The Landlady

My landlady Joan is no lady...she's my friend! It's Joan's birthday today. We went out to eat at Applebee's. Joan had a coupon. It was nice chatting with her, until the high school cheer squad arrived - all twenty or so all chatty and LOUD.

Oh well, we just talked louder. It was fun anyway, just catching up on each other's days.

Joan and I get along well. She's so easy to get along with - even tempered and never moody. I try to be a low-maintenance roomie. And she's a low maintenance landlady. In fact she even takes care of me - washing my towels and sheets.

We like lots of the same TV shows, like Revenge and Parenthood. Sometimes she watches funny shows like Modern Family with me but often you can find her out at her dining room table surfing her laptop, while I'm in the TV room on my laptop.

I'm so lucky to have a nice place to live like this. I thank my lucky stars each week for Joan - the birthday girl!

A few things

• Are you one of those people that has your Christmas Tree up?  
• Did you decorate your whole house with lights already? Our neighbors, the Stofferahns (okay it was Todd) put lights on their house and the trees. 
• I took my fall wreath off the door. Woohoo! I'm not sure when I'll take that next big step.
• I don't think I'll put up the big tree, because we won't even be here for Christmas! Jud won't be home at all. The big tree takes up so much room! Don't tell Paul but tomorrow I'm going to seek out a small pre-lit smaller tree that I can just set out on my coffee table.
• I stopped at World Market tonight. I love that store! They have great international foods and drinks. Plus their greeting cards are very funny.
• I wish I had a Wii at Joan's place as well as at my house. Over the weekend, I updated my Wii Mii and put new ones in for the rest of the fam. Here I am. And this time my Wii Fit age was 46. My head looks kinda big - doesn't it!

Post turkey day Goldsmith Christmas

All too soon...our fabulous most funnest (yes, I know that isn't a word) Thanksgiving ended. Okay - it probably wasn't the most fabulous ever. Amy and Kara dislike football (except the Cyclone football..and I'm not so sure they even like watching the Cyclones play). And on Thanksgiving Day, first the Packers game was on (Paul's fave team) and then Jud's fave team was on (Cowboys). Jud did play checkers while he watched the Cowboys. That's what love will do to ya. Paul didn't even pretend to want play anything with me whilst the Packers played...

Anyway, it was great having everyone together. It was hard saying goodbye to Jud and Kara who were heading out for Sioux Center (in Northwest Iowa where Kara's parents live) Friday morning. Amy, Paul and I took off around 8 a.m. for Earlville for the Goldsmith fam gathering. We stopped briefly in Story City at the half empty outlet mall where I purchased some undies at the Vanity Fair store. Paul got some Packers sweats.

We pulled into E'ville about noon, and headed to the town mealsite - where the elderly residents meet to eat each weekday at noon. The Goldsmiths reserve the building each year for this date. Only Paul's sis Carol was there, so we grabbed her and took off for Dyersville to get a snack and watch a bit of the Iowa vs. Nebraska game in a local pub. I had a hard time keeping from cheering out loud for the Huskers - even though I'm not a fan of theirs, they are the lesser of 2 evils in my book. Carol was afraid I was going to get beat up - by the many black and gold clad fans in the pub.

We made it back to Earlville intact! And soon the rest of the Goldsmiths began to trickle in. We finally got to Matt Vorwald's wife of like 3 years - Beth. And the plethora of new Goldsmith bambinos - 4 since April! We held the usual gift exchange - draw numbers, select according to numbers and you can steal someone's gift, up to 2 times. I ended up with an indoor/outdoor thermometer. Quite functional. We ate ham sammies and cookies. It's always fun to see the Goldsmiths and get caught up on their lives.

Katie, Chad, Karen, Kurt with babies

All too soon it was time to scoot home to Creston - Amy had a bridal shower the next morning. Stormy Weis is getting married in 2 weeks! 

The gang's all here

Our gang arrived Wednesday - Thanksgiving Eve. Amy flew from Denver into Kansas City, and Kara, who works there, picked her up at the airport. They drove up to St. Joe, where Jud lives, and on up to Ioway they came, arriving about 6 PM. Paul and I were awaiting with open arms.

It had been a long short week for me. I was only in DSM from Monday morning until Wednesday. But I suffered from migraines all three days. Yuck! So I was pretty puny by the time I worked in my cubicle until 10 a.m. yesterday morning and stopped at the big HyVee grocery store to pick up a few things - a Mexican dip, salads, wine and crescent rolls. I finally felt good enough to eat something on my drive home.

I didn't need to feel crappy on the big day that my kids were coming home! A short nap was in order. By mid afternoon I started to perk up. Paul browned some burger and I put together some enchiladas for supper. I didn't want anyone to go hungry! They pulled up to the house right at 6 PM, and Odie wasn't the only one wagging her tail with delight!

