Meet me in St. Louis

St. Louis was never a place I thought I'd be visiting often - until Jud and Kara moved there a few years ago. Even then, we thought the city might be a "passing phase". Now it seems they've settled in quite nicely. Kara travels and works from home. Jud is enjoying his new job at Purina, managing lines of pet food. They have lots of friends to hang out with. We're so proud of both of them. 

We hadn't really seen them since our family gathering in St. Louis for Thanksgiving. Sure, we glimpsed them briefly at ISU's fab bowl game in Memphis. But that was a few words in here and there, mostly on historic Beale Street. Not really the quality time one is hoping for with our kids, though celebrating that victory together was priceless! They seemed more excited about seeing the winning players instead of us on Saturday night.

So we scheduled this early March trip to STL - just after Paul's birthday. It worked out well. Mother Nature is trying to hang on - snow showers fell on the way there, and back. During our time in the Gateway City, the weather cooperated just fine.

Odie went along to see her "people" and to put up with the boys, Jud and Kara's dogs Henry and Archie. She didn't have to tune them up as much as usual - the boys are growing up and are past the puppy phase. I was tempted to purchase a pill organizer for her meds. She's now on 3 meds for her heart, but those seem to make a difference. 

We were all overjoyed to arrive at Jud and Kara's home on Friday night. Once we had the tour of all the updates they'd been working on at their 1920's home, we visited a Cajun/Cuban restaurant.

The next morning, we stopped at a kolache bakery right in Jud and Kara's neighborhood. We could choose from pastries filled with cream cheese, eggs, sausage, and fruit. Warm and tasty.

Later that morning we headed downtown to tour the Fabulous Fox Theatre. In Des Moines, we have a fine modern theater in the Civic Center and are fortunate that it pulls in awesome Tony Award winning musicals each year. That building cannot compare to the truly fabulous Fox Theatre, originally built in 1929 as a movie theater. When the building fell into disarray (damn you 1970's rock concerts), Fox Associates purchased and refurbished it - reopening in 1982.

Organ Player

Above the stage

The tour was historical. It included a short performance by the organ player - he and the organ slowly raised up out of the floor as he played dramatically. We traipsed through all areas of the large building. We got to see where the rich people sit and the dressing rooms with posters drawn on the walls everywhere - for Broadway shows and music groups. We stood on stage. The whole thing took over an hour, up and down stairs.  We heard about ghosts at the theater - one of the employees died on the job, running the movie machine.   

You can book this for your wedding for $25K

On stage

That night we celebrated Paul's birthday at a great place Kara and Jud discovered, Twisted Tree Steakhouse. The salad dressing was super and my filet was really good. Thanks to K&J for taking us out! Later we sat up and talked, sharing a nice bottle of red wine.

Have I mentioned how much I like adult children? It's fun to talk about work, tell them family stories and hear about their friends. Jud entertained us with stories from his new job at Purina. It seems they have culinary events at work. And no they don't taste the dog food.

Archie thinks Henry is his pillow

All too soon, it was Sunday morning and time to head home. It's hard to leave when we don't know when we'll see them again. Summer? I hope so. Both sets of our children have weddings here this summer. Yay. We also have a date in August in Washington for our nephew Alex's wedding. Some dates to look forward to. 

Hanging with Mr. & Mrs. Goldsmith

Paul and I packed Odie up Friday and headed the Subaru south to visit Jud and Kara in St. Louis. We hadn't seen them since the day after they got married way back in April. Wow! We had a lot of catching up to do. We've been places, they've been places. Sure, we've talked on the phone, but it's just not the same as in person, you know.

The theme of the weekend was mainly food (and family togetherness). We arrived in a rainstorm Friday evening. Henry the grand puppy was so happy to see us. He is such a lovely boy - I don't believe I've ever heard him growl or bark. He does like to jump up and greet you right in your lap - so hold onto your drinks. Odie was not impressed.

Odie watches Henry like a hawk

Friday we headed out in the rain for yummy cornbread crust pizza. Our son the gentleman, dropped us off at the door and arrived a big soggy at the restaurant. I forget how funny and full of information the guy is. He loves to podcasts and NPR. Kara likes to give him crap when he spouts less than factual information - as a good wife should.  They make a great pair! My mother used to believe everything my dad told her - no matter how far-fetched!

Farmer's Market

Saturday morning we attended a Farmer's Market in the Soulard neighborhood. It was all under roof, which was interesting. There were live chickens and fruit I'd never seen before.

Jud, Kara and Paul place their orders

Ribs!

