance if you fall and break your back coming to my house but we just can't keep up with this winter come visit in May if you must.

Somehow we got both markets set up for by 10 and then we all three (Greg, me, June) went home and collapsed into a wonderful stupor/3 hour nap. FTW! (But not before hitting up McDonald's for breakfast. Living the dream right here, people!) You ain't seen nobody take a joint nap until you see the Larsen clan do their winter nap thing. The way the three of us nap in tandem is something only Olympic heroes can truly understand. It is glorious.

Market set up- ready to rock and roll. Not a bit stressful!

SOOOOOO that was our week. That is also why I haven't written on this blog since Wednesday. In fact, I don't even remember writing that post on Wednesday, that's how much of a freaking blur this whole week was. Apparently I watched Bachelor on Tuesday and wrote about it on Wednesday, but I recall nothing.

I am happy to be done with the markets and hopefully return to a little bit more normalcy around here this week. And I'm excited to write on this blog. Things I hope to write about this week:

- Why snapchat (@thelifeofbon) is my new social media happy place
- What we did in class this week. My AP students just finished Catcher in the Rye. It was such a fun book to teach!
- Bachelor recap no duh

Any other suggestions? I am at your service! You say the topic I will write about it! Now it's time for me to go cuddle Greg and watch Married at First Sight. We haven't yet had time to watch Tuesday's episode and it is Sunday night, my what a week!

Wednesday, February 03, 2016

Bachelor Recap: Episode 5

It's bachelor recap time folks! We watched the episode a day late, hence the late recap. I could pretend like I had really exciting things going on Monday night but at this point I have no dignity when it comes to the amount of tv I'm watching this winter so just know that I missed The Bachelor to watch the Jazz game. You know. Hierarchy of tv. Jazz won in overtime to the Bulls, by the way, so it was totally waiting until Tuesday to watch Bachelor.

DATE #1: AMANDA

The week starts off with a one on on with Amanda! Holler! Ben comes to wake her up at the inhumane hour of 4:30 am and she perks up like a perfect wild flower just waiting for the sun to shine its face. How does she look so cute at 4:30 am? It's a question worth thinking about but the answer is pretty simple. If you were on a reality tv show and had cameras rolling in the house all day and at any given time during the night wouldn't you always do your makeup and make sure you look super hot? Amanda probably did her hair and makeup before she went to bed and that's how you win The Bachelor, folks!

Um Lauren H wins the award for cutest with her retainer. Hey, ain't nothing wrong with a little retainer love, girl!

The date with Amanda is mostly boring. Things I learned from their date:

1. I want to ride in a hot air balloon
2. That's all I learned.

I actually really appreciated their dinner date where Amanda opened up to Ben about her previous marriage. I always wonder what exes of these people think when the contestants are airing all the dirty laundry from their relationship. Do they feel like they've been misrepresented? Are they angry? So many questions! Speak up, ex husband of Amanda!

In any case I really really like Amanda. She seems very genuine and I always appreciate someone who's got some strength. I hope Ben picks her, but I do think two little girls is a huge commitment when you've got plenty of options that don't involve such a huge commitment. Who knows?

DATE #2: GROUP DATE

Next up we've got the group date! The girls learn a phrase or two of Spanish (They're in Mexico City) and then start cooking. Olivia nabs Ben for her partner, por supuesto, and all the other girls are left fuming. Here's my take:

1. Ben should not be allowed to be someone's partner. He should visit and help all the groups.
OR
2. If Ben must be someone's partner then they should have had everyone think of a number and the number closest to his nuber gets to be his partner. You know. Something a little more fair than Olivia is super aggressive so she gets all the extra time with Ben.
3. It kind of bothers me that Ben doesn't take charge a little more. When Olivia asked him to be his partner instead of being like, "Uh... sure... ok" why didn't he say what he wanted instead? I feel like he lets some of the aggressive girls (er, Olivia) just control everything.

Ben has the best line of the season so far when he calls himself the "Spachelor". Too good, Ben!

I guess this is the part where I sadly admit that Olivia is driving me bonkers. I have stood up for her in past episodes (here) because I thought she was in on the act- like we were all kind of laughing at the ridiculousness together. I thought her bit was tongue and cheek and that she was making fun of how absurd it all was and how absurd she was. I no longer think that. Mostly I think she's just mean and manipulative.

That night gets off to a rough start with Olivia literally interrupting Ben mid speech to take him away and we all agree that she's just the worst. Jubilee is really upset during this date because "I'm not used to being overshadowed." I know, it's a hard, hard world we live in, honey. Ben takes Lauren B. on a little walk around the corner so they can make out a lot. Yes, we get it, you like Lauren B. I still don't like her but have resigned myself to my expectation that she will win. (I would much rather see Caila or Jojo or Amanda win.)

