Busy busy busy...

Next week at this hour I'll be in a plane flying to Chicago... I am so friggin' excited! It's been almost 2 years since I was there last and I sure hope after this vacation it won't take another 2 years before I go there again.

Thank God for internet and webcameras or I would miss Dan so much more! (I wonder if we would even have a relationship really...)

 

 

Anyhow...I am in the middle of preparing for my trip there. Dan said I could leave some of my stuff there with him so I'll be taking 2 suitcases this time. The weather overhere is quite similar to the weather in Chicago at the moment so I can't really pack yet, just make lists, do laundry, try some 'proof-packing' to see how the weight of my suitcases will be.

And of course there's a lot of other stuff to take care of. Visa waiver...check. It's still valid until June 13th. Prezzies for Dan's parents...check. 3 pounds of Dutch licorice for his mom and a CD with Prokoviev's Lt. Kijé suite for his dad. I couldn't find anything for his brother and Dan didn't have any useful ideas either so Greg's gonna get...nothing :p Of course I have my presents for Dan: the bottle of Edradour whisky in it's cute pink (!) crate and some tins of anchovies. But he's getting the best present of all: ME!

Dollars...check. Guy at the bank was very happy I ordered small bills and gave me a warning against pickpockets :) Taxi to the station next week...check. My son is bringing me to the airport and picking me up again when I come back and we don't like taking the bus at 8:30 am with 2 suitcases and a carry-on trolley :p 

 

Train ride is gonna be only 15 minutes and thanks to my sweet sister Andrea I have loads of coupons for a 40% discount (for my son), 2nd to 1st class upgrades (for both of us) and of course coffee coupons :) So we're gonna travel cheap and in style and well caffeined up :D Oh and she even gave me a coupon for a free magazine!

So this week is gonna be busy. Have to shorten a pair of jeans, finally have my sewing machine! Have to clean the house and leave everything ready for the kittycats and of course my son... And last but definitely not least I have to go to Oegstgeest to visit little Layla (and her mom of course hahaha). I miss that cute little girl...

Oh and inbetween chores I have to send in some homework for my Life Coach course too!

So I guess I better start doing something now... Have a good day you all and if I don't return here before next Friday, be sure I'll be sending some news from Chicago!

Hugz, Anna

Friday the 13th...

Yup, it's Friday the 13th again! I know lots of people aren't very happy with this, and would rather stay at home or something ;) Silly superstition! For me Friday the 13th is a lucky day really! A few years ago I had my beautiful tattoo done on that day. And today the dentist was gonna pull a premolar.

I hate dentists! I hate people poking in my face and on my head! But I have to admit: it was waaaaaay less horrible than I thought it would be! I was the most scared for the anesthesia but that really was a piece of cake and of course I didn't feel a thing when the dentist pulled the tooth. So again: Friday LUCKY 13th :)

Last Monday we had a family gathering at my aunt's house, in memory of mom. She would have had her 70th birthday on Tuesday. Everybody except my kids were there, son had to work and daughter and granddaughter couldn't come, too fussy for Layla. My aunt had the event catered, lovely food :) Even my aunt from California was on Skype for a bit, was so good to see her too.I stayed a bit longer so I could have a talk with aunt.

But I celebrated mom the way I did last year: on her birthday I ate white asparagus with ham, eggs and butter sauce, mom's favourite meal! And I know this may sound harsh but I am glad mom didn't have to live to be 70. We really lost her when she lost her voice but the last few months of her life were really hell. She started the New Year in the best way possible!

2 more weeks and I'll be on my way to Chicago! I am super excited, can hardly wait to be there with my dearest Dan...I have all the declarations for customs ready, tickets printed, dollars ordered...All I have to do now is pack my suitcases (that's gonna take quite a while ;) ) and order a cab. Oh and pay online for my 2nd suitcase :p 

The weather in Chicago is 'jumping' up and down. Hot, cold, wet, dry...Good thing I already decided to take 2 suitcases (and leave a lot of stuff there) because I am probably gonna need it! Summer clothes and cardigans I guess :D You'll see, somehow it'll be just HOT again, like every time I visited Chicago. And if it's cold, I'll just have to ask Dan to keep me warm :D

Well, don't know anything else to tell you! Just have a very Happy Friday the 13th!

Hugz and cya soon,

Anna