A Weekend of Coffee, Hammocks, and Celebrations: Our Fun-Filled Adventures

Coffee and Breakfast

What a great weekend! Saturday morning found Carrie and me at Circle Coffee for a late breakfast and coffee. I had not been to Circle Coffee in a few months, so it was good to be back. We sat on the patio to enjoy the beautiful morning. After coffee, we headed to the hardware store to get some things. We needed to repair the hammock so that we could get it working and ready for the spring weather. We also needed to pick up some items to hang pictures in my office at work. It was a productive morning for us, which was good.

Carrie helped hang pictures in my office that I moved into back in December. I had not had a chance to hang any pictures and wanted Carrie to help with the process. I also took the opportunity of a Saturday in the office to clean out two boxes that I had not cleaned out since moving into my new office. It looks much better now.

After finishing up the hanging of pictures and putting things away at my office, we headed home. Carrie and Oliver spent some time in the hammock after we got it hung up and working properly. Oliver gets so excited when either one of us heads out to the hammock.

Saturday night, Carrie wanted to go to Free State in Lawrence, so we headed there around five for dinner. We had not been to Free State in a long time, so it was good to have dinner and some delicious Free State beer. Carrie picked Free State for her birthday celebration. Good pick! We enjoyed a few Cyclist beers and a wonderful meal. We picked up Erin and Greg on our way to Lawrence and met Joan and Eddie there for dinner. After dinner, Erin, Greg, Carrie, and I went out in Lawrence and had a good time. It was busy in Lawrence. We finished the evening at John Brown Underground, which Carrie and I had been to previously, but Erin and Greg had not. Fun spot with interesting drinks.

A good Sunday so far with me riding this morning on Peloton, and after the bike ride, I mowed the lawn for the first time this year. It was good because I was able to talk to the neighbors to the east and south of us, as we had not seen each other in a few months with all the cold and nasty weather. It was good to be able to catch up with both.

Oliver in his Bed

I leave you with a photo of Oliver in our backyard that Carrie took earlier this week when I was on my way back to Topeka after being out of town. He loves his bed and he loves hanging out in the backyard, especially if Carrie or I can be out there with him. If we go inside, he wants inside and then wants to go right back out to the backyard. It is a vicious cycle of in and out with him and our backyard.

Have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week.

Exploring Miami and Sailing the Seas: Our Unforgettable Virgin Voyages Adventure

Arrival in Miami

View from Plane

Carrie and I went on our first Virgin Voyages cruise back in 2023, and we liked it so much that we signed up for a second cruise while we were still on the ship. We went on our second cruise from March 28 through April 2. It was another wonderful time, and we're already thinking about our next cruise on Virgin. We started this trip by spending two days in Miami before departing. We really like Miami and wanted to spend time there before leaving on our trip.

Hotel Pool View for Afternoon

We flew down early on the morning of Wednesday, March 26. We had a low-key first day, spending the day at the hotel pool, which was amazing, and then had a casual meal for dinner before making our way back to the hotel. We ate at some good spots this day, including Las Olas Cafe, which serves Latin-style food. It was so good that we went back again the next day to get coffee.

Exploring Miami Beach The next day found us in Miami Beach for breakfast at Cortado Cafe and Coffee House, where we ate breakfast, read, and I did some brief work. It's a popular spot for breakfast or coffee. We enjoyed our time on the corner watching people, and the food was great!

We were close to an Apple Store, as Carrie needed to stop by for an issue she was having with her Apple Pencil. After the Apple Store, we walked along the shops before deciding to grab a quick bite and drink at Oh! Mexico, where we had an appetizer and drinks. Actually, we had one appetizer and three drinks. It was an expensive bill for just an app and drinks, but it was good. It's a good spot to sit on the patio and people-watch while we snacked and drank.

Dining in Miami

Las Olas Cafe We ate at some good spots this day, including Las Olas Cafe, which serves Latin-style food. It was so good that we went back again the next day to get coffee.

Cortado Cafe and Coffee House The next day found us in Miami Beach for breakfast at Cortado Cafe and Coffee House, where we ate breakfast, read, and I did some brief work. It's a popular spot for breakfast or coffee. We enjoyed our time on the corner watching people, and the food was great!

Oh! Mexico After the Apple Store, we walked along the shops before deciding to grab a quick bite and drink at Oh! Mexico, where we had an appetizer and drinks. Actually, we had one appetizer and three drinks. It was an expensive bill for just an app and drinks, but it was good. It's a good spot to sit on the patio and people-watch while we snacked and drank.

