A First For Me........... I decided to have a little adventure since my husband is off in KS. so what do you think I came up with? Well, I don't know how many of you have found thepioneerwoman.com, but she is so cool! So I pre-ordered her cookbook as soon as I found out I could and then began to check out her book tour. What do you know, she was in Chicago! So I talked my Mom into going with me, bought the Amtrak tickets, called a friend of Mom's in Chicago and started getting excited! Since it was Misty's birthday we thought we'd let her and Cherish (my little sister) in on the fun too. 
The Depot was so cool, such neat old woodwork and so quaint. Not to mention the beautiful roses still bravely blooming. 
Waiting for our train................ 
Aren't these benches just the sweetest things? I think I've found a new cool place for a photo shoot, do you think they'd be impressed? 
These girls were pretty excited........ 
I think I'm so tickled to know that the Mary Kay girl didn't think I looked like I could have 6 kids.....bad news..I think I'm her next target for a call to try and talk me into making some extra cash..now how would I have anytime to even entertain such a thought? She obviously has never had a house full of kiddos. It was funny to meet this girl who Mom and I found very interesting as she gave her sales pitch to another girl over the phone, she was only 19 and earned her MaryKay car in 15 days! Unbelievable! Then we started talking to her and here she is going to school with a girl from our area that we know...small world. 
Sue our dear friend who just took over and led us in the right directions..made this train with only 30 seconds to spare ;) I've never been on a double decker....pretty cool. 
Out to dinner at a sweet little Italian restaurant where the waiter brought Misty her birthday treat. 
Then let the fun began! On to what we came for, and thank goodness Dear Sue had went and pulled numbers for us that morning, or I'm afraid we'd have been there until midnight. As it was being number 38 and 39 we waited for about an hour. It was so cool though to see Ree in person, although after I had my few minutes with her I thought of all kinds of other things I wished I have asked. So if you think she does everything, I did find out she has a cleaning service come in once a wk. but don't ask me how she blogs, homeschools and cooks and everything else she seems to work in. She said she doesn't do everything, like her closets, well whoopie doo, I don't do half what she does and my closets still want to hide. 
And yes I made her work.......I took 7 books, I wanted a few on hand for gifts and I already had four people that I know will love them. Then I ended up trading one of my signed ones with a girl because they were from MI. and number 200 and something and were going to have to leave without getting their books signed, I think we made their day. 
I've got my Mom hooked on her too now, and I think we might just have to go stay at the Lodge and teach her a few things, and maybe learn a few :) 
While waiting in line, here came her little boys Bryce and Todd to sign books. Todd said "could I just sign a T and a 5"? I said sure, he was so tired. I felt so sorry for Ree's husband and boys. You could tell the boys were shot, if I'd have been by myself I'd have hauled them off to read stories, but our friend was waiting. 
And yea, I was actually brave enough to get Marlboro Man's signature too. He had disappeared while I was getting Ree to sign my books so I thought I'd just missed my chance, but when I got to the top of the escalator and looked back down there he was, so off I went, I thought Iz would think it was cool too. He seemed like a good man. Ree said he's not perfect, but perfect for her, now isn't that sweet? 
Back to Sue's where we had every comfort we could want. Mom and I shared a king bed, so we had a chance to visit until late, which is a rare thing now days with no interruptions. 
The waterfalls at the entrance to Sue's neighbor hood. 
Downtown Chicago! On Friday then we were up bright and early so we could see some sights. We surprised the girls and took them to the American Doll Place. Sue helped buy them both a doll, they were so happy! 
No I didn't get to go here, but next time I shall make it a priority! 
The mall was so pretty~and they were putting all these lovely decorations all around the whole city. I'd love to go back and see it all lit up for Christmas 
We had fun browsing the Williams Sonoma store...........such lovely ideas 
How's that for a Christmas table? 
Havin' fun with some mirrored buildings...........Misty was so worried that we would get left behind as the others walked on. Maybe she knew her mother didn't have a clue where we were. 
Then back to the train we went, and the girls immediately unpacked their dolls and started playing with their hair. It was a great trip, a pleasant diversion while my Man is away. I just hate this being alone stuff. Gives me great compassion for single Moms or widows, I don't know what they must do to kill time or entertain kids. God's grace has to flow in great abundance, at least it would have to for me or we'd all crash! I've gotten some fun things done around here though, so even though the house wasn't scrubbed from top to bottom, I did accomplish some things that I've wanted to do for a long time...as soon as Iz gets my camera back I'll fill you in on those. You all have a wonderful Sunday, and treasure the time you have with your Man, don't let the moments be taken for granted all the time! Blessings, Jess | 
