Treats From My Youth

I saw an advertisement on Facebook for an ice cream cake roll and my "Wayback Machine" clicked on.

The cakes I remember weren't as pretty as the one above. Back in the olden days we could buy them in the store - smashed into a box, and the cake was kinda stale. Still, I loved it. Along with all the delightful treats people would bring to school for their birthdays.

Remember those little ice cream cups with the wooden paddles? And there were ones with chocolate swirled in too. Yum! Some moms delivered cupcakes - I liked those better than the fancy cupcakes you can buy in stores today.

Back at home, we were lucky to have access to lots of sweet stuff. We used to make this stuff called "Shake A Pudding".

Mom made the cooked pudding too. It would get a nice layer on top. I loved chocolate! What about Tang(the drink of astronauts) and Nestle's Quik? (the drink of some rabbit). That was good to eat with Twinkies.  

What about Carnation Instant Breakfast? We'd get the variety pack and the good flavors would go fast. (I confess I'd eat breakfast along with slurping down the drink - a powder that you'd mix with 2% milk delivered by the friendly milkman). Eventually Pop Tarts were invented - and then they decided to frost them. Brown sugar cinnamon were my favorite but later they invented - you guessed it - chocolate!

I still love all those things. It's a good thing I keep myself from buying that stuff. And some of those things aren't even made anymore. Self control. Why can't lettuce and vegetables taste like Shake-A-Pudding?

 

 

TBD2

The bride and groom were heading back from their trolley ride with the wedding party around STL - stopping at a couple scenic spots to take photos. What a special day it was - beautiful weather!

Kelly Park Photography

We'd been to the Three Sixty Rooftop Bar overlooking Cardinal Stadium. But there was a party to get to! The terrace at the Hyatt was sunny and wait staff served appetizers and drinks. Paul and I enjoyed catching up with the Gsmith fam.

Bro-in-law John, Brothers Larry, Ken, Denny

Sisters Carol and Dorie

Sister Pat and Bro-In-Law Dave

The meal was inside - a buffet of St. Louis foods. Of course the wedding party had to make a big entrance first, bursting through the doors to music! Jud and Kara cut the cake right away.

Amy and Pat boogie

Jud's Best Man, Mitch, gave a great speech and all the bridesmaids spoke including Amy who was really sweet - mentioning the story of when we first heard Jud starting talking about Kara. Kyle, Kara's father, gave the last toast as only the father of the bride can. Once all chewing was complete, the curtain opened and Kara and Jud (who likely didn't eat a thing because of nerves) kicked off the dancing with a first dance. They had been practicing - and I must admit - even though Jud isn't quite ready for Dancing with the Stars, he cut a striking figure with his beautiful bride.

I even had a change to dance with him - the song I selected for my Mother/Son dance was "Momma Told Me There'd Be Days Like This' by Van Morrison. He and I didn't do any special moves - but I enjoyed my short time all to myself with him.

After that the DJ just let it flow. And the photo booth was hopping. Cindy, Paul and I followed Betsy, Wayne, Paul and Alex. I wore a Pirate Hat and Cindy had a chicken carcass on her head. Paul wore wacky glasses and looked like a pimp daddy. Hilarious!

I had the photographer take a pic of the Bullock sisters but didn't get a phone shot - so we'll have to wait. We did get Ken Goldsmith to take this shot of the group though!

Love my family!

The Bullocks didn't party too late. Several had early flights - but we just aren't late night people. The Goldsmiths lasted a bit longer. Those Whiteds! They were there until the end - the last song, and then the real last song. The DJ dragged it out as long as he could.

Open air dance floor with Arch in the background (and full moon)

We danced on the patio, with a blow up beach ball bouncing about. Amy and Corey hung in there with us.

Every once in a while the ball would look like it might go over the wall - as the it was open air, overlooking the Arch. But then it would bounce back in again. By the end, I was happily exhausted. What a fabulous way to welcome Kara into our family and Jud into the Whited family. Can't wait to see what's next!

TBD 1

The Big Day

I awoke the morning of the wedding to find Jud had made it into our suite sometime during the night - all while I was sleeping soundly. Good thing he wasn't a murderer, or I'd be quite dead. Paul and I met Cindy upstairs for a bit of breakfast. Then Cindy and Paul went for a walk on a lovely morning while I headed back to the room to prepare for "girl time" in the bridal suite - makeup and hair.

If you know me at all, you can imagine that my palms were a bit damp at the thought of this happening. I actually was feeling like I'd be a better fit with the groomsmen who were hanging out in our suite.

There's another Mrs. Goldsmith around here!

But I put on my new robe (gift from the bride) and forged ahead. There were three hair/makeup stylists and they were great. They told us stories about nightmare groups they'd worked with. I hope we didn't end up being another story for later. Surely not! We were fun and nice. When my hair was done - there was teasing (of my hair) involved. That made me nervous. My face got airbrushed - years went away! It all turned out well. Kara and Amy looked so beautiful - and the other bridesmaids and Renee were lovely as well.