Stone Crab from Stiltsville

Stiltsville Fish Bar Thursday night, we made reservations at a spot I selected called Stiltsville Fish Bar. We were drawn to this location due to their menu. I was interested in trying stone crab, which I had never had before and had never heard of until we were checking places to eat in Miami Beach. Stone crab is special to the Florida area, and it was good. We only had one as they are expensive, but it was worth the visit. We looked through other places to eat but decided on Stiltsville Fish Bar because of other items on their menu. Excellent!

Other items we had from Stiltsville Fish Bar...

Crab Cake from Stiltsville Fish Bar

 

Fish for Dinner From Stiltsville

Crab Cakes from Stiltsville

Key Lime Pie from Stiltsville

 

Following dinner, we headed to a nearby brewery where we could have some drinks while I watched the Washburn Ichabods on ESPN+ in the Final Four of the NCAA D2 basketball tournament. It was a good spot to watch the game on my phone while having some good drinks. Unfortunately, the Ichabods ran into a good team that went on to win the NCAA D2 championship.

Boarding the Virgin Voyages Cruise

Top Deck and Ready to Deport

Priority Boarding and Perks Friday morning found us headed to port to board the Virgin Voyages cruise line. Carrie and I were so excited to be on vacation and headed to our second cruise with Virgin Voyages. For this cruise, Carrie and I decided to sign up for more events than we did on the first trip. I’m glad we did, as we signed up for a painting class (more on this later), a spin class, morning meditation, and we went to both ports where we had originally thought we would remain on the ship. Again, I’m glad we signed up for more things, and for the most part, we stuck to the areas we signed up for.

The process of getting aboard was easy as we had priority boarding, which included a "Splash of Romance" that got us some Champagne along with some other perks we enjoyed. Virgin added some new options that could be ordered before leaving port, which included a bucket of beers, a bucket of Moscow Mules, and I also ordered premium WiFi so I could watch the basketball games I was hoping would take place on Saturday. The new additions of being able to have buckets of drinks waiting for us when leaving port were great!

Dining on the Ship

Pink Agave One thing I do not like about the Virgin Voyages app is that after the cruise ends, I cannot go into the app to see what we did or details about what we ordered. Everything ends except the home button on the app. However, I think I can remember the places we ate and call those out here.

Pink Agave is my favorite of the places we ate. This was our second time eating at Pink Agave, as the restaurants are similar between ships. Pink Agave has good drinks, the food is outstanding, and the wait staff is on point with recommendations, answering questions, and being attentive to our needs while we eat.

Seafood Dinner at The Wake

The Wake The Wake is another favorite on the trip. We went here twice, once for breakfast and then for dinner. It’s at the rear of the ship with large windows that look out over the ocean as we leave a wake in the water.

Razzle Dazzle Razzle Dazzle is another good place to eat on the ship. We went here our first night and had a good meal along with drinks.

Extra Virgin Our least favorite spot on the ship, both this voyage and our first voyage in 2023, is Extra Virgin. It’s an Italian place to eat aboard, and just like our first voyage, our experience lacked at Extra Virgin. The waiter took a while to greet us, get our drinks, and seemed burdened by our questions. We had the same experience on our first voyage too with Extra Virgin, where the food was alright, but the attention to detail or being there to answer our questions was lacking.

The Galley We did eat a few times in The Galley. It’s always a spot that is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks, and we stopped by there most days while aboard. We liked to check their daily special to see what was available and found some good things to eat in The Galley.

The Pizza Place Finally, not mentioning The Pizza Place would be remiss. Another place that is open throughout the day and late into the night, we stopped by to get pizza a few times, which was very good.

Activities on the Cruise

Carrie on Left, Mine on Right

Painting & Boozy Bevvies We signed up for Painting & Boozy Bevvies, which I will admit, I was a little anxious about doing. We had a great time. Champagne was being served, and they walked us through painting with watercolors. Truthfully, I was surprised how well mine turned out, where I can actually see the sun reflecting off the water. We sat at a fun table with other sailors and had good conversation.

Spin Class The spin class I attended was a lot of fun. The class totally kicked my butt, but it was worth it and made me feel good to work out while enjoying food, drinks, and snacks throughout the day while aboard. The class was packed, and I only did one spin class, but I would sign up for classes on our next trip.

Port Stops

Selfie at Pool in Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic As I mentioned earlier, we did make it into both of the two ports where we stopped. At the Dominican Republic port, we stayed at the resort pool off the ship and had a wonderful day. We found a nice spot with some shade to spend the day and enjoy the pool. There was a lazy river too, which we did, but we ended up getting out about halfway through as it was a long experience.

Bahamas Port

Bahamas: Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini The other port we stopped at was in the Bahamas at the Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini. This was our second time at Bimini. This time, though, we got there early around 9 am and had a great spot in front of the beach. It was an enjoyable day spent at the beach, and again we enjoyed good drinks, delicious food, as well as reading and snoozing. Wonderful day spent at the beach.

