(End of) October Road

October 26 - 31, 2011

The NPPD Beatrice Gas Turbine Plant.

After returning from the Iowa trip it was back to the grind stone at work. Got my new iPhone 4 on Wednesday and Johnny helped me set it up - I have now officially entered the smart phone world. Thursday I took a tour of the NPPD Beatrice power station and the Cooper Nuclear Power plant near Brownville. It was very fascinating. The evening was uneventful and we enjoyed a nice evening by the fire visiting with Johnny outside. Friday Sharon worked so I cooked for Johnny and then strolled out to the club and met Judge Jerry for a glass of wine. Another nice peaceful evening.

Saturday we were up early and off to Memorial Stadium to watch Annie practice for their performance at the Michigan State game. It was a chilly morning but a beautiful fall day. We stayed to watch Annie and the band march in and made it home just as the 1st quarter was ending. The Huskers played an awesome game and beat Michigan State 24 - 3.  Sharon was tired and
 spent alot of time on the couch while I made pizza crusts and a roast in the crock pot.

Sunday was a fun day starting with church, then lunch in the car, then Ideal grocery. We went to the Sunken Gardens to change clothes and begin our bike ride but the bathrooms were closed for the season. Sharon called our friend Ellie and she let us change there. Bless her. After changing we went on a 2-1/2 hour bike ride on the trails in Lincoln, stopping at Starbucks for a break.  After our ride we went to Earl May to get some fall pansies, then stopped at Fireworks for a quick glass of wine and sermon note study then off to the Faller's for life group.

The band practicing at Memorial Stadium at sunrise.

Iowa or Bust

Monday, October 24, 2011

Traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to get things set up for the LWS PhaseRaiser seminar and field demo.  On my way through Lincoln I hooked up with Ben for lunch at Ali Babba's, then took a quick tour of his new cubicle at Bailey Lauerman - cool.  After picking up my poster and banner from Kinko's I was on my way, arriving in Des Moines around 3:00.

Our meeting room at the Hilton Inn at Des Moines

Our event was held at the Hilton Garden Inn, a fairly new hotel in the newly developed suburb of West Des Moines. Since I was the event planner I got a nice suite with a living room, kitchenette, bathroom and king bedroom.

I got our reception room set up by around 4:30 and attendees started trickling in about 5:00. We had a nice reception & dinner for about 15 people from various utilities and contractors. 

CIPCO raising a 230kV structure 5ft near Adair, IA

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Tuesday was a busy day that started early since I had to set up the meeting room with our booklets, pens and projector set up.

After the meeting, the group of 18 people traveled west to the demo site near Adair, IA. The demo took about two hours and I was headed home around 3:00, arriving around 5:00.

Sharon and I had a quiet evening watching TV for several hours before bedding down around 10:00.

Catching Up

October 18 - 23

The past several days have been busy and I have had no time to update any posts. As I write this I am getting ready to drive to Des Moines for a PhaseRaiser seminar and field demo.

Last Tuesday was a city council meeting - fairly uneventful. Wednesday was spent north of Columbus in corn fields with a pole inspector and Doug inspecting laminated wood poles.

Thursday was also spent out in the fields except we were treating poles as well as inspecting them. I headed back to Seward early because it was the last day of the fall golf season. The evening was calm and moderate, maybe 53 degrees. This year's fall league had awesome weather. Had a country club board meeting after golf but was still home by 8:30.

Friday was another beautiful day and quiet evening. Saturday was a busy day of projects which included replacing the headlights on the contour. The old ones were all cloudy and damaged from the raccoon Sharon hit a couple of weeks ago. Sharon worked late and I watched the Huskers pound the Minnesota Golphers 41 - 14.

Sunday was a busy day at church and life group in the evening. Johnny drove the Contour for the first time out by my office. He only killed it 6 or 7 times! Sharon made chili for supper which we all ate at the Faller's.

Nice Evening

Monday, October 17, 2011

Today's weather was gloomy, blustery and damp. Hannah stopped by in the morning and spent some time with Sharon.  She and Derek will be moving into a house near 38th & A in the next couple of weeks. It will be fun to help them get it ready.

