For All the Swings I've Loved Before

Being a grandparent comes with responsibilities. Supporting our grandkids' parents in their roles as Mommy and Daddy is foremost. Parenting is challenging! 

We don't get to see our grandchildren (and their parents) as often as we'd like. Nell (going on 3) and Reece (4 months) live in St. Louis some 5-plus hours from DSM. Since it's much easier for us to drive to their place than it is for them to haul 2 kids, 2 dogs, and their gear here. As Nell has reached the age where it's fun to take her places to experience new and fun things. Reece won't reach the active stage for a while yet, but it's coming! 

So another grandparental responsibility is for me to BOLO (Be On The Lookout - thanks True Crime Blogs for the acronym) for kiddo activities. These days as I travel around the Des Moines Metro area, I take a mental inventory of which places I would like to take the kids to visit.  

Our yard in Atlantic

The first category is playgrounds. They're usually free and are everywhere! I learned this as a kid myself, and then as a parent. Our yard at my childhood home in Atlantic was my first play area. We had a solid swing set with 2 swings and a glider, a sandbox (no lid so a/k/a catbox), and a cute little playhouse that my grandfather, a contractor, had his crew built and hauled to our large backyard. Later I got a tetherball for my birthday - installed in concrete in our backyard. 

Slide from my era

Our grade school playground was pretty basic - big sling swings and monkey bars. The small blacktop outside of the two playground doors in the K-6th grade school. There were painted 4-Square games on the blacktop. There was a kickball field outside the older kid's wing. I'll never forget how far Joanie Troll kicked that oversized rubber ball every time she was up to "bat". 

Sunnyside Park was the only real non-school playground that I remember. It's a large park with various play areas. In the 1960s someone donated a bunch of cash to install new playground equipment - a big slide - the hot wavy steel kind. And various types of swings and riding toys. There was an update to the equipment near the pool when I was around 12. The city installed a "Barrel of Fun" - a giant barrel on its side that rolled like a hamster wheel. After someone decided it would be fun to roll over the top of the barrel - only to break an arm, the park people built a roof over it - preventing a repeat. All playground equipment today is safer than the stuff we recreated on - swinging gates, and merry-go-rounds. The spinning stuff (like the swinging gate) was popular and nausea-inducing. 

Jud on a "killer" merry go round

Taking children to playgrounds as an adult is fun. We lived in Creston for 26 years. Amy and Jud loved the big park there -McKinley Park, on the west side of town near the pool. The old north playground there was definitely in the "not so safe" category. Heavy glider animals on a swingset frame guaranteed one of the kids would run in front of one in use. Bam! The wooden swinging bridge was fun for Jud to run on, util it wasn't. No broken bones - just bumps and bruises. 

Amy and Jud loved the giant wooden structure built in neighboring Corning. Our dog Moki like going down slides like the one in tiny Ellston, Iowa.  Our children were great at spying playgrounds on road trips - like the one in Kearney, Nebraska - near the Cabela's Store and on the way to Colorado. When visiting Atlantic, a new play area at Washington School was a good place to take the children when they needed to expend some energy. 

Nell swinging

I had few reasons to visit playgrounds for 20 years or so. Welcoming a grandchild into our lives has changed that. Our granddaughter Nell loves to swing! And climb and slide. Infant grandson Reece will no doubt be a fan of play areas shortly. Our "hood", West Des Moines is adding so many recreation opportunities. The city built a huge RecPlex on West Grand - indoor hockey rinks, gyms, a track, and lots of outdoor fields. Dave and Busters is nearly complete. A huge indoor water park is now in the works just south of our place. There are playgrounds galore and splash parks.  

Iowa doesn't have mountains or many lakes. Let us be the state of excellent parks with playgrounds, bike trails, water trails, skate parks, and other outdoor recreation. Swinging is therapeutic! 

Parking Ramps 2 Leslie 1

Just a small town girl...living in a big city world. I have to confess. After nearly 10 years of big city life - 4 commuting and 6 as a full-time resident - I still feel out of place at times. Like this week when I crossed the Des Moines River west into the "downtown" part of the city. Tall buildings, one-way streets and my nemesis - parking ramps.

This week I attended the Food Waste Recovery Summit at the Downtown Marriott, sponsored by EPA and the Iowa Waste Reduction Center. DNR pitched in some funding too. In my job, I deal with all things waste. In Iowa, after last year's series of waste composition studies at landfills, organic/food waste was the big "winner". We're tossing a lot of food, people.

I usually work in the Wallace Building, located on the east side of the Des Moines river. On the east side, we have the beautiful Iowa State Capitol, but no skyscrapers on our side of the river. Downtown Des Moines - where the banks and insurance companies hang out, while small for you real city-dwellers, is still intimidating to me. For the Summit, I had to negotiate my way through downtown to a parking ramp for the day. On day one, two ramps were full before I found one of those corkscrew ones. Dizzy!

Des Moines has a great skywalk system and we made our way to the Marriott through that. I should have dropped breadcrumbs! The system does have maps but I find it easy to get confused there - and it was beautiful later summer weather out - so I walked outside when I left that night. The ramp on day three of the conference almost got the best of me! The first attempt to get it was a fail - the button to get the arm to go up didn't work. I backed out and tried the next opening - private for Wells Fargo. Oops again! Third time was a charm. That is why I plan meetings away from downtown - parking is complicated and expensive there. Give me wide open spaces.

Single Speed beer-yum!

Who attends a cool conference like this? It was an interesting mix - government folk like me, people from restaurants, food banks, transportation, composters, biodigesters, students, brewers, and educators. I attended interesting sessions on topics like food rescue and anaerobic digestion. There is a new program many moving van companies are adopting where they will take all leftover usable food from people moving. They deliver the food to area food banks. All it took was one guy to see the need. He is the son in a family that owns a moving company out east. He ran with the idea and this non-profit now employs over ten people to coordinate events and moving food.

Des Moines, the Quad-Cities and Muscatine all were represented, with speakers talking about their food rescue missions. In Muscatine, a non-profit group teaches people to cook - 4 2 hour sessions with transportation and childcare provided. At the end of the sessions, each person receives a laundry basket filled with pots, pans, and utensils. How cool is that!?!

