People watching

My buddy Paula mentioned how much she enjoys people watching. I like it too. Interesting creatures! Like the guy I saw drive by the Wallace Building this afternoon when I got off work tonight - he had a big long goatee. What is it saying? Why does someone grow a long beard like that?

Check out this hair - it was the helmut head look. I wonder how I got it so straight, except for the alfalfa spot?

I'm sure people a few people look at the way I look and wonder what I've got going on. Hmm a grown woman with Justin Bieber hair? Well guess what - I had this hair in 7th grade - so I beat Justin! And even though I've had a gazillion styles in between (all short) it's back in baby!

The Des Moines Triathlon is being held in DSM this weekend. The finish line (or starting line) must be right by the State Capitol Building, right by my office. So I snapped a few photos after work.


This morning I visited Dr. Ava Feldman, cheery Dermo to the stars and regular chicks who have Bieber hair. I prepaid $200 on my credit card a month ago for her to zap up 8, count 'em barnacles (not a scientific term) off of my person.

Moki before he got too crusty...

I remember when Moki, our West Highland White Terrier started getting barnacles - those crusty skin growths, once old age crept up on him. He had one smack on top of his head - that became so much a part of his being. But I don't want crusty skin growths to be part of my being. AND as a bonus - she zapped a large freckle (translate age spot) on my cheek. This age thing is not for the timid!

Dumb stuff

Weeds. Joan has free Showtime viewing this week. So I'm watching Weeds year um 5? Paul and I watched the first couple years on DVD. It's the story of a woman in California whose husband died, she has two young sons and she doesn't know how she'll make ends meet. She winds up marketing pot. It was pretty funny that first year!

Mary-Louise Parker plays Nancy Botwin plays the mom. I've always liked her since she was in Fried Green Tomatoes. Kevin Nealon of Saturday Night Live fame plays a small part in the show. From what I can tell, jumping ahead to this season, they whole fam is still pretty messed up. The say the F word a lot - which I still can't get used to, no matter how long cable has been on TV. Once free Showtime is over, I won't miss Weeds.

I headed out to Jordan Creek after work to get a cover for Nan. That's my new Nook's name. I don't usually name things - that's Amy's thing. But Nan - Nook. It just went together. I also got talked into some type of clear cover sheets - to prevent glare. What a racket! I did get a book downloaded though, and now have Pandora on my Nan. So I can listen to the radio on her. Cool.

While at the mall I came across this cute lil outfit I could have gotten for Odie.

Instead I bought new shirts for Paul and me, along with a visor for me. Sorry Odie - you'll have to stick with your bun.

Back on the rock pile

It was hard to tear myself away from Pablo the Poolboy's side this a.m. It's always that way after I spend a whole week or more with him. I get used to the routine of being with him. Then...BAM. I have to go back to DSM. When I'm in the rythym of it, it's okay - but when I break it - it's hard to get back into it.

And then he sent me yellow anniversary roses today! Aww, I know. I wasn't expecting them either. I got a call from 4th floor saying I had a delivery, and I thought it was going to be a big envelope. And then the receptionist smiled and pointed to a dozen yellow roses! Shazam!

Joan is gone this week - so I'm a lonely girl, and have plant watering duties. My job here would suck more if I didn't live with Joan. She's such a genuinely nice person - fun and funny. I'm sure she'd love to be crabby sometimes but she doesn't show it around me. So that keeps me from showing my inner biatch to her. I save that for the guy that just bought my roses...

Twenty niner and helping Thea pack

Me with my bestest friend

It's our anniversary today - twenty nine years! Argh and yay! I mean - I can't believe I'm old enough to have been married that long, and wow. I'm so lucky to have chosen wisely - a guy who puts up with me and that is fun, and I can put up with too. That's saying a lot. There's such comfort and friendship to a marriage of 29 years.