Next, we arrived early at Jud's favorite Barbeque joint, Pappy's - just to make sure Jud and Paul could get Burnt Ends.
That afternoon, we went with J&K to look at a couple houses - just like house hunters on HGTV. It was fun! I like house shopping, though the kids are getting a bit tired of it. The market in town has been very tough - with houses going above asking price, and quickly! They are trying to be patient, but it's hard when they are so excited and ready to move into their very own place. So we went for Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard at a local place that obviously quite popular. Yum. Of course we had to rest and watch football after that.

Jud and Kara live in the Grove neighborhood where there are lots of cute restaurants and bars. That's what we did last night, when it was so nice out. We walked a few blocks over to the Cowboy bar, which is surrounded by bamboo out back. We could only muster up enough appetite for a few chips and wings. No surprise right? Then we stopped at a couple more bars that were still pretty quiet as the night was young. The Urban Chestnut Brewery is always fun. Odie and Henry were happy when we arrived back at J&K's apartment.

After we left this morning, the kids were going to look at yet another potential future home. We wish them luck! I remember when Paul and I purchased our first house in Creston. It took a while to settle in, but we made that place on Prairie Street our own. We lived there 12 years!

The good news is that we'll see Kara and Jud later in October when they come up for a football game. Yay! Life is good.

TBD2

The bride and groom were heading back from their trolley ride with the wedding party around STL - stopping at a couple scenic spots to take photos. What a special day it was - beautiful weather!

Kelly Park Photography

We'd been to the Three Sixty Rooftop Bar overlooking Cardinal Stadium. But there was a party to get to! The terrace at the Hyatt was sunny and wait staff served appetizers and drinks. Paul and I enjoyed catching up with the Gsmith fam.

Bro-in-law John, Brothers Larry, Ken, Denny

Sisters Carol and Dorie

Sister Pat and Bro-In-Law Dave

The meal was inside - a buffet of St. Louis foods. Of course the wedding party had to make a big entrance first, bursting through the doors to music! Jud and Kara cut the cake right away.

Amy and Pat boogie

Jud's Best Man, Mitch, gave a great speech and all the bridesmaids spoke including Amy who was really sweet - mentioning the story of when we first heard Jud starting talking about Kara. Kyle, Kara's father, gave the last toast as only the father of the bride can. Once all chewing was complete, the curtain opened and Kara and Jud (who likely didn't eat a thing because of nerves) kicked off the dancing with a first dance. They had been practicing - and I must admit - even though Jud isn't quite ready for Dancing with the Stars, he cut a striking figure with his beautiful bride.

I even had a change to dance with him - the song I selected for my Mother/Son dance was "Momma Told Me There'd Be Days Like This' by Van Morrison. He and I didn't do any special moves - but I enjoyed my short time all to myself with him.

After that the DJ just let it flow. And the photo booth was hopping. Cindy, Paul and I followed Betsy, Wayne, Paul and Alex. I wore a Pirate Hat and Cindy had a chicken carcass on her head. Paul wore wacky glasses and looked like a pimp daddy. Hilarious!

I had the photographer take a pic of the Bullock sisters but didn't get a phone shot - so we'll have to wait. We did get Ken Goldsmith to take this shot of the group though!

Love my family!

The Bullocks didn't party too late. Several had early flights - but we just aren't late night people. The Goldsmiths lasted a bit longer. Those Whiteds! They were there until the end - the last song, and then the real last song. The DJ dragged it out as long as he could.

Open air dance floor with Arch in the background (and full moon)

We danced on the patio, with a blow up beach ball bouncing about. Amy and Corey hung in there with us.

Every once in a while the ball would look like it might go over the wall - as the it was open air, overlooking the Arch. But then it would bounce back in again. By the end, I was happily exhausted. What a fabulous way to welcome Kara into our family and Jud into the Whited family. Can't wait to see what's next!

TBD 1

The Big Day

I awoke the morning of the wedding to find Jud had made it into our suite sometime during the night - all while I was sleeping soundly. Good thing he wasn't a murderer, or I'd be quite dead. Paul and I met Cindy upstairs for a bit of breakfast. Then Cindy and Paul went for a walk on a lovely morning while I headed back to the room to prepare for "girl time" in the bridal suite - makeup and hair.

If you know me at all, you can imagine that my palms were a bit damp at the thought of this happening. I actually was feeling like I'd be a better fit with the groomsmen who were hanging out in our suite.

There's another Mrs. Goldsmith around here!

