The Adventure Continued

Do you ever fly Frontier? That airline is much like dining in an ala carte restaurant. They ding you for everything you order. When you look at the menu, it looks like such a bargain - a steak for $16.99! By the time you add a side salad and baked potato, you are closing in on $30. My east/west coast readers are like WHAT? So cheap! I'm talking Iowa prices. #heartofbeefcountry Our flight from Denver to the ISU bowl game in San Antonio was on Frontier, where there is a $38 fee for bags - carry on or checked. Seats, drinks, snacks? Cha-ching $$.

We landed in San Antonio, Texas just before Jud and Kara and shared an Uber into town from the airport. One of our New Year resolutions is to use this service more when we go out at night. Now we both have the app on our phones. Yep - it's only taken years. #olddogsnewtrick J&K went off to find their hotel when we arrived at ours.

Mandy, Barb and Mike Archer

The weather in Texas was a big change from Colorado (plus 50 degrees). Our tailgating pals, Ehreckes, and McKims (note - I don't need to add apostrophes to make their names plural - my pet peeve) were already in town - at a pep rally for our fave team, the Cyclones. Paul and I walked around the Alamo and then found a table at a Riverwalk bar Durty Nellie's to hang out at - complete with dirty limerick piano guy. We enjoyed people watching and snagged another table when our friends arrived. Niece Barb and fam sited us! Many others stopped by to say "hi". Cyclones fans were everywhere - in boats, walking by, in restaurants. Ames Far South.

Eventually, we decided to rustle up some food. Always good to get a base for your beer. If you've ever been to San Antonio you know that you walk upstairs to get the street level from the Riverwalk. We ended up at the Number 1 (and only) Sports Bar in town - right across from our hotel.

Busch guy - next to Donnie

If you aren't from Iowa you may not know our people are known for drinking (hangs head) Busch Light beer. (Black Velvet is the number 1 liquor - so it figures. We like cheap). We drank Memphis out of that beer at last year's bowl game. Budweiser, who distributes Busch, sniffed out a marketing opportunity and sent us the Busch Light Guy and plenty of Beer! So guess who stopped by our table and gave us a beer and stickers. He's very handsome in a beer guy way...

We ate corn dog appetizers and pizza. And were back at our hotel by 10 PM. Yay old people!

Photo courtesy of Kari

The next day was game day.  The weather was a bit chillier. We'd decided to do the Riverwalk boat tour early - to beat the crowd. We bundled up and hopped on a boat to get the historical water tour of the area. Very interesting. Then we walked through the packed Alamo - doing a self-tour. It is very important in the history of the State of Texas.

Don's college roomie Jim and wife Rita arrived in town that morning. We met them for lunch, which was delish but was completed on southern time. The hospitality we experienced in SA was slow. Perhaps they were overwhelmed by the cardinal and gold. Staff at many places just don't see to move in an efficient manner. No wonder Iowans are popular hires wherever they go.

College pals reunited! 

We decided to settle somewhere on the Riverwalk for the afternoon since the game wasn't until 8 PM. We walked out of the restaurant and heard cheering from the other side of the river. What? Jud, Kara and their college buddies were perched riverside at Rita's on the River, cheering when boats went by filled with Cyclone fans. We decided that was our place too! We ran into several friends while hanging out - including our former neighbors Todd and Suzie Stofferahn.

The group decided we needed a brief rest before walking to the Alamo Dome - just under a mile from our hotel. When we got to the stadium it was exciting - music, food, tailgaters. We had to walk down around under train tracks. Don's niece was tailgating near a group of former ISU greats including Coach Dan McCarney and Sage Rosenfels.

Gumbo booth - very good! 

Kevin, Kari, Paul and I decided to walk around and soak in the atmosphere - boy-howdy there was a lot. Huge motorhomes, families with kids on scooters and a band. There were flags from many teams proudly waving in the parking lot - OSU, Nebraska, TTU and more. Then we ran into a guy in an LSU shirt. He offered us gumbo - so sure! Kevin ate 2 cups! It was good and hit the spot. We listened to his spiel about a Wisconsin game he went to - a good 'ol boy with quite an accent.

