Sewer Solution

Our sewer problems are solved!  This simple and effective solution was on our back steps this morning.

Thanks Dan and Joni for solving our sewer problems. Thanks also for the reading materials.  Gotta go.

Sewer Superman .... more snow

Last night we were rescued by Sewer Superman who was able to unclog the city sewer line.  Here is Superman's phone booth from which he saved the day. 

It was just in the nick of time as today we received yet another snowfall.  

Thanks Sewer Superman.

PS.  I realize that some of my legion of readers may not be all that interested in the Crow Sewer Saga.  Sorry to bore you.  Nevertheless, the CSS has just begun as the city disclaims any responsibility for keeping the sewer line clean.  Stay tuned for the next exciting episode.

Vactor 2100 Series

Helen may have a Dyson Ball DC25, but look what I got.

Yep, its a Vactor 2100 Series sewer cleaning monster.  This baby is beautiful.  It visited our alley late Friday night to clean out the city sewer line.  The front end lowered a massive auger-type cable into the manhole and in less than 3 minutes, it traveled over 400 feet looking for a clog.  Very, very, cool!

Unfortunately, it did not find a clog and our sewer line remains plugged.  (We think they cleaned the wrong sewer line.)   Even so, the Vactor 2100 Series makes the Dyson Ball DC25 look paltry.  Eat your heart out Helen.

Dyson Ball DC25

Like wow ... who knew that Helen would be so excited about a new vacuum sweeper?  Today she received her Dyson Ball DC25.  Here is one happy Donna Reed:

Boulderites

Last week, Helen and I visited SRC and JRQ in Boulder.  We had a blast!  We also learned that those who live in Boulder are called Boulderites.  We were dazzled and awestruck by the style, class and location of the Boulderites' new apartment.

It is contemporary and sleek yet cozy and warm.

Located on very hip Pearl Street; it is only a few blocks from historic and funky Downtown Boulder, a mere 8 blocks from the chic and trendy Twenty Ninth Street Shops and easy walking distance to the University of Colorado campus.  Wednesday night we visited the campus to attend the CU-KU men's basketball game.

KU won, but barely.

Tony (a Denverite) joined us for the game.

Thursday night we drove to Denver and had dinner with Amanda and Britt.  Here is Uncle Sam, little Kate, Amanda and Britt.  Fun people, those Denverites.

Amanda and Helen have a very special friendship and it was fun to see them reunited.

Friday night Tony, JRQ and I enjoyed Avatar in IMAX 3D while the women-folk did, well ... whatever they did.  The movie was amazing and all 3 of us were ready to see it again.

Saturday night we went to The Boulder Theater ...

and saw the touring troop of The Second City, a 50 year old comedy group based out of Chicago. It was raucous and fun.  The last time we'd seen The Second City was in Chicago ... when SRC was only 8 years old.  No, the show is not suitable for 8 year olds.  Yes, it is well established that we are really bad parents.  

Many thanks to JRQ and SRC for letting us visit. 

For a different perspective on our visit, check the Boulderites' posting at We Be Bloggers.  Helen and I sure had fun visiting the new Boulderites and look forward to our next visit.

2 alarm game

Last night we hosted the Twilight Dinner Club.  (I don't know why I call it the Twilight Dinner Club so don't ask.)  At the same time, and without checking with us, KU and K-State decided to have a basketball game.  It was an important game too.  So important that ESPN decided to make it their College Game Day event.  I was pumped.  I wanted to watch it.   So did Glenn.  So while some of the TDC peacefully enjoyed their dinner, Glenn and I withdrew to the TV room to watch the game ... with blind visits by Mary and cameo appearances by John.

The game was exciting.  Really exciting.  Glenn and I got animated.  The game went into overtime.  We jumped, screamed and slapped things.  Did I tell you that Glenn is a competitive hand-ball player?  Did you know that Glenn can slap things really, really hard?  Did I tell you about our glass-break home alarm system? Do you know what it sounds like when Glenn slaps a leather arm chair really, really hard?  Did I tell you that our alarm system works very, very well?  Yep, last night's game was a 2 alarm game.  Helen said that the security company's phone dispatcher was not amused.

Dinner?  Oh yes, it was fine.  But desert was great!  Provided by John and Suzanne, it came from this funky little shop called The European BakeShop in Hartford, Kansas, where the proprietor had previously been a chocolatier in Luxembourg.  Yummy stuff.

Here we are all happy after desert:

It was a fun night full of good conversation, hearty laughter and alarming adventure.

PS.  KU won the game in overtime causing them to return as the #1 ranked team in the nation.  Go KU!

Birthday, Folk Music and Anniversary

For the first time in 11 years, SRC was here to help celebrate my birthday. Isn't she (almost) the cutest thing ever?

Last night we attended our first West Side Folk concert of the 2010 season.  Richard Shindell and Antje Duvekot performed.  Helen and I continue to be amazed at both the caliber of the talent and the intimacy of the setting.

If you're interested, here are You Tube links to Richard Shindell and Antje Duvekot with songs we saw (heard) them perform last night.


I forgot to mention that when SRC was here on her scouting trip, she attended a Bridal Show with Helen and Marilyn, a good friend and neighbor.  Here is a fun photo clip from one of the Photo Booth vendors.

Speaking of weddings, today marks my parents' 62nd wedding anniversary.  Here they are in 1948:

Thanks Dad and Mother for getting married ... and thanks for being such great parents too.

Snow, Samantha and Supper

After more than 3 weeks, we still have snow on the ground.  While it is not uncommon to have intermittent snow, it is uncommon for it to linger more than a few days.  We are now at 25 days and counting.

Thursday night SRC flew in to attend a weekend Bridal Show and to explore wedding venue options.  She and her friends Gus and Alex joined our dinner group for a Linda Polly Supper last night.

 It is now sunny and the snow is melting.

Oma turns 81

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, Oma turned 81.  We celebrated with ice cream and photos.

Happy 81st Oma!

RNK dies

Robert N. Kirk, age 88, died on January 5, 2010.

Not only was he a dear friend but he was also Helen's senior broker when she joined his real estate company in 1973.  He started Kirk Company in 1947 shortly after returning home from WWII.  After a career spanning 60 years, he retired in 2007.  Here is Helen with RNK in 2005 during his Distinguished Service Award Dinner.

I was given the profound honor of delivering his eulogy during the private family service earlier today.  An accomplished yet unassuming man; he will be missed.  

This week Helen also lost Mary Voigt, the dear mother of her childhood friends Bruce, Carol and Craig Voigt.

Being a grown-up is hard.