The Rents

Adam's parents left us last Thursday. We had a great visit with them. Last Wednesday Adam and I both had the day off so we were able to hang out with his parents all day. We had brunch and then set out to run some errands. Adam needed to go to four Pier 1 stores to get some stuff for one of his customers. We also went to buy some wine to fill up our new wine cooler that my parents got us as an early Christmas present. Later that evening we went to a Czech restaurant to have an early Thanksgiving dinner. It was good. On Thursday Adam headed back to Indiana and his parents spent a few more days in Chicago with some of their friends.

It was great having Adam's parents around. It gets kind of lonely in this apartment sometimes, so it was nice to have them here. We will see them again when we go on our annual ski trip to Colorado this winter.

I'm Back

Hi Everyone! I apologize for my absence. It has been a busy few weeks. I will try to catch up over the next few days.

Fun

The last three days were fun. Adam got into town late Thursday night. Friday morning we got up and decided to head to Ikea before I had to go to work. We picked up two dressers that match the bed we got this summer. Adam put the dressers together while I worked. When I got home, he had dinner waiting for me. It was nice to come home and have someone here.

Saturday morning we got up and ran some errands before Adam's parents arrived. We headed downtown with them and went to the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art). It was interesting. The featured exhibit was a little strange. The artist used huge panels of LED lights and the information streaming across the screens was about the current war. The lights were arranged to represent different shapes. Adam's mom (Karen) and I both got a little sick from the lights. It was kind of like being in a room with strobe lights.

After we got done at the museum we wandered down Michigan Ave. It was a stupid thing to do. There were so many people. We went to the Apple Store and stopped by Tiffany's. Adam lasted about 30 seconds inside Tiffany's. He decided that would be a perfect time to head outside and make a reservation for dinner. I thought maybe he might look at some rings.

We went to Indie Cafe, which is two blocks from our apartment. The sushi was awesome. We came home and played Chicago Trivia. I really sucked at it in the beginning and slowly got better. I almost beat Adam's dad (Stephen), but he got me in the end.

This morning my parents took the train to Chicago and my parents finally met his mom. We had a little snack at a cafe and then went to The Art Institute. Then we came back to our apartment and Karen made a great meal. After dessert Adam headed back to Nappanee with my parents.

It was nice to have a fun weekend with no real schedule. Adam and I had a great time with our parents today. This was our last weekend off together before the busy holiday season begins. We needed the slow pace of the weekend. Adam's parents will be here until Thursday or Friday. Adam will be back on Tuesday night and we both have Wednesday off. I am not sure what we will do.

Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride

My brother's fiance Jen asked me to be a bridesmaid in their wedding. Of course I said yes. I got to spend a little bit of time with my brother and Jen on Thursday night. CJ and I drove home from the hospital on Thursday night and I wanted to ask him a bunch of questions about the wedding so I told him if I asked too many questions he should tell me to shut up. He was cool and we had a good time talking about the wedding planning. He even asked me a few questions about some of the aspects of the wedding. It was fun to watch the two of them talk about the wedding and the planning.

Radiators

This is my first apartment that uses radiators to provide heat. I have always lived in homes/apartments that have thermostats and used forced air. It is really weird. These radiators make so much noise. Adam loves radiators and I can't figure out why. Since the radiators are so noisy, I don't have the one in the bedroom open. I have all the other radiators in the house open to compensate for the one in the bedroom being closed. I'm sure I will get used to them eventually.

Home Again

I am back in Chicago and freezing my butt off. I arrived back in the city yesterday afternoon after a very slow train ride. The South Shore train was 30 minutes late and the first 30 miles we went about 10 miles an hour. The train couldn't get an traction on the tracks because of the rain. When I got to the apartment I had to turn on all the radiators and it took a while to warm up.

My dad is doing well. They released him from the hospital on Friday night. The doctor gave him a new prescription, so keep your fingers crossed that it works. He was feeling well yesterday when I left and was spending the afternoon watching football and relaxing.

I slept for 10 hours last night. I totally needed it. Thursday and Friday night I slept at my parents house. They have 2 dogs (George and Gordon) and a cat (Midas). Since both my parents were gone on Thursday night, the animals were a little lost. George and Midas were ok, but Gordon annoyed me. He didn't sleep very much. He spent most of the night 2 inches from my face and was constantly waking me up. Since my dad was home on Friday night, it was a little bit better, but the dogs still annoyed me. I probably only got 7 hours of sleep over the course of both nights.

Since Adam is staying at my parents house you would probably think we got to spend a lot of time together. That was not the case. He worked and I spent lots of time at the hospital. We did go see a movie on Friday night. Pride and Glory was very good. Adam and I rarely go to movies at the theatre so this was a nice treat for us.

I have to head back to work today. We have our annual holiday meeting tonight so it should be interesting. Adam's parents and brother will be here at the end of the week. I have lots to do to get the house ready.

Dad

I am currently in South Bend with my dad, who is in the hospital. He has had heart problems in the past. What happens is his heart goes out of normal rhythm. He has been taking medicine to control it and it seems like his body had built up an immunity to the medicine. He has been at the hospital twice already this week. When is happened again this morning, I felt the need to come back to Indiana. Luckily Adam was on his way back and I was able to hitch a ride with him. My mom had plans to go out of town this weekend and I felt like I needed to be here with him. Hopefully the doctors can get this figured out. Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.

August 29th

The church, the dj, the photographer and the reception site are booked. August 29th my brother and his finace will be married. How exciting!!!!!!!

So Much To Do, So Little TIme

Adam and I are officially moved out of our Indiana apartment. We affectionately called this our summer home. It was a very rough week for both of us. There was lots of driving back and forth and making countless trips up and down the stairs. Now our apartment here in the city is a MESS. There are boxes everywhere and I am not sure where we are going to put everything.

Adam's parents are coming for a visit later this month. They are driving here from Colorado and bringing us the most beautiful dining room table. It will look awesome in our dining room if I can get the boxes moved out. After Adam's parents come to visit, his brother is going to be visiting. My parents have met Adam's dad but not his mom, so my parents will come to Chicago at some point in time to see them.

Today is my day off. All I want to do is lay on the couch and watch TV and do nothing, but I really need to get some stuff done. I have no clue where all this stuff is going to go.

Wedding Bells Will Ring

I have some exciting news to share.......my baby brother CJ asked his girlfriend Jen of 7 years to marry him. I am so excited for these two. I have had to keep this secret for the last month and it has been very hard. My brother gave me the honor of helping him pick out the ring. It was a fun hour for my mom and I. CJ was very clueless and of course my mom and I were more than happy to help him spend his money. He picked a beautiful ring from Hopmans. He has been hanging on to it for a while, waiting for the perfect moment.

My brother is a bow hunter and has a tree stand set up in the woods behind Jen's parents house. He came across a tree one day that had a heart carved into it. The heart says ?? loves ??. CJ carved "Will you marry me" into the tree and that is how he proposed. Isn't that romantic???? When I told Adam about how CJ was going to propose, his response was "That poor tree". He is so silly.

I am so happy for Jen and CJ to begin their lives together. They have lived apart for a very long time. CJ went to school in Muncie and Jen went to school in Indianapolis. After college CJ got a job in Mishawaka and Jen went to grad school in Chicago. Jen is finishing up school and they will get to see each other on a regular basis.

My brother and I had a rocky relationship growing up. It has been so neat to see him grow up and become a man. I am so fortunate to be able to call this wonderful person my brother and my friend. It is also great that I will be gaining a sister. I can't wait to see these two grow together.

Congratulations Jen and CJ. I love you both dearly!!!!!