Hello New Person!

We traveled to St Louis to meet our new grandson Reece David Goldsmith a few days ago. Yay! He's a much-loved addition to our family. Big sister Nell Marie is okay with him so far. She likes to pat his cheeks and kiss his head. Just wait until he starts messing up her stuff! 

Who knew I'd become a granny who loves holding infants? Not me! Reece makes lots of dramatic faces and squeaks as he sleeps. When he's awake, his bright inquisitive eyes gaze about - they look all-knowing. I can't wait for that first smile. 

His parents Jud and Kara work for European-based companies that extend generous leave benefits. They don't have to stress about getting up for work after a night of little sleep. The two do a wonderful job of tag-team parenting with Reece and Nell. Of course, Kara, as food supply, has the hardest job. Parenting is a challenging job - but the rewards can be great! Like watching your child be an awesome parent. 

Visiting grandparents have the best jobs. Play with the grandkids, help with basic upkeep, feed the dogs, and hold the baby. Nell is at a mostly delightful age. It's hard to be 2 1/2 and to share your parents with a tiny attention hog! We're amazed at how much she changes between our visits. She greets us with a huge smile each morning when she wakes up - amazed that we're still there. 

Paul is recovering from recent knee surgery and Nell was very worried about his leg "booboo". She and I played on her tumble mats downstairs and I taught her the "the floor is water" game. She loves jumping and tumbling. Geema (hard G) still has it - I performed front and back somersaults! Nell said "oh my gosh". I did too!

Nell loves to learn new things - evidenced by a video Jud shared of Nell and him reading the book 1 2 3 with the Notorious BIG, sent by Aunt Amy Park. I'm proud of how quickly Nell mastered each of the many rappers' faces/names. She loves to dress up, so I try to find small accessories to add to her collection. This time, the purple bedazzled sunglasses were a hit! She makes a great superhero in bracelets! 

I have to admit I not only love visiting the grandkids and their parents, I also love seeing the dogs, Archie and Charlie. They seems to enjoy our visits and like to snuggle during TV time. One problem with new HD TVs - Charlie and Archie can see dogs on there - and bark accordingly. Loudly! Good thing Reece heard them in utero and pays no attention. 

The kids and I took Nell and Reece to the playground. Reece snoozed the whole time, but Nell enjoyed swinging - "higher, higher"! She can be a bit of a daredevil at times. I'm amazed at how observant our girl is. She was delighted to identify a wispy afternoon moon high in the sky! After we drove home from the park she found the moon again. Once the sun went down, Nell and I checked the moon status from the deck. We were awed by the stars and moon. A priceless moment - remembering my mom, who taught me the song: 

"I See the Moon, The Moon Sees Me. The Moon Sees the One I want to See. God Bless the Moon and God Bless Me and God Bless the One I want to See."  

Special times with special people - the ones I want to see. 💖

Fast Forward

Big news for the Goldsmiths - Nell is a big sis! 

The 2023 pace has been a bit hectic - until last week when the brakes (crutches) were applied for my spouse. I married a defective model 😏. Paul came with a bum knee. I didn't know about it until he blew his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) out during our engagement, requiring surgery. He limped down the aisle to matrimony a couple of months later - forty years ago. Since then we've found out that the 1982 surgery didn't really work. He's had no ligament. 👀

Paul, being...well Paul, just figured out how to cope with a faulty knee with less than full extension. He lifts weights and is active. But that crap knee has taken a toll. This year, with coaching from others who have survived knee replacement, Paul decided to take that step. Of course, he planned around various hunting seasons. All went well, and he's on the road to recovery. I wish sister Betsy was here like she was for his first surgery. She is really a nurse! Thank goodness for modern medicine and tools like the chiller machine to ice his knee. 

I'm excited for Paul to have the knee he deserves - one that doesn't hurt and that fully extends. I'm certain that my career in trash/recycling was a good choice for me. Not nursing. 

