The person you marry

A wise person I know told me she gave this advice to her daughter recently..."I wouldn't have married the same person at 28 that I did at 22."

That got me pondering this week. After all...that's what I do.

How do some marriages make it through the years, yet others fail miserably in as little as 1 year? Sometimes it's a crapshoot! Deep, huh.

I would agree - you do know yourself much better at age 28, than at age 22. And I'd hope you would be a better judge of character as you age - less likely to fall under the spell of "love". The first stage of love is infatuation - and you shouldn't ever get married at that stage! Here's a question - at age 28 are you more likely to be bored with your life, career path and to be infatuated with the thought of being married or even of - gasp, having a fun party in the form of a wedding?

Don't forget about our old friend peer/family pressure. I think some people get to that stage in life when they think it's just time to married. In the Midwest, that seems to be younger than in other areas of the country. I don't know why they're in a rush - but it does work for some people.

When you marry young - how do you make sure you grow and change together, so you don't "fall out of love"?

Here are some words of wisdom Paul and I have shared with upwards of 30 or more couples we have worked with in our marriage ministry in the Catholic Church over the past fifteen years.

• This person you're marrying will be with you through all types of life situations - good times and bad, as the vows say. Make sure you know how to deal with the tough stuff as a team. In my case - as my Aunt Marty says - "as the going gets rough - the tough get bitchy" Paul knows how to deal with my bitchy side! And I know how to react on the rare occasions when he snaps.  
• Though none of us is Karnak the Magnificent, we need to be honest about our dreams for the future with ourselves and our future spouse. Will you be happy being a small town dweller, hanging with your hometown friends, golfing and working for your dad? Is that your spouse's dream too? What if one of you takes a class online - which opens up your world and you decide you want to move to a big city instead? Or your spouse finds religion? What if one became a golfaholic, or worse, alcoholic, ignoring her family? Those are all the types of things that have been known to break up marriages.
• Does marriage get boring? Hell yes! You can't possibly keep the level of enthusiasm you had at the beginning of the relationship. So you must learn how to settle into a mature relationship - the terrain of how you two fit together.
• If someone (often the woman) is totally submissive in the beginning, she should realize that eventually she won't feel so submissive. As I tell my husband (though I was never the shy, submissive type) as we women get older, some of our mufflers rust out a bit. So we're not so quiet any more...
• If Lover Boy/Girl has a habit that you find highly irritating, but you can live with it because you "love each other", know that the habit will not go away magically because you're married. You need to deal with it if it will cause problems.
• Your partner can be an easy scapegoat for your angst/anger. Love the one your with? More like take it out on the one your with! Bad day at work - smile through it and then nail your loved ones at home. That's safe! They can't fire you. (at least as easily as a job can...). If you want to stay married - figure out a way to avoid doing that - and how to say "I'm so sorry!"
• I'm certainly not the same sweet girl my husband married. And he's a changed man. Okay he's not all that different. We're partners - figuring out our path - together.

I could go on and on. My point? There is no perfect age for marriage. No matter what your age - it's a journey. One I'm glad I'm on my best friend with!

Home again

Week 1 is in the books. Paul survived his first week as Assistant State Conservationist. He said he wasn't nervous before that first day, Monday - but I think sub-consciously he was freaking out a little. After all, he's not started a new job for 25 years!

So just like when I started my job at DNR 3 years ago, he said it felt good to get that first day and week over with. Phew! He's supervising a staff of six or so people and over $50 million in programs. Yikes! It sounds like everyone was welcoming. They had a nice lunch at Court Avenue Brew Pub for him on Wednesday, and he went for a couple beers at Raccoon River Brew Pub Thursday after work.

Still he was ready to head home to Crestonia yesterday at 11 a.m. So was I after my week of traveling. Our frig looks like post-vacation - empty. But there's not much use stocking it up for a couple days, since we're heading out again early Monday.

Lila the puppy-sitter dropped Odie off about 2 p.m. Odie did a couple victory laps right away - happy to be home! We were glad to see her too. That night we headed to the local establishments with McKims for relaxation time. Then to A&G for pizza. Home by 10 PM. The end of a long interesting week. One more to go before we move into the loft. This week - Embassy Suites.

Catching up

I've been gone! Two days of traveling Iowa - though I can't complain about the weather, no sir! Cory - the chap DNR hired to help with one of my programs and I first went to Tracy, Iowa - near Knoxville yesterday. Then we jetted (in his rented KIA) off to Spencer, arriving at 8 PM.

And who lives in Spencer? (or at least she does in the winter...) Mary Faber! So I texted her that I'd be in town, and we got together for a beer. It was swell catching up with one of my fave peeps in the whole world.

Mary works at Iowa Lakes Community College and should be awarded her Phd this summer. Quite an accomplishment for our scholarly friend. That's a lot of time and effort! Who knows what life will bring post escuela?

My two meetings went very well. I'm happy and very tired. Two long days. When I got back about 6:15 PM, Paul and I decided to head to Dos Rios - just down the skywalk to eat. Tamales were good - and guacamole bar too. But I've overeaten and now I'm miserable. Reminding me why I usually try to avoid eating so much. Couldn't stop on the green stuff!

Heading home to Creston tomorrow - Paul feels like he's been here a week. Oh, wait - he has! 



