Not so lonely

Deb and Larry

 

It's good to have friends! Especially friends that make a point to stop and see you when they're in town. On Saturday, Paul and I attended evening Mass at 4:30 p.m. at St. Francis (Paul's niece calls it St. Lexus...but heck, we drive a Subaru...) There we ran into a couple from Creston, the Fremls, Tom and Karin - in town shopping. Then Paul spied Gary Hemann - former Creston physician across the church. West Des Moines is shrinking already.

After mass, we welcomed my bestie Deb and her husband Larry, in town for a day of Christmas shopping. And ready for a beer! We enjoyed showing them the new digs. Just that day I'd finished putting pictures on the wall. I also enjoyed setting my some of my grandmother's (I think the stuff came from both of them - Zora Stewart Bullock and Nellie Weber Morehead) beautiful cruets and other glassware on the built in shelves in my bedroom.

We so enjoyed catching up on family and Creston news with Larry and Deb. Conversation was constant! It was as if we couldn't get the words out fast enough. Oh how I've missed my friend! And Paul too misses friendly familiar faces in his daily life. Later we went to Jethros in Waukee for a meal together. Deb and I had Planter's Punch - yummy. Paul and Larry - beer. It was such fun to be with them, and I disliked saying goodbye.

Sunday we woke up to a bit of snow on the ground, much to Odie's displeasure. She would not go potty, even for her favorite - banana pieces. At least until the snow melted, later that morning. My lil buddy Krissy had given us tickets to the ISU Women's basketball game that day, so we headed to Ames for the 1 p.m. game against Fairfield. We were glad the Cyclones bounced back after their defeat by the Hawks a couple nights earlier, and best of all their All American  Chelsea Poppens was back on the court. She had suffered a concussion a couple weeks prior.

Bobbie and Jeff

That evening, I cooked up some soup, and it was simmering on the stove.  I cooked it up for today at work (Munchin' Mondays - we're taking turns bringing food). Before we got anything out for supper, Jeff McFee called Paul to see if we wanted to meet Bobbie and him at Granite City. McFees were on their way back from Ankeny - visiting Caleb and Krissy at their new home there. I forced myself back into jeans from my sweats and off we went - we aren't wasting chances to see buddies! Daughter Kimmy was with them, and we had a nice time hanging out and catching up. Paul misses farm (and other) talk with Jeff, that's for sure. And we've always had such fun together on Friday nights - we miss that here. It sounds like Kim can house and dog sit while we're in Memphis for the bowl game. Good deal!

The Chicken Tortilla Soup was a big hit a work today. I took blue corn tortilla chips along and some salsa from World Market. A couple other people brought food too. After work, Paul and I decided to stop briefly to pick up a few things at the store right off the freeway. Okay, Okay, I admit it...it was a WalMart. I like that I can get generic Allegra D there. On the way in, I ran into my old friend Jane Buck, who was in a great mood! Paul and I each received a big hug, which made my day, really. It was nice to see her so happy. Odie was happy to see us when we got home. Such a nice way to wind down the day.

Me with Jane last winter

My sis Cindy started back to work today. She says it was good to be back, though she is very tired. Thanks again to all who have kept your positive prayers and thoughts going out to/for her.

3 a.m. chat and Football

It was a beautiful Friday night for football in Creston - Balloon Days weekend. Always love that.

Balloons over Panther Field

Paul rolled in at 3 a.m. Saturday morning. I thought I'd sleep until he rolled in - it was supposed to be at 2 a.m. But I woke up at 12:30 and thought the clock said 2:30 and thought he was late...so then I started to worry of course! And never really went back to sleep until he showed up. He forgot they had to drop one of the guys off in Fremont County.

Odie and I were so happy to see him! He immediately took a long shower (stinky hunter boy). Then we laid in bed and talked for an hour and a half - catching up on stuff. His trip, my week, the children, the pooch. Moving. Finally, at 4:30 a.m. we gave it up and fell asleep - until 7:15 anyway. Not much sleep for either of us old farts.

