{Rubber-Sol: Why, hello there!}

Greetings from Chicago....uh, Kalamazoo...I mean Detroit

Greetings from Detroit!

The airline flight into Chicago was fairly uneventful despite the fact that we had to PAY FOR OUR FOOD. What's up with that, United?! Absurd, I tell ya. And after the sleep pattern annihilation due to the daylight savings time change last Saturday, we were a bit SCREWY with the added Illinois time change, and now the added Michigan time change. Sleep is SO GOLDEN to us, and these constant changes has left us in a bit of a time warp.

Before I bore you to tears with the minutae of our trip, here are some of the highlights:

• We met up with several Chicago friends, including GIAO (more on this below).

• We were SUCKED into the EMPIRE that is AMERICAN GIRL PLACE. Just imagine a three-story building filled to the brim with DOLLS, doll accessories (every accessory imaginable...brushes, shoes, glasses, hair curlers etc...you can even take your doll to the salon and pay an arm and a leg to get it "styled" by one of the beauticians). After our hour long tour of the place, we left with a $90 doll for Alison. *Gulp*

• We gorged on Comfort Cake, a company owned by a family friend. Yum.

• The gorge fest continued as we feasted on Chicago Style Pizza at Giordano's. Oh lawd was that good. *Burp.*

• We explored the backyard pond and lake of Hank's aunt and uncle, and saw creatures big and small. Here see the beauty for yerself:

• The kids raced through the premises of AIR ZOO (Hank's uncle is a retired volunteer there who gave us the behind the scenes tour). So much fun.

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Now back to Giao. Despite their hectic packing up and moving out chores, Giao and hubby David, met us at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Now the Chicago weather had been rather kind to us wussy SoCal wimps so far, but on our meeting day, the wind decided to pick up and the temps decided to drop. So! We spent the first 5 minutes of our meet-up piling on the clothes before we delivered a proper greeting to the cute pair.

The first stop of our tour was to the café to warm up on hot cocoa, and shortly thereafter we strolled the various gardens (the grounds were amazing and so beautiful....). It was fun hanging out with Giao and David, and there were moments when I was astounded at the idea of an on-line friendship turned real-life friendship. I've been reading Giao's blog for about a year now, and it was so WILD that we were able to reference past posts and comments as part of our casual conversation. Our friendship had so much background knowledge that when we finally met in person, it was as if we just continued along with the conversation so to speak.

In person Giao is as cute as a button, and she and David compliment each other quite well. Alison and Henry were quite the active duo (I hope they didn't scare you off, Giao!) running and frolicking through the gardens (even in the cordoned off, "do not enter" areas of the garden.......geez). After lunch in the café and continued conversation, we headed towards our cars to bid adieu. Despite a short, but so worthwhile meet-up, we enjoyed the company of two new friends! This makes me eager to meet more online pals....who's next? Kathleen? or justJENN?

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Before I head off for more exploration, I'll leave you with this 28.5 week belly photo:
You can see the belly progression over at my album too.

As you can see, I'm still wearing that belt (oh how I love my belt!) -- but, er, there's only an inch or two left before my girth dominates, making the belt unwearable (for now!). My sweater, as you can see, is getting a tad short in the belly. And my jeans are getting snugger by the minute. I've had to add a few maternity pieces to my wardrobe (why are maternity clothes so....so....so.....YUCK?), and I'm grateful that Old Navy and the Gap are now offering more stylish options for this phase in life.

Well, I'm off for now, folks. Will update at a later time. Hope you all have a grand weekend!

ALOHA!

Greetings from Hawai’i!

We’re alive and well here on the beautiful Big Island of Hawai’i. We’ve had fun sunning ourselves silly, eating, shopping, eating, sightseeing, eating, and um, eating. And Anne, I’ve had more than my fair share of malasadas and saimin. There is just so much YUM to be eaten here in Hawai’i! The other day we took a tour of my dad’s old neighborhood, and we even staked out his childhood home. I feel such a sense of family history here, and this trip has given me a much clearer view of my dad’s past and history. It feels so good to be here.

On Saturday we depart to O’ahu to visit the gigantic clan that is my family. I’m looking forward to seeing them and celebrating Christmas (just wish my mom and dad could be here too). Last week sometime I sent our gifts to my aunty’s house (did I tell you it cost $85 in shipping costs?) -- so I’m looking forward to unpacking those for the kids. There’s still a bunch of shopping to do, but there just isn’t that sense of urgency here. I feel quite rested and relaxed here. This trip is just what the doctor ordered for my (previously) exhausted and stressed self!

Yesterday we went to the Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo in Hilo, and Hank snapped this fab shot of this spider. Isn’t it cool? I can’t wait to upload more pics for you guys, but I’m currently using dialup, and frankly it’s taking FOREVER to upload! So you’ll just have to wait until I return! :)

Anyway our trip, as fabulous as it is now, started off kinda rough. First there was that, “Oh my God where is my driver’s license panic??” at the airport. I had to be “profiled” several times before they even let me on the plane. And then there was the subsequent, “Oh my GOD WHERE IS MY SUITCASE frenzy” when we landed in Kona. Yep, the second suitcase (containing my NEW G4 laptop) was M.I.A.

Luckily my mom and dad did a thorough investigation of our house after we departed and found my license!!! Yes! And an even bigger shout of YES! when the airport folk delivered our second suitcase to the condo the next morning. THANK GOODNESS!

Well, I’m going to close the Gifty! sign-ups for Round 2 this Sunday. So far, here is the list of this Round’s participants. (I know that there are more Round 1 gals out there who are interested in participating. Just send me an e-mail or post a comment here to let me know you’re still interested). Thanks so much. Okay, and now for Roll Call. Ahem.....

Pinky of Pink Champagne High
Ani of The World of Ani
Hope of The Soul of Hope
Jenn of justjenn
Yvonne of Yvestown
Jess of Rainy Sunday Daily
Charla of Then You Blink
Mabelle of Whimsy and Stars Studio
Kathleen of Liquid Sky Arts
Yvett of HelloYvetty
Shelagh of BlueberryMoon
Jes of Sweet Peas
Giao of Gnome G
Alexis of DramaQueen Confessions

And I’d like to introduce you to our new “classmates:”

Jill of Just Jill
Mindy of Longing Heart
Jess of Fig and Plum
Enid of Jupiternine
Colleen of cdnchiq
Kristi of Lunchtime Moon
Jen of F1-Comics
Elizabeth of My Own Lil Space

Okay and now the nitty gritty:
Theme: (Post) Holiday De-Stresser
Suggested Monetary Allotment $5-$10 + shipping
Shipping WindowDecember 29 - January 9

*Please note that there are several bloggers residing outside of the U.S. -- therefore shipping costs will be slightly higher and shipping times a bit longer. But I think getting goods from somewhere far away is pretty cool, don’t you?

If you’d like to update or change any info on your bio, please go HERE and send it to me via e-mail.