Back Home Again in Indiana

Since Towson could not pull off even a close game with IU on Thursday night I had to lift my spirits somehow. So I headed off Friday afternoon for my favorite fast food at Steak 'N Shake and then continued on to my favorite winery. When dad and I arrived at Oliver Winery it was packed. I opted to skip the tasting and just go pick up a couple bottles of my favorites. I've been drinking their wine since I could drink so I have the ones I love the most figured out. When it was time to pay I discovered the latest in Indiana's crazy laws. I got carded, which was to be expected. Dad joked that he could vouch for me. But then when he went to pay he got carded too. I guess there is a new law in the state that says they have to card everyone. So even though dad has gray hair and a kid in her thirties he still gets carded. And I thought Utah had some fun alcohol laws.

Oliver Winery

After running some other errands I headed to Yogi's to meet up with Kevin, Kristi and Merrill. I have known Kevin since 7th grade but am still getting to know Kristi. And Merrill is the newest addition to their family. And a cute one too! We had a great dinner catching up on the news. I'm always glad when I can get together with "old" friends on the rare occasions I make it back to Bloomington. Now if I could only talk them into visiting me out west. And it wouldn't be the small town I grew up in if we hadn't run into someone else we knew. On our way out the door we ran into Sandy and Dean. Sandy was the swim coach for my sister and Kevin and our women's Athletic Director when we were all in high school. It was nice to see them again.

Merrill & Kristi

Me & Kevin

(Kevin is the reason I know I'm 5'0. He chased me around with a tape measure once to be sure.)

From dinner it was time to head to the IU soccer game. It was the traditional Labor Day weekend tournament that IU hosts. I had missed the Notre Dame v UCLA game but that was fine. I was there in time for the IU v Cal game. This is a new start for the IU team. They have a new coaching staff that includes head coach Todd Yeagley, and assistant coaches Brian Maisonneuve, Ernie Yarborough and volunteer coach Chris Munroe, all of whom are former players. I was still in high school when Todd, Brian and Ernie were at IU. Have to admit that Brian was one of my favorite players. I only had the chance to see Chris play once or twice on my visits home. Dad seemed excited about the change in play after seeing one of the spring games but a little less excited after the first pre-season game. I was curious to see how the team would look. And regardless, I was just thrilled to get to my first game in a couple of years. The team played pretty well throughout. It wasn't great but it was not as bad as we had seen in the past. Unfortunately, the game went into overtime. In the second OT they just didn't play with energy or something. Cal got the winning goal and that is how it ended. It was not helping my losing streak for games on this trip.

Just loved this shirt.



IU starting line-up

Sunset during the game

Saturday was an early start for me. My mom's side of the family all live in Louisville, KY and they have a Saturday morning breakfast every week. I wanted to get down there early so that I could see everyone. I have learned over the years that they tend to come in waves. So if you miss the first wave you won't get to see that group. I managed to make the drive quickly and was there by 8:30 which meant I got to see my godfather. The rest of his family did not make it but I'm always happy to see Uncle Paul, especially so I can get one of his hugs. This time I also got some great life lessons. The big bonus of the morning was that my cousin Carolyn came with her two little ones. I have met Will but I had not yet met Catherine. Both kids are total dolls. It was also great to see my Great Aunt Carolyn and my Great Uncle Charles. After being at breakfast for about 3 hours I headed off with my godmother, Aunt Barbara. We made a stop at her house and then headed to see Carolyn's new house. The changes they made are gorgeous. Once Catherine was up from her nap we headed out to lunch. I don't usually get this kind of time with Carolyn or Aunt Barbara so I was happy. Before leaving town I headed back to see Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Charles. I never want to miss any opportunities to see them whenever I can.

Me, Carolyn & Catherine

Great Aunt Carolyn & Me

I was once again reminded why I do not enjoy the drive between Nashville, IN and Bloomington, IN when I got stuck behind people who refused to drive the speed limit. I haven't done those roads in years and I had less issue with all the turns. If you get car sick I would recommend avoiding this drive. It is not even close to being straight. I finally made it back to Bloomington and still had time before Daniel's soccer game. I made a couple of very important stops. The most important being to Jiffy Treat. Home of the best ice cream ever! I had to get my favorite chocolate cyclone with Heath in it. Yum!

