Buddy

Ok, my life lately has been all about the Buddy Holly story. I signed on as the assistant stage manager and have been doing some backstage work for the show. The cast is awesome and the show is great. They are doing such a great job. Of course the tech people (that's me) are only there to make sure the show goes off as planned. If we mess up the show has been affected. We don't make the show but we can sure ruin it. Here are a few pics of me and the cast. Enjoy and if you are in the area, come to the DSM playhouse and see the show. It closes next weekend.

Wet weekend in Chicago with Jamie and Kyle

This past weekend I got the pleasure of going to see Jamie and Kyle between my weeks of DPS training. I was able to experience the wettest day in Chicago's history. What fun! I seemed like it rained all weekend, oh it did.

Jamie and I braved the CTA and rode around on Saturday. We were able to take in the Chicago history museum and take in a nice supper at a local place. It was great just hanging out with Jamie. I cannot remember the last time we were able to do that. It was fun and we have to do it again very soon. Jamie is a great hostess so if anyone wants to go to Chicago, stay at her place!

Here are few pics from the weekend.

This is a nice shot of my foot and leg after some great time walking around downtown and the ride home on the bus.

Me outside the old cars that were used by the CTA. I am the old looking one, the lady is well just annoyed by me. Go figure.

Here is Jamie outside of Loyola. It was raining go figure.

Jamie thought the beaver pelt was so soft. Like everyone hasn't felt a beaver pelt, what is the big deal. No really it was a great place to learn so much about the orgin of Chicago!

Jamie was smiling most of the day, takes more than a little rain to get this girl down.

Ok, my last pic from the weekend. I took this one outside of Jamie's apartment. This guy had "gotten the boot" as they said. He owes on his parking tickets and until he pays them this car is not moving! Later that same day the boot was gone, so I am glad that I was able to capture this special moment.

DuPont Production System training

So out in wonderful Wilmington, DE this week. Not too exciting that is for sure. I have been through two days of training so far and all that I have to say for it is 4 pages of questions. So by far more questions than answers at this point. Hopefully the rest of the week and next will answer some of those questions.

Went out for fish tonight, for some reason it didn't agree with me too well. I better stick to my regular diet type stuff. I can usually eat about anything, but for some reason the fresh fish and the smell was a bit overwhelming for me this evening. Perhaps I am pg or something?

Birthday Parade?

Yes, that is correct. A birthday parade. I commented one time to Cindy that I haven't had what a birthday parade. Well low and behold, a birthday parade. The weather was really rough in the afternoon and the event was very close to being cancelled due to weather, but they pulled it off as a complete surprise to me, as you can see from the attached pic. - By the way thanks Tyler for the pics, he was the official photographer. Yes as you can see from my expression, what the H__L was I thinking?

The is a pic of the parade as it started. Lead by the official pace car driven by Mike Grove. As you can see it wasn't a long parade, but it was a mighty parade. Yes the sky is very dark as yet another storm was on it's way. God really wanted this parade to happen for some reason?

As the parade begins to get closer you get to see the real detail that went into planning and pulling off such an odd event. Yes that is a tractor, driven by Larry Findley - which immediately after the parade drove home as fast as he could to get out of the rain!

Not really sure or if I remember what April T., is pulling in the wagon.

A parade is nothing with out a line of pretty girls, and this one had one as well! Don't know if we should count the dog in that line or not, I really can't tell if it is a girl or not from this angle. But nevertheless the rest of the girls are pretty.

As we close out this parade, here is the mastermind of the event with her accomplices. Cindy my lovely wife, and Becky and Lindsay Duckett. Yes, I didn't know if they had it in them, but they did. Let's just say payback is obvious.

A crowd gathered for such a site as expected. Not often you get an unannouced parade. (Did we have a permit for this gathering) Yes it does seem to fit that candy does draw all kinds of KIDS!

And finally the birthday boy in all his glory. Yes even with STAR glasses. They are so cool. Honestly, thank you Cindy for making it a great day. We drove through some rough weather to get home in time for it and it was worth it. Thanks again and I love you!

Lance and Casey's wedding dance

Ethan had a blast at Lance and Casey's wedding dance. A pretty girl to dance with and BUBBLES. What could a guy as for. Here is a short video clip from the evening, plenty of screaming on his behalf! The little guy had a blast. Sorry - Bethany I tried getting this sent to you by email but it was too large for the email server.

IOWA STATE FAIR - Ethan's first time

Today was a great day as Ethan got his chance to attend the great Iowa State Fair. The weather was perfect and it was Bethany, Josh, Ethan, Grandpa CC (Grandma for those not in the know)and Grandpa in attendance.

Of course FOOD is the a major element of the Iowa State Fair, so the first stop was the BUD BUILDING for some good ole fashion chicken strips, pork tenderloin and cheesy fries. Beer has been known to accompany these items in the past and it will in the future as well. So Ethan's first experience was done right. (Not sure why I didn't get a wrist band and Josh did?)

Here is Ethan taking a look at the farm animals, let's just say this was one of his favorities. Here is what he was looking at!

This is A HUGE PIG - plenty of bacon here!

Yes the glass is empty, but this is a young man that knows that a fair is all about.

Little Hands on the Farm is a special place for kids at the Iowa State Fair - and Ethan got his first chance at this great area. He is a little young for some of the farm stops, but it was great taking him through the area.

Ethan is planting his crop here, he loved playing in the dirt!



Harvest time, nice carrot. Ethan wanted to eat it, I am sure he wouldn't have been the first to take a bite out of this piece of produce.

Ethan was a bit to small to ride the tractor this year, but next year, he going to be all over it.

Grandpa and Ethan waiting to milk the cow and cash in all of our farm products for cash and a chance to buy something at the store.

We should have known that Ethan would want a breakfast bar for his reward for farming.

Here is a short video of Grandpa CC and Ethan at the misting fountain, it was great fun as well.

Here is pic of Ethan and Grandpa CC after this little water trip. I just loved the little hair horn on the side!

Ethan is also a big fan of Clifford and he enjoyed his waking up from his short nap to face down this fun DOG.

Overall a great day at the fair and we can hardly wait for next year!

Great Birthday!

It was an awesome day. I started the day meeting with Robert Johnson, the prison poet. We discussed mutual aftercare prison ministry opportunites. Great breakfast and great conversation.

Afterwards, I and Cindy went to see Ethan and Bethany. Nothing better than spending the day with a great daughter and the most wonderful grandchild in the world!

I hope that Bethany sends me some pics from the day.