Year in review

For a year with 13 in it, it wasn't too bad! 2013 didn't have the drama, excitement and sadness that 2012 did for us, that's for sure. A year ago, Paul and I had just settled into our Des Moines digs. And last New Years day we were just returning from an ISU bowl game trip to Memphis.

We had spent a "let's make the best out of a kinda crappy situation" New Year's Eve with Don and Diana McKim and Dwight and Marilyn Conover. The Liberty Bowl trip had been fun - though chilly. The game was wet, cold and the team played lousy. Ugh. We retired to our hotel to eat the rest of our snacks, drink up all the booze we'd brought and lick our wounds. Eventually we decided to stay in and order pizza. We ended up making up a game - "Name that Creston Person" - though none of us are Creston natives. Jeff McFee and Sharon Higgins would have kicked ass in that game.

The rules were - give hints about a person like: they had a one-eyed dog and used to work at First National Bank. They wore two different colored shoes to work one time. Then everyone would try to guess who it was. The winner got to give hints about the next person. We played for hours! The game helped me remember many people who do, have and had lived in Creston through the years. Many good folks. Now we are those people, and so are Conovers - who live in Okoboji. McKims still hold down the fort in Crestonia.

Today we have a whole year of living in the Big City under our belts. Of course many - who are not Iowans - would not consider DSM a big city. But I still do. As Harry Hjortshoj (pronounced Yort-soy with maybe a bit of an H sound at the beginning), my boss at the Fina gas station used to tell me when I was traveling to Omaha, "Don't let your tonsils get sunburned looking at the tall buildings." I still gape. I'm living in a town with skyscrapers! (not called the Iowana - Creston's tallest building)

December 19, 2013 was my 5th anniversary of working at DNR. I commuted and lived with my buddy Joanie McFee Bentley a long time before my beloved and I made the big decision to move to Des Moines. We didn't make it lightly - after all we were leaving our home of 26 years! But living together makes it worth it. I like spending more time with Paul - we're not getting any younger - and long periods of time apart weren't a good way to live.

Cindo and Bonnie at the Farmer's Market

We love our new place, and have had lots of visitors, including Cindo and friend Bonnie, Bonnie, Bonnie Pottorff in June. That was one goal we had when buying a new home - somewhere people would want to stay. We continue to work on it, upgrading the beds and guest rooms (Amy and Jud still claim the rooms as theirs) to make them welcoming to all. We would like to continue to improve our entertaining skills.

Paul enjoys his new work position at the USDA state office. He worked at the county level for 30 years - and does miss being able to get out into the field seeing practices put into use. But he doesn't miss the stress of the potential of a farmer/friend being upset with him/the agency. At this level he's not directly working with farmers. And I'm relieved that he likes his job!

Paul and I investigated our new neighborhood in 2013. It was fun and exciting! Some of you were here to help us do it. We are still finding our way around. The Diamond Brooke ladies - our Townhouse Association - go out to eat the first Monday of each month. It's been nice to get to know them. I got a new bike, Albie, and we've been on the great bike path system around town. This year I'd like to venture farther to the system surrounding the city.

Jesse's Embers - 16 tables packed in

We starting checking out area restaurants we could go to - as our "go-to" places. Sure we enjoy Cheesecake Factory - a national chain that is close to our home. A classmate of Amy's works there, which helps it seem more local. Plus they make kick-ass martinis. And cheesecake (which we don't purchase often). I like the flatbread pizza. Paul likes the clam chowder. The local joints are our faves though - Mavericks is just west of Jordan Creek Mall. It's a sports bar. The original Legends seems like a Creston joint - it's on 60th and Ashworth. Good food!

Waveland windows change frequently

The best places are in Des Moines proper in my opinion. The Waveland Café - at 47th and University. Because of good food and cleanliness. Nope? It's the atmosphere. It's homey! I love the staff, the junk on the walls - and the food is reasonable and good, not fabulous. Jesse's Embers is another similar place - it's been here forever and is tiny and the staff is loyal and dedicated. Alba is my go-to fancy place. We still love The Standard for a martini and sandwich downtown. I can't wait to see what places we find this year!

