...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

AJ Runs Several Ks...and Writes About It

Image
On Saturday, May 6, I returned to half marathon racing. It had been quite a hiatus, and my previous half marathon, was completed with a blown out IT band, so I did have to balance high hopes and realistic expectations. After all, a lot has changed since that last race. They say that age is just a number, and by that logic, a half marathon is just miles. 13.1 long and hilly miles in this case, and now officially in the next decade of my life. Yeah, yeah, just a number. Last year, still in my 30s, I toyed with the idea of returning to racing and with running the Door County Half Marathon. We were in Peninsula State Park for our annual Mother’s Day weekend, and the race was taking place. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to get back to some really good training. Our plan - always - is to be in Door County for our Mother’s Day celebration, so why not sign up?! Well, back to numbers. Two children, one partner, too many hours at work each week, one bike ride/race to each weekend, an
Read more

My Dad, OUR Hero

Image
This past weekend, we celebrated my dad’s 30 years of service to and retirement from the Mukwonago Fire Department. As both a volunteer fire fighter and EMT, he has spent several decades in service of others. During what surely was one of their most trying times, it was my dad who was with people he’d never met and likely wouldn’t see again. To do that on top investing in full-time work, his family, and his other interests is simply remarkable. And that’s my dad: a driven, generous, passionate man. The Mukwonago Fire Department was a part of my youth. The men and women he served with became my dad’s second family, and thus they were there for many of my milestones. My weekends were were filled with various events hosted by MFD, including community events and that one family picnics that ended with Dad getting stitches. Sometimes my weekends - and weeknights - were also filled with quick goodbyes as another call pulled Dad away from our family plans. The sound of his pager and the
Read more

Milestone

Image
I mentioned, not too long ago, interest in a birthday trip to ATL. Michelle Obama would be there for her book tour, the weather is fall-like this time of year and perfect for a long run, and it’s a city I haven’t explored much of. My partner heard me. He showed up, like really showed up!   Just about a week ago, Harper brought me a birthday card and gift she and B had been working on. It was my own copy of  The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times , and a Happy Birthday picture of a plane, a peach, and a pink and purple suitcase (my favorite colors).     I had otherwise been planning a jaunt from home along the Glacial Drumlin Trail and snack day at H’s school. That would have been great. But Brian has been helping me work on prioritizing myself to maintain balance; time away was earned, needed, permissable. To say I was excited for the weekend was an understatement. B attended to all the details (also needed AND appreciated): flights, hotel accommodations, transportation,
Read more