Hi Robin!!!!! So nice to see ya!

What a great time you 2 had in a short period of time! Quite the little whirl-wind visit, and it's nice that the weather was co-operative.

Annie, you must have the record of meeting the most members. It's your magnetic personality :)

I knew you two would have a great time together. Sounds like you made the best of your time. Annie, thanks for showing Robin around Chitown; I know she appreciated the comfort of having someone familiar with the territory.

Sounds like an amazing day! Glad you both could get together!

Linda

It was amazing. As a matter of fact, I was wishing I'd met her at least a day later so I could've been less amazed and more focused on us. I was amazed over the oceanic sized lake, the height of the buildings, the architechture, how riding the L was like being on a roller coaster in a good way, the people... I was amazed over everything. Even the different ways they did things. The people were so gregarious and kind. Just kind people. But loads of people, everywhere all the time. Whew. Not like Atlanta--a big city--but spread out enough and not shoulder to shoulder. I loved loved loved Chicago!

Annie was a great tour guide and I was so happy to be near her. She's one fantastic lady. The food was great, the company, better, and we walked and walked and walked... so much, every inch of me is still hurting!!! Nor has the smile left my face.

I wish I had uploaded the picture, but I'll have to do it later. It's of the little fella. He hasn't even made it out of his bedroom. He's fresh outta bed and is sitting, surounded by legos. As far as the eye can see! And he's very happy. He loved her present. Almost as much as I loved seeing her and hearing her. I didn't "get ginger", she gave it to me! And some chocolate balsalmic vinegar. If it ever slows down enough, I might get to enjoy them sometime soon. Well, time to go catch up at work!

WHAT FUN! I used to take the train from Grand Rapids to Chicago quite often when I lived in GR. And the Blue Line to the airport if I was flying out of O'Hare. Brings back lots of memories. And they don't call it the "Second City" for nothing! There's an endless supply of fun to be had there though, if you can tolerate the hustle. Sounds like you guys had fun, fun, fun! Thanks for sharing!

It was all fair, really, because Robin bought my lunch AND she took the train into town so I didn't have to go out to O'Hare.

We shoulda taken the water taxi, though, from Michigan to Madison, and saved our feet!

Robin, I'm glad the little guy liked the surprise, I never knew they made so many Legos!

Annie

By the way... it did end up being a trifecta. I didn't buy any more earrings, because I didn't want to jinx the new pair. They even had beautiful ones at the hotel and the airport.

Robin did anyone tell you look like Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York? You really do.

Annie, I have had blisters just like that so many times. Owie.

Glad you guys had fun. Come to Philadelphia some time.

Good eye, Pam! Yes, there is a marked likeness!!
Have you got a British accent Robin? :-)

What a wonderful sounding day!

I absolutely love Chicago and it sounds like you both packed a ton into a short time .Annie beats me on the number of forum members I've met but not by much.....I've met 21. Five of which I have head the pleasure to have to my home for dinner.

Robin is on my bucket list, so is mustangs.... I really want a proper tour of Nashville....love that town. ..maybe next year on our trip to Florida.

Nice get-together, I love those! I'm always happy to have a face to a name. Chicago AND Nashville are on my list of cities to visit.

Jessy...? You have not "done" Chicago???
Hoo boy!...Let me know when we could plan that!! Beginning with The Art Institute, Chicago Lyric and on to all the great food places...Topolabompo for example!!

And if you're in a hurry or can't get reservations at Topolabompo during your visit, Rick Bayless also has a restaurant in the food court at Macy's on State, called Frontera Fresco. I haven't been there yet, but I will, I know a couple of people who have eaten there and said it was very good and way cheaper than Topo.

Robin, I just knew you were going to have to get another pair of earrings!

Sharon, you're right, it's fun to have forum friends at your house. I've had 7 at the house. And I miscounted, Robin is actually #29. I forgot Maureen, and she even came to my house...

Annie

What a great meeting, but those tootsies were baaad! I can sympathize, that happens to me too. But I loved Chicago as you did, and can't wait to return. Hmmm, keep your eyes open Jessy, we may find a cheap airfare and jet off to the Second City to play!

Nashville is on my list too!

Nice to meet you Robin! My son was a Lego fanatic too! He's 29 now and still plays with his nephews!

Chase,

I know Nashville, c'mon down! The ins and outs, the good and the historic. Everyone is welcome too.

Never heard Duchess of York, and NO, I am way far away from a British accent. Try fast talking Southern. Weird combination, but then, so am I! My hair has seen a hard day at that point. I did think she wasn't going to post that. I'd have put on my jacket and shown the one earring side. You'd have never known the other was missing.
:)

Linda and Ellen you are ON, LOL. In Chicago I'd like to walk by Alinea and get a picture in front of the restaurant but not actually eat there, LOL. Robin I'll ask for a personal tour of Vandy :-)

Annie looks like you are catching up in meeting forum folks!

