As some of you may know, last weekend JW and I visited my family in Chi-Town. I figured it would be a great time for a reunion of sorts and to see the city and fall colors. My brother KG and my Bestie met us there, coming in from PHX. When we got on the plane in Tampa on Thursday, it was 85 degrees. When we got off the plane in Chicago it was 40 degrees and raining! All weekend long I was shivering, and JW wouldn’t stop teasing me about it. What can I say? When you live in a warm climate your blood thins!! (I have no clue if this is a scientific fact, but I do know that I am definitely a wimp when it comes to temperatures below 60. Christmastime is going to be rough.)
The second we got off the plane, JW settled a debt from our visit in May. Since he was robbed of his chance to eat White Castle then, he had been giving me a hard time all summer long. So even though my grandma was at home cooking a roast and slaving over a hot oven for us, we got him some freaking White Castle. (He thankfully refrained from what he wanted to get, which is the White Castle Crave Case, and settled for just a few sliders, okay 9) When we got home a few hours later to eat our real dinner though, Grandma busted JW SO HARD! As he was struggling to eat his meal, Grandma says, “Have more JW, I made a second roast just for you guys!” And then as JW is guffawing and trying to talk his way out of eating more, Grandma says, “Oh, I see, so how was White Castle?” All 9 of us at the table went silent and started laughing guiltily. And that was JW’s first fall from grace with the G-Ma. If I could accurately describe in words how well my grandma lays on the guilt, this would be such a funnier anecdote, but it seems that gene will not set in with me until I have my own children.
While we were in town we saw everything I wanted to see; my lil’ sissy cheered for a football game Friday night (we only embarrassed her a little bit), the whole gang went downtown on Saturday, and Sunday we hiked through Starved Rock State Park (which happened to be the only day the weather was above 50 and sunny.) Seeing the city through the eyes of Bestie and JW was so much fun, especially because we told them all about things we used to do as children and shared our experiences in the city growing up. We drove by a few places that I used to live as a child and reminisced on being poor and living in “the ghetto.”
There were a few themes that carried through the weekend, my least favorite being the subject of JW and I’s marriage. What’s that you say? JW and I aren’t even engaged?? I KNOW!! But my grandma is very invested in the future of my ovaries. My mom and uncle probably won’t be having any more children, so she has, unfortunately, set her eyes on me. My grandma LOVES babies, they are totally her forte. The only two jobs she has had in her life are being a NICU nurse and a nanny for sets of triplets. So, needless to say, since her youngest grandchild is five, she is growing slightly impatient and praying every day for my future children. (Don’t worry everyone! JW and I won’t be having little ones any time soon!!)
For those of you who haven’t been to Chicago, you are missing out man! There are so many fun things to do and see. Since we had such a large group of people, we didn’t cover as much ground as I would have liked to. However, we still managed to see Water Tower Place, the Hancock building, Grant Park, “the bean,” and Lower Wacker. I bought my new favorite hat in Water Tower Place, and I am very excited since I have wanted it since October 4. I also got a few new Christmas ornaments that will remind us of our trip. I was so sad to say goodbye to everyone. Overall, it was a wonderful time had by all, and I can’t wait until December when we get to see both sides of the family on our crazy, three week long vacation to WY and IL.
-BG
