24-hour visit

My mom and dad have been driving in lately for what I consider a "power" visit from Ohio. THey leave super-early from Ohio, get here to Chicago around noon, and then leave the next morning at 9am. They really don't seem to mind the drive...and we get an afternoon and evening.

These visits tend to be low-key, almost always under the radar.

They came in yesterday, along with my niece Jayna. We hung out in Andersonville, went to a few shops of knick-nacks on Argyle and the Borders in Uptown.

Then, out for pizza at Ranalli's, then home to watch a movie.

This morning, a lovely early breakfast at Orange, and then off they went.

I've been doing laundry, catching up on email and cleaning since then.

I'm a big fan of the power visit....I recommend it if you have high-energy, long-drive loving family members who are 6 hours away.

Off to learn some lines for the upcoming ship--I'm going on another Second City cruise in 2 weeks!

THis time, out of LA down to Mexico.

Loyal readers will recall that last year, at about this time, I went on the NCL Spirit, to the Caribbean out of NYC.

I'm looking forward to doing the shows, and then reading, watching movies, maybe getting some writing done.

It's so relaxxing and fun for me.....stay tuned.

Happy New Year!

I had a lovely lovely night of SUSHI at possibly my favorite secret sushi place, then a cup of coffee and then headed to the DANK Haus German Cultural Center, 5th floor Ballroom for the Polkaholics. I don't think our little group could have been more happy to be there--we danced to some rock and roll polka (not an accordian in sight, but I would have happily seen one) and drank delightful German beer and basked in the glory of German Cultural Memorabilia. People, you should ALL rush out now and make NYE plan to go next year to the Polkaholics.

As Amy pointed out-as she walked through the ballroom, everyone had a big smile on their face.


Today, it's movies with Sniffen and co.

Lots of people reflect in their New Year's Blog--which I think is delightful.

This has been a lovely year--I bought a condo (that's been over a year, but it's still new and exciting!), I went on a cruise, I started doing ad sales, I got to visit with my family a ton, I saw a ton of movies, did some improv, I got to do some writing and took lots of pics. Everyone, for the most part, was healthy, happy and good. I am very grateful for my blessings, considering how many people suffered this year in war and famine.

Have a great 2008 and try to keep walking down Blissful road. By the way, that was literally the name of the road in the house my grandma and grandpa lived in when I was a little girl--Blissful.

Becky

I should be....

Hello lovely Friday!

I'm off today, and am off until Dec 26.

I have a lot of things I should be doing today....I should be running errands, I should be packing, I should be writing, I should be purging, I should be baking, I should be calling and catching up, I should be not doing what I'm doing...which is watching old episodes of the Office online, casually re-arranging my desk into a more pleasing configuration and doing tiny loads of laundry--all in my pjs.

Well....happy holidays everyone--I'm heading back to ohio tomorrow to spend it with my family.

Becky

Oh Sniffers

He's a delight.
We took a stroll down Astor Street, which traverses it's way through the Gold Coast on the near-north side of Chicago. We walked by the Cardinal's mansion...past the James Charnley house (A Frank Lloyd Wright at 1365 North Astor Street) and then south on State, cutting over on Oak and then south on Michigan Avenue.

I couldn't resist taking pictures--Chicago was out in all it's Holiday Glory.

Our destination: River East to watch "No Country for Old Men".

We also picked up a Strawberry-Rhubarb tart at a little bakery on Oak Street for a gazillion bucks. In the movie, we had to wait until there was some killing to mask the unwrapping of the cellophane around the tart---it was really loud. Luckily, there was plenty of killing, so we didn't have to wait long.

Coming out of the theatre, here's what we saw---lit up like a movie set, for your perusal, the beautiful skyline of Chicago.

Enjoy.

Poor Homer

Last night I was in a really great mood because I have today off. I watched a few episodes of the office after class, I did some laundry and organized bills....blah blah blah. These little tasks never fail to make me happy--I'm one of those who likes to have a list and then check things off. If I do something that's not on the list, I'll write that down and check it off, too. (Which I just did with blogging, btw).

Anywho, I went to bed a bit late, and must have disturbed my precious sleep patterns and had strange dreams. I woke up, and walked out of my room and Homer was up working on his freelance assignment in our dining room, on his laptop.

