Tales of the Farmer and the Salesman

Our granddaughter Nell is coming for Christmas! Along with her parents Jud and Kara and our daughter Amy and spouse Corey. And our four doggo grandpups - Franklin, Eros, Archie, and Henry. I vowed to never be the type of grandparent that forsakes my kids once a grandchild is born, but this is grandparent thing is pretty fun so far.

Just last night I was thinking of all the things we need to tell Nell. We were watching the news and a story about farming was on. I realized that Paul has a big burden. He needs to connect Nell with her farming roots. He grew up on a farm in Eastern Iowa and worked with farmers his whole career. My dad sold ladies lingerie for nearly 40 years to stores across Iowa! Talk about opposites. Still, growing up in smalltown Iowa in the 1960's and 70's, regardless of my dad's career, farming has been a big influence on my life. I did go to Moo U. 

I smile even today - imagining Paul's dad George asking about my family, and Paul explaining that my dad sold women's underthings. I wish I could have seen the look on George's face. Our dads were not much alike, yet they got along quite well. Both were really good at chatting. After Paul and I got married, when Dad was on his sales route through Iowa, he enjoyed stopping by the Goldsmith home in Earlville for a cup of coffee. I doubt they chatting much about lady's undies though - probably more about weather and crops. 

Dad with Goldsmiths, Jeff McFee, and Jean Fox and St. Malachy food fair

I've actually heard more about life on the Gsmith farm from Paul's older siblings - chicken fixin' day sounds like something I'm glad I missed! Paul and shared stories about meals, making sausage, driving a tractor as a really young boy, being around for milking cows, and scooping corn at the bottom of the silo - scary rats were brought up. And George made sure that Paul got to scoop manure whenever he had a hangover. 

Our former hometown, Creston, may be known as a railroad town, but agriculture is a big driving force there. Amy and Jud grew up with classmates from farm families. Hayrack rides were part of the annual St. Malachy Spaghetti Supper. Kids were into 4-H and Future Farmers of America, showing livestock from prize cattle to hogs and sheep. Classmates with surnames like Baker and Miller took time off to help get crops in. 

The next generation of Goldsmiths aren't involved with farming. Paul's brother Larry and wife Regina lived and farmed the "home" place near Earlville for many years, but sold out once their five boys went off to college and moved away. It's hard for Paul to drive by the farm now - most of the outbuildings are gone, though the house is still there. 

Our friend Jeff McFee is a farmer. It's a a life you must love to take on! I've never been a risk taker - preferring more "knowns" in my life, such as how much $ I'm going to make for the work I do. Farmers don't have that luxury - there are soooo many variables! I enjoy listening to Paul and Jeff talking about what's happening in the ag world - with cattle, crops, weather, prices, and farmer gossip. Boy can they gossip! A few years ago when Jud reached adulthood, he finally started to "get it" about farming. He asked Jeff if he worked outside all day even in winter. "Yep" was the answer. Hard to imagine for we cushy inside job people. Farming is a more than a job - it's a lifestyle. 

Yes, Nell needs to know her farming (and lingerie) roots! Family stories are important. People need to know where they come from - not because they must always stay the same, because is part of their foundation. Paul and I will be sure to tell Nell (and any future grandkids) the lore. 

Don't think for a minute there won't be Laura Goldsmith and Pat Bullock stories. That's a whole 'nother blog or two! 

As you can see below - our family still trades "the goods" on holidays. 

Being Present

Have you tried Yoga or other types of exercise that require you to be "present" while you work up a sweat?

Action sports/team sports require more constant participation - so it's easier to pay attention to them. For example, when I learned to play the game of basketball in the 1970's Coach Allen taught us "plays". Mind blown! Who knew that it wasn't just about dribbling and making shots. The pick and roll even worked when players were limited to two dribbles - see articles about Iowa's Six on Six game played in the state until the early 1990s. Okay, as an outfielder in softball I may have had a few non-ball thoughts like, "what should Mona (Jones), Kristi (Davis), and I do tonight after the game?" So many decisions scooping the loops in Kristi's ancient Chevy - shifter on the column. Pizza Hut, Lally's, A&W. 

Fast forward (and it was fast), 46 years. When I attend water exercise three days a week, while I run through the exercises - stretches and aerobic routines, I feel like I have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). My mind wanders constantly! I am trying to change that.

It's not just while exercising either. Somewhere along the line, I started living less in the moment. 😕I particularly notice this during water classes and when I do yoga. Yoga classes can intimidate - especially when one is 62 years old with bad shoulders. So I work with my personal yogi Adriene from Austin. She's on my personal computer. When my downward dog collapses, she never freaks out.

I am trying to train my mind by fetching it back to the exercise at hand calling (internally) "Here, Here, Here". (I hope I'm not saying it out loud) haha.

