How gross is it to find gum stuck on the bottom of a table. Or even worse, on the bottom of your shoe? That always aggravates! Now some places in Europe are even starting to host recycle bins for "spent" gum. See this link to read about the gum litter campaign 2011: http://www.gumdropbin.com/
The world's first chewing gum bin made from recycled gum.
So stop swallowing that gum - it can stay in your stomach seven years ya know. Okay, I know - old wives' tale. Just make a giant ball out of it, and wait for the Gumdrop bins to hit the US!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Fantastic fam day
Saturday was one of those days - you know what I mean. The stars align - weather gods smile, everything clicks and the whole family ended up on the same page on the same google map in Ames, Iowa.
Amy drove all day Friday across the plateau of Nebraska to her home state of Ioway. She partied in Des Moines that night with college roomies Jenna and Rochelle along with home girl Stormdog. Jud and I had a looong day wheeling it to KC for the day for his job interview. He hotfooted it on to Ames that night while I melted into my easy chair in Crestonia alongside Pablo.
But Saturday our worlds collided at the campus of our beautiful Alma Mater, Iowa State University. Tailgating anyway. Paul and I took off just after 9 a.m. as we had some shoppin' to do at Jordan Creek. He needed a case for his bow and I wanted to get that purse I'd been eyeing at Dayton's. Plus we needed to help Jud out by getting his bday gift for Amy.
Got to McKim's RV about noon - only to find out that poor Donnie had the flu! We sprung into action helping set things up. Paul only got a few giant spots of grease on his shorts grilling. Geez! People started showing up to tailgate around 2:30 a.m. We served burgers and brats - Jud and roomies were hungry. Amy and Rachelle arrived around 3. So fun to see the kids together.
Later my buddy Deb showed up with her sidekick Larry. Jud's friend Kara even appeared before game time! It was such a gorgeous day - I was in 7th heaven. At least until the Clones got their asses handed to them by #10 Utah.
After the game Donnie was feeling better and McKims and Goldsmiths made history by being the oldest fans on Welch Avenue in the bars. We met the kids in Mickey's Pub and had a couple drinks. Man was it loud! Fun though - Jud was in such a great mood despite the ugly football game. Something I thought I'd never see. Amy and Rachelle were laughing about old times. Memories being made.
I'm still basking in the afterglow of it all. I'm a lucky gal!
Amy drove all day Friday across the plateau of Nebraska to her home state of Ioway. She partied in Des Moines that night with college roomies Jenna and Rochelle along with home girl Stormdog. Jud and I had a looong day wheeling it to KC for the day for his job interview. He hotfooted it on to Ames that night while I melted into my easy chair in Crestonia alongside Pablo.
But Saturday our worlds collided at the campus of our beautiful Alma Mater, Iowa State University. Tailgating anyway. Paul and I took off just after 9 a.m. as we had some shoppin' to do at Jordan Creek. He needed a case for his bow and I wanted to get that purse I'd been eyeing at Dayton's. Plus we needed to help Jud out by getting his bday gift for Amy.
Got to McKim's RV about noon - only to find out that poor Donnie had the flu! We sprung into action helping set things up. Paul only got a few giant spots of grease on his shorts grilling. Geez! People started showing up to tailgate around 2:30 a.m. We served burgers and brats - Jud and roomies were hungry. Amy and Rachelle arrived around 3. So fun to see the kids together.
Later my buddy Deb showed up with her sidekick Larry. Jud's friend Kara even appeared before game time! It was such a gorgeous day - I was in 7th heaven. At least until the Clones got their asses handed to them by #10 Utah.
After the game Donnie was feeling better and McKims and Goldsmiths made history by being the oldest fans on Welch Avenue in the bars. We met the kids in Mickey's Pub and had a couple drinks. Man was it loud! Fun though - Jud was in such a great mood despite the ugly football game. Something I thought I'd never see. Amy and Rachelle were laughing about old times. Memories being made.
I'm still basking in the afterglow of it all. I'm a lucky gal!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Visit with Candice
I got together with an Atlantic Homie Candice Drake - now Morey yesterday whilst Judson was hanging with Jacques P. (JC Penney) in Lenexa, KS. Candice grew up about 2 blocks from our house, but now lives in the KC area. We hadn't seen each other for several years so it was nice of her to take time to meet me at Panera. We hardly took a breath for 1.5 hours because we were talking so fast. During the drive back to Creston I took a lil walk down memory lane.