At the stadium - it looks like a riverboat at night

Finally, it was time to go into the Dome! We drank Fireball shots for luck. Guess I should have finished mine. GRRR. I wish our team would have performed better - even so, we were still in the game until the end. Congrats to WSU for playing a game with very few errors - that was enough to win. Their quarterback was elusive and they had good team speed. Leach is a good coach. On to next year! ISU returns many players. Our clan did a group hug at the hotel. We have a great time win or lose - but winning is more fun.

A 6 a.m. flight made for a short night - but it was nice getting home early. What a week we had. I'm an anxious traveler. I don't like packing, am a nervous flyer - not the flying part but the checking in and airport part. I know - it will all work out in the end, but I don't like things blowing up plans. This trip came out better than any expectations I had. All week before we left I coached myself to just live in the moment. I wasn't perfect - a work in progress. 2019 - live it! Happy New Year!

Back By Popular Demand

I haven't published a blog in over a month. I wrote a couple - but didn't publish them. I do enjoy writing. Just wasn't feeling like sharing them - too personal.

But hello...I'm baaack! Literally (just back from a weeklong vacation) and ready to write. I saw my relatives and they asked me about it. So here goes!

I love my family - if not for them, I'd be a total Christmas Grinch. Like many others, I get so tired of all the hoopla. Isn't that a great word? See - I've still got it. Insert Smile.

The first leg of our great End of 2018 Adventure started in Denver. This year we flew out! We have driven the past 10 years - taking Odie (RIP baby girl) and braving icy and snowy roads at times. Upon arrival in Denver, we took the light rail from the airport to Union Station where we were greeted by our four "kids". Jud and Kara had arrived from St. Louis the day before. We headed to the Wynkoop Brewery downtown for a brew and appetizers to catch up.

Marty and her peeps

That night we gathered with our Denver family - the Lamms and niece Jordan and wife Jill. Family  Matriarch, Aunt Marty, hosted at her place, Holly Creek Retirement Community. We sipped wine and dined on a lovely meal. But mostly we talked and laughed. It was a delightful evening - 3 generations of Bullocks with cousin Amy Lamm Brownlee's children Matt and Kate. I love nights like that - pretty special. Marty tells stories about prior generations, including my Dad and Mom.

We talked about siblings and cousins who weren't with us - hope your ears were burning! I feel so fortunate that our family truly loves to get together - even the next generation! Our children enjoy their 2nd cousins the Lamms, and Amy and my aunt have a special relationship that warms my heart.

Rounding up the scooters

On Sunday Amy and Corey had a lot planned to keep us busy. It was a sunny nice Denver day. The kids helped the elderly download the Lime app onto our phones to enable us to "check" out electric scooters that have now taken over the larger cities in the US. Are they good? Bad? I'm still not sure but we sure had fun, and it was easier than finding parking for cars. I did feel nervous that I might crash and burn my old brittle bones self. But we all came through unscathed - riding on streets, sidewalks, and bike paths. My lower back took a bit of a pounding - no shock absorbers, riding up to 16 mph. It was fun!

Where did we go? First off, we went to Denver Milk Market. It's a market under one roof with lots of booths and restaurants. We all got sandwiches (lobster roll for me, yummo) and settled into a sunny comfy communal corner - there was all types of seating around for the many restaurants. A DJ type guy started a rousing game of Bingo and helpers handed out cards. (No pesky dobbers for you St. Malachy Bingo veterans - these had sliding tabs built right in). We joined in as game prizes were awarded market stores. The Bingo caller was hilarious.

Using all my talent and skills garnered from my years working Bingo as a St. Malachy parent, I won game 2! Good 'ol B15 - I always did like that combo. But wait! There was another Bingo, a young woman at least half my age. How would they select the prizewinner - bloody mary mix and bacon?

