Trying to catch up...been a while Dec. 8th

Let's go back to September....
I substituted at Southeast of Saline three times this month.
The big event however, was the trip Lynn and I took to Niagara Falls. We stayed on the Canada side and really enjoyed ourselves. We took a paid "general tour" of the things to see at the Falls - with the big event being the ride of the Maid of the Mist. On the next day, we took a wine tasting tour of three wineries and the small town, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Then on the last day, we got a boarding pass for the "people mover" and visited the rest of the places that the tours hadn't taken us. Stayed at the Falls View Mariott with a stunning view of Niagara Falls our of our room's window. A Great Trip!

October,
Gave platelets again, without being arrested.
More interestingly, Lynn, her brother Ed, and I went to a Bob Dylan concert on October 23rd. The old guy can still put on a tremendous show.
Subbed a couple of times this month....need to make $ for my up-coming trip to Vegas.

November,
On Veteran's Day, the 11th, I went to the Vet Ceremony at Sunset Park in Salina, then hit the road for Goddard to go to my Granddaughter Kennedy's school for their Veteran's day ceremony.
Kennedy and Addison were both here for the weekend while their parents took a vacation to Vegas. Quite an experience for all involved.
On November, 17th, Lynn and I purchased our early Big Christmas present...a nice new leather sofa.
On Monday, November 23rd, I drove to Junction City to pick up my mother after her trip to Topeka (to visit Kem and go to a concert). We are hosting her this week through Thanksgiving. We went shopping, saw a couple of movies, and had a great Thanksgiving meal prior to my taking her back to Hoxie on Friday.
On Monday, November 30, Brother-in-law- Ed and I took our "Retirement Trip" to Las Vegas. Left at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday and returned about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday travelling on Allegiant Airlines. Had a great trip...but it's never the same without the Queen on board.
I did sub about 4 times this month....I've been giving platelets on average every 2 or 3 weeks.

December...
Well, I've finally caught up to the present. Currently my wife is on a business trip to Roanoke, Va, and I have a little time to burn prior to picking her up in Wichita about 10 am tomorrow. That could be a tricky trip as it has snowed about 8 inches today, and the wind has picked up.
Well, I'll drive carefully........and........I promise to do a better job of keeping up with this log. (No my fingers are not crossed as I type this.)

"faux felony," fun, and Frequent Activities

It's been a busy week and going to get frequently busier........faux felony in the past and hopefully plenty of fun in the future.....not to mention a "bloody good time."

......to clarify...........

It all started last Wednesday: That p.m. I had nothing going on, and I remembered that some friends had encouraged my wife and I to give plasma at the new blood plasma center near downtown Salina. Since I had nothing better to do, I decided to make a trip toward the north side of town a double job. I would go by the plasma center to find out how to give. Then I would go on to the north end of Santa Fe to put our names on a waiting list to adopt a Westie if one would show up at the "pound."

I parked in the parking lot of the Salina Medical Center, walked across the drive to the plasma center, turned the handle on the front door, and walked in.......It seemed a little dark, but I thought maybe it was for a relaxing atmosphere, since it takes over an hour to give plasma. No one was at the reception desk. I looked around the corner of the room to where people give plasma....no one was there. I called out: "Hello, anyone here?" Then, thinking someone would come to the front soon, I sat down in a chair in the waiting area. "BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!!" What was that sound? Then, it hit me that it was a burglar alarm!!!! What do I do???? I'll tell you what I do...I get up and walk out of the front door, across the drive to my car, and drive away!!!

After my trip to the Animal "place," I went back down Santa Fe toward the south end of town and my home. As I drove by the plasma center, I noticed a police car parked behind the building. That bothered me just a little.

From there, I drove to Dillons and filled my car with gas (who knows? I might have to run for the border...........JUST JOKING!!!!!!) While filling my car, it occurred to me that there might be video surveillance in the building or of the parking lot..........my photo and my license plate....oh boy! They are probably at my house already......set to take me down!

I drove by my house...nobody waiting for me...........Decided it was time to end this mess! Drove all the way back to Elm Street (north part of Salina), walked in the police department, and told my story. They took my name and phone number....So far, no one has come to "take me down!"


