I was 17 and following my mom’s tradition of making birthday collages when I made this for my mom. I don’t remember making it, but I know I did make collages — Just like Mom did for me and other folks. It’s actually perfect, especially the “my problem is my mother” and Can’t we be friends? I don’t remember if she liked it. That she saved it doesn’t mean much since she saved everything.
After the busy weekend we took a bit of a break from activities on Monday. We were scheduled to get our photographs taken Monday evening by a professional photographer I’d gotten to know via his blog a few years ago, so we didn’t want to do too much during the day. We had lunch at Portillos where Jill* works because I’d heard that their Italian beef was better than Beef Villa. It was very good, but there is something about Beef Villa I prefer.
Then we drove to Sycamore to go to Farm and Fleet (a friend of ours once called it “Farmer’s Feet”, so that’s what we usually call it too). Bought some stuff we didn’t need (including a colorful pair of gardening clogs that I will wear the .001% of the time I actually garden).
We stopped by and said hi to my dad and grandparents on the way back to Elgin, then headed to the kitty farm** for our photo shoot.
Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate that day and we had to reschedule the photo shoot for the next morning — early the next morning since we had plans to visit Chicago later that morning.
Bright and early Tuesday morning we headed back to the kitty farm and met up with James Jordan who made us look fabulous with an old barn as and equally fabulous backdrop. What you don’t see in the photos below are the occasional dead critters in the straw. Dean’s brothers (The Twins) stopped by for a visit and got in on the photography fun.
After the photo shoot we picked up my mom and Brandon and headed to Chicago where we first visited Millennium Park and photographed the “Bean”, then visited the Art Institute. Unfortunately a considerable amount of time was spent waiting to be seated for lunch in the Art Institute’s courtyard cafe, waiting to be waited upon, and waiting for our bill.
Oh yeah, it was Dean’s birthday.
That evening we celebrated June Birthdays in the Follmann family at Sue and Dennis’ house in Sycamore. Then we went home on Wednesday.
The end.
———————-
*Jill is my ex sister-in-law who lives with my mom
**The kitty farm is the farm where Dean spent his formative years and where his brother, Danny and his family lived for many years. They always had dozens of cats running around — and that is where we got Joe and Halloween.
Eighteen years ago today my obstetrician said I could get out of bed and stop taking Terbutaline.
Eighteen years ago today I got up, showered, dressed and drove to the obstetrician.
Eighteen years ago today the obstetrician said the baby could come at any time.
Eighteen years ago today I stopped at my favorite greeting card store to buy thank you cards.
Eighteen years ago today I felt the unmistakable onset of labor in the middle aisle of the above mentioned card store.
Eighteen years ago today I quickly paid for my purchases and drove home, occasionally wincing in pain.
Eighteen years ago today I called my friend, Frances, and casually mentioned I was in labor.
Eighteen years ago today I finally called my husband and told him we were going to probably have a baby very soon.
Eighteen years ago today I packed a bag for the hospital.
Eighteen years ago today I made dinner, but didn’t eat much, if anything. My husband ate though.
Eighteen years ago today I called the neighbor who’d promised to take our daughter when I gave birth.
Eighteen years ago today we finally called the doctor, told her about the contractions. She said we should go to the hospital.
Eighteen years ago today I checked in to Alexandria Hospital.
Eighteen years ago today I wanted to watch Murphy Brown on TV instead of giving birth right then.
Eighteen years ago today the doctor showed up and grumpily delivered our son at 11:11 pm.
Happy Eighteenth Birthday, Andrew!
Clutch Cargo Lips 