Departure and Final Thoughts

Leaving the Ship The last day aboard the ship was Wednesday, April 2. It was a sad day as we were leaving the ship and our vacation was ending. The process to exit the ship was the easiest it has ever been on any ship. We were off the ship and headed to the airport within thirty minutes. The fun had only started, though, as our flights were changed because of weather. We ended up not getting home until Thursday, with our Wednesday night flight being canceled.

Selfie in front of Virgin Voyages Ship

Looking Forward to the Next Cruise We had a great time on our trip and thoroughly enjoy Virgin Voyages. We are not sure when we will be sailing again, but we do want to go again on Virgin Voyages.

See all photos from our trip on Flickr.

Weekend Musings: Sports, Running, and Reading

Seems like another day to post about nothing. Whatever comes to mind as I type away on this Saturday afternoon. March Madness is coming to an end, baseball has started, and golf is happening. It is a good time to be a sports fan and watching everything that is happening in the world of sports.

Speaking of sports, the Washburn Ichabods had a great season! We had so much fun following them this year and attending the home games. I watched them play in the Final Four of the NCAA D2 tournament on Thursday night. We ran into a buzz saw of a team from Nova Southeastern University. NSU was really good and we did not get a good start to the game. It was a sad way to end the season, but what a wonderful season it was, going 30-4 for the season.

I did my first run this morning after not having run in the past year. I have been doing bike rides, but I have not been running. I enjoyed the run, but my legs are hurting this afternoon. I made the mistake of not stretching or warming up very much before the run, so my legs are a little tight. I am planning to run again tomorrow although for not as long, so we will see how I am doing tomorrow morning when I try to run again.

To continue my writing on nothing, I am trying to finish my third book of the year. I hope to finish a book this week as I will spend some time reading. I only need about three hours to finish the book, so I think I can make that happen. We will see and if I am really good, I might be able to finish two books... One at a time though.

Short update for this week, that’s all at this time. I will plan to do a longer post next week. Have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week.

The Slow and Steady Reader: My Book Progress

My reading journey has slowed a bit over the past month or two. I am still reading every night, but my reading has dwindled from multiple pages each night to just a few pages. Part of this lack of reading is due to being tired or staying up late and then trying to read. I enjoy the time I am able to spend reading, but I need to start making time to read during the day and not just keep it for when I am going to bed.

I have had The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara in my reading queue for many years. I am working to try and finish this book. It was recommended by my Uncle Michael who is a history professor at Rutgers University. Yes, it has taken me a while to read this book. I added it to my library in December 2014 and I have read a little of it each year before typically heading over to another book to read. My focus is to finish this book this year. I find it interesting and very well written. I know why Michael recommended this book. 

I am 67% through the book, and I am hoping over the next week or two I will be able to finish this one and mark it off my list. I think it will happen, so more on this in a later post.

The other book I am reading at the same time is Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder. Nightbitch is a book I added to my queue back in November 2023. I added it because it sounded interesting and was due to be released as a motion picture. Well, the motion picture was released, and I am still working to finish this book. Granted, reading two books at once and only a few pages each evening means it is going to take me a while on both instead of focusing all efforts on one book. 

This is an interesting story that caught my attention when I first saw it advertised back in 2023. A mother turning into a canine is an interesting tale of a mother who is lonely and exhausted, dealing with new things happening to herself and embracing those changes. I have not yet watched the movie, but once I am done with this book, I do plan to watch the movie.

For 2025, I set my reading goal to read 20 books. I have only read two books so far in 2025 and I am behind schedule. Last year, I had set my goal for 25 books and only read twelve last year. Way behind schedule for the past year, so I decided to drop from 25 to 20 books for 2025, but it appears it will be a struggle to get through my goal of twenty books for 2025. A long way to go, but so far I am not doing great. Again, I hope to add another book or two to my completed list in April as I finish The Killer Angels and Nightbitch.

On December 17, 2021, I started my reading journey making it a point to read each and every day. I have kept that goal reading every day. The Kindle app tracks my reading which I like and prompts me to read if I have not read anything by evening. As of the writing of this update, I have read for 1,192 days or 177 weeks in a row. There have been some close calls where the clock is about to roll over to midnight and I have not read for the day, but I am able to open Kindle and read a few pages before the new day starts.

Once I finish The Killer Angels and Nightbitch, I will go back to reading books relating to detectives or crime. Those are quick reads and I can usually get through them in a month.

If you have a book you enjoy, I would ask you to use the comments on this post to let me know the name of the book. I am always looking for books to add to my "to read" shelf.

Until next time, have a great week and I will talk to you next week.

 

Unleash Your Bracket Skills with Hoop Dreams Collective!

