Galena

Before last weekend, the last time I spent time in Galena was with my Mom (sniff, sniff). The year was 1996, the year she was diagnosed with lung cancer - but when we took the trip, she had not yet been diagnosed. We were still oblivious. We had met Paul's sis Pat Vorwald and daughter Sarah in Galena. Amy was going with them for a few days while Mom and I traveled the area site-seeing.

Streets of Galena today

I remember shopping antique stores and visiting General Ulysses S. Grant's home. I found an antique creamer in the shape of a West Highland White Terrier that I fell in love with...but it was $60. Far too much for our budget! Mom bought a cute flamingo to put in their Florida place. We continued on our way - traveling to various scenic sites in NE Iowa that only Mom could put together. Bellevue, Bily Clocks, and Governor Larabie's Mansion in Clermont. We finished up in Independence looking for her relatives' cemetery plots (goulish - no?). Then we headed to Paul's hometown, Earlville, to collect Amy who had been delivered there, and headed home.

Later that summer, we traveled to Pat and Dave Vorwald's in Freeport, Illinois - driving through Galena - and we stopped and purchased that creamer. I couldn't stand to leave it behind. It was meant for me. I'm glad I got it! It's been a lasting momento of that trip - the last fun thing I did with Mom. When we cleaned out our parents' home, I claimed the flamingo to pair with the Westie. They make me smile.

My prize Galena possessions

Galena today has developed into an even nicer destination to visit. The quaint main street is so lovely! There are great stores and many little restaurants. Now I'd like to go back again - and I don't want to wait 15 years.

Handsome dude in window

Pals and Marrow

We were in Galena this weekend with my old pals Paula Bacon and Chris Deardorff Colletti, along with Chris's husband Larry Colletti. Paula, it seems, has a time share and decided to waste some of her points on us! And we're glad she did.

We took off about noon on Friday, driving to Galena, arriving about 5:30 PM. Galena is just across the Iowa border past another of my fave communities, Dubuque. Paula had flown into Chicago from her home in Austin, TX that morning and rode up to Galena with Larry and Chris who live in Downers Grove, a Chicago suburb. We were just getting settled into our beautiful WorldMark Club condo east of town when Larry, Chris and Paula joined us after they picked up a few groceries for breakfast the next morning. Hugs all around.

Let me tell you about these ladies. They have been friends of mine for a long time, since we went through grade school together - lots of history there. Even though Chris and Paula weren't into sports and I was, we managed to stay friends through high school. By my senior year, they were they people I hung out with the most. When it came time for college though - we all went different ways. Chris and I hooked back up when we both lived in Omaha for a time. No matter what, our shared history of growing up in A-town, slumber parties, school, dances etc. has bonded us forever! Plus we all grew up to be pretty fun!

We each got our own 1 bedroom condo, complete with a 2-way living room/bedroom fireplace and a great big whirlpool tub. There was also a nice big swimming pool and hot tub, workout area and game room. It is a very nice facility! We decided to meet at Collettis place for drinks before we headed out for supper at Vinnie Venucci's, an Italian place on Main Street in town. I mixed up Lemondrops for the gals - which they enjoyed if I do say so myself. After supper we wandered up the street a bit, and then headed back to the condo to sit in the hot tub. Paul and Larry watched the yawner of a Game 7 World Series game.

The next day (Larry Colletti's birthday!) after breakfast at Paula's (we forced Chris to get up early...she's normally a late-to-bed, late-to-rise kinda gal), we headed to town for a day of shopping and hanging out. We had a bit of chocolate, and loved the vintage store that contained goods from our era (damn...we're now vintage!) Of course there were football games going on, so there were plans to check on scores throughout the day. It was gorgeous out! We ended up standing in a sports bar watching then end of several games. Larry attended Missouri, Chris - Iowa, their daughters Annie and Kate - Illinois, and all you readers know where my heart lies - with ISU (and anybody playing against the Hawkeyes...haha).

We ended up the night at a brew pub, getting a drink and a bite to eat. They had an interesting menu that included...marrow with crackers. Yum...NOT! We did end up with a meat and cheese tray that included venison and buffalo sausage that Chris couldn't bring herself to eat. Paul was incensed. Not really.

It was entertaining to see all the costumes. Galena hosts a fantastic Halloween Parade - that we could almost see from our table! I did wander out to the street to check it out a couple times. Thousands of people lined the narrow main street. Lights, costumes, floats - even bands. It was all really awesome on a warm night for late October. I saw a couple dressed in boxes that said Barbie/Ken - with plastic on the front. I asked "Ken" if he was anatomically correct. I can't help it...these things just pop out of my mouth!

ISU vs. Texas Tech scores popped up on the TV at the bar we were at - couldn't believe we were leading! Headed back to our condo to again sit in the hot tub, while Paul watched the 2nd half of the game. I didn't want to jinx the team by watching...they had done so well without me in the first half!