Jethro's in Waukee

Joan and I have been meaning to try out the new Jethro's Barbecue on University in Waukee for quite some time, so last week - before I moved out of her place temporarily - we did!

It's a lot bigger than it looks from the outside! Good thing too - because the parking lot is always full. There are TVs everywhere and the smell of barbecue wafts through the air. I selected a Pale Ale draw to sip while we waited for our food. I selected 2 meats - chicken and beef brisket, along with a corn muffin green beans and mashed sweet potatoes. It was about $16, but J had a coupon for 15% off, so we got a bargain - and I ended up eating barbecue for 2 meals after that night!

This Jethro's location also serve Cajun food - and the peel and eat shrimp made me pine for Marco Island, Florida!

Our night at Jethro's convinced me of one thing - Joan and I should have eaten out together more. Now I'll get a chance to check out some Downtown/East Village places with Pablo.

Annual Holiday Gathering

The title makes it sound formal, don't it? (My salute to Bugs Bunny talk).

Last Friday was our Annual Holiday Exercise Group get-together - held once again at Susan's lovely home. Everyone but Linda made it. She was just getting back from a Vegas trip with Mick, so she was marked down as "excused".

We each brought food, wine (or in may case an alternative bev - since wine isn't my friend) and a white elephant gift. I don't often get to have lots of time with my buddies, since I no longer exercise with the group. Though I get to see Diana, Bobbie and Deb quite a bit - I usually only see Pat, Nancy, Patti, Lucy, Susan and Linda at our breakfasts on alternate Mondays. So I value my time with this wonderful bunch of ladies a lot.

I had picked up a few interesting looking foods at Trader Joe's. Skinny Fries - air popped and low guilt. They were pretty tasty. Also fat free spicy bean dip and some chips to go with those. I couldn't go totally no-fat, so I got baklava. I wasn't quite as good as the fresh stuff I purchase at Holy Spirit's annual International Food Fair, but not bad.

We chatted, and laughed - and commiserated about aging. And laughed. What else can one do? The alternative is worse! It's so nice to have a group of peers to relate to - at each age of your life. When I was raising children, we talked about the trials and tribulations of that. Aging parents. Check. Female problems? Check. Nice to know I'm not going down this trail alone - and these are some magnificent chicks to trot down the trail to the old folk's home with. Girlfriends are a "must have" as one travels the ups and downs life throws at us.

When Diana got back from the girl's basketball game (son Ryan is Assistant Coach - temporarily, as he's heading back to Ames to be a grad assistant for Coach Paul Rhoads and the ISU Cyclones), we decided to open the White Elephant gifts. It was great entertainment as you can see from the pictures.

Deb explains why she "recycled" the top Susan has on

Lucy and Nancy guard the gifts

Nancy embellished my "new" top from Patti with tissue

Ugliest snowman ever?

After the party, we headed to A&G where we plugged the jukebox and danced all by ourselves. A few people looked in to see what was happening. And then they steered clear and let us do our thing. Our husbands (Paul, Jeff and Donnie) sent back a couple shots. Red headed sluts, and Oatmeal Cookies. Deb put us through a few exercise moves. One lonely looking girl decided to join us - and we gladly took her in.

Ladies in Black - Deb, Nancy, Susan, Diana

The whole gang

Later we stopped at the Lobby with Paul and Jeff for just one more. That place was hopping! Then Paul and I headed home about midnight - late for us old folks! It was a good time with good friends. 

The Adventure Begins

We leave for DSM today as Pablo the Poolboy starts his new Pool job tomorrow. No, it's not really a pool cleaning gig. But we're going on Sunday, because just like when I started at my DNR job, that first day - one wants to arrive on time, bright and shiny.

Our loft won't be available for a couple weeks. So we're living out of suitcases in motels until then. Marriott this week, Embassy Suites next - decent places at least. I get to travel to Spencer and stay in the AmericInn Wednesday though, for work. Yeehaa.

We've called the neighbors to let them know to watch our home. Plus we have the Kimster cat and house-sitting. If you are a robber, consider stealing our 18 year-old kitty, or other old things. Think again. She will hurt you. Odie will be at Lila's for this time. It's Odie's birthday on the 26th - she'll be 7! We'll have to celebrate on the weekend. I'll pick her up something fun

The next two weeks will be a transition to our new temp life. Change is good. Bring it on!

Digging Book Chicks

Some months I think, "It's a hassle, maybe I should just skip book club". Then I attend, and remember why I enjoy it so. This month we met at A&G Lounge downtown, with eight people in attendance.

I was supposed to pick up Thea, on my way. You may recall she has often been our hostess with the mostess. I've written in this blog about Thea's cancer battle - myeloma. Bitch of a disease. I checked my email right before heading out the door and discovered she was not feeling up to a meeting. ;>(. But she did email her comments on the book. Room by Emma Donoghue. No substitute for her warm and caring personality, but the note would have to do, to share with the group.

I picked up my buddy Deb on my way downtown, and we laid claim to a table in the back of the bar at A&G and ordered a couple drinks - she a hot chocolate/schnapps and I a vodka/cranberry. Gradually the rest of this eclectic group began to gather.

Deb and I started the group back in the early 2000's. Thea was an original member too. Many women have come and gone through the group since then. Most (besides Deb) are not people I would have had occasion to hang out with. But I've truly enjoyed getting to know these women who share my love of books.