Rob, I think you look a lot like Fergie (the Duchess, not the Black-Eyed Peas) -- the same coloring and the shape of your eyes. Pretty!

Hey, me too! I have never visited Chicago or Nashville. I sure have spent plenty of time in O'Hare. I'd love to meet you there.

Now that is something I can do, Vanderbilt. It's my home away from home. You're on Jessy. C'mon on over! Just stop in Hollister for me on your way. Crab and artichokes. A mere pittance for a backstage view here. Right? Small price!

Excuse my Robin...Lego Land just opened 45 minutes from my guest room.

"---Never heard Duchess of York, and NO, I am way far away from a British accent. ----"

dcarch :-)

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Wow, she DOES look like Sarah Ferguson. From now on, I'm calling her "Princess Robin"!

Annie

The eyes and the smile...Rob by a mile. But there's a definite resemblance.

jude

Honey, everyone knows I am a "Princess", but Fergie is only Duchess (of York). She's kissing cousins with both Andrew and Princess Diana. I would be flattered, except, my lineage is Irish nobility. Those rotten British!

dcarch, I could just kill you! That's not her best picture. Or mine. So I guess we're equal there. She, however, looks a thousand times better when she's cleaned up. I only look marginally better.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I agree, that is not a very flattering pic of Fergie and not what I was thinking when I saw the resemblance. Rob's eyes are much prettier. Yes, the pic in the link is far better!

I supposedly look like Martha Stewart. I hope not in her days in prison.

"I would be flattered, except, my lineage is Irish nobility. Those rotten British!"

My darling Irish grandmother felt the same! Fergie, schmergie. I see a vague resemblance but your happy spirit shines a much brighter light for me.

What a great get-together. The food pics made me seriously hungry. I may have to make creme brulee as a result.

Eileen

Wow, I've never seen that other shot of Fergie!
I like the one DCarch posted better.

I also prefer DCarch's photo - and I notice a strong resemblance also in the bangs and hair.

Sounds like a delightful meeting and hopefully it will spawn more. I really have to visit the Midwest some time in my life!

Lars

It was a very nice time, Lars, and I would LOVE to show you around my part of the country if you ever come here.

Robin, I shall continue to call you Princess, you can "one up" Fergie that way. I also agree, your eyes are prettier.

Annie

Oh how I miss Chicago!!! The food.....*sigh*

If you all decide to do Nashville, please include me. I'm only 2 hours away. I've not had the pleasure of meeting anyone from the forum and I know I'm not much of a poster but it would be fun to wander around finding good chow!!!!

I have been to Nashville a few times. Each time I managed to miss the CMA FEST.

CMA FEST would be a good time to go to Nashville.

Lars, you and I might have met before. I have been to LA a few times. Each time I like to walk around Venice. A few times it was July 4th weekend and people would BBQ in their backyards, which is their "front yards" and you would be inches away from their BBQs. I would ask them what they were making, and they would give me some to taste.

dcarch

dees_1, we're really in the planning stages. Email me.

What a great meeting! Chicago is a great town, I've been there many times.

Robin, it's really nice to see you. Hopefully we can meet someday. I will watch for other meetups...

Lars, you do need to visit the Midwest. I'd be right there with Annie and would love to show you the sights.

Nancy

Robin, what a handsome boy you have, I'm glad he's enjoying the Legos. I remember stepping on a zillion of them when the girls were younger, I learned to hate them, LOL.

Now I step on them again, Bud has them everywhere.

Annie

As for things to step on in the dark, jacks are worse than Legos. So are Barbie doll shoes.

And - there are no small CF meetings. :)

E

Robin, e-mail sent. Besides, a trip to Nashville should include a visit to Trader Joes! It's the closest one by three hours!!!

Oh wait....don't know if I can fit a shopping trip to TJs in the motorcycle's saddle bags.....

Good looking young man, Robin. I know you enjoy him!

jude

Dee you're really gonna be outta luck if you come here, you'll have to go to Whole Foods too. You'll just have to bring a huge pickup to have it all fit.

Jude, you know I do! I had so much trouble having a baby, had him late in life... so he's more like a grandson to me. Spoiled rotten with love.

I'm late to join the party here, but I'm glad y'all had a great visit. I see the resemblance, but I wouldn't have thought of it if Dedtired hadn't brought it up. Neither picture of Fergie is good. The first one looks like she hadn't slept in days, and the second one is too photo shopped or airbrushed to look like her. The pic of Robin is great, though.

I don't know if I'll ever make it to the Chicago or midwest area, but it looks like a great city to visit, and Annie was a wonderful tour guide.

Sally