Exploding eyeballs and running errands

My sisters' eyeballs are exploding. No not really. But close! Cindy experienced a torn retina back in November and underwent surgery right after Thanksgiving. Susi discovered she had tears in both retinas and had surgery a few weeks ago.

Then Cindy's bad eye developed at cataract. When she and I discuss it - we always turn it into an old joke dad told where the punch line was a Cadillac vs. Rinkin Continental. Cindy had that procedure this week. That's no joke. She reported to me last night that the procedure went well. Yay.

I hear from my own eye doc (Dr. Don McKim) that these things are genetic. Dad had a detached retina I recall. So I imagine I've got something like this in my future. Yippy! My eyesight is lousy. Dr. Don likes to say that I have one bad eye and one really biffed up eye. So while I'm not looking forward to health problems, a cataract might end up working in my favor in the eyesight department. So I've got that going for me!

Here's to my sissies returning to good eye health!

Me and sissies - from last summer in Cannon Beach

I'm running errands today. I started pondering - my life has sure changed since we moved here to the big city from Creston a couple years ago. Where errand running was simple.

In Creston I could stop at the scrap book store - located in the restored Post Office. And I could get some engraving done at the same time. Nearby at the quilt store I could take care of clothing alterations. The staff there would pin and mark the item as I "styled it". The actual seamstress picked up the article up at the Quilt Store to transport it back to the town of Orient to her husband's welding shop where she works magic with her sewing machine.

Maple Street Memories - at the former post office

A block away I could swing through Family Shoe Store to check for any hidden gems in the Bargain Basement. If I forgot my purse - no problem! My spouse could stop by later and pay. They know us there. On my way home, I could stop at Farm & Home - operated by our neighbors. It's a place where a person can buy fashionable jeans, bolts, kitchen utensils, lawn chemicals, a toy and a greeting card all on the same trip. One stop shop!

You get the picture. Creston isn't just like the big city. Today I'm on my way to Costco. I might stop by DSW or Trader Joe's. But nobody there will say, "Hi Leslie! How are your kids?"

I like living in the big city. But sometimes I miss that small town.

Paul and I graduated from Ballroom Dance class last night. Maybe...graduated is too strong a word. We're done with class. ChaCha was the last dance we learned. We did pretty well at that one!

Is that relief detected on Paul's face?

Amy's visit, Dancing with no stars, Beating Kansas

It was another busy week in the small city. That's what Amy's boyfriend Corey called Des Moines - and he's right. One skyscraper IS pretty small. We like our small city and lack of big city traffic. I wish we would have had longer than an evening to show him around.

Amy and Corey add another state to their USA passports

Amy and Corey arrived last Tuesday after a long drive from Denver. They were on their way to Pittsburgh where he will live for the next 6 months for his job with GE. They took the scenic route - meandering between here and Pittsburgh through Madison, Chicago and Michigan. During their short stop in DSM, we took them out to eat at Alba. Amy's college roommates Jenna and Rachelle met us later for a drink. Conversation was such fun!

In the morning, they were treated to Paul's breakfast casserole. Paul and I each took a couple of vacation hours from work so we could hang out with them a bit longer. It was very nice to meet Corey and we hope to see him again soon. Amy will be back  in DMS for a few days this week before she returns to Denver. Yay!

Thursday night was Ballroom Dance night with Jim and Suzi, our instructors. We kicked it off with a stop at the Tavern for pizza. Last week we enjoyed their broasted chicken - which is very good. I thought the pizza was okay - not great. At dance, we moved from Fox Trot (named after Vaudeville actor Harry Fox) to Swing - which is more up our alley. There were more couples in class this week - probably 16 - thus more people to dance around. Maybe we'll try to work in some practice time this week. I need to work on my "frame". It's good exercise if nothing else.

Friday night we went to the movie Birdman, which has many Academy Award nominations. It was...interesting.

We traveled to Creston on Saturday afternoon to attend the 50th Wedding Anniversary of some of the nicest people we know - John and Kathy Tapken. Their four children held a party for them at the Lobby. We arrived a Creston a little early so I'd have a chance to check out the stock at one of my fave shoe stores, Family Shoe, operated by Steve McCann aka Dr. Shoe. He's got all my fave brands - Merrill, Clark, Dansko and more. And he's got the Bargain Basement. I scored some great Merrill boots down there - $75!

