iball's waste of space

BBB: Before vs. After

2010-03-12T18:46:00.000-08:00

Before:

After:

BBB: Sofa Sleeper

2010-02-16T06:27:00.000-08:00

We totally fell in love with this sofa from IKEA, but were disappointed that it was not available with a pull out bed. Because most of our family and friends visit us from out of town, we thought we should have somewhere for them to sleep if needed. [Currently people have been sleeping on our floor...Sorry Liz].

So last night we ventured out to see what we could find an came across this one from Art Van, but in more of a greyish color that should hopefully match our blue walls.

BBB: IKEA Trip

2010-02-15T05:28:00.000-08:00

Jamie and I spent all day Sunday driving out to IKEA to pickup a "few" things for our basement. I didn't realize that we would be getting everything to furnish the whole thing. We stocked up on a lot of storage items. A HUGE bookcase for the office area, a desk, and lots of Trofast storage bins for the playroom. We also picked up a toddler bed for Ethan, but got it home and realized it was the wrong color so we'll have to go back to exchange it [what a pain]. I get the whole "self-serve" idea is to keep costs down, but when you have to go find your items in a maze of isles and boxes, your lucky to find exactly what you wanted. All in all, it was a successfully trip. Everything is currently stacked in our storage room waiting for our carpet to be installed.

[Preparing to check-out. Jamie also had an entire cart full herself]

BBB Update: Drywall and Doors

2010-02-01T11:46:00.001-08:00

Things are progressing on the BBB. All drywall has been hung and is currently in the process of being mudded and sanded. What a mess! But things are really taking shape now. I just got back from Lowes (my favorite place in the world (sarcasm)), and picked up some doors. Doors are one of those things you don't really think about until you have to buy them. Do I really need 7 doors? Apparently so. 4 were in stock and 3 are on order. Apparently nobody stocks a 34 inch door or the ever elusive bi-fold door.

I've been meaning to get some pictures of the progress, but have been failing to find the time. More to come soon (hopefully).

Ball Basement Build

2010-01-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

Project "Ball Basement Build" [aka BBB] is officially underway...

Will attempt to post progress and pictures here.

I need your help...

2009-05-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, just a quick note to let you know that I'm trying to raise money for a good cause. Please consider donating using the links below. My company is sponsoring this golf event is matching our donations.

Thanks!

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t, but every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS. That’s why I joined the movement and registered for the MS Longest Day of Golf and that’s why I’m asking you to support my fundraising efforts with a tax-deductible donation.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to creating a world free of MS but they can’t do it without our help. It’s faster and easier than ever to support this very important cause. Simply click on the link at the bottom of this message. Or, if you prefer, you can write a check to the National MS Society MS LDG and send it to me. Any amount helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. I appreciate your support and look forward to letting you know how I do.

Click the links to get to my personal page and make a secure, online donation.
a href="http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=6292269&pg=personal&fr_id=11520

To send a donation: Make all checks payable to: National MS Society Mail to: Ian Ball 10293 Portland Rd Clarksville, MI 48815-9734

a href="http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=6292269&pg=personal&fr_id=11520

Memorial Day Weekend = Yard Work

2009-05-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

Before:

After:

New Jersey and Construction

2009-03-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

Just got back from an install training trip to New Jersey. The most exciting part of which was getting yelled at by a toll operator for not having any change to pay for a toll. I tried not to laugh at his heavy accent, although he didn't call me a "wackadoo" or tell me to go "swim with the fishes".

Also had a chance last Sunday to work on the basement a little. I had to go buy a hammer drill so that I can fasten 2x2's to our basement walls. Unfortunately, I only had one carbite bit at the time and broke that within the first 5 holes I had to drill. Drove all the way back and bought a pack of 5 bits and when thru almost all of those on my Sunday afternoon. Oh well, I guess that's the cost of doing this type of work. It felt good to get something done. I hope to take some pictures and document my process on the basement here.

Counting Down...

2009-02-09T07:29:00.000-08:00

Stuck in my head...

2008-11-12T05:10:00.000-08:00

Kanye West - New Music - More Music Videos

T.I. - New Music - More Music Videos

Day Care Provider = Stranger w/ License

2008-09-24T07:01:00.000-07:00

Jamie finally went back to work this week, which means that Monday was little Ethan's first day of day care. What a nightmare for a parent. "Hey I barely know you, will you take care of my child for 8 hours a day?" I'm sure all parents that go through this have similar feelings, but this is my first time dealing with it.

I'm sure everything will be fine. I just worry that he's sitting in a stinky messy diaper all day with a bunch of screaming kids running around.

Maybe one of these days I'll strike it rich and Jamie won't have to work so she can stay home with him. Until then, my baby boy is spending more time with a stranger than he is with his own family.

Sad.

Remember 9/11

2008-09-11T05:55:00.001-07:00

Blog Slacker

2008-09-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

So I realized that i've been slacking off on my blogging. Actually that's not true, i've just been too busy to take the time to document all what's going on in life. Which is a shame really.

So I'm taking a stand here and now to let you know I will be a better blogger. I will post more frequently. Especially now that there are lots of interesting things going on in my life, like my new son for instance.

