Making memories

After our fabulous cousin Christmas on Friday in Denver, on Saturday, we were off to the mountains. We love our people there - Aunt (my sis) Cindo and cousin Colby. Plus our pals the Pottorffs and many other friends we've met through the years. We kinda like those lumpy mountains too! So majestic.

Upon arrival, the six of us, plus Cindy headed to Fiestas for lunch. We had a nice meal before the annual Lefebvre Christmas party. There was snow in them there hills, but not as much as usual. Saturday was sunny and quite warm. That afternoon, we checked into the Riverwalk Hotel and I began to gather my party "outfit" pieces. I wanted to surprise the family by showing up in my latest ugly sweater -a Santa's helper elf. Alas, the black stretchy things I thought were leggings turned out to be athletic shorts. Ugh, that wasn't a pretty picture in my head, white hairy legs on an elf. Paul and I walked down the street and I picked up a new pair of leggings at my fave store, Ptarmigan. In Edwards you don't find $20 leggings, but hey, I had to complete the outfit! The churchgoers found a nice evening service in Edwards.

cheers!

Bolder's Christmas sweater lives! My lovies

The elf sweater came complete with a hat! 

The party was marvelous yet again! Though I believe Paul and I may have baked the wiener winks a bit long on the bottom rack. #weweresingingandforgotthewinks Even though Colby no longer works at Moe's barbecue, they delivered wings and white sauce. Cindy's friend made delish meatballs. Yummy. I enjoyed watching our kids interact with the partygoers. This was Corey's first time at the big event. I wish he would have had the opportunity to meet Bolder and be at the party when he presided, calling out the music like Lawrence Welk. The party wound down earlier than in the olden days (5 years ago) and we were cleaning up by 10 p.m.

Post present opening smiles! 

The kids were excited to get up early Christmas morning and open gifts! No not really. They wanted to get the gifts over with so they could get up onto the mountain to ski and snow board. At least Corey and Jud did. I played elf and handed out the many beautiful gifts. Smiles and laughter were frequent. We were feeling the love!

Colby left to go to work at his new job at El Sabor in Vail. He's been working pretty much every day since the season started. Our kids and my big kid hit the slopes. Cindy and I hit the jigsaw puzzle (this year it was "Games We Played") - I'm glad to report there were no paper cuts. The skiers came back tired but intact as well!

That night we attended the annual Pottorff yummo meal. They kindly extended their invite to all six Goldsmith-related peeps. I heart them! We met their new family member, puppy Dodger. The Sanders family was there and our pal Frank who brings lovely vino, but we'd like him even if he didn't. I enjoyed listening in on the "kid table" conversations. Bonnie and Eric's son Byron now works as a trainer at a small university. Reeve graduated and will attend grad school. Amy's getting hitched! They are growed up compared to the first time we were invited eight years ago.

I really hated saying goodbye that night as we were taking off early the next day to travel back to Iowa. We won't see our loved ones again for quite some time. (insert tears). Amy, Corey, Jud and Kara stayed on at Cindo's one more day for more mountain fun. They stopped at El Sabor for a lunch break and rumor has it their cousin with connections there bought. Those four (plus their auntie & cousin) seem to enjoy hanging around each other. #suchafunfam
I hear rumors of cart racing when the kids got back to Denver. Kara and Corey are speed fiends I'm told.

And so another Christmas is in the books. Phew. I love having an excuse to get together with my family, but dread the holiday build up - ya know? It's a lot.

Early morning goodbye to the mountains

Ten years ago on Christmas Day morning I got the call from Dad's girlfriend Kay that he was being rushed to the hospital in Omaha. He passed away a few days later as all four of his daughters had arrived to gather around him. I can't believe it's been that long. I sure miss him.

I don't know what happens to us we die. But I believe that when we are still alive and gather together  - whether with family or friends, the spirits of loved ones past are there with us. And they have had much to be pleased about.

lunch walk at work the first day I was back

d caption

Favorite Christmas

We just flew in from Colorado and boy are my arms tired. Okay, not really - we drove. And by we, I mean Paul, who drove most of the way home from Vail in the snowy mountains to DSM. It was snowy in the mountains at 6 a.m. when we left - blowing too. Then, we hit Denver and thought we were home free. Not so fast said Eastern Colorado - try black ice on the road for about 80 miles off and on. Not fun. Good thing I had a trusty pilot.

