I'm Not Majerus

One morning a couple of months ago I got to talking with a young fellow at the pool. (I swim every morning; got started in January and love it!) He was recovering from a foot injury and said that he had run long distance at Marquette as an undergraduate. While mentioning Marquette he referred to its location in Milwaukee. A few days later we were talking again and he apologized for thinking that I might not know where Marquette was, "You know, what with basketball," he said. This was after he had greeted me as I stepped up to the edge of the pool the morning before with a wave and what I was certain I had misheard as, "Hey coach!"

Realization began to dawn with his apology and I asked with a smile and look of confusion, "Who do you think I am?"

"Why, the new basketball coach, aren't you?"

I introduced myself, he introduced himself, we both laughed, and he made a hasty and embarassed exit. A few days later he apologized for the mistaken identity saying that he had heard the new coach swam at the pool. I told him it was fine because even though I thought I had a few less pounds than Majerus I knew I had a lot more hair.

So, an amusing anecdote particularly for the Utah relatives who know Majerus from his Ute exploits. Well, last week it happened again. A young woman who lifeguards at the pool and has seen me for the past 9 months asks if I am "Coach Majerus". I start to laugh and tell her no. She says, "I didn't think so but my friend said I should have seen him because he swims here and you look the most like. . .uh, I thought you might be him."

Okay, enough is enough, I am not Majerus. He's a great coach, I'm sure he is a wonderful person. As a basketball fan and a fellow swimmer I hope I do get to meet him. But really, we don't look at all alike; do we? I don't think so but maybe there is a basis for the confusion. Now, if I could just get the payroll department to make the same mistake.

Separated at birth?

You decide

Love and Happiness

The last two weeks have been wonderful and crazy. Zach and Karli were married on May 5th. It was a terrific time with family and friends. Go to J.J.'s blog for a terrific report of the events and the effects of record-setting rainfall on a prairie wedding. Also, there was an article in the Lincoln Journal Star.

It seemed that everyone's response to the news of Karli and Zach's marriage was, "It's about time!" But that's because everyone knew for a long time that they were just plain right for each other. They complement each other in a way that only occurs with two people who respect and care about each other; and are both friends and lovers. I love them and know that they will be great partners and parents (hint, hint).

Good Friends, Good Times!

This past weekend the Wilson's came by Casa del Smith for a far too short visit. It was great to see them and catch up on the past few months. Since Dave retired last fall we thought that we might persuade them to stay a week but regretfully they were only able to stay two days. But during that time we discovered a lot of things to do for their next visit(s).
On Friday evening we went to the village of Labadie (one lumber store, one gas station, one general store, and two very good restaurants) and had dinner at the Hawthorne Inn. We talked, ate, talked some more and ate some more (actually that pretty much sums up the weekend, talking and eating)--ain't that great! On Saturday we mapped out an intinerary to the Missouri Botanical Garden, lunch at Nadoz-a bistro near SLU campus, a Michael Eastman photographic exhibit at the SLU Museum of Art; a quick loop through downtown for a quick peek at the Arch, Busch Stadium, and then out to the Galleria so Mary Ann and Kim could drop by the official Mary Engelbreit store (the world's highest concentration of checkerboards, sunflowers, and cute drawings of little girls). Along the way we discovered about a dozen other things that Dave put on his list for the next visit.
I hope the Wilsons had as good a time being here as we did having them.

A deep dark secret

I can't keep it a secret any longer. I couldn't help it, honest. And it was not by choice. Kim and Maggie enticed me and I succumbed. Yes, I admit it. . . I . . . am. . . an American Idolater. Shameful, I know, but I can't help it. They never should have gotten rid of Sundance and I, like everyone else, cannot fathom Sanjaya (it can only be some perturbation in the space-time continuum, some sort of black hole or alternate dimension). Melinda should win but probably won't--not "edgy"or "contemporary" or whatever enough. If tomorrow she put out a CD with some Peggy Lee, Ella, and Billy on it I would run out to Barnes & Noble (gadzooks their CD's are expensive) and wait for the doors to open. Did "As Long as He Needs Me" give you chills or what?

What the. . .?

We have a winner(s)! Yes indeed, due to the avalanche of submissions a random drawing resulted in a shared Grand Prize. Both Lindsay and Maggie will receive a luxurious holiday at La Casa del Smith. We'll be waiting! And yes, it is a Billiken.

Quiz of the week. Can you guess what the heck this is? The winner will receive. . .

An all expenses-paid stay at La Casa del Smith Resort! Yes indeed, situated in the beautiful jet-set destination of Eureka, Missouri you will receive deluxe accommodations overlooking the Meramec River Valley, fine dining, and world-class entertainment.

Well, there is a great view, the beds are comfortable, the company is, most of the time, a lot of fun, the food is good, and we'll find something to kill time. So, submit your entries and all correct answers will be placed in the hat for a random drawing. Take care.

Happy Birthday Evie!

Well, Evie's birthday really isn't until March 26th but I thought I might get the word out early so no one will forget (how could you) and to offer a suggestion to friends and family. Last year, Kim and I started an account with the College Savings Plan of Nebraska with Evie as beneficiary. Nebraska's is one the top 529 plans in the country--and if you are from Nebraska you can deduct the contribution from your income. 529 plans are tax-deferred and when Evie withdraws the money for college expenses it will be tax-free. So, while admittedly, a cute dress or teddy bear is lots of fun to give; I thought I might suggest another--less fun now, lots more fun in the future--gift.
If you want to contribute go to College Savings Plan of Nebraska and click on "download payment coupons" in the second paragraph of the page. You can print off the coupon and send them in with your gift.
Drop me a note and I will send you her account number rather than posting it here or you can send the gift to Ron and Maggie and they can send it in.

Lost and Found

This morning we got up at 5 to get Kim to the airport for her 9 am flight (combine commuter traffic and Kim's "two and half hour before departure" rule and it makes sense). Tornado watch in St. Louis, blizzard in Nebraska; what are you gonna do? If you are Kim you are going to sit at the airport through two cancellations and a rescheduled flight for tomorrow morning and wait for your husband who couldn't get back to the airport until 3 pm. That's a lost day.
But, hey, we got a found evening out of the fiasco. After I picked Kim up we stopped at the mall and she was able to get her hair cut, we had a nice early dinner (4:30 - made me feel like a senior citizen) and got to go home with no plans, no to-do's, nothin'. Got to have an extra evening with my gal. Can't beat that. And Kim got an extra day out of the trip. Instead of going to visit J.J. and Zach from Thursday to Sunday evening she'll be there from Friday to Tuesday.

Too Busy, Too Happy

I should have posted something long ago but the Holiday season got to me. Trying to finish up my first semester at SLU and get ready for Christmas just didn't leave much time for blogging. The day before Zach and JJ flew in we were still trying to finish up some of the painting we have been doing. The colors that Kim and MaryLyn picked out are going to be great and at least with the rest of it I won't have to crawl and crouch on a walkboard spread between two extension ladders 15 feet up. Ow, my aching back.
Anyway, no more complaining. We got Zach and JJ here on the 22nd, Maggie and Evie on the 26th, then came Karli and by the 28th Ron was here and we had "Christmas" dinner. Actually, it was quite fun and stretched the holiday out in a very pleasant way.
In between games, walks with Evie, football games, unwrapping presents, and just visiting and lounging I tried to do a few greeting cards. I'm going to run to the Post Office now and get them sent. I know e-cards aren't as nice but I really do think I will consider it in the future. I'll blog some more and get some pictures up. Got to run.