OKAY......now for the anti-climatic "rest of the report." Today, I took my wife to the airport for a business trip to Knoxville, Tn...(she will be back on Friday.) On the way back, I stopped at my old school....They had already heard the story from a golfing friend of mine. After lunch, I went to the YMCA to work out.......someone there had also heard the story......Heck, I guess I'll just tell the world and get it over with!!!

btw, went to the plasma center today and scheduled myself to give blood next Monday p.m....hope they are open.

Different topic.....Tomorrow a high school classmate of mine (Larry William from good old Hoxie) will be stopping by for a round of golf. He will probably kick my butt, but I plan to have fun anyway.

Wednesday, I make a trip back to Hoxie to take my mother out to lunch and see if she needs any projects taken care of. Might stop by and talk to a a dog breeder near Atwood before returning.

Thursday, A contractor comes in the put an Egress Window in our basement.......I am very nervous about what that is going to do to the inside of the basement!!!!!!

Friday p.m., go to Wichita to pick up Lynn - then take the kids and grandkids out for supper.

I think I'll be glad for the week to be over......then I can just lay there, let them stick a needle in me and suck my blood out............What a Relief that Will BE!

Something to get your teeth into.....or out of.

Well, here it is.......one month since my last entry--------naughty me!!!

Events of interest: Exactly 3 weeks ago today I had Wisdom Tooth (#32) bottom right - removed by an oral surgeon................. The extraction wasn't nearly as bad as the recovery. Finally, 3 weeks later, I've gone two days without any pain relief (Tylenol or Advil). I still have some "strange feeling" in that part of my mouth, but at least it doesn't "hurt."

The Saturday Prior to #32's removal we went to the Royals game at Kansas City. That p.m. my siblings, etc. met at Mex's house in Prairie Village for burgers and beer. From there, we convoyed to the game at "The K." Royals lost, but we had great seats (thanks Mex), and the weather was terrific!

The Saturday After #32's removal Lynn & I went to Hays to attend her sister's house-warming party for her siblings. Very nice House!! Really enjoyed ourselves! Gale and Mike did a wonderful job of hosting and cooking!

The following tuesday evening Advance Auto had a dinner at Martinelli's to honor one of their managers. Nice evening........free meal.
and,

on August 8 (Saturday), my neighbor - Harry- and I rode our cycles over to Lindsborg to "Thor's Roar" Not as impressive as Marquette's "Thunder on the Smoky."

Finally, I've been playing about one 9-hole round of golf per week at the municipal golf course. Game's getting a "little" better, and the senior discount card is going to pay for itself soon at this rate.

Usually by now I'm out at school preparing for classes. Not this year! And I don't miss that a bit. I'm still waiting to feel the regret about retirement, but it hasn't happened yet!

July 11, 2009 - Hot Dog...A Coyote in our yard!

Well, this past week (Tuesday) I finally completed one more of my summer projects. I had made contact with Pawnee County Stoneworks (Larned, Ks) and after they received permission from Ks Wesleyan Univ. they started work on the stone for my wife. Picked it up on Tuesday..100 miles each way to Larned. Nice work though...Stylized Coyote with the letters K W U...(arranged vertically), all in purple. DONE!

Now, what's next? We are in the planning and doing stage for our fall vacation: Niagara Falls, Ny/Canada. I have reservations at the Falls View Mariott (Canada side), and yesterday we got our reservations with Delta for our round trip flights (Kansas City/Buffalo).

This coming weekend, the Cooper siblings will meet in Kansas City, eat and see a ballgame. Hope its not too hot! We will pick up Evan in Lawrence about 2:30 and then head over to my brother Mex's house in KC for Burgers & Beer! Might be a very fine day!

The Yard Art & the Corner Flower Garden

In earlier blogs I mentioned that I had extended the sprikler system to the back of the yard in preparation for a flower garden and I mentioned that I was trying to find a yard stone with my wife's college info on it. Now the up-date.

I have the stone wall in place for the garden...a quarter circle in a corner of the back yard. Sadly while moving the last bunch of stones into position, I must have lifted wrong and I'm still in the process of getting over a strained back muscle. Hopefully, in a week or so I'll have dirt available to fill in the area...and maybe eventually get something planted.