And then the trainwreck conversation with Jubilee. She is feeling insecure and unloveable, holds back from Ben and won't let him hold her hand. He says he doesn't see this going anywhere because she keeps pulling back and then she cries alot and goes home.

This whole thing kind of caught me off guard- I felt like the self destruction of Jubilee was happening slowly and then all at once. I don't know if Ben was totally fair to her- it felt like he kind of got frustrated with her and then just booted her at once. In any case, I think it was pretty clear that Jubilee wasn't going to last. It does kind of irritate me, though, that he puts up with so much crap from Olivia. I feel like she should have gotten the boot before Jubilee.

Group date ends with Ben giving Olivia the rose. All the girls are totally shocked. I kind of am, too, honestly. The way he was all over Lauren B. I thought for sure she would get it. He also doesn't seem like he likes Olivia that much so we're all just confused over here. Greg wondered if this was a producer choice. I know the producers will choose a few girls during the rose ceremony, but I didn't think they had any say in roses during group dates. WHO'S TO SAY?

DATE #3: Lauren H.

Lauren H. is super cute and they have a pretty typical (for Bachelor standards) date. Shopping, fashion show, etc. I really like her. She seems genuine and down to earth. I don't know if she's quite cute enough to steal Ben away from the other front runners, but she's at least a nice distraction for a minute.

ROSE CEREMONY

I have watched a lot of Bachelor in my day. So much Bachelor it could make a normal person puke. I've never seen someone so blatantly offend someone as Olivia did when she just outright told Amanda that listening to her talk about custody with her kids was like watching an episode of "Teen Mom". Amanda's situation is nothing like Teen Mom! This is coming from an expert, too, because I have watched A LOT OF TEEN MOM in my day. What blew me away the most was that when Amanda said, "Excuse me?" Olivia repeated herself! Olivia, girl, STOP TALKING. YOU ARE OFFENSIVE AND RUDE AND DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I was pretty proud of Amanda, though for her, "Well when I watch you I feel like I'm watching Snooki from Jersey Shore because you're just a hot mess!" remark. And that's why I want her to win, ladies and gentleman. Homegirl's got a back bone!

Emily goes freaking crazy over Olivia and rats her out to Ben. I actually LOVE Emily. She owned her gross burnt tostada in the cooking date, she went balls to the walls as the soccer goalie (and even broke her thumb, which The Bachelor didn't show) and I love how she stands up for herself and the other girls to say that she won't allow the bullying or the manipulation. Twin for the win!

Of course Bachelor chooses to end the episode here because they are just the worst. We are left in suspense waiting for next week. Dear Bachelor producers, you understand that your entire audience is full of hopeless addicts who will watch next week regardless of such cliffhangers, right? You do not need any ploys to get us to watch next week, we have no life, just let us know what happens with Olivia!

Other notes:

+ Jennifer is such a mystery to me. She gets pretty much no air time but she feels like this mysterious, beautiful dark horse to me. What business does she own? Why is she so calm all the time? I must know her better!

+ Lauren H. and Caila have hair of gods. It's not fair.

+ The girls really need to stop saying "Our boyfriend" when referring to Ben. Referring to him as "my boyfriend" is weird enough but to call him "our boyfriend" is just bordering on insanity. Have some self respect, women!

+ All the girls and Ben constantly use the term "unloveable" ever since Ben first told Kaitlyn last season that he was afraid of being unloveable. I am now very tired of hearing this. I feel like it's the new "here for the right reasons".

+ Is Olivia not concerned for her life after Bachelor when she will want to be a tv news reporter again? I mean, is anyone going to hire her after this? Think of your future you crazy psycho!

Monday, February 01, 2016

Working Title: That's Enough, Winter.

June's face says it all.

Guys. I can't do it anymore. I've cracked. I've cracked on winter.

I thought I loved winter. I think this every year. I think, "Oh winter's not so bad! You get to stay in doors and layer up and eat lots of food and cuddle and binge on tv."

And then I totally agree with that. For a few days, at least. Winter's great in short increments. A snowy blustery winter day is absolutely divine and a winter week is just great and I can even do a month of winter and really enjoy it. (Hello December! Best month of the year!) But winter month after month after month is a real drag. Here we are just staring February down the throat and I am wondering how we are ever going to live to see the end of this month. WILL MARCH 1 EVER ARRIVE?

This winter, especially, has been wild. It doesn't stop snowing. Gracias, El Nino. The last ten years or so we've had really mild winters in Utah so I guess I just started thinking that was the norm. This is our second year in our home and last year we didn't even have to buy a shovel, that's how little it snowed. I can't even count the number of times we have had to shovel this year. It just never ends. You shovel one day and the next day there is more to shovel. I CAN'T TAKE THE SNOW. We've resorted to total white trashiness just driving over the snow because I just can't shovel one more time. If you come to my home and slip on my driveway and break your back... truly I am sorry. But please try to understand where I'm coming from.

