KC Saturday

So I never finished my KC story. We tailgated at Arrowhead Saturday - didn't get there too awful early after having free breakfast at the hotel thanks to Robert, our friend from checking in. Did I mention we make friends wherever we go? It was a $10 value per person! The front desk staff wasn't happy the next day to find out we had those coupons...

Anyway, we had hungover Pablo to make Bloody Marys for each of us. He wasn't feeling as poorly as he rightly should have. We walked over to visit with Annette - Dee's neighbor from Mallard. Then we walked towards the stadium to see if we could find Juddy, when we came across Matt Rasmussen - cool double-knit guy. I say - "hey, cool pants" and he taught us how to do the "SWIPE" a handshake that stands for southwest Iowa Pride. Matt's from Council Bluffs and knows several Creston chicks. Funny!

Welp, we know how the game came out - another heart breaker. Clones just can't get over the hump at Arrowhead. It was 90 degrees during the game but after, it clouded up and began to get stormy. There were even tornadoes and hail about the area. We walked in light rain back to the Power and Light District and ate at a sports bar. Not too wild that night.

The funny thing was the next a.m. we had breakfast coupons again. Thanks Rob. Paul, Bobbie, Dee and I hopped in the elevator which stopped on the way up to our floor. On hopped a gal obviously dressed in last night's formal attire, which shoes in hand. She went up 1 floor. Oops. Walk of shame. She got off and all of us girls laughed hilariously! Paul said "what?" Duh boy - ain't you never been there?

Early fall a.m. drive

It was a beautiful early fall morning drive on my way to work today. I started out with breakfast with my homies - a small bunch today: Bobbie, Patty, Debbie and Nancy and me.

Nan and I monopolized the a.m. talk with chat about the road. The private road by our home is becoming a county road - complete with 2 lanes, thus taking out a good portion of our side yard. Until now it's been a single asphalt lane, somewhat crushed by heavy equipment in parts. But the county agreed to take it over and made it a real road (kinda like Pinocchio became a real boy...).

Only Conovers and Goldsmiths had to sign over part of our property. And the people who will actually use the road have to help pay for it through taxes. So heavy equipment pulled in a couple weeks ago and started messing up our neighborhood. And it IS a mess! Especially after the rain! Stofferahns got 2 inches of water in their basement recently as the diggerman covered up their sump pump outlet. Oops! Paul was mad that they covered up some of our tree branches...

Lots of our neighbors have no way to get from their homes to the road in front of our house - cuz their road is gone. Many are utilizing golf carts and leave their cars down by our house. Stofferahns are parking in Jud's spot sometimes. I'll be glad when the project is done, but I sure hope the traffic doesn't pick up!

After breakfast, my drive to the big city was a pretty one. The light was perfect - sun just coming up on fields that are just maturing. Fog sat on the ponds, creeks and low spots in fields and cattle looks a bit spooky munching grass in the mist.

I hit traffic right when I got to the edge of West DM but I didn't even swear. I swear!

Gorgeous Sunny Day

Where were you yesterday? Of course it rained yesterday and was crappy for football tailgating. Damn. I want a nice day for football - one where I can sit in a lawn chair in the sun and think "life is good!" It's going to have to be in October.

But we made the best of it. Donnie and Dee - those little girl scouts. Talk about "be prepared"!! They got tents so our tailgating crowd didn't even get wet.

Paul and I picked up Bobbie (oh she of leisure, on week 2 between jobs - 1 to go before she starts the new one) and Jeff at noon. We drove in light rain all the way to Ames. Stopped at the bookstore on our way to the game - no rush, right? Until Don texted Paul to say "hurry, before I get too drunk to grill".

McKims were entertaining Schwamans - Don's college roomie and nicie nice wife Patty. She is truly very nice - so much so that one would like to smack her. Just to hear her cuss. But she'd prolly say "gosh darn!" Drives Dee wild.

Jud and the boys showed up in time to eat. I'm glad we have peeps to feed. Paul grilled pork loins and giant hot dogs. There was potato salad, fruit kabobs and veggie platter. I made pecan bars that were quite yummy if I do say so myself.

Tried a new Baccardi drink - Cranberry - lime. Good stuff. Haven't been drinking much at games so far this year though. Not sure why - solidarity with Iowa fans perhaps (they have a new anti drinking policy in Iowa City and the anti fun police are out in force there I hear). Naw. Not sure why - just want to enjoy the games sober. Refreshing idea, no?

Late night after a great defensive game by the Clones - 2 Pick 6's. (Interceptions returned for touchdowns). So early night tonight for us. We're old!

It was a dark and stormy night

Geez - I've been a busy gal. Work has been crazy busy - who knew garbage could cause one to work this hard!?! I told you all about the pilot project I've been working on - Environmental Management System or EMS for solid waste planning areas.