He's single handedly the best thing I've ever been a part of. And that's what's so amazing, is that he's a part of me, and a part of Jamie. He's been a lot of work so far, but well worth it.

Jamie is an amazing mother to him. She takes care of him (and me) so well, and I'm very impressed.
She loves to dress him up. Check out the latest pic of my little dude:

Gotta love the camo

Ball Boy

2008-03-07T10:40:00.000-08:00

Well we got the big news this morning. We are having a boy! Secretly this is what I was hoping for. I'm excited to pass down the family name and have another "Ball Boy" in the family. Someone to take fishing or hunting and wrestle around with.

It was freakin amazing to see the ultrasound. A little life growing inside of Jamie's belly. How CrAzY!

Anyways, we are so excited. Jamie can't wait to go shopping and register for new baby boy stuff.

I can't wait to have a son to play with.

Our Little Alien

2008-01-06T16:12:00.000-08:00

Hunter Wannabe

2007-10-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

Many of my avid readers know that I enjoy the outdoors. Camping, hiking, fishing and hunting are some of my favorite things to do.

More recently, I've been trying to start hunting. I've only hunted small game before, but have been wanting to pickup deer hunting (bow and/or gun). I was excited by the opportunity of it when we moved out to the country.

My opportunity was smashed this last Saturday. Because I don't own a ton of land myself, it is recommended to ask permission of local land owners before hunting on their land. So early Saturday morning, I was in my back yard chopping fire wood. A truck drove down my road and into the field behind my lot. It was young guy, my age, going out bow hunting. I thought this would be the perfect time to ask about hunting. We had a good conversation about how his father owns most of this land (I'm estimating 200+ acres). I was extremely bummed when he told me NO. Apparently, all of their land is "taken" by other hunters. I can understand that they can't let everyone hunt, but I was hoping because I live next door to them, they might let me. This is why I don't feel comfortable asking, I'm afraid of rejection.

Oh well, I guess I'll keep looking.

Party Follow - Up

2007-10-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

We had our "1st Annual - Fall @ the Ball's" party, celebrating our new house this weekend. Went fairly well. We had more people there that we would ever want. The house was jam packed, so much so that I spent most of my time out by the bon-fire. Lots of food and drinks, big fire, and even a movie theater on the side of the house (thanks to Brian Town for the projector). I woke up with quite the headache on Sunday morning.

Jamie and I decided to not do anything besides lay on the couch and watch movies all day. So the mess is currently still there. It's amazing how much time you spend on getting your house ready for the party, just to trash it in a matter of hours. Oh well, it was great fun.

Mi Casa

2007-07-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

It's a done deal. Finally after almost 4 months, we closed on our mortgage and moved in this weekend. Jamie and I have moved at least 4 times in the last 6 years, so we are professionals now. It was still a hard day. Thanks to Jamie's family for all their help.

Yesterday I spent most of the day teetering on the top of a collection of ladders and wood planks trying to change out a light fixture in our entry way. I'm amazed that I'm alive to tell the tale.

Jamie spent lots of time organizing the kitchen and the bathroom, both of which look much better than I anticipated.

Hope to post pictures soon.

Farmer tans are cool...

2007-07-01T17:07:00.000-07:00

Lots of work done to the house this weekend. Jamie and her mom spent most of their time inside doing tons of painting. They basically did one whole coat to the living room. Unfortunately, I think they are going to have add another.

While they were getting high on paint fumes, I was outside working the land. Yep, I felt kinda like a hillbilly farmer, but it was great. Because no one was living in this house for quite some time, the grass hadn't been cut. The neighbors had to cut and it probably over knew high. I also should mention that the yard is 1.0 acre. They basically dumped all the grass in one huge ass pile in the back. So what do you do with a pile of grass when you live out in the country? BURN IT!!! I spent most of the day piling huge amounts of dry grass on top a big smoking fire. I also made an effort to not catch the adjacent field on fire. I also took the huge pile of firewood laying next to the garage, and one load after another, hauled it out to the fire pit and dumped in to be neatly stacked and burned another day.

Smelling like a sweaty smoky link, I called it a day. My efforts result in cleaner yard, and a handsome farmers tan. yeehaw.

Leading off...

2007-06-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am new to the blogging scene. Go ahead, call me a n00b. But allow myself to introduce...myself.

My name is Ian, but you can call me "iball".

Much of my time spent these days revolves around my new house. See, my wife and I have been renting for god knows how many years, and we are finally in the process of purchasing our first home. Exciting I know, but what a freakin headache.

Much of the headache comes from the fact that this home was going into foreclosure. Apparently that means that you have to wait twice as long to get anything accomplished. After almost 8 weeks of waiting, our offer has finally been accepted. Now we wait for our closing date. In the meantime we have actually been given permission to access the property to begin some major clean up and cosmetic detail work.

So after work, my wife Jamie and I, have been toiling away at our new home. Basically cleaning up after the dirty scum the previously occupied the dwelling. It actually looks 10x better than it did a week ago, so I must say that I'm proud of our work and especially my wife for cleaning like crazy.

My wife has some pictures on her blog...check them out here

Other, than that not much else to talk about. Keep in mind the title of my blog, it is a waste of space, so don't be surprised if you find yourself bored with my day-to-day writings.

Cheers.