On the home front...

We've been showing our house. Quite a bit, actually for lil ol Creston, Iowa. So that mean we have to keep it shiny and bright! After looking at houses last week, the pressure is now on. I know people take this showing stuff seriously!
Stewart Realty Go to #22 Listing 15552

Friday night Paul and I worked at de-cluttering the walk-in closet in our bedroom. After I saw the photos on our realtor's site, I was embarrassed. In our defense, I was not planning on a photo shoot minutes after I arrived home from DSM that Thursday, so I had no time to prepare. (I'm still finding things I shoved in closets and drawers when Roger the Realtor prepared for pictures taking - Paul couldn't find his clip-on sunglasses for 2 days). We also took down lots of fam photos from the walls - that's what they recommend on HGTV, and I'm such a fan ya know. Paul took a whole carload of stuff to Holy Spirit's ReRun Shop.

This morning, I ran around doing some last minute cleaning before the first viewers were to arrive at 9 a.m. We were "showing" the house.

I turned on all the lights - that's what you're supposed to do, even though doing so goes against all my environmentalist views. When we look at houses I go around turning off all the lights! Then Odie and I loaded up in my car and took off. Paul was already out putting up tree stands for the upcoming hunting season.

The pooch and I got gasoline and a paper, then ran through McD's for some oatmeal. Then I parked at McKinley park for a while to each breakfast and take Odie for a short constitutional. Yes, she did do her duty, and I was prepared with a bag. I read the paper while she sat with me in the car. Then we headed to WalMart for a few purchases, before cruising by our place - viewer #2 was due at 10 a.m. and a big white truck was still parked in the driveway just after 10:30.

I choked up and shed a few tears then, as I drove on by...unable to return to my home as strangers walked through it gazing at my beloved place. I drove to Calgary Cemetary just up the road, where I've spent many a therapeutic time walking and thinking. Odie and I sat, and I read my book for a few more minutes. After 11 a.m. I tried again and this time they were gone. Yay - I could go home again. Odie was happy too.

Fingers crossed that we get people interested enough to put in large offers! And when we do sell it, I'll cry again. This isn't easy. But necessary.

On the other end, we looked at lots of houses last Tuesday, and have narrowed down where we want to live - most likely West Des Moines. We like the new homes there or, surprisingly, the townhomes. But we're still looking. It's fun - but now I know just how much work it is for the people on the other end. It's such a big decision - very stressful!

Paul starts his new job a week from Tuesday. He is having an Open House reception this Thursday here in Creston at his office 1-4 PM. I plan to come home early that day to attend. He's been here 26 years and has gone from a wet behind the ears newby to an elder statesman. I'm proud of him.

So all sorts of exciting, scary stuff going on. Isn't life interesting!?!

Chick Trip 2

Robyn began whipping up a fabulous ham and cheese pastry concoction. and I whipped up lemondrop martinis....I'm not much for cooking but I can make a mean drink! After supper, we ended up dancing - rock and roll only, no hip hop. Chrissy don't do that. Flat Chris and Flat Pam joined in.

I texted this picture to Amy and she asked if we were in public - relieved that the answer was NO.

 

In the morning, Rob was again our chef, with some helpers. I was on clean up crew. She made Slomboli or something to that effect...eggs, bacon, potatoes all thrown together. Yum! Then we drove to nearby Hot Springs - and roasted ourselves in a series of hot stinky pools. Sal treated herself to a massage. I'm picky about who touches me...so I'll wait until I can see Chris my regular masseuse again for any bodily rubbing. (or my spouse of course...)

We cleaned up and hit a nearby town for lunch.

buddies since pre-school

 

buddies since nursery school

Paula and Sal

Julia and Chris

 

 

Then some shopping. All of that wiped me out!

Looking at some cool art in the window

 

But then Amy Elizabeth arrived after we returned to Julia's place that afternoon. It was such fun introducing her to my pals. She'd met and hung out the Jule since living on the land of mountains. And she's been around Sal some. But Amy had never met Chris, nor Paula before. And she'd not been around Robyn since she was a tyke. I loved having my girls all together. I don't think Amy's ever really been around single ladies my age - especially cool ones like Robyn, Paula and Chris. It's good for her to know that married or single - we chicks can have fulfilling lives. We stayed up late laughing and telling stories.

 

I rode with Amo back to Eldo the next day - nice to have time for the two of us alone. We took a scenic route off I-70 through Golden and over to our destination. I played sous chef for Robyn and we whipped up grilled sannies for lunch that day. Then we headed to Boulder where a Fall Festival was going on. I made my big purchase of a pepper mill. The $600 cowboy boots were tempting though!

