Dance wit cho blonde Date (reference Animal House)

It's dark and misty in Iowa AGAIN. I miss Palm Springs! I ventured there over MLK weekend with my High School buddies. It was a great respite from Iowa's gray winter. Day one in paradise was a bit rainy. After that - sunshine baby! That and my girls made all the difference. They shine like the sun too.

It was a small group this year - just four of us were able to make it to CA. But we were mighty! Paula and I arrived first - flying in the last leg together from Dallas. Julia followed from Denver shortly after. We got the rental car and headed to the resort in Indio - a suburb of Palm Springs. On the way we picked up groceries and, you guessed it, liquor! In the small world department, the wine sommelier at the liquor store, Steve, was an old friend of our classmate, Jack Bunce. He also knew our pals Roger, Kirk, and Greg. We stopped up the wine line with a walk down memory lane.

for one thin dime, Steve filled us with wine sips and memories

Then we were on to the resort, through the rain - even a bit of floodwater. Good job Paula for piloting the ship! We reached the resort and got checked in. Our nicely appointed room overlooked the Lazy River.  There were palm trees! In the morning we woke up to a sunny day yall! There was a slight chill in the air but the sun felt good as we roamed the property and got the lay of the land. The amenities included a large pool, a couple hot tubs, game room, movie room and a small store/coffee/beer place. The clubhouse for the golf course reminded me of the Atlantic Golf and Country Club - except for the palm trees and view of the low desert mountains with a dusting of snow.

That afternoon we had a date with dates! On our way to the resort, we had scoped ouShields Date Garden Store, advertising delicious "date shakes". Must have! We stopped on our way to pick up Sally from the airport. I tried several types of dates in the showroom/store. Shields invented blonde and brunette. I purchased the blonde ones. Paula, Julia and I split a delish shake and then we watch the "Must See" video - the words sex and date were involved. It was quite fascinating. The dates were yummy.

 We were thrilled when our pal Sal arrived from snowy Portland, where the two snowplows the city owns didn't bother to run by her house. Luckily her husband Bob got her to the airport. Our girl needed some R&R. We sat in the hot tub that afternoon and were entertained by 86 year old Elsie, who was originally from the Cedar Rapids area. She relocated to Alaska where she raised a family for many years, now living in Seattle. The four of us couldn't really get a word in edgewise about our exciting exotic lives. Interesting (self-centered) lady.

downtown PS

The rest of the weekend was filled with laughter, shopping and serious talk about family, cooking, health and the state of the world. Not in that order. I'm lucky to roll with some good cooks! One night we had grilled swordfish steak tacos and fresh mango salsa. Thanks, Jules! I stuck to clean up duty.

One highlight of the weekend was lunch with our dear friend Robyn's sister Karla, who has lived in PS many years. It was loads of fun to catch up with Karla who reminds me greatly of her momma, Jody Henningsen. We sure missed Robbie Dob, though. She was stuck in Orlando due to work obligations.

Left - Sal, Julia, Paula   Right - me, Karla

Some of my favorite time in Palm Springs was spent walking each morning with Paula. The sun shined and the scenery was beautiful! I could get used to that.

walk view

What a fun vacation! I wasn't ready to go home. The weather, the food, the bevies. No work. My magnificent pals. I brought some blonde dates home. $7.99!

Just Like Family

My sister Betsy is saying goodbye to "Grandma Helen" this week. She is the woman who helped the Kohans raise their family of five children - providing loving grandma-like childcare for a family who doesn't have relatives living nearby. When Betsy and Wayne needed time away, Helen, a friend's mother, would come to stay with the Kohan family.

Kohans - 2000? 

Grandma Helen always sounded to me like Lulubelle, a wonderful woman who helped raise many families Atlantic where I grew up. Her real name was Lulu Herbert, a woman who lost her husband (a Phillips 66 longtime employee if I remember right) at a fairly young age. She started a gig house-sitting, complete with kids and dogs/cats etc. Parents all across town were overjoyed.

One young charge started calling her Lulubelle, and the name stuck! She stayed with the Bullocks many times and she was a Belle of a gal and we loved her like a grandmother. Our grandparents lived in town but retired to sunny Florida each winter - which was often when Mom and Dad wished to travel.

Lulubelle drove a groovy AMC Javelin car. She was an awesome, if messy cook. My sisters and I still reminisce about her fried chicken, homemade noodles and sugar and chocolate chip cookies! She gave me her sugar cookie recipe when I got married. I cherish it!

