Pinochio-ette

I know...I detest the "ette" thing. But I wanted to express my feelings in just one word, and that did it.

Just like Pinochio became a real boy. It's happened to me. As I did errands yesterday, I came to the conclusion - much to my lament - that I've become such a real girl. Not as girlie as my sis Betso, but pretty girlie just the same. Look at me getting my toenails done.

I'm will have to break down and have my fingernails done too, as stress from grieving (darn you Dad and Bolder) have done numbers on my thumbnails. They split, and just won't grow out right. They they snag on everything - I can't stand it. I need to have a professional show me how to shape them, and cover with clear polish. I'm not THAT girlie - no colored fingernail polish for me!

No flowers this time - just lines!

I never thought that would happen. I think it's been the Des Moines influence. When I started working up here, and after the kids graduated. That's when I stopped spending my time on them (it's all about me now, uh huh). Plus I purchased a bit of makeup after the pedi - no not the department store kind, I'm not going that far. I make these kinds of purchases when Paul isn't with me. He still isn't used to "new" Leslie and is amazed at the prices of all the girlie accessories.

I now get my hair "styled" instead of cut, and actually use a blow dryer and a flat iron - though not very well. No seriously ugly gray brown for me! If only it were a pretty gray like others get. So nature isn't taking its course anytime soon for this girl. Chemical enhancement is my friend.

And there is my shoe/purse jones. I must have always had this inside me - but I held it in while we purchased countless sports shoes each season for Amy and Jud (basketball, football, volleyball, softball/baseball) plus school shoes for them. I am thrifty about my "shoe thing" and get really good deals. I watch for sales, and love Marshalls. Paul just can't believe one person should have several pair of loafers, sandals, etc. (He didn't think he married a girl like this...) I still don't hold a candle to many gals. And I still love my comfy shoes best. He's been a pretty good sport about it - because he has a hunting equipment jones...

Paul and I rode our bikes on the WDM bike trail Tuesday night, turning south on the trail near Jordan Creek School. We ended up at West Glen.


Near West Glen - new homes

 

Last night I went for a walk with a new friend, Pam. She works for NRCS - Paul has known her for many years. In fact she was at our baby Patrick's funeral. But I didn't really know her until now. We went for a walk around Raccoon River Lake on Grand - it was a beautiful afternoon and lots of people were out and about. It's nice to get to know someone new - and to find a new place to go. I'd been to the event center there before, but didn't know about the trail, and didn't really look at the lake before. Pablo and I will have to get the kayaks out on that lake!

When I got home Paul and I went to our hangout - Legends on Ashworth. I feel comfy there. It's not too plush and new (like me). I took a couple photos with my new phone - yep, I got the Samsung 4G. I am most excited about the camera capabilities. You know how I like to take pics!

Sirloin special - $12.99 - very tasty! Martini not bad either

The place was busy at 7pm but no waiting - that's what I like!

Shades...

Finally - the new shades are here for our bedroom. Just in time for daylight savings time. We have nice plantation shutters throughout the upstairs of our new home. They're great, but they don't cover the top 12 inches of the windows, which is just fine everywhere except our room. You see...there is a street light not too far from our room - and when there is a full moon, or it's snow...it's like daylight in there! Paul's putting them up tomorrow. After the ISU game.

Speaking of...after we picked up the shades up at Lowe's yesterday evening, we went to the original Legends Sports Bar for a beverage and a bite before tucking in to watch the Cyclones.

The crowd was mixed - Cyclone and Hawks - who had an NIT game that same night. Plus the national wrestling tourney was going on in downtown DSM. I had a toasted Cajun tuna sannie on rye - very tastie!

My Cyclones - they were on fire. We watched them at home Nicely done - I didn't even have a pounding heart at the end of the game. That's what momma likes! I thought about my Uncle Bill during the game as they were playing his Notre Dame Fighting Irish...Aunt Marty texted today to say that now Bill won't win the family NCAA pool. Oops!

Today the ISU Women beat Gonzaga on their home court. My nephew Eric Kohan attends that shool and is on their debate team - so he's in Memphis at Mock Trial Nationals. I hope he's not hanging out at Silky O'Sullivan's - where we hung out at the bowl game when were in Memphis. Crazy place! I think E is more concerned with the Zag's mens teams...

A good weekend to be a Clone fan.

This morning Paul drove south to scout for deer anter sheds. Odie and I went to PetSmart to get her nails trimmed. She loves that. NOT. They used some type of grinder tool that made them smooth - very nice and only $11. I'll go back there - drop in only, they don't take appointments.

My bestie came for a lunch date! Deb and Larry went on a dream vacation to Hawaii last week. They got back Wednesday morning. Deb was coming up to DSM to see her sisters and gave me a call for a lunch date. We went to Maverick's for yummy roast beef sannies and came back to look at her trip photos which were fab. I'd love to go there some day - it looks like paradise. I miss my weekend conversation with Debbie.

Once she took off, Paul and I headed to the Fireplace store to order deck furniture. We sold our old stuff with our house. We had spied some recycled plastic stuff we liked a couple weeks ago - so we went back to order it. Surprisingly...we didn't get this Cyclone stuff...we did get bar height - 4 chairs and a table. It should come in 2 or 3 weeks.

Let's hope the snow is off the deck by then...here's what it looked like this evening...it's supposed to snow all night. Puxatawny Phil...you should be made into a coat.

Today is March 23...my pal Robbie Dob Bredensteiner's 55th birthday. Love that girl - we've been friends for over 50 years now. Geez that sounds so loooong. Here's to you my friend!