More long pants weather

On Saturday we met Cindo for a quick lunch at Moe's Original BBQ in Lionshead (a Vail suburb) where her son Colby works as the manager. He also has now been promoted to manager at the Eagle store too. Way to go Colby-Monster!

Hands-on manager - does it all, Colby

 We had a southern bbq lunch, ribs, smoked turkey, black-eyed peas, corn bread and more. It was fab. Then we were off to Grand Junction where we knew another yumster meal was in store at the Alvillar home - Susi and Jim are great cooks. It's a lovely drive through the Glenwood Canyon to GJ and Amy, Cindy Paul and I enjoyed chatting on the way.

On the patio - Jim and Susan

Culotte steak was on the menu that night. Susi had been marinating it. The Alvillars told us about their recent European trip, and we enjoyed partaking from their wine cellar. The conversation is always lively with this group!

In the morning I took a walk enjoying the beautiful scenery.

View from the trail behind Susi's home

We piled into Jim's Toyota SUV and headed 10 minutes up to the Colorado National Monument - the daily view of the Alvillars, but a place they hadn't actually entered for years.

The sissies

After our Monument tour, we had brunch at Garfields and then pointed the Subaru back east. We spent a bit of time in Edwards at Bolder's favorite bar - E-town. His portrait is still displayed there.

Etown with Boldie looking down

On Monday, Cindy invited friends over for supper. Skirt steak this time! (we were eating our way through women's clothing). Paul got his yard work jones fulfilled by helping spread mulch on the berm in the yard. We did have an incident on our way to Home Depot.

Paul had selected a can of soda that turned out to be frozen and it erupted slowly like Mount St. Helen's in our car cup holder as we drove. I was afraid it might overflow onto the car carpeting - and leaned down to sip from the can, nestled between the seats, as the sticky liquid trickled out. Paul yelped, "people are driving by!" He was worried about appearances. I howled with laughter! That made it hard to drink. Later, Amy and I took a walk - she wore gloves. Walking is harder at 8,500 feet!

The dinner party was fun! All the usual characters were there - our Vail pals. Bonnie and Eric - Cindo is their sister wife (in name only). The Sanders, Jim and Shiloy and their adorbs son Reeve with his new girlfriend. The food was nummy - Cindy is a good cook. I didn't get that gene either, but am determined to work on it. The conversation was enjoyable. A good time was had by all.

We were up and out of there at 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning, stopping in Denver to drop our beloved Amy off and to say goodbye. It was a long drive home, but an audiobook kept us company. We only stopped twice! Odie had McDonald's eggs for breakfast because I left the darn food at Cindo's. Oh well. We'll be back! Love my peeps there. Thanks for everything.

The shorts were wishful thinking...

Paul and Leslie's excellent adventure was a bit chilly and wet this year. Fortunately, each time we were outside it didn't rain too hard. But I didn't end up wearing the two pairs of shorts I took along.

We started out from DSM on Thursday about noon and hit Ogallala, Nebraska early that evening. The first hotel I'd booked admitted that the pet friendly rooms were really just smoker's rooms. That was a no go. We ended up across the Interstate at a Quality Inn. After checking in, we trekked north through town towards Lake McConaughy and found a delish local burger joint. On the way back we spied this swell sign - a lanky cowboy salute.

I kinda wished we'd eaten at the Front Street Café...

Water was high throughout western Nebraska. Our hotel was perched right on the Platte River and there were sandbags sitting ominously close. I don't recall seeing the rivers so high.

On Friday morning it was strange to head north instead of south back to the Interstate - our usual route to Denver. It sprinkled rain lightly as we got out of the Subaru to view the huge lake, which is about three times as big as Iowa's largest lake - Red Rock near Pella, Iowa. There were just a few hardy fishermen about.

Then we were off to Chimney Rock. We paid $3 whole dollars each to view the museum, set out in the middle of no where in NW Nebraska. The view alone was worth it - along with the ten minute video which was chock full o historical information on the story of the westward trail. The Chimney was a welcome landmark as pioneers made their way across the continent in wagons with oxen and horses. From there, Paul and I headed to Cheyenne, Wyoming - lucking into a fab lunch at a cute place filled with kitsch and memorabilia in downtown called Sanford's. I enjoyed a French Dip in a bun that had been quickly fried - wowwy.

