Easter Memories

Easter. New beginnings, risen in glory. No matter what faith you are, this day celebrates something wonderful. I have many wonderful memories from Easter. And made a new one today!

Easter Pic

When I became a parent, Easter became even better - sharing this special day with our children. I liked buying Amy and Jud new clothes for Easter Sunday and taking them to church after a long Lenten season. And putting together those Easter Baskets - they were the best! Memories of the days my parents treated me with the excitement of hunting for my own basket. Boiling and dying eggs - ah the smell of vinegar!

Amy and Jud were all about the hunt. Along with real eggs, we had those plastic colored eggs that you could put stuff inside. Candy! It was like hide n seek with eggs. Paul and I would hide them - and they would seek. Or they would hide them and we'd have to find them. It didn't matter - the game was very entertaining!

Amy and Jud weren't able to be with us today to celebrate Easter. Jud was with Kara's parents.

Jud on Easter weekend at Kara's folks - exhausted from crafting (wedding prep)

Amy was with her former Denver roommate, Megan, touring a prison somewhere at Amy's new home state of Pennsylvania. Righteous!

We celebrated with family today - Paul's sister Jean and husband Dave (who will celebrate 50 years o marriage this summer), his sister Carol and her daughter Barb Archer and husband Mike and daughter Mandy. They came to our house. Pablo made his yummy prime rib. I made party potatoes and the others brought stuff too. It was a nice time. Alas, there was no egg hunting.

Paul's sisters regale Mandy with stories of back in the day...

Honoring Bill

Uncle Bill, Christmas 2013

I hope to get a copy of the Eulogy my cousin Amy Lamm Brownlee's husband Tom gave at my Uncle Bill's funeral. It was perfect. And he delivered it well - it a heartfelt manner, but without blubbering as I most likely would have done. Though he did have to take a couple gulps from a bottle of water - to be expected when one speaks in an emotional situation like that one. Tom's been a part of this fam for over 20 years.

I arrived in Denver last Thursday on a Frontier flight from Des Moines. Frontier is picky about carry on luggage! So I ended up checking my bag - since I couldn't smoosh my suitcase into the sizer they have. My baby girl Amy and my sis Betso picked me up at DIA. Bets had arrived a few hours before me and the girls had lunch and shopped awaiting my arrival. I'm happy they had a chance to catch up with each other - comparing MLM notes. That stands for multiple level marketing. Since Amy is starting her own business, Betsy's experience (many years as a Longaberger sales rep) is more valuable advice.

We stopped at Amy's former workplace Marczyk's Gourmet Grocery, then went to Amy's place near 10th and Pennsylvania to freshen up. Later we stopped to pick up our cutie niece Jordie and headed to my cousin Amy's home in Centennial, a Denver suburb. The freeway was a parking lot, so we took backroads - which probably took just as long - but we had fun chatting. It was nice to arrive and see the family. And get those  hugs. The Lamms are such great people - love my aunties, cousins and their fams. Bill's sis Julie from St. Louis was there too.

David, Bruce, Amy, Martha and Tom

The next morning we met sister Cindy and her son Colby in the parking lot at the church for Bill's funeral mass. Bill was a founding member of the church - near their former home in Denver. Uncle Bruce and David's wife Lisa each did a reading. And Tom rocked that awesome eulogy. The minister's talk was about doors. He said life is full of doors - we all go through them all day long. But doors are an analogy for the stages of our lives too. And that last one - death is inevitable. We don't know what's on the other side of that last door...People of faith like Bill know that what is on the other side is better than anything on Earth...

John, Matt, Lauren and Kate - all very cute kids, all as close as siblings despite the Colorado to California split

There was a nice reception in the church hall after Mass. After people had a chance to greet the family, Aunt Jean and Uncle Bruce gave a short talk on their relationship with Bill. I'm sorry but my photo of them came out fuzzy. Then each of Marty and Bill's grand kids (David and wife Lisa have Lauren and John and Amy and Tom's children are Kate and Matt) each gave a short statement about their grandfather.

A beer at the Paramount

That afternoon Cindy, Colby, Betsy, Amy and I walked from Amy's place down to the Pavilion. We met Jordan and her girlfriend Jill for a beer at a pub there. We wandered around in that area for a while and eventually went to Colby's fave place Euclid Hall. We headed back to my cousin's place that evening where David's wife Lisa cooked up a mess of fab chicken. I enjoyed hearing Marty tell...well Marty stories about working as a docent at the Denver Art Museum for many years. She's a wonderful story teller and good artist too.

