December Not Chillin'

Last week was a busy chilly week. I didn't get to snuggle with Odie in my comfy chair in the evenings. Instead on Monday, we went to Bravo at Jordan Creek for the Diamond Brooke Christmas party. We enjoy hanging out with our neighbors who we have gotten to know during the five years we've lived here. Bravo seemed to struggle with new wait-staff that night. Then, when it came time to settle up, some of our single women friends had to endure several references of "being alone". Like - "are you here ALONE?" As if that is forbidden. Sue laughed it off, but I thought it was quite tone-deaf. Overall, a nice evening, despite the waitresses. Plus, leftovers!

Tuesday was my volunteer night at LSI. I'm a classroom assistant in an English as a Second Language class. The class was smaller than usual - about eight that night. The students are still working on short and long vowels. In addition, this week plurals were a topic. There's so much that I don't remember learning - it just seems I always knew how to make things plural. The teacher, Sue, goes over rules - for example, when a word ends in ch, to make it plural you need to add es - such as church, churches. If a word ends in a consonant, you just add s. Seems so easy, right? Not when English isn't your native tongue! Class goes by quickly.

Our pal Krissy gave us tickets to the ISU vs. Iowa women's basketball game in Ames on Wednesday night. We asked our friends Kevin and Kari to meet us at Whiskey River before the game for supper and a beer. It was good to see them and begin making Liberty Bowl plans. The Cyclones played hard but came out on the short end. We trust the coaching staff will have them playing better later in the year.

Cheering at the game

Thursday meant another trek to Ames - this time for the ISU vs Iowa's men's game. It was an early game so we tucked into walking tacos for supper. The crowd was rocking and the game was close until the end when the good guys pulled ahead. We met Kevin and Kari for a beer after the game. Cyclone fans were cheerful as always after a win against the Hawkeyes.

Did I mention we worked all those days too? Paul happened to take Friday off. I work four hours on Fridays after working 36 hours Monday through Thursday. It can be somewhat wearing though - especially after late night Thursdays! Once my work shift was over, I watched Netflix until my car appointment. Suby needed new oil.
That night, thanks to my sisters (a birthday gift - aren't my sissies awesome), we had tickets to the musical Waitress. First, we visited our "go to" when we have show tickets, The Stuffed Olive. Good food and martinis. Loved the show! If you haven't seen it - go! 

Pre-show martini

Saturday was "Tour Des Moines", a walking/food tour of the Court Avenue area - another big birthday gift. This one courtesy of our children/spouses. Kara and Jud have done these types of tours in many cities they've visited along with St. Louis where they live. Des Moines finally caught on, thanks to Angie our tour guide who is super knowledgeable about the city. The website  tourdesmoines.com doesn't seem to be working today.

Our Wisconsin friends

We met at 1:30 PM at The Hub on the corner of Court Avenue and 1st. There were supposed to be 2 couples with us but one canceled, unfortunately. The other couple was from rural Wisconsin. They were fun - a farmer and his nurse wife. They love trips like this, having sampled food in a few other cities. It was their first time to DSM and they were hitting all the highlights! We tried pear, brie and honey flatbread at the Hub - delish!

RoCA

Next, we were off the Vivian's Diner for grilled cheese/beef sannies and grits. On the way, we walked along the river whilst Angie told us historical information about the city. I loved the grits! The diner is at the former Hotel Fort Des Moines which now is being switched over to condos - Angie actually lives there with her husband and college-aged sons in a two bedroom unit.

The last two stops included alcohol tastes, which was fun. We had fancy drinks at RoCA with skewers and roasted Brussel sprouts. Angie showed us a hidden bar - "Shorty's Somewhat Fancy Bar". I had no idea it was there with an alley entrance under RoCA. Dessert was at CABCO. Beer and chocolate. Yum! It was a delightful day. I would say you should not go to something like this for a filling meal - it's "tastes", which was fine with me.

Today was a day of rest! And we stayed home last night too. This week should not be as rigorous for this old girl. But it sure was fun while it lasted.

Diamond Girls

Sure do shine. I went out with the Diamond Brooke ladies last night. It was a small group - just six of us. We went to PF Changs - just on the other side of Jordan Creek Mall. It's our neighborhood.