It was tough to leave this morning, ending the whirlwind fabulous time with family over this special holiday.

• On Thursday Jud, wife Kara, Amy and fiancé Corey and Paul and I went to the light show at the Botanic Garden. For people like us, who didn't partake in the marijuana edibles, they sold groovy glasses that made little figures appear when you looked at the lights.



Corey and Amy will stand in this spot in August and say their vows. No goofy glasses...

• In just over eight months, Corey and Amy will be married at this very location. We can't wait! We are hoping the weather will be quite different...But not hot as hell.

Wedding reception will be in this room!

• After viewing the lights we went to Euclid Hall for supper - it's our nephew Colby's fave place. I just enjoyed soaking in being with my 5 fave people!
• Friday we hung out at the 16th Street Mall. There's a bowling alley there, those we never ended up donning the cool shoes and tossing the heavy black balls. Ping Pong and billiards were played though. Later we stopped at a deli that Amy works with (in her graphic design biz) for delicious cookies.
• That evening my Aunt Marty threw a family party at her residence. Our family, my niece Jordan and her fiancé Jill and my cousins, the Lamms, were there. It had been a while since our children had gotten to see my cousins- Amy (hubby Tom) along with their kids Kate and Matt - both students at CSU. And my cousin Richard, who entertained us with memories of Christmas past.
• After the delish meal, Aunt Marty told us about her favorite Christmas memory. A few others chimed in with their memories. I'm thinking this definitely will be added to my list of favorites!
• I'm glad my children have had a chance to get to know my auntie, and her sis Aunt Jeanie. Plus my cousins. Friday they all got to meet Amy's fella Corey. Marty had met him earlier - and had given her seal of approval. #coreymadethegrade

After the meal, Odie was happy to see the kids - her siblings! She moaned, whined and received the appropriate amount of belly rubs. The evening couldn't have been better. The next day - we were off to Vail/Beaver Creek to hang with my sis Cindo and nephew Colby. My eyes are getting awful tired and that will need to be a story for another night!

I Got the Feels

A little after 6:00 a.m. each Monday morning is not the most cheerful time for me. That's when, each week, I arrive at the "over the hill" Wallace Building to work. I love what I do - but where I do it, now that's another story.

If you know me, you've heard and seen my litany of complaints.

• Mice (and the occasional rat)
• Lack of working elevators - one day a couple weeks ago, we were 0 for 4 for a few hours
• Leaking roof
• Bugs on Floor 1, so I have to walk the gauntlet of slow crawlers on my way to the elevator each morning
• Smell - this winter the joint has been plagued with the smell of death. They keep telling us that it's the sewer, but I believe my nose can still tell the difference between crap and dead rodents...

There's more, but you get the gist.

Imagine my delight this morning when I walked in to see each and every occupied cubicle decorated as if there were a little working (tissue paper flames and all) fireplace outside the doorway, with a stocking hanging there. Each stocking had the name of the proud cubicle occupier on it.

Some elves took a great deal of time out of their personal time to put these up. Nobody is fessing up, but I believe it was the supervisors and bureau chief.

That fake fire warmed my heart. There is nothing like a little appreciation to bring a smile to one's face early on a Monday morning. I may be a long winter for state workers....we might want to leave those fireplaces up! Many thanks to the elves.

Walking Taco

I ate a Walking Taco (a marvelous concoction of taco chips, ground beef with taco seasoning, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and salsa) at the Iowa State Men's basketball game last night. Every time I eat one, I take a walk down memory lane - back to when our children were busy taking part all those sports.

Softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer and football. It was at one of those games when I ate my first Walking Taco. When your children are in sports, if you are a true parent and are "All In", you help with all aspects. Some coach (Paul) and others take snacks, drive kids around and serve by, well, serving. I did all those things and helped with concessions. I served up a few Walking Tacos myself!

