Back From the Windy City

I must admit that the trip to Chicago for the Navy Pier Meet was much better this year. We got there at about 9 p.m. EST. We were spoiled the whole week-end. We had suites at the Four Points Sheraton. Megan spent Thursday night with two other gymnasts in the suite next to mine. We had breakfast in the hotel....the only meal they serve. Then we were off to the American Girl Place. After that we took a taxi to the Shedd Aquarium. What an awesome place. My grandson fell in love with the stingrays. He was pretty amazed by yellow, blue, and purple frogs too.

We had dinner at a Giordano's Pizzaria. It left much to be desired. While the appetizers were good, my girls did not like the pizza at all. Jamie even scraped off the pizza sauce. My sandwich was cold. But, it was overpriced food at it's best. They had eaten at a Mexican restaurant the night before. Food was authentic and good, but they were dumbfounded that it cost $70 for three people.

Then on Saturday there was the meet. Food at Navy Pier just isn't. Had breakfast in a bar...go figure. Loud music so you couldn't carry on a conversation, and sports channels blaring to compete. Not great for the digestion.

The most amazing thing happened just before Megan went to warm-up. Her missing kitty from Texas appeared in the bottom of her travel bag. She had an out-standing meet. Vault was 9.150 and a Silver medal; Uneven Bars were a 9.250 and a 4th place medal; Beam was an 8.925 and 9th place (we will not discuss this as she did not fall on the routine); Floor (by the time we got here I think the judges had been drugged) was 9.25 for a 7th place medal, and all-around was a 36.575 for a Bronze medal.

We managed to escape Chicago with no trouble either. We were home to Lansing by 11p.m. and I managed to make my way to my home by 5p.m.

Next year I think we take the train.

Okay, So I Was Wrong....That's Nothing New

I had thought this would be the winter that wasn't. I just didn't wait long enough. We have at least 6 inches of snow and the winds are making the wind chill dip below zero. Brrrrr.....

January was a busy month. Megan competed at the Twistar Wars invitational hosted by her gym the second week-end. It was her first time competing on the A team. She held her own getting a couple of second place medals, a fourth place medal, and a sixth place medal. Her great grandparents were there to see her. I must admit that Papa was very impressed with her. Then it was on to Dallas, Texas for the Metroplex Competition. She wowed everyone by getting a 9.0 0n vault, a 9.5 on uneven bars, a 9.35 on balance beam, and a 9.35 on floor for an all-around of 37.2. She also got to meet her older half brother for the first time. The only tragedy was losing her favorite stuffed animal.

I also started a class in January on Special Education Administration. It has been very interesting and enlightening. I am excited about it. I have one class in microcomputing to take in the spring and I will be eligible to be a Special Education Supervisor.

I need to find time to write. I have left my latest heroine dangling for the past couple of months. I am hoping to squeeze in some time soon. I have an idea as to where the novel is going now.

We are off this week-end to Chicago. We will be going to the gymnastics meet at Navy Pier. It was a great meet last year and I am looking forward to a great meet this year. We will also have an extra day to do some exploring in Chicago something we did not have last year.

Happy reading....stay warm.