We got the dip and chips out, and cocktails were in order. I decided I best not tempt the migraine gods with liquor - so I stuck with water! Supper was just was right as the five of us talked and laughed over enchildadas. Love having the fam together again.

Afterwards it was Wii time baby. That's right, we started playing Wii Fit. Kara kicked our butts in bowling. Then Rachelle drove in from Ankeny. Rachelle is Amy's college roomie, and she was looking forward to a night of partying in Crestonia - where the night before Thanksgiving is epic!

We broke out Just Dance 3, and Amy and Rachelle shook it up right on the living room floor. It was such fun. Chelle challenged Jud to a dance off and it was a close one. I loved all the laughter and just plain fun being together.

Just after 9:30, it was time for Amy, Rachelle, Jud and Kara to hit the town. Paul dropped them off downtown, and they spent the next 4 hours hanging out in three bars, catching up with old friends. Later, (or earlier Thursday) Paul's phone rang, and he got to go pick them up - they were a little rowdy. He had some funny stories to relate when he got back - stuff they had told him on the ride back. I was wide awake for quite a while after that, even though I didn't pick up duty.

Rachelle is a city gal. She had such fun partying in Creston - but she isn't used to partying in bars with people wearing steel toed boots. And people with camo hats and shirts on. She even saw a guy with a knife scabbard on his belt - and she was impressed (or concerned)! Not stuff you see clubbing in downtown DSM. Her powers of observation are impressive. I am in bars with those folks many weekends and don't even notice.

Paul and I attended mass this morning - it's a routine of mine on Thanksgiving. And it's not even a Holy Day (cuz I miss mass those days...). But I do miss attending on this day with my pal Deb who no longer attends our church. Even so, I have a lot to be thankful for. Family, friends health - the list goes on. Life is good and that higher power is the source.

When we got back, the little party animals - Amy at least, was up. The rest of them slowly trickled in. And we've had a great day watching football (don't expect Amy and Kara to say that part was great), playing Wii, and we worked in a little food too. First, I dragged them outside for a photo op in the afternoon. It was 60 degrees out! The Iowa Silk chocolate pie from Upper Crust Bakery - my pal Cynthia Wolf, was great. And the turkey, stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes and scalloped corn were excellent too!

Posing in the wind

Amy and Rochelle ham it up

 

My Brave friend Thea



Deb and Thea Christmas 2010

She's as brave as any of the characters we've read about in all the many books we've read in the past ten years since I've known her. Thea was the first person to contact me ten years ago when I put up that poster at Creston Public Library (aka Matilda Gibson) proclaiming that I was starting a book discussion group. She was interested...and better yet, she volunteered to host it! Her hosting gig ended up being permanent - just like our friendship!

My longtime (I'm not saying old) buddy Deb and I had pined for such a group In town. One where we could meet to discuss books with fellow book lovers. When no such group appeared...besides the stuffy sounding group that posted minutes in the local paper, we decided to start our own. We nearly always pick out and order books from an online list of multiple books the state library hosts. Everybody in our group can suggest titles and we usually have a core group of 6 or 8 people participating. Let's not forget Thea's three dogs - Peaches, Lucy and Mitzi. (Oreo, whom I used to call Hydrox, RIP).

Thea moved to Creston to work at the Area Education Agency as a social worker in area schools, a career she retired from in 2010. Last spring she had a bum knee replaced and was rehabbing at a local physical therapy center. She began to notice pain in other areas of her body and the therapist recognized the pain was not a normal part of recovery from this type of surgery. Several doctor's appointments and medical tests later, she was diagnosed with myeloma - cancer of the plasma cells.

Crap! That isn't the way it should go...somebody retires and then gets sick. Thea decided to go to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a second opinion. Their diagnosis - multiple myeloma and they discovered a cancerous tumor on one of her kidneys that needed to come out. She had surgery to remove it - the kidney. In the meantime, the myeloma has taken a toll on her bones - causing a great deal of pain. She needed to start treatment to knock the cancer back. Thea started chemo treatments as soon as she could, followed by radiation - which really zapped her!

The cancer has taken its toll on Thea's lifestyle. It has made it hard for her to get around. She lives in a big rambling brick 2 story home, and she's taken some steps to make her home more livable for her and the dogs. A doggy door has been installed for the "girls" so they can access the fenced in back yard all on their own. Her house has been arranged so that she can get around with her walker.

It can't be easy, facing that f'ing disease. And Thea does not have relatives in town - though her brother lives in Harlan. She's fortunate that since she's such a swell lady, she's developed a great network friends here in town. Still...it has to be hard. She has to have some hard times. Down times.

I've been to see her a few times - to take food and to help around the house a bit. During those times, Thea has been a champ - what an attitude!
As brave as
1,000 White Women
who have lived in
The Red Tent
and Angry Housewives Eating BonBons
(all books we have read and loved)
So all of you out there- in prayer and good thoughts land - please break out the good stuff for my brave pal Thea. She deserves the best!

