11:36 a.m. headed to the museum then home. yay!

The yay was for the museum part, not the going home part.

2:03 p.m. Harry Potter exhibit was cool!

There was a ton of stuff to look at. Lots of costumes, things from the sets. Really a well done exhibit. Go see it if you have the chance.

2:16 p.m. back on the road!

boooo. that was the no fun part. We made really excellent time though. 5 - 5.5 hours. Much better than I would have expected.

5:45 p.m. we stopped at the chocolate garden. 'cause really, I needed more chocolate.

Ha! Really.

7:03 p.m. I'm hungry.
7:21 p.m. heh. yes. this drive takes forever!

I could find nothing that makes the "heh. yes." part of that post makes sense.

8:16 p.m. It took us 72 song to get us from chicago back home.

I wrote all of them down in a notebook as we drove. No good reason. Just something to do.

11:27 p.m. unpacked, had dinner, showered, now bed!

I almost never get unpacked the night we get home. Hell, I almost never get unpacked, the week or even the *month* that we get home. In order to pack for our trip in May, I had to unpack from our trip the previous September! So good for me!

Tags: chicago

10:49 a.m. I'm awake! I finally slept a long time!
12:44 p.m. Time to go to Ethel's!

For now, the one in Skokie is still open. They don't know when they'll close. Just that it will happen. I'm glad I got to make a trip there. Yay chocolate! I bought an obscene amount. Some of it was gifts though. I bought a lot of chocolate this trip. Not just Ethel's but also Vosges and The Chocolate Garden.

3:11 p.m. I am full of Marvelous Mocha! Bleah! Yay! But bleah!

This was one of the reasons I was glad we got to make a trip there. I can order chocolates from their online store, but I will be Marvelous Mocha-less once they close! I will be sad!

4:25 p.m. time for movie than dinner then navy pier

That's not exactly how it went. But that was the plan at the time. Steve, Mom, & I went to see... um. why is my mind blanking? The bank robber movie with Johnny Depp. Um... Oh, right. I twittered about it about two posts later. Public Enemies. Yay Johnny Depp!

4:36 p.m. I am sleepy
4:58 p.m. Seeing Public Enemies. Johnny Depp. Yay!
7:45 p.m. I liked it! really though, why wouldn't I?
8:13 p.m. I'm *hungry*. :(

After the movie we weren't going to have time for dinner so we were meeting up with Beth & Tim and going to Navy Pier for fireworks. Dinner wouldn't be until after that. I wanted dinner. Not fireworks.

8:50 p.m. ok fireworks a no go. they started them early. we need food. ok *I* need food.

And then we got food. Yay! We went to some pizza place that Beth likes. I had a delightfully garlicky caesar salad and fried macaroni and cheese bites, then pizza. *sigh*

11:13 p.m. headed out for a drink.

We decided to go down to @mosphere to check it out. I tried txting Aharona but got no answer. Alas. I think it would have been more fun had she been able to come.

12:01 a.m. a mostly naked dancing guy pulled my hair. twice. in the sexy way. funny!

He seemed into my hair. He called me "pink girl," as in "What's up, pink girl?" *while getting his fingers all up in my hair and pulling*

We didn't stay too long. It was very gay. I think Steve felt a little uncomfortable. I would like to go back there at some point. I think I would find it entertaining.

Tags: chicago

10:32 a.m. crabby >:(
11:49 a.m. Met Aharona and her friend for breakfast. I am no longer crabby.

I really am a grumpy girl when I'm not fed. I don't mean to be!

11:57 a.m. finally time for a shower. yay!

Didn't really have the chance before breakfast. Several people trying to use one little bathroom sometimes works out that way.

1:13 p.m. time for some shopping!

And oh, was there shopping!

1:48 p.m. there's a guy on the train who is so pretty! I'll not tell him. For multiple reasons.

4:55 p.m. did a lot of damage at Lush.
5:33 p.m. lush bags are heavy

This was after I talked myself out of buying some Prada frames at some eyeglass/sunglass place at northbridge. They were pretty though. Sparkley! And cute! Oh well! I went to Lush for staples I was out of and managed to get a few extra things too. But free stuff so it works out, I think. Well after the fact - the store was just overwhelming - I remembered that there were things that Mary wanted me to pick up last time I was there. Drat!

6:51 p.m. Waiting for dinner to arrive. Then going to fireworks.