Two draft beers suddenly appeared in front of us. It was to be a chugging contest. You may find this hard to believe, but I've never been a chugger. I prefer to sip my beer. And my competition? She chugged it down like a barmaid from Wisconsin! Well played. I did get a free beer out of my Bingo victory.

Next, we Scooter Angels headed to the Lucky Strike - a bowling alley/game room to watch some football. Even though the Packers are having a bad season, Paul loves those guys. When we came out of that joint, there were only four scooters left, so we had to round up two again. The whole day on the scooter, after our ride back to Amy's was less than $5 - and no fossil fuels were used.

That evening we played laser tag - and I enjoyed being slain over and over again, by little kids in game one. We did play a second game that only involved our family. Our children ganged up on dear old mom. All in good fun! I didn't know I could still run and duck. Next we stopped by a fancy bar called Death and Company for drinks. Catchy name - fitting after I just got lasered! After a fancy cocktail, we went next door to a Latin dim sum restaurant called Super Mega Bien - delicious! It was nice to have Amy and Corey to tell us what to order.

The weather turned colder Monday. Paul and I said goodbye to Marty - she was preparing for their family Christmas Eve party. On our way to Amy's we stopped for Duffey Rolls - in honor of my beloved Uncle Bill, Marty's husband who passed a few years ago. He used to always get the delightful concoctions when we visited. That place was rocking - must be part of many family holidays. They were set up for many carryouts.

We headed up the mountain to Cindy's - running into snow near the tunnel. It got dicey past Copper but Paul and Corey did a great job piloting. (We had to take two cars) This was our 11th year to be with Lefebvres for Christmas. It just seems like the right place for us to be. Bolder has been gone six years now - the annual party has gotten smaller and not quite as animated since he passed. The usual family friends come - all their children grew up together. It's nice to be part of this group. My nephew Colby leads the carols along with his pals. During the second set, they break out the grass skirts. Fun to see our children join in. 

We opened presents in the Christmas morning before Colby had to head off to work. He manages El Sabor restaurant in Vail. Everyone in this area understands - they must serve the people who make their region go. I couldn't wait for my favorite gifts to be opened - yodeling pickle Christmas ornaments. (motion activated). All the kids got 'em! They were a hoot!

Paul and the kids skied Beaver Creek on a gorgeous day. Cindo and I tackled a jigsaw puzzle that was an unfortunate selection by me. I didn't realize when I purchased it that it had "Twists". The puzzle doesn't look like the photo. I have a feeling Cindy ditched it when I left. Too tough for old broads.

That night we were treated to another wonderful prime rib meal at Pottorff's. I think it was one of Eric's best yet! The whole fam got involved - son Byron made a delish Brussels Sprouts/Smoked Sweet Potato dish that was baked. Bonnie whipped up salad, potatoes and even dessert. It was all fantastic - I was still full the next day! We're so grateful to be included in this meal and the Sanders fam is there.

Escape Room deliberatinos

Our drive down the mountain was quiet as there was no snow. That night we tackled an Escape Room - this one required some deep thinking so we're glad Corey and Kara brought their intelligence into the family. It was another fun day with our clan. We kinda like 'em! That was the end of the Christmas part of our trip. We couldn't have asked for more. Bring on 2019! 

Grandpuppy Franklin has already shredded this toy...

Lovett, Storm Warning, Emergency

Months ago I purchased two tickets for a Lyle Lovett concert at Hoyt Sherman Place. Why, you might ask. How did I become a Lyle fan? I blame it on my friends Mary Faber and Deb Peterson.

In 1996, not long after my Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer, those two asked me to go to a Lyle concert. They knew I was feeling sad. I knew who Lyle was - a couple of his band's songs had made it to the radio. But I didn't know much about him - except that he'd had a brief, ill-fated marriage to Julia Roberts. Never-the-less, a night out with those two wonderful friends was just what I needed! I don't remember much about the night except the love and care Mary and Deb provided. And that Lyle Lovett and the Large Band didn't suck. I didn't rush out and buy all their CDs - but their music kept percolating in my head.