Bustin' with "Proud"

Rock Star Coaches (from Texas game) Below - Rhoads, above - the Burnhams

It's a never-ending roller-coaster ride. Being a fan of the ISU Cyclones, I mean. I know - I've chosen to get on that ride. I could be a casual fan - enjoying the victories and ignoring the other stuff - but oh, not me. I'm the type that invests heavily (emotionally, and..in recent years $) in the Alma Mater sports teams. Mostly football. I spent only four years at Iowa State University, but those years have shaped my life forever somehow. I'm in the cult.

As a Cyclone fan I've seen and felt my share of heartache from athletic losses - especially in football. I've written about it in past blogs. It's like the Cyclones are Charlie Brown - believing somehow, again and again that Lucy will really leave that football out there for us to kick this time. But each time, she whips it away at the last second - laughing cruelly. We fall on our asses, embarrassed, defeated yet again.

We've had some memorable wins through the years. A few. In college I was there when ISU defeated Nebraska at our stadium. It was the fall of 1976 - Dexter Green, baby! Back then I was really more in it for the fun. They didn't care when we took glass bottles of liquor into the stadium. Sometimes the game became a backdrop to mixology! I remember another exciting game vs. Kansas (OT?) in the 90s where ISU prevailed by kicking a field goal. It was very cold and a streaker blessed the event. There wasn't much to see...

Vicki, me, Sal, and Jane - in our ISU Cowboy hats - Iowa game 1979

The ISU vs. Iowa has become a great rivalry game. This year's Triple OT win was one of the most exciting games I've ever seen in person. Our victory over the Hawks during the brief Chizek tenure was memorable too - Shaggy field goal winning, thanks to Diana and I using our special lucky finger clutch. I gave up my ticket to Jud, when he was still in high school, the year the Clones beat the Hawks when they were ranked #10.

Paul and I have season tickets you know, and haven't missed a home game for quite a while! It took all week to decide whether or not we were going. Arguments for not going to the game. Someone Paul worked with was retiring, and Paul was in charge of collecting the guy's laptop and other equipment - so he had to work late yesterday. Plus Paul has not gotten to hunt much this fall, due to our busy social/football schedule. He was concerned a late night might cut into hunting time.

Our tailgating mates were not available for this game. Why going to a game without them would be like making a lemondrop without lemons. Diana had major surgery, taking the backbone McKim family out of the mix. Higgins chose to head to their Lake of the Ozarks home, and McFees couldn't make it. . I also admit I wasn't overly enthusiastic about watching the Cyclones get their asses kicked by #2 Oklahoma State. In the past few years, the Cowboys have had our number. I couldn't see how could we possibly compete with #2.

But...on the plus side of attending the game, my friend Christine was going to be running on the field with the team! Her buddy from Texas successfully bid on some auction package and that was the prize, along with sideline passes. And our pal Hauser from Minnesota was going to be "in the house" for the first time all year.

Ultimately we decided not to go to the game.

Damn, Damn, Damn! What a dumb decision - in hindsight. Bobbie and Jeff came over for wings and a chicken casserole Bobbie made. I enjoyed one nice lemondrop martini before I managed to spill the leftovers from the shaker on the floor. (can you say sticky?). The game looked marvy on the TV and I thought we were hanging in there pretty well, despite not taking advantage of some early miscues by OSU. But that ending was one for the ages.

The early missed field goal - memories of ISU's bowl game miss vs. Alabama. Our boy AJ Klein was a complete stud! Leonard Johnson finally backed up all his trash talking. Our frosh QB made some mistakes, but had nerves of steel. Tip by Iowa boy Knott in OT and interception by Benton (another trash talker). Jeff Woody ran like a man on a mission for the end zone to score a touch down - Clones know better than to rely on a field goal. ISU 37- OSU 31. I love our coaches! The defensive plan was stellar. Paul and I jumped up and hugged - hopping up and down in unison!

scene from last night - crazy!

I wanted so much to be there to drink it in - just like after the Iowa win. The crowd rushed the field and players raised red helmets skyward! That atmosphere is addictive. It was wonderful that ESPN continued to carry the feed long after the game ended. Sweet Caroline played, then Celebrate Good Times, as they interviewed Coach Rhoads and talked about the game.

This morning on ESPN Gameday, they showed a replay of Coach Rhoad's post game lockeroom speech. Some say he's overused the "so proud" phrase. Check out the video: https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100342216168020
Not me. What else can you say? Others say OSU was flat. It may have been a perfect storm - but the Cyclones had the perfect boat to ride the storm out!

Far left - AJ Klein, our hero! (his parents tailgate near us) 

Dance fever

I got a Wii for Mee for my birthday. I'd been considering the purchase for quite some time, and the price had dropped over time - so I finally pulled the trigger. Paul had even said if was okay - like I needed his permission.

