Paul is Leaving Me

Just after our 36th anniversary, Paul is leaving me. For just over a week anyway.

Thirty-six years. I can hardly believe I've been alive that long, let-along married! How did this happen? Luck and good choices. Both of us were lucky to live at 230 Campus Avenue our junior years at Iowa State University. It was a brand new apartment complex built on the west side of campus. My roomies, Sally, Jane, Vicki and I were the first ones in unit #421.

230 Campus Avenue

Paul wasn't there that fall quarter. He was off in southwest Iowa tagging geese at Forney Lake in Fremont County. His cute roommates lived in #209. We met them through our friends who also lived in the 200's. Eventually, Paul came back to visit and I met him at an FAC (Friday Afternoon Club) at the storied Ames restaurant, Aunt Maudes. It wasn't love at first sight.

During the spring of our junior year, Paul was determined to put together a co-ed softball team. He must have heard what excellent athletes my roomies (not Vicki :>)) and I were. I also snagged Jennifer Deter. He asked his buddies and between us, we had a kick-ass team! Before I knew it, I went on an actual date with the coach, one Paul Goldsmith.

That summer, my roomies and I lived in Ames and did odd jobs for the university. Important stuff like paint the broomball rink boards. I worked for the rec department and counted the number of people in the gym - walking a route between two buildings. It was a pretty good gig.

College Paul

At night, Vicki and I spent time watching a men's slow pitch softball team sponsored by Minski's Pizza. Paul and Vic's honey Fred played on the team. It was a great time, drinking beer and cheering for our fellas. One weekend, they played in Harlan, so we visited my Atlantic hometown. My parents got to meet "Goldy" as everyone called him. Some people still call him that.

Run Paul

Still - I thought it was a summer fling. He likely wasn't "the guy". Was he? Everyone has this dream picture of who they'll marry. I thought my guy would be a big dark-haired dude. Not this wiry blond farm boy. Still, we did have fun and both liked sports.

When I graduated in the spring of 1980 and moved to Sioux Falls, he still had some school to finish up. I wasn't sure what would happen. He came to visit me. We wrote letters and talked on the phone (expensive long distance calls). That was when we really got to know each other - without all the background noise of college life. We fell in love in slow motion and became best friends. It hasn't all been easy - but there is nobody else I want by my side.

Now I've been married to my best friend longer than I've been alive...okay, not quite that long. I can't imagine life without him. So when he leaves this week to go hunting in Colorado, he'd better not croak! I need the guy. Happy Anniversary 8/28/82.

  

Back to School

This time of year brings back so many memories. Back to school. It wasn't until I was in my upper forties that I finally quit getting the feeling that I should saddle up and go back to school each fall.  Sixteen years of doing something must ingrain a habit.

Back in the sixties, Back to School meant two shopping trips. One to downtown Atlantic to pick up school supplies and shoes. How exciting to get a new eraser, paste, unused Ticonderoga pencils, notebooks and a big box of Crayolas. A trip to the shoe store would provide new PF Flyer tennies. I just knew I would run faster in those babies!

Kilpatrick's, Omaha

Then there was the big trip to Omaha for clothes. In the early days, we shopped downtown - all dressed up for the big shopping day. I remember the elevator operators in the big department stores. Evidently, the Kilpatrick's downtown was sold to Younkers in the early 1960's. Mom loved to eat at Walgreens. That organization seems to have cut restaurant out of their business model today. The patty melt was her fave. Every time I order one I think of her.

When our children were school age, Back to School was a big deal too. We would go to WalMart armed with our class list. New backpacks, binders, paper, pencils, colored pencils, glue, scissors - you had to get the right stuff. And we provided Kleenex and other classroom supplies. (It's funny but I don't remember how I wiped my nose during my school days. Sleeve?) Our clothes shopping trips were in Des Moines. Jud could have cared less, but Amy was into it. We made a day of it.

Fast forward to today. Our nephew's kids did all of their shopping online. New clothes came in boxes delivered to their front door. They didn't even have to put on their shoes get their new stuff. Just open boxes!

No matter how kids get their school supplies, it's exciting. A new teacher, a whole new year of stuff to learn. Time marches on. Right now the little tykes are already practicing football in the park across the street. Ah, the sounds of fall.

LOTO Jammin'

It was the last of my summer excursions - but one I look forward to every year. We got invited once again to Lake of the Ozarks (LOTO). Paul and I feel so fortunate that we have friends in low (on the map) places.