Years later, living in Des Moines, I searched for music to fill out my library. I often wear earbuds at work to drown out the cacophony of cubicle-land. Especially since I sit by loud-talking phone guy. He seems to think his phone is like those old "cans with strings" we use to put together when we were kids. He yells at people on his phone. Ugh. Insert earbuds, turn up tunes.

I ended up getting a Lyle CD and they had me at "That's Right You're Not From Texas" and "MONEY". I'd always thought they were a country band, but no - they're more swing. And the individual talent of the Large Band is special.

Deb and Leslie love cheese and fancy drinks

I knew Paul wouldn't be too wild about seeing a band he's never really listened to. And he's left me...for his hunting trip. So I asked my pal Deb and come up for the 8/31 concert. We made a night of it, visiting the Cheese Bar and Eatery A.

Band members have been together for many years. Cello player was born in Iowa! 

Hoyt Sherman is such a special concert venue - the musicians always bring it up. The acoustics are marvelous. I got seats up close but off to the side. They played many of my favorites. The musicians and female singer Francine get a lot of solo time. They played for over 2 hours. Fun night. The while weekend Deb and I enjoyed time to catch up on each other's lives. I miss that! It was hard to say goodbye Saturday morning - but it was Game Day baby!

Or so I thought! I packed up the gear and headed to Ames about noon. Kevin and Kari got a slick new trailer this year. Tailgating was fun, but no lie, I missed my honey.

Kevin and the babes at the game

He did call while I was still on my first beer of the season. He was high on a mountain peak. The phone was cutting out - I heard a story about how he and his hunting buddy Al had come upon a father/daughter team riding mules to hunt elk. It was her 16th birthday present. For some reason, the mules spooked and dumped the riders. The dad hit his head and the daughter was injured and couldn't get up. Paul and Al dumped their packs and hiked back to the parking area to call mountain rescue. Chainsaws had to be used to get a 4-wheeler up the path to get a stretcher up the get the girl. I was concerned about the mules (of course). They ran back to their trailer. Phew! The dad left a note on their windshield yesterday - thanking them. It turns out they ended up with only cuts and bruises. Yay! No other hunting news - the elk are in hiding.

Creston's Trevor Downing (the big guy) Freshman lineman

Hmmm storms look ominous. There's a Cyclone warning! 

The game was exciting! All 4 minutes. The usual cast of people that sit by us was accounted for. Yay! We high-fived after ISU's touchdown. Then lightning and rain hit. Game Over. We sat in the car. It turns out they have to wait 30 minutes after every lightning strike. Which means the game could have started at roughly 3 in the morning. It was the longest lightning show every.

We finally ended up back under our tailgating tent drinking a beer, eating sugar cookies - what a combo! We laughed taking down the tent in the rain. Those people are so damn cheerful. Big thanks to Erecke's for putting me up at their house Saturday night. And to everyone, who stopped by our tailgate. It was fun seeing you all. Next time there will be a real game to follow!

This group laughs a lot! 

Lucky Boots

Have you ever had something start out bad and turn out to be lucky? That's the story of my lucky bowl game boots.

I was nervous I'd be walking in socks by the end of the day

Our trip to Memphis for the Liberty Bowl was such fun! Mother nature didn't cooperate the best - providing chilly weather for the 25K Cyclone fans decked out in cardinal and gold. Our friends Kevin and Kari picked us up about noon on Thursday for the seven-hour trip to Cape Girardeau, MO. The trip to Memphis was a short drive on Friday, with a brief jaunt through Arkansas.

At our hotel, we joined the McKims, who checked in the night before. We headed out to a Cyclone spirit session at the local minor league ballpark. The crowd wowed to the tune of 10,000 people. We do love our team. That afternoon we parked ourselves in a divey bar on the Beale Street parade route. Somebody should have sent Iowa's RAGBRAI committee into Memphis prior to the onslaught of Cyclone fans. That group knows how to get set up for a crowd! Memphis...not so much. Short on staff, certain beer, and toilet paper. Still, we made due! #cyclonescouts

That night we went into a crowded barbecue restaurant, Rendezvous, and were told there was a 45-minute wait. Our neighbors the Stofferahns had been there a while. We were prepared to drink beer and wait. But no, they called us in 5 minutes. Hmm, I didn't even know it yet, but the lucky boots were in action! The ribs were good, but I still choose Jethro's in DSM.

