When I left the pesky day job in June 2008 I’ll admit I had a fleeting moment wondering how I’d spend my time.  Turns out, I wasn’t really leaving a day job – I just exchanged one that paid well in $ for one that paid well in other ways.  I figure  that over the last year, I’ve spent an average of 15-20 hours a week as president of the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast and had I not had an awesome executive administrator  working to make me look good, I would have had a full-time-plus job!

Garnering perfect attendance for the 5th year in a row was a cinch given all the committee meetings, board meetings, regular weekly meetings and social events I attended – and Burl probably had better attendance than several club members!  But the good thing about that job was that it was a one-year gig and yesterday it came to a screeching halt.  At our annual installation luncheon, I passed the gavel onto friend Brad (nice guy and practically a Brad Pitt double!) and now I have what I’m told is the best job in Rotary – Past President!

I will still be on the board of directors for another year but my duties are only to attend monthly board meetings – no committees to chair or oversee, no daily hassles, just sit back and relax and enjoy sitting at lunch with my friends instead of being at the podium every week.

I had a great year thanks to the hard work and dedication of the board, the club members and our executive administrator but while it was a bit tough to relinquish the podium, there’s no way I’d want to stay on for another year!

I’m still wondering just a teensy little bit how to spend my time but after we take a month-long vacation, I have no doubt I’ll be able to fill every day with more than 24 hours.

Time to get packing – we leave in less than 36 hours.

Precation – that’s the new word I’ve coined to designation a mini-vacation prior to taking a true vacation.  Hope you like it and if not – well, tough!!!  It seems like we’ve been running on a treadmill for the last few weeks plus planning and getting ready for our trip so when friends Jim and Robin asked us to join them at the lake earlier this week, we jumped at the opportunity.

We arrived in time for lunch on Monday and as soon as we’d eaten, we loaded up the cooler and headed for their dock where we proceeded to hang out for the entire afternoon.  Robin and I waded through a ton of magazines and then got on floaties and lazed around in the water.  All of a sudden it was past beer-thirty and we were exhausted from all our time in the sun.  Back at their home we got out the frozen margaritas and some snacks and sat on the deck overlooking the lake while Jim got the grill going to fix dinner.

By time we were thoroughly stuffed, the sun was dipping into the western sky and it was time for a boat ride.  The lake was like a pane of glass – so clear and sparkling with very little traffic out – plus it was a perfect summer evening.   Jim took this picture of us with our windblown look and the sun setting in the background.  We had the boat out for over an hour and felt like we had the entire lake to ourselves which is a big switch from how it’s sure to be over the holiday weekend.

Tuesday morning we sat on the deck and drank coffee as a storm blew through and then when it cleared, we returned to the exhausting job of laying on the dock being lazy. 

We ended our time together with a late lunch at Cantina Laredo at Branson Landing.  Several friends have raved about this Mexican restaurant and now we know why – the food was great and their lunch menu was quite reasonable.  Apparently we erred in not getting the guacamole that they prepare tableside but I figure you always have to have a reason to return and that’s ours. 

We were joined by daughter Cindy shown here along with Robin and me.  I think the three of us could have stayed there all afternoon and switched our iced tea to margaritas but alas we needed to get home and back to work on making ourselves vacation-ready – which meant doing all the mowing before Ralph and her crew arrived for the holiday weekend.

Final analysis:  I heartily recommend a precation anytime you’re getting ready for a vacation.

Our weekend has been a whirlwind of activity and it’s tempting to go to bed without blogging tonight but I hate to disappoint my adoring audience (Hi Vickie!).  Friday evening we played couples golf and we fortunate to be paired with friends Becky and Clarence AND get to play the back 9 which is my favorite.  While we didn’t play it as well as we did earlier in the week, we still shot a 41 and ended up with 2nd place in our flight for a grand total of $37 in pro shop credits!