Yes, it is that time of year when the birds are chirping, spring training baseball is happening... oh, and it is March Madness. Are you ready? Looking for a free group to join to make your picks and show off your basketball knowledge? Or, show off your luck? Well, this is your chance.

I have been creating groups on ESPN for many years. This year, I did things a little differently. I created a public group allowing each participant to enter up to three entries. The idea is to get as many people and entries into the group as possible. In prior years, I required a password to join the group, but I decided to remove that limitation to encourage more participation.

While it is free to play on ESPN, you do need to have an account or create one. Once you are signed into your account, visit this link to join the group called Hoop Dreams Collective. No password is needed to join the group, and you can enter up to three entries. So, get started ahead of brackets going live so you are ready and join the group. Share with others and encourage them to join too.

Like past years, there are play-in games ahead of the tournament, so you need to have your picks entered by 10 am CDT on Thursday, March 20.

Have fun and enjoy the ride. This is one of the best times of the year to watch non-stop basketball, with MLB baseball about to start and golf on every weekend.

A Week in Review: Busy Days, Sports Highlights, and Sweet Treats in Chicago

Sleepy Oliver

What a busy week it was last week! The week flew by and it seemed like it was nonstop every day into the evenings. After being away for part of the prior week, I was playing catch-up at work. Carrie shared a picture of Oliver with me while I was away, showing him sleeping on the couch with his tongue out. I felt like Oliver after such a hectic week.

This week is shaping up to be busy too. Work will be demanding as I try to complete projects, and then we have the NCAA D2 tournament starting for Washburn, followed by the Big 12 tournament. It will be a fun week!

Washburn had a disappointing first round in the MIAA tournament this past week, so I'm hoping they can get off to a good start in the NCAA D2 tournament. Washburn went 26-2 for the season but experienced their third loss in the MIAA tournament. I'm hoping the loss in the first round of the MIAA tournament will help the team focus on the NCAA D2 games.

Kansas basketball has had a down year. After starting the season at number one, we lost 11 games in the regular season. We lost three games at home and are 4-8 in away games. The games this season have been tough to watch at times, and we have blown a few leads.

Staying on the topic of sports, I have enjoyed listening to many of the Royals spring training games. With spring training happening, it means it's time for fantasy baseball drafting to begin. I have my first fantasy baseball draft this week. I only participate in three leagues, and last year I struggled in all of them. I didn't draft well or make good decisions during the season, which left me at the back of the pack in all three leagues. Still, it's a fun time and I enjoy following players on the various rosters.

Dessert at Gibbsons in Chicago

At the end of February, I went to Chicago for a conference. The conference was great, and I hope to go back next year. It was my first time attending the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) conference. I met many people from other Midwestern colleges and had good discussions. It was a smaller conference than I expected, with only about 65 people attending, but it was well worth the trip and time.

On Thursday night, the conference took everyone out to dinner at Gibbsons Steakhouse. The steak was excellent, but the thing everyone who had been in prior years talked about was the dessert. The dessert was shared with the table and it was fantastic. The picture to the left does not do it justice, as the slice was huge. We had a slice of ice cream cake and another of carrot cake. Both were really good. I want to take Carrie to Gibbons and also go back to Chicago. It was a fun trip and I ate well too.

A bit of a rambling post on this Sunday afternoon. I think that's all for today. Have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week. Hoping we can keep the warmth and avoid any more cold or snow.

Celebrating a Championship Season: The Washburn Ichabods Journey to Victory!

Ichabods Celebrating

This has been a fun year to be an Ichabod fan. Carrie and I have had season tickets for Ichabods basketball for a few seasons. We made it to the majority of the games this season, but we also missed a few. We were able to make it to the last two regular season home games. Washburn clinched the title on February 22. We finished the season 26-2, going the majority of the season undefeated. We played the last regular season game on March 1 and are ready for the MIAA Championship to start on March 6.

Michael Keegan Cutting Nets

Attending games and then watching games when they are away, I have some good memories of our players. Michael Keegan will be graduating this year. Michael has a fan club that travels from his hometown of Dyersville, Iowa. They were at the last game of the season, and I remember them last year at a game where they were all wearing shirts and holding signs cheering on their hometown guy. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to have lunch with Michael at an athletics event. It was fun to be able to talk to him and hear his insights on basketball, academics, and even his fan club.

Andrew Orr Celebrating

Another favorite from the team is Andrew Orr. Both Michael and Andrew are seniors this year. It is fun to see how Andrew progressed over his career at Washburn from his first year in 2021-2022 to this year. He is a force inside and can hit the short jumper. He has been fun to watch as an Ichabod, and I wish him all the best in his future.