In one session, we drank craft beer (it was the end of the day) while listening to brewery spokespeople from Bell's (MI) and Single Speed in Cedar Falls talk about sustainability. Brewing beer uses a lot of resources. I was glad to hear about the things they do to reduce their marks on our world while providing delish beverages.

I learned more about food labels. There is no rhyme nor legal reason for most of them - except on baby formula. So use your nose and eyes. Best by is just that. Don't toss something just because of a label.

One session was like "Shark Tank". Three project spokespeople each gave a five-minute spiel on their project. At the end of the session, the crowd voted.

• Eat Greater Des Moines pitched their partnership with Wesleylife - they use the Meals On Wheels Smart Cars and drivers to pick up prepared foods from Kum & Go (convenience store) to deliver to rent-controlled apartment complexes. 
• A gentleman from Decorah started up a compost site just outside of that city. They are running it on a shoestring, and are taking certain organics from around the state already. 
• A woman from the Houston area presented her water-based composter made from a blue plastic repurposed drum with a motor aerator. You put food scraps in and end up with a water product that is rich in nutrients. 

The Decorah composter won. Yay! I voted for him. $1,000 can go a long way for a small business like that. 

Paul and I are good at cleaning up leftovers, but I wish restaurants would reduce portion sizes. They have gotten much better at "splitting" meals. Paul and I share a lot. The foods we struggle with are bread and produce. Those go bad before we can eat them. 

I miss the Earth Machine composter we had at our Creston house. We aren't allowed to have composters here in our DSM townhouse. They're worried about smell and pests. I like many things about living in a townhouse - but that is a negative. 

The bad thing about conferences is the challenge to take the stuff you learned and do something with it. Co-workers and I took notes. My big takeaway? Good things are happening Y'all!  More needs to. We waste too much. Even though the Midwest is the breadbasket - Iowans are hungry! Volunteers (and money) help so much in these efforts. And good infrastructure. 

This week was a good one. I love what I do (except parking)! 

 

Independence Celebrated, Family loved

Ahhhh. Summer. I'm sad that my fave holiday is in the rearview mirror. This year Independence Day landed on a Tuesday, resulting in a "dangling holiday". That means we didn't have a 3-day weekend. Paul and I went to work as usual on Monday but took vacation at noon after some six hours of hard toil on the rock pile. (insert cubicle).

We spent a couple hours at home and hung out with the pooch. Paul loaded the bikes on the car and we packed some water and bag chairs. I got Odie's kennel out because when the fireworks started flying, she would find that comforting.

July 3rd was a big night in DSM - we headed downtown to ride north on the Neal Smith Trail - past the Botanical Garden. The trail runs through a neighborhood and along a park. Then it goes by Birdland Marina, noting a bar called Capt. Roy's. After we missed the trail turn, we ended up...guess where. Back at the bar drinking ice cold (not for long because it was really hot out) Ruthie lager in tallboy cans.

Birdland Marina - before they put boats in

The bar overlooks the marina - a place I'd only seen one time before, and that was during winter. This seemed like a whole new place - bursting with activity. Birdland Marina was full of boats. People were on them. They were sitting by them grilling and chatting. And people were sitting to the right at Capt. Roy's under umbrellas, watching the boats. It was grand, like being at a tiny LOTO (Lake of the Ozarks). People came and went, overloading boats - heading up river and down.

The bad part about hanging at the marina was the uphill ride back to downtown DSM. We conquered though, loading the bikes back on the car back downtown. We decided to walk to Guru for barbecue. There was a bit of a wait thanks to all the activity - an Iowa Cubs game, live music at Nitefall on the River and the big deal - Yankee Doodle Pops.

Our view at Nitefall on the River

After eating we settled into our bag chairs for live music and then after dark, fireworks. The first couple bands at Nitefall on the River weren't that great, but the headliner was good. People watching was great. Paul and I liked watching families throwing Frisbees and eating together. Fireworks were fabulous! I think they've invented new colors and shapes. Kudos to the shooters.

check out the root systems - good discussion with Paul about this

Love paddling with my honey

On the 4th of July, we put the kayaks in the truck (much easier loading that putting them on top of a car) and drove to Raccoon River Park. It was nice a quiet. We shared the water with ducks, a few other boats and a blue heron. The rest of the day was pretty quiet until out neighbor began to shoot their own cache of fireworks. Odie and her parents weren't entertained. Leave it to the professionals. We had to work on Thursday, so the late night sound effects sucked. And then there was the whole back to work thing.

At least we got to look forward to the Friday arrival of Jud. Kara traveled Thursday to Denver for Amy's bachelorette party weekend in Nederland. We got the "boys". Jud, Henry and Archie, the yipping puppy. They were great and hey, Odie's kennel was already out for her to huddle in.

Jud wanted to ride bikes, so we took him to the High Trestle Trail. We hadn't been there all summer. It was a beautiful summer morning, not too hot. It was fantastic to get a chance to spend time with our favorite boy doing something fun. It sounds like the girls had a grand time too - all 13 of them.

Summer. Don't you love it?

The Gsmiths Gathering

The Goldsmiths descended upon West Des Moines for the Annual Reunion/Golf Tourney this past weekend. I say descended - not because we live in HE double toothpicks (that's what we used to call hell when I was a child). But because they all seem to live north of us. Paul's seven siblings and along with spouses are a hardy bunch!

Goldsmith girls watch the Cubs win!

Gmiths on the deck

We used to get together over the weekend after Thanksgiving - kids in tow, to celebrate Christmas. Once our families "grew up" (we all know they're still our babies) and weren't often able to attend, we decided a summer date would be better. So seven or eight years ago we made early August the official fam gathering - including golf for some and shopping for others.

Some arrived Thursday evening and we attending the Iowa Cubs game. It was nice to have big sis Carol there. She missed the rest of the festivities due to a trip to Rome with family members. Yep - she picked Rome over us!

The gang began to arrive on Friday afternoon. Our little deck was overflowing with Gsmiths! We ordered pizza and ate snacks that everyone brought along.