I've known Candice a long time. Her house was more like 3 blocks away if you walked on the street/sidewalk but a long 1 if you cut through the "woods" the narrow strip of trees adjoining our yard and the Freese's yard, which ran the length of the block. There was a narrow path through the woods I could take if it wasn't muddy, which popped out near Candice's house. I recall even cutting through people's yards. Can't imagine doing that now, but you know how kids are - "the world is my oyster, I'll walk anywhere I want!"
I would walk to Candice's house so we could arrive at school together. When we were a bit older Candice's sister Claudia (her dad was Claude the Frito Lay man) would give us a ride in her cool classic car. One time we were in a wreck in my winding neighborhood - BAM! It was only a fender bender, but got my attention - before seat belt days ya know. Nobody hurt, thank goodness.
Candice (never Candy) and I were in the same very large group of "popular" girls. The original group of us all attended Washington Elementary. We were a clique our sixth grade teachers would say. Today I'd have to agree. In 4th grade we were just kids having fun. Girls do get kinda (really) mean!
Remember Tiger Beat with lil Michael Jackson and Mark Lester (from Oliver)? They were hanging on my wall. Some of us (not me) had discovered local boys by 5th grade. But to go along with the crowd I picked one from another school - Jack Bunce, for my boyfriend. Our mothers were friends and he went to Lincoln School (Lincoln Stinkin we called it). We had a quite long successful relationship - 5th-7th grade. I guess never seeing each other or talking is good for young love (like).
Starting around 6th grade, when the boys (they had a big group of friends too) had slumber parties (maybe they didn't call them that - it sounds kinda girlie)...and the girls did too, we'd plot a get-together. Sometimes we'd meet with they guys with the parental units' permission during the evening hours. Other times, after hours we'd sneak out and meet them later. Looking back, it seems like the sneaking out and the trip part (walking during the night) were way more exciting than actually seeing them though...
In Junior High - 7th grade, Candice and I were both elected to Student Council and she hosted a party (dance) for members of the council on her back patio. I'm sure lots of Frito Lay products were made available (her dad delivered 'em, get it!?!) and Coke of course (Atlantic is a big Coke town thanks to the Tyler fam but that's a whole 'nother story). I'm sure we talked school stuff first - but then, social stuff.
We had extension cords to a record player and were slow dancing in the shadows in the back yard. Robyn was with her long-time BF Greg Younger, Candice with Todd Pellett, and I was with Jack. I'm sure a Michael Jackson tune or Chicago (Colour My World) was playing. During a break, Robyn reported her first kiss - how exciting!
Word spread and the next thing you know, during the next slow song, I turned to talk to Jack and he gave me a give 'ol smack on the lips. Whoa! I remember being stunned but peer pressure is powerful. If kissing was good for Robyn, then I wanted to be doing that too! I know, I know - if she had jumped off a cliff, would I have done so too? Oh, at 13...probably...
Then the party was ending and Greg told Robyn "not to tell anyone" about the kiss. Right - like Rob could keep those lips sealed about anything! It was already on the marquis by the courthouse Gregy! Oh those innocent days when 13 year-olds weren't savvy to all of today's sexual terms.
We were the lucky ones with loving involved parents, able to ramble about our cozy rural Iowa town without fear of being molested. Our drama was who liked whom and girlie spats, not drugs and whether or not we'd have food at our homes. I know we can't turn back the hands of time but it doesn't hurt being nostalgic for the good old days once in a while. Good to see ya Candice!
I've known Candice a long time. Her house was more like 3 blocks away if you walked on the street/sidewalk but a long 1 if you cut through the "woods" the narrow strip of trees adjoining our yard and the Freese's yard, which ran the length of the block. There was a narrow path through the woods I could take if it wasn't muddy, which popped out near Candice's house. I recall even cutting through people's yards. Can't imagine doing that now, but you know how kids are - "the world is my oyster, I'll walk anywhere I want!"
I would walk to Candice's house so we could arrive at school together. When we were a bit older Candice's sister Claudia (her dad was Claude the Frito Lay man) would give us a ride in her cool classic car. One time we were in a wreck in my winding neighborhood - BAM! It was only a fender bender, but got my attention - before seat belt days ya know. Nobody hurt, thank goodness.