I'm not sure I thought about all of that when I got married. I was really just more carried away with the whole - "what do I do now?" thing. I had been dating Paul for a while -we enjoyed the same stuff. I didn't foresee what life would be life 29 years later though...when I was old and wrinkly. Sometimes crabby, but a great deal wiser than I was at 24. I'm a lucky girl to be betrothed to Paul Goldsmith!

We didn't do anything too wild this weekend to celebrate. Last night we went to 5:15 Mass, then met Deb at A&G for supper. They were serving Hurricane drinks in honor of Irene - tasty but strong! And they had a prime rib special for $15 - quite good. Gaylord's Opryland should import the cook. We enjoyed catching up with Deb on what she's been up to. Larry was busy covering a sports activity so he couldn't join us.

I did get a cool anniversary gift - a Barnes and Nobe Nook e-reader! I picked it out myself, and lo and behold they had them at Wal-Mart I discovered when we shopped there today. I got Paul a hunting trip in Colorado! (he's planning a trip there in September). Woowee - don't we know just what each other wants!

We were home early, surfing the net and watching TV. Woowee - the excitement! But we've had quite the traveling week, so a quiet night at home was a treat. Odie is enjoying having us here.

Saturday afternoon Deb and I spent some time with our friend Thea, who has been diagnosed with Myeloma, which is cancer of the bone marrow. Thea retired from her job at the Area Education Association in 2010, and had been working part time at Graceland College when she had her knee joint replaced this spring. It was during physical therapy that she and the therapists noticed problems with recovery. Life sure threw her a loop!

Deb left, with Thea on the right

So I took Odie along to provide some Odie lovin' (though she was a lil pre-occupied with Thea's doggies), and we sat on the deck to catch up a bit. Then Pablo the pool by came to pick Odie up - and he to sat by the pool on the deck for a bit. We did a few chores around the house and helped Thea pack for a trip to Mayo Clinic. She's wisely getting a second opinion there, along with getting suggestions for a treatment plan.  Thea's brother is taking her, and will spend three days in Rochester with her - a nice bonding time for siblings. That's what family is for! Prayers requested for Thea as she battles the evil C word!

friday night lights

Paul and I decided to hit the Creston High School football game. Now that we're a few years removed from having kids in school, we know fewer and fewer kids on the team, but it was a gorgeous night and we like to support our home town. Plus, Ryan McKim is now a coach. That's right - the son of our good friends Don and Diana, salutatorian in Amy's class (they're still upset that Amy beat him out for Valedictorian by something like .004 points) is back in town.

Ryan attended Southwestern Community College here in Creston a couple years on a golf/academic scholarship, and then went on to Iowa State where he worked on the football staff - first as a volunteer, but then as paid staff. After he graduated he worked on the recruiting staff - which involved as many as 80 hours a week, a high energy high stress position! We football fans liked his insider position though. A year ago he'd had enough of the burnout job and retired from the ISU job. Eventually he took a boring job at a bank in Ankeny...which also took its boring toll. Ryan is a kid searching for his purpose in life. He loves to coach!

This summer, some Creston folks came calling to Ryan. The high school was in search of an assistant girl's basketball coach. They could use his help on the football coaching squad. The college needed a golf coach. All these jobs aren't a career - but are enough for him to get through a year and decide - is this something he wants to spend his life doing? Ryan moved back to Creston from Ames in early August (much to his cute girlfriend Megan's chagrin!) Last Friday night was "Game Night" and we wanted to go to support him as much as anything.

We got to sit by the nervous mommy - Diana, and some other friends. The temperature was perfect, and there was no wind. Football Friday night baby! Creston was playing the Chariton Chargers - the home of Alternative Leslie and Paul Goldsmith. Since their kids are grown they didn't travel to the game. Creston's team is pretty young, but there is a huge senior, Collin Bevins, who has verbally committed to play in college at Iowa State (feather in Ryan's cap there) who plays on the line. And Brad Weis is the bro of one of Jud's classmates who also plays both ways - he's pretty good. Creston ended up winning 30-7. Chariton scored on the subs with less than a minute left. Creston could use Jud Goldsmith's rocket punting leg...

