I Adore-a Cora – Part 2

So, as you read HERE, the first half of Cora & and her daughter Gwen's visit could have gone any better.  But then, something happened.

Most of the second half DID go better that the first half.

MONDAY

"Wake me, shake me, Monday, Monday!"  Hey!  Hey!  It's Monday, and my house is still filled with females. After our busy day downtown on Sunday, Monday started off a bit low key.  But did it ever pick up steam.

After lounging around all morning and watching Red Dwarf DVD's (Gwen's idea), we returned to Quake where she spent a small fortune (not really) on collectables, and her heart was filled with joy.

From there, we went and had some flaming cheese.

Mmmmm… Fire + Cheese = GOOD!

After that excitement, we returned home and laid down for a little rest.  It was right about 5:00, so I texted the beautiful blond blogger, Ms. Sassy Britches. She was in Chicago and we were planning to meet up that afternoon for dinner before Cora, Gwen, and I went to see a play. I told her in the text to text me back when she got close.  Instantly, I got a replay that she was about to 100 yards away (91.44 meters for my foreign readers).  She was soon at my doorstep, and I had the pleasure of watching two old friends meet for the first time as she and Cora got together.

We talked for a while, then hit my corner "Irish Pub" (it is Chicago after all) for dinner and more conversation.  Three more charming dinner companions a man could not ask for.

Unfortunately, time kept ticking along and we went our separate ways.  Sassy B. headed off to do the work that she'd been ignoring all day and the three of us headed off to see a sketch comedy performed in a rickety theater above a funeral home.

I'm not sure Cora or Gwen stopped laughing the whole show.  People, seriously, if you are ever in Chicago on a Monday night, I strongly urge you to see Barrel of Monkeys.  And it helps the children.  I know what you're thinking: No, not communist children.  It is a magical place, and you will want to stay there forever. (Note: Yes, only Cora will get those jokes.  What's your point?)

TUESDAY

Tuesday, we headed off to another museum, the Field Museum of Natural History (at least Macy's didn't rename THAT, fargin ice holes!) to see dinosaurs and pirates.

And we was a dinosaur ("Sue" the most intact T-Rex fossil ever)

And the girls even made a little time with a pirate.

And there is even a pretty fair view of the skyline from the front of the building.

Wednesday

This was the day that I think none of us were looking forward to.  My gals were leaving me.  And Chicago even started to cry, as the rains returned to town.  We had brunch at a greasy spoon diner just up the street called Jeri's Grill.  But it too, too soon was time to drive them to the airport.  In route, we swung by Walt Disney's old house on the west side.  It was around this point that Cora and I pretty much stopped caring if Gwen caught us smooching.  Oh, she'd walked in on us a few times thru the week, but when days become hour become minutes, we made the most of them.  At the airport I watched them walk down the long security aisle until I was certain I could see them no longer, and then drove to the cell phone parking lot, and watched my Blackberry until their flight status said, "Departed", and I drove back to my far to quiet, far to lonely condo.

More than one tear was shed.

Thursday

I woke up to find an email telling me about the unfortunate incident that occurred when they got home.  But that's not my story to tell.  Watch for it over at Cora's.  (Yes, I'm a brat.)

But, I can honestly say, by seeing the looks on Cora & Gwen's faces that week, that it was the best birthday present I could have given Cora.  Special memories with her daughter.