I walked in and asked him where the other girl with dark hair was--and he said "Becky, you're sleepwalking." This, at the time, seemed a bit snappy to me, and I said back "No I'm NOT! " and felt indignant, as though Homer just didn't UNDERSTAND me.

I went back to bed and realized he was right.

Sorry Homer...I'm a bit of a grump when you tell me that I'm sleepwalking, even when you're correct.

Now, off to make coffee and enjoy my day off--I have lots on my to-do list!

Becky

You can't stop the Beat

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a bang-up family Thanksgiving here at Eldridge headquarters. I haven't been home in Ohio for the turkey in 5 years or so---and it was delightful. I really caught the Turkey spirit--and it was just a ton of fun. My sister Beth picked me up from the airport with her 2 daughters and then we headed back to her place to visit with her 2 sons before they left to go hunting. Then, hung out on Wednesday--got a walk in at the park across from her house, before the weather dropped--and then over to my Mom and Dad's. My brother Paul came by with his little ladies, and we all hung out. My other sister Kitty came with her little gentleman, and then I stayed the night at her place--had a few cocktails and hung out with Kit and her husband Brian.

I was promised some Macy's thanksgiving day parade viewing--which didn't really happen. But, kit's three little boys entertained me by playing classic Ohio State Marching Band songs and dancing to Hang on Sloopy. Those three are like little puppies--they just roll around and wrestle and are generally adorable.

I walked back to Mom's and she was already ready to go for our 1pm dinner (Convenient, huh?). We didn't actually eat until 2:30 I'd guess--Kit and family ran out of hot water so they were late in coming. Aunt Jan and Uncle Lee came, and Paul and Amy and the ladies and our special guest star, Uncle Richard, all the way from Toledo. Dad went and got him--and I just get a kick out of him.

Among the many highlights--the delicious food (Turkey, Seven-layer salad, beets, carrots and brussel sprouts, corn casserole, real mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin and apple pie for dessert), Uncle Lee's homemade wine and coffee always brewing.

My final sibling, Mark and his family came by--and they are always a delight to see, too.

Such a great thanksgiving--and a big shoutout to Kitty for reminding me always what a great holiday Thanksgiving is.

Today, woke up late (we skipped shopping) and hung out with Mom and Dad and just finished watching Hairspray. That movie is so stinking good--I need to rent the original John Waters' one and compare.

In a few minutes, Beth comes to get me and we go to the see "Enchanted" with her girls, the other girls and hopefully the little gentlemen. Dad is going through his home improvement list and Mom is cleaning and finishing up the Apple Pie.

I definitely have the Thanksgiving spirit!

Happy Turkey everyone!

This is a pic of Jayna--she can't get enough of the I-Photobooth!

Andy Out/Homer In

Andy's off to the high seas on the Norwegian Jewel--and left on Thursday morning. Unfortunately, the poor guy also left his cell phone---so that'll be sent to him asap.

And now--Homer's in! We had talked about this such a long time ago--and it's delightful so far.

I'm all packed and ready to go home to see the family in Ohio over Thanksgiving--I'm so excited to see them all. Those little munchkins amuse me to no end--so it's great to bask in their antics for a few days.

At the moment, I'm enjoying a nice little evening, on the couch, having made chili and done every piece of my laundry, moved Homer's boxxes in and so it's nice to just chill out.

I'm watching this movie that's all about the Kennedy woman--or at least Joan, Ethel and Jackie. Apparetnly, Ethel was outspoken and kind of trashy, Joan was a great campaigner when Teddy was paralyzed and Jackie was constantly elegant and a little snotty.

The Bobby is just not that cute...and the real Bobby was such the charming younger brother, so that's a bummer.

Oh! I've also started a new job at Essence magazine that's going swimmingly. I need to get my lazy butt out of bed a bit earlier and to work on time, but other then that, it's a lovely 3/days per week with a great staff.

What else...oh, I got a mani-pedi today and opted for a vamp-y kind of nail polish--it's Lincoln Park after-dark--and my nails looks like goth-talons. I think it was the wrong choice. The toenails look good though--a classic red.

OH no--Bobby was just killed on the tv....yikes. It just doesn't stop for those Kennedys.

THis is the end of this post.