Now I'm getting excited

It's the night before my classmate get-together in the Big-O. I'm getting excited! Here's the breakdown of who is supposed to attend:

15th reunion - Candice, Sal, Rob, Jules

I take it back - there's Paula on the left - so it's been 20 years since I've seen her.

• Robyn Bredensteiner Uehling aka Robbie Dob, Robyn Austin (that's her radio name) - reporting in from Orlando, FL where she is a jock at a jazz station
• Christie Jo Deardorff Colletti - from Downers Grove, IL - a Chicago suburb (okay she won't be there tomorrow, but will be there for the rest of the festivities
• Sally Rodgers - who is a stud because through two marriage she never changed her name. She flew to Boulder today from Portland where she lives. She's driving to Omaha tomorrow with
• Julia Hoilien - or Jules is a masseuse in Boulder, Colorado. She got married late so her kids are still young - which keeps her young.
• Pam Nelson Jepperson - will only be there tomorrow as she's bugging out to help her grown up daughter move (she's even a grandma!). Pam lives in Council Bluffs.
• Chris Watson - not sure she ever had a married name? She has a couple kids - one is grown up but just moved back home and a boy who is high school age. She is the Omaha hostest with the mostest.
•  Joanie Troll Farmer - hails from Dallas, TX. I haven't seen her in 20 years or so - can't wait! Joan has a grown daughter living in Atlantic.
• Paula Bacon lives in Austin, Texas and I haven't seen her for at least 20 years. It will be wonderful catching up on Friday as she'll be arriving in A-town then.
• Candace Drake Morey is driving up from Kansas City. I got to see her last winter when Jud was job hunting in KC. We met at a Panera near her home. It will be good to see her again.

Lunch with a couple beauts

I had lunch with a couple beauties this today. Leslie Goldsmith and her daughter Rebecca - a/k/a Miss Iowa. We met at Noodle Zoo near my work. I thought I was just meeting my name doppelganger - the other Leslie G., so meeting Rebecca was a surprise!

I got to hear about Rebecca's experience in Vegas these past few weeks as she competed for the title of Miss USA - ultimately won by Miss California. She had to change clothes 3 times a day - so she took 51 changes of clothes that were all pre-vetted by the pageant folks. As they didn't ship any of them ahead, her mother wisely suggested that she slap on her Miss Iowa sash in the airport so the airline folks might take pity on them when it came to luggage fees. Even so it cost something like $88 bucks - but they did let Rebecca haul extra stuff on board.

She roomed with Miss Wisconsin and that went okay. They didn't have a second to rest - hustling about each day to filming locations and appearances. Evenings they were in casinos at meet and greets. Rebecca still has false eyelashes on that sounded devilish to get applied! She was headed to the Iowa Newspaper Association the afternoon after our lunch for an interview. A busy girl yet!

Leslie and I had a few minutes to catch up - she's had some health issues, check ups etc, but luckily all is well. Paul (her spouse) is suffering from what may be a torn rotator cuff. We think meeting for an Iowa Cubs game could be fun in July. So that's the plan - our fellas haven't gotten together for a long while! It's fun being friends with ourselves. And I'm glad to have a new friend in Rebecca (and we're Facebook friends too).

The countdown is on

Until I get together with my girls. No - not the girls from my mammogram. My girls from Atlantic! Preparing for my class reunion has made me think about my child hood - yep...I've been using the wayback machine again!

I've been thinking about those endless summers of my childhood! They were great. Mom would drive us to the Country Club. I got to hang out with my lil friends - those wicker  chairs around the pool made perfect forts when you tipped them over and draped your towel over them. In between swimming, and playing swimming games like nibbles and pretending to take photos of each other on the diving board, we'd go into the snack shop.

Then I'd get my putter out of our cart shed and mess around on the putting green. Sometimes kids would play cards in the snack shop - it was by the locker rooms back then. There was also a color TV just outside the snack shop and we'd watch Dark Shadows - a soap opera about vampires.

When I got older - after my frosh year of college, I just moved to a different pool, but my summer was very similar. I was a lifeguard at Sunnyside and taught swimming lessons. The fort was in the loft above the pool office - we'd drink beers up there (after the pool closed of course) and play the game Chug A Lug.