Following kids around, traveling to games, watching games and serving Walking Tacos with fellow parents, I discovered that you bond with them. You learn about the challenges your friends face and share their joys. You laugh, you cry, you bitch about the referees and other parents. Their sons and daughters are like nieces and nephews.

And then one day your kids graduate from high school, and you're cut off! Sure, you can still see your friends. There typically aren't any tacos involved. Life goes on.

Michael Hyde got married to beautiful Erin last Saturday. He and Jud go way back to youth soccer. Paul and I started car-pooling with his parents, Jim and Lucy to games. Ben Weis's mom Joan started riding with us too. Her husband Greg was in veterinarian school. He was able to make some games, but was a busy guy. We had that car-pool bonding thing going on. Love those people - and miss them!

Jud was in his bleached hair phase

Several Creston guys in this group

The wedding reception provided a great opportunity to see not only the couple of the day, but the parents! And many of Jud's buddies. There were even some adorable grandchildren!

Michael looks back at Jud

Jud and Kara were disappointed not to be able to attend, but Kara's work/travel schedule, a new puppy and getting settled into their new home precluded the trip. Next summer is time for their class reunion. I hope who ever plans it has activities for the parents! We need to get together again. Maybe we could do a fund-raiser. Walking Tacos anyone?

25 years after Patrick

We knew you but a short time. You are not forgotten. Never forgotten.

It would have been Patrick's 25 birthday on December 2nd. He was born 12/2/91 and passed away 12/8/91. The first couple days of his life were fine. I feel bad thinking back, that I took it for granted.

Then his heart crashed and he was rushed via air ambulance to Blank Children's Hospital in DSM. He was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart syndrome. There were really no good options for us at that point, other than to disconnect life support. We took him home to the Creston Hospital where he passed away in our arms.

That experience was life-changing. When we first got to Des Moines and the pediatric cardiologist met Paul and me, she led off by saying, "You have a beautiful son." I knew that was the worst news. My heart sank. 

Periodically I re-live that moment. A telling moment in my life - when I grew up. I didn't live in a fairy tale anymore.

How many times did that doctor have to give devastating news to people like us? Your son's heart is incomplete. It was a death sentence back then - today, there are more options.

I didn't want to believe the doc. But it was true. And so he passed away at only six days of age. We went home with empty arms, to two young children who needed our care. I needed to heal, and parent. It was the hardest thing I've ever done.

Looking back, I don't know how I did it. Or how we kept our marriage together. It's easy to be angry at your partner when he doesn't grieve like you do. Guys (at least mine) don't want to talk about it. They want to work in their shop and build stuff! I read every book in the Compassionate Friends library (a cardboard box of books). Books about other parents who had lost children - I wanted to read about their pain, and then get to the end of the book. Just to make sure they got through it.

Our priest, Father Howard stopped by periodically, just to make sure we were doing okay. We'd make popcorn and chat. Amy and Jud, then ages six and not quite three, kept us busy. Amy was very compassionate. She'd draw cards showing Patrick as an angel - always including him as part of our family. Jud didn't quite understand what happened, but he was do adorable and made us laugh. 

For better, for worse was a vow Paul took seriously. You never really now how someone will be during tough times until you go through them. Though I don't recommend it, Paul is a wonderful partner to go through hell with. He put up with a wife who had a lot of tears to cry. He entertained the kids during those times, getting supper on the table too. Yep, I picked a good one!

Slowly we worked through the toughest part of our grief. It never really goes away. Especially around Patrick's birthday I always wonder, "what if"? He'd have been a busy guy, standing up with his brother and sister in two weddings in 2016 and 2017. Maybe he'd be living in our basement. Haha! I am too "Pat Bullock" for any of our kids to think of living there for long.

Our family is growing! We've added a daughter - Jud's wife Kara. In 2017, we'll add Amy's fiancé Corey to the fam. Our angel has more people to watch over now.

RIP Mrs. Brady

My mother let us watch a lot of television. Except the Brady Bunch. That show was banned from the two Bullock TVs - a Zenith console, color and a smaller black and white set downstairs - set on one of those metal racks.