Amy and me creekside

 

That evening Julia whipped up a tasty Italian Soup. We enjoyed hanging out by the river by our little home we were staying in. I had taken along a book called "If", and we sat beside the creek and posed questions to each other like, if you could reincarnated as an animal, what would you be? I picked eagle. Sally's sis Cindy and her husband Dan arrived - so nice to see them. They have lived in Boulder since 1980. Nice to introduce them to Amy too! All too soon my baby had to head back to Denver. It was hard to say goodbye - probably won't see her until Thanksgiving.

Julia and Robyn - Pals

 

In the a.m. it was cleaning time. We got ready to leave and spiffed up the place. Julia took Robyn to the airport - big hug before she left. Love that girlie! Jules got back right before it was our turn to leave. Then we totally missed the turn and barely got Sal to the airport before her flight. Paula, Chris and I had a nice lunch before it was time for Chris and me to catch our flight to Omaha. Paula's flight was delayed to Austin. But she landed about the same time I drove into Creston, so all the girls were home. Tired, and feeling very content. There's nothing like girlfriends.  

 

 

 

  



My girls in Colorado

I'm exhausted. In a good way! I returned yesterday from my long weekend with my girls - some of them have been my friend since we were 3 years old. Paula, Robyn and I attended Mrs. Luin's nursery school together - way down yonder in the Paw Paw Patch. (we sang that song when she picked us up in her station wagon). Sal moved in a few years later and Chris and Julia not until elementary school - 6th grade?

We all converged in Eldorado Springs, Colorado (Eldo) last Thursday because we like spending time together. We had fun last summer at our 35th class reunion, so we planned this then. Jules did a great job putting together a plan for us. Chris and I arrived first and Julia picked us up. We headed to Big D - Denver! To see my baby girl Amy, who rode her bike to a coffee place. Julia and Amy knew each other but it was nice introduce Chris to my daughter. She's such a cutie. Fun hanging out for an hour before she had to head to work.

Then, to Eldo for Chris, Julia and I where we saw Julia's massage studio. It's a cool lil spot along a beautiful river. She doesn't need to pipe in massage music - just crack a window. I bet the sound is just so beautiful along with the masseuse. Then we whipped us some snazzy sandwiches for a gourmet picnic when the others arrived in their rental van a couple hours later to hugs all around. J's husband Jeff was at her place - such a nice guy. We grabbed the cooler and snacks and headed to the park by Eldo - there were hikers and rock climbers, and then us. Chatters and sippers.

That night Julia served us some great cream of butternut squash soup. And we got to see the Hoilien-Mason girls - Zetta and Marcella. Julia worked a deal so four of us could stay a few doors down at her friends home, right on the river. Cool place! Our home away from home.

See Chris and Pam over Chris W's shoulder...

Friday we stopped in Boulder for lunch and a bit of shopping. Our friends Pam and Chris couldn't join us - but Robyn brought along Flat Pam and Flat Chris, and we took them everywhere! Such fun. We even took them shopping. Then we were off to Winter Park - through Estes Park and over Trail Ridge Road.

All the elk Paul didn't see on his hunting trip

The girls look over the wall

Next - we reach WP.

3 a.m. chat and Football

It was a beautiful Friday night for football in Creston - Balloon Days weekend. Always love that.

Balloons over Panther Field

Paul rolled in at 3 a.m. Saturday morning. I thought I'd sleep until he rolled in - it was supposed to be at 2 a.m. But I woke up at 12:30 and thought the clock said 2:30 and thought he was late...so then I started to worry of course! And never really went back to sleep until he showed up. He forgot they had to drop one of the guys off in Fremont County.

Odie and I were so happy to see him! He immediately took a long shower (stinky hunter boy). Then we laid in bed and talked for an hour and a half - catching up on stuff. His trip, my week, the children, the pooch. Moving. Finally, at 4:30 a.m. we gave it up and fell asleep - until 7:15 anyway. Not much sleep for either of us old farts.

But we're Cyclones and it was game day. On the way to Ames, we took a spin through West Des Moines to look at a neighborhood. Then we hit University Bookstore before picking up ice on our way to tailgate in D2. It was perfect gameday weather! Diana had the beans I'd whipped up the day before cooking away. That girl's the bestest. Coach Ryan McKim was there for a few short minutes before he went off to do the coaching thing. Donnie grilled pork loins. Bobbie and Kimmy arrived - no Jeff - he's farming.

