Gone Baby Gone

She's gone again - but this time she's stayin' stateside. Amy left this afternoon when we got home from work. She's heading southwest to Crestonia to stay with the Wilsons for a night. That should be interesting! She don't know nothing 'bout no babies! And they have a new one.

My baby - when her hair was fiery red, and my original baby - Bucko

I'm afraid I was the same way. My sister Susi and Vicki Behr with daughters Leslie and Kelli were models for me before I had my own kids! I did very little babysitting as a child. Pity the poor fool that hired me! I remember staying at the Mormans (across the back yards) a couple times. I must have been a desperate last resort. The Mormans - Paul and ?, had older kids. I remember their son  - Paul Junior? He was out of the home I think when his parent decided to adopt a couple younger kids - Eric and Julie, who must have been 3 and 4 or so when I stayed with them. I was probably 12. I think I mostly wanted to play with their older brothers cool model train set! I never stayed with a baby.

I don't think I ever held a baby on purpose (somebody probably jammed one into my arms once or twice through the years) until really I started to pay attention to tiny humans - when Paul and I thought about having one. I held my adorable little niece Leslie when we went to Cindy and Bolder's wedding in Vail in August of 1984 - Les had been born a mere 4 weeks prior.

Kelli, another cutie, was born the next February, and we got to be around her a lot. Behrs still lived in Ames then, and the old college gang gathered frequently. I was pregnant by that time so I absorbed everything Behrs did with the tiny tot. I remember taking her to North Grand Mall with her little fold out stroller - Vic and I had a heck of a time folding the thing out properly. Novices! As much time as I spent around other babies - nothing is quite like having one's own. And nothing is as rewarding as those first few smiles!



Harper Wilson - smiling at her daddy

Amy will be amazed at the amount of "stuff" infants come with! I hope she and Stormy get some time together to just hang out too - maybe Harper will nap. I must admit, I still can't quite get my mind around Stormy as a mommy! I bet people thought the very same thing about me!

After she stays with Stormy, Kyle and Harper for a night, Amy is off to see my second baby, Jud and girlfriend Kara in Kansas City. Kara has a nice apartment near Zona Rosa. I think Jud is excited to entertain his sis for an evening. They will have fun - KC is a great city. Amy will take off Friday morning to head for Denver where a new adventure awaits - apartment and job-hunting. If you know anyone who needs a graphic designer - let us know! I hear apartments are hard to find too.

We'll miss her, but treasure the time we had together!  Last night we lucked out and hit half price cheesecake at the Factory! They introduced S'mores cheesecake, which A and P ordered. I stuck with my fave, Tiramasu.

Jersey and Gsmith Fam

Amy left for Wisconsin Wednesday a.m. Yep - the girl don't let no grass grow under her feet! Actually she had a meeting with one of her major freelance clients - who happens to be the father of one of her Denver pals, Julia, who is marrying Amy's ISU friend Patrick in a few weeks. See - it all makes sense.

Wednesday night Paul and I had tickets to Jersey Boys. The kids got us the tickets for a gift - 4th row seats! It was another lovely weather day in Iowa. We went early and had an appetizer outside on Court Avenue. We stopped in the garden of the World Food Prize Building and took this self-portrait. Of course the fountain behind us stopped spraying right before I snapped the pic!

 

 

The show was great! I had seen it once before, with Sharon and Amanda Higgins - a matinee with the First National Bank group. But Paul had not. The music is so good, and in row 4 - it's like they are singing to you!

smoked turkey sannie with mashed

Friday we headed to Webster City (via Ames with lunch at Hickory Park) for the annual Goldsmith Fam reunion and Golf Tourney. We started with a bike ride on the great trail around town - out to the county park - Paul's sisters Carol and Jean with husband Dave.

An artesian well along the river - iron makes the water rust colored. Carol said it tasted BAD

 

 

Family members began to gather at the Fox house later in the afternoon. Amy was there when we arrived back from biking - a stop on her way back from Wisconsin to DSM - a great chance to see the relatives!

The hosts planned a "bags" tourney (I am possibly the worst every player) and a taco bar. Dave was serving his homemade Bloody Mary mix. Dennis and Kelly, Dorie and John, Pat and Dave and finally Amy's cousin Annette (Fox's daughter) arrived from Minnesota with her fam. We were missing Ken and Mary and Larry and Regina this year. Carol's daughter Barb and husband Mike came Saturday. Dorie brought Paul's favorite caramels and there were apple bars and lots of other goodies.