My day at the office got real crazy when I found out that the event I have been coordinating in Cedar Rapids next week needs to be moved to Des Moines! Aarrghhh.  The country club board meeting scheduled for Monday night was moved until Thursday so Sharon and I enjoyed a hot bowl of chili and glass of wine by the fire. It was a nice fall evening.

Charlie, Sharon and I settled in on the couch to watch TV and I was in bed by 9:15.

Dayof Rest???

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest right? Not for me. Since Saturday was spent having fun and shopping in Lincoln, Sunday was my day to get as much done as possible.  Started the day by walking with Sharon down to Snap fitness to tan and workout. Then I fried up some bacon, the other white meat.

Sharon worked so I made pizza crusts, sanded and primed the front door, dusted and vacuumed, removed and cleaned the air conditioners, changed light bulbs and put out the recycling. The door took the longest because I had to cut and install 12 shims, taking the door on and off three times.

Made a pepperoni pizza for Johnny and ended the night talking with him by a fire.

Fun Day in Lincoln

Started today off at the farmer's market in Lincoln, the last one of the year. Had some egg rolls and also picked up some beef, lamb, pumpkins, bread and barbecue sauce! Then it was off to do some shopping for shoes at Footloose, then lots of new clothes at Eddie Bauer. The manager at Footloose offered Sharon a job managing the south store... something she will prayerfully consider.

This Thomas Hart Benton painting was priced at $750,000

Once shopping was done it was off to the sunken gardens where we used the washrooms to change into our cycling gear. There was a wedding just starting while we were there - Sharon says she saw 5 weddings along the trail!  We rode the Rock Island trail south to the Tierra Williamsbug trail and went to an art gallery to see some awesome works.

After an 8 mile bike ride we went to the Oven restaurant for a nice dinner on their patio. When we got home we ended the night by laying out on the ground in the back yard star gazing. Saw a couple shooting stars. It was a great day!

The Garden is Gone

Friday, October 14

Took 1/2 day vacation to do yard work since we are planning a fun day in Lincoln on Saturday. Pulled out all the tired tomato and pepper plants. They did a good job at providing us lots of good food this year.

Annie & Jason stopped by in the evening to see us before they left for a church group trip to Colorado early Saturday morning. I made shrimp scampi and the five of us had a nice family dinner together.

Golf Ends Soon

Thursday, October 13

Worked, golfed, ate, slept.

Another Awesome Fall Day

Wednesday, October 13

The weather was beautiful again today - sunny and 72 with a light south breeze.  The rain we received Monday night has kept the dust down. Sharon worked in Lincoln today and then had class at church in the evening. Took Johnny to the orthodontist today and found out that it will only take around $4K to give him a perfect smile!!!

Had a quiet evening at home. Made buffalo wing pizza, folded some laundry, took out the trash, sat in the backyard and stared at the table full of tomatoes I harvested. Probably should can them or something.

Our soon to be famous buffalo wing pizza!

Ended the evening by watching "Runaway Bride" with Sharon once she got home from Lincoln.  A simple but relaxing evening in small town Nebraska.

Tuesday

Tuesday, October 11

Had a fairly busy day at work. Built a custom shipping container for one of our literature display racks. Got to "gorilla proof" these containers for the many journeys they make to and from trade shows.  Ben texted me and told us that he got offered a full-time position at Bailey Lauerman Advertising. He is very excited about getting a job and will be an interactive media designer!  Sharon made a great lunch with leftover steak and a new barbecue sauce we picked up at the farmer's market, a mustard & vinegar based sauce - YUM!

We were thinking about going to the Bin105 wine store for a free wine tasting when I got home from work. An Australian wine, Yalumba, was being featured. I had the Yalumba Shiraz in Louisville last week at Vincenzo's Italian restaurant and it was very good.

Looking east on number 4 green.

Sharon needed to do some studying when I got home so I went golfing by myself. It was a beautiful evening with long, warm shadows cast across the fairways.  Had a glass of wine by the fire with Sharon when I got home and then decided to fry some mushrooms & onion rings for supper. Had a nice rain overnight too.

