Noelridge Park, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

We were on our own today and did some shopping and visited my Mom and Dad's graves. Then we headed over to Noelridge Park. We quite often used to walk the trail around the park, however, today we just walked through the gardens. They are so beautiful.

When we left here we were back with Barb and Larry. We went out to dinner tonight at The Sushi House. The Sushi House also has Chinese. Larry had Sushi and the rest of us had Chinese. It was really good although a bit pricy! However, the company was worth it.

Tomorrow we are heading to Urbandale to visit our daughter, Danica, and family. Can't wait to see them. The damn Covid Pandemic has kept us from seeing practically anyone for two years. the last time we saw our daughter and family was on September 1, 2019. 

Getting together with Carol Cuhel and the Schaubs and Taylors

 For I don't know how many years now when we get back to Iowa, we would get the group (Schaubs, Taylors and us) together and visit Ken and Carol Cuhel. Ken passed away after a long illness in 2019    and so now we go to visit Carol. All of us have known each other for years as we all attended church together at First Congregational UCC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ken used to sing in the choir with us. When he started getting sick, they stopped coming to church as it really is quite a drive.

Carol has always made a feast for us every year but this year we talked her into going to the Kava House Cafe in Swisher, Iowa instead. We are all getting to the point that preparing these huge meals is hard on us. 

          Here the guys are at the Kava House (Lee, Jerry and Larry)

Here are the gals: Carol S, Carol C., Barb and me

Lee and I both had this as we just love it. Granny Gobbler:  Shaved, smoked turkey, Havarti cheese, Granny Smith apple slices & apple butter on whole wheat bread

Chicken-Pineapple Salad on a Croissant   Chicken breast, pineapple, almonds & bits of pepper & green onion in our own creamy sauce, served up on a croissant

Kava Hot Roast Beef  Shaved roast beef, served on a hoagie with melted Jack, sautéed onions & raspberry horsey sauce …

South-of-the-Border Salad  Our perfect taco salad.  Lettuce, seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, corn, black beans, cheese & sour cream, served with Chipotle Ranch dressing 

These were the desserts they offered tonight.

It was just a fun night with great company and wonderful food and conversations. After we gabbed for I don't know how long, we decided we better not have them throw us out so the Taylors and us went back over to Carol's house. Jerry and Carol headed home because they had to be up early to take care of their daughter, Julie, who has some serious health issues.

The guys must have run out of conversation!

The girls did not! 

We finally decided we had better head on home too! When we went to get to the car, there were a bunch of deer relaxing in Carol's yard.

Here is a link to the obituary for our dear friend, Ken Cuhel.

https://www.cedarmemorial.com/Obituary/2019/Nov/Kenneth-C-Cuhel/

Bandanas for Dinner with Paul and Pat

 

We were happy that Paul and Pat could get together with us again before we left. We met at Bandanas for dinner and conversation. We like the ribs at this small restaurant in Cedar Rapids

.https://www.bandanasbbq.com/location/cedar-rapids-ia/

I don't know why we only have pictures of Pat and I. our food must have arrived before I could get a picture of the guys!

Pam & Dick Dircks 50th Anniversary Party

 

Pam has been a good friend of mine from church since practically when Lee and I got married. She has also been my fearless leader for scrapbooking and making cards. She is a very very talented person. I loved all the scrapbooking weekends we had and she is just a terrific Mom, Grandma and Wife. We never got to know Dick very well. He was off doing his own thing which had to do with high school sports and assisting in any way he could. We were happy to be in town so that we could attend Pam and Dick's 50th Anniversary. 

Their 50th was held at this building in Lowe's Park in Marion, Iowa.

Dick, Pam and one of their two grandchildren.

Pam and Dick's Wedding Photo

Pam made the cake and mints and all the food! 

She is one talented lady!

Our friends, Carol and Jerry Schaub. I hate that all the pictures had to have masked people but Covid is still running strong so better safe than sorry!

My friend, Barb, and Monica's husband, Matt.

Lee and I

Jerry and Carol

Pam visiting with guests. Unfortunately, Dick has not been well so he isn't up and about too much these days!

Barb coming back with her piece of cake.

They had pulled pork sandwiches, pasta salad, baked beans, etc. so no one went  hungry!

Yummy dessert plate!

Best Buds: Carol, Mary and Barb

Larry and Monica's husband, Matt

The party's over and Monica and gathering all the centerpieces

It was a beautiful event and we were sure glad we were home for it.

Our Home Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

Today we started out the day by heading to church at First Congregational Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We were married in this church on June 7, 1980 and celebrated our 25th Anniversary there before we left to go full-timing in our first RV. 

A derecho hit Cedar Rapids and other parts of Iowa really bad on August 10, 2020 and our church sustained a ton of damage. Luckily, the Church Board had always paid for the premium insurance and so the renovation has been reimbursed for the most part by insurance. Not to say, that they didn't have to fight the insurance company for a lot of it. 

At any rate this is the sanctuary at the present time. The floor was just put in. There was a lot of work done in here prior to it getting to this point. One of the main reasons that the insurance company has balked is that this church was designed by Grant Wood. Therefore what the insurance company thought was wood in a lot of instances was molded plaster.  

Here is a look at what it looks like thus far. Needless to say, church services were held in the Hall downstairs. 

Here are three of my favorite guys: my husband, Lee, our good friends, Jerry Schaub and Larry Taylor. I have no idea why I didn't get pictures of their wives. I must have got distracted.