We usually do consult with each other on big purchases. But through the years, as we got a little bigger cushion in our bank account, that limit went up a bit. Nintendo Wii used to cost around $300 I think - but I got mine, complete with the Mario Cart game for less than $150.

Then I worked a deal with my 'lil buddy Krissy to purchase her Wii Fit game. It has a balance board that you stand on for most of the exercises, plus the disk you put into the video machine. Last weekend I finally had a chance to try the thing out - fun and good exercise for someone like me who has allowed myself to get woefully out of shape. Now I only wish I had one here AND at Joanie's place.

I programed a "Mii" into the system to represent me in some of the games. It weighs me and figures my BMI too. There are four areas to work on.

•  Yoga
• Strength
• Balance
• Aerobic

I got up this a.m. and did yoga for 15 minutes followed by some other stuff. Then later this morning, during a break from work I broke out Dance 3 where I worked up a sweat dancing to Dynamite and some Apache song. I suck, but it was fun and got my heart going. I'm going to be in tip top shape in no time at this rate!

My friend Deb purchased the XBox 3D for exercise - can't wait to hear how she likes it. It's more $$ - but you don't have to hold the controller, which would be nice. Watch out - the oldsters are taking over gaming!

I clicked my heels together

And said, "there's no place like home" and magically, I appeared in my comfy chair in my living room! No...not really. I drove my car - my trusty Subaru - which is like a comfy pair of ruby red slippers.

Today I was itching to get out of town - back to Creston. It's been a long stretch of work - since late September when I organized our first Environmental Management System (EMS)Audit through this week, after completing six audits and now the workshop. I'm beat! As I said in my blog of a couple days ago - the workshop went well...it finished up yesterday with a half day. The evaluations were good. Yay!

Continental - a drink from the bar sounded enticing, but I held back!

When the workshop finished up yesterday, I went to luncheon at the Continental - on Locust at about 4th in the East Village with Laura and Christine. We talked mostly shop. I had a nice blackened chicken sannie. After that, Laura had to catch a flight back to Dallas.

I spent the afternoon figuring out how to update information on the EMS website. Then I heard from my honey PGG, that he was in town having work done on his car. We decided to meet at HuHot for supper. That place is good! You fill a bowl with raw meats, fish, crab, veggies and noodles. Then you pick a group of sauces to dump over the top and take it to an open griddle for men to grill for you. There is white rice to eat with it back at your table. Yum!

After supper we took a walk around Sports Authority, but didn't find anything we couldn't live without. All too soon it was time for Paul to head back to Creston. I went to Joan's to watch TV. My shoulders were so tight from a week of stress! Guess I'll need to contact my friendly masseuse Chris soon to get the kinks worked out. But for now - tomorrow, I get to work at home. I like that perk of my job!

Yowza got thru that!

Participants eagerly await information

I was in charge of a workshop/conference for work today. I was kinda stressed about it. Because I'm a control freak. It was for the Environmental Management System (EMS) program that I'm lead worker on. It was at the Botanical Center and around 30 people attended.

Laura - consultant, presides

Laura, our consultant from Dallas and I worked together on the content of the workshop. She put together the PowerPoints and the training materials, so she's been stressed too. Laura arranged for a guy from EPA in Washington, who is an EMS expert, to talk after lunchtime. He sat in on our morning sessions and was very complimentary of our program. ;>)

I introduce our speaker

Pat Boddy

I also lined up a couple speakers for the workshop, including Pat Boddy, former DNR Deputy Director. I put together some materials in preparation for the speakers - especially Pat who talked about setting good goals. Because in EMS, the participants - in this case, Solid Waste Agencies, set annual environmental goals to help them meet the requirement of continuous improvement to be in the program.

Goal-setting assistance could help each of us! Who couldn't use help figuring out just what we're really trying to get at!?!

It was a little confusing for some of the participants. But the basic idea is to get at - what is your REAL purpose for a goal you are setting? Here is an example that we had to work through.

A solid waste agency sets a goal of hosting 500 people in their educational center in 2011. Is that a good goal? It's measurable. But what does that number tell us? Not much really. What we talked about today is what the real goal should be. What is that agency was trying to accomplish by bringing people into the ed center? Mostly likely education about the facility services - recycling/disposal etc.

So a better goal might be behavior change after facility tour. To measure this, the facility could poll users to find out how they knew about the services.

It's like the difference between losing weight to fit into your jeans, and eating healthy for your lifestyle. Your goals need to be beyond the quick fix number. It's kind of a hard thing to wrap your mind around...

Jim Horne US EPA talks EMS

Anyway - I'm back at it tomorrow morning! Can you tell - I love this stuff!

Tomorrow will be a smaller group. Next year we'll be doing this conference again -  I'm already planning how I might do it better! Control freak!