Sometimes Lulubelle would be "double-dipping" and we'd go with her to another family's house and hang out with those kids, like the Cook family Terri, Sarah and Barb. Now that's a lot of girls! Or the Swishers, which I loved because they had boy toys. Unfortunately, their dog bit Betsy's face when she touched his bad leg. That led to stitches at Dr. Wilcox's office downtown. Betsy bit the nurse who also had to have a tetanus shot. That was an exciting day!

Born in 1900, Lulubelle lived a long life, passing away in 1997 in California where her daughter lived. I don't remember the last time I saw her. I wish I would have paid more attention to her and others who were so important in my young life. I should have visited them when I went back to Atlantic. But like many in their young adulthood - I was all about me. At some point, Lulu moved to California to be near family members, and the chance to see her was lost.

It was when we were about this age that Lulabelle used to stay with us, and after Susi went to college

Family relationships are important, but so too are those who weave their way into our lives, filling important roles such as childcare (with love). Maybe they need us too. They need to be needed. Sometimes those relationships are temporary. Other times they last a lifetime.

Here's to Grandma Helen, loving keeper of the Kohan children and to Lulubelle Herbert, who corraled the Bullock girls and fed them well. Perhaps you have a pretend Aunt or Uncle in your family in your life. Don't lose track and visit them when you can. No regrets!

Apps, First Day Hike

The future is now!

Paul has had a sore lower back lately. I talked him into having his very first massage. He came home raving about the experience and thanked me profusely! No, not really. He seemed underwhelmed. Great! More massage $ for me.

One thing he did say was that the masseuse pushed him to drink more water. It's true. Both of us are bad at hydrating. He said Joan Collins (the masseuse, not the actress) asked him about his "daily intake". He listed off what he drinks - such as coffee, and she said "dehydrater" and wine, "dehydrater". Uh oh. He does have his trusty water glass but apparently doesn't utilize it enough.

I don't do much better. I'm not as much of a coffee hound as Paul Goldsmith. He apparently inherited the gene from his parents who could drink that beverage 24- hours a day without any effects to their ability to sleep. I can wave caffeine under my nose after noon and stare at the clock well past midnight. I take my trusty water bottle to work (I try to avoid drinking Wallace Building water which has been known to be brownish in the morning) and caffeine-free tea at home. But I kinda nurse it - definitely not a chugger. I'm just not that thirsty.

I read recently that there is a personal wearable device that along with everything else it measures, tells the wearer if they are hydrated enough. DRINK! I relayed this story to Paul and we began riffing about what is coming. A wearable that tells us when we are full! "Stop Eating Dammit!" One that sets off an alarm when we have reached .08 alcohol content. I imagine that happens faster that we'd care to admit! I'd like one that fills in the words and name I can't come up with. I always think of them later...#myharddriveskips

Paul and I started out 2017 right! We were asleep. We did go to the Cyclone Men's basketball game the night before. The team came from behind for a victory and we won the postgame celebration with our friends the Ehreckes, Kevin, and Kari, with their daughter Kasee and her honey Tanner. We enjoyed supper at the local Irish joint with them after - a fun night.  New Year's Eve was low-key - just watching football. Shoutout to our future son-in-law, Corey. His Clemson Tigers were dominating in their win over the Big 10 darling Ohio State.

On the first day of 2017, we did something new - Iowa DNR's First Day Hike at Walnut Woods in the flood plain of the Raccoon River on the southwest side of Des Moines. DNR and parks across the country held similar events. The weather was chilly good. I bundled up yet even with the Hot Hands (courtesy of a booth REI had at the event) my fingers got chilly. We hiked with over 100 fellow enthusiasts at the event put on by DNR and Friends of Walnut Woods, a volunteer group that supports park activities. The ranger, Terry Manning, kicked off the event with a few words about the park and the First Day history. He's a bird man who especially loves purple martins. That morning he'd rescued a goose with a broken wing. It was waiting in his truck to go to a rehab center.

Ranger Terry fills us in. Note the free walking sticks! We each got one. 

After a group photo, we were off on a 2.5-mile hike. Paul and I chatted excitedly the whole time about what we are looking forward to. There is one big event coming up of course - Amy and Corey's wedding in Denver in August. We can't wait to see Jud and Kara's new home. We also talked about other vacations to come and hiking, biking and kayaking in Iowa in 2017. We haven't been to the NE part of the state to kayak the Upper Iowa for a few years...and it's gorgeous! (Iowa's little secret) Of course I made my honey stop for a few pics. I didn't make any resolutions to stop doing selfies, sorry, not sorry.

Iowa - a good place to be. Just dress warmly. 

Back at the Walnut Woods Lodge, cocoa, coffee, and breakfast awaited! It was a super way to ring in the New Year.

I'm nervous and excited about the coming year. Stay tuned.