I worked with a great group - Marci and Cindy Merrick were managers, Sally, Kim Waters, Cindy, and Cathy Hjortshoj. Jules Hoilien worked in the snack shack. We worked 6 days a week, and each day was like the last. They were all fun. At night we went to the bars. I learned how to do a flip off the board after drinking a few cold ones.

We were the cool kids of town - we were young, hard bodies. I won't say I was tan. Damn it's prolly why I have skin damage today. But I was full of myself. On Sunday mornings, we'd go, hungover to clean the pool deck and bathhouse. Then we'd float in the pool on rafts until time to open. Then we'd do it all again.

Now here I am 53. Damn - how did that happen?

3 years ago - when the Atlantic gals were only 50!

The girls

Have had their annual checkup. My mammogram I mean. You may recall that last year I got a call back - they wanted to see one of the sistas again. So she got extra attention this year.

I had the same tech as last year - a nice young gal from Dexter who travels this way whilst I go that way. I know seems goofy. She said she went in the ditch that last snow storm. "Get a Subaru" I advised her - all wheel drive. The funny thing was she could totally talk the talk - she said, I like the new Outbacks, and she likes the Legacy too. She'd been to Denver recently and they were everywhere.

She had a trainee with her. When then do the test, the machine pretty much crushes one's breast in Plexiglas. The tech pushes it into place and begins to crank the Plexiglas plates closer together and says, "say when, when it hurts." Ouch! A few shots like that - spreading the love.

That was it. Then I had my picture taken with the machine of torture. Hope I get good news again this year. God bless all those who don't!

On the third day

Each of us had pre-planned what we would order for breakfast at Guenthers our second time around. I went for the breakfast tacos - had to share one with Pablo as they were very filling, and got the fruit again. But, I share a bit of Sharon's apple strudel - to die for!

We rode the Wyndham shuttle over to Guenthers this day. On the way back, we walked around the river and stopped at our condo. Then we stopped a river taxi and headed north on the newest section of the Riverwalk toward the Pearl Brewery. Along the way, we discovered (our taxi captain broke it to us) that the brewery wasn't even a brewery, wasn't open and didn't do tours. Hmmm, then why the hell do they call it Pearl Brewery on the maps?

This upper end isn't developed commercially like the lower end, but is artsy - with art in the bridges and along the route. One bridge even had noise art - recorded noise from the gulf broadcast constantly. Beautifully landscaped as well. When we got to the end, there was a funky restaurant called Glorias along with a few shops in a LEED certified building. We stopped for bevvies and a bit of sustenance. And I had my bestest drink of the trip - (or 2) a mojito with fresh mint! Paul had his first Pearl beer - though it was brewed in Houston I believe.

From this funky spot, we caught the taxi directly to the oldest VFW in Texas - that was once in the middle of nowhere, when the Riverwalk was built right by it. It was a perfect dive, just right for Crestonians! We got a bucket 'o beer. And I mean bucket - rubber, like you'd expect to find sudsy water in...we took it to the balcony and chillaxed there with the other drunks um I mean patrons. The next taxi driver was the bomb! He was a font of knowledge and took us the rest of the route - we stayed on all around the old section of the Riverwalk too.

We decided to go back to the Wyndham and change clothes before our final hurrah - evening out. We were going to Boudro's - a place we had scoped out earlier. Unfortunately there was a 1 hour 20 minute wait. BUT, we could wait at their sister location with a nice drink. Sure! (We're easy...) So a hostess led us through the bowels of the dark restaurant and into a stainless steel elevator. And out a door, around a corner. Across a street. Around another corner...it was very confusing.

But the sister place (I never did get the name) had lovely martinis. And funky 50's motif. We hadn't even gotten the first drinks drunk when our number was up! Lucky there was a chef dude to follow back to Boudro's! Damn it was dark in that place - and some of us needed a flashlite to read the menu. I had a fish platter with lobster, seared scallop and some delectable cod. I was moaning in pleasure while I ate. Paul had blackened prime rib that he couldn't see because it was black!