Why, of all shows did Mom ban this one? She disdained how unlike real life the show portrayed American families. I think there was mumbling about how it "made her teeth rot". Too sweet. Thus the poor Bullock girls had to resort to catching glimpses of the popular show at neighbor's homes. Betso remembers popping next door to the Reinertsons to see it.  Rosemarie evidently was not taking a stand on the Bradys.

As the years went by, Mom slacked off in her edict. We watched re-runs and didn't even think of comparing that family to ours. By then I was older and was able to watch with a jaded eye. Some of the kids had gotten into "trouble" in real life by then. Aha! Mom was right. Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. The housekeeper, Alice, was my favorite character. I'm sure Mom would have loved to have a live-in Alice around too - to help with the toil of raising four girls.

RIP to Florence Henderson, aka Mrs. Brady - another icon from the 1970's gone.

Another Thanksgiving is in the past, but giving thanks is not. This year has had many ups and a few downs. When things aren't going so well, I only need think of all of you - my family and friends. I feel the warm puppy by my side as I write this. I call Odie a pup, but is soon to be 12. She's really an old broad with a gray muzzle. She helps enrich my days. It's the little things.

Some of the Goldsmith clan celebrated Thanksgiving with us. Paul is the turkey master. I appreciate everyone pitching by bringing something! I loved getting out the special family china. It brings back memories from many meals through the decades. The gravy boat is my favorite piece.

The platter is stored in a back closet - huge enough for a whole hog. I believe the set is the combination of two grandparent's sets. It's fragile and lovely. No dishwasher for this stuff....

Carol had to break it to us that our antique baster circa 1970, thanks to Zora Bullock) was shot - no suck left.

Foxes and Archers - can't believe Mandy is a HS senior!

A great team,  Carol and Paul - uniting for gravy

The best part about hosting a meal? Leftovers! I had pie for breakfast. Next we get so celebrate Christmas with our children (that now includes their spouses and "to-be spouses" in Colorado. We'll see Aunt Marty, Lamm cousins and my sis and nephew. Maybe even Jordan and Jill! What a way to finish up the year. I hope your tummies are full and you had some "Brady" moments yesterday. Or not...

Front Porch

Jud and Kara moved into their new home last week.

Doesn't it have a beautiful front porch? As my Aunt Marty says - it looks like a happy place. Complete with a front porch swing. I can't wait to visit.

All of the homes Paul and I have owned have had small front porches - stoops really. Nothing as grand as this. It reminds me of my grandparent's home at 909 Poplar in Atlantic. I have so many great memories of that home - the place my father and his sisters grew up.

It's on Zillow now, so I was able to get photos of what it looks like today. Someone has taken good care of this beauty!

I wonder if there are still peonies along the left side of the sidewalk?

We always went in through the back door - so this was our view. The kitchen. This was where my grandma, Zora Clayton Stewart Bullock whisked the turkey to when the card table holding the turkey collapsed - tossing said bird to the ground. It was Thanksgiving and my great uncle Max Bullock was attempting to carve the turkey. That's my recollection anyway. My gran, Momo, proudly brought the turkey back out moment later saying, "good thing we had a spare!"

Beautiful fireplace

We spent many holidays in that home, playing games in the front hall. We'd play with the toys our father and aunts once played with - board games from pre WW2. Tiddly Winks into the corn bread container. Sometimes we would bravely go down into the cellar - unfinished and chilly. Or the attic, where I was told the insulation (by sister Cindo no doubt) would swallow me alive. In each of those places there were remnants of my aunties and Dad - prom gowns, toys and books, like the Bobbsey Twin and Nancy Drew.

So much built in storage

 There were four bedrooms upstairs at the home. It was fun to stay overnight with Momo and Bubba (Wallace Orville Bullock). And sleep in the room at the top of the stairs. Once retired, my grandfather took oil painting lessons in Omaha. He became quite good, winning ribbons at area art shows. I have a couple of his works. I remember the front bedroom filled with easels, paints and paintings in various stages of completion.

In the early 1970's my grandparents moved to a condominium (Bub couldn't ever say that work right - he called it a condo -ninium). It was lovely and fit their needs with everything on one floor. My former boss at the gas station, Harry Hjortshoj and his wife purchased the house on Poplar. We were glad to see it go to someone who would love it as we did.