Connie sets up the nights out - the first Monday of each month. She sends an email to each unit - there are 68 of them, but not all have women in them...we usually have around 10 or 12 gals there, but in the winter there are fewer. The month we met at one of the units in the association there were over 20 of us!

Leslie and Connie

I enjoyed having a smaller group. It made it easier to have just one conversation. We talked about the weather, of course - that storm a couple weeks ago when people had such a long commute home. It took Leslie B. 2+ hours to travel from Urbandale to her place. Other Leslie (not to be confused with Alternate Leslie Goldsmith) lives down the street from us. She is a radio exec with the company that owns several radio stations around here. She and her husband (he travels) moved back to Iowa from Atlanta to be closer to children. Their son is a doc who just finished his residency in Omaha and now practices in DSM. They have grandkids.

Sue Tyler and Sally

Movies were another topic. Nobody liked American Hustle, though we agreed the acting was great and the clothes were awesome. I sure don't remember women wearing clothes where their breasts nearly popped out though - at least not in Atlantic, Iowa. My mom sported a wiglet (hairpiece) sometime during that era. I was too young to pay attention to when she wore it and how it looked. I think it was a short-lived fashion effort on her part.

Me with Linda

Connie recently took herself to the animated moving Frozen. I wish I could have gone with her. When Jud was here over the weekend, we watched Wreck It Ralph on Starzz. It wasn't something I could have ever interested Paul in without Jud's influence. I like animated movies and told Connie to call me next time she needs someone to go with.

I sat by Linda. I hadn't really talked to her before. She and her spouse Dave lived her for a long time but then moved for his job to Minneapolis and then Kansas City. Then they moved back here when Dave retired as their kids live here. I showed her where Jud's girlfriend Kara lives and she said that was really close to where they lived in KC.

Sally and Sue Tyler and fun to talk to as they are Des Moines natives - so they know all the locals and the original joints. I told Sue that I know another Sue Tyler from Atlantic. Sue just moved to Diamond Brooke not long before we did and she loves it here. Her husband - a former DM Register employee - report? passed away a few years ago and Sue decided to sell the home they owned on 50th Street in West Des Moines. She says she likes having all the people around - she plays bridge on Wednesdays with a group.

Sally is a retired teacher. She told about her church - Plymouth Congregational. They operate a program that outfits women for job interviews. They have helped over 1,000 women so far. I plan to start saving my clothes for Sally to take there from now on.

I plan to meet with Connie tomorrow night. We're going to arrange a meeting of Odie, our dog, with her granddaughter Logan who is 16. If it works, we could have a new dog sitter. Fingers crossed! Connie used to live in KC too, and worked for an outfit that helped independent hardware companies. So she knows the Cappels from Atlantic and the Seckingtons in Creston. Small world.


The toilet did it!

We came home from work early today - it was snowing and we wanted to beat the idiots. We stopped at HyVee on Grand for - what else milk and bread. Plus some other stuff. I couldn't resist snapping a couple pics. Odie is getting used to snow - she didn't even wait for Paul to sweep the walk when we arrived home - she leaved off the steps and tinkled. #sleddog.

Oh man - how pretty would I be in these?

Birthday fun

I had a nice birthday - for a Monday! I'm 56 years old. Yikes. It doesn't seem possible. I can't be a day older than 46, can I? I took a quiz linked in the New York Times recently that said my "Fitness Age" is 40. Yippy. You put in workout information, waist size and pulse. 56 is the new 40 - except when I look in the mirror....

I received a number of greeting cards - I saved them all to open when I got home from work. Except Paul's - he'd gotten up to go hunting. I opened his card - just to start my day right. Odie gave me a wag and a doggy smile too. I'd purchased cookies at Trader Joe's, but decided to also get Dunkin' Donuts. I did resist those round mounds of goodness but not the TJ cookies. At our office, you're in charge of bringing treats for your own big day - which works well because then if you don't - it's on you! Amy called early - so I got birthday wishes from my girl.

I even snagged a box of gluten free for my intolerant co-workers (their systems, that is...)

