Happy Birthday Ma

This is the first time in a long time that I have not spent my mother's birthday with her. Happy 79th Shirl. Miss you and love you and hope you have a great day with Deb and Sophia. This photo is last year's birthday at Navy Pier. Aren't we a good looking bunch?!

I Should Know Better

What an interesting two days with Mom and Dad at Karla's Michigan house. We arrived around noon on Monday. After a delicious lunch Mom and Dad were off to Meier. Any store that we do not have near us at home my mother must visit on her vacation. We went out for a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant during which I spilled a whole glass of red wine on my father. He looked like some sort of victim. On the pocket of his shirt said "I'm the Boss." I'm glad I wrecked that shirt!

Day two we made Dad drive us to Shipshewana. This place is enormous. We gave my Dad my Mom's cell phone so that we could call him later to pick us up. We then should have put a leash on my mother. It wasn't but an hour later that we lost Shirl. 1000 booths at Shipshewana and we lost my mother. At first, I was not that concerned. But after an hour or so I began to worry. I called my sister Denise for advice. I knew she would have some. She said, "I would try parking it at a food booth and waiting, it shouldn't be long." So true. Shirl needs to be fed frequently. As our last resort, Karla and I headed to the INFO booth to have Shirl paged. I had no other ideas. "Shirley Ubeerocco, please meet your party at the information booth. Shirley Ubee, ummm, Shirley U., please meet your party at the information booth." Karla and I could not stop laughing. In just a few short minutes along came Shirl. We should have come up with a meeting spot when we arrived in case anyone got lost. Like I used to do with the kids when they were small. I won't forget if there is a next time.

For whatever reason, Bailey (Karla's dog) took an extreme liking to Shirl. Every time Shirl would nap (which you all know is quite often) Bailey would nap right along side of her. They became fast friends. I'm sure Bailey is lonely today looking for her Nana.

Click on the photo below to view all the pics of our adventure with Bob and Shirl.

Karla's house with Mom and Dad

Actually, the first pic was taken at my house before we left for Michigan.

Cubs Clinch

The Cubs are the National League Central Division Champions! Two years in a row. Too bad me and Mom had to see such a shitty game on Friday. But Shirl was happy just be at Wrigley. We arrived early enough that she was able to walk around the entire stadium, twice. And we got a free t-shirt. Debbie and I both agreed that no one from our family can attend any playoff games since the Cubs lose 95% of the time we go to a game.

I'm off to the Bears home opener against the Bucs today. You all know I am a huge Cubs and Bears fan but I heard this joke the other day and couldn't help but laugh.

Do you know why the Bears suck?

They used to be Cubs!

B E A R D O W N !

Mom's Fridge

While my mother loves all her grandchildren very much, she may love Kerry Wood more as evidenced by the size of his picture on her refrigerator. However, Lauren pointed out that there are two pictures of her, in her skates of course. Interesting.

Memories

Eddy Arnold died today. When I was growing up in Calumet City, my mother taught me how to waltz to Eddy Arnold. I love that music. Eddy, Ray Price, Perry Como, Tony Bennett. I can't help it. They are all regulars on the ipod playlist. Such great memories dancing with my mother in the kitchen on Jeffery with my grandmother watching and usually hollering at us to turn the music down. It just dawned on me that my love of loud music must come from Shirl. Shirl rocks.


Happy Mother's Day, three days early, to all the Moms out there. We're having the Ubriaco clan over on Sunday for some Mom's Day cheer. Off to Peoria to see IllinoiSkating on Saturday. The last skate of the season. Always sad to lay a program to rest. Lauren comes home late Saturday after the ice show. That freshman year flew by. Then down to the lake with all the kids for Memorial Day weekend. I can't wait to be on the lake again. Last time was last August, too, too long.

Does anyone have an emery board?

That question was asked by Shirl about 400 times while we were in New York. The night before we left Shirl spent the night at our house and asked for an emery board which I promptly and dutifully provided. What happened to that one? We will never know.

New York City ROCKS! I had heard stories about how rude and unfriendly New Yorkers are. These stories came from people who have never spent time with my Uncle Pete, a native New Yorker. Uncle Pete, his lovely wife Mary Jo and her daughter Sara met us for dinner on Tuesday evening. Our reservation was for 7pm. The conversation was lively and non-stop, dinner was incredible and meeting Sara was a bonus. And I only spilled one glass of wine! Before we knew it, we looked up and we were literally the only table left in the joint. It was after 11 and it felt like we had just arrived. Never enough time when you're with people you love. And Uncle Pete's cocktail of choice is scotch on the rocks. Sound familiar? I'm sure he and Rick would get along fabulously!

We managed to do just about everything on our list. The day we went to the Statue of Liberty the wind chill factor was zero. I should have dressed like I do for Bears games. We were all chilled to the bone. But we braved the wicked winds of New York Harbor to see Lady Liberty in all her magnificent glory. Quite a spectacular site. And Shirl even climbed the 156 steps to the base of the statue. Not bad for a 74 year old broad with a bad knee. We never made it to the Empire State Building due to cloudy and overcast skies. Seemed pointless. We also passed on the carriage ride in Central Park because it was just too damned cold. New York City is generally 10-15 degrees warmer than Chicago, just not when we were there. What's up with that?!

To view all the pictures from our New York adventure, click here.

Countdown to NYC

Less than 24 hours from now Karla, Shirl and I will be in the Big Apple! We have lots of shopping and sightseeing planned for Monday ending with dinner at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill. Tuesday we are up and out early to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty followed by some Little Italy action. Dinner is at Ben Benson's Steakhouse with my Uncle Pete and his wife Mary Jo. I haven't seen Uncle Pete in 6 1/2 years. Needless to say there will be some catching up over cocktails of course. The real New York experience is Wednesday. Lunch at Tavern on the Green, a matinee performance of "The Producers" on Broadway, a Central Park carriage ride and we'll top it off with sushi at Koi. Yes, we are taking Shirley for sushi but we did make sure there were some cooked items on the menu. Fortunately, she is not hard to please when it comes to food. And finally a little more shopping Thursday morning with lunch at the famous Stage Deli before heading back to Chicago. At least it is supposed to be warmer here when we get back. I should have some good bloggin' material when I return. Four days with my mother will just about guarantee that.