We met Jordie's gf Jill - nice!

I heard that in Bill's last days he told my cousin about the history of relations between Russia and Ukraine - he was well-read and informed. His sister Julie told about her memories of living on 38th Street in Des Moines - she and her sister had rheumatic fever and had to lay flat on their backs for months. Marty said she met Bill at a party and they ended up going to ski together in Aspen and other places. It was the begging of a beautiful relationship!

The Bullock girls - without our big sis Susi. Aunt Jean and Uncle Bruce Rader

Bill flew into Omaha the first time he met my grandparents and parents - and my dad was so nervous, worried Bill wouldn't like us. He must have ended up liking us okay - he married Marty after the meeting!

Betsy had to fly out Friday evening - she had other fam obligations in Reno, Nevada. Jordie graciously delivered her to the airport. Amy caddied Colby, Cindy and me back to her place for a slumber party - but we were all beat and hit the hay soon. We were up early though - Jelly called. It's my fave breakfast place in Denver.

Colby and Cindo headed back to Vail after breakfast

Amy and I had a nice day together Saturday. We were able to meet up with my Atlantic homie Julia Hoilien just off I-25 near REI and her husband Jeff Mason after their daughter's track meet. While we waited we shopped at REI and I snagged a new suitcase - one that could make it through the sizer at the Frontier gate. Boom - take that Frontier.

We met Jules and Jeff at a the Denver Beer Co. It was great catching up with those two - such interesting people. A month ago they took their daughters to an island off of Venezuela to scuba dive. How cool is that? Man I have neat pals.

They also are very interested in my life and Amy's too - Jeff and Amy had a long conversation about Amy's South/Central American trip last summer. They each took her biz card so they can refer people to her should the occasion arise. The beer was good and they were able to snag a bowl of crawfish and fixins from a food truck. Good time!

Amy and I shopped a little that evening and saw a chick flick. Sunday a.m. she dropped me off at the airport. I'll be back in a month - Paul and I have trekked to Colorado for Memorial Day for the past few years. The flight is only 1.5 hours and before I knew it I was hugging my honey - Pablo. Happy to be home.

Easter

Paul and me 1982

Easter clothes - that were also used for my cousin Amy's wedding 1992

Today I've been thinking of Easters past. Thirty four years ago Paul took me to Webster City for Easter - and to meet his parents. I'd already met his sis Jean and husband Dave - but not their four kids.

Paul had told his sister Jean he was bringing a "surprise" to dinner. Argh - how embarrassing! If I knew him as well then as I do now, I'd have chewed his ass not to have let them know he was bringing an extra mouth to feed. Jean quickly put an extra plate on the table and was very gracious about it. I suppose Goldsmiths were used to lots of mouths.

Me - I was kind of in shock. It was a lot of people and I sure wasn't  used to that girlfriend role. George and Laura Goldsmith were there. "We like ham for Easter and we're pretty easy to get along with" was what I came away with. I'm sure they were all thinking "Is this the one - not what we really had pegged for Paul." He was supposed to be the priest of the family after all.

Other memorable Easters with the Goldsmiths: We usually headed to Paul's folk's place in Earlville way for that holiday because my parents were often still in sunny Florida. I recall watching The Ten Commandments in the "front room" at George and Laura's place. (once we discovered they were also getting the porn channel by mistake!) I remember driving to Earlville for Amy's first Easter. I had purchased a little mint green dress for Sunday to show her off. She looked so cute with her cap of reddish hair. It was hotter than blazes that year. We were so proud to show her off to the family.

When we went to Earlville for Easter, Laura would make sure to have tons of candy. She would dye lots of eggs or buy them from the neighbor girl across the street. After the kids went to bed, Paul and I would hide plastic eggs filled with candy around the living room. Amy and Jud would have a blast looking for them. Paul and I would also take an Easter basket for each kid - usually with some small gift - my favorites were kites and sidewalk chalk. One year we found a long lost Easter egg later that summer. Somebody was a good hider!