Here's a rundown of what happened before the knee replacement:

Crystal Bridges Museum

-We got in a "last trip" with the old knee - through Bentonville, Arkansas (where Walmart was born). It's an easy drive from here and is worth the trip. Crystal Bridges Museum, a Walton sister project, alone is worth the stop. We also visited the Walmart Museum and the Museum of Native American History. The city has lots of hiking/bike trails and plenty of restaurants. We met our nephew, Matt, and his darling family for supper. They're new to town as they just relocated from Texas for Matt's accounting job for Walmart. 

This really happened - so sad

-Our next destination was Dallas, TX - a place we've flown through plenty of times, but never really visited. In between Bentonville and Dallas, we stopped in Tulsa to see the Black Wall Street Museum. It was very moving and well done. 

-The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum was our target in Dallas. It's the third Presidential Museum we've been to. (Hoover, LBJ) We stayed near the Southern Methodist University Campus where the Museum is located. The library was interesting, and we took time to walk around the SMU campus. Nice - but it's no Iowa State. 💛💖😉Our nephew Tom lives north of Dallas and was nice enough to drive to our hotel with his son for a meal. Nice to catch up! 

-Stop 3 was our friend Paula's place in Austin, TX. I've known her since we were in pre-school. The 2 Ps and I were able to head to downtown Austin to walk along the river and go to Paul's fave - Terry Black Barbecue. The brisket melts in your mouth! 

Paula, Paul, and I had a fab time - the temp nearly hit 70 degrees

-The Texas Gulf Coast was our final destination. Port Aransas is a place Paula (who has lived in Austin for 30ish years) has traveled to several times. She booked a nice high-rise condo with a great view of the beach. We toured the USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi, walked on the beach, and even sat by the pool and spa. We may do this again next year so the three of us can do more exploring!  

-After beach time, Paul and I hot-footed it home to Iowa in 2 days. Our timing was fortunate for us as the very next week Austin was hit with a terrible ice storm. Paula lost power for 2+ days. Yikes! The Texas Gulf trip was just what we needed - a brief respite from January in Iowa. Paula is an excellent hostess - she spoils us! We're trying to talk her into coming to Iowa for the Iowa State Fair one of these years! 

Deb - 2nd on left with husband Larry, plus other revelers! 

-After one night at home in our own bed, we traveled to Creston for a big event. Our dear friend Deb retired from her job as a recruiter at Southwestern Community College. Her family threw her a party at A&G downtown. We got to see many Creston peeps, and it was a fun evening. Yahoo! I am excited about future adventures with Deb. We stayed the night at our buddy Jeff's house. It's going on three years since we lost his wife, our friend Bobbie. RIP my friend. 

Reece David was 8 lb 11 oz - with fine blond hair

The best part of January was the birth of Kara and Jud's son Reece David Goldsmith. Our grandson. 💕He arrived a day after his daddy's January 30th bday. Our granddaughter Nell, at age 2 1/2, is a happy (just wait!) big sister. Everyone is doing well. We plan to meet the little guy next week, after Paul gets used to that new knee. Fingers crossed health and weather cooperate. 

I kinda had my fingers crossed that baby boy Goldsmith would await February 2 to make an appearance as that day was my Aunt Marty's 90th birthday. Martha Bullock Lamm is my namesake - Leslie Martha Bullock Goldsmith. But it wasn't meant to be. Reece has his own day. 

Link to video: Marty is 90

On February 3rd we flew to Denver to attend Marty's Family Birthday Bash, hosted by her children, our cousins Richard, David, and Amy, along with spouses and kids. Marty's younger sister, my Aunt Jeanie, and Uncle Bruce Rader were there - visiting from southern Arizona. We sure missed Uncle Bill Lamm, Marty's wonderful spouse. I'm so glad we visited Denver often after daughter Amy moved there - we were able to spend time with that kind man. And we learned to love Duffey rolls! 