Jack in his uni and Olivia at right with Grandma Sharon - left

Every game is a little different. That day, Higgins brought grandkids Jack and Olivia along. Daughter Amanda and her husband Theran and baby boy Cash followed later. Our neighbors Nielsons and Neitzels came by before Luke Neitzel had a visit at ISU - he's being recruited. Good player. I remember when he was about 8 and had a crush and Amy and Stormy...

We walked over for the Spirit Walk again. The players must feel like rock stars during that time. It's fun. On the way back Paul and I stopped at some of his USDA pal's tailgate - they congratulated him, and were very complimentary. Plus we ran into to his new supervisor Larry Beeler during our walk. Lots of Clones in USDA.

Plenty of time to tailgate when the game is at 7 p.m. I didn't even take any liquor into the game. Decided I didn't need to drink after sipping all day. It was family day when kids could go on the field to welcome the team before the game. The crowd was fantastic! Fourth largest ever. Clones with 38 - 3.

Todd's shirt - a bit snarky...

Back in our seats, Todd Stofferahn had on this shirt...a Cyclone fan has to love it! The band marched up the bleachers to play by us.

A 7 p.m. game with wait time for the traffic to clear make for a late night. Especially when you got 3 hours of sleep. I confess I dozed a bit - we took the Ankeny route when I-35 looked blocked. Poor Paul and his coffee got us through. I woke up when we got to I-80 and kept him company the rest of the way. That will be one nice thing about moving - a shorter drive home from games!

Reality is hitting him now that he's back at work. They've scheduled a reception for him October 4th 1-4 p.m. Kinda gives me a nervous pit in my stomach! This is really happening...we're moving. Scary, exciting. Pray for us.

In the meantime...I'll go on vaca with my homegirls!

Homegirls Soon & Goin' Solo No Mo

The Thursday night before our class reunion last summer - with Chris's daughter bottom left

Sunday I'll be packing for my upcoming Chick Trip! Thursday I'm flying to Denver to hang with Julia, Robbie Dob, Chris Watson, Paula and Sally. We'll drive up to Winter Park to J's condo up there for a couple nights. I feel pretty blessed to have had the great fortune to not only have grown up with these girls, but to be able to keep in touch with them. An now - Jackpot! A whole long weekend together. And we just might have a "Croning" ceremony - to celebrate the age that we are. I'm a lucky gal! Laughter will ensue.



Class Reunion Friday night at Irv's Elbow Room

Paul is due home at 2 a.m. is Saturday. I can't wait. I'm tired of going solo! It's been 8 long days. Thanks to the miracle of cell phones, I've been lucky to talk to him a few times, briefly. He purchased a solar charger at REI when were were in Denver in May. He says it's worked well! But it's not liked we've had time to swap daily info like I'm used to.

I bet he'll be all hairy and skinny. At least that's what he looked like last year when he got home. This year he went with three guys instead of just one, so he should have some good stories to share. I feel pretty important - our Lt. Gov's husband's truck has been parked in our driveway all week. Kevin has ISU plates too - so his truck does fit in with our vehicles. (even if my politics don't quite fit with his and his wife's...) Despite that, I'm a fan of Kim Reynolds - and Kevin. They're good peeps. We have known them and their 3 daughters since 1980. I don't know the two other guys on this trip, but I bet they're nice too. But I bet Paul is ready to be home.

Boxes in forefront still need to be sorted and put on tables...
 

Today after work, I volunteered at Creston's Friends of the Library Book Sale setup. There weren't enough tables for the donations! There were lots of good titles and plenty of junky old books donated. In case you read this it's at Lincoln School on Adams Street in Creston this weekend 4-7 Friday night and tomorrow, um - not sure on the times. There are videos too.

I thought about snatching some of the empty boxes for use when we move, but we're still awaiting word from the Federal Government on just how this works...so we're in a holding pattern, and I'm stuck surfing the net for properties I might like to look at someday if they're still on the market.  

It's game day tomorrow in Ames as the Cyclones take on Western Illinois. The Clones are big favorites for once. I can't remember the last time we had a game where we could relax...it might be nice! Should be a gorgeous night for tailgating but I wish my kiddos were going to be here again. Regardless - should be fun. Friends, bevvies, cardinal and gold.