As far as the yard stone is concerned, I searched the internet and found a couple of stone carvers in the area. Only one of them responded to my e-mail, and that company said they didn't have permission to carve the Ks. Wesleyan "coyote" so they couldn't do it. I spent the next week making contact with someone at KWU, and finally got someone from the alumni association to sat that they would send a letter giving permission... This all happened prior to our Vegas Vacation (mentioned in an earlier post). Now, I am trying to find out it the permission was acutally sent and how much the project will cost. All of this for an oversized paperweight in our front yard?%^*

Well, maybe I'll have something more exciting to post the next time.

Back from Vegas...6-12-09

It's been a little while since I've entered a post. One very lame excuse is that for the past week we have been on vacation in Las Vegas. For today's post I am going to reprint a "trip report" that we post on lvol.com and that we phone in to "five Hundy by Midnight."


June 7 – 11, 2009
(Retirement Trip)


We took our annual trip with Ed, Paula, and Ellen. We were there June 7th-11th, stayed at the Paris.

Travel: Took Allegiant non-stop from Wichita, left 15 minutes early, arrived early! Good start. Cab line did not exist! Friendly driver, told him not to take the tunnel and he laughed. Ellen and Paula, flying from KC on Southwest, got out of the taxi right behind us at the Paris, what are the odds of that?

Check in: There was a line, but went very fast. Our room was nice and comfortable, great shower. Were given coupons at check-in, more later. We did not upgrade to a Red Room. Would have had a plasma TV if we had, but we don’t worry about TV in Vegas! We enjoyed the service and layout of the Paris casino. You can’t beat the location on the mid-strip. Close to everything we love. Great view of Bellagio and City Center. Close to Miracle Mile shopping! The pool was simple with elegant surroundings. Water was cold! We’re used to Mirage’s semi-heated pool. However, the weather we enjoyed the entire time was in the upper 70’s to mid 80’s which made laying out at the pool great! Enjoyed visiting, having a drink, reading, etc.

Food: All our meals (we eat twice a day) were great! First evening at San Marco on the Venetian canal. Interesting menu, great food and service! Next morning was breakfast at the Paris buffet, always a good deal! That evening we ate at the Spice Market in Planet Hollywood. We have always liked the layout there, you don’t feel like you’re running into people. Very streamline. Lots of interesting choices. Next morning was great fun as we ate on the deck of Margaritaville for a huge breakfast at reasonable price. Waiter was a lot of fun. With perfect weather and perfect view of the strip, we loved it! That night, after a show, we went to one of our favorites, Joe’s Crab and Seafood at the Forum. As always, great! Try the crab-stuffed sole or the seafood marinara and pasta! Next morning, breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi! Lots of choices, everything from corn beef and poached eggs, to strawberry waffles and bacon and cheese filled crepes. That night we ate at Paris’s Les Artistes Steak House. They had a 39.99 special that was wonderful. It included the best Caesar salad we’ve ever had, a 10 oz. perfectly seasoned, melt in your mouth prime rib, and sorbet for dessert. We mentioned coupons at check-in. One of them was for 50% a bottle of wine at this place. When we pulled it out the waiter said the wine prices in the menu already reflected the 50% off so they couldn’t recognize the coupon. We talked to the manager and asked if that meant without a coupon the prices listed on their leather bound menu would be doubled to other patrons. He said yes. We raised our eyebrows and said it sounded “fishy”. Knowing we weren’t happy, they honored a 20% coupon for the meal, which should not have worked with the special and gave us free coffee. They would have been better off honoring the 50% off for the wine, we don’t buy expensive wine! Oh well! Still, great meal!

Shows: We went downtown our second night to see the Rat Pack at the Plaza. We were a little leery because of the locale, but the theatre was nice enough and the show was great! Matridi seating, and a 10 dollar tip got us a comfortable booth instead of a crowded, long table. The imitations of Dino, Frank, Joey and Sammy were spot on! Especially Dino! Fremont Street was celebrating the summer of 69 with some great new light shows including Don McClean’s American Pie and the Zombies “Time of the Season” among others.
The third night we went to Terry Fator at the Mirage. We loved him on America’s Got Talent and he did not disappoint. The show was an hour and 45 minutes long, can’t say enough. His impressions are so perfect, you can’t believe he’s not moving his mouth. Also his humor was perfectly timed and very current. Theatre was packed.