Jack Bachelor Celebrating

Jack Bachelor has been a lot of fun to watch this year. He drives the lane with ease but is a big threat from the three-point line. He keeps opponents on their toes as a constant threat. I look forward to watching him play next year for his junior year.

It was great watching the team cut down the nets and celebrate. Following the team, it feels as though I know the players, and it is great to see their success this year.

Head Coach Brett Ballard Celebrating

It has been so fun to follow head coach Brett Ballard. Every time I talk to my mom to tell her we went to a game or that I was watching them later in the day, she asks who our coach is and how much she likes him. Coach Ballard played basketball for the University of Kansas, and she remembers him each time we talk. He has done great for Washburn, and I wish the team all the best in the postseason.

Join me in following the Ichabods on March 6 for the MIAA tournament. Go Bods!

Austin Escapades: A Thrilling Weekend of Food, Fun, and Friends

Flight from KC to Austin

On January 31, Carrie and I headed to the airport for Austin, TX. Carrie and Corrie had tickets for Justin Timberlake on Monday night, so we decided to make a trip of it. We planned to meet Corrie (from Houston) and Javier (from Dallas). Javier and I planned to hang out Monday night and visit some beer spots while Corrie and Carrie attended the concert.

We rented a house for the trip and had a great time. We ate at wonderful spots and had drinks at some good places too. I'll share some of the spots we visited with recommendations if you find yourself in Austin.

Crawfish for Lunch

After Mexican food on Friday night to start the trip, we went for a late lunch at Shoal Creek Saloon, where we had crawfish. It had been a long time since I had crawfish, and it did not disappoint. Corrie had to remind me how to eat crawfish, and we made quick work of 2 lbs. We spent a few hours here enjoying the food and beverages. Corrie mentioned that her brother, Curt, and sister-in-law, Leah, met and worked at Shoal Creek Saloon, which was cool to hear. It was a good spot with good drinks and a fun environment.

Other food enjoyed at Shoal Creek Saloon included Jambalaya, which was fantastic, and a family platter that included soft shell crab. It was my first time having soft shell crab, and I loved it!

Selfie in front of The Garage

Saturday night found us at The Garage, a unique cocktail bar that Javier had found and made reservations for. The Garage is located in an actual parking garage. A good-sized bar with seats around the bar and edges made for a unique experience. It was a little chilly in The Garage because it was, in fact, a garage for parking cars. It was really cool, though. We had a great time trying different drinks and people-watching.

That night, we went back to the house and enjoyed the evening drinking wine and eating snacks. We kept it simple after being out most of the day.

Sunday found us at Jacoby's Restaurant and Mercantile, which was an excellent find by Carrie, I believe. Once again, this place had excellent drinks and food. I had chicken fried steak and waffles. So good! I couldn't finish it all, but we also had some appetizers. Before we left, we got some strawberry cake to take home. As our trip was coming to an end on Tuesday night, Carrie mentioned this was one of her favorite spots of the whole trip. It was really good, and I highly recommend a visit to Jacoby's Restaurant and Mercantile.

Oasis Texas Brewing Company

Sunday afternoon/evening found us at Oasis Texas Brewing Company on the Colorado River. Good beer and incredible views. We enjoyed watching the sun go down and seeing the beautiful views while drinking good drinks. The Oasis Texas Brewing Company was a cool spot with beautiful views of the river and, of course, the sun going down. A lot of seating with various bars and places to eat made for a fun place to watch the setting sun.

We did manage to get some culture while we were in Austin by visiting The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, which Carrie had been wanting to visit. We toured the museum for a few hours and made it to all of the floors. I am so glad we were able to tour the LBJ museum. His presidency was overshadowed by the Vietnam War. He did so many great things for the country, but the war took away from his legacy.

Empty Bottles From Trip

We had a great time with our visit to Austin, Texas. A fun town with a bit of crazy traffic, but we had a wonderful time. Thanks to Corrie for driving us around for much of the time. We usually try to snap a picture of the empty bottles at the end of our trips with Corrie, and we made it through a few bottles. Some really good wine that Corrie brought with her on the trip, which was great!

I realized I did not post any pictures of Justin Timberlake. Well, I will leave that for Carrie to provide. Carrie did say it was a fun concert and they had great seats. I am good with missing the concert and instead touring around Austin with Javier, drinking good beer.

A Day in Kansas City: Art, Culture, and a Delicious Dinner

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

On Saturday, we took a trip to Kansas City to spend the day. We stopped at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which I hadn't visited since grade school. We had a wonderful time exploring the exhibits and taking in the sights. We barely scratched the surface in the couple of hours we spent there, and we didn't even make it to the second floor! One of my favorite pieces we saw was Chance Meeting, a sculpture depicting three individuals who unexpectedly encounter each other on the city street.

