Stacey's Blog On "Farmer Wants A Wife"

Farmer Wants A Wife Finale!

ianbarry — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:22:00 GMT

I had been waiting so long to see the finale. It's one thing to hear something and another to actually see it for yourself. I thought Brooke and Christa did a great job with the chores that Matt had given them to do that day. I was pretty impressed, I don't know how I would have done catching crickets or the head of a deer!

I could tell on Brooke’s date with Matt that he was really trying to get her to put herself out there and say what she was afraid of saying. Most people have a fear of fully expressing their feelings for fear of rejection. You could tell Brooke was holding back her feelings because she was scared.

Christa, who had always been open and honest with her feelings, had such a romantic date! You could see how into her he really was. It was so cool to see his house that he built himself, he did an amazing job! Brooke and Christa got along when they were the last two standing, they had an understanding which you could see in the last episode. They both had fallen for the same guy and were trying to figure out whom he would be choosing.

From the episiode it definitely seemed as though Matt would choose Christa. Brooke had totally psyched herself out and said "I'm done, I'm going home" after seeing Matt pull up in the horse-drawn carriage to get Christa for her date. I couldn't believe the whole town showed up for the elimination! That must have been beyond nervewracking for Christa and Brooke. I think it was amazing to see how much the entire town obviously adores Matt and supports him. I saw the look of shock on Christa’s face and have to say I was impressed with how composed she was considering she had just been sent home in front of the entire town. She is an incredible woman: so real, so down-to-earth. I have such admiration for her handling everything throughout the whole show. She left in such a graceful manner despite how upset she was inside and how confident she seemed in being the one Matt would choose.

Brooke looked completely surprised. Seeing her and Matt together and how happy they were made me realize their connection and their unspoken feelings for each other. It made me cry to see Janet (Matt's mom) cry and his sister Jennae standing there looking so happy and so excited for Matt to start this new chapter in his life. O.K., so I'm a big baby! What can I say? Matt is one of my closest friends and I want him to be happy. Seeing him so happy and seeing his family so overwhelmed with joy and excitement was really touching. I wish Matt and Brooke the best of luck! Thank you all for tuning in, I hope you enjoyed the show :)

Farmer Wants A Wife #6

ianbarry — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:06:00 GMT

Episode # 6 was interesting to watch to say the least. I thought all the girls looked adorable with their hair done up. It seemed Kanisha was trying really hard to bring some ideas to the table, but she and Brooke kept butting heads. For the most part everyone got along, so it was bound to happen every once in a while. I honestly wasn't sure if the talent show was really going to be voted on based on talent or popularity. I thought Ashley was hysterical, I love her! Christa was also adorable and funny with her “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” routine. I wish she had really sang, she is extremely talented and has a beautiful voice which could have improved her chances of winning. Amanda also has an out-of-this-world voice, when it comes to talent she would have been hands-down my pick for the winner. I have to give it to Brookie (Brooke) and KJ (Kanisha), they definitely came up with creative alternatives to stand out in the talent show. Brooke was very smart in getting the audience involved, definitely a great way to score points so I understood why she won. It seemed like everyone was having fun and enjoying themselves.

Brooke deserved a date! She's been safe from elimination, "sitting pretty" for the majority of the show and was the only person who hadn't gotten a date yet. I was surprised to see Brooke get another present, clearly that was going to upset the girls a little bit. No matter who is going on a date with Matt, he’s a great guy. Everyone was somewhat jealous when another girl was out on a date with him. I think the present thing really irritated people because no one else had received a present yet and Brooke had received three, all of which all seemed to be very well thought-out gifts.

At the pig roast, I admire Ashley and Matt for both being open and honest about their feelings and concerns. Ashley really wanted to know if she was going home and Matt told her that she was one of the people he was thinking about sending home. The elimination was out of the ordinary for city girls! My jaw was down to the ground the entire time. All I kept thinking was as much as I adore Matt (and at time had feelings for him when I was there), I was not ready to leave when I did, but everything happens for a reason. One of those reasons: I was not meant to stick my hand into a cow’s rectum! Wow! That was hard to watch and I honestly don't think I would have been able to do it. I give all the girls so much credit for going through that. I know how crazy it seems, but it isn't out of the ordinary for someone who has cattle. The looks on the girl’s faces said it all. I thought Ashley handled herself very well considering the circumstance. Ashley is an amazing person with such a big heart and so much to offer. I know that she was sad to leave and it was hard to see her go. I can't believe there are only 2 episodes left! Tune in next week…if you thought this week was shocking, you will definitely enjoy next week’s episode!

