Hostest With The Mostest

****** Disclaimer: KEVIN THINKS THIS IS THE MOST OFFENSIVE BLOG POST EVER BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE ALL THESE THINGS EXCEPT FOR BOAT RIDE*****

I do live in Chicago, one of the most beautiful, diverse, fun cities in America, but I am slightly ignorant to all it has to offer.   We got here in the Fall last year, and it rained almost every day until winter.  Then it was cold, wet, and miserable.  Finally warm weather came, it was time to go out and have fun.  Unfortunately, at that very instant when warm weather rolled in, my husband left me for the summer :(.  I have done minimal in the way of exploring since he left, since I have no friends out here.  Fortunately, my mother and a few friends decided to come out and entertain me. 

First, My darling Mother come out to see ME this time.  In the past, she stopped by to used my bathroom while still drugged up on Ativan on her way to Southbend to see my sister.  Well she moved, and my mother was worried for my safety, so I conned her into coming out!!!  She was convinced I lived in the roughest, toughest part of the city.  She had planned on not leaving my apartment her entire visit.  I think by the time she left here, Chicago became her favorite city...almost.  She was such a great guest, she went out bike riding, to museums, to the beach, and for walks while I worked, then I came home and we played.

Jackie and I went out and had a night on the town.  We walked all over downtown, and I showed her a little of the not-so-scary side of town.

We checked out Navy Pier and its fireworks

 

We went on Picnics by the lake

Checked out the river.

And of course, we finished each night with a sappy cheesy chick flick! It was so much fun having her come out and spend time with me.

I had a couple days to clean up and regroup, and more fun flew in! After about a  half an hour of looking for Bev and Betsy and driving around and around O'hare airport, I found them waiting in the departure section.  They must have forgot to follow the signs to arrivals.   We then piled in the car and enjoyed a nice LONG drive into the city during rush hour. 

By the time we reached Hyde Park, we were in for a special treat.  All the roads were blocked off, and the cops were crawling everywhere.  My good ol' neighbor decided to come home again and ruin my life again.  Luckily it was only a 1-night ordeal and our president was off the next day, but not after our Bev and Betsy got to experience the motor brigade. 

We were starving that night, and I introduced the girls to a typical Chicago meal

a little deep dish pizza (yes, that is a small)

We loved Giordano's so much, we came back again a few days later!

After ingesting a 1/2 pound of cheese and bread, we watched the sunset and went home, and fell into a food coma immediately.

The next evening I met the girls in the city and we explored Millennium Park (not Centennial Bev) and listened to  a bunch of international Polka while others danced.  After I got asked to dance by a 65 year old playa' I figured it was time to go home. Don't forget, I can't even dance Polka.  I am that white...clear actually.

Just another of us enjoying the bean...it has a name I just can never remember it.

We went to the beach the next morning while Betsy went and watched a play about Poofs. Not my thing.

Then we got cleaned up and went into the city for a boat tour and some fun!

I learned about buildings, but most importantly I learned that Oprah and I are neighbors.

The view of Navy Pier from the water

When we got done, we walked around and checked out the city.

I was on a roll.  I delivered fabulous weather (only a bit muggy), taught them a new language, delivered the President, gave them a pyrotechnical extravaganza, scenic beach time,a beautiful city with a spectacular skyline, breath-taking sunsets, amazing food, even better company, and Shia Labeouf.  (see above...filming of Transformers 3).  I am probably the hostess with the mostest!

after walking around for 3 days straight and wearing out the soles of my feet, and experiencing public transportation for the 2nd time here, we had stomped out most of the city. I must say, I am starting to learn a thing or 2 about this place.  Last stop, Wrigleyville.  Cubs lost.  They got killed, but we enjoyed ourselves, even Bev, who almost got attacked by a hungry man wanting a little Garrett's Popcorn.  You can't blame him, they put crack in it I think.

Now I get to show Kevin all that I learned. He gets back in just a couple days!!!!