This a.m. we had breakfast at a place on mainstreet and then it was time to say goodbye. I was sad to leave - such fun to see my friends again. I hadn't seen them for several years, and then I got to see them in July for our class reunion and now. When will we see each other again? I think we better make this type of get-together an annual thing!

Fried, but in a good way!

I'm fried tonight, so pardon me if this isn't my most scintillating post. I've been traveling the state of Iowa again, with a motley crew of co-workers, auditing Environmental Management Systems at solid waste agencies. Cast of characters:My supervisor

• Jennifer - her husband and 9-year old daughter were at home, where Molly only ate the carbs out of her school lunch
• Becky - a mommy who left her husband in charge of a couple kiddos. Becky actually partially dressed sleeping Trent the morning she left, and left a reminder note about "show and tell" Ah I remember those days... 
• Jeff - partner Nick was left in charge of pooches Leia and Lucy.

This week we visited Cedar Rapids Linn County and the Waste Commission of Scott County in Davenport.

Scenes from the audit, Scott County - wow, doesn't this look exciting?

Jen, Jeff and Becky look over the recycle beetle located at the CR Linn Landfill

They're doing good things for the environment at those places, despite what you might think about trash and landfills! I enjoy getting out and talking to the people that are on the "front line". The ones that run the dozers, collect household hazardous materials, pick up litter and run the scale.

But man, being on the road two days, and having to be "on" all the time. It's quite wearing. I drove about half the time - thank goodness Jeff shared with me. The traffic across I-80 is a bitch!

The scale operator keeps the bad stuff like chemicals and other hazardous things out of the landfill...plus she has Milkbones!

These are the types of projects our participants are doing - setting goals to sell composters and rain barrels and surpassing them - continuous improvement!

I was glad to get home to Joan's yesterday evening. The furnace guy was there - to the tune of a new motor for $600+. Joan was not a happy camper for a 7 year old furnace..

Paul returned home Wednesday evening from a successful hunt in South Dakota. He was with Mike Huston and Tom Sullivan- college buddies. Next - a weekend trip with my High School homegirls - Chris and Paula!

One on one

I had a special day yesterday with two of my favorite people. Paul left around 10 a.m. to go to South Dakota pheasant hunting with Mike Huston and Tom Sullivan, our college buddies. He actually knew those fellas before he met me! They've done this hunt the past few years and always have a great time. (I figured it out that his early start was so he could get to Sioux Falls for the Packers Game - he's a man of simple rules).

So I had Jud to myself the rest of the morning and early afternoon. We sat watching some NFL games, and talked about stuff. I don't often get one on one time with my kids anymore. Most often, when we get together, it's in a group, because they come to visit for shorter periods. It was nice to discuss his job in depth - beyond "how's it going?". He's already thinking about how he can move up in the company, and where he may want to live next. He seems to be ambitious about the future!

Around 1:30 p.m. I took off for DSM to meet Amy. She stayed in Ankeny with friends Jenna and Rachelle after the big surprise. We shopped a bit at Jordan Creek Mall and then got some cheesecake. She and I also had some alone time to talk. Our discussions are less rare than a talk with Jud - because we chat on the phone. Still it's good to sit across from her to do it. All too soon I had to drop her off at the airport. Even today - 24 hours later, I'm still pretty smiley about the whole weekend. We've got some pretty cool kids - they're growing up nicely!

And speaking of Dad...big panties for the Pantie Man!

• On the way to work this a.m., I had to take an "alternative route" as Stuart Road is being worked on. As I drove (and dodged deer) I thought about how that is just like life - you think you have your route in life plotted out, and then you come across a sign - detour! You need to make plans, like Jud is trying to do, but they better be flexible, because life has a way of making us detour - a lot!
• Paul texted that he finished the pheasant hunting today filling their limit with a "double flush". I wasn't sure what that was - thought perhaps it had to do with a potty break and a big poop! But no he said later it was flushing two birds at once.

• I shopped at Target tonight and saw this video set. Dad would have loved it! Once we got cable TV, he spent a lot of time watching Little House on the Prairie. Personally, I liked the books better than the TV show.

• I had breakfast with my homies this a.m. Always a great way to start my day and my week! We noticed the owners "decorated" with a sign for Halloween stating "Witches Corner". We decided it was strategically placed because we always sit at this table...(not sign above table...)

red sign next to shelf...

Steady Eddie and the Wonderful Surprise

This has been just about a perfect weekend. Too bad the Cyclones couldn't come through with a victory against a top 20 team.

It started Friday night when Mr. Steady Eddie, Judson David, appeared after his job duties for the week as a purchasing specialist at Altec Corporation in St. Joseph, Missouri. Altec makes service vehicles - drill rigs and lift trucks- for companies like Alliant energy. Jud was supposed to arrive at 6 p.m. and he rolled up the driveway a couple minutes after that. Steady.

