The Somewhat Calm Before...

In such a short time, how our world has changed. Just last week, Paul and I were on vacation in Breckenridge, Colorado with four couples - college friends. We knew Covid 19 was spreading, but only a couple cases had popped up in Colorado. We took along hand sanitizer and washed our hands frequently. As we left Colorado last Saturday, we received notice that we should self-quarantine as several more cases of the virus had appeared in the resort area during the week.

Now we are laying low at home - venturing out for essentials. Just like many of you! So I'm writing this blog, filling time - and I'm waiting for my next turn at painting our walk-in closet. Paul is taking out shelving right now. Such fun!

The trip seems so long ago already! We drove out to Denver on Friday, March, 6 - handwashing and elbow door opening our way across Nebraska. Destination - Amy and Corey's place! We hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving. So it was great to get together at their place near downtown Denver. The weather was fabulous - upper 60's and sunny. I got a dog fix - hanging with the kiddos' pups Franklin and Eros.

Aunt Marty and me

Amy and Corey had a friend's baby shower to attend on Saturday and we took the opportunity to visit my Aunt Marty (she says she's 87 years old but is not elderly) and my cousin Amy Brownlee and husband Tom. We love catching up with them, hearing about their family and great trip to Hawaii just after Christmas.

After that, we headed back to the Park place. Paul and I enjoy walking in Amy and Corey's neighborhood - a mix of new development and quaint updated older homes, with restaurants and some retail within walking distance. We had lunch at a place called Root Down where I had the best Eggs Benedict ever. That afternoon we joined at Kansas State pal of Amy's at an Iowa State bar near the Coors Field to watch KSU blast Iowa State in Men's basketball. Great Cyclone crowd and the bar owner was fun to talk to - helping take away the sting of an awful hoops season. That night it was Chinese takeout, just enjoying our time with our kids.

Post brunch pic with Jordan and Jill

On Sunday we met my niece Jordan and wife Jill for brunch. So nice to see them! They recently went to Lake Chapala, Mexico to visit my sis Susi and husband Jim as that is where they winter. Visiting Denver affords us a great opportunity to see so many loved ones.

Our college pals arrived mid-afternoon Sunday. Moose and Kay drove from the Chicago area and picked up Vicki and Fred at the airport. It was nice they got to spend some time with Amy and especially Corey as they'd never really been around him except for their wedding - which didn't allow for much quality time. We went to a place called Milk Market - many vendors under one roof.

Milk Market grub

On Monday we headed up the big hill to Breckenridge - checking into a nice "ski-in" condo that Fred found. Two more couples - Tom and Shirley and Mike and Paula (from Paul's side of the college friend tree) had reserved their own condo - and it was just around the corner from ours!

A few of the skiers

The birthday girl had a sash! 

Did I mention this is the 40th anniversary of a spring break trip to Breckenridge? It was my senior year of college - 1980. Paul, Vicki, Fred, Mike, and Tom were there as we packed into a huge condo along with about 15 other people. It was a blast! This time we were a bit more sedate! And I haven't skied for close to 20 years, so it wasn't on my list of things to do. Paul and some others skied 3 days - and we heard a bit about everyone's aches and pains (even from me - a non-skier haha).

We had a ball! Just hanging out with this gang is fun. In our condo is the group that went to Alaska together last summer - good memories there. It was Paula's birthday on Wednesday so we went to their place for a big party (lasted until 9 PM) that night. Did I mention how nice it is to be with friends we've known for 40 plus years? Tom and Shirley live in New York, Mike and Paula near LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Moose and Kay live just north of Chicago and Vicki and Fred live south of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Yep, we're the only Iowans.

Breckenridge Distillery

Up to Peak 9

During the week, we visited a distillery, shopped, and rode up the Gondola. On Thursday we all met at a barbecue in downtown Breckenridge. On Friday the whole group drove up to Vail to visit my sister Cindy and eat at my nephew Colby's restaurant, El Sabor in Lion's Head. Vicki has known Cindo since spring break our Freshman year when we slept on her fold-out bed and skied Vail. We reminisced about that trip on Friday - what knuckleheads we were - dragging out hanging clothes, for a ski trip, riding on shuttles. Did we think we'd be going to discos? Vic and I skied every spring break when we were in college.