This year golf was pretty casual - there was no passing on of the Goldsmith Green Jacket, nor trophy - as there were only six players. They had fun with playing a two team best shot at Walnut Creek, a public course south of here.

The rest of us headed down to - you guessed it, the DSM Farmer's Market. It was a gorgeous day so the place (a several block area) was packed. There were eight of us and we split into a couple groups. I took Dorie and John for a staple breakfast burrito.

smiling even before they get their burrito

I trotted them over the walking bridge on the way back to the car

You know me and selfies. Challenge accepted!

After an hour at the FM, we drove a few blocks west to the West End Architectural Salvage - a business made famous by HGTV, now on the DIY network. There are 4 floors of light fixtures, furniture, odds and ends. Kelli, Regina and I made it to the top! I must say it had been a couple years since I'd been to the store and it will much better organized now.

We met the golfers for lunch at Draught House 50 and were seated in a great party room. Perfect! Saturday evening we grilled burgers and brats at our place and Larry and Regina's son Karl with wife Lee attended. They live in Grimes and Lee is a fellow DNR employee while Karl teaches at Valley High School. Our home was filled both nights with talk and laughter. That's what family is about!

tiptoeing in my flipflops

Do you ever have that feeling that things are just going so well that, ummm something is bound to go wrong? Does that make me a pessimist, a glass half empty gal? I don't want to feel like this. I want to just ride the wave, not looking ahead, borrowing trouble. Dumb Leslie - ride the happy wave.

Things to consider:

My life isn't perfect.

• I'm not filthy rich, allowing financial security for me and my family for forever. 
• I'm aging and have issues that accompany that. 
• Work is stressful. I know - it's recycling, not rocket science or life and death heart surgery. Still, I put my heart and soul into it - which leads to some sleepless nights and angst.
• I haven't taken time to make new friends in DSM.
• Our children have found their mates, but still have many life steps to maneuver. How will they ever do it? There is war, infection and other bad stuff in our world (reference: state of the world/politics/ugh).

But things are pretty great right now.

• Even though we're not rich, we have plenty and we have each other.
• Paul and I are both pretty darn healthy and can do the things we want to.
• I love my work, despite and maybe because of the stress.
• Our friends and families are such an important part of my joy.
• It's so cool that Amy and Jud are now on life's journey with partners that we love (bonus!). Part of our job as parents was to prepare them to deal with life's roller coaster. We're not responsible to hold their hands through all of the above referenced things, even though I won't stop fretting about it...

Life is a journey - full of bends, twists, ups and downs. Right now, on the roller coaster of life, I'd say I'm on that wonderful ride - not a heart-stopping plummet, but enjoyable all the same without the terror/fun.

I'm so very grateful and aware.

Just like my mother before me, I've dropped out of attending church. I don't wish to get into it here - #toocomplicated.

I am a spiritual person and believe in a higher power. I am fascinated by how American Indians treat spirituality. It's amazing that at age 58 I'm still searching for answers, but I'll never stop. When I was young I thought people my age were grownups and had all the answers. Now I know this isn't true!

In the meantime, I'll keep blogging, boring you with the details of my life - as I tiptoe along. Hope I don't trip in my flipflops.

fam pic at Jud's wedding

We attended the DSM Art Festival Friday night. It's one of the best Art Festivals in the country according to the artist we purchased a photo from. Whilst there we ran into Sandy Travis (Atlantic) and John and Lois Rose (Creston). It was hot and fun - we walked and sipped a craft beer.

art? or landfill fodder

Nitefall on the River after visit to the Art Festival (and a martini)

Later that night we met a nice family listening to a few songs (see the band Michael Franti and Spearhead) playing at Nitefall on the River. There was another band playing at the Brenton Plaza. Lots of entertainment in DSM that night!

The family we met has two young kids and the 4 year old son was chasing bubbles as we talked. The dad explained his work installing electric into Habitat for Humanity homes in the city - some 20 homes last year. Very interesting. I love this town! #iowanice

DSM fun, five day work week

This was my first full work week back after vacation. Reality bites! I'm of the opinion the good 'ol US of A should consider going the European route - work less. Enjoy living more. But so far employers are stuck on 40 hours (or more) for full time. So we need to make the best of our lives - in between that work stuff.

When Paul and I moved to the DSM area, one of my goals was to try to enjoy life more during the week. It's tough in the winter - all I want to do is hunker down in our place when we get home. But now that it's starting to get nicer out...we're doing more! Weather didn't cooperate for outdoors activities (except for a few lunch walks), so our activities were indoors. I don't like to be cold.

We were watching the nightly news on Wednesday when I got a text from my pal Robyn in Orlando. "Hey Pal! Turn on Food Channel...Triple D is featuring (George the) Chili King...I want to go there when all of us do the Iowa reunion!"
I reported the text to Paul. We switched channels and watched George finish up making a yummy pork tenderloin.
Hmmm. We'd never been there. Sure sounded better than the leftover salmon and green beans I planned to zap in the microwave. Google location - and we were off - to Hickman and Merle Hay. We sat at the counter by a nice couple a bit older than we are. They had rushed over after the show too and were Chili King virgins, despite being from the neighborhood.

Service was, um, interesting. We saw four staffers - all busy, none was George of TV fame ( George looked to be about 80 years old). None of them was interested in taking our order, but we just sat and watched the show. One cooked loins, the others shuffled around (one big guy had some low-rider jeans with a view, ugh). There is an outside area - for car-side service - I'm not sure how many were serving those customers.

We enjoyed sharing stories with the couple next to us as we awaited our pork loins. Their daughter had been with Cirque Du Soleil for a while, but has "aged out" and is using her degree from ISU to do something with biochemistry. The man is an architect whose firm has looked at the locking system at the Wallace Building. We bragged about our children. As you can tell - it was a fairly long wait...but the loins were very good. I saved half of my sannie for lunch Thursday. Not gristly. Good breading. It was a fun outing!

