Monday, May 29, 2023

Memorial Day 2023

 

Memorial Day Flag

Remembering those that served and gave their lives so we can be free. Start of summer for many with pools opening, but we should not forget those who gave their lives in the line of duty. 

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day and remember those that gave their lives.


Sunday, May 28, 2023

The Mavericks at Knuckleheads Friday, May 26, 2023 was so fun! Plus trains, tracks, and late night eating. Great memories!

Maverick's Concert in Kansas City... Hotel Pic
Picture in Hotel Lobby

We booked tickets to The Mavericks a few months ago. We had a great time. We got into Kansas City early, so we are able to visit some spots for drinks before we went to the concert. We stayed in downtown Kansas City at the Hotel Indigo which was a good spot as we were within walking distance to placed downtown and really not a bad drive (Uber) to the places we were going for the evening. 

After arriving at the hotel, we decided to walk down to the Hilton President Kansas City to have drinks at their bar. We had been to this bar a few years ago for Jack's wedding. A few drinks and then we had a snack while we were there before taking an Uber to J. Rieger & Co. We ordered fancy drinks at J. Rieger and had a cheese and meat plate. Such a fun spot! This is where Jack and Katie had their rehearsal dinner a few years ago, so Carrie and I had been wanting to get back over to J. Rieger to take Greg and Erin. Drinks are so good and it is such a fun spot. 

Trains and more trains...
Lots of Trains

J. Rieger and Knuckleheads are in an industrial area, so there are a lot of trains. Tracks and trains everywhere which was fun when we arrived and making our way to the concert, but after the concert and the following day, we were not happy to see the trains. Still a fun time! Luckily after we finished at J. Rieger a train had moved so we were able to walk down the tracks a little to be able to cross over to get to the concert. At one point during the concert, a train went by and blew their horn and the place went crazy. Just a cool spot and fun to be outside enjoying a beautiful evening to watch a concert. Amazing!

Carrie and John in front of Train
Carrie and John Crossing Tracks

Carrie and I had to get our selfie in front of the train as we were crossing the tracks to get over to the concert. Always fun to see trains and be around the tracks. Most of the trains we saw in the area were standing still, so I really did not have a chance to see them moving or click-clacking down the track. Still, it was fun to see and we have some good memories of crossing the tracks to get to the concert.

Shot of the stage at Knuckleheads
Stage Shot of The Mavericks at Knuckleheads

Greg, Erin, Carrie, and John Selfie at Concert
Selfie Picture at The Mavericks

Tom and John at Concert
Cousin Tom and John at Concert

I missed my brother, Tim, at the concert. Confusion on what night we were going to the concert even though we had told him it was Friday night and he got tickets for Thursday. Oops! He got tickets for Friday night, but ended up not being able to make it as Donna was not feeling well. We ran into my cousin, Tom, at the concert. He was walking through the crowd and we saw one another. He bought us drinks and later we were able to buy him drinks.

Selfie with Group While Waiting for the Train to Move
Selfie Waiting for Train to Move
The Mavericks played for another 45 - 50 minutes following their last song. Put on a great show and the crowd was having fun. Following the show we headed out to walk back over to J. Rieger as someone left their hat there earlier. This was our first encounter with a train that would not move. We waited for the train to move for 15 - 20 minutes, along with others, before we finally decided to get an Uber and head out. We would venture back to this area the following day to get the hat. Of course we had to take a selfie while we were waiting. Ah, good times!

Town-Topic Burgers at 1 am is the Best
Town-Topic Burgers

We took Uber to Town-Topic Hamburgers which was very busy but well worth the wait. We snarfed down our food along with many others in the parking lot next to the place. Town-Topic is some place Carrie has said for a few years she wanted to visit when we were in Kansas City, but this was my first trip there. Burgers at 1 am are always good, but wow, this really hit the spot. 