We got dinner delivered. Pizza for Steve & Mom and some stuffed shell pasta for me. The sauce was fabulous. Then Rita & Tomas picked us up and we headed down to Navy Pier to watch fireworks. Tomas did some daring parking but it all worked. No one got stuck getting out.

8:26 p.m. at Navy Pier to watch fireworks!
8:34 p.m. this might be entertaining. we are closely surrounded by lots of people.
8:18 p.m. the fireworks were short, but pretty. minus the parts I didn't see because of the sucky people in front of me.
9:36 p.m. having a frozen strawberry margarita at el chango loco. gotta wait for the crowd to thin a bit.
9:47 p.m. Steve's mom is drinking a beer. Aww!

Rita & Mom both had a beer each. I think I much preferred my strawberry margarita.

/end night.

Tags: chicago

11:11 a.m. Starting the day with coffee, internet, and the sixtyone! Yay!

I've really been digging thesixtyone.com. I've found so much new (to me) good stuff with it! Plus it's a little addictive with the quests to keep me busy.

11:37 a.m. Today: the Taste + who knows?
12:28 p.m. we both managed to leave our transit cards at home. drat!

I have a wallet that just has my chicago related things in it and it is right now at home on my kitchen counter. It does me no good there! So we had to go buy cta 3 day passes.

12:28 p.m. I am starving.

I had not eaten yet. I was hungry and crabby and headachey.

2:35 p.m. yay for food!
3:21 p.m. end round 1. I can eat no more. stuffed but happy!
4:03 p.m. checking out that new sears tower thing. I'm excited!

We weren't too terribly far away so we walked over there to go up to see the new observation things. We hadn't gone there at all before so it worked out well. The line was loooong.

5:17 p.m. my baaaaack huuuurts.

Like I said. The line was loooooong. The wait took forever. And I was carrying a heavy bag on my shoulder. My back was complaining.

5:43 p.m. http://twitpic.com/92zr7 - (picture)from the top of the Sears Tower
5:58 p.m. http://twitpic.com/931la - window thing at sears tower

That second picture was taken from inside the glass observation thing. It had just opened to the public that day. They're glass and jut out from the building 4 feet or so. So when you go in it everything but behind you is clear glass. It wasn't nearly as unsettling as I thought it would be. I was kind of disappointed!

6:34 p.m. heading back north for dinner with the fam

They picked us up from the station when we got off the train. That was nice!

7:03 p.m. we are looking for something fun to do tonight.
7:33 p.m. little scottish girl with adorable voice/accent asked me "why is your hair pink?" she was so darn cute!

I was in the bathroom at Sears Tower and her mother pointed me out to her. She was adorable! I told her that it was because I like it. And because once you're a grown up, no one can tell you not to!

8:48 p.m. food was *fabulous*!

Oh, it really really was. I had the A-1 Peppercorn burger (which they describe as: Sizzling, hickory smoked bacon, melted Pepper Jack cheese, A1 peppercorn spread, crispy onion straws, onions and tomatoes on an onion bun.) I substituted a turkey burger for the cow. I don't like burgers or turkey usually but it was SO GOOD.

11:00 p.m. At Hamburger Mary's having drinks & dessert.

Mmmm, fried twinkies! Delicious! Also had some pink drink that was there special. Followed that up with a Long Guy Land and then some other stuff once Aharona and Ken arrived & we went upstairs.

11:!5 p.m. Steve just made a very ugly face at my drink.

My pink drink involved sour mix. Steve is not a fan.

11:15 p.m. Talked to Aharona. She said she might come out but I suspect she won't. Too bad!

Obviously I was wrong.

11:21 p.m. Yay she's coming!
12:10 a.m. Yay! Aharona is adorable!
12:37 a.m. Just had a shot that tasted a bit like a jolly rancher.
1:07 a.m. another jolly rancher shot. aharona is sipping hers.
1:13 a.m. We have met pwople! Rachel and Patricia. We stole their table.

We went and sat down and then all of a sudden two girls appeared and sat with us. We had taken their table so they just decided to join us. There was a Rachel and a Patricia. Nice, very drunk girls.

1:38 a.m. I completely forgot what I was going to write. Oh well!
1:47 a.m. Steve is dancing with one of the girls. It's really something.

That was with Rachel. She was really getting down. She told Steve he had big nipples. Um, what?

2:40 a.m. We're back home. Well, home until we go *home* home anyway.

Tags: chicago

12:17 p.m. Touching up my color, then packing, then a forever car trip!

My hair turned out bright bright this time. Vibrant. I dig it! I'm glad we still got on the road at a reasonable time even though I waited to pack until the day of.

