Not there just for the Barbecue...

What a weekend! I didn't think we could top last year...but this year's Big 12 Tournament was just as good. The games were even more exciting....hard on this old gal! Cyclone fans can thank me for those victories - I found the secret.

Jane, Barb & me

Ask anyone. I'm very superstitious. I watched the first game on the big screen at the Power and Light with my buddies Jane and Barb. The Cyclones struggled the whole game. Scoring was a struggle. The girls and I sat on a wall and became uncomfortable. We were losing! Finally, down 10 points with 4 minutes left, I needed a change. I hit the public restroom - tipping the cheery attendant on my way out.

That did the trick! We were only down 6 when I came out. So I didn't want to return to my "unlucky" spot and jinx us. So I stood by random Cyclone fan strangers as our team proceeded to make 2 3-pointers and tie the game as time dwindled. Texas had the ball but failed to score and we had it with 5 seconds left. I paced in the back - not looking. I knew we won somehow, someway by the crowd noise. Monte had hit a shot as time ran out. Cyclones win by 2! There were several thousand Cyclone fans in the house - all going crazy. I ran to my former spot to hug Jane! Break out Sweet Caroline - the crowd sang along enthusiastically.

A while later Paul, Jud, Kara and my little buddy all growed up Michael Hyde showed up. Michael's gf Erin was there too. How fun is that?!?

Kara, Jud, Michael, Erin

Steve and Jud

Then we ended up at a brew pub for some grub. Our nephew Steve Fox from San Diego looked us up. He was with his buddy from their hometown of Webster City. Our waiter delivered free cinnamon whiskey shots - just because the bottle was nearly empty! It was fun chatting with Steve and Tom - reliving the game.



The next day Jud, Paul and I went with Kara on a tour she had scoped out online. It was of a coffee biz - the Roasterie, in downtown KC. It was started by a Denison, Iowa native and ISU guy. They did a video about how he got interested in coffee and how the beans are selected. It smelled delish there! The beans are roasted in an air system that is like air popping corn.

Then we were off to Joe's Barbecue. So very yummy. It was only an hour wait. Jud bought - can't beat that! I was glad to get a nap in prior to the pep rally. I stopped by the restroom to tip my friend the attendant for good luck. Anything I can do to help the Cyclones!

We saw Dwight and Marilyn Conover at the Pep Rally - wonder how D got those beads?

The Oklahoma game was quite exciting - sitting in the "cheap seats" with my boys. It was another come from behind win. We bonded with the folks around our seats. We all experienced a group sigh of relief when Ryan Spengler of Oklahoma missed a layup that would have tied up the game as time ran out. Jud and Kara partied late into the night at the Power and Light. Paul and I passed on that mob scene - opting for a quiet drink at the motel.

coloring

Saturday a.m. we met the Goldsmiths at the Urban Table near Overland Park. Paul's brother Ken, wife Mary and their daughter Katie Lee with 3 kids. Katie's husband Albert was participating in a run that morning. It was really nice to see them all - such a cute fam! I enjoy seeing their periodic pics on Facebook.

Paul and I got a little shopping in after that. No KC trip is complete without visiting Cabela's. I scored Merrill sandals there. On to Legends Outlet Mall where we ran into the Groth family - Nancy, Kenton and their daughters Karisa and Karlie - with husband Jason Hyde. Plus all the cherubs! It was Karisa's oldest daughter's 10th birthday. I remember when Amy didn't want to turn 10....already lamenting how fast life was spinning by!

We lunched at a Chipotle with Jud and Kara later outside the Power and Light later. ISU Coach Hoiberg's fam lined up behind us - just regular folk. I must say ISU does it right - best band of the four we saw. And our pep rally kicked Kansas butt!

Pre-Kansas game. Fired up!

 I tipped the restroom lady on my way to the arena. The first half of the game was gut wrenching for Jud and me. We were down 17 just after halftime. Ugh! The guy with the "lucky" hair didn't return to his seat - because we began to do better while he stood and watched the game on TV up above. When the game ended - Cyclones win by 4! We watched the cutting of the nets. It was great fun. Our team hasn't won enough for it to be "old hat".

We stopped by the Marriott where the team was staying and mixed with fans there. We ran into our lucky hair friend. He and his ISU grad wife are from Toledo, Ohio. He gave her this trip for Christmas. He's grown to love Cyclone fans so much - and has adopted ISU as his team too. We need more fans like him!

This was an expensive weekend $10 beer - but spending time like this with my family. Priceless.




All it's cracked up to be

You never know. When you make plans for a trip - involving sports or not...you just never know. The weather can go bad. Hotels rooms can get screwed up. Or...this is big when you attend a sports tourney - your team can lose. Hey - we're Cyclone fans. We have dealt with all of that and more. Or - worse yet - your name doesn't get called for the dance (bowl game). Then you don't even get to go.

Luckily, in basketball, all the teams get to play in the conference tournament. Despite losing a couple teams from the original Big 8, I'm enjoying the new 10 team Big 12 (don't let that name fool ya). We play each team twice - home and away. It's pretty brutal, but is a true test.

For the first time we purchased two tickets to the Big 12 Conference tourney - for Jud and Paul. You have to buy all sessions so they're kinda pricey. That's why I opted out. Luckily my college roomie Jane and friend Barb are here. And the team showed up in a big way!

Judy and Mike

We headed out of DSM early Thursday and picked up Jud at Kara's. I'll have more exciting job news about the Judson next week - but must keep it on the downlow for now. His girl Kara was flying in from Nashville later that afternoon - she travels often for her job. We headed to the Cyclone pep rally where we ran into Crestonians Mike and Judy Moffitt right off the bat.

We headed to the Power and Light District - a cool covered area filled with bars and restaurants. We saw Mike Archer - our niece Barb's husband (they live in the DSM area) and chatted with him. Jane arrived shortly after we did. Her sis Susan and a friend were attending the game. Barb, Jane and I staked out a spot at a Mexican restaurant. There were TVs but not the best game view - regardless we watched the ISU vs. KSU game there, had lunch and sipped beverages. It was a close one, but the good guys prevailed. Our plans were working out so far...

Jane and me - victorious!

Jud and Paul arrived back at the P&L after the game and after a quick beer we headed back to Jud's place. Our hotel is out by the airport - so Jud and Kara delivered Minsky's pizza to us there. Embassy Suites rocks. We ended up on the cushy floor where you get a code for free snacks from the vending machines. Jackpot ya'll. Does it get any better?


J&P and the P&L

It was fun to see Kara and catch up with the kids. But (insert tears) they had to work the next day. I was tired. It's exhausting drinking, cheering and celebrating all day. Just wait until Friday!