The last 7 Days

Like many projects in my life I have a way of starting them and not finishing them. Not the case with a good glass of wine though :)  Haven't updated the blog since October 3rd so here is a recap of the last 7 days.

Tuesday, October 4 - In Louisville for the ICUEE show. Spent the day in the booth then met the Bell folks at the Blue Stem Brewery for drinks and food. Hooked up with a couple customers from Iowa and took in some live music.

Wednesday, October 5 - Another day in the trade show booth. Finally feeling normal after the previous weekend's being sick.  Still coughing though. Doug (my boss) and I took a group of reps and customers to a good Italian restaurant.  Spent a short time with our reps from New York & customers after dinner.

4th Street Live - Louisville, KY

Thursday, October 6 - Last day of show - Packed up booth then went to the hotel and took a nap. Met Mark from Hughes Brothers for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe' - bought Johnny a shirt. Early night watching The Pirates of Silicon Valley on TV. Remembering the legendary Steve Jobs.

Friday, October 7 - Woke up to Orbitz calling me at 2:45 AM - Early limo ride to airport.  Grabbed a breakfast pizza in O'Hare at Wolfgang Puck's. On time arrival put me back in Lincoln at around 10:00 AM. Took a nap at home then we went to Lincoln to watch Annie march in the UNL homecoming parade. Met Ben at the Oven for some awesome Indian food - had a good visit with him regarding his new job possibility at Baily Lauerman.

Saturday, October 8 - Up early and went to the farmer's market in Lincoln, then picked up Ben and his laundry. Back home and Ben and I scrambled to do massive lawn and leaf clean up. Cleaned up then headed back to Lincoln to watch Annie practice, then perform before the Ohio State game. Had a nice chat with Tim, a music professor from Ohio State who came over to watch the band warm up. Had Sharon's mom and aunt with us - they enjoyed everything. Back home to watch the game, Huskers win with a historic come back, 34 - 27.

Sunday, October 9 - Church in the morning, a few stops in Lincoln then home for a relaxing day. Made spinach orzo pasta for dinner.

Monday, October 10 - Busy day back at work, made enchiladas for dinner then relaxed with Sharon watching the tube.

Travel Day

Early flight out of Lincoln at 5:45 AM, then a quick connection in Chicago landed me in Louisville by 10:00 AM. Set the booth up with the help of our reps Jack and Vern from Utility Lines! Went to lunch with the boys at a Scottish pub, took a nap then met Doug and Jon for dinner at Ri Ra's Irish Pub.

On The Mend

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Felt better today. Went to church with Sharon and Annie in the morning. Helped Sharon in the kitchen some then rested. Hoping to be OK for the week long trip to Louisville. Cooked hotdogs for Johnny and packed for the trip. Watched PanAm with Sharon then off to bed.

Great Day - Bad Game

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Felt a little better Saturday but still sick. Had a quiet day with Sharon around the house and had a surprise visit in the morning from Hannah. She was in town to attend the funeral of one of her classmates, Adam Porter. We also made a trip to the store and storage unit to fetch a fall wreath and got some food items from Pac-N-Save.  I made pizza crusts, napped and then settled in to watch the Husker's Big Ten debut at Wisconsin.  Unfortunately Nebraska lost 17 to 48. Not pretty. The weather was absolutely wonderful, 80 and sunny. Good thing was I slept solid through all night.

Under The Beautiful Weather

September 30, 2011

Woke up in the morning with a scorching sore throat and body aches - ughh. Sharon and I took a short but slow walk around the neighborhood but it was clear to me I wasn't feeling well at all.  Being the bull-headed German that I am, I went in to the office but after three hours I went home. I hate being sick when it is 70 and sunny out. Yuk! Sharon was home and did a great job of taking care of me with herbal teas and hot chicken soup. She had a date with her girlfriend and shopping so in the afternoon I slept for 4 hours - not normal for me. Sharon did the Wally run after her time with Beth and brought home a few movies. Johnny was gone hanging out with his buddies so we had a nice quiet evening at home and watched Titanic again. Love that movie. Sharon went to bed around 11pm but I couldn't get to sleep until after midnight. Woke up at 1:45, 2:45 then finally slept from around 4:00am to 6:00am. Hoping I improve on Saturday.