Delish lunch with friends at El Sabor - Colby treated us right

Paul and I were excited to stay at Cindy's Friday night - since we missed our usual Christmas get-together due to health issues. That night we went to our friends Bonnie and Eric's for supper - just like Christmas without the prime rib! Bonnie did make a yummy shrimp salad. I had fun playing catch with their dog Dodger. It was nice to catch up with them. Their son Byron is getting married this summer...just the other day he was a high school senior..haha. On Saturday, Vail shut down the mountain - including food service that Eric is in charge of. Now Colby's restaurant is closed too - after that, Iowa followed, shutting schools and eat in restaurants. 

Dodger wants to play fetch!

Our trip home Saturday was uneventful. Now, just like you - we are living in a different world, praying for good health for all. And for our medical professionals. Our April Florida trip is canceled and a sister trip to France planned for May is not likely to take place. Not really that important compared to health and people's livelihoods. Still, disappointing. The uncertainty is the worst part - will it be weeks, months? Will we all end up getting it? Nobody knows.

Sending good thoughts and karma to all. Cherishing my time with family and friends. Will try to stay in touch in all the ways I can. I hope you will too. We need each other! 

Feeling the love part 4

Four weddings (and no funerals) since late July. Jordan and Jill 9/20/2017. Paul and I were very happy to witness their marriage, together with many of the couple's family and friends. It was grand!

We actually flew to Denver this trip. We've traveled to Colorado by car so many times the gas station attendants along the route know us by name. (no, not really) Paul had never actually exited the Denver airport before - he'd just flown through. Flying was a big deal! Amy collected us curbside in Dave the car. Franklin (the wonder wienie) and Corey were back at the ranch - their apartment not far from downtown Denver.

It's so weird to think of Amy and Corey as husband and wife. I'm still getting used to seeing Jud sporting a wedding ring!

Look at that blue sky! Last year we ate chili in PA with the Parks

On Friday we attended a benefit chili festival put on by firefighters from around the country. It was on Larimer Street on a beautiful Denver day. Amy had helped a guy re-brand his chili powder and he had donated all the bowls for the day. Pretty cool, and the chili was great. 

View from Pottorff's condo

That evening our peeps started to arrive. Logistics boggle my mind, but somehow - through the magic of Uber and Google Maps, we conquered! Cindy hooked us up with awesome accommodations for Friday and Saturday. Our pals Bonnie and Eric (yes, of Christmas Dinner prime rib fame) have a primo place in the Spire in downtown Denver to go along with their lovely home in Edwards. Yep, the best of both worlds! It's super cool, with a view of Rockies stadium and they split tickets to games with other Spire owners. I love how it's decorated - just right for the space and Paul was digging the large TV. We met Cindy there and settled in.

Later we met Jud, Kara, and Kohans (Betsy, Wayne, son Paul and his gf Christine) at a little place called the Corner Office. It was fun catching up. At the last wedding (Amy & Corey's) we didn't get to chat much. Amy and Corey were at the rehearsal dinner. Later, all the youngsters ended at Amy and Corey's place for a few drinks. I love that they like hanging out. My niece Leslie's husband Jordan (not to be confused with her sis Jordan) seems to be a bit of an instigator. He kept them up late, coming up with interesting topics to discuss.

Doing the prep thing

On Saturday, Cindy, Paul and I took a long walk and settled into Sam's 3 for a big breakfast. Then we heard from Amy that Sister Susi (at the venue getting ready) was experiencing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and wished for some visitors. Betso, Christine and I Ubered over to the venue and checked it out. We got to meet Jill's parents and chat with Susi, Jordan, Amy, and Les in the totally cool urban warehouse venue. After, we met up with the rest of the gang at Lucky Strike, a bowling alley in downtown, until it was time to get ready for the main event.

Look at this wedding cake topper - clones of the brides! 

