A Quick Chicago Trip - Introduction

We had a wonderful trip to Chicago!

We went to museums.

We ate great food.

We people watched.

It was a great little get away.

I'm working on getting some pictures ready to share with the details. I'll be back with the particulars a little later!

What To Do, What To do...

Husband and I are headed to Chicago for a long weekend.  We're hoping to enjoy each other's company before the school sends him off to his psych rotation in Far-Away-City Mid-West.  

So here's the question...

What should we do while we're there?

I know I want to see some art and eat some really good food and stay centralized around the navy pier/aquarium area, but I have no direction other than that.  So for you ladies from Chicago...

What are some really amazing restaurants (reasonably priced?  We love to try new food!

What museums, parks, stores might you suggest that are out of the ordinary (like the Sears Tower, I've seen it and I'm over it)? 

Where the Weekend Went

Well the boys survived the bachelor party and I kept myself quite busy.  It was a productive weekend and full of hard work.  Here's what I accomplished...

I have a rather large garden that was completely over taken by weeds.  Mother and I spent the day Sunday weeding, rototilling, and planting.  Hopefully in a few weeks I will get lots of fresh veggies!  

But why, you may ask, did we do all of this on Sunday?  What happened to Saturday?  Because of little brothers, that's why.  

My little brother has a problem with his role in this world.  He acts like the world revolves around him.  When the world doesn't bend to his desires immediately things go down hill quickly.

For starters, he invited himself to visit (which would be ok), then he didn't do any work with us after they got here.  The last straw?  He has no respect for my house and thinks that he can smoke where ever he wants.  (Don't even get me started on him smoking.  It is not allowed in my house!)  So mother had to drive him home (3 hours there and back).

I worry about my brother, but if this is how he wants to live his life I am done trying to get involved.  If he wants to live in my mother's basement, for the rest of his life, without a job, so be it!

Shortly after all of this, some serious family drama that no one would ever expect developed with another part of the family. 

Please keep my little brother in your prayers.  

And please keep this other part of my family in your prayers too.  I think things can be reconciled, but every one needs all the help they can get.