Jiffy Treat

I had to call dad to make sure I still knew how to get to Karst Park where Daniel's game was being held. I had the right idea. Anne and Tom Varns were volunteering with the parking when I arrived since North is the host team for the tournament that was being held. I talked to each of them on my way in and then made sure I knew which field I was looking for. The game had just started when I got there. I didn't time it but I've been told that the high schools play 40 minute halves. If someone can explain the reasoning behind that I'd appreciate it. They should be able to play 45 minutes by the time they are at that level. I decided that the best view for photos was going to be on the team side of the field since it had shade. When I walked over there a group of students were about to walk by me and I heard someone say Andrew. I looked and it was Andrew Varns who I had yet to run into despite staying at his house. He was nice enough to stop and give me a hug and chat for a bit. I felt bad though and sent him back to join his friends after a few minutes. For most of the second half Anne and I stood together behind some of the opposing team parents. Since their team was beating North they were pretty nice about it. It is hard to believe that I have known Daniel since he was just a few months old and now he is a senior co-captain for the high school soccer team. As my dad pointed out, I'm getting old. Now Daniel is considering options for college so that he can continue playing soccer. I hope I have the opportunity to see him play at that level. I've seen him play every other level and have encouraged the love of soccer. Not that it was hard since the whole family seems to love the sport almost as much as I do.

Senior Co-Captain, Daniel Varns

I finally found Heidi so after the game I straightened up and then went to meet her and her husband Matt. I had been able to make their wedding a few years ago but could not stay for the reception so I had never actually met Matt. We met up at Upland which is a brew pub that I had never even heard of. It was great to meet Matt and have the chance to catch up with Heidi. I'm trying to talk her into visiting me out west. Especially now that our friend Courtney also lives here. Matt seems to be on my side but he loves it out here. Heidi hasn't made it yet so we'll have to teach her how to take time off work. We ended up hanging out for three hours since we had so much to catch up on. She had all the news on what I had missed in town. And I'd like to welcome her to the right side of Bloomington (the North side).

Heidi & Me

Sunday was my last full day in Indiana. And there was another IU soccer game on the schedule. But first I was meeting my favorite 6th grade teacher at the Village Deli. All I can say is if you visit Bloomington you want to go to breakfast at the Village Deli. They have the best blueberry pancakes. But you only need to get the single because it is bigger than the plate. Madonna and I met up and had a great breakfast catching up on all the news. She is probably the last teacher I had at St. Charles that is still there. After breakfast we took some time walking around the 4th Street Arts Festival before she had to go to a work event. I'm always glad when I can see her on my visits home.

So the Sunday IU game was against UCLA. The two teams I dislike the most in men's soccer are UVa and UCLA. I really wanted to see IU win, plus it would break my losing streak for games over the weekend. It was a gorgeous day for a game. I sat with dad in his usual spot and Anne came and sat with us. IU got on the board first but less than ten minutes later UCLA had tied it up. And that was the last time UCLA made it look like a game. IU scored 5 goals and Will Bruin had a hat trick. It was the most fabulous thing I had seen since the last time IU won the National Championship in 2004. Like I said, I don't like UCLA soccer so I'm always happy to see IU win. As an added bonus at halftime my first soccer coach came by to say hi. Coach Paynter was my coach when I started playing through the Boys' Club back in the day. I think I had him most of the years I played there until I switched to travel club. But then over the years after that I played with one or more of his kids. Thankfully Chris had seen that I was in town on FB and told his dad. So Coach Paynter came looking for us. There is something to be said for the fact that dad is always in the same place at games. People know where to find us.

IU 5, UCLA 1

After the game I spent a bit of time at dad's house saying goodbye. Then I headed off to St. Paul's for mass. Heidi and I pulled in at the same time and found a place to sit together. I have always loved St. Paul's. I don't always get to go when I make it back to Bloomington but I try. This time it worked out. After mass Heidi and I went up to see Madonna. And of course we had to get a picture with our 6th grade teacher.

