Chicago Day Three

Day Three Final Day in Chicago

Well, transportation skills are not our strong suit or the transportation system conspired against us for the first part of the day.  We had our complimentary hot breakfast then got on the trolley knowing it would take a long time to get to Millenium Park then transfer to the trolly to take us to the Museum of Science and Industry.  We rode the hour and a half to the park only to find out that the trolley wasn’t running to the museum today and the entire trolly system would stop at 4 today.  Ugh.  So at the park, we used the restroom and asked and were told the best way out to the museum was to walk three blocks and catch the cta bus--bus 10 or 6.  So we did, stopping at a fancy Walgreens for Icees and yogurt pretzels on the way.  Then about a 15 minute wait.  We got on bus 10 and rode about half an hour and the bus stopped.  The bus driver said we’d gotten on going the wrong way and she was supposed to take a 15 minute break!  So we waited on the bus then got on our way--about another half an hour.  By this time it was 1pm and we had left the hotel at 9!  We could have been halfway to Kansas City!

Putting the long trip behind us, we enjoyed the musuem.  We saw a tornado and an avalanche and lightening and how all those work, then went to the live You experience and saw body parts, made a giant heart beat with mine, saw human fetuses at various points of development, and a bionic man (video).  We saw some trains then went to the genetics display where we saw a baby chick hatchery and my skin up close.  We went into the net world but it was confusing.  I did get a light up necklace and made an avitar of myself.  We then made our way to the omnimax theater where we practically laid down to watch a show about storm watchers and tornadoes on a giant, curved screen.  We were in the front row so I think I would prefer a flat screen but it was a new experience.  After the theater,  the musuem was closing but we walked around the submarine before exiting.

We waited about 15 minutes in the hot sun and took a taxi to the Navy Pier.  We were extremely hungry so ate at Harry Carey’s Sports Bar.  We walked around the pier for awhile but it was mostly dinner yachts, restaurants, and tourist stores.  But alas!  We scored a water taxi for a reasonable price!

We rode the water taxi on the river a short way to our stop and made it back to the hotel in time for cocktails again!  Bahama Mama--yum!  We are now in the room showering off the grunge, packing, and resting up for our big train ride home tomorrow!  We had a great time in Chicago!

Chicago Day 2

Day Two Chicago

Today was quite enjoyable, no near disasters at all.  I woke up before the rents and we got ready and went down to breakfast.  It was a full hot buffet so we ate well.  We set out for the trolley which picks up a block away from the hotel.  It was the double decker tour bus and we sat on top!  It drove around downtown and we quickly figured out that we needed to change our plans according to the route if we didn’t want to spend all day on the trolley.  So we did the sky deck first.  Inside the 103st floor it was much like any other tall building I’ve been in.  I wasn’t thrilled with the elevator ride as it took a minute and a half and was pretty cramped I with people.  The unique thing about the sky deck (which is called the Willis tower aka Sears tower and is the tallest building in the Northern hemisphere), was the glass boxes that were outside that you could walk out into.  I actually stepped out twice and took a picture looking down!

We left the sky deck and got back on the trolley heading to the aquarium.  But on the way, we decided to get out at Millenium Park.  We found the “bean” art piece and took pictures then decided to eat a Chicago hotdog.  We could hear orchestra music and found a rehearsal nearby which was in a really unique ampitheater so we sat and ate our lunches and listened.  We found the place for our free t shirts and got back on the trolley and rode it to the Shedd Aquarium.

The Shedd Aquarium was sort of a disappointment.  It was super super crowded and we couldn’t get in the dolphin show or the 4D experience.  I also wanted to see the beluga whales but we couldn’t find them.  We did see a dolphin baby, jelly fish, big turtles and some other cool fish.  We watched an exhibit where a guy in a wetsuit was feeding the fish and we sat and watched that awhile.  We were pretty tired by this time and once again, Dad and Jean were troopers.  So we hopped back on the trolley and headed to the next stop--our hotel and a nice nap.

After our naps and cleaning up a bit, we went down to the lobby for free cocktails and hors deurves--chips and salsa and hummus then walked a few blocks to PF Changs for dinner.  We weren’t super hungry so we split two entrees--Mongolian beef and sweet and sour chicken.  It was yummy and just the right amount.