Yesterday morning I had originally planned to do a 40-mile bike ride as part of the Queen City Century but the forecast of 100 degree temps and no one to ride with changed my plans – so Burl and I rode to Strafford for breakfast early in the morning and when I combined that with a ride to Tammy’s, I still got in about 30 miles of exercise.  I was also pooped which meant the only remedy was some pool time with a book.  

Burl had been dying to see “The Proposal” as he’s a huge Sandra Bullock fan and since we usually can’t agree on movies, I acquiesced and was pleasantly surprised – it was probably the best of her movies I’ve seen and was not that predictable – plus the male lead was quite a hottie.  Good eye candy for us both.  We finished off our perfect day with dinner at the Tower Club.  It was a perfect summer evening and the place was practically empty so we enjoyed a leisurely dinner while the pianist played in the background.  We got quite a kick out of his eclectic musical selections – everything from “The Old Rugged Cross” to “New York, New York” with some tunes from “Phantom of the Opera” thrown in for good measure.

Today we were up bright and early to meet the other members of his Shrine unit for breakfast and then we went down to the Shrine to set up for the Poker Run.   We had a lull for almost 2 hours and I took advantage of that time to take a long walk around MSU and my old ‘hood – I’d almost forgotten how much I loved that area for running and walking.   The weather cooperated today by being a bit cooler which made it perfect for being on the motorcycle and even though we didn’t win anything, we had a great time with our friends.

Tonight I’ve been working on more packing for the trip and trying to find a B&B near Rapid City, SD during the first few days of our trip.  I’m waiting to hear back from a couple of them but think we’ve found one we really like.  The more planning we do, the more excited we’re getting.

But first, we need to practice with a pre-vacation so we’ll be taking off in the morning to visit our friends Robin and Jim at their home on Table Rock Lake.  We’ll just be gone for one night but it will be a perfect get-away and is sure to get us in vacation mode.

After all, when your whole life is 24/7 weekends and holidays, you need something to define a vacation!  Right?

Thanks to all my friends who commented, emailed or called about my bike encounter a few days ago with the driver of ‘EZDZIT”.  Many people suggested I call the police and report the incident but I felt there was little, if anything, they would do since I wasn’t hurt and no damage was done to the bike.  I also reasoned that the police have enough to do and at a time when they don’t have staff to take care of ex parte orders, it seemed less important to deal with a miffed bicyclist.

However, I still wanted to be heard and decided to submit a blurb to the “Roses and Thorns” section of the Springfield News-Leader.  Today it was published:

“A THORN to the driver of a small red car with personalized license plates bearing the MSU logo.  You swerved around me on Tuesday going north on Oak Grove and came to an abrupt stop at Grand.  I was on my bicycle and you clipped my mirror and handlebar, sending me into the ditch.  You drove on through the intersection.  Next time you or I may not be so lucky.”

I feel much better having stated my case and today I’ve had several calls from friends wanting to know if I’m okay and more details on the episode – especially from fellow bicyclists. 

And I tell all of them to be on the lookout for a small red car with MSU plates that say “EZDZIT”.  I’ll see the driver someday and just want to share with them that the road belongs to both cars and bikes – and please be more careful in the future.

Happy Birthday to my firstborn daughter, Tammy.  As I type this post, it is 11:42 a.m. on Friday June 26 which makes her officially……20 years younger than me!  For those who think she is a mini-me, you’re wrong.  While the physical resemblance is strong – and Tammy is usually gracious enough to smile and say thanks when she’s mistaken for me – we are different in so many ways.

Tammy is definitely a right-brain person with more creativity in her little finger than I could ever hope to have in my whole brain.  She loves music and if I ever need to phone a friend on a quiz show, she’s the one I’d call for music, TV shows, movies, books or anything related to the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s as long as it didn’t involve politics!

She’s bright and funny with a wicked sarcastic sense of humor and Ralph and I usually consider her the last word on fashion – especially since she’s a top-ranked officer in the Fashion Police.  Like me, she’s a voracious reader, but her tastes are a bit more refined while I tend to go for brain candy.  In addition to her artistic talents, she can decorate, write creatively and sing.