The view from the steps of the museum facing the lawn is stunning. No longer covered in snow, the lawn now showcases the famous Shuttlecocks sculptures. I've driven past the museum countless times, so it was refreshing to see the view from a different perspective. Since it wasn't a cold day on Saturday, we were able to step outside and cool down after walking around indoors.

Following our cultural immersion at the museum, we had reservations at The Campground at 5:15 PM. We had dined at The Campground almost a year ago by chance. We were in the Stockyards District last year and stumbled upon The Campground, where we enjoyed a drink. We knew we wanted to return for a meal, and Saturday was the perfect opportunity. The drinks are fantastic, and we thoroughly enjoyed the appetizers and main courses. The Brussels sprouts were exceptional! For my main course, I had the Arctic Char, which was also delicious. I also sampled the Double Smashburger, which was equally impressive.

Quivering Forest Drink

One of the drinks I had was the Quivering Forest, a delightful concoction of Black Currant Mezcal, Smoked Paprika, Campari, and Lime. I highly recommend it. The Campground regularly updates its menu, and we unfortunately missed out on a pork dinner they had recently featured on their FaceBook page. We had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the drinks, appetizers, and main course.

It was a fun day of cultural enrichment and culinary exploration in Kansas City.

Back in Time: A Weekend of 80s & 90s Country Hits

Friday night, we had a blast at a concert by Wilder Horses, a country cover band. This was their final show at The Aurora Vinewood, and while we hadn't heard of them before, some friends invited us along. Their setlist was filled with 80s and 90s country hits, and it was so much fun! We danced the night away and had a wonderful time.

We even ran into our retired dentist on the dance floor! He was having a great time, and we were able to snap a photo with him while we were dancing. It was good to see him and chat briefly. He's been retired for a while now, but he and Carrie's dad are good friends.

Saturday was a sports day! We started with the Kansas State vs. Kansas game in the afternoon and then followed it with the Chiefs game. In between, I also watched Washburn University's basketball game online. They're currently ranked #1 in Division II and are undefeated with a 17-0 record. They dominated their opponent and scored over 100 points. It was an exciting day for sports fans!

That's about it for this lazy Sunday! It's been a short post, but I hope you all had a fantastic weekend and have a wonderful week ahead.

Merry Christmas Eve 2024

It's hard to believe that it's the end of 2024, and Christmas Day is tomorrow. Another year is winding down, and I'm fortunate enough to be able to be with family this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve this year finds Carrie, Oliver, and me in Lawrence staying at my mom's for a few days before we head back to Topeka Christmas Day to celebrate the day with the Shirrons.

I hope you are able to be with family and friends during this holiday season. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cheer: "Finding the Light" - Music, Laughter, and Holiday Reflection

Merry Christmas 2024

Friday night, Carrie and I had the pleasure of attending "Finding the Light: Event and Reading." We went not really knowing what to expect, but it was so fun. It was a production of readings, music, and fun. The plot revolved around guests attending a Christmas party and the troubles or issues that arise in life while trying to navigate the holiday season.

The performance made us laugh, shed a tear, and feel reflective about the Christmas holiday. It was something I would see again next year if they produce it again. I would love to take my family and friends to see it too. We heard about it from Erin and Greg, as the people who wrote the original musical were, or have been, involved with the Topeka Civic Theatre located in Topeka, KS. Our friends, Jason F and Jason D, were in the band and sounded fantastic! It was a fun night, and I hope they do it again next year as we would definitely see it again.

This was truly the first Christmas celebration outside of work that Carrie or I have attended this year. A little unusual, but it was nice to hear some original songs alongside some of the familiar Christmas carols. It was a special and enjoyable evening.

Selfie in Front of Christmas Tree

We took some time to take pictures in front of the beautifully decorated Christmas tree that was set up. They offered some delightful drinks to enjoy before, during, and after the event concluded, along with some light snacks. It made for a perfect evening of entertainment and truly put me in the Christmas spirit. 

As we approach the final full week before Christmas, I can hardly believe that 2024 is coming to an end. It will soon be Christmas 2024, and the year will be over a week later. Yes, I say it every year, but the years seem to be flying by faster and faster. You blink, and suddenly the year is over. I have a lot to do this next week at work before wrapping up 2024. I am looking forward to some time off to regroup and prepare for 2025.

Have a great week, and make sure to savor the build-up to the Christmas holiday.

New Features, New Motivation: My Return to Peloton

Peloton Stats Since I Started November 13, 2020

I got back on the bike on Sunday, December 1 and it felt great! The last time I rode the bike was on July 30, 2023. I had used the Peloton app a few times in 2023, but nothing on the bike since 2023. It felt good to be back on the bike and I feel motivation to ride again for the first time in over a year.

