Look at What's New!

Have you seen all my new links yet? Many links to sites that make my life more fun, interesting, and convenient can be found under links.

• Save at least 40% on groceries every time you shop by joining www.thegrocerygame.com.
• Kind and gentle housecleaning tips from "the flylady" to do your housecleaning in an organized way can be found on her website. You can also go to it to read the Testimonials from others who have had a "light turn on" in their head and want to share tips and helps.
• Weight Watcher points are listed for almost any restaurant you can think of, thanks to Dottie's Weight Loss Zone found at www.dwlz.com.
• Body Clutter Contract: Thanks again to Flylady and her crew they have come up with a handy contract we can read, sign, and put up in view to remind us of a committment not to collect "clutter" (fat) on our bodies anymore.
• Body Clutter Daily Log: Great sheet from flylady to print out and record your mood, food intake. This sheet helps makes us more accountable to ourself for what we do daily.
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Answers to common questions about my faith. Often referred to as the Mormon or LDS faith. Sometimes strange rumors spread based on misunderstandings. I hope these links can help explain the truth about my religion.
• Paycheck calculations: See how your net pay will change when you switch your exemptions around. Very handy when planning for the coming year and how much tax you need to have withheld.
• Food Storage Help: Food storage and emergency preparedness tips, handy form to inventory what you have and graphs to show you what you need.
• Smart Kids: Website to help parents help their middle school and high school aged children prepare for college. Tips on saving for college, getting scholarships, and deciding on where to go.

A Week of College Seminars Pass...Son Reveals his Goals.

Last week was very eventful and ambitious as I heard all about the "college days" held in school. My 16 yr. old son was right home each day describing some of the options that the counselors laid out for the students. "Wonderful...you'll go far, son," I thought to myself. Any of the options he described would make any parent happy and prepare him to support a family someday. Then I took he and his brother to a BYU-sponsored seminar that explained how competitive job market is and how prepared students need to be to get into the college of their choice. The three main things they said an LDS student needs to be concerned with, that will weigh heavily on their college application are: 1) GPA 2) Sports, Clubs, Leadership or Service and 3) Seminary. So there it is. My son is working hard on that GPA, he goes to seminary, and he's a member of the wrestling team, and just has enough time to sleep. He wants to go into Criminal Justice in college and so we discussed him joining Police Explorers last week. It is a committment of a couple Saturdays and a couple Thursday nights per month. Everything was going along smoothly until yesterday when he dropped the news like a rock.... He picked up a work permit at school yesterday and now has great aspirations to wear a hairnet and make minimum wage down at a fast-food joint about 5 miles from home. He proudly announced that the work permit allows him to work there 3 hours a day on weekdays and 8 hours on weekend days. "You want to be stuck in a back kitchen flipping burgers?" I asked. He corrected me that fast-food workers don't flip burgers, nowadays they push buttons. "And this will prepare you for your future, how?" I asked. His reply, "But Mom, you don't understand...my friend works there and they are desperate." I tried to explain to him that fast-food establishments are always desperate and WHY. I would have to drive him (no freeway access to this place) 5 miles there and back daily, AFTER sports lets out at 4:00. He assured me he would be buying all his own clothes now. He doesn't have any extra time for this. He doesn't need to worry about buying his own clothes yet. What I'd save now, I'd wind up paying in lack of scholarships to college...in paying full tuition! None of it phased him. (I learned in school today that it's not his fault. All the neurons and synapses in the brain are not fully developed until 21.) I still think that a year or two stint in the local Police Explorer Post would give his college application the extra boost it needs to cut the college tuition in half anyway. Like I said, he wasn't a bit concerned with it. I had no other choice but to bring it all down to one thing. THE UNIFORM. Now you tell me. Which uniform would YOU rather wear?

Why I Love Going to College

One of the best things about going back to college, is simply the drive getting there. It's so beautiful! We get a nice breeze that blows through almost every afternoon. But when the wind blows in the early part of the day, it looks like "Big Sky Montana." I find this drive so pleasant and peaceful. Mount Baldy really makes the landscape around here. To be able to see Big Bear and Arrowhead out in the distance to the east, remind us snow will be falling nearby soon.

What College Taught Me Last Week....

1. 75% of the population of Europe died from the Bubonic Plague. 2. All the wealth of the deceased was now in the hands of the 25%. 3. This situation funded the exploration to America and the Industrial Revolution. 4. Our forefathers who wrote the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were part of the very few in this country (Massachusetts) who could adequately read and write at the time. 5. Between 1000 and 1500 the Middle East was the most technologically advanced in the world, with medicine and scientific discoveries. 6. The plague changed all that around when the wealth of Europe went into the hands of a few. Some interesting things to know and forget.....