After the meal, we went back to famous Beale Street to an ISU basketball game watch. We met up with our fam. Jud and Kara were there along with our nephew Steve Fox and niece Barb and husband Mike Archer. It was great to see everyone and Kara snagged a pic. Somewhere George and Laura Goldsmith are proud that the fam grouped up!

Goldsmiths fam plus Jud and Kara's friend Jen

Saturday was game day baby! I had decided to pack my warm clothes because the forecast was chilly and I don't handle cold well. I even dug out my warm landfill era boots - Columbia Bugaboos. I was a little worried because they have a little age on them, but decided they'd do. WRONG. As I climbed out of the back of the SUV at the stadium, Kevin noticed the first cracks. Oops. But here is the magic:

• Don and Paul each found a dollar on the ground that day
• We seemed to have found a giant FREE parking lot - though we tried to find someone to pay. Thanks Tom O'Neill (sp) formerly of Creston for flagging us down there. 
• While the line for the restroom at the tailgate/barbeque was long, the live music in the giant room was fabulous. Everything from Footloose to Brickhouse - and really, who needs light in a bathroom? I know where everything is...
• My crumbling boots held together long enough to get seated in the stadium
• My true, loyal and very well prepared friend Donnie went back to his SUV and got his roll of duct tape. Of course, he had one. Paul fixed my boots up after I inserted "hot feet" in each one. 
• My feet were toasty the whole game, though I did look like a homeless person
• Paul brought Hot Hands and when I shivered I even inserted one of the things into my waistband. Okay, the shivering might have been nerves. #toocloseforcomfort
• I missed watching the last 3+ minutes of the game because I couldn't look. Yep, I'm one of those people who travels 450 miles not to watch a game. In the end it was all good though! Way to go BOOTS!
• After the game, Donnie drove us right out of the parking lot - though I heard of others who had to wait an hour #magicalboottrip
• Our Jack Trice football stadium friends from Carroll, Pam and Randy secured a table at the Rum Boogie Cafe on Beale Street. We got one nearby and listened to some excellent music that night - two different groups. The PBR was cold. Jud and Kara got to see football players at the place across the street and Kara even took a pic with our star receiver - even though I'd slipped out of the lucky boots earlier in the evening.

   

I'd like to go back to Memphis in quieter times - fun place! 

What a fun weekend with good friends and family. Would it be nice to play for a national championship? Sure. For now, we'll enjoy these baby steps. This year, the Liberty Bowl was damn fun. The ISU football season was full of more ups than downs - and I must say I've not often been able to say that. Without the ref errors, we'd have won 10 games. Haha - just messing with you. Hope to have a team that can overcome bad reffing better in the future. 

We've always enjoyed our time tailgating at Jack Trice Stadium. The people make it the best! This year the weather was more challenging than watching our team - rain and cold. Our young coach has brought new energy to the program. I'm looking forward to the 2018 season already!

I did leave the lucky boots in the hotel room....maybe the staff there needs the karma for 2018. I don't think our team does. Best wishes and good luck to your family in 2018. 

 

My funny Valentine week

Ah the quiet Sunday morning. Paul is visiting Lake of the Ozarks, helping our pal Don work on the McKim Lake Place. He and Diana purchased it a couple years ago and pretty much took it down to the studs and have steadily worked on making it into a great place to entertain friends from Des Moines. And others. The location is nice and it's going to be sweet when it's done!

Paul does something worky in the garage

Paul loves projects! It's one thing he truly misses at our place in West Des Moines, so when Don suggested this trip, he was chomping at the bit.