Making memories

After our fabulous cousin Christmas on Friday in Denver, on Saturday, we were off to the mountains. We love our people there - Aunt (my sis) Cindo and cousin Colby. Plus our pals the Pottorffs and many other friends we've met through the years. We kinda like those lumpy mountains too! So majestic.

Upon arrival, the six of us, plus Cindy headed to Fiestas for lunch. We had a nice meal before the annual Lefebvre Christmas party. There was snow in them there hills, but not as much as usual. Saturday was sunny and quite warm. That afternoon, we checked into the Riverwalk Hotel and I began to gather my party "outfit" pieces. I wanted to surprise the family by showing up in my latest ugly sweater -a Santa's helper elf. Alas, the black stretchy things I thought were leggings turned out to be athletic shorts. Ugh, that wasn't a pretty picture in my head, white hairy legs on an elf. Paul and I walked down the street and I picked up a new pair of leggings at my fave store, Ptarmigan. In Edwards you don't find $20 leggings, but hey, I had to complete the outfit! The churchgoers found a nice evening service in Edwards.

cheers!

Bolder's Christmas sweater lives! My lovies

The elf sweater came complete with a hat! 

The party was marvelous yet again! Though I believe Paul and I may have baked the wiener winks a bit long on the bottom rack. #weweresingingandforgotthewinks Even though Colby no longer works at Moe's barbecue, they delivered wings and white sauce. Cindy's friend made delish meatballs. Yummy. I enjoyed watching our kids interact with the partygoers. This was Corey's first time at the big event. I wish he would have had the opportunity to meet Bolder and be at the party when he presided, calling out the music like Lawrence Welk. The party wound down earlier than in the olden days (5 years ago) and we were cleaning up by 10 p.m.

Post present opening smiles! 

The kids were excited to get up early Christmas morning and open gifts! No not really. They wanted to get the gifts over with so they could get up onto the mountain to ski and snow board. At least Corey and Jud did. I played elf and handed out the many beautiful gifts. Smiles and laughter were frequent. We were feeling the love!

Colby left to go to work at his new job at El Sabor in Vail. He's been working pretty much every day since the season started. Our kids and my big kid hit the slopes. Cindy and I hit the jigsaw puzzle (this year it was "Games We Played") - I'm glad to report there were no paper cuts. The skiers came back tired but intact as well!

That night we attended the annual Pottorff yummo meal. They kindly extended their invite to all six Goldsmith-related peeps. I heart them! We met their new family member, puppy Dodger. The Sanders family was there and our pal Frank who brings lovely vino, but we'd like him even if he didn't. I enjoyed listening in on the "kid table" conversations. Bonnie and Eric's son Byron now works as a trainer at a small university. Reeve graduated and will attend grad school. Amy's getting hitched! They are growed up compared to the first time we were invited eight years ago.

I really hated saying goodbye that night as we were taking off early the next day to travel back to Iowa. We won't see our loved ones again for quite some time. (insert tears). Amy, Corey, Jud and Kara stayed on at Cindo's one more day for more mountain fun. They stopped at El Sabor for a lunch break and rumor has it their cousin with connections there bought. Those four (plus their auntie & cousin) seem to enjoy hanging around each other. #suchafunfam
I hear rumors of cart racing when the kids got back to Denver. Kara and Corey are speed fiends I'm told.

And so another Christmas is in the books. Phew. I love having an excuse to get together with my family, but dread the holiday build up - ya know? It's a lot.

Early morning goodbye to the mountains

Ten years ago on Christmas Day morning I got the call from Dad's girlfriend Kay that he was being rushed to the hospital in Omaha. He passed away a few days later as all four of his daughters had arrived to gather around him. I can't believe it's been that long. I sure miss him.

I don't know what happens to us we die. But I believe that when we are still alive and gather together  - whether with family or friends, the spirits of loved ones past are there with us. And they have had much to be pleased about.

lunch walk at work the first day I was back

d caption

Favorite Christmas

We just flew in from Colorado and boy are my arms tired. Okay, not really - we drove. And by we, I mean Paul, who drove most of the way home from Vail in the snowy mountains to DSM. It was snowy in the mountains at 6 a.m. when we left - blowing too. Then, we hit Denver and thought we were home free. Not so fast said Eastern Colorado - try black ice on the road for about 80 miles off and on. Not fun. Good thing I had a trusty pilot.

It was tough to leave this morning, ending the whirlwind fabulous time with family over this special holiday.

• On Thursday Jud, wife Kara, Amy and fiancé Corey and Paul and I went to the light show at the Botanic Garden. For people like us, who didn't partake in the marijuana edibles, they sold groovy glasses that made little figures appear when you looked at the lights.



Corey and Amy will stand in this spot in August and say their vows. No goofy glasses...