And so it goes from life's front porches. No matter where we live, be it a house with a big front porch, or an apartment in a city or a townhouse. We are all connected - creating memories. We are family.

A photo from 909 Poplar - living room

I'm wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Post Birthday Reality Check - political alert.

My first week at age 59 didn't go so well in my view.

• I have a sinus infection
• After a Bone Scan the past week, I learned Monday that I have Osteoporosis
• The election didn't go the way I hoped

Life is certainly a roller coaster. It takes a lot to get through it at times. The sinus infection is one of those brief blips. With an assist from a ZPack and time, I should be back to my usual sinus self in a few days.

The Osteoporosis diagnosis was a bigger blow. I asked my healthcare provider, former Crestonite and longtime pal, Sheryl Young about the Bone Scan because I had read that people with Grave's Disease were at risk for lost calcium. She arranged the scan for me at age 59 - prior to the usual 60 year threshold due to that and my broken bone last year. Even so, I have it in my head that I am Super Woman - immune to such things!

When Sheryl called Monday to tell me I have the disease I was stunned. In my mind I had pictured people with Osteoporosis being hunched 90 year-olds with blu-ish hair. Not me! Now I have to decide my method of treatment - more calcium for sure, bumped up to 1,200 milligrams from the 900 I was taking. Weight bearing exercise. And a medication to be determined - by what my insurance company agrees to. (yeah - they are the experts..). I'm hoping to do the twice yearly shots. Sheryl says perhaps these things could even build up my bones. Fingers crossed. I'm glad I found out and am treating this issue. I will continue to be careful about falls.

Next came the Tuesday election. I'm still coming to terms with the result. I always knew it could happen. I'm weary. I'm so very tired of playing defense - the constant anger, obstruction and criticism directed toward the current administration. In some ways this will be a relief.

I remember eight years ago. Many Americans woke up feeling like I do now - in reverse. I vow to not act like some of them have towards Obama - so very disrespectful, in fact downright hateful. This president-elect is testing me to my limits due to things he has done and said in his past. I appreciated his first speech. I hope he means it.

Here are a few a my fears:

• For the environment - are we going to go back to the 1970's where businesses and anyone could pollute the air, land and water however they wish to? Or have businesses learned that they must be good stewards of this world?
• Women's rights when it comes to their own bodies. Would outlawing legal abortion drive it underground as it was before it was legal? Will legislation allow women to die, sparing the fetus? If so, what happens to the children left behind? Why would fetuses have more rights than women?
• For minorities and immigrants. I know that most of the people who voted for the president-elect are not racists, but this election has elevated racist acts. There are those who don't blame Trump - they blame the media. Or Obama. No matter where this new boldness by racists is coming from - telling those of color to "go back to where they came from", We The People need to put an end to it. We cannot allow students to chant "Build A Wall". We need to speak up! It is learned behavior, and must be dealt with. This must be condemned from the top on down.  
• Health insurance - Republicans have campaigned on repeal and replace for many years, but nobody seems to really know what this means. Will 20 million be kicked off insurance plans? Will those like my cousin with a pre-existing condition still be able to get insurance?
• My niece plans to marry her partner Jill in Colorado next year. Will their marriage be threatened by this election? Will businesses continue to stand up against discrimination against LGBT?

That's enough for now. I'm trying. I want this country to succeed. I will try not to encourage posts comparing the new first lady past ones. That was very unfair to Michelle Obama and would be unfair now.

If a member of congress yells out "Liar" during a State of the Union Address, I will condemn him/her. There has been too much of that these past eight years. It has hurt. Decorum has suffered and the president deserves a level of respect that Obama never received from many in the country. Now those same people demand it for Trump. I will give it to him because of the office.

I traveled to Zearing yesterday for work. Rural Iowa voted for Trump. They are suffering. Their world has changed and the past eight years has not helped them. In my view life will never be the same in small town Iowa, but people will adapt. They are good people out there. I always see something cool in the towns we visit. Check out this sign.