Heidi, Madonna, Me

(If I had realized we stair stepped our height I would have switched the order.)

To finish off the evening I headed back to the Varns' for dinner with the family. It was the first time I would get to see all of them at once. It was a gorgeous evening so we sat outside on their deck. I'm happy I had that time with all of them, especially the boys. I am looking forward to seeing where Daniel ends up for college, and what adventure Andrew goes on next. (This summer he did a 3 week bike trip.) I asked Andrew if I'd be cheering for him in the Tour de France someday if he is able to do 3 week bike trips. Then we got to talking about the tour and Tom suggested they all go to France to see it. I hope they do. I also hope I can meet up with them if that happens. Before Andrew disappeared to his friend's house we had to get some photos. Every trip home I have always gotten a picture with the two of them. This is the first trip where both boys are taller than me. (Not that its hard.) Since I have been sending them autographed soccer items for the last few years we decided to take the photo in their basement with some of the items. The ball Daniel is holding is the last soccer item I'm sending them. I just don't think I can out do that one unless I meet David Beckham. So I'm switching sports. Hope they like skiing and snowboarding.

Me, Daniel & Andrew

It was a great trip. I got to see almost everyone I hoped to see and did everything I hoped to do. I made it safely through the trip without crashing any rental cars and had a much better flight home than expected. The only mishap was forgetting that I had Macky's homemade jelly in my carry on. TSA told me I couldn't take it on the plane. Fortunately Ronnie was in downtown Indy so he came and rescued me. It worked out since I still had the hat I had forgotten to give him at the football game. So he rescued my jelly, got his hat and I got to give him a hug before I left. Not a bad way to end the trip. It looks like weekend adventures until at least February. Then its off to Oslo, Norway!

Midwest Photos

Me & Macky (My other grandmother)

Nan & Me (My other mom)

Chicago Skyline

Sue & her little Flowergirl

Me & Katie B at Notre Dame

Zib & Me

Melanie, Me & Ronnie at the TU v IU game

More than corn in Indiana.

Since my last post I have been in Michigan, Northern Indiana and now Southern Indiana. I spent two days in Grand Haven Michigan with Macky. It was fabulous. We had a great time just catching up, going shopping at Sam's Club (I love that they have a wine aisle in theirs) and I got my first Steak 'N Shake on this trip. Nan came over and joined us for dinner but since school had started she was limited on time. It was great to see her whenever she could join us though. Both nights with Macky we went on a walk. The second night we found access to the lake, but we couldn't take the dog down with us. I left Macky at the top and ran down to take some photos. It was a beautiful night.

Lake Michigan

After I left Michigan I dropped my first rental car back in Chicago. Since I had some time until the train to South Bend I went to sit by Lake Michigan and the Aquarium. It was hot but beautiful. I found a shaded bench that I shared with a grandmother and her adorable little granddaughter. Eventually I found myself in South Bend where I got to spend time with Katie B and even got a chance to have dinner with her Aunt Sue. I was in Sue's wedding when I was three so she always refers to me as her "little flower girl". It was fun to catch up with her. I enjoyed spending the evening seeing Katie's new house and just hanging out with her.

The next morning I went to work with her on the Notre Dame campus. Katie had a meeting so I spent some time on her computer trying to buy tickets to Nordic World Championships in Oslo. Then I wandered across campus to the bookstore. I don't think I've spent that much time on the campus before. Usually I just spent time at their soccer field or basketball arena. It is a pretty campus. I eventually found the bookstore and went in to pick up all the items on the list mom had given me. Trinity will have her first Notre Dame shirt soon. When Katie was done with her meeting we went to brunch and then hung out until I needed to pick up my rental car and head for the next stop on my trip. I'm so glad I had the time to spend with my "little sis". Hopefully I can get her out to see me in the west soon.

