Party In Chicago!

This weekend was long awaited!  It was one of my best friend's 30th birthday parties and we surprised her by going to Chicago.  We picked her up Friday after work, got stuck in a huge traffic jam which added 1 1/2 hours to our driving time and finally made it to our hotel downtown. 

 

 

We quick ran our stuff to our rooms and then went back down to the limo that was waiting for us!  The limo took us to Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse.  It was delectable:)  Or as we overheard a kid at the table right next to us, the meat was "succulent".

 

After we ate we rode around in the limo for awhile, driving down Michigan Avenue and the going to see Navy Pier at night.

 

Group picture at our hotel after supper.

 

Saturday was a lazy morning, a little bit of walking around and lunch before going to see Sister Act!  (The sun was not in a good position for picture taking right then)

 

After the play we had to go back to the hotel to get our luggage and van which was quite the trip.  We were in a hurry to get back for something that night and there was not a taxi to be found anywhere.  Finally we got one and when we arrived at the hotel it was swarming with firetrucks!  Turns out there was no fire, just a burst water pipe, but it did add to the chaos!  A couple of the girls took a picture in front of one of the trucks and the firefighter noticed.  So he opened up the door of the truck and invited us in for a group shot!

 

We made it back just in time for our plans that night.  Thankfully there were no traffic jams on the way home.  Just a van load of tired girls who had a great weekend.  There were a few people (they know who they are) who took care of almost all of the expenses for the weekend.  Thank you SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!  A splendid weekend indeed.

Giveaway Drawing

And the winner is...............

 

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Leah F.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Congratulations, Leah!  You signed up just in time:)

 

Go ahead and email me your address at

saraijo at hotmail dot com

and I'll get that sent off to you!

500!!!!

Yes folks, it's time!  The long awaited 500th post is finally here!!!  And that means it's time for a giveaway!  Now, to some, it may seem a little excessive.  But I'll exlain why.

First, my disclaimer:  I was racking my brain to come up with something that would not only be a fun giveaway, but also in turn benefit a charity some way or another.  I had a few ideas but none that really tickled my fancy.  So a plain ole giveaway it is.

Now the explanation...

1.) I've had this blog for seven years (or maybe eight) and have only done one (1) giveaway.  ONE!  That's all!  And it was very small.  So I decided that this one can make up for the lack thereof.  And possibly make up for the next seven years as well?

2.) I'm already in the Christmas spirit:)  There have been festive and joyous sounds coming from my car for a couple weeks already.

3.) Someone is very generously taking care of my gas expenses while I am in school, which is a TREMENDOUS blessing!  So I guess this is a way to pay it forward.

What's that?  Did somebody mention "gas expenses"?????  Well as it turns out, this will be delightful to those who hate paying for gas!  On the morning of Friday, November 16, I will announce the winner of a

 $$$$$ 50 DOLLAR GAS CARD $$$$$

(Probably either BP or Shell)

 

 

You read that right!  Like I said, some may think it's excessive, but just refer to the aforementioned reasons:) 

 

 

The rules:

 

1.) All you have to do is comment and let me know you want in the drawing!

 

2.) I'm putting the link on facebook.  If you comment on FB, that's fine, you'll still get your name in the drawing.  However, if you comment on my actual blog (because everyone with a blog loves comments) you will get your name in the drawing twice!  You don't need to have a blog in order to comment on this one.  Just choose the anonymous option for commenting and don't forget to sign your name!

 

3.) It is not required that you live close to me.  Even if you live in oh, say, Jamaica, and think you might be coming home for Christmas and will need gas money, you can still comment.

 

4.) It's okay if you've never commented before.  I won't think any less of you if you only comment for the money;)

 

With that, comment away!  I'll be back on Friday to announce the winner:)

One More!

Well here we are.... post number 499.  I really am just killing time/procastinating at school so I decided to go ahead and get number 499 on here so I can move right along to 500.  Because if you remember correctly, we are celebrating the 500th post of "Is It Friday Yet?" with a giveaway!  I know, I know- you're so excited you can hardly contain yourselves:)  But trust me- it's worth being excited over.  For those of you on the edge of your seats (which I'm sure there are many, right???) we'll go ahead and move foward.  So without further ado.....

Athens- Finally

I finally had a much anticipated trip to Athens this weekend.  I haven't been there since June so I was pretty excited!  As usual, my picture taking was pretty sporatic and unpredictable, but I did manage to get a few.  Things I did not get a picture of:

Hanging out with Devin on Friday afternoon, carb fest at Mark and Bekah's Friday night in preparation for the next day, stopping by a former student's football game to say hi Saturday afternoon and supper/games with several church families Saturday night.

 

Things I did get pictures of:

 

Running (well, I walked half) a 5k Saturday morning.  Two people in our group got first in their age group (not me- I got 11 out of 12 in my group), and one got fastest overall for the 40+ age group!  I had a time in my head that I wanted but I (insert excuses here) and got two minutes longer than that.  So not terrible, but I have a ways to go.  Oh, and for me to place in my age group I would have had to shave 12 minutes off my time.  Probably not gonna happen next time either:) 

 

 

The race was fun, but afterwards we were sooooo tired.........

 

Saturday lunch- using napkins as bibs in preparation for a Mexican feast!

 

Sunday lunch after church.  I was bummed that I forgot to take pictures on Saturday because we did a lot of fun stuff.  So I quick snapped a few pictures of the people sitting closest to me at lunch.

 



Awww...... the happy couple.

 

Bummer about the glare in this one- me with 3/4 of the Edelman girls.

 

Cass, Bekah and Natalie cheesin'.

 

In a nutshell: GREAT weekend!