Sunday, November 8, 2009

Chicago! And Give-A-Way


Taking a trip to Chicago was a nice break for me. Hell is full and Florida must be in the running to house the overflow because it’s been so freakin’ hot here, the birds are flying back north for the winter! When I found out it was 41 degrees in The Windy City (5 Celsius) I was so excited. I was gonna be cold and see some real trees with fall leaves!!! We have trees in Florida but they aren’t “real” trees, they’re palm trees, some mutant pines called – Australian Pines (which I never saw in Australia, by the way) and some wretched excuses for oak trees. Pathetic foliage in The Sunshine State, if you ask me. Kudzu and Florida Holly (HA!) seem to grow with abandon as does the fabulous St. Augustine grass or as everyone else knows it, CRAB GRASS!



Oh, shit! I’ve lost the thread, haven’t I? Back to my trip to Chicago. It was blissfully cool, not quite cold, but cool. I could shower and walk from the bath to the bedroom without sweating like a Sumo wrestler. I got to wear jeans with boots and an actual sweater as Ron escorted me around the city and I was actually comfortable!


The city of Chicago reminds me of New York City but ratcheted down a couple levels. Not as crazy as NYC but close. I spend some time people watching on the corner of State Street and Randolph while Ron was taking care of some business. (He didn’t just leave me on the corner; I chose to be outside near Borders and a lovely teashop.) I was amused by the brazenness of the city pigeons and bike messengers. Both seem to have death wishes. Although, I pondered the possibility of breeding a pigeon to a bike messenger and coming up with the fastest, most insane (and ugly!) creature on earth.


The Chicago theatre district was cool. My tour guide(s) were excellent at pointing out landmarks and things of interest. I ate a bagel in the Thompson Center where scenes from the movie “Running Scared” were filmed. (Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines – hysterically funny!) The Navy Pier, of course is a “must see” but as I was told, it’s much busier and more exciting during the summer. I can understand that. Inside was a fantastic stained glass exhibit and outside on the lake, there was a very cool ship sailing by as you can see. From the Pier, you can look across Lake Michigan to Gary, Indiana. WOW! The weather was beautiful for the most part. I got to see plenty of trees getting dressed in their autumn finery during our walk near Northwestern University. My, my, some of those college guys looked good enough to eat with a spoon. Yummy!




Not only did I see Ron on this trip but I got to see an old friend from the Nickelback message boards that I’d seen a couple years ago. Wild and her daughter, Wilder came to have lunch and chat. Wild is younger than me and DAMN! Is she GORGEOUS! She looks even better than when we met in Florida. She is a good, funny, friend who happens to be an incredible writer. Her poems, to me, are legendary. Ages ago, she wrote a poem that was so damn erotic, I was embarrassed when I was all squirmy and aroused at the end finding out she was writing about a fucking DONUT! Neither of us saved the poem and I’ll be eternally pissed off about that. Oops! I’m off in the weeds again, sorry. Srsly, she is a great writer, I just wish she’d do it more often.

Wild, Wilder and I had a nice lunch and chat. Wilder is a teenager so she texted most of the time but is a really nice and very funny kid. It was really wonderful to see Wild again. I’m going to say it again; Nickelback fans are the absolute best people – EVER!

All in all, I had an absolutely wonderful trip. I couldn’t have asked for better people to see Chicago with and to have a needed holiday with. It was relaxing, exciting, fun and peaceful – at the same time. I’m glad I went.
Thank you, Ron and Wild. Love you both!  MmmmmmWAH!

*******************




My “Better Late Than Never” Breast Cancer Awareness Give-a-way!

I’m going to run this until December 1, 2009. I’m posting it here (Shhh! My blog is secret) on Facebook and on Twisted Pleasures.

Leave a comment. That’s all you have to do. One comment, one entry. If you want to get three (3) additional entries, donate $5.00 to my daughter’s team for the South Florida Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to be held January 30, 2010.

I’ll put all the comments from all three locations into a random draw at Random.org and let the winner know by an announcement on each location.

Here’s what you get:

A “placemat” purse made by ME! This is a Ralph Lauren placemat made into a purse. It’s lined in a soft green with two slip pockets inside. Oxidized silver handles with a rose quartz breast cancer ribbon charm as the closure. The purse is approximately 13” x 7.5” x 4”. Handle drop is approximately 14.25”.  Recycle in style, baby!