RoCa - craft beverage

After another long day of work Thursday, we deserved a break at Team Building at a new place called RoCa on Court Avenue with federal retirees and Jim G. from the Department of Ag. Paul has fun talking hunting with Jim (a Creston native), and we even discussed where all those dead chickens and turkeys from the flu outbreak. How will they be disposed of? Hey...what a fun convo! We did eat the leftover salmon that night.

Friday Paul took the morning off to hunt turkeys near Creston. His decoy - Suzi Snood, was quite seductive once again. He double dipped by having a filling re-done at Buck Dentistry and was back in time to work half the day. Meanwhile, I got to go to the dermo for my annual skin check. They zapped one place on my leg - but I'm so proud of the job I did protecting my skin while I was in Florida. Sadly...the skin damage I have is from years ago - before sunscreen.

That night, we tried out DSM's only brew pub theater - Flix Brewhouse. It's located at Merle Hay Mall. We saw The Age of Adaline - a movie about a woman who experiences an accident that prevents her from aging for 100+ years. It was kinda sappy, but we enjoyed it and the Flix experience - burgers, brews. Next time we'll buy our tickets earlier so we aren't seated so close to the screen.

Merle Hay Plaza - pic thanks to Lost Des Moines Facebook webpage

Being at Merle Hay Mall brings back memories. While the Bullocks did most of our shopping in Omaha when I was growing up. Downtown and Crossroads first - and then Westroads. We did go to DSM occasionally. I remember Merle Hay when it was a shopping plaza - not even covered. Mom had promised me a new turtle as a pet, but when we stopped at the store - there were none available. As a substitute, I ended up with some type of pink foam goop from a toy store. (I was gypped - not as good as a turtle!). I'm sure we went to Bishops Buffet while we were there too - and I got chocolate pie and a balloon with feet.

Now today I was watching a moving there and sipping suds. Go figure. My pal Jennifer said I'd likely sipped beer at a movie before - only it was from cans snuck in. Righto! The Atlantic Drive-In was the site of many beers and movies. In college we took beer to the Indian Hills theater in DSM to watch Sound of Music when it came back out again. That empty bottle made a lot of noise when it rolled to the front of the theater during the movie...legal movie beers aren't quite the same....

Back blog - we Yankee Doodled with McFees

We left so soon after the 4th of July for our Cannon Beach vacation that I didn't have a chance to blog about the sparkly good time we had with our friends over the 4th of July holiday. This blog will remedy that. I write as I sit on my deck on a fine hot Sunday afternoon. Finally - some heat.

The City of Des Moines hosts an annual celebration on the 3rd of July called Yankee Doodle Pops. The symphony plays and of course, at dark, fireworks ensue. Paul and I attended last year and had a good time. This year we were delighted to be joined for the night by our good friends Bobbie and Jeff. My former roomie Joan came after work to the Pops.

Bobbie, Jeff, Paul and I headed downtown Thursday July 3rd - first stop:
Buzzard Billy's. Their chicken jerk nachos are good. We carried our chairs along as we walked east towards the Iowa State Capitol Building.
Next stop: Locust Street Tap. Yes...it's a dive. Bobbie and Jeff relished in the diviness. Oh wait - that was me.

Jeff talks farming at Lime

Then we went around the corner to Lime - where they mix a good martini. We sat outside because it was a great evening. By then it was 6:30 or so - time to go put our chairs down at the Pops location. We wanted to get a good spot. We headed back towards Locust Street only to see a male 60 year old cross dresser in a blond wig, heels, plaid shorts - was he shirtless? He was working it for a photographer with the brick wall of Locust Tap in the background. Wow! I yelled out encouragement but didn't stop for a photo. What was I thinking?

A salsa band was playing as we placed our chairs. We didn't have a cooler with drinks. After chair placement wiser heads prevailed. More drinks were in order. We walked back to Lime where the cross dresser was sitting on the patio - sans wig, now wearing a hat. And a shirt. Another man sidled by us on a wall and scrambled into a seat near us saying, "You didn't see someone who looked just like me walk by did you..."! It was getting interesting.

We went back to our seats at the Capitol after one more drink. Joan joined us and we found her niece and daughter. We watched people. Then the music started. When the fireworks started we figured out why our seats weren't very good - we were behind a tree! We started headed west walking toward to the car so we could see them.

We were very hungry so we headed west to Bar Louie - and had a bit to eat before retiring for the night. The next day we had breakfast casserole on the deck.

breakfast on the deck

After breakfast we went for a bike ride - going on the trail east of our house. I stopped at Saints while the others went farther. I was already in vaca mode - sipping a brew whilst I awaited my pals.

It was a good 3/4th of July. After B&J left we packed our bags - ready for the early flight the next day. I miss holidays and vacation.

One year ago...

What a difference twelve months can make. In church yesterday I was pondering again. (Yes, my mind wanders as the Homily drags on.) A year ago we were just getting home from our great family reunion trip to Cannon Beach, Oregon. This year...

S'mores...Cannon Beach 2012

• Bolder wasn't yet aware he was still ill with evil cancer
• In mid July I had my manipulation surgery to release scar tissue in my right shoulder after months of pain and immobility. That was followed by weeks of physical therapy and more pain. I was able to put my arm over my head for the first time in months, and broke through the pain after several week of PT.
• Paul had submitted his application for a permanent job in GULP Des Moines at the NRCS state office, and received notice that he got the job a few weeks later. It was one of those - "we hope it happens, "Oh shit" kinda things.
• We celebrated our 30th anniversary

He's got the jacket on here

Big stuff. All of these events have had huge implications. Except our anniversary, which was more like life as usual. With each passing year, and especially after this last one I realize how lucky and blessed I am.

Of course losing Boldie - in such a short time after the docs told him the cancer was back was the biggest baddest thing. It's all really still so surreal.

The shoulder thing made me realize I'm not getting any younger. Though I still can't seem to get in any kind of work out routine or rhythm. I know I need to do it, but I can't find my way there. I walk and ride my bike but it's all sporadic. I need a trainer and a plan. I can't seem to get motivated to workout after 10 hour work days. I'll figure it out eventually. I may have to bribe a certain workout fanatic from Creston to move to DMS.