Collin Bevins #55 ices his ankle at the end of the game

I got to chat with my buddy Deb at halftime, and chat with other friends briefly. It was an enjoyable night. I'm sure Ryan was pumped. While our jobs aren't always fun, he was probably enjoying his decision that night!

WASTECON

a unit for organics that only needs to be collected every 3 weeks

I was lucky to attend this event put on by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). The organization includes Canada as well as nearly all of the states. I attended one session on rural recycling by a woman from New Mexico named English Bird. My name is so boring in comparison. Another session was led by a gal from right in Nashvilled named Sherry Smith - I wanted to ask "our grade or theirs?" as in Atlantic there were girls in the classes of 1976 and 77 of that name. We did some more wandering and got literature from products that might be helpful for cities and landfills back home in Iowa.

I felt lucky in that it's very difficult to get permission to travel outside of the state in this economy as a state employee. I did have to jump through several hoops to get permission, but was happy that the governor's office and the director approved the trip. Paul decided since he'd never been to Nashville he'd go along - which was so cool!

Wednesday night was party night for WASTECON. All the people there to take technical courses had taken their exams and were ready to party. Ten busses pulled up to transport us to the Wildhorse Saloon in town. As we walked into the joint, staff rang cowbells and cheered - it was pretty cool! The place has 3 levels and 2 were set up with buffets - pulled pork, chicken breasts, salad, and my fave - black eyed peas. Good food.

Mary and Christine

After we ate we enjoyed drinks with the Iowa clan and a singer from American Idol entertained us. Paul and I checked out all 3 floors. Christine, Mary, Muriel and some consultants sat with us later on the first floor as the staff gave line dancing with their Wild Horse Dancers. Later we shopped a bit along the streets of Nashville - I love neon lights. We caught the bus back to Opryland at 9 and hit the hay as we had a 4 a.m. wake up call for our flight.

They had all the cool stuff on the streets of Nashville!

Honky Tonk

Elvis on top of a building

Tuesday night we got to go to downtown Nashville with Laura - the consultant from Dallas, who had rented a car, and Tom the director at Metro Waste Authority. We went to Rippy's on Broadway and sat upstairs where it was open air and delightfully warm after I froze all day indoors at Opryland. Paul and I each had ribs and they were quite good. Tom and Laura are fun to talk to.

And this is just one portion of 1 wall of this joint!

Across the street on top of a building I spied an Elvis. He musta left the building! After supper we walked across the street and took our photo by this giant guitar, then hit a Honky Tonk. The walls in the joint were covered by album covers and posters - from Michael Jackson, Doris Day, all the C & W faves of course and more. Plus there were some cool instruments. A band played twangy country music while we all sipped cold Coors Lite. We headed back to our "town" Opryland by 8:30 PM, exhausted. Good day.

Nashville

Pablo and I got up at 3:15 a.m. Monday August 22nd to get to the DSM airport for our flight to Minneapolis on the way to Nashville. A minor miracle occurred when everything went smooth as silk - a first for flying this year. In fact I was sound asleep when we took off - something that never happens! We got all situated for our next flight - set for 9:30 or so, when they announced that it was overbooked and they were looking for volunteers to be bumped.

Paul and I looked at each other - hey, we didn't have anything set we had to do that day. So I hot-footed it up there to put our names in, and was told to wait until everyone boarded and they'd let us know if we hit the jackpot or not. The flight boarded, and sure-nuff. We won! When it was all said and done, we ended up with $1,200 in flight coupons, plus $32 in lunch vouchers. We headed to TGI Fridays for lunch, and then awaited our 3:30 flight. Free Florida tickets - here we come!