We have been doing a year-long project with six solid waste agencies - they're trying out being an EMS. We hired a consultant to help lead them through this process - it's a whole new way of viewing all the systems they deal with - trash, recycling, water quality, greenhouse gas, education and organics. There is more to it but I know blah blah blah.

Anyway - we're nearly to the end of the year and area thinking of what happens next. The EMS Council who oversees this project along with my department, decided it would be good to do a short video promoting the project so that other solid waste planning areas will consider becoming EMS in the future.

DNR has a Communications Bureau who gave us an offer we couldn't refuse to do this video. We wanted it done in time for the big fall trash conference in early October. I first met with Communications in early August to talk about the project - a teeny tiny young woman who is a graphic designer (she works with our department frequently) and 2 videographers whom I'd never met before. Crusty older guys - more like my age.

We set up a tentative filming schedule for each of the 6 pilot area locations and I had a bare framework for what we wanted to say. Now...all these weeks and several snafus (dead camera batteries, filled video cards) later, it's time to put the video together. Needless to say, I - there person that has never put a video together before - should not be the person ramrodding this project. Hell I don't know what I'm doing!

So I had to have a mini-meltdown - not really but I did go to my new Supe Jen and told her all about it. Then I dropped her name downstairs at Communications. That and the due date got things doing! I spent several hours sitting in a cramped video room logging video clips Thursday.

Then I met with my new Supe to talk about my job - to explain what I do. That ended up taking a couple hours - I could have talked longer. I love what I do! She's very interested and hands 0n - much different from Al, my former supervisor. It will be a change learning to work with someone who is into what I do - I will enjoy having someone to "have my back".

I took off in the rain from work a quarter to 5 for a 6 PM meeting in Osceola. Yikes - emotion, controversy, naked ladies. Okay there were no naked ladies, but it was a stress filled meeting with a city and the rest of the county feuding about the future of the solid waste in the area. Raw emotion! My other Supe Alex was there along with an Engineer Mick from DNR. Plus about 7 board members and 10 people in the "crowd".

When the meeting was over Alex and I grabbed a bite at the cafe across the street - he's still eating vegetarian so he went with the fried platter. I had lasagna - my first break of the day to eat. The drive home was awful - windy, dark and rainy. Hard to see. I didn't get home until 9ish. Pretty much a 14 hour day - I was beat, but love what I do!

Christian School

Did I mention that last night's volleyball game was at a Christian school? And I kinda forgot about that when Susan, Jane's sister got there and asked about our weekend in Kansas City. I began telling about our party patrol, when I noticed Jane looking around with wide eyes - worried other parents might overhear my sordid tales.

Oops. I gave the condensed cleansed version. It was hard - I haven't had to talk "clean" for a long while. The Flack family was always a wholesome bunch - though Jane was kinda corrupted when she was in college. In fact her folks didn't even know she drank! They would have been shocked and disappointed.

Now Jane IS her parents - doesn't party at all. And Jane said I look just like my Mom - which IS true. I look more like her each year. I might start smoking Virginia Slims soon. Haha.

Volleyball

I attended a high school volleyball game tonight. My college roomie Jane Flack Conn and husband David's daughter plays for Des Moines Christian. They played West Central tonight. Morgan is on J.V. and the game was at 5:30 - right after work.

It was fun to see the sport again. Morgan is a middle hitter - listed at 5'9" (too bad she didn't hit 5'11" like her mama). She did a nice job hitting and serving. Jane says she's a basketball player too - kinda rare these days when many girls don't like that sport due to all the effort through the months.

Volleyball took me back to the old CHS volleyball days. Made me miss watching little Miss Famous Amos (as Dad used to call Amy) Goldsmith play. She had been playing since junior high and we knew she was pretty darn good, but not how good until she got to high school - and she started playing varsity as a sophomore (yep, Mom's bragging again).

Girl's sports were often filled with drama though! That sophomore year Amy was so worried about upsetting the upper class girls - first by taking their spot in the playing cycle. Then by setting to the wrong ones the wrong way. Who wants to piss off an older girl who has status?

One girl would tell Amy NOT to set to her if she was having an off night. Another girl could hardly jump an inch off the floor, so if the set wasn't just perfect, it would go into the net. There was one mother who used to complain out loud about the setting - right in front of me. I had to physically restrain myself from going after her. Even today I remember that every time I see that person - grrrr to her for saying mean things about my baby!

We had a few nights that ended in tears. Finally one girl who wasn't even a starter called and told Amy to chill out - not to worry about what those girls thought.