A Mom's Proud Moment...it's at the end.

This morning was one of those bad ones. Church is at 11:00. Kids want to be fed by 8am generally, and then want to eat something else before we leave. Add to that the ward choir practice at 10:15 and my need to have something planned for the children during primary singing time and it all equals: one frustrated woman, one dad hiding under the covers, and four kids on the upswing of a sugar high from sneaking into Halloween candy all morning. I had been nominated last evening to pick up my 16 yr. old and his 6 buddies from a youth dance at the Chino stake center last night after 11pm. (and take them all home, of course) Well, the wrinkled up directions I received out of one young man's pocket, just before they left, proved catastrophic. The dance ended at 11, but after spending an hour on the road, a half-hour on the phone with my husband giving me directions as fast as mapquest would bring them up......well, I finally got there at midnight. I was lost and nearly in tears. I kept running into dead ends and mapquest was leading me into further dead ends. Thank goodness for getting to turn my clock back an hour. So throw it all in the pot and the mood around here this morning was tense at best. After successfully proding, pushing, nudging and begging... all my kids were ready. Just when I began to get myself ready, my 12 yr. old's attitude went south as he began to interrogate me as to why I wasn't ready. Well, he threw an attack at me, I threw one back, Dad got involved briefly and I found myself entagled a round of "verbal jujitsu" with my son.

All the way to church, I hated the way I felt. In our Latter-day-saint faith (or Mormon, as some say), we partake of the sacrament (bread and water) each Sunday and the goal is to come to church with a humble heart and contrite spirit, having given up grudges or hard feelings toward anyone, and turn all that over to our Savior. In taking the bread and water we symbolically are taking upon ourselves the name of Christ in our words and actions, and promise to always remember Him. If our hearts are full of anger or not in the right place, we are not to partake at that time.

As I sat in church waiting for the meeting to begin, I thought only of how angry I felt and figured my heart was not in the right place to partake of the sacrament. I sat there quietly and saw my two sons had taken their places in the meeting. My 16 yr. old sat where the priests sit to bless the sacrament and my 12 yr. old with the deacons positioned to fill his responsibility. I felt so burdened by the whole mood this morning at home, I wished I could turn back the clock even further and start the day over again.

Just then, my little daughter motions that my son was trying to get my attention, from 20 feet away. I looked over and my 12 yr. old was mouthing something to me. I had to mouth "What?" back to him twice before I got it. When I realized he was slowing mouthing, "S O R R Y" to me and smiling, I felt so much better. Suddenly all the tremendous love I feel for him flooded back into my heart and I was so grateful that he was a "bigger person than me" to practice what he had been taught by making an effort to apologize and clear his heart before taking part in passing the sacrament, which is a sacred ordinance for us. Every time he glanced my way, I tried to mouth "sorry" back to him too and we'd smile at each other. I'm so thankful for him and all my children. Things have been 100 times better the rest of the day and we were excited to head off together to the Christmas choir practice. All's well that ends well!

Cat Litter Cake Loses to "Frankenpoop."... Who Knew?

Well tonight was the church "trunk or treat." Great fun for the kids. Unfortunately my "Cat Litter Cake" and "Witch's Fingers" lost out to some lady's "Frankenpoop." Geez, I can't seem to win a contest no matter how hard I try. I haven't won anything since age 12. It takes me back to Halloween 1987. I was engaged to be married and entered a couple's Halloween dress-up contest. I have an aunt with a very large collection of exquisite dresses. I drove 30 miles out to her house that year to borrow a lime green, taffeta gown that was a mermaid style and flared below the knees. I even colored my hair red for the occasion and borrowed my grammy's beautiful rhinestone costume jewelry. I was Ginger and my boyfriend was Gilligan. The winners they chose just dangled those annoying green glow-in-the-dark rubber necklaces and bracelets all over themselves. They were nuclear plant workers. Now how easy would that have been? Oh well, maybe I'll go back to the drawing board on the chili next year---I was waiting for the big moment to see the winner "crowned" with the golden toilet seat for the best chili, but it didn't happen. Those folks who won last year and moved back to New York must have kept it. It's a darn shame. That thing was well-made to say the least. The kids had fun as you can see from the pictures. One guy made the kids race about 12 ft. to a pumpkin and back in these two cars before they'd get candy from him. Lots of fun!!!

Coming Up Next Week!

Stay tuned for more thought-provoking laughs when we investigate "What School Authorities Say Poses the Greatest Danger on an Elementary School Campus?"

a. Rollerblades b. Open-toed sandals c. Skate Boards d. An Africanized bee hive e. A parent pedestrian crossing the 20 ft. wide school parking lot without assistance. f. A bird nest

The answers will surprise you! You'll find out what five items scare our school officials the most, and which one doesn't. A real eye opener. You too will be asking yourself, "Who in the heck's in charge down there and where do they get these people???"