But we're Cyclones and it was game day. On the way to Ames, we took a spin through West Des Moines to look at a neighborhood. Then we hit University Bookstore before picking up ice on our way to tailgate in D2. It was perfect gameday weather! Diana had the beans I'd whipped up the day before cooking away. That girl's the bestest. Coach Ryan McKim was there for a few short minutes before he went off to do the coaching thing. Donnie grilled pork loins. Bobbie and Kimmy arrived - no Jeff - he's farming.

Jack in his uni and Olivia at right with Grandma Sharon - left

Every game is a little different. That day, Higgins brought grandkids Jack and Olivia along. Daughter Amanda and her husband Theran and baby boy Cash followed later. Our neighbors Nielsons and Neitzels came by before Luke Neitzel had a visit at ISU - he's being recruited. Good player. I remember when he was about 8 and had a crush and Amy and Stormy...

We walked over for the Spirit Walk again. The players must feel like rock stars during that time. It's fun. On the way back Paul and I stopped at some of his USDA pal's tailgate - they congratulated him, and were very complimentary. Plus we ran into to his new supervisor Larry Beeler during our walk. Lots of Clones in USDA.

Plenty of time to tailgate when the game is at 7 p.m. I didn't even take any liquor into the game. Decided I didn't need to drink after sipping all day. It was family day when kids could go on the field to welcome the team before the game. The crowd was fantastic! Fourth largest ever. Clones with 38 - 3.

Todd's shirt - a bit snarky...

Back in our seats, Todd Stofferahn had on this shirt...a Cyclone fan has to love it! The band marched up the bleachers to play by us.

A 7 p.m. game with wait time for the traffic to clear make for a late night. Especially when you got 3 hours of sleep. I confess I dozed a bit - we took the Ankeny route when I-35 looked blocked. Poor Paul and his coffee got us through. I woke up when we got to I-80 and kept him company the rest of the way. That will be one nice thing about moving - a shorter drive home from games!

Reality is hitting him now that he's back at work. They've scheduled a reception for him October 4th 1-4 p.m. Kinda gives me a nervous pit in my stomach! This is really happening...we're moving. Scary, exciting. Pray for us.

In the meantime...I'll go on vaca with my homegirls!

Movie Review

<><><><>

<>

<><><><>

Jud and Kara

Robin Hood - with Russell Crowe was pretty good. A little hard to follow, but I like historical pics. Pablo was surprised I rented it at the HyVee Redbox whilst he was paying for the groceries tonight. He said something like, "are you sure you want to see that?"

Like I would rent a movie I didn't want to see...Come on. It's been 28 years, you should know by now that I don't often (unless I was feeling really sorry for you, like for example if the Packers lost the Super Bowl) rent movies I wouldn't possibly like. For example that one they're advertising now where people are going to be stuck in a cave.

Um nope. I would get claustrophobic watching a movie like that. Or those movies that are all testosteronie - simply filled with war scenes. This one had war scenes, but there were story lines which I presume were based on actual history. I enjoy that. Was King John that big a schmuck? Was there really a Robin?

As a side-note - as the opening credits ran, and the movie title came up: Robin. I looked at the word and had a flashback. Though my friend Robbiedob spelled her name Robyn, I distinctly heard her Mom's voice say - in her crabby voice, "Robyn Lee!" That's when I knew it was time to go home from playing with Rob...

The movie was a little hard to follow, and sometimes - especially when our furnace kicks in, the people are hard to understand. That English/French accent doesn't help. Though he's not my fave actor, Russell not too hard on the eyes. Kate Blanchett was the female lead. She's not busty at all. Which I can appreciate for obvious reasons.

It was an enjoyable evening at home! Tomorrow it's off to Ames for an ISU game. We will see Jud - it's his birthday weekend. He and his roommates are planning Jud-A-Palooza2. Let's hope his pores don't ooz liquor this time, as we're taking Kara and him to lunch Sunday - his actual bday. 22, sigh. Hard to believe.

Emergency report - Kimmy McFee had an emergency appendectomy tonight. Bobbie and Jeff had to rush up to Ames to attend to her, but she was already under the knife. I texted Bobbie later, and it sounds like everything went well. Kim s/b out of the hospital tomorrow.