This month, our selection, Room, elicited excellent discussion. It's a novel, but was written along the lines of the Jaycee Dugard story - the girl who was kidnapped and held for 18 years or so, having a couple children with her captor. Kidnapping stories creep me out - so the captivity portion was tough to read. I sped read through it. Thea had given me a preview that the escape was worth it - so I forged on.

I'm always amazed at the insight and intelligence of the group members. Book questions can sometimes bring out personal stories and thoughts - almost therapeutic if you ask me. We laugh, we share both happy and painful memories. Sometimes some of us even pontificate a bit. That's when I try to break in with a smartass joke to break things up. If we all thought the book was bad, we just talk about current events or other books we've read, movies, our jobs, and families. It's all on the table.

Last night, newer member, Amber, took it upon herself to bring background information about how and why the author wrote the book - through the eyes of a five year old boy. I had one list of discussion questions and Amber had a whole different list. Each member took turns picking questions to read.

Through the years, some of the women attending Book Club have started out a little shy - rarely chiming in. Others are rather outspoken. As the unofficial leader, I always try to make sure everyone gets a chance to weigh in on questions. I've enjoyed seeing friendships grow within the group! Several of the people now hang out - outside of club meetings. Members have been wonderful about supporting Thea through her illness, which warms my heart. I know T would be doing the same if roles were reversed. I also like to think of those of us who are older..or let's say, more experienced, serve as role models for the younger women. 

Room isn't a book I would have read on my own. I pushed myself to read it - which is good. We should get out of our comfort zones. Hanging out with smart women who are not my usual buddies is good too!  Viva la reading and Book Chicks!

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

No, it doesn't have anything to do with my cubical at work. Though some days that could cause me to develop some type of syndrome. Especially when the neighbors are loud. Give me drugs!

I've been having pain issues with my elbow for over a year now. Last time I had a physical, I mentioned it to Sheryl Young, ARNP - she's my nurse practitioner and friend. She used to practice in Creston, as a partner to my doc Chuck Hoyt, but now she works here in DSM. At my physical she X-rayed my arm but we couldn't see anything. Never-the-less, it continues to burn in pain right near the funny bone. Mostly when I drive or dry my hair.

When I saw Sheryl right after the first of the year for my sore throat and head cold, I told her again about the elbow. It wasn't getting any better. She hooked me up with a Doc to do a nerve test. No...not that kinda nerve test - like you're on my last nerve. But more like a study of the nerves in my left arm. Dr. William Koenig hooked me up to a couple machines and zapped me with electrical currents, and stuck me with needles. Nice guy!

It wasn't really too bad. And the doc told me what was going on the whole time. Once he was done, he told me the good news - no diseases of those nerves. And nothing dire or too degenerative. But my ulnar nerve is entrapped at the elbow. Otherwise known at Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

It can be caused by breaking my arm - which I did as a child. Damn playing "boys chase girls" at age 4! That's how I broke it. Or since the symptoms showed up so recently...more likely it was one of those falls in the last couple years. How about the banana-peel like one off the little wooden stool when I thought it would be a good idea to oil the cabinets in the kitchen. I thought I was paralyzed - but thank goodness no.

What to do. I talked to Sheryl today. She's lining me up with a surgeon. Not that I've made my mind up about surgery. Another option is splinting my arm at night and working on not bending it any more than necessary. Yeah...we'll see what the surgeon says.

East Court Ave

Will be our new part-time address starting early in February. Paul and I took a look at the two lofts coming available in a couple weeks, and though I liked the smaller one better we decided to go with the bigger one. Why?

Small world department - the guy in the Broncos jacket is from Mallard and knows Diana McKim.

• It's available earlier
• There is a workout room
• The bedroom is a separate room
• It has a small deck
• There are grassy areas to walk Odie around the place

Those reasons trumped the selection of the smaller place. This loft is just three blocks from Paul's office, and about six from mine. The Court Avenue establishments on the West Side of the river are just three blocks away. The East Village stuff around the same distance. We'll be livin' large!

Double Ds are my enemy

No not those Double Ds. You may recall that one year ago, I took the step of joining Weight Watchers. We had just enough people for a group meeting in the Wallace Building at lunchtime on Mondays. I know - tough day for a weigh in! But I was motivated, so it worked.

I was tired of the extra flab around my middle and hips and wanted to several pounds - to get back to my fighting weight. More importantly, I wished to learn to eat more healthy foods - to be more mindful of what I was putting into my body. While not good at dieting on my own, I performed well in the framework of the Weight Watchers system. I utilized the on-line software, tracking everything I ate and stuck religiously to the points allowed. That was really pretty easy during the week while in DSM.

The weekends were another deal altogether, but with Weight Watchers, one is allowed extra points to use anytime during the week. So I would hoard the extra points for weekends. Note - liquor is a quick point user. So I had to watch that - one lemondrop martini is a gazillion points. Most Mondays I was pleased with the result when I stepped on that scale. Once the sixteen weeks of our DNR Weight Watchers program were up, and I had hit my goal weight I felt really good about it.

Of course...spring came, and I slipped into my old habit of less healthy eating. But I kept an eye on the scale - and stayed in a good range for me. For months.

Duffy roll - only in Denver

Until this holiday season. When holiday foods killed me. Food days at work. I got lax about checking my weight.

