Role Reversal

Lauren has been away for two weeks already. She calls us frequently. The difference now is that we are aggravating her instead of the other way around. The other day she tried calling both of us a few times each on our cell phones and didn't reach us. When I saw that we had missed her calls I promptly called her back. That conversation went something like this:

Me: Hi, you rang?

Lauren: You never answer your cell phone anymore!

Me: Sorry. We were on the boat and I didn't hear it ring.

Lauren: And could you turn the music down, I can't hear a word you're saying!

Rick and I couldn't help but laugh when I hung up. Shouldn't we be the ones scolding her for not answering her cell phone and telling her to turn the music down?

Empty nesting........a beautiful thing!

Yummy

Perfect for the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend.

LEMON WHISKEY SLUSH

2 cans frozen lemonade
1 1/3 c. water
4 c. ginger ale
2 or more cups whiskey
Cold ginger ale or club soda for serving

Mix together above ingredients in large freezer
container. Cover and freeze for at least 8 hours.
Spoon into glasses and top with a splash of
ginger ale or club soda.

Very refreshing. Enjoy!

Way To Go Lauren!

Lauren is the newest member of the Illini Edge Synchronized Skating Team! Clinics and tryouts took place over the last week. Lots of girls tried out, 19 made the team and 16 skate the competitions. They are skating to music from the movie "Speed." (Guess we will have to rent that movie since we have never seen it.) According to Lauren the music is fast and angry. She likes happy music better since she has a million dollar smile. But I've seen her angry face and I think she will do just fine. It has been two years since she has skated competitively and we are very excited to see her skate again. Nationals are in Rhode Island in February. I can't wait to see all my Chicago Jazz friends. NOT!

Sorrrryyyy!

Rick so kindly pointed out to me that I used the word "from" twice in the same sentence in my last post.I cannot seem to go back and edit my blog from the Blackberry. Is that Blogger technology or Blackberry technology? Or could it be that I really don't know how to work this Blackberry? Nah.

A Perfect Day at the Lake

It all began with a nice spicy bloody mary and a big fat steak burger for brunch followed by a little chill time. After a pleasant afternoon boat ride it's time for dinner. Steak, salmon, stuffed portabellas, baked potatoes. All on the "God" grill. And let us not forget the very tasty bottle of pinot noir. And it's only day one. YEEEHAA!

And, I just love Rick's new Blackberry from which I am posting!

I Said I Wouldn't Cry

This is Lauren and Sam on the first day of school, 2003. For 13 years we have taken pictures of the two of them on the first day of school. This will be the first time either of them will start school without each other. So I couldn't help but tear up tonight watching my daughter write a good-bye letter to her BFF. Leaving your parents is one thing, leaving your best friend is completely different. Sammi better visit her often.

All Set

Tomorrow Lauren is off to U. of I. The U-Haul is loaded down with all the necessaries: computer, bedding, clothes, storage bins, school supplies, etc. I am sure we are forgetting something, but what? Time will tell. We have a long day ahead of us but great rewards for all in the end. Lauren will be free of her nagging parents and we will be free of our hormonal teenager. At least temporarily. Good enough for me. The ship sails at 7am. First to the kennel in Champaign to drop off Ozzy for the day. Then to Hopkins Hall for the unloading/unpacking fiasco. Once that is complete we will drop off the U-Haul in Champaign, pick up Ozzy from the kennel and head straight to Cadiz for a week alone with my hubby. It doesn't even seem real. Lauren going off to college doesn't seem real and a week alone with my hubby doesn't seem real. Say a prayer for us all, we're going to need it.

Top 10 Reasons I Watch Very Little TV

10. Oprah - way too full of herself
9. Allison Rosati, NBC5 Chicago 10 o'clock news anchor - this woman is too happy to read the news.
8. Oprah - I'll choose the books I read, thank you.
7. Dr. Phil - Are you serious? I could be Dr. Phil.
6. Oprah - I'll choose the charities I donate to, thank you.
5. The View - Plenty of views of my own to contemplate, thank you.
4. Oprah - Can her big ass be any more touched up on the cover of that ridiculous magazine?
3. Reality TV - I have plenty of my own reality to entertain myself for a lifetime.
2. Oprah - Yesterday her guest was Al Gore. Need I say more?
1. Oprah - Try building a school in Chicago, or anywhere in the U.S.

Eric is "The Man"

Since opening the "New Soldier Field" a few years back, season ticket holders have had to enter a lottery each year to obtain ridiculously expensive parking for the season. We have been fortunate in the past to win the lottery for the "South Lot." South lot parking enables us to park in the handicap section of Waldron Deck. This is key since Rick's dad, Ken aka Poppie, age 89 and season ticket holder since 1946, probably could not attend without handicap parking. Well, this year we lost the lottery. According to the Bears, however, we "won." We "won" parking in the new "Southwest Lot" located at Michael Reese hospital. For those of you familiar with the city, you know just how far Michael Reese is from Soldier Field. This was going to make our game day experience hell. For a man of 89 years to be expected to get to the stadium from the southwest lot is utterly insane. We were very uncertain as to how this was going to work out this year. So uncertain that we have yet to tell Poppie about the parking situation for fear that he would not want to attend anymore.

Enter Eric. Eric is a fellow Bears fan, along with his father, and an associate at Rick's firm. We had the pleasure of spending a lovely evening with Eric last night. When we are together the subject of the Bears is always a topic of conversation. Lo and behold, doesn't Eric hook us up with South Lot parking! This is HUGE! The Anderson family is forever in his debt and will be searching high and low for a way to show our appreciation. I suppose we could start with some cold brews at tailgate! So, here's to Eric - YOU'RE THE MAN!!!!!!

One more thing, GO CUBBIES!