Candice (never Candy) and I were in the same very large group of "popular" girls. The original group of us all attended Washington Elementary. We were a clique our sixth grade teachers would say. Today I'd have to agree. In 4th grade we were just kids having fun. Girls do get kinda (really) mean!
Remember Tiger Beat with lil Michael Jackson and Mark Lester (from Oliver)? They were hanging on my wall. Some of us (not me) had discovered local boys by 5th grade. But to go along with the crowd I picked one from another school - Jack Bunce, for my boyfriend. Our mothers were friends and he went to Lincoln School (Lincoln Stinkin we called it). We had a quite long successful relationship - 5th-7th grade. I guess never seeing each other or talking is good for young love (like).
Starting around 6th grade, when the boys (they had a big group of friends too) had slumber parties (maybe they didn't call them that - it sounds kinda girlie)...and the girls did too, we'd plot a get-together. Sometimes we'd meet with they guys with the parental units' permission during the evening hours. Other times, after hours we'd sneak out and meet them later. Looking back, it seems like the sneaking out and the trip part (walking during the night) were way more exciting than actually seeing them though...
In Junior High - 7th grade, Candice and I were both elected to Student Council and she hosted a party (dance) for members of the council on her back patio. I'm sure lots of Frito Lay products were made available (her dad delivered 'em, get it!?!) and Coke of course (Atlantic is a big Coke town thanks to the Tyler fam but that's a whole 'nother story). I'm sure we talked school stuff first - but then, social stuff.
We had extension cords to a record player and were slow dancing in the shadows in the back yard. Robyn was with her long-time BF Greg Younger, Candice with Todd Pellett, and I was with Jack. I'm sure a Michael Jackson tune or Chicago (Colour My World) was playing. During a break, Robyn reported her first kiss - how exciting!
Word spread and the next thing you know, during the next slow song, I turned to talk to Jack and he gave me a give 'ol smack on the lips. Whoa! I remember being stunned but peer pressure is powerful. If kissing was good for Robyn, then I wanted to be doing that too! I know, I know - if she had jumped off a cliff, would I have done so too? Oh, at 13...probably...
Then the party was ending and Greg told Robyn "not to tell anyone" about the kiss. Right - like Rob could keep those lips sealed about anything! It was already on the marquis by the courthouse Gregy! Oh those innocent days when 13 year-olds weren't savvy to all of today's sexual terms.
We were the lucky ones with loving involved parents, able to ramble about our cozy rural Iowa town without fear of being molested. Our drama was who liked whom and girlie spats, not drugs and whether or not we'd have food at our homes. I know we can't turn back the hands of time but it doesn't hurt being nostalgic for the good old days once in a while. Good to see ya Candice!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Trip with my boy Elroy, Baby girl's Iowa trip
Of course his name is really Judson David Goldsmith. He's named after my dog Jud. Who was named after my dad David Judson Bullock. The two of us drove to Kansas City at the Butt Crack of darkness this a.m.
Jud had an appointment with JC Penney - job shadow and interview at 9 a.m. We weren't sure how long it would take for us to get there, and exactly where we were going - the logistics warehouse in Lenexa. Google Map wasn't clear. So we left before 5 a.m.
Why did I go along? He called me Tuesday hemming and hawing (one of my mother's terms that I like to use) about whether or not he should go. It was a long drive from Ames for just job shadowing - what he thought he was asked to do. I spoke in favor of it, and offered to go along. He's going to Minneapolis Sunday to interview Monday for another job. Lots of driving.
But it was a very long drive earlier this week to Bettendorf and back to Des Moines. And I was tired from the conference - and the premier of the EMS video. Stressful and exciting! I arrived home last night exhausted with prep to do for today's trip to KC plus tailgating in Ames Saturday. Geez!
Lucky for me Pablo was all over dinner with a roast in the oven. Jud was in Creston already - doing laundry getting ready for his big day in KC. I needed to iron or he would call his rumpled clothes "good" and go as wrinkly college guy to his interview. Not over my dead body with an iron clutched in my hand!
I had a minor meltdown regarding tailgating prep. Paul got stuff for baked beans - though between the two of us they didn't get quite prepared correctly. Diana had to add the vinegar tonight!