Who would have guessed it would only be in the low 60's on Saturday! The golfers took off mid morning and we non-golfers entertained ourselves at the house and by attending Crazy Daze downtown. Annette's children Megan and Caleb are adorable - they made me miss little Amy and Jud a bit! Fabulous prizes followed golf, along with grilled brats - then church for those who wanted to go. We took off for home after that - as our wienie dog awaited. Amy was staying with her college roomies in Ankeny that night.

It's always fun to catch up with the Goldsmiths. Missed those who couldn't make it. I hope Dave Fox won the lottery as he's promised to share with us all. That's the kind of family we are! Love 'em!

Hey La Hey La my baby's back

We picked her up at the Des Moines airport Monday about noon. It was a great feeling to get my arms around her again. Amy had been gone over 5 weeks on her trip to South and Central America. So glad to have her back safe and sound!

In the small DM Airport she ran into some Denver friends - they'd been home with their new baby. And we was Mary Faber there dropping off her sis-in-law Mary McCann, who had been back seeing CHS classmates and family. It was nice to finally meet the woman we'd heard so much about!

We stopped at Court Avenue Brewpub for a bit of lunch before we went home. Odie was overjoyed to see her Sissy (that's what she thinks Amy's name is - and Odie's feeling much better!). We got to hear some of her travel tales, but feel like I still haven't heard much of the story. She needed to get her photo chip from her friend Rachelle before she could upload all her pics. That night we shopped a bit, and even bought her running shoes and a Cyclone pullover - since we didn't have to fork over any ransom $ to get her home!



Strange RAGBRAI happenings - a guy brings his monkey to entertain...

Tuesday, she and Paul rode Iowa's bike ride across Iowa for a day - a/k/a RAGBRAI - from Perry to Des Moines. It was 48 miles. A couple guys Paul knows from Red Oak rode in with them. Paul has ridden all across the state before - when he was younger, but Amy hadn't. Plus she hadn't trained at all. I let her ride my bike Albie. And I worked. Sigh. But I don't wish to ride bikes with 30,000 (bigger than most towns they stop overnight at) people, standing in lines for food and pottys.

Paul and work buddies - yes he even has Cyclone bike shorts...

That night we drove down to downtown DSM for the big party that goes along with the traveling bike ride. It was the most gorgeous evening of the summer. We drank a beer, ate a sandwich and listened to a 90's band on the Court Avenue Bridge. We ran into my Atlantic matey, Marci Merrick (now Hinners) and her husband Jim - fun to catch up with her! Amy's pal Rachelle and another friend met us, but we retired early as we all had to get up early, so we headed home by 8:30 a.m. I'm sleeping easier these days - now that my baby is back and Jud is safe and sound in St. Joe.

Tuesday night pics


Rachelle and Amy
 

Looking south

Vendor tents set up

Bike valet parking

One year ago...

What a difference twelve months can make. In church yesterday I was pondering again. (Yes, my mind wanders as the Homily drags on.) A year ago we were just getting home from our great family reunion trip to Cannon Beach, Oregon. This year...

S'mores...Cannon Beach 2012

• Bolder wasn't yet aware he was still ill with evil cancer
• In mid July I had my manipulation surgery to release scar tissue in my right shoulder after months of pain and immobility. That was followed by weeks of physical therapy and more pain. I was able to put my arm over my head for the first time in months, and broke through the pain after several week of PT.
• Paul had submitted his application for a permanent job in GULP Des Moines at the NRCS state office, and received notice that he got the job a few weeks later. It was one of those - "we hope it happens, "Oh shit" kinda things.
• We celebrated our 30th anniversary

He's got the jacket on here

Big stuff. All of these events have had huge implications. Except our anniversary, which was more like life as usual. With each passing year, and especially after this last one I realize how lucky and blessed I am.

Of course losing Boldie - in such a short time after the docs told him the cancer was back was the biggest baddest thing. It's all really still so surreal.

The shoulder thing made me realize I'm not getting any younger. Though I still can't seem to get in any kind of work out routine or rhythm. I know I need to do it, but I can't find my way there. I walk and ride my bike but it's all sporadic. I need a trainer and a plan. I can't seem to get motivated to workout after 10 hour work days. I'll figure it out eventually. I may have to bribe a certain workout fanatic from Creston to move to DMS.