Last night we decided to watch Everest. Nothing's better at helping you combat your winter blues than by watching a bunch of people die in a blizzard, right? We sometimes don't make the best decisions.

It's usually around this time of year that I decide as a native Utahan I should definitely learn to ski or snowboard. Get with it already, woman! There lies two problems with becoming a ski bunny

1) I am too cheap. It's hard for me to think about forking over hundreds of dollars in gears, clothes, and a pass for an activity in which I will be cold all the time.

2) I don't like to be cold all the time. I like to be warm. I can even handle being ridiculously hot. But I don't like to be cold.

I have lived in Utah for 27 of my 29 years and have been snowboarding ONCE. ONCE. This was due to a boyfriend who wanted a partner to snowboard with him. When the relationship ended, so did my snowboarding. When I stayed in Hawaii for four months I went surfing probably half a dozen times. Why? Because you don't have to pay to surf! The beach is free! And the beach is warm.

I am going to try to push Greg and I to go snowboarding at least once in February. I feel like it's my duty as a Utahan.

I'm also going to push for us to go somewhere warm this month. I'd love a trip to Disneyland or maybe Vegas or Phoenix... just somewhere to get out of these 20 degree temps. Greg got a pretty big role in Peter and the Starcatcher coming up at the Hale (wahoo!) so we're going to have to get our play time in before those rehearsals start up at the end of the month.

In other new, Junie is sick. She ain't so pleasant when she's sick. Other moms revel in the cuddles they get when their kids are sick, but June wants none of it. She kind of just wants you to stay the hell out of her way. I try to snuggle her and kiss her and smother her and she's like "please, mom. Leave me alone." When she is sick, though, the cutest is how she snores when she sleeps. So I guess if you can't get the cuddles you go for snores? WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO? I captured her baby snores on snapchat (@thelifeofbon) earlier today if that's what you're in to.

(Also when your baby is sick do you just give up on getting her to eat? The only thing June will eat or drink the past two days is Diet Coke and this. We're all doomed.)

I realize this post is a lot of nothing. I apologize. It's my February funk. Someone save us from this winter. The good news is we got Bachelor tonight. You gotta love Mondays!

Also later this week I'm going to write a post about why I totally converted to snapchat. Snapchat isn't paying me or anything (although that would be awesome!) but I just feel like snapchat is a happier, purer form of social media and you all need to know about it. K bye.

P.S. Don't forget the sale going on at HeyJune through the rest of today (February 1).

Get 20% off your order with code LOVER20. Guaranteed Valentine's Day delivery suckers.

Thanks so much for all your support and love. Y'all are the greatest.

P.S.S. This is a for profit blog which means that sometimes I get paid when you click on links. Thanks!

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Valentine's Day Sale

I'll have a "real" post up for you guys tomorrow but first I wanted to make sure you all knew about this sale tomorrow over at Hey June if you're interested. Sale starts at midnight and goes 24 hours only (February 1). All domestic orders are guaranteed Valentine's Day delivery. Boom baby!

(Psst... now's a good time to drop a hint in your man's ear for a Valentine's gift. Who doesn't love jewelry for V-Day?)

As always thank you for your support and all around awesomeness!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Bon's Book Club January: These is My Words

Alright ladies and gents, it's book club time! Just a real quick reminder how Bon's Book Club works- we all read a book and then on the last Thursday of the month we gather here to talk about it. There will be some questions that you can answer or not answer- whatever floats your boat. Each month I will have a co-host helping me move this discussion along. You can read our thoughts on the book and then add your two cents in the comments or link up your post that you did on your own blog.

January: These is my Words by Nancy E. Turner

February: A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman

March: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

April: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

May: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

June: Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

July: Room by Emma Donoghue

August: The Martian by Andy Weir

September: So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson

October: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

November: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This month our book was These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. A couple of questions for you to answer if you want:

+ What did you like most about Sarah, the main character?

+ In what ways did you see this as a feminist book?

+ Sarah spends much of her time wanting to be a woman like Savannah. But she is strong in her own way. What did you see as the differences and similarities in Sarah and Savannah?

+ Sarah experiences so much hardship and difficulty. What experience did you feel like affected you the most?

Danica is my co-host this month and here are her thoughts:

I hate pioneer stuff, and I know by saying that I'm basically the Mormon version of a burning cross. It's nothing against my heritage - I have deep respect and appreciation for the pioneers. I just am not into reading or talking about it. I had heard of this book, and actually got it at a book exchange for Christmas. Naturally, I wasn't completely thrilled. Yes, as a former history teacher I love historical fiction. But not pioneer/Wild West stuff! Thankfully we settled on this book for January and I was forced to read it, because it was pretty incredible.