I was also stressed about making the weekend perfect for our baby girl's trip to Ames. I don't feel like I've had adequate time to prepare. I hate that! At least the weather is cooperating. Yeah for Mother Nature! Watch for photos after Saturday.
Jud's JC Penney visit went well - I spent the morning in a Panera with a high school friend, Candice Drake, catching up. What fun! Then shopped a bit and picked Jud up around 2 PM and we were on our way home.
It was nice having the kid all to myself for those 6 hours during the drive. He told me about his other interviews and about a certain gal he's been "hanging out" with. Car time is a good non-threatening time to visit with kids I've learned. Good trip!
Jud had an appointment with JC Penney - job shadow and interview at 9 a.m. We weren't sure how long it would take for us to get there, and exactly where we were going - the logistics warehouse in Lenexa. Google Map wasn't clear. So we left before 5 a.m.
Why did I go along? He called me Tuesday hemming and hawing (one of my mother's terms that I like to use) about whether or not he should go. It was a long drive from Ames for just job shadowing - what he thought he was asked to do. I spoke in favor of it, and offered to go along. He's going to Minneapolis Sunday to interview Monday for another job. Lots of driving.
But it was a very long drive earlier this week to Bettendorf and back to Des Moines. And I was tired from the conference - and the premier of the EMS video. Stressful and exciting! I arrived home last night exhausted with prep to do for today's trip to KC plus tailgating in Ames Saturday. Geez!
Lucky for me Pablo was all over dinner with a roast in the oven. Jud was in Creston already - doing laundry getting ready for his big day in KC. I needed to iron or he would call his rumpled clothes "good" and go as wrinkly college guy to his interview. Not over my dead body with an iron clutched in my hand!
I had a minor meltdown regarding tailgating prep. Paul got stuff for baked beans - though between the two of us they didn't get quite prepared correctly. Diana had to add the vinegar tonight!
I was also stressed about making the weekend perfect for our baby girl's trip to Ames. I don't feel like I've had adequate time to prepare. I hate that! At least the weather is cooperating. Yeah for Mother Nature! Watch for photos after Saturday.
Jud's JC Penney visit went well - I spent the morning in a Panera with a high school friend, Candice Drake, catching up. What fun! Then shopped a bit and picked Jud up around 2 PM and we were on our way home.
It was nice having the kid all to myself for those 6 hours during the drive. He told me about his other interviews and about a certain gal he's been "hanging out" with. Car time is a good non-threatening time to visit with kids I've learned. Good trip!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
On the wagon is a dusty dry place...
I've been away - at the annual Iowa Recycling and Waste Management Conference. This year it was in Bettendorf one of the Quad Cities. I drove over Monday after driving to DSM early that a.m. The Environmental Management System (EMS) video was on my desk when I got in. Thank God!
You may recall I'd been working on the video for the past couple weeks, after traveling Iowa sporadically the past couple months with the videographers. Soon I should be able to put the website link on here so you too are able to watch it online - all 8 minutes. Okay, maybe you won't be quite as thrilled about a new way for planning areas to manage things at the landfill, recycling facility, etc. Don't get me started. I guess you didn't - I did it my own self.
I headed East on I-80 and you guessed it - the Outlet Mall at Williamsburg called to me during my lunch break. Eddie Bauer and Jockey. Yay. Got to the venue - a Casino and Event Center late afternoon, and got the DNR display set up. Kudos to me, as it's a bit like a legos set. Then I started working the room talking to the peeps. My Trash Peeps.
At five o'clock the reception started. Food and free drinks. Hmm. I had decided that I didn't need to be partaking in alcoholic bevvies while at the conference - because I am representing DNR. This vow proved to be harder than I thought. Damn! I chatted with the EPA rep, and various planning area people. My roomie for the night Susan showed up. We turned in pretty early, but some conference goers were gambling.
Early the next day my supervisors showed up - Brian was the first speaker, and Jen was just there to meet and greet. I was nervous because I was a speaker at the EMS program set for 11 a.m. The video showing was set for then. Gulp! A critical audience. No wonder I didn't sleep well.
We had a full slate of speakers during our program. EMS Council Chair Sara Bixby, Fab EMS Consultant Laura Fiffick, Marie DeVries from Cedar Rapids and Rodger Kaster from Appanoose County - representing 2 of the pilot areas and me with my video. It went great. Lots of compliments after the program - about EMS and of the video - from my boss Brian and several others. That makes me happy!