Just after 6:30 p.m., our friend Deb (another steady in my life) arrived. Those two, Pablo, my Poolboy and I, had a date to eat a homecooked meal (requested by Jud who had eaten restaurant food all week entertaining potential new Altec employees) and to gather around our radio for the Creston vs. Harlan high school football game. Deb's husband Larry was covering the game for the local newspaper. We ate Top of Iowa Sirloin, cheesy potatoes (hashbrowns, a couple AE dips plus cream of celery soup, a bit of milk, pepper), a couple salads, and baguettes. Paul is a top notch steak griller.

We settled into postion for the game. Deb had brought wine, Jud and Paul had beer. Bucklin from KSIB was on the radio - with former player Scott Driskill along side. A little history for you readers not from Creston. We've beaten Creston exactly twice since 1975. They have won the state title 4 times in recent years. They are Ohio State and USC of Class 3A Football. The last time we sniffed beating them was Jud's senior year, when Deb's son Keith was our QB, and Jud was a star (in his mommy's eyes) punter. On this night, we kicked their butts, starting with the first play from scrimmage when QB Luke Neitzel (our neighbor) ran 86 yards for a touchdown. Shortly after that my friend Mick Lander's boy Ben took a punt back for a TD. Domination! Creston wins the division by beating Harlan in Harlan. McKim's son Ryan (Amy's classmate, offensive coach for CHS, is in 7th heaven). So is the rest of Creston - team gets an escort back into town by fire and police - yes, it's that big a deal. Now - onto HS playoffs starting Wednesday.

Saturday. Jud, Paul and I picked up Bobbie at 8:30 a.m. to head to Ames for the ISU vs. Texas A&M game. McKims parked the RV there after the Harlan game the night before. Jeff, Bobbie's husband is farming today. Beans are done, but corn must be combined and the calves are weaning. I don't think he's making earlage, but I just like that word! (it's like silage, but with ears of corn). Jeff can't take time for fun just now. When we arrived we helped Don and Diana finish setting up the area for our guests. Donnie had spent an hour on the phone the the Dish TV folks trying to get the 2 TVs on board the RV working correctly for the day. Games are a must!

We made a giant sandwich out of a loaf of French bread for after the game. I made lemondrop martinis - always a production but worth it. Paul began to grill thinly sliced ribeyes for sandwiches. I came out of the RV and turned towards where Paul was grilling. I blinked - it looked like Amy standing there. Why that couldn't be right...she told me she was going out with friends in Denver where she lives, wearing her new shoes that hurt her feet! And a whole litany of things she was doing this weekend. I had emailed, lamenting, "I wish were coming to a game!" She said back - "I'll come next year again".

"Surprise," she yelled! I think. I was in a fog as I hugged her! It was my early birthday surprise - and Paul and Jud knew all about it. I was stunned.

Caramel Apple shots - with Krissy, Rachelle

Amy's friend Rachelle was with her. Even Donnie knew ahead, but the girls were kept in the dark, as the men were concerned they'd have loose lips! Amy gave me a birthday gift - a recycled tin pig with a pop bottle cap nose, and a nice card with a Moki dog on the front and a heartfelt message inside. I choked up a bit. It took me several minutes to accept that she was here.

Donnie made us caramel apple shots. (He loves to serve chicks liquor). We took a family photo - I must do that each time we're all together.

We didn't get a lot of time to talk. That's how tailgating is. And the game - well...the Cyclones were not awful. It's a tough league. Still disappointing. After the game Amy, Rachelle and Jenna their third college roomie came by to say goodbye. They were going out on the town. I'll drive to DSM today to spend some time with my girl before she heads back to Denver. Some bonus time I wasn't expecting. What a wonderful surprise!

Haircut chatter

Sarah - good form in the blue shirt

I got my Locks of Like (don't get excited I made this term up) trimmed yesterday (they're not long enough for Locks of Love). My stylist Sarah ran the DSM Half Marathon despite being deathly ill with a kidney infection a couple weeks ago. She ran the whole thing - I saw her photos on Facebook later that day. They reminded me of my two Half Marathon experiences - and how much they meant to me.

 

So as she trimmed my hair we talked a mile a minute about it. That's what we usually do - each of us can hardly get a word in edge-wise. She is such a cool chick! Sarah is a HS graduate of the Muy Largo (I know Miss Spanish Smarty Pants Krissy, that word means long...but it looks like it mean large!) town of Murray where she was an excellent athlete who ended up with a scholarship to play basketball at NWMSU. I don't quite have her life story down, but she's lived in Arizona, and was once engaged to another guy before marrying Lucas, who is from Creston and dated my friend Jeanne Piel's daughter back when I worked at Gits (yes everything truly is connected when you're from Iowa).