After our staff meeting, I had a message saying I had a delivery.

My deer hunter came through with roses

Some how I was lucky to get put on the special calendar for a work lunch for my birthday - even with Becky gone on maternity leave. My job has me working between 2 sections at DNR. Solid Waste staffers are very good about celebrating birthdays. My real section - Financial and Business Assistance - not so much. Four co-workers and I walked down Grand to Quentins about noon for a big baked potato. I enjoyed chatting with them about non-work related stuff!

That afternoon I received a text from Paul saying he'd shot a buck with his bow - yippy! Last year with the move, he got skunked - no deer. This year he's gotten 3 - 2 with his bow and 1 with my car. Of course that one got up and ran away...(I got my car back today - $4,000 damage in total - out of a 6 lane road with no other cars, the deer had to pick that spot to run??).

When I got home from work, I read all my cards - so clever, and nice to hear from everyone. I had a date that night with the Diamond Brooke ladies - because I wasn't expecting Paul home too early. Plus the Packers were playing that night, so I knew he'd be pretty worthless as a dining companion. Marilyn was set to pick me up - so when a vehicle pulled up outside I nearly ran out and jumped in. Then a guy got out - he had flowers! They were from Jud and Kara - how sweet!

Paul arrived with deer in tow. We already have the meat from the doe being processed so he will donate this one to the HUSH program - so the meat with go to the prison system. Phew- as long as I don't have to eat it.

Marilyn and Mary Lou picked me up about 5:30 to head back downtown to Americana Restaurant. There were 9 of us this month. Sometimes there are more, sometimes less. Many of them have Mary in their names (Mary Lou, Mary Jo, Mary Ann) - it's confusing. Plus there is another Leslie - and her last name starts with B. My maiden name letter, which makes me think it's me sometimes. We range in age from young/old (my age) to middle/old (70's). I had a nice lemondrop martini and scallops. They were yummy! Connie entertained us with stories of her granddaughter.

Paul was entranced by the Packers game when I got home - good call by me to attend the meal! Jud called later to wish me happy birthday. He's headed to California - near Sacramento this week for work. Then he and Kara will fly to Denver for a concert and to see his sissie. They're doing a beer tour. It was nice to talk to my little (6'2") buddy.

I received text messages and Facebook wishes throughout the day. All in all - a very nice birthday. I feel very blessed.

Too busy to blog!

I like to spread out my activities - but sometimes you just have to go with the calendar!

Monday was the Diamond Brooke (that's our Townhouse Association) ladies monthly get-together. This month we met at Mary Jo's house - #8, just three doors down from our place. Mary Ann helped and others (not all named Mary) brought food and wine.

The two hostesses on the left. Our neighbor Vicki, and a gal named Sue Tyler (we talked about the Atlantic Tylers) on the right...

They had a great turnout - even some former occupants attended. I enjoyed taking to Kathy, who sold us our place, which we love. She and Bill moved just down the street to a house. They're helping raise their granddaughters who are about 10 and 14 years old. The girls' mom, Kathy's daughter has had some problems in her life, but I'm happy to report that Kathy tells me that she is getting back on track and the girls stay with her some of the time.

I really like getting to know my neighbors. Some are original owners here and some are new like we are. The food was great - pulled pork sannies and lots of other munchies. I had a glass of wine - but it is not my friend, so I sipped slowly. A good time was had by all!

Tuesday I went to Dubuque for work. Love that town, but it sure is a long drive! We didn't get back until 7 p.m. and I was really tired - even though Jeff drove on the way back. I now have more sympathy for the Dubuque staffers who make the trip to DSM for meetings frequently.


Angie couldn't make the party, so I snapped her photo with Jim at work

Wednesday was our Jimless Retirement party for work. Our co-worker Jim Bodensteiner had suffered successfully battled non hodgkins lymphoma before I started working at DNR. The damn stuff came back early this year and it was determined he needed a stem cell transplant. Jim was close enough to retirement age - and wife Jackie had just retired from her job. So Jim decided, during his time off from work that he would take retirement. Jim had to go to Iowa City for his procedure and has to stay away from people (we're germy you know) for quite some time.


