Sabrina Shocker...Not Really

I am sure people were as shocked as I was tonight when Sabrina was kicked off Dancing With The Stars. I mean she was the best dancer (almost to a fault in that it wasn't fair) and for her to be kicked off so early was just wrong...or was it?

Of course, my negativity is going to come through in this post, so you might not want to read what is below. I truly believe this show is fixed, like American Idol, and this is what really happened last night.

On Monday, they were setting up the audience for Sabrina's departure when they showed how busy she was with her new music video, and the fact the new Cheetah Girls record is coming out soon (just in time for Christmas of course). I honestly think when Sabrina agreed to do the show, she said she was available up through this week. Just like Mark Cuban last week, who was let go because the NBA season starts this week, Sabrina knew her record was going to drop and she was going to have a number of promotional appearances that would prevent her from committing to Dancing the rest of the season (although I will say she is a great actress because she really did look shocked and devastated that she was sent home).

But the "shock" works out great for all parties because Sabrina received 7 weeks of free publicity to promote herself and the Cheetah Girls just in time for their new album, and Dancing With the Stars will get a week's worth of "Can you believe that Sabrina was sent home," publicity, in addition to "fans, you need to vote to keep your favorite stars on the show" (oh yeah, I am sure the show gets a percentage of the texting monies generated from voting each week). The conspiracy theory is in full effect - similar to when Chris Daughtry was voted off American Idol, which in the end was the best thing to happen to him.

That said, I better start looking to see if Helio's (my favorite) Indy car season has another race coming up soon (although he did postpone his wedding to concentrate on Dancing) or when Marie Osmond's Christmas concert tour begins (by the way, she has a Christmas album coming out soon! What a surprise!) or if they are planning to shoot a 90210 reunion in the next couple of weeks so Jennie Garth needs to go.

One thing I was surprised about was that Cameron and Edyta were in the bottom two. Although they continue to say how busy Cameron is (setting up him leaving the show if he or All My Children say he cannot do it anymore - although it's great cross promotion since AMC is on ABC as well), the show cannot afford to have Edyta leave or they will lose the whole new audience of viewers they have captured this year. Andrew always stops what he is doing to see what she isn't wearing and his first question on Tuesday night is "Did she make it?" I am pretty sure he is not asking about Marie Osmond or Jane Seymour.

Speaking of Jane, next week she has got to go. She has been hanging on by a thread all season and with all of the tragedies that have happened to her, you know they can't send her home. Between her mom dying, her house burning to the ground in the fires and then her food poisoning last night, that would be insensitive and bad publicity for the show. But she needs to be careful as she has used three of her nine lives and might use the remaining six next week.

Anyway...I am still addicted and cannot wait until Monday.

Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom

Fall Foliage

Just wanted to post some photos of Reagan playing in the leaves this weekend. It was a beautiful weekend and she had a blast throwing the leaves. We do not have many days like that left this fall. The next photos like these will be with mounds of snow in them.

We really did not do much this weekend. Reagan and I went to the Minnesota State High School Tennis Tournament, then we took Corby to the dog park and finally went to a University of Minnesota volleyball match. Notre Dame did not play, so it was a nice relaxing weekend.

Sunday was spent cleaning the house (It was gross) and watching the Vikings. They are terrible.

Anyway...enjoy the photos.

Gotta "go, go, go,"
Reagan's mom

Mark Cuban Says Goodbye

It was a sad night on Dancing With The Stars as Mark Cuban was sent back to Dallas. Actually, I think his contract said he had to go this week, since the Mavericks start next week. Yes, I am saying the show is fixed.

A quick review of Monday night...

Marie Osmond fainting was really scary. I was calling everyone I knew to see if they saw it. That is a definite drawback of live TV. Andrew thought she did it on purpose because her dance wasn't very good and this would be the best way to avoid the bottom two. It worked as she was safe.

The other thing that was quite obvious is they are definitely trying to increase the male audience as the women were wearing next to nothing. Edyta's lack of costume was unbelievable. Andrew says next week she is just going to come out in tassels and a fig leaf since there is not much farther she can go without moving the show to Cinemax late night. Andrew also said he would be watching next week. The show must have also bought out every push-up bra in So Cal because there was not much to the imagination there and the small pieces of cloth covering the backside of the women made the male viewers happy I am sure.

Back to the dancing...I was so sad that Helio and Julianne were not so great. Helio looked like he was trying so hard. I also thought Jennie Garth was not very good this week although she looked absolutely beautiful. Scary Spice was really good and Sabrina the ringer was great again. Jane looked great, but was boring. Cameron was good. It is going to be a tough competition the rest of the way, but Marie and Jane are the next to go. Scary Spice is also on the hot seat, although I think the female viewers will do their best to keep Maks on the show. He is smoking hot!

J-Lo was also great tonight. It is amazing what her stylist can do to make her look not pregnant. Lucky girl....

Gotta "go, go, go."
Reagan's mom

Here Come The Irish ...

It was a great weekend in South Bend. We were able to see a number of friends including Avani, who was such a gracious host Thursday night. Thank you so much. We ate at all of mom's favorite places including Lula's, Between the Buns and Barnaby's. We went to a hockey game, but Notre Dame lost to #5 Denver 3-1. We tailgated and then came the game...above you can see what Reagan thought of it!

It was ugly. Andrew, Reagan and all of my friends left before halftime. I stayed until 5 minutes to go in the game, although I can say I wasn't really paying attention. The program is an embarrassment right now. I wish the season was over and it was pretty obvious the players did too. The defense worked so hard and got absolutely no help from the offense. How come the offensive genius cannot generate more than 5 first downs? I thought his system worked with any talent level? Obviously not...how hard can it be to complete screen passes and quick slants. I don't care how bad the O-Line is, you still should be able to make those basic plays. Unfortunately for me, I have to see the same thing on Sunday's when I watch the Vikings. Football has been really depressing this year. Basketball cannot start soon enough (did I really say that?).

Anyway...it was a beautiful weekend in South Bend. Here are a few photos from our trip.

Hot Diggity Dog! Part 2

Much happier today!

This @&#$^@&# Passie!

Reagan would be so pretty if it weren't for this #$#&*$* passie!
Helppppp!

Reagan's Daycare

I just wanted to share some photos from Reagan at daycare. Her provider, Alana, is just great. She has only been doing daycare for a little over a year and has done a nice job with Reagan. She works with Reagan daily on letters and sounds, although she only remembers the letter "H." I really think she remembers more, but "H" is the first thing to come to her head. All I know is Reagan really enjoys herself at daycare, which makes me feel a lot better. Reagan's best friends are also there as she talks about Kylie, Cassie, Alana, Gaga (Alana's mom), Peyton and Zach all of the time. Enjoy the photos! Above: Zach is pushing Reagan and Brooklyn in the front and Peyton and Eddie (the dog) in the back. Kylie is there with her bike helmet on. Below: Cassie helps Reagan wipe her mouth after endulging in chocolate cake.