Who goes to a conference the week before Christmas when they haven’t started shopping and don’t have a single Christmas cookie made? Teacher and I, of course. Last year we didn’t attend the Midwest Clinic because it was so close to Princess’s due date so we were really looking forward to attending this year, even if it meant we’d be scrambling to get ready for Christmas afterward.
I knew it was going to be a great trip when I got dressed that morning – the pants I had planned to wear didn’t fit because they were too big! Woo hoo! I had to dig down to the bottom of the stuffed-so-full-I-had-to-sit-on-it-to-close-it suitcase to get my black dress pants, but I didn’t care; my other pants were too big!
After getting the big kids off to school and settling Grandma with the little boys we hit the road. The weather was dreary, but I was armed with NPR on the radio, a Caramel Macchiato in my hand, People and Cosmo on my lap, and my honey beside me. What more could a girl want?
The scenery is pretty monotonous, but I like seeing the wind farm – those windmills are ginormous!
Did you know that it’s really hard to sew a button on the pants you’re wearing while bumping along the highway? It’s even harder getting an in-focus photo of that button while bumping along the highway.
Right when the skyline came into view it started snowing, huge fat flakes just drifting down. You can’t see them in the photo, but I swear they’re there – cross my heart.
I always say a little prayer when we enter the city – Chicago drivers are crazy! Teacher’s a great driver; it’s the other cars I don’t trust.
After several close calls and almost running a red light we arrived at the Palmer House and entered another world; one where uniformed staff are ready and willing to tend to your every need. We pulled up to the curb where a team of valets is ready to pounce. Teacher had barely stopped the car before two valets sprang into action. One put our luggage on a cart while another took charge of our van. It all went so quickly I didn’t think to snap any photos. Ten minutes later we were in our room, calling down for our bags to be brought up to us. Speaking of our room…
Here it is – pretty posh, isn’t it?
The view leaves something to be desired though.
With my zoom I can see the gym. I could even watch people working out, if there was anyone there.
We barely had time to hang up our clothes before it was time to catch the shuttle to McCormack Place. The shuttle stop was under the El tracks – no matter how many times I visit Chicago I never get tired of watching the El clatter by.
Next stop – The Midwest Clinic!
