Mele Kalikimaka without Boldie

I admit I've been fretting about how Christmas Eve might go without Bolder around to be a part of the annual Lefebvre Christmas Eve extravaganza. The guy was larger than life, after all. So I can imagine what my sis Cindy must have felt like before the party. Colby and Cindy's best friends Bonnie and Eric's son Byron were in charge of leading Christmas carols, after years of being mere backup singers.

Cindo was in full party prep when we arrived Sunday. We tried to help where we could - but she and Colby pretty much had it under control. That afternoon, we drove into Vail so Cindy could pick up her Golden Bear jewelry, which was at the store getting polished. Golden Bear is one of Vail's signature stores. Bolder used to buy her pieces for gifts.


Cindy and me with Albert Einstein (at right) at the Golden Bear store in Vail

We thought the best thing we could do was to get out the way Monday,  when Cindo was in full party-prep mode. We did a bit of shopping in Edwards with Jud and Kara, after lunch at Fiesta. Amy came to lunch too after she spent the a.m. in Glenwood Springs at the vapor caves.

Jud, Kara, Paul and I hung out at the Riverwalk Hotel's lobby that afternoon. Jud and Kara played board games as it snowed delightfully. The four of us attended a 5 PM Lutheran Church service held at the Interfaith Chapel where Bolder's memorial service was held. Only about 20 people were there - not sure if the small crowd was due to the snow or the fact that people were traveling. That made it rather intimate though - everyone introduced themselves and we said where we were from. The pastor was from Des Moines! He started naming Lutheran Churches in Iowa, until I mentioned we were Catholic...that put a smile on his face. My favorite part was the candle lit singing of Silent Night at the end. I admit it choked me up at times - very moving. Then it was on to the party!

Cindy was putting the final touches on things. The place looked great! Dips, wings, meatballs, cookies, wine, beer, pop, water - it was all there. The tree was perfect! Paul and I were set to cook the wiener winks. We took a few quick family photos, before people began arriving.

Colby was wearing "The Sweater". It's his legacy from his father. I don't even know the story behind this work of art. But he definitely looked the part. 

Colby doesn't tuck the sweater in like his father does...

Prior to arriving, Colby and Amy had been at E-town and Woody's, Bolder's fave hangouts, for refreshments to prepare for the evening. Byron arrived a bit later - looking classy - hair freshly cut, and with new glasses. I think they went to the garage for some liquid courage prior to their first set. People continued to arrive, and the noise level began to arrive. Paul and I chatted with the friends we've made through the years.

Then it was time. Colby, Byron, the Sanders kids - Kelsey and Reeve, Sarah Melzer and a few others got into position and it was time. We sing, and if we don't know the words, we sing "hanna hanna hanna". It's fun. This year, Bart Garton wrote a song to one of the Christmas tunes with works about Bolder. Was it Winter Wonderland? It was very clever, mentioning how he liked to bowl, and how he buttoned his shirts to the top. It made us all sing and smile. Cindy's friend Clarey kept hugging her the whole night! Actually Cindy got hugged a lot by a lot of people. Kara got mistaken by someone else's girlfriend. Holly broke a wine glass and just kept eating her wiener.

We sang the very last set about 9 p.m. That's when the kids come out in the Hawaiian skirts and we do Mele Kalikimaka, complete with motions. It was so fun, we did it twice. I was feeling the joy. This holiday season, every time I heard that song - in Younkers or where ever, I though of Bolder watching over me. It made me happy. About 10ish it was time to go. Of course Cindy was up until all hours cleaning up. I hope she was pleased with the party - as pleased as one who has lost a spouse could be. And all the parents can be pleased that Bolder's legacy has been passed on through their children. A Merry Christmas Bolder Style!

It's like he's on vacation

We survived Christmas without Bolder. It was weird. I'm still in denial. I'm pretending he's just away - that it's temporary. Boldie was such a larger than life guy. Dammit - why does death have to be so permanent?

Anyway, Christmas was very nice. We started out last Saturday on some dark roads that were a bit icy to start with. Des Moines had that giant storm - 12+ inches on Thursday. Some of it melted right away and melted, before freezing solid when the temp dropped. Then all that snow fell on top. Great for city and state crews to battle - NOT. Paul drove, and he just took it easy until we got past it, about Adair.

Wish I would have gotten a better pic of the Brownlees...