All to soon it was time to pack up and get up to fly home. Unfortunately, our bad luck with flying hung around for this trip too. Bad weather in Houston screwed us up, and we didn't get much help from Continental as they made us wait all day in Houston before getting us in to Omaha. Even when our 9 PM flight was called, the pilots weren't there and we had to wait for them to show up. We got home to Creston at 2 a.m. I wasn't impressed with Continental - not all that helpful. I went to sleep after 3 and got up to drive to DSM at 6. Long day. But a good vacation made the long day a lil easier to take...

Bobbie and Sharon were in charge of re-ticketing after we missed our first Omaha flight

Monday in SA

Monday - sunny and hot. A repeat of Sunday. We decided to take the Wyndham Shuttle to Guenther House for breakfast - a big hit! It's the site of a historic mill, and they grind their own flour. I had the oatmeal pancake with pecan syrup along with fruit. Delish!

After we ate, we walked through the beautiful housing area back towards the Riverwalk, with a stop along the way at the Icehouse. We eventually ended up back by the Alamo at an old bar with gazillions of stuffed heads on the wall - but decided not to pay $$ a piece to go through their museum.

That night we walked to the Market area for a meal at the recommended Mexican food joint. It was crowded and had strolling musicians and colors galore in the huge restaurant. When we were seated, we found the menu to be suspiciously like our own Casa de Oro...hmmm. Except for Mexican Elvis in the background...It was fun though, and had a bakery attached.

Elvis Alert! behind guy in red. This one had very bad teeth!

I just flew in from San Antonio

And boy are my eyeballs tired. From sitting at the Houston airport for 9 F*$(ing hours! But let's not let that distract from the grand time we had on our San Antonio vacation (flights through Houston out of Omaha to and from).

We took off from Creston at 3:30 a.m. sharp. Al, Sharon, Bobbie and Jeff picked us up and we cruised to Omaha across Highway 34. We were wary due to flooding of the might Mo this summer, but it didn't end up bothering our route any. Whilst we awaited our flight, the stewardess specially chose us to sit in the exit row. Somehow that stuck with us the rest of this trip...

On the way there...flights went smoothly. The taxi ride, once we got to San Antonio, was interesting. Not the best running vehicle, and our driver made a quick exit to gas up - running on fumes, I guess! Our condo was very nice - a Wyndham high rise. Each couple had our own room with bath. We took off right away to find the store for a few supplies (insert liquor).

Then we checked out the pool and off we went to the Riverwalk that night. Sharon and I took along light sweaters, but I quickly learned 95 degrees didn't leave room for wearing no jacket! We grazed and drank our way up and back to our place. Last stop was a nice hotel where we had some bitchin' pizza with the lightest crust - it practically floated to my tummy.

Day 2 dawned. The guys whipped up breakfast - complete with Bloody Marys for some. The we trotted across several blocks in search of the double decker tour bus. It took a bit, but we hunted one down. We sat on the top - hot as it was, but we wished to take in the sights of the city. This season seems to be a slow one here - before many Texas schools get out. Hot as hell!

You can tell by the look on Paul's face - no Pee Wee's bike...

By the time we stopped we needed to hit a historical pub for another bevvie. Then on to the Alamo. Remember the Alamo? Interesting stuff. Pretty cool (though very hot) and historical (and crowded).

And hear this...Pee Wee's bike is not in the basement. (guess you had to see the movie). We spent the rest of the day exploring the Riverwalk and establishments. We went to Dick's Last Resort - a place I always like to go as the antithesis to Hooters. It's full of funny stuff. Sharon got a funny hat! We drank all along the Riverwalk. I sweated it all out - but had fun doing it!

Off for a few days

for a much-needed vacation. Stayed tuned for photos, stories galore and clever anecdotes! The Goldsmiths are goin to Texas! I cain't (said with southern drawl) wait to mess with Texas! San Antonio here I come.

Another sigh of relief

Vaginal ultrasound. It just sounds icky - doesn't it? Unless you're pregnant and then you're flopping your legs apart for any old reason - you get used to it. There's a swimmer in you (a baby) that you're pre-occupied with, so it's worth it.

In my case, not so much. My little swimmers are now big beautiful peeps (and one angel). So when Sheryl Young, ARNP's nurse called me last week after my physical to say Sheryl wanted me to schedule a vaginal ultrasound at Iowa Radiology, because she wasn't quite sure what was going on "down there", I tried not to panic. I mostly didn't panic.