Kara in the background, me, Amy and flower girl

I spent a little time helping get the venue ready. Kara and Renee did a cool thing with wedding photos from both families.

Wedding pics with slide show playing above

don't have any photos of me in full garb - we'll have to wait for the official pics for that! I did slip into our suite for some time with Jud and Paul before the ceremony, helping him put his cuff links on (incorrectly, I think). My guys looked so very handsome in their tuxedos.

Paul called this photo "Game Time"

Then we went upstairs. I waited in a room with the bridesmaids until my son escorted me out into the sunny terrace where the people were waiting to witness the ceremony. I had been afraid that I'd cry, but instead I smiled with joy as I hugged him. Jud and Kara wrote their own vows, heartfelt and loving. Jud's cousin Paul Kohan did a reading. Reverend Judy spoke about love and said a prayer. The sun shined down and the St. Louis Arch stood in the background - a fine backdrop for the beginning of a marriage. We are so pleased to welcome a daughter to our family, and can't wait to see what lies in wait for these two.

Pronounced husband and wife!

We set up a receiving line in the building to greet all the attendees. Of course we had already greeted out family. It was fun to see so many of Jud's college friends. The Whiteds represented well! We took a few photos with the couple and the wedding group took off in the party bus for drinks and more pics.

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Paul and I headed downstairs for a drink! I slipped on flip flops. We headed into the pub at the hotel with my family and Paul's sis Carol and daughter Barb. At 4 p.m. we walked a couple blocks to the Hilton where the top floor bar provides a fabulous view.

Colby Lefebvre and girlfriend Liv

Susi and Jim

Paul and Alex Kohan

Cindy and Paul

Betsy and Cindy

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The view at the top was all that they said it would be. My brother-in-law Wayne said there was a wedding happening at home plate.

Not where the Twins play...

About 5 p.m. we headed back for the wedding reception. People along the street complimented us on our pretty wedding clothes.

The big event

And the process was grand!

I admit, I was a bit emotional this past week, leading up to Jud's much awaited wedding. It's milestones like these that make one consider our paths in life. How did I get to be a 58 year-old woman with this amazing son about marry a talented, beautiful, caring woman?

While in my car this week running an errand, a song came on that elicited thoughts of Jud through various stages of his life. (I was at one of West Des Moines long stop lights)
Picturing him:

• newborn - looking much like his big sis, but still like himself
• toddler, towhead blond - full of himself and impish
• temper tantrum boy - tough to wrangle because he was so strong
• those grade school years - when his love of all things sports emerged
• junior high and high school filled with sports practices
• entering college, a new Jud emerged - talkative and funny - meeting lifelong friends his freshman year, finding his way in life
• at his cousin Leslie's wedding in 2010, he started talking about a girl he was interested in. By Christmas that year, he was smitten
• following a career path in logistics, starting in St. Jo, Missouri - but staying kinda close to this very special girl
• Watching this relationship grow and mature - to when he called to tell me he was going to ask Kara to marry him

I admit, sitting at that traffic light, I went all "Diana McKim watching a Hallmark Commercial" and got teary eyed.

Right then I was sure I'd be a basket case at the actual wedding ceremony.

Fast forward. We traveled to Saint Louis, where Jud and Kara have made their home for the past two years, on Thursday morning. Kara had channeled my mother (AKA "the YMCA Director" Pat Bullock) and emailed an itinerary out that week. We planned to pick my sis Cindy and her son Colby and girlfriend Liv up at the airport that afternoon. Sis Betsy, husband Wayne and their oldest boys Alex and Paul flew in that afternoon and rented a car.

All our bags are packed - plus two long dresses!

Our home for the weekend was the Hyatt located right by the St. Louis Arch. So close I could spit on it! Okay, not really - but almost! Fabulous facility if you're ever looking for a place to stay, or hold a wedding. Kara and Jud decided if they were going to get married in STL, they wanted to embrace the location - instead of heading to the suburbs. 

Paul and I headed to Jud and Kara's apartment to meet up with her family that night for a picnic. It was nice to see them again in person since we hadn't gotten together since the kids graduated from ISU in 2011. Kyle and Renee's son Nate arrived shortly after we did with his wife and their baby Alexander. The weather forecast was looking promising for the big event! It was nice to have a casual event to meet with each other and talk - before "stuff got real".

Later we were able to hang out with family in our room which was "party central" - a suite. Daughter Amy and her boyfriend Corey had arrived that afternoon and went out to eat with a work friend of Corey's.

Paul was busy on Friday picking up tuxedos and shuttling groomsmen for theirs. After lunch at a burger place with the clan, I was able to hang out with Cindy, Betsy and Wayne at the free zoo in Forest Park. We didn't have time to see the whole thing, but the bugs and reptiles were cool. Amy, Corey, Colby, Liv, Alex and Paul toured Budweiser and got to see that neighborhood. Sister Susi and husband Jim arrived late Friday afternoon - we had a bit of time to catch up with them before heading off to the next act. A few of the Goldsmith siblings were starting to trickle in too. It was surreal having all these people there for us!