3:28 p.m. time to hit the road! I've had my dramamine so I should be good to go.

Dramamine has been so awesome for these car trips. Sure, I'm a little out of it for hours, but I'm able to look at things and read things, which is fabulous. So I spend most of the trip on my phone and Steve's. I use his for his facebook app.

4:07 p.m. waiting in construction. bleah.
4:29 p.m. making progress again. yay!

There seems to be no end to the construction in Michigan in the summer. Maybe it's like that everywhere. I wouldn't know!

4:35 p.m. anyone want to txt or I'M with me?

Boredom had set in at this point. It doesn't take long. Especially when I have no new email, no new twitter posts, no new Facebook posts.

5:08 p.m. took my dramamine. this means I can read/look at things but also means I'm sleepy.

5:10 p.m. Pat called to tell me Biscuit was throwing up. Poor Biscuit :( Hope he gets that out of his system & didn't eat anything too harmful.

She called me a couple times but I haven't heard from her since. I'm guessing all must be well then. Which is good. Biscuit must not be pukey any more.

5:22 p.m. listening to: veggie tales - the bunny song. yay!

It's happy.

5:56 p.m. I have coffee! and ice cream! yay!

Perhaps not the wisest time to have coffee but I was so sleepy from the dramamine! And I needed a McFlurry to go with it. I don't like McDonald's coffee really. But their iced hazelnut coffee is actually good. Tasty.

6:09 p.m. feeling perkier already. yay! also, I yay a lot. I don't seem to be able to help myself.

It's true!

7:39 p.m. Steve is hating on the Pumpkins. Boooo!
7:39 p.m. Smashing Pumpkins, that is. Not our Pumpkin.

I don't understand it. Steve must be crazy.

9:17 p.m. We're here!

Took forever but we finally arrived! (yay!)

9:26 p.m. Watching so you think you can dance. Steve needed his fix.
10:36 p.m. I'm sleeeepy!
11:31 p.m. I left my phone charger in the car. Think I'll have to sweet talk Steve and see if he'll go down and get it for me.

Tags: chicago

Tags: chicago

Tags: chicago

not as unsettling as I would have thought.

Tags: chicago

Tags: chicago

Steve and I went down to Water Tower place around 10:30-11ish yesterday. We got sandwiches and coffee (and an oreo cheesecake brownie for me!). We waited for a bit and then met up with Stephanie and Chris.

Pictures were taken at just about every stage.
We went to Macy's and got make up done, then hair appointment. We went to Navy Pier and did some shots outside by the water. It was cold! Then we went to the Hancock building and pretty much waited until it was time.


I was wearing terribly uncomfortable shoes and my feet HURT. SO. MUCH. By the end of the day I was shuffling along with tiny steps and just about crying. Even when nothing was touching them they still hurt. Today they still do not feel right.

The actual wedding spot was really high up and it was pretty awesome. The view was great. The light was quite low inside and I'm a little worried about that. I don't know how they'll come out. Hopefully I'll have some good material. The officiant also took pictures (which seems odd to me but he has a system down) and they'll get those on a disk soon.

I did not actually hear any of the ceremony because I was taking pictures. Steve assures me it was very nice. :)

I look forward to going through all the pictures and seeing what I have.

And here is my "Five Questions..." video one day late.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFwKPR1ZthQ

( embedded under cut )

Tags: chicago, video

We're about to head out and go downtown. We're meeting Stephanie and Chris at noon for makeup. Then more photos through the getting ready. Some details. Some city shots. Then the ceremony. Exciting!

Yesterday was plenty of walking. My feet survived it ok. My back and head hurt by the end of the day though.

I had a good time. We met at the 900 shops and I had a mocha from Ethel's and then took some photos in there. I have hopes for them! We went in search of flowers and got hot pink roses from Jewel. Pretty! We ended up at North Bridge and did a little walking around and shopping.

We parted after that and Steve and I made our way back here for dinner. I had some online time and visited with Beth. Then sleep.

Tags: chicago

We are in Chicago. We arrived last night. I had a migrainy yesterday and so the trip was not much fun. Nausea and headache and absolutely everything (except for soothing Biscuit) making me unhappy. Then I napped and felt a little more human.

Then we slept some more.

Today I have a bit of a headache but that's caffeine related. I downed some coffee and I see more in my future so that should help.

Today I'm doing an "engagement" shoot for Stephanie and her guy, which is really more of a "get used to having your own paparazzi" shoot. That way tomorrow will be far more relaxed. In theory.