View from our "handicapped" balcony

We ended up hitting Nashville about 5:30 p.m. and took the fancy shuttle bus to our village. When we checked in we learned that we got an "upgrade". Yeah..to a handicap room - with a view. Two very low queen beds instead of a king bed. A zero entry shower. But hey we had a balcony and a huge ironing room! Vacation Village was really Gaylord's Opryland Hotel - 49 landscaped acres under a dome. Pools, restaurants, various pods of motel rooms with fountains. Little shops and bars with escalators going to them. The convention center was on one end with Opryland beyond that. I only got lost about 10 times, but Paul was even loster (is that a word) than I was! I'm now very worried about him hunting elk in Colorado next month - good thing he has GPS!

Outside the pizza shop - our friends the horses..

When we first got there we hunted up my old pal Christine, who was the engineer for the Union County Landfill when I was the manager. We got to be buddies through all the (insert bad word) we went through. I had a lovely drink in the "Library" lounge. Then Laura a project consultant from Dallas hunted us down and we went to Fuse to get a bite to eat in a sports bar that only had about 52 TVs. Then it was off to find our room...after several false starts we did!

Sara Bixby cuts the ribbon

In the a.m. we found a little shop where I could purchase granola and skim milk, and Paul could get a roll and coffee - all for $16. Then we hit the ribbon-cutting ceremony for WASTECON. I know...awful conference name - but descriptive - no? I had not slept well, nervous for my speaking gig at 2 PM. But I managed to drag myself around the display area where vendors had their wares, and picked up a few cool freebies. I also attended a session on Rural Recycling that was excellent.

We choked down some lousy pizza at lunch and it was time to head for my gig. The others I was talking with were beginning to gather outside our room. Kathy, Mary, and Laura all got to talk before I finished up. Sara - another Iowan, who spent the year as the president of the whole international organization, was scheduled to introduce us.

About twenty people showed up to hear us - not too bad considering we were scheduled in a room off the beaten path. Paul was there for moral support. Our PowerPoint was superb. When it was my turn, I spoke a few words and my mouth turned to the Sahara. Gummy! I struggled along for a while...but had to excuse myself to get a drink. Of tea. Otherwise it went pretty well. Not as well as it did in my kitchen all by myself the Friday before, but oh well...

Boatin'

Day 2 at the Lake, we didn't jump up quite so quickly. But Eckhoffs picked us up for breakfast at Miller's Landing and soon we got in the spirit. Then we trecked far up the lake towards the dam, to a place called Coconuts near Gravois Mills for lunch and a couple Rum runners. A fancier place than we're used to - with a fountain and art. But a good way to start the day. It was overcast and the sun really never really did break out.

Elvis in the House!

The next place we stopped had a one-man-band. The guy really couldn't sing, but was a good entertainer. He spent way too long on a hoolahoop contest, but after that he did some other audience participation things that were fun - with costumes and shakers. We had fun singing along. There was a nice pirate for a photo op at our next stop.

Then we went to Shorty Pants where I had a Fried Green Tomato BLT with sweet potato fries for supper. We were all winding down about then - and it wasn't even 10 PM yet! Oh well...we're old. Paul and I were up early to take off for home, but ended up chatting on the deck drinking coffee for over an hour - hard to tear ourselves away from our friends and the beautiful view and day.

Our house was pretty quiet without Odie to greet us when we got home. She was staying at Lila and Bill's all weekend since we were leaving again before 4 a.m. for Nashville.

La Lake!

One week ago today Pablo and I were flurrying around finishing up packing the car to get to one of our "happy places". Bobbie coined the term for Osage Beach - where Sharon and Allan Higgins have a home on the lake there. It's about a 5.5 hour drive and that's what it took us - with a brief jaunt into a Wendy's for a sandwich and then it was back on the road again. You might say we were highly motivated...Higgins and McKims were already there.

Sharon and breakfast...

We arrived about 10:30 PM, in time to have a couple drinks and then we went to bed. And early night in preparation for a big day ahead! The guys got up early and went for breakfast and golf. The gals were more leisurely - Lucy Eckhoff picked us up around 9. Paul E was golfing with the guys. We had a fab gourmet breakfast - complete with a mimosa! Then we were off to shop where the bargains almost paid me to take them! There is a large Marshalls there along with an outlet mall - I had $10 off coupons for Eddie Bauer and Jockey.