If you read this blog then you know how much the move has affected our lives! Mostly for the good. We sure miss our homies - our Creston friends. And we still consider ourselves Crestonites - pretending to be city folk. I suppose over time that will change. I have lots of people who have lived here a long time say - "you do lots of things I never do". We just take advantage of it, because it's all new to us! We're like kids in the candy shop.

We like city life - and the opportunities the Des Moines area offers. It's convenient to live near an airport. Amy flies in tomorrow after her 6 week trip to South and Central America. We can go to any movie showing on any night. Restaurant options are limitless. We live on a bike trail and many more are minutes away. There are lots of concerts and live music opportunities and we're seeing Jersey Boys Wednesday night. The short drive home is sweet - especially late at night. Another bonus is being able to volunteer! I love hanging out with my Little Sis match, Chiya. She's been a blessing in my life.

I got to introduce Chiya to Amy

We have found that in Des Moines, we get to see friends from afar and family more often. We were able to host Easter this year with the Goldsmiths. Paul's sis Carol calls when she's in town visiting daughter Barb. Cindo and Bonnie came for a fun visit in June. Robbie Dob called when she came through town and Jane Ertl messages when she's in the area. Bobbie and Jeff stayed a night and we biked in our neighborhood, which was lots of fun. Mary Faber stayed last night! Kay and Alyssa Wilt called as they were heading through town. I need to do better about seeing local friends like Joan, Mary and Jane. It's nice living close to I-80. We got new beds ya'll - the welcome mat is out!

My shoulder gives me little reminders that not all of the scar tissue is gone. Early this year I even had to visit a chiropractor for some treatment. It's motivational, really. I'm not going to frozen land again!

I think of Bolder often. I picture him in his yellow jacket tucked into his plaid shorts like a homeless guy. He is with us going forward - especially in his son Colby (and his near-son Byron Pottorff). Our children too have absorbed their uncle Bolder. Legendary.

Change, though scary, can be good for us if we take advantage of opportunities. That's what we're trying to do by "living la vida loca". (well it's been crazy for us)

A beautiful quilted patchwork of friendships

I am blessed with a beautiful quilt of friendships. This weekend I'll be wrapped in it! Friday night, college friends gathered at our new home in West Des Moines. Kay Wilt was driving through with daughter Alyssa on her way from Chicago to her Mom's in Audubon. She contacted Paul to say we should go out to eat. We decided to make it a mini-reunion!

Catching up

Way back when, Paul met Kay even before I did - during our early years at Iowa State. I didn't get to know her well until her "Moose" years. Kay is married to Steve "Moose" Wilt, who coached our dorm floor flag football team my sophomore year. I've been friends with him ever since then. Oh it's really a patchwork thing - Paul's friends and mine all stitched together.

We were a little fuzzy at this point - must be the photographer (Paul)

 Kay lived with Mary Mormon in Willow Residence Hall at ISU. She dated one of Paul's friends. And I lived in Maple Hall on 6th floor with Jane Flack. Eventually, after college, Jane, Mary and Kay lived together in a house Mary's brother owned in Des Moines. I stayed with them one night when I visited the Capitol City for my job with Gamble Robinson. They were visited by a bat that night, and farm girl Kay took care of the thing efficiently. It was quite exciting!

It was fun having the gals over. Poor Alyssa, who will be entering her sophomore year at Minnesota, just got to mostly listen to our tales of yesteryear. We walked down memory lane, discussing people from college, events and the time period that Mary, Jane and Kay lived together in the mid 80's. It seems so long ago - but sometimes, really not so much. We can't really be this old, can we?

Our discussion briefly turned to Long Term Care insurance. Paul and I have been pricing it. Jeez! We just can't make ourselves pull the trigger on something so expensive and distasteful. It's a very volatile market. WTF. I think we'll wait for a conference with our pals when we head to the Lake of the Ozarks in August. That sounds like a good topic after several drinks...Donnie - we need your deep thoughts.

One of the nice things about our new home is the proximity to I-80. People are more easily able to visit. So we need to get better at entertaining! I didn't get that gene like the rest of the sisters did. We muddled through though. It helped that Mary brought a lovely fruit salad with flowers and Jane brought cake. Too soon, Kay and Alyssa had to head out. It was fun having everyone at our home. I hope it happens often!

I love the window art at the Wave!

I couldn't get Paul the Cheesehead Packer fan to stand under this sign...