The Goldsmith family gathered - mostly the locals, Carol/Irv and kids, Larry/Regina and kids - sometimes Dave and Pat would come over from Freeport with Sarah and Matt. Amy and Grandma Laura would play the organ and sing. If we were there long, our kids always wanted to go out to the farm where Paul grew up. Larry and Regina lived there with their 5 sons. The two youngest, Karl and Kurt liked to play ninja turtles, video games and took the kids out and around the farm. At George and Laura's family members would play cards and Rummy K. Those are such good memories!

On Sunday we'd make the four hour drive back to Creston. One year when we got home, Fabulous Mary Faber (keeper of the kitty cat) had hidden eggs all over our yard. The kids still talk about how fun it was to find them. Easter is a joyous holiday - quiet for Paul and me this year.

Surfin' the Wave again (after the Cyclone loss)

All good eggs! Barb, Steve, Jean, Paul, Mike

Same song - different verse. It's the Wave on 47th in case anyone wonders. Pablo and I DO need to make our way to the one in Booneville one of these days. But we've grown accustomed to our University waitresses faces.

Mom and son

You know it's not really even the food - which is good but not fabulous. It's just breakfast and is priced accordingly. Unlike some of the franchise joints...

Our Brother-In-Law continues to progress in in treatment after a brain injury from a fall two weeks ago. Jean and Dave's son Steve, who lives in San Diego with wife Jen and 3 children, was here for a couple days. It was nice to hang out with Steve who was a Mass server at our wedding back in 1982. His mom played the organ.

Steve and fam don't make it back to Iowa much - busy lives raising those kids. The oldest, Will, is on the surf team. Caroline takes dance lessons at a place where Phil Mickelson's daughter does. They sat by the Mickelson family at the dance recital. Jen's mom is a Phil groupie so she got the Phil seat - right next to him. You don't get stuff like that at Leslie's Dance Emporium (Creston) recitals...where Amy was a pickle in her one and only recital. Okay - maybe she wasn't a pickle, but we did recycle the leotard she wore (those things are expensive) into a Vlassic for Halloween.

Our niece Barb (sister Carol's daughter) and husband Mike are back from their spring break trip to Tampa. So they were able to meet us at the Waveland Café for breakfast too. Daughter Mandy - a frosh at Dowling Catholic, was busy.

We're all Cyclone Fans. We had decided to meet at the Waveland at 8:30 a.m. - "crazy busy" time at that place. When I woke up this morning, I knew Pablo and I needed to get there early to stake out the one and only big table in the joint. We hovered over the fam finishing up there. That was a good plan.

Once everyone arrived, the early talk was all about the ISU vs. UCON game of course. Steve and Barb are both ISU accounting grads, Mike - logistics like Jud. So we lamented. No matter what, it sure was a magical season - one where we won many games right at the end. This team loves each other and we love them. Oh sure, if we only had Georges, our player who broke his foot a couple games ago. We mighta...but that's sports. And life. I'm encouraged about the direction of this program. Go Cyclones!

We talked about the real reason we were together - the patient - Dave. He's progressing well but he and Jean will still have struggles ahead. The medical team is trying to get his meds right - so he's not agitated but not droopy. We want to old Dave back! When he goes home he won't be able to be alone for a while, so that will be a burden. My how life can change quickly.

Seeing Steve was fun, though we'd rather do it for a good reason - not an injury! Paul and I agree - it's nice to be in DSM to be able to see family more on occasions like this.

One week until sunny Florida! #countdown.

Sisters, Chiya, Big win, big break

We met Paul's sisters at the Cheesecake Factory for a drink and a bit of supper last night. Carol came down from her home in Northwood to check on the patient, Dave who continues to improve. Jean reported that one of the fellows who found him on the walking trail after his fall called them yesterday. She knew him - he's someone who had been one of Dave's clients at the barber shop.

I'm glad the guy called. There had been a lot of speculation about just what had transpired when Dave fell. Did he fall into the creek? It doesn't sound like it. Though it was fairly warm in Des Moines that day, in Webster City the trail was still a bit icy. It was nice of the guy to call - to help clear things up.