I just set up a business twitter account. It's hard having multiple identities! But in the end it's necessary and worth it. It means I can continue to be myself here and not have to worry what might pop up if someone googled me after a job interview. Or something like that.

Now, need to think of where to do this "engagement" shoot. Hmmm.

Tags: chicago

I kinda forgot to keep writing. I might have to use twitter to keep it straight.

Thursday: It was rainy. I didn't like it. Especially since I didn't want to have to be out and about without my bag. But I didn't want to get my stuff wet. Particularly the camera. So we went to Target and I bought a smallish umbrella. Black with colored dots. I also tried on some workout pants and ended up having to go down a size lower than what I thought I'd need. Wee! That's always nice. They fit well and I liked them. I grabbed socks (like I really need more) and Hello Kitty notepads from the dollar bins. And a cow puppet for Mikale. It's super cute.

We went back to the apartment after Target to drop off the car and then walked down to Andie's and had lunch. Yay! Good stuff too. After that we walked back to the apartment to grab a poncho to drape over my bag to make up for any bits the umbrella missed. That helped. My flip flops made my feet sad and hurty but there is a Payless right near the train so I stopped in there intending to buy something cheap and functional. And that is what I did. They are ugly but I did not care. They were probably the least painful shoes I've ever walked around Chicago in. And they're mesh mostly so it didn't matter if I got them wet. This was fortunate because there wasn't much getting around that.

We took the train downtown and went to the Ethel's in the same building as the Nordstrom's. I never remember what the place is called. But I know what's in it and how to get there. Good enough for me. So we went to Ethel's and had marvelous mochas. So good. So sickening. But so worth it.

Post chocolate bliss we went down to Sephora. I wanted to pick up my Moon Sparkle. I also had a girl put make up on me and give me some ideas of what to do with some of the stuff I own. Not that I have much occasion to wear it. But if I do, I'll have a better idea of what to do! It actually looked good. Without being all OMG MAKEUP!! I didn't intend to buy anything but the Moon Sparkle. But I also got an eye shadow that she was using on me, more of my night time lip stuff and an eye liner. More money than I'm going to admit to.

Before we left, I stopped at the Sanrio store. I got another umbrella. A bigger one. And Hello Kitty-licious. It's cute. I also grabbed a little pack of stickers and a mini notebook.

We walked part of the way and took a cab the rest of the way to Dave & Buster's. We met Steve's parents and Beth and her bf Tim there. Had dinner, couple drinks, and played games. It's big and there is a lot to take in. We had to leave before we even made it through all of our credits on our cards. Steve and I anyway. I think everyone else was out.

Friday: Wedding! Wait. Driving! Then wedding! I added music to my mp3 player, got an overnight bag together, not much else. Then came the driving. We stopped at a couple stores to try to find me a purse. Didn't have much luck though. So when we got to our destination, we got directions to a nearby mall. I had never heard of Peru, Ill., but now I've been there. And been to their mall. And bought purses there. Three of them! It was a decent mall. The lady at the register at the last place we stopped was great. She was amusing. I would have liked to go back to that store. There was an old lady sweater there that I really had my eye on.

Then it was back to the hotel, shower, getting dressed, made up, ready to do wedding things. As far as weddings go, it wasn't bad. I've been to worse. It wasn't overly long or religious, really a plus. Outdoor wedding. The bride walked down to a string arrangement of Metallica's One. Different. They also had a rock ceremony. They had written words on rocks and the minister read off the words and they put them in this glass thing that they planned to keep in their house. To remind them of their commitment and meaning and such.

The reception was nice. In the center of each table was a cake. There were a few different flavors so if you weren't into your flavor, you could go to another table and steal a slice of theirs.There were appetizers before dinner - bruschetta, meatballs, itty bitty baby quiche. Good stuff. Open bar. Plated dinner. I had spinach & sage dressing stuffed chicken breast, garlic mashed potatoes and green beans with onions and bacon. So good. I ate too much and felt icky. Then I drank too much and didn't care any more.

The dance wasn't too cool. The bride had vetoed much of the good stuff. Most of the good stuff. But she had a good time dancing with her friends and I suppose that is the important part. Unless you want to dance. Then you care less about the bride and her friends, who you don't know anyway, and just want better music already. Dammit! Ah well. Like I said. Didn't care so much after a while.