A local soda pop bottled in Marshalltown back in the day

Friday Birthdays

Birthdays stopped being something to really look forward to when I graduated from college. Until then each birthday involved a fairly large celebration with me, the birthday girl being surrounded by friends and loved ones. Yeah. I'm spoiled like that.

Photos from early birthdays show Lil Leslie and friends (some were boys) all dressed up at the Bullock house at 202 Crombie. Mom knew I loved chocolate cake, so there were variations each and every year. One year we took all of my little friends to a football game out of town for my birthday - just sitting loose in the back of the 'ol green station wagon. Mom made up little goodie bags for everyone - with popcorn and candy. Way to go Mom!

• Then, when I was older, Mom succumbed to the "Slumber Party" craze. I was a good little beggar. Our house had no insulation in the basement ceiling. Some girls could go all night with "Mary Worth" and the "Lift Game" Ouija Board stuff - no sleep. There was bound to be a catty fight or two. Pat Bullock would usually have to pound her foot and the floor and tell us to quiet down - which lasted all of 15 minutes. That caused my own birthday party to be stressful. Oh for the days of stress free day parties when we popped balloons with our butts.
• By the time I hit High School, big parties were out, but my group of friends would celebrate each other's big day. We'd exchange gifts and go out to eat. Turning 16 was obviously a huge one. That was when I got the keys to the family green Ford Station Wagon. Awesome. haha. Our family had purchased a 1972 Chevy Vega as well - but Cindy had that at college - Drake University. During the winter my grandpa allowed me to drive his 1971 baby blue Volkswagon Beetle. I had a bit more swagger when I drove those cars - both manual transition stick shifts. It's been years since I drove a stick, but think I could still do it. Like riding a bike, right. Oops - back analogy for me...
• College birthdays were awesome! Especially my 20th, when it fell on a Friday - just like last night. That year, 1977 the Big 4 (Sally Rodgers, Jane Flack and Vick Gernand + me) made a plan to FAC (Friday Afternoon Club) at the CaveInn downstairs. Our dorm floor had a "meet up" with a guy's floor. That night I got to dance to the Beetles' "Tonight is Your Birthday" and received birthday kisses from a bunch of guys. There was cake and beer along with loud music in that dark bar that afternoon. It was perfect!
• The year I graduated from college, I worked on my birthday. There was cake. And work. I got cards and people called me long distance. (before cell phones, right) Real world shit! The party was mostly over.
• Okay let's not go into some pity party like bdays suck after college. But once you go to work - and your day is on a work day, they are kinda normal days.
• I have had some fun along the way. My pal Deb and I have birthdays near each other and have had some parties through the years.
• That's why a Friday or other weekend day birthday is special! I work half days on Friday - so I got to pamper myself part of the day yesterday. Last night we went downtown to try a new joint called Bubba. It was so gorgeous out that we took a spin around the sculpture garden prior to heading to the restaurant. I don't often get birthdays in the 70's with sun.

• I ordered the meat loaf with cheesy mashed potatoes. There was pecan pie for dessert. About then we spied some of Jud's besties from college coming up the stairs at the restaurant to celebrate a birthday. We'd seen them last at Jud and Kara's wedding. It was a fun way to end the evening!
• Amy had called me earlier in the day and Jud called as we drove home. Facebook friends wished me a happy day. Life is good!

Vote for me

No not really.

Recently Paul and I, disgusted by negative campaign advertising, pondered why anyone would ever wish to run for elected office. When you do - all the dirt comes out. In this election sometimes I don't even know who their opponents are or what they stand for - but now thanks to TV commercials I (and other Iowans) know some junk about one candidate posted on the Internet and another's tax history. While this might tell me about a mistake they made, it doesn't tell me if this is ongoing behavior or what kind of candidate they might be. These ads must be effective though - or they would not do them.

When I think about my own life, at first glance I'm a Girl Scout (in my own mind anyway). No boyfriends, no arrests, groping or email controversies. Taxes are paid.

But wait! All the opposition would need to do is search social media or this blog for fodder for advertisements and speeches.

They would have a field day!