If you read this blog then you know how much the move has affected our lives! Mostly for the good. We sure miss our homies - our Creston friends. And we still consider ourselves Crestonites - pretending to be city folk. I suppose over time that will change. I have lots of people who have lived here a long time say - "you do lots of things I never do". We just take advantage of it, because it's all new to us! We're like kids in the candy shop.

We like city life - and the opportunities the Des Moines area offers. It's convenient to live near an airport. Amy flies in tomorrow after her 6 week trip to South and Central America. We can go to any movie showing on any night. Restaurant options are limitless. We live on a bike trail and many more are minutes away. There are lots of concerts and live music opportunities and we're seeing Jersey Boys Wednesday night. The short drive home is sweet - especially late at night. Another bonus is being able to volunteer! I love hanging out with my Little Sis match, Chiya. She's been a blessing in my life.

I got to introduce Chiya to Amy

We have found that in Des Moines, we get to see friends from afar and family more often. We were able to host Easter this year with the Goldsmiths. Paul's sis Carol calls when she's in town visiting daughter Barb. Cindo and Bonnie came for a fun visit in June. Robbie Dob called when she came through town and Jane Ertl messages when she's in the area. Bobbie and Jeff stayed a night and we biked in our neighborhood, which was lots of fun. Mary Faber stayed last night! Kay and Alyssa Wilt called as they were heading through town. I need to do better about seeing local friends like Joan, Mary and Jane. It's nice living close to I-80. We got new beds ya'll - the welcome mat is out!

My shoulder gives me little reminders that not all of the scar tissue is gone. Early this year I even had to visit a chiropractor for some treatment. It's motivational, really. I'm not going to frozen land again!

I think of Bolder often. I picture him in his yellow jacket tucked into his plaid shorts like a homeless guy. He is with us going forward - especially in his son Colby (and his near-son Byron Pottorff). Our children too have absorbed their uncle Bolder. Legendary.

Change, though scary, can be good for us if we take advantage of opportunities. That's what we're trying to do by "living la vida loca". (well it's been crazy for us)

Bolder is now present in another place he loved

On Sunday, we headed west - to the place of Cindy's and my birth, Atlantic, Iowa. We headed right to the cemetery - where the Bullock stone marks the resting place of many a family member, five generations - skipping my generation (thank goodness) to our baby boy Patrick. The Atlantic cemetery doesn't spend much time on making sure the grass is growing better than weeds...if we lived there we could take better care of it, but it's not possible this far away.

When Cindy's beloved husband Brian (Bolder) Lefebvre passed away last November 11th, he was cremated. They must have used a different type of process than I've seen before, as he looked a lot like sand in the ziplock Cindo had him in. Planning ahead, Bolder was split 4 ways. His buddies took one bag back to Moab, Utah this spring on their annual golf trip. They so enjoyed having Boldie along as the executive chef on the trip each year.

I think I got a little Bolder power on my tongue...

Patrick's headstone - maybe Bolder will help the grass grow

 

It was a beautiful morning, and there was a  light breeze as my sister began sprinkling Bolder's ashes around the special graves of our loved ones. I tried to remain upbeat, and not cry. This has been so tough - and Cindy has been such a strong, brave woman. I mean she doesn't have a choice - but what life has thrown at her, she has handled with guts and grace.

We drove through the cemetery a bit on our way out - and saw the stones of a few old friends. Bev and Eddie Freese - the best neighbors to name two. Then we were on our way to cruise through town and show our guest Bonnie - who is from upstate New York - the A-town sights. Our home at 202 Crombie - which looks like shit! I think the Clampets moved in. The schools - Washington, the new and old high school, our grandparents house and downtown. Bonnie was duly impressed.

Then we headed to Kay and Ted Wickman's home for lunch. Kay was our father's "friend". Girlfriend sounds inadequate. Companion? Live-in? Anyway - they were together until he died. We were so fortunate that he had scoped her out at the drive-in at the bank, and had asked Kay out on a date before he had his stroke in 2003. Kay visited him as he recovered and when he went home from the assisted living place, she moved in to help him. The rest is Dad/Kay history, thank goodness! They had fun traveling to Florida and kept busy with family - hers and ours. And then Dad died too soon, and we were all very sad.

Kay missed Dad a lot - I think she still does. But life goes on. Ted and Ann Wickman were friends of my parents. Ted's a farmer, and he always seemed like an odd match for Ann who was rather brilliant and refined. Ted is not refined. Their son Kirk is my age and is a great guy! I'm FB friends with son Charlie - he's around Betso's age. Ann became sick, and passed away after a somewhat long illness - she died not long before Dad, I think.

Kay and Ted

Ted was lonely, Kay was lonely - they got together after their partners died. Why waste time being lonely? We are happy for them! And it was so nice of Kay to invite us over. They live in my friend Sally Rodger's former home. Her brother-in-law Dan designed it for two of my fave peeps - her parents, Wayne and Anna Day. Kay and Ted bought the home after they were married. At lunch that day, we had a lovely lunch of chicken salad sannies, and peach cobbler. The Wickmans put a pool in behind the house - such a pretty view from there! It was nice to see them.

Soon it was time to head out - to where? The antique mecca of the western world - Walnut, Iowa! And little did we know, it was the very special Antique Walk weekend. Jackpot! It was hot by then...and we rounded the corner to town and saw all those people with tables set up - full of you guessed it. Junk. Um, I mean fabulous antiques.  

On the brick main street

They had Prince Albert in a can - and I don't think they're letting him out...

Inside at this store I bought a little wood rooster that looks great on top of my kitchen cupboards. They were out of $1s so I got the $18 item for $15. Can you say BARGAIN!

Cindo found a couple items for the small deck outside the master bedroom at her Vail home. A little metal rack and a tin ceiling tile. Bonnie selected a bird similar to mine. We ran into Atlantic friends - Dr. John and Mary Weresh. Paul recognized them - that guy has an eye for people, I tell ya! We chatted with them briefly - nice folks. Then we made the trek back to West Des Moines.