Four handmade glycerin Victorian rose heart soapies. They each measure 2 x 2 x 1/2 approximately. These soaps are made of pure vegetable glycerin soap and enriched with Aloe and Vitamin E. The scents and colorants I use are skin safe as well. Lavender scent. From Agony’s Decay at Etsy.

A 6 oz 100% SOY, TRIPLE SCENTED, LEAD FREE WICK Pink Sugar scent candle in a blue tin from Redneck Candles at Etsy.

A sample of 96% Organic Lavender Oil-Free Hydrating Serum from Spa Goddess at Etsy.

Organic Lavender & Aloe soothe & aid the regeneration of skin cells.
Use this ultra-healing Lavender serum as a soothing, lightly moisturizing, clarifying facial treatment.
Scent is richly Lavender with a subtle hint of apricot.
Lavender & Aloe soothe Rosacea and help heal & prevent blemishes. Clarifies pores for a cleaner, more refined appearance.
Apply a thin layer of Lavender Oil-Free Hydrating Serum after cleansing & toning. Use a facial spritz such as Angel Face Botanicals Lavender Mist to achieve an even application and follow with moisturizer. This serum will enhance your moisturizers therapeutic, emollient properties. For oilier skin try using the serum in place of moisturizer, or mixing it with a little bit of moisturizer.

A glass tube of Black Cherry scented incense with holder, Sephora “Precious Pink” lip gloss, Breast Cancer Awareness Rubber Duckie, a cool key fob (also made by ME!), a stuffed Breast Cancer Awareness teddy bear, a Mega-Mite waterproof vibrator, Dust Me Pink, edible body powder with feather duster in Barely Berry, a “surprise” goody bag and a ceramic “Thanks A Bunch” plaque.

Okay, get commenting (and donating, if you can and/or want to!)  THANKS!



10 blew out from under the bed:

Ron said...

Oh boy...I've waiting for this post!

Your photos are awesome! And thanks for sharing the one of the Chicago Theater because it's one of my favorite landmarks. And being a fellow Floridian wasn't it great to visit a place where you don't SWEAT?? Glory alleluia! I've never been to Chicago, so it's interesting to hear that it reminded you a bit of NYC. I've heard from everyone who visits, it's one of the nicest cities they've ever been too.

Hey...and BRAVA on your give-a-way! You've got that cool-looking purse filled with some VERY cool-looking and smelling stuff.

Thanks for sharing, Sis!

Enjoyed this post!

X

Indi said...

I love your photos, as I've never actually been to either place, although I've lived in Texas for 1 year way back when I was sweet 16. I love the Autumn (fall) with all those gorgeous colours, and wintery smells on the way. I would love to donate, living in England how do I go about it? Cute babe too. Oh..tell a lie, I've been to Chicargo airport briefly..just the airport!! But I was 16years old so my memory aint that good.. I want to enter your give-a-way. xoxo

Fire Byrd said...

Lovely to read about what a good time you had.
You both deserved it.
xx

Akelamalu said...

WOW sounds like a great trip and I love the photos. :)

Jackie Adshead said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time, and thanks for telling us about it!

TAG said...

Nice photos. Plus the stuff in the purse sounds very cool.

TAG

Autumn said...

i'm so pleased and excited that you got to meet Ron and take a trip to somewhere seasonal. my guardian mom (i call her churchlady) lives in Holiday and is always bugging me to take a trip down there. someday i might actually have the cash to do it! so, all i have to do is leave a comment? right here? to win cool stuff? you fucking rock lady!

i'm so happy you had a good trip. i would love to sponsor your daughter. spring leads to money flow for me. i will do what i can. :)

Marimoy said...

Your trip sounds like it was so fun. I haven't been there yet. I went to southern Illinois instead. Still not sure why, but it was pretty!

Oh, and even though the gift sounds nice, I am just dropping in from Regretsy and having fun reading. I would probably miss any announcement. You can give my entry to someone else!

Real Live Lesbian said...

I kinda need a new feather duster! ;)

Huguette En said...

I enjoy reading your blog :) That for the chance at winning this nice prize!