Somehow she burned out of her fitness type job and other things she did and decided hair was for her, and by the time I knew about her, was doing hair at Sahar, a fancy schmancy place in DSM. (Plus she was married to Lucas and had 2 cutie patootie sons) Nancy Anthony, Diana (and lots of other peeps from Creston) somehow knew about her and filled us in at breakfast one morning at S&K. I was intrigued. A stylist who ridicules you? She did laugh at my hair style when I first went in - courtesy of Woody a stylist at a hair place in Crestonia. Man I thought some gay guys just had the hair gene - I guess they have to keep up on training just like everybody else!

We hit it off right away. Poor Sherri at Hair Designers in Corning tried to get me to blow dry my hair for years, but I was too afraid to tell Sarah "no". She showed me what to do while the dryer was going so it wouldn't go "poof"! I even purchased not one but two blow dryers. One for home, and one for Joan's, where I live when I work in DSM. Sarah is so spunky - she'll tell you just what she thinks! And yes, it's expensive - but I'm worth it!

So last night we discussed the Half Marathon. We agreed we both got emotional crossing the finish line. Because for each of us - putting the time into training, and working that hard for something...and then completing it was so satisfying! Her husband was very supportive of her efforts, which makes me think very highly of him. (and it makes her think highly of him too!) It reminded me of how my fam was very supportive of my effort - Paul and Amy both came for my big finish in 2007. Those things are important.

I'm glad my friends told me about Sarah. She's not just a stylist - she's a friend!

Mystery Date

Open the door for your...Mystery Date! Watching "Dancing With the Stars". Something one of the dancers said made me think of this game I used to have. Mystery Date. I guess I knew I liked guys even way back then...even though I did love to play with GI Joes, and was such a tomboy.

I must have gotten the Mystery Date game in about 6th grade. I'm sure I made Cindy and Betsy play with me...and Cindo probably cheated! Betsy probably won. (That kid won at everything...it frustrated her older wiser sister that she was so lucky..) As I recall, you had to collect things, and then you got to spin the doorknob and see if you matched your intended date. If you were lucky you'd get a hunk - like the ski dude or the beach guy. If not you'd get a loser...(hey, just like real life!).

We had so many fun games. Our grandfather, Herbert Leslie Morehead built our home in Atlantic and there were lots of built in features in it. Betsy and I roomed together. Our room had drawers with cupboards above and they were filled with these games.

Mousetrap (more fun to mess with than to actually play...)

The Amazing Kreskin, Stratego, Life, Stratego (Cindy would say "Wanna play Strag? - then she would cheat and move her bombs...). We had a Spirograph of course, and the mandatory Etch a sketch, Monopoly (did anyone ever really finish that game?) and Kerplunk.

There wasn't much on TV back then...

I guarded all the games with my Secret Sam!

Those were the magical days of make believe, great neighbors and endless summers.

Peaceful Sunday

I spent my Sunday morning so peacefully. That's why I love being Catholic...we can get church out of the way...um I mean celebrate Holy Eucharist on Saturday evening. So I can sleep in a bit (I still got up at 8 a.m.) and relax. Yesterday I didn't even rush out to get the paper. After all, who wanted to read about the Cyclone game. Ugg. They stunk it up.

Paul had sneaked out early to hunt. (I think he let his alarm go several times, but I have successfully learned to block those noises out, after 29 years of this activity). So I was on my own. I love watching CBS's Morning Show. And somehow I've become a political show junkie as well. I know, it's disgusting. Why do I bother? Both sides are quite irritating. As I watched, I messed around with my iTunes creating a new playlist - Mumford and Sons.

Paul got home just after 11:30 a.m. - when I was busy doing laundry and vacuuming. He was itching to watch the Packers...alas they weren't on TV. And he's keeping costs down by not signing up for the NFL package. I didn't volunteer to go to a bar to watch it with him. Bah Humbug...I'm tired of pro football already! I ran to WalMart for a few things.

After the game we did an activity together. ;>) My fave part of the day. We took Odie to Green Valley State Park for a hike. She's such a wimp! She was off the leash, jogging along sniffing things. Paul walked ahead and cleared the mowed trail of a dead bloody mole or some such creature. We couldn't fool the nose. She zeroed right in on the spot - and immediately turned back towards the car. Dead things be Here!

We forged ahead but I was forced to pick her up and carry her 11 pound body for a while. Then Paul did. She finally walked a bit more, but she finally decided to walk a while. When we did turn around she practically scampered towards the car - just like a barn shy horse. She is definitely a homegirl!

Deb came over later in the afternoon to chat. I do need my Debbie fix! She and Larry had been to Iowa City to see Keith and his GF (now fiance!) Kelsey and go to the Hawkeye game. It was fun to get caught up on each others' lives. Brett and Shawna moved back to Nashville and are now working temp type jobs while looking for career jobs. I cooked hamloaf for supper, and The Good Wife was on at 8 PM. Amy called at 10ish to fill us in on her birthday weekend, and Paul talked to Jud earlier in the evening. So a quiet Sunday was pretty nice.

