It's her life

(Title is based on It's my life)

Like Anne said before, this visit has been a long time coming. I actually grew up (well, spent my high school years) just a mile and a half away from where Anne lives and then all four years of undergrad at the same college that Anne went to (and now is a Professor at!!).  
 

Excitement (albeit at 5am) to see Anne!!

 It was strange being back. Strange because my high school years weren’t the greatest (I think many people share that sentiment). 

Memories...

Graeter's ice cream. Highly recommended.

Walk through the old neighborhood. Eek.

Strange because Anne is now Dr. Anne (ok, so probably Dr. Crecelius), with a real office and a name tag; with classes and students, even graduate students! Strange because my Wifey, my younger Wifey, has breast cancer. Anne summed it up pretty well during our walk to DQ yesterday for ice cream, “It’s not fair.”  And that sentiment can suck the life out of anyone. 

As a non-religious person who is a scientist by training I like reasons; I like cause and effect (in so many ways this may be the holy grail of science), but this along with so many things goes into the pile of not yet explained. Having spent four days with Anne (well almost five depending on how you count), a reason isn’t necessary and who knows what it would change, so let’s focus on the things we can change.  Despite being a non-religious person I am a fan of the Serenity Prayer

http://www.krigline.com/photos/wallpaper/Serenity-Prayer-Lugu14x9.jpg

So what can we change?  Well for me it was taking this cross-country trip to see my Wifey (for those of you going ‘WTF?’ at the nickname, it came in college from living together for two years, I think Anne preferred it to hollering “Lynn!!” when she wanted attention across the house, and who doesn’t love a good nickname).  I can continue to do a better job of staying in touch. In following Anne on this journey.  This trip has been great in so many ways. We got to see an additional two of our roommates, Little One (Andria) and Moose (Erin), along with Moose’s baby (who I now dub Mini-Moose). 

  

We strolled through the Ghetto, er, I mean west end of campus. We had lunch with a co-worker at Milanos (still a solid lunch place), lunch at Chappy’s (deliciousness all around), and a dinner at fifth street brewery (amazing loaded fries and great stout).  On top of all the fantastic eating out we cooked and baked: brownie-chocolate-and-peanut-butter-chip bites, white lasagna, roasted chicken, roasted potatoes, Caesar salad, steamed broccoli, banana-chocolate pancakes, and apple oatmeal.  It was more than just the good food, it was great company. 

White lasagna.  Anne has once again changed my life for the better. Seriously delicious.

Little One.

I still can’t wrap my head around how to handle Bertha. So instead I am trying to discover how I can fit in, how each of us fit in.  What has been impressed upon me as so many other guest bloggers and people leaving comments have said or shown, the support is just amazing.  Anne’s house is filled with love; a card garland draping the entire wall, additional cards spilling over on to the bookshelves, a Halloween pumpkin, and a table filled with gourmet goodies and treasured gifts.  Anne is loved (the blanket from a complete stranger, shows just how much),

See the man front an center in hot pink? That's my bf Dan, we were supposed to run a 10k this Sunday to honor to of his friends who died in a climbing accident.  He ran it without me (stole the photo from RG), but let me dress him in a costume of my choice (they encourage costumes on the race), the shirt says "Crush Cancer."  Dan and Anne have never met.

and I know we will all keep loving her in the hopes that in some small way that helps as she chinks away at Bertha (or perhaps she is just full on slaughtering Bertha; ether way, Bertha, your days are numbered). Love you Wifey!

The white streak in the grass is an albino squirrel. Ok so it may just be a white squirrel.  Growing up in Dayton the rumor was these guys were a result of part of the Manhattan project being done in Oakwood.  I think the rumor is bonk, but still pretty neat, eh?  Like seeing a unicorn. Hopefully a unicorn that grants one wish.  Till next time Ohio.