Monday I found myself thinking about packing for my next trip (Thursday - Florida with my homegirls, reviewing my week's schedule, thinking about our children, and my funny Valentine - you get it. Distracto!)

So when the lap swimming guy goes by behind me - splashing me every 30 seconds, I must focus on jumping jacks, leapfrog and skiing - to the best of my ability! I need to get my heart rate up and concentrate on resistance to reduce flab. I don't want that underarm flab to paddle me away.

Past Homegirl gathering - 2018 Key West.

Paul with our kids Christmas 2018 - they're all doing fine. 

Even when exercising - Every Moment Matters! Be there! 

December Not Chillin'

Last week was a busy chilly week. I didn't get to snuggle with Odie in my comfy chair in the evenings. Instead on Monday, we went to Bravo at Jordan Creek for the Diamond Brooke Christmas party. We enjoy hanging out with our neighbors who we have gotten to know during the five years we've lived here. Bravo seemed to struggle with new wait-staff that night. Then, when it came time to settle up, some of our single women friends had to endure several references of "being alone". Like - "are you here ALONE?" As if that is forbidden. Sue laughed it off, but I thought it was quite tone-deaf. Overall, a nice evening, despite the waitresses. Plus, leftovers!

Tuesday was my volunteer night at LSI. I'm a classroom assistant in an English as a Second Language class. The class was smaller than usual - about eight that night. The students are still working on short and long vowels. In addition, this week plurals were a topic. There's so much that I don't remember learning - it just seems I always knew how to make things plural. The teacher, Sue, goes over rules - for example, when a word ends in ch, to make it plural you need to add es - such as church, churches. If a word ends in a consonant, you just add s. Seems so easy, right? Not when English isn't your native tongue! Class goes by quickly.

Our pal Krissy gave us tickets to the ISU vs. Iowa women's basketball game in Ames on Wednesday night. We asked our friends Kevin and Kari to meet us at Whiskey River before the game for supper and a beer. It was good to see them and begin making Liberty Bowl plans. The Cyclones played hard but came out on the short end. We trust the coaching staff will have them playing better later in the year.

Cheering at the game

Thursday meant another trek to Ames - this time for the ISU vs Iowa's men's game. It was an early game so we tucked into walking tacos for supper. The crowd was rocking and the game was close until the end when the good guys pulled ahead. We met Kevin and Kari for a beer after the game. Cyclone fans were cheerful as always after a win against the Hawkeyes.

Did I mention we worked all those days too? Paul happened to take Friday off. I work four hours on Fridays after working 36 hours Monday through Thursday. It can be somewhat wearing though - especially after late night Thursdays! Once my work shift was over, I watched Netflix until my car appointment. Suby needed new oil.
That night, thanks to my sisters (a birthday gift - aren't my sissies awesome), we had tickets to the musical Waitress. First, we visited our "go to" when we have show tickets, The Stuffed Olive. Good food and martinis. Loved the show! If you haven't seen it - go! 

Pre-show martini

Saturday was "Tour Des Moines", a walking/food tour of the Court Avenue area - another big birthday gift. This one courtesy of our children/spouses. Kara and Jud have done these types of tours in many cities they've visited along with St. Louis where they live. Des Moines finally caught on, thanks to Angie our tour guide who is super knowledgeable about the city. The website  tourdesmoines.com doesn't seem to be working today.

Our Wisconsin friends

We met at 1:30 PM at The Hub on the corner of Court Avenue and 1st. There were supposed to be 2 couples with us but one canceled, unfortunately. The other couple was from rural Wisconsin. They were fun - a farmer and his nurse wife. They love trips like this, having sampled food in a few other cities. It was their first time to DSM and they were hitting all the highlights! We tried pear, brie and honey flatbread at the Hub - delish!

RoCA

Next, we were off the Vivian's Diner for grilled cheese/beef sannies and grits. On the way, we walked along the river whilst Angie told us historical information about the city. I loved the grits! The diner is at the former Hotel Fort Des Moines which now is being switched over to condos - Angie actually lives there with her husband and college-aged sons in a two bedroom unit.

The last two stops included alcohol tastes, which was fun. We had fancy drinks at RoCA with skewers and roasted Brussel sprouts. Angie showed us a hidden bar - "Shorty's Somewhat Fancy Bar". I had no idea it was there with an alley entrance under RoCA. Dessert was at CABCO. Beer and chocolate. Yum! It was a delightful day. I would say you should not go to something like this for a filling meal - it's "tastes", which was fine with me.

Today was a day of rest! And we stayed home last night too. This week should not be as rigorous for this old girl. But it sure was fun while it lasted.