Husbands beware

Of wives coming home from a week of high anxiety, high pressure work at their away from home jobs. Throw in concern for relatives and friends with health issues. That wife might be all negative and critical. And therefore hard to live with. Hmmm whom could that be?

This story ends in a "come to Jesus" moment after a crabby trip to the grocery store and a couple hours of mutual silent treatment (my trademark). I was under the impression I was being unfairly criticized.

Then I went on an afternoon "I can't take listening to the awful Cyclone Football Game" walk, while listening to Collective Soul. I thought over my behavior since arriving home Thursday night. I came to realize I had been "acting out". Taking a page from our children back in the day - take it out on the ones you love!

I've had a long couple weeks. (This busy time doesn't look like it will be over until Thanksgiving - note to self to get a better stress reduction method) Nothing stresses me more than having things at work that I'm responsible for, yet are out of my immediate control. On top of that, I've been out of the office so much, emails and duties have stacked up so at times I was not only doing two things at once, but three. I broke out the Silly Putty to squeeze for stress relief.

Through all this, I try to continue to put up a "happy face" for co-workers and Joan. That comes with a price. For Paul, I guess! I saved up that anger over this situation and my wicked tongue let fly a few times. Mea Culpa.

I came home from my walk and apologized. Which isn't easy for me. Because I don't say I'm sorry unless I mean it - so it's emotional. It was a relief though - silent treatment over. Leaving me free to enjoy the rest of this gorgeous October day.

ON a happy note:

Keith - at back with Bullwinkle horns

Church, supper at A&G - where we ran into Ginny and Wayne Lents. Their son Jason, who is Jud's age, is engaged to GF Adair! Wow - Jud's classmates are dropping like flies. Keith Peterson proposed to his GF Kelsey this week too. They're growing up so fast. Congrats to the happy couples!

Jason Lents - right in the middle of the pic, 2 left of Jud in his dyed blond hair stage

Baby's Birthday

Bucko, Amy and me with really big glasses

She was almost a "Lindsay". That was the name I liked early in my pregnancy, way back in 1985. But somehow Paul and I kept trying out names. We knew that one wasn't right for our lil growing bambino. Paul affectionately called the baby "Turdell" (ick!), after some Green Bay Packer football player. Guess his momma didn't realize people might someday shorten his name to Turd...

Way back in 1985, we were driving along in our charcoal gray Mazda 626 one day (loved that car), talking girl names. We'd already decided on Andrew Judson (sound familiar?) for a boy, when I suggested the name Amy. It just popped out of my mouth, out of the blue. Paul liked it. I have a first cousin Amy. Which is in keeping with my fam tradition - recycling names. I have both an older cousin and a niece Leslie Susi's daughter. And though he wasn't born yet, someday I'd have a nephew Paul. And a Dad David Judson, a nephew David - not to mention Jud. We must enjoy hearing a chorus of "what's" when someone yells a name at family reunions.

But somehow the name Amy Elizabeth (that's Betsy's real name) felt right for our baby - should it be a girl. I looked it up in our baby name book. Amy means "Beloved". How could a name be more right? From before birth, but especially when we first saw our little chubby -9 lb 7 oz redheaded girl on October 14, 1985, she has been the much-loved light of our lives. I don't think we tell either of our children enough how much they mean to us. (It's just a little much for my English ethnic background - to break into spontaneous positive emoting.)

I didn't babysit much - and never for infants. So I was shocked when the nursing staff at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Mason City up and sent that innocent baby girl home with Paul and me a couple days after Amy was born. There were no instructions. Good thing I had Dr. Spock's Childcare book! (The baby doc not the Star Trek guy) Man how I devoured that thing. The book is probably the reason Amy got through those first few weeks!  

Somehow, we survived. And Amy thrived. Of course we were convinced she was the cutest, smartest baby ever. I couldn't wait to get off work to go pick her up! When I think back, it seems so long ago. It was 26 years!

Amy with cousins Jordan and Leslie Alvillar (my folks' Atlantic friends called them Salt and Peppers..)

And now Amy has grown into a great young person - so interesting, talented (okay so we still think she's the cutest, smartest, ever). And more importantly, she's a very caring person with a good heart. Beloved. Happy Birthday Amy!

Oh that pie

I decided Bishop's Buffet needed its own blog. When I was a kid, and we'd travel to See the Rabbits (a/k/a Cedar Rapids), to see by Mom's parents, Pops and Grandma, we'd often go to Bishop's Buffet. For me, the highlight came at the end, when I could get the helium filled balloon that came with little feet attached. I'm picturing Grandma in her mink stole...me with my balloon, rubbing it on the stole's tiny lil minky head.

