The Ballard Bunch

I love when the dating begins!
So much to talk about, we'll just dive in.

Can I just tell you, even though I'm jumping out of order {and you know that's a stretch for this OCD girl}, how much I love Jake now? I must say, I'm a little scared at how it will all turn out because the show gave us so much good to go off of on their date. Usually when you think someone is going to go far, it all ends up sour. But I really hope this guy is for real and she keeps him - I loved them together! Their date was totally fun and goofy, but they connected really well. I don't know how I feel about Jillian's "Coyote Ugly" bar dancing aspirations {without music? really?}, but we'll let that slide for now. I did think he was trying a little hard with the whole "Belgian waffles" spontaneity, but again, sliding this once. Cute, cute, cute. I will really be surprised if he doesn't go far.

Wes, on the other hand, lost me as a fan after this episode. I know some of you might think I'm jumping the gun on this one, but there is something shady there. I know it's a competition and the real goal is to win the girl in the end, but he was kind of slimy. Plus, he doesn't seem all that genuine to me - like he says all the right things but there's underlying motivation. {reminds me of a particular ex-bf} I tried to ignore that last week and really did like him, but there's something else going on there. And next week's preview of him serenading Jill is sweet, but again, I think there's a career motivation involved as well. And, last week some of you commented on the "girlfriend" issue. I think you might be on to something. Maybe he does have more baggage than Jillian is aware of right now. It all remains to be seen, I guess.

I'm not a Juan fan either. He's just a little too polished and self-aware than I like. His basketball shorts, however, were totally making me laugh. Did he have them rolled up? Pegged maybe? And the drink thing was weird. I'm not a drinker myself, but I'd like to think that I'd at least be straight-forward about that. But to take a fake shot is just silly. Be honest, dude. I just personally think he's phoney, of the most bologna variety.

Mike jumping in the ocean in a speedo was great. It was fun and spontaneous without being totally inappropriate {Brian...later}. I think it set him apart from the pack and he needed that, desperately. The more I see of him, the more I like him. Maybe not my first choice, but he's growing on me.

Tanner P must go! I can't believe she kept him, even after learning that he's "obsessed". I don't know one girl that would learn that about a guy and want to keep him around. C-R-E-E-P-Y! And he's not even cute, sorry.

And David needs to lose the temper. It's going to bite him in the end as I don't see Jillian as a girl that would enjoy any kind of loose cannon. He's quick to comment on other guys {even though sometimes he's right on} and needs to re-focus onto creating a connection with Jillian. As much as I disagree with the way Wes goes about it, I kind of agree with the philosophy that the show isn't to make friends, it's to win a girl's heart. And if David isn't careful, he's going to get too caught up in the drama of the boys to realize that he's losing the girl.

That being said, I have to constantly remind myself that she's seeing less "behind the scenes" than we are on these guys. She really is judging them on what she sees in a limited amount of time. So, before I get all up in arms about her choices sometimes, I have to remember that her perspective is very different than mine and yours. Lets just hope she sees the light on some of these guys sooner than later.

Also, so as not to offend readers, I've shortened a quote by Brian, the naked swimmer, into an appropriate post title. "...like a light switch" But, alas, "she didn't like what she saw" and our favorite try-a-little-too-hard bachelor was sent packing. *{ugh} That whole naked cannon ball {and totally awkward non-kiss - haha} left me with the Willies. And left him without a rose.

And while I'm being totally inappropriate, did anyone else see the Schick Quatro commercial about half-way though the show? I was dying at how scandalous that was. Waterproof bikini trimmer? Ew! And the "trimming" demonstrated on the show was just too much - could they have used another illustration to get their point across? I don't even want to say the word. Hedges maybe? Is that less offensive? Seriously, I was so bothered by the commercial that I'm even having a hard time commenting on it. If you saw it, you know what I mean. If you didn't, you're not missing out on anything important. Avoidance is key.

So there you have it. Who are your favorites? Are you also freaking out that she kept Tanner P around? Who are your final three?

Comment-a-rama.

Yep folks, Blame it on the Rain. Theme song for Memorial Day Weekend. Really, the only title that would be at all accurate.

Camping with 3 small children in a tent {plus} non-stop rain {equals} not so happy me. But, the kids had a blast so all is well. Here are some pictures to prove it.







Thanks to everyone for making a crappy situation fun anyways. Here's to next year!!!! {are we changing holidays?!?!?!}

And, I guess without a little rain out and early trip home, we would have missed out on a day of this {pictures below}, so all is not lost.

Weekend. Successful.

So here's the deal. I'm really giving this photography business a go. I'm totally loving it and staying busy so far. And then, a light bulb moment. Why not promote my little business with a giveaway? We all love a giveaway.

Here's how this one will work:

1) Comment to this post {so I can keep track of everyone participating}
2) Dedicate a post on your blog about my photography blog and about this contest
3) A bonus entry will be given to those of you that also add a link to my photography blog on your personal blog
4) The winning blogger will get a {free} 1hour photo session at your location of choice {local only, sorry!} and a CD full of images
5) Drawing to take place on Wednesday of next week {May 20th}

I plan on drawing two or three names - I always like when I have more than one chance to win something. And I'm assuming you do, too.

Follow my thought process, if you can.

At first I was going to post about wanting to start a backyard vegetable garden. Of the usual variety, of course. Those of you that know me know that I'm good at growing babies, but not to skilled at keeping anything green alive. So, the post was going to be a soliciation {I guess it still can be - help!} for advice of how to start, what to plant - you get my drift.

Then, in my search for a fantastic garden picture to post along with my thoughts on the subject, I came across the most nostalgic garden pictures ever. Only, I don't know where to buy seeds for this variety:

{not Ona, but given their resemblance, I'm sure they're long lost sisters or something}

She had a body of soft goodness, a big plastic head that smelled like heaven and hair as red as it came.

I'll be honest, she wouldn't have been my first choice. I think that in my head I'd pictured something more like myself - darker hair, no freckles, brown eyes. But, given how difficult it was to get one's 6-year-old hands on one of her own, I was happy with anything. And happy we were.

My phase was short-lived, I'm sure. But to this day, when I see one of those cute chubby little dimple faces, I feel happy. I know they have CPK's for kids now, but it's just not the same. Ah, the good ole days.

I've got an idea.

Girls weekend in Atlanta.

I could make us outfits

We could go here

And {if we're feeling wild} maybe get one of these.

p.s. I still need garden help!

I could even pay you in trading cards.

{Although, I never was much of a fan}

Things I plan on making in the near future.