Heading South and then North

After visiting our friend Chris Watson, we went south from Scottsdale to visit more people we love who live in Arizona - some permanently and others as snowbirds. My Aunt Jean and Uncle Bruce (affectionately known as Bean and Juice to those of us in the family who follow the Dave Bullock method of using nicknames for all) moved to Green Valley, AZ (GV), south of Tucson sixteen years ago.

Sunny AZ photo with Al and Sharon in their yard

I can't believe it's been that long since they decided to leave the Denver area, their longtime home. They decided the city was getting a bit too big. The city and suburbs population was just over 500,000 in the 1960's - and grew to 1.5 million by 2000. Today, it's close to 3 million! We have many Denver/CO relatives including our baby girl Amy and husband Corey. So we get there a couple times a year. We're sad they aren't around there anymore - but have to admit, at this time of year, their home in GV was sure a warm place to visit.

As a bonus, our longtime Creston friends, Allan and Sharon Higgins are spending a couple months in GV this winter. On our way to Jean and Bruce's, we stopped at their temporary home- a small house with a great view of the mountain range. They showed us around the area and we went to lunch - no Italian this time. I had a great tamale! Fun catching up with Al and Sharon - we've missed them!

Wisdom Cafe with Jean and Bruce

That afternoon, we arrived at Jean and Bruce's home in the Quail Creek, a housing area that has lots of amenities including a golf course and a cool community building where people can do all sorts of things like pottery, woodworking (Paul drooled at the tools), glass, quilting and more. We had not seen Bruce and Jean since Amy and Corey's wedding.

Aunt Jean and her sister Aunt Marty, who lives in Denver. are my dad's sisters. They've always been close relatives - much loved and familiar as they traveled to Atlantic to see my grandparents and us throughout my childhood. And we'd visit Denver. I can't stress enough how important it is to me to spend "quality" time with friends and family, swapping stories and hugs.

On Saturday we drove south to the small artsy, shopping town called Tubac. We dined at the Wisdom Cafe - for the best Mexican Food of our trip. Plus a margarita! It was fun shopping with J&B who even knew some of the vendors in Tubac. That night we dined at their club - something small as we were all still full from lunch. It was a hopping place!

Bruce was very helpful when we planned our route home - introducing Paul to neighbor Jimmy, a Kansas University fan from the western part of that state. Jimmy told Paul about the Fairfield Inn at Tucumcari, NM. Bruce and Jean seem to know all the best stops and roads to take - especially if you're going to Denver.

We stayed in NM that night and made it all the way home on Day 2, beating a storm the was coming into Wichita and Oklahoma City. It was a long drive. Home was a welcome sight! As Dorothy says, "There's no place like home"

Beautiful sunrise leaving Arizona

This store looked cool! I love Neon.

It was Sunday night - so we couldn't get our kicks - on Route 66

Calling it a Career

Brian and Garth Frable

Our Bureau Chief, Brian Tormey, is retiring at the end of the year. I'm going to miss that guy. Today we had his reception at the Wallace Building - with a baseball theme. Brian is a baseball and a hockey fan. And I didn't know, he is a huge Mets fan.

Check out the clever centerpieces - recycled from a high school graduation

Angie Clark, a technical staff person in our bureau, took charge of the party planning. Man, I want Angie to plan my next party. She rocks! I should have known...as that's how she handles all aspects of her job. Angie is very thorough and competent. She had a team working with her to put the party together - steamed hot dogs, just like at the ball park, with nachos, chips, and cracker jacks! Plus we had some marvelous cake from Costco.

Bill Ehm (it's pronounced aim) and Brian

Creston's own Division Administrator Bill Ehm presented Brian with a plaque commemorating his time with the State of Iowa. Before that he had put in time with the US Postal Service. So his retirement will be double dipping!

I forget how funny Brian is, but he had it going today. He brought a bag of stuff from his cubicle - Show and Tell. Here is one thing he brought.

 

Brian said the "Nun" chucks were a result of 12 years of Catholic education. Note the little nuns at the bottom left - ready to be launched by the apparatus. Too funny. It was nice to see some faces from the past at the reception. My first supervisor, Al Goldberg was there. I started my job at DNR 4 years ago today!

 

On a sad note, I found out yesterday that a woman from our bureau, who had been awaiting a heart for a transplant - got called to come to Iowa City Monday. Sadly, she was receiving some plasma prior during the procedure and her body reacted. She didn't make it. I was at work early yesterday, and overheard the Section Supervisor, Cal tell the news to a few who get to work early as I do. I felt so bad, even though I didn't really even know her. Everyone went from the high of being happy that Sandy's new heart was here, to the low of her death - all in 24 hours.