Sarah is just... everything. I was so impressed by her general badassedness. She did everything the boys could do - and she did it better. She saved her friends from a terrible assault. She won a shootout with a bunch of grown men. She shot a rattlesnake inches from her tiny daughter. And the only thing that made all of this even better was that she was so modest, even a little embarrassed about all of these things. She was strong and fierce and skilled and tough and smart and resilient and sensitive and hopeful and scared and vain.

And Jack. Oh Jack!!!! I loved him as Sarah loved him. He was a real man, flesh and blood, to me. He drove her crazy, and that is love when you really get down to it. Watching her discover her feelings for him made this one of the greatest love stories I've ever encountered. Their relationship was so real and tangible and interdependent. My only real complaint was that eventually I realized I wasn't letting myself enjoy it. Because if there's ANYTHING I'VE LEARNED FROM THIS BOOK/GAME OF THRONES it's that everyone is going to die and it'll probably be ugly. Boo.

One of my favorite takeaways from the book and our IRL book club meeting this week was the multi-faceted view of feminism. Sarah is tough and skilled like a man, and most of the men in her life treat her much like an equal. Savannah embodies more of your generally "feminine" characteristics with her mild temperament, "genteel" behavior, naturally nurturing inclinations and even dignified submissiveness. I loved both of these women, and I needed both of these women. They were both strong, humble, good people, not to mention excellent mothers. I noted over and over how Sarah wanted to emulate Savannah and the scarlet velvet woman in her mythical missing book, thinking that she was somehow lacking what she needed to be a "real" woman. You don't see it as clearly, coming from Sarah's modest viewpoint, but Savannah looks the same way at Sarah. She admires her strength and resiliency. She loves her so dearly, and she needs her. It's a lesson in feminism I've been learning in my own life too - there's no "right" way to woman. Woman how you wanna woman, women! Sarah is amazing. Savannah is amazing. Even Mama with her mental illness is still pretty amazing. Women are amazing and when you see all they've gone through (which we usually don't have the benefit of knowing) they are even MORE amazing.

My best friend told me that one of her friends in college had this book and her thing was recommending it to all of her girlfriends, and then having them sign their name in the front cover once they'd read it. Once I finished the book I understood. Yes it's a beautiful and butterfly-inducing love story. Yes it's an epic tall tale of adventure and bravery. But more than that it's an empowering story of a strong, sensitive, incredible woman who made it through hell and back again. Why wouldn't you want to share that with every woman you know? I sure do. Read it. Then text me through the tears.

I agree with everything Danica said!

A couple of things to add on...

We talked a little in our IRL book discussion on the 26 (If you are local, come the last Tuesday of the month to the IRL book club. It's so fun!) about Jack and Sarah's relationship and why Jack stayed in the army for so long and always felt compelled "to go." I really loved this part of our discussion and the book. Sarah and Jack had such a strong marriage, but it didn't change who either of them were. They needed each other, but they also still needed to be the people they were before they met each other. I love that Sarah took care of the ranch and her soap business by herself while Jack did his thing with the army. I appreciated that Turner didn't play the "once you're in love you are willing to sacrifice every other thing that was once important to you" card. They were in love but their relationship had its difficulties and trying circumstances.

I first read this book three or four years ago and I remembered 1) that I love it and 2) Jack dies. When I read it this time I found myself much more affected by the loss of little 2 year old Suzy. I hadn't even remembered that from the first time I read it. I guess as an in love newlywed, the most tragic thing was Jack's death. Now, as a new mom I couldn't hardly read past little Suzy's death. It is funny how your reaction to books changes depending on the situation you are in.

I absolutely adore Sarah. I found myself drawing from her strength so many times. I appreciated her no complaining, no whining, just get up and do what has to be done attitude. She is so inspiring to me.

AND... a couple of quotes I really loved...

"I don't have any use for a man that isn't stubborn. Likely a stubborn fellow will stay with you through thick and thin, and a spineless one will take off, or let his heart wander."

"Sometimes I feel like a tree on a hill, at the place where all the wind blows and hail hits the hardest. All the people I love are down the side aways, sheltered under a great rock, and I am out of the fold, standing alone in the sun and the snow."

We forgot to take a picture until the end of book club so we missed some who came earlier.

Next time we'll get the pic when everyone is here!

Share your thoughts below or if you did your own post on your own blog link up! Danica and I will be responding to all comments to get us a nice little book club doing. And don't forget to find yourself a copy of A Man Called Ove for Feburary's book club. We will be meeting IRL on February 23 and the online book discussion will go down on February 25.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Bachelor Recap Week 4: Where Olivia Jumps Out of a Cake

It's Bachelor recap time! I declare my favorite time of the week is when I watch The Bachelor and my second favorite time of the week is when I recap my Bachelor watching on this blog. What can I say? I live a wild and crazy life!

The week starts off with the girls hearing they will be traveling four hours away to Las Vegas. They scream in a wild frenzy of pure excitement because they're pretty much trapped in that house day and night. It's a big deal, let them scream!