I'm sure it wasn't easy for Mom track of what we each were getting - four girls and all. At Bishop's, you'd pick up your tray and select items as you pushed the tray along the metal ramp. They always had fancy schmancy looking jello - cubes with whipped cream in a parfait glass. But no - I was not allowed to select that! Bishop's had helpers at the end of the line to carry trays to your table. Those were the days.

When I got older, we kept up the Bishop's tradition at Westroads, the new (it was the late '60's) "upscale" shopping mall in Omaha. My fave meal consisted of their french dip with au jus (a man in a tall chef's hat prepared it!), fat french fries, and Bishop's Chocolate Pie for dessert. I could get all that in the "short line" (they also had a full service line where you could select from many more entrees).  But I would get so full that sometimes I couldn't eat all of the delightful pie - and its crumbly graham cracker crust.

What a waste! The picture above doesn't do it justice. Oh those chocolate curlie cues. Good memories of my childhood often seem to include food.

Back to Dubuque and more

It was a 14 hour day yesterday. It started out rough - getting four people (Scott, Jeff and Jen along with yours truly) on the same page at 6:30 a.m. is imposible (pronounced im po see blay - that's spanish for impossible). And then the bladders...Dave would never have stood for it! He would have suggested, "sit on your foot!" and other helpful hints. So the trip that should have taken a little over three hours took more like 3.5. I was agast! Bullocks don't like to be late.

But you know what? The world didn't come to an end. We got the Audit done and it all went well. I simply called ahead and told them we were running late. The ride back was filled with, um interesting (insert gross) smells. We'd had a brief shower, and somehow between that, and the wind direction made the hog confinement smells seek out our van. Poor Jennifer has a very sensitive nose and was forced to breath through her sweater at times. Lucky for me my use of nose sprays through the years, and age had rendered my sense of smell less than keen.

Our conversations on the way back were inane. We discussed our favorite Halloween candy. There were arguments about what pie flavor is best. (Jen likes banana creme, it's lemon meringue for Scott - me, so hard to decide. French Silk? Remember Bishop Buffet's Choc. pie? Jeff didn't weigh in). You have a lot of time to talk on a drive to Dubuque (and back). We also talked about work stuff, which wasn't nearly as fun as popcorn balls that we got for Halloween.

Tonight I took a walk when I got home from work. Along the route, I was excited to see there is a Jimmy Johns going into the former Medicap near Joan's house. Yay! I like Jimmy John's. Big John (roast beef) with oil and vinegar instead of may. No cheese. Yum. Around the corner, I almost stepped on a big fat toad sitting on the warm walking trail path. My power walk was a nice way to walk of the steam I worked up from my day of acting as a go-between for 2 bureaucracies. EPA and DNR. Nuff said.

My double life

My double life - in Creston and Des Moines - I've grown accustomed to it...but it's still hard to leave home each week. Tonight I had to drive up to Waukee (it's Sunday) for an early a.m. trip to Dubuque tomorrow. I already miss Paul, Odie, my homegirls, my house. Sadly, I'm not sure I'd be happy living full time in Creston any more. The truth is - I'm spoiled by the bright lights of the big city. Or should I say the amenities of living here. And the fact that my life's work is here.

Amy's 26th birthday is Friday. So that means come this November, we will have lived in Creston 25 years. It's so comfy - like a great pair of shoes you can slip on, and your feet go, "AH..." I can get to where I'm going in five minutes. No nasty traffic to slow me down, unless you factor in trains, causing me to re-route.

I see people I know where ever I go in town, and I know their stories. They know mine. They ask about the kids. I have status (or a reputation - put it that way) in Creston. We can shop in stores and take things with us to "try out" like samples of products from furniture stores and cabinet and counter tops etc. In Des Moines you have to sign away your first born (and she's almost 26!) when you take a sample from a big box store.

And our friends. What can I say about them? We've known some of them for nearly all of those 25 years. They have seen us through the fun times and some sad stuff too. Sober, and the other end of the spectrum - in a ditch, relieving myself of excesses (puking). And they still like me! (Or they fake it pretty darn well). We know each other so well that we can almost speak in code. Lois, curlers. And everyone knows who I mean. So very comfy.

But when I get to Des Moines, I enjoy all the choices of life here - shopping, restaurants, movies. Too bad I have no friends - besides Joan, who like me seems exhausted by her work schedule and doesn't do much during the week besides work and a bit a shopping. The logistics of life in the big city do take more effort - precluding a lot of running around like you can do in Creston.

It's hard to believe that December will mark 3 years that I've been living with Joan.  For now anyway, I will continue to enjoy my double life - with perks in both towns.

Solo walk thoughts (long!)

Politics and Philosophy - avert eyes if you are upset by these topics.

