| | Gasp….pant….wheeze….cough….gasp….pant….
Okay, okay, I think this is a break. I can sit down, right? (Zwie
is z-w-i-e.)
The windy city was great!!
In the midst of crazy, normal life, it’s hard to believe it actually
occurred. It wasn’t a dream? A long, warm dream with naps, time to sleep
in, scrumptious meals, and lots of adult time and still time to read three books?
(Means is m-e-a-n-s.)
[I see Mom vigorously shaking her head. No, definitely not a dream, definitely no
time for dreams. Feed kids, clean up,
help with homework, get kids to bed, get Andy back to bed, get Andy back to bed
again, rock Andy, put Andy back to bed,... get up
already? In fact, a week later, she is
remembering that maybe she needs another nap.]
Actually, the highlight of the whole trip was seeing and
talking to so many people. I know I said
I’m shy, and I am. But I like
people. Even kids. Even the shuttle bus drivers from the
airport. (Really, a stray dog? Did you
catch him?...oh, good….okay) But
conversations, intelligent, stimulating connections with people were
great. I mean, walking—and walking and
walking--around Chicago with my
uncle, and dinner and lunch with my cousins and their families, and a game
night at my aunt’s were so much
fun. And who doesn't like a pedicure, manicure, and makeover? Of course, now I imagine that all
people in big cities live from one excitement to the next.
And we ate lots of fantastic food. My cousins made a delicious Indonesian curry
for us, and we sampled possibly the best Chicago
pizza and steak at a great restaurant. (Sure, Josh can come in and play.) So, after dropping kids off at school after
dentist appointments a couple days ago, I perused the local supermarket for
things like oyster sauce, red curry paste, frozen potstickers, and Japanese
noodles to try to replicate these dishes.
I couldn’t find potstickers and the customer service person I asked said
she didn’t think there was much a demand for them in our area. I am a little amazed at that since I don’t
consider myself the most adventurous eater in existence, and besides the
neighborhood next to ours might possibly be a third Asian. I’m almost positive that the only people I’ve
seen outside when walking/biking there are Asians. Lucia says I have to try an Asian market, and
there are several nearby, but that sounds a little intimidating.
Other than that, life has been the usual nonstop. I had to make 27 treat bags—after buying
everything for them—and make a fruit tray—after purchasing all required
fruit--the day after we came home. Then,
we had the Fall Festival at school, so I was there for half the day. Dentist appointments, prayer group, play
dates, Pampered Chef. Such is the enviable
life of a stay-at-home mom. |