Tom is a little upset with Jim for retiring...

So Mick, one of the engineers suggested we have a party without him. We can do one later when he's able to get back into the population. Amy and work and I quickly set the date - thinking sooner is better than later, right? I took my friend Robbie Dob's (Robyn Bredensteiner Uehling) idea to get a head shot photo of Jim and put it on a paint stick. Jim on a stick can stand in for real Jim until he's there for real. I had one photo made and did the other ones with the printer.


Bill Ehm with Jim

There are 2 Jims in this pic!

The party went great! Though Amy Wilken wasn't able to make it because she was under the weather. Staff members had fun and talked about getting together again sometime. Creston's Bill Ehm - our Division Administrator even made it. Everyone got their pic with Jim and wrote down a toast or note to Jim that I'll include in the booklet for him.


Council Bluffs Recycling Center staff with Jim

While preparing for the party, an idea popped into my head, and I got goose bumps - because it's like someone/thing else was guiding me. My brainstorm - people across the state know Jim - who, by the way is the nicest man ever. Jim worked on our Solid Waste Alternatives Program - SWAP. It's a grant, no/low interest loan program for waste reduction/recycling.

Since all these people know Jim, why not let them in on the Jim on a stick thing? I sent Jim's photo out to stakeholders - telling them to take their photo with "Jim". He'll get a kick out of it. Staff members can take Jim along on trips. It might help Jim's pass the time at home. He's a great guy - and whatever we can do to help, I'm all in!
If you would like to have your photo with Jim. Let me know, I'll send the file to you. Be a part of the Jim project!

The Game:

On Thursday, we needed to be in cleaning mode, since Jud and Kara were coming for the big (well...not so big this year, since neither team seems to be too great) Iowa State vs. Iowa game. I also made a couple batches of snack mix - Paul needed some for work, plus game day of course! Meanwhile, in Creston, the other 2/3rds of our tailgating couples were partaking of "halfsies" (when you drink partial highballs, pretending that if you don't drink full glasses, you aren't really consuming much alcohol - it's a Margaret McKim thing I believe), coming up with the tailgating strategy, post RV. Donnie still had the television setup, but no longer had a generator.  That ended up in a quick trip to Costco for Paul and me. (But only 1 halfsie for Paul when we got back - and none for me, since I'd had a couple full drinks in Jim's honor the night before).

By Friday, I was exhausted - but instead of my usual laid back work at home schedule, I had 2 meetings! Argh. I think "assisted living" should come much earlier. My mother used to always say that and now I know what she was talking about. If someone could just take care of the stuff like laundry, cleaning and our meals, I could concentrate on the fun stuff like tailgating and party planning.

Jud and Kara arrived Friday night in a whirlwind - they needed to be downtown for a sorority sister's birthday party right away. So not much time to talk then. McKims and McFees arrived around 9:30 a.m. for a Bloody Mary - and we packed stuff up. Traffic was a nightmare going to Ames, making Jud about half queasy in the back of our car. We parked at Vet Med while McFees and our parking pass went to C4 and got a good spot for our tailgating setup. The joint (Ames) was rocking with cardinal and gold and black and gold - many mixed tailgating groups.

Paul and Jeff talk ag while Jeff grills brats

Not a bad location - unless it rains. Jud's friend crawled through that icky road tube later...for 2 beers. He scared kids on the other side.

Kara and Jud were starving by the time they got to our tailgate



A photo Larry Peterson took - Look! I'm in it!

The tailgate was much improved from game one. Too bad the game wasn't better...in my view, the ISU band did win, playing classic rock songs. The Hawkeyes deserved the trophy after this one. The weather was also a winner, and fan behavior was pretty good where we were. A nice mixed group of Creston High School kids stopped by  - nice to know they can all hang out and be civil. I hope the Cyclones find some offense before the next game - the D seemed to have improved a bit since last game. This season looks to be one where we will look for improvement as small victories. And hope the offensive coordinator gets a clue...