It all seems so long ago and insignificant now. But back then, it was a big part of our lives. Nights - weekend tourneys. We spent a great deal of time on the sport. Just ask Jud - he got sick of it! I'm glad I'm not doing it now like Jane is, but sure enjoyed it then. It was fun living vicariously through the successes Amy had on the volleyball court - since I didn't get a chance to play that sport in high school.

Sure was fun to see Jane and her sis Susan was there at the game too. I love those ladies - makes me wish I could see them more. But you know how life is...she's busy with her kids. I need to plan a Big 4 (Jane, Leslie, Vic and Sally) gathering. Wonder when Sal will be back next?

KC 2

Another fun trip with our homies, despite a loss by the Clones. Poor guys. 2 years ago - UNLV game in Vegas we lose a close one in OT after coming back courageously at the last second. Heartbreak.
Last year - Kansas City - we come back in the waning minutes only miss out on a chance at OT thanks to a blocked extra point.
This year - down 4 we have the ball and some time, QB gets nailed and fumbles. We hold them to a field goal and can't mount a drive to tie it. Lose another heartbreaker by 7. But we did win that bowl game last winter!

Cyclone fans are resilient! We are used to adversity and heartbreak. But that doesn't make it any easier.

So knowing all of the above (except for yesterday's heartbreak part) we met for lunch at the Elm's Club and took off after that - piling into the McKim vehicle with spillover (the guys) into Conovers Caddy. Headed to Kelly's historic Westport Inn when we hit town. The weather was gorgeous and after that bitch Garmin finally found the joint, we saw they had built a rooftop deck!

Then we headed to check into our Hotel - Crown Plaza near the Power and Light district, so we could walk and not worry about drinking and driving. The ISU Pep Rally was in the P&L District - so several thousand Cyclone fans showed up. Made friends with Robert at the motel and he gave Bobbie and Jeff a suite and McKim's room was adjoining. Sweet!

Got to the P&L just when the ISU Pep Band was getting ready to hit the stage. The place was packed. The P&L District is a rectangle of bars/restaurants opening onto a big covered area that has a stage and a huge screen where ISU highlights were playing. I love pep bands - so full o energy! There were a couple of peppy speakers including the voice of the Clones and our AD.

Jud and his buddies stood right by us so we took a pic. They call me Mrs. Goldsmith for God's sake! I feel like June Kluever when they do that! I'm going to have to correct that next game - Laura was Mrs. Goldsmith. That's just not me! Bobbie and I had our pic taken with Cy. We saw a lot of folks we knew.

We'd gotten coupons for entry at the piano bar - Howl at the Moon. What a blast! The place was packed and Donnie and I struggled to get our first round of drinks. There were no tables - in fact the tables were roped of with "crime scene" tape - sold for $100 each I think. We stood by an unsold one near some older women who had major work done. I mean faces, boobs, noses - you name it - they were gross. I would rather look old than plastic.

Just about the time my first drink was gone Bobbie came waltzing over with a giant bucket of blue stuff and several straws. Just the thing - sweet and cold. I gulped my share. The entertainment - singers, who played piano and various other instruments, were great. We sang along. The waitress warned us not to use the table for our bucket - OFF LIMITS!

So when she walked away, Jeff broke the tape and the Clear Lake group and we sat down. At least we got away with it for a half hour or so. It was great. They sangs lots of faves, I Will Survive, Build Me Up Buttercup, they could do rock, hip hop. By now it was after 8 and we hadn't eaten since lunch. A group came who HAD actually paid for the table we stood by. Time to leave.

We went in another restaurant and rousted Jud and group - Jeff had fun harassing him. I knew it was time for food, so a couple of us went in search of tables. Ended up at the same place we ate last year - nothing special but it was hot. Then headed to our hotel, where I headed right to bed. Day 1 was over.

KayCee

Scenes from last year's trip. Hope it's warmer this year!

Heading to Kansas City this weekend for the ISU/KSU game. Looking forward to it - such fun last year and this year the weather looks to be warm. Only wish Sharon and Al could be joining us. Sharon's dad Bill had surgery a couple weeks ago and Sharon needs to stay close.

This is the last vaca I have scheduled for the year. At least until Christmas. So I better go for all the gusto! The group will be McKims, McFees and us driving together in the McKims vehicle and Conovers are driving separately since they have to leave after the game.

We're meeting at approximately 1200 (that's military time) for lunch at the Elms Club for our first bevvie and lunch. Then packing the car (easier said than done with 3 couples and little room! We plan to check into our motel when we get there and head to Kelly's in Westport - a true Cyclone outpost from the days of the Big 12 Tourney. Fun time last year!

Then we'll hit the Power and Light District near where our motel is. Official pep rally - hope it's not a dud this year. They promise a pep band. Will need to round up food at some point.

