Lou Mitchell's

Who knew 2 eggs and some bacon could really push you over the edge?

So while in Chicago, we went to Lou Mitchell's for breakfast. It is an extremely popular place and has been there since 1923. It is the place celebrities go when they are in town.

There was a line when we walked in and they were handing out fresh donut holes while we waited. We didn't wait long and were ready to eat when we sat down – we were definitely hungry. Looking at the menu, I wanted some French toast, but also some eggs and bacon – which wasn't an option. After much debate, and ordering a donut as an appetizer to hold us over (it was big – we split it between the 3 of us), Abram and I decided to go ahead and order 2 eggs and meat to go with our French toast. When we placed our order, the waitress made a comment to Dana that was something like this, "They ordered a lot of food – they won't be able to eat all of it." We were a bit offended that she didn't think we could eat some French toast, eggs, and meat – we're pretty big…

When the moment of truth came, we understood why she said that – we had 4 pieces of THICK French toast, and my '2 eggs and bacon' were actually about 4 eggs, 4 pieces of bacon, toast and potatoes! I tried my best, but could not polish it off completely. They also give each person a small cup of ice cream at the end of the meal. Dana was the smart one, he ordered an omelet. We were so full, we didn't eat until we had a light dinner around 7PM. The food was great, and the experience was totally worth it.



In summary, I had a donut hole, 1/3 of a chocolate frosted donut, 4 slices of French toast, 4 slices of bacon, roughly 2 eggs (I ate half of the pile they gave me), two slices of toast and a bunch of potatoes. Top that off with about 3-4 cups (small cups) of coffee and you can see why I'd be a bit stuffed.

There was a Fox news camera crew there as well, and they took a bunch of shots with us in the background – so there is a small chance we were on the news as well (even though we didn't see it). I also got another t-shirt for my collection, which I was very excited about (the white one on the page).

Have I ever mentioned that I love Chicago?

chicago

Who knew you could fall in love with a place over and over again?

My wonderful wife let me take a trip with Dana to Chicago to visit Abram - man I had a blast.  I'm such a HUGE fan of Chicago that being downtown, staying at Abram's loft, riding the L, taking a taxi, visiting Union Station and the Hancock building - was off the charts for me.  He has a great place in the heart of downtown (the view from his place is below).  I had to get there before he moved in the next month or so.

It was a fun trip being in Chicago, but also a lot of fun hanging out with Dana and Abram again - it isn't that often that the three of us get to be together at the same time - and getting a chance to hang out with them was simply wonderful.  It was very relaxing, and brings a smile to my face just thinking about all of the stuff we did and the goofing off that occurred while I was there.  They really have a special place in my heart and mean a TON to me.

I will have more pictures to come, but thought I'd at least throw a few up for now.

Union Station (3 blocks from Abram's Place)

Abram and Dana 'working' at The Corner Bakery (who knew they had those there?)

View from Abram's place (yes, the tall building is the Sears Tower)

Our roommates for the few days we were there - Abram's cats - talk about a ton of fun

View from the Hancock building (96th floor)

the whole gang

Who knew you could get so many amazing people in one picture?

Here is a picture of the staff and Charles Park (our guest speaker for the conference last weekend). I counted it an honor to be in that group - even though it was just because I'm married to a rock star. It was such a great weekend and such a privilege to get to meet him.

Front Row: Jaimie, Phili, Don, Charles, Nancy

Back Row: Me, Pat, Wayne, Donnell, Maria, Julie, Ken

gotta love it

Who knew dolphins were helpers?

I just came across this article about a dolphin helping two stranded whales and helping them navigate to safety. Incredible - how much fun would that be to be in the water when that happened - to see it and feel the dolphin swim past to the rescue? Always fun to find an article that has good news in it when the majority of them always contain bad news.

Yesterday, I found a few other articles I thought were also good - each was talking about how the church (catholic and southern baptist) have taken a stronger stance on environmental issues - that is very exciting indeed. I believe if we all help out, we can really make a huge difference. For more information, and the two articles I referenced, check out the post I had on the WC blog.

freezing

Who knew it could snow inside?

The picture shows how I feel sitting at my computer right now. I have been at work for almost 2 hours now and haven't even taken off my coat yet. It's so cold that my toes are actually feeling it - which is extremely rare for me. I feel as though if there were enough humidity in here, it would start to snow. It wasn't a problem before because we had a space heater in here to offset the cold - but it left last week when the owner of it got re-assigned.

I think it's time to work from home (although talking to J and Tay, I'm sure they'd say it's just as cold in our house). Maybe tomorrow I'll bring a blanket with me...

and so it starts

Who knew my new thing about wanting to get cool t-shirts would start with the coolest t-shirt ever?????

So I told J the other day that I wanted to start getting cool t-shirts from different places - t-shirts most people wouldn't have...this definitely qualifies!  'Do Work' is a saying from the show Rob and Big (see previous post), and I'm so pumped to get this...

Me thinking about 'doing work.'

Thanks Jeff and Jodi!!!!

101

Who knew 101 wasn't really that old after all?

Just came across this article about a British man that is 101 years old and is attempting to run in a marathon this weekend (link). All through my life I only ran long distance if I was being chased, or had to complete it to pass gym class. This guy is pretty incredible.