While we were having a nice drink at "the Factory" I received a text on my cell from someone I hadn't heard from for a long time - my former Little Sis - from the Big Sis Little Sis program, Chiya. It was exactly a year ago that we had our first get together - the day ISU lost to Ohio State. I picked her up that day about halftime and brought her back to our place to bake cookies - so I really didn't even pay attention to the game. I know - hard to believe for a die-hard fan like myself!

first date

You can't believe how tickled I was to hear from Chiya. She left last summer to be in her cousin's wedding in Mississippi and went right to Boston to live with her mom for the year - and I never had a chance to say goodbye. In Des Moines she lived with her Grandma. We texted a couple times, and I heard from the Big Bro Big Sis folks - but I didn't really get in closure. They asked if I wanted to be matched up with someone else.

Chiya had told me she alternates living with her Gran and her mom. And even though she's now "aged out" of the BB=BS program I want to stick with the kid. She asked me last night if we could get together this summer when she comes back - I told her "Yes, I kinda like you kid!" She didn't say if she'd stay for the school year. I don't care though - I'm just glad I get to see her again. I felt like I was just getting to know her when she left. Her texts last night made me smile. She told me to tell Paul "Hi". And now daughter Amy has signed up to be a Big Sis in Denver. In my experience it's a very rewarding thing to do.

This morning Jean went to the hospital early because Dave started therapy, but Carol agreed to meet us at the Waveland. So we posed for the usual photo...they recently updated the window for Easter/St. Patrick's Day. Another Newbie broken into "The Wave".

Carol, Paul and me - reflection

My nephew David and wife Ashley called yesterday to thank us for the step stool Paul built for their little guy Jonah. He's adorable - and loves to say "stool" when it's time to brush his teeth and climb into bed. Great Uncle Paul really came through and it was nice of them to call to tell us in person. They live in Manhattan and we don't get to see them much. :>(

Yes he could be a baby model...

Workin' shorts

Friday is laundry day at the Goldsmith abode. As I hung Paul's shirts up on his side of the closet, I got a glimpse of them. Paul's work shorts. And in that moment I had a flashback - to my husband's first ever work shorts. At least the first ones he had as a married man - some 31 years ago.

The shorts remind me a little (a very little) of a favorite Mary Chapin Carpenter song, "This Shirt". The song is a ballad about all the memories relating to a shirt. I've had some clothes like that - a few articles I really can't part with - but I don't really wear them. And they aren't as ugly as those shorts...

Paul's official 2013 work shorts

They were tennis shorts (and quite short in keeping with the era, early 1980's) and white - or should I say formerly white. By that time they had a gray pallor. And a black icky splotch of tar or black paint on the butt. Oh I hated those shorts.

And now - the current version - Dockers shorts. He loves to wear those things while he landscapes, sweating and digging in the dirt. Dirt that doesn't wash out. I don't even try to "Spray 'n Wash" them. Hell - the dirt and grease are badges of glory to my husband, born a farm boy.

I put my foot down - he should not wear them to stores in West Des Moines. He sneaks out to Lowes in them without me. I cringe. Don McKim has his garage shoes, Paul's got the shorts. I love him anyway.

Paul's niece Peg was here from Brooklyn visiting her dad Dave who is recovering from a head injury at Mercy here in DSM. I snapped this pic before she and her mom Jean took off this a.m. I always love getting together with those ladies but wish it were under better circumstances this time. Note neither of them had "work shorts" on.

Happy Book Lover's Day!

August 9th is when America celebrates Book Lover's Day - but that's really every day for me. And it has been ever since Miss Casey introduced me to my first Dick and Jane book in first grade at Washington Elementary in Atlantic, Iowa. I recall how delighted I was to take control of those letters - making them into words and finding meaning in them. Reading opened a whole new world for me!

The world was first - our little library of books at the Bullock house - some of the books gleaned from Momo and Bubba's attic, from the stash that had been Dads, and my Aunt Jean and Aunt Marty's.

• Happy Hollisters
• Bobbsey Twins
• Nancy Drew
• Oz Books - by Frank L. Baum
• and other assorted books - like the Grimm Fairy Tales - those were some dark stories!
• Black Beauty

After I exhausted our supply of reading material, I began to order paperbacks from the school program. They probably made a bit of money on each paperback they sold for $.45. Mom was generous - I'd get up to 10 books sometimes. I loved Encyclopedia Brown - were I got to try to solve the crime along with the boy detective.

 

Then it was on to the Atlantic Memorial Library. I'd go with Mom, who was also an avid reader, or during summer months, I enjoyed walking downtown. I'd stop at the various dime stores for candy - enough to get a big canker sore later! Pixie sticks, purple bubble gum, Lemonheads, Pez - I liked it all! Even Giant Sweet Tarts - the kind that made your tongue bleed. It's no wonder I didn't go into a diabetic coma.

