Super Saturday

For those of you who do not live in Chicago nor read the news, Chicago set another record recently. It was for the most grey, overcast, non-sunny days in a row. Who knew that Seattle did not hold the lease on that kind of thing.

So what an awesome thing to wake up to this morning.....a bright, almost warm, sunny Saturday...a Super Saturday. On this super day we:

- found a new health club which includes a climbing wall and things for my nieces and nephews to do (walked two miles around the track while I was there)

- finished unpacking all of the downstairs books

- purchased some dark chocolate truffles and dove hearts at 50 percent off

- snuck in a few pads of scrapbook papers and valentines stuff also at 50 percent off

- took a nice long walk with Rita around our neighborhood

- made a great mexican dinner of taquitos, refried beans and some yummy tortilla chips

- curled up in bed with Rita and a nice glass of wine to finish the day

Lots more packing and cleaning and organizing is needed but I'd say it was a Super Saturday all around!

300 Boxes, 40 pieces of furniture, a dog, 8 wardrobe boxes....

So Graebel Van Lines drove off with a big load..though not as big as previous loads I had shipped. Mary Cluskey came over and vaccumed and cleaned and mom and I packed the car....just enough room for me!

Then, after waiting for the fog to clear, Rita and I started the first part of our journey to our home for the week - the Palace de la Quinta! Rita settled in on the bed with her pink leopard blankie and mom went to work.

Life at the La Quinta was pretty okay. We walked every night and every morning, sniffed all of the snow and ice and trees......barked at other people in the parking lot and pranced through the lobby every night so people could admire us.

Then, Wednesday we had the big snow storm. Mom even got to come home early from work -- even though she got on the phone and still made lots of phone calls. I slept on her lap.....it was great fun.

Finally Friday morning came and we got back in the car and drove to what Mom said is our new home. There are ALOT of boxes...I mean they are everywhere. And these guys keep coming in and out of the truck carrying our stuff. I thought our stuff was stolen but it turns out these guys found it and maybe more!!

Mom says I will like this place but I am not sure. She seems happy and all but I slip and slide alot on the hardwoods. I am really happy our bed is here and my couch....but I'm not sure about the neighborhood. I bark and bark and it echoes in here!! We did take a walk and mom showed me a fun park...there is a LOT OF SNOW. I ran around in the snow...that was fun.

Mom is all excited...she made coffee in our little red coffee pot and she even made breakfast and chili today. She says we have only unpacked 75 boxes and there are lots more to go.

Well I have to go and take a nap now. Mom says there will be more snow tonight...I have to rest up in order to play in it tomorrow....who knew??!

Moving On

Five years ago I drove a jeep with a bad transmission and a U Haul containing a cat in a box (literally), two dogs (who ate the top off of a cooler), a cactus from Houston, Texas to Bloomington. I was coming home with my tail between my legs, or so I felt. I lost my house, my job, the boy I loved, and I had to come back to my (COLD!) hometown to take a job.

Five years later...I left with a new SUV, one of the two dogs and a great job in Chicago. But this time I was actually....not so much sad but definitely not so excited to be leaving Bloomington. I enjoyed my time back in town, reconnecting with friends and family. I enjoyed my time at State Farm and the new friends I made. I'm leaving Shella and Dewey and Christie and Dad and Anne and Matt and Teri and Daphne and Nicholas, Dan, and his family, Cheryl and Elaine and Mary and so many others.

What I gained during my time was more self confidence, invaluable work experience, and a whole new set of people who will always be with me.

We're moving on.....but our hearts will never leave.

This is what.....10 inches looks like

Happy Snow Day to all!!

7 hours

Starting point: Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Stopped for gas and diet coke at 3:45 p.m. From Bussee Road to I-355: One hour and 10 minutes. From I-355-to I-55 (about 30 miles) - 3 hours. From I-55 at Weber Road to Veterans Parkway (including one pitstop and dinner): 3 hours. Sigh of relief at pulling in driveway, not getting stuck and getting in warm and dry snowflake pajamas: priceless.