Date 1: JoJo!

Ben and JoJo wait for their helicopter to arrive (as we all do when waiting to go on dates) and Ben steals a kiss or two. The rest of the girls, who are creepily watching this whole thing from their hotel window, turn away in disgust. Olivia, who apparently didn't know the other girls were kissing Ben, has a complete break down. Which of course, raises the question, WHAT SHOW DID YOU THINK YOU WERE ON?

Oh Olivia. You are a ticking time bomb.

Nothing else really sticks in my brain from the date. It's obvious he likes her, there are some fireworks and I hold to my prediction that JoJo will be top five.

I am also having a love affair with JoJo's eyebrows in case anyone cares.

Date 2: GROUP DATE!

Group date is a talent show. Lauren B. bemoans the fact that she has no talent and I say yes, we know, you are as boring as they come. Listen, I know a lot of you like Lauren B. and I respect that but I am having a hard time giving her a fair shot. She is the most boring, plain, cute girl that has ever come on this show. Ben is so obviously gaga about her and it totally infuriates me. Really boring girls like her shouldn't be able to coast through life because they are so pretty! That should be a rule! I still feel like she is going to win (or certainly be top 2 or 3) and it just makes me so sad because she ain't got no personality at all.

Twist! The girls will be performing their talents for a real live audience. They are all totally shocked because apparently none of them have ever watched The Bachelor before. This happens every season girls, try to keep up.

Olivia, of course, goes for the strip girl outfit and jumping out of the cake routine. A sure winner. I know you all hate her, but this girl is hilarious to me. All of her pre cake jumping hype was HILARIOUS. I mean, have you ever seen anyone so excited to do something so weird? Olivia is the type of girl that you want to invite to hang out with you on a girl's weekend because you know she would just be off her rocker fun and crazy.

The shimmy out of a cake, of course, doesn't go as well as Olivia was hoping. Ben looks kind of confused.

TALENT SHOW AWARDS:

BRAVEST TALENT: Leah in the clown makeup. Homegirl needed more airtime with that awesome get up! (Also I'm mad that I didn't actually get to see what the talent consisted of.)
BEST COSTUME: Lauren H. in chicken costume. Love her confidence.
COOLEST TALENT: Jubilee on the cello. We all are left to wonder when she found time to learn to play the cello in the middle of her turbulent upbringing. Nothing but respect, Jubilee!

Conversations that night don't go too hot for Olivia. I think it's pretty obvious that Ben's not feeling it with her. She apologizes one thousand times for weird cake thing. Ben says it's no big deal. She keeps apologizing. He tries to brush it off. She apologizes. You get the cycle, right?

I do like Olivia, but she has horrible horrible judgment. I like her in a "you would be fun to hang out with and you say funny, weird things" kind of way, not in a "I think you are a kind, caring person or have any idea of how other people are feeling or would be a good match for Ben" kind of way. You still with me?

Lauren B. gets the rose because Ben really likes her even though she is so so so so boring. And pretty.

Date #3: BECCA.

Basically what I got from Becca's date with Ben is that she apparently hated Chris the whole time she was on his season. Does she have no heart? Did she not like that guy even a little bit? And then how did she get all the way to the #2 spot?

Also I thought their conversation about "you are a virgin" and "I am not a virgin" was kind of endearing. I think it's sweet that he cares, and I just thought it was very genuine that they had such a frank and honest conversation about it. Not something you normally see on the Bachelor.

Becca gets a rose, as expected, and I maintain my prediction that she will be top 5.

Just as we think it's time for rose ceremony, the twins get their own little two on one date. I have really enjoyed the twins and I thought their commentary this episode, especially, was funny. But I totally understand how weird it would be to date sisters so I think it's a good move for Ben to say, "yah, at this point I need to figure out who I like more." The hanging out at their house with mom was maybe a little weird. I get that he wanted extra insight into who they were, but I, personally, would have hated that.

Emily is the twin who wins Ben's heart and her sister stays home with mom to comfort her... I'm guessing they just ship her suitcase to her from the hotel?

ROSE CEREMONY:

Um... Olivia apologizes again for cake stunt. Ben and Caila make out. (Who I thought looked SMOKING HOT in the white sparkly v neck dress. Caila totally gets best dressed in my book.) I don't remember a lot of other details and I watched this 12 hours ago so... pretty uneventful!

Olivia gets the very last rose. I don't think Ben likes her anymore at this point, but my guess is she is a producer pick as their crazy Lace already sent herself home early. They've got to keep SOMEONE at least a little bit interesting on this show to keep ratings up and I concur! Once Olivia goes home I don't even know if these boring cute people will be worth watching anymore!

Amber goes home. No one is shocked because she kamikazed herself last week with that stupid gang-up-on-Jubilee move.

