Home sweet home...

I MADE IT.

There were several points on Sunday I had no idea when I'd be home, but we'll get to that story later. I've wanted to show some pictures of the trail near our house, so here are a few of those. The day was absolutely beautiful.





I'm ready to spend the first Fall in our "new" house. I can only imagine how great it will look when all of the trees lining the main road of the neighborhood change colors. OOOooooo, pretty pretty.

Before I went to Chicago I got the urge to chop off my hair. I didn't know how short I wanted to go - because most of you know how short my hair has been. Back in May I tried a new stylist closer to home, but for this cut I went back to my tried and true 'do gal. I knew she would give me something cute and fun, and she did not disappoint. My only requirements were 1) something that's shorter, and 2) something that takes 5-10 minutes, tops. This is what she whipped up...

LOOOVE IT. So much easier to do in the morning, and it looks super cute if I just scrunch it with some moouse, too, since my hair is naturally wavy. Apparently it's the "Victoria Beckham" look...cute cut, same first name, it's all good.

Chicago was a crazy whirlwind and a half. I went equipped with my company credit card, my work laptop, my flight details, an appetite ready to try new restaurants, an open mind trying not to get too stressed, and too much luggage for United Airlines. I had a big suitcase, a small one for bathroom items, my laptop bag, my backpack with camera and other things stuffed in it, and my purse. My back hurts just thinking about it.

You can imagine how I felt when I was told only one carry-on and a personal item were allowed. I think I knew that, but just forgot. I almost started to cry thinking of how I'd have to leave some items behind, or check them separately with a stinkin' fee, and everything carry-on was electronic/fragile (there went the "DON'T GET OVERWHELMED" mentality). Somehow I stuffed my purse into my already-stuffed bookbag and went on my way.


A bunch of us received gift baskets from my boss, which was very sweet. With our schedules, though, I didn't get to eat any of it. Everyday was 16 hours or longer, NON-STOP. Our schedule was: get up, get ready, grab a yogart or pastry on-the-go, get on shuttle or taxi to the convention center (don't even get me started on Chicago taxi drivers), stand and rush around for eight-ish hours, get the shuttle back to hotel, change and figure out what's for dinner, end up eating a huge meal around nine or ten o'clock, walk back to the hotel around 11 or 12 at night, and try not to go to bed on a full stomach.

On the other hand, it was great to meet so many people. We had a ton of laughs, a great time at the show (it's a machine and tooling show, btw), and I even got to do some shopping for cute clothes. Awesome memories. Bad news: I didn't take that many pictures because I didn't want to lug my camera around, and even though I had my P&S it was too dark by the time I had any photo ops. One thing I really wanted a picture of was Hotel Whacker. I kid you not. Here is a picture of my snazzy show suit...




I did manage a Hard Rock visit on Friday night. HR was the one place I wanted to go. I had to get my collectible bear and a collectible glass for a girl at work, so I got a group to go along. And to get a glass cheaper than buying it in the gift shop, I got a big ole' pilsner glass full of Pina Colada...mmmm. We almost missed our reservations because a few of us lost track of time shopping, and then a cab driver took us to the HR Hotel instead of the restaurant. Putting the two near each other would be WAY too easy - they had to be NINE BLOCKS APART. Luckily, the waitress had our backs and let us keep the reservation.

On Saturday, a bus brought a group from work to the show. Dan signed up for the bus, so he got to see our monstrous booth and take some pictures for me. We had lunch and I gave him some of my luggage so I'd be a little lighter on the trip home.

Of course, we can't forget about my trip home. My flight was scheduled for 1:15 Chicago time. Long story short, we all got on (and shortly off) the plane TWICE. The first time was the result of Chicago's rain - all planes were grounded for a little while. The second time was because Cincinnati was having a wind storm and lost power. After the second time, I hit up Starbuck's and went on a search for the only power outlet in the place. Seriously. I shared a wall with some guy, had my cookie and latte while surfing the net, and I was doing mighty fine.

Finally, they canceled the flight altogether. DANG IT. I called the travel agent with work and let her know the scoop, and asked WHAT THE #&*% I should do. Not in those words of course, more in the tone of "I'm about to break down and cry in the three-hour-long customer service line because I just want to get home." She couldn't find anymore flights that night, so I would have to find a hotel and fly out the next day. I said screw flying and decided to rent a car, so the agent got me one right away and I got out of that airport!

...Not before I realized that I had luggage! I went to the baggage claim desk only to find out that somehow my luggage would be on a 7:30p flight to Cincinnati. I couldn't get my luggage personally, it was going to my destination with or without me. BUT THERE ARE NO MORE FLIGHTS BECAUSE CINCINNATI HAS NO ELECTRICITY. A woman in line behind me started to tell me how it was going to be okay, but it wasn't. I don't like to be told what I can and can't do, especially in an unfamiliar place.

So here I am...bawling in the airport, without my luggage, breaking my shoulder with my laptop bag and purse (good thing I gave Dan my backpack and gift basket when he came the day before / bad thing I wasn't on that bus ride too), and I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET TO THE RENTAL CAR LOTS. Geesh. No power outlets, and now the signs may as well be in a foreign language.

Once I figured it all out, got my rental car, and got on the highway, I was in control. I still had to call Dan to figure out all the detours for me (thanks a million!), but I was jamming and on my way home. About seven hours later, and after midnight, I finally got to see some of the wind damage and fallen trees. We were very fortunate - our patio table and umbrella broke, but we never lost power or any trees. I figured I had endured so much crap traveling that I was given some grace in the electricity and damage department.

Grocery shopping wasn't too productive tonight, though. Everything in the grocery fridge and freezer sections was gone, so I could only get pantry and fruit/veggie items. No problem because we have a freezer full of meat already and we'll do pasta or other items. It's just terrible for the people that still don't have power, or have experienced wind damage. We'll see what the next few days bring.

This weekend my department is moving to a new location about two or three miles away, so we're packing up our cubicals. Friday we'll get to see the new offices and have training on the phone systems. First day MONDAY! Dan and I won't be working in the same office anymore and we'll have to drive separately unless we try a drop-off scenario. I'm sure I'll be back at the plant often, especially until I get some of my responsibilities figured out between the two locations.

Change, change, change - embrace it. iTunes has been serenading me with some good music tonight, but now chatting and music time is done. Here's to Fall, and the wedding of Lisa and Justin that we'll be capturing on Saturday...