Once I had my little paper sack full of sugary goodness, I'd walk a block over to the library and load up on books. They'd only let me get four, but that was about as many as I could carry! I'd plod up three blocks to 909 Poplar, where my grandparents lived. Momo would be watching her soap opera - sitting in her wingback chair. If I was lucky she'd get me an RC Cola (I'm not sure why they didn't like Coke or Pepsi), and some ice milk with Hersey Syrup from a can. Yum.

If Bubba wasn't home (he was often out putzing around the county), I might entertain myself by looking at books in the bookshelf that was built into the wall as you walked up to the scary attic. (It was scary because I was told the insulation could kill me - I thought if I stepped in it I would sink like quicksand...I know now I was probably asbestos-containing). When Bub got home, he'd drive me up Chestnut Street to our house, where I could lay on my twin bed with a reading light and eat my candy and read. Or I could sit in our formal living room that nobody used...except when Mom had bridge club. Oh, and Betsy used it for tumbling. Cindy practiced cheerleading there, and we put our Christmas tree there too. Don't get me wrong - I wasn't a total bookworm! I liked to get out and do stuff - but just like these days, I can pick up a book almost any time and be a happy girl!

My other book memories are -

• Mrs. Tibben (4th grade) and Mrs. Kluever (5th grade) reading to us after lunch - I fell in love with listening to stories thanks to them. The Secret Garden is one of my all time faves from that era.
• My Aunt Jean gave my Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (aka Willy Wonka) which also became a beloved book of mine.
• When I went to Junior High, the library there opened up my world to a new genre of book - the "Young Reader". Gwen Kluever was the librarian - she was a friend of mom's. I was a little embarrassed but still found a way to check out "My Darling My Hamburger" and other books that clued me in on what teens my age were doing and thinking (I was quite naive). Heady stuff!
• In High School, I took a course where I got points for the books I read - with more points for classics. This was when I read books like 1984.

Deb with Thea

I can't think about books without thinking of my friend Thea Applegate who passed away just over a year ago. I met her through book club more than ten years ago, and we grew to be close friends through the years. I've thought of her often this past year, and miss her laugh and her insight. She was a social worker, and was very good at reading situations and people. She also was great seeing humor in her own laugh. Here's to you booklover lady.

Want to shout out to my former book club mate (and St. Malachy mom and sports mom mate) Barb Coenen as well. Barb donated a kidney this week to a stranger, as part of a deal to allow someone she knows from Creston to get a new kidney. I've known Barb for over 20 years - she volunteers for Appalachia Service Project and makes people happy with scrapbooking. I'm proud to say she's a friend!

I went to the West DM library today to refill my supply. I get a little jittery when I'm out - books are like crack to me! I started reading a book tonight called "No Regrets Coyote". I noticed on the cover it says "A novel so good you will want to throw a party for it" - it's a quote from one of my other fave authors, Dennis Lahane (of Shutter Island fame). Liked that!

I'm going to read now...

Some girls get new Easter dresses

I get Easter shoes.

They were a bargain too. I love loafers! I was admiring these at a store at The Legends Outlet Mall in Kansas City a couple weekends ago when a couple women gazed upon them longingly, sealing the deal. I had to have them. On Sale $, yeah baby.

It's been a busy weekend. Chiya and I went to Oz and Great and Powerful yesterday. We hit Sub City first, where we each got a toasted sub. She likes meatball. I had purchased candy ahead of the movie - to be thrifty. The movie was good - not great. Chiya seemed to like it, and I liked being with her. Paul took the opportunity to head down to South Central Iowa to hunt for shed antlers.

I loved the noise the Little China Girl's feet made when she walked. The characters are the best part of all Oz books - people know the most famous characters: Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and of course Dorothy. Most haven't heard of Tik Tok, the Woozy, Shaggy Man (and his brother) and Button Bright. L Frank Baum, the author of the books, did such a fantastic job of describing his characters - both reoccurring and one-time. He put the reader right in the story.