Odie was with us - we got to Denver about 4 PM. Jud and Kara were already at Amy's. That girl travels to the airport quite frequently thanks to our family and her friends! I am so happy all of us were able to be together for Christmas again this year. Kara's family had celebrated a couple weekends prior when Kara's brothers were able to attend.

We headed to Aunt Marty and Uncle Bill's later that evening for a family gathering. My cousins came over - Richard, and Amy with husband Tom and their children Matt and Kate with bf Garrett. Marty has a bad ankle and is in a wheelchair (She had surgery yesterday to fuse her ankle, cousin Amy reports it went well.)

Amy perches in Marty's wheelchair. Richard chuckles behind Marty

Uncle Bill and Tom

It was such fun to be together! Marty was telling stories from her childhood. Tom Brownlee (Cousin Amy's husband) and Jud are so similar - they get along great. Kara fit in nicely. Amy (daughter) and Marty love to talk travel. There is nothing like family. Marty and Bill were delighted with the pheasants Paul brought them from his South Dakota trip.

The next day, we picked the kids up from Amy's apartment for the trip to Vail. First we ate at Jelly - the yummy restaurant close by Amy's place. Amy and I split egg hash with beets. Isn't it beautiful? I love the old cereal boxes around the joint! I remember Quisp. They had a Quake box too.

After breakfast, Paul packed like a surgeon (it was filled to the brim) and we headed up the mountain to Vail/Edwards, arriving at about 2 p.m. It was good to hug my sis.

Calling it a Career

Brian and Garth Frable

Our Bureau Chief, Brian Tormey, is retiring at the end of the year. I'm going to miss that guy. Today we had his reception at the Wallace Building - with a baseball theme. Brian is a baseball and a hockey fan. And I didn't know, he is a huge Mets fan.

Check out the clever centerpieces - recycled from a high school graduation

Angie Clark, a technical staff person in our bureau, took charge of the party planning. Man, I want Angie to plan my next party. She rocks! I should have known...as that's how she handles all aspects of her job. Angie is very thorough and competent. She had a team working with her to put the party together - steamed hot dogs, just like at the ball park, with nachos, chips, and cracker jacks! Plus we had some marvelous cake from Costco.

Bill Ehm (it's pronounced aim) and Brian

Creston's own Division Administrator Bill Ehm presented Brian with a plaque commemorating his time with the State of Iowa. Before that he had put in time with the US Postal Service. So his retirement will be double dipping!

I forget how funny Brian is, but he had it going today. He brought a bag of stuff from his cubicle - Show and Tell. Here is one thing he brought.

 

Brian said the "Nun" chucks were a result of 12 years of Catholic education. Note the little nuns at the bottom left - ready to be launched by the apparatus. Too funny. It was nice to see some faces from the past at the reception. My first supervisor, Al Goldberg was there. I started my job at DNR 4 years ago today!

 

On a sad note, I found out yesterday that a woman from our bureau, who had been awaiting a heart for a transplant - got called to come to Iowa City Monday. Sadly, she was receiving some plasma prior during the procedure and her body reacted. She didn't make it. I was at work early yesterday, and overheard the Section Supervisor, Cal tell the news to a few who get to work early as I do. I felt so bad, even though I didn't really even know her. Everyone went from the high of being happy that Sandy's new heart was here, to the low of her death - all in 24 hours.

 

At his reception, Brian mentioned that last Friday Sandy had come into his office to congratulate him on his retirement. She had been back working, part time. She had an external pump to assist her heart. She was only 51, but had a heart attack a year ago, and then had more problems a few months later. She had been in the hospital in Iowa City many weeks,  and then recovered at home for a while before she returned to work while awaiting the call about the donor heart.
 

Brian said last week, Sandy mentioned that through it all, her faith sustained her. Brian felt good about that. It was a somber note during a happy occasion - his reception. But I was glad he brought it up. He's no stranger to grief. Just 4 years ago, right before I started my job, his wife passed away from breast cancer. So he was out of the office for several weeks when I first started work.

 

Brian's son stopped by for the party. And his bro, Ed works as the Bureau Chief for the attorneys at DNR - so he was there too. Nice that he got the support of family for this day.

 

It's hard to believe he won't be sitting in that cubicle next to Angie in a couple weeks. I'm going to miss him. Good luck big guy! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It pays to live...

Deep in the heart of Iowa. DSM. The Capital City, where people come to shop and work. And visit their children and their boyfriend.