• Goldsmith has a filthy mouth (after a blog I wrote about how much I enjoy swearing)
• She's a former shoplifter (one I blogged that a took bubblegum and felt so guilty I put a dime on the cash register)
• Here is a photo of Goldsmith drinking shots of liquor. (Um, which time?) Searching Blog Topics one can learn that seven of my blogs are contain the word shots - but two were really about medical shots. That wouldn't stop them though...
• I'm sure they could drum something up from my work history. Goldsmith job-hops for ten years before becoming a public serving and sucking off of taxpayers for the rest of her career. Yep - that would be the take.

Yep - a brief outburst in your online social media life can make you a target. Or in my case - an ongoing self-destructive need to write exposes me this type of overexposure. Oh well - one has to take some risks! My name is Leslie, and I am an over-sharer. I guess public office is not in my future.

Yesterday brought yet another football loss for the Cyclones. There were some cute dogs and kids in costume tailgating! I always look at the bright side. Cyclone fans have to or we'd be pretty crabby. And we got to hang with our buddies, Don, Diana, Kevin and Kari - who are fun, win or lose.

I took a few pictures as usual. I didn't get a photo of the strangest scene though - a guy on a motorized cooler being chased by a guy on a small motorcycle (complete with rubber with a horse head) - trying to lasso him. Too funny.

I wish this guy had been our ref for the game...

Hank and Max - Lion and Giraffe

Missy was a peacock

beautiful day to hang out with pals

Sights and Sounds this week

What a gorgeous autumn week in Iowa! This weather is pleasing to most of me - except my sinuses, grrr. Summer - don't go!

Anyway, I digress. I had a swell week! I took Monday off in recovery from the Petersons and Goldsmiths Fabulous Packers Adventure. The crowd chant "Go Pack Go" was stuck in my head. All week.

On Tuesday I visited my health care provider, Sheryl Young, ARNP, for an annual physical. Flu Shot! It wasn't too painful sister Betsy - unlike the ones we had as children when Mom insisted we have them at Dr. Wilcox's office. I'm happy to report that all of my numbers are good! I'm having a bone scan in a couple weeks - just to see how the 'ol skeleton is holding up.

Are you staring at me, Tub?

Wednesday brought the annual Land Quality  Bureau (LQB) retreat for work - held at beautiful Reiman Gardens in Ames. At the meeting one of my co-workers spoke about a recent episode of extreme anxiety they had experienced, causing them to seek medical attention. They said they hadn't realized how the anxiety attack had been coming on for some time.

I'm not telling you about this to "out" this person, only to say how much this testimony seemed to touch everyone there. Later I heard several people sharing their own stories about anxiety with this person and each other. Illnesses of this kind have a stigma. I experienced quite a bit of anxiety when my Grave's Disease was uncontrolled. It is very unpleasant and difficult to live with. Bringing this topic out of the dark is a step toward encouraging people to get help!

Pulpers help make foodwaste lighter

At the LQB Retreat we got to tour Iowa State University dining hall - the "back of the house" where they work on recycling food waste from student meals. The waste goes to the next place on the tour - the compost site - where waste from the ISU Farms goes to be made into compost used on campus and on fields. Really beautiful black soil.

When we got back to Reiman Gardens we enjoyed lunch from Hickory Park and the sounds of the ISU Campanile - playing the eerie music from the Munsters TV show. That afternoon we heard speakers from ISU talk about the environmentally sound way the school is expanding the campus constructing certified buildings. This was a nice distraction from the ISU president plane controversy. As a service project we helped prepare a million (slight exaggeration) pumpkins for carving.

On Thursday I headed with a group to an Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) quarterly meeting in Waterloo. The meeting was held at an old John Deere building that has been refurbished to hold a University of Northern Iowa lab where they print things. No - not just copies of your standings in the latest Fantasy Football League. The place prints metal and plastic castings and parts - things we used to need metal die castings for. Very cool! And so are the IWE reps who help Iowa companies trade leftover materials, keeping them out of landfills.

On Saturday I trekked solo to the Farmer's Market. Paul finally got to hunt. My mission was a Grilled Cheese Sandwich Caprese. Yummo!

After that stop, I went to my friend Scott's to help watch his baby girl Ava while he worked on his kitchen sink. Ava's mommy Vic was at work. It was fun. I'm more at home watching dogs, but I'll get the hang of this people thing! Ava will be one year old tomorrow.