But lets start at the beginning of the week. I was in charge of a couple workshops Tuesday and Wednesday, involving our consultants from Ohio. I decided they needed to experience Jesse's Embers - a steakhouse that features wait staff that reminds me of the gals who used to work at the Country Club in Atlantic. Our waitress interacted with us, and the host greeted us warmly. While we were eating, I saw our realtor come in, and was able to say hello Marg and her daughter Holly. Marg was the one who introduced us to Jesse's Embers. It was a fun night talking to Cory and Tom about how we met our Valentines.

Cory and Tom

Wednesday we met Creston friends Deb and Larry Peterson for the Fleetwood Mac concert. The band was back - this time with Christine McVie! That band member wasn't with them when they were in Des Moines in 2013 and hadn't toured with them for many years. I enjoy many types of music and bands - but few bring back the memories of this one.

Concert goers

As I heard them begin to sing "Say that You Love Me" I thought back to the last time I heard them sing the song - 39 years ago. Yikes! Those numbers make me feel old in a way my mind doesn't accept. It was June of 1976. Paula, Chris and I attended Iowa Jam to see Kansas and Steely Dan and this band I hadn't really heard of - Fleetwood Mac was there too. I think we met Craig Both and Jeff Weppler there. It was really hot out, so by the time FM began to play we were heading out. I remember the strains of that song playing - and it stuck with me enough to make me want that album. A long love affair with the band began that day.

We weren't close - but the big screen helped

It was great to have the Christine McVie songs added into the repertoire of the group. Lindsey Buckingham is a fabulous guitarist and Mick Fleetwood rocks on drums. Some people don't like Stevie Nicks gravelly voice but I do - especially when she sings Landslide. I wish Christine would have sung the song Sarah. Good time - late night, but worth it.

Thursday night was ballroom dancing night for Paul and me. We are pretty good at rumba! At least in my view. That dancing is a good workout.

Paul took off early Friday to meet Don to head south to the lake. I had a work trip all day in southwest Iowa - Grand River, Sidney and Malvern. So binging on Netflix (Blacklist) was just what the doctor ordered.

The Cyclones had a home game Saturday. I invited Diana to use Paul's ticket - to watch the Cyclones handle West Virginia. After the game we met our friends Kari and Kevin and some others for a beer at Scheman. Then we headed to Whiskey River for supper - Kevin was our date! Laughter ensued. Fun times with those three friends.

I missed my Valentine but am enjoying the flowers he sent to my work on Thursday. And the chocolates I bought for him...

Today my friend Julia Hoilien is arriving to spend the night. She's been in the area visiting friends and she flies out tomorrow. I'm excited to see her and catch up! We'll begin plotting our next Class of '76 get together. Love goes out to all my family and friends. I don't say it enough to you all. I heart you!

Class reunions - a dying event?

Amy headed home on Amtrak - arriving Friday a.m. in Crestonia (late as usual - good job Amtrak) for her 10th high school class reunion. Hungry, she walked to S&K Café for a bit 'o breakfast. She recognized a few familiar faces and one smiling one especially. When she tried to pay Chuck, the proprietor, someone had already taken care of it...anonymously. That warms my heart. Good 'ol Creston.

Was it Darwin West auctioneer, bus driver, prom announcer and all around good guy? Amy will never know but is forever grateful. The Denver kid still loves her home town because of things like that!

Amy planned the Creston High School's Class of 2004 reunion from afar. She wasn't the Class president or anything, but hey...nobody else was doing it - and it seemed important to her. Maybe her business mentor, my classmate Roger Underwood (Atlantic High School Class of 1976) is rubbing off on her. He's been great at planning our Atlantic class reunions (except for the last one when I accepted the challenge). I'm glad it's important to Amy as well.

I totally understand it when some people choose to just walk away from high school and wash their hands of the whole thing. They had a bad experience, have become a new person and don't feel like revisiting that time in their lives. Or some people just don't have that much vacation time - and peeling off time for a reunion isn't in the cards. Others just might not want to see a certain someone in the class, or to talk about where they are in their lives at that point. But in my opinion they're missing out.

