Card Boat Regatta

Crystal Lake's Cardboat Regatta is one of my favorite things to do now. I love all the creative kids. Anna and her friend Shelby accompanied me to this fun event. Their favorite boat was "Angry Birds meets Smurfs"

My favorite entry was the Elvis elves.




Two Elvis boats racing and then sinking.

Prom - Chicago Style or Hollywood

They do prom a bit different here in the burbs of Chicago, or at least my daughters high school does anyway.
School was out at 1 and Molly dashed home for a makeover and new hairstyle by Janelle her now personal assistant.

Had to take another pic of her P.A. where she was about the same height as Molly.
My favorite line of the day from Janelle "I want to go to prom again"
She had so much fun helping doll Miss Molly up.


Nick (perfect Chicago name don't you think?) picked her up promptly at 3:15. Sadly, she wasn't ready. What girl is?
They exchanged flowers.





We took a few pics and he escorted her to another friends for group pictures. (I didn't go, thus no group shots)




David and I then headed to the school at 4:30 to see the promenade begin at 5.
Arriving


Parents, Friends and Family line up to watch the kids come in then, proceed out. Quite the spectacle. So fun to see all the beautiful dresses. I felt like the paparazzi.


Mary Cate

Nina

Mehdi


Leaving the gym they promptly walk the red carpet arm in arm to the awaiting buses where they were whisked away to some shmancy fancy place in Shaumburg for dinner and dancing.


Jessie

Departing -- Bye bye Lolly


They will return by bus around midnight. So much safer to have them bused than teens driving here and there, leaving whenever. I like it Chicago Style with a flair of Hollywood!!

Another Adventure in Chi town

My friend Beck and I don't get out as often as we would like but we did take an excursion on the metra last month for her belated birthday.

First stop French Market All these years of riding the metra and I had no idea this market was even connected to the train station. It's because when I go downtown, I get off the train and head east not north so what a fun find.

We had lunch then sampled. I know, I know, backwards, but it was our first time so now we know. The other cool thing is you can get on the metra from this cute French market instead of going all the way around. Yes I'm so excited to avoid the crowds from here on out. Like my secret lil passage way.

15 minute walk down LaSalle and we were at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on the right.
The building in front is the Chicago Board of Trade



I've been here how long?
Never knew about this FREE money museum. (Thanks Sam and Haley)
We even came home with a bag of money -- shredded of course.
Interesting, educational and no one goes here. Not sure why. I loved it.

Ok so here's my Cliff Claven tidbit.
Why is a thousand dollars called a GRAND?


Don't those zero's look like watermelons? They called it the GRAND Watermelon bill, then shortened it to just Grand. Bet you didn't know that? 1890 trivia

Million bucks under glass. For some reason I was afraid to touch the globe, fearing I'd be Lazered Tazered I guess.

Grabbed our free bag of shredded loot and headed across the street to the Chicago Board of Trade. A pic I snagged from Wikipedia. We weren't really there at night. It's quite the building with a great history - another time.
I have a candle customer who's husband is a commodity broker and he was going to hook us up with his guy in the yellow vest to give us a tour and see the "pit" but dang coppers wouldn't let nobody in - day after Chicago elections and security was tight. Really?

Headed towards the lake to the Art Institute of Chicago My membership is good till Feb, so gotta use it while I can.
The grand staircase was new and lit up so we had to have a photo shoot since we could. They're quite rigid with taking photos in the art museum but here we could shoot away.
It's called Public Notice.


This artwork was from a landmark speech given by Swami Vivekananda over a hundred years ago on Sept. 11th to the World Parliament of Religion to end bigotry and fanaticism and the artist, Jitish Kallat used the five colors to represent our levels of homeland security. Different
Back to the French Market for some Gellato - Did I mention there was nothing French about this place, all kinds of cuisines. I'll definitely be returning on another adventure. I LOVE Chicago!!!

Another reason to Love Costco

First off I did take pics but they turned out blurry since I was in a rush.

Not only is Costco the closest store to my home but it's just my favorite. I've been known to run in for milk.-- I know can you believe it? Who goes to costco without paying over a hundred bucks. Me (on occassion)

So here's my other reason why I love Costco.

My friends and I were going to another friends grandma's funeral in Chicago on a Monday morning.
We wanted to help and were asked to pick up sandwiches and cookies for the family to have in between viewing and funeral.

Since we don't shop on Sunday, early Monday morning is the next best thing. ONly problem is Costco doesn't open till 10 and we need to be in Chicago at 10:30 and it's an hour drive from here.

Luckily Angela from church works at Costco and she was able to ask the head honcho's to let us in early. Can you believe it - they did!!!

What an adventure- back door - safe route through the store - fork lifts zooming by and I mean zooming- that place is a bee hive of activity. Eric took time out to guide us safely around the store when we know he had a ton of other important work to do.

Bought the goods and made it to the funeral home on time. Thank you Costco.
See another reason I love this store

Running Heroes

I admire anyone who runs like my daughter and her friend Jessie, and of course my hub, daughter Em and Anna (Hey Jonathan do you still run?)

Two years ago I saw this young man running from Bartlett H.S. and I was touched. So this year I grabbed my camera and found him at the same race course.


