Watchoo Talkin' Bout Willis?

In my lifetime it will always be Sears Tower. Always. Plain and simple. But I cannot boycott Willis Tower since my hubby works in the building. I'm wondering if Willis has stock in some kind of printing business since everyone in Rick's office (and I'm sure all other companies in Sears) have to get new business cards and letterhead printed with Willis Tower instead of Sears Tower on them.
What are they trying to do to our great city? First they take away our beloved Marshall Fields, then in comes that nasty ass Trump and his mostly vacant tower, and now Willis. What's next? Renaming Chicago to Oprahland?! ARGH!

In My Next Life

My father has always said that if there is a "life after" he wants to come back as my mother's dog. I want to come back as Lauren. Right now she has arrived safely in Florida for the week with 5 college friends. They are using our time share and staying in a 2 bedroom condo on the beach. Lauren just called to say that the master bedroom is HUGE with a HUGE walk-in closet and a HUGE master bath with separate shower and Jacuzzi tub. Nice. Good for her. We just hope we don't see her on one of those Girl's Gone Wild commercials!

Truth be told, I want to come back as me because my life ROCKS! Rick spoils both Lauren and me. And he does it quite well. I just got a brand new whopping diamond ring for my birthday. And it's not even my birthday for 4 more days. I love that man for so many reasons not just the great "prezzies" he gives me. But it makes the birthdays far more tolerable. In fact, it makes me want to have a birthday a month.

The girls are coming to Chitown this week for my birthday. Look out. Always a crazy time with them.

Then it's off to Cadiz for some good fishing I hope. I love fishing. It is so relaxing. Not to mention I tie a mean knot. Johnson taught me. He is the ultimate fisherman. I could learn lots from him and I have. Johnson and Kyle are heading down with Rick on Friday then Bonnie, Ozzy and I will join them on Monday. Ozzy is crazy for the lake. Really just the beach. He loves the beach. He especially loves to roll in the sand on dead fish that have washed ashore. Nasty. So so nasty. But I have good odor removing dog shampoo, thank God.

I Love Free Corona!

And so does Colleen. Or at least she will when she visits for my birthday.

The new Kenwood Liquors has finally opened in the HG. Those of you from the Chicago area know that Kenwood has the cheapest prices in town. Cheaper than Binny's Beverage Depot, Sam's Club and all the grocery chains. Needless to say our excitement over the opening can hardly be contained given the amount of alcohol we consume. (Note to self: give recycling guy bigger Christmas tip.) My first trip to Kenwood was aggravating at best. After a several minute long argument with the cashier that the case of wine that was $7.99 per bottle should ring up cheaper that the case of wine that was $8.49 per bottle, I finally asked to speak with a manager who also had a difficult time grasping this. Turns out, I gave up and did not purchase the case of wine that was $7.99 per bottle. In the meantime the cashier rings everything up and boxes it up and a nice young guy aids in the carryout. As this guy is loading my car he apologizes for the cashier's mistake saying they just opened and are working out some kinks. I realize at this point that the cashier has boxed up two handles (that's what the college kids call them) of liquor that I did not purchase. I kindly and honestly point this out to the guy and he takes them back and apologizes again. I tell him that the cashier was DUMB AS A ROCK! And in today's economy when so many people are out of work it shouldn't be that difficult to find someone with half a brain to work as cashier. Not knowing how to respond he simply agrees with me. Smart move.

Yesterday I venture into Kenwood for another stock up. I buy a few cases of of wine, a few individual bottles of wine and a case of Corona. While I'm waiting for them to bring up my cases of wine many things ensue that make me realize that this cashier is also DUMB AS A ROCK! Sure enough, I get to my car and pull out my receipt only to realize that she charged me for just one 12 pack of the Corona. Normally I am an honest soul but this was just too much. I gladly drove home with my free beer.

Everyone should shop at the new Kenwood. If you purchase more that 3 items you're sure to get one free!

University of Illinois Synchronized Skating Team

This was taken just after their Silver Medal skate. I love this shot. GO ILLINI!

Illinoiskating Takes Silver at Nationals!

That's right.........Silver medal at Nationals! That would be 2nd in the country!!!! (I really hate when exclamation points are overused but I can't help myself in this situation!) Nobody expected it. Except, maybe, just maybe, the girls. They work so hard all year long to travel all over the country to prove themselves in a four minute skate. Four minutes. That's it. Not 9 innings, not a half, not 3 periods, not 4 quarters, not 18, 36 or 72 holes. 4 minutes. There is no coming back in the second half. It's now or never. You have to be on and they were in every sense. The Collegiate division is changing. Here comes University of Illinois Illinoiskating! It was such a close competition. Close between second and fourth place. Miami Ohio took first, they always do. Hard to compete with the Redhawks. But this is the first time ever the University of Illinois has medaled at Nationals and the first time they have ever beaten Michigan State and Delaware, both skating powerhouses. The Illini's skating program has only been around since 2001 and is already making the skating community take notice. They certainly did this weekend. Illinoiskating was the talk of Collegiate division. This victory may even help Illinoiskating's argument for Varsity status. Let's cross our fingers. That's Lauren, front row, second from right.

We are so proud of our daughter. Not only this but straight As last semester and on track for more of the same this semester. Lauren works so hard at everything she does and she deserves this so much. What great fun to be a proud parent.



In other news (as if there really is any! Ok, ok, I'll quit with the exclamation points.):

Dad is hanging in there with the chemo, etc. It has been rough recently but I'm hoping we are on a better path now.

Going down to Cadiz soon for a few weeks. Looking forward to spending some time with family and with my honey. We have lots of visitors coming and going so it should be a good time. Rick and I also got a fishing guide for one day. Then we are sure to catch some fishies.

The Girl's are coming in for my bday. Always a crazy ass time with them. On the agenda so far are limos and lobster and champagne, Corona for Col, and Hawthorne. Can't have a Girl's weekend without a little horsey action.

Marc is graduating from Tulane University's School of Law on May 16th. Wow. Three years, gone already. I'm sure Marc would argue the swiftness of those years.

Ozzy survived the lamb chop episode. Darn.

We miss Audrey. Maybe I can sneak over for a visit this week.