One side of my abdomen still holds an ovary. Sheryl felt lumps on both sides. I tried to tell her one side was prolly poop (she called it stool). But she must have decided to be cautious, after getting information from Dr. Dornbier who performed my hysterectomy.

So even though I really didn't think anything was wrong with me, I couldn't help but think there was a chance something bad was afoot (or an ovary). Today as I lay on the table with the magic wand taking photos of my innards my mind raced. Man she was snapping a lot of them - there must be something bad in there! But she told me there were no masses. (even though a radiologist has to be the official $$ reader of the pics) So I felt better on the way home. Some expensive poop my guts were storing that day!

My little reminder. Life is fleeting. People get bad news every day. I'm lucky today it wasn't me. Party it up while you can! Enjoy life and live it to the fullest. And don't spend it worrying about a little poop!

Busy Week

And I'm fried! Do you ever have those busy weeks? The ones where you have stuff back-to-back with little breathing room? That's the story of my week this week. Good thing there's a vacation in San Antonio at the end of it!

Monday I arrived in DSM just after 7 a.m. and rushed to complete my PowerPoint presentation in order to practice with Scott, my co-presenter. Then it was off to JimmyJohn's to pay for the lunch order for my Tuesday Auditor Meeting (14 lunches - all on my credit card plus tip $149). Got back and discovered they forgot to ring up a Coke. Phone call..more time.

Off to the dermo - ya'll already heard that story. Tuesday's meeting was at the beautiful State Library building a/k/a Ola Babcock Miller building. Historical, wood, tile. Nice meeting room. Poor Laura, my co-presenter went to the downtown library by mistake. Oops! She wasn't too late though. Gave me a chance to hit up my Supe about my job evaluation - she says it will be in July. (my 2.5 year anniversary is coming up June 19)

The Audit meeting went swell! Attendees were engaged and learned a great deal. Laura kicks ass in the training department - and I hope I had a little to do with it as well. L and I put the agenda together. And I chimed in on topics. In future years I suppose this stuff will be my baby - though it makes me nervous to think of it!~?!

Today was the big meeting - at the Bot. I never felt totally in control of the PowerPoint process as Scott pasted the application we were presenting on into the slide show. And he had fancy stuff (balloon and such) flying into his slides. I am a control freak and would rather have been in total control. (Like a 2-year-old...MINE). Plus another presenter had a few slides we stuck in.

When it was time to present, I felt I could have been smoother. More polished. Nailed it. I got a little distracted and stuttered around at times. But so it goes - I was nervous with my supe and super supe in the crowd.

But my friend Christine just texted and said "nice job today - very informative" so that makes me feel better.

Weird weather June

This has been a strange spring. It has been fairly cold. Unless it's been really hot. There have been very few "perfect" days where one doesn't need a coat or isn't sweating. I've hardly sat on the deck.

Usually one has a nice few weeks where there aren't yet a lot of bugs. This year they're out in force already. It has rained a lot. Today it absolutely poured whilst I was driving to my dermatology appointment. It was hard to see, and windy too.

I'm happy to report my skin check went fine. Doc Ava Feldman didn't see any pre-cancers this year. A first! I did ask her about the crusty bumps (non-cancerous). She told me she could take eight (8) off for a mere $200, but doesn't recommend doing that during summer as it's best not to have sun exposure after doing that. What a gal!

Last week I saw former Crestonite Sheryl Young ARNP for my annual physical. I like seeing Sheryl, she's very personable and knows my fam. She thought I seemed depressed!?! Not sure what that was about. Maybe I need a vacation...

Had my blood work drawn in Creston on Friday. That cheery woman did it. If you are from Creston, you know the one. She's anything but cheery. Talk about depressed. She's been reprimanded in the past due to her attitude. She wasn't bad this visit, just not cheery. That's okay. I don't like fake cheer either...