And the two main culprits that I'm blaming - Double Ds.

Denver Duffy Rolls and Dunkin' Donuts in NYC. They put me over the top. Now I'm heavier than I've been, well since a year ago. I need to lose about 4-5 pounds to get back to a good weight for me. Those pounds aren't exactly slipping away now that I'm back to my normal - non-donut diet either. Donut weight is hard to take off!

Dunkin' right onto my ass - I prefer Dunkin's chocolate cake donut

The worst part of my gluttony at Christmas? Now I need to detox. One year ago, I did so well at taking sugar out of my diet. I got over my craving for the stuff. Now it's BACK with a vengeance. It's amazing how that works. So now...to cut the craving again - BE STRONG!

And another thing...I admit it, I've not been great about working out this winter. That head cold I had post-NYC didn't help. My Wii called to me several times this weekend, and I did walk on the treadmill at Joan's twice last week. Yay me. Paul and I will need to get on a workout routine with our new living situation. The donut pounds will be stubborn.

Healthy eating? Gotta break out the Weight Watchers cookbook. All it takes is time - something my lazy butt needs to get motivated to invest. I'm excited to shop for food in DSM. Whole Foods opens this year sometime, and Trader Joes in WDM is great. Plus all the usual stores - HyVee, Super Targer, Dahls all carry many interesting foods. So no excuses there. Here's our chance! Another challenge will be eating healthy at restaurants.

How did you do at staying healthy over the holidays? Better than Jud I hope!

Jud - chubby

Jud's girlfriend Kara posted this photo of him from one of those apps that helps you make someone look chubby. She says - from Culver's - someone had too many Butterburgers! Lucky he and Kara eat healthy much of the time.

What Jud really looks like...

I don't want to be obsessed by food. I like to eat to live - not the other way around! Wish me luck.

The jacket

I talked Paul into recycling a sport coat today. He took the initiative to take some stuff out of his closet  - to take to Goodwill. Then he and I went to work. I'm a tosser. My mother was a tosser, and I take after her. Paul is more of a packrat. My rule is - if you haven't worn it in the past year, someone else might as well be wearing it. You need to give it up.

There are a few exceptions. Vintage stuff, like the shirt my grandma Momo bought me, and Mom's blue suede pants. And my Adidas Superstars from High School. Some things you just can't get rid of. But just clothes - those have got to go.

I always liked that sport coat - taupe and navy with white. But it was time for it to go! Paul agreed - and began to clean out the pockets before he put it in the bag. Wedding and funeral papers - the oldest one dating back to 1997. Yikes! It hadn't been dry cleaned since then? To be fair, he hadn't worn since 2004...according to stuff in his pockets anyway.

He also got rid of his faded black jeans - yay. Various frayed color shirts, and old logo Cyclone gear. Some other people are going to love those things.

I'm so proud that Paul's cleaned his closets. He's going to be one of the sharpest dressed guys at the Federal Building!

One week to go

One week to go of my usual schedule. After tomorrow's Martin Luther King Holiday, it will be a short week too. Tick, tick. I'm sure Pablo is more nervous about it than I am. After all, he's going to be doing a whole different job, while I'm just changing schedules and roommates.

I feel uneasy about leaving my nice room and bed and Joan's house. What if someone else wants to live there? I'll lose my spot! When I first moved in with Joan, her niece Krissy lived there, and she had laid claim to the downstairs bedroom. As the new kid, and only a part timer, I took the spare bed downstairs in the "living room" area. And was very grateful to get that.

I started my job in December 2008, a very cold winter. It was quite chilly by the window in my bed. I'd sleep with longjohns and socks on most nights. Yes, the bedroom and its large bed and closer bathroom access is much preferable. But...if Joan get another roomie while I'm gone - so be it.

My usual schedule has me leaving Joan's at 6 a.m. to start work at 6:30 a.m. (while it's still very quiet in cubicle-land in the Wallace Building), working until 5:00 p.m. most days. And I'm used to coming home to Creston on Thursdays - leaving work around 3 PM that day to head south. Some Thursday nights, I've had book club.

Then, on Fridays I work a few hours where I'm sitting right now - in my chair. I get work stuff done without the distraction of, well...work. My Fridays in Creston give me some flexibility to run errands, have medical appointments - stuff like that. And go to lunch with my spouse. It's been pretty convenient. But all that is changing, temporarily anyway. I'll stay in DSM through Friday with Paul.

Paul and I hope to leave one car here and drive to DSM together - saving $ on our commute. We're going to have a housesitter. A big burly guy named Bruno who knows jujitsu and has lots of weapons. So if you're reading this and plan to rob our home - forget about it! The kitty will stay here too - so she'll hiss at you - it's very scary.

In the meantime, Pablo and I are off tomorrow to look at a couple furnished downtown lofts. Here's a link to one. Ours would be furnished, so we wouldn't worry about that. It's been a dream of mine to live like this. But not really Paul's. So how fun to give it a "test drive".
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/301-E-Court-Ave-207-Des-Moines-IA-50309/2146751676_zpid/

The lofts probably won't be available right away, so we'll be calling Embassy Suites home for a couple weeks.

Pablo and Leslie's Big Adventure. Let's hope we don't knock over some bad-ass bikers' row of Harleys. (like Pee Wee did in his adventure).