Amy emailed me in some distress this week. She feels the universe is out of wack, as people around her are experiencing friends and relatives who are sick and dying. "How can this be?" She asked. I was at work, so I didn't have time for a long heartfelt answer. But I felt I had a motherly duty to provide some type of perspective.

I have a little experience along these lines - though when I was her age (25) I had none. For me at that age, bad things were what happened to others. Not me. As the years went by my untouchable status changed. The unthinkable happened - we lost our son, baby Patrick to a heart defect. I found myself reading "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" by Rabbi Harold Kushner, to help myself get some perspective (and regain sanity?). After all - I saw women around Creston who had to be "worse" parents/people than I with healthy babies. Was that fair? It was a paradigm shift for me.

So in my short email to my daughter, in my 53-year old wisdom, I said something to this effect: Yes bad things do happen. If they didn't and we were all happy all the time, we wouldn't recognize it. Life would be boring. I know this doesn't take pain away though. You must build (pray for) the strength to get through the tough things. And to acknowledge others' tough things in life.

A couple things I vow to do:

• Not live my life in fear - of illness, loss, pain etc. Easier said than done, I know. And in the dark of the night - when I wake up and am all alone with my thoughts, those fears sneak in. Is that sore spot in my back cancer? Will I get a bad illness? Will I lose my beloved Pablo and be a widow someday? How would I survive? How would my family go on without me? But then I suck it up and think - You're a survivor. You will have inner strength (grace/faith? - more on this under religion). You have great friends and fam. You're a Bullock.
• Recognize when others are going through bad times and try to be supportive. Of course I'm busy. We're all busy. And it's so much easier to put it out of our minds - less messy to get caught up in the emotional and physical part of a friend's illness or sadness. This will be tough because I'm not getting any younger. And more friends/fam will experience loss and illness. Doing this takes a toll. But it also provides a reward.

Okay - enough philosophy.

Politics. I saw a blurb on Facebook recently that went something like this: My friend Trixie (I made this name up) should be in charge of the U.S. Here's what she would proclaim:

• People don't get food stamps for stuff like steak and "luxury" items.
• Women have to have birth control shots to collect benefits
• People have to have drug tests to collect unemployment

Which all sound reasonable. Who doesn't get ticked off when hearing a story about somebody behind a lady in the grocery line who purchased T-bones and shrimp with food stamps and then used cash to buy booze and cigarettes?

But how many of these people coming up with great sounding ideas touting program restrictions have ever written a rule that can be implemented and enforced? And are they the same people bitching about "BIG Government"? I have tried to write state rules (cuz I'm a state employee - yep, a bureaucrat). It's much harder than it looks folks! I can't imagine trying to put something together like that - and then to enforce it. It would take tons of staff. How would grocery stores, state agencies handle these rules? Nightmare!

I agree - there has to be a better method than what we're doing now regarding getting people to pay their own way. You could say - "Just cut them off altogether". I'm not ready to see soup lines with little children going hungry. Hell - that's already happening! I saw the story on 60 Minutes about all the newly homeless in Orlando due to joblessness. Those kids weren't making it up. They were going to bed hungry. That's not right.

Let's start a national think tank to pilot new methods. I used to think there had to be smarter people than me somewhere up the food chain thinking of stuff like this. Now I'm not so sure... My name is Leslie Bullock Goldsmith and I took the time to type this message.

Road Game

So I was feeling I hadn't had enough road time lately (sarcasm). We decided to ride along with the McKimsters to the Creston High School (5-1) football game vs #5 ranked Carroll HS (6-0). It's close to a 2 hour drive. McKims are always fun to chat with, and we weren't doing anything on this Friday night anyways.

Pablo and I hadn't been to an out of town Creston sports game since, well, our baby boy Juddy graduated. But now Ryan McKim (Don and Diana's son - Amy's age) is an assistant coach on the football team, and the team is doing well. We may not have as much "skin in the game" as when our son played, but we're fans.

It was a bit breezy and unseasonably warm for an October game. McKim family members were in attendance - Grandpa Jim Brown - Dee's dad, along with her sis Barb. Their daughter Katie was there with Ryan's GF Megan.

Carroll has a nice older football field that they share with Carroll Kuemper, the Catholic school in town. The game was exciting, back and forth. The Carroll Tigers had a great quarterback and drew first blood marching down the field on drive 1 and scoring. Creston answered quickly. Our QB - neighbor kid, Luke Neitzel, who had a crush on Amy and Stormy when he was around 8 years old, is pretty darn good himself. He threw a TD pass, had an INT on defense and had a break away TD in the second half to put Creston up.

Creston was driving to go up 10 points late - when there was a fumbled snap that Carroll recovered. Oh NO! Their QB could march right down the field, or so I thought. Carroll completed one long acrobatic pass. Less than 2 minutes left. The next pass was in the flat on our side of the field. Ben Landers - son of Mick, the guy that used to work with me when I collected household hazardous waste for my old job, whipped in front of the receiver, grabbed the ball, and ran for our end zone - PICK 6! (as a side-note - Mick now dates my friend Linda Kilgore - small towns, gotta love 'em).

