...For The Very First Time



This weekend was a big "first" for our very-much loved and long time family friend, Elaine.  It was the first time she visited Camp Randall Stadium.

Most people who know me know that I've spent my entire life with two last names; before I became an Unti-Runnells, I was a Jarvis-Unti.  Elaine's mom, Maureen, and her two sisters, Lynn and Anita, all took turns babysitting me and my brother as we were growing up.  Every member of the Jarvis family has been a very big part of my life, and they're as much family to me as my own blood-relatives.  They've been part of all of my big milestones, and it was great to be with Lainey for a milestone of her own (or at least it is a milestone in my mind).

A Badgers game in Madison is an event like no others.  The city becomes a sea of people dressed in red on football Saturdays.  This Saturday was no exception, and as has become the traditions for the 2010 season, we started the morning with a visit to the Big Ten.  Beers, mixed drinks and a Bloody Mary were ordered.  Then it was time to move a bit closer to the stadium and sample the drinks at another establishment, The Stadium Bar.  It was after a few drinks there that I officially realized what was happening.  I had been over-served, and I was not alone in this.  Oh Madison, oh football Saturdays! I remember singing songs and dancing around with my mom and Elaine.  I hope nobody else remembers either of those things!

By the time we got to the stadium, it was clear that some food was in order.  After some brats and hot dogs we had recovered enough to fully enjoy the game, rather the annihilation.  Not for the first time, and certainly not for the last time, I remember thinking I really need to slow down on Saturday mornings.

The Badgers defeated the Governors of Austin Peay by a score of 70-3.  Bucky's arms must have been sore after all those post-touchdown push-ups.  Good thing he's so tough, just like all Badgers are.

We celebrated the victory and Elaine's first visit to Camp Randall with a visit to our friend Matt's house.  We had some celebratory tacos and met the world's craziest dog, a terrier that Matt was watching for the weekend (I hope Matt survived the ordeal).   It really was another excellent Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin.

Bagpipe players

Elaine, me and Mom



Elaine and Mom sharing a beer - now that is friendship

It was very sunny!


Mom had to empty her entire bag at the stadium - something about no bags only purses...hmmm




Another exciting part of this weekend was spending Sunday afternoon at Miller Park.  Though the Brewers haven't had the most impressive of seasons, it was a great victory.  Likewise, it was lots of fun tailgating with Mom, Dad, Uncle Skip, Brian and Zeke.  Since there were plenty of empty seats, we were able to move down to section 108 to sit by my parents.  I've seldom sat so close to the field, and it was a nice perspective, though I still didn't capture the attention of Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder....next season.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Just a Little Evening Adventure

Image
Sometimes you have those days that turn out to be so very different than you expected them to be.  Wednesday was one of those days.  We welcomed houseguest Tuesday evening, and I thought I might do a bit of climbing with them in the morning, but then I expected to return to my typical routine - take a hike/go for a run, do some work and head to the gym for some evening climbing with Brian.  Instead, we decided to solo the Second Flatiron, a six-hundred or so foot climb up one of Boulder's most notable landmarks.     To the best of my recollection, I have not soloed anything before (read: climb without a rope or protection/gear).  The only part that unnerved me, however, was the 'jump.'  This was a point where, along the climb, you are required to leap across a divide in the rocks. I decided the benefits outweighed the cost/risk/fear, and I joined Brian, Alex and Cait, our houseguest, and Josh, another Sconnie native and AdRock climber living the d...
Read more

Stylin' in My New Ride!

Image
Last Friday was an exciting day for me.  Though the new school year was rapidly approaching and my nerves were out of control in anticipation of starting a new school year in a new school with a relatively unfamiliar staff, I happily headed to the car dealership to pick up my new ride, a beautiful white Ford Fusion with all sorts of bells and whistles!   We haven't had a new car in the Runnells family in a few years...and that car quickly became Brian's.  This car, however, is all mine and I LOVE IT!!  A big THANK YOU goes out to my hubbers, who dealt with all the less-than-enjoyable stuff that went along with getting this car  (suffice it to say, our initial car salesman was less than professional and almost drove us to another  dealership).  I think about it each time I get into the car. Doesn't my ALUMNI plate holder look good?!  Want to listen to a little SIRIUS radio?  I'm lovin' making calls via my car Drivi...
Read more

Helping Chelsea and Kyle

Image
Brace yourselves... this is a long one...and I'm asking for your help. As some of you may know, someone very close to me, Chelsea Bullis, experienced a life-changing event on Sunday, June 10, 2012.  She and her boyfriend, Kyle, were in a terrible motorcycle accident that left them both seriously injured.   Chelsea and her family have always been a part of my life. Chelsea's Aunt Anita was my first babysitter, and eventually her grandma, Maureen, and  her mom, Lynn,  took turns taking care of my brother and me.  Chelsea's Aunt Lainey is my mom's very best friend.  Chelsea, her brother Chad, her cousins Sam and Rachael and I all grew up together.  We took summer trips together, and when I was old enough, I began taking care of Chelsea, her brother and her cousins.  Chelsea and her family were so close to me that we began referring to each other as cousins...and 20+ years later, it is still how we refer to one another.   So ...
Read more