St. Louis Wine Drinker

Samantha and Alex Wedding (Parker family)

2010-02-28T18:13:00.006-06:00

The anxious groom.

The brides maids carried peacock fans instead of flowers.

Sister Wendy.

The wedding baby. Murphy is the couple's baby.

The traditional cupcakes

Their theme was peacocks. This was a vase on the head table.

2010-02-28T15:54:00.002-06:00

Sorry, that was not the right video. Here is the song.

Serenading at the reception

2010-02-28T15:16:00.002-06:00

Julie sings with a group called the Capital Steps. They do political satire, I think. Here a song they made up for Ken and Julie.

Kenny and Julie get married

2010-02-28T15:06:00.002-06:00

I didn't get many pictures at their wedding. It was very nice. Some friends of theirs gave the reception at their own home. It was a huge house and they had one of those tents put up over their patio to make an extra room. Julie has warmed her way into our family and seems to be able to roll with wise cracks and other quirks. We are very happy for them.

Kenny with Giselle and Dom

Julie with Lucas

Terese and her daughter and Judy

Mom's 80th birthday

2010-02-28T14:44:00.003-06:00

For mom's 70th, she only wanted to go to Steak and Shake and then to Tippins for pie. For her 80th, she just wanted a small get together. Annette made her famous chicken enchiladas and we had our small get together.

Cookie Decorating 2009

2009-12-14T18:43:00.004-06:00

The 4th annual cookie decorating day was a success. Many masterpieces were created. Of course you eat them at your own risk. Who knows where those fingers have been.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-27T15:56:00.004-06:00

Thanksgiving this year was at my cousin Kenny's house. He is getting married in February, and he and his finance wanted to have it this year, so here is where we came. ALL 40+ OF US. But it all worked out well. There was more than enough food and there was probably at least 5 pies left over that never got touched. It was good way for every one to get to know each other. We are happy to welcome them to our huge extended family.

On our way to first place

2009-10-11T16:08:00.001-05:00

I bowled a 178 last night at bowling. My highest ever. I'm determined to be in first this year.

A Cutey Patuty

2009-10-11T15:33:00.004-05:00

I would only come out of cake decorating retirement for certain people. Like one year old great nieces. Especially when they are this cute.

Paddling on the lake

2009-08-30T18:29:00.006-05:00

These pictures and videos are from Forest Park. It was a awesome day to celebrate Judy's birthday. Be sure to scroll all the way past the pictures from the park, there are pictures of Emily's new car.

Judy's Birthday Party or Sunday In The Park With The Hudsons

2009-08-30T17:50:00.007-05:00

I said go that way!!

Are you sure this thing is safe?

All aboard!!

Ok, it's my birthday. Let me open my own presents please!

Ok, now what are these again? Oh, napkins!!! And they have many other uses also.

These cards get sillier every year.

All that's for me?!!!!! You shouldn't have.

Trying to light candle in a stiff wind. Judy only got to blow out one.

Max and Emily.

Greg and Judy's cousin Sandy relaxing on the veranda.

Garrisona and Austin

Yummy deserts by Aunt Mickey. Lemon Meringue Pies and Rice Krispie treats

Around Forest Park

2009-08-30T17:25:00.005-05:00

These are pictures from around the Boat Lake at Forest Park. We were trying to find our the family members who had taken paddle boats out in order to take their pictures, but had no idea the lake went so far back. And these were the scenes we saw while circling the lake. Amazing. All the times I've been there and never saw these things. It was a little chilly, especially for August, but a great time was had by all.

Emily's New Car

2009-08-30T17:06:00.002-05:00

Really, Really Married

2009-08-20T16:16:00.002-05:00

Steve and I were both ready for upgrades on our cell phones. He got his first, and I decided that I liked the one he got, so we went back and I got the same one. The young man at Best Buy, after reviewing my plan, asked if we the family plan, where we could call each other at no cost. We didn't because I had a cheaper plan. So he whipped out a handy book that showed us how much it would cost for us to that. It wasn't going to be a big chunk cheaper, however, we got way more minutes and we could call each other for free. So we decided to become a family plan.
Back in March, we combined our bank accounts, after 3 years of separate. So I said, I guess that means we're really, really married now. We're attached at the hip, shoulder, elbow, and feet.
I think this is going to work. :)

Zucchini on Steroids

2009-08-20T16:09:00.003-05:00

The girl I work with husband was up in Wisconsin for business and brought back these zucchini.
You really can't a true sense of how big they were. I put the yard stick next to them, but it still doesn't do them justice

Happy 65th Uncle Ralph

2009-07-23T19:05:00.002-05:00

So my mom's youngest brother turned 65 today. He's only 11 years older than me, and only 6 yrs older than my husband. Freaky! But he's cool and we love him. I made this video to email him, but yahoo said it was too big. Then I tried it on facebook, but that didn't work, so I'm having to put it on my blog. Hope you see it Ralph and enjoy it. It comes from the heart. :)

