All But One

The majority of the friends I made during my days at Ohio State lived in my dorm on North Campus freshman and into sophomore year.  Good ol' Taylor Tower.  Given that we were off on our own for the first time, we really developed a strong bond and became like a little family. 

Fast forward 12 years (wow, we're old) and we're all in good but different places in life, and as life goes, you tend to grow apart a bit.  I hadn't spoken to some of my old roommates in years when one of them called out of the blue this past spring.  Alayna was in tears - our good friend Jamison had suddenly passed away.  Unreal.  I'm as shocked today as I was the day I first heard the news in May.  He was found dead in his apartment, but we do not know what happened and can only hope he felt no pain and knew how much we loved him.

The last time I saw Jamison May was Memorial Day weekend of 2009.  My high school girlfriends and I went to Baltimore for the long weekend, the city that Jamison called home since he graduated a proud Buckeye.  Here we are together for what would be the last time.

Jamison was literally one of the first people I met at Ohio State.  He lived in the room next door to me, and I remember going to the dining hall together with him and his roommate Kris one of the first days at school.  He was always a very easy person to talk to - genuinely listened and gave his best advice or words of encouragement whenever needed.  His smile was like a warm hug, his voice like an angel when he sang and most of all, I'll remember his laugh.  More of a hearty giggle, really, and you couldn't help but join in.

As a way to create something good out of this tragedy, my old roommate Heather got the crew back together in mid-October for a visit back on campus - the first time some of us had seen each other in over 6 years.  We had talked about a reunion forever and with Jamison gone, we only wished we had done it sooner.  But, we know he was looking down on us, happy that he brought us together again and just as jealous as we were about all the cool new buildings and upgrades the students have now.  So not fair.

 

To Julie, Beau, Susan, Heather, Alison, Alayna and Ty - damn, we look good!  Truly amazing to see everyone and hope to do it again soon.

To Kris, Kevin, and Chris - we wish you could have been there with us, but mark my words, we WILL have another reunion and we won't wait another 6+ years to do it.

To Heather - thank you for representing all of us at Jamison's funeral and for rallying the group to get back together.  You've always been such a dear friend to Jamison, and I know he's grateful.

To Jamison - thank you for being such a wonderful friend since we met that day in September of 1999.  You were always the type of person I could look up to.  I'll miss you, Jamisonian.

"Pack"ing in the Memories

Almost exactly 3 years from the day we got married, Kyle and I made our way back to Door County, Wisconsin.  The leaves were changing, fall was in the air, and the Packers were in town!  That's right.  A game at Lambeau Field is what took us back to revisit the memories from 3 years ago and make some new memories with our friends, Mike and Dana.

We got into town late on Friday and checked in at The Landmark, the resort where we had our reception!  The Repka's arrived at 2am after their travel plans from New Jersey were interrupted, but we all made it safe and sound.
 

We started Saturday at one of the best breakfast places ever.  Do you see those pumpkin pancakes in front of me?!?

The rest of our day was spent touring around Door County - driving past the church where we said our vows, the places that we stopped for pictures with our wedding party, and several of the townie bars that Kyle and his groomsmen visited the day before the wedding.  :)

Here we are at The Blue Ox ... butts in saddles and a deer's butt on the wall.  Only in Wisconsin.

Here we are at PC Junction bar, complete with a train that delivers your beers - genius.

We ended the night with a traditional fish boil and took in the Badger game at The Log Den, where we had our rehearsal dinner.

Sunday ... Enter ... The Packer Game!  Tailgating promptly at 11am, game at 3pm, victory by 6:30pm.  Done and done.


The weather was perfect, the scenery was beautiful, the game was a blast ... the weekend was magical.  Just like another weekend I remember in Door County a few years back ... :)

My Nanny Diary

Late July:
Talked to my Mom today.  Turns out Jeff and Kathy need a nanny for a week and the 'rents are traveling (yet again.)  Mark my words - I WILL find a way to get to Austin.

1 week after "Late July":
Meetings moved, vacation days blocked, ticket to Austin purchased.  Nanny 911 to the rescue!

Sunday, August 22nd:
I arrive in Austin, TX to 105 degree weather.  That's right - even triple digits won't keep me away from my nephew.  Jeff and I grab lunch and Vaughn and I get reacquainted.  He remembers what I taught him last time I was in town ...

Monday, August 23rd:
Full day playing with racecars, hammers, magnets, racecars, stuffed animals ... oh yeah, and racecars.

Tuesday, August 24th:
Repeat Monday ... add playing in the dirt out back and sweating from parts of my body I didn't know I had.  Took a trip to the Splash Pad to cool off.  Put Vaughn in and out of the car seat, oh, three times or so because I kept forgetting things in the house.  Gimme a break, this babysitter has been out of practice for quite some time now.

Weds, August 25th
Trip to the Children's Museum.  He was by far the best kid there, at least, that's what I heard ... SO good, he even talked Aunt Trace into a popsicle when we got home.

Thurs, August 26th
Austin Zoo, here we come!  Vaughn's favorite was the pint-sized deer that he was able to feed.  He couldn't get enough, and neither could the mini-deer.  They were a perfect pair.  We went home with a stuffed donkey as a souvenir.  Buying things from the gift shop - that skill I get from my Dad.

Friday, August 27th
Walk around the block and past the firehouse so we could wave at the fire truck.  BIG day.  Spent some time on the front porch blowing bubbles.  He blows more from the soap on his lips than through the little stick ... hilarious.

The days were so exhausting, Vaughn and I relaxed in the evenings with our "juice."

The weekend was full of quality time with my brother and sister-in-law.  VIP seats at a local fashion show, cocktails, movies, dinner at a great taco place ... they know how to spoil the babysitter.

Bottom line - Vaughn and I are BFF's!  What a wonderful opportunity to spend some one-on-one time bonding with my little nephew whom I don't get to see nearly enough.  Skype is handy but doesn't always cut it.  Now I can understand his language, I know his favorite foods, and he even knows my name ... Ace!