By this time, we were pretty bushed and couldn’t figure out how to find the shorter trolley tour to see the City lights so we walked a few extra blocks and sat by the river and watched boats go by.  It was quite enjoyable.  We got creative and found a nearby building with an elevator in it to trespass in so Dad didn’t have to do the stairs.

We we are heading to bed early tonight--fine with me!  I am having trouble getting my pics to upload and no internet in the room so this will get posted a day late.

Chicago Day 1

I have completely worn them out.  It is 8:15 and I have been up making noise for half an hour.  Jean just appeared.  Dad is still asleep.

The train ride was good yesterday.  Walking on the train is interesting--a bit harder, perhaps, than walking on an airplane.  We were in the next to last car and the dining and snack cars were further forward, probably in the middle of the train, but the furthest that we could walk.  There were lot of bathrooms and they were much like airplane bathrooms.  I got walked in on once and hit my head once.  We snacked on pretzels and drinks and sat at a table in the snack bar once and ate lunch in the dining car.  We walked through but never sat in the observation car which was bright and sunny.  I think train travel is the way to go.

We arrived in Chicago after a long, hot, noisy walk along the trains in the station.  When we found the escalator leading out, Jean was in front and she got her purse stuck in the rail, causing her to nearly fall and she did bruise her wrist.  A kind lady behind us was able to rescue the purse and I grabbed Jean and her suitcase.  It was scary, a near disaster, but she handled it really well.  We found our way to a taxi and rode about 20 minutes to the Embassy Suites.  Our room is exactly like the one mom and I stayed in in KC one Spring Break, a room with a pullout couch for me and two beds in a bedroom for Dad and Jean, a good sized bathroom to share.  We farted around and rested a bit then went down to the lobby.  Second near disaster, Jean and I were standing and waiting for the concierge and realized Dad wasn't with us.  Jean walked all the way around the lobby, the pool area, the bathrooms, no Dad.  We waited probably 10 minutes and had just started alerting a hotel person when he wandered up.  He just wandered off.  Yikes.  I should have insisted they bring the cell phone.
 We got some advice from the concierge and direrections to the best Chicago pizza and set off.  I am horrible at reading maps and this map only had select streets on it so a kin gentleman pointed us in the right direction.  Immediately there was a long flight of stairs.  Dad trooped along them, obviously in great pain.  We walked a ways to a really nice river walk and took some pictures then asked directions again and set off.  It was very hot, very crowded.  Jean's face got redder and redder but she didn't complain.  Dad walked slower and slower but no complaints.  We asked a policeman for more directions and he gave them but either we heard wrong, or he told us wrong and we walked more.  I finally parked the rents in chairs where they ordered drinks while I searched on foot.  A homeless guy finally pointed me to the pizza place, Giordano's, where I put our names in then went back to Dad and Jean.  Dad was patiently sipping a mai tai and ordered me an Ameretto Sour.  We ate chips then mosied to the pizza place where we preordered but waited longer.  By the time the pizza came, Dad was spent, totally exhausted.  We ate (pretty good--worth it?) then grabbed a taxi back to the hotel.   Dad and I changed and went down to the hot tub.   Dad tripped on the stairs and fell in but was ok.  That makes 4 near disasters on day one.  (I count Jean not passing out in the heat as one).   Whew!  We were all out cold by 9:30.