Our boy El Roy (Judson David) will be there with 26 of his close friends. They're packing into 4 motel rooms in the same motel we're staying in. (traveler's prayer...please lord, don't let them be by us).

Inspired by my young friends

Frosh year - left to right Vicki, me, Loraine and Jane below - with our fave wine, crackers and cheese

I picked up a nonfiction book today at the Waukee library. It's out in the car and I don't recall the exact name (and I'm too damn lazy to go out and look at it). Ah it's Bill Bishop's "The Big Sort". But it's about how we're all beginning to separate into groups who all think alike and support the same causes, making us less able to tolerate those who don't think like us (that is what I think the author is going to say - though I don't know for sure as I've not yet cracked the cover).


I've seen a few articles along this same theme lately - perhaps because of this very book. Interesting. One was an article about college roomies - how there's a service that matches you up so that you can get someone who fits you like a charm. If you're a neat freak, you don't have to deal with messy Bessie. Perky Morning Paula doesn't have to be kept awake by Night Owl Nellie.


Except in my dorm we had real life situations - such as someone being awakened by her roommate having sex in the next bed. Eeew. And some being chastised for being too loud at night - their roomate would order them to silence by demanding "1.2.3. QUIET!" Like she was their mother. We could talk about that stuff for hours to avoid studying! It was great fun, complaining about roomies.

My first roommate Loraine Dunn was my total opposite. I remember being a bit disappointed to get matched up with her by the random roommate service at ISU. She was a non-athletic junior from Illinois - a Mormon, in child education (or some such) major vs me, a jock frosh Catholic from Ioway majoring in Animal Science (at least then). Nothing in common! She put pasty Merle Norman cold cream on at night - like 50's women!

Along the way, the strangest thing happened. Loraine and I became great friends! While all my other friends were having huge roomie issues - even the ones who had planned to live their roommates and were from the same hometown - they had issues and we got along swell!


Loraine got a late night phone call one night, and we ended up staying up late talking about all sorts of stuff. I got to know her better and learned her cousin from Utah had been killed by Ted Bundy. She told me about an ex boyfriend. (Loraine had a boyfriend??)

Yes her parents were strict Mormons who wore the under garments and didn't drink Coke. Loraine liked to drink wine. She had a funny laugh. I even took her home to Atlantic a couple times.

We didn't live together my sophomore year - she met a group that fit her better to hang out with. I lived with my best bud Vicki. But we stayed friends and we stayed in touch for a long time. I got a Christmas card from her a few years ago - she's an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Oklahoma. Yep, she learned a great deal from me. haha
I look forward to reading this book - whatever it's called. I'll fill you in when I know more. In the meantime - I'm glad I hang out what some of you more conservative types - even though you watch that crappy Fox Channel. It expands my horizons to know you - and helps to make you more tolerant to know a wild liberal like me!

Young kid

That's what my dad called thirty somethings when he was my age. Now I think of them that way. Anyway - I have two stories of young "kids" who inspired me today.


Alex Moon - one of my Supervisors I traveled to Clear Lake at O dark:30 this a.m. to attend a 7:30 a.m. meeting. I like traveling with Alex. Besides talking shop, he's fun to talk to about other stuff cuz he's an interesting person. Early thirties - married to a gal from Bedford (my neck of the woods, but I've not met her) and a 3 year old daughter Zoey.


Alex likes to learn knew things and he is a master of many. He is a good builder man, knows car stuff and even computers. He comes up with things like - he prefers not to converse by email. So he pops up at my cubicle to discuss stuff instead of trading emails. Today he said he's decided he doesn't think about his food and cook enough, so he's not eating meat right now, which forces him to plan more. He was telling me they make burgers with this vegetable protein stuff.


After we got home from the meeting, I had a haircut scheduled with Sarah Darby at Sahar here in West Des Moines. Sarah is another 3o something - married to Lucas with 2 boys - 5 and 2 years old. She cuts lots of Crestonite's hair - which is how I found out about her magic!


She doesn't chat about the usual haircut chit chat. Today she gave me crap about the Hawk football victory of course - an inside joke because another of her former customers quit her - Sarah teased her about the game regarding last year's Hawk victory. (ya see we Clones have very thin skins after all these years of getting picked on by meanie Hawk fans)

Last time I got my hair cut, our mutual friend Diana's mother had just died, and Sarah said she felt badly that she had made Diana tear up when she saw her last week and asked her about her mom. I told her that was okay - we all have so many tears we need to cry. And that I felt bad about making Dee cry at her Mom's visitation - as she was doing so well until I got there.

Sarah said Diana cried when she asked her if they had done anything with her Mom's stuff at her parent's home yet. Then she asked me about my experience when my mother passed away in 1997. That's not your typical hairdresser convo right there. Anyway - I told her that Dad had wanted it cleaned out right away.