Not sure his methods would work for everyone, but it's a crazy story none the less...

freeze events

Who knew freezing in place for 5 minutes could be that cool?

I posted a few weeks ago the video from Improv Everywhere where they went to Grand Central Station and froze in place for 5 minutes during the busy part of the day. I was reading their web-site today and saw that it was such a huge hit, people everywhere have been doing their own version (good idea Nadia, I guess a lot of people had the same idea). The web-site said it was in 32 cities and 17 countries that these events have happened. You can see some of the videos from the other places at this link.

I'd like to throw a shout out to Bloomington, Minnesota (my home town) for doing an event. They did it at the Ikea store - gotta love that. I love that state and this is one more confirmation of why. They only had 24 people do it with them so the affect wasn't as much, but it's still pretty good. They even get busted by the store manager at the end for taking video in his store - he's pretty nice, but I still thought that was funny. The Chicago one was interesting as well - they did it at the Apple Store (I've been there - woohoo). They did a slow motion first, then freeze. There are a lot of people there so it's kind of hard to tell at first, but when they freeze, it's pretty good. They froze in some pretty creative poses. Maybe it's time we get Ann Arbor, Michigan on that list...

snow day

Who knew something so exciting for one person could be such a downer for another?

The phone rang at 5AM this morning, "This is the Ypsilanti Public Schools calling to let you know school has been cancelled for today due to inclement weather." First of all, thanks for the wake-up call at 5AM! Second, what a way to start the day. I couldn't wait for the next call to come in, "This is Ford Motor Company calling to let you know the company has shut down today due to inclement weather." Sadly (for me), the second call never came...and I had to go to work anyway.

I remember what it was like growing up and getting a snow day. It was always the best day ever - for me. I'm sure for my mom, it wasn't all that great because everything she had planned that day just got changed (I'm pretty sure J is in the same boat today). I remember thinking I had the whole day to goof off and do nothing - to play in the snow, watch some cartoons, eat some cereal slowly (instead of rushing to make it to the bus). Life was perfect.

It's funny how things change when you get older. Now instead of a 'snow day' being a good thing, I'm thinking about shoveling when I get home from work. I'm also thinking about how the time it takes to drvie into work will double, and on and on. Some times I think being an adult isn't all it's cracked up to be.

So, today I think I'm going to try to enjoy the snow - from the window at work first (when I walk to one from my cube) and then outside when I get home...even though I'm probably going to grumble about getting to shovel snow for the fifth time in less than 2 weeks...

Maybe it's time to move south for the winter...

KG's biggest fan

Everytime I see pictures of Kevin Garnett, it just reminds me more and more why I enjoy watching him play - his passion and drama for the game are just like mine...here are some of the latest I've found...

raining again?

Who knew the saying, "When it rains it pours" is actually true?

Ever notice life goes in extreme waves? When it's good – it's great! Good things seem to pile on and you are overwhelmed with a sense of how amazing life is – how great everything is. On the flip side, when things go bad, they really go bad – and keep on piling on and on and on. We have seen it in our own lives and the lives of friends around us. It's never easy right? Never spread out so you can enjoy things longer, or so the hurt isn't as intense.

In my life, it seems to always roll that way. If I stub my toe in the morning, I know I'm also going to slip and fall on the ice, be late for some appointments, get some marginally bad news, and drop my lunch on the floor (or on my shirt). I have just learned to accept that once it starts rolling down hill, it's going to 'be one of those days.' At the same time, when good things happen, they seem to really happen all at once. Sun shining, hitting all green lights going into work, having a stress free day, getting home early, and being able to spend time with my family. Seems like it is always a package deal.

Does it have to be that way? Is it really all or nothing? We were talking about living missionally in WC (my small group) a few weeks ago and I brought up the fact that we have a choice - we can choose to help people down the good day, or bad day road. There were 2 commercials that really helped to illustrate this.

The first one illustrates the affect one can have by simply doing good.

I have looked everywhere, but can't find the second commercial - I think it was a Comcast commercial (or one for slow internet). In the commercial, a guy was getting grumpy waiting for his computer to do what he needed it to. When a co-worker came by and said, "Good morning," he mocked her and put her in a bad mood also. This continued throughout the office until at the end of the commercial, they were all fighting. It was the exact opposite of the commercial above (and was also quite funny).

It's up to us (in some ways) to choose which road we will go down - even when it starts rolling the way we don't want it to. I am learning that life is never easy for long periods of time - and I guess that's ok. There are definitely times when I need to be reminded of that though.

Reading 1 Peter 5, I learned something new today. A verse I have always heard growing up is verse 7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Makes me feel good that I can just off-load all that I am carrying around with me (and here's where it gets good) because he CARES for me. It's not that he has to, or wants to, but he will take the stress and heavy weight I am carrying because he cares for me - truly and deeply. Crazy.

There's more - seems like I rarely read the rest of that chapter though. It goes a little something like this:
5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I seem to always forget about the 'humble yourselves' part - and also the 'lift you up in due time' part. I think I always read that as 'lift you up in your time.' Not the case though. It also puts it on us to be self-controlled and alert - we don't get a free pass at this - and also warns us that our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion - meaning things can get bad at any time and we must be ready and willing.

The part that keeps me going is that it says Christ will restore us and make us strong again - I just wish they left out the part that says it won't happen until after "we have suffered a little while"...