Farmer Wants A Wife Blog #5

ianbarry — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:20:00 GMT

It was really interesting to see what went on after I left the farm. I enjoyed watching all of the girls give it a shot at baking and finally seeing Mrs. Donna. It was funny that Christa and Lisa had swapped clothes to dress like each other. Even though it was the complete opposite from what they both normally look like, they still looked great! I had heard all about the fair that was going on and was really looking foward to seeing if any of the people I had met would be there. I was so happy to see Matt's sister and father there and see that they got to meet all of the girls. What a good-looking family! It looks like everyone had a lot of fun.

I wasn't even remotely surprised to see Lisa go. Lisa is a sweetheart but she really didn't seem to have any connection with Matt after I left. I'm sure it made her happy to see her name in lights, there could not have been a more appropriate way for her to leave. The eliminations get more brutal (and creative) as the show goes on, so make sure to tune in! I was happy Ashley was given a second chance and got a date, I know how upset she was about things she said the night before. I'm not sure if the tension between Matt and Ashley had changed after the date. I respect Ashley very much and thought it was extremely mature and brave to approach Matt about the uncomfortable situation. I look foward to seeing what comes next! I hope you do too!

'Farmer Wants A Wife' #4

ianbarry — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:47:00 GMT

Hey everyone, thanks so much for reading and watching. For those of you who are disappointed that I was eliminated in Episode 4, don't be!

As much as I may not be happy about some things, I was very happy with the experience as a whole. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard that Brooke and Lisa had gone to Matt's house in the middle of the night to talk to him. I felt it was very immature, kind of stalker-esque. Hello? It's television! I'm pretty sure Matt doesn't want people to see where he lives so he doesn't get any more stalkers!

What were they thinking?!? All that aside, it was a very impulsive and irrational decision and obviously they were very embarrassed about it, even though they had justifications for actually doing it.

In the beginning of Episode 4 we were able to witness the birth of the most adorable baby goat. We knew one goat was pregnant but had no idea we would actually be there for the birth. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! It started to pour outside during the birth so everyone ran inside to change and get raincoats and umbrellas, except yours truly. That's right, Miss "High Maintenance" stood out there in the pouring rain (in my suede Christian Louboutin's nonetheless). I was so amazed I couldn't walk away, it was an irreplaceable experience. Nothing was worth missing out on one second of it (even my favorite shoes!). Eventually I stood under the shed's overhang to witness the whole thing with some of the camera crew. Once it started to let up I got to go inside the gate and sit right next to the new baby goat. It was the cutest thing! At first it had a hard time standing up and being able to drink milk from its mother, but it learned quickly. That was definitely one of my favorite experiences from my entire time on the farm.

The truck I had to drive was not only very old, but it was also not an automatic, which is what I have always driven. It wasn't fully manual either! It had brakes, gas, and a clutch, but then there were no gears.

We had several problems with it overheating, stalling out, and dying throughout the show so I was not pleased and didn't feel safe to say the least. For the challenge, I thought of different ways to go about getting the corn. I tried doing it with one basket at a time but realized when we had to have 24 in each basket the best way was to get as much as possible and count it out at the end. Being the smallest one (usually you're seeing me in 4 1/2" -5" heels) and running through the field was interesting because I'm 5-foot-1 and those stalks were towering over me! It came to a point when I was out in the fieldwith the cameraman and I literally couldn't see anything but him and corn. I was running in the opposite direction from where everyone was. I had to go by where Matt's voice was coming from and literally had no #$*!+**^ clue where I was! It was a fun challenge, though I wish I had done better. I would do it differently if I had the opportunity to do it again. I was shocked and appalled to find out Lisa had stolen Amanda's basket while Brooke was already sitting pretty. I couldn't believe Lisa tried to justify stealing the basket. Knowing someone who had stalked Matt at his house the night before was already safe from elimination, I could have bet that Lisa would be going home! Lisa is a sweetheart but she just wasn't there for any other reason than exposure which really upset me, since I went into this experience with an open heart and open mind. I was also not thrilled that Brooke was sitting pretty again for the same reasons, and because I felt the stunt she and Lisa pulled the night before was extremely immature and deserved some sort of punishment.

Square-dancing was really fun, even though my boots were missing and the cowboy boots that were supposed to be my size (6 or 6.5) were a size 4! I didn't want to look inappropriate knowing we weren't supposed to wear heels or open-toed or slingbacks of any kind. I won't disagree that I am a high-maintenance girl (with a serious love for shoes) but I was the only girl there who could just let her hair dry or use a hair drier for 30 seconds ( none of this flat-ironing / blowing-it-out and flat-ironing, using a curling iron, extensions etc). My makeup took a few minutes. The hardest part of getting ready for me on the farm (and anywhere) is deciding what to wear! I wasn't that surprised watching Brooke and Lisa dance for the women at our square-dancing lesson because I had seen it all day every day. Also, that patch on the back of Brooke's shoulder is not a birth-control patch (she is a virgin). It was a Band-Aid to cover up a tattoo.

