Update From Glenview

April 29, 2010

As we write this blog, we understand why Chicago is known as "The Windy City." We are in the living room where my computer sits with the windows wide open since it is such a beautiful day. Papers are flying everywhere and it looks like a bomb just went off in here. We are waiting to pick them all up when we are finished and leaving this room. Who knows if we will find them all. It is in the 70's with sunshine and low humidity, so just great. Wish we were at a Cubs game today. I don't even know if they are playing here this afternoon. I was out this morning for quite a while on a trip to the library. We took out about 6 books, a few for us, and 3 for my brother. He is into an author by the name of Orson Scott Card and loves the ones he has read so far. We took out one too to try. Hope we like it as much as he does. We had something happen to us in the library parking lot that frequently occurs. We parked in a handicapped space and before my mom could deploy the ramp a car pulled into the yellow lines next to us and parked. We asked him to please move his car as we could not get out with him there. He was quite annoyed saying he was waiting for someone to come out. My mom looked at him and said, " and ....?" He begrudgingly moved his car and we went in to the library. Then ... when we were walking to the car, ANOTHER person pulled into the same double lined space. This time a woman in a flashy convertible on her cell phone. We approached her as she was getting out of her car and asked her to please pull out of that space. She said "I will only be a few minutes. Just going in to drop something off." We just stood there, dumbfounded and finally my mom could speak again. She said, I mean right now! Another indignant sigh and expression of disgust looked back at us. So much for a relaxing trip to the library. We used to think the North Shore was a pretty nice place to live, but lately, we are beginning to agree with my dad who has wanted to move away from here for a very long time. We hate to say and think that as this has been our home for 25 years. Very sad ... This was not supposed to be a depressing blog and we apologize. Just felt the need to get it out there and maybe someone will read this and pass the thought to another and another, to be a little more considerate and think about someone other than yourself. That's it! Actually, the people who are reading this blog are our friends and do not behave like this. They are not the ones who need to read this rant.

On a lighter note, we have had a good week. We had lunch with very good friends on Monday and Tuesday, so that was the highlight so far. My dad is working on our minivan right now trying to repair the sliding door handle, so we are stuck here for awhile. I think we will go out for a walk soon. We are still trying to figure out how to post pictures, but have not gotten too far yet. We were able to change the colors, so that is the first step.

Hope everyone has a great day. We look forward to reading the blogs we love so much!

Fun With Friends!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Yesterday was a really great day because I got to visit with my friend, Elizabeth who was in town from Washington D.C. It was really nice to see her and I am so happy she took the time to come over. She was only here for 2 days and has a big family who wanted to spend time with her too. I have known Elizabeth since kindergarten and she is a true friend. She is very funny too and always has lots of stories to share with us. We have had quite the adventures over the years and Elizabeth was actually the first person from school to invite me over to play at her house. She and her sister, Alison fought over who got to push me in my wheelchair. I will never forget that. Then, there was the time at Pleasant Ridge during gym class that she was my helper and ran into the brick wall with me. I bumped my head and she was way more upset than anyone else. She needed the nurse more than I did! We always used to go Trick or treating together and we would go to this one house in my neighborhood where the man gave us huge Hershey Bars. We never missed his house! We love to talk about those days so much. I miss her a lot now that she lives and works in D.C. and has quite a busy and exciting life. So, Elizabeth, if you get to read this, this is dedicated to you!

Today my friends from Oakton came over for lunch and we had a great time too. Lots of laughing and talking and of course, eating! Wish everyday could be filled with these activities. Until next time ...

Beautiful Saturday in Chicago

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Today was a very busy day, just how I like it! Also, the sun was shining and it was cool and dry. Perfect. This morning my family and I went to a birthday party for Ben, who turned 2 today. He is the son of friends of my brother and also of mine and my parents. It was a lot of fun to see 20 2 year olds in action. The party was held at the Takiff Center in Glencoe. What a beautiful setting and spot by Lake Michigan. The kids had lots of cars to ride in and then food and cupcakes after that. Also a surprise visit from "Elmo" (who was really Ben's Dad, but we didn't tell him!) My brother even had his picture taken with Elmo. It was pretty funny to see a 6'4" guy with Elmo! We were there for Ben's first birthday too, so it is fun to see the changes in him in a year. By the time his third birthday arrives, he will have a new baby brother. That is exciting too! We drove around in Glencoe on the way home and saw some beautiful homes. Would be neat to live there! After lunch, we watched some of the Bulls game, but they were not looking too good. They ended up losing the first playoff game, which did not surprise us. Then we went swimming at the Park Center in the warm water therapy pool and hot tub. We saw two of our friends there too. Just finished dinner and watched part of an old James Bond movie, "From Russia With Love." Not quite like the new version with Daniel Craig! Checked the e-mail and Facebook to read the latest and then decided to post on my blog. Tomorrow my friend, Elizabeth, whom I have known since kindergarten is going to be in town from Washington D.C. and she is coming over to visit. I can't wait to see her. I love weekends like this where there is a lot going on. No time to get bored. Talk to you soon!

Second Blog

April 15, 2010

Well, I am back and hope people will be able to find this. My mom tried and tried with no success and we finally enlisted the help of my brother who got us this far. He also showed us how to post it on my Facebook page so hope you can all find it there. This is short today but we are still not convinced it is working right. We will be back!

My Very First Blog

April 14, 2010

Today marks the very first day of my blog. This is a brand new thing for me, and also my mom, who is my facilitator. I have only read a couple of blogs before, one done by my friend, Jessica and another by my friend, Courtney. Theirs are great and I hope mine will be coming along quickly! I already love Facebook and am anxious to start a new addition. A few things about me; I love animals, especially cats, cooking and baking, music of all kinds, friends, socializing, shopping, movies, the list goes on and on. I have the best brother in the world too. I really owe the start of my blog to Katie and Chris, who were at my house last night for our regular Barnaby's pizza night, and they suggested I try this one out. This first one will be short, as I want to be sure I am doing this correctly! Thanks again Katie and Chris! You are the best! Talk to everyone soon! Liz