Reflections on a birthday

2009-07-12T09:44:00.002-05:00

So I turned 54 on the 8th. It was pretty much just another day. We adults usually have to work on our birthdays. I remember in school, I felt like I always missed out because my birthday was in the summer, I didn't get to have class party. And being in July, I was always one of the last to turn the big age milestones like 16 and 21. It doesn't seem that important when your older.
I don't know what I thought I would be doing or where I would be when I got to be this age. I don't think many of us write that stuff down when we are younger. I don't know too many people who have their life planned out like that. I guess in some ways it gives you a goal. But now days, you better be prepared to reevaluate and revamp plans.
When I younger, before the age of 25, I always thought I would get married and have kids, blah, blah, blah. But the older I got and the longer I went without finding the right guy, I came to accept that I probably wasn't going to have kids, although I never gave up on finding the right guy. I guess I didn't have the over powering mother gene that drove me to have a child no matter what. There were times I wished I would have had at least one, but it passes pretty fast. And of course now that I have met Steve, there is that romantic notion that it would have been wonderful to have a kid with him. Oh well. We can be the great aunt and uncle, and hopefully one day, grandparents.
I can't help thinking that when my mother was my age, she was getting a divorce. And she has now lived as many years divorced as she had being married. I wish she could have found someone who treated the way she wanted, but she has always claimed she would rather live alone.
So I guess we all wonder as we get older, whether we have made a mark on the world, or affected anyone for the better. Most of us will never win any big awards or invent some world changing device. I guess we need to remember that being a good parent, sister, brother, friend can be just as life changing. I love the movie "It's a Wonderful Life." I think that movie best epitomizes how we just don't realize how much we affect others lives. The smallest thing can change someone for ever. So I try to remember that by doing my massages, I have helped many people get out of pain and in some instances, with some of my regulars, who I have become friends, I have helped them work through some life situations just by being there for them to talk to and bounce thoughts off of. For that I am very grateful. I know I was led to massage. Sometimes I lament that my two sisters got all the artistic talent and my brother got the musical talent, but then I remember that they don't do what I do. So it works out.
I don't know if I will start to worry next year when I'm 55. So far no age has really affected me. I think I'm doing pretty good overall.

Missing my boy scout

2009-06-28T10:21:00.002-05:00

Well, I made it halfway through my two weeks without Steve. He went to Philmont last Friday. That's the BIG KAHUNA of boy scout camps. It's a two week affair. He's been there several times, but they have a strict age limit of 65. He will be 60 next year and it's been 8 yrs since he was there. So the odds are he would not go again. I know he loves it, so how could I say no. He was feeling pretty guily about leaving me for two weeks. Of course I wasn't thrilled about him leaving for two weeks, but I couldn't, in good conscious, tell him he couldn't go. He deserved to go. He volunteers with the scouts all the time and probably will till he dies. I make fun of him sometimes, but if I'm ever lost in the woods or there is a natural disaster, I want to be with him. And as long as we can get to our storage room, we have everything we need to survive outside for quite a while (except food).
He's been gone for a week before, but never two weeks. It's weird not having him here. People are always commenting that I must love it when he leaves, getting the house to myself. I guess I haven't benn married long enough. I miss him terribly. I look forward to coming home to him and calling him in the middle of the day to say hi. I guess we're pretty sappy. I don't care. I waited a long time for this.
So he will be back Friday. I'm sure he will many stories to regail. I will listen to them attentively, just glad to have him back.

2 nieces, 2 graduations, 2 states, 1 day

2009-05-21T19:23:00.002-05:00

So both Emily and Dhyana had their graduation ceremonies on the same day. Luckily they were at different times of the day.
Friday, my dad, stepmom and I drove to Kansas City to stay with my stepbrother and his wife for the night. My sister, other niece and brother in law, flew into KC also. Dhyana picked them up. On Saturday morning we drove to Lawrence for Dhyana's graduation, and then stuck around for a while for a party given by Dhyana's boyfriend Shane's parent. At 3 we headed back to KC to pick up our stuff, and then off we went to Columbia for Emily's graduation at 7. It was a very long day, but I was so glad I was able to go.
The following are videos of both girls' ceremonies and their name being called. And then there are pics of everyone after the ceremonies.

2 nieces, 2 graduations, 2 states, 1 dau

2009-05-21T09:39:00.007-05:00

2 Nieces, 2 Graduations, 2 Different States, 1 Day

2009-05-21T09:21:00.005-05:00

A trip to the Ozarks with some BFF'S

2009-05-07T15:35:00.011-05:00

My friend Margaret decided that all of us that used to work together needed some girl time, so she got this condo down at Lake of the Ozarks. We all came and went on different days, but she was there the whole time. It was very nice. We had 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. We ate, we drank, we dished about men and played some games. It's so nice having girl friends to do this with.