Last time we tailgated by a guy in a kilt...it was much shorter...and we heard tell he was "commando"  

 

After the game, traffic was even worse than on the way in. We dropped Kristina McFee Carroll off in Ankeny on our way home, so we did get to catch up with that chicky during the molasses-like ride. Today Jud and Paul got to do the traffic thing all over again - in Kansas City for the Dallas Cowboys vs. Chiefs game. Kara and I got up a bit later and had a nice leisurely breakfast at Mimi's. Then she headed back to K.C. about noon. Now it's laundry, dishes, put stuff away time. And bloggin'.



Lunch at Costco

I took my neighbor Jo's advice. She's a sample lady at Costco. I talked to her last Sunday when Paul and I went to the Diamond Brooke picnic. We enjoyed the picnic a great deal - it was hot but there was a nice breeze. We were glad many of the new people who have recently moved into the in the 66-unit complex attended. It was nice to meet them.

Around 30 people attended the picnic

Many of the people were original owners of the Diamond Brooke units



Jo, the sample lady told me I should eat at Costco - the samples! So I did that yesterday for lunch. The menu:

• bratwurst bite
• spinach dip with crackers
• cream cheese with salmon
• hamburger bite with bun
• pumpkin chips
• dark chocolate covered pumpkin seeds
• coffee

It was a good light lunch - to tide me over until supper. Of course I had to shop a little too. I didn't buy a bunch of food though - I was full! haha. At home I packed up four bags for Goodwill - some shoes even - it's hard to part with shoes for me...but sometimes I have to tell them - "it's for the best!" They deserve to live in a home where someone loves them. At home I finally took time to organize the pantry shelves - something I'd successfully avoided since moving in.

Then, as a reward, I went to Valley West Mall to the Fit to be Tied Store and bought - you guessed it. Shoes. Just one pair though. I got Merrells for work - so nothing too exciting. That's what happens when papa goes elk hunting...

This morning I made the trek to Creston to have breakfast with my home girls. Bobbie had planned to do a breakfast casserole in the crockpot - but had a timer snafu. Thinking quickly like a good girl scout, she threw it into a casserole pan and baked it. It tasted great! It was nice to see Pat, Linda, Patti and Deb along with Bobbie. We caught up on families and talked about recipes - the usual stuff. I miss that.

Afterwards, Deb and I picked up some cappuccino and drove to Green Valley State Park. Right before we turned in - we saw a near accident as a gal pulled out in front of the pickup going south on the gravel road onto Green Valley Road. I considered my options - as there was no shoulder to pull off onto...but at the last second the truck veered and missed her and me. Phew!

Deb and I sat near the beach and talked. I miss my Debbie talks. About noon, I dropped her off and headed home, listening to a stupid book on CD that I can't seem to pull the plug on. I hate the ones where the women keep making one poor decision after another, especially when it comes to sleazy men. I want to reach in and slap them. I'm glad I surround myself with smart women - that means you, oh readers. ;>) smile.

Diamond Delight - and the Dream

I went to Mandarin Garden last night with my Diamond Brooke friends while Pablo had a date with Jeff McFee. Though I love living with my honey, it's nice to have separate activities once in a while.

Paul invited Jeff to come up to the ISU vs. Oklahoma men's basketball game. It had been a long time since the two had been to a bball game together. Back in the day, Jeff, Paul, Steve Crittenden and various others through the years played on the same team in City League. They have some great stories - like the time Steve got elbowed, and his nose was broken - smashed flat to his face. He went to the hospital to get it set, and came back and played with cotton wads in his nostrils - now that's a playa!

Most of the stories came from post-game; however, tales from the Elms Club or the results. Like the time Paul slept on the rug in the front hall after his buddy dropped him off. A long time ago! Most of the time, I didn't want to hear about what went on (kinda like Vegas...). The basketball team actually won the championship a couple times - of course they had some young talent playing with them. It was during those years that Paul really bonded with his best buddies. They've been through the trenches together. Monday night, Jeff and Paul were just viewers - but they got to see a good game! ISU won by around 20 points, and there was one spectacular dunk.

Meanwhile, Connie from our Townhouse Association, picked me up for our night out. It was a small crowd - which actually made it easier to get to know a few people better. Connie seems to be the social chair - and she's been to most of the restaurants around here. She is retired from a company that ran a cooperative for independent hardware stores, so she knows the Cappels from Atlantic and has even been to the store.