Happy 7th Birthday!

Today's my sweet girl's 7th birthday. As is the usual custom, we brought "Halloween" cupcakes to her school class yesterday. Tonight the kids will dress up for the Church party. This particular gift she's holding has proven to be quite a hit! It hasn't been opened for more than 20 minutes and all heck is breaking loose....There is a boy in a tux and a prom queen along with a convertible for their date. With a little help from my daughters, both their heads have been switched which made for big laughs coming from the other room. I'm getting only bits and pieces from where I'm sitting. The last thing I heard was that the dolls have driven to the "love castle" to get married, have four smaller dolls in there now for kids and about 3 littlest pet shop pets all packed into the car. Sounds awfully familiar....except one dog's enough for us. At least their doing things in the proper order. I'm real proud of them for that. If only it was that easy to go from one to four....

Gross Goodie for Halloween: "Politically Correct Finger Cookies" and "Kitty Litter Cake"

Well, it's decided! Somebody on the web had a child in their classroom suggest what could happen to these Witch Finger Cookies if you just add some cocoa to the recipe. So after considering the highly diverse nature of my ward congregation, a well-rounded combination of brown and white cookie fingers will be my contribution to the contest. I better not show the recipe in case people in my church are reading.... It was between this and the kitty litter cake. However the kitty litter cake, being served in an actual kitty litter box with scoop propped up for use, was just too much. I'd be afraid it might be frightfully taken off the serving table and quickly "put back" under the table or down the hall in the restroom to it's more rightful place. Then all that trouble would have been for nothing. On the other hand....maybe if I gave up on the prop idea and left the scoop at home, it might be perceived as an actual entry to the contest. You've got to admit, that's pretty clever of the person that came up with the kitty litter cake to take small tootsie rolls and roll one end out thin. Horribly gross but highly inventive. I better get busy. Something tells me it's going to be a little easier than usual, to keep my fingers from sampling these particular dishes!

But the San Diego Zoo Sounded So Fun!

There's been a lot of talk around here lately as we contemplate what to do for my daughter's birthday. She is turning 7 tomorrow. I recall taking my older boys to the San Diego Zoo a handful of times throughout their childhood and thought it's time the girls get to have the same experience. Funny thing though, after all the talk and planning, my five yr. old posed a question I did not see coming. Amidst the talk of the zoo, she asked, "Mommy why do people only say a few words when they die?" Uhhhh......hmmmm......Now I'd made it through sixteen years of parenting up to this point and I can't say it prepared me for this inquisition. While buying time to search for an answer, I asked her back, "Well, what have you heard them say??" She responded without hesitation, and in the most gravelly, gritty death rattle she could muster, she said in long drawn-out words, "I'm gooooooo-nahhhhhhh dieeeeeeeeeee." I was doing good to let only one chuckle out. I held all the rest in. But for her to hear me laugh put a look on her face I won't even begin to describe. I asked her who said this and she replied, "I don't know--they died." I had my hand up over my mouth at this point. She then added it was somebody on TV. Well, it's definitely not one of my shows---the poor deceased are long gone by the time they show up on my programs (CSI, Law & Order) Anyway, I wondered why talk of the zoo was prompting such an inquiry. Perhaps all the bed time stories we've read from this literature put out by the zoo is to blame. You know, a lot of stuff comes in the mail when you've got kids. They say your kid needs "highlights" "skylights" "night lights" "boys life" "new zoo" "zoo for you" "animal friends" "animal pals" "animal howls" and the list goes on.... In fact we just finished reading the story of this family that visited the zoo, just the other night....I don't know....

Then we had this fellow come to the door asking for information to the Ball family reunion.....and I just had to say, "I'm Sorry," I haven't met you before. He claimed to have heard that some plans were being made, before coming down from Lava Hot Springs. Well, I told him "don't call us, we'll call you."

He must have overheard one of the relatives up there the other day. I asked them to take a poll for me up there at the springs. Basically, they were asked to "raise one hand to vote on a quiet, shady, reunion in a park somewhere, sharing their food with the bees" or "raise two hands if your willing to risk it all and make this trip over to Catalina." Well, you can see the vote was unanimous!

The Comedy Wagon Rolls On.....