Rachel goes home too. No one knows who she is so it's a little hard to care.

My winner prediction: Lauren B. (Blah)
Who I want to win: Caila or Amanda
Who will be the next Bachelorette: Caila or JoJo

What do you think? Anybody else kind of like Olivia or do you all just hate her to tears? And who do you want to win?

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Bon's Book Club 2016- The votes are in!

Ladies and gents! It's time to announce the book club selections for 2016. Here is our official line up for the new year.. the top ten votes nominated and then voted by YOU.

January: These is my Words by Nancy E. Turner

February: A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman

March: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

April: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

May: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

June: Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

July: Room by Emma Donoghue

August: The Martian by Andy Weir

September: So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson

October: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

November: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Just a reminder that book club will take place on this blog on the fourth Thursday of every month unless otherwise noted. Read the book then come here to read what my co-host and I thought of the book and read everyone's comments. (I will choose a new co-host every month and ask for people who are interested each month. Too hard to plan a year out on that one!) There will also be a link up so you can link your own book club post. Don't get me wrong, I love myself a good #ootd link up, but I also love the idea of cultivating link ups that celebrate out intelligence and our brains, not just our clothes.

The In Real Life book club will always be the Tuesday before the online book club unless otherwise noted.

January's book is These is My Words and we will be discussing that here on Thursday. (January 28) I just finished yesterday and loved it even more the second time around. If you haven't finished yet, get your read on because you definitely don't want the end spoiled! The In Real Life book club is TOMORROW (Tuesday) at my home in Lehi. Please email me at thelifeofbon@gmail.com for directions to my home if you plan on coming. I would love love love to have you.

Also- a note- I know it super sucks to show up to places alone. Especially when you don't really know anyone and you feel stupid showing up to meet people you only know online. And you feel so freaking awkward and weird and you're like "I should just stay home in my sweats." FIGHT THE URGE! There will be plenty of people who don't know anyone and we'll all say our name and do introductions and before you know it, you will feel right at home. I promise! We want to have you join with us on this book discussion and have time to bond and connect with new friends. I feel strongly that this is important for our mental well being and that you will enjoy your time- even if it is hard to tear yourself away from husband and kids and household responsibilities.

Oh- and if you haven't finished the book come anyway! The ending might be spoiled but it certainly beats sitting at home. Please come join us!

And don't forget to get a start on February's book, A Man Called Ove. Here's a short synopsis for you. I'm excited for it! That IRL discussion will be February 23 and the online book discussion will be February 25.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman In this bestselling and delightfully quirky debut novel from Sweden, a grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door. A feel-good story in the spirit of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, Fredrik Backman's novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful and charming exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. (Review from goodreads)

I can't wait! It's a good time to be a reader!

P.S. I snuck this treat into a movie theater with me this weekend and Greg declared I was the weirdest person he ever met. What do you think? Surely it's not THAT weird to take to a movie!?

Friday, January 22, 2016

Helping your toddler eat healthy food: HELP!

Well folks it happened in the blink of an eye. June is a full blown toddler now. She runs around, says indecipherable words, and has melt downs when she doesn't get diet coke. It's cute! And I miss my little baby only a little bit.

June used to be the best eater. She downed vegetables, rice, fruit, oatmeal, basically everything that was healthy. It was awesome! And I felt like a five star mom. None of this weird mom guilt because my baby wasn't eating healthy food. I had raised my baby to be a true champion. A true healthy eating champion!

Well, the older June has gotten the less well she eats. It started when she figured out what was in a diet coke can... diet coke of course! It all went down hill very quickly after that.

June drinking diet coke

Earlier this week I heard a rustling in the pantry. June was in the crock pot with a ONE POUND bag of chocolate chips. Not my finest parenting moment.

We did find one thing this week that is helping us in the healthy and easy snacks department. Has anyone tried these bad boys? We love that they mix so many different healthy food groups- oatmeal + yogurt + fruit. June usually eats it as a snack after her nap, but I love that it is healthy enough that I could throw a half a banana in the mix and call it good for breakfast.

(And psssttt it's super yummy for adults too. Kids snacks that double as my snacks pretty much rule my world. I've taken these to school twice this week and eaten one at about 10 am- right when my mid morning hunger is at its worst.)

What are other healthy and easy snacks that your kids love? We need some new suggestions over here ever since June decided that chewing on a carrot stick wasn't her jam (She still loves fruit... we're just having a hard time with vegetables.)

Oh, and if you do decide to try out our new favorite snack, click here for a $.35 off coupon. If you're buying several, (and you will want to!) the savings add up fast!

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Bachelor Recap: Week 3

You guys. We are three weeks in and I have not written a Bachelor recap yet.

WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?

Forgive me please. I declare Bachelor recaps every week from now on until the end of the season. I promise! (But I make no promises!)