I enjoyed catching up with my little buddy Christine Collier Richter - former consultant/engineer in my former life. She helped me tear down my DNR booth later yesterday. We don't get to talk much anymore now that we don't cross paths in our jobs much. I miss her. I scored a laptop backpack/golf shirts/golf balls and more for $40 in a silent auction. Other were drinking bevvies. Me - the picture of self control.
There was a pub crawl as the entertainment that evening. I rode along with a group to the first stop - Modern Woodman Park, as Sara Bixby was being honored. -She's just been elected president of the Solid Waste Association of North America. Big stuff! We toasted her at the ballpark in Davenport where the semi-pro baseball the Riverbandits team plays. Sara is an umpire in her spare time. She was pretty touched - it was cool when they put her name and photo on the big scoreboard!
But no drinking by me. But oh I did feel thirsty. Liquor can be a crutch in somewhat awkward social situations. It's relaxing. I could have used it. But I'm proud of myself that I didn't. So I'm making a big deal out of it.
I think I'll get shit-faced this weekend. haha
You may recall I'd been working on the video for the past couple weeks, after traveling Iowa sporadically the past couple months with the videographers. Soon I should be able to put the website link on here so you too are able to watch it online - all 8 minutes. Okay, maybe you won't be quite as thrilled about a new way for planning areas to manage things at the landfill, recycling facility, etc. Don't get me started. I guess you didn't - I did it my own self.
I headed East on I-80 and you guessed it - the Outlet Mall at Williamsburg called to me during my lunch break. Eddie Bauer and Jockey. Yay. Got to the venue - a Casino and Event Center late afternoon, and got the DNR display set up. Kudos to me, as it's a bit like a legos set. Then I started working the room talking to the peeps. My Trash Peeps.
At five o'clock the reception started. Food and free drinks. Hmm. I had decided that I didn't need to be partaking in alcoholic bevvies while at the conference - because I am representing DNR. This vow proved to be harder than I thought. Damn! I chatted with the EPA rep, and various planning area people. My roomie for the night Susan showed up. We turned in pretty early, but some conference goers were gambling.
Early the next day my supervisors showed up - Brian was the first speaker, and Jen was just there to meet and greet. I was nervous because I was a speaker at the EMS program set for 11 a.m. The video showing was set for then. Gulp! A critical audience. No wonder I didn't sleep well.
We had a full slate of speakers during our program. EMS Council Chair Sara Bixby, Fab EMS Consultant Laura Fiffick, Marie DeVries from Cedar Rapids and Rodger Kaster from Appanoose County - representing 2 of the pilot areas and me with my video. It went great. Lots of compliments after the program - about EMS and of the video - from my boss Brian and several others. That makes me happy!
I enjoyed catching up with my little buddy Christine Collier Richter - former consultant/engineer in my former life. She helped me tear down my DNR booth later yesterday. We don't get to talk much anymore now that we don't cross paths in our jobs much. I miss her. I scored a laptop backpack/golf shirts/golf balls and more for $40 in a silent auction. Other were drinking bevvies. Me - the picture of self control.
There was a pub crawl as the entertainment that evening. I rode along with a group to the first stop - Modern Woodman Park, as Sara Bixby was being honored. -She's just been elected president of the Solid Waste Association of North America. Big stuff! We toasted her at the ballpark in Davenport where the semi-pro baseball the Riverbandits team plays. Sara is an umpire in her spare time. She was pretty touched - it was cool when they put her name and photo on the big scoreboard!
But no drinking by me. But oh I did feel thirsty. Liquor can be a crutch in somewhat awkward social situations. It's relaxing. I could have used it. But I'm proud of myself that I didn't. So I'm making a big deal out of it.
I think I'll get shit-faced this weekend. haha
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Rockin' good time
If this one looks fuzzy that's cuz Pablo was fuzzy...Donnie introduced him to BV. 
Ah what fun we had last yesterday and last night. It was one of those days you wish you could bottle!
Life is short - the older I get, I realize I need to make the most of it. Work can be stressful. We worry about our children and other relatives. People get sick and the grim reaper hangs out awaiting a wrong move or some illness. That person looking at me in the mirror is some older woman I don't always recognize. So what the hell. Let's have some fun along the way! Party like it's...2010.
