Homecoming

It was a dismal loss to the N.U. Wildcats, but still good to be three miles from the epicenter of the Hawkeye faithful.  Sidetrack, Big Dawg, Chalupa and I made the trek to visit with the "Scramble Section" tailgators.  Bones, Animal, Snake and various spouses and off-spring were there... some of whom we've not seen since the days of the Skidder Bashes.  

Homecoming indeed.  It's good to be back in Iowa City.

I MIssed it...

So who won the tonight's debate?  

From the West High newspaper:

"A three-pack of condoms: $3.15.  

One month supply of birth control pills: $24.99.

A vasectomy: $750.

The seventeen year-old daughter of V.P. nominee Sarah Palin, a women who supports abstinence only sex education, becoming pregnant.... priceless" 

This from the newspaper where Beaner will cut her journalistic chops.   I'll let you (encourage you), the reader, make editorial comments as you see fit.  

Not Grant Wood, but...

Saw this beauty on our way to soccer this afternoon.  By the way, Chalupa's team won 1-0, Peanut's team tied at 2 -2.
  

West High Football

Ok, so West lost to City 7 - 21.  Big whoop.  It doesn't mean we didn't have a good time!

Beaner, Buzz and Chalupa!

Chalupa and Friends.  And no, that child on the far right is not green with envy, or about to puke.  He painted his face Green and Gold to show his team spirit.  I'm sure his mom is proud - HA!

The Patio is DONE!

From start to finish...  

Plenty o' dirt was moved.

And, of course I had help.

More than 900 pavers were used.

And now it's done!   Whew!

Shock and Awe

Ok, so when I walked in the door, I couldn't help myself... I yelled OUCH!  And this is the moment that was captured.  

Three of Four Ain't Bad

Beaner was back at the crib, cleaning her room, doing laundry and hopefully losing the "attitude".

Hurricane or Tiger?

While Hurricane Ike slams into Texas, Big Dawg finds water problems of his own.  It was more bath than soccer, and the Tigers cleaned up.  

Hostage Situation

This is getting waaaaaay out of control.  These three young women have me hostage and they'll surely break my heart... if they don't kill me first.  What a bunch of nuts.  Sidetrack is in NYC and here I sit...  .

The Peanut

Peanut was helping me learn how to use this new computer (MacBook).  She obviously was enjoying herself.  

I feel like a trader having worked for Dell, but I thought I ought to find out what the "buzz" was all about, and so far... I like it.  But I have a ways to go.  Saving files (email) is my latest challenge, but like all things... this will get better with time.  

Smiles of Watermellon

Chalupa (red shirt) and the rest of the soccer team enjoys the magical fruit of summer. This was the group who played in Omaha two weekends ago... and got beat... soundly. This same team went 5 - 0 to win the Heartland soccer tournament in Cedar Rapids last weekend. Maybe the watermellon inspired the will for victory. But then again, maybe it was just good, old fashioned effort. At the end of the day, sharing a smile with good friends is victory enough.

Tennis Has Gone to The Beaner

That would  be a forehand.  And if you think that form is good, you should see her backhand.  She's a lefty and has right hand tendencies.  Maybe she found her niche. Go Beaner!

Naughty or Nice? You Decide

Naughty.

Nice.

20 Years and Just Getting Warmed Up!

On Sept. 3, we celebrated 20 years.  My how time has flown.  It's been fun and adventurous.  As we finally sat down to dinner to celebrate, we sighed, toasted ourselves, then wished for a few years of peace and quiet.  

Recognizing the futility of this wish, we laughed, ate our food, drank our wine and began to gaze forward towards unknow craziness, with anticipation that comes from 20 years of nurturing and growing our wonderful friendship.  

Nebraska

We drove into Omaha on Saturday morning for a soccer tournament. By 6:30 p.m. and two soccer matches later, the Chalupa and team remained winless. After checking into the hotel and a good, old-fashioned swimfest... we turned in for the night.

The following day we marched into the Old Market area of Omaha for breakfast. A very nice area and certainly worth an afternoon for browsing and shopping. In this case, our time was short and we had other priorities.



The Zoo was a huge hit. The highlights were probably the Cats and Monkeys, and bears were not far behind.








Of course the scariest animals were with us the entire time! And best of all, the fleas are free!

After the zoo and one more dismal soccer match we left Nebraska. We were winless but well entertained.