Friday evening was the rehearsal, followed by a meal Ballpark Village, a short walk from the hotel but right near the St. Louis Cardinals ballpark. Not a favorite team for either of my two guys, but hey - they can still appreciate a gorgeous park. Paul gave his toast at this dinner. He did a wonderful job. I'm glad I didn't have to speak! (I'm more the writing type!)

pretend wedding

My honey looking hot in his new sport coat

Jud and Kara on the walk to the restaurant

Jud with Whiteds

Rehearsal dinner gang

with Amy and Corey in front of the ballpark

When we got back to the hotel, my fam had arrived back from the Shaved Duck restaurant in the Hill neighborhood. It sounded like they enjoyed the food after a bit of a wait. We had fun chatting with family members for a while when Jud and Kara and some of her friends stopped in to say Hi. They were pretty wound up! I must say I didn't even hear Jud come in later to sleep on the fold out bed in the other room of our suite. I did get it all set up for him so he wouldn't be stumbling around in the dark! The wedding day deserves its own blog...

Another successful Marco Trip

Thank Mom and Dad for introducing us this beautiful paradise! Paul and I first went to lovely Marco Island in 1988. We think. We're a little foggy on the year. Young parents a all that. Blame lack of sleep.

Dad retired at age 58. Gee that age sounds so familiar. Hmm, that must be because I'm 58 now. Yet the R word isn't in my vocab quite yet - except to say that Paul says that I'm a Freshman in my quest for retirement from DNR. I aim to retire at age 62 from that job. I'd still need to drum up income from somewhere to support my lucrative lifestyle in central Iowa - living large. haha.

Anyway, I digressed. As Dad approached retirement, Mom and Dad had scouted for a place where they could spend winters - to escape the frozen Iowa tundra. They checked out Arizona where several Atlantic friends had settled, but Mom need water - as in an ocean. So they headed back east to the state where both sets of my grandparents had spend time. Mom's parents actually sold their home in Cedar Rapids and moved into a retirement center in Dunedin, Florida. My Atlantic grandparents wintered in the St. Petersburg area each year.

My folks went farther south on the gulf side of the state, eventually driving over the Judge Jolly Bridge to Marco Island. Mom knew she was home. They rented a condo in the Gulfview a couple years before they purchased a unit. It was sometime in there when we were invited to visit - a year or so after we'd settled in Creston with our young daughter.

We weren't real sure about traveling with a baby, so we approached our fabulous care providers the Frank family about keeping Amy while we took a short visit to Marco via Miami. I do recall that it was a nice break from parenting, but we sure were glad to get home to our kiddo! In the meantime, we fell in love with that island just like my parents did.

Before the beach was restored - check out little Juddy!

That was before the beach was restored, and before many of the condos and hotels that are there today were even built. Mom and Dad enjoyed introducing us to their many friends. The next time we came back, We had both Amy and Jud with us - it was 1991. After that is was game on. We took many trips to see Grandpa and Gran at the beach. Good times!

The second time we took the kids - Betsy and Wayne brought the Kohan kids

After Mom passed away from evil lung cancer in 1998, Susi and I drove with Dad to Florida. It was sad to leave him there without his partner of 45 plus years. He sounded lonely when I spoke with him on the phone that winter. We spent Christmas with him - and that was strange! Palm instead of Christmas trees! In the next year, Dad reconnected with an old friend and fell in love with Pat2 (yep, that's what we called his second wife). She enjoyed Marco too - until her death, tragically another lung cancer victim.

Stormy and Amy with Kay and Dad

Dad suffered a stroke in 2002, and we weren't certain he'd be able to recover enough to live in his own Atlantic apartment, let along make it to sunny Florida. Thank goodness a good friend by the name of Kay Harris stepped up. Dad  had asked Kay on a date shortly before he got sick - and she liked the guy! He was pretty darn swell. Kay and Dad traveled to and from Florida each winter for the next few years until his death in 2006. Our last time with him in Marco was in 2004, when we took Jud and a friend down over spring break while Cindy and Colby were there.

This year, Cindy, Colby, Paul and I talked as usual about our parents as we stayed in the very building where they used to own a unit. Patty, who cleans at the building, still remembers us. Most everyone else is gone though - like Mom and Dad. It's not overly fancy, but has a decent pool, great grounds and is smack in the middle of the beach - right by the Resident's Beach, allowing for a great view.

We enjoy visiting many of the restaurants and haunts that our folks used to take us to. Plus we find new places to go. Colby and Paul like to fish - just like Dad used to - even though he'd often get seasick, poor guy. We love walking along the beach just like our mother did. It's therapeutic, you know. I sorely needed that this year after a rough couple weeks at work. (I've been told that I need to quit caring so much, but I guess that's just not how I am wired.) My sis, Cindo was therapeutic too. She's a good listener and advice giver when it comes to work issues.

Each year we stay in Marco for 10 days, including travel (which was delayed on the way there). By the last day of this year's trip, I was ready to go home, ready for my own bed and to see my puppy. Now that's a good vacation!