Speaking of characters. My lil sis Chiya is a great kid. She texted me yesterday a.m. to ask what time I'd pick her up? (I had talked to her grandmother the day before to make arrangements) Then right away she texted again and said sorry - I forgot to say good morning. How cute is that? I will be going on vaca next Saturday so I won't be able to hang out with her for a while. I told her I'd text her some pics. I'm glad she has a cell phone. I'm looking forward to nicer weather so we can do some outside stuff!

Paul and I went to sunrise Mass at 7 a.m. We were surprised that our former priest in Creston - Father Pins was the celebrant. Small world! He is now in charge of recruiting new priests and religious. His sermon was good and he was very gracious when we said hello after mass. A mob of people were already waiting for the 8:30 a.m. mass as we left - there are 9,000 people in our parish.

Mom would have been proud that I used my China and Crystal

Later, we entertained family (not county the kids and Kara) for the holiday - a first in our new home. Paul cooked his famous prime rib and I did party potatoes in the crock pot. I got a couple desserts at Whole Foods. Paul's sis Carol brought the makings of stuffed mushrooms - they were very rich and yummy. Jean and Dave brought 7 layer salad and Barb brought a delish spiral ham along with her husband Mike and daughter Mandy. There was wine. Everything was good.

Mike and Mandy

Mandy, Jean and Carol

Barb trims the ham. Mandy is a ham.

Card sharks showed up after the meal

It was nice to get together with the fam after a long winter. (Let's hope winter is over!) Jean and Dave just found out that their granddaughter Ellie broke her leg skateboarding - the same type of break her dad had in 1979 (Steve was 13 and a headstone fell on him) when Paul and I first started dating. That was when I met Jean and Dave for the first time. They were in Ames visiting Steve in the hospital. I met Carol the next year. Wow...I've known them 30+ years. Goldsmiths are good Peeps - and not the marshmallow kind. Heal quickly Ellie.

The Happy Place Countdown is ON!

1 Week to my flight to happiness - Marco Island. Paul and I will meet Cindo and Colby there next Saturday. The way this winter has gone...for once it's not just about as warm here as it is there. I have been working at warp speed lately it seems. I love my job, but need a total break tree-hugging and from cubicle land.

I did enjoy a break from my cubicle yesterday as I worked with partner in crime Scott Flagg at a conference for landfill people and public works folks at the Sheraton in West Des Moines. Our bosses decided to invest some time and $ into a booth this year. Alex is a carpentry whiz. He whipped up an official Cornhole game. Yes folks that is what it's called - because Angie Googled it and found an actual association - Cornhole!

Scott Flagg with game - note skin with logo

Cornhole is a great tailgating activity! It was good for conferencing too. Alex built an "official" set and Jen had our communications department design a "skin" for it with our section's logo on it, made from sturdy Tyvec material. Angie ordered 4 bags - and yes, they're filled with - corn. It holds up better than beans.

LF Engineer Mike Smith blamed lack of beer for lack of prowess

We also decided to raffle a 4 seater park bench made from recycled milk jugs and plastic bags. This combination made our corner of the packed full exhibit room the "place to be" during session breaks! The sign up for the park bench was a good conversation starter. Those who chose to play the bag toss were eligible for several prizes - left over from last year's State Fair. People had fun with it. New employee Amy B. kept saying - "try the games - all the cool kids are playing!"

Landfill engineer Matt Phoenix, Scott and new girl, Amy Buckendahl(sp?)

Photo looking away from our booth - over 200 attended

Alex - at left is the supervisor of the Solid Waste Section.

I found out this afternoon that the landfill staff at the Iowa County Landfill won the bench and the director, Rick was thrilled! They have a beautiful facility, right by the Amana Colony and are certain to find a great spot to set the bench.

The other nice thing about this conference? Several people told me how they appreciate the attitude at DNR these days - how they feel staff is more committed to working with them. That comes from the top - Director Chuck Gipp was the keynote speaker yesterday and they liked what he had to say. I didn't get to hear it, but he talks at our periodic staff meetings. He gets it.

Enough about work.

We're entertaining for Easter! Paul's sis Carol, her daughter Barb with fam - husband Mike and daughter Mandy and Paul's sis Jean and husband Dave are coming. Paul will be making his standing rib. I'll whip up Mom's party potatoes in the crock pot. I stopped at Whole Foods today and got some yummy bread, and some desserts. Plus these beautiful flowers.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

Tomorrow, Lil Sis Chiya and I are going to the new Oz movie. I'm nervous, because I grew up on Oz - as did my Mom before me. The books are displayed proudly in my room - much beloved. I'm skeptical - but my supe, Jen said she took her 10 year old daughter who loved it. So I'm willing to give it a shot, for Chiya's sake - no 3-D though...that would mess with my head. Even more than I'm messed up already!

