Live-ish

Last weekend Erin and I decided we needed a break from the heat and from life-ish. We found a fabulous room in the Gas Lamp Quarter in San Diego, so we jumped in the car and headed outa town-ish.

I guess a little background would make sense.

Exactly one year ago I became officially acquainted with Ms. Erin Dedrick. I think I had met her on previous occasions...I know for sure I watched her play volley ball at GCC when Kim & Caniel (sis-in-law) played there after high school. I just never knew her.

Until a year ago.

When Kim got sick, I felt like I wanted to be there every second...but I was too afraid I would be in the way. I would drive to the hospital...and just sit in the parking lot. I would drive to her house...and just sit down the street. I would sit in my car...cry a lot...drive home...sit in my shower and just sob. I didn't know what to do...I felt so helpless. A lot of the same feelings I had while my mom suffered the same death.

Kim and I became friends in photography class...after her uncle committed suicide, after my mom was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. We formed a bond over our struggle...it was a bond that was never broken. We spent years with little contact, but with one conversation it always seemed we were never apart-ish.

Kim and Erin became friends when they both turned down many full-ride scholarships to play at GCC. They are both amazing players...two of the best. They spent hours on the phone...they truly were besties throughout the 10+ years they spent together. Although many other colleges would (could) have provided more...the decision they made to play at GCC was one of those life choices that proves to change everything: they met each other.

The decision that changed everything for me: I stopped being afraid to be there. Kyle's death changed me...more than I want to admit...or believe. When I finally got out of my car, I laid in bed with Kim for many, many hours and we just talked. Becky Smith (from my HS days) showed up later in the evening...and made me not afraid anymore. There isn't anything specific she did...she just did.

A group of us met about a week later and cleaned Kim & Deron's house while they were in San Diego. I knew it would be Kim's last vacation; even if she couldn't admit it. I think we all knew. I spent a few hours with Erin that night...and was impressed...maybe even intrigued-ish.

Erin didn't seem quite as impressed. I don't have a lot of girlfriends...so I wasn't surprised. It is what it is. Or so I thought.

Kim was admitted to the hospital the night she and her family returned from San Diego. Becky called me to let me know she possibly wouldn't make it through the day. I got to the hospital and spent the day with Kim, Erin...and many others. Erin and I exchanged numbers and agreed to keep each other informed. We've spoken nearly every day since that day.

Some times life gets in the way, but I know I can't live without her. We suffered Kim's illness and death together...best friends with Kim at different times, but there is a bond that can't be broken. I can't explain it...and I will be the one (with others, I'm sure) to tell Kim's kids what her life was back then. Erin will be the one to explain "their" years together.

We spent nearly every day together from that day on...until Kim died. And then we continued...continued talking, seeing each other, etc. We survived...day by day...and then week by week...month by month. We buried our friend...we cried together...we laughed together...we complained to each other...we expressed our excitement to each other...we died together...lived together.

Erin became like a sister...someone I couldn't bear the thought of losing. Painful...even the thought. I learn something new each time I talk to her...I fall in love each time I hear her voice.

Present day:

We pulled in to the Omni San Diego about 2230-ish hours. We checked in and headed upstairs...how long do you think we made it?? I'm laughing just writing this...thinking of Erin falling asleep during the movie we paid $10 for!! I wish I could express laughing on this blog...I mean REAL laughing!! :)

We (I really mean I) watched "Couples Retreat"...then we slept until we woke.


Friday we drove over the bridge to Coronado Island...had some really good pizza and then found a comfortable resting spot on the beach. I don't love the Pacific water, but I do love, love, love the sand...and the sounds and the smells of the ocean. How can anyone say there is no God?

We rented towels, chairs and an umbrella (they even set it up for us) for a few bucks and then enjoyed our time listening to the sounds and relaxing. Do you know that when you are on the beach there is nothing else in the world that matters? No sick parents, grandparents, or otherwise...no work, no spouses or boyfriends, nothing. NOTHING.

Erin did have one thing to take care of...her homework for the Summer. She had to something-ish. She chose this Summer to Live-ish. Last Summer we all died-ish just a little...so this year she decided she would Live-ish...just a little.