When we got the package with all the dresses I was very surprised. It was very thoughtful, but I looked like Little Miss Muffett or like a picnic table had swallowed me up and eaten me in everything I tried on! Finally we decided to alter the dresses to make them look as best as they could. Of course I had to cut the huge joker flame sleeves off mine and make short sleeves, cut the neckline to show some cleavage and the back as well, adding a black patent-leather belt to match my black patent Christian Louboutin heels:). I took what I had learned from quilting and fully put it to use! I even gave myself a manicure and pedicure before the dance, even if it wasn't such a great job.

At the dance, Matt cut his lip biting off the top of a beer. I ran to get him ice and wet paper towels to stop the bleeding, then I spent a decent amount of time dancing with him. I have to admit I definitely was questioned by many of the guests there. They all wanted to meet me, hear what my experience was like, what my intentions were, and what I felt about Matt. I knew when we were sitting on the porch that because I didn't chase Matt around as much as some of the other girls, that he may take that the wrong way. I have never been one to throw myself at someone, even though it was a contest. I never thought about it like that, I was just being me. I thought Matt and I had established a strong bond (even though you don't get to see everything) and that's all I had to go on.

I knew standing at "Elimination" that I was going home. I wasn't upset, but Matt and the girls definitely were, though you don't get to see the tears. We all had formed very strong friendships and really cared about each other.

I am now happy to say what has been going on in my life since the show. I have a boyfriend named Matt, who coincidentally has the same name height and age as Matt Neustadt. This was really funny to explain to people when they would ask if he was really a farmer and saying he was a lawyer as a cover-up. I adore my boyfriend and am so happy finally to have met my match. We had talked a few times but started dating a little while after I got back from the show. He has been there to hold my hand when I get nervous about what I am going to see, and to encourage me in everything that I do. What can I say? I'm a really lucky girl. In the end I wound up with the right guy for me and could not be prouder to be with him.

As far was the show, I am very grateful to have had the experience and been able to form such strong bonds with everyone who I lived with, as well as Matt who I have gotten to know quite well. I learned something from everyone there and took it with me. As odd as it is to be living in a house where you and nine other girls are dating the same guy, we all learned to deal with the situation and be supportive of one another.

Matt (the one from the show) is one of my closest friends and truly one of the most wonderful people I have ever met. He has a heart of gold and has so many wonderful qualities. He is an absolute gem! Who ever wins his heart is a very lucky girl, so be sure to tune in and see who she is!

I would like to thank my family. I would never have had the courage to do the show if it wasn't for their encouragement, love, and support. I have the most unbelievable parents and brother anyone could ever dream of. My friends who have been extremely positive and supportive through everything, I love you all! Thank you to everyone for tuning in and for all the support. I really appreciate it. I hope you have all enjoyed the show and were able to learn something from it.

"Farmer Wants a Wife" Episode #3

ianbarry — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:36:00 GMT

I know I am supposed to start off by talking about this episode, but I have to go back for a sec to Episode # 2. I figured you would see the rest of my date with Matt in the beginning of this episode but that wasn’t the case. The date was incredible and he was nothing but a gentleman. Of course there was a goodnight kiss and another one on the date. He walked me to the door to say goodnight. When I first walked in, all the girls wanted to know about the date: how it went and whether we kissed. Some seemed pretty jealous, which they should have been, it was an amazing date. ;)

The tractor-driving competition was definitely challenging because I am not used to driving “manual”, they had to quickly teach us all. Also, the first tractor I jumped on was too small (I picked it purposely because I was the smallest girl). I ended up on a huge one and had to dive off every time to grab the bails of hay in order to get them on the back of the flatbed. The bails were secured by string holding them together tightly. Quite a few of them broke and I had to use my arms to scoop up piles of straw. I was smart enough to wear capri pants, most of the girls who were in shorts had their legs torn to shreds and were bleeding and swollen in hives. Running through and jumping into straw slices and cuts your legs, it’s not soft like hay. I was very proud of how I did at that competition but we were all confused because we were pretty sure Krista (with a K") was the winner of the race. We were confused as to why Brooke won and got a present! If I were in Krista’s shoes I would have been just as angry as she was.

Krista was my closest friend on the show, though you don't get to really see the bond we formed. I was the one who got her the ice-pack for her hand when she got hit with the stick. I was the one reaching up and holding her hand when she was eliminated. It was very hard having her leave. She is such an incredible girl, she has such heart, is such a hard worker, and is absolutely gorgeous! I was very surprised to see her go. Before the tractor race, she knew I had been frustrated and upset that I hadn't won any challenges and had been placing pretty much in the middle-to-end of them all. She asked me if I wanted her to throw the race for me so that I could have a better shot at winning, or at least come close to winning. I couldn't believe my ears! I was touched that she would even think of doing that for me. Of course I told her as much, I appreciated it but told her she should go on and do her thing and I would do my best. I know how hard it was for Matt to let her go, he was definitely very attracted to her and admired her for trying so hard at the challenges and for showing she wanted to be there.