Al and Sharon on a warmer night (San Antonio 2011)

We benefited from all of the above last weekend and Monday! We love it! Friday night I was tired from a long week at work. Paul had gotten home late, and we were just hanging out when I got a call from my friend Sharon Higgins. She and Al were on their way home from daughter Amanda's, and they could stop if we were home. Hell yes!

 

Our place can be a bit confusing to get to - especially in the dark. We saw them drive by once on Cody Drive. Our red rope lights on the deck helped clue them into our location. We enjoyed showing them our new home, then they sat and talked for a bit. We even scored a nice housewarming gift, a nice bottle of wine in a cloth Cyclone bag. It's so nice that people stop to see us.

Saturday we got up early and went to HyVee before the crowds. I enjoy all the choices there - cheeses and organic Stonyfield yogurt. Paul is going to try Chobani yogurt. (I know he's really going out on a limb, huh...) I baked cookies that afternoon while Paul worked on shelves for his hunting closet. The Cyclone Men's basketball team was playing late in the afternoon in Des Moines but we chose not to spend $70 per ticket. It was on TV, but we headed off to Mass at St. Francis at 4:30 PM. Just as I sat down, my old pal (and someone Pablo knew at Beckman HS in Dyersville) Jane Ertl, in town visiting her boyfriend Ken Root, tried to call. I quickly texted her "In Mass".


Ken and Jane on a trip

Turns out they were headed to Mass too - in Norwalk. They came to our place later where we shared a bottle of Kendall Jackson and some cheese. Dang - I should have had some good stuff on hand instead of just plain 'ol Kraft! Jane brought us koozies from her biz in Dyersville (Dville Diecast) and a potholder she knitted herself! Quite impressive.

Then we headed to a Hibachi grill near Costco. We sat in a booth, but could hear the entertainment on the other side of the wall - drums and chanting! We had a nice time chatting and catching up. We really liked meeting Ken who is in radio broadcasting. They seem to have a great time together - enjoying the same activities, biking, kayaking and travel. I'm so glad Jane has met someone like Ken.

Sunday was similar to Saturday - I ran errands and shopped. Don't tell Odie the wonder pooch but she scored a blingy pink collar. I'm saving it for Christmas though. I've been working on the Christmas letter, and then had to get the new printer set up to poop it out! Wireless, yo! I'm so proud of myself. Plus I baked another batch of cookies, as I wasn't sure I liked the new recipe I tried the day before - they had crushed peppermint sticks in them, and turned out kinda dry.


Don and Diana at last year's bowl game pre-game party

Just when the Packer game was winding down, Paul got a text from Don McKim, who was sitting at Champps sipping a cold one while wife Dianna shopped. So we headed over there to see our buddies. Hugs all around. I've missed those kids! D had texted me a pic of a lemondrop Friday night - she was celebrating after the Panthers knocked off the Harlan Cyclones in Boys hoops. It made me miss living in Crestonia. But here they were and we got all caught up!

Monday nights my bestie Deb Peterson works in Ankeny. After work she needed to do some errands, including a stop at Scheels, near our home. So I met her at the mall - (it was take your dog to see Santa night...lots of yipping!), then we came back to our place for some Pablo chili. Deb's such a wonderful friend and her visit brightened my week. Between all those Creston peeps we're now caught up on the Creston doins!


Deb and me at her son Keith's wedding

So fun to see everyone. Makes moving not quite so lonely. Perhaps we should keep this Christmas shopping pace going all year long. Naw. But we do enjoy the company!

It's supposed to be "The End of the World" as we know it...

Have you put off Christmas shopping with the hope that you won't have to? That maybe the Mayans (and some other current religions predicting End Days) are right and December 21 is it? The world is coming to an end?

I haven't spent a great deal of time shopping, because our family is pretty easy these days.

• Paul and I are attending ISU's Liberty Bowl Game in Memphis. That rules out any big gifts for either of us. Plus I got new tires on my car. Fun, huh?  
• Amy and Jud give us gift suggestions after we hound them. Other than that cash is king.
• Betsy has the only 2 kids not yet in college. That's our rule for nieces and nephews. Older kids are out of luck. We go the easy route and gift cards for them.
• My sisstie uglers and I trade names. I have Cindo this year. We usually get something for Colby, since we're with them at Christmas, so fun gathering together to unwrap gifts. It's going to be so weird that Boldie won't be there. ;>( I'm praying him up some Budweiser.
• Jud's GF Kara will be with us, so we'll get her a lil somethin.
• Various charity related gifts - Toys for Tots etc.

