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!