Jane took this shot

This morning, we had breakfast with an old friend, Jane Buck - who I know from Atlantic. Bucks were neighbors, living near our home at 202 Crombie. Her daughter Linda was a good friend of my sister Susan, so I became pals with her son Tom. I liked Tom's boy stuff - he had a huge array of army men. We took Jane to the Waveland - or she took us, as it was her treat! She's active in historical issues around town - she's an Altoona gal. At age 82, Jane is sharp as a tack. We talked about all things - from current events to historical buildings. The food was good too. We may just have to make breakfast with Jane a periodic event! It was nice to see her in person, she's such a great supporter on Facebook.

Tonight we will host our Crestonian pal Mary Faber. She transplanted to Emmetsburg years ago, but once a Crestonian...in fact she often tells us local C-town news. The girl is "in the know". Mary can try out our new bed. We got new mattresses and box springs delivered yesterday. I blogged about Mary recently - how she is one of those people who makes everyone feel like you've known her forever. Paul and I are looking forward to seeing her tonight.

Sometimes - like this weekend, when different friends are visiting, I struggle to determine if the various friends we're seeing know each other. It seems like they should! But we are really the only link. Except with Facebook today - some of them know about each other! I told my friends last night that we were taking Jane Buck to breakfast and some of them knew of she was because she posts on many of my blogs and updates.

The friendship quilt stitches tighter and I enjoy it.

Amy update: Amy has been ill with a sinus infection and sounds ready to come home. She flies out of Nicaragua tomorrow for New Jersey and will arrive in Iowa on Monday morning. I can't wait to give her a hug!

WDM Farmer's Market

We've been meaning to attend the Farmer's Market in West Des Moines all summer and finally made it to Valley Junction tonight. That's what WDM used to be called - way back when. I guess they thought it sounded too old fashioned...kinda like Petticoat Junction! So they went with WDM.

It was a hot night, but that didn't keep the people away.

there was a good band on the South end and they seem to have the same group in a little area in an area in the middle - a threesome playing 60's stuff. I snagged a corn dog and Paul got me laughing - trying to avoid a Michelle Bachmann State Fair look...

I found these adorable garden sculptures - and nearby this puppy actually left his little shoes on to protect his feet from the hot asphalt!

 

puppy high tops!

 

I like the guitar!

And a store held a something cool - these neat fans!

Each of these is a fan
 

There is definitely a different vibe at this market compared to the Saturday morning one. I'm glad we checked it out though!

Pella without the tulips

I got to travel with a group from work to a landfill near Tracy, Iowa today for an Environmental Management System Audit. The best part about Tracy - the town we never really went to - is that it's near Pella. We went there for lunch.

But first, I have to tell you about our drive to the landfill in the State of Iowa van. I had made arrangements to pick up co-worker Becky at a Casey's gas station in the town of Monroe. She lives in Pleasantville, and there was no need for her to drive into DSM to then drive back that way. Becky is 7+ months pregnant. She arrived before we did and was standing outside the store minding her own business when a guy gassed up his car and offered her a ride. And some $. Evidently, despite having a laptop on her shoulder and being dressed in decent clothes, Becky looked like a hitchhiker! I told her she shouldn't carry that stick with a bandanna filled with clothes on the end of it on her shoulder...I chuckled about it all day. It's kinda freaky though.

The tour part of the Audit - Jeff by truck, Becky and Leo from South Central Solid Iowa Solid Waste Agency

Our audit was interesting. We get to ask the nice people who work at the facility all sorts of things about what they do to protect the environment.

The interview part of the audit
 

After the tour part of the audit at the landfill, we headed up the highway to Pella for lunch. We went to the Windmill Café on the square. Afterwards we couldn't help ourselves - we stopped at a bakery for a treat.


town square

yummmmmm

Dutch Letter heaven...

I


Looking in the store window

 

We headed to Grinnell to the waste Transfer Station after lunch - to see how things are going there. They recently started collecting household hazardous waste there and they now accept shingles for recycling - from houses not from businesses as part of the EMS program. Saving space in the landfill and making roads out of shingles. Good stuff! Tomorrow - I'm off to Garnavillo with Scott.

Childhood memories of summer

Paul and I are just back from a short bike ride. We scooped the loop. No - that doesn't mean what it used to - driving up and down Highway 6 in Atlantic! Today, to this 'ol gal it means riding my bike east on the WDM trail then south just past Jordan Creek Elementary School.

The trail runs along big back yards of some beautiful homes and a creek. Paul and I were quietly peddling - and I could hear the critters. I think they were locusts - singing, with their legs eeeoooeeeooo. The temperature was just right too. It's summer in Iowa! It took me back for a few minutes. Back to my childhood in Atlantic.