This year we added one more couple to the mix as Bobbie and Jeff purchased a lake place. We looked at this house with them one year ago. Wow. The beautiful lake home we visited this weekend didn't resemble the ramshackle, not updated for years, filled with knickknacks place we saw in 2017. The McFees have put in some work (mostly Bobbie). Walls have been reconfigured so it's pretty much a whole new place inside the shell. It has 3 full baths and 4 bedrooms, with an open kitchen and all new appliances. Okay, all new everything. Plus they replaced the old rickety deck with a new larger one.

Paul and I did get in on the "fix up" fun. Nothing too taxing for me of course. I was on paint patrol - dabbing those darn missed spots one finds after painting. Paul and Jeff installed knobs and a barn door in the master bath (Joanna Gaines has nothing on Bobbie). Joanie McFee, my former roomie, and Jeff's sis was there. Yay!

I miss Joan. She let me live with her for around 4 years Monday through Thursday as I commuted from Creston to my new job in the big city. Her Waukee home housed many roomies through the years. I shared space with Bobbie and Jeff's nieces Kristina and Kim over the years. It was fun getting to know them better (as adults, not as tiny playmates for our kids). Now that I don't see Joan weekly, I miss her!

At the new lake place, Joan was in charge of painting around the deck door while Bobbie cleaned up the downstairs living room. Bobbie and Jeff are considering renting the place once it's ready for prime time. Check out the view.

view at Bobbie and Jeff's

 On Friday when we arrived at LOTO, we had a great lunch complete with sweet corn. Then we hung out on the boat dock until the McKim party (Don, Diana, and their college pal Wally) picked us up in the party pontoon. I always love cruising on this big lake where you can go for so many miles checking out the beautiful homes and boats. Until you stop at a bar.

We went to Fish and Company first. It was a lovely day to hang out with friends with beverages at a bar on the lake. We listened to Dale Blue a solo performer who is part owner of the joint. He's great at involving the crowd. That afternoon, there was a big group of young women dancing and joining him on stage.

love the photo bombers

Then, at one point they cleared out. He looked at me and said, "Hey visor girl, bring your friends up here on the stage." It was Sweet Home Alabama. I started with a tambourine - but after glancing at the chick to my right with the fake guitar, I knew I had to take action. She didn't know how to fake play it AT ALL. I gave her "the look" and she turned it over to me. She wasn't guitar material. I rocked it! My first and last guitar gig.

Later, we danced. "Survey said, drinks up!" We always have fun at LOTO bars.

At our next stop, we were joined by more buddies. Sharon and Al along with Rita and Jim (more McKim college pals). The gang was here! We got some snacks and drinks and caught up with each other. I miss these people! We got to ride back to Bobbie and Jeff's in a boat in the dark. Cap'n Al at the wheel. So cool.

Saturday we sat on that nice new deck for coffee and breakfast. Then we did that bit of work for our keep. The rest of the afternoon involved hanging out on the dock.

Birthday boy - second from left with his lovely wife and college pals

That night was the big birthday party for Jim at McKims. The same cast of characters plus Lucy Eckhoff. and Bob Snodgrass. Cake and balloons were delivered at 6:30 p.m. Jim was surprised and delighted (I think). Even more than the cake, the birthday boy liked the electric bug zapper on the deck. We all have sore ribs today from laughing at Wally's comedic gigs involving a possum and a trash can and swimming noodles. The guy should quit his day job and do stand-up. We sat on McKim's deck until midnight. Another great day with friends - in the books.

view from McKim's deck at night

Today we drove home fairly early. Joan rode with us. The trip takes just over 5 hours with few stops - so we took advantage by catching up even more on Crestonites and her fam and friends. Weekends like this one - priceless!





 







 

Goldsmith Bond is Golden

Another week, another family gathering. This time it was the "other side" - the Goldsmiths. And there was no wedding. Each year the Goldsmiths gather early in August. We used to get together around Thanksgiving until we figured out that we would prefer getting together when it's nice out in the midwest. We ain't no dummies!

Many of the Gsmiths headed to Dyersville on Thursday night for a rousing golf game Friday. We didn't arrive until Friday after working in the a.m., saving my dwindling vacation hours. Paul and I did get in on a tour of the Becker Woodcarving Museum - just north of town. Jack Becker was a classmate of Carol and her dear friend Roger. Jack's son Jude talks about the museum here: video.