Back to Higgins at 2ish and we changed into our lake gear and packed the cooler for a boat ride and nice float in the water - which was at a perfect temp this year. First we stopped by a place called Bucks for a good and greasy burger. Yum.

I decided to drink vodka/soda with a nice lime twist in my University of Margaritaville cup I got last year. It was quite delightful until Paul Goldsmith decided to tell me there were fish all around me. Geez! That creeped me out. Time to go! It was getting cool anyways...so we headed to a place called Larrywood - complete with a sign just like the Hollywood sign! There I switched to weed. Jeremiah Weed sweet tea vodka - so very smooth! A great band was playing complete with a singer who looked a bit like Snoop Dog! We'd had enough to drink by then that we even danced.

Al and Donnie make a Diana sandwich

On the cruise home in Al's boat that night, under the bright stars, in the gentle late summer temperatures, Earth, Wind and Fire began to play my fave "September". We gals began to dance. I thought to myself - it doesn't get any better than this!

Doobies were muy bueno!

I'm so behind on my posts! Last Tuesday night 14 of us attended the Kansas/Doobie Brothers concert at the Fair. It was supposed to be Lynyrd Skynyrd...but Johnnie Van Zant was sick so they had to sub Kansas. Higgins, Anthonys, Moellers, McFees, Susan Grose and Brian (can't remember her new married name), Petersons, Pablo and me.

Paul rode up to DMS with Deb and Larry Peterson. They picked me up at the Marriott on Jordan Creek Road and we returned to the State Capitol where we rode the bus just like I had earlier in the day when I worked at the recycling trailer. I grabbed a quick corn dog and beer - and we ran into Bobbie and Jeff along with Jeff's sis Joanie (my roomie) and her hubbie Billy. Then it was into the concert - at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand, overlooking the midway with all the rides. After a cloudy day, the evening turned out really nice.

I like Kansas, but we just saw them last year at Red Rock outside of Denver with Amy. And I wish they would play their older stuff like Bringing it Back from Mexico. Still I enjoyed the band. Especially when the gal the seat ahead of us decided we were her new best friend. She started handed us extra beers (at $6 a pop). A guy in her row kept running down and keeping others well (over?) supplied.

In between bands we got to meet out benefactors. Large - the nickname of the guy, was from New York. The group worked at Principal and he seemed to be on a corporate credit card. I don't remember the gal's name, but she was from Ankeny. They were nice!

Then the Doobie Brothers took the stage to "Jesus is Just Alright" - my very first fave song of theirs. They played some stuff from their new album - liked that too. I need to get some new songs from iTunes! Of course they saved some of the best stuff for the end and the encore. There were 2 drummers and a violin player. The lead singers name was Johnson. They even did a good job on the Michael McDonald stuff!

It was a fun night at the Iowa State Fair.

Day at the fair

Recycling Trailer - remodeled in 2010, is available for schools and county fairs etc. It contains interactive displays and videos. People love the light bulbs with a crank that demonstrates how much energy it takes to light an old fashioned bulb, a compact fluorescent and LED. (the LED takes way less energy to light). We gave out bamboo shopping bags to familities and mood pencils to kids.

Bus ride from the Capitol - $1

Yesterday was my day to work a shift in the recycling trailer at the Iowa State Fair. So I used my Blackberry to record the day FOREVER! Lucky you - you get to see it through my camera's eyes.

I got a Dutch Letter from this lil shop 

Smokey the Bear was in the Varied Industried Bldg during my break



Eagle's nest in DNR area

It was a pure Ioway day!