So here’s to Tammy and a wonderful day – and thanks for being such a neat kid.  We survived your teen-age years and the Terrible Twenties and I’m honored to call you my friend as well as my daughter. 

Happy Birthday – I love you very much.

Tammy’s not the only family member with a June birthday – last week was daughter Stacey who turned 40, two days ago, granddaughter Julia turned 6 and next week Julia’s dad will celebrate his birthday on the 30th.  I remember feeling so grown up at the ripe young age of 6 and Julia is certainly trying her mother’s patience as she embraces another year.  Aunt Tammy and Uncle Steve sent her the video to “High School Musical” which doesn’t sound like a big deal except Julia’s parents generally don’t let her watch much TV and are certainly not into the pop culture stuff.  So far her favorite video is the original “Sound of Music” with Julie Andrews!!!  Any ideas Ralph had of raising two daughters in a vacuum from HSM or Hannah Montana are shot – even Lydia at 3 knows the main characters in HSM and can sing along now. 

Ralph and her crew will be here over the holiday weekend next week so we’ll have a large family party then – and will even include Ralph whose birthday is July 11th.  I’ve had fun making some American Girl clothes for Julia and was hoping she’d be surprised – until she told Ralph the other day she thought I was making some for her for her birthday.  No fooling that young lady.

So Happy Birthday to all the celebrants in our family – and don’t forget to save your money for those of us whose birthdays are in November!!!

For some unknown reason, riding my bike to the gym sounded like a good idea this morning.  Of course that was at 8:30 and the temp was about 74 too.  So I jumped on the bike, rode to the gym, worked out and then ran a few errands.

By noon the temp was 95 – or 96 – or 97 – or maybe something else – depending on which bank sign you read.  All I know if that it was f’ing hot!!!  I have carefully planned routes that keep me off the busiest streets and only cross major streets where I can get a true “walk” light.  I also have a rear view mirror which I use diligently so I’m always aware of my surroundings in front of me, in the back and on the sides.  Figure you can’t be too careful when you’re on a bike.

I was on Oak Grove going north and approaching Grand Street (4-way stop sign) when a red car came up behind me.  I ride on the right hand side of the road but always keep a good 12-18″ between me and the side of the road in case a vehicle tries to push me aside.  Since I was almost to the stop sign, I was going slowly and anticipated I could get to the intersection, stop and then continue through it when it was my turn.

But then the red car decided to go around me and then pull right in front of me and stop for the stop sign – directly in my path.  Fortunately I wasn’t going too fast but I still hit the rear of the car ( a little hatchback style vehicle – don’t know what kind) and went down into the ditch on the right.  I hit the side of my left knee on the bike but other than a bruised ego, I was fine.  A couple of kids on bikes came over to see if I was okay – their moms taught them right!

Meanwhile, the little red car with MSU personalized plates of “EZDZIT” went on through the intersection and headed north on Oak Grove.

If anyone sees the driver, you might want to let them know I’m okay.  I’m betting they’re real concerned.

Burl came home from work/golf the other day and asked if I’d like to play today with our friends Jim and Kathy.  He obviously got me at a very weak moment – or I wasn’t really listening – because I said “yes”.  Then I said to myself “what the hell have I gotten myself into?”  And then I chastised myself for ending a sentence in a preposition!  See how my mind works – or doesn’t work?

I reminded Burl this morning that I was playing for fun and to just get off my case if/when I hit bad shots!  We played a scramble and the front nine was pretty bad – at the turn I refilled my ice tea and water and seriously wondered why I was getting back in the golf cart and not just jumping in the inviting swimming pool next to the grill.  It was hot and humid and we still had 9 holes to play.  That’s the thing about golf – the game usually lasts WAY longer than my attention span but I was determined to be a good sport because this is really a big deal for Burl.