I also sat by Sally and Leslie who live down our street. They reported that a unit down by their places that is for sale may have an offer. Sue lives on the street south of ours. The unit next to her just went on the market - the gentleman that owns it isn't very friendly. See the kinds of things one finds out?

I told them my exercise bike alarm story. Everyone chuckled. Sue had water in her basement due to a backup in her pipes - bummer.  Sally and Sue had each eaten at Olympic Flame in the East Village recently - and loved it. This reminds me that I should go back there again. We spent some time figuring out where we might go next month for our night out. I really enjoyed the evening - such nice and interesting people. I'm going to like it here.

Today I was in charge of a meeting at Metro Waste Authority for work. I arrived early to make sure everything was set up. Our consultant Cory was there when I got there and I set my stuff down to talk. Ramona, the receptionist, made a beeline over to view the new purse, my blue Dooney and Bourke. She had me show it to Geri, the Administrative Assistant. We all caressed it. Ahhh.

Ramona mentioned that the Home Shopping Network features these purses sometimes. I know! One time I shouted in delight - "Honey - my purses have their own TV show, just like your hunting shows!" haha. I was happy to meet a fellow D&B lover in Ramona. We bonded. Oh and the work meeting went well too.

Later, since Paul was at a meeting at the Wallace Building (my work) I texted him to meet me at The Continental where I was sipping a $4 margarita waiting for him. It was a pretty good day, for a Tuesday. (It was hard to exercise later, but I did...Live Healthy Iowa!)

The Continental - mixing my drink!

Last night I had one of THOSE dreams. You know the kind - falling. Except in this one, a bad guy had me in a room. He was going to kill me. I knew it. I was terrified and had to get away. Instead of getting gotten by him, I decided to jump out of the window - perhaps 4th or 5th floor? So I knew it would be fatal. I remember flying through the air, but I didn't hit. Thank goodness! What was THAT all about?

The Brownies Scouts had it right

I think I had a sash as a Brownie...we never had the vest thing...did have the knee socks though! My sis Susi is still active with Colorado GS, and niece Jordan works for the organization in Denver

In that song they taught me all those years ago, when we met in the Washington Elementary gym after school. We'd sing it in rounds.

Make new friends

But keep the old

One is silver

And the other's gold

 

Old friends like Robbie Dob, Theresa Faust and Cindy Peterson were in the group. Were you in that group Paula, was Chris? I don't recall. I earned lots of badges that my mom then had to sew onto my cool sash. One time we were doing some type of foot race and Robyn was determined to win - so much so that she forgot to stop when we got to the plate glass window. Her knee paid the price - and I think I saw her guts in there. Ick! That's when I knew I'd never be in healthcare. Thanks Robyn, for helping me on my path toward trash.

 

The past week reminds me of that old song, because I've been fortunate enough to get together with both old friends and new! My college pal and former roomie Jane Flack Conn contacted me last week about getting together with her for a margarita at Mi Mexico on Friday. Sounded delightful! While I've been around the area during the week for the past 4 years, Jane and I haven't seen each other nearly enough! She's busy with 3 kids still at home, though now her oldest is a senior - so they're growing up.

My pal Jane

 

Jane and I were first to arrive at the restaurant, which is off of University in Clive - near Chase Suites where Paul and I lived for a month until we could move into our new home.  Jane's friend Barb Thompson also met us, along with another friend, who I must admit I can't remember her name. (I suck at remembering names of people I'm introduced to...I need to take a class on that.) Let's call her Marg. Marg, Jane and I all ordered the special margarita - it comes in its own shaker. It's very good. Barb had a beer.

 

Later, Paul joined us and we ate there too. It was a hopping place and we were glad we got a table in the bar away from all the screaming kids near the front. It was fun catching up with old friends! Barb is originally from Pocahontas where my Creston friend Syd Hudek hails from, and Barb knows who our pals Don and Diana are too since they're from that neck of the woods. And I know all of Jane's fam so it's good to get an update on them, and to fill Jane in on our family. We need to do this more often. Next time we'll have to ask Mary Mormon to attend.