The next stop on the schedule was Elkhart, IN. My friend Zib and her whole family live there. Since she was at work I started at her parent's house. Eventually the whole family was there and we had a great dinner together. Zib's nephew Caleb is a doll. He is about to turn three and start preschool. So he stayed at the house with all of us while his parents went to parent's night at his school. He was a bit bored with us grown ups since we started comparing some of our favorite authors. Caleb did teach me a new word, instead of ridiculous he says redodo. I think I like that one much better. After a nice evening at the Fackelman's I followed Zib to the house she bought. It is adorable. And I'm completely jealous of the built in bookcases. I hope I can have some of those one day. It wouldn't be a trip to Zib's if I didn't end up borrowing some books. The Elkhart stop was not a long one, only one night. In the morning we went to grab some breakfast before she had to be at work and I had to head to Bloomington. Next time I'll have to figure out how to have more time in Northern Indiana.

Just to make things fun I had to stop in Indy and switch rental cars. That way I could get a round trip rental and drop off the one way. The most fun I've had with a rental was when I ended up with a pale yellow PT Cruise in Baltimore a few years ago. But the rental from South Bend to Indy was a Nissan Cube. Goofy looking car but pretty nice on the inside.

And now I am in Bloomington. The whole trip to the Midwest has been planned around the Towson v. Indiana football game. Unfortunately for me, everything else was tonight too. I'm staying with the Varns who are our neighbors from when we lived in Bloomington. They have two sons in high school who play soccer. The big rival match was tonight, and the varsity game started at the same time as the football game. I did luck out, I was able to go to the first half of the JV game so I did get to see Andrew play some. I should be able to see Daniel play a game later this weekend. And I'd like to point out, North swept South in soccer this week. The girls won and both of the men's team won. Congrats to North! Before I left the soccer game I was able to talk to my first high school coach. Sadly, he was the men's coach so I only got to play for him one year before they started a girls team and made me go play for that one. (Still annoyed by that.) He had some updates on some of my former teammates so it was fun to hear how everyone was doing.

From there I headed over to the football game fully decked out in my new Towson t-shirt and my TU hat. I grew up in Bloomington, but I left town to attend college at Towson. I don't think anyone out East is real sure how I found them. And no one in Indiana who isn't friends with me seems to know where the school is located. I had at least a half dozen people ask me where Towson was. I had gotten two tickets with some help from a very nice person I met at the Vancouver Olympics who works for IU. My friend Ronnie agreed to go to the game with me but he was running a little late coming down from Indy. So I picked up our tickets and went in search of some friends who were tailgating. I lost Heidi but I was able to find Melanie. And I can't thank Melanie enough because they were nice enough to feed me! When her group headed in to the game I walked around to our gate so I could meet Ronnie. On my way these two guys told me that this was not the stadium and it was two miles "that way." I told them that might have worked if I hadn't grown up 2 miles that way. They were disappointed not to have sent me in the wrong direction. While I was waiting for Ronnie I ran into Heidi's older sister Gretchen. (Still haven't found Heidi, but I am hopeful we will meet up this weekend.) Ronnie eventually made it just as the game kicked off. We headed for our seats only to discover that they were in the 5th row on the 50 yard line. Not bad! I know I got on the big screen once, but not sure if that made TV or not. The first quarter was painful. But the second quarter gave me hope that maybe Towson could make it a close game. Sadly, it was not meant to be. At halftime Ronnie and I wandered over to the other side of the stadium to see dad. We ended up watching the second half with him. The hardest part for me was not standing up during the IU fight song. I might not have gone to IU but I grew up on that song and I'm a huge IU soccer fan so I usually do stand up when they play it. I also caught myself a couple times almost cheering for IU. But the first time Towson scored a touchdown I jumped up and yelled. Did I mention that those tickets that I had gotten were from the foundation and appeared to be in the middle of the Indiana alumni? I was the only one celebrating for Towson. Pretty comical. Despite the losing score for Towson I had a fun time.

Tomorrow night I can go cheer for IU at their soccer game. First IU game I've attended since 2007. Can't wait to see how they look under the new coach with an old name.