Stay tuned for some great new material. You will meet the brothers, Flem I. Ball and Chase D. Ball, who have played a very critical part in the reunion planning to date. We're going to put these fellows together with our ping pong player and the rest is history! Another couple relatives have come out of the woodwork and live on Catalina Island during the summer. Meet the Reunion Activities Committee, folks:

Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Today was Melody's first kindergarten field trip to the pumpkin patch out in Yucaipa. They had lots of fun. They let them ride in these open trailers hooked up to a tractor that rides them all over the place. They have every variety of pumpkin out there and make a big deal to the kids about the white variety....how one of them magically turned into a carriage once...know the story? A great time was had by all. This is a picture of the actual place off the 10 freeway. No sign of Cinderella though...

Halloween - "Gross Goodies Contest"

Calling all moms and fun-loving creative cooks out there. We have the annual Harvest Festival and chili cook-off down at the church this Saturday. We've got a chili contest that seems to be won by the one who makes it the hottest. Well, when I try to make the hottest, I wind up concocting

something I can't sample.... So what's the use? So I was happy to hear that this year they have added the "grossest goodies" contest. Anyone have any ideas? I'm looking for things kids would think was yucky, but still be willing to eat. I can get real competitive. I'm willing to go to a fair amount of trouble. The winner of the chili contest gets to have the golden toilet seat presented around their neck AND gets to keep it for a year until the next contest. So who can begin to guess what they're awarding for the grossest goodie. Thanks for your help!

Catalina Island...Here We Come!

All right folks, we're ready to rock and roll... The reunion committee is really beginning to cook. With nine months ahead of us, this should be plenty of time to pull of an event that will be memorable for all. The head of our committee has made a brilliant suggestion that our Ball family crew travel over to Catalina Island for the festivities. Now we're talking! The Ball family is full of highly motivated, ambitious folks, to say the least. Since our last blog, we've had several volunteers come forward to help make this event possible. Someone has recommended this renowned "Cadillac Charter" service for getting everybody out to the docks on time....Efficient, but highly impractical. I'm getting much more positive feedback on the idea that I make several trips hauling family from airport to shore with my Chevy Express Van. Just looking at this picture is going to have every attendee seeing dollar-signs of savings behind that idea! Now as for crossing the big blue, that's a whole other matter. However, no need to fret. Thank goodness, with a family this size and this capable, we're able to find all kinds of solutions on the inside. Just upon hearing the news, this relative has had some experience on the open water and has begun studying some old sea maps already. He claims we'll require a co-captain onboard, so an old war buddy of his has stepped up to the plate to provide his expertise. These two have sailed before and have assured the committee they could most likely get us over there in under three trips. From this picture below, taken on one of their recent "senior day trips," it might just prove wise to take some money from the reunion budget and invest in some dramamine. Well, anywho...

Tomorrow, you can look forward to much more fun and frolic as we shift our thoughts to the activities we can look forward to on shore!

I'm Overwhelmed by These Fabulous Reunion Ideas!

I'm so grateful to all the family members who have indulged me with suggestions for our upcoming Ball Family Reunion next July, 2007 here in California. I appreciate the youthful spirit of all our perspective attendees. Several of you have suggested that we incorporate some type of sports or games into our weekend activities. This was sent in by one of our relatives. It's a novel idea. We'll have to figure out what the budget can bear and just how many treadmills we could get our hands on from "senior party rentals." Certainly something to be considered! Another relative was campaigning hard for some boating activities. Now the youngsters in the bunch would sure appreciate that. I'm not certain where they picture us "setting sail" from, but I'm sure my dad would be willing to get out in the water the give the craft that initial push. This may involve a change in locale. Another great idea, for sure! No matter what we decide, this fellow below has offered to be in charge of games and sports. One look at his headband and I knew he was our man. Now what's a reunion without swimming? Another relative has asked that we be sure and have swimming available. These folks don't want waterslides, they want "sit & soak" recreation. She included this picture below, taken at her husband's brother's reunion last year. Another terrific idea! Now that I know what they want, I can start looking around. Now I'm ashamed I didn't think of this myself! What's a reunion without a square dance? One suggestion came in with a guarantee that this fellow has got a personality that'll spread like wildfire around any dance hall. He assures me we will not be disappointed. He heard it from a friend's daughter that this Square Dance Caller is highly qualified and worthy "Ball Family Reunion" material! I should mention that it was noted that this particular caller is booked weeks in advance because he also PROVIDES LESSONS! Now that really makes this an attractive reunion feature as it wouldn't leave out any of the younger set, as evidenced in the attached photo below: And last but not least, what's a square dance without a band? This band comes highly recommended by some of the family. I'm just hoping these guys wouldn't set us back too far, financially. We'll have to find out what the budget can bear, but these are some fantastic ideas!!! Thank you everyone who contributed!

Disclaimer: The above text is a work of fiction. No Ball Family Reunion Invitee has ever claimed to know or had any association with the square dance caller. Special thanks to the dear senior citizens across the globe, who have bravely submitted their photos for world-wide public display on google.com.