Ava loves leaves, being barefoot and lots of food

The big news of the week is that Jud and Kara bought a house! It's in a suburb of St. Louis called Brentwood. I can't wait to see it in person.

Go Pack GoI

I had a fantastic time on our all Green Bay Packer weekend! So much fun that I had "Green Bay" tattooed on the tops of my feet. No not really - that was the chick in the restroom stall next to me at the stadium. I noticed while I shook sand out of my shoes whilst sitting on the pot. I bet those tattoos hurt! She must be a dedicated fan.

Our longtime Creston friends Deb and Larry contacted us a few months ago to ask if we were interested in going on a radio station sponsored bus trip. Hell Yes! Paul grew up in eastern Iowa - in the shadow of Packerland. He's been a Cheesehead all of his life. Larry is from Fort Dodge, but both guys were in their formative years when the Packers were the champs. Deb and I love Packer fans and have become fans through osmosis - that steady drip, drip of over 35 years of living with those crazy guys cheering for the green and gold. When Pappa is happy, everybody's happy.

Deb & Larry on the bus

We took off on the luxury (cough cough) coach (bus) from Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 6 a.m. Saturday. That was early! Paul and I were able to sit right by our friends and Deb and I got plenty of catch up time. We don't live by each other anymore. Time with my gal was like heaven - even on a bus! Meanwhile, several movies played on a small screens available on the bus - one right above our seat. We saw a newer Star Wars, Blind Side and a few more that I slept and talked through.

Our hotel was actually in Osh Kosh, b'gosh! It's about 50 minutes west of Green Bay. We stopped there before heading to storied Lambeau field. That's where the Packers play - and more. The organization has a shrine there that includes a museum and a huge gift shop. Upon arrival we decided we needed lunch, enjoying the Packer ambience along the way. One could have spent a whole day in the museum if one's wife wasn't with you...

the wind blows in Packerland!

Paul is an OWNER! The kids bought him one share of stock

The man and the legend...Vince Lombardi!

That night we had appetizers at the hotel lounge and a couple beers while we watched the Cubs and the Wisconsin Badger games - with Badgers fans. It was fun, but we pooped out early. The next day we had the waitress/service from HE double toothpicks for breakfast. Still, we laughed! She apologized, it was all good. The river outside our hotel was gorgeous and so was the day. In honor of our son, the Cowboys fan, we took a photo op with the America's Team fans from our bus.

Gary and his wife didn't even gloat after the game

The drive into Green Bay was awesome - I loved seeing the tailgating along the way. There are houses across from the stadium that must get rented out for game day. I'd love to party there! Our Packers experience included a tailgate party right by the stadium that was a lot of fun.

People say you can watch games in the comfort of your own home and wonder why you'd ever want to go to a game. Sunday again proved why to me! We had a blast. Sunshine, beer, brats (with kraut!), music and nutty people. They played some interesting songs...like "Bears Still Suck". Rivalries run hot between those team. Deb and I sang along like veterans. The two of us could have fun in a box...

I could have purchased this sport coat for Paul

Vince Lombardi made an appearance

All too soon, the party was over and it was game time (around 3:30 pm). Paul and I were soaking it in. When we walked to our seats we couldn't believe it. They were great - 15th row in the endzone. We were expecting nosebleed seats. When the National Anthem was sung, the flyover by giant helicopters brought tears to my eyes. At halftime, Packer legend Brett Favre accepted being inducted into the Packer Hall of Fame. He walked right in front of us. So the day had it all!

Now the not as great stuff. The Packers wore throw back uniforms. Damn! We wanted to see them looking like Packers. Then they didn't play well - so that was disappointing. On the other hand, Jud's team, the Cowboys rocked! So as his mother - I still won, right?

When the game was over, we made our way to the bus and it took a long time for the expert driver to make his way out of town. Packers fans were still tailgating as we made our way out of town. We made a stop in Madison, WI and headed on back to Iowa, arriving about 4 a.m. Thank goodness I took Monday off! I'm still tired, but in a good way. What a great weekend experiencing life with friends!

Having fun with my bestie!