These are pics of the

walk we took along a

stream. It was gorgeous. It is below where the mansion was. You could see the mansion when you looked up. Everything was so green. You can see turtles on some of the logs.

These are some pics of a burned down mansion. The very last pic shows what it looked like when it was complete.

Our Staycation-The local museums

2009-04-16T19:20:00.008-05:00

I'm thinking of remodeling. Maybe some of these things from the Art Museum would look good in my house.:)

Maybe a bit gauche

This is just the right size for my wine

Outside the History Museum

Some amazing hand made quilts. The detail was so precise

Some sights from the 1904 World's Fair

Lindbergh's Plane

Easter at the Hudson's

2009-04-14T18:52:00.006-05:00

Grandma Tanner is 96.

A new fish.

They will hide eggs in some weird places

checking out the bootie

Make sure you look everywhere

Richard turns 50

2009-03-10T14:32:00.000-05:00

My baby brother turned 50 on February 27th. We had a combined Feb/March birthday party at my cousin Kenny's house. Of course there was way too much food and plenty of frivolity.

It's nice having a big family.

Walking at Jefferson Barracks

2009-03-10T14:23:00.000-05:00

We saw these deer while we were walking at Jefferson Barracks park.

There is something wrong with this. Seems like an oxymoron to me.

The Big Snow

2009-01-31T09:02:00.000-06:00

Parker Christmas

2009-01-02T15:07:00.001-06:00

We had the Parker Christmas on the 28th, because Steve's niece Wendy came into town. His other niece Samantha has a new baby, Murphy, made things fun. She is too little to enjoy it now, but next year it should be really fun.

Parents and children

2009-01-02T14:02:00.000-06:00

I have been very blessed with my parent's health. My dad has had some serious issues, but he has pulled through and has his wife to help him through everything.
My mom, however, is rarely sick. She gets things here and there that are uncomfortable, but manageable. The week of Christmas she started feeling bad and couldn't have a bowel movement. She has had trouble with constipation before, and we just figured she had stressed herself out. But by Christmas night, she had my brother take her to the emergency room. It turns out she has a sigmoid tumor that was completly blocking her colon. On the 27th, she had surgery to give her a temporay colostomy bag. The area around the tumor was very inflammed and the bag will give the area a chance to heal some what. She is now in a nursing facility to get her strength back and get some physical therapy. She will go back into the hospital on Wednesday, Jan 8th, and the plan to have surgery to remove the tumor on the 10th. She will keep the bag for a while and then they will reattach everything. The doctor has been nothing but postive about her recovery. He said he has done a bunch of these recently. He is very impressed with her recovery so far.

For anyone who has already dealt with an aging parent, this is not new for you. But for me, it is very strange to see her lying in bed looking very old and fragile. Even though she will be 79 in February, she has alway been strong and healthy. It is very unsettling. Steve's mom is also quite healthy, but he has commented on how she starting to show her age (82).

As I walk the halls of the facility, it more motivating to stay healthy and keep my mind in good working order. It is very sad seeing these people sitting in wheel chairs with vacant stares on their faces.

Christmas Day 2008

2009-01-02T13:49:00.000-06:00

Well Christmas, 2008 will mostly be remembered because my mom went into the hospital. We did have a nice dinner though and got to visit for a while. At the last minute, the meal was moved to my house, because my mom was not feeling well. It was fine with us, it gives us a reason to clean house. Steve and I actually like entertaining.

My urban fireplace

Christmas eve 2008

2009-01-02T13:31:00.001-06:00

Christmas eve we usually go to my dad's and he goes all out with french onion soup and a fancy meal. But this year, much of the family went elsewhere, so my step sister, Andrea had us to her house. Steve's sister and dad went with us.

Boys just wanna have fun

2009-01-02T13:07:00.000-06:00

This was my 3rd annual cookie decorating day. Unfortunately, we didn't have everybody because of previous commitments. But the boys that came had a good time. At the end, they mixed all the icing together as a science experiment

graduations and birthdays

2008-12-14T09:45:00.000-06:00

We took a quick trip to Lawrence, Kansas for Dhyana'a dance program. She graduates this month and so we also had a little graduation party at the hotel for her. It was fun seeing the KU campus and her apartment. Even her boyfriend's grandparents came, which was really sweet. We are so proud of her.
Then Jennifer and Lila came to St. Louis for a week. Lila's 13th birthday was in November, so we celebrated that too. Of course we had to play some cards and games. You can't be in this family if you don't like to play any and all games. We start 'em at a young age. I think it will be something they remember when then grow up and have their own families.

