Paddleboard, Gonna Miss that Kid, Fair

When I was growing up, a paddleboard was a piece of foam you would hold on to when practicing swim stroke kicks. It was small and there was no standing on it! Now days there is a new type of paddleboard, called the Stand Up Paddleboard.

A friend asked me to attend a performance Sunday of dancing at Gray's Lake on SUP, along with a ground performance. The routine was done accompanied by live chamber music. Sunday was a beautiful day, with a light breeze. The dancers were strong and athletic - at one point one did a back bend on her board! They did two numbers. It was fun being there.

Pam - standing, JoAnne - hidden by the umbrella with daughter Alexa - or these could be people I don't really even know...haha

Before the performance Pam - a friend who works with Paul and JoAnne, another of Paul's co-workers, and JoAnne's daughter Alexa and I ate picnic lunches at the Gray's Lake beach. All sorts of activities were going on around us - people were riding bikes, swimming and throwing frisbies. It was fun to be out and with friends!


Musicians off to the right
 

Tuesday, my colleague Scott and I headed east of Cedar Rapids to the town of about 700 people called Olin. It's just north of Highway 30, right by the winding Wapsipinicon River. We got there a little early so we parked on main street and walked down to the river to stretch our legs after the 2 plush hour drive. It was easy to spy the derelict building we were to meet with a group of people about later.

Scott paces along the building

 We walked back up the street - and noticed many historical buildings - unfortunately mostly empty of businesses.


There is a bar in town - and it has an ape in front of it!

After our meeting - that included an asbestos removal contractor, a recycler that will take all the metal and several town folk along with DNR staffer and a landfill representative. We headed over to the former car dealership building to check out the inside. The town plans to take the old roof off the building after the asbestos is removed. Then they will put a new roof on and attempt to sell or rent the building - to a new business.

Some of the roof has fallen in - along with some asbestos material

This 1979 map shows when the place was last used

 

It was moldy in there! There is a lot of work to do but the roofing contractor seems to think he can handle it. I wish them luck with this project. On our drive back, Scott and I discussed the tough road small towns face in today's world. They've lost their schools and retails stores - it's a struggle to stay viable! At least Olin is a short drive to Cedar Rapids and Mount Vernon - but bedroom communities need to figure out how they will make it. We stopped in Lisbon for lunch - and had a good pork tenderloin and a bad piece of pie. Then we were on to the Tama County Landfill, to tell the director there about our programs. It was a worthwhile trip.

Besides Tuesday's trip, my week has sucked! I realized I lost my confirmation for my plane ticket to Austin, TX to visit my homegirls in October. I was in an email tossing mood recently and that must have been one I tossed. Worse yet, I didn't even remember who I bought it from - at least when I first hit panic mode on Monday...talk about feeling dumb.

I tried emailing Paula Bacon - I had sent information to her about my flight, right? Nope - she didn't have it. I spent my lunch hour scouring my gmail account. No luck! When I got home, I searched that computer and files - not there either. Paul couldn't find record of it on his computer - that's what I usually do - send it to him. I did recall that purchased it direct from American, and Paul found the record of purchase on our credit card bill. So I called American and they gave me a code.

By then it was about time for my ride to come for my monthly night out with the Diamond Brooke ladies. I hit the restroom and brushed my teeth. Then I sat on the front steps about 5:40 p.m. And sat...about 6 I gave up and came in. I found Connie's phone number and called and left a message - sorry I'd missed her. Later she called to say they had stopped and honked, then knocked on my door too! Geez - I must have been in the bathroom and missed by a scant minute! I was very disappointed. It's how my week has gone...

Tuesday night I ended up with a migraine at 2 a.m. in my eye - it lasted until 4 a.m. I dozed during it, and it was gone when my alarm went off. But I decided to stay home for a while this a.m. because I felt crappy. I still do. I'm not sure if it was the mold or the change in the weather yesterday. Thank goodness for Frova - my migraine med.

Today at work I text Chiya, my Little Sis from the Big Sis Little Sis program. She's been in Mississippi since early July - at her cousins. I wanted to know if she would be back so I could take her to the Iowa State Fair - it start tomorrow! And in case you don't know - our state fair is a GREAT state fair! I've been bummed ever since I heard back from her. She's moving back  to her Mom's house in Boston this year. She told me when I first met her she does that every other year - I guess I just didn't think it would really happen. I'm happy for Chiya though - she should be with her Mom!

I was really looking forward to all the things we would do together. And now we won't. I suppose they'll try to talk me into hooking up with another Little Sis - but I think I'll pass for now. I need to get over this one...

I was just getting her to share a little bit...with me - not the Zombie

Tomorrow night Paul and I are planning to go to the fair - it's supposed to be a gorgeous night. He pretends not to like the fair, but he actually suggested it. So we'll head out there after work - it will be fun, and I'd go just for the smells. Next week I get to work at the DNR Recycling trailer Monday and Tuesday. Then on Wednesday we're heading to Lake of the Ozarks for our summer vacation - I can't wait. I do need a vacation!