My sisters wouldn't have missed this shindig! Susi and Jim came back from their winter paradise in Mexico for the event. Cindy, sher on Colby and his bride-to-be Kathleen attended the event. Susi's daughter Leslie flew in from LA. Her sis Jordan and spouse Jill live in Denver. We picked Betsy and Wayne up at the Denver Airport and four of us stayed near the party location along with Cindo. 

We had several fam events. Friday night Jordan booked us at a hopping sushi place! Paul and I expanded our food horizons with types of sushi. Amy (and Corey) weren't able to attend from their temp home in Brooklyn. Jud and Kara were a little busy with a new baby. We missed them. 

On Saturday morning we met at Washington Park for a family walk. A group of some 20 strong put in 2+ miles. I very much enjoy getting to know our newly adult great-nieces and nephews and their partners. They make their parents (and Grammy Marty) proud. 

Saturday night the family gathered for the big Marty party. It was marvelous, being together with so many loved ones for this milestone. Marty shared some words of wisdom with all of us youngsters. Then we fam members "roasted" Marty with love. I especially loved hearing from her grandchildren Kate, Matt, Lauren, and John. One of a kind, my auntie. 💕

Birthday Girl!

It's my birthday - again! I'm getting to be the age where one realizes each one is a gift - not just those important milestones like the one when you get your driver's license or can legally drink alcohol - or can retire. This is my first retired birthday and I must say to do prefer it to a working birthday - even when work treats/singing were involved. 

Paul and I worked as Election Officials at the poll in West Des Moines yesterday from 6 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. It was our first time. It was exhausting but very rewarding. We completed training a couple of weeks ago, but that really didn't prepare me for a 7 a.m. stream of eager voters lined up to do their civic duty. The crush lasted for about 4 hours - I didn't have time to use the restroom or even take a pill for a headache. 

The team of eleven officials (split evenly Rs/Ds), led by a veteran official was mostly newbies. Older poll workers had opted out due to Covid. We all wore masks - and some of us started the day with a shield too but they proved to be a bit cumbersome. The computer system is very slick - using scanners for those who have Iowa Driver's licenses. Even without, those in the system can use several methods to satisfy voter requirements. 

It surprised me how many people needed to register to vote on Election Day. Did they not see the "Make a Plan to Vote" outreach or was that their plan all along? I've never been a procrastinator so I just don't get it. Still, the system was pretty efficient once I figured it out and we got them registered and able to vote. Paul was the guy that fed the paper ballots into the counting machine. Our site had 2 precincts - had about 1,500 people vote - 700 in the first 4 hours.

So today is my birthday! I'm exhausted and like everyone, am awaiting election results. In the meantime, it's gorgeous here so I hope to get in a walk. I'm trying to stay off the Internet (this counts as writing, not Internet time). That's my plan going forward - less social media, more real life. Or books - always my retreat since childhood. 

                                                Lee Van Nostrand's bday party

This morning I was thinking of childhood birthday parties - mine and ones I went to. We shopped for presents in downtown Atlantic, put on little dresses, and went to large parties where there were games like Pin the Tail on the Donkey and Pop the Balloon with your Butt. One year I received three identical Piggy Banks as gifts - two blue and one pink. I don't think I had that much change! Sometimes my mom would make me take a little kid pajama set for the birthday girl as a gift - because Dad was a sales rep for that company. Ugh! How embarrassing! I would have hated to get that as a gift. Give me a GI Joe! 

Speaking of my childhood, last week I drove to St. Louis to spend time with my kids - new parents Jud and Kara and grandchild, Nell. While we had time together Jud asked me questions about my childhood - something we'd never had a chance to talk much about before. He has met a few of my childhood friends, though it's been a while since he's seen them - Sally, Robyn, and Julia. It was fun to tell him about some of our childhood antics! And then to talk about things we're doing in our 60's. 

Speaking of Nell - when I'm feeling stressed, I picture that little face and I smile! Jud and Kara are doing such a great job with her. They were very generous to allow me to hold her whenever I wanted to. She's just starting to smile - so many emotions can cross her face in a short time, but she seems to be a pretty chill baby. The weather wasn't too great but I was content just hanging with her at the house.

