O Hi O

It's been a little while since I last posted. Life has been busy. Actually, that's an understatement.

Right now I'm enjoying time with family in Ohio. I flew in on Wednesday and I'm hanging out with my Aunt Diane and Uncle Rich until Sunday afternoon, when they'll take me back to the airport and I'll fly over to Chicago for 5 days!

I'm keeping busy here in Ohio too, but it's so so different. It's completely relaxing. My Aunt and Uncle are seriously the most hospitable people I know (growing up I always hoped to be as hospitable as my aunt when I had my own place...) They are so kind and fun and there is always something new to do around here. Whether it's taking their boat out on the river, riding go-carts, Snipe hunting with the boys (my cousin's sons who are 7 and 9) or just relaxing by their pool.

I went to a "cook-out" last night with my aunt and uncle at one of their friend's house. They have "cook-outs" here, they don't call them BBQs :) But for some reason I was the talk of the cook-out (mostly because I was the youngest one there and from California). When I got there they opened a bottle of champagne and insisted I have a glass. I couldn't argue with them of course :) They told me they had that champagne for a special occasion and that night was the night to use it!

Food and drinks were flowing as stories were told about "the good old days" where EVERYONE is known by their last name and what county they were from. "Oh you're a Kruse?" they said as we were talking. "And what were your grandparent's names?" I said "Lloyd and Katie" and they said, "Oh yes! They owned The Palmer House restaurant that had that great chicken noodle soup and your grandma had the prettiest hair!"

My grandma does make really good chicken noodle soup and I've seen pictures of her hair back in the day...she was a looker :)

All that to say, I'm having a great time here and am looking forward to exploring the great city of Chicago next week! I'm looking forward to going to Wrigley Field on Wednesday to a Cubs game. I don't usually eat hot dogs, but you better believe I'll be having one at the game!