yukon, ho

That title would have been more humorous had I left out the comma. But I try to be a stickler about those things. Just last week the director of the Lawrence Children's Choir had her picture on the cover of a women's magazine along with a different photo of children-made snowmen. The caption read, "Director of the Lawrence Children's Choir Janeal Krehbiel, a festive and rotund snowman."

For the record, Janeal is about as big as my little finger.

Moving on.

It doesn't seem that long ago, but this summer marks 7 years since I've moved to the great (ahem) state of Kansas. I've been back to my old college stomping grounds of Iowa about three times in those seven years. Once was shortly after I actually left Iowa, I went back for a college roommates wedding. Then it was several years, and I went up for Wartburg's Homecoming. BIG mistake. Lots of rehashed memories of why I wanted out of Wartburg so bad.

And the last time was a couple weekends ago.

Of all the friendships I've made in my life, the longest in-contact friend has been Vic. This year marks our 10-year anniversary. (you can send gifts for us to my home.) It's one of those great friendships where we won't see each other for literally years and pick back up where we left off. But we call each other every month or so just to check in.

I picked a helluva weekend to head to northern Iowa. I watched my cars thermometer drop from 27 degrees all the way to 4 degrees, in sunlight, over the 6 hour drive.
The high on Saturday was -1. Yea, Iowa winters!

It was an awesome three day visit. We traveled to Cedar Falls and visited the mall where I worked at Von Maur. Ate at Hu Hot. (mmmmm) And spent a couple hours visiting an old college roommate, Chad, and his wife and kids.

Speaking of kids...

I love Vic to death. He's a great guy. Great friend. But he's no Rhodes scholar. He was a jock growing up. (funny. both these guys I visited are former jocks. And I'm as far from jock as you get. hm.)

But his 5 y/o son is some sort of genius. I know everyone thinks their kid is the smartest kid ever. But I seriously think this kid's the real deal. He has a memory for facts like I've never seen in a 5 y/o. He knows all the presidents, their vice presidents, where they're from and little details about their life. You can give him any number between 1 and 43 and he can tell you what president that is. He knows all the states, their capitals and their state mottos. For *fun* this kid likes to do math.

How this kid came from Vic I had NO idea. Maybe it's karma's way of giving back to Vic. He's a special ed teacher.

Here's a few pics.

Having breakfast at his wife's parent's house:

His in-laws are the best. Vic and Katie didn't have room for me in their house so the in-laws let me shack up there. It was the same bed I slept in while I was homeless for about two-weeks before I left for the Army.

Playing our favorite game Cathedral. (for some reason, no one else has ever heard of this game.)


While I was there, they hounded me for decorating advice. And apparently Katie couldn't wait to get started once I helped her pick out new colors.

I'm telling you, cream or beige walls and white trim will transform any room. Vic later called to tell me he was in the middle of redecorating hell. (you'll thank me later.)

And official pose. I look fat in this pic and my hair was smashed down. But at least I still have my hair. (it gives you a look of maturity, Vic)


And I got to drive through a blizzard on the way home. A proper send off. When it started letting up I snapped this.


Just for fun's sake, here's a Vic and Kevin pose at my first marathon that he convinced me I could run back in '99. (and yes, I finished.)

Here's one of Chad corrupting me in '98.


Here's was the one weird part (in my head only) of the whole trip.

See, Vic is married, has two kids a wife and dog. Chad has two kids a wife and a dog. Both of them have good jobs and live in nice ranch style houses they own.

That was supposed to be my life.

Before I came out, I had built up this fantasy of what I should do in life.

I should get married to a nice gal. Settle down in a nice ranch style house. Have two kids and get a dog.

Be "normal."

And while I understand there's no "normal," it was just odd seeing old friends living the life I had completely sold myself on. And though I'm glad I came to the understanding of who I am and understand how miserable I would have been being married to a woman, it sure would save on awkward situations like that last post.