Diana (I call her Dee)

It was the size of a kiwi. According to Donnie, the tumor on Diana (I call her Dee) McKim's carotid artery in her neck was the size of the fuzzy fruit - and was likely pressing on her blood vessel.

It's called a carotid body tumor. They found it after Diana complained about having a dry mouth. Our local surgeon removed one of her salivary glands (you have several so that's no big deal), thinking that was the culprit - and that's when he saw the damn thing. But he didn't dare touch it, as it is so close to the carotid, the tongue and some other important stuff like the vocal chords. These tumors are usually hereditary and benign. But they gotta come out if they're pressing on significant stuff.

Diana has a wonderful voice - pure and true, alto. She and Gwen Buck often sing duets at weddings. And who could discount the duet she and I do (she carries me) on the Star Spangled Banner at each and every Cyclone game! Plus...she was one of my backup singers along with Joan (my roomie) and Bobbie for Monster Mash, during my 52nd birthday celebration in Earlham. We sang karaoke at a little bar on main street. I don't think they'll ever forget us. I drank all their red zinfandel, never to drink that wine again...

I'm glad Diana went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for her surgery. It is where they needed to be. I'm praying my friend Dee Dee will recover quickly. She is supposed to be 2 days in Critical Care then a day or two on the regular floor was the information I last heard. I'm sure they'll take it a day at a time - making sure infection doesn't happen.  

I am just so glad and relieved that this tricky surgery went okay - I was really worried. Diana and Don are such good people and good friends. I want Dee to be home so I can make her a lemon drop martini (once the doc says it's okay - I wouldn't want to waste the precious nectar if it trickled out of her sutures...haha little joke Dee). Donnie can mix his own BV and Diet Squirt...

Cyclone fans  (Me, Marilyn Conover with Dee on right) adore linebacker JJ Klein

Oh yeah, and Go Cyclones - win one of your three remaining football games against a top-ranked football team so we can go to a bowl game with McKims! (one can dream!)

Bolder update

Bolder with Bud, Pablo and Lemondrop...last summer

It has been a while since I reported the awful news that my beloved bro-in-law Brian Lefebvre, whom everyone calls Bolder or Boldie has prostate cancer - a particularly aggressive type damn it! He had surgery back in late July to remove his prostate. Then it was discovered that the cancer had spread, so further treatment was called for.

But Bolder had to heal from surgery - and dealt with some complications like infection. So he wasn't able to start chemo until October. He just had his second round of the powerful chemical cocktail Taxotere (he'd prefer scotch), and will have two more chemo sessions - December 1st and 22nd with the drug Jevtana. My sis Cindo say the good news is that his PSA is still really low and his white blood cell count is looking good.

Here is an update in Cindo's words. "Thanks for checking in with us. Oldie Moldie Boldie has now become Balding Boldie. He has lost most of the hair on top of his head but still has a ring around the lower part (kinda like Friar Tuck). I asked if he wanted his friend Eric to shave it off and he said no. It's amazing how well he takes the chemo. He's a little tired but hasn't felt sick at all even after two sessions. Bolder and I are so thankful for our friends and family and that there are drugs to find the horrible disease called cancer! Love you all!"

After Chemo, Boldie will be starting radiation treatment. Amy, Jud, Paul and I will be in Vail celebrating Christmas with the Lefebvres. Can't wait to hug them and son Colby who is working in Vail Valley managing a local eatery.

The Bullock and Lefebvre families appreciate all your good thoughts and prayers for one the the best and most tender-hearted guys in the whole world - Brian Lefebvre.

My world shifts a little bit

Whenever something big happens and people let me down, my world shifts a little bit. I don't know Joe Paterno and he doesn't know me, but like many of you through the years I have formed an impression of the guy. Paterno is a crusty guy with an East Coast accent. He has always reminded me of Paul's dad - George Goldsmith - all curmudgeony, but lovable under it all! Obviously intelligent, and I thought, to be admired because of his tenure at an esteemed university and the success of his teams.

Until I heard about what he had allowed his friend, Assistant Coach Sandusky, get away with - sexual assault of minors. A mere wrist slap. Allowed to "retire" from coaching with full access to Penn State's facilities. In my opinion the whole Penn State University organization is guilty. Didn't they see any similarities between themselves and the Catholic Church? Cover up galore.

When I was young, I always thought there was someone above me that was watching out for me. My parents, teachers, coaches, the government. The realities of life suck. Those people, whom we have looked up to are weak. And not just the freakin' (insert swear word) sexual abusers. The people who should be looking out for the vulnerable but don't - the ones who look the other way are just as guilty! They allow the abusers to keep up their evil ways.

They protect the institution. For what? For the greater good? For the short term good name of an institution, they have risked ruining people's lives? Those of us who haven't been sexually abused can never know what these incidents have done to stain the lives of those who have lived through it.

Sex should be a healthy part of our lives. How might a young person move past the idea that shame goes together with sex once abuse has taken place? How can somebody form a healthy sexual relationship and marriage relationship after suffering that type of abuse? Man - it's hard enough to have a good marriage without dealing with issues such as that.