We four girls did that as he wished. We laughed. We cried going through our mother's things. Each of us chose some things of hers that we wanted. I wear a gold wedding band she had in her jewelry box. It was from her beloved Uncle Lloyd - he'd married a woman who had lived for only 2 years - their initials are inside. I also got her fave cardigan complete with kleenex in the pockets, and her rockin' blue suede bell bottoms circa 1975.

After that Sarah shared with me that she's reading a book by a guy who talks about what we're losing in this world of technology. She wants to remember how to connect with people on a personal basis. Plus she makes my hair look great! I only wish I could make it come out that well.

Two "youngsters" growing and learning. I like that. I like to be around people who are not afraid of change - or maybe their afraid of it, but do it anyway. Sarah and Alex are fun to be around.

Jack the horse

My horse Jack was a wonderful fella. He didn't start out that way - he was young and a big outa control. My first horse Frosty was a good starter horse, but she was old and kinda ugly - not good for showing, but good for a young girl to get her spurs wet on. But after I had her a year or so, the people who sold her to us offered to sell us a 3 year old gelding and take Frosty back. I was around 13 or so.

Wayne Rodgers, Sally's dad was my guru for all things quarter horse. He looked over Jack's papers. His full name was Poco Hijack - with lines stemming back to Poco Bueno, a pretty famous stud horse back in the day. And Jack horses were just starting to get popular - can't remember that breed line but they all had the name Jack.

He wasn't perfect - but he was beautiful to me! He came from Yale, Iowa. He was a sorrel with straight confirmation (legs) and a pretty head with a white stripe down his nose. His mane and tail were darker and he had a couple white stockings.

First thing, we decided he needed to go to Bondurant (back before it was a DM suburb) for training. Les Walker, the trainer, took the rear out of him. He had a habit of rearing when being ridden. But he couldn't slow down his naturally fast running motion - which was my nemesis during all my years showing him. Judges back then wanted a horse who had a nice rocking horse gait, and Jack just didn't have that.

What he did end up with was a wonderful personality - patient and loving! In fact even though he had no, um balls, he fell in love with my friend Sal's horse Vissy. He'd nicker for her whenever they were separated. He loved me too. I'd drive out to the barn where we kept him (in behind HyVee in Atlantic on the Guttenfelder farm) and feed him each night. A quarter can of oats and a flake of hay. Sometimes I'd take an apple or a carrot. Having a horse taught me a great deal about responsibility. When I wasn't able to feed him, I had to arrange for his care.

When I went out to ride, or clean his stall, I'd hook him up to the big leather straps we had in the breezeway and curry him till he shined. He enjoyed that. Plus I'd spray him with flyspray and put that stick stuff around his eyes so they'd leave them alone too. Clean out his hooves with a hoof pick. Sometimes I'd just turn him out in the grassy area we had so he could graze, and lay upon his back with my head on his butt daydreaming or feeling sorry for myself - like a kid with her own horse could really do that...

We had lots of places to ride. Our barn had an indoor arena filled with sand for winter riding. We had an outdoor arena for practice showing. There was a nice dirt road we could ride down by there or we could ride in the fields nearby too - a good workout. I we wanted to go far we could go on gravel or take pavement and cross the highway. I didn't like going around traffic though.

Being in Atlantic recently made me think of ol' Jack. He liked to eat ice cubes and even ate some french fries at a horse show once. We'd slide ride off his butt and he didn't kick, or walk under his belly. What a sweetie. I've been blessed by wonderful animals all throughout my life - hope to see them in the afterlife again...all dogs (and horses) go to heaven. I'm not sure Bucko the cat is there though - he was mean!

Bob's challenge

I've just been reading Bob Hudek's Caring Bridge site -
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bobhudek/journal?jid=6089793

Bob is battling non Hodgkin's Lymphoma and will have a bone marrow transplant any day now in Omaha. His wife Syd is there with him - settled into Nebraska House, which must be similar to Ronald McDonald type apartments.

It sounds like they have been very happy with the care they are getting so far - that's very important when you're going through a tough battle like this. I've been thinking of them a lot - and am glad to get Syd's updates. Who ever came up with CaringBridge is a genius - sparing folks from having to repeat the same story over and over. How the patient is doing etc.

When Paul's nephew Joe was in the horrible car wreck, and when Deb's mom was ill I kept up with their sites daily at times. I'm sure it's somewhat therapeutic for the writer as well. I know it would be for me - just like this blog. Putting things down in words seems to help me get it off my mind a bit.

Paul and I have known Syd and Bob for many years. I first met Syd back in my FNB days - when Erin was 3 years old. She now a mommy herself! And I remember Bob's 40th birthday party held at Groth's house - we tried to get Bob to "hang a moon" and chanted "bare your butt Bob". Then we drove out to Hooker's Farm - a scary ghost house outside town. The kids thought it was awesome! Good family fun.