See - pretty simple. Other than odds and ends that I come up with. I must admit I'm a big 'ol scrooge. I have been since the kids grew up and we quit having to pretend. I'm afraid I dwell more on what (who) I'm missing this time of year than what I'm given. I know - it's silly. I really have so much, and so many people in the world whom I love and who love me.

 

I baked one batch of cookies today, and will do another batch tomorrow. And, I really am going to get the tree out this weekend (the small one, not the biggie - since we'll be gone for Christmas anyway). At least it's not the dangling tree shaped air freshener I saw that someone was using. It was on a wire, hanging over their presents. Quite clever actually...I'll have to remember that one. If the world doesn't end...

I hope I'll be watching this again on the 22nd:
NASA Message
Their take on "Why the world didn't end yesterday". They put this video out ahead...just in case...

First Love

I saw this McCauley fam photo on Facebook yesterday and it took me down memory lane. I see Mike and his parents and two sisters in the pic. Man, that must be Kathy's daughter - she looks like her! Mike says the Korean bros weren't there.

McCauley Clan

The McCauley Family. I spent a lot of time with this clan when I was a teen. The parents are Dick - who was a classmate of my Aunt Marty. The mom is Pat, who taught music at Washington Elementary during some of my years there. Paula Bacon remembers Pat sending the two of us the the principal's office! Evidently we were talking (and smirking) during music class. I believe I've blocked that black day out of my memory bank...I've forgiven Pat though, because she played the violin at our wedding. It was beautiful!

Their son Mike was my high school boyfriend - really my only other long term boyfriend besides my current squeeze. Mike is the oldest of the group, followed by Dorothy and then Kathy who I think is Betsy's age. Dick and Pat adopted two sons from Korea - Joe, who was a baby when they got him, and Bok who was 10 when adopted, I believe.

I loved hanging out at their house. Dick and Pat liked motorcycles and snowmobiles - so Mike had access to each. He even had his own dirt bike, a Honda 175cc. His mom had a Honda 200 that I learned to ride, and I even got my cycle license! One winter I went to Okoboji with them for a snowmobile trip. It was such fun riding the snowmobile on the lake so fast, without worrying about trees. My grandpa saw me riding on the back of Mike's motorcycle on Highway 6 in Atlantic without a helmet, and he tattled to my parents, and I got in trouble!

Mike liked to hunt pheasants, and a couple times I walked along - good preparation for me to be married to Paul someday. Oh not that I walk along with Paul. It's just that I can kinda picture what he's doing. I guess 17 year old love is different than 55 year old love, huh? I tried to get my buddies to "like" Mike's buddies too - Diane and Chuck Templeman, and Mona and Tommy Chlorophyll (his real name is Green - Mike's next door neighbor). Just kidding Mona - he was too cool for you....

Mike is such a nice guy - he could get along with everyone in our class - from the jocks to the hoods. By our senior year we had broken up but were still good friends. He went to Iowa Western in Council Bluffs after High School, and I went to ISU of course. We continued to stay in contact though. Mike was handy with tools, and in college I had him in stall my new cassette player in my new 1977 Chevy Monza. A bitchin sound machine! I only blew the speakers twice. 

Mike met a Harlan girl named Lori and I attended his wedding. I believe they have three sons. Mike and Lori lived in Atlantic for many years after college and he managed a couple different businesses. A few years ago they moved to Michigan where I lost track of him, until I tracked him down on Facebook - I know I love it and I hate it, but it can be useful! I'd love to get together with Lori and Mike again someday to get caught up. I'll always have a place in my heart for the McCauleys!

Not so lonely

Deb and Larry

 

It's good to have friends! Especially friends that make a point to stop and see you when they're in town. On Saturday, Paul and I attended evening Mass at 4:30 p.m. at St. Francis (Paul's niece calls it St. Lexus...but heck, we drive a Subaru...) There we ran into a couple from Creston, the Fremls, Tom and Karin - in town shopping. Then Paul spied Gary Hemann - former Creston physician across the church. West Des Moines is shrinking already.

After mass, we welcomed my bestie Deb and her husband Larry, in town for a day of Christmas shopping. And ready for a beer! We enjoyed showing them the new digs. Just that day I'd finished putting pictures on the wall. I also enjoyed setting my some of my grandmother's (I think the stuff came from both of them - Zora Stewart Bullock and Nellie Weber Morehead) beautiful cruets and other glassware on the built in shelves in my bedroom.

