Red-necks vs. Chicago

When I first realized that my Chicago trip was upon me (which means it was neatly packed into the back of my mind), I panicked.  Chicago!!!  The land of sophistication.  Fancy restaurants.  The infamous Velma Kelly, Roxie Hart and of course Oprah Winfrey.  Where pizza has been mastered.  And Michigan Avenue begs to be shopped.  

Then Christ Trout (Rick's cohert in crime) informed me that we would have very little luggage space, "so pack light".  That means I won't be able to change my outfit every third hour and Michigan Avenue will be so disappointed in me.

So I decided that if I could pack luggage, I would pack on a few extra pounds.  Pounds 1-3 came from this little dive.   They served a dish called the Horseshoe.  It was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  I would say that it fits in "The Dive" category.

This was our view from the restaurant Friday evening.  It was 95 stories up in the John Hancock building.  

Zsa Zsa Gabor wanted Park Avenue.  I'll settle for Michigan Avenue.

We couldn't resist going into the Hershey store............

and making everyone think we were rednecks.

Here is Jeff Foxworthy himself "tipping the bottle".  

The arcitecture was stunning.  It begged me for photos.  

Rick and Tony enjoyed themselves a little too much at Harry Carrys.

Walked the Navy Pier.

Laughed at/with our goofy friends.

Took photos of butterflies.

I also took photos of Rick's hiney in his "sexy jeans".  

mmm.....mmmm.....mmmmmmm!!!!!

arcitecture........... or............

Rick's butt.  Umm, I'll choose, Rick's butt!!!

We dressed in blue amongst a sea of black and white.  We cheered for the boys of blue as they kicked White Sox butt.  We got dirty looks from the sea of black and white.  

Tony made his first major league appearance.

Da boyz!!!

You may have a seat Manny Ramirez........ cause you were just "schooled" by Soria.

Piece Out my friends!!!!!✌

~~Happy Bithday Princess~~

Happy Birthday Gracie!!!!!!

I cannot believe that 9 whole years have passed since you came into my life.  In a way, it feels like yesterday.  In other ways, it feels like you have always tagged along beside me.

You are my little buddy.  My sweetheart.  My princess.

Comfort

I took a walk this morning with my doggies.  I needed to be outside to clear my head. 

The word "comfort" kept popping into my thoughts.  

I want to reflect today, I suppose.  I get in those melancholy moods sometimes.  These are usually the times when I feel most creative.  So today, I take my creativity out on the camera.  Hoping for something that will capture the feeling.   

I found one of the first evidences of Fall.  A reminder that time keeps ticking by.

I saw millions of these little blooms.  Before they are fully opened, they remind me of an upside-down teacup.  (or a fairy skirt)

I saw grasses that were coated with raindrops from this mornings shower.

Lily Pads that I have a love/hate relationship with.  They are so pretty, yet invasive. 

       

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God"

2 Corinthians 1:3

"May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant."

Psalm 119:76

Rick and I are heading to the "Windy City" tomorrow..

With "Mr. and Mrs. Clark"

and "Mr. and Mrs. Trout"

Ryan First Freshman Football (say that 5 times fast)

Ryan's first freshman game was Monday night. They beat the Lawson Cardinals 26-18

Ryan brought his own cheering section:

Grandpa Bob and Grandma Charlotte

Grandpa Bobby and Grandma Donna

Aunt Pam, Macy and Titus

Joshua and Leanna

Ryan is #84.......... and almost never lines up on the side I'm taking photos from. Next game I shall have a talk with the coach.

"(ahem) Excuse me coach. I am the mother of Ryan Smith. I would prefer you place him on the side I'm taking photos from.

Thank you!"

I love that he catches glimpses of us in the stands.

See his eyes peeking out in the back.

Hornets, you're amazing!!!!!

And I ♥♥♥ you!!!!! Especially #84

Ryan also has a BIG dance coming up............ Homecoming!!!!

I know little to nothing about it.

What I do know about it has come from everyone BESIDES my son.

I found out that he was GOING via a close friend. (who is the Aunt of Ryan's date)

I found out that Ryan's date has purchased a dress. (via the mom of Ryan's date)

I replied to a letter she sent me and it went like this.............

Between You and Andrea Walker Graves

Ryan is being a total "GUY". I ask him questions, he shrugs and says, "I dunno".

ME: What do you wear?
RYAN: I dunno

ME: Are you getting her a corsage?
RYAN: I dunno

ME: Are you going out to eat?
RYAN: I dunno

You get the idea. So I think the planning is going to be left to you and I.

Oh, by the way..........
What should he wear?
Are corsages out of syle?
Do you mind if they go out to eat?

This is all so new!!!! :)

Talk to ya soon.
Mandy

Labor Day Weekend

Is embarrassable a word? If it is, then Ryan is HIGHLY embarrassable!!!! If I say hello to him in front of his friends. I've embarrassed him. (shrug) I don't get it.

So, I promised on the Bible that I wouldn't post this picture on Facebook...........

This isn't Facebook, is it?

There is some irony to this picture in my eyes. Joshie held Ryan often as a baby. They have always been buddies. Aside from the side cramps from laughing so hard, this brought back many memories for me.
See the resemblance?

Here is the only picture that I was able to take with the good camera. The rest of these photos were taken with my Blackberry. When-o-when are they going to come out with a phone with a good camera? Tell me!!! Is that too much to ask?

They we had a lovely bon-fire at Heather and Eric's house.

Not pictured:

A game of football between all the men in the family. (Men....... is a term I say very loosely.)

Only two men were over the age of 29. One pulled a hamstring and the other hurt his knee. Good times!!

Punt, Pass, Kick

My boys could send a football into orbit if they wanted to..............

You think I'm fibbin'????

Well, I'm not.

They could probably send a football into orbit, once around Jupiter, and a looptie-loo around Mars.

Seriously!!!!!!!!!!

Or it could be that I am an OVERLY proud mother..........

Who is excited that BOTH her young men won their age divisions of Punt, Pass and Kick in our area.

"What does this mean", you ask?

Well......... it means that they can kick the ball really good.

Pass the ball really good.

And punt the ball really good.

It also means that on October 23rd, they will participate in Sectionals. Which is a fancy word for......... all the winners of Punt, Pass and Kick in Missouri.

left to right: Jenson Simmer (overall winner in the girl's division), Brad Hayen(winner of 8-9 yr olds), Walker Graves(winner of 10-11 yr olds), Ian the Mighty Man Smith (winner of 12-13 yr olds), and Ryan the Dino-mite Smith (winner of 14 yr olds)

I'm proud as a peacock.

I LOVE...............

Today, I love................

These monkeys (who are as onery as they are cute)

100%'s on spelling tests (without studying for them)

Cool "Happy Meal" Toys from McDonald's (and my ADULT friend's who are willing to eat "Happy Meals" so you can have them)

My dog (who has no idea that he is as cute as a bug's ear)

My cat (who doesn't give a flip if he's not supposed to be on the table)

and Hazel the Housecleaner, a.k.a. Lisa (who doesn't want her photo taken)

(note the heels, pearls, up-do)