The Tapken/Goldsmith connection goes back a long way. John Tapken has been part of our lives since we moved to town. He was the director for Union County Conservation and served on the board for Paul's work. We met Kathy through him and they attended our church. John was and is very active in the state with Resource Enhancement and Protection grants. He also hired Jud for his first job - at Three Mile Lake in Afton. He was a great mentor for our son. Kathy was Amy's confirmation sponsor.

The reception for John and Kathy was very nice. I met his oldest child - son Doug, for the first time. He'd graduated from high school by the time we arrived in Creston. We were also able to see a number of longtime Creston friends at the party - Mary Moore, Bob Snodgrass and Gerry Katzer to name a few. We didn't stay long as we had a "next act" planned for the day.

After a quick stop at home to let the pooch out, we headed to Ames for a big basketball game - ISU vs. Kansas. This year it was even bigger than ever because ESPN had made it the location of Gameday. We joined our friends the Ehreckes at Scheman Hall for a meal of pulled pork before the game. And what a game. It was - sold out and rocking - even more than usual with excellent signs that only college students can come up with. Stuff like "Bill Self wears Crocs". Funny. But the final score wasn't funny. Cyclones win! We had a beer with a group back at Scheman after the game - to relish the big victory. Fun stuff. Too bad the Packers weren't able to hold on for a victory Sunday to complete the happy weekend for the Gsmiths.

view from the cheap seats

My week...in an allergic nutshell

Whoo! What a busy winter week. It had everything. A winter storm, freezing cold and wind, Cyclone hoops, a medical appointment and a dancing date with my honey. I was exhausted by Friday.

Paul and I left early from work Monday - as the snow started flying late morning. I picked him up on the Locust Street bridge about 2:30 p.m. and it was snowing heavily by then. I avoided the Freeway - sticking to Grand and Ashworth on my way home - slowed down by a wreck on Valley West Drive. By the time we were just a few blocks from home, it was nearly impossible to see - between my frozen windshield wipers and the heavy snow. My co-pilot wasn't much help on EP True Parkway - where I couldn't see the curb or lanes. I was glad to pull into the driveway of our place! Des Moines ended up with six inches.

Tuesday night the ISU Men's basketball team had an 8 p.m. basketball game. Late night for the Gsmiths! We were lucky it didn't turn into overtime - a close game, but the Cyclones pulled it out. Phew. By the time we left Hilton, the cold had started ratcheting up. Schools were beginning to cancel for the next day.

Wednesday was Allergy Test day. Yes Dear Reader, it's more about My Health. Skip over if bored. I find it fascinating, of course...
Turn on the Wayback Machine. When I was about 4 years old, my parents took me to Iowa City to see an allergist. Since then, I've seen allergists throughout my life at various times. It's been at least 10 years since the last time I have been tested. So much more is known now about allergies than in 1960...and 1970. I had shots until I was 18 years old.


the red one is cockroach

Now I know allergies do more than just cause itchy eyes and nose. The medicine I'm taking for Grave's Disease is helping me feel better, but despite that, I have been effected with headaches for the past couple months. This time of year is when I do get more headaches. Why? I'm hoping these tests help me proactively approach this problem.

I remember that when my Iowa City allergist retired, I changed to a new one in Omaha when I was in Junior High. That was the first time I remember going through the testing similar to what I did last week - the needle prick with the offending material. This time I also had to report on several materials 24 and 48 hours after the test.

What I discovered: I reacted to Wheat, Eggs, Milk, Beef, Soy. Wow - that's a bit overwhelming. I eat that stuff all the time. The doctor's office suggests that I emit all of those from my diet for 2 weeks and see how I feel. Then I should slowly add them back in. My shopping list will be different this week! I also reacted to the usual suspects like dust, dogs, cats, mold, and cockroaches. Yep...dirty little rascals. Why would we worry about them? Evidently they are in chocolate! Google the two...ugh!

I have a couple goals. Reduce the number of dust mites in my bedroom and clean up my diet. Odie will be put in a bag. haha. No not really. Part of me thinks that changing my diet is a stretch. I've been eating all of these things all my life. But I'll give it a try - just like in 7th grade when I missed all the good foods Mrs. Elming helped us cook in Home Economics class when I went through this same thing.

Wednesday night Paul and I attended Book of Mormon at the DSM Civic Center. It was our second time to see this decadent raunchy show. I love the music and this show makes me laugh. Another past my bedtime night though...