That night Paul grilled rib eye steaks for the visitors. They loved that Iowa cornfed flavor. Fareway makes great twice baked potatoes too - and we served those suckers, but I did fess up that I didn't make them. It was Father's Day so our Daisy Driver got his angel food cake and fab fresh strawberries that Cindy had masticated (or some fancy cooking word).

In the a.m. we walked a couple miles and went to the local dive for breakfast. Cindy loved the hashbrowns - they reminded her of the ones Coral used to make at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club. That afternoon we went to the dumbest movie ever made - yes, it was my choice. Don't see "This is The End". I must admit - I laughed a lot - at the movie not with it. Bad!

That night we took Cindy and Bonnie to Jethro's in Waukee. We love the wings there. After we ate - we drove by my old roomie, Joan's place in that town. Guess who was planting flowers out front? Joanie - who I was lucky enough to live with for the past 4 years, until last October. We pulled into the driveway so Cindy could meet her and they gave each other a big hug! That warmed my heart - the two had heard of each other, and therefore, my beloved friends were de facto friends. So cool. I need to get together with Joan soon.

I hated to say goodbye to our Colorado roommates early the next morning. I can't wait to see them for Christmas! I wish I could hang out with them more. Thanks for coming to Des Moines! It was fun.

Another busy week (Creston & Atlantic stuff)

Poor Odie. Good thing she has a bladder of steel! At least that we know of...we got home late.

I blogged before about our Realtors Marg and Holly. They're not normal! In a good way, of course. They invited us to a cocktail party Wednesday evening at Holly's home, which is located off 42nd Street, south of Grand in the hilly wooded area with cool, older homes. Holly is a designer - so you had to know her place would be fab.

Paul and I worked late that night and then stopped at our fave, The Standard for one drink because the party didn't start until 5:30 p.m. One has to be fashionably late. There was a singer that night who was really good - it was sad that there weren't many people there to appreciate him. About 5:45 p.m. we headed towards our destination. We didn't have any problems spotting the place as Holly had placed one of her Iowa Realty signs in the yard. The house was lit up with cars surrounding it.

Marg greeted us at the door, and Holly's husband Fritz introduced himself - making us feeling welcome. There were already fifteen or more people there. We each got a beverage and made our way to where one of my co-workers, Alex Moon and his wife were talking to the woman helping with the food. Introductions all around. Alex was the person who recommended Marg to us when I told him we were moving to DSM.

Alex is actually one of my supervisors - he's the Environmental Program Supervisor of the Solid Waste Section. He isn't yet 40 years old, but has been working at DNR for many years - working through the ranks. I knew him before - when I worked in Creston and I applied for my current position. He was in on the interview team. He treats me very professionally and I enjoy working with him.

I've been looking forward to meeting Alex's wife Julie, as she hails from Bedford, Iowa. When I worked as recycling educator across Adams, Taylor and Union Counties, Bedford was part of my stomping grounds. I wrote a column for the newspaper in that town - and Julie mentioned as much. I miss writing those monthly columns! Sometimes I'd start out early in the month with one piece in mind and by the time I turned it in for publication - it had morphed into something different altogether. The columns were on all things environmental - they gave me about 900 words to get out my message. I was surprised and pleased at how many people would comment about reading the column as I traveled throughout the 3-county territory. People, like Julie, still bring it up today.

Paul and I talked to Julie and Alex about mutual acquaintances in the Bedford area. I always must talk about the very cute Zeb, the chap that runs the deer locker. Julie said he's a few years younger than she is, but he rode the bus with her. She also knows Kenny Spencer, the City employee who was so helpful each year when I put together a collection day for household hazardous waste in town. People could drop off unwanted paint, chemicals and the like. One year we got a whole drum's worth of DDT tins left over from World War 2! Mick Landers helped with those events - what a good guy to work with! Paul even assisted us one year.

Paul and I didn't want to totally monopolize this young couple all night. We split up to try some of the appetizers. Humus, crackers, cheese, cupcakes and lots of other goodies were available. Hands full, we decided to sit on the couch with an available coffee table, near a couple who must have had the same idea. We all had nametags on. I noticed the man, who looked to be around our age, had the last name Kenyon. There is a Kenyon family in Creston. Hmmm.

When I asked Greg Kenyon if he knew the family in Creston, he said - "That's my family." Small world Iowa strikes again! He's the middle bro between Skip, Creston's City Attorney - and the guy who wrote one of our wills, and Tim, Union County Attorney. He graduated with Creston's Class of 1976 - our class. Jeff McFee, Rick Piel, Barb Crittenden - lots of people we know are from that class. Tim's son and daughter graduated with our children. So we had that whole connection to talk about. And a few other Creston characters....

Greg's wife, Pam, it turns out is Holly's high school friend. Greg and Pam went to Drake. And yes, Greg is an attorney like his brothers (and dad...). We talked Drake for a while since my sis Cindo went there too - a couple years ahead of these kiddos. Peggy's Tavern - the first place I ever got drunk.

Yeah - I was 15, with a fake ID. Mom was on the Cass County Hospital Board, and had traveled with Hospital Administrator Harold Parks to Des Moines for a meeting. She took me along to stay with my dear sister. I attended a class with her and remember going to food service for a meal. Then we had a beer or two in the dorm room. Peggy's was next. I was in awe - a 15 year old drinking with college kids. Thanks Cindo, for providing and safe and loving environment for that experience - and I mean it. She took care of me, and didn't let me overdo it. I was amazed at how much beer made you have to pee.

When Greg and Pam found out that I grew up in Atlantic they asked if I know Mark Wood (Woody-still comes back for every Drake Relays) and a few other people - one of the Van Ginkels. (Can't remember which one went to school there...he ended up buying our old house at 202 Crombie with his wife Marsha Cohron.) And Kendall Anderson? Hmm you're making me work. I can picture him - good bball player. They were a bit older than I am, but yes, I know those people.

Greg told us more Peggy's lore and Drake Relay's stories. Evidently Peggy's is only opening sporadically these days. Sad deal. Pam works at Meredith - and knows Paul's niece Barb who used to work there too. They live in Waukee on a pond. Greg had some Qs for Paul regarding watersheds. All too soon it was time to head out. We truly enjoyed the evening. It's fun meeting people.

