Happy Monday everyone!!

I hope that your weekend was as exciting and peaceful as mine.  I didn’t post much last week because we had moved back into the house the weekend before and we spent our spare time trying to get the house organized and livable.  After getting everything moved and cleaned up (I’m talking about the apartment, the house is still a wreck) during the week I would just get to the house and have enough energy to try to unpack a box,  find something to eat, and pass out before I had to do it all over again.  After a week of trying to get organized during our spare time we were feeling like the weekend would be spent getting everything REALLY organized. 

Our plans were changed when Kristian surprised us by saying that she wanted to spend the weekend with her cousin.  She said she would give us a chance to have some couple time.  Now isn’t that sweet of her? 

Initially we were thinking we could really get some work done without her being underfoot and getting bored.  But after Stan dropped Kristian off at school he texted me that instead of working and grinding we should go away for a day.  I agreed and we made plans to go.  We were going to go to Cincinnati but figured we would have more fun in Chicago so we rented a car on Saturday morning and headed out. 
The day started out rainy, but by the time we made it into the city the sun was out and the weather was awesome.  We found a place to park the car and got out to begin our walk through downtown Chicago and wouldn’t you know it, we just happened to parked in a building that was basically across the street from Garrett’s.  We walked outside of the parking garage and Stan said, “we’re right by a Garrett’s, can’t you smell it?”  We stood in a short line, (yeah us for not being on Michigan Avenue!) and got our popcorn. 

There was also my favorite tea shop that I stated I would be stopping in when we came back to get some tea for work. 

After getting our popcorn we headed towards Michigan Avenue and closer to the “Magnificent Mile” and came across a hotdog shop.  We decided to split a Chicago style hotdog.  While we were eating our hotdog we noticed that groups of people dressed in various costumes were stopping in front of the hotdog shop and getting their picture taken.  Apparently there was a contest going on called the Gorilla Challenge.  I didn’t think to take pictures of some of the people, the hotdog was good and we were speechless with some of the outfits, but we saw people getting photos taken at various locations for the next hour or so. 

We walked and window shopped (I ventured into the shoe department at Nordstrom on Michigan Avenue and I was overwhelmed.  I know it’s hard to believe, but it happened.).  I did purchase a couple of tops and a pair of shoes for Kristian from Marshall’s and bought two purses from Filene’s Basement (they were have a 50% off sale on their bags). 

We felt a little bad about not telling Kristian where we were going so we braved the American Girl store and bought Kristian’s doll a t-shirt.  We then went to have a light dinner/snack at the Big Bowl restaurant. 

We ordered the spring rolls and split an order of Thai Shrimp Fried Rice. 

It was pretty good.  I really liked the decor and atmosphere. 

Afterwords we headed back to the car and I took a few photos along the way.  We had walked to the north side of the bridge so we had the opportunity get a beautiful shot of the lake (I really love my new camera, although I’m still learning how to take the best shots and edit them so that they are not so dark when I put them in the post.).

 We walked past the place we plan to stay next time we’re in the city.  🙂 🙂 🙂 It’s just wishful thinking on our part.  Maybe if we hit the lottery we’ll stay there.  Check out how tall it is.  I think it may be the “new” tallest building in the city.

Finally we made it to Argo Tea, where  I purchased a new flavor, ChaiBerry, which is sooooo awesomely good.  I’m glad I broke down and got something other than Hibiscus Apple. 

We decided to stay in the suburbs (particularly Oakbrook, because we know there is a Nordstrom Rack there and we got a really good deal on a hotel room).  It seemed as if as soon as my husband laid his head on the pillow, he passed out.  Two hours later and I had changed into pajama’s and was getting into bed and Stan was awake and wanting to go to Papadauex’s for dinner.  I sent him to ge carry out and settled in to get some rest.  He ended up sitting at the bar and having dinner (this was fine by me, because I really didn’t want to get dressed and leave the comfort of the bed), and he brought me some dessert back.  I won’t mention it because it wasn’t that great. 

The next day we got up and headed to breakfast and found this really great place called, Eggtasy.  We were looking at everyone’s plates and realized that the portions were HUGE and there was no way we were going to finish individual portions.  So we decided to share a bacon omelet that came with fried potatoes and pancakes.  Stan ordered a strawberry/orange juice, that was soooo fresh he didn’t know how to take it.  He said it was perfect and so naturally sweet he was almost speechless.  One of the things that we liked about this restaurant was that we told the waitress we were going to split the omelet and they actually split everything for us and put it on two plates.  The pancakes came on one plate, but that how we were going to get them anyway.  By the way…the pancakes had a hint of cinnamon in the batter that gave the pancakes a unique flavor.  When I make homemade pancakes/waffles, I put in a little nutmeg  (at my mother’s suggestion) and it makes for a great flavor; but I have to say the cinnamon was something that had me thinking…hhhmmm, might have to try that next time.   It was a great breakfast and gave us enough energy to hit the stores.  We went to World Market (where I found some drawer knobs for my desk for a great price), then we went into another furniture store that was very contemporary (we’re looking for a new dining room table); then finally ended up in the Nordstrom Rack. 

Folks, I was a little disappointed in the store.  I can always find something in this store (usually I can find too much stuff and feel bereft because I have to leave it behind), but this time, I was struggling to find something.  I mean…come on folks can you help a sista with a 35/36 inch inseam out.  I walked out of the store with ONE pair of tan khaki’s and ONE pair of heels.  I found a couple of shirts and a pair of sandles for the baby doll, but that was IT.  Stan was totally disappointed, he came out with nothing. 

We ended our trip with a stop at The Patio for lunch where we had chicken wings, ribs for Stan and an Italian Beef for me.  Of course we couldn’t finish it all, but we were vacationing so we were supposed to over order.  

Right around the time we got on the road to head home we got a call that baby doll was ready to head home.  We had my sister-in-law drop her off at my brother-in-laws and I told the baby doll we would be there in about 2 hours.  She of course found out that we went to Chi and couldn’t believe that we would go without her.  I told her that she said we could have some couple time, so we did.  She said she didn’t mean for us to go to Chicago and leave her.  Can you guys say hilarious? 

It was good to be home….I hurt my ankle (I think shouldn’t have worn flats all day on Saturday.  If I had had on heels, I probably would have been better off.   I know it sounds crazy, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.) 🙂

I will post pictures once I’ve had a chance to clean them up and get some of the pictures from Stan’s phone.  I wanted to post this and not spend too long trying to get pictures in.