I'm intrigued by watching people grow up. I must admit, I didn't pay attention to some of my classmates as we moved through those high school years. I had my group of friends and the others were bit players in my eyes. After graduation - when classmates had matured a bit...and maybe I had too - it was fun to talk to them. I hope they didn't think I was a total idiot.

Maybe Amy will never come back to another reunion. Or maybe, like her momma, she'll go to many. She enjoyed this one. She wished more classmates could have attended, but what can you do? There's never a perfect weekend - you just have to pick.

Paul and I chose to chaperone part of the evening at The Lobby along with some of our homies. First we ate at A&G where the Class of 1994 reunion was happening. I wish I would have known that Missy Frank, daughter of our daycare providers Carol and Mark, was there in the party room. We did run into these honeys.

Hudek girls - Megan, Syd and Erin

 We also saw many other familiar faces including Stew Stewart and family and Troy Jay's parents. Katzers came in for a bite with Ron and Dottie Dunphy. It's nice to go where everybody knows your name.

Amy and Kristina McFee Carroll

The crowd at The Lobby was much younger. Tim, the Lobby Owner, had hired a DJ with karaoke capabilities - one of the guy singers was pretty darn good. The girls gathered in the corner so we could keep an eye on the people - a mix since the bar wasn't closed to just the Class of 2004. Just down the street the Class of 1984 had hired a band and they were celebrating in the alley. Wow - 3 decades of former students in town.

unofficial chaperones/stalkers

It was fun to chat with some of the kids from the class who chose to take time to speak with us parents. Soon however the fellas (Jeff, Paul and Donnie) felt the need to keep moving. They walked to the Elms Club to catch up with some of the folks from that class. 1984 was a couple years before we moved to town. Thane Glynn told a couple of hilarious stories and then they were off across the tracks.

When we first moved to Creston, Sidetracked was a dive bar right next to First National Bank where I worked. Then it got "selected" to move when the city decided the area was needed for urban development - Fareway went in there. Sidetracked (named due to proximity to Burlington Northern tracks, or because certain husbands get off course when they go there) moved to the south side of the tracks and has been there ever since. The establishment is run by a CHS classmate of Jeff's (Class of 1976) Randy Hagel. He's a big boy.



we were the only customers by this point...

When I got a text saying the boys were at Sidetracked we decided to join them. I didn't think we really needed to stay for the Class of 2004's whole reunion. Deb decided to head home - her husband Larry and sons (Brett is Amy's classmate) are in Cooperstown, NY at the Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony - trip of a lifetime! So Deb was flying solo.

On our way out of the door I stopped to say goodbye to Amy and chatted with Stormy Weis Wilson - longtime bff of Amy. What a sweetheart! Amy stayed at Stormy and Kyle's this weekend and I'm so glad they had a chance to catch up.



Don describes to Diana how to get him to listen to her...

Bobbie, Diana and I walked across the tracks to see what the fellers were up to. Of course when we got to Sidetracked...it was evident - the guys were up to no good! Soon Cheetos were had. Randy shot water at Diana from behind the bar when she tried to order just a water...so she had to settle on a vodka tonic. No limes at that joint...or diet tonic!

We shut Randy down and ended up back at the Elm's Club for just 1 more. Not for me though - I was driving. By the time we got back to B&J's Kristina was there and Odie was able to enjoy some Cheerios with Jeff and her. Bedtime 1:30 a.m. - late for this kiddo!

Bobbie served a lovely egg casserole this a.m. and we picked Amy up in time to do a rundown of the evening - who was there and who was a no-show who had said they were coming. It was a pretty good turnout for a Facebook Invite event with no real "buy in" required by anyone. Everyone there said they'd like to do it again in 5 years. Amy better get some tips from Roger...

Some say class reunions are dying out because people keep track of each other on Facebook. I say bah humbug.

Must upgrade tailgate experience

That's what Jeff McFee said after last night's game - a loss vs. the University of Northern Iowa. I was expecting a close game - usual against an in-state rival. They bring their A-game to play us. But I wasn't expecting the butt-kicking that felt like. Between that, and the 90 degree heat, it was pretty brutal. Take away the RV tailgating we've grown accustomed to...together with the fact my honey was gone. It was pretty sad.