Mammogram is set up for the 24th. Tit in a wringer day definite won't make me cheery

Friday bits

• Pablo and I had lunch with 3/4 of the McFees at Elms Club. Kimmy is on her way to Okinawa Saturday to work in the aqua area of the U.S. military bases there until mid August. It's true, they are trusting her to DRIVE in that country. (They don't know her very well...DO they? -said in Bugs Bunny voice). But this is the new and improved college grad Kim. Have a wonderful adventure Kimmy!
• Worked on my PowerPoint for my big meeting Wednesday for my very special work project - Environmental Management System (EMS). I hope to entice some new Agencies into signing up!
• And I worked on the lunch order (Jimmy Johns) for my Tuesday EMS Internal Auditor training meeting. Fifteen people are coming - and I'm in charge of logistics. Who knew figuring out lunch would be so damn time consuming...and I'm not done yet. Tried to do each box lunch online, but it timed-out so I called and told them I'd bring in my order Monday. Then I have to figure out how much each person owes me...yes, we have a budget crunch people and the great State of Iowa cannot afford to spend $150 for lunch for a meeting...for our environment. So I, the employee paid by the state has instead spent 3 hours of my time arranging for the food and will put it on my credit card. Don't we all feel better? Hmmm - not me!
• Paul and I went out to eat with long lost friends Joan and Greg Weis! Our sons Jud and Ben were sportmates, though they never really hung out as friends. Even so, we began to commute to games together, as Greg was in vet school until probaby 2005 or so (he was a late goer). So we got to know the folks well! Love those two - especially Joan as she rode with us a lot. Fun to catch up on all things kids/fam.
• We went (trumpets sound) to A&G: big crowd in there - softball tourney here this weekend and Sioux City Heelan folks were just clearing out as we got there. Talked to Katie Turner about the new girl's bball coach. Sounds like a winner.
• Started telling Joan and Greg about Deb's experience buying her MOG dress (Mother of Groom) in Kansas City and the "what not to wear" lady there. And her hair experience - ending up going to my stylist Sarah Darby.
• So who walks in and sits by us? I mean in the next booth? Darbys! Along with Jacque Jay and her latest squeeze who must by Lucas's friend. Jacque's bro just was arrested Thursday for all sorts of mayhem - talk of the town. Shot Tyler Coenen's truck with a shotgun?!? Drugs/Alcohol? Hope they get that kids squared away! Anyway...told Sarah we were just talking about her! Deb's sis in DSM also went to see her for a new style! I go Monday for a color. Yay!
• On to "The Lobby" for one last drink (already 2 lemondrops in) before we head home. Joan and Greg hadn't been there. Small nice crowd again. Our neighbors Joanie and Bill Taylor were there - Joanie fills us in on bball scoop. Our town needs a boy's coach too. Plus she says Ryan McKim is interested in coaching here - helping new girl's coach. Hmmm - we'll see if this happens.
• The bar owner, Tim Grey stops by to see if all is good. I think that is cool! Another new server, Doug North. Plus Morgan Evans works here. Kathy Lacina must be a regular - but then again, so must we!
• So a quiet Friday ended up being pretty busy.
• This a.m. I had a major migraine - I blame a mixture of hormones and liquor.
• Paul went to the new bakery (Cynthis Wolf ways "hi") and got a lovely mixture of stuff. Now that my meds kicked in - time to eat!

My environmental (not hair) roots

Sometimes I wonder how I got to be who I am. Where did my environmental roots come from? My parents were not tree huggers. I didn't grow up enjoying nature due to my upbringing - except for my camp experiences which my parents did pay for. Girl Scouts, Bar-L Ranch, Camp Cheley - those were my nature experiences.

Dave and Pat Bullock believed in hotels with running water. My mother did try growing a few tomatoes I recall. Don't remember eating them though. But we did watch a whole lotta TV! Some of my earliest memories are of watching Captain Kangaroo on a black and white TV.

In the later years we had one large console TV in the family room. That was where I first saw this:
Iron Eyes Cody

What can I say? I'm a sucker for Indians? I loved the Lone Ranger - and his side kick Tonto when I was a tot. I had a red "rocking horse" - it was really more of a horse that had all 4 limbs attached to big springs. When western television shows were on, I'd watch them downstairs on our little red TV, and ride that red horse. I imagine I rode those springs hard! (I also developed a huge love for horses during this time).

And the first Earth Day was in 1970. The early 70's were very eye-opening when it came to pollution. People were discovering how much were doing that polluted our world! That got my attention without me really even knowing it.