We did get out on Wednesday on a trip to the free St. Louis Zoo. Nell snoozed her way around the bears, big cats, seals, and apes. She's adorable sleeping in her stroller! It was nice to get out of the house. Jud and Kara went on a date that night and the kiddo and I did just fine. Even mellow babies demand a great deal of attention - parents need their own oxygen as a couple - away from the baby. 

I can't believe how strong Nell is getting already! She's getting to that stage where on her tummy she seems angry that she can't do more. She's got a play area mat on the floor and it's fun to see her new awareness of her surroundings. Pups Archie and Henry like to check her out when she's on the floor. Just wait until she's mobile guys! 

I drove home on Friday. It was hard to leave - knowing how much she'll change by the time I see her again. I was happy to see my honey who had spent the week hunting and working. While I was gone we got a new furnace - the homeowner moneypit is alive and well. Next up - a window. Happy Birthday! 

  

You Were Right!

Nell, nestled in my arms!

I've been hearing for years how wonderful being a grandparent is. You were right! 

What is Nell thinking about? 

Paul and I spent five days in Saint Louis last week with Jud, Kara, and our new grandchild, Nell Marie, born September 5th. I loved holding that little person - just gazing at her. She's a beautiful drama queen who makes lots of faces as a newborn. Did my babies do that? Smiles, frowns, surprise, and the deep sleep "like a baby". 

Paul's look says it all, Patrick our angel

I must admit that the first time I held Nell I felt a huge range of emotions. It was bittersweet because the last baby I held from our family was Patrick George, our son who passed away at six days from a congenital heart defect. He was that same size and looked similar to Nell. After Patrick was diagnosed, life support was removed and we held him for over two solid days until he passed in Paul's arms. 

Poppa has me! 

Hey baby girl! 

Jud and Kara knew of Patrick's history and Nell's heart has been checked out - even while she was in the womb. Technology today is amazing! On the day we met and held Nell, I told Jud and Kara that I had those feelings. I didn't know that those feelings would creep up. Paul admitted he had them too. Kindly, they made sure we had plenty of chances to hold that precious baby girl. Soon, those memories were put away - somewhere Patrick is looking on! 

It's very rewarding seeing your child as a parent. Jud is a very hands-on papa! I loved seeing him hold that baby girl in his huge hands. He and Kara are doing a great job working as a parenting team. Nell is cooperating by being a pretty good sleeper so far! 

Paul and I tried to stay out of the way during our visit - concentrating on food (I was wishing Paul and I were better cooks, but we did the best we could), cleaning up, dog duties, and Paul did yard chores. There are many new baby equipment inventions - very helpful. We got plenty of Nell time too - giving Jud and Kara to rest from night feedings. It was hard to leave on Friday. We know Nell will grow and change so much before we see her again! I'm already plotting my next visit.

Becoming a newly minted grandparent has led me on a nostalgic trip down parenting memory lane. That and sorting through a box of old photos from back when a camera was just a camera. In those days one  actually had to plan ahead when I wanted to record an event for posterity - the days of film. Sometimes several events would be on one roll of film, birthday, Christmas, birthday. 

The photographs helped me remember many good times - from early interactions with Paul while we were at ISU to our children's' early childhood events including birthdays, holidays, and just messing around. Seeing those pictures was good for me. Sadly, in my mind's jaded eye, I had started to think that I was not the mom of younger children I wished I had been. My most vivid memories are of the times I "cracked" and didn't handle the pressures of momhood as well as I would have liked. Toddler logic (lack of) was hard for me. 

Amy and I help Jud blow out his candle. Krissy observes seriously. 

Looking at the joy on my face in the pictures reminded me of all of the times I didn't snap - which was much more often than crabby Mommy. Why does our mind insist on hanging on to negatives? The photos reminded me of so many great kid activities - visiting Creston City Parks with our faithful canine companion Moki (he liked going down slides), playing in the yard, hide & seek, bathtime with lots of tub toys, and baking together.  