• In just over eight months, Corey and Amy will be married at this very location. We can't wait! We are hoping the weather will be quite different...But not hot as hell.

Wedding reception will be in this room!

• After viewing the lights we went to Euclid Hall for supper - it's our nephew Colby's fave place. I just enjoyed soaking in being with my 5 fave people!
• Friday we hung out at the 16th Street Mall. There's a bowling alley there, those we never ended up donning the cool shoes and tossing the heavy black balls. Ping Pong and billiards were played though. Later we stopped at a deli that Amy works with (in her graphic design biz) for delicious cookies.
• That evening my Aunt Marty threw a family party at her residence. Our family, my niece Jordan and her fiancé Jill and my cousins, the Lamms, were there. It had been a while since our children had gotten to see my cousins- Amy (hubby Tom) along with their kids Kate and Matt - both students at CSU. And my cousin Richard, who entertained us with memories of Christmas past.
• After the delish meal, Aunt Marty told us about her favorite Christmas memory. A few others chimed in with their memories. I'm thinking this definitely will be added to my list of favorites!
• I'm glad my children have had a chance to get to know my auntie, and her sis Aunt Jeanie. Plus my cousins. Friday they all got to meet Amy's fella Corey. Marty had met him earlier - and had given her seal of approval. #coreymadethegrade

After the meal, Odie was happy to see the kids - her siblings! She moaned, whined and received the appropriate amount of belly rubs. The evening couldn't have been better. The next day - we were off to Vail/Beaver Creek to hang with my sis Cindo and nephew Colby. My eyes are getting awful tired and that will need to be a story for another night!

I Got the Feels

A little after 6:00 a.m. each Monday morning is not the most cheerful time for me. That's when, each week, I arrive at the "over the hill" Wallace Building to work. I love what I do - but where I do it, now that's another story.

If you know me, you've heard and seen my litany of complaints.

• Mice (and the occasional rat)
• Lack of working elevators - one day a couple weeks ago, we were 0 for 4 for a few hours
• Leaking roof
• Bugs on Floor 1, so I have to walk the gauntlet of slow crawlers on my way to the elevator each morning
• Smell - this winter the joint has been plagued with the smell of death. They keep telling us that it's the sewer, but I believe my nose can still tell the difference between crap and dead rodents...

There's more, but you get the gist.

Imagine my delight this morning when I walked in to see each and every occupied cubicle decorated as if there were a little working (tissue paper flames and all) fireplace outside the doorway, with a stocking hanging there. Each stocking had the name of the proud cubicle occupier on it.

Some elves took a great deal of time out of their personal time to put these up. Nobody is fessing up, but I believe it was the supervisors and bureau chief.

That fake fire warmed my heart. There is nothing like a little appreciation to bring a smile to one's face early on a Monday morning. I may be a long winter for state workers....we might want to leave those fireplaces up! Many thanks to the elves.

Walking Taco

I ate a Walking Taco (a marvelous concoction of taco chips, ground beef with taco seasoning, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and salsa) at the Iowa State Men's basketball game last night. Every time I eat one, I take a walk down memory lane - back to when our children were busy taking part all those sports.

Softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer and football. It was at one of those games when I ate my first Walking Taco. When your children are in sports, if you are a true parent and are "All In", you help with all aspects. Some coach (Paul) and others take snacks, drive kids around and serve by, well, serving. I did all those things and helped with concessions. I served up a few Walking Tacos myself!

Following kids around, traveling to games, watching games and serving Walking Tacos with fellow parents, I discovered that you bond with them. You learn about the challenges your friends face and share their joys. You laugh, you cry, you bitch about the referees and other parents. Their sons and daughters are like nieces and nephews.

And then one day your kids graduate from high school, and you're cut off! Sure, you can still see your friends. There typically aren't any tacos involved. Life goes on.

Michael Hyde got married to beautiful Erin last Saturday. He and Jud go way back to youth soccer. Paul and I started car-pooling with his parents, Jim and Lucy to games. Ben Weis's mom Joan started riding with us too. Her husband Greg was in veterinarian school. He was able to make some games, but was a busy guy. We had that car-pool bonding thing going on. Love those people - and miss them!

Jud was in his bleached hair phase

Several Creston guys in this group

The wedding reception provided a great opportunity to see not only the couple of the day, but the parents! And many of Jud's buddies. There were even some adorable grandchildren!

Michael looks back at Jud

Jud and Kara were disappointed not to be able to attend, but Kara's work/travel schedule, a new puppy and getting settled into their new home precluded the trip. Next summer is time for their class reunion. I hope who ever plans it has activities for the parents! We need to get together again. Maybe we could do a fund-raiser. Walking Tacos anyone?