After we soaked up some sun (with our oh-so-white skin), we headed back to the hotel...we showered, got dolled up and head out- to SHOP!! Erin was a virgin to the Coach Factory Store...not Coach...just the outlet!! It was fun to show her the deals. :)

After we each treated ourselves to something expensive-ish, we headed back to the hotel. It was time for food!! We walked to Hard Rock...then to a Mexican food place and had some dinner and some yummy salsa!! I tried mango Salsa for the first time and really liked it!!

We walked a couple blocks back to the hotel, rented another movie and fell asleep.

On Saturday we woke up and took out time getting ready. It was SO fun to be on a weekend get-away with a girl who packs as much as I do!!

We slowly made our way back to the heat...after stopping at another outlet mall. We bought a few gifts and then drug ourselves back to the car and drove east.

It was a great break from the heat and the stresses of life....it was fun to just live-ish.

Some Down Time, Please?

We celebrated Father's Day on Saturday and Sunday...first with my dad on Saturday and then with Mike's dad on Sunday.

We had a BBQ at my dad's and then few of us (the fun ones) went to see Toy Story 3 in 3D. We had a blast...and I got to sit next to my favorite 7 year old boy...and Sydney. (haha)

Raelynn was just happy to be there...and to have her own (large) soda. She makes my heart happy.

On Sunday, we headed over to Kelly's house to celebrate with Mike's dad.

I've learned in the few years I've known (and loved) Mike that this is about the best the pictures get... :)



Mike always makes fun of me for randomly matching Richelle without planning it...and now look at these two twinners?! :) haha...too funny.
This is the second time in two weeks I was given some garden fresh zucchini...perfect for making zucchini bread. So I made more bread and we delivered it to some friends, but it we a lot too.



Mike and I have been looking for patio furniture since we moved in...but haven't found anything we loved for the money. We finally gave in and bought two lounge chairs, a side table and a deck box (to hold the boys' toys and some towels). We'll buy the rest of what we want when we find it, I guess. :) For now...this will get us through our first Summer with a pool. I can't wait to read my book poolside.

Happenings Around Here

Life seems to be moving too quickly...I can't keep up!!

Let's see...what has been happening?

Mike's schedule keep changing because of the SB1070 protests. So life has been interesting at our house...one day off together most weeks.

We celebrated the Buvala birthdays for May & June at Patrick and Sarah's house.

My Uncle Eric came to help Mike with the pond...it's not quite done, but the backyard probably shouldn't have been a task to start in June.

The pool is finally working properly. It's beautiful bright blue...can't wait to actually get in it!! It's almost warm enough for this chicken. Plus we are buying some patio furniture...hopefully this weekend.

We planned a vacation in July...we're going to San Fran and then up to my brother's in Sacramento. We are trying to schedule a vacation for our anniversary...maybe Oregon or Vancouver? We'll see.

My parents had this "cool" hive in one of their citrus trees...

We are working a lot, taking some quick trips to get out of the heat, working on projects around the house & preparing for Mike's surgery in a couple of weeks (07/02). Our baby woes will hopefully be more postive after that event.

We are always running...it would be nice if life would slow down a bit so we could catch-up.

Monday

Since Robyn & Sydney woke up and where headed to the airport by 5am...Richelle and I slept in. We woke up just in time to get ready, pack and be out the door by our 12 0'clock check-out.

We weren't quite sure what to do with ourselves...we thought there'd be something on our list we hadn't crossed off, but there wasn't. We walked down to Panera for brunch...just as we sat down, Jen called and told us to ride the train to her house. She gave us directions and we were off.

We lugged our bags 6+ blocks to the correct train...what a chore that was. The temperature was about 60 degrees with 90% humidity. Next time I'll pay for the cab.

We rode the red-line to the end and then transferred to the yellow. It ended in Skokie...which is where Jen picked us up. We spent our last few hours with her and the girls before she drove us to the airport.
We passed Wrigley field...one of my most favorite places on Earth. I wanted to get off the train to show Richelle "Wrigleyville", but lugging our bags didn't sound like fun.

Our flight was uneventful, but long...Raelynn made the long journey back totally worth it when she was half hanging out of my parents' car with excitement when they picked us up. She cracks me up...

More Walking

Sunday started out with an amazing breakfast at Grand Lux Cafe. We arrived just before they opened and were the first party seated...which meant sitting and looking out the window at Michigan Avenue during our meal. What a fun way to start the day!!

After breakfast we headed south down The Magnificent Mile...stopping at the Tribune building...crossing the river and stopping at Millennium Park.