  

Looking back, I wish I had been the mom that let the kids make more messes - I was always thinking ahead to cleanup. I hope to be a grandma that is less worried about messes. 

One place we did get messy was the kitchen. We baked together, which resulted in a few eggs cracked on the countertop - even the floor! And they loved licking the beaters. Amy enjoyed art projects (some messy) and who could forget backyard pool days. Pool preparation took much more time than Amy and Jud spent in the pool, but the anticipation was part of the fun. Alas, the temperature of the water coming from the hose would be frigid! Buckets of hot water were required to heat the water.  Pool toys and soggy towels - ah summer!  

Those parenting years roll by so quickly. I couldn't wait until they were out of diapers, then they were in school, sports, and all those milestones. I didn't know how special it was - the last time I read to them or held their hand walking into church. Seemingly overnight Amy and Jud grew up. 

Parenting is a busy life, one that doesn't slow down much until they graduate from high school. Some moms mourn their children's steps toward independence - school, driving, dances, and moving away. I celebrated those - with a small sense of loss, much overshadowed with joy for their journey to be successful adults. Paul and I do love this stage - adult children are wonderful! 

I enjoy seeing photos of you, your grandkids, young and older, babies, prom, and sports. That is why I stay on Facebook. Plus it gives me a place to share my own photos. Facebook friends often tell me - you do so many fun things! It's true. We try to think of fun things to do. Sometimes the little things are the best - a hike, followed by a beer at a brewery. Paul pushes me as he's less of a homebody than I am. We have worked to stay connected with friends from throughout our lives. Connectivity is our superpower. And now along with being parents (and in-laws) we're grandparents! More fun to come.  

It's My Sappy Grandma Post

I haven't even seen her in person yet, and already she has a huge place in my heart. I'm talking about our brand new granddaughter Nell Marie. She was born to our son Judson and wife Kara on Saturday, September 5th - weighing in at 7 pounds 14 ounces, 20 inches long. She surprised us, arriving one week early! We talked to Jud on Friday and discussed that the doc would allow Kara to go as much as a week past the September 12 due date. Yeah, right. Nell had her own ideas! 

On Saturday Paul and I planned a camping trip at a remote site, Stephens State Forest near Chariton. That's the town where my grandmother Zora Clayton Stewart was born and raised. Yep, in a weak moment the weekend before, I'd let the offer slip out. "How about tent camping I said?". What was I thinking? Yet it made me smile to see how happy it made Paul. He was planning and puttering, scouring maps, and gathering the gear. 

Friday was a busy day as we had new carpet installed at home. The crew of four was efficient and they finished up quickly. Paul and I had some fun and laughs the night before moving some of the furniture not covered in the carpet deal. Have you ever noticed how similar king-sized mattresses and Jello are? We got the giggles trying to move it into the dining area. Friday was a lovely day and I was able to open up the house to air out that new carpet smell (and hopefully installation crew germs). We were able to sit on the deck most of the time they were here. We even talked to Jud who told us he and Kara took the day off and were going on a picnic. It turned out to be their last outing before parenthood!  

Paul and I tidied up that afternoon - replacing furniture etc. That night I got sidetracked by looking through a box of photos from a closet we'd carpeted. I was feeling nostalgic - some were of the kids. I sent an adorable Jud baby pic to Jud and Kara. So I take full credit for Kara's water breaking early the next morning. haha

Paul and I actually slept in on Saturday. Imagine my surprise when I saw Jud's text just after 7 a.m. - Kara's water had broken, and they were at the hospital. Kara was being induced. Holy Schnikes! We had talked it over with Jud and Kara earlier and knew that due to Covid, there was no use rushing to St. Louis. Kara's folks get "first baby dibs" for a few days and we get to visit next. We could sit around and wait or continue our adventure together and Carry On Camping. So off we went.  

Nell Marie makes her entrance! 