Paul
 and Odie near Fort Collins

Fort Collins was the next destination - a real surprise, as it was much larger than we expected. The downtown was large and full of local and national restaurants and stores, with historical buildings. We drove through the compact looking campus that boasts 30,000 plus students. Two of my great nieces attend the school. ISU's former basketball coach Larry Eustacy calls it home. On Amy's advice we drove west of town to Horsetooth Road onto the dam above the city on the reservoir. Gorgeous view.

It's not far from Fort Collins to Denver - and the area in between the two is nearly all developed. Traffic was constant in between the two cities and our GPS kept saying "Traffic Jam Ahead!" We arrived at Amy's late Friday afternoon. Odie was thrilled to see her sissy and Amy's roomie Megan.

That night Amy took us to a big refurbished warehouse in an industrial area filled with several businesses including a brewery that makes only sour beer. We ordered a sampler "flight". Then we ate with three of Amy's friends - Mexican food from a place that had formerly only been a food truck. It was fun! I hope I didn't bore Gail with my pep talk on "you don't have to be an accountant at your present icky job forever." I told her of my crazy career path to my present dream (not feeling it this week!) job.

Amy with sour beer

I love Denver and have enjoyed exploring new places there through the years that Amy has called it home. The next morning we were off to Vail to pick up Cindo to head to Susan's in Grand Junction.

Creston kids grow up

Iris at the Farmer's Market Saturday - Mom grew them at our home in Atlantic

The Mostek Family - Natalie (signing) Jeff, Kit, and Maria (Photo courtesy Kendall on Twitter)

We made the trek southwest to Creston Saturday night to a party to honor our neighbor kids who graduate from high school Sunday. They were young girls in 1998 when we moved to our home on Park road - across the street from their house.

We mostly watched them grow up from afar as Kit and Jeff set them up with sidewalk chalk, little sports toys, and loaded them up in the car for dance lessons and sporting events. Amy babysat for the twins, sweet girls with very different personalities, she said. Amy liked to bump the volleyball with them.

I started commuting to work in DSM about the time Natalie and Maria hit junior high and didn't get the chance to follow their sports careers except in the paper. They've been spectacular! Both will continue their athletic careers in college. Natalie is seen in the photo above signing with Des Moines Area Community College to play softball. She's a fab catcher and hitter. Maria will run track at Northwestern Missouri State in Maryville. She's a long distance specialist.

The graduation party was such fun - reminiscent of one held 11 years just across the street. The girls appreciated fact that we'd made the trip down for the party and to deliver our gifts. (On the way there we'd also stopped at the Nielsen house around the corner - to drop off Alex's gift - his party is Sunday.) The garage was filled with tables of people, most of whom we knew - all asked about the Goldsmith cherubs. Dave Buck smoked turkey, pork and ribs prior to the event. Yum. Young people gathered there too of course - including Taylor Pettit, who earned the type of fame nobody wants at the State Wrestling tourney when his heart stopped. He's doing fine now.

During the trip to Creston, Paul and I talked about the fact that we're nearing the end of our invitations to such events in our former hometown. We're running out of kids we know. No worries though - wedding invites and baby showers will take their places.

Just prior to the party we stopped to see our friend Ryan's newly purchased home in town. He and his dad Don are working with a contractor to demolish some of the interior of the house to install the cabinets and doors Paul helped them load last weekend in Urbandale. Donnie found that stuff on Craig's List. Reuse!

Ryan ripped out this Lazy Susan cupboard - just like one we had in our first house. Our dog Moki loved to serve himself crackers from it...

Our first home! It's looking pretty good with new front steps.

Bobbie, Deb and me - I didn't get a photo of the guys

After the graduation party Saturday, we met up with friends at the watering hole to catch up. It's always such fun to see them. This is what I miss most about living in Creston - seeing friends and chatting with people we've known for many years.

Before the latest round of storms hit, we were off to the big city. A friendly face was there to greet us when we got home - it had a snout.

Too Old to Muzzle

Odie's Mother's Day gift to me was to get her nails trimmed. Of course she didn't offer that up. I kinda forced her into it. PetSmart discovered her rabies vaccine was expired that morning.