But I put on my new robe (gift from the bride) and forged ahead. There were three hair/makeup stylists and they were great. They told us stories about nightmare groups they'd worked with. I hope we didn't end up being another story for later. Surely not! We were fun and nice. When my hair was done - there was teasing (of my hair) involved. That made me nervous. My face got airbrushed - years went away! It all turned out well. Kara and Amy looked so beautiful - and the other bridesmaids and Renee were lovely as well.

Kara in the background, me, Amy and flower girl

I spent a little time helping get the venue ready. Kara and Renee did a cool thing with wedding photos from both families.

Wedding pics with slide show playing above

don't have any photos of me in full garb - we'll have to wait for the official pics for that! I did slip into our suite for some time with Jud and Paul before the ceremony, helping him put his cuff links on (incorrectly, I think). My guys looked so very handsome in their tuxedos.

Paul called this photo "Game Time"

Then we went upstairs. I waited in a room with the bridesmaids until my son escorted me out into the sunny terrace where the people were waiting to witness the ceremony. I had been afraid that I'd cry, but instead I smiled with joy as I hugged him. Jud and Kara wrote their own vows, heartfelt and loving. Jud's cousin Paul Kohan did a reading. Reverend Judy spoke about love and said a prayer. The sun shined down and the St. Louis Arch stood in the background - a fine backdrop for the beginning of a marriage. We are so pleased to welcome a daughter to our family, and can't wait to see what lies in wait for these two.

Pronounced husband and wife!

We set up a receiving line in the building to greet all the attendees. Of course we had already greeted out family. It was fun to see so many of Jud's college friends. The Whiteds represented well! We took a few photos with the couple and the wedding group took off in the party bus for drinks and more pics.

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Paul and I headed downstairs for a drink! I slipped on flip flops. We headed into the pub at the hotel with my family and Paul's sis Carol and daughter Barb. At 4 p.m. we walked a couple blocks to the Hilton where the top floor bar provides a fabulous view.

Colby Lefebvre and girlfriend Liv

Susi and Jim

Paul and Alex Kohan

Cindy and Paul

Betsy and Cindy

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The view at the top was all that they said it would be. My brother-in-law Wayne said there was a wedding happening at home plate.

Not where the Twins play...

About 5 p.m. we headed back for the wedding reception. People along the street complimented us on our pretty wedding clothes.

Monday's Child is Fair of Face

October 14th was daughter Amy's birthday. She's 30. She was born on a Monday - 30 years ago. It's hard for me to get my mind around it. I've loved every minute of being a mommy. Her mommy.That's what she still calls me. Mommy. My fair faced daughter is the best. The boy kid is pretty special too.

from our last trip to STL

Last weekend Paul, Odie and I visited Atlanta (where Amy lives) via St. Louis (where Jud lives). We loved seeing the cherubs and their honeys. Last Thursday night was the first time we saw Jud and Kara after their recent engagement. It was fun to hear the engagement story.

Jud asked Kara to go on a hike a couple Wednesdays ago. He has a terrible poker face and couldn't keep from grinning, and she's no dummy. She had an inkling he was going to pop the question. She'd even told her mom and a couple close friends as much...until her mom really fooled her by asking how he'd do that without the family ring. He needed to get that from them she said. Hint - he really already had it. Jud may not be the most romantic fella but he did a great job of picking a partner and asking her to walk through this world with him. Smile! We ate pizza outside on a lovely evening in STL.

We took off early Friday for Atlanta. It was a beautiful drive through Nashville on south along the Smoky Mountains. I saw signs for Ruby Falls - a place my mother took the four Bullock girls when I was a kid. Though I would have liked to stop at that tourist trap - we forged ahead. Odie was excited to see her Sissie! We arrived in the Atlantic Station section of Atlanta about 4 p.m. I finally got to hug my baby girl. She and Paul then unloaded the brand new desk made by love for her 30th birthday by her daddy.

Amy & Corey

Amy and Corey live in a cute apartment complex with a big pool and exercise and clubhouse area. Odie got to hang out there while we went out to eat at a yummy burger joint. Corey drove us there like the Mario Andretti of Honda Fits - Atlanta traffic is something else.

Paul and I stayed in a hotel near Amy's apartment, on the campus of Georgia Tech University. On Saturday morning we walked around the football stadium and other campus buildings. Then Mario, I mean Corey and Amy picked us up to go to the NCAA Football Museum. I was expecting a somewhat interesting place with things in cases - old footballs and uniforms. Wrong! It was high tech and very cool and interactive. The friendly greeter there wanted to make sure I (the little missus) had fun. Little did he know that I'm a huge football fan. I'd recommend the place for anyone who likes the game.