So - I go back to Penn State and the (formerly) great Joe Paterno. How did he live with this all these years? How could he not look at Sandusky and wonder - was he still abusing? Could he have convinced himself that the guy could stop? And how could the grad student turned coach - McQueary, have continued to coach after seeing Sandusky assaulting a young boy in a shower. Why wouldn't McQueary step in and stop it right then? Why wouldn't he call 911? Was he too in awe of an assistant coach? Did the Penn State machine step in and assure him this was being taken care of? Isn't it convenient he ended up an assistant coach himself.

I am far away from this situation - and my world has shifted a bit due to Penn State. Just as it did when all the news of the Catholic Church abuse came to light. I feel for the Penn State Nittany Lion players, students and alumni - their world is shaken much more than mine. If this had happened at Iowa State University, my Alma Mater, my emotions would be in turmoil. I'm saddened.

This world never fails to surprise me. I thank God (or whatever higher power is out there...) there are many beautiful amazing things and people out there to offset the ugly and bad. They help set my world back on its axis.

Retrieval Failure

Governor Rick Perry experienced what the Washing Post calls "Retrieval Failure" a/k/a "brain freeze" at the Republican debate this week. He couldn't come up with a list of government agencies he wants to get rid of when he's elected prez.

You may read the full article here in the WaPo: Washington Post Article

If you know me and my politics, you probably know that I don't agree with much Rick Perry stands for. But in this case I felt a little sorry for the guy. Why? I've suffered from this problem - more as I get older.

I like how the article explains what happens. As I'm aging, my brain is shrinking and rusting - and is overloaded with information. My friends say I have the best memory. Right - I'll be the one that recalls insignificant stuff from high school, but can't remember important names from current events. Helpful - NOT.

It's hard to remember all that crap from the olden days and all this new stuff! I'd say my hard drive size is limited. I could never run for office because it's when I really want something, like a person's name etc. that I can't come up with it. When I give it a few minutes, it seems to percolate to the right place where I can reach it. I remember Dad being like that - great...I'm turning into Dave B.

I liked that Mr. Perry was able to make fun of himself on Letterman last night. That's all one can do about the problem - laugh! But about that presidential run Governor Perry? Forget about it...

Granny Panties

I'm listening to a Stephanie Plum book on CD this week. It's "Smokin' Seventeen". One must be in the right frame of mind when listening to a Steph book. First thing Monday, I wasn't feeling it. Stephanie (the main character in the books) was trying to select which type of donut she wanted...and I had a lot of work issues on my mind. So I had to turn her off.

But I ran into traffic (evidently some poor schlubs ran into each other on the 22nd street bridge) when I go to Des Moines and traffic was at a standstill. So I turned the CD back on again. I love the reader on the Stephanie Plum CDs. She does wonderful voices. Her Lula is especially great! The character Lula is a supersized black woman (former hooker) who wears spandex and helps Stephanie collect bail skips. They generally get into hijinks together.

Stephanie has a problem. She likes two guys. In "Smokin'" she has a hard time keeping her knees together when she's around Joe (hot policeman) and Ranger (hot security guy). So Lula tells her she needs a break from sex - and they head to JC Penney to get secure some "granny panties," that Lula tells her will protect her from thoughts of men, and if not - they (men) won't be attracted to her in them! Ha!

I grew up in Granny Panties! At least until junior high or so. Those things are comfy!

Listening to Stephanie books makes me chuckle out loud. It probably looks pretty silly when I'm sitting in the car. All by myself. Oh well - I'll have Lula zap 'em with her stun gun.

Shoe shoppin'

I felt like a judge at a horse or cattle show. But I was shoe shopping. I had been for an oil change at Ramsey Subaru - and discovered I could make due with simply rotating my tires. I don't yet need $600 worth of tires! Why...that's like getting a raise.

So I celebrated by shopping for shoes at Valley West Mall. I entered the mall through Von Maur - the door near the shoes. Right away I found some ankle high boots, with just the right heels by Born. They were called Rachelle.

 Then mine eyes fell upon the Uggs - the shoe kind, not the boots.

Like any good judge, I picked up the shoes, and looked them over good. (I checked their teeth) But I was not ready to pick a winner. So on I went to the next store. I wandered through a few clothing stores, before looking at Younkers Shoes. After all I had Coupons for Younkers. But nothing there tripped my trigger. I proceeded to Fit to Be Tied. Good shoes there, but the ones at Von Maur continued to call to me.

I went back and tried them on. I felt like a horse shoe judge - picking them to be in the winner's circle. But wait! The Uggs were tight. The next size up - too loose. And I liked them best...but I needed to think it over. And perhaps try them on with some thinner socks another day. So phew, Pablo dodges a bullet! I do like those boots though...