Trip to Lawrence

2008-12-14T09:25:00.000-06:00

Dhyana and Charlotte

Lila's b-day present from her sister

Playing Uno- Emily won both games

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-28T10:28:00.000-06:00

Cynthia, Delores and Alice

Cory and Christy and Steve

Cory and Emery

I told you not to drink that

Cory with Alice and Lois

playing marbles

Russell with Emery

Halloween done right

2008-11-01T21:20:00.000-05:00

The aging boyscout and the aging hussy and the vampiress

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful

Steve's brother and sister in law seem to like Halloween a little. Not only do they have inside their house decorated, but the backyard is decked out too. They said they need to rent a storage bin to store all the stuff they have accumulated

Giselle and family

2008-10-26T15:33:00.000-05:00

My second cousin and her husband, daughter, son in law and new granddaughter came to town just for the weekend. Her mom and my dad were cousins. Sunday, we went to Bevo Mill for brunch.

Emily and Dhyana through the years

2008-10-23T19:30:00.000-05:00

Dhyana came to St. Louis for the weekend with boyfriend Shane. Here are pics of them through the years. Love you two.

35 years

2008-09-28T20:38:00.001-05:00

Went to my 35th highschool year reunion on Saturday. It's funny how when you start talking about those years, it's like your 18 again and no at all has gone by. My friend Ed was asking everyone what their favorite memory from highschool was. I can honestly say it was the friends I made. Even though we went years without seeing each other, when we get together, I can see why I was friends with them. None of us were cheerleaders or the most popular, although 2 of them were 1st and 2nd in our class. But it seems like everyone stayed grounded and even though we may differ on some of our views, they are still good people and I know I could count on them if I ever need them. I know people who have no friends that they are in contact with from school. I think they are missing out. My dad still sees friends from his childhood and know how important they are to him as he's gotten older. I hope all of my friends are around to celebrate our 50th class reunion and beyond.

Class of 73

2008-09-28T20:29:00.000-05:00

2008-09-27T16:36:00.000-05:00

Steve had to go to a realestate thing down at the Lake of the Ozarks and his dad has a house down there, so we stayed with him for two days. Steve's stepmother died back in January, and his dad moved back here from Florida around May. He's building a garage. He built the house himself. It's quite the house. It has 3 bedrooms and 21/2 baths. It's kind of a mess right now while he's getting things done. But he loves the country. Although he has been up here several times for visits and doctor appointments. I spent the two days mostly with him, as Steve was in meetings. Talk about two peas in a pod. I now know where Steve gets all his idiosyncrosies. But it is beautiful down there.

A Trip To The Ozarks

2008-09-27T16:15:00.001-05:00

Notice the golden statue next to the pizza sign. What a contrast!!
Steve and his dad

Happy Anniversary

2008-07-29T11:33:00.000-05:00

Well, today is our 2nd anniversary. It's hard to believe that 2 years has gone by already. And in November, it will be our 5th anniversay of meeting. That's a record for me. None of my other relationships ever lasted very long. And having lived on my own for so long, I was very apprehensive about living with someone. But it is amazing how easy it is when it is meant to be.
We're going out to eat tonight, and then on Thursday (our designated day off together) we're going to the movies and out to eat again. We might even go get our hair cut. Oh yeah, we're going to vote early. We work the polls and there is an election next Tuesday. We work at the place where we vote, but if we vote early, we can see what's on the ballot and how it's set up.

I'm still dealing with my hand healing. I can do massages with both hands, but I'm limited with the left. Although no one has said anything about the pressure from the left feeling any different.
I still can't get my ring on. It stops right above the knuckle. My fingers get very stiff and still can't make a tight fist. I was assuming it was something to do with the muscles, but I have had several deep massages on my arm and the fingers don't feel any different. A book I happened to be looking at gave me a different idea. I realized it's probably the tendons, not the muscles. Tendons have very little blood supply to them and they are meant to be inflexible to hold things in place. So when you have an injury, they can rupture and tear. And since the blood supply in minimal, it takes a lot longer to heal. And when I looked at an anatomy book, the hand is chock full of tendons, especially around the fingers. So I guess I just wait. They'll heal when the heal.
I just want to wear my ring again.

I just found out that some people from highschool have put together a 35th reunion. OMG!!!
35 years? I don't think so. I immediatly called my friends and we all say "well I'll go if you go"
So we are going. It's at a place called the Feisty Bulldog down on the riverfront. It's a bar gameroom. I looked it up on line and it looks pretty nice. We had a 30th and there was some controversy surrounding it because people were not happy about where it was held, among other things. My thought is, if you don't want to plan it, don't complain. We had well over 500 people in our class. Less than 100 showed up for the 30th. So it will be interesting to see who shows up this time.