When I see Iron Eyes Cody, I have to say  - he's part of the reason I do what I do. Thanks guy!

Pseudo kid

We're friends on Facebook...and her parents have our names. But I've never really met her. My pseudo kid - Rebecca Goldsmith. None-the-less I was pleased to read the recent excellent article about her in the DSM Register. Des Moines Register Goldsmith article

It makes her sound very grounded about being Miss Iowa. She tried three times before she was selected - so it's a goal she's worked hard to attain. I really appreciate the fact that just because she didn't succeed at first (or at second), she didn't quit. That tells me a lot about this young woman! I wish her well  - at whatever she tackles next.

And the fact that her parents have such strong names! Well...she can't help but be a winner!

Cereality - Cereal Bar and Cafe

Have you heard of it?
Sounds like my kind of place! Seriously...I love cereal! Looks like there are only three of 'em so far. One is in the Dallas Fort Worth Airport. How did I miss it?

If I go a few days without eating cereal, I start to crave it. I'm a big cereal mixer. My latest recipe is what I have each a.m. at work - I get there at 6:30 a.m. sharp  - Tuesday through Thursday. On Mondays, of course (every other at least) I meet my Creston home girls for breakfast at S&K you might recall. So those don't count...they're often egg days.

Work days I have a lovely mix of Wheat Chex, granola, strawberries (quite juicy this time of year), half a banana, blueberries (fruit is good for ya!) and light vanilla soy milk. Yum! Plus my vitamin and calcium supplement. (A girl must stay healthy).

I think people would be happier if they all ate more cereal. I'm glad my mommy fed me fruit loops and Capn Crunch when I was a kid. I think that's why I'm such a cheery person today. haha

Mistaken Leslie again...

Jules and me - 2009

Last night I was just drifting off into REM sleep when my phone buzzed. I thought it was time to get up! Snatching it up, I saw that it was really a phone call with my friend and high school classmate Jules on the other end of the line. She lives in Boulder, Colorado. I noted it was 10:45 PM.

My heart began to pound - why would she call this late? She said "Sorry for calling so late but I need to change our 9 a.m. meeting tomorrow to Wednesday." I thought, "We have a meeting - I don't remember setting it up?" but went with it...I told her I'd check my schedule and text her in the a.m. Which I did. "Busy 9-10 a.m. free otherwise" But this morning I was thinking - "What is she doing in Des Moines again?"

Julia was in town a month or so ago on her way to NE Iowa for a funeral. But, again, I didn't remember talking to her about getting together this week. Did I miss something? I got a text back from Jules. "I'll try to shuffle some things and let you know." I text back, "What are you doing in town?" She sends back, "How about 9:15?"

I'm starting to think - "Who is this person - she's wacko!" I told her I had a meeting then with my supervisor 9-10, so no I can't meet then. She comes back with, "How about 12:15? Happy Birthday!" I'd had it! I said, " My birthday is in November! Noon works."

Finally - the light bulb went on in Boulder. Jules said, "Argh, wrong Leslie!" And she called me later this afternoon to apologize sheepishly. Julia is a masseuse and she had been trying to set up an appointment change with a client. Not me

After I texted that I had been starting to think she was bi-polar. And she owes me a massage!

Communication is a very strange thing - when two people aren't talking about the same thing or to the same people. Good thing Jules didn't text me a pic of her wiener! haha

Dirty little secret

I likes da naughty music. Yah, you heard me! I like hip hop - where they talk dirty a lot, but the beat it good. And now people know it.

Jud gave me an iTunes gift card for Christmas, so I downloaded some new music recently. I'd been lusting for some hip hop since I'd been to a couple weddings and danced to the stuff with the kids. Mid life crisis? I don't know! All I know is I like to dance to the stuff and it makes me feel like jiving around.

I made a CD of my latest music to take to Amy when we went to Denver - she'd mentioned that she too enjoyed Katy Perry's California Girls. Corny song...what can I say?!? Plus I had gotten some other songs I thought she'd like, by artists like Plain White T's and Adele.

But I like me some Rihanna. And one of the songs I got was S&M. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlEdFJpQ8-c
Amy said she had that one on when she and niecelet Jordie were going to a kickball game recently. Jordan was like, "Uh, does your mom know this is about sex??" Yep Jordo, I done figured it out!