It had been so long since I had last used the bike that I found a number of new features have been added. Some I knew about and some I did not know had been added. The new additions I like included YouTube TV and Kindle are now part of the Peloton offerings meaning I can watch TV while biking or I can read my book and both are synced up to my accounts so I am seeing my current offerings. 

If I recall correctly, back in 2023 they were just getting ready to introduce YouTube TV as an option, but apparently it was not enough to prompt me to return back in the middle of 2023. I am glad to see it now as sometimes I just want to ride and watch TV. Other options added include Netflix which will also be fun to have available. I did not look at any other options, but happy to see the two mentioned services that are now available.

My plan for this biking renewal is to ride two or three times a week. The days will be fluid where I can ride any day as long as I get in at least two rides each week. I would prefer to ride at least three times, but I also do not want to overdo it to start. I bought some new biking shorts to help with sitting on the seat that can honestly get a little uncomfortable especially if I am riding a lot during the week or for long periods of time. Hoping the new shorts help in providing cushion from the seat.

It makes me laugh though as my dog, Oliver, is never sure what I am doing in the guest room on this thing. He walks in, looks at me as if I am crazy, and then leaves. Sometimes he just sits outside of the room in the doorway watching me. I wonder what he is thinking while he watches me on this metal thing and I am grunting while giving effort to the workout.

Through the years, I had connected with a few people on the Peloton app. I am following 23 people and I have 24 followers. I wonder how many of those people are still active members. I will see who is active as I start this new journey and become active again in the community.

You might wonder if I have tried Apple Fitness+ and I have but it is nice to have videos and interaction as part of the Peloton Bike+ experience altogether. Carrie and I have Apple Fitness+ as part of our combined services for Apple One which consists of Apple Music, Apple News+, Apple TV+, iCloud+, Apple Arcade, and Apple Fitness+. Of the services of Apple One, we use Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple TV+ the most. We take advantage of the iCloud+ for additional storage for our accounts. So far, I have not found the Apple Fitness+ useful for doing the bike, but I have used the service when running outside.

What fitness app are you using? Why?

Be sure to watch for future updates on my journey. You know I will be posting about them as I progress in my journey. I am ready for the journey and that is half of the process to get motivated. Let's GO!

2024 Reading Challenge: Is It Too Late to Lower My Goal?

GoodReads Book Challenge Status 2024

Every year for the past few years, I've participated in the GoodReads reading challenge. This year is no different, but I'm struggling to keep up with my reading goal. I've read every day, but sometimes it's only a page or two. I initially set a goal of 25 books for 2024, but I'm only at 11 books with November almost over. It doesn't look promising that I'll finish 25 books by the end of December.

Last year, I was at 17 out of 25 books in early November and ultimately completed my 25-book challenge for 2023 (see post). I finished 2023 by listening to many audiobooks and reading shorter books. I'm not sure if I'll have enough time to catch up on my reading for 2024, especially being at only 11 out of 25 books.

I've enjoyed some great books this year. I recently finished "Goodbye, Butterfly: Murder, Faith and Forgiveness in a Small Kansas Town," which I found captivating. This book was written by my friend Ernie Webb III from Washburn University. It was Ernie's first book, and I think he did an excellent job. The book kept me engaged and interested until the end.

My plan is to find a few audiobooks to listen to and tackle a few more books from my target list. However, I don't think I can fit in 14 books between now and December 31st. We'll see, though, and I'll enjoy the process.

I hope you are enjoying a challenge of your own whether it be reading, exercise, or exploring the great outdoors. 

Capitol City Charm: A Des Moines Weekend

Trip to Des Moines, Iowa

We left for Des Moines, Iowa on Friday morning. We dropped Oliver off where he would stay through Sunday and we were on the road by 7:30. We drove to Des Moines with Erin and Greg and then met up with Laura and Jason where we had lunch and stayed at a Airbnb. We had a great time! We toured the capitol, went to antique place, did a lot of walking, and then we ate and drank a few different places. So much fun! Carrie and I were so tired when we got back home that we both took long naps Sunday afternoon into the evening and likely going to bed early this evening.

State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa

We met Laura and Jason at El Bait Shop and then we headed to the capitol to look around. Carrie and I had been there before (back in 2016), but we wanted to show the others the beautiful capitol in Iowa. The clear blue skies made the capitol stand out against the dark blue background. It was fun going through and seeing the different areas of the capitol. We toured all the floors we could access which was cool. We decided doing a guided tour and looked around on our own which is what Carrie and I did back in 2016 when we toured their capitol.

Drinks at Speak Easy

Oysters on the Half Shell

Group Selfie

We finished the weekend Saturday night at a speak easy. A few of us had a wild night on Friday, so it was low key on Saturday night. The drinks were good and we had a good time hanging out together. We are already looking forward to our next trip back to Des Moines, Iowa and talked about going earlier in the season. We lucked out with the weather for our trip as it was sunny while we were there. A random rain shower moved through on Saturday late afternoon, but that was about it.