Saturday: We headed back. Long drive. I was mostly distracted and occupied so that helped. A lot actually. My mp3 player needed to charge so we listened to the radio. It was some variety at least. We went downtown for some more shopping. Real shopping this time ('cause before that it was fake, of course). Went to Lush, bought a few things, went to H& M, tried on stuff, felt fat. Went down the street a bit and got fitted for a decent bra (at Victoria's Secret. Weird. Usually their quality is terrible.) and that made me happy. Even though it was one of only two bras in the whole damn store that could accommodate my ridiculous breasts. And the other bra was ugly and old-lady-ish. So that left me with one bra. My color choices were white, black and dusty violet. I decided to go with the black. I don't know if it was the best choice. But it fits so well I don't care! It's amazing what a difference that makes.

Last bit of important shopping was Ethel's. I had stuff to pick up for other people, stuff to pick up to gift, and stuff to pick up for me. Chocolate is an important part of the trip! I bought enough that they gave me free stuff. Or maybe it was that I bought the right combination of things. Either way, free stuff!

We made our way back to the apartment. Beth & Tim met us there. We got ready to go out, were told we were invited to a club with dancing. So I made sure to dress nicely. Good new bra, good jeans, pretty make up. I felt cute! We went to dinner somewhere in chinatown. The food was super good. I was quite pleased. Then it was on to the club. Which was kinda dead and kinda lame. So we went to this other club. Which was less dead but still kinda lame. It looked cool. Had strong drinks. But house music. Bleah. Just not my thing. Beth & Tim were ready to call it a night after that because they don't really go out. So no dancing. Which made me sad. I stayed up late.

I didn't sleep late. I hate it when part of me decides that it's time to be up but most of me does not agree.

Sunday: Met remorra for breakfast at Hamburger Mary's. Always good to see her! Yay! Good food, good company, fried twinkies, pictures. Nice way to finish off the trip. Most of the weekend was spent with lots of txt messaging. This was nice and pleased me.

Then came the drive. Lots and lots and lots of drive. We stopped a bit after we got back into Michigan to buy some chocolate for Pat for being so awesome and watching my babies. I should have thought about it when we were actually in Chicago and at first I was disappointed about it. But then we stopped at the Chocolate Garden and had what might be the best truffles I've ever had and then I was glad I forgot. I will definitely want to go back there again. We also stopped at a fruit stand and bought peaches and plums.

When we got home we unloaded the car and then went to Wal-Mart for a few grocery items and a couple things for me. Boring but necessary items. I took a shower and washed my hair so I didn't get to bed until late late late. I probably got about 4 hours of sleep. Getting up this morning was no fun at all. It sucked pretty hardcore actually.

Today was long. Class was boring. I hope it picks up for me soon. The beginning stuff is stuff I know and have done so I just get so bored. Being tired didn't help. After class I bought my books. Then found out I could get them for half as much on Amazon. So I did that a little bit ago and tomorrow I'll return the first set. Worth it to save over $50.

Now it's bedtime.

Tags: chicago

This morning I was crabby. I got it over it. Food helped.

We went to Target and I bought an umbrella. And some hello kitty notepads, cute socks, a cow puppet for Mikale, and some workout pants in a size lower than I thought I would take. Yay to that! We had tasty food at Andie's. Hummus, baba ganouj, falafel, tabbouleh and soft flat bread. So good. Life was better then.

We stopped at Payless and I bought some shoes because my foamy flipflops were hurty. I bought ugly shoes but they were so much more comfortable I didn't even care. Which is saying something. We went downtown and went to Ethel's. Had chocolates and "marvelous mochas" which really are awesome. So good. Sickening, but good. Then I went to Sephora and bought my Moon Sparkle and now I smell fabulous. Not that I wouldn't anyway but this stuff just makes me want to keep smelling myself. Unusual for something non-bpal. I also picked up more of that nighttime lip treatment I use. I had someone there give me a bit of an eye make up lesson. I have so many Urban Decay shadows (and other brands but tons of UD) and I don't know how to use them well. Well now I have a better idea. I don't know if I'll feel comfortable wearing it but I can give it a shot. I bought one more shadow, a pinky beigey neutral shadow to use as a base. Before we left, I made a quick stop in the Sanrio store. I bought another unmbrella. This one is bigger and has hello kitty on it so it's cute!

Then we walked in the rain for a while and caught a cab for the last bit on our way to Dave & Buster's. We met Beth & her bf and Steve's parents there. Dinner, drinks and games. Good time. I got to play skeeball! This always pleases me. Particularly when there is alcohol involved.