Some jubilant faces

Ashley Alvillar and Amy are beaming, David Alvillar in the foreground

The wedding was so beautiful. Susi looked gorgeous with her lovely silver hair and gown. There was a solo of the song "I Want to Hold Your Hand". If you haven't seen the video, it includes the vows which say so much about how these two people feel about each other. The ceremony was perfect and Jordan's dress was so perfect. Jill was killing it in her outfit - it was so Jill. 

4 of my fave guys. Corey - not so secretly watching the Clemson game...

Susi with grandson James - so fun watching them interact

We got to see so many of our family members again! My cousins, the Lamms, with the family matriarch, Aunt Marty. Again - I love that we dig each other. I liked watching Marty watch her grandkids have fun together. I got to finally meet our great nephews James and Jonah and see David and Ashley Alvillar for the first time in a long while. One of my favorite parts of the evening was watching the three Alvillar siblings dance to - you guessed it, my song selection, "Love Shack".  Tin Roof...Rusted. Kara made sure that Paul, Cindy and I had the appropriate photos taken - for the guest book and at the photo booth. #shessosmart.

With Aunt Marty. Somebody took a cousin pic - but I didn't get a copy, hint, hint

It was much harder to say goodbye to everyone at this wedding - because I don't know when I'll see some of them again. Ugh. But...there is the Kohan wedding next August - so we have that going for us. Getting excited for Alex and Lisa!

Congrats again to Jordan and Jill. They have faced adversity because of who they are. It isn't easy to be someone who because of who they are, they do not conform to other's expectations and closely held beliefs. They are difference makers, helping to show that love is universal. We need more of it.

I swiped this photo off of Facebook - so good. 

We got to get together with just our kids on Sunday after Cindo dropped us off. I have to admit, I wasn't ready to leave! We walked to a food court type place for a bite - then Corey took off to host clients at the Broncos game and Amy delivered the rest of us to DIA for our flights. Can't wait to see them all again for Thanksgiving in STL!

The Junction

On Saturday Amy, Paul and I headed west to Grand Junction - where my sister Susi lives with her husband Jim. We stopped in Vail and picked up Cindo on our way - stopping in Eagle at Moe's for a bit 'o lunch. Great ribs! Our nephew Colby is a manager at Moe's - this one last year and during the winter, one in Lion's Head.

nom, nom, nom

The drive from Vail to GJ is beautiful - through the Glenwood Canyon. There are hot springs in Glenwood Springs - you can smell the sulfur. Once one gets past there, things flatten out and become more arid - there are fruit trees and farms, all watered of course.

Garmin told us the way to Susi's new home. Susi and Jim moved there a couple years ago. It's a gorgeous place - with the master bedroom and the laundry on the main floor. There are four bedrooms upstairs for when the family comes home. There are two grandsons now!

My grandmother purchased this mirror - and would never spill how much is cost. Now Susi displays it proudly

The gang on the patio

 

Our niece Jordan and her girlfriend Jill arrived shortly after we did. S&J cooked a feast and we even drank lemondrop martinis. The weather tried not to cooperate - it was a bit chilly, but they even have a heater on the patio. Jim grilled a big rack of pork - yummy! We had corn and melon on the grill too. Dessert was a couple fab tarts.

There is a walking/biking trail behind the house and a hayfield beyond that - it belongs to an estate. Susi has made it her personal mission to learn the names of all the dogs walking by on the trail with their people. She even has treats for them. The highlight Saturday night was when the doctor from next door walked by with her cats - Persians I believe. They supposedly have "pelts" instead of fur. Interesting.

Sunday morning we had a big breakfast. It's a good thing I don't live with Susi and Jim. I'd be huge! Cindy, Susi, Paul and I did take a walk later even though it was misting lightly. Good thing I don't melt like the Wicked Witch! The vistas are so striking in Grand Junction.

Then it was time to say goodbye - to Amy as well as the Alvillars. It's always hard to leave our girl. We will see Susi and Jim in Oregon in about a month. Yay. Jordie? It could be Christmas...hugs all around. Plus I took this great pic of our hosts.

our hosts

Christmas Day

Christmas Morning we had a smaller group without Jud and Amy. Paul took her to work early at Beaver Creek at 7:15 a.m. That was strange - neither of our kids was with us on Christmas morning. Jordan, Colby and Liv had to stand in as our token children. Cindy hides pickle ornaments on the tree. Jordan spotted the big one and Liv spied the tiny one so they got to open the first gifts.