My 10,000th view

This blog hit 10,000+ views this past week. (And I bet only 1,000 or so are my own!) Amazing.

I really didn't know where I was going with this blog thing three years ago when I started up in February 2009. You see, daughter Amy had her own blog. I enjoyed reading hers. I started thinking...hey...I could do that too!

And I missed writing my recycling column for the Creston News Advertiser. I enjoyed writing that column for several years prior to taking the DNR job of my dreams in Des Moines. Each month I'd start thinking of an environmental topic, and would rewrite the thing several times before it actually hit the paper. People would often tell me how much they enjoyed the piece, which tickled me to no end! And even better, they would ask me questions about topics because they had read the things I wrote about.

And I have all that commuting time to think while cruising between Des Moines and Creston. (When I'm not listening to a book on CD).  Sometimes I worry...should I be putting my life out there on the Internet for the whole world to see? But I can't help myself. So I'll keep postin' for all 11 of my followers! And you other random readers. Thanks! Your comments are always appreciated.

How did I pick Blogger.com? Because it goes with Google, and I already had Gmail. I'm kinda lazy like that.

Deep birthday thoughts

Upon entering my 55th year (after my 54th bday)

• What a great Birthday Week (and the weeks prior)!
• It started a couple weekends ago when Amy showed up, surprising me while tailgating in Ames. I, Junior Nancy Drew, and her fearless sidekicks Bess (Bobbie) and George (Diana) (if you have read N. Drew books you know those are Nancy's girlfriend's names - they help her in her sleuthing) did not detect this stealthy surprise. So Jud and Amy were both there at a beautiful tailgating day in Ames, along with our Clone friends. Life is good!
• The celebration of Leslie continued last weekend in Galena with friends from my native town of Atlantic - Chris and Paula. We were in beautiful Galena. I probably celebrated bdays years 5-18 with those chicks. So it was fun to kick off my 54 celebration with 'em (and Pablo and Chris's hubby Larry).
• Onto the quiet of "My Day Off" Monday. I started with my home girl breakfast. Love those girls too. Are you sensing a theme here? Blessed with friends. Of course all of these things (except chick breakfast) were done with my very best friend Paul Goldsmith (aka Pablo the Poolboy). I then had a nice walk around my neighborhood, and the west side of Creston - McKinley Lake and Park. I can't ever walk through McKinley without thinking of:
• Swim meets at the former pool there. The old pool was still there when we moved to town in 1986, and was replaced ten or so years ago with the present pool. One swim meet I was swimming breast stroke (despite my lack of breasts) - and, I recall, (head growing slightly larger) in 2 age groups - 13/14 and 15/16, as our usual swimmer in the older group wasn't able to attend the meet. I had to swim my usual race (which was only 40 yards long). Then the boys swam. Then I had to turn around and do it again. Then I swam it in a mixed relay with our age group. Robyn, Sally, and I can't recall the backstroker - Sue Tyler? For 15/16 it was Barb Hutchinson, and the Merrick sisters - Cindy and Marci.
• And years later, taking our children to the former playgrounds in McKinley Park - back when the toys weren't always so safe. The little swinging bridge. Those animals that could knock a kid clean off their feet if they happen to wander in front of one, as the other - going to town swinging on a dolphin. We always walked up to pay homage to the Civil War statue that is now featured more prominently with the sidewalk placement and flags.
• Tuesday I was back to work. I'm fortunate to work with a highly professional bunch. A few quirks but, no total disfunctions - you know what I mean. At some of my jobs, one person wouldn't talk to another or one totally didn't do their job. This group all functions as necessary. Which makes life easier for all of us.
• I took treats to work Thursday a.m. - Kringle that I purchased at Super Target - in honor of my Scandinavian roots (I have none). I had returned to Target to get myself a Wii - that I need to hook up to our TV today. Yes, I'm going to get FIT.
• By Thursday I was heading home to Crestonia. We had book club that night at A&G Bar - and my bookie friends gave me a gift certificate from Dairy Queen. What swell gals - and I didn't even read the book this month! We do miss member Thea, who is battling the evil Myeloma that is ravaging her body. She is throwing both chemo and radiation at it. Damn stuff all of it-cancer and poisonous treatment. We hope Thea joins us (or we can join her at her home) again soon.
• Book Club was over at 9ish and I hurried to McKim's house to our last pre-tailgating planning party. Sitting in the RV in McKim's driveway has become a lovely tradition this season - all of the fun (read liquor) none of the stress of real tailgating. Planning takes 15 minutes. Solving life's mysteries - a few more hours. This night we were celebrating Jeff McFee's 54th birthday. Yes he's way older than I. I had a lovely oatmeal cookie shot - green apple, caramel apple and Hot Damn. That's all though - too much to do the next day!