Checkin' in

I spoke to the man on the mountain today. No, not Moses - Paul G. Goldsmith, The Great White Hunter. Elk are playing hard to get this year. (Phew!) Don't tell him I said that...And it rained all day yesterday and last night. So he was a drowned rat, but just like Annie - the sun came out. Today. It sounds like they're hiking out tomorrow and hunting in the lower area. Heading home on Friday. I'm glad. I miss him! Plus I'm a little freaked out about this moving thing and he's not here to calm my nerves. The nerve of him!

Next week it's my turn to be gone and his week to stress out all by himself. I'm going to Boulder and Winter Park with five of my High School homegirls for a long weekend. Woohoo. That's going to rock. Hiking, beverages and laughter. Plus I think we're going to try that Croning Ceremony I read about - or we'll fake it and just pretend.

Monday I worked until noon and drove to Madison, WI all by my lonesome. I had a book on CD to listen to on the way there. Still Life With Crows by Preston and Child. It's about a six hour drive - and I didn't have a GPS, alas. Pablo has it in the mountains. But I managed to find my way to the Microtel. Why is it Indians are in the hotel biz, Vietnamese gravitate to doing nails and Chinese do food? That was one thing I pondered on the way home, when I didn't have a book to listen to...

The next day, I met with several people from Wisconsin DNR about their Green Tier Program. The program cuts through regulations for companies who are already going over and above doing good things environmentally. Cool stuff. I arrived in downtown Madison early and walked around a bit. Of course their capitol isn't quite as impressive as ours...no gold dome. I met the program chief and we headed to the Marigold for breakfast - I had a lovely tomato/artichoke quiche.

Madison is built between a couple lakes. It's a lovely town. I wish I would have had more time to look around. Lunch was with 3 staffers at a place called the Great Dane - on a veranda outdoors. Quite lovely. I'm awful at eating and talking though...everyone was done and I was still chewing!

It was after 8 p.m. when I got back to Joan's. And my roomie is at Lake of the Ozarks, so I'm Home Alone! Except tonight - her niece Kimmy will be here after her class at Mercy.

shoes made of chocolate

It's massive!

Tonight after work I visited the most hugest HyVee in the world - the new one on Douglas in Urbandale. It just opened in August. Here are a few photos. From this video display, it looks like they're going to Leed certification. That means they've gone all out to reduce waste, save energy and recycle. It's very impressive! I must say I'll go back.

Video display showing enviro stuff

HyVee Lounge area...
 

Today at lunch I spied this T-shirt at a shop in the East Village. Thought my pal Vidette might appreciate it. It's prolly tough to be African American in a town like Creston that's 95% Caucasian...

See my head in the window - almost as if I'm (a pasty white girl) in the shirt

Heart of a Hunter

Last year in Colorado

Paul is elk hunting in Colorado this week with 3 other guys that he knows through his work. He's been looking forward to this, well since he went last year. And he's been working out. He decided he wasn't fit enough last year. So this year he put himself on a regimen of biking, weight lifting and running the Creston Panther stadium stairs. He's looking good!

So I'm lonely. It's a good thing - it helps me remember how much my life is built around Paul. It's scary really. Reality check, giving me so much empathy for anyone who has lost a spouse. While I hate that question, "Where's your better half"? It's true - you do begin to function as a unit. Your unit is disrupted when one is gone. Thank goodness Paul is just gone for a week. Odie and I are hanging in there in Day 2. I made my own coffee...it was good! (I know...I'm spoiled). Now to change the furnace filter and empty the dehumidifiers.

He's nearly invisible with cammo on!

Back to Paul and hunting. He is the first hunter I have ever really been around. I remember Dad taking me pheasant hunting once. We stopped by a place down by where the Pizza Hut is now in Atlantic to drop off the birds so they could clean them for him. No blood and guts for Dad. Golf was more his thing.

An recent headline in Iowa papers said fewer hunting and fishing licenses are being sold in Iowa. It's kinda sad that fewer and fewer people are taking advantage of Iowa's natural resources. But I get it. Fewer Iowans have rural roots. That means they're not getting exposed to hunting at a young age, plus thanks to fewer family farms, hunting ground is hard to come by. They'd rather shoot on video games!

In the 1960's and 1970's that wasn't a problem. Paul Goldsmith grew up hunting. On one of our first dates, Paul invited me to his apartment for a meal - a deer roast. I remember biting into a bee bee. Hey - he said he'd shot the deer with a bow. Hmmm. His hunting didn't really affect me until we were married and lived together. Then, he'd take off for scouting and hunting mornings, especially in the fall.

