Chicago, we love it … and then it’s 55 degrees in June

We’ve been in Chicago for two week now and we’re reminded of all the greatness of the city — friends, family, food, entertainment, architecture. Steven says Chicago is a Siren, and (don’t tell him I said this) but he is right. Last year, we were here in July and we had to remind ourselves that July is great, but April is not. This year, we didn’t need to remind ourselves because Mother Earth did us the favor of dropping the temps into the 50s IN JUNE (it is winter and I do not like winter). Thank goodness it was the day after my birthday or I would have spent another birthday shivering and that’s not OK.

Speaking of my birthday … It is wonderful to spend it with family. We started out with a trip to T-Mobile that was a comedy of errors. After an hour and a half there, two very hangry people (Jack and me), and a very annoyed Steven, we left without T-Mobile phone service. Sigh.

From there, we went to Noon-O-Kabab, Can’t go wrong with Middle Eastern food, although it was a bit slooooow considering how hungry we were. I don’t remember the last time I celebrated my birthday with Jack, so that was great.

Dinner was at Caro Mio, one of our very favorite Italian places with David, Stacey, and Jillian. Sorry Jake couldn’t be there, but he was tending to a sick friend because he’s just a good guy (friendship over food — interesting concept but not one I am currently willing to sign up to). As usual when we go out, Steven and David ordered the same meal (although David got marinara and Steven the creamy bolognese). Homemade rigatoni with chicken parm on top? Of course they ordered it (I’m not sure why anyone would order anything else). Caro Mio still believes in gigantic portions, so it was two meals for everyone. We then headed over to Theater Wit for a play called “The Whistleblower.” If you haven’t been there, check out their offerings. There’s usually something interesting. The description of “The Whistleblower” seemed a bit off from the reality of the play, but aside from the man in the front row who didn’t know how to turn off his phone (really??), it was an enjoyable 90 minutes (for those who are asking, no, it was not me, I remembered to turn off my phone on only the fifth reminder by the stage manager). To top off the evening, we went to Dairy Star, which despite it’s name, has non-dairy soft serve along with the real thing. Chocolate and vanilla swirl with hot fudge? Si, gracias!

I also received the excellent gifts below. I feel I’m not quite old enough to be a Golden Girl, but I definitely make that face often. Thanks David and Stacey.

Excellent birthday! Thanks for all the good wishes, too.

Steven (who claims to have very few friends)(most of my friends agree with me that they aren’t my friends) is going out pretty much every night for the rest of our stay in Chicago. He went to a White Sox game this week, but I’ll let him tell you about it if he is so inclined (excellent game, the Sox won in a bottom of the ninth walk off). Oh, and about Steven, it was his birthday first. I planned an amazing surprise: Dinner with friends followed by Second City comedy. Steven had pretty much figured it out, but it was still a great time. They even had a running gag about dad jokes. I think they stole them from Steven (theft of my intellectual property is a serious issue).

I am also busy reacquainting myself with friends and being filled with melancholy because I miss them all so much. Luckily, it’s raining and 59 degrees (I told you, it is winter), so I definitely won’t be tempted to look at real estate.