2022 So Far!
If you think I haven’t traveled all year you would be wrong. If you think I haven’t traveled outside the US than you would be correct. But that will change very soon! Yes going to make the leap and do the trip to Canada that was planned for April of 2020 and well - Covid. For my first trip to Canada I decided I would head to Montreal and Quebec City - 2 beautiful cities that appear to be almost like visiting France. What’s not to like? Traveling with one of my favorite like-minded friends and we have 17 pages of things we want to do, see and eat. Cheryl keeps asking me how we are going to eat at all the bakeries on our list and my reply is that we will do our best. Canada here we come!
Now a quick recap of the places and fun I’ve had so far. In March a fun family gathering in Florida for my nephew Cam’s wedding. Part one in Tampa for the beautiful wedding of Brooke and Cam. So wonderful to see my kids, siblings and cousins! Many of us then went over to St Petersburg to finish a great week and enjoy more sunshine.
April I headed to Scottsdale for a college girlfriend trip delayed from 2020 hosted by Jan - an incredible planner and memory making genius. We hiked, line danced, ate amazing meals, attempted to golf, lounged at her pool and had a fabulous time with lots of laughs and at least a few fabulous cocktails made by her awesome husband. I stayed a few extra days with my goddaughter and niece Angela in Gilbert and even made a day trip to Tucson to reconnect with a colleague I hadn’t seen in 30 years. Thanks Kassie and Bruce for showing me the highlights of Tucson!
Late April I was invited to Lake Tahoe for a few great days of hiking with my dear friend Liz. I said yes as quickly as possible and had a couple of fabulous days hiking everyday around the beautiful lake at the most perfect time of year. Not crowded, snow covered mountains and clear skies! Thanks Liz!
May was a trip to Kansas City to visit the place I consider my 2nd home. I miss my dear friends, colleagues, my church and all the places I loved to volunteer. It was an action packed week seeing as many friends as possible, happy hours, lunches, dinners, runs and even the fabulous KC Ballet! I will return soon! Thanks for being an amazing host Cheryl💕
July I got to host my super cool friends from KC for a split week - half the time relaxing in Fontana WI in a cozy cottage on Lake Geneva, and the other half doing the city thing in downtown Chicago staying at the fabulous Talbott Hotel. The lake part was super chill. Walking, swimming, browsing cute shops and eating amazing Wisconsin mildly unhealthy food. Is everything fried or dipped in cheese? Pretty much the answer is yes. Then downtown Chicago super action packed. Art Institute to see Cezanne, Art on the Mart digital art projection, run on the lake, champagne cocktails to celebrate Deidre and Cheryl’s birthdays, rooftop cocktails and lots of delicious food. Can’t wait for you all to come again!
August found me on a much anticipated trip to see Anna and Tom in their new home in Raleigh. Such a beautiful city with lots to do in those rolling hills. Close to the beach and close to the mountains. I call that pretty perfect and they seem to agree. We had lots of great food and I did get to the Raleigh Art Museum one day. I do love museums! They also introduced me to Crumbl Cookies! All I can say is WOW! Got a bonus long weekend with them on Sugar Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains too. Our Charlotte cousins joined us which made it even more perfect. We hiked, ate and had a couple of very spirited Yahtzee matches. I even won a game and that’s a first for me for sure. Thanks for a wonderful time Anna and Tom. I can’t wait to return🥰
Who doesn’t love a puppy pic??!! We had 2 dogs with us in the mountains - cousin Bowser and our beloved Penny. Bowser was very interested in Penny but she was definitely playing hard to get.
September was a long overdue get together with my high school friends again postponed due to Covid. We went to the number one destination for girls trips….Nashville! We rented a fabulous house, ate lots of great food, had more than a few cocktails, listened to music at Tootsie’s, and stayed up way too late catching up and laughing at the stories we tell of our great past together. We missed you MK! What happens in Nashville stays in Nashville!
What else have I been keeping busy with you ask? Well training to be an Interpreter for the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust for one. Currently certified to do tours at the Home and Studio here in Oak Park, but training for the Walk Around Oak Park and then perhaps I will expand from there. I really enjoy it. So fun to literally meet people from all around the world and share my love and knowledge of Wright with them. And I have met so many fellow volunteers and staff that are so great and been an incredible source of help to me.
Also tap dancing and performing with Keeley! She is the BEST in class and I’m not the worse😂 Our favorite little buddy Owen came to our recital, brought us flowers and said he liked our sparkly shirts. Is it any wonder he’s our favorite!
I have a new grand dog! Hello Monica! She is a sweetheart and has lots of energy. I have been trusted to dog sit her. High praise.
So that has pretty much been my year so far. Lots to do here in Chicago and I’m fortunate to have fun friends and family to do them with, or go by myself which I don’t have a problem with either. Canada is up soon and then another fun trip in December. Working on 2023. Thanks for reading and now do one other thing for me. Please go get your flu shot and Covid booster! 💕