The last night Ellen and Paula went to Jubilee at Bally’s. We passed, we’d done it. They got 2 for 1 tickets and thoroughly enjoyed it. They said the theatre was 85-90% full. While they did that, the 3 amigos went to the Bellagio and sat on the terrace at the Fontana Bar. Perfect view for the fountain show. We enjoyed drinks and fountains for an hour, ending our last evening to Elvis’s “Viva Las Vegas”.

Gambling: Not so hot! Only Ellen won much. We enjoy VP and blackjack and never got much on either. If you’ve seen the Katy Perry Video…She started off poor, won a bunch, had a lot of fun, then lost it all. We did all that…….except we skipped the “won a bunch” part! Wednesday morning while Paula got her hair colored at the Bellagio, the rest of us strolled down the strip, stopping in Bill’s, Flamingo, O’Shea’s, Imperial Palace, Harrahs, and Casino Royale. That was fun. Rex won a little at VP. We made a decision not to chase or even worry about comps this year. We used as many player’s club cards as we could, so we could continue to get room offers.

News we heard while there: Danny Gans death was ruled an accidental death, due to pain killers effecting his heart condition. The pain killer was a morphine derivative, they were very clear on the news to say it wasn’t a street drug. We also heard the Fountain Blue project (75% complete) has filed for bankruptcy as they can’t get the rest of the money they need to finish.

It’s always special when you get to visit a new resort, and we saw Encore for the first time. Very elegant a lot of red and a lot of butterflies. We were somewhat unimpressed with restaurant selection there, but it was fun to see. We aren’t crazy about City Center so far. It seems to detract from the Strip somehow. Too much in too little space. Still, perfect weather, great resort, wonderful shows, food, and drink, added up to another great trip!

Addition to Honey Dos and Frustration

I did learn something new today while at coffee with the boys...a new homemade Ice Cream Recipe:

6 cans of orange soda
2 cans of Borden's sweetened premium condensed milk
1 can of crushed pineapple.

Supposed to make a GREAT ICE CREAM.....

I dug my IC maker out of the garage. As soon as I get it cleaned up, I'm going to give this a try.

Honey Do's and Frustration

It's been a couple of days since my first post. Fortunately, been able to keep busy most of the time. Get up, go to the YMCA for an hour or so, coffee with the boys..then in the pm - projects.

Yesterday I extended my sprinkler system to the end of the yard so that I can eventually build a corner garden/flower area with a watering system built in. This afternoon, spent almost the entire afternoon trying to find a Collegiate Stone with Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes engraved on it.............Frustration. Did accomplish setting up an inspection with Orkin and arranging for a breakfast next week with my friend "jer." ( about a once a year thing.)

Tomorrow, ?? Golf ??

Starting Life's Next Adventure

Friday, May 22, 2009 - After 36 years as a public school teacher [6 at Smith Center, Ks and 30 at Southeast of Saline], my retirement became official. I am now one of the vast unwashed, unemployed retirees collecting my pension and my social security.

The question I've been asked over and over again: "What's Next? What are your plans?" To which I respond: "Hell, I don't know. For the first time in my life, I'm doing something with no definate plans, and it sounds like fun."

The last couple of months have been hectic leading up to retirement. As Senior Class sponsor, I've been working to get Commencement ready for them (with mine always in the back of my mind). Then, just a month ago, my father died at age 92. At this point, I don't think I can even come close to describing the feelings that came along with his death and funeral. Anyway, every week there has been something going on...............and then then next thing I knew, school was over, my friends hosted a party in celebration of the end of the school year and my retirement, and my new phase of life had begun.

In the two days since, I have put together a glider-rocker for my wife and traveled out to Hoxie, Kansas to help my mother decorate graves.

This is the first time I've sat down and started putting keystrokes to the story. I hope to use this as something of a diary - at least until I have completed my transition into this next phase of my life. More next time.....