We so enjoyed catching up on family and Creston news with Larry and Deb. Conversation was constant! It was as if we couldn't get the words out fast enough. Oh how I've missed my friend! And Paul too misses friendly familiar faces in his daily life. Later we went to Jethros in Waukee for a meal together. Deb and I had Planter's Punch - yummy. Paul and Larry - beer. It was such fun to be with them, and I disliked saying goodbye.

Sunday we woke up to a bit of snow on the ground, much to Odie's displeasure. She would not go potty, even for her favorite - banana pieces. At least until the snow melted, later that morning. My lil buddy Krissy had given us tickets to the ISU Women's basketball game that day, so we headed to Ames for the 1 p.m. game against Fairfield. We were glad the Cyclones bounced back after their defeat by the Hawks a couple nights earlier, and best of all their All American  Chelsea Poppens was back on the court. She had suffered a concussion a couple weeks prior.

Bobbie and Jeff

That evening, I cooked up some soup, and it was simmering on the stove.  I cooked it up for today at work (Munchin' Mondays - we're taking turns bringing food). Before we got anything out for supper, Jeff McFee called Paul to see if we wanted to meet Bobbie and him at Granite City. McFees were on their way back from Ankeny - visiting Caleb and Krissy at their new home there. I forced myself back into jeans from my sweats and off we went - we aren't wasting chances to see buddies! Daughter Kimmy was with them, and we had a nice time hanging out and catching up. Paul misses farm (and other) talk with Jeff, that's for sure. And we've always had such fun together on Friday nights - we miss that here. It sounds like Kim can house and dog sit while we're in Memphis for the bowl game. Good deal!

The Chicken Tortilla Soup was a big hit a work today. I took blue corn tortilla chips along and some salsa from World Market. A couple other people brought food too. After work, Paul and I decided to stop briefly to pick up a few things at the store right off the freeway. Okay, Okay, I admit it...it was a WalMart. I like that I can get generic Allegra D there. On the way in, I ran into my old friend Jane Buck, who was in a great mood! Paul and I each received a big hug, which made my day, really. It was nice to see her so happy. Odie was happy to see us when we got home. Such a nice way to wind down the day.

Me with Jane last winter

My sis Cindy started back to work today. She says it was good to be back, though she is very tired. Thanks again to all who have kept your positive prayers and thoughts going out to/for her.

A few funnies

I like to collect funnies.

This is for my friend Robyn

 

Don McKim and I are very intelligent and funny after beverages...

A rug we need at our house...

 

This week seemed long. My overall supervisor Brian, announced recently that he is retiring at the end of the year. He turned 60 this year, and he has not been in the best health...his back has bothered him for months. I feel like I owe my DNR career start to Brian, and I'm sad to see him leave the department - though I'm happy for him. When I quit my job at the Union County Landfill, I began applying for jobs, but had my eye on DNR positions - particularly one in Brian's area. I saw him at a conference in the fall of 2008 in Ottumwa, and he was nice enough to give me a heads up about the position I eventually got.

Even though Brian oversees 3 other sections besides ours, he has a special interest in my Environmental Management System program - so that will be a big change for me, when he leaves. The head of the next level up - Creston's own Bill Ehm won't fill the position until Brian is gone. It will be interesting to see how that goes!

Pablo and I headed to Adel today to get our driver's licenses updated. We were able to register to vote, and we registered for our Homestead Credit. So it's official now - we're Dallas County residents. And I miss my Creston Homies and neighbors. But I sure like my curbside recycling bin!

Every other week they come pick it up!

Diamond Brooke

Photo from earlier in the year...

I know - it's a corny name. It's our Townhouse Association. There are 66 units, with 2 basic layouts A and B. (Ours is a B with 4 bedrooms, but we use 1 as an office). It makes me feel so mature (translation...old) when I realize we live in a townhouse. Geez, my parents moved into their condo the year we got married. But I guess that was when they were about my age. Gulp. They seemed so much older!

We found out the scoop on the two layouts and the number of units last night when Paul and I attended the Diamond Brooke Holiday Party at Bravo Cucina Italiana near Jordan Creek Mall last night. There were around 25 people there, and the ones we got to talk to were all very friendly. There were several retired teachers in the group. I sat by a gentleman who had been a steamfitter for the DSM schools. He's a biking fanatic now. The food at Bravo was great - I had the salmon.

