Chicago, Chicago, that toddling town!

Way to go to those of you who guessed Chicago!

It is so great to be back! The flight was long enough to almost finish Julie & Julia --and take a short nap--and bumpy enough for me to get a little woozy. But once we touched down I was ready to get going. However, even with so many years gone by since living here it was easy to remember one of the reasons why we moved.

The planed arrived at 1pm but between baggage claim, waiting for and picking up the rental and driving to the hotel it was already 5 pm when we checked in. And I was so tired and sleepy and hungry (nothing to eat since the breakfast burrito at SeaTac) all of a sudden the only thing I was craving--other than a hot bath, finishing the last 20 pages of the book and sleep-- was the grilled chicken sandwich (with hot peppers), cheese fries and chocolate malt from Portillo's. Yes, I was bad, really bad, but it was soooo good!

I think I was already in bed by 8!

So, those of you dreading your I-405, I-5 or 99 commute, rejoice in the fact that you do not live over here. It is crazy traffic!

And a good thing I packed three different coats! Yesterday, temperatures were warmer than Seattle. 57 degrees! Lovely. However, today the car was covered with frost and ice and the high will be 36F. Ha!

So I'm warming up by the fire--Tony Bennett is singing "My Favorite Things"--with a latte and the Sun-Times (headline reads "Governor flunks junk food") at the local Caribou Coffee, ready to start the day.

From here I'm off to do a teeny tiny bit of shopping, get a manicure, meet a friend and ex-colleague for a bite and catch up on the good old times.

As much as I enjoy cold weather (the clothes!) and the promise of snow, I'm already missing Seattle, the green in particular. Feel free too comment or email me your Chicago favorites.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!