 

At his reception, Brian mentioned that last Friday Sandy had come into his office to congratulate him on his retirement. She had been back working, part time. She had an external pump to assist her heart. She was only 51, but had a heart attack a year ago, and then had more problems a few months later. She had been in the hospital in Iowa City many weeks,  and then recovered at home for a while before she returned to work while awaiting the call about the donor heart.
 

Brian said last week, Sandy mentioned that through it all, her faith sustained her. Brian felt good about that. It was a somber note during a happy occasion - his reception. But I was glad he brought it up. He's no stranger to grief. Just 4 years ago, right before I started my job, his wife passed away from breast cancer. So he was out of the office for several weeks when I first started work.

 

Brian's son stopped by for the party. And his bro, Ed works as the Bureau Chief for the attorneys at DNR - so he was there too. Nice that he got the support of family for this day.

 

It's hard to believe he won't be sitting in that cubicle next to Angie in a couple weeks. I'm going to miss him. Good luck big guy! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long ride to see tiny boats

Riding to the Shootout

Saturday Donnie and Cap'n Paul plotted a big ride! First our house met the other house at my fave place on the lake - Miller's Landing for breakfast. That's where I got my best ever T-shirt. On the back it says, "The liver is evil it must be punished". Clever or what?

I had a mix 'n match breakfast - pecan pancake, egg over medium and bacon. Plus a spicy Bloody Mary. It all was bloody marvelous. Then we ran into some peeps from Osceola that we know - the Schippers (and their muy expensivo boat. We hung out with them in NYC at the bowl game last winter. Small world at the lake!

After consolidating all 10 of us into Paul's 28-foot boat, we headed up-river from like mile 26 to mile 60. It was a long trip! But we were very pumped to see the "Shoot Out". That's a boat race with those big long boats with giant engines. My heart was racing with excitement! I could hardly contain myself! We were looking for a place called Kelley's according to Donnie - we slowed as we approached the area we thought it should be - Bobbie called out - "I think I see one!"

We turned in and parked at a somewhat rickety dock, puzzled that we couldn't see more boats. Then we figured it out - the RC before Shootout meant Remote Control! They were tiny 1/8th size boats! Zing Zing! And the people - something else. Key word - bib overalls. Okay that's 2 words. I worked on an oversized frozen rum drink in a Styrofoam cup. I didn't think the waitress/bartender was up to much more than that. Sweet but refreshing.

This is me smiling and having fun on the boat  looking like a blue hair?

Bobbie and Paul await a boat driven by a tiny man

The guys went down to look at the tiny boats. Al said one even had tiny guys on it. Everybody needs a hobby I guess...I think we should have all had guns to shoot at them. Now THAT would have been fun! LOL

After we decided remote control boats were going to be boring we were off to our next adventure - Possum Holler. Donnie discovered it on a map - a cool (insert dive) bar.

I picked up a great T-shirt! (not as good as the liver one) It says "I got smashed at Possum Holler" and shows a beer truck that ran over a possum. We were the life of the place. (Not saying much).


Our next stop was at a place called Big Dick's Halfway Inn. There are minnows in that little cup by the shots. The big deal at this bar - it must be halfway between the end of the lake and the dam - is to shoot a minnow and a shot. Poor little fishies! Paul and I passed on that tradition.

Minnows look nervous

After that stop we went to one last place for supper - Paradise. I had a nice fish (not minnow) sandwich. Then I was stuffed. It was an early night - all that fresh air and all.

Paul looks happy!

We took off early Sunday for Creston. The others stuck around for another day of fun. Though I'm sure it wasn't quite as much fun without us...
How nice of Higgins and Eckhoffs to share their beautiful homes and boats with friends. We feel so fortunate to have friends like those two couples plus the Mcs - McKims and McFees. All good peeps. Life is good.

Oooh we love the lake!

Just back from the lake - Lake of the Ozarks, near Osage Beach, Missouri. We love it there - mostly because our friends are there and we have such a good time cruising a huge beautiful body of water in a boat with them. (refreshing beverages might be involved too...)



This ISN'T Diana McKim...her stylist won't let her go gray...

We arrived at Paul and Lucy Eckhoff's lovely lake home on Thursday about noon. That's right - we got up at 5 a.m. because we wanted to get there to get the party started! Everyone else had arrived either Tuesday or Wednesday. Alas I worked at the fair in the DNR trailer again Wednesday. I sent Diana McKim this photo in a text - saying I thought I'd seen her at the fair in her red hat and purple outfit...
Captain Paul fixed Pablo and me right up with Bloody Marys. I would have been wise to eat something - thinking back....


Diana, Bobbie, Sharon share a laugh

Next Bobbie, Jeff, Paul, Lucy, Pablo and I took the boat to Larry's on the Lake for more refreshments and some appetizers. Again...I would have been wise to eat more. The good news of the day is - I wasn't drinking cheap zinfandel and switched to water before the end of the evening.