Alex told me the next day he met someone who attended grade school with Des Moines author Bill Bryson. Byson, who was born in 1951, wrote "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid" a memoir of his childhood here. Des Moines is an interesting place. Just like any town is, if you give it a chance. I like hearing people's stories. Thanks to Marg and Holly for giving us a chance to tell ours, and to hear a few more.

I grew up in Creston

I was born and raised in Atlantic, Iowa - but I grew up in Creston. I've lived in Creston longer than anywhere else in my life. Paul and I moved here in 1986 thinking it was a stop on our way to someplace else, and we stuck a lil longer than we planned! And in the meantime...I grew up!

Amy was a babe in arms when we arrived all rosy cheeked to the southwest Iowa town of 8,600 people. It's no Atlantic! Don't get me wrong - I love my hometown. It's attractive, and there are a lot of nice people there. Chestnut Street the main street downtown, which still seems viable compared to many Iowa towns. Yep, Atlantic is nice, but it can be a little um, snobby. (My view after attending there as the "other" team as our children played for the CHS Panthers).

Creston is a blue collar town, with several factories dotting the landscape. Bunn-O-Matic - the coffeemakers, are made here, along with Gummi-Bears, a fruity smelling place! Plus some other stuff you probably wouldn't recognize. Like Vanmark - they make giant peelers for companies like McDonalds. And Fansteel, a foundry for helicopter parts among other things. Some local guys have also built up a good sized business grinding lenses here too. All those businesses have one thing in common - they need workers. The unemployment rate in town is around 5%.

It's not really a pretty town. You tend to forget that unless someone is coming to visit and you look at the place through a visitor's eyes...then you see the salvage yards on each edge of town. And the rundown homes people have neglected. Downtown isn't winning any prizes either - there's no main street to brag about. The refurbished Iowana and former FNB Building - now Upper Crust have perked things up though! The Depot was once where my office was - I'll always cherish hearing Bingo called downstairs whilst trying to put together a recycling education program. There are some nice parts of town too! The college and hospital are looking good once again after the tornado.

The Depot

So as you can tell - wasn't been the looks of the place that kept us in Creston. It's the people! Right from the start - they were darn friendly! They accepted young Paul Goldsmith as their District Conservationist in 1986 when Bob Loudon introduced him around. And once I was invited to join Zeta Iota Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, I was set. We were "somebody" - we had friends! Folks at my job at First National Bank were nice too. Even today, we are friends with people we met all those years ago. When we were babies. We've grown up together - they know all my crap. Warts and all.

So that's what I mean. We grew up in Creston. When we moved to town - neither of us had experienced much strife in our lives. Our parents were living. Though I wasn't finding the job of my dreams, I was happy parenting and working. We had great daycare providers who helped us raise our children.

Through the years - we lost a child. The town stepped up to help. Our parents passed away. Paul's sister Connie, and two Brother-In-Laws died. Happy things happened too. Jud was born. The kids grew up and participated in activities. Relatives married, babies were born. Amy and Jud graduated from high school and college. We celebrated joys and sorrows with our friends. Somewhere along the way I grew up (I know, sometimes I pretend I'm still 22).

When I started working in Des Moines, I suppose I knew it might someday come to this - moving to the Big City. Now it's a reality and I'm happy and sad. Driving around town has it's been hitting me. Adams Street with all the fall leaves. Soon I won't live here anymore!

I HATE goodbyes. So just know I will never say goodbye to Creston and my friends here. Only "until later". You'll see me. We have friends in town. We know where they live!

If you read this before Saturday November 10th and live near Creston - come to the big party to celebrate at The Lobby. 8 PM. There will be a DJ. Put on your dancin' shoes!

Big News...Soon to Be Commuter No More

Big news from the Goldsmiths. One week ago, while I was waiting in Dr. Schulte, the surgeon's office, I received a text from my husband that said, "ready to move to DSM?". Gulp! He had applied for a job with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at the State Office in Des Moines, but we knew many people had planned to apply for that job. So I wasn't counting on it. I texted back, "What do you mean?"

He got the job! He will be the EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) coordinator.  This is NRCS's largest cost share program they administer in Iowa. His supervisor is the guy he replaced temporarily last winter when we had such a grand time living in the loft in the East Village. There was an opening thanks to a retirement in July, so we've known for a while this opportunity was coming up. Paul put his application in after we got back from Oregon in July.

This new job will be a huge change for Paul after working as District Conservationist in Union County for the past 26 years. He's certainly enjoyed his time here - he's had a great board and some good staff to work with through the years. Yes, we had hoped longtime clerk Iola Carlson would remember the kids in her will....but I'm sure the church needed the money more. haha.

So last week, I didn't really have time to absorb the texted news before surgeon Dr. Schulte came in to check out the shoulder. It's much better - finally! I'm supposed to be doing exercises and I need to get on that. But Physical Therapy is over - thanks to Geri for her care and concern over the past few months. I think I'd like to hang with that girl - well, woman - she's my age, and I liked her.

Anyway...after seeing the doc, it was time to drive home. I usually listen to a book on CD - but I had to turn it off...my mind was racing. I couldn't concentrate on a murder/who-done-it. I had a lot to think about. What? We are actually going to move to Des Moines? Yay!

Oh Shit! Leave Creston - the place we call home? Where Amy has lived since she was 1 year old, and Jud and Patrick were born. Leave a town that has watched those kids (and Paul and me) grow up? I love those people..and I love our house! It fits me like a glove - and it's nearly paid for. The friends we've made have seen us through good times and bad - simply the best. I'm sure there will be more on this to come in future blogs.

During the drive my mind kept spinning. How would we do it all? Sell a house, buy a new home? Meet new friends but keep the old (hey isn't that a Brownie song?) I started to freak a little - I admit it. But suddenly it all became clear. I would get to live with Paul again. And have a living situation where we can participate in a community. I will be able to volunteer again. I look forward to that. I became calm.