Jack Becker's Workshop

The museum is on their organic farm, just north of town. They raise hogs there. My favorite parts of visiting the museum were Jack's workshop and being outdoors at a farm. It was peaceful there - except for those porkers. They can be a little loud. I understand their product is shipped all over the world.

Mary & Ken

Loved being on the farm

Jack's wife told me he was always drawing as a child, and he sketched his designs before carving them. The best ones are displayed in churches in the area. He was taken early by a terrible arthritis type illness.

my beloved Gsmiths

With significant others 

That night we gathered at Roger's Dyersville home. All eight remaining Goldsmith siblings were there. We miss Connie, who passed in 2007 after battling breast cancer. It was a fun night of catching up and discussion. I used my commanding Pat Bullock voice to get everyone into position for photos. Roger's neighbor kindly took a group shot that Carol has yet to share. Hint Hint! We stayed the night and had breakfast with Jean & Dave and Denny and Kelli. Our time together was brief, but we're glad everyone was able to meet. We heart them! Some year we're including the kids and grandkids. I'm thinking 2020.

On the way home, Paul and I drove through Earlville, Paul's hometown. The folks and Connie are buried there. I can't help but think how proud they'd be.

Alex got married!

I remember the first time I met Alex and his twin younger brother Paul in March of 1990. The two little guys were so very tiny - weighing in at around 6 pounds at birth. Amy and Judson each crushed that weight - entering the world at over 9 pounds.

That's Alex on the right, Paul on the left

And there were two of them! If one wasn't crying, eating or pooping, the other one was. The idea of twins (or more) is cool. But the reality is overwhelming - and I was only there a few days. I was glad to be part of their early days. After I left, poor Betso got sick with toxic shock and mastitis. Despite all that, A & P grew. Soon to be joined by three siblings. Such a cute fam. It's been fun watching them all grow up - from two time zones away.

2000 Cannon Beach

The good news is that we've had many occasions through the years to see each other. I chuckle thinking about the time niece Leslie and daughter Amy heated up one of the kid's bottles in the microwave for something like 4 minutes. Can you say HOT? Good thing Betso was right there to take charge.

In the last ten years, we've enjoyed spending longer periods of time with the Kohans every other year in Cannon Beach. Alex has always been a fairly quiet guy - unless we were talking about sports. While Alex attended college, his summer job was with the city - a summer camp with kids. He found out how much he loved working with special needs children. That led to extra innings in college while he pursued credits in education. Alex lights up when talking about this topic and his students. Then he met Lisa a fellow teacher. More lighting up! So we weren't surprised when they became engaged last year.

Christine, Paul, Jud, Kara

Scenic view at the winery - and our fam

We were so glad we had this date: 8/4/18 on our calendar all year. Our whole fam was attending - along with my sisters and brother-in-law Jim. Our family hadn't been to Kennewick, Washington since 2000. We all converged in town by Friday for a big family meal at a winery that night. (The rehearsal was the night before.) We had a great time catching up with family and friends. I enjoyed hearing the kids visiting with their cousins. Lots of laughter!

On Saturday, we had some time to explore before the festivities. Our family and Aunt Cindo decided to check out the local a mercantile and a couple wineries. We tasted lots of salsas, pickles, nuts and many wines.

The second place had a wine pourer from South Carolina whose husband was on the Clemson championship team in the 80's. It was a fun time. The views were stupendous!

Then we were off to the Promise Garden for Alex and Lisa's outdoor wedding. It was such a lovely day, upper 80's - not nearly as hot as it could have been. Their vows were straight from the heart. Everyone looked so beautiful and handsome. Then they were announced as man and wife!

We dined on Olive Garden and delish treats and cake made by the bride's mom. Let the dancing begin. Betsy admitted her mother/son dance brought tears to her eyes. It is a special time. Then, seeing that wedding ring on your son's finger. It seems so grown up. Congrats to grown-up Alex and bride, Lisa. We're glad you found each other.

We all had such a grand time laughing and talking. Of course, they played Love Shack. As usual, one of my favorite times was just hanging with our kids. After the wedding, riding back in the rental van, listening to Amy, Corey, Kara, and Jud (with a few additions by Paul and me) talk about shows they watch on TV. Their interactions and genuine friendship. Love.

Welcome to the fam Lisa!