I hope Jordan doesn't have visions of me and her Uncle Paul in S&M costumes - me in thigh high leather boots - stilettos, a bustier...with a whip! HA HA. Except it's me, so it would have to be more like some nice comfy leather moccasins and sweats. Guess S&M is out - I'd laugh too hard getting into the outfit!

I know some of the people who see me driving while listening to the tunes prolly think I'm nuts! Old lady jiving around...no whips and chains though. I've always been a classic rock kinda girl, but lately I've got the new jones for the hip hop. Can't wait for my next dance party!

Another thing. Some women are trying to fight back against the old "she was asking for it" by dressing provocatively. They introduced the Slut Walk - starting in Toronto this spring. They're combating the myth of the slut and blaming the victim. Their point is that women should be able to dress how they want to and not be attacked. http://www.slutwalkchicago.org/

I'm not encouraging anyone to dress like a slut - because...well it doesn't look good. But men should be able to keep it in their pants regardless. No matter how sexy we're dressed and what we dance to!

Moving day for Jud

Jud is feeling lofty. He moved into his new loft on Saturday, with the help of U-Haul and his parents. We took advantage of the situation by purchasing a new king-sized bed (see my blog from a few days ago regarding my sleeping around situation).

We didn't have all that much stuff to move - the queen sized bed, a desk, dresser and chair. Jud had taken all the small stuff earlier in the week. Paul got the U-Haul at Cook Appliance and Video for under $40! What a bargain. I helped load the stuff - pretty good for an old broad. But it wasn't anything too heavy, and we were not dragging it too far.

We took off Saturday a.m. around 7. and arrived at St. Joe about 9 a.m. - Jud was already there (he'd been in KC at GF Kara's). The loft is in an old paper warehouse, called Mitchell Park. He'd arranged to move in through the freight area and use the special elevator and cart. Two trips and we were done. Slick!

The building is awesome, and I was pleased to see has some green aspects. It's like a little community! It's also huge and must hold all age groups - young, old and families. Plus pets. Jud is on 5th floor and is rooming with a kid named Connor, a Nebraska grad who moved into the building in January.

There is a rooftop area with grills for residents' use, a pool and a workout area. Hell, I want to live there! We moved his stuff into his room and made up his bed. Paul thought the bed skirt was a little girlie, but Jud didn't protest...I think they need stuff on their walls. What a neat bachelor pad!

Kara arrived - the two were on their way to Omaha for her family gathering for a graduation party. Paul and I headed out to look around town a bit. We drove by Jud's new office and then headed home to Creston. Another chick has left the nest!

Note solar panels on parking lot lights - Jud's building

Turnin' it off

It just hit me - on the way out of the Wallace Building Thursday after work. I was trotting down the steps plotting how Jud could set up his apartment...and I realized...(Sound Trumpets). I need to turn off some of those parenting skills I've been utilizing so well for the past 25 years!

It was an "Aha Moment!" I know...you're thinking WTH...she's an intelligent, saavy, beautiful, cool (okay I'm getting carried away with the adjectives). How can she not have thought that some day she would need to ease off on the parenting gig?

I'm usually someone who can analyze situations well. So this hit me hard. I have not prepared for this! (Just ask Amy). I've laughed at helicopter parents - hey, I haven't gone that far...I never attended a job interview with my children.

But then I looked into the mirror. I am still treating my kids like they're in college. Especially with Jud. It's time to put on my big girl pants and...well. Let my kids be - grown ups!

It's going to be hard. But they're certainly up to it! Just look how great they're doing! Can I sit by and watch them suffer through tough times without jumping in and making things "all better"? Can I stop fretting up a storm over them - and let them slog through life on their own, taking their own lumps like I did? Can I wait for them to ask for help when they need it and refrain butting in when they don't?

Paul and I did a damn good job parenting from 1985 until now. We won't totally turn off the parenting buttons, but the things we've done for the past 25 years (and the fact that our offspring turned out to be damn fine peeps for whatever other reasons - genes, environment, friends) are paying off. I'm going to make a conscious effort not to be a bossy parent from now on! (Just remember one doesn't unlearn something instantly...).

Jud and Amy - all growed up!

Is there a 12-step program for this?