I recalled in an instant those fabulous summer evenings - playing with my sisters and the neighbor kids as the summer sun dwindled. I didn't want it to get dark, because I knew my Mom would call and we would have to go in for the night. Those summer days were golden - how lucky we were to have them.

Kick the can, Sardines, Ghosts in the Graveyard - it was such heady stuff when I got to play with the "Big" kids on warm, humid summer nights. We even stretched it out under some moonlit nights too. A few times put on plays, like "Little Red Riding Hood" in Reinertson's backyard - using their clothesline with a blanket for a curtain. My grandma, Momo typed the tickets on her IBM Selectric typewriter.

Tonight after we rode through the small park a couple blocks east of 60th Street, we turned and rode back north through a neighborhood. I was happy to see a gang of about eight kids in a front yard of one house. They sounded like they were counting off, perhaps to see who was "It" for their next game. There was one little guy - no doubt he got cheated into being "it", courtesy of being youngest. It's nice to know some things don't change.

On the way home, we rode along Jordan Creek on the north side of EP True, we heard a catbird call and some blackbirds made themselves known. It was a beautiful summer evening. There were lots of other bikers and walkers out tonight. Perhaps they too were on a walk down memory lane.

A view from the bridge we cross - taken earlier this summer

 Amy texted me last night from Nicaragua. She wanted to know if I'd gotten rid of her lava lamp when we moved. Um yes I did. It didn't really work anymore so I tossed it. Sorry. (no not really). I chuckled though. What the heck was she thinking about that for. Guess I'll have to wait until she gets home to find out...1 week to go!

I miss my sisters and my Bolder

Betsy has been at Cannon Beach all week with her family. The Kohan family goes every year, since they only live a few hours from there. Last year, all the Bullock sisters went - our last fam reunion. It turned out to be the last one with Bolder before his cancer reoccurred with a vengeance.

We had such a good time! Pablo, Boldie and Paul Kohan (Betsy's son - one of the twins) had a great time hanging out. Cindo, Paul (mine), Bolder and I spent a lot of time together. Amy, Jud and Kara were there. Susi brought her friend Sher - as husband Jim couldn't make it, nor could her children my niecelets Leslie and Jordan. All the Kohans were there - including the wiener dogs Kirby and Ziggy. Colby, Cindy and Bolder's son was heading to Oregon for a concert later in July so he wasn't with us.

Bolder loved his vests!

Cannon Beach was perfect. Bolder said it was the best vacation ever. We're pretty good about scheduling a few activities but not booking our trips up solid. Our cousins - from my Mom's side - Leslie Morehead and husband Bob, and Steve and Karen Legarra with their daughter Andra and husband Zach with their triplets, who were three years old stopped by. We got to enjoy s'mores on the beach with them!

Bolder and Pablo became regulars at the pub just up the street from our rented condo. The staff loved Boldie of course, and told him about a place to go for supper. The Lefebvres and Susi and Sher went there the night we went to pick our children up at the airport in Portland. Then it burned down during the night! Crazy. We were on a mission to find the best chowder in the area. There was lots of testing.

Buddies!

Paul learned to love martinis by drinking some of Bolder's. We've been drinking them ever since - as a tribute to Bold. And because they're good! One night after a couple martinis, Paul chased bunnies around our house with Sher's dog Cowgirl. He looked like Elmer Fudd hunting wascally wabbits. Bolder grilled salmon on a plank one night. It was fabulous. The good always is when my sissies are involved. They're all good cooks! I try to stick with the clean up crew.

Bolder planned ahead for Betsy's surprise 50th birthday celebration. He brought the pope hat! He talked her daughter Sarah into picking flowers for scattering petals and he chanted like a pope. Susi carried out the special medallion she brought - one Mom had purchased. It was a hoot! Bullocks know how to have fun.

the pope hat

In Portland, Amy was approached by a wall-eyed older woman, begging for cash. There are a lot of panhandlers in that city. At first Amy held fast to her money. Later she felt bad and she went back with $5. This begat one of my favorite Bolder quotes of all time. He said something like "Amy - later that old lady probably went back to her mansion with her lazy eye and her Lazy Susan." Remember those kitchen appliances called lazy susans? So Bolder. I'm so glad Amy got to know him so well.

Susi just booked a place in Cannon Beach for 2014, just after July 4! We're in - with Susi and Cindy. Who knows who will make it from our fams at this point? We will hoist a few for Bolder I'm sure.