Tired of shopping at the Farmer's Market? Have a BM with pal Jane Ertl

If you read this blog then you know how crazy I am about the Farmer's Market. We learned to cook several fresh things purchased there this year. Asparagus (thanks Bonnie and Cindo), green beans, carrots, red potatoes and more. Next year - who knows what cooking heights we could soar to?

Shows - we saw a few! Ran into Mr. Roger Underwood at the Gordon Lightfoot Show. Rog said, "See even Republicans like this stuff." Gee - ballads? No kidding. If you could read my mind! Always fun to see my high school pal Rog. Attended Fleetwood Mac with Barb and Steve Crittenden. Great show - and good friends. White Christmas was fab in December. Cyclone hoops has been fun so far!

We didn't travel too much last year. If you read our Christmas letter and my blogs of course you know this stuff...

We took a trip to Kansas City in March and hung out with Jud and Kara. What a fun town! Our annual Marco Island, Florida trip is always welcome. Love hanging with sister Cindy and nephew Colby - remembering our beloved Bolder. Colby hooked a shark during the boys' fishing trip. The Memorial Day Colorado trip included a baby shower for niece Leslie - so fun to see the Alvillar women along with the Lamms.

Baby Shower in Colorado

A photo booth at the wedding got a shot of the pretend cousins!

Kelly Behr - pretend niece - was married in June. She's my college roommate Vicki's daughter. Amy and Kelli were raised like cousins and Amy was pleased to be asked to be a bridesmaid. Our whole fam was able to attend and we got to see the Wilts and the extended Behr family in Northfield, MN. It was so nice to see Vic's family - I have know them for, well...longer than I've known Paul!



Deb in Lanesboro

My bestest bud Deb and I thought we'd finally get a kayaking trip in this year after a couple years of schedules (her sons getting married) that didn't allow such a trip.  We booked a Bed and Breakfast at the cool little burg of Lanesboro, MN - but Mother Nature supplied a buttload of rain that week and we didn't even take the boats along. We took bikes instead and had a great time drinking, shopping and biking. Paul got his guy trips in - hunting elk in Colorado (not to worry - the elk escaped unscathed) and pheasant in South Dakota with college pals Mike Huston and Tom Sullivan. In October I met some of my high school pals in Austin, TX for a long weekend of fun - what a cool town with some cool chicks!

Paula and Joan must have been talking to each other...

We were in Webster City for the Goldsmith Golf Tourney shortly after Amy returned from her South and Central America trip (6 weeks, several countries). We were fortunate to be invited once again to spend time at the Lake of the Ozarks with Creston friends. Always a good time with good peeps! In November we took a quick trip to Norman, Oklahoma to see McKim's son Ryan coach against the Cyclones in football. He coached his ass off and they killed us. Conovers were there too and we had a good time, despite the game.

My fave lake pic!

Our last home tailgating experience in Ames was memorable, November 9th - Donnie's bday. McKims and McFees came up the night before and stayed with us. Always a good time with those knuckleheads (we're included with that group). It was chilly and we didn't try to get too elaborate tailgating - no RV anymore, since McKims traded up to a lake home...

I keep using this pic - but love it! Skating at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was special! Amy flew in on Wednesday. Paul and I drove with her to Creston and met Jud and Kara there. Several Creston friends met us downtown at a bar, and later we had pizza. Nothing like longtime friends. (Notice I didn't say OLD). Celebrated Tgiving with Paul's sisters Jean and Carol with families. The best was hanging with the kids though. They've turned out pretty well so far. Though they're still in those formative "20's".

I just blogged about Christmas so...I won't go through that again.

We were blessed with several new great nieces and nephews (and some friends had bambinos too) during 2013. I enjoy watching family and friends' families growing up on Facebook. Keep those posts coming! (Not the political stuff - just upsets everyone who doesn't agree with you). We care about you.

Just want to say how much I appreciate how blessed we are to have the friends and family we do. We're not perfect - but we all care for each other - and put politics and old hurts aside. Love is stronger than that stuff!

Signed,
the queen of oversharing,

Leslie