Sick cat

The kitty is congested again - poor thing. She's been like this the past couple years - every few months it gets bad enough that I take her into the vet for a shot of antibiotics. Last night when I got home from DSM, she had a crusty nose. This morning she sneezed in my face. It was time for the vet!

I called early and lucky for me I could get in right away - the joys of a small town. I put her into the small pet carrier and away we went. The tech weighed her right in the carrier - she's down to 6.8 pounds. A few years ago, she weighed 10. Scrawny old thing. Kitty got her shot, and Doc Bruce told me he detected a heart murmur.

On the short drive back home, I found my mind wandering. So much so that I nearly drove through the  red light near the YMCA. For some reason I had suddenly pictured myself as one of those old ladie who pushed their cats around in a cart outdoors. Wacky. It could be me someday..the cat will be 38.

HP

I picked up a new HP laptop computer for Pablo the poolboy today. He had been using my old Dell from 2007 - so it was 5 years old. What's that in laptop years? Do they age like pets, so many years for each one? Poor thing - I think the fan was giving out and it was overheating. I shopped around in DSM this week and got a great bargain. He doesn't need anything too fancy - pretty much all he does is surf the Net on it, and log his hunting information.

I started thinking back to our first computer. We bought it about 1994 - when I worked for Mike Moffitt at Cornerstone Financial. When I worked for Mike, I got my first experience working with a desktop computer, and man - I was hooked! Paul and I bought a computer at Best Buy - and it had something wrong with it, so we took it back right away and got another one. The kids were mad because the second one didn't have as many games. Computers were big bucks back then - and we had to get a Best Buy card so we could get their 6 months same a cash deal so we could pay it off.

Remember the computer games of the mid 90s? They came on floppy disks and were so basic. Jill of the Jungle was one game we (Amy, Jud and I) got hooked one. There was another one where King Kong threw bananas. Those games were addicting!

I had to learn DOS back then. Loading software was so much harder than it is today. All those little diskettes. Computers seemed to last longer back then too. But who could have imagined something as powerful as a droid mobile phone at my fingertips all the time, back in the day of the giant desktop.

I've got my work cut out for me tomorrow - getting rid of all the pre-loaded crap on the new HP. Loading antivirus software, getting the new guy all set up for my baby. I could have paid $129 or so for Office Max to do it. But this way he owes me! Or...I can think of it as a way to pay him back for all the nice stuff he does for me.

Living situation update

Paul and I are still in the process of figuring out the logistics of how his temp job in DSM will shake out. It's exciting! And a bit scary - especially for him, since he's worked at the same job in the same location for oh...25 years now. Man...that seems like a long time. Yes the job has changed through the years, but unlike the most people (me) who change jobs many times through the years, the guy has stuck with the same job loyally.

Paul started his career as a Soil Conservationist with the Soil Conservation Service in while we were on our honeymoon. Well, he got the call saying he got the job then anyway. We were in Vancouver, but that was a worthwhile phone call...we were thrilled - better benefits and more pay than the county job he'd held prior to that. The job was in Oakland, Iowa - Counciltucky's arm pitier cousin! We but we did live in Council Bluffs back then - midway between his job in Oakland and mine in Omaha. Then there was his promotion to District Conservationist (DC) in a flat county - Mitchell in Northern Iowa - followed by our move in 1986 to Creston.

But when I think back...we were just babies (and Amy truly was a baby as she was just 1 year old) when we moved to Creston and Paul became the DC in Union County, replacing Bob Loudon who retired. I remember trotting into the old NRCS (then called SCS) office downtown (before it nearly collapsed and got condemned) with Amy - showing her off to the clerk Iola who seemed elderly even in 1986, but she worked for Paul for many more years.

Paul was one of the young DCs back then. Today - he's a wily veteran...one of the old guys! And he could do his job in his sleep. In fact I think he has.

So a job change...even temporary? It's a bit disconcerting for the guy. And he's got this wife that insists that he needs new clothes. For some reason, ten year old green Dockers won't cut it in the big city in my view. I'm encouraging to purchase some new stuff. Insisting. I even talked him into some slip on kinda driving moccasins loafers. My next goal? Out with the old. I may need to wait until he slips out to check his deer cameras or something...

Odds and Ends

• Remember stocking hats? No not the Santa ones I wore whilst wandering NYC. The kind from my childhood where the longer the hat, the better. I walked by Claire's at Jordan Creek Mall tonight an saw a longish stocking hat, and remember a striped one I used to have. That thing had to weigh my head down...and was a strangulation threat...yet I survived!
• Claire's advertised ear piercing. I can't imagine doing that to someone. Ugh! My mother wouldn't let me get mine done...so I waited until I visited sister Susan in Denver the summer of my Junior year of High School. We went to the mall and I think the person used a needle to do it. Or my faulty memory could be working overtime! Mother was agast, but she gave up.  
• When I got to ISU my friends and I each got a 3rd earring when we were frosh. Mom cried. "Girls that hang at the roller rink have pierced ears" she said. (those girls musta been the skanks).
• Which reminds me - my black sheep sister Cindy once pierced her own ear. (she only had one earring so she only did one). She numbed her ear with an ice cube, sterilized a needle with liquor (probably our paren't fave Ancient Age Bourbon) and poked her right through. Then she kept it covered with her hair when Mom was around and would put her hair behind her ear when Mom was not. (She was sneaky like that). Eventually though - moms figure these things out. And she had to let it grow back.
• Looking for apartments to rent is kinda scary. It reminds me of the olden days when Paul and I lived in apartments - the last one was in Counciltucky. Yep - Council Bluffs, on Little John Circle right behind KMart. They weren't supposed to know I had a cat (Bucko), and we were successful at pulling that off. I'm not sure we could sneak Odie the wienie dog in someplace.
• In my experience, the worst part of apartment life is the neighbors. They're loud (and walls thin). And rude. In CB the neighbors had a huge fight and their fry pan ended up in the back lawn - complete with the spatula! And that was from the 2nd floor - we were on the 3rd.
• Holding the BCS National Championship on a Monday night on ESPN just doesn't seem like a big deal. Or maybe it's because it's 2 SEC teams and nobody around here is too excited about it.