I been used to seeing Bob around town walking the sidewalks for the past 20 years. He's a mailman. So even though we don't hang out with the Hudeks, I consider them friends. I am sad that they're faced with this challenge.

So if you believe in a higher power - put in a good word for some good people. Thanks!

critters

The critters are after me! After church this a.m. we headed to HyVee for a few things and to take bottles back (hey, Iowa is a bottle deposit state - I wish more products were forced into stewardship like that, but that's a whole 'nother topic or two).

I looked up and there was an icky grasshopper on the inside of the car window. I HATE grasshoppers. They used to get on me when I was riding my trusty steed Jack. They were so damn clingy. Lucky we were at HyVee by the time I saw the little bastard and Paul got rid of him for me. (a nice perk to being married)

A bit later, when I was getting ready to settle into one of my happy places - my deck, I opened the container we have on the deck where we keep our cushions. Eek! A small toad was hunkered down in the edge of the box. He was as scared as I was - and hopped away.

Took me back to when I worked at the landfill and my desk was in the big warehousey part of the building. I kept finding piles of poop on it and was paranoid thinking there was a rat out there. It was a landfill after all! There was even signs of something being all the way on top of my computer tower which was on top of my desk! Then one day I moved my keyboard to clean and a giant toad hopped.

I about left a big pile of poop right there and went screaming in for help from the scale attendant. When we got back, the critter was gone and of course they thought I was nuts. Finally a few days later he was back. That little bastard jumped on the chair up to the desk and then up on the computer. Amazing. Toads aren't all that scary except when you're not expecting them. And he was big and squishy. And full of poop.

Nature 2 Leslie 0

Damn those virus writers

I got a virus first thing this a.m. The computer kind - so I can't complain too much. I know people who are actually seriously ill. So while I can't refrain from bitching, I know I'm lucky it's just a damn machine.

I got online and perused my usual sites. I read one guy's post about a "security hoax" he'd gotten - a virus. Next thing you know, I was getting the messages, and couldn't get online.

Decision time. Should I spend house trying to figure out what to do? Or should I bend over and pay Dell to help me out? Called Dell - paid the big bucks. $239 for a year for any computer in our fam. Just in case Jud, Paul or our desk top get it or any other software issue.

Then I spent 2+ hours online with a friendly guy from India. He took control of my cashola and then my laptop and rid it of the pesky files and changed everything back. Phew. I really need to do a backup of all the important stuff...note to self!

It makes me so angry that people write those programs - pretending to be security programs - taking honest working people's computers hostage. I have antivirus software - this malicious program turned it off, and switched other things off in my beloved Delly. I'm glad it was fixed today - even if it did cost a lot. I'm reliant on my laptop.

The big Iowa vs. Iowa State football game today turned out to be not so big - for my team anyway. #9 Iowa dominated from start to finish. They looked very good - like a much better team than my beloved Cyclones. I hope we can regroup before next week's KSU game in Kansas City or that will be a long day!

Bobbie's break out

Above - the whole McFee clan.

Finally - Bobbie quit her job. She's been "Les Miserables" at her place of employment. Okay - I'll say it, as it was one of my former places of employment - Gits Manufacturing, where she was the big kahuna accountant.

But the biz was sold in the past couple years and the new owners are a public company. They seem to be all about the $$. Not about the people. Big changes - constantly. Lots of people have quiet out there. Wages have been adjusted. The economy has been brutal too of course.

So it's not been a fun few months (years...) for Bobbie. Hubby Jeff farms - long hours there too. Sometimes I think Paul and I - in our crazy separate town lifestyle - see each other more often!

Good news - Bobbie got a new job right her in Crestonia at Vanmark. I'm sure it won't be perfect. Every job has its own foibles, politics and huha. But it's a fresh start! Yeeha. Now we just need to get Bobbie some hobbies!

Remember last weekend when I was all melancholy? I finally shared my angst with Pablo my very own Poolboy/analyst. Just talking it over with him helped me feel better.

Then my buddy and name doppelganger Alt Leslie Goldsmith read my blog. She shared that she too was feeling angst - perhaps it's the name (and we were missing our daughters). But she said she got this photo from her daughter Rebecca (who is a model) sent her that day. This pic helped lift her spirits, which also helped lift mine! Rebecca said she strolled into a Barnes and Noble in Union Square in NYC - and "there she was" - in a magazine.

We're going out tonight to celebrate with Bobbie and Jeff - cuz that's what friends are for.

Overnighter

My boyfriend's back. It's so strange having Paul stay here with Joan and me. It's like a big slumber party. He just informed me that he dropped is cologne on the tile floor in the downstairs bathroom. Dang roomie - your fired! Off the island. Okay, he did clean it up pretty well.