I should explain that Paul enjoys hunting and fishing. He meets his college buddies Mike and Tom each year in South Dakota (now that Iowa doesn't have any birds) to pheasant hunt. But bow hunting deer is his passion. He feels like it's more sporting than gun hunting, and he puts many hours into his sport. He's an ethical hunter who cares about his prey, much like the native American Indians do. The killing part (Bambi...) makes me sad - but I realize (especially after hitting a deer with a rental car on Hickman near Living History Farm in DSM) that we need to help keep the herd down.

2008 deer

Most people don't understand how bow hunting works. I didn't either before I met him. Early in the fall, before the season starts, Paul sets up several tree stands along paths where deer travel. Then, depending on which way the wind is blowing on hunting day, he selects his stand for the day. When he hunts he leaves our house an hour before sunrise all decked out in cammo - his face is even painted. He is scent free because deer have a great sense of smell.

When he gets to his parking area for the tree stand he's selected, he usually can walk in with no flashlight - carrying his bow and a fanny pack. The stand is up high enough that he needs steps screwed into the tree to climb up. He straps himself up their with a safety harness to prevent a fall. Then he sits there and watches the sun come up - and the woods awaken. Through the years, owls have nearly landed on him, squirrels have checked him out and he's seen lots of other Iowa wildlife. It's very calming for him.

Then there are the deer. He usually has two licenses - a doe license, and the Big One. Early in the season he's patient - awaiting the trophy buck. Every good hunter wants the big one. Some hunters can pop out there one day and shoot a good sized (or even a monster) deer. It's kinda maddening to those who put more time in. I think of it like this - some people don't train for running a half marathon and can finish in a decent time. But if you work hard and train for it...when you finish in a time you are proud of, it feels very satisfying.  For Paul, hunting is about the whole experience, not just the kill. He usually only takes a couple shots the whole season. The arrows are razor sharp. The deer needs to be fairly close for a good shot. Paul has deer calls to draw them in.

After gushing about how wonderful it is...hunting has been the cause of some of our marital, shall I say irritation? Especially when the kids were very young and I had to get up with them early on weekends. He would be gone hunting, and instead of taking turns on Saturday and Sunday, getting up with baby - during all of October and November, it was my turn. Even on my birthday - November 4, which is during The Rut. That is when the females are in heat and the males are crazy - not paying attention to hunters as much. You probably know by now I'm not one to suffer in silence. We usually had to have one argument during that time - so I could get it off my chest. It usually came down to me getting some "me" time too.

Now that the kids are all growed up, I enjoy the quiet time in the house by myself when he's hunting. I can even sleep through it when he gets up to leave! This week long elk hunting stuff in the mountains makes me a little nervous though! I hope an elk has his name on it - that would be a great thrill for him. Just a week away from real life will be therapeutic though. Stay safe Pablo!

Big News...Soon to Be Commuter No More

Big news from the Goldsmiths. One week ago, while I was waiting in Dr. Schulte, the surgeon's office, I received a text from my husband that said, "ready to move to DSM?". Gulp! He had applied for a job with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at the State Office in Des Moines, but we knew many people had planned to apply for that job. So I wasn't counting on it. I texted back, "What do you mean?"

He got the job! He will be the EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) coordinator.  This is NRCS's largest cost share program they administer in Iowa. His supervisor is the guy he replaced temporarily last winter when we had such a grand time living in the loft in the East Village. There was an opening thanks to a retirement in July, so we've known for a while this opportunity was coming up. Paul put his application in after we got back from Oregon in July.

This new job will be a huge change for Paul after working as District Conservationist in Union County for the past 26 years. He's certainly enjoyed his time here - he's had a great board and some good staff to work with through the years. Yes, we had hoped longtime clerk Iola Carlson would remember the kids in her will....but I'm sure the church needed the money more. haha.

So last week, I didn't really have time to absorb the texted news before surgeon Dr. Schulte came in to check out the shoulder. It's much better - finally! I'm supposed to be doing exercises and I need to get on that. But Physical Therapy is over - thanks to Geri for her care and concern over the past few months. I think I'd like to hang with that girl - well, woman - she's my age, and I liked her.

Anyway...after seeing the doc, it was time to drive home. I usually listen to a book on CD - but I had to turn it off...my mind was racing. I couldn't concentrate on a murder/who-done-it. I had a lot to think about. What? We are actually going to move to Des Moines? Yay!