We got a couple other updates along the way - then just after noon, while driving south, we got the text with a photo - Baby Girl G is here! Paul and I high five. He was driving - so no chance for a hug and kiss. My eyes drank her in! She looked a bit like Amy, Jud and Patrick had as newborns. But not quite. Jud said her hair had a ginger look (but now says it's blonder). 

Meanwhile, Paul and I arrived at the campsite. First problem. No restroom. Now that's a problem! We could see where one had once been - now a concrete pad. I could tell Paul was still willing, but not this old girl. It was disappointing as even I had prepared myself to snuggle in a tent. 

So we were on to Plan B - at least to go kayaking at Lake Rathbun. At Lake Rathbun we found an armada of big boats, music blaring. No thanks! We drove east trying to find lake access in shallow water where big boats can't go. Iowa's dry weather seems to have dried up those areas. Googled showed water, real-life showed weeds. We even ventured down a closed road. I was starting to hear Deliverance banjos. We laughed! We're grandparents. 

Plan C. We headed north. Did I mention that during our travels south we cruised dusty gravel roads? Our kayaks and much of our gear was in the back of the truck. When we arrived at a county park just outside of Knoxville, Iowa we found that all of the camping sites were full. So we secured a lovely picnic area instead. By then we had more pictures of the baby with Jud and Kara - so nothing was going to get us down. Even all the gravel dust coating the grill, potato chip bags, sleeping bags - everything! Ugh. 

Our picnic included a toast to being grandparents with a shot of Apple Pie/Cinnamon liquor. It was fabulous. The menu was grilled hotdogs, chips, and a couple marshmallows. I'd had my heart set on one of those delicious white pillowy bites toasted to perfection! 

Then we packed up and drove home. Our campout was a washout. We had a lot of cleanup to do when we got home. It didn't matter. That baby! 

On Sunday night we were overjoyed to learn Baby Girl G's name: Nell Marie Goldsmith. It's perfect! When Kara and Jud told us they were expecting, Jud asked for the genealogy information I've gathered from many generations on both sides of my family tree. Kara did the same from her side too. Jud and Kara also perused name lists online. They did their homework on name selection! 

I would have like any name bestowed upon our beautiful granddaughter but I was especially pleased that they selected the name Nell. It's a version of a name that shows up many times in my family tree and it's in Kara's tree too. My grandmother on my mother's side was Nelle or Nellie. Nelle is my Mom and sister's Elizabeth (Betsy's) middle name. Kara's great grandmother was a Nellie. 

Yes, I'm a softee for family names. I have a cousin Amy and we have lots of Leslies, Pauls, and Davids. Judson's name comes originally from my great grandfathers George Judson Stewart and Adnah David Bullock. He is Judson David. My dad name - David Judson. And in Dad's tradition, she'll likely have several nicknames! Just like I am Looseleaf. Betsy was Lizzie Borden. Cindy = Forsythia. Susi had several - Suso-bean. Chuckle. 

In a week or so, I'll get to hold Nellbell in my arms. She'll feel just right. I can't wait! 

Preggo Dreams

On the deck at J and K's 

Finally, after many washed out attempts due to illness and the pandemic, we were able to visit Jud and Kara in Saint Louis. Yay! For those who haven't heard, they are soon to be parents. 💖

Baby Girl G is due in mid-September 2020. They wanted to break the baby news to us in person months ago. Thanks to Covid, we ended up finding out via Zoom call with the whole fam, including Amy and Corey. A new fam member is on the way - yahoo!

It's getting real! Jud and Kara have been working on the baby's room. It's really a large landing that will work as the baby's area while she is little. That way she'll be near their room upstairs. The small crib will fit in the closet opening - leaving room for the changing table, a dresser, and a rocking chair. It will be perfect for the little one.