I slept pretty well in my giant bed that I usually have all to myself, even though I had to share. This convinces me that in my next house, I'm getting a kingsize bed! I got up and headed out early - he didn't have to be up until 7 AM. I kissed him goodbye and away I went. Weird!

Poolboy visit

What's this? The poolboy has come to the big city? Yes, Pablo, my very own poolboy has come to Des Moines for a conference. Landlady Joanie has graciously allowed him to bunk with me - only if there is no hanky panky!

No prob, Joanie. When in DSM I'm all work no play! Tomorrow Paul will wear his suit for the day and I won't even get to see it, as I'll be gone before he gets up. ;>(

Perhaps I'll see him when he gets back tomorrow night. He does look pretty hot in the suit. He invited me to attend the banquet, but didn't really expect me to. So I said no.

I met my new Supe today - Jen Wright. Seems cool.

Had a massage after work. She worked on the knot caused by my fall on my ass. She found it with her elbow and it hurt. In a good way. Bitch. In a good way. I like her.

Melancholy baby

Jud and roomie Pat load up on food at last week's ISU game.

Despite the 3 day weekend, I've been feeling melancholy all weekend. I don't even know why. I can take a guess - Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer, along with Dad's birthday.

I miss Dad a lot. And many holiday weekends friends get together with family. Not us - we're orphans. And we live far away from most of our family. Self pity inserted here. At least Jud came home for the weekend - he missed us so. Plus his roommates all left for the weekend, so he decided he could do laundry cheaply at Mamma's house. And eat.

Regardless of the reason, it was nice to have the big lug here. He and his dad chatted about sports (shocking, I know). He ate a Jethro sized portion of steak Saturday night, and 2 hamburgers last night. We took him shopping at Jordan Creek in DSM yesterday and bought him a few clothes. We went to "The American" a George Clooney movie that turned out to be an artsy dud with sex scenes no Mom should watch with her son. argh.

He took off pretty early this morning, anxious to get back to Ames for....not sure why. Perhaps he was anxious to study. Once he was gone, I wasn't sure what to do. And I still felt...sad. Why? The only thing besides missing Dad/family that I can think of is the tough of winter now looming large.

Last winter was so very brutal. And long. I can hardly believe I survived it! But hey I'm stronger than I realize.

Perhaps my one remaining ovary is pumping out a weird combo of hormones, causing this strange mood of mine. Regardless, I must snap out of it. Tomorrow is another day. My new supervisor starts at DNR - her name is Jennifer Wright. I look forward to meeting her. Bring on the work week. My honey is coming to town to stay with me while he attends a meeting. And I'm getting a massage tomorrow - working on that tailbone issue from a couple weeks ago.

Stinkin' Iowa winter will not ruin my fall!

HS Football when I was a kid

My dad always loved football. This is in honor of his bday yesterday. When I was little, I remember Mom and Dad taking us to Atlantic High School football games. In small town Iowa, high school football is a big deal - especially back then, before the invention of cable TV (even color TV), iPods and game systems. It was the only game in town!

We'd bundle up, and walk the 5 or so blocks to the high school. The folks would have their wooly black and gold Hawkeye blanket. The bleachers were wood back then, but it was still nice to have a blankie to sit upon or cover up with.

I was a student of the game early on - learning the rules and who was doing what. I often got to sit with Robbie Dob, as I've told you before - friend since age 3 or so. Another entertaining aspect what the cheerleading squad. Big girls in flashy black and gold outfits yelling up a storm. The whole crowd would participate (or so it seemed). Felix the Cat was my favorite (I loved that cartoon)

They'd cross their hands behind them and march one way and then the other chanting: Felix the cat, the cat, the cat, Felix the cat, the cat. He wants to know, he wants to know: are they going to win? NO! The repeat - are we going to win? YES!

And every one's favorite - We've got spirit yes we do, we've got spirit - how 'bout you? Such fun! And Atlantic was always pretty good. We had Eddie Podolack - and bro Charlie, both went on to play at the University of Iowa. And Ed ended up playing pro at the for the Kansas City Chiefs. Town pride, cheering, popcorn, seeing friends, being with my parents. What more could a kid want?

HS Football

Pablo and I went to Creston's first home football game last night. It's just not the same when you're kids have graduated. It was a close game - the other team scored with less than 30 seconds left to win. No heart pounding for me.

I was just thinking - "I'm getting chilly - please don't let it go into overtime". Yeah, big fan I am. And Paul and I decided the skill level just isn't what it used to be. Of course we didn't have any rose colored glasses on when Jud played. Ha! I bet parents through the years have said that same thing - it's just not as good as it used to be.

