Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksmas or Chrisgiving 2011

Yep. I have mysteriously disappeared for a while... since we are staying in Kentucky for Christmas we combined the holidays for Thanksgiving and came up for a full week.

The kids and I have wandered up to the vast domain of Wisconsin. My homeland. Managed to take in some night life, some family life, a run, a funeral, and a holiday all in the same week. It has kinda been a busy week, but with EXTREMELY limited cell phone reception, it puts a damper on making plans.


I hate to miss calls. What is the point of telling someone to call you if you don't get their call? Sheesh. Somehow I did manage to get calls from the oldest kids school telling me to call them about my 'missing' student... now, either he didn't give them the memo I sent along, or they just miscommunicated... Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday they told me to call them about him but I got put on hold so I didn't hang on...I am sure it will be fine.

A friend of mine since WAY back in the day (like early elementary school days) graciously opened her home and gave us free rein of the basement. The kids are set. A fire place, bathroom, fridge, TV and air mattresses.

The kiddos spent much of the week in typical form. On the electronics. *sigh* I managed to dress them up for the funeral, bring two of 'em to breakfast with the grandparents one morning and dragged them to the Thanksgiving meals at both grandparents homes but other than one friend they pretty much just wanted to play on the PS3 or computer.

On Wednesday we headed out for 80's night at a local establishment. It was fun. We met up with some friends and the hubbies. Also, stopped at another place to take in a local band that has a former classmate as a guitarist. He had a cordless bass and was walking the bar and still playing and talking... not sure how he did that. Or, maybe he figured by that hour most people were just to drunk to care... but it was fun too.

Today, being black Friday, I actually avoided the stores. I did stop at 2 of them after 1pm but other than that I just hunkered down at my friends home that we are staying at and chilled out. I didn't even look at the ad's this year!! (much) I tried to avoid them all together. I knew I wouldn't be able to spend much so I figured why bother.

I just finished making sure we have everything packed and will be heading to one last meal with my friends tonight before heading out of town for good. Probably stop by my Mom's one last time before the big ride home... Oh, joy... I just LOVE the long ride. Although, I must admit, it is better to drive it than to be a passenger!

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Weekend Wrap up!

What a great feeling it is to get a bunch of stuff accomplished.

Yesterday I did nothing. Well. I got up at the crack of dawn to head to Morehead, Kentucky with Reece and 20 other kids for a 'Honor Orchestra' concert. It is about 130 miles away. I had to follow the bus on the way there since Reece wanted me to drive, but I didn't exactly know where we were going. I didn't mind, but I like to move faster than the bus did, and at 6:30 am it was tough hangin' back behind a slow bus.
We arrived around 9am, and the group got to business with a director for 2 hours of practice with Violins, Violas, Cellos and Bass's. I got to do what I wanted so I drove to Carter Caves and checked out the Natural Bridge there... who knew they have more than one in Kentucky! It was much smaller and easier to walk to but still cool! Then we met back for lunch at Taco Bell, and at 1pm it was again time to 'practice' until 5pm. Poor Reece. He HARDLY practices at home... I really don't know why we even pay rent for the Cello when he ALWAYS uses the one at school instead... Anyway, We had supper at a local Mc D's. It was supposed to be a Pizza joint but a group of teens wandered off and it took so long to find them that we didn't have time. Major bummer, but then on to the concert!!

(Reece is on the right side by the blue curtain)
The Concert began at 7:30pm that evening and Reece's group played two songs then special guests, the Quartet Cavani was quite captivating to watch. (click on this link to check out a preformance) They preformed two of the longest songs ever (and NEVER turned any music pages) and then they did two shorter songs with the high schoolers. By the time we got out of there and were heading home it was 9pm and we had over 2 hours to drive!! I ALMOST pulled over to nap on the way home I was so tired! Both Reece and I looked like Zombies when we got home and headed directly to bed!

Today, I woke up early thanks to the 'falling back', so I had extra time to get a run in this am! Felt great! I checked the temp... it said 40 degrees. I loaded up 2 shirts, a sweatshirt, mittens, warm 'Tri-Fox' cap, and long pants and headed out. I haven't ran in about 3 weeks, but it felt great. I didn't even bring ANY electronics. No ipod. No watch. No heart rate monitor. Just me. and the cool air. It was wonderful.

Today I unexpectedly had nothing going on, so I attacked a closet (Zeb's) or two (and Reece's), some unsightly walls fixed (spots the builder fixed) , hung a picture (I had since July to hang), brought in my Halloween decor, tossed the pumpkins, cut my entire families hair, straightened up the basement, and finally made it to the store for some much needed supplies!!

Ahhh... now, I can sit here with my feet up and relax... just chillin' and it is only 7pm...

but, the kids are begging me for the 'puter.... so we will see how long this lasts... lol...

Friday, November 04, 2011

Chi Town Recap: Walks, Rides and Wines

Where did the week go? Wow!
So, after a crazy busy day at work I hit the road and in about 5 hours I was there! I actually got there early. Dez's place is directly across from a park that is on a river front. Her kitchen and living room windows actually face overlooking the river. Beautiful~ We enjoyed a slow cooked roast and some wine and got caught up on our lives the past two years.

I was asleep by 10:30 pm. (Thanks to the wine, it just puts me to sleep) We were watching a movie and I didn't make it to the end. She actually had to fill me in on the ending. lol.

Saturday Morning we decided we were going to Navy Pier. Bob Harper from the Biggest Loser was celebrating 'National Oatmeal Day' with Quaker and was going to be there that morning. We hopped on a train and road an hour into downtown. Grabbed a cab and arrived too late to see Bob, but it was neat to see the Pier.

We then decided to hit Ed Dubevic's Resturant. When I was in High School we used to head down to Chicago for a musical each year. Our options for lunch were Ed's or a 50's style Mc Donalds. We always chose McD's 'cause we wanted to make sure we had time to shop and get as much in as possible.

Our choir director used to tell us the wait staff were actors making ends meet between jobs. They are sassy and almost rude at times, but all in fun. In fact, I got yelled at for asking for a bag for my leftovers. I was expecting it. He LOUDLY said "SURE LADY, I WILL DROP EVERYTHING AND GET YOUR YOUR BAG, EVEN THOUGH THIS GUY WILL NOT GET HIS BEER RIGHT AWAY". Opps.

After Ed's we hit famous Michigan Ave and some clothing stores. Dez LOVES to shop. She has a good eye for fashion and especially purses. We found a purse store that she absolutely loved. She tried to hit a famous popcorn store called Garretts. We found two different stores, but both had lines that were OUT THE DOOR. Apparently it is good stuff. We didn't stay and wait in line, but that will have to be a priority next visit.

We had more good conversion and wine for the train ride back to her place and hung out. By 9:30 I was heading for bed.

Sunday morning was went for a nice 3 mile walk along the river and through some beautiful parks. I headed out by noon, but not before she showed me her new ride... oh yeah.... sah- weet!

Last year when she had her neck problems she was told she could not ride her triathlon bike, which she absolutely loved, so she bought one that made her doctors happy. She calls her 'Princess'. lol... (the dog is Harley, not the pink one in the basket, but the black and brown one at the bottom of the picture)
All told, it was a fun weekend and will have to do that again in the future!