Back Together

Conference ended this afternoon.  I rejoined Baird and the kids, and we all went to the Art Institute.  Since it's free on Thursdays, the line to get in was well over a block long, but the place is so huge it didn't feel crowded.

Kelsey especially enjoyed the outing.  As we wondered around, Kelsey remarked that she recognized some of the pieces from her World History class this past year...and wished she'd paid a bit more attention.

After some classic culture, we headed to Hard Rock Cafe for current culture and dinner. 

It's great to have the 5 Ring Circus back together again!

Scenes from National Conference

Play Time

After being dolphin trainer for a day, Erin's learned how to catch the eye of the dolphins and play with them.  Today she spent several hours at the zoo.  She went to the dolphin show and then hung out in the underwater viewing area for awhile, playing with each dolphin as it swam by.  She was so effective in engaging the dolphins that other people stopped to watch.  I think she's well on her way to reaching her goal of being a dolphin trainer.

The Walking Tour

I mentioned yesterday about being in a larger cluster in my Pampered Chef business.  A lot of the out-of-towners only get to Chicago for Conference.  They are often so busy attending meetings and running to and from the hotel that they don't stop and see Chicago.  Our schedule was a little different this year, so we have more evenings free.  With tonight being a free night, I sponsored a walking tour.  We swung by Garrett's for some popcorn (how can you not?!) to cure the munchies while we walked.  Next stop:  the giant eyeball.

Until today I'd only read about the eyeball, I'd not seen it up close.  Frankly, it's as big and ugly as you've heard.  I'm a little surprised it hasn't shown up in any Visine commercials.

Next up:  "The Gardens."  I know that each little garden nook has its own name and personality, but I tend to refer to the whole stretch on the south side of Michigan Avenue, from about 10th Street, north to Millennium Park, as "The Gardens."  

If you've never taken the time to really explore this stretch of the City, please put it at the top of your Summer To Do List. Allow a few hours to meander among the colors and admire the sculptures. Slow down and count the butterflies. Take your shoes off and wade in the water at Crown Fountain. Stand under The Bean and take pictures. Stroll over to Buckingham Fountain as the sun heads to bed, and watch it slip behind the sky scrapers. Then turn north and watch the lights of the city twinkle to life at dusk.

I've lived in Chicagoland since 1986, and I've never gotten over how beautiful the city is.  I just love sharing it with people who don't live around here, because they also get excited about it.  If you live here, don't blow it off just because it's close - it's a world class place.

The Best of the Best

When I started my Pampered Chef business, I had the good fortune to land in Patti Mocerino's cluster and Nancy Jo Ryan's downline.  For those who don't speak Pampered Chef, that means I'm in the presence of greatness whenever our larger group gets together.  Nancy Jo has had the top selling sales organization within the company, 21 years straight.  Patti's cluster is always in the company's top 15.  Tonight's the first night of The Pampered Chef's national convention, so I'm staying downtown with about 6,000 other sales consultants for the next four days.  This evening we spent about 90 minutes learning from Ferial Yan who, over the past 18 years, has sold $2.3 million in Pampered Chef products.  She holds the record for highest career sales.  She's also 70% deaf.  She's amazing.

It's going to be a fun week, and I can't wait to network, learn, and be inspired.  Oh, and we're planning on partying a bit on the side too!

Tailgating for a Cause

This afternoon was another attempt to tailgate before a White Sox game, and this time, the weather cooperated.  Every year my friend Tracy puts on this spectacular event to raise funds for the Chicago White Sox Charities.  The food was great, and the raffle prizes were, as always, creatively named and true treasures for Sox fans:  items like a Bobby Jenks autographed jersey...a bat signed by Joe Crede...a perfect game package from Mark Buehrle.

And added bonus was getting to reconnect with another friend from college, Amy.  We hadn't seen each other since we graduated back in the day.  Tracy was kind enough to seat us together, and we spent the game catching up on our lives.

Thanks, Tracy, for another great event!

Family Visit at the Zoo

When people ask about my extended family, eventually the following phrases work their way into the conversation:

"I grew up in Iowa"

"My entire family still lives there"
"I'm the only one who left and didn't return"

We are usually the ones who travel to connect with our relatives in Iowa.  I've mentioned before about how much I enjoy those trips back home.  That being said, I get so excited when my parents or my siblings come to visit me, I'm almost giddy.  Today we were thrilled to meet my little brother and his family at the zoo.  Baby Lyd has grown up so much since we last saw her!

Thanks, little bro, for making this zoo trip extra special!  It was so great to see you again!