Great time and Des Moines was good to us once again. I look forward to going back in the future.

Meatballs, Enchiladas, and Football: A Missouri Camping Trip

Tents at HipCamp Site

We went on our third camping trip of the year with this one in Missouri at a HipCamp called Hickory Forest TV Camp Site and we had a great time. We left on Thursday, September 26 and stayed through Sunday, September 29. We went with Erin and Greg. No dogs on this trip although dogs are allowed, but we planned to attend the Washburn game on Saturday, so we left our dogs at home.

We arrived late afternoon to our camp site. Unpacked our cars and got our tents set up. Then it was time to get the stovetop going so we could eat dinner. We would be cooking two meals while camping which would be Thursday and Friday nights. We planned to eat out Saturday night after the football game.

Meatball Sandwiches on Stovetop

Our plan for Thursday night meal was simple with meatball sandwiches. Carrie warmed the meatballs in the crockpot and then finished everything put together in the stovetop. Our site had power which is something new for us when camping, but it was nice to be able to warm the meat in the crockpot before assembling and putting cheese on the sandwiches. They were perfect and just what we needed for the first night.

Fire pit, Chairs, and Perfection

Following dinner, we spent the evening around the fire pit listening to baseball and music. Prior to our trip, Carrie had everyone provide 5 - 10 songs that were five minutes or longer and she created a playlist. Part of the listening of the playlist was to guess who of the four of us submitted the song. Usually when we camp, we do some type of game around songs and playlists so we have something new for us to listen to while we camp. 

View from Lookout Tower at Weston State Park

Saturday morning we all slept a little late before getting up and going for the day. I think we were all up and going by 9 am. We started the day with cereal and then relaxing around the camp site. A few of us read, relaxed in the hammock, or just sat and chilled. Eventually, we decided to venture out to check out some new sites in the area. We made it over to Weston State Park to check out camp sites although we were not impressed with what was available. We did have a picnic while we were there which was nice. We stopped by a store on the side of the road and picked up some cider, snacks, and other knick-knacks. 

Dutch Oven for Cooking

Friday night was layered enchiladas using the Dutch Oven. It took about thirty minutes to cook with goals on the bottom and top of the Dutch Oven. Worked great! The bottom the enchiladas got a little crunchy, but it was very good. As is usually the case, Carrie finds things to adjust the next time we do these when camping, but overall, everyone ate them up and we all had full bellies. 

Food is Ready

I realized that I did not get a picture of the food plated, but the picture to the right is the food ready to start dishing out. It looks a little soupy in the picture, but it was really good. Nice job, Carrie!

Saturday morning we started the day with Carrie making us pancakes on the stovetop. We were not sure if Erin and Greg would like them as they are made with yogurt, but everyone enjoyed the pancakes and we at all of the double recipe. Again, I did not get any pictures, but Carrie has used this recipe twice that we got from the cookbook of a couple we follow on YouTube that have been camping for a long time. The cookbook is titled Gourmet in the Forest by Kellie Oden. We have used a few of the recipes from the cookbook. The pancakes are one of my favorites.

Missouri Western State University

Part of the reason we picked the Hickory Forest TV Camp Site where we camped was because of the location to where Washburn was playing on Saturday, September 28. We were set to play Missouri Western State University at 2 pm. It was our first time at this stadium. We won the game 24 - 16. 

Selfie at Football Game in Missouri

We started the game on the visitors side, but it was so hot and no wind, we moved over the home side where there was shade and a nice breeze. The fourth quarter took a long time, but we won the game. Following the football game, we had already decided we would eat in St. Joseph at Boudreaux's Louisiana Seafood and Steaks. Carrie and I had been there years before Brenda and her family, but first time for Erin and Greg. Other than it taking a very long time to get our food, it was a good meal. 

Sunset at Camp Site

We enjoyed our time camping in Missouri. The Hickory Forest TV Camp Site was beautiful and well cared for by the owner that we spoke to a few different times during our stay. We would go back to stay there again. Good location and layout of the camp site. We were in heavy wooded areas and I got a lot of bug bites. We are not sure what was getting me, but bug spray did not help. I had bites all over my arms, legs, back, and even the palms of my hands as well as fingertips. Very odd!

I was hoping to get a few more times in camping this year, but it did not work out where we could do more than the three we did this year. We got started early in February with a trip to Texas for camping and then two other new spots for us to close out the camping season. We enjoy the slow lifestyle of camping where we read, enjoy nature, and maybe go on a hike. 

Until next time, have a great week and I will talk to you later.