I don’t know if the back 9 was easier but our scores suddenly dropped and we were using my ball more often.  Then we got to #17 – a par 4 of about 290 yards for me.  I hit a great drive (out-drove Burl) so we used my ball for the second shot – which made it just to the edge of the green (again, a better ball than Burl’s as he overshot the green).  For some reason I just knew I could make the putt – and I did!  I’m guessing it was 15-20′ but it doesn’t matter – I sunk it which meant we birdied the hole using my shots.  It was officially MY FIRST BIRDIE!

Burl was ecstatic and kept saying “that’s my wife!” and our friends were so excited too.  In fact Jim told me that going by the way I was putting today, he thinks I could be a good golfer if I played more.

We finished the back 9 with a 39 which was 3 over and by far the best round we’ve ever had together.  Burl thinks I’m improving – I think it was all due to the stylin’ new golf outfit I wore today!  After all, looking good is 95% of the game isn’t it?

It’s kind of scary, but I think just maybe (but don’t tell Burl yet) I could get to where I enjoy this game.  A little birdie told me that might happen!

I hope my kids and grandkids aren’t counting on my passing to help fund their retirement plan for a couple of reasons.  First of all, I plan to enjoy life and spend as much as I can – hopefully leaving enough for a cardboard box for my ashes and a great party after my memorial service where they wax poetic on all my virtues.  Yes, I know, it could be a very short service.

And second, according to new research, I’m not leaving this earth for a very long time.  A study in Japan reveals that chubby people live longer and being skinny is actually dangerous to your health.  Normally I question research results but I’m convinced these are 100% correct!  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

I’ve never crossed the line into obesity but my BMI is never too far under the max for a “normal” range (18-25) and I flirt with the upper limits of my Weight Watchers lifetime weight goal.  Now I realize that my body already knew that in order for me to have a long life, it needed to pack on a few extra pounds.  And despite my best efforts (well, soft of!) I have never achieved true “skinny” status which would put me in a size 6 or less according to my definition.

But hey –  if I’m not skinny, my facial wrinkles won’t be as prominent so maybe I’ll keep getting carded for my senior discount movie tickets!!!

A group from our church asked Burl to be the bus driver for them to attend “Altar Boyz” at Tent Theatre on Thursday night so I tagged along.  I was actually surprised that Burl was eager to go since I knew it was a musical and that kind of entertainment doesn’t usually trip his trigger.  Fortunately I was wrong.  Did I really say that?  I meant he was right.  Nope – didn’t mean to say that either.  Suffice it to say he loved it and so did I.

I hadn’t been to Tent Theatre in many years and it brought back some great memories from when I lived in the MSU area and could walk to the campus on a summer evening and enjoy a performance.  This play featured a super-charged quintet of actors who excelled at dancing and singing as well.  It was irreverent in a comic way as long as you have a good sense of humor about religion which we do.  The other “performer” was never seen but was listed on the program as “God” – and his booming voice at perfectly-timed moments left no doubt as to his role in the play.

If you haven’t had a chance to see “Altar Boyz” do yourself a favor and catch it in the next few days before it ends its run at the 2009 Tent Theatre.

Julia turns 6 next week and when I asked Ralph for birthday ideas, she told me that Julia loves wearing sundresses and suggested I make one for her.  I checked out three different fabric stores and was underwhelmed by their choices of cute material for little girls.  I didn’t want a cartoon character like Dora, she’s not “Daddy’s Little Princess” and it’s way too early for Halloween or Christmas. 

And then I saw this material which I loved!  If you can’t tell, it has little pieces of sushi all over it along with their names!  It’s not at all what I thought I’d get but for some reason I think it works.  Here’s hoping Ralph likes it and since she doesn’t read this blog, it will be a surprise for her when they arrive in two weeks.  (Note to Tammy, don’t tell Ralph about the photo please.)

Now that her dress is finished (except for the hand sewing) I need to get started on clothes for her American Girl doll!  And trust me, they are harder to make than the Julia-sized clothing.