My day didn't start out badly. I took a nice early morning walk. Then Odie and I drove to the neighborhood Starbucks. I haven't gotten the coffee recipe down for 1 person - it's been too weak since Paul left. He usually makes it in our Bunn-O-Matic drip coffee maker, manufactured right in Creston with Starbucks beans, ground by him. I'll have it down by the time he gets back - then I'll forget again. Anyway - I got a skinny vanilla latte for a million dollars. The barista asked if Odie would like a puppy latte. Um, would she ever! She had to wait until we got home to lap it up and read the paper. haha.

Next we were off to get her nails done. They grow out every three months or so. I like to take her to PetSmart - they use a grinder thing that leaves them smooth. It's $11. The guy was pretty busy - grooming a Westie, so I just stood and waited. Odie moaned the whole time she was on the table! Very dramatic. She was very happy when she was done, and received a nice treat when we got home.

Bobbie and Jeff arrived about 1 p.m. I was packed up and ready to go. I even remembered to put the tickets and parking pass in my purse ahead! It was a lot of pressure doing all this without Pablo to help. We decided to eat lunch at Mavericks before heading to Ames - out of the heat. We were the only Cyclones amidst Hawk fans there, but didn't take any heat.

We arrived at C4, our parking area, about 3 p.m. and there were still many spots to choose from. I think many were avoiding the heat. B & J had picked up Don's tent - to help shade us from the sun. That was a life-saver! We got that set up along with our chairs and plopped down with our drinks sweating. No TV, so we just sat and talked. I wasn't really hungry. We were parked next to ISU punter Kirby Van Der Kamp's family. We noted how they were using a generator for crock pots. We may need to get a generator for a TV and crock pots.

Soon our friends Bob and Sheryl Young walked by with their son Jesse. They stopped to chat. Then Beth and Todd Nielson came. They were our Creston neighbors - good to catch up with them. Hard to believe twins Olivia and Evan are seniors, and Alex, a junior, helped the CHS Panthers defeat Chariton the night before. Then Kimmy McFee arrived with her new roomie and bf. Kim just returned to school at ISU to obtain a degree in genetics. It was nice to see my little buddy - she was using Paul's ticket. She has been dog sitting for us the past year - we'll miss having her in DSM. Putting the tent back in the back before we headed to the game proved to be a team effort, but we got it done (it might not be too pretty though). Don and Diana arrived just in time to head to the game.

Folding up the tent - with Kim and her roomie's BF's help

It was damn hot at game time. They did allow people to take full bottles of water in. It was nice to see our usual seat neighbors - Pam and Randy from Carroll and Andrea and her husband, the enthusiastic guy from Ankeny. Even the lady behind us that Diana chewed out a couple years ago seemed happy to see us! Kim got to hear that lady yell "Run forward" throughout the game, as we have the past few years. So enlightening! Stofferahns sit by us too, but we sure missed Higgins who didn't renew their tickets this year. The place was packed though.

The air seemed to go out of the crowd quickly - between the play of the team and the heat. The Cyclones couldn't get much going on offense and the D could not stop the UNI Panthers. At halftime we were behind, and the UNI band played. They sounded great! The normally excellent ISU band tried to do a medley using the giant video screen between songs - but it didn't work for me. Every time I started enjoying a song, they'd stop playing it. It was like they tried too hard. Maybe that was what was wrong with the football team too - they were trying too hard to tackle so they missed! Right...

Paul texted me a couple times during the game. I tried texting him game updates, but I'm not sure they got through. He's lucky he was spared from seeing this though. Jud too - who is with gf Kara in Nashville this weekend doing the tourist thing. Good choices for my guys. I'm glad they're finding other outlets besides football. What's wrong with me?

By the end of the game, I was a tired, melted, disgusted fan. I just wanted to get home and shower the day off of me. Jeff had a great quote. "I think I'm going to need an improved tailgating experience to get through another game like that." That is fo sho!