pics later--they are uploading

Off to Chicago

It is now early Monday morning and I am on the train headed to Chicago with Dad and Jean!  Yesterday after dropping Hannah off at the airport, I went to mom's to rest and shower.  It was strange being in her house without her.   Her cat cuddled me during mty nap which helped with the lonliness but I don't know how to deal with cats anymore.  I got ready and headed to Mom's church which is now officially David's church, also!  What an absolute dream come true for my Mom to have David as the Pastor of her church!  The worship was good and David's sermon was wonderful as usual.  He is truly gifted.  It had layers like all good sermons--something for everyone.  It was thought provoking and I plan to get my notes out and chew on them awhile.  After church, we went to Ihop for a hearty breakfast (eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and pancakes--yummmm).  It was Mom, Dave, Roni, and myself and we were joined by Jon who was in LV to talk to a church about support.  Went back to Mom's where I napped for two whole hours!  We went to wally world for a charger for my phone ( I left part of it at home) and a shower gift for Sam.  I said goodbye to Mom and headed off to Dad's stopping by Nebraska furniture mart and found it closed.  I slept on the floor in Dad's study last night, well, mostly slept, then got ready and ate a delicious cinnamon roll and then we were off!  I am now sitting on the Southwest Chief bound for Chicago!  They really say "All aboard" when it is time to get on the train.  The train feels about like I expected, kind of swaying side to side gently and whizzing along through corn fields.  We haven't gotten up and walked around yet.  There is alot more leg room than on a plane but otherwise it looks pretty much the same.  Well, I guess it is two stories and we are on the top one.  More adventure to come!  And pictures, I promise!

Girls Home

Thursday morning I drove to KC to pick Hannah up at the airport.  It was so good to see her.  Poor girl was covered with cuts and scrapes frothe hard work on her hitches and her back hurt and she was coughing and probably running a fever.   Her entire life is up in the air too with issues with work, Rob, and leaving the blue house.  My poor baby!  We made dinner Thursday night and ate out on the deck, the three of us.  She rallied on Friday and tried to do water jog but felt like poo poo and ended up laying out in the sun.  On Friday afternoon, we were joined by Leah!  David came to town to hang with some friends and brought Leah home so we spent some time with him too.  He is finally comfortable hanging out with us.  We all went to Chipotle Friday night (of course) and then the kids all went out.  On Saturday, we went to Sarah's wedding then came home and napped all spread out in the new room.  I think we watched about 20 hours of HGTV this weekend.  The girls must think that is what we do all the time!  Then we went to Sarah's reception where we visited with some people we hadn't seen in awhile.  Scott and I went to Steve and Winter's reception and spent some time with Turners and Funks, our good friends from Bible study.  Then home for me to finish packing and watch some more HGTV!  Sunday morning super early I took Hannah back to the airport.  I prayed for her the whole way in the car.  It was good to spend time with her.  I know God has her in His hands but it is hard to watch her struggle this out.  She's a strong, one, that girl.

Savouring Summer

Summer is slipping away.  And I'm behind on blogging.  So, some highlights.

Mom came up for a few days several weeks ago.  Loved just hanging around with her.  She wakes up talkative and I wake up quiet so that was an adjustment but I liked it:).  She got a new ipad so we played on our electronics together.  And went out to eat a couple of times.  We went to Target and didn't get ANYTHING!  Highly unusual.  We made up for it at the mall.  When I took her home, she cried when I got ready to leave.  :(.  She said she isn't lonely but she is.

We got the new deck done for the most part...not decorated yet.  I've enjoyed spending time lounging out there in the mornings, doing my prayer journaling and Bible study and in the evenings reading or just visiting.

Right now I am in Newton visiting Leah.  It was a short stay but we enjoyed it--ate out at La Fiesta last night....walked there in the heat and tried to share a marguerita but it was too strong for this chick!  We walked by the river, then drove to Dillons and rented and watched The Vow which was really good.  I slept fine.  It was fun to turn over and see sweet Leah sound asleep nearby.  And Professor, of course.  This morning we woke up earlyish and made french toast then ate it in the back yard.  Leah also made me her famous coffee cube yummy treat--twice.  We hit the flea market and shops--I got away with spending only $10!  I bought another, larger, pink purse to replace the other one I bought in Newton that is now worn out, and I bought a lazy susan to put in the fridge (good idea from Pinterest).  Leah had to come to work at noon so I am sitting here blogging and hanging out for awhile.

Water jog is still going great and I am enjoying it immensely!  We started a new session and its fun to see how much the new people enjoy it.  It is a challenge to keep it interesting and change things up and try new things.  On Friday we did a conga line which was also an indian run with the last person having to sprint to the front.  I really like motivating people and making them work hard and burn calories and get healthy.  On Friday, I filled in for Dena's class which I did not enjoy last time--they moved slow and seemed annoyed when I gave instructions.  But the second session has more people who are there to work.  At one point, when they came around, I asked them to set a goal of how many laps they could sprint around and then I encouraged them.  One younger, overweight fellow said he thought he could do two laps.  When he came around for the second lap, he looked truly exhausted, so I let him go about 20 feet then came up behind him and said, "Don't let your teacher pass you!"  He turned on the heat and I tried hard but I couldn't get around him!  It was awesome!  At the end of class when people have worked really hard, I like to praise them and give high fives.