The stories that bind us...

Susan and Cindy - after one of Mom's bang trimming efforts, I believe

That was the title of an intriguing story I read in the New York Times recently. Stories - by Bruce Feiler

His article started out with the author describing a family gathering. You know how those can often go...we envision wonderful movie-type gatherings, with all the food done on time - and perfectly! Nobody drinks too much or argues about politics. In the author's case, he dared chastise is nephew for texting during the meal...then his sis got mad that he was trying to discipline her kid. His mom spoke up noting that none of the kids were well-behaved, after all, his girls were hanging spoons off their noses! It sounded like it evolved into a family fight. Was their family falling apart?

Bruce Feiler, the author, used the story to get to the meat of his article. He asks - What IS the secret sauce that holds families together? He spent a few years asking many people across the country - and he said a surprise theme emerged - that the single most important thing you can do for your family may be the simplest of all: develop a strong family narrative. 

I guess that's one of the things I'm trying to do with this blog. Yeah, I know...it's not like telling my story in person. But hey, I do what I can. I'm not going to repeat everything the article says because you can read it yourself - it's worth the time! And I did tell the stories when Amy and Jud were little. I've never been afraid of using myself (or my sissies) as examples...good or not so...(for the good of the team).

Marty and Dad in uniform

The main thing the I take away from the article is this - the people who know more about their families do better in crisis. The kids who have heard the stories that Aunt Cindy moved to Vail and worked 2 jobs because she refused to admit defeat and move home to Atlantic, know that others in the family have gone through hard times to live their dreams. And hearing the story about Aunt Marty moving to Denver - far, far away from Atlantic and her trials and tribulations of single life. How Aunt Jean went through a divorce and then she met her true love, Uncle Bruce. Dad had to go to military school because he tipped over an outhouse (and various other naughty things...but he turned out pretty good in the end). Mom was a fairy princess in her family - 10 years younger than her next older sibling - she spent summers in Independence. Stuff like that.

I was happy to see Betso at Bar-L Ranch

The author talked about a study where Emery Drs. Duke and Fivush asked children 20 questions. Here are some of the questions: Examples included: Do you know where your grandparents grew up? Do you know where your mom and dad went to high school? Do you know where your parents met? Do you know an illness or something really terrible that happened in your family? Do you know the story of your birth?

Did you know the answers to these things when you were a child? Most families hide the bad stuff...and in some families, there's lots of bad stuff. But in some cases, people just leave families - it's their own choice.

Dr. Duke said:
The more children knew about their family’s history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem and the more successfully they believed their families functioned. And it seems most importantly - knowing these stories, it is important for children to know they are a part of something larger than themselves - a family, one that handles success and failure and keeps plodding along.

Amy and Jud and my nieces and nephews seem to enjoy hanging around me and my sisters when we tell the family lore. I hope we haven't warped them!

One other note. Blood relatives aren't everything. Some people are rejected by their family members or due to circumstance aren't able to be with family. Friends can be family too - loves the ones you're with!

Lately

I'm so bad at remembering to take pics of people! Paul's sis Jean and husband Dave were here Tuesday night. We walked over the river on the ped bridge for a bite at High Life. Why can't I remember to get a photo I shot of people? I'm taking photos all the other times I walk around. I guess I get so busy chatting that my photo taking gene takes a back seat. Result - no photos of Dave and Jean. ;>(

The weather this week is fantastico. I took a nice walks Monday and Tuesday after work. Wednesday, I dragged Paul in to donate blood at the Life Serve Blood Center. His first time!

Here are a few photos I took.

Cool Building on court

Iowa Supreme Court building

Our building is in the background of where Yugo to get your Yugo serviced...

Sitting on our deck when my man comes home

Out back at the Des Moines Police Department - where bad bikes are jailed

Des Moines downtown YMCA

John Ruan statue

Norman Borlaug - of World Food prize fame

Working on the bike trail by Court Avenue



Calmly reading his smartphone while the tech pump his lifeblood from his veins...