I don't really want to recap the first two weeks so I'm just going to dive in here with our third week. Before we go over the happenins of the week I have some very serious questions to ask:

1. Are the girls required to put their measurements in when they apply for this show? Everyone is so skinny! I've noticed this before, but it was presented to me with alarming clarity when the girls were on their soccer date. Is there no room for anyone who is not a model's size on this show? Has there ever in the history of the Bachelor been a woman contestant who was even a little bit overweight?

Side note: Seriously impressed by the twin who was the goalie. That girl's got skills!

2. Do they fake tan all the girls? WHY SO TAN? Sometimes I like to look at girls who have the same beautiful color of pasty skin as myself is that too much to ask?

3. Are the contestants required to have long hair? I mean, of course not required, but is that looked more favorably upon? Sometimes late at night when I can't sleep I feel sad that none of the girls have fun, spunky hair instead of perfect long, curled hair. (Caila's hair sends me into fits of mad jealousy every time I see her. Some girls are born with all the stuff.)

Now... to recap

DATE #1: DATE WITH LAUREN B.

I think it's obvious Ben is really digging Lauren B. I, however, was not. In case Ben cares how I feel. I was just bored to tears by their date. Maybe the most boring date I have ever watched or been on. And I went on some boring dates in my time! It was just so... vanilla. Nothing fun, nothing exciting, nothing interesting at all. Over dinner she talked about how her dad used to cut the grass and he was like, "Oh that's so cute! I love that!" I mean, come on girl, you don't have anything more interesting in your life to talk about than that? I don't think you have to have some huge sob story to fall in love, but I do appreciate someone with a little personality and this girl ain't got none. I think it's pretty clear, though, that Ben really digs her. More than any other girl so far. Couldn't stop kissing her and asked incredulously "How are you still single?!" Her humble reply: "I'm really picky!" Cue eye roll from me. (Also why was she afraid to go in an airplane when she is a flight attendant for a living? Do the girls pretend to be scared because they think the Bachelor will like it? I don't get it. Every girl on this show ever is deathly afraid of heights and I'm over it.)

Sorry to all of you who liked Lauren B. Maybe she'll grow on me in the coming episodes.

Date #2: SOCCER DATE!

This date was really uneventful for me besides my observations about all the skinny tan girls. I think it'd be more fun if Ben played with the girls too. That way it doesn't seem as much like he's having try outs.

That night a bunch of the girls talk crap on Olivia. She has big toes and her breath smells sometimes. One of the girls goes to tell poor Olivia that everyone thinks she has fat toes. (Moments like these make me seriously wonder WHY ARE GIRLS THE WAY THAT THEY ARE?) Upon hearing that the girls have been picking apart her appearance Olivia tries to guess what body part they hate the most, "Let me guess? MY CALVES? No? MY ANKLES?!?"

No Olivia. It's your feet. They hate your feet.

Olivia is one contestant who everyone loves to hate because she's cocky and annoying, but I kind of love her. The stuff she says about all the secret messages Ben sends her when he touches her is HILARIOUS. She reminds me a little of Michelle Money in her Bachelor prime- like she says all this weird stuff kind of tongue and cheek just to rattle the other contestants. I feel like Bachelor is one big head game and right now Olivia is winning.

Well, of course, except for when they brought up her toes.

Oh, Amber gets the rose this night. I have no idea how. I mean, she kissed Ben, and boys like kissing so I guess that's it?

DATE #3: DATE WITH JUBILEE

The girls are all mad at Jubilee because she calls Ben out on being 20 minutes late (Which yes, she has no tact, but seriously, boys can't be showing up 20 minutes late all the time and think that we're just like "whatever I'm just so happy to have a date that you can show up whatever the freak time you feel like!") and because she teasingly tries to give her date away. She does not worship Ben on the level that you should worship a Bachelor so that kind of makes her public enemy #1.

Jubilee goes on the date with Ben in an outfit she apparently picked up from Deb. Cropped top white turtleneck with white jumpsuit pants. WHY JUBILEE WHY?

I really liked watching this date. Ben seems more comfortable and like himself around Jubilee. I also just really admire Jubilee because she's been to hell and back and is here (in a horrible white jumpsuit) to tell about it. I think she's got a lot of strength and a lot of character to her. She's the 100% opposite of vanilla sweet perfect Lauren.

She also looks good in a bikini. (Like my cousin said when Jubilee came out in her swimsuit, "DAMN!")

Ben really likes Jubilee and she brings something out in him that none of the other girls do. I felt like he was his most authentic self around Jubilee.

ROSE CEREMONY:

Ben breaks the news that good family friends were killed in a plane accident that day. I do love myself some Olivia, but her choice to pull him away immediately and start crying about her cankles was not a good one. NOT THE TIME OLIVIA, NOT THE TIME!

