Back to Basics

Think about something you've been doing for years. Maybe even as far back as your childhood. Is it something that you may consider yourself good at? Can you almost do it with your eyes closed? Would you even go as far as saying you're very good at it? For example, I play piano as does my whole family. I think I'm pretty good at it too. But so are the other members of my family. No one can never learn enough on any one topic or talent, at least I don't think so anyway. There is always something new to everything. Times change and so do talents, products and methods.

That being said, I decided that I wanted to find out just what I didn't know about,....wait for it,........bowling! I never bowled as a child on a league or team. The first time I really remember bowling was after I was out on my own. My sister was in a band that traveled. So when they got close to home (back in ND), I tried to join them and during their free times, we'd go bowling. I never had any sort of official coaching in the sport of bowling. I just sort of developed my own style and feel for it.
After I moved to Omaha back in 1995, I was invited to join a women's team that consisted of some of my friends. I've been bowling ever since. I don't think I'm all that bad. My average is no where near 200 but it's currently sitting at 150. Not terrible. But I feel that I've climbed a small hill in developing a better technique and now I've leveled off in that climb. So I thought maybe I could learn a few new tricks to aide in bowling better and increasing my average.

I knew from shopping at a pro bowling shop, Tom Kelley Bowling Pro Shop, that classes were being offered to anyone young and old alike. They were held once a month at Wildcat Lanes. It just so happened that the next class was only five days away. So I signed up. I thought it wouldn't hurt to find out what I could do to improve my game.

The teacher, Tom Kelley Sr., whom is now 70 years young, does not look or seem to be 70. He is a tall, slim, gentle, soft spoken man that moves around like he's only 30. If you click on the web site and look at the slides, you'll see photos of him helping customers and one with his son. You'll also see pictures of the shop and the products they have for sale. Both Tom and his son know almost everything there is to know about the sport of bowling. If you need a bowling ball, they make sure it's a ball that is the proper weight for your stature and they do a great job of measuring your hand and drilling the holes in the ball for your fingers for a proper fit for your fingers.

Also on the web site, click on the tab near the top of the page that says "about us." You can read about both Tom, Sr. and Tom, Jr. They have earned many trophies at the state and national level. Both are very accomplished bowlers.

The class consisted of actual class time and then we headed out to the lanes for some actual bowling. We spent about one hour going over the basics; how to hold the ball, the approach, the release and the stance, just to name a few. Once we got out on the floor, Tom, Sr., took video of each of us so that we could see ourselves and figure out what we were doing improperly. He told me I had a great approach but I wasn't holding the ball in my hand the proper way.

It didn't occur to me to take any pictures of Tom, Sr., himself until we were almost done. Then I only got one from the side. So you'll have to look at the web site to see him smiling.

Tom Kelley, Sr.

Now it's been about two weeks since the class and I bowl once a week. I've been trying to apply what I've learned but it's tough to break old habits. I find myself resorting back to some old habits because on occasion, they seem to work. I realize that the "correct" way of doing things would come naturally with practice. But it's hard to practice on league nights when I must keep up my average! So for now, until I have practice time, I'll do what I can with the knowledge I have. Basically.

Unique Airplane in Omaha

Do you happen to watch "The Oprah Winfrey Show"? If you do, then you're familiar with the fact that this season, her 25TH, is her final season. She's going to have a different show on her own network beginning in January; OWN-Oprah Winfrey Network. Her show is based in Chicago, IL. Most of the time, she has some pretty interesting topics. But this season has been unbelievable. She's making the most of her last one and having the best of anything and the biggest stars around, on her show.

Well, unbeknownst to me, United Airlines has an airplane dedicated to her. I saw it one day at work. A Boeing 757 airplane parked at their gates and there it was....the huge Oprah symbol. I love it! Their gates are right next to our own. I was very impressed!

Boeing 757

Read the phrase on the fuselage.

I love this aircraft. It looks so proud the way the landing gear under the nose sits back away from the nose of the aircraft.

It seems like more and more airlines are painting their airplanes to look like animals, objects or just dedicating them to individuals. We at Southwest Airlines have many airplanes with themes painted on them. But I've been seeing more airlines in Omaha have airplanes with a specialty paint job, arrive in town. For instance, we had an unusual visitor in Omaha one day and it was parked at a gate that's near our bag room. I had to get a picture of it as well. Guess who? Air Canada....