Big Apple Pinstripe Bowl Game Trip Highlights

Brooklyn Bridge - wish we'd had time to walk across it!

I've blogged a long-version daily diary of our trip. Here is the concise version - for anyone who might be considering a trip to the Big Apple. Paul Goldsmith had never been there - I'd tried to talk him into going, along with our son Jud. They weren't interested. Until the Cyclones were asked to play there.

I admit it - I was one of the doubters when the Cyclones were sitting with five wins and a gauntlet of games left. What do you mean, you ask? Let me tell ya: Our team - picked for last in the Big 12 was faced with #2 Oklahoma State (home), and two other top 20 teams - Oklahoma and Kansas State (both away games).

At work, my supervisor sent around a calendar for employees to fill in holiday schedules. Jokingly, I put a sticky note on it saying - "and time off for ISU's bowl game". Wow -the Cyclones blew me away with their upset of the Cowboys! Next it was Bowl Watch - Paul and I were hoping for someplace warm - not the Pinstripe Bowl.

Boy are we glad our hopes didn't come true! When ISU was selected for the Pinstripe - held in Yankee Stadium in New York City on December 30, we were iffy. Would any of our friends want to go? It turned out the answer was yes. Tailgating buddies McKims, McFees and Conovers all signed on - we few into Newark on 12/28 and home on 1/1/2012. It was a fantastic trip!



We stayed at the Carlton a 4-Star Hotel, on about 28th and Madison, sharing rooms to keep costs down. On Wednesday and Thursday rooms were about $350, they were $500 the next 2 nights. We talked to people who stayed in cheaper spots in New Jersey but they spent lots of time on buses and wished they'd stayed in Manhattan. And for the record - it's true - we did prance all around NYC in ISU gear complete with Santa hats...they did help us find each other in crowds.

Also Dr. Don McKim has a future as a tour director when he tires of fitting Creston area folks with corrective lenses and curing eye-related diseases. In ten years or so, look for Donnie and Dee to be offering touring trips to old folks in who like to have a good time. He knows how to schmooze information out of people everywhere, how much to tip and how to figure out how to get from A to B. Good guy to travel with! In fact our whole group got along great as travel partners.

Wednesday 12/28 arrival, Little Italy meal, Rockefeller Center

• -Little Italy is shrinking - as it's next to Chinatown, which is expanding. We ate at a place - the name I don't remember, and I went with boring spaghetti and meatballs. The staff argued with each other like - family! Everyone liked their food. We got to Little Italy on the subway - each ride was something like $2.40, and we bought $20 cards that we swiped each time we used the system, refilling as needed. Subways were clean and efficient - not scary at all.

The security guard kindly took our photo.

-After supper we hopped back on the subway and got off at Rockefeller Plaza. The place was packed with lots of folks lined up to go up to the observation deck - there's a fee and you need a ticket. We headed out to see the Christmas tree and ice skaters.

A window display on our walk home

-We decided to walk the 14 or so blocks back to our hotel. People everywhere - window displays, Starbucks on nearly every corner.


Thursday 12/29
Today Show (Fox and Friends for McKims), Grey Line Bus Tours and Cyclone Gatherings on Times Square

-McFees, Paul and I headed right back to the Rockefeller Plaza early - walking in the dusky chill with our Dunkin Donuts and coffee, all decked out in Cyclone gear. I'd read you should be at the Today show by 6 a.m. if you want to be in front - and we didn't make it until 7 - so we weren't in front. A security guy was nice enough to tell us we needed to scoot around near where all the other people were gathered to get camera time. I did get 3 seconds of fame, standing behind some goofy guys who got on the weather gig. Al Roker was already in LA preparing for his Rose Bowl Parade gig so Stephanie from the Weather Channel was in charge. She chatted up the crowd in our area. She picked the dudes by us due to their goofy hats - so dress goofy and be in front if you want face time! Fox and Friends doesn't have big crowds so McKims were on there quite a bit.

Just like you see on Law and Order...except for the dead bodies

-Our walk from 30 Rock to Times Square to catch the Grey Line provided lots of photo ops. I love visiting places I read about and see in movies and on TV. It makes me feel so connected to those places. And were were there! And it was quite chilly early that day. Our bus pass (we purchased 72 hours for like $60) allowed us to hop off and on) was just the right thing. Some of the tour guides on the buses were good...some not. They were pretty easy to get off and on - but a friend said in the summer they were packed and they couldn't ever get back on. At some stops you must get off - end of the line. We got off at Battery Park where the ferry takes people to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, but planned to do that Saturday - grabbed a bite to eat and made our way back to Times Square.