Tomorrow is the wedding. There won't be time to change between the ceremony and the reception so I won't be wearing the dress. It just wouldn't be appropriate for a ceremony. Too cleavage-y. Ah well. There's still another wedding later in the month. We'll see how that one goes.

Now it's time for bed. Steve's mom gave me a cleansing cloth that I used to take off all the makeup. So now I just have to get myself into pajamas and take Zyrtec.

Tags: chicago

I stayed up way too late on Tuesday night. I had laundry to do and didn't get to bed until after 11:30. I did not want to get up. But I did. And I had coffee and then I felt much better.

I worked until 10:30 then went to my first day of class. First days tend to be boring. You fill out an info sheet and get the syllabus and then read it. Out loud. For the entire class period. Fortunately it always gets better after that. Except for the spending money part. I still have to do more of that. As though the almost $500 for the class weren't enough.

When I got home I called to fight with Charter people but got it all straightened out. Then I packed. Which took a little while. I think I remembered the important stuff. Then came the long, long, long drive. We had my mp3 player so there was music. And lots of it. I tend to forget what I have in there so often it's a bunch of nice surprises. Steve (sgfaboo) packed us a little cooler of food so we didn't have to stop anywhere. It was good stuff too! Yay Steve!

We finally got here, found a parking space, got all our stuff hauled upstairs. We didn't do too much visiting because everyone went to bed. Including us. Which was awesome. I was so ready to sleep at that point. I didn't even care that Steve was snoring. It kinda sorta registered but I pretty much filtered it out and kept sleeping. For a very long time. I feel much better today, though I think I'm kind of crabby because I haven't had breakfast yet. I'm also a little creaky. But I think that will work itself out with some sort of workout. I do need to do something about the crabbyness though because I snapped at Steve and now I feel mean.

I don't know what we'll do today. Good stuff I hope. I know tonight we're going out to celebrate Steve's birthday and that should be a good time. Food, drinking and games. Tomorrow we have the wedding. I hear it's a 3 hour drive. Bleah to that. But it should be a good time. Except for the wedding part. I will make it a good time though dammit. :) Saturday we'll have more time for stuff in the city and Sunday we'll be coming back home. It will go fast.

Tags: chicago

Saturday night we went to dinner at a mexican place in the neighborhood. It was very good. Yay! I had chicken flautas that came with lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, rice and beans on the side. Actually I'm hungry now and shouldn't be thinking about food! I have some fruit here but it's just not the same.

That night we, with Steve's parents, went to Navy Pier and watched the fireworks from a boat. They were pretty and I was glad I finally got to see some. I had a fabulous view. Had to stand for quite a while to make sure I didn't lose my spot though and my feet hurt so much. Actually my feet hurt now. They pretty much hurt every day after I messed them up in the first place. I look forward to letting them heal. After the fireworks were over, we went inside and sat down. The cruise lasted for about another half hour after that. We had a great paring spot so we were out of there pretty quickly.

Sunday we got up, had breakfast at the apartment, started packing a little. We made the big trip to Lush and Ethel's. I bought lots of stuff for other people and for me. Yay for Lush and Chocolate! I was sad that they didn't have my favorite chocolate piece. They were out of the pecan toffee crunch swuares. :( They're so good! I wish, now, that I had brought some chocolate to work with me.

After the shopping trip we took the bags back to the apartment and did some more packing until I heard from Remorra. We met her for ice cream. We had to leave her after that because it was getting late and we really needed to finish getting packed and head home. We left about 4, which for us was really 5. The drive was long but we had music and no storms to add any stress. It went as quickly as it could and we were home by 11. I think I got to sleepy by 1.

Today I got up at 8, took a shower, got ready for the day, had some cereal, checked my email, made some formula, packed up stuff and went to my grandma's. I only had a little bit of time before I had to leave for work. But I gave her her Chicago papers, picked some cherries to take to work, gave her the formula for Stranger and her chocolate. Working until 5 today. 4 more hours.

Tags: chicago

Yesterday, we had breakfast here at the apartment. We went to Starbucks after that for coffee (steve) and tea (me). Then we headed to Chinatown. I did some shopping. Bought some neat things. Photos of stuff will be coming. We were there for a while, walking around and looking at things.

Next came the Taste. We bought 5 strips of tickets and mostly bought taste sized portions of things to split. I took pictures for that too so better descriptions will be coming. The only non-taste thing I got was a frozen chocolate chip toffee crunch cheesecake on a stick from Eli's. So good!