We stored Amy's gifts for later when she got back from work - the ones from and for her. Colby always does a nice job of purchasing a gift for his momma. He stepped in after Bolder passed away.

Cindy checks out her Golden Bear bracelet

Jigsaw therapy

My sissy game me this. :>)

Betso had my name for Christmas this year (the sisters alternate - though every year we are confused as to who has whom). Usually that means I get a basket! So I was surprised to see a long skinny wrapped box. Longaberger sells knives now - who knew?!? I haven't looked at their catalog for a while. I got a swell paring knife. Pablo got me a Golden Bear (Vail's signature jewelry) necklace that I had admired in their catalog. He actually listened to me! Colby received a fly fishing pole and some lure type stuff to tie flies. I got Paul a new camouflage down jacket he had admired - it's light as a feather. (Probably because down is feathers...).

When Amy got back from her day of working at Beano's, we did it all again without Colbs and Liv. We talked to Jud on the phone too - he was having a good time in Columbus with the Whiteds. He enjoyed seeing the Ohio State University stadium and Kara's mom Renee had cooked some great pie and cake.

Appies - such good cheese

Look at that beef...and the prime rib too. haha

Bonnie always makes beautiful desserts

That night we went to the Pottorff's house for prime rib and lots of other good food. The new food I tried this year was Brussels sprouts. I haven't eaten that particular food since childhood when Pat Bullock made me eat the vile things. I chewed them, spit them into my napkin and fed them to Jud the dog. And vowed then never again to eat them. And never to make my own children eat crap!



Telling jokes

My crown slipped on my tiny head - check out the fab ring found in my popper

But wait a minute...EPott - Eric, made these with cream and bacon. They were delightful! I liked the cranberry salad Shalloy made too. It was all good - including the cookie dessert. Bonnie got out "poppers" at the end, and we all ended up with crowns - found inside along with other cool stuff like jokes, games and jewelry. Some people looked like Jughead in the crowns. Of course with my pinhead, mine slipped down to my nose.

Behind Eric - the "kid's table"
 

When it was time to leave...we had to do final goodbye hugs. I hate that. But we'll see Colby and Cindy in April. And Amy (and Jordan) in May if not before then. I hope to even get out to Grand Junction to see my sis Susi's new house then...before it's not new anymore!

The next day we did the "quick" trip back - 12 hours, very few stops. We dropped Amy off at her place on our way through Denver. We were home a little after 6 p.m. Odie was glad to be home. So were Paul and I. Family rocks! And friends do too. Feeling blessed.

Baking cookies

I baked my Christmas Cookies on Sunday. No not really. I planned on it. Then I realized I was actually dreading baking. Stressing in fact. And why? Nobody was awaiting cookies baked by little 'ol me. It was all on me - pressure I was putting on myself. So I took it off.

I went to Trader Joe's and bought my favorite cookies there. I was happy. I don't care what people think. I did make Mexican dip in the crock pot for Food Day at work Monday. I fried hamburger and everything. Impressive, I know!

Bill Blum, my co-worker made chocolate salad. He took over that job from our former boss, Al, who was single. Chocolate salad involves bringing a bowl and pouring in various types of chocolate - like little caramels and Kit Kats and M&Ms, chocolate covered raisins. There are all sorts of possibilities! 

Later yesterday I noticed my next door (cubicle) neighbor Amy Wilkin scored a chocolate mouse. Someone gave it to her. It was darling. A chocolate covered cherry with chocolate kiss and almond sliver ears on top of a cookie. I posted a picture of this on Facebook and suggested that Jud's girl Kara might like to make these...she likes to do food art. The next thing I knew there was a whole string of messages from my nieces, Leslie and Jordan talking about how my daughter Amy wouldn't eat such a thing because it has a face...

It's true. Amy has lived by that rule for quite some time. Jordan mentioned that Amy will eat hamburgers - that are made from something that really did have a face at one time. PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals). Sorry vegetarian friends. Couldn't resist. Amy finally stood up for herself on Facebook - asking, "Did no one else see Shrek? "Not the gumdrop buttons" scarred me for life!" Ah how I loved the Gingerbread Man! (Not enough to stop eating things with faces).