We ended up at Al and Sharon's new place (after a little break in someone's boat slip during a rain shower) where we had grilled burgers. Their place is a work in progress - they bought it around the first of the year and are rearranging rooms and remodeling the whole thing. Knowing those two - it will be fabulous by next summer. The nice thing about it is how level the lot is - no huge climb between the house and the dock.

Speaking of huge climbs - when we got up the next morning, Bobbie, Jeff, Paul and I went for a walk around Eckhoff's neighborhood. Those hills kicked my now sore butt! I enjoy looking at all the properties at the lake - from the front and lakeside. Higgins and McKims arrived from Higgin's place and Paul E. then cooked up a great breakfast - assisted by the lovely Lucy. Biscuits, gravy, eggs, sausage - rib stickin' stuff. I did not go for a Bloody Mary that a.m.!

We headed off in 2 boats to find a place to float and enjoy the water. It wasn't all that hot yet, so when we stopped I sat in the boat for a while. The limestone in the area is gorgeous!

Paul G. never did break down and get in...

Captain Paul with Co-Pilot Lucy

We stopped at a couple places on the way back to Paul and Lucy's. At the first place Donnie showed off his glasses floaty things - Al had discovered them. Women were in awe.

The woman to the right of Don was impressed with yellow floaties!

The girls enjoy bevvies

 At the next place there was live music. The guys had fun tossing bean bags until we talked them into dancing a bit.

Then we headed back for some chops. Rumor has it Ryan McKim won them playing golf. They were quite tasty with hash browns, salad and green bean casserole. Living large at the lake on a Friday.

Bra Dept Biatchs

I stopped at Younkers tonight - needed a new brassiere. One with padding - not something I usually go for, but when I dress up, I like to look like I actually have breasts.

So I stopped at Valley West. First I tried on a few more dresses. Don't tell Pablo but I may have to purchase just one more. The black one a bought, after being altered, just looks more like a funeral dress. Oops. Found a sale dress for $59 and looked at some scarves/shawl pashmina type thingys. Didn't purchase.

Instead, I decided to go upstairs to the undies department to check out the bras. I only have one good one. Otherwise, needing little support for my booblets, as I've explained before, I wear bra-lets.

When I entered the area, the salespeople were busy gushing over a new type of bra they'd just gotten in - showing it to a customer. They glanced up at me - evidently sizing me up at the same time. I came up short. In the cup. They didn't bother to speak to me again while I walked around obviously looking for something I wasn't finding.

In the past Younkers has had an "Almost A" cup bra - product that I liked. But I can't find it anywhere! And I wasn't having any luck there. In the meantime more customers came in - and the saleswomen continued to enthuse over the new bra that "puffed you up two sizes". I guess you had to be a size to start with...sigh. A customer came out with it on, and the others drooled and clapped. I left.

And went to Penney's where they were doing construction and people left me alone. I didn't find Almost A, but but hey an A fit me just fine. I even tried it on! I also got a sports bra and some kinda Bermuda athletic shorts.

Didn't go back and get the dress, but hey I'll be back next week.

My boss Al and I went to lunch today - I think he wants to share his knowledge before he retires. It was nice. I'll miss the guy - think I would have really become good friends with him had I had a chance to work with him for a long time.

Jud called me while I drove home from the mall - he had a medical question. I was concerned as he hadn't done laundry last weekend. I texted him to say "don't become the BO guy nobody wants to work by!" and to say at least go buy more polo shirts! He told me tonight he did laundry, so I will be able to quit obsessing about it. Phew!

Dancing with the Stars is really the only reality show I can stand.
I think The Good Wife is the best show in TV right now - great characters! Gotta go it's coming on.

Banana rama cha ching

Stopped at the mall today on my way back to Joan's place. Joan is on vaca and there is nobody home. It's lonely and there is no reason to rush here. I worked until 5 PM - it was a long one - but I did get my review from my boss Al. I got good grades Mom!

I spent my time at Valley West Mall cruising through Von Maur Department Store, Banana Republic, The Gap and my fave Calypso. I would like to say this about Gap and Calypso - Yikes - your prices are too high for me! A button down collar shirt for $59? Really (said in best Saturday Night Live voice). A drapey shawl at Banana Republic $69? Realllly? It's like all those stores just waited to jack their prices up.

Von Maur had some sweet shoes and sandals, and I found a shawl on sale that might look good with my new dress. Didn't get it yet though - since I have time to shop around in coming weeks. Need to find that perfect dress for the LA wedding too. I think Pablo said something about getting new shoes (hiking boots) from Cabelas via UPS today...hmmm and he says I'm the one with all the shoes.