With a few more end-of-game dramatics, the game was over. Team handshakes and that was it. The end of a great to watch HS football game, no matter who you are (but especially for Creston fans...) Our team gathered in the center of the field and took a knee to listen to Head Coach Morrison as Carroll players and fans quickly left. After he said a few words they jumped up and cheered as the students lined up in a gauntlet to congratulate them on their victory over a ranked team, to take over the top spot in Division 1 in 3A. Parents and fans stood around beaming, and moved in to congratulate parents and then players as they left the field. Everyone was united by community pride. I could hear the players in the team bus chanting Morrison, Morrison! It's a good sign, when the players like their coach.

We stopped at a restaurant in Carroll for a bite to eat with Diana's Dad and sis before heading back. Don got chicken gizzards - which always reminds me of Dad. This day was Diana's dad's birthday - he's 84, born in 1927. Dad left us too soon.

It was a late night, but well worth it. I'm glad we went. Go Panthers!

Duh Byuke

That's how you say it (Dubuque). Although I did like the Canadian pronunciation - Duh Buke. I've been there since Monday. I'm thinking of relocating there (okay it's just a fleeting thought). But what a cool city! (Except it IS on the dark side where everything is Hawkeye).

This year's annual Recycling and Solid Waste Management Conference was in Dubuque. Colleague Scott Flagg and I drove up there Monday afternoon and set up the DNR booth.

The DNR displays are brand new - and now I don't even need an engineer to help me put them together! They are like window shades. The old ones involved magnets and assembly. See the orange thing on the table? I forked over $5 of my own hard earned money for pretzels to lure people in to our table...since we don't have swag like other vendors do. And yes, I went around and gathered swag from other booths to distribute to my supervisor and key staff for bonus points when I get back to the office. I'm a suck up, I admit it. Plus I just like the joy of giving - especially when I got the stuff FREE.  

There were some great speakers at the conference, including the gal from the City of Ontario - who pronounced Dubuque so delightfully. This morning's session was about social media - using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the like to further the cause of your organization. Yesterday our Bureau Chief Brian gave a DNR update, and a state senator from Dubuque talked about legislation she's sponsored on recycling.

The downside of representing the State of Iowa at this conference is that I can no longer party like a rockstar at this event. In the olden days, when I just represented Adams, Taylor and Union Counties, I used to tip a few. Just a few years ago in Dubuque as a matter of fact, Christine, Jeff and I drank our way up Main Street in Dubuque Night 1 of the conference. We went to a place called Paul's Tavern - where 60 year-old mounts of long ago hunted animals are located. Last night, co-workers Laura, Scott and I went there for 1 beer. Yeah, that's my limit now - I figure I can party on non-work nights. After the Tavern (3 beers $4.65), we hit an Italian place that was really good.    

This morning I took an early walk around downtown Dubuque. The sun was just coming up, and I saw things that I'd never seen before, despite all my years of hanging around NE Iowa. After all my Paul is from Earlville - not too far from Dubuque. And I did do the tipsy walking tour a few years back. Here are a few photos I snapped.

American Gothic - as seen at the Art Museum

 There were so many cool architectural shots - wished I had a real camera, not just my Blackberry. But the emerging light was part of the beauty. Our consultant for a project I work on is from Dallas. She does talk about moving to Dubuque. I can see why!

That wasn't pretty

Good thing we had fun tailgating. When you're a Cyclone fan, you have to take solace in that sometimes. But damn - it was a big stage, and once again the team fizzles. It's frustrating for fans not to even get out of the gate.

Kara and Jud got here Friday night about 7:30, and we went to Casa de Oro for some Mexican food, then we played a little Scene It while we listened to the Creston Panthers polish off the Winterset Huskies. Kara's not big on sports, so it was a compromise. She and I vs. Jud and Paul - they beat us at the very end.

I wore all my lucky clothing yesterday - down to my skivvies. Guess the stuff only worked in September, huh. It was gorgeous out - light breeze and mid 60's. We got to Ames about 1:30 PM, just in time to break out the grill. Paul wisely put on the apron to protect his shorts.

Bobbie and Jeff arrived shortly after we did, along with several with Jud and Kara's friends. Donnie decided to mix us up some delish shots to kick off the afternoon.

Then Diana and I went to watch the football team make its entrance to the game - very dramatic!

Paul Rhoads makes his way to the locker room along with players below

Add caption

The pageantry and crowd were A+. Too bad the team sucked. Nonetheless, we stayed until the bitter end. The drive home was long - got here about 1 a.m. Glad the deer stayed out of our way!

Jud and Kara pose for a pic along with Pablo and me

Jud's friend Noelle was Cy for 3 years, now works for Learfield Sports.