A mother's angst

I got my hair cut today - and heard in person about my stylist's Mother's Day angst. It seems her son Conner (or his teacher) had invited her to a Mother's Day tea, complete with funny hats. It was set for last Friday. But sadly, Sarah never got the invite - which was sent home in Connor's backpack. She found out that morning about the event - and there was no way to change her schedule at that point.

So last Friday, all the kids in class, except Connor, enjoyed having their moms visit class. And, according to another mom, Connor's look of disappointment was so pitiful that day. When he got home he told his mom how bad he felt. And she was crushed! She told me she cried her eyes out. My heart went out to her. Sara said at bedtime she apologized again and tried to explain to Connor why she missed the Mom's Day lunch. She said tears welled up in his eyes - and her heart nearly burst. Only a mom can feel that kinda pain! 

What mom hasn't felt that inadequate at some point? Like you don't measure up - or aren't worthy to even have kids. Heck I often felt like I was over my head when it came to parenting. But between Paul and me, we muddled through it - and somehow our kids survived to become pretty cool people.

Sarah is taking Friday off work to spend the day at school with Connor. It's some special day - I don't remember what they're doing, but I'm sure he'll be thrilled to share it with his Mom. That's a good thing about children - they have short memories. (or they'll torture with your shortcomings the rest of your life by saying "remember the time Mom didn't come to the Mother's Day Tea and I felt like an orphan?).

Christmas Day Fam and Feast

It's January 2, and we've have been to Colorado, New York and back. But I must write a brief blog about our fam gathering and mouth watering Christmas Day feast at the Pottorff's before I write about NYC. We love being with the Lefebvres on Christmas Day - it's even more special and fun than the big party. There is something about sharing this day with my sis and having our families together that warms my heart.

This year, Jordan Alvillar hung out with us too, before heading home to Grand Junction to be with her parents. The kids spent time looking on the large Lefebvre tree for the little pickle ornament to see who got to open the first gift. Jordan got us some yummy chocolates, and we got her a lil shovel so cute boys can get her car unstuck like they did that week. I admit it - Paul and I overdid it. We went overboard when it came to gifts for our cherubs. But dang it, the little 'uns have their own jobs now! We too received fab gifts from them. We had bloody marys and little quiches.

Then Paul and the kids went off to ski Beaver Creek and Colby left to ski Vail in a Santa suit. Cindo and I were left to do a jigsaw puzzle. It was very relaxing. Bolder rested - tired from the big night.

Amy and Jud

Later, we all went to Pottorffs for prime rib - Eric had put it in 8 hours earlier. What a hunk of meat! Bonnie prepared potatoes, and Shaloy and Jim brought salad. Paul and I brought some of his deer sausage and sticks. There were deviled eggs, shrimp, cheese and more. So very good! Bonnie described their plans to say their vows again this coming June, for their 25th Anniversary - in Vegas. Elvis will pick them up in a pink Cadillac! The Lefebvres will be there too. Fun people!

The Goldsmiths headed home at 6 a.m. the next morning - a long drive, but we were well satisfied. There is nothing like family for the holidays.

Bits n pieces

Haircut this a.m. thank goodness! I was getting pretty shaggy. Amber, snippest to the stars, or at least to lots of Crestonians (perhaps not 10,000 but close) did the dirty job. She's such a pleasant lass.

Then I was on to the Union County Courthouse, where I used to spend some time in my past life as Prairie SWA director. Saw the sheriff, Angie (who is done at that job Friday - heading to a water works job), and others. Chatted with Sandy the Auditor for the past 10 years or so. Her kid, Spencer was born 2 weeks (and 2 pounds) after Jud. S and I were preggers together at FNB. S is a very nice person and easy to talk with. I'll never forget her story (told during the monthly stuffing of FNB statements) of the Christmas when she and her cousin were told to burn the trash. Evidently the trash and the Christmas presents were on the porch and unfortunately they burned it all! Ashes to ashes. Funny true story.

Anyways, catching up on kids was eye opening. Her oldest is married and stationed in England with the airforce. Second son is Amy's age - he worked a bit with me at the landfill as work-study - nice kid. He's laid off from Pepsi and is considering going to DMACC for some type of mechanic study. Then there is Spencer - Jud's age. Didn't graduate HS, presently in the men's reformatory at Anamosa.

I bitch and worry about the Goldy kids, but I can't imagine what that fam has been thru. He fell in with the wrong crowd - didn't fit in. He was born huge and has been well over 6 ft. tall since he was 12 years old. That tends to separate a person from their peers at that age! Sandy has not been to see him yet - a painful subject I could tell. I hope and pray things turn out okay for Spencer and his family.

How I'm off to T's to sit by the pool. No swimming for me due to surgery but I'll dangle a footsy.