Airbus

The Maple Leaf is it's obvious symbol.

One just never knows who will stop in Omaha. Sometimes I see airlines that I've never before heard of! I'll keep my eyes open for other unique airplanes....and you'll get to see them too!

......Starring Tanya Krof

It's amazing to me just how quickly people grow and change. As I've noticed as I age, the time seems to slip past me quicker every year. After living here in Omaha for over fifteen years now, I've watched the children of my friends grow up as well.

My friend Tammy has two children over the age of 19 and one of them is a junior in college majoring in music education, with a minor in art. Her daughter Tanya has several talents in music. As part of her requirements in one of her classes, she sang in a recital. She sings soprano and was accompanied on the piano. I was invited to attend. We filled two vehicles and drove together to Lincoln to Nebraska Wesleyan University. The audience in Plainsman Hall was small and quaint in the auditorium; her parents, siblings, grandparents, college friends and a couple of us that have watched her grow up, were in attendance.

Her program consisted of many selections by composer Johannes Brahms. She made her own posters to advertise the recital. It was entitled "Raisin Brahms!" and had a photo of herself with a spoon in her mouth as if she had just had a bite of food. Very clever....

Following her performance that lasted just over thirty minutes, we all joined her in the lower level of the hall for a small reception. Tammy, her Mom, had made several kinds of cookies and brought some beverages for all to share. We congratulated her on her achievements thus far and took many photos of Tanya and all her relatives and friends. (pictures are the norm with our group...) So I had my camera in preparation.

Tanya and her Mom, Tammy

Tanya and her little sister, Paige

Young Lady...

It was fun to listen to her sing! I hadn't ever heard her really belt out on anything before and this was a treat. Keep up the great work Tanya!

Random Cat Activity

My cats, as I've written before, never cease to amaze me. They are as clever as any human being sometimes.

One day, I went to the basement to do some laundry and when I turned on the light I saw Trouble on the couch. No wait-- he was on a pillow, which was on the couch. Apparently he found more comfort in laying on the pillow than on the cushions of the couch. He lifted his head up and looked up at me as if to ask, "what are you doing down here?"

He's been on this kick lately, of going downstairs when I'm getting ready to go somewhere; usually in the morning when I'm putting on my shoes to leave for work. I check to see where each cat is before I close a couple of doors to keep Trouble from rummaging through my trash cans and opening cabinets in the bathrooms. I almost always find him in a strange spot of the basement just laying there. It's like he's waiting for me to go so that he can begin his daily ritual of roaming around the house looking for something to get into.

Trouble

And then there's Yoda. He is my cuddly cat. Wherever I'm sitting, he's there on my lap napping and staying warm. In the photo below, he had his head down with his nose on the small pillow that I had rolled up next to me. His right front paw was straight out and he was dreaming. His other paws were all twitching like he was running.

Yoda

And that's another small version of my "cat tales". Never a dull moment around my house with these two animals!

Baby Ian is Here!

Well....Nine months and lots of help from doctors and He's finally here! Ian Christopher Ederer.
He has the perfect shaped head (thanks to a Caesarean birth) and big blue eyes. All 8 lbs of him is so cuddly!
Dee and Chris, his parents, had a rough time becoming pregnant so the doctors helped with insemination. It worked the first time. Everything went well and the time seemed to fly by and before we knew it, Dee had been scheduled for a C-section. November 11Th. Veterans Day.
Do you remember the baby shower we had for them? That was September. It's now Ian's birthday! I went to see him at the hospital the day after he was born. I didn't take any pictures that day because I was too busy holding and spoiling him. But I did eventually get some...fear not!
Chris is a first time Dad and Ian is child number two for his Mom Dee. Chris being such a tall and husky man, can almost carry Ian on the length of his forearm! Amazing to see Daddy and Baby together. (all together....AWWWW!!)
Ian looks almost completely like his Daddy....

The happy family!!

Ian demonstrating his lung capacity.

The neat thing about Ian's birthday is that he was born on Veteran's Day. And as the pattern has gone, he is just one of the whole group of kids of my friends that have all been born on or near a holiday! It's crazy but easy to remember their birthdays this way!

So now we have another baby amongst our friends to spoil with gifts and love. Congratulations to all of you, Ederer Family!!!