It has been over a week since my friend Anne, sister Christine, sister-in-law Brett and my mother threw me a shower in Chicago. I want to thank them for all their efforts. It was a wonderful time. Actually, I think it is the longest shower I have ever been to since it started at 1pm and the last guest left at 11pm. My father and Uncle Bill came to eat and stayed until about 6pm. I’m sorry I don’t have any pictures yet. I did not bring my camera and I am waiting for someone to mail me pictures(Steve?).
The surprises started when I arrived at Anne’s apartment and found to my utter amazement that Sara Lee was there. I had no idea that she was coming and she said she had a hard time not blowing it the weekend before when she was painting the mural. She kept almost letting things slip. Of course, I had brought a lot of pictures of the mural and so I could show off the room and the artist at the same time. Then Anne arrived home from school with Brett in tow. Another shocker. Brett had apologized to me on the phone because she could not make the shower although she had done the invitation. It never occurred to me that she was lying about not coming. After successfully keeping those two secrets, my three friends were unable to continue secret keeping very well and hints kept coming my way in the things they said so that I knew one more surprise guest was coming although I still did not know who it was. Diane arrived with Anna P a little while later having flown into from Minnesota. Another fun surprise. In the end, I had guests from Montana, Illinois, New York, Minnesota, Michigan and RI at my shower.
We went out for some Mexican tapas that night with Christine, my parents and Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill. It was very good. The next morning was an unusual experience for me since I am usually the one made to cook when I visit Chicago but I was taken to Anna P’s where Diane made scones like she does on the sailing trip. I had nothing to do all morning except hang out with Diane and Anna P and put some handles on Anna P’s cabinets. At 1:00pm we went to the shower.
As I said the shower was a lot of fun. The food was delicious. My hosts made orange marinated pork tenderloin on garlic toast with a 5 spice dipping sauce, sticky chicken wings, a coleslaw like salad, sesame noodles, and lettuce wraps. Dessert was cupcakes which Christine had investigated and so they were, of course, delicious. Sara Lee, is not only a great artist, but she is someone you want on hand to help with the cooking and cleaning. Per everyone, give her a task and it will be done efficiently and quickly and she does dishes like no one can. Christine gave a lovely toast. Lili got a lot of great presents: towels with her name and a panda bear on them, clothes that make her more fashionable than I could ever dream of being, toys, a life preserver from Captain Emeritus, a frog pod, books, a bitty baby with Anne’s old doll cradle and quilt, books which I love and I hope she will too and many other great gifts.
On Sunday, we went to dim sum. The food was great. Then we walked around Chinatown and then took Brett and Sara Lee to the airport. It was great to see everyone and I realize how lucky I am to have so many great friends and family and I can’t wait until Lili gets the chance to meet and know everyone. Thanks again for a great shower!!
A – 9 days and L – 14 days -c
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Catherine,
It was a pleasure and an honor to be there- I thank you for introducing me to your friends and family- those that I have known by name and now by face. I can’t wait to meet Lili, she is is on the other side of the world and counting down- 9 days until A and 12 days until I become a member of a family full of love, laughter and great spirit!
abrazos y besos!
slee