Odie last year after surgery to remove a tumor on her chest

"I can't muzzle her. She's too old," the doggie tech told me. As I drove home with Odie (she thought she was getting out of the nail trim...wrong) to get the form, I thought about it. Odie is 10 - so what's that in dog years? How old am I?

I'm too old to muzzle too. Or as my pal Deb and I have stated - our mufflers have rusted off.

I have always been a smart ass - in the right company. But I was quiet in many settings and sometimes failed to speak up to those in positions superior to mine. Yes...I bit my tongue! Maturity has given me the confidence to speak my mind in all situations today. Yay - a reason to be glad to be a grown up.

And now this. Muzzle free. Okay - I'm likely not there yet. But someday - when I'm retired...a few years down the road - I'll let my hair go gray and I'll let fly whatever is on my mind.

 

Toughest job I ever loved

It's Mother's Day Weekend. I always think of my Mom - forgetting that it's my day too. Until my cool kids remind me.

I've been a mommy nearly 30 years now! I've never been a natural at it - I'm the first to admit it. I didn't grow up learning how to nurture babies. I was only 5 when my little sis Betso was born. I don't remember much about her babyhood and didn't help with bottles or care. I wasn't asked to babysit infants - a wise move by Atlantic parents.

I never changed a diaper until I gave birth to Amy Elizabeth Goldsmith. The Dr. Spock baby book was my friend, along with advice from my pal Vicki who had given birth to Kelli Marie a few months earlier. Paul and I faked it. Good thing babies are resilient little things.

Amy was an easy baby, except for her penchant for projectile puking. Who knew babies could hit walls from a distance of 3 feet? We finally figured out she had a milk allergy and soy formula solved that problem. I spent many early mornings at our little rental home in Osage watching the PTL (Praise The Lord) Network at 5:30 a.m. Oh...it wasn't because I was into Tammy Faye Baker (and her teary eyes). It was because the good cartoons came on right after that! I also loved cuddling with my little red-haired honey.

I remember wondering why the nurses were trusting us to take this little baby home - even with our second child, Jud. After carrying a baby inside you for 9 months, all of the sudden you've got this little life to deal with. It can be overwhelming - especially when sleep-deprived. I'd put Jud in the baby swing and wind it up - before heading downstairs for a quick shower. Was that okay? Those are the kind of things that a young mom can beat herself up about. There aren't books for every little thing - and we do the best we can.

I like to hear my co-workers talk about what their children are doing. It reminds me of the things Amy and Jud used to do. The stages of introducing solid foods, diapers, going to the playground, playing with friends, youth sports, movies and music - there are so many good memories. And some that weren't that great - that kept us awake nights.

Even though Amy and Jud are "all growed up" and live far away now, I think about them every day and text them often. We will see them soon - heading to visit Amy Memorial Day weekend and Jud in June. I am so very proud of the adults they have grown up to be. My job as Mommy will never be over. It's a title I love.

The Circle of Life makes my eyes wet

Paul and I attended The Lion King musical at the Des Moines Performing Arts Center last night. It was my third time and Paul's second time to see a production of this show. Oh how I love it!

The first time I saw The Lion King musical was in 2000 with daughter Amy and my sister-in-law Jean Fox and her daughter Margaret - also known as Peg. We were on Broadway - for reals! Peg secured special last minute "single" tickets for us at the Amsterdam Theater. We were all seated near each other, but were not next to any family member.

I only had one tissue - and it was shreds by the end of the show. I was overwhelmed! I was used to the Disney cartoon version of the story and wasn't expecting to feel such emotion. The beautiful music and portrayal of animals characters in the beautiful old restored theater made me weep.

Last night we were in lucky row 13 - good seats where we could see the characters. Some of them come right into the aisle and were very near us. The production was good and little Simba and Nala were adorable. The singers were excellent. And oh that song.

The Circle of Life hits me in the heart. When the new baby lion is held up for all to see - I can't help but think back to calling our parents when our children were born - to tell them of the new little life joining our family. At that time hospitals had real phones - so making calls was a production. Amy and Patrick were born in the evening but Jud was born at 11:30 p.m. - a late call for my folks in Florida!