My mother baked every Christmas. She made two kinds of cut out cookies. traditional sugar and a thin spice cookie that are truly my favorite. The spice cookie recipe is a family one - but I seem to be the only one in our family that really likes them. Amy and Jud weren't ever wild about them and Paul isn't a cookie guy. So there's just me. Not worth cutting out cookies for. I'll eat Trader Joe's almond cookies instead.

Mom used to bake the cookies when we weren't around. At least I don't remember that part. She did let us help frost. We would sit at the kitchen table with table knives and frost away. That frosting was some rich stuff! We'd decorate with sprinkles, red hots and those little silver things that look like beebees.

Then mom would layer the cookies into Lorraine Lingerie boxes with wax paper in between layers. She'd put the cookies into the upright deep freeze in the laundry room. Mom got pretty cranky when she found that some of the layers were gone by the time she got the cookie box out. When playing downstairs we'd sneak into the laundry room and snitch cookies!

I do have good memories of baking cookies with Amy and Jud. And some hormonal memories - one needs patience to roll out cookie dough. I didn't always have it. Does it scar children for life to see dough thrown up against the kitchen wall? Oops. I hope my little lumps of dough children turn out okay anyway...they're frosted pretty well!

Dollys are Important

And blankies too! When Amy was a baby, she received several lovely stuffed toys and blankets as gifts. I'm embarrassed to say I don't remember where the stuffed pink bear came from. It was bigger than the newborn she was when she received it.

We called him Pookie - I think the name came from the Garfield cartoon. (I don't know why it was a him, since it's pink...) Hmm, Garfield is where our dog's name came from too (Odie). I don't really even like Garfield that much, but I must have some kind of fetish. Anyway - out of all Amy's stuffed toys, she bonded with Pookie. That's often what kids do - they imprint on something and it becomes their crutch. It can be a blanket - I heard of a kid who used his blanket so hard it ended up in shreds. So his mom trimmed it to the size of a Kleenex. Still he fell asleep with it each night - rubbing it on his face. Ahhh.

The Bullock grandkids like their stuffed toys. Amy had Pookie - thank goodness our babysitter was only 3 blocks from our house. Sometimes in the rush to get out the door in the morning, we'd get to Carol's house and Amy would say, "where's Pookie?" in that panicked voice. Rather than face the wrath of a PO's 2 year old, I'd run and get him. We dragged him all the way to Florida on the plane more than once...he's big enough that he practically needed his own seat!

Pookie is dingy from loving and being hauled around - I wonder if he can be dry cleaned?

Thankfully, Jud bonded with a smaller bunny we named GusGus. I think that name came from the Cinderella Disney movie. I'd include a photo of said bunny, but Jud has GusGus in St. Joe where he lives. Pookie and GusGus were the stars of many a play and they benefitted from lots of meals cooked in our Fisher Price kitchen.

Colby Lefebvre had Hall Bear - given to him by Cindo's friend Mary Hall. (aptly named - no?). And who could forget Jordan Alvillar with her cat - Kiki. I think the story goes something like this - Susi, Leslie and Jordan went to Florida to visit Mom and Dad. Jordan left Kiki at their condo - our beloved nirvana where Susi, Cindy and I still go each April - though we don't stay in our parents' unit.

When the Alvillars got to the airport, Jordan realized her beloved kitty was MIA. She through a mother of a temper tantrum, screeching KEE KEE throughout the airport. I'm not sure how Susi ever got that little bundle of muscle on the plane...

Betsy's kids had special animals too - though I wasn't around them enough to know their names (the stuffed toys, not the kids - even though there are 5 of 'em I do know them all...).

A few horses were laying down on the job...

Paul and I checked out the new Farm/Fleet in Ankeny Saturday. I saw these toy horses there - reminding me of the porcelain ones we used to received for gifts. We'd put yarn halters on them - then use our erasers as riders. WHAT you say?