Fourth of July at the Hudson's

2008-07-07T19:08:00.000-05:00

Making a fashion statement

Jared with a mohawk

Pete and Charolette

Katrine celebrates being 16
The winning team for the scavenger hunt

the wedding

2008-05-18T15:01:00.000-05:00

My cousin Amy's son Eric got married on saturday. He is just 21. I assume his bride is also. He has done 2 tours in Iraq, and that probably ages a person.
The reception was at a local winery. It was quite the soiree. There was talk about who will be next. I guess it's the next generations turn.

Eric and Natalie's wedding

2008-05-18T14:43:00.000-05:00

Dad's 75th birthday

2008-04-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

2008-03-24T10:55:00.000-05:00

Well, the waters are receding. Our creek is going back to normal. A lot of people were flooded out, though. And of course now the controversy about whether people who build in the flood plain should get any help for FEMA or anybody else.

Easter was cold, but we got the egg hunt in. Right after we were done, it started to snow. It's just crazy weather here. The egg hunts we have involve money. My aunt Mickey started that. We older kids get to hunt eggs too. She puts the coin dollars as well as other coins in them. There were also the assorted gummy worms and toys. Steve and I collected about 10.50. Not bad.

My cousin Amy's son Eric is in Iraq. He will be home in 2 weeks. He is getting married in May. This is his second tour and he is all of 21 yrs old. He called my aunts cell phone while we were eating.

I told Steve that when we get our next house, it has to be big enough for us to have every one over for the holidays. I want us to be house everyone comes to. We will, after all, be the matriarch and patriarch when our parents and aunts and uncle are gone.

More water

2008-03-22T11:31:00.001-05:00

Where's Noah

2008-03-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

We have had a lot of rain in the last two days. Some areas got 8" or more. All the rivers are going to way above flood stage. We haven't had this much flooding since the flood of 1993, I don't think.
We have a creek and a lake that runs behind our condo. Normally you can barely see it. The pictures aren't great, but it was almost a river. I'm glad I live on the third floor.

If the "Crik" don't rise

2008-03-19T10:50:00.000-05:00

A stroll through history

2008-03-14T15:18:00.000-05:00

We decided to go to Jefferson Barracks on Thursday. It's always interesting and sobering to walk through the grave stones. We found my Uncle Bob and Uncle Ed's sites.

Our Civic Duty

2008-02-08T11:09:00.000-06:00

I first signed up to work the polls back in 2004. What a baptizim in the process. I was sent to a VFW hall down in Lemay. We averaged around a 100 people an hour. Luckily we had an experienced Supervisor who helped things run very smoothly. Since then, I have been at mostly schools in Oakville, where I live. I think every election for the last 4 or 5 times I have been lucky enough to be at the highschool that is right next to our condo. I had always been just a poll worker until 2 elections ago. But then I had a supervisor who had to be in his 80's and was also on oxygen. Now these two things alone don't necessarily prohibit someone from being affective. But, he pretty much just sat at a table and read the newspaper all day and constantly complained about everything. That particular election, their were two separate ballots that were being given out depending on where you live. We were getting low on one and I asked what we should do. We were very close to the end and I don't now if anyone could have brought us new ones. His answer was to just give them the other one-they would never know. I had no choice but to call my supervisor after the election and tell her about it. I then told them I would be open to being a supervisor. So that's what I am.
This time, I got Steve to start doing it with me. He of course is an assistant supervisor. He takes care of the machines. We had a great group working with us, except for the Republican assistant supervisor. She just didn't seem to want to be there. She kept leaving the room without telling anyone. At the end of the day, no one is supposed to leave until the Supervisors say that everything is done and it's ok. Well, the polls closed at 7 and at 7:15 she informed us that her ride was there and she had to leave. Needless to say, I wasn't happy.
Anyway, the day went very well. Everybody was very friendly and thanked us for working.
We have 3 more elections here this year. It was nice having Steve getting up with me and working with me.

let it snow let it snow

2008-02-01T12:35:00.000-06:00

We finally had a good snow. Although I'd like the kind where we can't go anywhere. Just once a season would be good.

Mortality

2008-01-25T14:59:00.000-06:00

My father is legally blind and cannot drive, although he watches TV, reads, etc. So he relies on my stepmother Judy or someone else to take him places. Well Judy just had shoulder surgery and is not allowed to drive for about 6 weeks. So now they are both dependent on all of us.

Steve and I take Thursday off together and usually run errands. Yesterday, my dad needed to go the doctor. He was diagnosed with emphasyma about 3 yrs ago, so he is very suseptible to any viruses or when it gets really cold like it is now. He get to where he has trouble breathing. He is supposed to call the doctor immediately, but doesn't. It's very wierd taking care of a parent. Although he gets around and isn't incapacitated and still has a strong mind, he is not the strong man that was my dad growing up. He will be 75 this April and has lived 25 yrs longer than his father. But this lung thing is scary. And with Judy not able to things for awhile, I think he feels a little scared. He has to help her with her therapy and do things around the house.