We stopped off at the fountain...

Then we walked to the bean...

Then we found the coolest water-play area/artistic display called "crown fountain"...

After Millennium Park we headed to the Art Institute. We mainly went for the bathrooms, but stayed and meandered around for a short time. My sisters & Sydney don't share my love of art, so we left and continued walking.

We were headed to Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park. I was SHOCKED I hadn't been to the stupid fountain before...considering the Hilton I stayed at the first time I was in Chicago was literally across the street. I must have walked right past it when we walked to Lake Michigan...stupid tall, pretty trees.

After the fountain...which is really just a fountain...Richelle and I wanted to catch a cab and head to Navy Pier. Robyn wouldn't let us...even though we were all DONE walking. Robyn and Sydney kept telling us it was SO close...but let me tell you- It was NOT close at all. It would have been the best $10 cab ride I had EVER paid for.

After we finally FINALLY made it to Navy Pier, Sydney and I rode the swings and we treated ourselves to a beverage. (side note: I have almost completely given up my beloved Pepsi. I cheated a few times on the trip, but never even finished one entire soda. I've done this before...and I am hoping to drop some of this hormone weight before it makes me even crazier than I already am.) Navy Pier is sponsored by Pepsi...so we were all pleased with our refreshments.

Our excitement for Navy Pier ended and we headed to Portillo's so everyone could taste a Chicago Dog. The only problem- we weren't really hungry...we just knew it was now, next time or never. The four of us split two Chicago dogs and water...cheapest meal our entire trip.

[side note: Mr. Portillo took my Commander and his family (his son, his wife & his father a WWII vet) to Iwo Jima last year. My Commander grew up in IL and somehow when Mr. Portillo decided he wanted to stand on the beaches of Iwo Jima with a hero who fought there and his son and his grandson...my Commander's father was invited. My Commander is the one who gave me the black sand from the beaches there for my dad...since his father wasn't lucky enough to return home.]

After Portillo's, we made our way to the "el" so we could take the train to Sear's Tower...now Willis Tower. I had never been up to the skydeck at Sear's Tower, so I was excited to see the view.

I absolutely love the train systems in other cities, but the "el" is the most confusing train system I have ever ridden. We figured it out after a couple wrong turns...which ended up being a good thing because it accidentally helped us cross a few things off our to-do list.

We finally made it to Sear's Tower and rode up to the 103 floor in 60 seconds. The elevator on the way up had a TV that showed which floor we were passing, how tall we were at that point and which other building in the world was also that tall. Pretty cool.

After we meandered around the 103rd floor for a while, we hitched a ride back to the hotel. We were all exhausted. We relaxed for a bit and then Sydney couldn't handle it anymore. We found a pizza place nearby and started walking that way...luckily we did.

When we got to the elevator, Richelle realized her wallet was missing. Long story short- we ended up having the most honest taxi driver on the planet...and after a couple phone calls, Richelle had her wallet back with everything still inside. Whew.

We grabbed a Chicago style pizza and Gino's East and took it back to the hotel room to enjoy in our pj's. Robyn and Syd's flight left at dawn the next morning, so bedtime came earlier than usual.

Museums, Navy Pier, Pizza & More...

Friday:

I woke up not feeling quite right. I shrugged it off and headed out. We hopped in a cab and headed for the Shedd Aquarium. We enjoyed our time at the aquarium...mostly watching Sydney squirm at the sight of sting rays...laughing at the not-quite-sea-world dolphin show...and amazed at the size of the snake we happened across.
After the Shedd, we walked over to the Field Museum to meet Sue. We all wish Jake was with for a brief moment...it passed quickly, but we all knew how much he would LOVE Sue.

By the time we were walking through the Field museum, I knew I was not well. I did not want to be a party pooper or ruin anyone's trip, so I tried to shut-up and walk. I know I was a grouch...but I honestly wanted to hail a cab and head to urgent care.

We walked through several exhibits and then took a water taxi to Navy Pier. From Navy Pier we took an architectural river tour. It was my second time doing this, but this tour was better than the first. It's fun to learn about such a fun city...Phoenix just doesn't compare.

While on the tour, it down-poured for about 5 minutes and then it was blistering hot...we all hadn't had enough to drink, but add that to my already failing health...and you have a disaster.

