Thursday, February 23, 2017

Chicago

My company is rolling out a new accounting system.  Of course, I have 2 studies converting to this accounting system immediately. So off to Chicago for a day long training.  I decided to fly in and out of Chicago (about 5 hours drive time from me) on the same day, how hard could it be???  So Rocket stayed with scouting friends on Wednesday night, Pablo stayed with Auntie Lulu and Uncle Darrell and I stayed home alone. 
I will admit staying home alone was maybe not the best idea- I was freaked out Thursday night thinking someone else was in the house.  More on that later.
 
Thursday morning, up at 3 am and out the door to the airport by 4 am.  My flight left at 6 am, and it was still dark outside when we took off.  When I landed in Chicago, it was just before dawn.  The training was north of the airport and I go these pictures as the sun was rising over the lake- yes there is a lake out near the horizon.  Oh, did I mention the cab ride was $100!!!!  Apparently there are 2 types of cabs, one for around the city and airport and one for the suburbs.  If you want a suburb cab, you have to call to make an appointment, you cant get one at the airport.  Do they tell you this when you get in the cab??? NO, they wait until you are paying at the end of the ride.  I should have not paid the amount and said the meter showed X amount and that is all I am paying, but I was to cowered to do it.  I really need to start getting tough.


Training started at 8 am.  I knew my old boss from Michigan was in the class, but we were both surprised to see another colleague from Michigan.  Of course we sat in the back and had a good time talking together during the breaks in the class. 
This is Me, then in back in Gayle, then next to me in the red print is my former boss, Denise.
We had a long day.  Training 8-5 pm.  We had a semi working lunch.  You had to be present for the entire training to get credit.  It is kind of scary actually in terms of how strict they are on attendance for this class.  no other class has been like this.
 
Denise and I were both on the same airline going home, so we shared a cab back to the airport- it was much cheaper because the hotel where the training was called the correct cab.
 
As we were leaving, the clouds looked like this.  Pretty interesting.  I am very grateful that the weather was nice in Chicago- no wind, no snow and no cold.


 
On the way back to the airport, we saw this company.  Doesn't it look like the Jawas ship in Star Wars?  We have another former colleague who works here so we sent him a shout out on Facebook during the cab ride.

 
the sun was also setting on the way to airport- so sunrise to sunset in Chicago



but the sunset views from the airport were so much cooler.  this is the view from the restaurant where we had dinner.



 
and this is most of my dinner- 1/2 a beer, 1/2 a salad and 1/2 a mushroom pizza.  Denise had the other half of the salad and pizza.  After dinner we shopped for our kids and then headed off to our gates.  Of course, Denise's gate was in another terminal from me, so we could not talk together until our flights left.

 
I got home at midnight- that includes driving home from airport here.  I crawl in bed after the scare of thinking there was someone in the house- I saw something out of the corner of my eye and heard something in the kitchen- I swear it!  I had to sleep with Rocket's light on because I was so freaked out.  I slept until 9 am, then went and picked up Pablo, went back to sleep for another 2 hours, picked Rocket up from school, took him to basketball practice and piano lessons, got him dinner and then crashed on the couch again.  I don't think going for 21 hours is a good thing for me.  I used to be able to do it, but I guess I am getting too old.
 
next post will be pictures from Rocket's last basketball game this season and some fun with friends from Monday.
 
Love and hugs,
Deb

Friday, February 03, 2017

Serving at Rocket's school

This week has been Catholic Schools week here in our town.  With that comes lots of events connected to school.  Since I am on the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), I have been involved in many of the activities. 
Working backward from this morning: the teacher appreciation breakfast
 
I was responsible for coordinating the volunteers to make breakfast for the teachers and staff.  It was a bit of challenge as I got 1 week's notice for this, but it all came together. 
 
 
the teachers- talking and eating in the morning.


Breakfast: 3 casseroles (another one came in a few minutes later), 3 trays of fruit, 2 trays of muffins and juice (not in the picture)

A note to the teachers and staff.  I need to bring colored chalk next year.  Some staff came in and got a plate and left, others stayed and hung out.  It was a good morning.

Last night was bookfair- so parents could come with their kids if they did not get to come to open house that was on Sunday.
 
Our cool cashiers- they manned this station all night.

some of the books- I love that we are in a new room now.  We used to be in the library and it was pretty cramped.  Now we have huge multi-purpose room to spread out in.  Deb M did a great job getting the room decorated.  She has a group of moms that are super creative.
The theme was s'mores and camping.  So cute!

The little reading area- complete with a fake fire.  the kids loved it. 
I wanted to sit here and read.

The bulletin board to pick up wish lists from the teachers.  Rocket and I bought a bunch of books for the Spanish teacher and his reading teacher.

Open house on Sunday- he is so tall now, he has to bend over.  Rocket and I led tours for perspective families.  We got to meet K-4th grade families.  So many kids switching schools.  After leading tours, we went to see Rocket's teachers in the junior high wing.  I still cant believe he is in junior high.  He has all the teachers because each one teaches one subject across the 3 grades (6-8), so it was just a matter of stopping by and saying hi and seeing his work.

Me and my boy. 

I liked this sign outside the art and music rooms.  So true!
 
Tonight is the last event for Catholic Schools week- the talent show.  Rocket refused to try out for the talent show, so we will go watch everyone else.  He could be playing the piano.  I have started telling him that he should play a Star Wars medley his last year since he plays Star Wars music for his piano recital.  This is year 3 that he will play one of the Star Wars themes.  I think I am going to ask his piano teacher if she can help him link the songs so he has a longer piece in a few years.
 
That's all for this week.  I am looking forward to a less busy week next week.
 
Love and hugs,
Deb