[paigeturner]

Hi All!

Heidi, Chi-Town is one of my favorite places to visit! I begged my oldest to go to Northwestern U because I thought if she did I could visit a lot...and it's all about ME...but alas, she chose a different school I do have a conference there the first few days of August so I'll get my fix!

TGM - I love, love, love Vegas. It's so tawdry...I might need a Vegas fix before too long as welll, though I was only there in April.

Leigh - I have a crack across my windshield right now as well! A truck spun up a bunch of gravel in front of me. To make matters worse, it was one of those trucks with the mudflaps with the outline of the curvy sexy woman on it. I hate those! And why is it that they are always on trucks driven by men with huge beer bellys and at least 6 inches of plumbers rear showing? Makes me insane...insaner? Is that a word?

Hello to everyone else!

[thanksgivingmom]

I love, love, love it too!!! I went THREE TIMES last June! (Now, I'll even admit that was nearly overkill. Nearly. Haha) My brother was supposed to come this weekend but hurt his knee so he still needs a "fix" - we're thinking August again

[paigeturner]

August will be so HOT. But, I never care. As long as we have a good hotel with a great pool and a little cash I'm a happy camper! I might need to check on a hotel now!

[zxczxcasdasd]

haha! Paige...I tried the whole really-encourage-them-to-go-somewhere-cool-you-can-visit thing too, but it didn't work for me either. He ended up around the corner. Whoopee...a trip to the end of the block. pft. Oh well. There's still hope for grad school!

It's funny neither hubby nor I ever had much interest in Chicago, as we just thought it was another big city, except with really bad weather. But we LOVED it! We ate and shopped our way through the city. We thought it had all the beautiful architecture, culture and waterfront that SF and NY do, but much less insane, less claustrophic, and without the accompanying grime. We would love to go back and spend more time there.

Welcome back TG! I've been hankering for Vegas for a little while. We have told J we'll take him for his 21st bday, but that's still 2 yrs away.

Happy belated birthday Leigh!!!!

Mine is coming up in a couple weeks, but it's the first one I'm NOT happy about. I want to stay 34 forever. It's a good age.

Shoe Storytime...I totally forgot I had a voice lesson to teach this morning at 11 and when they pulled up I was still fresh from bed in dirty hair, body and face. I threw clothes on and ran to the front door and had a pretty good lesson, but I know she could tell I was disheveled. My shoes kept feeling funny and I thought, oh geez I put them on backwards, so I tried to subtley switch them under the piano, but it didn't help. When she left I finally looked down and saw I was wearing 2 left sandals of different colors!

[thanksgivingmom]

I hope Leighs birthday hasn't happened yet!!! She gave me an ultimatum of sending an email to Cupcake's Mom by her birthday!

The email isn't ready so it can't POSSIBLY be her birthday yet either, right Leigh?? Right???

[kakuehl]

Obviously the posters were all away for the weekend!

Heidi...I love the shoe story. I have 2 piano students (sisters) and I have a tendency to forget when they're coming. Luckily, I never schedule them in the morning!
I haven't been to Chicago much lately. My FIL was born and grew up there. (Want any stories of Chicago during the depression?) Unfortunately lately most of my visits involve rushing through OHare to make a connection. One suggestion: avoid the winter. They don't call it the Windy City for nothing!

Stacey... as the others say, keep breathing. Try to keep busy if you can. Live each day as fully as you can

[quantum]

My only experiance with Chicago is the airport! And I remember one time I scheduled a long weekend with my now husband,in London, with changing planes in Chicago. Ended up stuck there overnight, alone (I was flying to him). Had to pay for my own hotel, and my luggage showed up the night before I was leaving.
Grrarrghghgh.

LOL on the piano lesson. In Sweden, no one wears their shoes inside, so you would have avoided that problem! Weird though isn't it?

Las Vegas. I actually lived there for a few months. Man oh man did I meet some WEIRDOS.

[zxczxcasdasd]

Quantum, I hear you! My only experience had been the airport and since it is the worst in the country for weather-related delays, I will usually choose to connect through anywhere else I possible can and avoid Chicago.

But actually being there in the city? LOVED IT.

[josh1788smom]

I love Chicago!!!! My first time my mom had the idea for my daughter and I to join her. It was great. Although, I will not go shopping like that with a 5 year old ever again. If we weren't in American Girl or shopping for her, she was a pain. But we did spend one entire day at the Children's museum. I took my hubby there for our 10 year anniversary. He wanted to eat at the Weber Grill restaurant.

It was fabulous, but I gotta be honest - still LOVE the 'burgh best. No other city hits you like it does when you come at it from any angle - although the Fort Pitt tunnels are the BEST!!!!! AND this is from a former Flight Attendant, so I've seen cities!

Glad everyone is having good times!!!!!! I've got my fingers permanently crossed for the next week Stacy - it'll rock!!!!

My life is a continuing comedy of errors - but what can ya really do about it?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Heidi - I loved 34. Nothing has been notable since 34. Now I just forget I am 37, and keep saying I am 36. It's starting to catch up with me, my 20 year reunion is this summer, people are starting to think I was a genius!!!!!

[kakuehl]

Ah, you children in your 30's, LOL. Enjoy each day of each year. (I just had my 35th college reunion. Now that's a scary thought, LOL)

[josh1788smom]

Kathy - I cannot believe as the other person closest to the 'burgh - you did not jump in on stating how wonderful she looks when coming in on the parkway thru the Fort Pitt tubes!

I am shocked!

All right - not really -

Peace, love, and hair grease!

[zxczxcasdasd]

I haven't seen much of Pittsburgh other than the airport- though we did get the impressive "presentation" she makes of herself when coming out of the tunnel from the airport. I was also there about 15 years ago on a choir tour, but don't remember much about the city.

One of these days, I'll get back there again and you can show me the city.

[kakuehl]

Sorry, Josh's mom! I generally enter from the Squirrel Hill tunnel! And mostly I stop at the hospitals in Oakland!
I've never spent a lot of time in the city. Although, I do remember a music conference where DH and I had a suite (not sure how that happened) in a hotel right on the point. There was a gorgeous view of the 3 rivers.

[lahdh4]

Originally Posted by thanksgivingmom

And Leigh, when is your birthday???

It was last Friday. I keep telling myself and others that I am 10 (3+7) LOL worked over the weekend.

T: I will now give you until the 10th to send that email!!!!! good excuse to use these.

LOVE Chicago!!!! lived in Great Lakes and was often going into the city!! was in a movie, back in the 80's, big parade scene, cannot see me but oh well. Lots of stories with Chicago and the towns around there

My coworker gave me pictures tonight and I started to cry!! I don't know why but I just had tears running down my face!!!!!

H: Thank you

[quantum]

I keep thinking I'm 42 but that isn't for another couple of months! How weird is that.

Pittsburgh was quite an interesting city to approach!

Of course, my favorite city atm is Boston!

Maybe after the girls are a bit older I'll get to do some more exploring with them.
I know what you mean about shopping with a 5 year old...really.