I think in the end it really came down to Matt seeing how pissed off Krista was when some of us were sure she had won the race. Brooke got to "sit pretty" (safe from elimination), and on top of that she got a present! Krista was definitely feeling neglected and it came off as her having a bad attitude and not wanting to be at the farm, however her attitude was really just about the race.

It was hard for all of us to have to live in a house where we felt Brooke and Lisa had very obvious motives for being there and didn’t seem to be true to themselves or to Matt. I think they are both really nice girls and I got along with them fine, but I had to express how I felt. I am always honest, as I said at the picnic, and that’s all I can ever be.

Farmer Wants A Wife #2

ianbarry — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:13:00 GMT

My comments on the second episode:

For those of you who were worried about my head injury...yes it definitely hurt! But as you can see I'm alive and well and quite the trooper! That's right, this city girl doesn't mind cleaning and chasing piggies (how cute are they?). But no matter how hard I try (head injury or not) I don't think you will ever see me kicking ass or "chickening my butt off" like Krista (with a K). She is amazing at these challenges! I bet it is surprising to see me cook, clean, and work hard at these challenges since I am a "high maintenance" girl. But as you can see, some girls don't want to get dirty or do any work at all! And the one who was most verbal got the boot in the end. Later, Josenator :) ! She's a trip. Did you see the people's facial expressions when she called them all elderly? Oy!

I'm sad they weren't able to show my whole date with Matt, but clearly they had a great time showing me talking in fast-forward mode. I already speak fast as it is, but it was entertaining for sure. It definitely was very creative and thoughtful, I only hope they show more in the next episode. And if they do, get ready for my "public campaign against Lisa and Brooke", clearly it's not just me who is feeling uneasy about certain things and certain people's reasons for being in the house.

Talk to you next week. Thanks for watching and reading! xoxo

Farmer Wants A Wife #1

ianbarry — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:06:00 GMT

I woke up this morning in my room at the Hard Rock (after my party at
Pangaea for the show's premiere). I looked out the window to see what
the weather was like, and there I was staring at this beautiful view of
the Hard Rock's pool. Typically in the morning at the farm we were woken
up at 5 or 6am by a rooster (to whom I gave a special nickname) and the
view I had was of all the other girls having a hard time getting up, as
well as a view of all the mooing cows who were wide-awake from the
rooster's crowing.

I went downstairs in the hotel where I was accompanied by my family for
breakfast at the diner inside the hotel. Each morning on the farm we
would go downstairs and have to make a huge breakfast on a gas stove
for everyone, which was definitely an interesting experience. We also
had to make coffee by hand (luckily I don't drink coffee!). Then we
would
spend a good 20 to 30 minutes hand-washing the dishes. Most of us take
advantage of having dishwashers and electric stoves so this gave me a
real appreciation for those appliances we don't typically recognize as
luxuries.
I have a very serious appreciation for them now :)! Then we would go
upstairs and get dressed in our huge walk-in wood closets and in the two
bathrooms we had to share between the ten of us, which was always fun
(in case you can't tell, I'm being sarcastic). Then we'd get into one of
our pick-up trucks and attempt to drive over to whatever challenge or
"group date" we had that day. Usually the trucks would stall out or
overheat, so this was a process!

Watching last night's episode with everyone made me appreciate the
modern luxuries and conveniences most of us use every day, but I miss
making breakfast with everyone, getting ready, and doing chores. It
reminded me of sleepaway camp, only then we weren't all dating the same
guy who happened to be a really hot farmer! I am far more domesticated
now and have a great understanding of what it takes to live on the farm
and to do what it takes to be a "farmer's wife".

My comments on the first episode:

It was hard to watch the first episode and see my friend Stephanie get
sent home, I remember how sad I was at the time. It is really hard to
see everything that we did and all the time we spent together squeezed
into one episode. Stephanie, Krista ("with a K"), and I had developed a
really strong bond. We were like The Three Musketeers, so it was hard to
lose someone so close, but I knew we would stay friends.

I was still so shocked that some girls got to stay while Stephanie got
sent home. I couldn't comprehend why there were some girls who clearly
were not there for the right reasons and some who just had no business
being there at all (nor did I want them there). I was relieved however
that I was still able to have the chance to get to know Matt and to see
if we connected, because clearly I knew I was attracted to him. I mean,
come on! Who wouldn't be? Did you see those gorgeous green eyes? That
ridiculous body? That adorable smile?

What did you guys think of the first episode?