July 10, 2006 - Chicago, Day 1

{Warning: This is really long and boring!!! Read at your own risk!}

Brad and I had the opportunity to go to Chicago with Gene, Linda, and Alicia for an outdoor furniture pre-market so we jumped at the chance. What a blessing to have the opportunity to visit Chicago and see what a furniture market looks like!

Brad and I woke up at 5:30 am to make our 7:30 flight. (Gene, Linda, and Alicia flew out on Sunday.) We had a direct flight thankfully! We left the house 15 minutes later than we had planned…but since we didn’t check any luggage (aren't you guys so proud of me?!) and had already printed our boarding passes it didn’t take too long to check in once we got to the airport.

The flight was good except that we didn’t get to sit together (stinkin’ Southwest Airlines with no assigned seats!) and we left my favorite white sweater on the plane (bummer!).

We made it to Chicago safely and figured out the train ticket machines after it finally stopped spitting our money out. We caught the right trains. We didn't get pick pocketed on the train (it has happened to Gene twice on previous visits). We got to see some interestingly dressed people, too!

We saw parts of the Merchandise Mart (oh my goodness, it is so huge!). We changed clothes in the room and went to the Lloyd/Flanders showroom and ate lunch. Quite yummy! We ate sandwiches, fruit, chips, and really awesome homemade coffee cake and muffins.

We did lots of standing, walking, drinking water (there is no DP in the Windy City!!), eating candy (they all put candy out for people to eat), meeting new people, greeting acquaintances (I am forgettable so most people that I have already met didn't know me), and trying out chairs (I did the "short person test" since they are all really freakishly tall).

After the showrooms closed, we headed over to Devon’s Seafood & Grill for dinner with one of the reps. While we were waiting for everyone to arrive, we hung out in the bar area downstairs, ate bread, drank water, took some pictures (some of the few that I have because the camera messed up shortly thereafter), and chatted about our favorite finds of the day.

The food was delicious! Brad and I shared the Maine Lobster Bisque and a sampler type seafood plate. The dessert was even better. The five of us shared the Vanilla Creme Brulee and the Cheesecake.

After dinner, we walked back to the hotel. We had a really great conversation about "The Chica School" (really "The Chicago School" but it was lit up "The Chica School”). I had asked them which schools were in Chicago since one of my Bible study girls is living in Chicago and I forgot which school she attends. Gene noticed the school and said, "Look, there’s the Chica School." We all laughed and Brad looked at it and said "It looks like Chica and then a "g" and I can't see..." We all laughed and said “It’s The Chicago School!” Good times, good times!!

I am in the land of Oprah...how cool! Here it is 11:30 pm and I am watching Oprah on TV! Debt Diet, Part I! (I don't agree with Oprah at times…I pray that she will find Christ and use the influence that she has for God's glory...but I do enjoy her show on occasion.)

What a day!!
In a city all lit up…
Fast paced…
Fun…
Cool weather…
Beautiful flowers everywhere...
Little bistros...
Restaurants...
Hotels...
Skyscrapers...
Tons of people out...
Good conversation with family and friends...
Surrounded by laughter…

{I will add Chicago Day 2 & 3 next week when we get back from the mission trip. Brad and I will be gone till next Saturday! Please pray for the whole group while we are gone! Pray that hearts will be open and that God will shine through us! Please also pray for safety as Nuevo Laredo & Laredo are very dangerous areas right now. Thanks!}