Debriefing (my version of) Spring Break

  Well, once it actually got going, my Chicago trip went off without a hitch. I had a wonderful time reconnecting with old friends. In fact, I had such a great time, not once did it occur to me to take a photo. Even though my camera sat in the bottom of my purse the whole weekend! Several of you won't be surprised by this. It's honestly not that I don't want to have pictures, it's just laziness I guess. Here's the run down of the weekend:

Get in on Thursday night. It was the greatest feeling to walk up to the house I have spent so many days/nights in to an unlocked door and a big "Welcome Home" upon entry. Late, but just enough time to sit and rehash the latest life news with Paul. 

Friday was roommate reunion day. The guys had to work so my dear former rommie, Mindi, and I set out about Lincoln Square. Pedicures and delicious brunch at Cafe Selmarie. Mindi and I spent two years living together before I moved back to Omaha. We had our ups and downs but I have never once regretted a second of it (maybe that one thing I said that one time) because living with her taught me volumes about love and communication. We used to have our roommate rituals and man, do I miss them! On Saturdays, for example, we would wake up, walk or drive up to Starbucks for coffee, then walk next door to Panera to get bagels (toasted, with butter, to go...under $1!!) before heading home with a Chicago Tribune to read together in the living room. It was great time spent together then as it was this weekend and we reveled in "girly" stuff. This was followed by a chili dinner with Paul and Andy and a FREE trip to the Davis for a showing of I Love You, Man (a good laugh).

Saturday was another awesome day. Andy and I trekked out to Northbrook for the REI garage sale, both with dividends in hand. Andy found some good stuff. I find it hard to a) pay full retail for gear I get crazy cheap through work b) fight other people for gear I get crazy cheap through work. We had planned to hit the new downtown REI as well, but with an hour to burn we made an impromptu stop at a dive diner I love in Lincoln Park for Omelettes. Then on to REI #2, where we both made some purchases and spent a LOT of time talking gear. There are not many in the world that will talk gear with me. I loved spending a solid morning doing nothing but just that. Later, Paul and I spent a few hours working in the garden (one of my favorite things to do in Chicago is work in Paul's yard). If any of you identify your love language as quality time, you will understand that while we spent little time talking to one another, working on the yard project was an awesome time spent with an incredible person. Had the evening to myself, reading my book on the dust bowl (history buffs...The Worst Hard Time) before Andy joined me for dinner and a movie. Side note: We watched Weird Science and I think I can safely say we were both shocked at it's stupidity and subject matter (it's basically a teen movie about statutory rape?!?). One of those that you remember being AWESOME as a kid and now....ick.

Finally, Easter arrived! He is risen, indeed! Rich, Paul and I head out to a church service that we needed TICKETS to get into. That's all I'll say about that. We had nice conversation on the drive to/from and I was struck with appreciation for the chance to sit in a car with two men who were crucial to my spiritual development as a college student. Great mentors! Paul and I then feasted on a glorious holiday meal of....wait for it....Taco Bell. Yep, high class people. Naps on the couch to baseball...fantastic. Spent dinner with the kids I used to nanny for, who are all twice the size I remember, with three times the personality! Puzzle time. The guys and I worked a puzzle of Chicago for a few hours before bed. Quite the day!

Last day. Sigh. Andy called in sick to attempt a bike ride. RAINED OUT! Breakfast with one of my best friends, Polly, who I haven't seen since her wedding almost a year ago. Back to the house for the annual Paul/Jessie (we like to refer to ourselves as DiddyBird...long story) music exchange. Cds were flinging around left and right. I love that we do this because it means I always have new music to drive home to. 

The word of the weekend was EPIC. It started as a joke, but quickly became the theme. Some may be surprised by this as my so-called "epic" weekend included words like gardening and puzzles. Apparently I get around really well...for a 90 year old. There were three separate instances where the movie Perfect Storm was on in the background. At one point in the film, the weather service employee describes the collision of three storm systems to be one of "epic proportions." I think that the "storms" of all of these incredible people, who never fail to breathe life into me, colliding for a weekend was absolutely perfect. If only I had pictures to prove it happened.