The skyline from Battery Park

Freedom Tower - going up near Ground Zero

Not wild about crowds

Tonic bar - gathering spot for red and gold clad fans

-That afternoon was the unofficial ISU Cyclone gathering at 2 bars. We started at an Irish bar, and walked through crazy packed shoulder-to-shoulder Times Square en route to the second bar. They were putting up the stages and getting ready for New Years Eve. Later that night, my burger at 5 Brothers? was yummy. We walked back to our hotel with Conovers.
Friday 12/30

The place was huge inside

Yankee Stadium

-Gameday baby! We grabbed some breakfast, and jumped on the subway headed to the Bronx for Yankee Stadium. Don McKim is handy with his iPad, and he had all the routes figured out - some trains stop a lot and we took the one that didn't. We headed to The Dugout - a bar that opened up early for Cyclone Fans, and on to the Spirit Walk, to welcome the team. It was cool seeing Yankee Stadium. Too bad the game didn't go so well...

Yankee Stadium

Foley's - full of sports memorabilia

-After the game we ended up at a cool sports bar, Foley's. Evidently they banned Danny Boy...but they have thousands of pieces of sports memorabilia and good food. We had a chance to catch up with a long time college friend and his gal there. They live here - or at least close. It was nice to catch up and spend time with them.  

Pile of garbage everywhere...

-I must comment on the state of waste handling in the Big Apple. Dismal! They must pick it up in bags daily, because it's all on the curb each night. Recycling containers are hard to find. One would think that the fact that landfills are scarce in the vicinity of NYC, they would come up with good infrastructure for recycling. But it's not evident in Manhattan.

Saturday 12/31

Lady Liberty is always an awesome sight...

Diana etches her mom's name at Ellis

-We hopped on the Gray Line to Battery Park to buy tickets to the ferry to the Statue/Ellis. They're working on the Statue again, and planned to go to Ellis only, but the ferry stopped at the Statue to drop people off. Some people had wisely bought tickets ahead for the ferry, but we were lucky our wait wasn't too long. Security is just as tough as flying, so be prepared to strip down and don't bring bags if you want to go on this trip. Diana's mom came through the island - living there for a few months after WW2 as a young war bride speaking only Italian. The former Isolina Consilvio (Betty Brown) passed away last year in a tragic car wreck. We found her name on a memorial wall and Diana did a rubbing on paper. It was quite moving. For more info. on her amazing life journey, see Betty's Obit here: http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/527178.html?nav=5011

-We wandered around Wall Street after Ellis, looking for food, but the holiday weekend shut most places down. So we ended up at the pier and took the subway back to our hotel area.

-That night, Dwight talked us into Korean Barbecue - a unique experience. Our hotel wasn't far from the Korean district and we walked there. The food was cooked on griddles at our tables. Lots of spices and little bowls of stuff that I couldn't identify. My suede purse still smells like the joint! In the street outside - the evening revelers had started to wander. We were nearly hit by a biker on a giant stingray, wearing a foam Statue of Liberty Hat. Instead of braking he just screamed and put up his arm. Crazy!

-Then, instead of braving Times Square, (yes I'm a wimp), we headed to a new bar a half block from our hotel called The Churchills, where Churchill gives moving speeches in the restroom. The place wasn't packed so we did our best to give a warm Iowa welcome to folks coming in the door - cheering and clapping. The English owner thanked us, asking where we were from. When we told him, he said..."I have no idea where that is...". Regardless we had such fun there - dancing to the 80's hits blasting on the sound system. We watched the ball drop on TV, surreal thinking it was really just a few blocks away - hugs and kisses all around.

What a way to start a year! Then we joined together doing high kicks to Sinatra's New York - whilst in New York. Bars here stay open until 4 a.m.! But we headed back to our room just after 2 a.m., tired but happy Iowans, ready to take on 2012.

Cheers 2012!

Movin' on up

The text message I received from Paul Tuesday came out of the blue. It said something like this: "Zimprich (his supervisor) called they want to detail me to DSM for 3 months talk more tonight" Yikes! That wasn't much to go on! Why, what, how? I had so many questions. But we were both working - I in my cubicle where everyone all around could hear everything I said. So I waited.

That night he called after my roomie Joan and I had taken time to catch up about our Christmas breaks. Paul and I made small talk first about how our days went and other current events...avoiding the elephant.

Then he explained. His supe, Jeff Zimprich, who is the Area Conservationist, will be going to Illinois to serve as the State Conservationist for 3-4 months. While he's gone, an Assistant State Conservationist will go to Atlantic to get some field experience - filling in for Jeff. That leaves an opening at the State NRCS Office. The State Con thought of Paul for that opening, knowing that I work and live in DSM. Paul had one day to decide whether or not to accept the offer. I said "Go for it!" He agreed - to exciting an offer to turn down.

There are many things to consider:

• Paul - his staff and work, and our home in Creston - even though we plan to go home on weekends. Where would we live and how much will they pay for living expenses.
• For me - what about my roomie deal with Joan? Paul will have to work in DMS on Fridays - should I still go home to Creston Thursdays? Will we like living together fulltime?
• And for both of us -  about our pets - Odie the wiener and Kitty, the decrepit 18 year old feline. The mail, the trash, making sure the house is okay. Stuff like that.