Despite feeling old, Paul and I seemed to be on the younger end of the age spectrum in the group. Many of the people there were retired and were headed off to warmer climates soon. Sally, who lives on our street - there are two and ours is a cul de sac, told me that the ladies of Diamond Brooke get together each month for an activity, liking going out to eat. That should be a good way to get to know people. We also met Leslie - who moved to a townhouse down the street in July with her husband from Atlanta. But she's originally from eastern Iowa near Paul's home town. Small world. And she's about our age.

Trail just north of EP True

Here's a couple photos I took on my walk last Sunday - the berm between the trail and the road really blocks you from Jordan Creek. I'm looking forward to riding that trail next summer.

Diamond Brooke from afar
 

Special Day and our weekend

It would have been our son Patrick's 21st birthday today, December 2nd.

The people showed up after I took the pic

We attended mass at St. Francis of Assisi. It was my first time there - at least as a resident. It is a beautiful church, and was filled with people. I thought about my little guy during mass. What would he have been like. I put Patrick's picture up in my room on Friday. Of course he never grows older in the picture - he's always a perfect newborn.

I joked with Paul the other day that if Patrick was alive we probably would be heading to Iowa City tomorrow  to buy him a legal drink. I just have a feeling he would have been one of those kids who didn't want to do what the rest of the family did. So he would have been a Hawkeye...and that would have been just fine! Let's hope he's someplace hanging with his Uncle Bolder - but not drinking Boldie's signature drinks...straight vodka with a Bud chaser...

The rest of today we continued to make progress putting things in their proper places. Paul even put up some Christmas decorations. He asked if I wanted to put up some Christmas decorations. Nope! Can't deal with them yet...but we do have lights outside thanks to him. Tomorrow night, we meet some of the neighbors at the Diamond Brooke Holiday Party - our condo neighbors. Wish us luck!

Other stuff
We're getting settled into to our new home. Friday I only worked a couple hours, and then took Odie in to get her nails trimmed and her anal glands expressed. I selected a vet clinic near where we live on Ashworth Road. The owner is an ISU guy, and the place looks more like a little house than a business. I liked that. The people seemed very nice when I checked in.

Odie didn't wish to stay there as I filled out the paperwork. She saw the other doggies, and she knew no good could come from her being there. She was right - she doesn't like what they do to her. The vet we saw was a nice young woman. The fee was more than it is in Creston. I guess that's to be expected. It IS the big city. At Creston Vet Clinic, the technician usually took care of Odie's needs. Odie felt much better when we got all done, and could swing by Goodwill and drop off yet another box of "stuff".

I worked on our bedroom the rest of the day. It had been a hodge podge of boxes and we hadn't put anything on the walls. I'm sorry to report that without Paul's help, I had to put extra holes in the walls. My arms just aren't long enough to survey my own work before a hammerin'. I cleaned that afternoon. When Pablo showed up after 5 p.m. he was flat. Literally - his car had one. So off he went to Firestone on Mills Civic Parkway. That night we ate at Legends on Ashworth - Odie and I had scoped that place out on our way to the Vet.

Saturday Paul and I did some errands - more car running. And then off to Ames for our first ISU game of the season. This year our season tickets are still the cheap seats, but are a bit better than last year. We sat behind some older folks who hardly made a peep. Can't wait to see if they are regulars...The Cyclones looked pretty good. Not great. Freddie is lookin' good. He's the coach - my college advisor Eric Hoiberg's son. He's doing a great job.

Next, we headed to DSM to our favorite watering hole - The Standard, where we each drank a martini. It was our first time there in many months. They were good. Then we ate some mints and headed to the Creston Panther high school boys basketball game at Wells Fargo Arena. Three of our former neighbors were playing against Adel-DeSoto-Minburn. The Panthers looked very good and kicked butt!

Luke Neitzel 31, Colby Taylor 23 and Alex Neilsen (in white on right) - have watched them grow up!

It was nice to see familiar faces. We talked to Joni Taylor before the game and after the game we chatted with Todd and Beth Nielsen. After the game we ran into Devin Leith and her boyfriend at Granite City in West Des Moines, and then Marion James said hello as we were called for our meal. It was a Creston evening! You can leave the town, but the town doesn't leave you...