We drove back to Topeka on Saturday and I slept for most of the evening while watching TV. We slept late on Sunday as we are not used to partying. So happy that we were able to make it to the concert and have some good memories of the trip. Carrie and I said during the winter months that we were going to try and do more concerts this year and this was the first of the year. We have another one booked  toward the end of June and we cannot wait!

We did discuss that we have not been camping yet and this would have been a perfect weekend for camping. We did our first camping trip in 2022 Memorial Day weekend (see post) and we are not sure when we will be doing our first camping trip for 2023. We talked about going in the middle of June, but nothing is set yet. Regardless, we all had a great time in Kansas City for The Mavericks and Knuckleheads outside stage was so fun!


Sunday, May 21, 2023

Busy weekend and then got the yard mowed so Oliver can enjoy our back yard again

Tongue Out and Very Sleepy Oliver
Tongue Out and Sleepy Oliver

Busy weekend with things happening both Friday and Saturday evening. It was a busy week too with meetings, a two day conference, and trying to get some lawn work done.

Picture of Oliver to the left is from Saturday as he was very sleepy from being up late on Friday night. He likes to go his kennel which we leave open all the time and never shut him in there any more, but it is his "safe" place when he needs to get away from us and sleep. On Saturday afternoon, he was so sleepy is little tongue came out and stayed out most of the afternoon. When his tongue comes out, you know he is sleepy and likely a bit grumpy too, so give him his space and let him do as he pleases through the day.

Friday started summer hours at work which is nice. Had a work gathering that evening and then already had plans for a trip to Lawrence for dinner. Had fun celebrating graduation by some colleagues as well as outstanding staff award for another colleague. Congrats to them all! I was only able to stay for about an hour before I had to head out to pick up Carrie and head to Lawrence. We went to Merchants Pub & Plate which if you have not been there, I highly recommend a visit. Good drinks and fun with family and friends.

Carrie Reading with Oliver
Carrie Reading with Oliver
Saturday morning Carrie, Oliver, and I all slept later than normal which was nice. Saturday afternoon was so beautiful that Carrie went out and read for a while with Oliver. Oliver loves it as he can watch for people, and dogs, that are walking by and protect our home.

Saturday night we were meeting family for dinner at Blind Tiger and then Soliloquy for drinks. This was my second time to Blind Tiger in the past month or so and once again the food service was very slow. We waited for about 45 minutes for food and had reservations at 8:30 at Soliloquy. The last time I was at Blind Tiger took 45 - 60 minutes for food to be at our table. With no mention it was taking the kitchen either time a long time, this time we could not wait and decided to leave just as it was coming out to the table. Blind Tiger might want to start warning customers if it is going to be 45 minutes plus for food to be ready as that is just too long to wait for food.

We did have some apps while we were waiting for food which was good as that turned out to be the meal for the table. We left and arrived just in time for our 8:30 reservation at Soliloquy. If you have not heard of Soliloquy, be sure to check them out. They are in the same building where Circle Coffee is located, but with Circle Coffee being closed Saturday evening and not open on Sunday, Soliloquy is able to use the space to serve spirits, cocktails, and creating memories with a pop-up place to enjoy some drinks, snacks, and company on Saturday evening. So fun and what a great idea! It was our first time to Soliloquy and we will go back!

Sleepy Oliver Wanting to Know What I am Doing
Sleepy Oliver... Keep 
Those Eyes Open!

After being gone last weekend to Texas and not having mowed the lawn in over two weeks, I had to mow on Sunday. Oliver does not like to go in the yard when the grass touches his belly. He will stand on the cement and do his business on some grass overreaching to the pavement. The only time he will go out in the grass, when it is long, is when there is someone walking with a dog. He forgets and runs out to the corner of our back yard to bark at the dog. Then, you can almost see him realize the grass is touching his belly and he will jog along the fence back toward the back patio where he will sit and watch for the next person to cross the street in back of our house.

