So..I lived my entire life in Chicago until 4 years ago when I packed it up and moved to Atlanta with dh. I sure did miss Chicago...or so I thought. Now I realize I don't miss the city so much, just the people who are still there...my family and friends. I have gotten used to the slower pace of life and the peacefulness of our little place in the world.
The city sure is noisy and the traffic...out of control! People, horns honking, sirens blaring, cars screeching and did I say people...lots of people..."Oh My!" It was definitely a treat to be home in the city I grew up in...but it is truly a pleasure to be in the town I now live in...with the green trees all around and quiet, serene Sunday afternoons...every afternoon.
Now..you cannot beat the fun of the city..no doubt and my trip was full of fun, joy and a little sadness too! How happy I was to be with those I love....my mom, my brother, my niece and my girls...
Hanging out and seeing everyone was the first order of business. The first day, I just spent a nice evening at home with mom and my younger brother. The next day, I headed out to lunch with my friend Linda and an afternoon of socializing with old friends. The following day, more socializing and dinner with Linda and Carol at Fonda del Mar.
Saturday I cropped with new and old friends at Windy City Scrapbooking. If you are ever in Chicago this is a must visit scrapbook store! Great inventory and staff! Loved it! I got to meet some Classy Scrappers and some of my online pals too! Unfortunately, I left my camera at home. What kind of scrapper leaves her camera at home! LOL! Anyway, here is a picture that Lisa Tutman, Memory Makers Master 2007, sent me..hopefully Danielle will be sending me some pictures soon!
On Sunday, June 24, Mom, myself and Ayanna went to the Niki Exhibit at the Garfield Park Conservatory. It is set up like a rain forest...the air is so fresh and easy to breath...it was wonderful..plenty of oxygen. Wow! What a difference. Not to mention the many plants and unique flowers...it was beautiful and quite interesting.
Now the Niki Exhibit was simply fantastic. The pieces were created by French Artist Niki De Saint Phalle. It celebrates life in full! Full figured women, men, animals..life in general. It was fabulous. This is one of my favorites.
Here is Ayanna sitting in one of the pieces (some you could sit or climb on). Isn't Ayanna simply beautiful!
On Monday, June 25, Mom and I had lunch with Michelle at the Firehouse Grill..YUM! Next, we spent the afternoon at Millenium Park eating Garrett's Popcorn...the best popcorn anywhere! If you are in Chicago you have to get some Garrett's. Now the coolest thing about Millenium Park is the bean. Who would've thought that a bean could be so cool! The more you walk around the bean the more of the city's skyline you can see reflected in the bean! COOL!
Lastly, on Wednesday we went to see The Color Purple. It was a wonderful play. It was humorous and touching at the same time. It was a bit different than the movie...which I love but it was still a good production.
Home on Thursday! The flight was fantastic...walking to baggage claim..I spot my Love...Robert waiting for me. Wonderful! He takes me out to dinner and after dinner, just about to leave the parking lot and we have a flat tire! The sky is dark...thunder is rolling and bolts of lightning light up the sky...sprinkles are coming. Aaaaahhhh...we've got to wait for roadside assistance. It's good to be home and good to be with him. We sit inside and wait..a couple of hours later we are home and the rest is for our eyes only! LOL!
Tiare.