Stuff

• I love the Urbandale Library and it's Frank Lloyd Wright architecture
• They have such a selection of books and CDs
• They have MP3 CDs - that I've never seen that type before...each one holds 6 or 7 worth. Nice to not have to switch often, as it nearly always happens when I'm in traffic!

library from my car window

• I have had headaches 3 days in a row. That's what happens when I forget to take my Topamax (migraine prevention drug)! I forget when I'm out of my element - as I was in the motel this weekend. I didn't really even drink alcohol the whole time. Taking my medication for when I actually get migraines is rather draining.
• Tomorrow I work at the State Fair in the recycling trailer. I need to put my "meet the public" face on to answer questions about recycling, and mountain lions and septic systems. I get to hand out pencils and shopping bags. Yahoo!
• I'm getting excited for the concert tomorrow night. Paul and I are going with 12 friends. Except it was supposed to be Lynyrd Skynyrd - and now Ronnie Van Zandt is ill. So we'll see Kansas - whom we saw last summer at Red Rock. I bet Deardorff and Bacon remember when we saw them at Summer Jam on a hot summer day in Iowa. One of the singers said "It's hotter than pig fu*$ out here!" I think it might be a bit cooler tomorrow night. The Doobie Brothers (less Michael McDonald) will be here as well. Jesus is Just Alright!
• Then I have to reign it in for a couple more work days before we head out for Lake of the Ozarks with McKims and Higgins. Poolboy and I only get to be there a couple days...it's hardly worth the drive. But we keep thinking it's an awful long winter and we'll be mad at ourselves if we don't do it!

Goldschmidts reunion

That's what the fam started out being called here in the U.S. But during WWI, when being German wasn't so popular, somebody got the idea to "Americanize" the name. So there are Goldschmidts buried in the Earlville cemetery.

Regardless of what you call them, the Goldsmiths are fine upstanding peeps! Paul's brothers and sisters got together this weekend in Preston, MN. It was the second year we met in that town - nestled in the southeastern part of the state. Half of us stayed in the Jailhouse Bed and Breakfast. The others stayed in a nearby motel (with televisions and a pool). Our room at the Jailhouse the past two stays has been the "drunktank" - it features a great porch with rocking chairs and a great claw foot tub. The Jailhouse has wonderful breakfasts and I love the grounds around the place.

Friday night the sixteen of us met at the motel meeting/breakfast room for a meal. That's right - Paul's got 7 brothers and sisters. He's the baby. Sister Connie passed away in 2007 of breast cancer - she was just over 50 years old. We miss her! She was a bit of a rebel, never-married and moved away to New Mexico where she enjoyed showing horses. This years was a first - no kids or grandkids. We decided it was nice and low key that way.  I had a chance to have a good visit with nearly everyone.

Saturday, five of us shopped while the rest of the fam golfed in nearby Harmony. We hit stores in Harmony and Lanesboro - a hotbed of kayaking and biking. So we hit some cute touristy stores. There are lots of Amish in the area, so there are also some neat furniture stores. I took pics of stuff I'd like Pablo to make. (hint, hint)

When the golfers got done, right after I'd finished a really good chicken/apple/cran salad in Lanesboro, Paul headed down there to meet me. The rest of the gals headed back to Preston. Paul and I shopped the other side of the street where I found a cool "squid" paperweight rock - polished. Also picked up a Geode rock for sister-in-law Mary, as she told me a very sad story about how she'd gotten one as a child, carting it around with her for thirty years or so through her life. A few years ago someone cruelly stole it from the front of their present home in Cedar Rapids. We only got her a little one, but I thought it was cute - and so did she!

On the way to our car we discovered a splendid coffee shop with clever gifts - like rub on tattoos for old folks! Gotta have it, I said! One says "Outta Control - with a picture of Depends. Funny stuff! I'll cut them out and slip them into birthday cards for my friends. I also got myself a porcelain tall coffee cup with a sipper lid for work - to help me remember this trip!

That night we had a nice catered meal at the Jailhouse. (it wasn't usual jail slop...) Dave Fox gave Kenny a big kiss when he bestowed the Green winners double knit jacket upon him for winning low scratch at the golf tourney. It was Kenny's first time to win - very cool as he works so hard to set up the event each year. He absolutely beamed when he got the jacket! It was a nice time - can't wait to do it again next year.