They also had a few house projects for Paul (soon to be Pops). Yeah, I'm trying out grandparent names - almost as important as the baby name! (No, not really). J&K's cozy 1910 home - with the second floor added thirty or forty years ago, had been updated in recent years - before they purchased it. But you know houses - they always need something. Paul built and installed a couple of shelves. Jud and Kara helped and were on paint duty. There were several trips to Home Depot along the way. I was in charge of WD-40 patrol, spraying squeaky doors. And, mostly tried to stay out of the way - dish and cleanup detail. 

Closet

I didn't realize how much I really missed them. Zoom calls are nice, but they sure don't take the place of "in-person". Two weeks before our visit we really tried to curtail interaction with people to reduce the chances of spreading anything. I took along an enchilada casserole for Friday, we had bratwurst one night and they ordered Pi Pizza with cornbread crust one night - so yummy. So not our usual going to restaurants like we usually do in STL. There are so many good restaurants there. Jud and Kara have a lovely deck that is secluded thanks to lots of trees, bushes, and fences. There are lots of squirrels and birds to watch.

Kara is 7 months pregnant - and looks so darn cute as only preggo chicks with long torsos can. She's been feeling pretty good, though the STL heat in humidity is starting to take a toll. It's nice that they have a fenced yard so they don't have to take their good boys - pups Henry and Archie for walks. But they can if they feel like it around their cozy neighborhood in the little burg, Brentwood population 8,000ish. It's just outside of STL proper.

Kara's pregnancy has taken me for a walk down pregnancy memory lane. Pregnant with Amy, I stayed small for the first 4+ months. Then in the last couple of months, I got huge, eventually giving birth to a 9 pound 7-ounce baby a week past the due date. Similar to my Jud pregnancy though he was only 9 lb 4 ounces. Patrick, my c-section baby was breech, was a totally different pregnancy - only 7 lb 6 ounces. I didn't gain nearly as much weight with him. Wiser? Or just busier with 2 kids?

Bucko

While pregnant, I remember having vivid dreams - such as giving birth to a kitten. Likely because our cat Bucko slept by my legs. Kara said she's had some weird ones too. You know how that thing happens - when you are thinking or talking about something and it pops up in another part of your life? This week I was listening to one of my fave authors, Laura Lippman. The book is called "The Girl in the Green Raincoat". It's part of the Tess Monaghan series, one I had somehow missed reading years ago. In this book, Tess, a seven month pregnant Baltimore private investigator, is confined to her screened-in porch/bedroom due to preeclampsia. In the book, Tess dreams that she gives birth to a radish and everyone tells her it looks like her! Listening to this, I laughed out loud while walking on the trail. The book was a play on Hitchcock's "Rear Window" as Tess tries to solve a mystery stuck in her home. 

We are all so excited - dreaming about the arrival of Baby G! Who will she be? That said - I remember what those first few weeks of life with a newborn. With many employers, parents today get more time off when the baby is born. Especially dads. That should help in the lack of sleep department - a tag team. I recall being delirious at times - Jud was not a good sleeper. He really was a night owl all his life until he started working. Not good with a morning person mom!

In today's Internet age, the pressure is on for parents to present their homes and children as perfect at all times. That's why I always try to share my "fail" stories with young parents. They need to know perfect isn't real! And our home was filled with kid toys and well-worn furniture through those years. It goes by pretty quickly! 

The nutty stuff that I did is what my kids remember. 😶 Looking back, I do wish I'd been more patient. ...Note to future grandma...We took one parenting class and I read lots of books on the topic. I recommend all methods of learning for parents. There are probably lots of online resources. One thing for sure - kids need order. They don't need to be given everything they want. I hear Grandparents have different rules! haha

We got together with our friends the McFees this weekend. We talked and laughed a lot about the days (20 years ago) when Bobbie and Jeff with Kristina and Kim would have Sunday night meals with Paul, Amy, Jud, and me. The kids would play and we'd talk - about jobs, parenting, farming, our parents - everything! It was therapeutic. Hearing that other people struggle parenting too made it easier to accept. 

I miss Bobbie. Such a big hole in many lives. We'll go on, but we will not let her memory die. 

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!