They were little rubber animals - you could stick them on your pencils at school. Or use them to ride your horses. We'd name the horses and pretend lots of scenarios - usually about Bar-L Ranch, the horse camp we attended in Guthrie Center. Man, the things we did to entertain ourselves before video games...

Amy update, Jud's coming and Yankee Doodle Pops

We heard from our darlin' girl a couple times this week. She was joined in Panama on Sunday June 30th by college roomie Rachelle, who will travel with her for 10 days.

Rachelle is a teacher in Ames. She had not traveled outside the United States before - so this is quite the adventure for her! Amy met Rachelle in the airport so she didn't have to maneuver around there all by herself. The girls knocked around Panama City for a couple days, staying in the Spanish In the City Hostel for $12.50 per night. Amy reported Panama City was "awesome".

Next they are on to Boquete, Panama - which I see is listed as a retirement town for Americans and Canadians. They went on a coffee plantation tour, which Amy loved. She purchased a burlap sack.

Amy so reminds of my mom. She is so fascinated with travel and seeing the sites of foreign lands. She enjoys researching where she is going on each leg of this trip and what she will see. As Amy put together the trip, she built a spreadsheet on Google Docs showing where she'll be each day, with color codes for type of transportation she'll use, and columns for town, country, accommodations and cost. (called "where I rest my noggin") Yes, perhaps a little OCD going on...in a good way.

They are off to Costa Rica today, the 4th. They are still doing some planning for the activities there. Some of the locals suggest things to do and Rachelle took her iPad, which helps for booking when they are near WiFi. Paul and I still count down the days until Amy comes back on to our place on the 22nd. She has the price of that listed as FREE. (She's sadly mistaken - we will make her pay in hugs).

Judson David will be appearing at our doorstep this Saturday all by his lonesome. GF Kara is traveling for work. Though we saw him at Kelli Behr's wedding in early June, it seems we haven't really talked with him for a while. So this will be a treat! Odie will be happy to see her bro too.

Last night Paul and I attended Yankee Doodle Pops in Governors Plaza right by my office. Since 2009 I have watched the setup for this event, but have headed back to Creston for Independence Day where we hosted friends to watch fireworks off our driveway. Except Conover's trees grew and we began wandering over to their driveway the past few years...

It's a new era and we're trying new things! We headed back downtown after a stop at home for the pooch. We parked on the west side of the river just south of Wells Fargo Arena for quick getaway later and had a sandwich at the Standard, which was very quiet - though cars were streaming by on their way to the Iowa Cubs game.

Next we stopped at Lime for a cocktail and met some people from Norwalk who know Creston natives Tracy and Karla Purdum. Our new friends' daughter must have played volleyball against Amy, we decided. We talked concerts with our friends, and the bartender who is also a big Fleetwood Mac fan. Well drinks were $1, so the vodka cranberry tasted specially good.  Then we walked the couple blocks east to find a spot for our chairs for the show.

It was already packed - I saw people setting up their chairs and blankets before I left work at 4 p.m. So our 7:30 p.m. arrival was late...we located near the Wallace Building and couldn't really see a thing. The sound system was good though.

We noticed this youngster rolling down the hill - reminding us of the time little Jordan Alvillar did that at Mom and Dad's in Atlantic. She ended up with chigger bites in places where the sun don't shine. That resulted in me sending a text photo to all parties with some hilarious comebacks from my fam - including new Momma Leslie, who sent a pic back of baby James. Aww.

The evening featured the Des Moines Symphony playing many traditional patriotic tunes such as - the Star Spangled Banner, When the Saints Go Marching In, and we got a real treat when nationally known Iowa grown baritone Simon Estes sang God Bless America. The guy is getting up there - he graduated from the U of I in 1957, but he still has the pipes!

I can't resist a pic of that reflection...

The DM Symphony

 

As the sun slowly went down on the night, they broke out the Sousa songs (Dad would have loved it) - and the booming fireworks. Since the trees were in the way, Paul packed up the chairs and we began walking toward our car.

That's Paul in the visor on the right

We walked across the footbridge by Wells Fargo

We are so fortunate to be Americans - to be able to calmly take in a beautiful evening like Paul and I did last night. God Bless America!