Last night after we could eat no more, we went to see Wall-E. It was so cute! Loved it!

Today we had breakfast with Remorra and Janeinane(sp?). Yay! Company was definitely better than the food.

Today we also went to the Science & Industry museum. We'll be heading to dinner soon I hope. I'm hungry. I have KK on my lap. She would probably like more pettins.

Tags: chicago

I think this might be the first I missed doing a Thursday 13 since I started. I never made it to it.

Yesterday we went to Einstein's for food. I had a Tasty Turkey sandwich on garlic bagel, potato salad on the side (they have really good potato salad) and iced green tea. Good stuff. While we ate, we kinda mapped out the trip. Listed everything we wanted to do and when we figured we could do what.

We went to the grocery store and picked up breakfasty foods. Cereal, berries, soy milk, granola bars, bread for toast. So we'll be set and not be running out first thing and buying junk just because we're starving. It was hard to fit it all in the fridge. I really ought to clean it out for them again. I've done that once or twice before when here. They have a ridiculous amount of condiments. Even worse than me. They take up half the refrigerator.

We got everything put away and then went downtown. We started at the place with the Hello Kitty store. I, of course, bought Hello Kitty stuff! And stuff with a couple new characters. A pig that reminds me of a hedgehog and an adorable frog. I want to know where to find more stuff with these characters! I got a new tote bag, some pads of paper, a gel pen, some barrettes, a stationery set... That might be it. I don't have the bag next to me or I'd check.

Actually, before we hit the Hello Kitty sore, we stopped at the Ethel's that's in the same building and had Marvelous Mochas and I bought chocolate to sustain me until we make the big Ethel's trip before we leave. Such good stuff. I may have "accidentally" left one of my marketing cards at Ethel's where we were sitting. Oops! Not that I expect much to come of it, but you never know!

After Sanrio, we headed down the street to Water Tower Place and found Teavana. I don't know how it happened but I talked to the sales girl and the next thing I know I've got a pound of tea. $$$ Ouch. Hopefully it will be stuff I'll like. I'm trying to learn to appreciate tea. It all smells really good and sounds like it would be good.

We made our way to a movie theater after that (found it surprisingly easily once we had some guidance from Beth, though we had only been there once before) to see Hancock. I got a small popcorn and small cherry coke. Their smalls (any theater really) were not particularly small. Kinda cool, though, you get to put your own buttery topping on it. Less cool is that it only ends up on the top layer then. I kind of like the way they do it at home because they'll fill your bag half way, butter it, then fill it the rest of the way and butter it. Though here, if you wanted to drown it in buttery topping, you could. I chose not to drown it even though it was tempting. I had Steve carry my pop and he set it in the cup holder next to me. As I was sitting down, I knocked it out of the holder with my bag and it splooshed all over my foot and the floor. Steve was awesome enough to go buy me another pop though. Yay! I really liked the movie. Go see it.

We were fortunate to get out of the movie before the fireworks because that meant we missed the horrible packing of the train. We went to the back and even had seats for the whole ride back. Wee! And entertainment because we were sitting next to two girls. One who was 18 and one who was 10. I don't know how they knew each other but they were funny to listen to. Most of it was 'you just had to be there' kind of stuff.

We came back to the apartment, dropped off bags, Steve took allergy drugs and grabbed a shirt with sleeves, and we headed over to Hamburger Mary's for dinner. I had a quesadilla and cheese fries. Even half of it was too much for me. I brought the rest home but I have no idea when/if it will get eaten.

Today our plan is to do the Taste and fireworks at Navy Pier.

Tags: chicago

Oh my god it took so long! We were sitting still forever. We went through a lot of stormy weather. The storm knocked down a tree onto the highway and traffic had to merge and people don't merge well. So that's what slowed us down. It added a couple extra hours to our trip. We killed a lot of time playing a famous people name game. First person names a celeb then the next person has to name one whose first name starts with the same letter as the first letter of the last person's last name. I just made that sound way more complicated than it is. Ok easier: 1st person says Perry Como. Next person must come up with someone whose 1st name starts with "C". Say, Christina Applegate. So next turn has to be a person with a name starting with "A". And so on. That kept us busy for a very long time. Then we listened to a bunch of music.

Now we are very tired. Well, I am very tired anyway. I have not consulted Steve on this. Wouldn't make me any less tired!