The first time I saw him he was in the middle of the pack, people yelling and then this young man who is blind holding onto his friends arm as they ran the 3 mile course over rocks, roots, mud and yay- even green soft grass. Running is not easy, let alone when you can't see where you're going. But this guys does it and he's a decent runner. Middle of the pack with a handicap is pretty darn good in my book.

Apparently he fell and when he went down he reached out and grabbed another runner who stumbled and he in turn grabbed someone. Parents starting yelling, not realizing that he was blind and was not intending to harm others. All they saw was arms flailing and boys stumbling.
When I saw him emerge holding onto his friends arm, I started crying. How does this boy participate in this tough sport, not being able to see?


I thought of the Savior. He leads the way. We are on this journey in life and we need Him to guide us on our path just like this blind runner needs a friend to lead the way, to protect and help him.

He is always with us. He has sacrificed for us because of His great love and He wants us to succeed just like this young man did in helping his blind friend.

When he got to the finish line the friend guided the blind young man in front and said, "Good job, you did good"
What more can I say? Yeah he did good, really good.

I thought of this quote - "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy4:7

Cougar Mama?

My friend Ellen invites me to meet her and some friends in Chicago for dinner and free tickets to see Jersey Boys. Oh yeah I'm there baby. I love plays. Thanks Ellen

Ellen -"Let me warn you I heard there's a little bit of cussing."
I was not prepared to hear the F word over and over again. I sure loved the songs, the acting, and the plot, but man - I don't understand why so much dang cussing. (I'm so glad I didn't go with my MIL & Family)

Lori, Ellen and Me.
Earlier I rode the train downtown by myself and walked down Wells Street to meet up with this fun group at the famous Ed Debevics. I took my sweet time and took some pictures since I had never walked down Wells street before.

Crossing the bridge over the Chicago River.
World famous Gino's East (not my favorite - they don't put enough cheese to my liking) But you gotta admit this is one unique building.

I walked in and saw Lori H. waiting for me I was then announced over the microphone "Tami has arrived". Talk about embarrassing. I wasn't warned that this joint loves to make fun of their customers and it's all good. The place was packed and everyone is just so happy to see what the next insult or joke will be from the wait staff.

Kevlar (if that's his real name) our waiter " Ok I'll bring you a pitcher of toilet water, have had it - cheap people"
to Ellen's son Jeff, "Get a haircut" and I won't even say what he said when he brought Jeff his meal.
OK is that the biggest hot dog you've ever seen in your life? It is for me. Holy cow.

Fun quirkly thing this restraunt does is everything stops and the waiters and waitresses jump up on the counters and tables and dance
notice the hats they give everyone to wear
After the song, Kevlar jumps down, shakes his chest in my face and says, "I saw you taking my picture Cougar Mama, I know you want some of this." Ok not only was I embarrased I was insulted. Yeah that's what they're good at.

I might be a BYU Cougar from way back when but I'm no cougar mama. Old lady seducing younger men. oooohhh that just made me mad.

Later I asked him what the name of the group was that we were listening to. He went up to the DJ's mike and announced to everyone there. "To my cougar table.............." I didn't even hear what the name of the group was cuz I was screaming and everyone else was laughing. hhahha

Ellen thought he was giving us a compliment by calling us that. unhunh, they don't hand out compliments there. She took it that way and that's why she's so positive and upbeat about life and that's why we love her.
Jamie - she served her mission here a couple of years ago and came back to visit Ellen. Too bad the pic is blurry. She goes to school at Utah State and knows Caitlin Porter - my friends daughter from AZ. small world.
We then got a free ride in a taxi all the way back home. whoohooo it pays to know people. Thanks Lori (We didn't want to wait two hours for the train.)

Coldest Night of My Life

We had to go back to Devils Lake since last year was so much fun plus David got a new tent.
We didn't care that the weather forecast was snow and rain.

We were going to break in our tent and see the fall colors and do some hiking since mountains seem to be scarce around here and this is one of the few places that we can go up and up.
Devil's Doorway - we hiked up this trail to discover all these purple boulders and this scary edifice.

Anna had no fear climbing through the doorway. I of coarse stayed back and took pictures.
We are way up here where it was nice and warm.


Standing in front of our new tent. The smaller one belongs to "his other wife" that three teenage girls borrowed.
For some reason I thought that since our tent was new it would be nice and warm but nooooooo.

Spent the first night freezing and not sleeping. Anna even woke up crying so I found a heavy blanket for her.
I woke up the next day a zombie. I hurt all over from being scrunched in the fetal position.

I found out everyone else slept in three pairs of sweats, under armor and four pairs of socks.

Duhhhh why didn't I think of that?

Once I got up, dressed and walking around, it was all good. It was by far the coldest night of my life. I now know why it's called the Ice Age Trail. heeheee
Molly loves to live on the edge. This girl has no fear. She loves roller coasters and hanging out on cliffs. She 's such a leader -had her three friends join her.

Our Bishop giving us warm words of wisdom around a fire. I love camp fires.
Most of the group that went, the rest must of have been bouldering.

(click on pics to get a bigger image)This is why we come.-- Fall colors and happy faces
I'm so happy to be home in my warm cozy bed - till next year.
oh yeah and the great thing about camping in the cold. - no bugs or critters - nada one