NCAA Museum

That afternoon Corey and Paul watched Clemson at a bar whilst Amy and I shopped a bit - it was her birthday week after all! Mommas gotta buy her baby some stuff. It's a good thing Corey's team is doing well because ours sure can't get anything going. That night we hit an interesting barbecue restaurant. Once we got our food, we ate standing up in a covered outdoor carport. Those ribs were good. We stopped for ice cream on our way back - in an interesting little area not too far from our hotel.

In Olympic Park with my girl

The trip home got a little long - we ended up staying in a hotel just south of the Iowa border. We didn't want to dodge deer at midnight in southern Iowa. Odie didn't mind another night on the road. We must be getting old - better safe than sorry won out over cheap! Ooh we love those kids.

Amy with her new desk

Visit to Saint Louie

Neither flood waters or a broken arm could keep us away from visiting our son in St. Louis last weekend. We were supposed to go last fall and a visit to an acupuncturist sent me into a tailspin with flu-like symptoms - so we weren't able to go.

Jud and Kara have such a busy schedule - it was hard to find a weekend that worked for all of us, so that we could finally visit the city with the arch! We put this date on the calendar long ago - way before my clutzy move on my bike resulted in a broken shoulder. Despite pain and a sling, I was determined to go!

We took off last Friday after working a few hours in the a.m. We'd heard they had rain similar to the onslaught we'd had in DSM on Wednesday night - but didn't realize we'd run into a roadblock an hour north of Jud's place. That resulted in a, not one, but two hour detour. Ugh!

We were happy to finally arrive about 7 p.m. Friday night. Jud and Kara had recently moved from one apartment in their complex to a larger ground floor unit - AND they'd stayed up late to put up pictures/decorations. Nothing like the looming prospect of visitors to spur you on! The place looks great.

We walked through their neighborhood to a corner bar for some supper. The area reminds me of the East Village 10 years ago - it's just on the edge of taking off to be cool. Now there are some nice things and some that aren't great. After we ate, we walked to a huge brewery for a beer. We were on the edge of a neighborhood (there are tons of them in STL) called the Grove.

 In the morning we picked up a local pastry at the corner bakery (Amy's Bake Shoppe). Plus some muffins - yummy. After a quick stop at a bike store to get a tire pump (they'd been riding on 20# tires) we headed to the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, the largest urban park in the United States. It's right in their neighborhood!

There were displays on the neighborhoods of STL - with what was going on in the city back in 1875. And there was another on Nazi propaganda. Did I mention it was all totally free? As is everything at the park, including the zoo. It was a great way to get to know some things about the city - like its sense of competition with Chicago.

Speaking of Chicago - the Cubs were in town. So the city was rocking with lots of traffic. Our plan to go to a barbecue joint for lunch was busted when we saw the block long line. Plan B was a delightful kosher deli off the beaten path. I had a great corned beef sannie with cole slaw on rye.

Note manila cards for "Now Serving!" love it



After a rest, we then ventured to Anheuser-Busch to see if we could experience the brewery tour. Alas...the crowds had beat us to it, and they were booked for a couple hours. So we took the short tour right to the bar for a fresh one! The neighborhood near here allows people to drive around in golf carts. What a world. It reminded me of the Atlantic Country Club.

After that, we headed to another neighborhood only about 10 minutes from Jud's place to a another brew pub called Square One. We were one a mission to meet up with an old friend and his wife. I met Kevin Aleshire (otherwise known as Dairy Cow or DC) during my sophomore year in college. He lived on the same dorm floor at ISU with our pals Steve and Moose, who we met when they became our flag football coaches. Through Moose and Steve we met the whole dorm floor - Pig Farmer, Dirger, Dirty, and a variety of other aptly named characters. It must have been much like a scene from Animal House, living on that floor. "We'll call you"...

Anyway...I'm Facebook friends with Kevin and he'd seen we were visiting his home of the past 35 years. He too works at Boeing where Jud now works. He and wife Julie have two children who are all growed up and successful. Their daughter is doing a residency after recently completing medical school. It was really fun to catch up with them - and Jud and Kara enjoyed it too. We hope to see them again before 30 years have passed.

It was still fairly early when we said goodbye and headed back to J&K's. So we sat in the little grilling/garden area at their complex and had a beer. Then we finished the night by laughing together watching the Lego movie. The next morning we caught breakfast at a good place called The Shack on our way out of town. Flood waters only took us out of our way by about 20 minutes on the way back.

It was a swell time. It's fun to have grown up kids!