Jackpot

While Paul attended the Deer Classic at HyVee Hall last Sunday, I headed out to Bass Pro for a little shopping. Though their women's clothing area is small, I always have good luck there. I figured while Paul filled his head with thoughts of prancing bambis, I would get a shopping fix. I haven't really gotten to shop much compared to past years when I lived here by myself. I took advantage of the situation - shopping jackpot!

I always get fricken lost when I go to Altoona. That place is whacked. They built I-80 on an angle to it, and it confuses me. I got off at the Bondurant exit, passing right by Bass Pro on the way. But I wasn't sure how to get there - even though I've been there several times before. Why don't they put signs up for dopes like me? Eventually I found it.

The place was packed! Spillover from the Deer Classic? Plus they have fishing sessions. Plus it seems to be like a real destination shopping place - because you can bowl there and there is a video shooting arcade, plus a restaurant. I stuck with plain 'ol shopping! I snagged a dressing room right away and tried on some stuff. Ended up with a new Columbia jacket - great sale price.

I picked up a few other sale items too. Snapped some photos of a couple things I didn't buy -

How would you like to get your toilet paper from one of these guys?

How about cammo slip ons?

When I went back to pick Paul up, I parked for a bit to wait for him, and got a nice phone call from my Creston pal Deb! It was so nice to catch up with her - miss our weekly coffee outings.

I actually cooked this week - with help from sous chef Pablo. Hamburger soup, substituting turkey burger. It's a regular recipe that I put in the crock pot. Next time I won't boil the noodle - they ended up mushy. Onion soup mix and Dry Italian dressing mix provide the flavoring. Good stuff.

Did the mall walking thing tonight. I like to picture Paul in the good-looking men's clothing as I walk through Dillards. Then I spied these shorts - right up his alley, huh?

I always tease him that he's invisible in cammo...

Losted

Do you have any towns or neighborhoods that always get you lost? Altoona Iowa is such a place for me. I went to the public library there today for a meeting. It was probably the tenth time I've been there. And it's not that big a town - a suburb on the east side of the metroplex.

But yes, once again. Lost. Thought I would try a new route today since the others have not been good to me. I ended up a Prairie Meadows - the racetrack and casino. Not the library. Lucky I built in extra time for wandering about lost. Eventually I found it - again.

I AM good at the route between the library and the newish Bass Pro Shop built along I-80. Purchased some board shorts and a swimsuit coverup (for our upcoming Ozarks trip) plus some shorts for Pablo.

Then I got lost again. This town - it has my number. I saw a TO I-80 sign, but then they fooled me by saying Mason City on the next sign, making me think it wasn't the right road. So I ended up heading towards DSM on a highway - which is okay. but then I ended up on some blacktop that ran sorta parallel to I-80, weaving under it a couple times.

When I eventually did get on the Interstate - dammit! I was on I-35 heading towards Ames. Yes, I spent an extra hour or so driving around lost today. I did get to see a few sites around DSM I never knew of before. Like Norwoodville - it's just SW of the 80-235 interchange. Now I know.

Once I hopped back on 80 I knew where the hell I was again. Phew! Stopped at the Waukee Library (that I know how to find), and came home to Joan's and put on my walking clothes. I needed a walk! It was a long contentious work meeting today. Dang. Sweating, thinking deep thoughts, listening to my iPod. But I wasn't lost.

Bass Pro

I finally made it out to the new Bass Pro Shop that opened in Altoona (s/b spelled Al tuna for the store! arar - pirate laugh). It does have an impressive aquarium, and on one end of the store there is a cool looking bowling alley and restaurant.

I tried on some on sale shorts but argh. Once again Mommy Dearest's legs were a deterrent to purchase. I really should never wear shorts, yet I do. Just should never look in a mirror at myself in shorts I guess.

So after striking out on sale clothing items, and lusting over Columbia and Northface stuff I looked at shoes. Put it this way - the store is no Scheel's. Or even a Family Shoe. On to gifts. I ended up purchasing a big alligator pillow for our nephew Brad's new baby boy, Noah. And I got a wrought iron frog garden dealie - like a stepping stone made of iron for sister Cindo for Xmas. Plus a couple cute Christmas ornaments for my nephew Colby and bro in law Bolder. We have the Lefebvres for Christmas.

And we're going to Vail (actually Edwards where the L's live) for Christmas. Sister Suso and hubby Jim and daughter Jordie will be there. Engaged daughter Leslie will stay in LA for the holidays. Amy, Juddy, Pablo and I will be there - enjoying being with the fam! Maybe even get in a day of skiing.

After our brief visit with Amy, the next time to see her seems to far off! Jud Bud is coming home Friday - hair cut, laundry and a meal at A&G are all on his agenda. We'll see what we can do to provide.