And then there is my aunt Lois. She was rushed to the hospital by my mother and my cousin. She was throwing up blood. They operated on her for a perforated colon, but now they are wondering if that was it. Of course my mother is freaking out, and my cousin is feeling overwhelmed, because he's trying to carry on at work, and take care of his mom. Lois is very thin. We don't know now whether it's because she wasn't eating or it was from the bowel thing. I guess we'll wait and see. Both Steve and I have always felt blessed because our parent are all still alive and relativly healthy. But I guess as they get older, things are going to happen. All we can do is take care of ourselves so as we age, we have minimal problems.

Democracy in action

2008-01-05T13:17:00.000-06:00

So I get a call from my father right before the new year wanting to know where my friend from Iowa lives. I tell him she lives outside of Des Moines. He wants me to call her to see if we can come to observe the caucus'. I call her, and she makes a call and before you know it we are on our way to Iowa. My stepsister Andrea went with us. We left Thursday morning and came back Friday. My friend lives on a pig/cow/corn farm and helped to enlighten us on the ins and outs of running a "family farm". They actually work with a corporation that helps them with a lot of their stuff. It helped my appreciate why prices are what they are.
She offered her home for us to stay in and fixed us supper and breakfast that was Bed and Breakfast quality.
We went to a Democratic caucus that was run by someone that Linda (my friend) knows. We were allowed to sign in as observers. I was encouraged about the youth and politics because one the observers was a 13 yr old girl who was sitting there writing what she was observing. I asked if she was writing a report for school. She said no, it was for her own benfit. Her parents are Republican and she has been there lots of times and wanted to see a Democratic one.
After we left there, we drove to Des Moines, about 25 min away. Linda had given us the name of hotel that the candidates had stayed in back in October. We finally found the hotel, but only Hillary was there. We got to go up to where the party was going on. She and Bill were there, but we really couldn't see them. There were too many people. Andrea picked us up offical guest tags off the floor, so we could prove we were there. It was definitly an experience.
The road trip was great too. We had some deep conversations on many topics..
Now my father wants to go to New Hampshire. He's on his own for that one.

Road trip to Iowa

2008-01-05T13:05:00.000-06:00

2008-01-05T12:56:00.000-06:00

cookie party

2008-01-05T12:49:00.001-06:00

I'm the cookie baker in the family and we have to have cut out sugar cookies for my father. I don't mind making them, but I don't like icing them. So last year, I got the idea that kids might like icing them. So I invited all the nieces and nephews in town and some cousins kids over and said go for it. Apparently they liked it and wanted to do it again. Well this year my sister and two nieces from Colorado came to town. As you can see, a good time was had by all. It is a mess, but it is fun to watch them create. And I let them all take 5 cookies home to give away or keep for themselves. I told them that they will have to keep doing this, even when they get older. They may to bring boyfriends and girlfriends. I figure this will be my legacy. When I'm long gone, everytime they make sugar cookies, they'll think about aunt Becky. That's comforting.

2nd annual cookie decorating party

2008-01-05T12:18:00.000-06:00

2008-01-05T12:13:00.000-06:00

Happy 4th

2007-11-21T12:43:00.000-06:00

Steve and I celebrated our 4th anniversary of meeting this past weekend. For those who don't know, we met on match.com. I don't remember how long we emailed and talked on the phone before we actually met, but I don't think it was long. We met at the local Applebees. We got there at 7 and were still there at 11. The waitress kept coming over to see if we needed anything. Luckily they were not crowded. When I told her this was our first date she said "I know". She must have seen a lot of first dates. Anyway, I think we both knew we wanted to continue seeing the other.
I took him to my dad's for Christmas eve and I met his family for February birthdays. By March, we were talking about moving in together and we did at the end of June. I never thought I could feel so sure about something. I've lived with 2 other guys and they did not turn out well. And looking back, I knew from the beginning that they wouldn't. But with Steve, it was totally different. I had absolutely no doubts. And I have had no doubts in the four years we've been together. People always say that I must love it when he goes away for scouts, but I hate it. I really miss him. I can't imagine a better fit than I have with him.

2007-11-02T11:59:00.000-05:00

Diane Latosek, Mary Ricker, Becky Hudson and Brian Ricker

two guys are Brian and Dave Bell

The student union has totally changed. In place of a dark snack bar with booths you could have secret meetings, you have new tables with a lot of light. No juke box. These kids don't know what they're missing.

The campus now even has a rec center where you can work out.

Centennial Hall has changed quite a bit. The down stairs has a flat screen tv and modern furniture. This glassed in area on the 3rd floor, where I lived, is a lounge area. But when I was there, it was all open and there was a door you could go outside to a deck and lay out in the sun. That's all locked up now. Mary's daughter is living in my old room -324.