I've had some pretty good phone conversations with Joel lately, complete with laughter.  He's gotten to work as a production assistant on a couple of projects which though they don't pay, they feed him and build his resume.  He reads the want ads and we talk about potential jobs.  We decided he'd better not try out to be an extra in a zombie movie that advertised on Craig's list because it might end up being porn!  Too funny.  We miss the boy.  Scott plays civilization on the internet with him every few days which is good.  I have made a few batches of granola bars and cookies to mail Joel this summer--he truly appreciates and gifts from home but particularly edible ones.

Adelle and I have been hanging out regularly.  We have gone to the pool and made burgers and cookies together and done the usual facebooking and you tubing.  The other day Bre was over too and we giggled as Adelle was trying to booty pop to Niki Minaj.  I was impressed with Adelle's conversation skills with Bre.  This week Adelle posted on facebook that we were going to the Katy Perry movie so we did!  I actually enjoyed it!  It was the first time we went to the movie together and it went well so we can add that to our repertoire.  The funnest thing we do is blast the music in the car and sing and throw our rock punches in the car.  She brings her stack of CD's just for that purpose.  Fun!

Looking forward:  this week Hannah comes in on Thursday morning and Leah will also come home.  Then Sunday I take her back to the airport and leave for Chicago with Dad and Jean on Monday!

I promise to upload pictures and put them on here in the future (need to figure out an app or something that does it easily) and also put a link to Leah's blog when she puts our girl sleepover on there.

link:  http://little-girlonthe-prairie.blogspot.com/2012/07/girls-weekend.html

Old Couple

I had dinner the other night at Dad's retirement community with a couple who'd been married 65 years!  He has held together better than she has--she is a sweetie who looks like a cupie doll that's lost half its hair and she has some slight dimentia.  She told her husband three times during dinner that he hadn't eaten enough vegetables.  While she was at the dessert table helping herself to her second dessert he said to us, "She's going to come back over and tell me I didn't eat enough vegetables."  She did and he just said to her, "You take good care of me."  So when I asked him about being married for 65 years, he said, "I never thought I'd be in love with an old lady."  She looked at him funny and then realized he just said he was still in love with her and she smiled the sweetest smile.  So I asked what the trick was and he said, "Just say 'yes dear', frequently.  Also, say,' it was my fault' ".  They were an adorable couple.

Random Thoughts on Aging

     There is a poster in the physical therapy office of an old, attractive, buff guy with his shirt off that says, "Gettting old is not for sissies".  It really resonates with me as Scott and I give each other back rubs each night just to be able to get to sleep--because he is trying to build a rock wall at 51 and I am trying to rehab my shoulder and keep up with 20 year olds at the gym at age 50. I see my parents in physical pain of aging--it isn't for sissies! I turned 50 a few weeks ago and mostly its really ok.  I like it.  I look around at other women my age and think, "Hey, I'm doing ok!"  For the first time in my life, I can really appreciate the parts of myself that I like, physically, like my legs and my hair and my face and ignore the parts I don't like (stomach, flappy arms, cellulose...).  I know there are people who worry about my working out and yes, part of it is for vanity ("I'm sexy and I know it, I work out, ha ha), it is also for stress relief, for health (successfully keeping my cholesterol down without meds), for social reasons, for fun, and it gives me confidence.  I also just like to feel toned and tan and fit.  Being 50 is great because I no longer truly care what anyone thinks.  I can wear ridiculous shoes and not care.  I can wear gym clothes 99% of the time and not care.  I can get up and go teach my water jog class without doing my hair or putting on makeup and not care.  I feel respected in my profession and enjoy people coming to me for advice.  I even like this stage of life--living in a nice house that we worked hard for and not having to cook for clean for a family.  I love having the kids visit and talking to them on the phone, but I can use my time the way I want to.  I like being married.  So yes, getting old has some true drawbacks but it is also wonderful!