We had to keep the news on the downlow until Tuesday this week when Paul could tell his staff, and his new boss Larry Beeler could announce it to his staff. Of course we told our children last Friday when they were home. They knew we had been considering this move. Still they're sad to see us leave their hometown. Yet Jud and Amy are excited for our future. They're proud of their daddy, and glad for us and our new path in life.

Living the way we have the past four years has put a big crimp in our lifestyles. I've been lonely at times, but at least I've had the bestest roomie, Joan. Paul only has Odie the yappy wiener dog. It's not bad in the summer, but he really sounds bleak in the winter. Now we'll be together - like a husband and wife should be. That's what I tell myself when I start to panic.

So congrats to my husband on his new job! He is leaving me in the morning to hunt elk in Colorado for a week. He better come back alive or I might have to hurt him! Stay tuned - it should be an interesting next few months.

The Adventure Begins

We leave for DSM today as Pablo the Poolboy starts his new Pool job tomorrow. No, it's not really a pool cleaning gig. But we're going on Sunday, because just like when I started at my DNR job, that first day - one wants to arrive on time, bright and shiny.

Our loft won't be available for a couple weeks. So we're living out of suitcases in motels until then. Marriott this week, Embassy Suites next - decent places at least. I get to travel to Spencer and stay in the AmericInn Wednesday though, for work. Yeehaa.

We've called the neighbors to let them know to watch our home. Plus we have the Kimster cat and house-sitting. If you are a robber, consider stealing our 18 year-old kitty, or other old things. Think again. She will hurt you. Odie will be at Lila's for this time. It's Odie's birthday on the 26th - she'll be 7! We'll have to celebrate on the weekend. I'll pick her up something fun

The next two weeks will be a transition to our new temp life. Change is good. Bring it on!

Movin' on up

The text message I received from Paul Tuesday came out of the blue. It said something like this: "Zimprich (his supervisor) called they want to detail me to DSM for 3 months talk more tonight" Yikes! That wasn't much to go on! Why, what, how? I had so many questions. But we were both working - I in my cubicle where everyone all around could hear everything I said. So I waited.

That night he called after my roomie Joan and I had taken time to catch up about our Christmas breaks. Paul and I made small talk first about how our days went and other current events...avoiding the elephant.

Then he explained. His supe, Jeff Zimprich, who is the Area Conservationist, will be going to Illinois to serve as the State Conservationist for 3-4 months. While he's gone, an Assistant State Conservationist will go to Atlantic to get some field experience - filling in for Jeff. That leaves an opening at the State NRCS Office. The State Con thought of Paul for that opening, knowing that I work and live in DSM. Paul had one day to decide whether or not to accept the offer. I said "Go for it!" He agreed - to exciting an offer to turn down.

There are many things to consider:

• Paul - his staff and work, and our home in Creston - even though we plan to go home on weekends. Where would we live and how much will they pay for living expenses.
• For me - what about my roomie deal with Joan? Paul will have to work in DMS on Fridays - should I still go home to Creston Thursdays? Will we like living together fulltime?
• And for both of us -  about our pets - Odie the wiener and Kitty, the decrepit 18 year old feline. The mail, the trash, making sure the house is okay. Stuff like that.

It's so exciting though - a chance to live together, maybe close to downtown. I'd love it if I could walk to work! We can have our cake and eat it too - big city life and Creston on weekends. He can "test drive" what a job in the State Office might be like. I hope we can find a pet-friendly place.

Folks were flamin' outta control

It was so entertaining when the boogie started to roll, I heard somebody say "Burn baby burn, disco inferno". Not really - it was more of a rock and roll 70's party - not disco. Nonetheless that's the song I had stuck in my head all week, in anticipation of "That 70's Party" at the Val Air Ballroom in DM Saturday night.

Ten of us from Creston (due to recent negative publicity, we avoided telling anyone where we were from) attended the big event - a fundraiser for several children's charities. It ended up being fairly pricey - I thought the food was included in the $25 ticket price, but it was a separate fee. Beers were $5 too. Oh what the hell - it was for a good cause and we don't party in DM too often!

We got there early - we're old. In our defense, the info said it started at 6:3o, so we got there a little after that. It was fun seeing people drive up in their lime green VW van - the driver had an awesome afro and platform shoes and his gal had a cool 1 piece jumpsuit (and had quite the abs I must say). Deb dressed the most retro of our group with her polyester shirt tied at the waist and a tank (almost a tube top), underneath.

We snagged a table and had a bit of food. Our group included Pat and Susan [their significant others declined this awesome event - Susan's sweetie prolly doesn't remember the 70's - haha he's young but not quite that young...], Deb and Larry, Bobbie and Jeff and Diana and Don. Plus my honey Pablo the Poolboy and me. Fun group!

Then we people-watched. Lots of folks came in dressed to the 9's in 70's garb. One chick (Pat later learned, by using her Law and Order questioning tactics, that the chick is 40 years old) was in a Dream of Jeannie outfit. The guys were drooling. Sproing (the noise she made when she did magic). Some guys had great wigs and outfits, sideburns and all. Other people went more with the hippy look.

We drank and danced. And talked about cars we had - Pinto, Mustangs, VWs, Torinos. Beer we drank - Olympia, Hamms, PBR, Old Milwaukee, Old Style, Coors, Red White and Blue and more. We reminisced of hair styles, clothes and music. There was a cool slide show during the event with pics from the 70's - Farrah Fawcet, Doors, The Godfather.

The band - Boomerang was excellent! They could do the Stones, Doobies, Steely Dan and more. I forgot how hard some of those 70's tunes were to dance to. But we managed. After 10, when the band took a break, we decided to head to downtown DM to see what was happening. While I'm in DM a lot, I don't get out on the town.

We went to Highlife Lounge near Court Ave. - it's right out of the 60's. In fact it's much like the Eagles Club in Creston! We drank 6 oz. Miller High Life beers, followed by a dessert slippery nipple shot. Designated drivers Don and Deb got free pop. We were home by 1:30 a.m. or so. My poolboy drank more beer than he has in quite some time. Of course I got another migraine - even though I didn't even drink that much. But it was worth it!

We had a bitchin' good time!