Oh Shit! Leave Creston - the place we call home? Where Amy has lived since she was 1 year old, and Jud and Patrick were born. Leave a town that has watched those kids (and Paul and me) grow up? I love those people..and I love our house! It fits me like a glove - and it's nearly paid for. The friends we've made have seen us through good times and bad - simply the best. I'm sure there will be more on this to come in future blogs.

During the drive my mind kept spinning. How would we do it all? Sell a house, buy a new home? Meet new friends but keep the old (hey isn't that a Brownie song?) I started to freak a little - I admit it. But suddenly it all became clear. I would get to live with Paul again. And have a living situation where we can participate in a community. I will be able to volunteer again. I look forward to that. I became calm.

We had to keep the news on the downlow until Tuesday this week when Paul could tell his staff, and his new boss Larry Beeler could announce it to his staff. Of course we told our children last Friday when they were home. They knew we had been considering this move. Still they're sad to see us leave their hometown. Yet Jud and Amy are excited for our future. They're proud of their daddy, and glad for us and our new path in life.

Living the way we have the past four years has put a big crimp in our lifestyles. I've been lonely at times, but at least I've had the bestest roomie, Joan. Paul only has Odie the yappy wiener dog. It's not bad in the summer, but he really sounds bleak in the winter. Now we'll be together - like a husband and wife should be. That's what I tell myself when I start to panic.

So congrats to my husband on his new job! He is leaving me in the morning to hunt elk in Colorado for a week. He better come back alive or I might have to hurt him! Stay tuned - it should be an interesting next few months.

Gameday Baby!

It was the perfect setup. Amy picked up a cheap plane ticket home for Labor Day weekend. Kara and Jud planned to come. It was ISU's home opener football game. The weather looked to be perfect. Ummm the Cyclones were 1 point underdogs to Tulsa, but we had faith in Coach Rhoads and team...

We met at McKims with Dee, Don and Jeff Thursday night for some pre-tailgate planning (I was late...I had to talk God with my book club homegirls- we read the book "The Shack"). We settled on burgers and brats, and I decided to do a batch of cheesy potatoes, Dee had various other assignments as usual. We also planned for plenty of beverages. Donnie likes to feed the girls delicious shots. Like chocolate milk and white cake vodka.

Paul headed to the DSM airport Friday afternoon while I worked on snack mix, waiting for Jud and Kara to arrive from KC/St Joe. They played Wii Just Dance (Jud can dance without a beer in his hand!) while we waiting for Amy and Paul to get home. Then we grilled and enjoyed a meal together. Love to get my kids home! It was an early night since we planned to get up early Saturday. (Except for Amy - she met Stormy Lee at the Lobby and paid the price cuz she was tired).

When we pulled into Ames and neared the stadium, I got goosebumps! I love it! Our new parking spot is just across from RV parking - perfect. We unloaded and Paul whipped up the first Bloody Marys of the year. Paul and Jud helped Don put up the tent and the awning. We helped Diana get set up for the crowd. Then I dragged the Goldsmith fam to the Alumni Building for a fam photo. You know me...ever the Frannie Liebowitz.

Amy wasn't really into the #1 thing...

Still fans after 30 years of marriage...

Kara and Jud

 

Jeff, Dwight, Paul

Yesterday we had a great tailgating crowd - our neighbors Todd and Beth Nielson, plus Sherry Walters brought a big group of kids. Don's folks Margaret and Fred came, Katie McKim (with adorable puppy) was there. Conovers stopped by. Son Phil Conover was there as well. Amy's former roomies the fab Jenna and Rachelle were there, plus a couple of Jud and Kara's friends. Paul and Jeff were the chefs (they had a lil meltdown with the grill at the end...fortunately the '91 Pace Arrow RV did not burn to the ground).

Fred and Margaret "the Enabler" McKim

A great singer from NW Iowa - Damon Dotson was "in the house" (parking lot) so we made our way to C4 to have a listen on our way to the spirit walk. That's when the bus pulls up and the team - at least the captains and the senior and coaches walk past a gauntlet of fans.

Cy plus CPR (Coach Paul Rhoads)

Way to put your hand up right when I snap the pic Coach Ryan McKim!

We still had some time for more tailgating before we headed into the stadium.

High School kids - the legacy we hope!

Don and Paul start the season right

Donnie made shots for the girls

Our gal Susan stopped by - her first ISU game in years!

And so it begins again!

 

 We feel like winners, surrounded by family and good friends hanging out, enjoying beverages and food. ISU started out the season with a win over Tulsa - next up the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City. Always a challenge. Go Cyclones!