• A beautiful trip to Atlantic early Friday a.m. I drove through Fontanelle, a pretty little town on Highway 92, just as the sun was coming up. On the west side of town, I was surprised to see hundreds of windmills waving at me in the dawn. They had popped up since my last trip in July. I met three colleagues - Jen (my supervisor), Jeff and Becky at the Atlantic landfill for an Audit. Then we ate at the Old Hotel downtown for lunch. On the way home I drove through my fave town of Bridgewater - love seeing the Doris Department Store. So cute!
• I was home in Creston by 3ish and stopped at Fareway for my tailgating "assignment". Then worked at bit more on my laptop. I got FB bday wishes. various texts from buddies. Amy called. Jud Called.
• That evening I met up with girlfriends at The Lobby - the local watering hole. Hmmm start out early Monday a.m. with them - and now ending Friday. Sensing a theme? Nancy showed up! Hadn't seen that chick for a long time. The boys (Jeff and Paul) arrived along with Krissy and Caleb. We went to A&G for a bite before turning in. Only had a couple drinks - thank goodness my friends didn't insist on birthday shots - glad 54 is no 21! Hmmm maybe I should pretend that every night. What a great bday!
•  
• Bobbie and Jeff picked us up at 6 a.m. Chilly and windy - guess it is November. But I was definitely an RV sitter today. Gametime - bundled up and it wasn't too bad - snuggled up against each other. The Cyclones were not great - just good enough, and they won the game. That's all we can ask. After the game, we had great "saucy Southerner" sannies, Conovers stopped by. Donnie has outdone himself with his new recycling/trash system and the TV mount on the RV. RV tailgating is the best!

My 50's have been fun. As I grow older I tend to reflect more - I suppose everyone does. I'm watching the CBS morning show as I write this a.m. The topic is the recently deceased Andy Rooney (who worked and lived until age 92) - commenting that he never pretended to be something he wasn't. I try to live my life like that. Yeah, I can make nice. But I don't put up fronts - especially now, in my 50's. What you see is what you get.

There is a guest editorial in the DSM Register today by a priest who is dying from pancreatic cancer. It hit home. It seems that a lot of people I know these days are struggling with illness. As I hope and pray for them, I can't help but wonder how I might confront cancer or some other illness if I ever get that type of diagnosis.

He says, "As a priest I have observed many for whom death was an unwelcome enemy. Frequently it was because they lived only for themselves. And now they faced death by themselves, even though others were physically around them. Many others bravely faced death surrounded by the people whom they had loved and served. They had shared much in life and now they were sharing the dying experience with loved ones."

I hope I'm living my life in a way that I would be strong enough to fight the good fight against cancer/illness. But ultimately, I could be brave and surrounded like the Reverend Hemann. And I wish to serve more - though my present livestyle makes it hard to do so. And I'm being selfish right now - working hard during the week, so I play hard on weekends.

I don't want to end on a downer. We're all healthy. And yahoo - the Cyclones won. Can they sneak out 1 more win? I'm done with the six work audits I needed to complete. So work should calm down. Both kids will be home for Thanksgiving. Life is good!

BFSW and Wii

You probably know the store better as DSW, which stands for Designer Shoe Warehouse. To me, it's that Big F'n Shoe Warehouse. They do gots lots of shoes. But for some reason, it's just too overwhelming for me, shoe lovin' girl. Can't pull the trigger.

So I left with my tail between my legs. And my credit card in my purse. I know...it's a sad story!

I did go to Target after that, and I purchased a Nintendo Wii with Mario Cart. And I went Wii Wii Wii all the way home - to Joan's. I plan to get a Fit - to start working out. Yeah - that's right. Me and the machine. I can't wait! Next I may get a dancing thingy. I'll be in tip top shape in no time.

McKinley and the Magic Paintbrush

I walked around Creston's McKinley Lake and Park yesterday as I took the day off. I was recovering from our wonderful trip to Galena, Illinois with HS homies Paula and Chris along with Chris's hubbie Larry. When one is a commuter, it's brutal to get home on a Sunday and pack up once again to leave at the crack O'dawn the next day.

Monday a.m. I got to spend my morning with my good friend Chuck at S&K Cafe. And my homegirls Deb, Susan, Patti, Pat, Diana, Bobbie and Linda. They all brought me birthday cards - yes, it's my birth week! I got to kick it off in style. After breakfast I headed home to hang out and relax on my day off. Odie was overjoyed to see me. It doesn't take much to please that little wiener!

That afternoon, when the autumn sun was beaming down, I decided to take a walk around the lake by our house. I took the camera along to capture some of the sights of my neighborhood and hometown. Creston is at its finest this time of year! It's as if some higher power dabbed beautiful fall colors around town, making even the most mundane areas flashy and handsome.

She looks very pissed off about being in a bun

It was Halloween of course so I dragged out Odie's bun costume. She hates it, but I talked her into leaving it on long enough to get her photo taken. We only had a few trick or treaters. Mmmm more candy for us