Chi Town City Scape

Like I said in the previous post, Mikayla and I spent Easter Weekend with Felicia.  And of course we headed straight back to the city.  I love going down there.  Everything changes and there is always something new to see or experience.

Yes, they still wrestle anywhere they get a chance.  Even on the train ride to the city.

This is a post of building scapes and landscapes.  I love the city views.  

Though I don't think I could ever see myself living in the city.  I am more country girl who is stuck living in the suburbs.

But you just got to love architecture in the city, especially old ones.

Sammy (Mikayla's friend) Felicia & Mikayla

And yes Mikayla complained pretty much the whole day about all the walking we did.  I am sure we did an easy 10 miles throughout the whole day.  At least she went straight to be Sunday night from exhaustion.  LOL

View from the fountain on Lake Shore Drive

Belly Dancing is NOT as easy as it looks!

This past weekend Mikayla and I drove up to Chicago to visit with Felicia.  One of the things we did this time was participate in Felicia's Belly dance class.  Well actually the teacher gave us a private lesson.

Holy CRAP!  I never imagined that it would be THAT hard!  But we all got through it and had fun while we learned a few things.

 The scarfs around our waists jingle.  Rather the scarfs that Mikayla, Sammy, and I wore.  Felicia said that she is tired of jingling.  

 Apparently the "jingles" help tell the instructor if you are moving correctly.  Felicia has been ordering her costumes directly from Afghanistan.  They are actually hand made there and are cheaper than buying one made in the US.  for example an outfit Felicia just got cost her $56 which included shipping, she checked it out to buy from here for the same outfit ........... $250 before shipping!  Plus the ones from Afghanistan look more authentic.

Did you notice there are no pictures of me?  Yep I managed to hide behind the camera this time.  

Another Girls Night Out

Friday a group of us went to a local establishment to watch the basketball games.  Sharon is a HUGE Ohio fan so we went to support her and her team.   (BTW they choked!)

Let me tell ya, Mitzi is the Socializing Queen!  She had me out until the wee hours of the morning (to me that is 1am).  Sharon and Jodi had the sense of leaving much earlier.  

But we had a very enjoyable time.  I absolutely love spending time with my girls!

Loving the Weather

With the weather warming up we are all itching to do things outside.  We decided one of these past Saturdays that we would hang out at my house, drink wine, site by a fire, and enjoy each other's company.

If you are on Facebook you may have seen quit  a few posts with pictures of brooms standing on their own.  Everyone I saw post this did not explain what the heck it was for.  So of course I had inquired when Karen and Mitzi showed up.  And of course Mitzi did a demonstration with my broom.

According to Mike everything has a "balance" point, it sometimes just takes a while to find it.  Of course I could never find it.

Anyway what a relaxing time we had, and it was great just hanging out by the fire, no kids, no men.  just us gals (yea Mike headed for the hills, said too much estrogen for him).

There were more of us, I just forgot to get the camera out earlier.  OOPS

St Pats Experience I will not soon forget

A neighbor/friend texted me in the wee hours Saturday morning (like 6:30am who is up at that time on a weekend!?) wanting to know if I had plans for the day.  My response was no since Mike was working, I had an appointment at the groomers for the dogs, and a trip to the scuba shop planned.  She asked (told) me to meet her at the Sherlock’s in Cottleville for the St Pats Parade. 

I figured what the heck, texted and woke up Jodi.  So after the groomer we headed 5 miles down the way to Cottleville to meet up with Mitzi.  As it turned out parking was RIDICULOUS!  We parked approximately 2 miles away and walked to the restaurant to meet our group.  Did you hear me?  2 MILES!  Good thing I wore tennis shoes.

Got to see some cool floats, paid too much for hot dogs ($3 each) and ridiculous amounts for alcohol (2 drinks one of them a beer $9).  Then about an hour after getting there we hear the first claps of thunder.  Uh Oh.  Within minutes it started raining………..HARD. 

Luckily Mitzi and her crew had brought a tent like cover thing and we all huddled under it.  Within 20 minutes Jodi remembered that she told me to NOT shut her sun roof all the way.  BWAHAHAHAHAHHAA  next time she will listen to me.  So we take off heading back the 2 miles to her car, in the rain, thunder and lightning.  The T-shirt Jodi had on ended up see through when it gets wet.  Guys would keep running by us, turn around and jog backwards to say something (of course to get a better view).  I couldn’t help but laugh the whole way.  We had the best and worst time ever. 

As soon as we got back to the car we headed for my house, changed to shorts and more T shirts.  Threw her clothes in the dryer and got in the hot tub.  Why not we were already wet and cold and we wanted to warm up.  So best way 102 degree bathtub!  Oh and the glasses of wine didn’t hurt our moods wither.

I just wish I had picture of what we two drowned rats looked like by the time we actually got to the car.   

A Very Sweet "Sweet 16" Birthday

In February Mikayla turned sweet 16.  Well she turned 16 not so sure about the sweet.  Winy definitely, stubborn most assuredly, head strong most definitely . Sweet only when she wants something.  

I kid, she is my good girl.  I wouldn't change her one bit.

She has begged to see the ocean since she was at least 8.  So for her 16th birthday I offered in lieu of a big monster birthday party a trip to Florida for the weekend.  

Her response "Oh My God Most Definitely Yes!"

We flew into Orlando on Saturday afternoon, 

Celebrated Mikayla's birthday with my parents

I still say she looks 12.

Went to Animal Kingdom on Sunday (thanks to my Aunt Winnie who scored us free tickets),

Tree of Life

Henna Tattoo (how do I get talked into these things?)

Then on Monday we headed to Clearwater beach!

 Obviously we fed the birds, and learned that they don't go away when you do that.

Yep I am that close.  I couldn't believe it.  Mikayla kept telling me to back up, move closer.  It was freaking me out.  Thought he was going to peck my head or something!

Mikayla didn't give hers a chance to peck her.  

It  was just beautiful late in the day when most people had left.  That was when we enjoyed it the most.

She was in Love instantly, the second she laid eyes on the ocean.  She didn't care that it was windy and cold. Well cold by Florida standards, and if you got wet.

The first beach we went to was Treasure Island Sunset Beach, 

Though it was not a bad subdivision (park) beach so to say, it was just not what we think of when you say "Hey lets go to the beach and see the ocean".  

 But we were enjoying ourselves until we saw to 70 something year old large man in a speedo.  And might I add when Mikayla pointed him out I was closer and get to see that said speedo was actually very "sheer" and therefore SEE THROUGH! 

Yep at that point we left that beech and found Clearwater.

It was just me and Mikayla, we enjoyed our time together, talked, not talked, hung out, explored and played.

Not a trip I will not soon forget at least.  I just hope she has as fond of memories as I did.

My Dancing Girl

One of the things Felicia did when she moved to the Chicago area to get to know people was to join a dance class.  She has found Belly Dancing and loves it. 

Just the way she talks about it makes one want to find a dance school and learn it themselves.  Hummmm  maybe I could put that on my bucket list.

Well first I guess I should get the the Scuba Diving Certification I got from Mike for Christmas before diving into another item.

These are from one of the Shows Felicia did.  She is in the green.