It's so exciting though - a chance to live together, maybe close to downtown. I'd love it if I could walk to work! We can have our cake and eat it too - big city life and Creston on weekends. He can "test drive" what a job in the State Office might be like. I hope we can find a pet-friendly place.

The sun did come up

Paul's friend

After the bowl game loss. On Saturday we headed to the bus stop to catch the Grey Line bus to Battery Park for the Ferry to Ellis Island. It was nearly 10 a.m. - after seeing the crazy long lines there on Thursday, we were worried it would be a long wait, but it wasn't bad...unless you dislike street musicians. This one liked us - we were still mostly decked out in ISU gear, so we were easy to pick out of a crowd. He sounded like he was from Jamaica, and he had definitely watched the ISU/Rutgers game because he said - in that accent they have, "yer team needs ter get some offense!" No shit!

Then he sang a sweet song to Don and Diana and told them to have more children. He asked them what Paul's name was, and called him out - saying he bet he'd never kissed a black man before. Paul fessed up right away, saying this was true. So with the weight of the white race on his shoulders (and not one drop of liquor in his bloodstream), Paul gave him a smack on the cheek. I was astonished! Then the guy moved onto the next group. He's the Ellis Island Ferry's version of the United Nations I guess!

Huddled masses yearning to be free

To get on the ferry, you have to strip down farther than you do to fly. I had to take my watch off. Poor Donnie and his titanium hips. But the weather was gorgeous and the boat ride was excellent - sunny and Lady Liberty smiled upon us. We stopped near her base and then moved on to the island that welcomed so many to American soil. It seems so ironic to me that this island has now become such a symbol - yet immigrants are so often even today, looked down upon.

We were on a mission at the island. Diana's mother, the former Isolina Consilvio (RIP) also known as Betty, passed through Ellis Island as a young war bride. She and Dee's dad, Jim Brown were married the last day of the War Brides Act, enacted in 1945 to allow spouses to enter the country after World War 2. Betty's name has been engraved in a memorial wall at Ellis Island, and Dee wished to do a rubbing of the name.

Doing the rub

Diana told the rest of us we could go about seeing the museum - but we wanted stick with her as she did this - we all knew Betty who died in an automobile crash in 2010. At ISU's last bowl game in Phoenix, she rubbed my shoulders as I was tense during the game - saying "it be okay". She never did get English all the way...It seemed fitting that a very light drizzle began to fall as we discovered the location of the name. I held a piece of paper over the site where Diana and Don worked at getting the rubbing. It was all very emotional as tears rolled down Diana's face - I couldn't help but think the rain represented Betty's tears.

My favorite part of the museum were the photographs. If the walls could talk. Just like the war vets, the people passing through Ellis are now passing on. I hope we never forget the history there.

After the ferry returned us to Terra firma, we wandered through Wall Street - there be no food there. At least on weekends. So we headed for the pier where we finally found someplace for lunch. Then we took the subway back to our hotel. It was New Year's Eve baby - we needed to come up with a plan! Dwight and Marilyn had been at a Broadway Play - the Book of Mormon, which they said was good but raunchy. DC got it in his head that we needed to eat Korean Barbecue (and that he needed to wear the ISU chicken hat). This after we tried to put a dent in the liquor we had left.

Ready to order Korean

The Korean Barbecue was very interesting - and spicy. We allowed the waitress to help us select the 8 entrees. They cooked the stuff right on griddles at our tables. I think my purse still smells like it! We drank sake. Not my favorite. Whilst walking back to our hotel from the Korean district, Diana nearly got run over by a guy on a big Stingray bike. He was wearing a foam Statue of Liberty Hat, and must have been quite plastered because he didn't seem to know how to put the brakes on even though he was coming straight for us! He just raised one hand and screamed. I nearly peed my pants from laughing.

We had made the group decision that we didn't want to face Times Square for New Years Eve, so had scoped out a newly opened English Pub by the name of Churchill's a half block from our hotel. We got there just after 10 PM and there was a table right near the front window with our name on it. Our waiter was a cute Australian kid. The music was kinda loud so I tried to come up with something to entertain myself until midnight. They were playing a lot of 80's music. I decided it should be our mission to attract customers in for the owner - the English guy. So when a new person came in the door I would make a touchdown with my arms and yell "score"! Everyone would clap - and the people coming in felt like rock stars I'm sure.

Street lights shining through the window at Churchill's made this shadow...

Soon we were having such fun greeting everyone that the owner came over to thank us. When we told him we were from Iowa, he said - "I don't have any idea where that is...". Next we started dancing, and others were too. At midnight they handed out champagne and we watched the ball drop just a few blocks away...on TV! Hugs and kisses all around. Then they played Sinatra's New York and we did a kick line. It was surreal. More dancing - once I looked over and Diana was dancing with a black chick. (someone we had cheered for when she came in). I think we were the darlings of the bar. We lasted until a little after 2 a.m. There were people all over in the streets and our hotel bar was still rocking. We sat in our room for a nightcap. The funny thing is I had 2 drinks the whole night - I was mostly on a natural high...I hated for the night to end. One of my most fun NY Eve Ever!

Don is ahead of the curve doing YMCA...