There is a brand new dorm behind Centennial Hall. It has suites with two separate rooms w/2 people per room. They share one bathroom and have a common room. It is so bright and cheery. Lots of windows. They have their own in dorm store. Each room has a small kitchen area and then there is a bigger one on each floor.

Things have certainly changed. Oh yeah, it's coed, as are all the dorms.

The new and improved Missouri Hall. They are renovating one hall every year.

This is a sign at the corner that I lived on my Junior year. It was routinly stolen.

Kirksville town square is pretty much unchanged except for a few new businesses and just off the square is a big movie theatre. And Pagliais has outdoor seating.

A slice of life

The gang at Pagilais Pizza

Ah youth

2007-10-10T12:18:00.000-05:00

I've added a link to another blog. It's my niece, Emily's, boyfriend's blog. He is in France right now studying architecture. He has been to Munich for Oktoberfest and put pictures from that. He also has pics from his room and other things. Emily is going over there for Christmas. Ah, young love.

Mom finally moves

2007-10-05T10:58:00.000-05:00

My parents got divorced almost 25 years ago. My mom moved into a flat and has been there ever since. She's been at 5 landlords (4 of whom should never have owned property). Every year for many years she has been telling us she was going to move. And every year there was another excuse not to. But she finally had enough of her walls leaking when it rained and no heat in the kitchen. She is moving tomorrow. Her new place is wonderful. The landlady is a woman in her 60's who works all day. She and mom have bonded. They have already spent hours talking. The lady had the whole place painted and cleaned so that mom didn't have to do a thing but move in. She has so much room. Every room has a closet. She has wall to wall carpeting. She has a back porch with a ceiling fan. The basement is immaculate and the lady has a treadmill down there if mom wants to use it.
We've been pushing her to do this for a long time. I think she will be very happy about it. The pics below are some of the new place.

2007-10-05T10:41:00.000-05:00

Living the good life

2007-09-18T10:50:00.000-05:00

Steve is a real estate agent and is trying to sell a building that was a resturant to someone else who is interested in opening a resturant. They already own at least one resturant. He had to go and pick up some kind of appraisal book from them and so he suggested we eat there also. Let's just say I got an idea of how the other half lives. (the rich folks that is)
The resturant was Italian. It was a small intimate place with white table cloths and a little lamp on every table. All the waiters wore black suits with bow ties. Our waiter was amazing. He said he had been a waiter off and on for over 30 years. He retired from Monsanto and this is what he does. I'm sure he is part of the reason people go there.
He brought us a menu, but first told us about the specials of the night. I had started to look at the menu and noticed that it was all in Italian and there were no prices. Neither a good sign.
So Steve decided to go with the wild salmon stuffed with spinach and baby shrimp. That sounded good, so I was going to order the same. Well the waiter said I couldn't order the same thing!!! So he suggested I get the bow tie pasta with lobster. How could I say no? This waiter was good. He not only got me to order something else, but he said he would divide both up onto two plates so we could both try everything. Brilliant!!
So of course we had to have wine. He gave us the wine list (book) and we started to go through it, but then chucked it and told him to just pick us out not to dry red wine. Well he brought us a wine from Argentina that was sooooo good. At first we said we just were going to get a glass each. But he had filled the glasses up more than most places do, so I suggested we just go for the whole bottle.
When the food was ready, they just didn't bring it your table. Even though the kitchen was only about 30 feet from out table, they brought out a rolling cart that had two portable burners on it and proceeded to heat the food up on the plates before putting it in front of you. Steve and I were just awe struck.
The food was unbelievable. It was sooooo good!!!! We just kept commenting every couple of bites how wonderful it was. And of course anytime our water glass got a little empty, someone was there refilling it.
Then, when were done, our waiter came by and said he had a treat for us on the house. He back to the bar area and we could hear a blender going. He came back with a small glass that had some mixture of ice cream and what Steve thought was Kahlua. We each had one. It of course was wonderful.
Of course, then it was time for the bill. Let's just say this will not be weekly, or even monthly outing. The wine alone was $28. The total was over a $100!!! Luckily Steve had just gotten a commission check from another sale.
He didn't even get to talk to the son who wanting to buy the property. But he met the father and since we ate there, we are hoping that they know he is serious. So it was a taste of the rich life and it was fabulous. Although, even forgetting about the money, eating that kind of food on any kind of regular basis would surely make us candidates for a bypass. But for one night!!!!

2007-09-04T15:03:00.000-05:00

2007-09-04T15:00:00.000-05:00

2007-09-04T14:56:00.000-05:00

2007-09-04T14:24:00.000-05:00

Another Becky and Steve adventure

2007-09-04T14:01:00.000-05:00

Over Labor Day weekend (fri-sun), I took Steve down to my Aunt Mickey and Uncle Gene's cabin. I've been telling him about since we met, but we never got down there. It's about an hour from St. Louis. It's in a man made development with a lake. They bought it in the 60's. We've all gone down there through the years and my dad and stepmom took all the grandkids and cousins kids down there for many years.