Now, he can go in the back yard without blades of grass touching his belly. I got the lawn mowed, trimmed, and I used the blower to get other yard stuff away from the house. Oliver is set for another week in our back yard.

I trust you had a great weekend and hopefully you were able to enjoy the nice weather we had this weekend here in Kansas. Hoping we have some more nice days to come before it gets hot. Until next time, have a great week!


Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Quick update on our trip to Texas last week with fun in Houston to celebrate friends graduation...

Drinking Beer in Houston, TX

We flew down to Dallas, TX last Thursday which is the reason there was not an update on Sunday per usual. We went down to celebrate a graduation for our friend Corrie's son. We flew down to Dallas and then drove with Javier to Houston, TX where the party would take part. We had a great time! The weather was good with some rain, but it did not deter from the fun we had while in Houston. We even got some pool time in before the celebration on Saturday night. 

You will not be surprised that I did not get many pictures from the graduation party but we came away with some good memories and enjoyed spending time with our friends.

Cooper and Carrie Belly Rub Time

The last time we were in Houston was back in December for New Years and at that time we had our dog, Oliver, who joined us. The picture to the right is Cooper and Carrie with Cooper getting a belly rub. I am pretty sure that Cooper was happy Oliver was no where around his house.

A quick trip flying down Thursday and then heading back on Sunday. Our flight Thursday morning left at 7:30 am and then the return flight was scheduled for 8:20 but ended up being later which got us home to Topeka around 11:30 Sunday night. 

Short trip but a large time was had in Texas. It was good to fly down this time instead of driving which we have done the last few visits to Texas, but I also like taking my dog with me when we travel, so he was missed.

I did not get this posted on Sunday, or Monday, as I was exhausted after our trip and went to bed early Monday night. Finally feeling back to normal after traveling and a lot of fun.

Until next time, have a great week!


Sunday, May 07, 2023

Hammock Time, Coffee, Reading, Yard Work, and Preparing for a Busy Week. How Was your Weekend?

Carrie Enjoying Hammock Tuesday Evening
Carrie in the Hammock

What wonderful weather we have had the past few weeks. Carrie has spent most evenings in our hammock with the nice weather. Oliver is usually close by or in the hammock with her. The picture to the right was taken Tuesday evening with a wonderful evening after we had been out to eat that evening, we got home, and Carrie went straight for the hammock. 

We did see the temperatures increase from 70's up to mid-90's on Saturday and Sunday. I mowed the last Sunday morning before it got too hot, but it will still pretty warm. 

Oliver and Carrie Outside of Salut
Oliver and Carrie Outside Salut

Thursday night, we went to an awards ceremony for Carrie's work where they awarded medals to Bonner graduates. It was a fun evening to hear from Bonner graduates. After it was done, we went to Salut to have a drink on their patio. We took Oliver as he had been home all by himself for most of the day. He had so much fun sitting on the patio as people were leaving and arriving to Salut, they would ask if they could pet him, and he went crazy. He loves attention especially when it is from someone other than Carrie and I. Between guests arriving/leaving, he would look through the window at the people inside with a look on his face as though he did not understand why they were not outside seeing him or he was not inside with them. Funny guy!

Coffee, Breakfast, and Reading at Circle Coffee
Coffee and Reading at Circle Coffee
Saturday was a low key day for us with some errands in the morning and breakfast, coffee, and reading at Circle Coffee. We love it at Circle Coffee and spent almost two hours there drinking coffee, reading, and chatting.  It was a good day doing some housework when we got home in the afternoon. We grilled pork steaks along with some Brussels sprouts that we did all on the grill. Turned out great! We decided to have our bottle of wine we bought while in Miami the day we returned from our cruise. Wonderful evening hanging out and enjoying. Even though it was warm, it was not bad sitting outside as we grilled.

I mentioned I mowed this morning and spending the afternoon preparing for the week. Looking forward to a busy week and I will catch up with you next week.

Have a great week!