A Mother's Balancing Act

Easter Sunday, A Little Chardonnay & A Whole Lotta' Ham...

So this year, my sister and her family traveled to Iowa to celebrate the Easter holiday with her husband's side of the family. This left our little family to our own devices for the big day. So, we went to Mass Sunday morning and planned our Easter feast for mid-afternoon. At the last minute, I had learned that my niece had not gone home for the holiday, so she came over to celebrate with us.

Here's where it gets a little silly. The only ham I was able to find was over 10 pounds. I cooked it up, knowing full well that my niece is a vegetarian, so she would not be eating any. There are only four in our family. In an effort to keep the day less hectic (for me, mind you...haha), I assigned each member of my family a task:

Big Strong Man: Grilled Asparagus (and setting the table)

Girl 1: Spinach Salad

Girl 2: Caramel Monkey Bread

Me (Balanced Babe!): Ham, Yummy Homemade glaze, Guacamole/chips for gnoshing on before meal, Sweet Potato Casserole, Fresh Fruit & Whipped Creme for Dessert (cuz frankly, I just didn't have it in me to make a real one, and we had Easter candy, for Pete's sake!)

So, everything comes out of the oven, etc., we've been having a nice time visiting. We sit down to eat, and I notice that not only did my niece forego the 10 plus pound ham, but so did Girl 1! Swell! Three people eating the main course!

Girl 1: Yeah, I don't really like ham so much..."

Result: I have ham coming out of my ears!

It's like the old Monte Python Spam skit...only with regular old ham:

"Ham, ham, ham, ham! Ham, ham, ham, ham!" (in song...)

Ham and eggs.

Ham on rye.

Ham salad.

Ham and beans.

Ham and hash brown casserole.

I dream of ham.

Ah, well. We washed our lovely Easter dinner down with a glass of Monthaven Chardonnay. I'm going to tell you all about this in my next post, but I'll peak your interest with this little tidbit:

The wine comes in an octagonal shaped box! Yes, a box!

Very environmentally correct, I must say. And keeps for up to 6 weeks in the fridge.

OK, that's all for now. My fingers are cramping, and it's time for another slice of ham...

Balanced Babe (Molly Wendland)

Letter to Mario Chalmers, Darrell Arthur

Dear Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur,

Disappointment. Disgust. Betrayal. 

All words that describe how I -- and others -- feel about your actions this week at the NBA rookie transition program designed to teach the freshman players how to behave now that you've made it into the big time. So, there you are, learning how not to behave, and you do exactly the opposite of what they tell you by having women and pot in your room during your first two days in the program. Stellar move, boys.

You who came from the nation's Number 1 college basketball program in the country? You who have been given every advantage possible? You who were coached by arguably the number 1 coach in the game.

So, I ask you this. What do you have to say for yourselves? What defense can you possibly offer for breaking the rules, and how do you think your former Kansas basketball coach, Bill Self, feels about your actions?

What about the line that went all the way around the building at the Corinth Shopping Center last week, with people hoping to get your autograph or maybe even just catch a glimpse of you? And what of the tens of thousands of kids who look(ed) up to you? What about them?

Way to go, guys. What a great start to your professional careers. As far as I'm concerned, the measly $20k they fined you was a drop in the bucket to the money that is now lining your pockets (right next to the bags of pot, apparently...). I could not be any more disappointed or disenchanted with two young men than I am with you right now. You have smeared the good name of our heralded basketball program, and you have dishonored your coach who has done nothing but boost you up from day one.

Enjoy the bench, boys. And enjoy Rookie Transition Camp for Dummies 'cuz' that's what they're bound to call it by the time you go through the second time around. Do some soul searching before you go through that, and plan to take the time to pick up the phone and apologize to the coach whose good name you've besmirched. Try to restore some class to your own names while you're at it.

Shame on you. Shame on you both.

Your Disillusioned (Former) Fan,

Balanced Babe

White Trash Mom Book Giveaway!!!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, but I wanted to get in a quick post here to tell you to hightail it on over to our White Trash Mom site, so you can put it your "two cents" on what your favorite volunteer job is. Hey, even if your kids aren't in school yet - or if you don't even have any kids...whatever. Do you like free stuff?

Do you want to "earn" a copy of the new, hot off the presses White Trash Mom Handbook for FREE?

Then, "cast your vote" by commenting on my post on School Volunteerism - It's Contest #3 in our Book Giveaway. I have been remiss in telling everyone on this site about our book giveaways over at my other site! SO - hop on over there, and tell us what your favorite volunteer gig is and why. The best answer gets a FREE copy of our new book, which came out TODAY!

Well, what are you waiting for??? Get a move on!!! What have you got to lose??? CLICK!

Balanced Babe