Stranger was having a reaction to his vaccination I think. He was listless, hadn't eaten, and when he pooped it was runny and mucusy. Gross. So I made him drink some formula with the syringe and wrapped him up in a warm towel to nap. I gave him a bath and dried him but did not put any Frontline on. Figured I ought to give that a few days so he can recover from his shot.

Tags: chicago, critter tales

Last night we did eventually go to Hamburger Mary's. I remembered to take pictures of the twinkies this time. I do not drink enough. I went from feeling all Woo! with my Electric Lemonade that I had at the Pier to feeling normal/sleepy to back to Woo! after sucking down a margarita. Woo! Ah well.

We're going back home today. I do not look forward to getting up for work tomorrow. 5:30 just seems like such a wrong time for anyone to be forced to get up! Right now though it is just after 9 and I am having my coffee. Then I'll get my stuff packed up and we can seek breakfast.

I wish I would have found something cool for Mikale while here. I'm bringing him some bubble bath and will share some chocolate with him but it's not the same! Last year I found very cool stuff for him. Alas.

I need to take/make a new default userpic. I am tiring of the "Help crippled children" one for the moment. Maybe I should just make my way through all of them that I have. I'll just go down, or up, the list. It won't make sense sometimes. That's ok though! There. Problem solved for at least a hundred entries. But wait! I will use my coffee cup icon this time. I made that one when I was here a couple years ago and this morning I am drinking my coffee from that very cup! It's fitting.

Tags: chicago
Current Location: Chicago, 60640
Currently feeling: awake(ish)
Currently hearing: morning house sounds

Ok, let's see. We met busties for breakfast. We had turbojenn and her guy, pollystyrene and her guy, remorra, sidecar and stargazer. The food was yummy (I had a half-order of dulce banana rumba french toast(thick brioche french toast layered with warm bananas, rum and golden raisins, striped with a crème caramel sauce & toasted pecans) and a half-order of blackberry bliss cakes (fluffy hotcakes layered with warm blackberries and vanilla mascarpone cream, then topped w/a brown sugar & oat crust) but we were at a long table so it was hard to hear people at the other end. After that we lost jenn and polly. I tagged along with remorra, sidecar and stargazer to the thrift shop. I felt very awkward about it though and I didn't know where they went for a bit and I didn't want to just follow them around and be like please talk to me. So I uh, stood there. Awkwardly. I kinda wanted to just go home at that point. It got better later though after I found them again. Then Steve found us again after taking the car back to the apartment and walking down. He joined me, remorra and stargazer for the bookstore and then ice cream. That was all good and I felt much better by the end. I am so not good at social stuff sometimes. I just don't know what to say to people and I never know how much I should push or if I'm just making people talk to me. But enough about that. All in all it was good and successful and I'm glad I went even if it was very scary. I wish I would have remembered to take pictures of my breakfast before I started inhaling it. It was so tasty though.

On our way to breakfast we met a kitty named "Fluffy" outside the apartment. That picture was of him. He's not ours, just a neighborhood kitty. He was very friendly.

When we got back to the apartment, I was putting on some Gluttony and I forgot I was holding it open in my hand and managed to splash most of the imp on my arm and shirt. I am fragrant. We were just about to leave though so I just went with it. I washed it out with some shampoo when we got back. We went to Navy Pier, wandered for a bit, listened to some music, and had dinner and drinks. Steve and I have thought about going for twinkies at Hamburger Mary's but I feel a little bleah still from dinner.

Tags: chicago
Current Location: Chicago, 60640

Mom and Beth
Originally uploaded by angelle321.

Steve's mom and his sister, Beth.

Tags: chicago, picture post from phone

Boat tour
Originally uploaded by angelle321.

Architectural boat tour. Neat!

Tags: chicago, picture post from phone

Fluffy
Originally uploaded by angelle321.

A neighborhood kitty named Fluffy. He's not ours.

Tags: chicago, picture post from phone
Current Location: Chicago, 60640

remorra picked us up and we went for yummy pizza. We got to meet her girlie and her puppy, the fabulous and adorable Judy. We went to this place that had assorted drinks and baked goods. They weren't bad but not worth a special trip there in the future. We say outside and talked and I tried to lure birds over so I could take pictures of them. That was a success. I used my not so fabulous baked goods. I came very close to getting one to eat out of my hand. It was just a little too scared though. But I could tell he (or maybe it was a she) wanted to. It was awesome to see remorra again and I look forward to seeing her today. Right now I need to finish getting ready or I will make us late.

Tags: chicago
Current Location: Chicago, 60640