 

I spent the rest of the weekend with my best friend - Paul. We didn't do a whole lot. He hunted in Creston Friday (lunch with old friends for him that day too - Steve Crittenden and Jeff McFee) and Saturday a.m. we got lunch with lots of leftovers at Jethros Saturday.

 

My big accomplishments were cleaning Saturday morning and joining Costco Sunday. The Packers won  - so that made Pablo happy. I decided just beer and other liquor purchases would make the $55 fee worth it. Then the signer upper chick talked me into the American Express card. I hope I'm not sorry! I got some cheese, vodka, Corona, and a lamp. It all sounds yummy, no? I guess it's time to give Joan (My Waukee roomie) her ID card back. I had it temporarily from when I lived with her...but now I'm somebody! (not Joan).

 

Over the weekend, I got an email from Connie from Diamond Brooke our townhouse association, saying it was time for the women to get together. I guess ladies from the townhouses have been doing this for years, and I'm glad! So last night Mary Ann from down the street picked me up at 6 to go to Maverick's, a new sportsbar West of Jordan Creek Mall. Ten or so women met there, including Kathy, the woman who sold us our place. She just moved a couple blocks away and enjoys these get-togethers. She brought me a couple more keys!

Mavericks on another night - but they do have that many TVs

 

Mary Ann's husband is a former community college president, so of course they know the Crittendens. Since retiring, he's been doing stints teaching at colleges in Moline and Cicero, Illinois - so Mary Ann and he have lived in apartments in those towns until recently. She's really enjoyed it. I met Judy who lives across the street from us. I'd been admiring the basket on her door.

 

It was nice talking to Kathy too. She and her husband Bill moved from this place because they're adopting their granddaughters. Their mother is ill, and the father isn't in the picture. So they wanted the girls to have a real house to live in with their own upstairs bedrooms. The other Leslie was there - she lives down the street. She was a couple people down, so I didn't get to talk to her much. Connie, the email organizer of the event sat by me. She's very friendly and has a warm bubbly personality.  

 

Before I knew it, the place was getting taken over by young people there to watch the big game. It was time for us oldsters to clear out! We were seriously raising the average age of the joint.

 

I did pretty well with those Diamond Brooke ladies' names, huh!?! (of course I could be making all these names up or have them totally wrong and you'd never know...)

 

I heard from my little buddy Amy when I got home. I always enjoy talking to her and catching up on her busy life in Denver. The game turned out to be a bust - sad for my Uncle Bill, a Notre Dame fan. Let's hope his Broncos represent better this week.

 

 

 

  

 

   



Diamond Brooke

Photo from earlier in the year...

I know - it's a corny name. It's our Townhouse Association. There are 66 units, with 2 basic layouts A and B. (Ours is a B with 4 bedrooms, but we use 1 as an office). It makes me feel so mature (translation...old) when I realize we live in a townhouse. Geez, my parents moved into their condo the year we got married. But I guess that was when they were about my age. Gulp. They seemed so much older!

We found out the scoop on the two layouts and the number of units last night when Paul and I attended the Diamond Brooke Holiday Party at Bravo Cucina Italiana near Jordan Creek Mall last night. There were around 25 people there, and the ones we got to talk to were all very friendly. There were several retired teachers in the group. I sat by a gentleman who had been a steamfitter for the DSM schools. He's a biking fanatic now. The food at Bravo was great - I had the salmon.

Despite feeling old, Paul and I seemed to be on the younger end of the age spectrum in the group. Many of the people there were retired and were headed off to warmer climates soon. Sally, who lives on our street - there are two and ours is a cul de sac, told me that the ladies of Diamond Brooke get together each month for an activity, liking going out to eat. That should be a good way to get to know people. We also met Leslie - who moved to a townhouse down the street in July with her husband from Atlanta. But she's originally from eastern Iowa near Paul's home town. Small world. And she's about our age.

Trail just north of EP True

Here's a couple photos I took on my walk last Sunday - the berm between the trail and the road really blocks you from Jordan Creek. I'm looking forward to riding that trail next summer.

Diamond Brooke from afar