Bloggers, I have a confession...

I've been sleeping on the job!

 Who knew blogging was such a taxing habit... that's why I hijacked this one instead of creating my own!

But hey now, what’s the big idea… Hijackers need their rest too.

I’m not being “lazy” I’m merely taking time to improve my skills, my finesse…

Sleeping?

 ...back to my point, hijacking someone elses blog means that you don't have to come up with your own!!!
I mean really now, who has the time to create banners, profiles, clever little antidotes of your daily life... really now, who has the time to be uploading pictures and setting up advertising contracts?

I've grown tired just writing about!

Well bloggers, it's been fun, but it's really hard to keep up with the demands of daily blogging while trying to still conceal my identity...

I have more important things to worry about, like which midnight intervals I'm going call out for the chuck-wagon ... wish you had one of your own don't you!

Still Sleeping?

My time here may be over, but that doesn't mean I'm gone for good...

No, in fact as you may have already guessed, I'm moving on to greener pastures...

So come visit me if you can!

Remember, you saw me here first!

Continue in Patience

Continue in Patience

I strive to be the 30%...
Have a wonder General Conference weekend!

Where art thou?

I guess the blogging hijacker has either forgotten they were hijacking my blog, or got lazy. I am going to go with lazy...

Anyways, there hasn't been too much happening this side of the world (AZ). I have been spending lots of time at gym with Liisa and Payton. I actually am having a hard time walk at the moment because of what we did to ourselves on Wednesday. Don't ask me to pick anything up- I can't bend over.

Wednesday afternoon Payton came over to play. We took a nap, played with toys, and then Payton went swimming in the bath. I think he had a good time...

Last night I made such an awesome dinner. Yes..I did... and I am not afraid to brag about it. It was divine!

I found the most amazing website that has South African recipes on it. I LOVE it. And I am always finding new things to make on it! Last night I made a mild curry mince with vetkoek. Just check out the recipe if you don't know what vetkoek it. All I am going to say, if you want a yummy dinner or just a yummy snack with jam... make the vetkoek. Because of the chutney and apricot jam in the mince, it was relatively sweet. So its a perfect match with vetkoek!

Check, check people!

Now who wants to come over for Sunday Dinner? Like I told my Aunty Kim on facebook, I am making frikadelle with a onion/tomato/wine sauce and couscous. Then for dessert (since I can't decide on one dessert...) I am making malva pudding and lemon-passionfruit meringue pie.

I blame this whole cooking obsession on my mom. Why did she buy me a book by Julia Childs? She should have bought me a book by Jillian Michaels...

HOLLYWHO?

So the other day I was driving through a rather uppity residential neighborhood when I saw a block of office buildings and one in particular caught my attention:

The Hollywood Body

I've been thinking about that sign ever since so looked it up online... It's a facility that specializes in body treatments ranging from laser hair removal, to skin rejuvenation (aka botox), to cellulite sucking procedures. Apparently, all of this culminates to the sensational ideals of a "Hollywood Body"; one of fierce beauty, glamor, flawlessness, and crowd appeal. So like all truth seeking individuals I pursued a rigorous study of the "Hollywood Body" to find out exactly what benefit a facility such as this could have on society... I turned to my trusty side-kick; Google images and here's what I found (commentary included, free of charge):

Male, long wavy hair, tanned leathery skin, tin jewelry, cleavage revealing smock.

Female, curled hair, corseted swim suit, firm legs, shoes (for swimming?)

Male, hairy man-boobs, ummm... Ja!

Female, big lips... we'll leave it at that.

I'm pretty sure that's a horse. No further comment.

Well "Hollywood Body", I doubt our paths will cross again, but in case they do, let me leave you with a few images of my own version of...

fierce beauty,

glamor,

flawlessness,

and crowd appeal!

 Thank you, and good night!

Can I git a YEE-HAW!!!

Another summer full of the fun and excitement that the sun brings is waning. In the Ballard household that means weekends full of roping, riding, and rodeo-ing!

There’s something about the dirt ‘n dust, home-made soda bubbling over, the kettle corn and roasted nuts, and don’t even get me started on the beef brisket!

(okay, well since you asked… it falls off your fork so you’re better off with a spoon, it’s smoked and tender and fills your stomach with all the succulent goodness that only red meat can (sorry to all those vegetarians out there). Mmmm, divine!!!)

This year we took it easy and only hit up our favourites. Michael is gently coercing Cheyenne into embracing the love of the sport so we started with the rodeo in Prescott, Az.

It’s always fun to see people dressed up on Whiskey Row in 19th century garb; women wearing corsets and big petti-coat filled skirts, while the men show off their wild west “cool” in 10 gallon hats and handle-bar mustaches. It’s really a great community event and to be honest, I don’t pay much attention to the buckin’ broncs or the 8 second buzzer… I love seeing the dynamics of friends and families spending time together, enjoying and celebrating the heritage of the west. Cowboy blood runs thick in these parts and the event ignites tremendous pride and patriotism. Talk about an opportunity for people watching at its best!

Anywho, I think Cheyenne had fun too and I had to rein her in a time or two because she wanted to be part of whatever was going on in the arena… Yikes!

(Thanks Uncle Petey for the fabulous dress and boots… very apropos)

The highlight of Cheyenne’s day was meeting the Rodeo Royalty. Can I git a B-L-I-N-G!?!

Personally, the best part of a rodeo is the opening ceremony. The royalty come into the arena on their horses with flags dressed in red, white, and blue waving in the wind as they ride. A tribute to the great country in which we live is presented as you stand and hold your hat to your heart with the sounds of the “Star Spangled Banner” stirring your soul. Then the mega speakers reverberate with the sound of Katharine Lee Bates’s song “America the Beautiful” while John Wayne (The Duke) recites why he loves this great nation. Can I git an AMEN!

(listen to it here - ->) http://www.sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm

Thank you summer, for all the fun! And Prescott, … hope to see you again next year!

Could your blog survive a HIJACKING…?

Take a look at what happens when you don’t update your blog on a regular basis

…

People start to wonder were you are

…

Or where you’ve been

…

Let this be a warning to any of you cool people out there

who think your blog is safe, left unattended

…

PREPARE FOR TOTAL DOMINATION!!!!!!!

…

This blog has officially been HIJACKED!