Christmas 2021 Newsletter

Ashley

We couldn’t write a newsletter this year. Instead, it was more fitting to write a tribute.

On June 10, 2021, Ashley (Osterman) Call died. This Christmas will be challenging for everyone. Ashley was a loving daughter, sister, wife, and mother. She was 35 and had built a wonderful career which carried her family from Indiana through Oklahoma, Texas, California, Nevada, and back. I was blessed to have such an incredible sister. She was an avid learner and excelled in math and finance. She found a wonderful man, Jon, and built and had a beautiful family. She would drop everything to help anyone. I have never seen her happier than being a mom to Jackson. I could go on, but instead, I found several emails she and I exchanged over the years. Like everyone else, we transitioned to text messages primarily, but this was like opening up a time capsule. In her words:

1/11/2003 Hey Trav!

Hey Trav! How are you? I just got back from my BPA District Competion.  I
placed first in payroll accounting.  Then in the open events i got three
medals, sixth in parlimentary procedure, ninth in Information Technology
Concepts, and i forget what place i got in management/ marketing/ and
human resources. The information technology test was so confusing, i think
i guessed on all the problems except like three.  That test would have
been perfect for you, it was all about computers and networking and stuff
like that.  There was even a question about some kind of bus, like you
have on your computer. I thought that was pretty funny. I get to go to the
state competion in Indy on Feb 28- Mar. 2.  Everyone who went to district
gets to go to state so that should be fun.  Have a good weekend. 
~Ashley

4/15/2003 Hey

Hey Trav! Just thought I would e-mail you so you could be the second to
know that you are lookin at the design editor of the 2004 Cent-Trails
yearbook.  Mr. Markley told me that today.  Guess it must be an Osterman
position or something.  Well, have a nice night.

 

~Ashley

1/14/2004 A Message From Your Favorite Sister

Hey Trav, how’s it going? I just thought I’d email you and let you know that I got a phone call from Mary Lynn again, the admissions counselor for U of I.  She said I’m no longer going to be receiving the $6500 Richard Lugar scholarship… instead, I’ll be receiving the $8900 Dean’s scholarship.  But I’m not really sure if I wanna accept that scholarship yet, I’ll prolly want to wait to make that decision until after my interview with Harvard.  Yes, that’s right, my interview with Harvard.  I have to set up an interview with this Harvard alumni who works at Parkview.  He has an MBA and a Ph.D., pretty impressive.  Well, I think that’s all my new news for now.  Have a wonderful night.

~Ashley

2/22/2004 Hey

Hi Trav!  How are things in Indy? I was just filling out my Campus Housing Request form for U of I and was wondering if you had any suggestions.  I was thinking about Cravens Hall as my first choice since it’s all girls, but it seems a little bit farther away than Cory, Cental, or New.  However, Cental and New are for upper classmen, so I guess that leaves me with Cory.  Anyway, I’ll take any suggestions.  I’m still not exactly sure where I’m going, but I have until May 1st to decide, so why rush.  You might also be interested in knowing that 19,721 students applied to Harvard this year for the Class of 2008, that’s the second largest pool in Harvard’s history.  And Harvard will distribute more than $100 million in financial aid to undergraduates next year. (I’ve been on the Harvard website, can ya tell?) Anyway, they send out their notification letters on April 1, so I have! awhile to hear from them.  I think that’s it for now.  Have a wonderful night prolly full of studying.
~Ashley

5/18/2004 Hey

Hey Trav! I just thought I would check in and see how you’re doing.  Only 11 more days until graduation and 17 more days until I’m done with high school! I’ve been thinking some more about my laptop and was wondering if you had any suggestion about websites I could look at them on (I know you’d prolly hurt me if I looked at Dell or Gateway).  The yearbook is finally wrapping up; it’s about time.  I’m getting a little tired of proofs.  Well, that’s about all.  Have a wonderful week!
~Ashley

4/17/2005 Question

Hey Trav.  You would be so proud of me, I’ve been watching PBS this weekend.  Suzy Orman (I think that’s how you spell it) has been on talking about finances and such for the “young, fabulous, and broke.”  Anyway, it’s got me thinking about my finances, setting up an IRA, and if getting student loans would be better than just paying for college.  She says student loans are a good kind of debt.  Anyway, I was just wondering what you thought.
Have a wonderful Sunday
~Ashley
2/4/2006 One Question
Hey Trav… Just a quick question…. I want a Roth IRA, and not a traditional one, right?  Just asking because I sent for information to set one up and I sent for information about setting up a Roth one, and I just wanted to make sure I was correct.  Have a good weekend.
~Ashley Michelle
6/17/2006 Ma & Pop’s Email
Hey Trav.  Mom and dad want setup on there email account.  I know you said to get them a gmail account but you have to be invited to setup an account there.  so if you could invite them, that would be great.  Just let me know what I need to do.  I think mother is getting a little impatient without being able to use her normal decaturnet email through outlook.  Anyway, hope you have a great weekend.
~Sis
5/14/2010 Wedding Festivities
Everyone,

In case you didn’t realize it, we will be getting married in 7 days, 19 hours, 29 minutes, and 31 seconds.  If you’ve been worrying about not knowing where to be and when, put your mind at ease.  We put together a detailed schedule to help guide you through our wedding festivities.  If you have any questions, please let us know!  We look forward to seeing you all next weekend!

Thanks!
Jon & Ashley

3/8/2013 Hey
Hey Trav,

I talked to Dad last night and he mentioned your car had some problems.  If you need an extra vehicle, you're more than welcome to use the grand prix for as long as you want.  I've been telling Dad to get a couple things fixed with it, so this might actually push him to get them fixed finally.  Anyway, up to you, but you are more than welcome to use it.

Hope all is well!
Ashley
Ashley, I miss you. I will always love you, sis. Jon and Jackson are forever members of our family.
~ bro

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