I admit, some Saturdays, especially when ISU has several home games in a row, I don't always feel like heading back up I-80 to Ames for a game. (after getting home from Des Moines on Thursday or Friday) Especially when our team is struggling. Hello - the Cyclones are known for struggling. It's what we do!
But this is Jud's senior year, and we're so fortunate to have friends who help make tailgating so fun - planning food (and yes, I admit it - liquor) together. And the McKim RV setup is the topper. to have a place out of the weather with a potty, frig, microwave/stove along with flat screen TV outside and now - do.do.do.do (in a musical fashion) Don has installed speakers outside for tunes and postgame radio coverage! People love to stop at our tailgates, and we love it when they do.
A day like yesterday is the topper, the cream the kind of game and atmosphere that plants into one's memory bank. This is what it's all about! It was a bit chilly but the sun was great. Bobbie had gotten 12 pounds of ribeye at Fareway sliced for sandwiches. Cheesy potatoes, Mexican dip (hot), apple and pumpkin bars along with lots of other snackie stuff. Damn those sannies were fine!
Jud and roomies were loving them. We went through several cases of beer. I myself was partaking in a few Cranberry Lime bevvies - something new from Smirnoff. But I've not been drinking much at games this year. Just enjoying myself "naturally" if you can believe it!
Bobbie's birthday is October 3rd and her whole family was there. Jeff broke loose from farming for the day and Krissy and Caleb were down from Clear Lake. Kim is a senior at ISU like Judson. Bobbie scored a cool iPod from the fam for her bday.
Then the gals got out our gift of the day. A Cyclone Snuggie for Bobbie. And no Snuggie is complete without Snuggie friends for all its friends - so Sharon, Diana and I got them too. As Donnie's tunes played, we danced and showed off our new gear.
The actual football game was as good as the tailgate. The Clones jumped out to a big lead, and in true Clone fashion let the Texas Tech (a team we haven't defeated in many years) back into the game - tied at 24's late in the 3rd quarter. It was a very dramatic victory with an onside kick run back for a touchdown at the end (by ISU). Good guys win 52-38. We all wore our good luck Snuggies. It was in the low 40's by the end of the game. What a day!
Life is short - the older I get, I realize I need to make the most of it. Work can be stressful. We worry about our children and other relatives. People get sick and the grim reaper hangs out awaiting a wrong move or some illness. That person looking at me in the mirror is some older woman I don't always recognize. So what the hell. Let's have some fun along the way! Party like it's...2010.
I admit, some Saturdays, especially when ISU has several home games in a row, I don't always feel like heading back up I-80 to Ames for a game. (after getting home from Des Moines on Thursday or Friday) Especially when our team is struggling. Hello - the Cyclones are known for struggling. It's what we do!
But this is Jud's senior year, and we're so fortunate to have friends who help make tailgating so fun - planning food (and yes, I admit it - liquor) together. And the McKim RV setup is the topper. to have a place out of the weather with a potty, frig, microwave/stove along with flat screen TV outside and now - do.do.do.do (in a musical fashion) Don has installed speakers outside for tunes and postgame radio coverage! People love to stop at our tailgates, and we love it when they do.
A day like yesterday is the topper, the cream the kind of game and atmosphere that plants into one's memory bank. This is what it's all about! It was a bit chilly but the sun was great. Bobbie had gotten 12 pounds of ribeye at Fareway sliced for sandwiches. Cheesy potatoes, Mexican dip (hot), apple and pumpkin bars along with lots of other snackie stuff. Damn those sannies were fine!
Jud and roomies were loving them. We went through several cases of beer. I myself was partaking in a few Cranberry Lime bevvies - something new from Smirnoff. But I've not been drinking much at games this year. Just enjoying myself "naturally" if you can believe it!
Bobbie's birthday is October 3rd and her whole family was there. Jeff broke loose from farming for the day and Krissy and Caleb were down from Clear Lake. Kim is a senior at ISU like Judson. Bobbie scored a cool iPod from the fam for her bday.
Then the gals got out our gift of the day. A Cyclone Snuggie for Bobbie. And no Snuggie is complete without Snuggie friends for all its friends - so Sharon, Diana and I got them too. As Donnie's tunes played, we danced and showed off our new gear.