After the river tour, we decided the hotel wasn't that far, so we walked. Bad idea. It was A LOT further that we thought. We walked and walked...then we stopped and got water to take with us to the room at a nearby 7-11. Once back at the hotel, I plopped on the bed and slept for about an hour before we headed out to do some shopping and get dinner.

I figured I'd be fine once I got some food in me...we stopped at Coach and browsed the sales a bit. I knew I wasn't well when I couldn't bring myself to buy Coach flip flops on sale for $29. After coach, we walked to my VERY favorite store- Marshall's. We walked in and I found the nearest bench to rest on. I sat for several minutes figuring out how to explain to a cab driver how to get to a hotel I didn't know the address of...that was exactly 4 blocks east of where we were...but the opposite direction the one-way street we were on allowed. I couldn't figure out how...so I finally decided to walk back.

The thought of walking four blocks was nearly unbearable, but I didn't want to make anyone else leave the fun for me. I called Mike and talked to him while I walked back to the hotel...I made it to the room...we said our goodbyes...hung-up...and I attempted to get into the room. The stupid room key-card would not work...and I could feel the tears coming.

Defeated, I went downstairs to get a working key-card. I handed the clerk my card and he looked at it...kinda confused he said, "Uh...this isn't our hotels?" I looked at it and it said "Seattle Sheraton" on it. I sighed...and located the Marriott card in my purse and headed back upstairs.

I made it into the room, took a shower and fell asleep. This was all around 6pm...I woke up the next morning at about 10:30am. I was exhausted. Even after all of that sleep...I still did not feel well, but I did NOT want to be sick on our girls' trip!

Saturday:

We headed out to the John Hancock Center and had breakfast a fabulous Italian bakery (L'Appetito) I had eaten out before. It was wonderful...even though my stomach was not. We ate some pastries (good for the belly, right?) and the headed upstairs to the observation deck. It was a bit cloudy, so the visibility wasn't quite what we hoped, but it was still fun.

We went back down to the street level and shopped for many hours...Coach, Bloomingdale's, Tiffany's, American Girl Store, H & M, etc...

For dinner we headed to one of my favorite places- Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinders. I've been there each time I have been to Chicago and just LOVE the food. We all enjoyed the food (except for Sydney) and then headed to Navy Pier for the fireworks. After that it was bedtime.

Chi-town

This week at work was extremely busy. I was secretly (only from Sydney) trying to get some lose ends tied up before leaving the office on Wednesday night. At about 6:30pm, Mike called and said a guy on his squad arrested a suspect in one of my cases (arrested on unrelated charges). Ugh. The quick version of the story is this: I didn't get home until after 1am...started packing...went to bed at about 3:30...up at about 5am. We left to pick up Richelle at 7:15...plane left at 8:50. It was a tough week...ended with exhaustion. Another case closed...so no complaints.

We landed in Chicago at about 2:30pm. Jen picked us up and whisked us off to her super cute house in Morton Grove. I have to say- I have loved my cousin Jen my entire life. When I was little I just thought she was cool...now I struggle with a word to that can possibly sum up this amazing woman in one word. The word we came up with was "content".


She has an a amazing life...crazy of course, but she seemed so incredibly happy, annoyed, well balanced...just content. I really think I was more in awe of her this time than ever before...and I've been watching and trying to learn for many years.


Anywho...we hung out at her house with her four beautiful daughters all afternoon until Tom (her hubby) got home. We sat around and talked until it was time to steal Jen and head to the airport.

It was time to unveil our surprise....many, many months after coming up with our big surprise. We arrived at Midway, walked in to baggage claim and made ourselves comfortable at the bottom of the escalator. We wanted Sydney to be SHOCKED...and she was. Luckily Robyn was behind her on the escalator because the smile on Robyn's face would have given any secret away.


Syd finally saw us...her mouth dropped open and then she looked really confused. She ran over an hugged us...and asked, "What are you doing here?!" We laughed and said, "SURPRISE!!" We all hugged and acted retarded for a few minutes...then collected the bags and were off to out next surprise: Melting Pot!!

Robyn made reservations for "Girls Night" at the Melting Pot in downtown Chicago. We invited/forced Jen to come with us...even though it meant she wouldn't be home until after midnight...and up way too early with her kiddos.


We of course enjoyed our cheese & chocolate...a little too much.


After dinner...Jen drove us back to our hotel for a much needed nap.