Thursday evening Paul and I snagged broasted chicken at the Tavern in Valley Junction before attending our first Ballroom Dance class in a series of eight. Yes, it's the exact same class we took a year ago - with instructors Jim and Suzi. Jim tells the same 'ol jokes. Paul and I laughed at each other - again! My how dancing tires you out - even if you're in shape from walking miles toting a tree stand like he is.

I couldn't wait for Friday to roll around so I didn't have to go anywhere! I was tired. I did run down to Creston that afternoon and pick up my new Kate Spade glasses. It was a quick jaunt and I didn't stop anywhere else. The trip brought back memories of my commuting years though. I don't miss them!

I drove by Green Valley Chemical - where an explosion this week took the life of Eldon Ray, who sat in front of us at church at Holy Spirit for many years. We watched Eldon and his wife Cindy nurture their grandson. Periodically their daughter would join them. Thoughts and prayers go out to her and her children.

I scrubbed the allergist's numbers off my arm in time for a water aerobics class at the Y this a.m. Amy and her friend Corey are coming through DSM next week and we're looking forward to that. Winter is a busy time it seems!

Dancing update, boy here

Our dancing FAIL continues - but hey, that's why we're taking lessons. Too bad they didn't offer remedial lessons though. We're moving too fast - and I don't mean our dance moves. We really should stay on each type of dance longer. We're not bad at the regular Fox Trot by now, but anything fancy added on? Iffy at best.

Then we started Swing at the end of class two Thursdays ago. Finally - something we understand! Right. The basic step is easy - it's when you start swinging around that the difficulty increases. The guy has to "start" the moves. Paul seems to be a slow starter, according to our instructor.

We both wore better dancing shoes (soles that don't stick) this week - so we didn't have the "bad shoes" excuse to fall back on for our lack of smoothness. We didn't practice dancing at home though. Bad us. We had planned to practice Wednesday night, but my partner got a better deal - he got together with work buddies who were in town for training. I couldn't fault him for wanting to have time with his pals...poor planning on our part.

I admit it ever since we married I have tried to lead when we have danced. So learning to allow Paul to lead has been difficult. The pressure is all on him now as he's got to decide all the extra moves. It's like that exercise where I am supposed to close my eyes and fall back into other people's awaiting arms. It's all about trust! Sometimes I still anticipate moves when he hasn't started them.

This isn't us...

Of course I trust Paul - but I'm a control freak. (Give it up Leslie...) We need to practice so he is comfortable making his moves earlier - so they become routine. So I know what the heck is coming. Cuddle, left turn, his spin? There are so many options! And we've only just begun. Next week? We'll finish up swing (insert sadness - I would like to do more of this Swing stuff) and start several weeks of the waltz.  

Dancing together has been fun. We've laughed a lot - even though it's been frustrating at times, and I've been irritated. At him and at myself. Gee - it's been kinda like marriage!

When we're dancing I've looked into Paul's face and eyes more than I have in a long time. He's cute! I have enjoyed seeing his many expressions.

There are many distractions in this world. So even when we are dining together at restaurants or eating together here - we don't tend to do that for long stretches.

Dancing isn't all about the dance...

My honey and me

Jud arrived yesterday - a bit under the weather, poor boy. He may have a touch of a stomach bug. After his birthday celebration with his girl Kara Thursday, he didn't sleep well that night and - well you know how it is when you have digestive issues. I will spare you the details.

He's not really having any other symptoms - perhaps a slight headache last night, after he arrived at our place. But he wasn't up for going out for supper. Bummer. Chicken noodle soup out of a can for his birthday meal. Woo hoo. I am making 5-Hour Oven Stew for tonight - one of his favorite meals. Paul and Jud are attending the ISU vs. Oklahoma game together - a little guy time.

This morning - his initial voyage on the good ship Waveland Café. I know. Paul and I are obsessed. Call it our little piece of small town Des Moines that we like to share with others.

The guys had a great time at the game. They took time to snap a "selfie" on their way in - texted it to Amy and me, saying they were at the Mecca.

The oven stew came out great - and we spent the evening gorging ourselves on basketball on TV. Jud stayed today through halftime of the Superbowl game - which was quite a letdown after all the week of hype. Even the commercials were not all that great.

It was fun to have Jud at home. We picked up some wings at Jethro's and put some Little Smokies in the crock pot. This time of year it's just a good time to hang out in the house - though we did venture over to Jordan Creek for a little while.

We made it through January - one step closer to spring!