The actual football game was as good as the tailgate. The Clones jumped out to a big lead, and in true Clone fashion let the Texas Tech (a team we haven't defeated in many years) back into the game - tied at 24's late in the 3rd quarter. It was a very dramatic victory with an onside kick run back for a touchdown at the end (by ISU). Good guys win 52-38. We all wore our good luck Snuggies. It was in the low 40's by the end of the game. What a day!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Still Leslie
Book club the other night was a small group - only six of us. It was a mish-match of women of all ages and interests. Our love of books has brought us together! A couple recently out of college gals, one chiropractor, a newly retired chick and two old (longtime) friends.
We read a book on early onset Alzheimer's called "Still Alice", written from the viewpoint of Alice - so the quality of the writing understandably went downhill through the book. I wondered if the younger women would enjoy the book as Deb (my bestest bud) and I did, since they're not close to 50 yet, the age when this dreaded illness overtook Alice, a Harvard Professor.
They liked it! We all agreed, writing the book from Alice's perspective was the key to making this book a winner. It scared the hell out of us! Alice had a series of questions in her Blackberry and told herself if she couldn't answer the Qs to go to a file on her computer. We find out later for suicide information. The book was terrifying - to see what Alice went through. Losing her mind slowly and knowing it.
Of course by that time she's too far gone to understand. Sad. We had some good conversations about "what would we do?" It's easy for me to think I'd like to "end it" when I got to the point that I was going to just be a burden. But when one got to that point, you wouldn't be able to do it yourself!
Our brother-in-law Irvin "Hap" Meyer died from this disease when he was only in his mid 50's. He was Paul's sister Carol's husband. I remember when the illness began - at least was recognized. Hap would obsess about a low tire over and over. Eventually he was in a nursing home and then a secure facility - the progression took only 5 years or so, though I'm sure it had been going on before we even knew.
Hap died sadly and badly in a nursing home too young.
While reading this book, I drove to Wal Mart in Creston and realized I'd forgotten my purse at home. Great...the disease is starting! Plus I've got all those names swimming around in my head but can I come up with the ones I want - sometimes no. It's maddening!
For now I'm putting it off to hormones and normal aging and stress. I'm not ready to get the suicide kit ready. But my sis Cindo and I have joked about slipping something into each other's sorbet when the time is right, so we can slip gently into oblivion. She says her son Colby won't go to prison for her. But hell...I'll be a little old lady myself - who would suspect me? For now I'm still alive and kicking and I'm going to have some fun!
We read a book on early onset Alzheimer's called "Still Alice", written from the viewpoint of Alice - so the quality of the writing understandably went downhill through the book. I wondered if the younger women would enjoy the book as Deb (my bestest bud) and I did, since they're not close to 50 yet, the age when this dreaded illness overtook Alice, a Harvard Professor.
They liked it! We all agreed, writing the book from Alice's perspective was the key to making this book a winner. It scared the hell out of us! Alice had a series of questions in her Blackberry and told herself if she couldn't answer the Qs to go to a file on her computer. We find out later for suicide information. The book was terrifying - to see what Alice went through. Losing her mind slowly and knowing it.
Of course by that time she's too far gone to understand. Sad. We had some good conversations about "what would we do?" It's easy for me to think I'd like to "end it" when I got to the point that I was going to just be a burden. But when one got to that point, you wouldn't be able to do it yourself!
Our brother-in-law Irvin "Hap" Meyer died from this disease when he was only in his mid 50's. He was Paul's sister Carol's husband. I remember when the illness began - at least was recognized. Hap would obsess about a low tire over and over. Eventually he was in a nursing home and then a secure facility - the progression took only 5 years or so, though I'm sure it had been going on before we even knew.
Hap died sadly and badly in a nursing home too young.
While reading this book, I drove to Wal Mart in Creston and realized I'd forgotten my purse at home. Great...the disease is starting! Plus I've got all those names swimming around in my head but can I come up with the ones I want - sometimes no. It's maddening!
For now I'm putting it off to hormones and normal aging and stress. I'm not ready to get the suicide kit ready. But my sis Cindo and I have joked about slipping something into each other's sorbet when the time is right, so we can slip gently into oblivion. She says her son Colby won't go to prison for her. But hell...I'll be a little old lady myself - who would suspect me? For now I'm still alive and kicking and I'm going to have some fun!
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