The Windy City

So, today is my very last day of work and then I'm off for eleven days. You probably do not have the slightest idea how dire the need for this vacation is. I'm so excited to see all of my family and experience Chicago. It has been YEARS.

I made a small list of the things that we want to do while we're there so that if we're sitting at my Dad's one day saying, "What do you want to do?" "I don't know, what do you want to do?"... Hopefully we'll be able to figure out what to do. Here it is:

1. Eat Chicago-style hot dogs -- Which for me will be plain hot dogs with ketchup, I know they're not really considered Chicago-style, but I don't like that stuff. BUT most places do not steam the buns and that really makes all the difference.

2. Eat Pizza Puffs -- You absolutely cannot find these practically anywhere in Florida! We used to have a place called Windy City Cafe or something of the like, but it closed.

3. Eat at White Castle -- I realize these things might sound stupid and minuscule, but if you know James, you'll understand this.

4. Go to MOSI -- Apparently the MOSI located in Chicago is the best one in the US, so we plan to go there on Monday, and it's free! I'm not sure if they'll have it while we're there, but I've caught word of a Harry Potter exhibit with the original costumes from the movie.

5. Six Flags -- This is obvious. OF COURSE we're going to Six Flags.

6. Lake Katherine -- This is a really beautiful park that I remember going to ever since I was young. It has a huge waterfall, paths with flowers and wildlife surrounding you, and a haystack where we used to hide. I think Gavyn will love it there, and I'll be able to take some gorgeous pictures.


7. Rino Bar -- Wednesday night from 12-1 am free vodka drinks, what more can I say?

8. Bourbon Street and other misc. bars - I'm 21 and have yet to visit a bar.

9. The Art District -- Lauren suggested that we go to see the many hipsters to point, laugh, and possibly throw rocks.

10. I'm on a boat -- And it's goin' fast and I gotta nautical themed Pashmina Afghan. No, but really... My Dad is taking us out on the boat. He said that we'll be able to see the city like we've never seen it before because we'll actually be going all through it and looking up at the buildings through the lakes. He said I'll be able to catch some amazing pictures, too. Plus, I just love going out on the boat. I caught a blow fish the last time that we went on a boat.

11. BBQ @ Kelly's -- Kelly is throwing a little get together so that the whole family will be there.

12. Shopping! -- ...!!!!

13. Sushi -- James REALLY wants to go to a nice Sushi restaurant while we're there.

14. Quality family time - My aunt is thinking of bringing us to the Zoo and the Sears Tower (I will still call it that, I don't care if it was renamed)... And she said she's been saving up her firewood so that we can go outside and roast marshmallows, make smores, and play Scattergories. And, of course, we'll visit with all of my family, especially my Grandma. She won't be making many more trips to Florida, so that's what we planned this vacation around.

That pretty much sums it up. If we get to do all of those things I will be thoroughly satisfied.

Lauren took off the whole week so we're in for a real treat. James has been around the two of us together so he knows what to expect ;), but it has been a LONG time.

In other VERY important news... Deschanel nabbed my Gibbard :( I guess this means I'm stuck with, oops, I mean destined to marry James. :P

I didn't even know that they were dating, let alone now newly wed.

The Potty Happy-Haps

This is the second day in a row that Gavyn has gone poo poo on the potty! The real potty, too. Granted, he'll begin to go in his diaper and THEN tell us so that he can be transferred to the potty, but we're definitely getting somewhere with him. Remember this post where I told you that he told us that he had to go at Subway?

On a side note, James is currently picking up Emma from the non-profit spay/neuter center in Brooksville called Pet Luv. Unfortunately I found out a little too late that we have to wait two weeks until we can groom her, we should've done it beforehand. I was afraid of that. So her 'Lion Cut' will have to wait. Oh, and... The air conditioning on the Mustang cost us $300, the work Steve (friend of the family) did on it cost $530, fixing the rotation and alignment cost $180, and apparently the front tires are shredding and almost falling apart so that's going to cost another $500. Awesome! James just had to get those $800 rims that require $200 tires while we were separated. Anyway, I'm just thanking my lucky stars that we have good credit and large credit limits, because who knows what would happen if we didn't! We've got a good little chunk of debt, but nothing that our yearly income taxes can't take care of.

I bought some Kahlua yesterday so that we can sip on some White Russians tonight. Mmm. Such a puss drink, but so good.

School starts in 19 days!

Chicago in one month and 20 days!