Amanda (my personal favorite- I'm partial to mamas on this show) seems to be a little more in tune with how he's feeling and Jubilee hits a home run by offering a massage for him. Of course this makes the other girls mad because... I don't know why girls do the things they do. They're just mad. Especially Amber. After said massage is interrupted and ended by Jami (which was the most awkward thing on reality tv to date) Amber and a group of girls try to force Jubilee over to talk to them so they can tell her that she can't give Ben a massage. Jubilee doesn't want to enter into the gaggle of mad clucking girls and instead goes to the bathroom and cries until Ben comes up and comforts her. Amber follows up to tell Ben that the girls decided Jubilee is not grateful enough for Ben. BOO AMBER GET A LIFE.

Here's my thoughts:
Jubilee: I get it, you got dealt the worst hand of cards in the world. BUT. You do have to learn to get along with people. Even if you don't really like them. That's just an important life skill. You can't sulk in the house and isolate yourself from everyone and just wait for your time for Ben. I still really really like Jubilee, but I think she does need to learn to communicate and handle herself with the girls in the house. I think it's always pretty telling on these shows how someone deals with conflict and Jubilee isn't handling her current conflict well.

Amber: You just sent yourself home by tattle telling on Jubilee to Ben. You are not special and now he thinks you're a busybody. Time and time again in Bachelor history (you should know, this is your third time on the show!) the Bachelors or Bachelorettes hate the ones who get involved in other people's drama. Those people never win! NEVER.

And before the night can be over Lace sends herself home because this whole journey has been too emotional for her from the get go. I have to admit, I really admire Lace for seeing that she wasn't in a good place to be on the show and for admitting that she needed to do some work on herself and "love herself before someone else can love me." Way to go Lace! You are the true victor tonight!

Alright, share your thoughts! Who do you love? Who do you hate? Who will Ben choose?!?

My predictions for top five:

1. Lauren B. (Sadly.)
2. Amanda
3. Caila
4. Becca
5. Jojo

Jubilee might also be in the top five but I am betting that she self destructs (aka can't get along with any of the other girls and causes way too much drama for Ben) before that.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Holiday Weekend yo yo yo

Happy Martin Luther King day!

We are keeping with our winter tradition around here and have spent the bulk of our long weekend cuddled up indoors. I guess we just don't have much go-outside-in-the-cold stamina. I did make it a goal this year to go snowboarding at least once, today just wasn't the right day to make it happen. (I have lived in Utah for 27 of my 29 years of life and have only been snowboarding once. I AM A DISGRACE.)

Greg had a show this weekend so June and I ventured out Saturday night to watch him perform. June wore her strawberry jammies and wooed the crowd, as babies do. She then fell down a stair and screamed to beat the band so that was the end of us watching daddy's play.

This is post-falling- down- the- stairs.

Yesterday I played the piano in church. I get pretty nervous playing in front of crowds. My leg was shaking like a true San Francisco quake. I got through it with only one horribly wrong chord. Afterward some old guy came up to me and said, "You were really pounding away up there!" Umm... compliment received!

After church (and June's first official day in nursery. She loved it!) we all came home to take naps. We woke up 3 1/2 hours later. THREE AND A HALF HOURS LATER. Talk about winter hibernation. Greg is a master sleeper, and I am not so bad myself. June has learned from her parents how to truly enjoy a good sleep session and so that was our Sunday!

This morning I ordered about $1000 worth of inventory for Hey June. Every time I make a big purchase like that I think, "there's no way we'll possibly be able to sell this all." And then we do! I ordered double the bar earrings and cube earrings that I normally do because those things sell like hotcakes. I seriously can not keep them stocked!

This afternoon we are watching the Jazz game, sneaking off to a movie, (Revenant!) and then, of course, The Bachelor is on tonight! We can't miss that for the world. So basically we are watching TV all day. HOLIDAY SUCCESSFUL!

Maverick guarding our laundry because he's so weird.

Um... I recently discovered the save link button on my facebook page. It is marvelous. Like pinterest but so much simpler for an easily confused person like myself. So here's some of the things I've been saving. I figured you might be interested in them too!

AROUND THE WEB:

+ I try hard to make sure June is getting a balanced and healthy diet. This new product is pretty much my dream come true- healthy, easy, and combines the best of all foods. We're in heaven over here.

+ You may have seen this satirical 95 Things You Should Be Doing Every Day According to the Internet floating around facebook. It is just the best. And yes, sometimes the internet is the worst.

+ I'm trying out this recipe this week- Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu. Yah baby!

+This might be the cutest pregnancy announcement I've ever seen. Make sure you watch the whole thing because there's a twist. Also, someone please teach me how to make videos like this. Brooke, I'm looking at you.

+ I found this article to be pretty interesting. Want a proven factor of success later on in life? Household chores. That's what I tell June anyway when she complains about unloading the dishwasher. I kid I kid. I don' talk to her when she does her chores.