Much needed R&R

Back from a weekend getaway to visit my ole friends from Chicagoland. I hadn't seen them in nearly a year. It was soooooooooooooooo good to catch up things-even though a lot of time has passed -we always pick up right where we left off. Funny how some relationships are like that. Comforting in the knowledge that you can look your worst and feel the best knowing they'll accept you just as you are. We always seem to have an evening of tears and an evening of goofiness and fun. Topics discussed range from the latest and greatest scrappin' supplies-to philisophical topics-religion and death-the whole gamut of mundane topics to parenting flops and hops all the way too controversial ones like assisted suicide. The hubbies may think we get away just to chat incessantly about makeup and clothes and material things-when in actuality-most of our discussions are thought-provoking and reflective.
I absolutely love this group of gals-those who you can bare your deepest fears to, your imperfections and insecurities--and still know they love you anyway. I think each of us would mutually agree that friendships like these are the ones worth investing in and are truly priceless.

And you know what? It all came to be because we all share the common love of scrapbooking and family. How cool is that?

First we shopped (of course) at this nice SB store called The Paper Moon. Everyone very friendly and helpful there. We ate dinner at a quaint lil Italian Bistro called the Brick Oven-downtown Washington(great lil bedroom community to Peoria-both of my parents were born and raised there and that's where many of my fondest memories with my grandparents took place!)We had appetizers and some pretty tasty pizza too! It had a nice ambience with a gorgeous Italian landscape mural adorning the wall..(I'd post a pic of it-but that photo is one Tanya's camera).
The River House was awesome! Great view of the Illinois River. Sunday morning we saw a huge flock of pelicans swimming upstream! Unfortunately, even with my telephoto lens they were fairly far away. (Here's a shout out to my dad's cousin and husband for loaning it to us for the weekend-Thanks so very much Carol and Charlie!)

I managed to accomplish a fair amount with my scrappin-completed an album for a Christmas gift and several other l/o's to boot! Looking forward to other holiday projects.
So, we shopped. We ate. We laughed and we cried and in the end it was a truly memorable weekend!

Just got back from Wally World awhile ago ($200 later-ouch!) and picked up a cute T-shirt that said "If you can read this...thank a teacher." I thought it was totally appropriate for Ian as we have so many educators in our families. Not too mention, it'll be a big hit on Teacher Appreciation Day! Anyways, when Ian saw it hanging up on the cabinet, he said, "Cool T-shirt-not like those other ones that say "sister for sale" or "and shut up, that's what?" (How cool a kid is he?)
Seriously though, who buys that for their kids? (sorry if I have offended anyone-but come on-a little more positivity in this world would sure be nice-and don't our teachers deserve a bit of gratitude from us?
Really. 'Nuf said.

Suzer, out!