This was the first time I had been there for Labor Day. Every year they (everybody who has a cabin there and comes for the weekend) have competitions all day long, from running and walking races to horseshoes and swimming and water balloon toss. Steve and my cousin Amy took part in walk race. Amy's brother's 5 year old son was with us at the cabin and he decided he wanted to go on the walk. Amy said yes, figuring she would be carrying him most of the way. Well, he not only finished, running most of the 3 miles, but he came in 5th out of everyone.

And he was mad he didn't come in first. It was his first ribbon. He then went on to win ribbons in swimming and sand sculpture and a couple of others.

Saturday morning my uncle fixed bacon and pancakes for everyone and Sunday we had eggs and bisquits and gravy. Yummy

Monday we had a big get together/birthday party. My niece Emily must be growing up. She was the one who pushed my aunt and dad to get the thing going. Her boyfriend came. He left on Tuesday 9/4 for France to study architecture. Rough.

My cousin Amy's son Eric was there. He is in the military and has already gone to Iraq once, and is scheduled to go back in October. He had some video of him jumping out of an airplane.

The party was good. It amazing watching all the kids grow up. I guess our parents felt the same way.

thoughts on being married

2007-08-01T14:24:00.000-05:00

Well, we celebrated our one year anniversary Sunday. It's hard to believe. I'm sure everybody feels that way. One minute your a year away from the date and worrying about all the details and what food to serve and who to invite. The next thing you know, you've already been married a year.

For me, it's quite amazing. Since I didn't get married till I was 51, there were many years that I had just accepted that I would not get married. Let's just say I kissed a lot of frogs. But looking back, I can look at every one of those relationships as a learning experience. Of course when I was in them, the guys were jerks and I was perfect and they were fools for not seeing that.
But now I can see that I needed every one of them to make the person I am today.

And now, at the age of 52, I know what it takes to make a relationship to work. And as rough as it was on Steve to get divorces after 26 years, he knows exactly what his part in the failure of the marriage was and is determined not to repeat. Unfortunatly, too many people who get divorced want to blame their partner for all the problems.

I really thought I would have more trouble adjusting to having someone around all the time. But I guess when the person is the right person, it makes it alot easier. When Steve goes away to camp for a week, everybody always says "you must like having the house to yourself" I guess we haven't been married long enough, because I hate it when he's gone.

So I guess I like being married. Steve makes it real easy. He lets me be goofy and moody and I leave him alone when he yells at the sports team on TV. I wonder if he knows they can't hear him?

My little boyscout

2007-07-21T11:23:00.000-05:00

Steve leaves for boyscout camp tomorrow for a week. He goes every year, and his son goes too.
His son will be 30 this month, but they both love it.
We moved into our condo 3 years ago. One week after we moved in, he went away for a week.
I wasn't very happy. But it's who he is.
What's weird is, even though I lived by myself for most of my adult life, and had lived by myself for 7 years before meeting him, I kinda freaked out when he left. The first time he left, I left the lights on in the living room all night. I double checked all the locks more than once, and had wild ideas that someone might climb up three floors outside and come in my patio door.
I've gotten better, but I still hate when he leaves. I sleep on his pillow and sit on the part of the couch he normally sits on. Oh well, I'm still a newly wed.
After one year, are we still considered newly weds?
Next Sunday is our one year anniversary. We are going out to eat and then going to see the new
Harry Potter movie. Are we exciting or what?
I like being married, even when we're boring.

Becky and Steve's vacation

2007-07-14T10:58:00.000-05:00

Wedding ring

2007-07-14T10:01:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I'm trying this blog site to see if I can put pictures on any easier.

Anyway, yesterday, Steve and I left the house at the same time and he was driving ahead of me, we all of sudden he puts on his blinker and my phone goes off. My first thought was that he was having car trouble. But no, he had forgotten his wedding ring and was going to go back home to get it. I had to giggle. I told him he didn't have to. It wasn't the end of the world. I don't wear mine if I know I have a lot of massages. So he finally agreed.
Then last night, he was looking for his ring on his dresser to make sure to wear the next day, and it wasn't there. He looked everywhere. He back tracked his steps from Thursday. He checked his pockets, the trash in his bathroom, by the computer. All to no avail. He was up looking for again this morning, but nothing. Last night and this morning, I kept asking the angels of lost things to guide me to the ring. Well, the thought to double check his pockets popped int my head. When I checked the second pair, the pocket was kind of folded in on itself and when opened it up, there was the ring.
This is the second time he has left his ring in his pants. The first time, was about a week after we got married, and I found the ring in the washer.
We were both very much relieved. Another saga in our exciting lives.