Mom gave Amy that antique box

On this Mother's Day weekend, I'm a little sad that our children didn't have a chance to get to know my mother better. She passed away from lung cancer (heavy smoker) when Amy was 11 years old and Jud was 8. The memories they do have are few and faded. She was so proud of the whole clan and enjoyed parading them about - in Atlantic and in Florida. Betsy was pregnant with baby David when Mom passed away. He's now a junior in high school.

on the Country Club cart path

After Mom died, Dad did a great job of getting to know his grandchildren. In some ways I believe that because Mom was gone, they were closer to him then they would have been. Dad's friend Kay Harris was very welcoming when any family would visit, baking peanut butter and chocolate pie. Dad liked to drive the kids around in the golf cart at their Atlantic home, a condo perched on the back 9 of the Atlantic Golf and Country Club.

Two years ago my niece Leslie had a baby boy. And so it goes. At one point in the Lion King, Mufasa tells his son that the stars are past kings looking down on us. Somewhere Mom and Dad are smiling down too.

Lyrics:
It's the Circle of Life And it moves us all Through despair and hope Through faith and love Till we find our place On the path unwinding In the Circle The Circle of Life

Super Powers

My friend Cindy posted this on Facebook today:
"I just now realized I'm a Super Hero and my special power is invisibility"

I joked with her and said something about women of our age possessing this super ability. We Rock! What is it about middle-aged women? Do we don the cloak of invisibility?




pic from the Internet

Unlike Harry Potter, I don't really have a beautiful cloak. I just have my average height and looks - and now my advancing age. I answered Cindy's FB post by posting that sometimes I'm okay with flying under the radar. I like to be left alone while I'm shopping. At other times it's a lonely feeling. I realize I've spent the whole afternoon without interacting with anyone. I feel insignificant.

I could do a better job of making eye contact. I could be more outspoken. But I'm really an introvert in most shopping situations and unless I'm in a "spunky" mood, I don't do things like that. And clerks look past me.

Sure - it's a case of me wanting it both ways. Leave me alone. But not too much! I want it all. Is that asking too much? I'll try to be happier enjoying my super power for now - or speak up and surprise them.

Atown friend

Don't you just love dreams? Leslie's dreamworld seems to project what is on my mind.  I dreamed Paul and I purchased a new home that had a huge room filled with Cadillacs - one for every year. I remember thinking - "I don't want these things...we need to sell them!" (and buy more stuff for the house, I think). I guess I've been watching too much HGTV.

And Paul figured it out where the car part came from - I was planning a visit to Atlantic's automotive king, Don Deter. My dad bought quite a few caddies from Dandy Don, and the rest of us purchased lots of other cars. My first car, a Chevy Monza was from Deter's. It was terrible in snow, didn't have air conditioning and the struts went out on it in like 5 years. But I loved that little piece of crap!

Paul and I bought a couple cars there too, before we moved away from southwest Iowa and began buying elsewhere. They always treated us right, fixing what needed to be fixed without too much hassle. It pays to have friends in the car biz.

Don is rehabbing after recent back surgery and is living at Edgewater, a Wesley Acres facility here in West Des Moines. Don is stuck there until a spot opens up in Atlantic.

Don and wife Jane were longtime friends of my parents. When I heard Don was in the area I was happy to stop by to see him. Edgewater is Southwest of our house - south of the Huston cemetery in the middle of the road.

Don was surprised to see me! It took me a while to track him down. Edgewater is a big place - a new retirement campus in the front with assisted living around back where Don was situated. I nearly didn't make it in as I had to figure out how to punch the code in to get access to the door. When they put me in one of those places....I'll never get out!

I enjoyed visited with Don. He relayed that he'd had a dream about Dad recently - he was all dressed up from traveling, but was playing golf. Such a fun boy! I told Don what Amy and Jud are up to - always love to brag up the kids. And that Paul and I now live in the big city. He was interested in my job - truly wanted to know about what I do. We even talked about the chickens and their flu.

I'm glad Don's back is better. Perhaps I'll get to see him again before he moves back to A-town. It's nice to talk to people who know your people. You know what I mean?

My folks