Now that Jud is a senior, there isn't anybody left that he was in school with. The only kids we know are siblings of kids we know, or children of friends. It's a whole new group. Very strange. Another sign that we're old!

Going to watch the Hawkeyes this a.m. on TV. Of course the big matchup of ISU/Iowa is next weekend. On paper (and in the mind of most sane people) the Cyclones don't have a chance in that game. Iowa is in the top 10. ISU wasn't exactly dominant in beating a MAC team Thursday night. But we're Clone fans - we can always hope! And if we lose - we're supposed to. Let Ferentz earn his $3+ million/year.

Hawk fans seem to be especially vocal this year - they had a great season last year, which brought all the closet fans out. Just hope they don't become unbearable. I don't mind the people who are fans through thick and thin. But the people who yell "How 'bout them Hawks?" in my face when it's a good year, but go quiet in bad years. Um, they suck.

I must remember my Hawkeye roots - and how much joy the school and the team gave my parents and grandparents before them. And I have to realize it's mostly some jerky fans (and a few players) who have stirred my emotions so. The people who say such hurtful things about my beloved school and wish for its demise in NCAA sports - wanting the Big 12 to fold. What's that about? Why would that benefit the state?

The holier than thou attitude many think is rightfully theirs - bringing to mind who?? Oh yeah, Nebraska fans. Will be fun watching those two fanbases feast on each other. Only problem? Who to cheer for/against!

Best day of the year

That's what son Judson called yesterday - ISU's first football game day. He really does look forward to it that much! Unfortunately Mother Nature didn't cooperate perfectly. She decided it would be fun to play a bit with us Cyclone Fans.



I worked in the a.m. at home. Paul got home and we headed to McKims to ride up in the Clone RV with Donnie, Diana and McFees. Despite some early showers, it had cleared off but was windy. Then the rains moved in again. Dang! Driving north some terrible gusts made poor Don grip that wheel (of his 1991 motor home) with all his might. Whoa Nellie!



We arrived arrived safely around 3 PM and picked up McKim #1 son Ryan. It started F'n pouring. Ma Nature - remember that winter we had...hmmm I'm thinking ya kinda owe us a decent few months lady! We got parked at the stadium and the guys put the awning out. I sat in the RV and pouted, sipping Twisted Tea. Paul got set up and began grilling burgers - I sliced onions and helped D boil brats for cooking later.



The rain began to lessen. "What a minute...it's stopped raining" Remember the Camp Grenada song? Dad had it (bless his little heart - it's his bday tomorrow - 82!). Anyway...things started looking up. Higgins appeared with grandkids in tow. Other RVs started parking around us - one pulled up with a cooler that doubled as a scooter. What a hoot.



Jud called - he and buddies would show up about 5 PM. Paul filled the crockpot with brats and hamburgers. Bobbie had made cheesy potatoes and Diana hot dip. Sharon brought fruit. We were set. Don broke out the bags game. The boys arrived and began to eat - they were in heaven! Hollow legs and all that. Becky from work stopped over. Suddenly it was game time. No longer rainy, it was breezy and a bit chilly. We headed to the stadium for kickoff. Texts from our niece Sarah from Illinois indicated she was coming for the game with friends - she's seeing a kid who plays for Northern Illinois - the opponent.



We sit up high on the side by the endzone. Not primo seats. But we've sat by the same people for years. They like us! We entertain. We were pretty calm this game - work day today after all. But it was a good game and we were all in great spirits. Diana and I had to give good karma to the team by talking intensely during important plays (thus missing them). Yes we're superstitious and weird like that! The good guys won 27-10. Home at 1:30 a.m. Jud was a happy boy I'm sure - his best day was complete.

Finally they're getting it

Finally - I see an article indicating fashionistas are starting to get it. They're making pretty bras in my size!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/02/fashion/02Small.html?hp

For the A-Cup Crowd! That would be me. I love it! Elisabeth Dale wrote a book called - "Boobs: A Guide to Your Girls"

Super duper -- there's even a blog: http://smallbustbigheart.com/
Isn't that cool!?!

Angie, Becky and Reo from MWA

It's been another long day - spent all day at Metro Waste Authority in Mitchellville. Co-workers Becky and Angie were there too. We spent part of the day in a meeting but got a tour of the landfill too.


Hard to believe I actually am having cubicle withdrawal. I miss it and feel like I'm falling behind on my work at work, because I've been gone so much these past two weeks. I came home after my day at MWA - about 5:30 PM.

Tomorrow is the first ISU Cyclone Football game of the season. Hope I get a good night's sleep and recharge before then! I have to get pumped up - but need to work a few hours in the a.m. first. I'm sure getting together with our buddies and riding up in the RV will help. Party on...Go Clones!